Light Pipe Array for AR Display Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display devices face challenges in providing high-quality light to light modulators, particularly in augmented and virtual reality systems, where multiple views of an image are generated, leading to issues with image quality and brightness.
Innovation Solution
A display system comprising a plurality of light pipes and light sources configured to emit light into these pipes, with a spatial light modulator to modulate the light and waveguides to relay the modulated light to a viewer, ensuring high spatial and angular uniformity of light output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple light emitters are used to provide adequate light output quality, then image brightness and quality are improved, but the complexity of the light delivery system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light delivery system into multiple independent light pipes, each dedicated to a specific light emitter. This segmentation allows each light pipe to be optimized for its corresponding emitter while maintaining overall system functionality, resolving the contradiction by organizing complexity into manageable modular units
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light pipes as intermediary components between light emitters and the light modulator. These light pipes serve as mediators that transmit light while filtering out stray light and ensuring uniform illumination, thereby improving light output quality without directly increasing the complexity at the modulator interface
2Device complexity
If light is directed directly from light emitters to the light modulator, then system complexity is reduced, but spatial uniformity of light delivery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved or angled light pipes that guide light from emitters to the modulator through optimized paths. The curvature of the light pipes enables precise control over light delivery angles and positions, achieving spatial uniformity without requiring complex active control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses light pipes with specific geometric configurations that replicate and distribute light patterns uniformly across the modulator surface. By designing the light pipes to create consistent light distributions, the system achieves spatial uniformity through passive geometric copying rather than active precision control
3Device complexity
If a single light pipe is used for multiple light emitters, then device complexity is reduced, but light quality and angular uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns dedicated light pipes to individual light emitters, creating a one-to-one correspondence between emitters and light pipes. This segmentation ensures that each emitter's light is transmitted with optimal angular uniformity without interference from other emitters, resolving the contradiction by accepting increased component count to maintain optical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs each light pipe with specific local optical properties optimized for its corresponding light emitter. By tailoring the geometry, material properties, and optical characteristics of each light pipe to match its emitter's output, the system achieves superior angular uniformity for each light source without compromising overall system simplicity
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 effectively provides high-quality, uniformly distributed light to the viewer, enhancing image quality and brightness in augmented and virtual reality applications by ensuring each light pipe corresponds uniquely with a light modulating area and eyepiece input area, facilitating realistic three-dimensional imagery.
Implementation Method 1
a first light pipe proximate to and configured to: receive light from the first light source; and direct the light from the first light source to the reflector in a first direction
Implementation Method 2
The partially transmissive reflector is configured to: transmit light from the first light source; and reflect light from the second light source
Implementation Method 3
a spatial light modulator configured to modulate light received from the light pipes to form images
Implementation Method 4
one or more waveguides configured to receive modulated light from the spatial light modulator and to relay that light to a viewer
Data Source
AI summary
A display system includes a plurality of light pipes and a plurality of light sources configured to emit light into the light pipes. The display system also comprises a spatial light modulator configured to modulate light received from the light pipes to form images. The display system may also comprise one or more waveguides configured to receive modulated light from the spatial light modulator and to relay that light to a viewer.