Waveguide Display Optical Processing System for Compact AR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing augmented reality display apparatuses face challenges in miniaturization and weight reduction while maintaining a large exit pupil diameter and view field, leading to increased volume and complexity in relay optical systems due to the need for larger image sources and off-axis lens configurations, which result in optical distortion and aberration.
Innovation Solution
The use of a waveguide display apparatus with a small-size image source, a relay optical system that projects images at infinity, and Holographic Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (HPDLC) layers or spatial light modulators, which reduce the volume of components and complexity by controlling light diffraction and modulation, allowing for a smaller number of lenses and simplified system design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the volume of the image source and the diameter of the relay optical system are increased to achieve a large exit pupil and view field, then the exit pupil diameter and view field are improved, but the volume and weight of the display apparatus are greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into multiple functional modules: image source, relay optical system, optical processing system with multiple processing units, and waveguide display unit. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, enabling a compact overall design while maintaining large exit pupil and view field through efficient light path management in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes multi-dimensional light path control by projecting incident light in the same direction to at least two preset directions through the optical processing system. This dimensional transformation of light propagation enables compact folding of the optical path, achieving large exit pupil and view field without proportionally increasing the physical volume of the apparatus.
2Manufacturing precision
If lenses in the relay optical system are inclined in an off-axis manner to achieve a relatively good display effect, then the display effect is improved, but the optical distortion, aberration and design complexity are greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an on-axis optical configuration where lenses are arranged coaxially rather than in off-axis inclined positions. This parameter change in the geometric arrangement of optical elements maintains display quality while significantly reducing optical distortion and aberration. The optical processing system compensates for any limitations through controlled light direction projection, achieving good display effect with simpler design.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical processing system creates multiple virtual images by projecting light to at least two preset directions, effectively copying the image information across different spatial paths. This copying mechanism allows the use of simpler on-axis lens arrangements while maintaining display quality that would otherwise require complex off-axis configurations.
3Area of stationary object
If the volume of the image source is increased to achieve a large exit pupil, then the exit pupil diameter is improved, but the volume and weight of the display apparatus are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of enlarging the image source physically with an optical approach using the waveguide display unit and optical processing system. The large exit pupil is achieved through optical path manipulation and light direction control rather than through mechanical enlargement of components, significantly reducing the weight of the display apparatus.
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 enables the use of a small-size image source, reduces the volume of other components, decreases the complexity of the relay optical system design, and minimizes optical aberrations, resulting in a more compact and efficient augmented reality display apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
the first HPDLC layer and the second HPDLC layer are perpendicular to an axial direction of the relay optical system, and directions of diffracted light from the first HPDLC layer and diffracted light from the second HPDLC layer are different from each other
Implementation Method 2
the controller is configured to control the spatial light modulator to modulate emergent light
Implementation Method 3
the relay optical system is configured to project the image displayed by the image source to the optical processing system, and image at infinity
Implementation Method 4
the input coupler is configured to couple emergent light of the optical processing system into the waveguide
Implementation Method 5
the output coupler is configured to couple out light propagated in the waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
An optical apparatus includes an image source, a relay optical system, and an optical processing system. The image source is configured to display an image. The relay optical system is configured to project the image displayed by the image source to the optical processing system, and to image at infinity. The optical processing system is configured to project incident light from the relay optical system in a same direction to at least two preset directions sequentially.