Waveguide Display Optics for Wide Viewing Angle and Compact Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display apparatuses face challenges in displaying images at a wide angle of view without increasing the size of the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus comprising a light-emitting system that emits image light of different wavelengths, a light guiding system that guides the light through a light guiding plate with total reflection, and a light deflecting system that uses diffractive sections to deflect light onto the eyeball from different directions, allowing for a wide angle of view without increasing the apparatus size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional light guiding system is used, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the angle of view is limited and cannot achieve wide viewing
Solution Approach 1:
The light guiding plate is divided into multiple functional regions: a light incident region for receiving image light, a light guiding region for total internal reflection, and a light exit region for viewing. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function, enabling wide angle of view while maintaining structural organization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the thickness dimension of the light guiding plate to create a three-dimensional light path. By controlling light propagation in the thickness direction through total internal reflection and strategic placement of diffractive sections, the system achieves wide viewing angles without increasing the lateral footprint of the apparatus
2Adaptability or versatility
If the apparatus size is increased to achieve wide angle of view, then the viewing angle improves, but the compactness and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The diffractive sections are integrated within the light guiding plate structure itself, nesting multiple functional elements (diffractive sections, light guiding regions, exit regions) within a single compact component. This nesting allows wide angle of view functionality to be achieved without proportionally increasing overall apparatus volume
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits the thickness dimension of the light guiding plate to accommodate complex light paths and multiple diffractive sections. By arranging optical elements in the thickness direction rather than laterally, the patent achieves wide viewing angles while maintaining a compact lateral footprint suitable for portable applications
3Illumination intensity
If multiple pieces of light of different wavelengths are emitted, then color display capability improves, but crosstalk between wavelengths increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the light guiding plate are optimized for different wavelength ranges. The patent places wavelength-selective diffractive sections at specific locations to direct different color wavelengths to appropriate exit regions, ensuring that red, green, and blue light are separated and directed appropriately to prevent crosstalk while maintaining full color capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes wavelength as a distinguishing parameter to separate different pieces of light. By designing diffractive sections with specific diffraction characteristics for different wavelength ranges, the system can selectively direct red, green, and blue light along different paths, preventing crosstalk while maintaining color display capability
4Adaptability or versatility
If diffractive sections are added to deflect light, then the angle of view widens, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffractive sections are integrated directly into the light guiding plate structure, merging the light guiding function and the light deflecting function into a single component. This integration eliminates the need for separate deflecting elements and reduces assembly complexity, making manufacturing more feasible despite the added optical functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The light guiding plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light through total internal reflection, positions diffractive sections to deflect specific wavelengths, and provides structured light exit regions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying manufacturing while achieving wide angle of view
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
The apparatus achieves a wide angle of view while maintaining a compact size by efficiently guiding and deflecting light using wavelength-selective diffractive sections, preventing crosstalk, and supporting high-resolution image display.
Implementation Method 1
a light guiding system that guides the image light emitted by the light-emitting system; the image light entering the light guiding plate through the entrance optical system may propagate through the light guiding plate while being totally reflected within the light guiding plate
Implementation Method 2
a light deflecting system that deflects the plurality of pieces of light included in the image light guided by the light guiding system, and causes the plurality of pieces of deflected light to be incident on an eyeball from different directions; a diffractive section group including a plurality of diffractive sections and successively selectively diffracting the plurality of pieces of light included in the image light
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a display apparatus that can display an image at a wide angle of view while preventing the display apparatus from being made larger in size. The present technology provides a display apparatus that includes a light-emitting system that emits image light that includes a plurality of pieces of light of different wavelengths; a light guiding system that guides the image light emitted by the light-emitting system; and a light deflecting system that deflects the plurality of pieces of light included in the image light guided by the light guiding system, and causes the plurality of pieces of deflected light to be incident on an eyeball from different directions. The present technology makes it possible to provide a display apparatus that can display an image at a wide angle of view while preventing the display apparatus from being made larger in size.