Multi-Optical Surface Design for Mixed Reality Depth Perception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mixed reality (MR) display devices that use light field and varifocal displays to create varying focal depths are expensive, power consumptive, and computationally intensive, and often result in reduced field of view and performance degradations.
Innovation Solution
A multi-optical surface optical design that generates multiple focal planes using a plurality of reflective optical surfaces arranged on top of each other, with an image source projecting image data onto these surfaces, allowing for identical image data to be displayed across multiple focal planes, simulating depth perceptions similar to those experienced in the real world.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If light field displays and varifocal displays are used to achieve varying focal depths, then depth perception is improved, but device cost, power consumption, and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple discrete reflective surfaces (first reflective surface, second reflective surface, third reflective surface) positioned at different distances from the display device. Each surface reflects light to create a separate focal plane, segmenting the depth rendering function across multiple optical components rather than using a single complex light field or varifocal system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the spatial dimension of multiple focal planes at different distances from the display device. By arranging reflective surfaces at varying distances (first distance, second distance, third distance), the system creates depth perception along the optical axis dimension, transforming a 2D display into a multi-planar 3D visual experience without requiring expensive light field technology.
2Reliability
If light field displays and varifocal displays are used to achieve varying focal depths, then depth perception is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the depth rendering function across multiple passive reflective surfaces that do not require active power consumption. Each reflective surface passively reflects light from the display device to create focal planes at different distances, eliminating the need for powered varifocal mechanisms or light field modulators that would consume significant energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces active mechanical or electronic varifocal systems with passive optical reflection principles. Instead of using powered lenses or mirrors that move to change focal distance, the system uses fixed reflective surfaces positioned at different distances, substituting mechanical adjustment with static optical geometry that requires no power.
3Reliability
If light field displays and varifocal displays are used to achieve varying focal depths, then depth perception is improved, but computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rendering process into distinct focal planes, each handled by a separate reflective surface. The processing system renders content for each focal plane independently and transmits it to the corresponding surface, distributing computational load across multiple simple rendering tasks rather than one complex light field calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of the rendered content, with each copy optimized for a specific focal plane distance. The processing system generates separate image data for the first focal plane, second focal plane, and third focal plane, transmitting each copy to its corresponding reflective surface, thereby simplifying the computational approach by repeating the rendering process for each plane rather than computing complex light field distributions.
4Reliability
If light field displays and varifocal displays are used to achieve varying focal depths, then depth perception is improved, but field of view is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the visual field into multiple focal planes that coexist simultaneously. Each reflective surface contributes to a different depth plane while maintaining the same horizontal and vertical field of view, allowing the user to perceive content across multiple distances without sacrificing lateral viewing angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the display into the depth dimension by adding focal planes at different distances from the display device. This multi-planar arrangement preserves the original 2D field of view while adding a third dimension of depth perception, allowing users to view content at multiple focal distances simultaneously without reducing the horizontal or vertical viewing angles.
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 reduces the costs and power consumption associated with light field and varifocal displays while maintaining the perception of varying focal depths, enhancing the performance and reducing the size and weight of MR display devices.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of reflective optical surfaces that can be arranged on top of one another and configured to generate multiple focal planes
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-optical surface optical design for generating multiple focal planes with identical image data displayed at substantially the same time to generate the perception of varying focal depths is described. The multi-optical surface optical design can include a device comprising reflective optical surfaces that can be arranged on top of one another and configured to generate multiple focal planes and an image source for projecting image data onto the reflective optical surfaces. The technologies described can cause image data to be rendered in a focal plane corresponding to a desired focal distance and multiple copies of the image can be perceived in other focal planes of the multiple focal planes at substantially the same time as the image data is rendered in the focal plane. Each copy of the multiple copies can be presented with a perceived degree of sharpness such that each copy is out-of-focus.