Variable Angular Resolution Imaging Unit for HMDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lenses with uniform angular resolution require excessive computational resources for capturing and processing images in video see-through Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs), especially for Focus Contingent Displays (FCDs that need higher resolution at the center than at the edges, leading to impractical resource demands.
Innovation Solution
An imaging unit with a display apparatus comprising a camera and optical elements having different magnification properties, allowing for variable angular resolution across the field of view, where the first optical-element portion provides higher resolution than the second portion, reducing the need for resource-intensive camera chip modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional lenses with uniform angular resolution are used, then the field of view is captured uniformly, but the computational resources required for processing images in video see-through HMDs become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is divided into multiple regions with different magnification properties. A first region provides a first magnification factor while a second region provides a second magnification factor, creating variable angular resolution across the field of view. This allows the center of the image to have higher resolution while peripheral areas have lower resolution, matching human visual perception and reducing overall computational requirements.
2Measurement precision
If higher resolution is provided at the center of the field of view for Focus Contingent Displays, then user immersion is enhanced, but the resource requirements become impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element provides different magnification factors in different regions. The first region (corresponding to the center of the field of view) provides a first magnification factor that results in higher angular resolution, while the second region (corresponding to peripheral areas) provides a second magnification factor that results in lower angular resolution. This local differentiation enhances user immersion in the foveal region while reducing resource requirements overall.
3Measurement precision
If uniform angular resolution is maintained across the entire field of view, then image quality is consistent, but the camera chip requirements become excessively complex and resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The magnification factor is changed across different regions of the optical element. By varying the magnification parameter spatially (first magnification factor in the first region, second magnification factor in the second region), the system achieves variable angular resolution that reduces the effective resolution requirements of the camera chip, thereby reducing device complexity.
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 efficient image capture and processing with high resolution at the center, comparable to human-eye resolution, reducing computational and resource requirements while enhancing user immersion in augmented-reality images.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one optical element comprises a first optical-element portion and a second optical-element portion having different optical properties with respect to magnification, wherein the projection of the given real-world scene is differently magnified by the first optical-element portion and the second optical-element portion
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes an imaging unit, an image renderer and a processor. The imaging unit includes a camera for capturing an image of a given real-world scene and an optical element arranged on an optical path of a projection of the given real-world scene. The projection of the given real-world scene is differently magnified by first and second optical-element portions of the optical element in a manner that the captured image has a variable angular resolution across a field of view of the optical element. An angular resolution of a first portion of the captured image is greater than an angular resolution of a second portion of the captured image. The processor is configured to process the captured image to generate an output image and render the output image via the image renderer.