Curved Holographic Optical Elements for Wearable Display Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable heads-up displays face challenges in minimizing bulk while providing high-quality images and maintaining aesthetic appeal, as existing designs are often bulky and lack fashion appeal due to large display components.
Innovation Solution
A method of producing curved holographic optical elements by positioning and orienting holographic film in a planar geometry, optically recording a hologram, and applying curvature to the film, combining holographic and geometric optical powers to achieve a total optical power, which can be used in wearable heads-up displays to enhance visual quality and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large display components are used in wearable heads-up displays, then visual quality is improved, but device bulk increases and aesthetic appeal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the display function from a separate bulky display component and integrates it into the eyeglass lens itself through a holographic layer. This allows the display functionality to be embedded within the lens structure, eliminating the need for large external display components while maintaining visual quality and aesthetic appeal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where a holographic display layer is embedded within the eyeglass lens. The holographic layer containing the display content is positioned between the front and back surfaces of the lens, creating a compact integrated system that combines the lens and display into a single unified component.
2Measurement precision
If large display components are used in wearable heads-up displays, then visual quality is improved, but aesthetic appeal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display component with the eyeglass lens into a single integrated unit. The holographic layer is embedded within the lens, combining the optical function of the lens with the display function, resulting in a sleek aesthetic appearance that resembles conventional eyeglasses while providing high-quality visual output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar two-dimensional display to a three-dimensional curved holographic display embedded within the lens volume. This dimensional change allows the display to conform to the curved surface of the lens, improving visual quality through enhanced field of view and depth perception while maintaining aesthetic appeal through the compact integrated form factor.
3Shape
If curved holographic optical elements are used, then aesthetic appeal and compactness are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the holographic layer during the manufacturing process before the device is assembled and used. By pre-curving the holographic layer to match the desired lens curvature, the patent simplifies the final assembly process and ensures proper optical alignment, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the curved geometry requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the holographic layer during manufacturing, including applying specific curvature radii and adjusting the refractive index profile, to optimize both aesthetic appeal and optical performance. These parameter changes are incorporated during the manufacturing process to achieve the desired curved form factor while managing manufacturing complexity.
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 enables the creation of curved holographic optical elements that provide high-quality images without obstructing the external environment, offering a more aesthetically pleasing and compact design for wearable heads-up displays.
Implementation Method 1
A photopolymer film may be controllably exposed/illuminated with a particular interference pattern of light to cause surface relief patterns to form in/on the photopolymer film
Implementation Method 2
A curved lens may include: a target-side surface having a first curvature, the first curvature to apply a second optical power to the playback light
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for making and using curved holographic optical elements (“HOEs”) are described. A hologram to apply a first optical power to playback light may be embedded in an internal volume of a curved lens, where the curved lens has a first curvature to apply a second optical power to the playback light and a second curvature opposite the first curvature to define the internal volume of the curved lens. The first optical power may be equal in magnitude and opposite in sign to the second optical power. The curved HOEs described herein are particularly well-suited for use when integrated with a curved eyeglass lens to form the transparent combiner of a virtual retina display.