Dual Depth Exit Pupil Expander for AR/VR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current augmented and virtual reality technologies face challenges in providing a comfortable and natural-feeling presentation of virtual image elements amidst real-world imagery, as they often fail to accurately simulate depth perception, leading to discomfort and reduced immersion for users.
Innovation Solution
The development of an eyepiece for head-mounted displays that utilizes waveguides with out-coupling optical elements to create the illusion of light originating from different depths, employing diffractive or holographic optical elements and multiplexing systems to selectively present near and far image content, allowing for a more immersive and realistic depth perception experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional display technologies are used to present virtual image elements, then the system structure remains simple, but depth perception accuracy deteriorates leading to user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into multiple functional components: waveguide for light guidance, out-coupling optical elements for light extraction, and optical elements with optical power for depth manipulation. Each component performs a specific function to collectively achieve accurate depth perception while managing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide acts as an intermediary element that receives light from the display, guides it through total internal reflection, and delivers it to the out-coupling elements. This intermediary structure enables complex optical processing while maintaining a relatively simple overall device form factor suitable for head-mounted displays.
2Ease of operation
If virtual image elements are presented without accurate depth simulation, then the device complexity remains low, but user comfort and immersion deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the optical system are designed with different properties: the waveguide portion handles light guidance, the out-coupling elements handle light extraction, and the optical elements with optical power handle depth manipulation. This local differentiation of functions enables accurate depth simulation while organizing complexity into manageable, specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a depth dimension to the visual presentation by using optical elements with optical power to create the illusion of light originating from different depths. This dimensional enhancement transforms flat 2D display output into a perceived 3D experience, improving user comfort and immersion.
3Measurement precision
If multiple depth planes are simulated using waveguides and out-coupling elements, then depth perception accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide structure serves multiple functions: it guides light from the display, supports out-coupling elements for light extraction, and works with optical elements to create multiple depth planes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, managing complexity while achieving accurate depth perception.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical elements with optical power are positioned within or in conjunction with the waveguide structure, creating a nested arrangement where smaller functional elements are integrated into the larger waveguide system. This nesting approach consolidates multiple functions into a compact integrated structure.
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 enhances user comfort and immersion by accurately simulating depth cues, allowing for a more believable and engaging augmented and virtual reality experience by effectively integrating virtual content with real-world elements.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide having a front face, a rear face and a plurality of edges, said front face and said rear face having lateral dimensions, said edges having a thickness less than the lateral dimensions of said front face and said rear face such that said waveguide can guide light therein from a location closer to one edge toward a location closer to another edge by total internal reflection from said front and rear faces
Implementation Method 2
at least one out-coupling optical element configured to receive light guided within said waveguide by total internal reflection from said front face and said rear face and to out-couple light out of said front face of said waveguide
Implementation Method 3
at least one optical element having optical power such that said eyepiece outputs a first portion of said light guided within said waveguide from a first region of said eyepiece as if said light originated from a first depth with respect to said waveguide and a second portion of light guided within said waveguide from a second region of said eyepiece as if said light originated from a second depth with respect to said waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device includes a waveguide including an in-coupling optical element configured to in-couple light into the waveguide, a light distributing element configured to receive light from the in-coupling optical element and distribute light at a selected wavelength, and an out-coupling optical element configured to receive light from the light distributing element and out-couple light out of the waveguide. The out-coupling optical element includes a first region configured to out-couple light at a first depth plane based on a lens function of the first region and a second region configured to out-couple light at a second depth plane based on a different lens function of the second region.