Tilted Emission Path Eyepiece for Unobstructed HMD Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-mounted displays (HMDs) often restrict the user's view of the external world, making them awkward to wear during daily activities due to their design limitations such as cost, size, weight, limited field of view, and inefficient optical systems.
Innovation Solution
The design of an eyepiece for HMDs that emits computer-generated image (CGI) light along a tilted emission path using a partially reflective surface with a compound folding angle, allowing users to view CGI as a heads-up display without obstructing their forward vision, enabling the user to see both the virtual and real world simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional HMDs are designed to display CGI with traditional optical systems, then the display functionality is achieved, but the user's field of view is restricted and external view is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by tilting the emission path of CGI light from a horizontal orientation to a downward倾斜 orientation. This angular transformation in the optical path allows the display to function while preserving the user's forward view of the external world, effectively resolving the contradiction between display functionality and field of view restriction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical element (the tilted emission path mechanism) that mediates between the CGI light source and the user's eye. This intermediary component redirects the light path downward while maintaining image quality, allowing simultaneous viewing of both virtual and real worlds without blocking the external view.
2Ease of operation
If HMDs are designed to provide immersive display experience, then virtual reality functionality is achieved, but the device becomes awkward to wear during daily activities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the emission path to be adjustable or adaptable to different viewing conditions. The tilted emission path design allows the system to adapt to various scenarios including both immersive VR experiences and casual daily activities, making the HMD more versatile and comfortable for different use cases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying the emission angle of the optical path from traditional horizontal to downward tilted orientations. This parameter adjustment optimizes the display for both immersive experiences and daily wear, improving wearability while maintaining adaptability for various activities.
3Productivity
If traditional optical systems are used in HMDs, then the display function is achieved, but the system is inefficient and has limited field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves optical efficiency by transforming the light emission path into a downward tilted orientation, which optimizes the optical geometry for both efficiency and field of view. This dimensional change in the emission path allows more light to reach the user's eye while maintaining a wider effective field of view.
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 enhances the user's field of view and aesthetic appeal by allowing users to view CGI without tilting their head excessively, providing an unobstructed view of the external world while maintaining the functionality of augmented or virtual reality applications.
Implementation Method 1
a partially reflective surface with a compound folding angle, allowing users to view CGI as a heads-up display
Data Source
AI summary
An eyepiece for a head mounted display includes a display module, end reflector, and viewing region. The end reflector is disposed at an opposite end of the eyepiece from the display module to reflect the display light back from a forward propagation path to a reverse propagation path. The viewing region is disposed between the display module and the end reflector and includes a partially reflective surface, that passes the display light traveling along the forward propagation path and redirects the display light traveling along the reverse propagation path out of an eye-ward side of the eyepiece along an emission path. The partially reflective surface has a compound folding angle such that the emission path of the display light emitted from the eyepiece is folded along two axes relative to the reverse propagation path between the end reflector and the partially reflective surface.