Multi-Viewpoint Lens Layer for Head-Mounted Display Thickness Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual image display devices for head-mounted devices are bulky and do not provide optimal image quality due to the thickness of the lens module and the way lenses interact with pixels.
Innovation Solution
A virtual image display device with a multi-viewpoint layer comprising a plurality of lenses disposed between the display panel and the window, where each lens is positioned to correspond to pixel areas, reducing the distance between lenses and pixels, and the lenses are designed to focus images onto a virtual surface, thereby reducing the overall thickness of the head-mounted device and enhancing image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a lens module is used to enlarge the virtual image, then the user can view an enlarged virtual image, but the thickness of the head-mounted device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lens module with the display panel by positioning the lenses in direct contact with or close to the pixel array, eliminating the need for a separate lens module housing and mounting structure. This integration significantly reduces the overall thickness of the head-mounted device while maintaining the virtual image enlargement function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds the lens array within the display panel structure itself, with lenses positioned at or near the pixel layer. This nesting approach allows the optical system to be contained within the display assembly, reducing the external thickness of the device.
2Length of moving object
If lenses are positioned close to pixels, then the device thickness is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to non-light emission areas being viewed as enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the lenses selectively transparent only in the regions corresponding to the light emission areas of the pixels. The lenses are made opaque or have reduced transparency in regions corresponding to non-light emission areas, ensuring that only light from active pixel regions is magnified and viewed by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the lens structure into multiple regions with different optical properties - transparent regions aligned with light emission areas and opaque or less transparent regions aligned with non-light emission areas. This segmentation allows selective magnification of only the relevant light-emitting portions of each pixel.
3Length of moving object
If the distance between lens and pixel is reduced, then the device thickness is reduced, but the lens size must be optimized to maintain image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the lens parameters including size, curvature radius, and focal length to match the reduced distance between lenses and pixels. By adjusting these optical parameters, the system maintains effective image enlargement and focus quality despite the compact spacing, ensuring clear virtual image display at close viewing distances.
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 solution reduces the thickness of head-mounted devices and improves image quality by ensuring lenses are optimized in size and placement to prevent non-light emission areas from being viewed as enlarged, resulting in a more immersive and clear virtual image experience.
Implementation Method 1
A lens module allows a user to view an enlarged virtual image by enlarging an image output from the display device and displaying the enlarged virtual image on a virtual surface
Implementation Method 2
the lenses are designed to focus images onto a virtual surface
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual image display device including a display panel including a plurality of pixels and configured to display an image, a window disposed on the display panel, and a multi-viewpoint layer provided between the display panel and the window, and including a plurality of lenses.