Unidirectional Retinal Display Panel for Compact AR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing augmented reality technologies face challenges in providing unobtrusive and effective image display for users, as they often require large headsets or glasses, and struggle to form clear images at very close distances due to diffraction and aberration issues with conventional optical systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of an image display device using a display panel unit with optical elements that emit unidirectional lights, controlled by a unit to form images directly on the retina without diffusion, integrated into wearable lenses such as contact lenses or glasses, utilizing laser or RCLEDs and variable optical units to adjust light direction and intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional display methods are used, then images can be displayed, but the display device becomes bulky requiring large headsets or glasses
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is segmented into multiple optical elements (lasers or RCLEDs) arranged in an array, with each element contributing to specific portions of the image. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high-quality image formation through precise control of individual light sources while maintaining a compact overall structure that can be integrated into contact lenses or small glasses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of light emission from omnidirectional to unidirectional by using lasers or RCLEDs with reflectors. This parameter change enables direct retinal imaging without diffusion, allowing high-quality image formation at very close distances while dramatically reducing the required display device volume.
2Volume of moving object
If images are formed at very close distances, then the device can be compact, but diffraction and aberration occur preventing clear image formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional optical imaging mechanisms with a direct retinal stimulation approach using unidirectional light beams. Instead of relying on lenses and mirrors that suffer from diffraction and aberration at close distances, the system uses an array of optical elements that directly emit focused light to specific retinal locations, eliminating the optical path that causes image degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the light emission characteristic from diffusive to highly directional with unidirectional beams. This parameter change allows the light to travel directly from the optical elements to the retina without spreading, maintaining image clarity even when the display device is positioned at very close distances where conventional optics fail.
3Manufacturing precision
If unidirectional beams are used, then clear images can be formed without diffusion, but the optical elements become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light generation and direction control functions into integrated optical elements. Each element combines a light source (laser or RCLED) with reflectors in a single unified structure that directly emits unidirectional beams. This merging eliminates the need for separate optical components and complex alignment mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high image formation quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical elements are designed with multi-functionality, serving as both light sources and direction control devices. The reflectors are integrated into the light emitting structures, allowing each element to perform multiple functions (light generation, beam shaping, and directional control) simultaneously. This universality reduces the total number of components needed in the system.
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
Enables clear and unobtrusive augmented reality image display by directly emitting unidirectional beams to the user's retina, allowing recognition of images at very close distances without the need for focus adjustment, improving user experience and reducing the size and complexity of display devices.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting structure layer configured to generate light and reflectors disposed on a top and a bottom of the light emitting structure layer, respectively, to unidirectionally emit the light generated by the light emitting structure layer
Implementation Method 2
emits unidirectional beams directly to the retina, allowing for clear image formation without diffusion and interference with the user's natural focus
Data Source
AI summary
An image display device includes a display panel unit having a plurality of optical elements configured to generate and emit unidirectional lights in an array and a control unit configured to control the plurality of optical elements according to image information. The image display device is located very close to the eyes of a user and displays an additional information image added to a real image, thereby implementing augmented reality.