Peripheral Waveguide Projection in HMDs to Reduce Eye Strain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-mounted displays (HMDs) face issues with large footprints, limited eye box and eye relief, direct projection causing distraction and eye strain, and difficulty in focusing on both projected images and surroundings.
Innovation Solution
A center-mounted system for peripheral projection in HMDs, incorporating a waveguide display, microprojector, and grating assembly, with a tracker component to adjust tinting and image activation based on eye movement, allowing peripheral projection and reduced distraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If images are projected directly into the field of view, then the projected images are clearly visible, but the background imagery causes distraction and eye strain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the projected image from the central field of view to the peripheral field of view by positioning the waveguide display at the peripheral portion of the lens. This dimensional change in projection location eliminates the conflict between projected images and background imagery, as peripheral projections do not compete for central visual attention, thereby reducing distraction and eye strain while maintaining image visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different optical properties to different regions of the lens. The waveguide display is positioned at the peripheral portion of the lens where it projects images locally without affecting the central field of view. This local quality approach allows the projected images to be visible in the periphery while the central area remains clear for viewing background imagery, eliminating the harmful effects of direct central projection
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a waveguide display is positioned at the peripheral portion of the lens, then distraction and eye strain are reduced, but the system footprint and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the microprojector and grating assembly within a compact housing that integrates with the existing HMD structure. The waveguide display is positioned at the peripheral portion of the lens, nesting the projection system into the available peripheral space rather than adding a separate centralized module. This nesting approach reduces the overall system footprint while maintaining the peripheral projection configuration that eliminates distraction and eye strain
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
Enhances user focus on both projected images and surroundings by reducing eye strain and distraction, enabling safer and more efficient use of HMDs.
Implementation Method 1
The grating assembly is adapted to transfer the source image projected from the microprojector to the input portion of the waveguide
Implementation Method 2
The waveguide display includes a display surface and a rear surface and is configured to be located at the peripheral of a lens of the HMD
Implementation Method 3
a tracker component that tracks eye movement corresponding to a viewable area on a peripheral portion of a lens
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mounted display with a center-mounted system for peripheral projection is disclosed. The head mounted display includes a power source and a housing. The center-housing includes a tracker component that tracks eye movement corresponding to a viewable area on a peripheral portion of a lens of the head mounted computing device. The housing also includes a tinting component that obscures at least a portion of an opposite lens of the head mounted computing device. The housing further includes an image component comprising an image source. In some examples, the tracker component, upon tracking the eye movement towards the viewable area, obscures the opposite lens, and activates the image source. In other examples, the tracker component, upon tracking the eye movement away from the viewable area, unobscures the opposite lens, and deactivates the image source.