Panoramic HMD Using Microlens Array for Wide Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-mounted display (HMD) devices with a single screen limit the field of view to around 110°, making them less immersive and increasing in size and cost when attempting to provide a wider field of view, as they require larger or more numerous optical components.
Innovation Solution
A panoramic HMD design using a single moderately sized screen with a microlens array that refracts light rays to direct central and peripheral vision paths, employing a mirror and lenses to focus light onto the retina, allowing for a wider field of view without increasing component size, and optionally using two small screens positioned near each other.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional HMDs use a single screen visible to both eyes, then the device remains compact and affordable, but the field of view is limited to around 110°
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the field of view into central and peripheral portions, using a single screen with microlens arrays to direct different rays to different retinal regions. This segmentation allows a compact device to achieve panoramic FOV by optically separating and routing light paths rather than using multiple large screens or complex optical assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces microlens arrays as intermediary optical elements between the screen and the user's eyes. These microlenses act as mediators that refract and direct peripheral rays to the appropriate retinal regions, enabling panoramic vision without requiring larger or more numerous primary optical components.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional HMDs increase the number or size of optical components to provide panoramic FOV, then the field of view exceeds 180°, but the device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds microlens arrays within or near the existing optical path of a conventional HMD design. The microlenses are positioned in the space between the screen and the user's eyes, nesting additional optical functionality within the existing device footprint rather than adding external bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the system by introducing microlens arrays with specific focal lengths and configurations. This parameter change enables the same physical space to produce panoramic FOV by altering how light is refracted and directed, rather than increasing the physical dimensions of optical components.
3Measurement precision
If conventional HMDs use a single screen for both eyes, then the device remains simple and affordable, but the angular resolution does not match human vision distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using microlens arrays with varying densities or configurations across different regions of the screen. The microlens parameters can be adjusted to provide higher angular resolution in the central field of view where human vision is most acute, and lower resolution in the periphery, matching the natural distribution of human visual acuity.
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
Achieves a panoramic field of view over 180° with improved angular resolution matching human vision, reducing the appearance of the 'screen door effect' and maintaining a compact device size, while enhancing user immersion without the need for larger or more complex optical components.
Implementation Method 1
A portion of the light rays are refracted by microlenses on the surface of the screen and thus are directed along a different path
Implementation Method 2
The refracted light rays are focussed by a mirror and/or lenses until they arrive at the peripheral vision part of the user's retina
Implementation Method 3
some rays leave the screen at an approximately perpendicular angle, pass through one or more lenses and enter the user's eyes and are focussed onto the retina over a range corresponding to the center of vision
Data Source
AI summary
An enhanced panoramic HMD that and related method of displaying an image employs an improved configuration of optical elements to achieve wider field of view as compared to conventional configurations. An HMD type display device includes a first optical element, coupled to the display device, configured to direct a central set of rays and a peripheral set of rays; a second optical element, coupled to the first optical element, configured to direct the central set of rays at a central image point; and a third optical component configured to direct the peripheral set of rays to a peripheral image point. The first optical element may include a microlens array wherein the microlens array comprises a plurality of individual microlenses; the second optical component may include a collimating lens; and the third optical component may include a mirror configured to reflect the peripheral set of rays to the peripheral image point.