Embedded Image Pipe With Nested Waveguides for Expanded Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable optical devices such as head-mounted displays and smart glasses suffer from issues like large size, heaviness, limited field of view, performance limitations due to large input apertures, and high power consumption, leading to unclear augmented images and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
An optical device comprising a coupling assembly, image pipe, and waveguides with aperture expanders to expand and emit multiple image beams, using components like semitransparent mirrors, waveguides, and image projectors to enhance image delivery, including a liquid crystal on silicon display for collimated image beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional wearable optical devices use traditional display architectures, then the device structure is simple, but the field of view is limited and image quality is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into multiple waveguides (first waveguide, second waveguide, third waveguide) that process different portions of the image beam separately. Each waveguide contains aperture expanders and beam splitters that independently expand and direct specific regions of the image, allowing the field of view to be expanded by combining multiple segmented optical paths
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple optical components are nested within each other - aperture expanders are embedded within waveguides, beam splitters are integrated into the waveguide structure, and multiple waveguides are combined in a nested arrangement where the second waveguide receives beams from the first waveguide, creating a compact nested optical system that expands functionality without proportionally increasing size
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional devices use large input apertures to improve image quality, then image delivery performance improves, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the angular parameters of light propagation by using aperture expanders that convert narrow input beams into wider angular distributions. This allows the optical system to achieve better image delivery quality through angular expansion rather than physical aperture size, reducing the need for large optical components and thereby reducing device weight
3Duration of action of moving object
If conventional wearable devices use traditional optical components, then the device is compact, but power consumption is high and battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional LCD or OLED display panels with a reflective optical system using waveguides and aperture expanders. Instead of powering high-energy light-emitting components, the system uses reflective optics that manipulate existing light from the display, dramatically reducing power consumption and extending battery life
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional devices use simple optical paths, then the device is easy to manufacture, but the augmented images are unclear and quality is poor
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the optical system are optimized for different functions - the first waveguide handles the central image region with one set of aperture expanders, while the second and third waveguides handle peripheral regions with different beam splitting and expansion configurations. This local optimization of optical quality in different zones achieves superior overall image clarity while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity through modular design
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 high-quality optical information with an expanded field of view and reduced power consumption, enhancing usability and battery life in wearable devices.
Implementation Method 1
a semitransparent mirror having a semitransparent mirror first surface and a semitransparent mirror second surface opposite the semitransparent mirror first surface, the semitransparent mirror first surface configured to receive the collimated image beam and provide the first output image beam reflected from the semitransparent mirror first surface
Implementation Method 2
provide the second output image beam emitted from the semitransparent mirror second surface
Implementation Method 3
a first waveguide configured to receive the second output image beam and emit a first expanded output image beam from the first waveguide rear surface; and a second waveguide configured to receive the at least one propagated image beam and emit a second expanded output image beam from the second waveguide rear surface
Implementation Method 4
an image pipe configured to receive the first output image beam at an image pipe input and provide at least one propagated image beam at an image pipe output
Implementation Method 5
an image projector configured to provide the collimated image beam based on a digital image, wherein the collimated image beam is collimated to infinity, and wherein the projector includes a liquid crystal on silicon display
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device may include a coupling assembly configured to receive a collimated image beam and provide a first output image beam and a second output image beam; an image pipe configured to receive the first output image beam at an image pipe input and provide at least one propagated image beam at an image pipe output; a first waveguide having a first waveguide rear surface, the first waveguide configured to receive the second output image beam and emit a first expanded output image beam from the first waveguide rear surface; and a second waveguide having a second waveguide rear surface, the second waveguide configured to receive the at least one propagated image beam and emit a second expanded output image beam from the second waveguide rear surface.