Deformable Beam Combiner for Mixed Reality Eyewear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mixed and augmented reality eyewear technologies suffer from issues such as optical noise, scattering, spherical and chromatic aberration, distortion, and bulky form factors, which can lead to discomfort and safety concerns, especially in the event of a frontal impact.
Innovation Solution
The use of deformable beam combiners, typically made of transparent polymer films with attached wires, which can deform to accommodate the eye and are lightweight, compact, and polarize reflections to enhance image alignment and safety, allowing for a larger field of view and improved comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid beam combiners are used in mixed reality eyewear, then structural strength and stability are improved, but device weight and bulk increase, and safety in impact scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid beam combiner structures with flexible thin-film beam combiners that can deform under impact forces. These thin films maintain sufficient optical functionality while dramatically reducing weight and eliminating the bulk associated with rigid structures, directly resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam combiner transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can adapt its shape in response to external forces. This dynamic capability allows the structure to absorb impact energy through deformation while maintaining lightweight construction, addressing both strength and weight concerns.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid beam combiners are used in mixed reality eyewear, then structural stability is improved, but safety in frontal impact scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible thin-film beam combiner inherently provides cushioning capability before impact occurs. The material's elasticity and deformability allow it to absorb impact energy through controlled deformation, protecting the wearer's eye from direct rigid contact forces while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible film structure replaces rigid components with compliant materials that can deform to absorb impact energy. This flexibility provides built-in protection against frontal impacts while maintaining the necessary optical and structural functions, directly improving safety without sacrificing stability.
3Area of moving object
If larger beam combiners are used to increase field of view, then field of view is improved, but device bulk and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thin-film construction allows the beam combiner to achieve larger surface areas for expanded field of view while maintaining extremely low weight. The flexibility of the thin film material enables large-area coverage without the proportional weight increase that would occur with rigid structures, resolving the contradiction between area and weight.
4Measurement precision
If traditional rigid optical components are used, then optical precision is maintained, but optical aberrations and scattering increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible thin-film beam combiner eliminates the rigid interfaces and mounting structures that cause misalignment, scattering, and aberrations. The film's ability to conform smoothly to the optical path reduces optical distortions while maintaining precise light routing, improving optical quality without sacrificing alignment accuracy.
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 deformable beam combiners provide a safe, lightweight, and compact solution that reduces optical aberrations and enhances user safety by deforming to absorb impact forces, while maintaining a large field of view and improving the alignment of virtual and real-world content.
Implementation Method 1
the deformable beam combiner is polarizing such that a reflection of the rendered image is polarized
Implementation Method 2
configured to reflect the rendered image toward the eye of the wearer
Data Source
AI summary
In general, one aspect disclosed features a mixed reality eyewear, comprising: a frame configured to be worn by a wearer; a lens attached to the frame and aligned with an eye of the wearer; a display panel attached to the frame and configured to render an image not aligned with an eye of the wearer; and a deformable beam combiner attached to the frame between the lens and an eye of the wearer and configured to reflect the rendered image toward the eye of the wearer.