Electronic Eyepiece Registration Using a Dichroic Beam Splitter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The registration/alignment of electronic and optical images in augmented and mixed reality displays for telescopes has not been adequately addressed in prior art, impacting the quality of these displays.
Innovation Solution
A telescope and eyepiece adapter system incorporating a microdisplay, beam combiner, dichroic beam splitter, and image sensor to spatially overlap and register optical and electronic images, using a dichroic beam splitter to selectively reflect and transmit light by wavelength, allowing an image sensor to capture registration information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a beam combiner is used to mix optical and electronic images in the same optical path, then augmented reality and mixed reality display can be achieved, but the registration and alignment between electronic image and optical image becomes difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical path into multiple paths using a dichroic beam splitter. The first optical path transmits visible light to the eyepiece for normal observation, while the second optical path reflects invisible light and specific visible wavelengths to the image sensor for detection. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each path, enabling precise registration and alignment between electronic and optical images while maintaining augmented and mixed reality display capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If a dichroic beam splitter is introduced to separate optical paths for detection, then image registration information can be obtained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dichroic beam splitter performs multiple functions simultaneously: it separates visible light for the eyepiece path, directs invisible light to the image sensor, and enables both augmented reality display and optical image detection through a single optical component. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving precise image registration.
3Illumination intensity
If most visible light is directed to the eyepiece while only part of invisible light and a small part of visible light are directed to the image sensor, then observation quality is maintained, but the detection signal intensity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dichroic beam splitter utilizes wavelength-specific optical properties to differentiate light transmission. By designing the splitter to transmit most visible light wavelengths to the eyepiece while reflecting specific invisible light wavelengths and a portion of visible light to the image sensor, the system optimizes both observation quality and detection reliability through parameter-based light separation.
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
Enables accurate registration and alignment of optical and electronic images, enhancing the quality of augmented and mixed reality displays in telescopes.
Implementation Method 1
light rays from a distant object are refracted by a lens or reflected by a concave mirror, converged into an image
Implementation Method 2
a beam combiner which receives light from the objective lens and light from the microdisplay and mixes them so that the optical image formed by the objective lens and the electronic image displayed on the microdisplay can spatially overlap
Implementation Method 3
a dichroic beam splitter which receives light mixed by the beam combiner, and selectively reflects and transmits it according to wavelength, allowing most of the visible light to enter a first optical path leading to the eyepiece interface and allowing at least part of invisible light and a small part of visible light of a predetermined wavelength to enter a second optical path
Implementation Method 4
an image sensor, provided in the second optical path, which receives the invisible light from the dichroic beam splitter and the visible light of the predetermined wavelength to obtain a detection image representing the optical image formed by the objective lens and the electronic image displayed on the microdisplay
Data Source
AI summary
A telescope, including a microdisplay, a beam combiner, a dichroitic beam splitter, and an image sensor. The beam combiner receives light from an objective lens and the microdisplay, and mixes same. The dichroitic beam splitter allows at least part of invisible light and a small part of visible light having a predetermined wavelength to enter a second optical path leading to the image sensor. The image sensor obtains a detection image representing an optical image formed by the objective lens and an electronic image displayed on the microdisplay. Also disclosed are an electronic eyepiece and an eyepiece adapter for the telescope. The detection image representing the optical image and the electronic image can be obtained.