Tiltable Reflector Directional Illuminator for Near-Eye Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing visual display systems, particularly near-eye displays, face challenges in achieving compactness and energy efficiency due to the need for bulky and heavy components, which can be uncomfortable for users.
Innovation Solution
A directional illuminator system comprising a light source, a pupil-replicating lightguide, and a tiltable reflector, which directs light at a variable angle to ensure that image light is specifically targeted at the user's eyes, reducing unnecessary light distribution and enhancing brightness while conserving energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional light distribution systems are used in near-eye displays, then light coverage is broad, but energy efficiency deteriorates and device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing light specifically to the user's pupil location rather than distributing it broadly. The directional illuminator uses a tiltable reflector to adjust the light beam angle, ensuring that light is concentrated only where needed (at the pupil), thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing the required light output power, which contributes to lighter device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics through the tiltable reflector that can adjust the light beam angle in real-time. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to track and adapt to the user's eye position, maintaining precise light direction to the pupil while consuming less energy compared to static broad-coverage lighting systems.
2Volume of moving object
If traditional light distribution systems are used in near-eye displays, then light coverage is broad, but device compactness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By concentrating light precisely at the pupil location rather than distributing it over a broad area, the system achieves high brightness in a compact volume. The directional illuminator with adjustable beam angle ensures that light energy is focused where it is needed, enabling compact device design without sacrificing illumination intensity at the target location.
3Use of energy by moving object
If light is directed precisely at user's eyes, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tiltable reflector provides dynamic beam angle adjustment to track the user's eye position, enabling precise light direction to the pupil. This dynamic mechanism achieves energy efficiency through focused light delivery while maintaining relatively simple system architecture compared to more complex alternatives such as adaptive optics or multiple light sources.
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 solution enables a more compact and energy-efficient display system by ensuring that image light is precisely directed at the user's eyes, improving brightness and reducing energy consumption, thus enhancing user comfort and device portability.
Implementation Method 1
a tiltable reflector for receiving a light beam from the light source and redirecting the light beam towards the pupil-replicating lightguide at a variable angle
Implementation Method 2
The pupil-replicating lightguide is configured to propagate the light beam therein by reflection from opposed surfaces of the pupil-replicating lightguide, and to out-couple offset parallel portions of the light beam along at least one of the opposed surfaces at a variable out-coupling angle
Data Source
AI summary
A directional illuminator includes a light source, a pupil-replicating lightguide, and a tiltable reflector coupling the light source to the pupil-replicating lightguide. The exit beam angle of the light outputted by the pupil-replicating lightguide follows the in-coupling angle, and accordingly depends on the tilting angle of the tiltable reflector. The directional illuminator with steered light beam may be used to illuminate a display panel. Steering the illuminating light by the tiltable reflector enables one to steer the exit pupil of the display device to match the user's eye location(s).