Substrate-Guided Optical Elements for Compact HMDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical modules for head-mounted displays (HMDs) become larger, heavier, and bulkier as the desired field-of-view (FOV) increases, making them impractical for compact and lightweight applications.
Innovation Solution
A method for manufacturing compact substrate-guided optical devices with a light-transmitting substrate and reflecting surfaces, allowing for a wide FOV and large eye-motion box while maintaining a compact form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional free-space optical modules are used to increase field-of-view, then the FOV is improved, but the device becomes larger, heavier and bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the imaging lens and combiner functions into a single integrated optical element. The light-transmitting substrate simultaneously performs collimation and beam combining, eliminating the need for separate conventional optical components and reducing overall device weight and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional free-space optics to waveguide-based integrated optics, moving the optical path into a planar substrate dimension. This dimensional change enables compact form factor while maintaining or expanding field-of-view through guided light propagation modes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional free-space optical modules are used to increase field-of-view, then the FOV is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the imaging lens and combiner functions into a single integrated optical element. The light-transmitting substrate simultaneously performs collimation and beam combining, eliminating the need for separate conventional optical components and reducing overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional free-space optics to waveguide-based integrated optics, moving the optical path into a planar substrate dimension. This dimensional change enables compact form factor while maintaining or expanding field-of-view through guided light propagation modes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional free-space optical modules are used to increase field-of-view, then the FOV is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the imaging lens and combiner functions into a single integrated optical element. The light-transmitting substrate simultaneously performs collimation and beam combining, eliminating the need for separate conventional optical components and reducing overall device complexity.
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
The resulting optical system provides a large, high-quality image that accommodates large eye movements, is significantly more compact than state-of-the-art implementations, and can be easily integrated into specialized optical systems.
Implementation Method 1
a light-transmissive substrate with at least two major surfaces, edges and an output coupling-out reflecting element carried by the substrate, forming a substrate allowing light-waves to traverse the substrate between the two major surfaces
Implementation Method 2
substrate-guided elements for compact head-mounted display system
Implementation Method 3
an output coupling-out reflecting element carried by the substrate, forming a substrate allowing light-waves to traverse the substrate between the two major surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing an optical device having a light wave transmitting substrate with at least two major surfaces, edges and an output coupling-out reflecting element carried by the substrate forming a substrate allowing light-waves to traverse the substrate between the two major surfaces, includes (a) attaching to each other a plurality of flat plates of a selected thickness, each having at least two parallel main surfaces and two edges arranged in an unlimited first periodic stack (175) having at least two surfaces (104U, 4D) parallel to the main surfaces of the plates and edges (105R, 105L); (b) slicing the stack to form a plurality of slices (178) defining slicing lines (107), wherein the stack is oriented such that for the majority of the stacked plates, the slicing lines cross at least two edges of the plate; (c) grinding or polishing the slice to form a substrate with two major 10 surfaces, and a coupling-out reflecting element, wherein the major surfaces are parallel to each other and not parallel to the coupling-out reflecting element, and (d) cutting the substrate to final dimensions.