Selective Light-Guide Facets for Targeted Illumination and Ghost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical systems, such as near-eye display systems, inefficiently illuminate the entire eye or pupil, leading to increased power consumption and the occurrence of ghost images due to external light reflections.
Innovation Solution
A system with selectively activatable facets and display regions in a light-guide optical element, controlled by a processor to direct light beams efficiently towards specific portions of the eye, optimizing energy use and reducing ghost images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the entire eye or pupil is illuminated with a light beam, then the image field of view is complete, but power consumption increases and ghost images occur
Solution Approach 1:
The light-guide optical element is divided into multiple selectively activatable facets, and the image generator is divided into multiple display regions. Only the specific facet and display region corresponding to the target pupil location are activated, rather than illuminating the entire eye. This segmentation allows precise control of light delivery, reducing power consumption and eliminating ghost images from external light reflections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different optical properties to different facets of the light-guide element, with each facet being selectively activatable. The controller adjusts which facets are active based on the detected pupil location, creating a localized illumination pattern that matches the target area. This local quality approach ensures light is delivered only where needed, improving energy efficiency and reducing harmful reflections.
2Use of energy by moving object
If selective activation of facets and display regions is implemented, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions: it detects pupil location, determines target portions of the eye motion box, identifies corresponding facets and display regions, and activates them. This multi-functionality consolidates control logic into a single component, managing the complexity of selective activation without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the image generator and the light-guide optical element. It processes pupil location information and translates it into selective activation patterns for facets and display regions. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the coordination logic needed for selective activation.
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
Enhances energy efficiency and reduces ghost images by illuminating only the necessary eye portions, improving power management and image quality in near-eye displays.
Implementation Method 1
a second state in which the facet is configured to reflect the light beam
Implementation Method 2
a first state in which the facet is configured to allow a light beam to be transmitted therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes at least one processor configured to determine a target portion of an eye motion box and to identify a facet of a light-guide optical element that is configured to direct a light beam comprising at least a portion of an image field of view toward the target portion of the eye motion box. The at least one processor is configured to identify a display region of an image generator that is configured to inject the light beam into the light-guide optical element at an angle that, in conjunction with the identified facet, is configured to direct the light beam toward the target portion of the eye motion box. The at least one processor is configured to selectively activate the identified facet and the identified display region to direct the light beam toward the target portion of the eye motion box.