Vision-Corrected Virtual Image Depth Adjustment in AR Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display apparatuses fail to adjust the depth of a virtual image plane according to the viewer's eyesight, leading to discomfort and eyestrain, particularly for individuals with different vision corrections such as myopia, hyperopia, or presbyopia.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus with a vision correction lens and a virtual image positioner that adjusts the depth of the virtual image plane based on the viewer's eyesight, using a focusing optical system, driving device, and processor to control the position of the image forming device, ensuring the virtual image plane matches the corrected depth of the real-world objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixed-depth virtual image plane is used in display apparatuses, then the structure is simple, but viewers with different vision corrections experience discomfort and eyestrain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewer comfortVSAvoiddepth adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic depth adjustment mechanism that allows the virtual image plane to move along the optical axis. The image forming device can be positioned at multiple discrete depths or continuously adjusted, enabling the system to adapt to different viewers' eyesight conditions (myopia, hyperopia, emmetropia) rather than maintaining a fixed depth position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the depth parameter of the virtual image plane to match the viewer's eyesight condition. By adjusting the position of the image forming device along the optical axis, the virtual image depth can be optimized for different vision corrections, thereby improving viewer comfort without requiring complex additional components beyond the movable image forming device and focusing optical system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the virtual image plane depth is adjusted for different vision corrections, then viewer comfort is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewer comfortVSAvoidfocusing optical system and driving device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The focusing optical system serves multiple functions: it focuses light from the image forming device to create the virtual image, and it works in conjunction with the movable image forming device to achieve depth adjustment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still providing depth adjustment capability for different vision corrections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent integrates the image forming device within the optical path of the existing display apparatus, nesting the depth adjustment functionality within the existing optical system. The movable image forming device is positioned along the optical axis within the focusing optical system, allowing depth adjustment without requiring entirely separate external adjustment mechanisms, thus containing the complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Measurement precision

If the image forming device position is continuously adjustable, then depth precision is improved, but the device complexity and control difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevirtual image plane depth precisionVSAvoidcontinuous adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides flexibility in the adjustment mechanism by allowing either continuous or discrete positioning of the image forming device along the optical axis. The continuous adjustment capability enables precise depth matching for different vision corrections, while the system can also operate with discrete depth positions if full continuous adjustment is not required, balancing precision needs with complexity constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 allows viewers to comfortably perceive virtual images at appropriate depths without eyestrain, regardless of their vision correction needs, by aligning the virtual image plane with the corrected depth of real-world objects, enhancing user experience and reducing eye fatigue.

Implementation Method 1

a focusing optical system arranged between the image forming device and the combiner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFocusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 2

a vision correction lens configured to correct eyesight of a viewer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP4033289B1Display apparatus including vision correction lens capable of adjusting a depth of a virtual image plane
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4033289B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4033289B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4033289B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Provided is a display apparatus including a vision correction lens. The display apparatus may include: an image forming device configured to form a virtual image; a vision correction lens configured to correct eyesight of a viewer; a combiner configured to mix the virtual image with light containing an outside landscape and having passed through the vision correction lens and provide the viewer with the virtual image and the light that are mixed with each other; and a virtual image positioner configured to adjust, according to a state of eyes of the viewer, a depth of a virtual image plane at which the virtual image is viewed, wherein the combiner may be arranged between the vision correction lens and the eyes of the viewer.