Head-Mounted Display Cover Layer with Compound Curvature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-mounted devices face challenges in designing a compact and aesthetically pleasing form factor that integrates rear-facing displays for eye box visualization and forward-facing displays for public viewing, while also accommodating optical components like sensors and cameras, without compromising user comfort or increasing device size and weight.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a head-mounted support structure with rear-facing displays and a forward-facing display that features a flexible display panel bent about a bend axis, covered by a display cover layer with compound curvature, which overlaps both the active and inactive areas, including optical components, to create a curved and compact form that enhances user comfort and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a forward-facing display and rear-facing displays are integrated into a head-mounted device, then the device provides both public viewing and eye box visualization capabilities, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the forward-facing display and rear-facing displays into a single integrated head-mounted device structure. The display assembly includes a forward-facing display panel mounted on the front surface and rear-facing display panels positioned for eye box visualization, merging multiple display functions into one device unit. This allows the device to provide both public viewing and immersive visualization capabilities while managing the overall weight through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the display components are integrated within the head-mounted device housing. The forward-facing display is positioned on the front surface, while rear-facing displays are positioned within the device structure for eye box alignment. This nesting approach allows multiple display functions to coexist in a compact configuration, reducing the overall device size and weight compared to separate devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical components are added to the head-mounted device, then the device gains sensing and imaging capabilities, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional display cover layer that serves multiple purposes: protecting the display, providing optical access for sensors, and enabling both forward-facing and rear-facing display functions. The cover layer includes transparent or translucent regions that allow optical components to function while maintaining display integrity. This universal component reduces device complexity by consolidating protection and optical access functions into a single element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the display cover layer into different functional regions: opaque regions for display protection, transparent regions for optical component access, and translucent regions for ambient light interaction. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system integration. The cover layer is divided to provide separate access paths for different optical components without requiring separate housing structures.
3Ease of operation
If the display cover layer has compound curvature to match the head shape, then user comfort and visibility are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a display cover layer with compound curvature that conforms to the contours of the user's head. The cover layer features curved surfaces that match the natural shape of the head, providing ergonomic comfort and optimal display positioning. The forward-facing display and rear-facing displays are positioned on curved surfaces that follow the head's anatomy, improving visibility and user comfort during wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flexible display materials and adjustable mounting mechanisms that allow the display assembly to adapt to different head shapes and sizes. The compound curvature is achieved through controlled bending of flexible substrates and adjustable positioning elements, rather than requiring precision-molded rigid components. This approach reduces manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining user comfort and visibility across different users.
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted support structure. Rear-facing displays may present images to eye boxes at the rear of the head-mounted support structure. A forward-facing publicly viewable display may be supported on a front side of the head-mounted support structure facing away from the rear-facing displays. The forward-facing display may have pixels that form an active area in which images are displayed and may have a ring-shaped inactive border area that surrounds the pixels. The active area may have a curved peripheral edge with a nose bridge recess. The inactive border area may have a periphery that runs parallel to the peripheral edge of the active area. The forward-facing display may have a cover layer with a developable surface overlapping the active area and a ring-shaped surface of compound curvature that overlaps the inactive area. Optical components may operate through the cover layer in the inactive area.