Multi-element LED Array Illumination for HMD Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Forming compact and optically efficient display illumination systems for head-mounted devices is challenging, as existing systems may not be sufficiently compact or exhibit satisfactory optical performance.
Innovation Solution
The use of a spatial light modulator with a light source comprising individually adjustable light-emitting elements, such as LEDs or lasers, and an optical system that includes lenses, dichroic wedges, holograms, and metastructures to direct illumination and image light to eye boxes, allowing for multiwavelength illumination and independent control of light-emitting elements to enhance illumination uniformity and conserve power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional light source is used for display illumination, then the system may be simpler in structure, but the illumination uniformity and optical performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the conventional single light source into multiple light-emitting elements arranged in an array. Each element can be independently controlled to illuminate different regions of the spatial light modulator, thereby achieving uniform illumination across the entire display area while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of each light-emitting element through individual adjustment mechanisms. This allows real-time optimization of illumination uniformity by adjusting the intensity of each element based on its position and the specific display requirements, resolving the contradiction between illumination quality and system complexity
2Illumination intensity
If the light source emits full spectrum illumination, then all regions are illuminated, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality control by enabling independent intensity adjustment of each light-emitting element. This allows the system to provide full illumination coverage when needed while consuming less power during normal operation by activating only the necessary elements or adjusting their intensity levels according to the specific display requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic control capability allows the system to adapt power consumption to actual needs. The control circuitry can adjust each light-emitting element's intensity in real-time, providing full illumination coverage when required while conserving energy during standard operation, thus resolving the contradiction between coverage and power consumption
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 enables compact and optically efficient display illumination systems that provide uniform illumination and power conservation by adjusting light intensity and distribution, improving the overall performance of head-mounted displays for virtual and mixed reality applications.
Implementation Method 1
The light source may include light-emitting elements such as light-emitting diodes or lasers
Implementation Method 2
The light source may include light-emitting elements such as light-emitting diodes or lasers
Implementation Method 3
An optical system may direct the illumination onto the spatial light modulator and may direct corresponding reflected image light towards eye boxes for viewing by a user
Implementation Method 4
The optical system may use lenses, optical combiners based on dichroic wedges, holograms, tunable gratings, metastructures, or other optical combiner structures
Implementation Method 5
An optical system may direct the illumination onto the spatial light modulator and may direct corresponding reflected image light towards eye boxes
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may have a spatial light modulator. Control circuitry in the electronic device may use the spatial light modulator to generate images. A light source may be used to produce illumination for the spatial light modulator. An optical system may direct the illumination onto the spatial light modulator and may direct corresponding reflected image light towards eye boxes for viewing by a user. Head-mounted support structures may be used to support the spatial light modulator, light source, and optical system. The light source may include light-emitting elements such as light-emitting diodes or lasers. Multiple light-emitting elements may be provided in the light source in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array. During operation, the control circuitry can individually adjust the light-emitting elements.