Holographic Waveguide Aberration Correction via Diffractive Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current virtual and augmented reality devices face challenges in providing high-quality images without aberrations due to distortion in waveguides and holographic media, requiring complex and costly correction systems, which complicate device design and increase size and cost.

Innovation Solution

A holographic waveguide with a diffractive optical element featuring an aberration correction hologram pattern, recorded on a recordable medium, is positioned near the user's eye to correct aberrations generated by the waveguide and media, eliminating the need for additional correction elements and complex controllers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If additional correction elements are used to correct aberrations in existing waveguide-based virtual and augmented reality devices, then image quality is improved, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the aberration correction function with the existing waveguide structure by recording an aberration correction hologram pattern directly on a recordable medium that is integrated into the waveguide. This merging eliminates the need for separate correction elements while maintaining image quality correction capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The recordable medium in the waveguide serves multiple functions: it acts as both the waveguide structure for light transmission and the aberration correction element through the recorded hologram pattern. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If additional correction elements are used to correct aberrations in existing waveguide-based virtual and augmented reality devices, then image quality is improved, but device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The aberration correction function is merged into the existing waveguide structure through direct recording of the correction hologram pattern on the recordable medium, eliminating the need for additional correction elements that would increase device size and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses holographic recording to create an aberration correction pattern that is optically copied into the recordable medium. This allows the correction function to be embedded without adding physical mass, as the correction information is stored as an optical pattern rather than a physical structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Manufacturing precision

If post-processing correction is applied to images passing through the waveguide, then aberrations are corrected, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaberration correctionVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The aberration correction is performed in advance during the manufacturing process by recording the correction hologram pattern on the recordable medium. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex post-processing correction systems, reducing both device complexity and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The waveguide structure with the recorded aberration correction hologram pattern corrects its own aberrations automatically as light passes through it. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external correction systems or complex control mechanisms, simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution enables the transmission of high-quality images without aberrations, simplifying device design, reducing size and cost, and eliminating the need for post-processing corrections, while maintaining image quality using non-ideal holographic media and waveguide elements.

Implementation Method 1

a diffractive optical element (212) including an aberration correction hologram pattern... configured to correct aberrations generated in the light traveling along the waveguide element (204) by the waveguide element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

A waveguide includes a diffraction correction device having a diffraction grating structure for correcting aberrations of the wavefront of transmitted light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12124036B2Holographic waveguide, method of producing the same, and display device including the holographic waveguide

Publication Date: 2024.10.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a holographic waveguide including a waveguide element configured to guide light, and a diffractive optical element including an aberration correction hologram pattern, the diffractive optical element being provided adjacent to the waveguide element and configured to correct aberrations generated in the light traveling along the waveguide element by the waveguide element.