Lens-Based Static Foveation for Compact Near-Eye Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing compact virtual and augmented reality headsets with high optical performance and unobtrusive components is challenging, as existing solutions often result in bulky and aesthetically unsatisfactory devices.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a near-eye display system that includes a waveguide with input and output couplers, a lens performing static foveation by applying non-uniform magnification, and control circuitry for pre-distortion of images to mitigate distortion caused by the lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a lens is added to perform static foveation operations, then image resolution at the eye box is maximized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the foveation function with the existing optical path by integrating a lens into the display system. The lens is positioned to receive light from the display module and direct it toward the waveguide, merging the foveation capability with the existing optical components rather than adding separate complex subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies pre-distortion to images before they are displayed by the display module. This preliminary action compensates for the distortion that will be introduced by the lens during static foveation operations, ensuring that the final perceived image is undistorted while maintaining high resolution at the eye box.
2Measurement precision
If display module size is increased to improve image resolution, then image quality improves, but device bulkiness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements static foveation which applies non-uniform magnification across the field of view, with higher magnification applied to peripheral regions and lower magnification to the central region. This allows the display module to maintain a compact size while providing high effective resolution at the eye box by optimizing the distribution of display elements according to human visual sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the magnification parameter as a function of angle within the field of view. The lens applies different magnification factors to different angular regions, allowing a compact display module to produce an image that appears high-resolution at the eye box while maintaining a small physical footprint.
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 allows for high-resolution images to be displayed at the eye box without increasing the size of the display module, effectively maximizing image resolution while conserving processing and optical resources.
Implementation Method 1
The lens may produce a foveated image by applying a non-uniform magnification to the image in the light
Implementation Method 2
The optical system may include a waveguide having an input coupler and an output coupler
Implementation Method 3
Control circuitry on the device may apply a pre-distortion to the image prior to the image being displayed by the display module. The pre-distortion may be an inverse of distortion introduced by the lens
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include a display module that produces light having an image, a lens that directs the light to a waveguide, and a waveguide that directs the light to an eye box. The lens may produce a foveated image in the light by applying a non-uniform magnification to the image in the light. The non-uniform magnification may vary as a function of angle within a field of view of the lens. This may allow the foveated image to have higher resolution within the central region than in the peripheral region. Performing foveation using the lens maximizes the resolution of images at the eye box without increasing the size of the display module. Control circuitry on the device may apply a pre-distortion to the image that is an inverse of distortion introduced by the lens in producing the foveated image.