Head-Mounted Optical Alignment Sensors for Real-Time Image Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Head-mounted devices face challenges in maintaining optical component alignment due to deformation or stress, leading to image misalignment and user discomfort, especially when lightweight and compact designs are used.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of sensors, such as strain gauges, optical sensors, and time-of-flight sensors, to measure misalignment in real-time, allowing for image warping to compensate for positional changes in optical modules and cameras, ensuring proper alignment and image fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If lightweight and compact designs are used for head-mounted devices, then device weight and size are reduced, but optical component alignment becomes less stable
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts image parameters in real-time based on sensor feedback about optical component positions. The processing circuitry continuously receives sensor data indicating deviations from reference positions and automatically modifies image characteristics (position, size, shape) to compensate, transforming a static alignment problem into a dynamic correction system that adapts to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor the positions of optical components, compare them against reference positions, and feed this information back to the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry then adjusts image parameters based on this feedback, creating a self-correcting system that maintains alignment despite physical deformations or movements.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are added to detect misalignment, then alignment measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multi-functional sensors that can detect various types of misalignment (position, orientation, deformation) with a single sensing mechanism. The same sensor array that detects optical component positions can also infer housing deformation and relative movements, eliminating the need for separate specialized sensors for each measurement type and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensors are integrated directly into the housing structure and optical component mounts, allowing the device to self-monitor its own alignment status without external measurement equipment. The processing circuitry uses the sensor data to automatically perform corrections, making the system self-diagnosing and self-correcting without requiring external calibration or adjustment mechanisms.
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
Maintains image alignment and user comfort by detecting and correcting misalignment in real-time, even in deformed or stressed conditions, enhancing the performance and usability of head-mounted devices.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporation of sensors, such as strain gauges, optical sensors, and time-of-flight sensors, to measure misalignment in real-time
Implementation Method 2
Incorporation of sensors, such as strain gauges, optical sensors, and time-of-flight sensors, to measure misalignment in real-time
Implementation Method 3
Incorporation of sensors, such as strain gauges, optical sensors, and time-of-flight sensors, to measure misalignment in real-time
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted housing. Optical components may be supported by the head-mounted housing. The optical components may include cameras such as front-facing cameras and/or movable optical modules that have displays for displaying images to eye boxes. Sensors may be provided in the head-mounted device to detect changes in orientation between respective optical modules, between respective portions of a chassis, display cover layer, or other head-mounted support structure in the housing, between optical components such as cameras, and/or between optical components and housing structures. Information from these sensors can be used to measure image misalignment such as image misalignment associated with misaligned cameras or misalignment between optical module images and corresponding eye boxes.