Tunable Lens AR Display for Depth-Corrected Wide Field of View
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Augmented reality devices face challenges in displaying virtual content at varying depths and providing an immersive field of view due to their large or bulky size, limited field of view, and inability to accurately position virtual content relative to real-world objects, leading to a non-immersive experience.
Innovation Solution
The use of tunable lenses in a transparent display system, which can adjust the apparent position of virtual content by altering the optical configuration to simulate depth and increase the field of view through optical steering, allowing virtual content to appear at any desired distance and position relative to real-world objects without distorting the view of real-world content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If augmented reality devices use traditional display systems to show virtual content, then virtual content can be displayed, but the device becomes large or bulky and cannot accurately position virtual content at varying depths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a tunable lens that can dynamically change its focal length and optical properties in real-time. This dynamic adjustment allows the lens to position virtual content at varying depths while maintaining a compact device form factor, resolving the contradiction between depth adaptability and device size
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes optical parameters by adjusting the tunable lens focal length and using optical steering to redirect light paths. These parameter changes enable virtual content to be displayed at different apparent distances without requiring multiple discrete optical systems, thus avoiding increased device volume
2Adaptability or versatility
If augmented reality devices use fixed field of view displays, then the device remains compact, but the field of view is limited and cannot provide an immersive experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic optical steering to actively adjust and expand the field of view in real-time. By controlling light paths through tunable optical elements, the system can provide a wide immersive field of view while maintaining a compact device structure, resolving the contradiction between FOV coverage and device size
3Measurement precision
If augmented reality devices use discrete depth displays, then the device remains small, but virtual content can only be shown at specific distances rather than any desired distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a continuously tunable lens that can adjust its focal length smoothly across a range of values, enabling virtual content to be positioned at any desired depth rather than discrete distances. This continuous adjustment capability provides precise depth control while avoiding the complexity of multiple discrete optical systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves continuous depth positioning by dynamically changing the optical parameters of the tunable lens. This parameter adjustment allows smooth variation of virtual content depth without requiring complex mechanical adjustments or multiple fixed-focus optical paths
4Adaptability or versatility
If augmented reality devices use traditional optics, then the optical path is fixed, but the field of view cannot be expanded or steered dynamically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic optical steering using controllable optical elements that can redirect light paths in real-time. This dynamic steering capability allows the field of view to be expanded and adjusted without requiring complex mechanical moving parts or multiple fixed optical channels
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 small form factor augmented reality device to accurately position virtual content at any desired depth and expand the field of view, providing a more immersive experience by maintaining the clarity of real-world objects while enhancing the realism of virtual content interaction.
Implementation Method 1
The tunable lens can be adjusted to alter an apparent position of the virtual content
Implementation Method 2
increase the field of view through optical steering, allowing virtual content to appear at any desired distance and position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
An augmented reality (AR) device is described with a display system configured to adjust an apparent distance between a user of the AR device and virtual content presented by the AR device. The AR device includes a first tunable lens that changes shape in order to affect the position of the virtual content. Distortion of real-world content on account of the changes made to the first tunable lens is prevented by a second tunable lens that changes shape to stay substantially complementary to the optical configuration of the first tunable lens. In this way, the virtual content can be positioned at almost any distance relative to the user without degrading the view of the outside world or adding extensive bulk to the AR device. The augmented reality device can also include tunable lenses for expanding a field of view of the augmented reality device.