Folded Optical HMD with Shared Central Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-mounted display (HMD) systems for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are bulky and uncomfortable due to the need for substantial space and weight to achieve high image quality and wide field of view, leading to fatigue and limited wearability.
Innovation Solution
A compact HMD system design using three image panels, where two panels are unshared and one is shared, with a folded optical arrangement that positions panels closer to the eyes, reducing the device's thickness and weight, and incorporating mirror and lens components to direct light along specific pathways, minimizing ghost imaging and optimizing image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional eyepiece lenses are used to re-image the display module, then the display image appears at a comfortable viewing distance, but the space between the eyepiece and display module increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a folded optical path using mirror elements that reflect light at angles, effectively adding dimensional complexity to the optical trajectory. This allows the optical distance to be extended without increasing the linear thickness of the device, resolving the contradiction between comfortable viewing distance and compact form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests multiple optical components including mirror elements, beam splitters, and display modules within a compact layered structure. The folded optical path is nested within the device thickness, allowing substantial optical path length to be contained within minimal external dimensions
2Manufacturing precision
If complex lenses are used to display images with high quality and wide field of view, then image quality improves, but the device becomes heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple discrete components including separate mirror elements, beam splitters, and display modules. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables a distributed optical architecture that achieves wide field of view and high image quality without requiring a single heavy complex lens
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional heavy refractive lens systems with a reflective optical path using mirror elements and beam splitters. This substitution eliminates the need for substantial glass lens mass while maintaining optical performance, directly addressing the weight issue
3Measurement precision
If the display is positioned far from the eyes to ensure sufficient magnification, then magnification is achieved, but the device must be strapped to the head and generates torque on the face and neck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a folded optical path to decouple the linear distance from the optical path length. The display can be positioned close to the eye physically, while the folded optical trajectory provides sufficient optical distance for magnification, eliminating the need for forward weight distribution and reducing torque on the head and neck
4Length of stationary object
If light-field displays are used to achieve thin HMD, then the form factor is reduced, but the display resolution is heavily traded off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces beam splitter elements as intermediary components that separate and direct light from multiple display modules to different viewing zones. This intermediary optical architecture enables high-resolution imaging by directing light from high-resolution displays through the folded path to the eye, maintaining resolution while achieving thin form factor
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 design results in a lightweight, comfortable HMD system that maintains high image quality and wide field of view, reducing torque on the head and neck, allowing for longer wearability without the need for a strap, while minimizing the form factor and accommodating the user's nose.
Implementation Method 1
an optical arrangement, a first image panel, wherein the optical arrangement directs image light from the first image panel along a first optical pathway; a second image panel, wherein the optical arrangement directs image light from the second image panel along a second optical pathway different from the first optical pathway
Implementation Method 2
an optical arrangement, a first image panel, wherein the optical arrangement directs image light from the first image panel along a first optical pathway; a second image panel, wherein the optical arrangement directs image light from the second image panel along a second optical pathway different from the first optical pathway
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mounted display (HMD) system includes an optical arrangement; a first image panel, wherein the optical arrangement directs image light from the first image panel along a first optical pathway; a second image panel, wherein the optical arrangement directs image light from the second image panel along a second optical pathway different from the first optical pathway; and a central image panel located between the first image panel and the second image panel, the central image panel including a first portion and a second portion. The optical arrangement directs light from the first portion and the second portion of the central image panel along different optical pathways. The optical arrangement is configured such that light from the first image panel and the first portion of central image panel are emitted from the HMD system in a combined fashion in a first eye direction, and light from the second image panel and the second portion of the central image panel are emitted from the HMD system in a combined fashion in a second eye direction different from the first eye direction.