Holographic VR Display Waveguide Thickness Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current head-mounted displays (HMDs) for virtual reality (VR) have a box-like form factor due to the need for a short focal length lens, which compromises comfort and aesthetics, as well as image quality.
Innovation Solution
A holographic VR display configuration that includes a coherent light source, a holographic waveguide, and a spatial light modulator, which reduces the cross-sectional thickness and maintains coherence and polarization of light, enabling improved 3D image display without the need for a short focal length lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a short focal length lens is used in HMD, then the display can be compact, but the form factor becomes box-like and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lens component from the traditional HMD configuration and replaces it with a holographic waveguide. This removes the box-like form factor constraint while maintaining compact display size, as the waveguide can be made as a thin planar component rather than requiring a bulky lens assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the optical lens system with a holographic waveguide system that uses diffraction and interference of light waves. This replaces the mechanical lens structure with an optical field-based solution, enabling thinner form factor while improving image quality through coherent light manipulation.
2Volume of moving object
If a short focal length lens is used in HMD, then the display can be compact, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the lens-based optical system with a holographic waveguide that manipulates light through diffraction and interference. This substitution enables superior image quality by maintaining coherent light paths and precise wavefront control, while achieving compact display size through planar waveguide geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental optical parameters by using coherent light sources and holographic diffraction gratings instead of lens focal lengths. This enables precise control of light propagation and image formation through wave optics parameters rather than geometric optics constraints, improving image quality in a compact form.
3Device complexity
If traditional HMD configuration is used, then the display structure is simple, but comfort and aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a holographic waveguide that can be fabricated as a thin planar component, replacing the bulky lens assembly. This thin-film approach significantly reduces the device thickness and weight, improving comfort for head-mounted wear while maintaining the necessary optical functionality through holographic diffraction.
4Device complexity
If traditional HMD configuration is used, then the display structure is simple, but aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a thin planar waveguide structure that eliminates the box-like appearance of traditional HMDs. This sleek, minimalist form factor achieves superior aesthetics while the holographic waveguide technology provides the necessary optical complexity in a compact, stylish package suitable for consumer wearables.
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 configuration enhances the comfort and aesthetics of VR displays by reducing thickness while maintaining image quality and supporting three-dimensional VR images, potentially widening the field of view and improving image contrast.
Implementation Method 1
A holographic waveguide configuration that includes a coherent light source, the holographic waveguide coupled to the coherent light source to receive light therefrom
Implementation Method 2
A holographic waveguide configuration that includes a coherent light source, the holographic waveguide coupled to the coherent light source to receive light therefrom
Implementation Method 3
maintains coherence and polarization of light
Implementation Method 4
at least one spatial light modulator coupled to the at least one holographic waveguide to modulate the light
Data Source
AI summary
Virtual reality (VR) displays are computer displays that present images or video in a manner that simulates a real experience for the viewer. In many cases, VR displays are implemented as head-mounted displays (HMDs) which provide a display in the line of sight of the user. Because current HMDs are composed of a display panel and magnifying lens with a gap therebetween, proper functioning of the HMDs limits their design to a box-like form factor, thereby negatively impacting both comfort and aesthetics. The present disclosure provides a different configuration for a virtual reality display which allows for improved comfort and aesthetics, including specifically at least one coherent light source, at least one holographic waveguide coupled to the at least one coherent light source to receive light therefrom, and at least one spatial light modulator coupled to the at least one holographic waveguide to modulate the light.