Asymmetric-Magnification Combiner for AR Aspect Ratio and Viewing Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display apparatuses struggle to increase the aspect ratio of virtual images while maintaining a wide viewing angle, particularly in augmented reality (AR) applications.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a combiner with asymmetric magnification, featuring curved surfaces and diffraction patterns or transflective coatings, to alter the size and aspect ratio of virtual images, allowing for a larger viewing angle and compatibility with real-world environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a conventional combiner with uniform magnification is used, then the device structure is simple, but the aspect ratio of virtual images cannot be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetric magnification to the combiner, where the magnification in the horizontal direction (first direction) is different from the magnification in the vertical direction (second direction). Specifically, the combiner has a first magnification in the horizontal direction and a second magnification in the vertical direction, with the ratio between them being greater than 1. This asymmetric design enables the virtual image aspect ratio to be increased while maintaining a relatively simple combiner structure, resolving the contradiction between shape improvement and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the combiner uses curved surfaces with asymmetric magnification, then the viewing angle increases, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved surfaces on the combiner to achieve asymmetric magnification. The combiner includes a first curved surface and a second curved surface, where each curved surface has different curvatures in the horizontal and vertical directions. This curvature design enables the combiner to provide a wide viewing angle while the asymmetric curvature parameters can be optimized to balance manufacturing precision requirements, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing precision.
3Reliability
If a transparent waveguide with curved surfaces is used, then the virtual image transmission is improved, but the device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a transparent waveguide with thin curved surface structures to achieve virtual image transmission. The waveguide incorporates asymmetric curved surfaces that are optimized to provide the required magnification while maintaining a thin profile. This approach improves virtual image transmission quality while minimizing the increase in device weight, resolving the contradiction between reliability and weight.
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 solution enhances the aspect ratio and viewing angle of virtual images, aligning with the CinemaScope standard, while reducing the thickness and weight of the display apparatus, and enabling AR and mixed reality experiences.
Implementation Method 1
the combiner includes a curved surface that changes a size of the virtual image based on a first magnification in a first direction and a second magnification in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction
Implementation Method 2
The combiner includes a transparent waveguide configured to transmit the virtual image, and the curved surface is formed on a surface of the transparent waveguide
Implementation Method 3
a diffraction pattern including a first surface that reflects light corresponding to the virtual image obliquely incident on the first surface in a direction perpendicular to the first surface
Implementation Method 4
The combiner further includes a transflective coating on the second surface
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a display apparatus including a combiner having asymmetric magnification. The display apparatus may include: an image forming device configured to form a virtual image; and a combiner configured to mix the virtual image with light containing an outside landscape and provide a viewer with the virtual image and the light that are mixed with each other, wherein the combiner may include a curved surface that varies a size of the virtual image with a first magnification in a first direction and a second magnification in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second magnification being less than the first magnification.