Waveguide Combiner Optical Filters for Mixed-Reality Light Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Light leakage from waveguide combiners in mixed-reality devices, such as head-mounted displays, results in wasted energy and security concerns, as well as social interaction difficulties due to eye glow and detectability issues.

Innovation Solution

Implementing spectral-sensitive reflectors and light deflectors on the waveguide combiner to reflect and/or deflect forward-propagating virtual image light back towards the user's eye, using passive structures like thin film reflective coatings and volume Bragg gratings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If waveguide combiner is used to display virtual images, then virtual image brightness is improved, but light leakage occurs causing energy waste and security issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevirtual image brightnessVSAvoidlight leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The waveguide combiner applies different optical properties to different regions: the front surface has high reflectivity for virtual images while the rear surface has high transmissivity for real-world views. Optical filters are selectively positioned at the rear surface to block leaked virtual image light without affecting real-world view transmission, creating local quality differentiation to resolve the contradiction between brightness and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of light leakage into a beneficial feature by using optical filters that selectively block leaked virtual image light while allowing real-world views to pass through. The leaked light that would otherwise be wasted energy is instead redirected or blocked in a controlled manner, and the filters themselves become useful components that improve both energy efficiency and visual comfort without compromising virtual image brightness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Adaptability or versatility

If waveguide combiner is used to display virtual images, then virtual image display capability is improved, but eye glow causes social interaction difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevirtual image display capabilityVSAvoideye glow
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Optical filters are applied specifically to the rear surface of the waveguide combiner where light leakage occurs, while the front surface maintains its high reflectivity for virtual images. This localized application of different optical properties allows the system to eliminate eye glow without compromising virtual image display capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The optical filters convert the harmful eye glow effect into a beneficial feature by selectively blocking leaked light while maintaining transparency for real-world views. The filters transform a social interaction barrier into an imperceptible component that actually improves user comfort and social acceptance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If waveguide combiner is used to display virtual images, then mixed-reality viewing is improved, but device detectability increases due to light leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixed-reality viewingVSAvoiddevice detectability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The waveguide combiner uses localized optical filtering at the rear surface to block leaked virtual image light that would otherwise make the device detectable. This selective application of optical properties maintains mixed-reality viewing capability while reducing the device's visibility to others.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The optical filters convert the harmful effect of increased device detectability into a beneficial feature by blocking leaked light in a way that makes the device imperceptible to others. The filters transform a security vulnerability into a stealth advantage, allowing users to maintain mixed-reality viewing without being easily detected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Reduces light leakage, enhances virtual image brightness without increasing power consumption, improves social interaction, and minimizes device detectability by reducing eye glow and overlay with the user's eyes.

Implementation Method 1

Optical filters including a spectral-sensitive reflector and/or a light deflector are utilized to reduce light that leaks from the waveguide combiner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

Optical filters including a spectral-sensitive reflector and/or a light deflector are utilized to reduce light that leaks from the waveguide combiner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

A waveguide combiner includes at least one see-through waveguide through which a user sees the real world

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12585118B2Waveguide combiner with reduced light leakage
Publication Date: 2026.03.24 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • US12585118B2 patent drawing
  • US12585118B2 patent drawing
  • US12585118B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Optical filters are disclosed for reducing leakage of light used for virtual images from a mixed-reality head-mounted display (HMD) device having a waveguide combiner. The optical filters include spectral-sensitive wideband and narrowband reflectors comprising triple-notch filters or single-notch filters that reflect forward-propagating virtual image light back to a user's eyes. The optical filters further include light deflectors having planar and curved configurations comprising volume Bragg gratings (VBGs), liquid crystal Bragg gratings, and partially-reflective mirror arrays. A light deflector steers forward-propagating virtual image light to impart an angular change in propagation direction. The steered light is absorbed and/or diffused by structures in the HMD device and/or deflected to prevent the outward appearance of virtual image overlay with the HMD device user's eyes.