Waveguide Depth-Plane Layout for AR Color Image Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VR and AR technologies face challenges in providing comfortable and natural-feeling three-dimensional imagery due to the complexity of the human visual system, leading to discomfort and ineffective depth perception.
Innovation Solution
A display system is designed to distribute component color images across depth planes unequally, utilizing a stack of waveguides with varying numbers of waveguides for different colors based on the eye's sensitivity to different wavelengths, reducing the overall number of waveguides and optical artifacts while enhancing depth perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If component color images are distributed equally across all depth planes for all colors, then full color depth perception is achieved, but the number of waveguides and optical artifacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by distributing different numbers of component color images across depth planes for different colors. Specifically, green component images are distributed across more depth planes than red or blue component images, creating an asymmetric distribution pattern that matches the eye's differential sensitivity to various wavelengths. This resolves the contradiction by reducing the total number of waveguides needed while maintaining depth perception through the asymmetric allocation of color components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by tailoring the distribution of component color images to the specific sensitivity characteristics of the human eye for different wavelengths. Each color component (red, green, blue) is allocated to depth planes according to its specific importance for depth perception, rather than applying a uniform distribution. This localized optimization reduces overall system complexity while preserving the critical depth perception function.
2Manufacturing precision
If more waveguides are used for each color, then color accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential color components needed for each depth plane based on eye sensitivity requirements. Instead of including all three color components (red, green, blue) equally across all depth planes, the invention selectively extracts and distributes only the necessary color components to specific depth planes. This reduction approach maintains color accuracy where it matters most while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and the total number of waveguides required.
3Loss of information
If equal numbers of component color images are provided for all colors at each depth plane, then color completeness is maintained, but computational load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing complete sets of color components only at depth planes where they are necessary for accurate depth perception, rather than uniformly across all depth planes. Green components are provided more extensively than red or blue components, matching the eye's higher sensitivity to green wavelengths. This partial distribution strategy maintains color completeness where needed while reducing the overall computational load by eliminating redundant color component calculations.
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 approach improves depth perception and reduces optical artifacts, manufacturing complexity, and computational load, resulting in a more immersive VR or AR experience with reduced costs and improved responsiveness.
Implementation Method 1
stack of waveguides with varying numbers of waveguides for different colors based on the eye's sensitivity to different wavelengths
Data Source
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AI summary
A display system comprising: one or more waveguides comprising: a first plurality of diffractive optical elements configured to outcouple light of a first wavelength range to produce a first plurality of component color images, each image set on one of X maximum possible depth planes for the first plurality of diffractive optical elements; a second plurality of diffractive optical elements configured to outcouple light of a second wavelength range to produce a second plurality of component color images, each image set on one of Y maximum possible depth planes for the second plurality of diffractive optical elements; and a third plurality of diffractive optical elements configured to outcouple light of a third wavelength range to produce a third plurality of component color images, each image set on one of Z maximum possible depth planes for the third plurality of diffractive optical elements, wherein X, Y, and Z are whole numbers and wherein X, Y, and Z are different.