Retinal Projection Optical System for Wearable Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image generation systems lack the ability to efficiently and effectively generate high-quality images directly on the retina of the observer, particularly in applications requiring wearable displays, such as military and surveillance, where traditional displays can be cumbersome and reveal the user's location.
Innovation Solution
An image generation system comprising an attachment system for securing the device to the user's head, an illumination system with an exit pupil at infinity, a light modulator, and an output optical system that directs selectively reflected light to the observer's eye, forming images directly on the retina without the need for intermediate focusing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional displays are used, then the user can view information, but the display reveals the user's location and is cumbersome in wearable applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical display systems with a retinal projection system that uses optical elements to direct light directly to the user's retina. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky display screens and mounting mechanisms, thereby improving wearability while reducing the visual footprint that could reveal the user's location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system comprising a light source, optical modulator, and optical elements that project images directly onto the retina. This intermediary optical path allows information display without requiring a traditional screen, thus reducing visibility and improving wearability simultaneously.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If images are projected directly on the retina, then the display becomes less visible and more secure, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs optical elements that serve multiple functions within a compact arrangement. The same optical components used for retinal projection also facilitate alignment and focus control, reducing the need for separate specialized components and thereby managing system complexity while maintaining security benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple optical components within a compact, nested arrangement where smaller optical elements are positioned within the path of larger components. This nesting approach allows the complex retinal projection system to be miniaturized, reducing overall device complexity and making it suitable for wearable applications.
3Manufacturing precision
If an illumination system with exit pupil at infinity is used, then the image quality improves, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes optical elements that manipulate light paths in multiple dimensions, including angular and spatial dimensions. By projecting light at specific angles and using the eye's lens to focus the image, the system achieves high image quality with a compact device size, as the optical path efficiency is improved through dimensional optimization rather than increased physical size.
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
Enables the generation of high-quality images directly on the observer's retina, enhancing user experience and maintaining operational security by reducing the visibility of the display, especially in low-light military applications.
Implementation Method 1
a light modulator configured to receive the light from the illumination system and to selectively reflect at least some of the received light which corresponds to an image
Implementation Method 2
an output optical system configured to direct the selectively reflected light towards an observer's eye to be observed by the observer
Data Source
AI summary
Image generation systems and image generation methods are described. In one aspect, an image generation system includes an attachment system configured to secure the image generation system to a head of a user in a position to be observed by the user; an illumination system having an exit pupil located at infinity and configured to emit light; a light modulator configured to receive the light from the illumination system and to selectively reflect at least some of the received light which corresponds to an image; a control system coupled with the light modulator and configured to access data content regarding the image, to generate a plurality of control signals according to the accessed data content, and to output the control signals to the light modulator to control the selective reflection of at least some of the received light; and an output optical system configured to direct the selectively reflected light towards an observer's eye to be observed by the observer.