AR Waveguide Assembly for Depth Perception and Eye Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies face challenges in providing a comfortable and natural-feeling presentation of virtual image elements amidst real-world imagery, due to the complexity of the human visual perception system.
Innovation Solution
A head-mounted display system that includes a frame, an image projector, a camera, waveguides, coupling optical elements, and out-coupling elements, configured to project light to the user's eye, display AR image content, and capture images of the eye and environment, using a stacked waveguide assembly to simulate three-dimensional imagery by providing different presentations of images corresponding to multiple depth planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional display systems are used to present virtual image information, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot accurately simulate depth perception and provide comfortable AR/VR experiences
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide assembly is divided into multiple waveguides, each corresponding to a specific depth plane. Each waveguide independently guides light to create images at different depths, segmenting the depth representation task across multiple optical channels. This segmentation enables accurate depth perception while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the display from two-dimensional screens to three-dimensional space by using multiple waveguides arranged in depth. Each waveguide projects images at a specific depth plane, adding the depth dimension (z-axis) to the traditional x-y display plane. This dimensional extension allows virtual objects to be positioned at different distances from the user's eye, creating realistic depth perception.
2Reliability
If multiple depth planes are implemented to simulate three-dimensional imagery, then depth perception is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple waveguides are nested or stacked together in a compact arrangement, with each waveguide containing its own optical path and depth plane information. The waveguides are integrated into a single waveguide assembly that fits within the head-mounted display form factor. This nesting approach allows multiple depth planes to coexist in a compact volume without requiring separate external optical systems for each depth level.
3Ease of operation
If polarizing beam splitters are used to direct polarized light to light modulators, then light direction control is achieved, but the display system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes traditional bulky optical components such as polarizing beam splitters and separate light modulators from the display system. Instead, the waveguide assembly integrates all light guiding, modulation, and direction control functions into a single compact structure. This extraction of unnecessary components significantly reduces the display system area while maintaining precise light direction control through the waveguide's inherent optical properties.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively enhances the realism and comfort of AR and VR experiences by accurately simulating depth perception and allowing for the integration of virtual objects with the real world, while also potentially reducing the form factor of the display system.
Implementation Method 1
at least one waveguide configured to receive light from said illumination source and/or said image projector, and guide the light to said coupling optical element
Data Source
AI summary
Head mounted display systems configured to project light to an eye of a user to display augmented reality image content in a vision field of the user are disclosed. In embodiments, the system includes a frame configured to be supported on a head of the user, an image projector configured to project images into the user's eye, a camera coupled to the frame, a waveguide optically coupled to the camera, an optical coupling optical element me, an out-coupling element configured to direct light emitted from the waveguide to the camera, and a first light source configured to direct light to the user's eye through the waveguide. Electronics control the camera to capture images periodically and farther control the first light source to pulse in time with the camera such that light emitted by the light source has a reduced intensity when the camera is not capturing images.