Waveguide Display Device Removing Relay Optics for Compact AR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current near-to-eye display technologies based on diffractive optics have a small range of an exit pupil, large volume, and significant weight, which hinders miniaturization and user experience in augmented reality applications.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide display device comprising a waveguide substrate and optical elements that couple incident light in a way to eliminate the need for a relay optical element, allowing light to propagate in multiple directions and reduce device volume and weight, while maintaining a large exit pupil range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional diffractive optics near-to-eye display technology is used, then virtual and real scenes can be superimposed, but the device has large volume and significant weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the relay optical element from the conventional display system, extracting a component that contributes to volume and weight while maintaining the core function of light coupling and direction control through the remaining optical elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of multiple optical elements into a more integrated structure where the waveguide substrate and remaining optical elements work together to achieve both light coupling and direction control, reducing the overall component count and device volume
2Ease of operation
If conventional diffractive optics near-to-eye display technology is used, then virtual and real scenes can be superimposed, but the device has large volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the relay optical element from the conventional display system, extracting a component that contributes to volume while maintaining the core function of light coupling and direction control through the remaining optical elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the thickness dimension of the waveguide substrate to achieve light coupling and direction control, transitioning from a planar arrangement to a three-dimensional optical path that reduces lateral volume requirements
3Ease of operation
If conventional diffractive optics near-to-eye display technology is used, then virtual and real scenes can be superimposed, but the exit pupil range is small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the thickness dimension of the waveguide substrate to achieve light coupling and direction control, transitioning from a planar arrangement to a three-dimensional optical path that reduces lateral volume requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by using multiple optical elements with different functions (first optical element for coupling, second optical element for direction control, third optical element for eye coordination) to achieve both compact size and large exit pupil range
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 a compact, lightweight waveguide display with a large exit pupil range, enhancing user experience by allowing seamless superimposition of virtual and real scenes, and supporting miniaturization in augmented reality devices.
Implementation Method 1
The waveguide substrate is configured to couple the light coupled-in by the first optical element to the second optical element
Implementation Method 2
The second optical element is configured to couple the light coupled to it by the waveguide substrate to the third optical element in a first direction and a second direction
Implementation Method 3
The waveguide substrate is configured to couple the light coupled-in by the first optical element to the second optical element
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
A waveguide display device (1) and an augmented reality display apparatus are provided. The waveguide display device (1) includes a waveguide substrate (11) and a first optical element (12), a second optical element (13) and a third optical element (14) coupled to the waveguide substrate (11). The first optical element (12) is configured to couple an incident light into the waveguide substrate (11). The second optical element (13) is configured to couple the light coupled-in by the waveguide substrate (11) to the third optical element (14) in a first direction and a second direction. The third optical element (14) is configured to couple the light coupled to it by the second optical element (13) to the second optical element (13) in the first direction or the second direction, and to couple to the light coupled to it by the second optical element (13) out to the human eye.