See-through Display Optical Coupler Shading Member Reflection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

See-through type display devices suffer from image quality deterioration due to unwanted optical artifacts such as reflections and ghost images caused by the interaction of light paths through optical elements, which degrade the user's experience in virtual and augmented reality applications.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an optical coupler with a semitransparent concave mirror and a shading member, combined with antireflection layers and additional functional optical films, to reduce light reflections and improve image quality by controlling the light paths and preventing light leakage, ensuring that the image formed by the first light is clear and free from artifacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If optical elements are arranged on the optical path to enable see-through display functionality, then the device can provide virtual and augmented reality experiences, but reflection phenomena occur at boundaries between optical elements generating unwanted optical artifacts that deteriorate image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesee-through display functionalityVSAvoidreflection phenomena and optical artifacts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A shading member is introduced as an intermediary element between the optical coupler and the external environment. This shading member selectively blocks harmful reflected light and optical artifacts while allowing the desired optical signals to pass through, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining see-through display functionality and eliminating reflection phenomena

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the reflection phenomenon that occurs at optical element boundaries and redirects it toward a specific region using the shading member. By controlling the geometry and positioning of the shading member, reflected light that would normally create unwanted artifacts is redirected to fall on the shading member itself or be directed away from the observer's eye, converting the harmful reflection into a beneficial control mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If multiple optical elements are combined to couple light from different directions, then the device can transfer coupled light to the observer, but light leakage occurs between elements causing image quality deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight coupling efficiencyVSAvoidlight leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shading member serves as an intermediary that blocks light leakage paths between the optical coupler and the external environment. By strategically positioning the shading member, it intercepts leaked light before it can reach regions where it would create unwanted visual artifacts, thereby maintaining light coupling efficiency while eliminating light leakage issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration significantly enhances image quality by minimizing reflections and light leakage, providing a clearer and more accurate image to the observer, thereby improving the overall experience in virtual and augmented reality applications.

Implementation Method 1

an optical coupler coupling first light input in a first direction and second light input in a second direction that is different from the first direction and transferring coupled light to an observer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight coupling: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a shading member disposed in front of the optical coupler and transferring the second light to the optical coupler by reducing a light amount of the second light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

An antireflection layer may be formed on at least one of two surfaces facing each other of the shading member and the semitransparent concave mirror

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection reduction: Anti-Reflective Coating

Data Source

PatentUS11372257B2See-through display device

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A see-through display device includes an optical coupler that couples first light input from a first direction and second light input from a second direction that is different from the first direction, the optical coupler transferring coupled light including the first light and the second light to an observer, and a shading member disposed in front of the optical coupler, the shading member transferring the second light to the optical coupler by reducing a light amount of the second light. The see-through display device limits a reflection phenomenon occurring between the optical coupler and the shading member.