Waveguide Projection Device With Aperiodic Emission Point Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image projection devices for augmented reality suffer from diffraction effects and limited emission point density, leading to degraded image contrast due to spatial periodicity in emission point distributions.
Innovation Solution
A method for manufacturing an image projection device with a non-rectilinear isoline configuration of waveguides and electrodes, generating an aperiodic distribution of emission points on a discretized emission surface, enhancing emission point density and improving image contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If emission points are distributed randomly to avoid spatial periodicity, then diffraction effects are reduced, but emission point density remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using non-rectilinear isoline configurations for waveguides and electrodes instead of regular grid arrangements. This asymmetric, aperiodic layout eliminates spatial periodicity that causes diffraction effects, while the isoline-based design allows dense packing of emission points along curved paths, achieving high density without regular patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curvature by configuring waveguides and electrodes along non-rectilinear isolines rather than straight lines. These curved configurations allow emission points to be densely distributed along bending paths, increasing effective density while the irregular curves prevent the formation of spatial periodicity that would generate diffraction artifacts.
2Measurement precision
If emission points are densely packed to improve image resolution, then image quality increases, but spatial periodicity generates diffraction effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing asymmetric, non-rectilinear isoline configurations that enable dense emission point packing along irregular curves. This asymmetric arrangement achieves high spatial density for improved image resolution while simultaneously eliminating the regular periodic patterns that cause diffraction effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses curved isoline configurations to densely pack emission points along non-linear paths. The curvature allows high density placement while the irregular, non-repeating curve patterns prevent spatial periodicity, thereby achieving both high image resolution and elimination of diffraction effects.
3Ease of manufacture
If regular grid configuration is used for waveguides and electrodes, then manufacturing is simplified, but diffraction effects occur due to spatial periodicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the non-rectilinear isoline configurations during the design phase. These predetermined curved paths guide the placement of waveguides and electrodes, allowing manufacturers to follow established patterns rather than creating complex arrangements from scratch, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving aperiodic distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the waveguide and electrode configurations from rectilinear to non-rectilinear isolines. This parameter change transforms the configuration from regular grids to curved, aperiodic arrangements, eliminating diffraction effects while the isoline-based methodology maintains manufacturing simplicity through systematic curve following.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If non-rectilinear isoline configuration is used to achieve aperiodic distribution, then diffraction effects are eliminated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces configuration complexity through preliminary action by pre-defining the non-rectilinear isoline paths during design. These predetermined curves serve as templates that simplify the manufacturing process, allowing complex aperiodic configurations to be implemented systematically rather than requiring complex real-time adjustments or alignments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent manages complexity by changing from rectilinear to non-rectilinear parameters in a systematic way. The isoline configuration methodology provides a structured approach to creating complex curved patterns, transforming what would be arbitrary complex shapes into systematically generated curves based on mathematical isolines, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
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 improves image projection quality by increasing emission point density and optimizing their distribution, resulting in enhanced contrast and facilitated manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
Each element comprises a set of Mx waveguides gp extending from an edge of the emission surface S towards the emission points EPpq located at the intersections of the waveguides gp with the electrodes eq
Implementation Method 2
Each element comprises a set of Mx × My diffraction gratings r pq positioned at the intersections of one of the waveguides gp and one of the electrodes eq so as to form an emission point EP pq of a light wave
Implementation Method 3
Each diffraction grating r qp is positioned at the intersection of one of the waveguides gp and one of the electrodes eq so as to form an emission point EP pq of a light wave
Implementation Method 4
The set of Mx waveguides gp is arranged in a waveguide configuration, and the assembly of My electrodes eq is arranged in an electrode configuration
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method is proposed for manufacturing a device (10) for projecting an image onto an eye, comprising an emission surface S. The surface S comprises an array of waveguides, an array of diffraction gratings, and an array of electrodes. Each grating is positioned at the intersection of one of the waveguides and one of the electrodes to form a point of emission of a light wave, the array of waveguides being arranged in a waveguide configuration, and the array of electrodes being arranged in an electrode configuration. The method comprises a design phase of said device and a material fabrication phase of said device thus designed.The design phase includes the step of determining (290) said waveguide configuration or said electrode configuration, said determined configuration being a configuration of non-straight isolines defined in the plane defined by the emission surface S and generating an aperiodic distribution of emission points.