Variable-Curvature Waveguide with Pre-Distortion for AR Glasses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing augmented reality glasses face challenges in achieving a wide field of view, high image quality, and ergonomic design due to the use of planar or curved waveguides, which introduce distortions and require individual customization for each user's head shape.

Innovation Solution

The use of a flexible waveguide with an optical compensator that adjusts to the user's head shape, applying pre-distortion and optical zoom to counteract distortions caused by the waveguide curvature, ensuring an undistorted image is projected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a curved waveguide is used to make the device more compact and ergonomic, then the device size and weight are reduced, but the augmented reality image becomes distorted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies pre-distortion to the image before it enters the curved waveguide. The distortion applied is opposite to the distortion that will be introduced by the curved waveguide, so that when the light passes through the curved waveguide, the two distortions cancel each other out and the final image appears undistorted to the user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary distortion of the image using a distortion element positioned before the curved waveguide. This preliminary action prepares the image in advance to compensate for the upcoming distortion from the curved waveguide, ensuring the final output is undistorted

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the waveguide curvature is changed to fit different user head shapes, then the ergonomics and comfort are improved, but the image distortion changes requiring re-adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfortVSAvoidimage quality consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the waveguide curvature adjustable rather than fixed. Users can change the curvature of the waveguide to match their head shape, and the system dynamically adjusts the pre-distortion parameters to match the new curvature, maintaining image quality across different configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the distortion parameters of the pre-distortion element based on the waveguide curvature. When the waveguide curvature is adjusted, the system modifies the pre-distortion parameters accordingly to compensate for the changed optical path, ensuring consistent image quality across different curvature settings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If a planar waveguide is used to maintain simple structure, then the manufacturing is easier, but the device takes up more space and is less ergonomic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoiddevice compactness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a planar waveguide to a curved waveguide configuration. The curved waveguide can be bent to fit the user's head shape, making the device more compact and ergonomic while maintaining manufacturability through standard curving processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 solution provides adjustable, distortion-free, and high-quality augmented reality experiences by compensating for waveguide-induced distortions, enhancing user comfort and image clarity across varying head shapes.

Implementation Method 1

When a parallel beam is incident on a curved waveguide, light is introduced into the waveguide by an input diffraction grating. Plane wavefront beam, in which rays propagate parallel to each other, transforms to spherical wavefront beam, in which rays are converging to a certain point

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

The output diffraction grating of the flexible waveguide is configured to output the image

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 3

curved waveguides, which go around the user's head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12386180B2Augmented reality device based on waveguide with variable curvature, method for operating the augmented reality device, augmented reality glasses, optical compensator

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

The disclosure relates to augmented reality devices, and more particularly, to augmented reality glasses and methods for operating the same. An augmented reality display device is provided. The augmented reality display device includes a projection system, an optical compensator positioned after the projection system, and a flexible waveguide. The flexible waveguide can change its curvature and comprises an input diffraction grating and an output diffraction grating. The optical compensator is configured to introduce pre-distortion to the image and optically zoom the image received from the projection system, the pre-distortion in the image and optical zoom of the image being opposite to those introduced by the flexible waveguide to the undistorted image in accordance with chosen radius of the flexible waveguide. Flexible diffraction grating distorts the pre-distorted image. The output diffraction grating outputs undistorted image to a user's eyes.