Shared Collimating Optic for RGB Lasers in MEMS Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Head-Mounted Display Systems (HMDS) face challenges in achieving compactness, precision, and cost-effectiveness due to the high expense and bulkiness of RGB laser assemblies with separate collimating optics and dichroic mirrors, as well as misalignment issues with MEMS scanning mirrors.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a shared collimating optic for RGB laser diodes and applying geometric multiplexing with temporal buffers to align RGB light vertically and horizontally at target pixels, reducing the number of components and eliminating wavelength beam combination optics, while incorporating an additional IR laser for IR illumination applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If separate collimating optics are used for each RGB laser diode, then beam alignment precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines three separate collimating optics into a single shared collimating optic that serves all RGB laser diodes. This merging reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining beam quality through geometric multiplexing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared collimating optic performs multiple functions by collimating beams from red, green, and blue laser diodes simultaneously. This universal component replaces three specialized components, reducing system complexity while the geometric multiplexing ensures each wavelength is properly directed to its target pixel.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate collimating optics are used for each RGB laser diode, then beam alignment precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges three separate collimating optics into one shared component, directly reducing the bill of materials and manufacturing cost. The geometric multiplexing approach allows a single optic to serve multiple wavelengths, eliminating the need for three separate precision optical components.
3Device complexity
If a shared collimating optic is used for RGB laser diodes, then device complexity is reduced, but beam alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam path into distinct geometric zones within the shared collimating optic, directing RGB wavelengths to different spatial regions. This segmentation allows precise control of each wavelength's trajectory, compensating for angular separation and ensuring accurate pixel alignment despite using a single optic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces geometric multiplexing that utilizes spatial dimensionality within the collimated beam path. By directing different wavelengths to different angular and spatial positions in the target plane, the system maintains precise beam alignment control while using a shared optic, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the wavelength multiplexing.
4Manufacturing precision
If separate collimating optics are used for each RGB laser diode, then beam alignment precision is improved, but the size of the RGB laser assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges three separate collimating optics into one shared component, significantly reducing the volumetric footprint of the RGB laser assembly. This consolidation eliminates redundant optical mounts, adjustment mechanisms, and spacing requirements, creating a more compact overall structure suitable for head-mounted displays.
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 enhances imaging precision and efficiency, reduces manufacturing costs by minimizing components, and compensates for angular separation of RGB light, achieving accurate alignment across a larger target area with improved pixel alignment.
Implementation Method 1
a shared collimating optic for the RGB laser light... positioned to receive, collimate and redirect the RGB light
Implementation Method 2
The geometric multiplexing includes the application of temporal buffers to the pulsing of the RGB laser diodes, which creates spatial adjustments of the RGB light, so that the RGB light is both vertically and horizontally aligned at the appropriate pixels of the target display
Implementation Method 3
MEMS mirrors system that modulates in sequence with pulsing of the RGB laser diodes to redirect the RGB light to a plurality of individual target pixel locations
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are utilized for performing geometric multiplexing in MEMS display systems that utilize RGB laser diodes and MEMS mirrors to compensate for angular separation between the RGB light that results from passing the RGB light emitted from the RGB laser diodes through a single collimating lens shared by the RGB laser diodes, as opposed to utilizing a separate collimating lens for each corresponding laser diode. Spatial offsets between the RGB light at the target display, resulting from the angular separation, are compensated for by applying temporal buffers to the pulsing of the RGB laser sources so that the RGB light is horizontally and vertically aligned at the appropriate pixels of the target display during scanning by the MEMS mirrors system.