Retroreflective Imaging System for VR Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Virtual reality (VR) devices suffer from low resolution and the screen-door effect due to their larger field of view and visible pixel structure, which is not sufficient for human eye comfort.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system with a display comprising two half screens, a retroreflective unit, and beam splitters that alternately operate to merge shifted images from each half screen, increasing pixel density and eliminating the screen-door effect by combining light beams from each half screen to form high-resolution images for each eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If VR devices use displays with larger field of view to provide immersive experience, then viewing comfort is improved, but image resolution deteriorates to not more than 15 pixels per degree
Solution Approach 1:
The display is divided into two separate display half screens (first display half screen and second display half screen). Each half screen is dedicated to providing high-resolution images to one eye, allowing the system to maintain high pixel density while providing immersive VR experience through stereoscopic display
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges images from both display half screens using beam splitters and retroreflective devices. The first beam splitter and second beam splitter combine light paths from both half screens, and the retroreflective device merges these combined images into a single high-resolution image for each eye, effectively doubling the resolution while maintaining large field of view
2Area of stationary object
If VR devices scale images to fill larger field of view, then viewing area is improved, but screen-door effect occurs due to visible pixel structure
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the display into two half screens and using separate optical paths for each eye, the system achieves higher effective pixel density. The beam splitters and retroreflective devices merge these segmented images in a way that eliminates visible pixel structures, removing the screen-door effect while maintaining large viewing area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additional optical dimensions by using beam splitters and retroreflective devices to merge images from both half screens. This multi-dimensional optical path merging increases the effective resolution and pixel density, eliminating the screen-door effect that occurs when images are simply scaled up in a single dimension
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 VR image resolution and eliminates the screen-door effect, providing a more comfortable viewing experience by increasing pixel density and merging images effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a retroreflective device configured to transmit the first light beams toward a first eye, and reflect the second light beams toward the first eye, thereby merging the first and second images
Implementation Method 2
a first beam splitter facing the first display half screen, a second beam splitter facing the second display half screen
Data Source
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AI summary
An imaging system is provided. The imaging system includes a display including a first display half screen and a second display half screen, a retroreflective device provided on the display, a first beam splitter facing the first display half screen, a second beam splitter facing the second display half screen, a first optical shutter located on a surface of the first beam splitter, and a second optical shutter located on a surface of the second beam splitter.