Electro-Optical Tessellation for Light Field Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light field display and imaging systems are limited by the aperture size, which restricts the field of view and prevents the expansion of angles that can enter or exit the system, leading to a 'pipe effect' and causing nauseated sensations in viewers, and limiting the size of image sensors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electro-optical tessellation using an Orthogonal Field Evolving Cavity (OFEC) with reflective surfaces that guide light at different angles to expand the display or image sensor size beyond the physical aperture, allowing for a larger field of view and deeper depth perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the aperture size of the display system is increased to expand the field of view, then the field of view is improved, but the physical size of the display system becomes larger and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies optical folding principles to bend and fold the optical path, transforming a linear light path into a multi-dimensional folded structure. This allows the light to travel a longer effective distance within a compact physical footprint, expanding the field of view without proportionally increasing the device's external dimensions. The optical components are arranged in folded configurations that maximize the light path length while minimizing the device envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested optical components where multiple optical elements are positioned within each other's spatial envelopes. The optical path is folded back through the device structure, with components arranged in nested configurations that allow light to traverse extended distances while maintaining a compact overall form factor. This nesting approach enables the system to achieve a larger effective aperture without proportionally increasing the physical device size.
2Quantity of substance
If the aperture size of the imaging system is increased to capture more light and angles, then the image capture capability is improved, but the sensor size and system complexity must increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical folding to extend the light path length and aperture size without proportionally increasing the physical dimensions of the imaging system. By folding the optical path through multiple reflections and redirects, the system captures light from a wider angular range and with greater intensity while maintaining a compact sensor package and overall system size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the optical path into multiple segmented sections using reflective surfaces and optical components. Each segment redirects light at specific angles, collectively forming an extended effective aperture. This segmentation allows the system to achieve large-angle light capture capability while keeping individual sensor and component sizes manageable, avoiding the need for a single large sensor or monolithic optical element.
3Manufacturing precision
If the display aperture is increased to provide true optical depth, then the monocular depth perception is improved, but the binocular overlap region becomes difficult to cover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs folded optical paths to expand the display aperture in effective optical space while maintaining a compact physical form. This allows the display to provide true optical depth cues for monocular viewing while the folded configuration enables the optical paths for both eyes to be routed without collision, preserving binocular overlap coverage. The folding approach resolves the spatial conflict between large aperture requirements and binocular viewing zone coverage.
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 effectively expands the field of view and depth perception, eliminating the 'pipe effect' and enabling larger image capture with smaller sensors, providing a more immersive and expansive visual experience.
Implementation Method 1
an Orthogonal Field Evolving Cavity (OFEC) with reflective surfaces that guide light at different angles
Data Source
AI summary
Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to tessellating a light field into a size or depth that is larger or further extended than the pupil size of an imaging system or display system. In some implementations, a display system comprises: a display configured to emit light corresponding to an image; a first optical component positioned in front of the display, the first optical component configured to pass the light to an orthogonal field evolving cavity (OFEC) at a plurality of different angles; the OFEC, wherein the OFEC comprises a plurality of reflectors that are configured to reflect the light passed at the plurality of different angles to tessellate the size of the image to form a tessellated image; and a second optical component optically coupled to the OFEC, the second optical component configured to relay the tessellated image through an exit pupil of the display system.