Curved Waveguide AR Optics for Undistorted Wide-Field Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing augmented reality glasses using curved waveguides suffer from image distortion due to the curvature of the waveguide, limiting the field of view and eye motion box, while devices with planar waveguides are bulky and inefficient in providing a wide field of view.
Innovation Solution
The use of an input optical compensator to pre-distort images before entering a curved waveguide and an output diffractive optical element with a variable period to compensate for distortion, ensuring undistorted images are projected through a curved waveguide, maintaining a wide field of view and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a curved waveguide is used to reduce device size and improve ergonomics, then device compactness and weight are improved, but image distortion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
An input optical compensator is placed before the curved waveguide to pre-distort the image in the opposite direction of the expected distortion. This preliminary action counteracts the waveguide's curvature-induced distortion, ensuring that the final output image is undistorted while maintaining the compact curved design
2Adaptability or versatility
If the field of view is widened to cover the entire human visual area, then the utility of the device is improved, but the device occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
A curved waveguide is used instead of a planar waveguide to achieve a wider field of view. The curved geometry allows light to propagate through a larger angular range, enabling the device to cover the entire human visual field while maintaining a compact form factor that fits the user's head
3Adaptability or versatility
If planar waveguides are used to provide wide field of view, then field of view is improved, but device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the planar waveguide with a curved waveguide that follows the contour of the user's head. This curved design achieves a wide field of view comparable to or better than planar waveguides while significantly reducing device weight and improving ergonomics for extended wear
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 provides undistorted images with a wide field of view and a large eye motion box, enhancing image quality and maintaining clarity at various eye distances, while reducing device size and weight.
Implementation Method 1
When a parallel beam is incident on a curved waveguide, the light is coupled into the waveguide using an input diffraction grating
Implementation Method 2
an output diffractive optical element... performs the function of an output optical compensator that converts the light out-coupling from the waveguide into an undistorted parallel ray image
Implementation Method 3
Curved waveguides are also used, which go around the circumference of the user's head
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to augmented reality devices based on a curved waveguide. An augmented reality device is provided. The augmented reality device includes a projection system to project an undistorted image, an input optical compensator located on the path of light rays out-coupled from the projection system, a curved waveguide comprising an input diffractive optical element and an output diffractive optical element. The output diffractive optical element performs the function of an output optical compensator that converts the light beams of a distorted image at the output of the waveguide into parallel light beams to output an undistorted image. Augmented reality glasses comprising an augmented reality device are also proposed. There is provided the ability to project a virtual image without aberrations, distortions and doubling of the image.