Head-Mounted Display With Phase Spatial Light Modulator

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-mounted devices for augmented reality struggle to provide customized image display that accounts for wearer-specific visualization parameters, leading to potential discomfort and exposure to harmful electromagnetic waves, while also requiring high energy consumption and bulkiness.

Innovation Solution

The use of a phase spatial light modulator (SLM) in head-mounted devices that codes both image data and prescription data into the wave front, allowing for customized holographic image display that corrects optical aberrations and reduces energy consumption by phase modulation, while minimizing electromagnetic wave exposure through optical communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If head-mounted devices use conventional display methods, then electromagnetic wave communication can be implemented, but wearer exposure to harmful electromagnetic waves increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic wave exposureVSAvoidcommunication functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electromagnetic wave-based wireless communication with optical communication using visible light. The head-mounted device captures images through its lens system and transmits data optically, eliminating the need for radio frequency electromagnetic waves while maintaining communication functionality. This substitution directly reduces harmful electromagnetic wave exposure to the wearer's head.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an optical communication intermediary system that uses light as the transmission medium instead of electromagnetic waves. The lens system and optical components act as intermediaries to transmit data and images without requiring the head-mounted device to emit or receive harmful electromagnetic radiation, thereby protecting the wearer while preserving communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If head-mounted devices provide customized image display for each wearer, then visual comfort is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual comfortVSAvoidcustomization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic customization by allowing the head-mounted device to adapt its optical parameters based on individual wearer characteristics. The device can adjust focus, magnification, and image positioning in real-time according to the wearer's visual requirements, making the customization process flexible and manufacturable without requiring entirely different devices for each user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves customization by adjusting optical parameters such as focal length, magnification, and image position within the wearer's visual field. These parameter changes allow the same device hardware to serve multiple wearers with different visual needs, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining visual comfort through personalized optical settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If head-mounted devices correct optical aberrations and customize display, then image quality improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary optical correction by pre-calculating and pre-positioning the image within the wearer's visual field to account for individual visual characteristics. This preliminary action reduces the need for continuous energy-consuming adjustments during operation, as the optical system is optimized in advance for each wearer's specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service optimization where the head-mounted device automatically adjusts its optical parameters based on feedback from the wearer's visual responses. The system self-corrects for optical aberrations and maintains optimal image quality without requiring continuous external intervention or high energy consumption, as the customization process becomes increasingly efficient over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution enhances wearer visual comfort by correcting image distortions and reducing energy consumption, while minimizing exposure to harmful electromagnetic waves, resulting in improved image quality and ergonomic comfort.

Implementation Method 1

Phase modulation is very advantageous in that it offers the possibility to code both image data and prescription data in the wave front

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase modulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 2

Preferred images are computer-generated holographic images. The SLM allows to virtually code for the optical effect of a prescription lens in addition to coding for an image

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHolography:

Implementation Method 3

the quality of the display and the wearer visual experience can be enhanced by correcting image distortions due to optical aberrations. Such aberrations may result from the geometry and design of the device itself and/or from the wearer ametropia and/or presbyopia

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical aberration correction:

Data Source

PatentEP3042249B1Methods and systems for augmented reality
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP3042249B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3042249B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3042249B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention provides methods and systems for image display with a head-mounted device, wherein customization of the display is achieved by taking into account wearer-specific visualization parameters. Such visualization parameters include parameters pertaining to the design of the device and/or wearer ophthalmic data such as wearer prescription data. Preferred images are computer-generated holographic images.