Free-Form Waveguide AR Glasses for Variable IPD Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Augmented reality glasses face issues with blurred images and vergence-accommodation conflict due to varying interpupillary distances and improper light beam alignment.
Innovation Solution
The augmented reality glasses utilize a projection device and a waveguide with free form surfaces, allowing for adjustment mechanisms to align the collimated beam to accommodate different interpupillary distances, and generate a collimated beam with a small divergence angle to reduce VAC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed waveguide structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different interpupillary distances deteriorates causing blurred images
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide is designed with movable components that allow dynamic adjustment of the light beam reflection path. The waveguide can be shifted along the optical axis and rotated to different angles, enabling adaptation to various interpupillary distances while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the waveguide system by introducing adjustable distance parameters (d1, d2) and angle parameters (θ1, θ2). These parameters can be modified to accommodate different user eye positions, allowing the fixed waveguide structure to adapt to varying IPDs through parameter adjustment rather than physical reconfiguration.
2Reliability
If a collimated beam is used, then the divergence angle is reduced avoiding VAC, but the beam cannot properly enter pupils with different IPDs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary adjustment mechanism between the collimated beam source and the user's eyes. This mechanism includes adjustable waveguide positioning and beam steering components that act as intermediaries to redirect the collimated beam onto the user's pupils, accommodating different IPDs while preserving the beam's collimated nature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic adjustment of the waveguide position and orientation to match different user eye geometries. The waveguide can be shifted and rotated to dynamically align with various interpupillary distances, allowing the collimated beam to properly enter different pupil positions without sacrificing beam quality.
3Ease of operation
If the waveguide is fixed in position, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation for different users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide is designed with movable joints and adjustment mechanisms that allow it to be repositioned along the optical axis and rotated to different angles. This dynamic capability enables easy adaptation to different users' eye positions while maintaining precise control over the beam path through controlled movement rather than fixed high-precision manufacturing.
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 ensures clear image projection for users with varying IPDs and reduces vergence-accommodation conflict by properly aligning the image beam into the user's eyes.
Implementation Method 1
The projection device is configured to provide a collimated beam
Implementation Method 2
the collimated beam progresses to and reflects off these free form surfaces in sequence
Data Source
AI summary
A pair of augmented reality glasses including a projection device and a waveguide is provided. The projection device is configured to provide a collimated beam. The waveguide has a plurality of free form surfaces. Distances between each free form surface and the projection device are different from each other. The collimated beam progresses to and reflects off these free form surfaces in sequence, and then enters eyes of the user.