Display Unit Optical Distortion Correction via Phase Modulation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display technologies for head-mounted VR devices struggle to enhance resolution in specific image regions without causing a feeling of strangeness or distortion, especially when mechanically adjusting the beam splitter for positional accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A display unit with an optical device that corrects distortion by using a phase modulation device to adjust the refractive index distribution, allowing for differential resolution in image regions and eyesight adjustment, enabling high-resolution display in focused areas while maintaining overall image coherence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If image display is performed with different resolution for each image region to enhance visibility in focused areas, then resolution in critical regions is improved, but optical distortion occurs in the display image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresolution in focused image regionsVSAvoidoptical distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes optical parameters (refractive index distribution) of the optical device to correct distortion caused by differential resolution display. By dynamically adjusting the refractive index distribution in the optical device, the system compensates for the geometric distortions introduced when displaying high-resolution content in specific regions while maintaining lower resolution in other areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms (such as physically moving the beam splitter to adjust positional accuracy) with an optical correction approach using refractive index modulation. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical adjustments while achieving the same goal of aligning and correcting the displayed image regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If mechanical adjustment of beam splitter is performed to achieve positional accuracy, then image position accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage position accuracyVSAvoidmechanical adjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms (such as physically moving the beam splitter to adjust positional accuracy) with an optical correction approach using refractive index modulation. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical adjustments while achieving the same goal of aligning and correcting the displayed image regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic optical adjustment through real-time modification of the refractive index distribution in the optical device. This dynamic approach allows the system to adaptively correct image position and distortion without mechanical moving parts, enabling flexible and responsive image alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Illumination intensity

If high-resolution display is performed in specific image regions, then visibility in focused areas is improved, but a feeling of strangeness occurs in the overall image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility in focused regionsVSAvoidfeeling of strangeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes optical parameters (refractive index distribution) of the optical device to correct distortion caused by differential resolution display. By dynamically adjusting the refractive index distribution in the optical device, the system compensates for the geometric distortions introduced when displaying high-resolution content in specific regions while maintaining lower resolution in other areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for high-resolution display in focused image regions without the feeling of strangeness, enhances resolution in critical viewing areas, and integrates eyesight adjustment, improving the overall display experience by correcting optical distortions dynamically.

Implementation Method 1

A display unit with an optical device that corrects distortion by using a phase modulation device to adjust the refractive index distribution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase modulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 2

an optical device that corrects optically for distortion of a display image

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical phase modulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentUS11328643B2Display unit

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP

AI summary

A display unit of the present disclosure includes one or more display devices that perform image display by making a difference in resolution for each of a plurality of image regions in an original image, and an optical device that corrects optically for distortion of a display image that is caused by performing the image display at the different resolution for each of the plurality of image regions, a position of the image display between the plurality of image regions, or both.