Near-eye microlens array light field synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Near-eye displays face challenges in constructing lightweight and cost-effective solutions due to the human eye's inability to accommodate objects at close distances, requiring complex and bulky optical elements to maintain focus on virtual displays while viewing the physical environment.
Innovation Solution
The use of a microlens array adjacent to the display to produce a light field that simulates an in-focus image within the near-eye range, allowing for comfortable viewing without additional bulky optical elements, and combining this with pre-processing algorithms for multilayer imagery in semi-transparent displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional optical elements (beam-splitters, lenses) are used to enable focus on near-eye displays, then the display can be viewed in focus, but the device becomes bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical function into a microlens array positioned close to the display, dividing the complex optical path into manageable segments. Each microlens handles a specific angular range of light, collectively providing the full field of view without requiring multiple large optical elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional 2D display imaging to 4D light field imaging by adding angular dimension control through the microlens array. This enables the display to present light rays from multiple angles simultaneously, creating virtual images at different depths without additional bulky optics
2Area of moving object
If a magnifier is placed in front of a microdisplay for VR applications, then the display appears larger and at a greater distance, but the device becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The microlens array creates multiple virtual copies of the display content at different angular positions and depths. Each microlens generates a virtual image that appears to originate from a different location in 3D space, providing a large-field-of-view experience without physically enlarging the display
Solution Approach 2:
The microlens array performs multiple functions simultaneously: it magnifies the display, creates virtual images at various depths, provides a wide field of view, and enables comfortable viewing distances all through a single compact component rather than requiring separate optical elements for each function
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 approach enables lightweight near-eye displays that provide comfortable viewing by synthesizing a light field corresponding to a virtual display within the accommodation range of the observer, supporting both virtual and augmented reality applications without the need for costly or bulky optical components.
Implementation Method 1
a microlens array located adjacent to the display and comprising a plurality of microlenses, wherein the microlens array is operable to produce a light field by altering light emitted by the display
Data Source
AI summary
In embodiments of the invention, an apparatus may include a display comprising a plurality of pixels and a computer system coupled with the display and operable to instruct the display to display images. The apparatus may further include a microlens array located adjacent to the display and comprising a plurality of microlenses, wherein the microlens array is operable to produce a light field by altering light emitted by the display to simulate an object that is in focus to an observer while the display and the microlens array are located within a near-eye range of the observer.