Tiled Waveguide Display Artifacts in AR Headsets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual and augmented reality headsets face challenges in providing a wide field of view without becoming bulky and heavy, leading to artifacts in tiled display assemblies that affect user experience.
Innovation Solution
The method involves coupling two image portions from separate arrays of pixels into a waveguide in a headset display, directing them through an eyebox, and tiling them on the user's retina to create an extended field of view with an overlapping area, utilizing a grating to couple light out of the waveguide in the direction of the eyebox, thereby mitigating tiling artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If large lenses are used to provide a wide field of view, then the field of view is improved, but the headset becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The display is divided into multiple separate arrays of pixels that are tiled together to form an extended field of view. Instead of using a single large display system with large lenses, the patent segments the display into multiple smaller arrays (e.g., first array and second array) that are coupled into a waveguide and tiled on the user's retina, achieving wide FOV without requiring large optical components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional single-plane display architecture to a tiled display architecture where multiple image portions are combined in the angular dimension to extend the field of view. By tiling image portions from multiple pixel arrays in different angular regions, the system achieves extended FOV without increasing the physical size of individual optical components
2Illumination intensity
If multiple image portions are tiled to extend field of view, then the field of view is improved, but tiling artifacts appear affecting image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different brightness characteristics to different regions of the tiled display. Specifically, the overlapping area where multiple image portions meet is assigned a different brightness level (reduced brightness) compared to non-overlapping areas. This local quality adjustment eliminates visible tiling artifacts by creating a smooth transition zone that masks the boundaries between tiled image portions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the brightness (luminance) characteristics of different regions in the tiled display to eliminate artifacts. By adjusting the brightness of the overlapping area between tiled image portions, the system creates a uniform perceived brightness across the entire extended field of view, making the tile boundaries imperceptible
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 allows for a wider field of view while maintaining a compact and lightweight headset, reducing noticeable tiling artifacts and enhancing user experience by providing a uniform brightness distribution across the extended field of view.
Implementation Method 1
coupling a first image portion into a waveguide in a headset display... directing the first image portion out of the waveguide through an eyebox
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a grating adjacent to the waveguide to couple light out from the waveguide in a direction of the eyebox
Data Source
AI summary
A method for correcting artifacts in artificial reality headsets is provided. The method includes coupling a first image portion into a waveguide in a display for an artificial reality device, provided by a first array of pixels, coupling a second image portion into the waveguide in the display, provided by a second array of pixels, directing the first image portion through an eyebox, directing the second image portion through the eyebox, and tiling, in a user's retina, the first image portion and the second image portion to form an image having an extended field of view that includes an overlapping area comprising light provided by the first array of pixels and the second array of pixels. A system including a memory storing instructions and a processor to execute the instructions to cause the system to perform the above method are also provided.