In-Vehicle 3D Display Optics for Tunable Virtual Image Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autostereoscopic 3D displays require VR headgear, causing eye strain and fatigue due to divided viewing zones and binocular gaps, and existing lightfield displays face challenges like large form factor, distortion, and high manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
Concentric lightfield displays with tunable optical path lengths using field evolving cavities (FECs) and 1D-1D curved optical structures for depth modulation, reducing system size and manufacturing complexity while providing comfortable viewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If VR headgear is used for autostereoscopic 3D display, then immersive 3D viewing is achieved, but eye strain and fatigue occur due to divided viewing zones and binocular gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The display is divided into multiple lightfield zones with each zone providing a complete image to both eyes, eliminating binocular gaps. Each lightfield zone independently renders stereoscopic content, allowing the viewer to see a complete image with both eyes simultaneously, thus resolving the eye strain caused by traditional divided viewing zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple lightfield zones are combined in a single display device, merging the benefits of autostereoscopic 3D with comfortable viewing. The display integrates multiple virtual display surfaces at different depths, creating a unified viewing experience that eliminates the need for VR headgear while maintaining viewing comfort.
2Ease of operation
If concentric lightfield technology is used to create large FOV immersive 3D displays, then immersive viewing is improved, but form factor increases and distortion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The display uses curved virtual display surfaces arranged in a concentric configuration, where each lightfield zone creates a curved image surface. This curvature allows the display to achieve a large field of view while maintaining a compact form factor, as the curved surfaces naturally guide light rays to the viewer's eyes without requiring a large physical footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The display adds depth as a third dimension by creating multiple virtual display surfaces at different distances from the viewer. This multiplanar arrangement allows the system to provide immersive 3D viewing with a large effective field of view while keeping the physical display device compact, as the depth dimension is achieved through optical path manipulation rather than physical expansion.
3Ease of operation
If multiple lightfield zones are used to eliminate binocular gaps, then viewing comfort is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each lightfield zone is designed to be functionally complete, capable of independently rendering full stereoscopic images. This universal design allows each zone to serve multiple purposes: providing complete image coverage to both eyes, creating autostereoscopic 3D effects, and eliminating binocular gaps. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system dynamically adjusts optical parameters such as focal length and vergence distance for each lightfield zone to optimize viewing comfort. By changing these optical parameters rather than physically reconfiguring the display structure, the system achieves multiple viewing zones with reduced manufacturing complexity and lower production costs.
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 comfortable, compact, and cost-effective 3D viewing without VR headgear, with tunable depth modulation and increased viewable zones, reducing eye strain and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
dynamically controlling the optical path of light emitted within a lightfield display or imaging apparatuses to affect the image produced or captured thereby
Implementation Method 2
concentric lightfield displays with tunable optical path lengths using field evolving cavities (FECs) and 1D-1D curved optical structures for depth modulation
Data Source
AI summary
A display system that is configured for integration into a vehicle comprises a light source and an optical subsystem optically coupled to the light source. The optical subsystem includes a reflector and at least one semi-reflective optic, wherein the optical subsystem is configured to direct light rays to provide a plurality of virtual images that appear to a viewer concurrently at a respective plurality of different optical depths, by causing light of each of the virtual images to travel a different distance within the optical subsystem before exiting the optical subsystem on a path toward eyes of the viewer.