Foveated Display Module Using Beam Splitter and Optical Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing compact virtual and augmented reality headsets that provide high-resolution images while conserving processing and optical resources, without increasing the size of the display module, is challenging due to the human eye's limited sensitivity to resolution at the periphery of the field of view.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a foveated display system with a display module that generates images with high resolution at the center of the user's gaze and lower resolution at the periphery, using a combination of reflective and emissive display panels, polarizing beam splitters, and optical steering elements to dynamically adjust the high-resolution region to follow the user's gaze, thereby optimizing image quality without increasing the display module's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a full high-resolution display is implemented across the entire field of view, then image quality is improved, but processing resources and optical resources are excessively consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing high resolution only in the foveal region (center of gaze) where the human eye is most sensitive, while providing lower resolution in the peripheral regions. This is achieved through a foveated display system that dynamically adjusts the high-resolution region to follow the user's gaze, thereby reducing overall processing requirements while maintaining perceived image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by providing high-resolution rendering only for the portion of the image that the user is currently looking at (the foveal region), rather than rendering the entire field of view at high resolution. The display system dynamically adjusts the high-resolution region to match the user's gaze, applying full processing resources only where needed.
2Measurement precision
If a full high-resolution display is implemented across the entire field of view, then image quality is improved, but display module size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces display module size by implementing local quality - providing high resolution only in the foveal region rather than across the entire display area. This allows the physical display to be smaller while maintaining high perceived quality, since the human eye cannot detect lower resolution in the peripheral regions where the display area is reduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing high-resolution content only in the necessary foveal region, allowing the overall display module to be smaller. The high-resolution rendering is applied selectively to the region the user is looking at, reducing the total display area needed while maintaining perceived image quality.
3Measurement precision
If the high resolution region is dynamically adjusted to follow the user's gaze, then perceived image quality is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the high-resolution region dynamically adjustable and movable across the display area. The system uses gaze tracking to determine where the user is looking and dynamically repositions the high-resolution rendering to follow the gaze, optimizing perceived image quality as the user moves their eyes across the field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an optical steering element as an intermediary to redirect light from the display module to different regions of the user's field of view. This intermediary component enables the dynamic repositioning of the high-resolution region without requiring complex mechanical adjustments to the entire optical system, thereby managing device complexity.
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 allows for the perception of high-resolution images without the need for increased processing, optical resources, or display module size, as the high-resolution region is dynamically adjusted to remain at the center of the user's gaze, effectively conserving resources while maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a polarizing beam splitter, the beam splitter being configured to reflect the first reflected light towards the optical system as the low resolution region of the foveated image but to transmit the second reflected light
Implementation Method 2
The lens may de-magnify the second reflected light transmitted by the polarizing beam splitter to produce de-magnified light
Implementation Method 3
The optical steering element may re-direct the de-magnified light through the beam splitter and towards the optical system as the high resolution region of the foveated image
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include a display module that produces foveated images having high and low resolution regions. The module may include a reflective display panel that produces first reflected light during first time periods and second reflected light during second time periods. The first reflected light may reflect off of a beam splitter to form the low resolution region of the foveated image. The second reflected light may be transmitted by the beam splitter, de-magnified by a lens, and redirected by an optical steering element to produce the high resolution region at a desired, adjustable, location in the foveated image. The reflective display panel may be replaced by sets of emissive display panels that concurrently display the high and low resolution regions in the foveated image. The sets of emissive display panels may be replaced by front-lit reflective display panels.