Diffractive Optical Elements for Vision Correction in HMDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-mounted display devices (HMDs) do not account for users' vision defects, such as astigmatism, myopia, or hyperopia, leading to unfocused or unclear visual content for users who wear vision correction glasses.
Innovation Solution
The HMD incorporates a selectively variable optical system with diffractive optical elements that can be adjusted to correct for various vision conditions, including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, by modifying the virtual image light emitted from the display units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the HMD displays visual content without vision correction, then the device structure remains simple and compact, but users with vision defects experience unfocused or unclear visual content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs diffractive optical elements that can be dynamically adjusted to correct for different vision conditions (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism). The optical system transitions from a fixed design to an adjustable one, allowing the same hardware to adapt to various user needs without requiring multiple separate devices or complex manual adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the diffractive elements to correct different vision defects. By adjusting parameters such as focal length and diffraction patterns, the system can compensate for myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, transforming the optical output to match different user prescriptions while using a single integrated system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the HMD includes vision correction capability, then it can accommodate users with vision defects, but the space requirement in front of the user's eyes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vision correction function directly into the HMD's optical system by integrating diffractive optical elements with the display units. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate vision correction glasses, as the correction capability is built-in, thereby maintaining compact space requirements while providing adaptability to vision defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The HMD's optical system is designed to perform multiple functions: displaying visual content and correcting vision defects simultaneously. The diffractive optical elements serve dual purposes, enabling the same device to accommodate both vision-perfect users and users with vision defects without requiring additional space or separate correction devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the HMD uses fixed optical elements, then the manufacturing process is simple, but it cannot correct for different vision conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable diffractive optical elements that can be modified to correct different vision conditions. These elements can be manufactured with adjustable parameters that allow post-fabricration tuning, combining the manufacturing simplicity of fixed elements with the adaptability of variable optical characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffractive optical elements are designed with manufacturable parameter variations that can be adjusted to correct different vision conditions. By using standard manufacturing processes with controllable parameters, the system achieves both ease of manufacture and adaptability to various vision defects through parameter adjustment rather than complex custom fabrication.
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
This solution provides clear and focused visual content for users with vision defects, enhancing the overall immersive experience in virtual or augmented reality applications without the need for external vision correction devices.
Implementation Method 1
The HMD incorporates a selectively variable optical system with diffractive optical elements that can be adjusted to correct for various vision conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for providing an optical system in a head-mounted display (HMD) that is operable to modify virtual image light to correct for one or more vision conditions of a user's eyes. The optical system includes a left optical subsystem for the left eye and a right optical system for the right eye. Each optical subsystem includes at least one correction portion having a diffractive optical element assembly. Selective electrical or mechanical control or adjustment of the diffractive optical element assembly provides for the correction of vision conditions in the user's eyes.