AR Waveguide Diffractive Architecture for Wide-Field Color Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing augmented reality devices face challenges in achieving a wide field of view without increasing thickness or weight, maintaining high resolution, and providing full-color images, as current solutions often result in image loss, double vision, or color dispersion.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide architecture using four sets of diffractive optical elements, each set configured to handle specific color components, allowing simultaneous expansion of both horizontal and vertical fields of view while maintaining compactness and full color, with all diffractive elements located on one side of the waveguide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the number of waveguides is increased to expand the field of view, then the field of view width is improved, but the device dimensions and weight increase while resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide surface is segmented into multiple zones, each zone containing a specific set of diffractive optical elements (input grating, multiplying grating, output grating) that handle particular angular ranges. This segmentation allows a single waveguide to manage multiple field of view sectors simultaneously, expanding the total field of view without increasing the number of waveguides.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional approach (multiple waveguides arranged side by side) to a two-dimensional approach (multiple diffractive element sets arranged in zones across the waveguide surface). This dimensional change allows the system to expand the field of view in both horizontal and vertical directions within a single waveguide plane, avoiding the thickness and weight penalties of multiple stacked waveguides.
2Device complexity
If conventional diffractive optical elements are used, then the device structure is simplified, but the field of view is limited and image corners are cut off
Solution Approach 1:
Different zones of the waveguide surface are assigned different diffractive optical element configurations optimized for their specific angular ranges. Each zone's input, multiplying, and output gratings are locally optimized to handle particular portions of the field of view, ensuring that all corners and edges of the image are fully transmitted without being cut off, while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple diffractive optical elements are used to expand field of view, then the field of view is improved, but color dispersion and image quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual imaging technology where a camera captures the real-world scene and generates virtual images that are then displayed through the waveguide. This copying approach allows precise control over image formation and color reproduction, eliminating color dispersion issues that plague conventional optical approaches while maintaining wide field of view through the diffractive element architecture.
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 a wide, full-color field of view with improved resolution and compact design by optimizing the path of color components through the diffractive elements, ensuring minimal image distortion and color overlap.
Implementation Method 1
an in-coupling diffractive element configured to input radiation from the projector... a first linear diffractive optical element of the in-coupling diffractive element and a second linear diffractive optical element of in-coupling diffractive element, a first multiplying diffractive element and a second multiplying diffractive element configured to multiply radiation
Implementation Method 2
The inner boundary of the ring is the area of the angle of total internal reflection (TIR), that is, the critical angle at which radiation propagates without leaving the waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to augmented reality devices, namely to near-field displays, to planar waveguides with diffractive optical elements and displays based on such planar waveguides. The architecture of diffractive optical elements, performed in a waveguide and a method for operating the architecture of diffractive optical elements, eliminating image dispersion and expanding the horizontal field of view are provided. The method for operating the architecture of diffractive optical elements, expanding the vertical field of view and a device for displaying an augmented reality containing the proposed architecture of diffractive optical elements are provided. The augmented reality glasses includes the proposed augmented reality display device.