Nested Annular Light Guides for Compact AR Eyewear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Augmented Reality (AR) eyewear faces a tradeoff between virtual image quality and device size, with some devices offering good image quality but being bulky, while others are compact but display poor images with a small field of view.
Innovation Solution
The development of novel optical structures for AR eyewear, including an annular array of light-energy emitters around a lens with nested annular light guides and selectively-movable light reflectors, allows for higher quality virtual images and more compact designs, enabling clear environmental views with selectively superimposed opaque virtual objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional optical structures are used in AR eyewear, then the device can display virtual images, but the eyewear becomes large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested annular light guides where multiple light guides are positioned concentrically around a central optical axis. Each light guide contains light-emitting elements arranged in annular patterns, with inner light guides nested within outer light guides. This nesting arrangement allows multiple optical functions to be integrated in a compact radial space, significantly reducing the overall volume of the optical structure while maintaining high virtual image quality through multiple focal planes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional linear or planar optical arrangements to a three-dimensional annular configuration around the optical axis. By distributing light-emitting elements and light guides in concentric rings at different radial distances and axial positions, the system achieves compact volumetric integration while providing multiple focal planes for high-quality virtual image formation without increasing the forward profile of the eyewear.
2Volume of moving object
If compact optical structures are used in AR eyewear, then the device size is reduced, but the field of view and image quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The nested annular light guides enable multiple optical channels to coexist in a compact radial footprint. Each annular light guide can be optimized for specific field-of-view requirements, and their concentric arrangement allows the system to achieve a wide aggregate field of view without increasing the lateral or forward dimensions of the eyewear structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodically arranged light-emitting elements around the annular light guides, creating multiple discrete light sources distributed circumferentially. This periodic arrangement, combined with the annular geometry, expands the effective field of view by providing multiple viewing zones around the optical axis while maintaining a compact overall structure.
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
These optical structures enhance virtual image quality and reduce eyewear size, potentially addressing vergence-accommodation conflict by providing multiple focal planes and improving the display of virtual objects in the environment.
Implementation Method 1
The light guides redirect light from the light-energy emitters toward a person's eye
Implementation Method 2
each light reflector has a first configuration which is substantially-parallel to environmental light rays and a second configuration which intersects environmental light rays and reflects light beams from a virtual image display toward a person's eye
Data Source
AI summary
This invention comprises novel optical structures for Augmented Reality (AR) eyewear which can potentially improve virtual image quality, reduce eyewear size, selectively mask environmental light, and enable multiple focal planes. An optical structure for AR eyewear can comprise an annular array of light-energy emitters around a lens in front of a person's eye, wherein the lens has a plurality of nested annular light guides. This optical structure can also include an array of selectively-movable light reflectors.