Freeform Surface Display Apparatus for Multi-Depth Virtual Images

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display technologies struggle to provide clear virtual images at multiple depths, leading to discomfort and dizziness due to discrepancies between perceived and provided depth information.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus featuring a freeform surface that is optimally designed to form virtual images at different depths, combined with a driver mechanism to adjust the position of the image generator and a processor to control depth perception, ensuring clear and comfortable viewing across varying depths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional display surface is used, then the device structure is simple, but clear virtual images at multiple depths cannot be formed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth formation precisionVSAvoidsurface structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a freeform curved surface instead of a conventional flat display surface. This curved surface is specifically designed to reflect light from the image generator at different depths, enabling clear virtual images to be formed at multiple depth positions simultaneously while maintaining optical precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Measurement precision

If virtual images at multiple depths are provided, then depth perception accuracy is improved, but user discomfort and dizziness increase due to perception discrepancies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth perception accuracyVSAvoiduser discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates an eye tracking sensor that detects the user's eye position and provides feedback to the processor. The processor adjusts the image generation parameters based on this feedback, dynamically optimizing the virtual images at different depths to match the user's actual viewing position, thereby eliminating perception discrepancies and preventing discomfort and dizziness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the virtual image parameters based on real-time eye tracking data. The processor modifies the depth and position of virtual images according to the detected eye position, creating a dynamic adaptation that maintains accurate depth perception without causing user discomfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the image generator position is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but clear viewing at varying depths cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage clarity at multiple depthsVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a driver mechanism that enables the image generator to move along the optical axis. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to adjust the image generator's position to optimize image clarity at different depths, working in coordination with the freeform surface and eye tracking system to achieve clear viewing across varying depths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 clear and comfortable viewing of virtual images at multiple depths by minimizing errors in depth perception, reducing dizziness and enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

a freeform surface that is optimally designed to form virtual images at different depths

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4083683B1Display apparatus including free-formed surface and operating method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4083683B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4083683B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4083683B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a display apparatus including an image generator configured to time-sequentially generate a plurality of images by modulating light, and an optical system including a freeform surface that is configured to time-sequentially form a plurality of virtual images respectively corresponding to the plurality of images at different depths from a user's eye, wherein each error value among error values between the plurality of images and the plurality of virtual images respectively corresponding to the plurality of images on the freeform surface is less than or equal to a profile value of the freeform surface.