Single-Display AR System Using Non-Symmetrical Lens for Dual-Eye Imagery
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Solution Overview
Problem
See-through augmented reality systems require two display systems to provide different imagery to each eye, increasing costs, complexity, and reducing reliability.
Innovation Solution
A single-display optical system with a lens element and display device holder, featuring non-symmetrical reflective surfaces that collimate light from a single light-emitting panel to provide distinct imagery to each eye, allowing for a single light-emitting panel to project different images to the right and left eyes, and a partially transparent and reflective lens element for augmented and virtual reality modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two display systems are used to provide different imagery to each eye, then the augmented reality system can provide distinct left-eye and right-eye imagery, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate display systems into a single display system by using a single light-emitting panel with a non-symmetrical lens element that optically separates the light paths to deliver distinct imagery to each eye. This consolidation reduces device complexity and cost while maintaining the capability to provide different imagery to left and right eyes.
Solution Approach 2:
The single light-emitting panel performs multiple functions by simultaneously generating left-eye imagery and right-eye imagery that are then optically separated and directed to respective eyes. The non-symmetrical lens element enables this multi-functionality by having different optical properties for different spatial regions, allowing one component to replace what traditionally required two separate components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two display systems are used to provide different imagery to each eye, then stereoscopic augmented reality is achieved, but reliability reduces
Solution Approach 1:
By combining two display systems into one, the patent reduces the number of potential failure points in the system. Fewer components mean fewer opportunities for malfunction, alignment issues, and maintenance problems, thereby improving overall system reliability while still achieving stereoscopic imagery through optical separation.
3Device complexity
If a single light-emitting panel is used to provide imagery to both eyes, then cost and complexity are reduced, but the field of view is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The non-symmetrical lens element exploits the spatial dimension by having different optical characteristics at different locations across the lens surface. This allows the single light-emitting panel to effectively create expanded light paths that reach both eyes with wider angular coverage, overcoming the field of view limitation that would normally accompany a single display source.
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
Enables cost-effective, reliable, and immersive augmented and virtual reality experiences by using a single display system to project different imagery to each eye, reducing complexity and maintaining real-world perception while providing a fully immersive virtual reality experience.
Implementation Method 1
The right-eye reflective surface includes a first plurality of different surface elements oriented to reflect and collimate light from corresponding different regions of a first portion of the light-emitting panel toward a predetermined right-eye location
Implementation Method 2
surface elements oriented to reflect and collimate light from corresponding different regions
Implementation Method 3
The lens element may be partially transparent and partially reflective, such as is implemented by a beam-splitter
Implementation Method 4
imagery reflected from the interior reflective surfaces of the lens element
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system that includes a lens element and a lens element holder. The optical system also includes a display device holder that is configured to hold a display device having a single light-emitting panel. The lens element includes a right-eye reflective surface and a left-eye reflective surface. The right-eye reflective surface includes a first plurality of different surface elements oriented to reflect and collimate light from corresponding different regions of a first portion of the light-emitting panel toward a predetermined right-eye location, and the left-eye reflective surface includes a second plurality of different surface elements oriented to reflect and collimate light from corresponding different regions of a second portion of the light-emitting panel toward a predetermined left-eye location.