Tilting Spatial Light Modulator Arrays for AR Wavefront Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies face challenges in providing a comfortable and natural-feeling presentation of virtual image elements amidst real-world imagery due to mismatches between accommodative and vergence states, leading to user discomfort.
Innovation Solution
An optical system for an AR head-mounted display eyepiece that includes a spatial light modulator array configured to tilt and redirect light into waveguides, utilizing in-coupling and out-coupling optical elements to provide accurate wavefront divergence cues, aligning with both accommodative and vergence states for enhanced depth perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional AR/VR technologies present virtual image elements without proper wavefront divergence control, then the system structure is simple, but user discomfort occurs due to accommodation-vergence mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The spatial light modulator array is configured to tilt dynamically to redirect light into waveguides, enabling variable wavefront divergence control that matches different vergence states while maintaining accommodation-vergence correspondence
Solution Approach 2:
Waveguides with in-coupling and out-coupling optical elements serve as intermediaries to control and deliver accurate wavefront divergence cues from the spatial light modulator to the user's eye, resolving the accommodation-vergence mismatch
2Measurement precision
If the spatial light modulator array tilts to redirect light into waveguides, then accurate wavefront divergence cues are provided for depth perception, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The optics serve dual functions: illuminating the spatial light modulator array and projecting an image of it into the waveguide, reducing the need for separate dedicated components while maintaining wavefront divergence accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is integrated within the waveguide structure, with in-coupling and out-coupling elements nested at specific locations on the waveguide, creating a compact multi-functional assembly
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 system enhances user comfort by providing physiologically correct accommodation-vergence matching, resulting in a more realistic and comfortable three-dimensional imagery experience.
Implementation Method 1
coupled into a waveguide through one of a plurality of in-coupling optical elements. At least a portion of the coupled light is ejected from the waveguide by at least one out-coupling optical element
Implementation Method 2
the light received from the light source passes through the optics and illuminates the spatial light modulator array. The light illuminating the spatial light modulator array is redirected back through the optics
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A viewing optics assembly comprising a spatial light modulator is configured to rotate the spatial light modulator.