VR/AR Collimated Light MEMS Scanning Mirror
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional virtual reality and augmented reality systems suffer from accommodation-convergence mismatch problems, leading to eyestrain, headaches, and nausea due to the confusion of the brain by mismatched depth cues from the stereo convergence of the eyes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a VR/AR device with a light emitting device that generates collimated light beams, a processor for selective activation of light emitting elements, and a scanning mirror with MEMS mirrors that dynamically tilt to raster scan the light beams over multiple angles, ensuring accurate projection of virtual or augmented images directly to the retinas, thereby reducing accommodation-convergence mismatch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional VR/AR systems display stereoscopic images to create immersive environments, then user immersion and interaction are improved, but accommodation-convergence mismatch occurs causing eyestrain and headaches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters by using collimated light beams instead of focused light, and by dynamically adjusting the focal length of the eye piece lens to match the virtual image distance. This resolves the accommodation-convergence mismatch by ensuring that the eye's focal plane matches the virtual image plane, eliminating eyestrain while maintaining immersion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment mechanisms including a variable focal length eye piece lens that can be adjusted in real-time to match the virtual image distance, and a scanning mirror that dynamically directs collimated light beams across the field of view. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain proper accommodation-convergence alignment throughout the virtual environment.
2Ease of manufacture
If the eye piece lens has a fixed focal length, then manufacturing is simplified, but it cannot accommodate virtual images at varying distances causing depth perception issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fixed focal length lens with a dynamically adjustable lens whose focal length can be changed in real-time to match the virtual image distance. This allows the system to accurately render virtual images at various depths while maintaining proper focus, resolving the depth perception issue without sacrificing manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the focal length parameter of the eye piece lens dynamically to match the virtual image distance. This parameter adjustment enables the lens to properly focus light from collimated beams at different virtual distances, improving depth perception while remaining manufacturable through standard lens design.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If collimated light beams are scanned across the field of view using MEMS mirrors, then accommodation-convergence mismatch is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses collimated light beams with specific beam parameters (diameter, collimation) that are scanned across the field of view. By carefully controlling these optical parameters and using an ellipsoid mirror to focus the beams at the eye, the system reduces accommodation-convergence mismatch while managing device complexity through optimized optical design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an ellipsoid mirror as an intermediary element between the scanning mirror and the eye. This mirror focuses the collimated light beams from the scanning mirror onto the eye's focal plane, simplifying the overall system while effectively reducing accommodation-convergence mismatch through proper optical coupling.
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 effectively reduces or eliminates the effects of accommodation-convergence mismatch, providing a more comfortable and immersive virtual or augmented reality experience by ensuring that the projected images align with the expected depth cues of the user's eyes.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting device that may include one or more light emitting elements (e.g., lasers, LEDs, etc.) configured to generate one or more collimated light beams
Implementation Method 2
a curved mirror may include curves in two orthogonal directions configured to reflect the collimated light beams from the scanning mirror into a subject's eye
Implementation Method 3
A scanning mirror may include one or more microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirrors. Each MEMS mirror of the scanning mirror may be configured to dynamically tilt in at least one of two orthogonal degrees of freedom
Implementation Method 4
a curved mirror may include curves in two orthogonal directions configured to reflect the collimated light beams from the scanning mirror into a subject's eye in proximity to the curved mirror
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for a virtual and/or augmented reality device may include a light emitting device that includes one or more light emitting elements configured to generate collimated light beams. A scanning mirror may include one or more microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirrors. Each MEMS mirror of the scanning mirror may be configured to dynamically tilt in at least one of two orthogonal degrees of freedom to raster scan the light beams over multiple angles corresponding to a field of view of an image. A curved mirror may include curves in two orthogonal directions configured to reflect the collimated light beams from the scanning mirror into a subject's eye in proximity to the curved mirror to form a virtual image. The curved mirror may allow external light to pass through, thus allowing the virtual image to be combined with a real image to provide an augmented reality.