Selective Eye-Box Illumination for Aberration-Controlled Near-Eye Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical systems, such as near-eye display systems, often cause image aberrations due to blanket illumination of the eye or pupil, leading to reduced image quality and potential distortion.
Innovation Solution
The optical system selectively illuminates only the portion of the eye motion box corresponding to the pupil location, using a processor to determine and correct for aberrations, and adjusts reflectivity and intensity of elements in a coupling-out arrangement to improve image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the entire pupil is illuminated with a light beam, then the image can be projected to cover the full field of view, but image aberrations such as coma and astigmatism occur resulting in blurred and distorted portions of the image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively illuminating only the specific region of the pupil that corresponds to the user's actual eye position, rather than uniformly illuminating the entire pupil. This localized illumination approach maintains high image quality by avoiding aberrations in non-illuminated regions while still providing sufficient light for the active viewing area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the pupil illumination into multiple distinct regions, each corresponding to different eye positions. By dividing the illumination task into separate spatial zones and activating only the relevant segment based on detected eye position, the system achieves both energy efficiency and high image quality without the compromises of full-pupil illumination.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple light sources are used to cover different regions of the eye motion box, then selective illumination can improve image quality and reduce aberrations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of light sources based on real-time eye position detection. The system actively switches between different light sources or adjusts their intensity levels according to the user's eye movements, transforming a static multi-source configuration into a dynamically adaptive system that maintains simplicity in operation while achieving selective illumination benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by detecting the user's eye position and using this information to determine which light sources should be activated or adjusted. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to intelligently manage multiple light sources, reducing the perceived complexity by automating the selection process based on real-time optical measurements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the entire eye motion box is illuminated, then all regions are covered for potential eye positions, but power consumption increases and image clarity decreases due to aberrations in non-active regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by illuminating only the necessary portion of the eye motion box that corresponds to the user's actual eye position, rather than providing excessive illumination across the entire region. This approach maintains adequate adaptability to eye movements while significantly reducing power consumption by avoiding unnecessary illumination in inactive areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the illumination parameters (intensity, spatial distribution) dynamically based on detected eye position. By adjusting these parameters in real-time, the system maintains versatile coverage of different eye positions while optimizing power consumption, as each light source operates at appropriate intensity levels rather than constant high power.
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 approach enhances image quality by reducing aberrations and increases power efficiency, addressing issues of vergence-accommodation conflict and providing improved image clarity.
Implementation Method 1
determining a distortion to be applied to the light beam based at least in part on the selected light source and to cause a modification of the light beam based at least in part on the determined distortion
Implementation Method 2
The light beam illuminates the portion of the eye motion box based at least in part on a plurality of elements of a coupling-out arrangement. At least one of a reflectivity and an intensity of each of the elements is selectively adjustable between at least two states.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to select a light source from a plurality of lights sources based at least in part on a location of a pupil of an eye relative to an eye motion box. The selected light source is configured to illuminate a portion of the eye motion box that corresponds to the location of the pupil with a light beam. The at least one processor is further configured to activate the selected light source to illuminate the portion of the eye motion box.