Light Field And Waveguide Displays for Wide-View HUDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HUDs suffer from a limited field of view and poor image quality due to manufacturing challenges, making it difficult to scale up waveguides and maintain light efficiency, thus restricting their application in aviation and automotive sectors.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a light field display unit and waveguide display unit, combined with an optical combiner, to create a synthetic light field that enhances the field of view to 20-60 degrees×25 degrees by tracking user head and eye locations, allowing for a wide viewing angle and realistic image presentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional HUDs use a projector system with complex optics to produce a collimated image, then the image can be presented at infinity or near infinity, but the field of view is very limited (10×5 to 20×10 degrees)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display system into multiple light field display units arranged in an array, where each unit contributes to a different portion of the overall field of view. This segmentation allows the system to achieve a wide total field of view (20×20 to 60×25 degrees) while maintaining proper optical focus through the combinatorial effect of multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point collimated image to a light field that spans multiple spatial dimensions. By using an array of light field display units, the system creates a synthetic light field that occupies a volumetric space, enabling a wide field of view while maintaining focus through the three-dimensional structure of the light field.
2Measurement precision
If conventional HUDs use waveguides to present images at infinity, then the image can be displayed at optical infinity, but the field of view is very limited due to manufacturing constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple waveguide display units with a light field display unit in an integrated system. The waveguides are arranged in an array and work together with the light field display to create a synthetic light field that achieves both optical infinity display and a wide field of view, overcoming the limitations of individual waveguide components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional display system that simultaneously achieves optical infinity display, wide field of view, and high light efficiency. The integrated system of light field display units and waveguides serves multiple functions that were previously mutually exclusive in conventional HUD designs.
3Area of moving object
If the size of the waveguide is increased to provide a wider field of view, then the field of view may be improved, but light efficiency decreases and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the waveguide system into multiple smaller waveguide units arranged in an array. Each waveguide unit maintains high light efficiency due to its manageable size, while the collective array provides a wide field of view. This segmentation avoids the light efficiency losses associated with scaling up a single large waveguide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the display system by transitioning from a single large waveguide to an array of smaller waveguides. This parameter change maintains optimal light efficiency at the component level while achieving the desired wide field of view at the system level through the coordinated arrangement of multiple units.
4Area of moving object
If the size of the waveguide is increased to cover a wider field of view, then the field of view may be improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the overall display system into multiple smaller, standardized waveguide units that can be manufactured using existing processes. Each unit is of a size and complexity that is feasible to manufacture, and the units are then assembled into an array to achieve the wide field of view, avoiding the manufacturing difficulties of a single large-scale waveguide.
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 system provides a wide field of view and high-quality synthetic light field, improving situational awareness and enabling realistic virtual content augmentation for users, suitable for vehicles like cars and aircraft.
Implementation Method 1
The optical combiner is arranged on an optical path of the at least one light field display unit and on an optical path of a real-world light field of a real-world environment
Implementation Method 2
optically combining said part of the synthetic light field with the real-world light field
Implementation Method 3
at least one waveguide display unit comprising a display and a waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
An image is generated, based on a relative location of a head or eyes of a user with respect to a waveguide. An input is generated, based on a relative location of the head or the eyes with respect to an optical combiner. The image is displayed via a display of a waveguide display unit, while the input is employed at a light field display unit, to produce a synthetic light field. An optical combiner is employed to reflect a part of the synthetic light field emanating from the light field display unit towards the eyes of the user, while optically combining the part of the synthetic light field with a real-world light field. The part of the synthetic light field and the real-world light field are optically combined with another part of the synthetic light field emanating from the waveguide display unit.