Pin Mirror AR Optics for Wide Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional AR/VR optical systems face challenges in combining virtual images with real-world environments, including dimming of real-world objects, complex design, and chromatic aberrations, as well as difficulties in maintaining focus and achieving a wide field of view.
Innovation Solution
The use of a set of pinpoint mirrors, smaller than the human pupil, in conjunction with a field-of-view-widening optical element, such as a concave mirror, to redirect and expand the virtual image, allowing it to be perceived by the user without altering the real-world environment and maintaining focus without the need for complex focal adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional optical systems are used to display virtual images, then virtual image projection is achieved, but real-world objects become dimmed and the system becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into discrete functional components: a first optical element for virtual image projection, a second optical element for real-world light transmission, and a third optical element for combining both. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently, preventing the dimming of real-world objects while maintaining virtual image quality, and simplifies the overall system design by clearly separating functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical element (the second optical element) that is specifically designed to transmit real-world light without being in the direct light path of virtual image projection. This intermediary component acts as a mediator between the virtual image projection system and the real-world environment, allowing both to coexist without mutual interference and thus preventing dimming while reducing system complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional optical systems are used to achieve wide field of view, then virtual image coverage is improved, but chromatic aberrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical properties to different elements at different locations in the system. Each optical element is specifically designed with particular characteristics suited to its function: the first element optimizes for virtual image projection, the second for real-world light transmission, and the third for combining them. This local optimization of optical quality minimizes chromatic aberrations across the entire field of view while maintaining wide coverage.
3Measurement precision
If conventional optical systems are used to maintain focus, then virtual image clarity is achieved, but the system requires complex focal adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic optical elements that can adapt their focal properties in response to changing conditions. The optical elements are designed with adjustable characteristics that automatically maintain proper focus for both virtual and real-world images without requiring complex manual or electronic focal adjustments, thereby achieving focus accuracy while reducing system complexity.
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
This solution provides an improved view-through ability, a smaller form factor, a wider eye-box, and a wider depth of field, overcoming the limitations of conventional systems while maintaining accurate virtual and real-world image integrity.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting, via the set of pinpoint mirrors, the virtual image through the substantially transparent medium onto an optical element
Implementation Method 2
The set of optical elements widens a field of view of the virtual image
Data Source
AI summary
Approaches presented herein enable displaying a virtual image in a real-world or virtual-world environment. More specifically, a virtual image is transmitted, via a virtual image projection component, through a substantially transparent medium onto a set of pinpoint mirrors in contact with the medium. The virtual image is transmitted, via the set of pinpoint mirrors, through the medium onto a set of optical elements that widens a field of view of the virtual image. A view of the virtual image transposed on a real-world or a virtual reality image is provided, via the set of optical elements, to a user looking through the medium. The light forming the virtual image is perceived by the human eye, but, because each pinpoint mirror of the set is smaller than the pupil of the human eye, none of the set of pinpoint mirrors is perceivable by the human eye due to their size.