Near-to-Eye Optical Display for Wearable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices, such as smart watches, are limited by their small size, restricting the display area and resolution of traditional displays like LCDs and OLEDs, making it difficult to provide larger and higher resolution image or video displays.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus with a body device and a holding device that includes a processing unit, a display unit, and an acquisition unit, utilizing a near-to-eye optical display system with optical components to form an enlarged virtual image, and a signal acquisition method to enable larger and higher resolution displays without size limitations, along with various acquisition units for user interaction and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a traditional display (LCD, OLED) is used in a wearable electronic apparatus, then the device can be made compact and wearable, but the display area and resolution are limited due to the small size of the wearable device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional planar display to a volumetric near-to-eye optical display system. By introducing optical components (lens, mirror) and creating a three-dimensional light path configuration, the display extends beyond the two-dimensional surface of the wearable device, enabling a larger virtual display area while maintaining a compact physical form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical system between the display component and the user's eye. This intermediary system (comprising lens and mirror) acts as a mediator that transforms the small physical display into a larger virtual image, resolving the contradiction between compact device size and large display area.
2Area of moving object
If the display area is increased using a traditional display, then more information can be displayed, but the resolution decreases due to the fixed pixel density of the display
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a three-dimensional near-to-eye optical display, the system allows the virtual image to be perceived at a distance from the physical display component. This dimensional transition enables the display area to be magnified without increasing the physical pixel count, as the optical system creates a virtual image that appears larger to the user's eye.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system creates a virtual copy or replica of the display image that appears larger than the physical display component. This virtual copy maintains the original image quality and resolution characteristics while presenting a magnified version to the user, effectively decoupling the physical display size from the perceived display area.
3Area of moving object
If a micro projector is used to achieve larger image display, then the display size can be increased, but the energy consumption increases and privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The near-to-eye optical display system is designed to work within the existing display capabilities of the wearable device, utilizing the device's own display component and integrating optical elements that guide light directly to the user's eye. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional high-power projection components, maintaining low energy consumption while achieving larger virtual display size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical projection system (micro projector) with an optical guidance system (lens and mirror arrangement). This substitution eliminates the need for high-power light sources and complex projection mechanics, reducing energy consumption while achieving the same goal of enlarged virtual display through optical path manipulation rather than mechanical projection.
4Area of moving object
If a micro projector is used to achieve larger image display, then the display size can be increased, but privacy is compromised as the projected image is visible to others
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an optical design that counteracts the dispersal of light characteristic of projection systems. By using a lens-mirror combination that directs light rays into a focused near-to-eye path, the system creates a counterbalancing optical configuration that confines the visible image to the user's line of sight, preventing lateral light leakage that would compromise privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical components (lens and mirror) serve as intermediaries that control and confine the light path between the display component and the user's eye. This intermediary optical system acts as a barrier that prevents the display image from being visible from other angles, thereby maintaining privacy while still providing a large virtual display area.
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 provides a larger and higher resolution display experience for wearable devices, offering improved user interaction and control, while maintaining low energy consumption and privacy, surpassing the capabilities of traditional micro projectors.
Implementation Method 1
the first optical component is used to receive a light corresponding to the first image sent from the first display component, and performs a optical path conversion on the light corresponding to the first image, so as to form an enlarged virtual image corresponding to the first image
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus and acquisition method includes a body device with a processing unit; a holding device connected with the body device for holding a relative position relationship with a user; a first display unit set on the body device or the holding device for outputting a first image; and an acquisition unit set on at least one of the body device and the holding device for acquiring a first signal, wherein the first display unit includes a first display component and a first optical component. The first display component is used to display the first image; the first optical component is used to receive a light corresponding to the first image sent from the first display component, and performs a optical path conversion on the light corresponding to the first image, so as to form an enlarged virtual image corresponding to the first image.