Pixel-Expanded Projection Optical Engine for AR Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of projection optical engines in electronic devices, particularly AR glasses, is limited by the volume of the optical engine, which affects the overall size of the device, and existing solutions compromise on resolution, efficiency, or process complexity.
Innovation Solution
A projection optical engine architecture that combines light from separate display panels of different colors using a light combination apparatus and a pixel expansion apparatus, allowing pixels to be imaged at different locations, thereby increasing resolution and efficiency while reducing the physical size and process complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the area of each pixel is increased to improve light-emitting efficiency, then the volume of the projection optical engine is increased, but miniaturization is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-plane pixel arrangement to a multi-layer stacked architecture where pixels of different colors are arranged in different layers along the optical path. This dimensional change allows pixels to be vertically stacked rather than horizontally arranged, improving light-emitting efficiency without increasing the lateral footprint or volume of the optical engine.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where multiple pixel layers are stacked within each other along the optical path. The first pixel layer, second pixel layer, and third pixel layer are nested in sequence, with each layer containing pixels of different colors. This nesting allows multiple functional layers to occupy the same lateral space, improving efficiency without increasing overall volume.
2Manufacturing precision
If the area of each pixel is decreased to maintain display resolution, then light-emitting efficiency is reduced, but resolution is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging pixels in multiple stacked layers rather than a single plane, the system achieves higher effective resolution without reducing individual pixel area. The multi-layer configuration allows each pixel to maintain sufficient area for efficient light emission while the combined resolution of multiple layers provides the required display resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple pixel layers with different color compositions to achieve the final display resolution. Instead of relying on a single layer with extremely small pixels, the system combines the output of multiple layers, each with larger pixels that maintain good light-emitting efficiency, to achieve the required resolution through spatial and temporal multiplexing.
3Ease of manufacture
If pixels of different colors are disposed on the same plane, then process complexity increases due to the need for complex separation processes, but space utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pixel array into multiple separate layers, with each layer containing pixels of specific color compositions. This segmentation allows each layer to be manufactured independently using simpler processes, avoiding the need for complex in-plane separation of different color pixels. The layers are then stacked and optically combined to achieve the full-color display.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging different color pixels side-by-side in the same plane (horizontal arrangement), the patent stacks pixel layers in the vertical dimension. This dimensional change simplifies manufacturing by allowing each layer to be produced separately with less complex processes, while the vertical stacking maintains compact space utilization.
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 enhances imaging resolution, improves light-emitting efficiency, and reduces power consumption by allowing pixels to be combined and expanded without increasing the display panel's total area, thus addressing the miniaturization challenge.
Implementation Method 1
a light combination apparatus, where the light combination apparatus is configured to combine light emitted by one pixel of the first color and light emitted by one pixel of the second color
Implementation Method 2
The light combination apparatus includes a first dichroic reflective surface and a second dichroic reflective surface
Implementation Method 3
a pixel expansion apparatus and an optical engine lens, where the light emitted by the light combination apparatus is imaged on an imaging plane after passing through the pixel expansion apparatus and the optical engine lens. The pixel expansion apparatus is configured to enable the light emitted by the light combination apparatus to be imaged at different locations on the imaging plane at different moments
Implementation Method 4
the light emitted by the light combination apparatus is imaged on an imaging plane after passing through the pixel expansion apparatus and the optical engine lens
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of a projection optical engine, an electronic device, and a projection imaging method are described. One example of a light combination apparatus is configured to combine light emitted by one pixel of a first color and light emitted by one pixel of a second color, and then emit combined light. The light emitted by the light combination apparatus is imaged on an imaging plane after passing through a pixel expansion apparatus and an optical engine lens. The pixel expansion apparatus is configured to enable the light emitted by the light combination apparatus to be imaged at different locations on the imaging plane at different moments.