Selective Pupil Illumination for Near-Eye Aberration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical systems, such as near-eye display systems, often cause image aberrations due to blanket illumination of the eye, leading to reduced image quality as portions of the image become blurred and distorted.
Innovation Solution
The optical system selectively illuminates only a portion of the eye's pupil or eye motion box using a processor to control light sources and adjust light beam distortions, employing a spatial light modulator and a coupling-out arrangement with adjustable reflectivity and intensity to enhance image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the entire pupil is illuminated with a light beam, then the illumination area is maximized, but image quality deteriorates due to aberrations such as coma and astigmatism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively illuminating only specific regions of the pupil rather than the entire pupil. The system determines which portions of the pupil should be illuminated based on eye tracking data and optical characteristics, applying illumination locally to avoid aberrations while maintaining sufficient brightness for image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the pupil illumination into multiple selectable regions. Instead of treating the pupil as a single uniform area, the system divides it into zones that can be selectively illuminated based on optical performance requirements, allowing different portions to be activated depending on the viewing conditions and optical path being used.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple light sources are used to cover different pupil locations, then image quality is improved by reducing aberrations, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by using a single light source that can be dynamically directed to different pupil regions through optical switching mechanisms. Rather than requiring separate light sources for each pupil zone, the system uses one versatile light source that can serve multiple functions by changing its illumination target based on real-time eye tracking and optical path selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the illumination system adaptable and changeable in real-time. The system dynamically selects which light source to activate and which pupil region to illuminate based on continuous eye tracking data and the current optical path being used, allowing the illumination characteristics to change flexibly rather than being fixed.
3Use of energy by moving object
If selective illumination of a smaller area is implemented, then power efficiency is improved, but illumination intensity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the intensity and duration of light pulses delivered to selected pupil regions. The system compensates for the smaller illumination area by increasing the intensity parameters of the light source and optimizing the temporal characteristics of illumination, ensuring that sufficient brightness is achieved despite illuminating only a portion of the pupil.
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 reduces aberrations, improves image quality, and increases power efficiency by distributing illumination on a smaller area, addressing issues like vergence-accommodation conflict and enhancing the performance of near-eye display systems.
Implementation Method 1
determining a distortion to be applied to the light beam based at least in part on the selected light source and to cause a modification of the light beam based at least in part on the determined distortion
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of elements of a coupling-out arrangement where at least one of a reflectivity and an intensity of each of the elements is selectively adjustable between at least two states
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to select a light source from a plurality of lights sources based at least in part on a location of a pupil of an eye relative to an eye motion box. The selected light source is configured to illuminate a portion of the eye motion box that corresponds to the location of the pupil with a light beam. The at least one processor is further configured to activate the selected light source to illuminate the portion of the eye motion box.