Holographic Pinhole Array for AR Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional light field integral imaging technologies, such as micro lens array and pinhole array types, suffer from color dispersion, distortion, and opaque mask issues that restrict viewing and reduce image brightness in augmented reality devices.

Innovation Solution

A holographic pinhole array using holographic pinhole grating sets that diffract light into multiple beams with a field of view, offering high light transmission and pinhole imaging characteristics, replacing traditional microlens and pinhole arrays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a micro lens array is used in integral imaging, then three-dimensional imaging effect is achieved, but color dispersion and distortion occur due to viewing angle deviation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional imaging capabilityVSAvoidcolor dispersion and distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the optical parameter from lens-based refraction to pinhole-based straight-line propagation. By replacing the micro lens array with a pinhole array, the system eliminates the refraction-induced color dispersion and distortion while maintaining the integral imaging capability for three-dimensional effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the lens element from the optical system, retaining only the aperture function. By taking out the micro lens and using only a pinhole aperture, the harmful refraction effects are eliminated while the essential light field sampling function is preserved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a transmissive pinhole array is used in integral imaging, then color cast and distortion are eliminated, but the opaque mask blocks background and reduces image brightness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor cast and distortionVSAvoidimage brightness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a reflective pinhole array instead of a transmissive one, changing the optical path from transmission to reflection. This allows the background to remain visible through the device while the pinhole array maintains its function of eliminating color cast and distortion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the optical approach by using reflection instead of transmission. The reflective pinhole array bounces light from the display panel to the user's eye while allowing the background to pass through, effectively solving the brightness blocking problem of transmissive pinhole arrays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Illumination intensity

If a reflective pinhole array is used in integral imaging, then the opaque mask problem is reduced, but background blocking still occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackground visibilityVSAvoidbackground blocking

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a second optical path dimension by combining reflective pinholes with a transparent substrate. This allows light from the display panel to reflect off the pinholes to the user's eye while simultaneously allowing background light to pass through the transparent areas, creating two concurrent optical paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a transparent substrate as an intermediary medium that supports the reflective pinhole array while allowing background light to pass through. This mediator enables both the pinhole reflection function and the background transmission function to coexist without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The holographic pinhole array provides enhanced light transmission and eliminates the opaque mask issues of traditional pinhole arrays, reducing image brightness loss and ghosting problems while maintaining depth perception capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

The holographic pinhole grating sets are configured to diffract light incident on the optical element into a plurality of light beams respectively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentUS20240361503A1Optical element and optical device

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 HTC CORP

AI summary

An optical element includes a holographic pinhole array. The holographic pinhole array includes a plurality of holographic pinhole grating sets. The holographic pinhole grating sets are configured to diffract light incident on the optical element into a plurality of light beams respectively. Each of the light beams has a field of view.