Retinal Image Adaptation via Pupil-Plane Light Beam Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional head-mounted display systems fail to adapt to individual users' visual prescriptions, leading to suboptimal image clarity and comfort, especially for those with corrective lenses needs.

Innovation Solution

A method that provides optical parameters based on a user's prescription, using multiple light beams focused in the pupil plane to create adapted sub-images, which are then displayed on the retina, allowing for pre-compensation of images to correct for visual defects such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional head-mounted display system is used without adaptation to individual prescriptions, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the image sharpness and user comfort deteriorate for users with visual defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage sharpness on retinaVSAvoidsystem adaptation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing multiple adapted sub-images for different pupil positions and optical parameters before actual use. During operation, the system simply retrieves and displays the pre-adapted sub-images corresponding to the user's prescription, avoiding real-time complex calculations while maintaining high image sharpness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the full image into multiple sub-images, each adapted for a specific pupil position and optical parameter combination. This segmentation allows the system to handle different visual requirements independently through light field technology, resolving the contradiction between customization and complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the head-mounted display is adapted to each user's prescription, then user comfort and image quality are improved, but the ease of manufacture and production cost worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by creating a single head-mounted device capable of serving multiple users with different prescriptions. The device contains a library of pre-adapted sub-images for various optical parameters, allowing one device to function as multiple customized devices, thereby improving user comfort without proportionally increasing production costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the optical parameters (focal length, pupil position) of pre-adapted sub-images to match different user prescriptions. This allows the same physical device to adapt to different users through software-based parameter adjustment rather than hardware customization, reducing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple light beams are used to carry adapted sub-images for different pupil positions, then image sharpness for users with visual defects is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage sharpnessVSAvoidlight beam control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by creating multiple copies of the image as sub-images, each adapted for a specific pupil position. These copied and adapted sub-images are then distributed through different light beams, allowing the system to maintain high image sharpness while using standard light field display components without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 approach enables a single head-mounted device to provide sharp images for users with different prescriptions by customizing the image display based on individual eye parameters, enhancing user comfort and usability across various visual needs.

Implementation Method 1

providing a plurality of light beams configured to be focused substantially in the plane of a pupil of the eye at a plurality of corresponding different positions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight focusing: Focusing

Data Source

PatentEP4100780B1Method for displaying a sharp image on a retina of an eye of the person
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP4100780B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4100780B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5C
  • EP4100780B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for displaying a sharp image on a retina of an eye of the person, the person having a prescription for the eye of the person, the method comprising: providing at least one optical parameter relative to the prescription for the eye of the person; providing a plurality of initial sub-images, each initial sub-image corresponding to at least a part of the image to be displayed; providing a plurality of light beams configured to be focused substantially in the plane of a pupil of the eye at a plurality of corresponding different positions, each light beam being configured to carry an associated sub-image; for each sub-image, adapting the sub-image based on the at least one provided optical parameter and on the corresponding focused position of the light beam configured to carry the sub-image to form an adapted sub-image; and displaying each adapted sub-image carried by the associated light beam on the retina of the person.