Waveguide Illumination System Using Diffractive Couplers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with displays often suffer from unsightly and bulky components that do not meet desired optical performance levels, particularly in virtual and augmented reality systems where compact and efficient illumination systems are needed.
Innovation Solution
The use of a reflective display with a pixel array illuminated by a waveguide-based illumination system, employing diffractive couplers such as volume holograms as input and output couplers to efficiently route light from a light source to the display and back to the viewer, minimizing size and weight while maintaining optical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional illumination systems are used in electronic devices with displays, then the components can provide sufficient illumination, but the device becomes bulky and unsightly
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system integrates multiple functional components within a nested structure where the waveguide contains the light source, and the display element is positioned within the optical path of the waveguide. This nesting allows the illumination system to be compact while maintaining sufficient illumination intensity for the display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional three-dimensional bulky illumination components to a two-dimensional waveguide-based system that distributes light across a planar surface. This dimensional reduction enables compact integration while preserving illumination effectiveness through the extended surface area of the waveguide.
2Illumination intensity
If traditional illumination systems are used in electronic devices with displays, then the components can provide sufficient illumination, but the device becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system integrates multiple functional components within a nested structure where the waveguide contains the light source, and the display element is positioned within the optical path of the waveguide. This nesting allows the illumination system to be compact while maintaining sufficient illumination intensity for the display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional three-dimensional bulky illumination components to a two-dimensional waveguide-based system that distributes light across a planar surface. This dimensional reduction enables compact integration while preserving illumination effectiveness through the extended surface area of the waveguide.
3Volume of moving object
If compact illumination systems are used, then the device size is reduced, but optical performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide is designed with specific local optical properties including controlled refractive index variations and strategically positioned coupling elements that optimize light extraction at critical locations. This local optimization ensures high optical performance despite the overall compact size of the illumination system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs precise control of optical parameters such as waveguide thickness, refractive index, and coupling element geometry to maintain optimal optical performance in a compact configuration. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the system achieves both small size and high reliability of optical function.
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 configuration enables the creation of compact, efficient, and optically effective electronic devices that provide high-quality virtual and augmented reality experiences by reducing the size and weight of the illumination system while ensuring desired optical performance.
Implementation Method 1
Light from the light source may be coupled into the waveguide of the illumination system by a diffractive coupler such as a volume hologram that serves as an input coupler
Implementation Method 2
Light from the light source may be routed to the display using the waveguide in the illumination system
Implementation Method 3
Light from the light source may be routed to the display using the waveguide in the illumination system and a diffractive coupler such as a volume hologram that serves as an output coupler
Implementation Method 4
Light that has been coupled out of the waveguide in the illumination system by the output coupler reflects from the pixel array as image light
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may have a reflective display with a pixel array that generates images. The reflective display may be illuminated by an illumination system. Light from the illumination system may be reflected by the pixel array as image light. The image light may be provided to a viewer using a waveguide with diffractive input and output couplers. The illumination system may have a waveguide. The illumination system may also have a light source such as one or more light-emitting diodes. Light from the light source may be coupled into the waveguide of the illumination system by a diffractive coupler such as volume hologram that serves as an input coupler. Light from the light source may be routed to the display to illuminate the display using the waveguide in the illumination system and a diffractive coupler such as a volume hologram that serves as an output coupler.