Virtual Window Display With Contiguous Projectors for Wide FOV
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing see-thru display systems, such as head-up displays (HUDs), do not provide a window-like view of the external environment when it is desirable, particularly in vehicles where navigation and obstacle avoidance require a clear external view.
Innovation Solution
A virtual window display system utilizing a plurality of collimated projector modules with contiguous exit pupils, each module having a display device configured to display spatially modulated images along a flat or curved geometric surface, and optical lenses sharing a common curvature symmetry axis to create a larger total display field of view, allowing for a wide and immersive view without the need for head-worn displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single projector module is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the field of view is limited to the module FOV
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is divided into multiple collimated projector modules, each contributing a portion of the total field of view. The modules are arranged with their exit pupils substantially contiguous to collectively provide a total display FOV larger than any single module FOV, thereby expanding the overall viewing area without requiring a single complex large-FOV projector
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple collimated projector modules are merged together with their exit pupils substantially contiguous to form a unified display system. The curvature symmetry axes of the modules are substantially convergent along at least one axis at a finite distance, allowing the combined system to achieve a total field of view that exceeds the capability of any individual module
2Ease of manufacture
If the exit pupils are made non-contiguous, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the visual continuity of the display is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The exit pupils of adjacent projector modules are designed with substantially contiguous boundaries at their edges, ensuring visual continuity in the critical transition zones between modules. This localized precision at the boundaries allows the overall system to maintain visual continuity without requiring extreme precision across the entire module assembly
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 system provides a realistic, window-like view of the external environment with a large field of view and parallax behavior, suitable for immersive applications, including vehicle navigation and threat assessment, while being scalable and adaptable for various configurations and environments.
Implementation Method 1
one or more optical lenses sharing a common curvature symmetry axis and configured to optically collimate light from the display device in the collimated projector module
Implementation Method 2
a display device configured to display a spatially modulated image along a flat or curved geometric image surface
Implementation Method 3
The curvature symmetry axes of the plurality of collimated projector modules point in a plurality of angular directions and are substantially convergent along at least one axis at a finite distance from the plurality of collimated projectors
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A virtual window display includes: a plurality of collimated projector modules having contiguous exit pupils. Each collimated projector module includes: a display device configured to display a spatially modulated image along a flat or curved geometric image surface, and one or more optical lenses sharing a common curvature symmetry axis and configured to optically collimate light from the display device in the collimated projector module. The curvature symmetry axes of the plurality of collimated projector modules point in a plurality of angular directions and are substantially convergent along at least one axis at a finite distance from the plurality of collimated projectors. The total display FOV of the virtual window display is larger than the module FOV of each of the plurality of collimated projector modules.