See-Through HMD Shutter Screen and Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Head-mounted displays (HMDs) typically have opaque displays, blocking the user's view of the real world, making it difficult to interact with external environments while immersed in virtual reality, requiring users to remove the HMD for tasks like picking up controllers or detecting movements.
Innovation Solution
A fully transparent display screen with an enhanced optical system, including a second set of optics and a switchable shutter screen, allowing users to view the external environment while wearing the HMD by switching between transparent and opaque modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the display screen is made opaque to provide clear virtual reality viewing, then the virtual reality immersion is improved, but the view of the external environment is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen transitions from a static opaque state to a dynamic state that can switch between opaque and transparent modes. This allows the HMD to adapt its optical properties based on whether the user needs virtual reality immersion or access to the external environment, resolving the contradiction by making the display property changeable rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical parameter of the display screen (transparency/opacity) is changed based on operational mode. In immersive mode, the screen is opaque to block external light; in see-through mode, the screen becomes transparent to allow external light passage. This parameter change enables the system to satisfy both contradictory requirements at different times.
2Ease of operation
If the display screen is made transparent to allow viewing of the external environment, then the access to external environment is improved, but the view becomes distorted and out of focus
Solution Approach 1:
A second set of optics acts as an intermediary element between the external environment and the user's eye. These optics specifically correct the distorted light paths that pass through the transparent display screen, compensating for the focusing errors introduced by the screen's presence and providing a clear, focused view of the external environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical correction function is extracted as a separate, dedicated component (second set of optics) rather than relying on the primary display optics. This separation allows the correction optics to be optimized specifically for compensating display-induced distortions without interfering with the primary function of rendering virtual reality content.
3Ease of operation
If the HMD is removed to view the real world, then the view of the external environment is improved, but the user must re-orient and lose immersion
Solution Approach 1:
The HMD transitions from a static immersive device to a dynamic system that can adjust its transparency state. Users can switch between opaque and transparent modes without removing the device, maintaining physical presence and orientation while accessing the external environment, thus preserving immersion continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The HMD provides its own see-through capability through the transparent mode and corrected optics, eliminating the need for the user to remove the device to view the external environment. The system serves its own dual purpose of both virtual reality immersion and real-world viewing.
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 users to view the external environment undistorted and in-focus through the HMD, enhancing usability and immersion by allowing real-world interaction without removing the device.
Implementation Method 1
First optics is disposed adjacent to the front side of the display screen and is configured to provide a focus for viewing the media content when rendered on the display screen
Implementation Method 2
The second optics provides an adjustment to the focus to allow viewing through the first optics, the display screen, the shutter screen and the second optics when the transparent mode is activated on the shutter screen
Implementation Method 3
The shutter screen is switchable between an opaque mode and a transparent mode. The opaque mode is active when the media content is viewable on the display screen. When the HMD is engaged in a transparent mode, the light from the external environment is allowed through
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and method for providing a see-through screen in a head-mounted display (HMD) includes a display screen having a front side and a back side. The display screen is configured for rendering media content. First optics is provided adjacent to the front side of the display screen and configured to provide a focus for viewing the media content. A shutter screen is provided adjacent to the backside of the display screen and is switchable between an opaque mode and a transparent mode. Second optics is provided behind the shutter screen such that the shutter screen is between the display screen and the second optics. The second optics provides an adjustment to the focus to allow clear view through the first optics, the display screen, the shutter screen and the second optics, when the transparent mode is activated on the shutter screen.