AR Waveguide Eyewear With Pinhole Cameras and Depth Planes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing augmented reality (AR) technologies face challenges in providing a comfortable and natural-feeling presentation of virtual image elements amidst real-world imagery, and there is a demand to reduce the size of display systems, including constituent parts like polarizing beam splitters.
Innovation Solution
A head-mounted display system with a frame, image projector, waveguide, coupling and out-coupling optical elements, and a camera that projects light to the eye while capturing images of the environment and user's eye, utilizing stacked waveguides and optical elements to simulate three-dimensional imagery and track eye position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If polarizing beam splitters are used in display systems to direct polarized light to light modulators and then to direct this light to a viewer, then the display system can provide augmented reality image content, but the size of the display system and its constituent parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple optical components (beam splitter, light modulator, waveguide, out-coupling element) into an integrated head-mounted display system. The waveguide structure merges light propagation and display functions, eliminating the need for separate polarizing beam splitters and reducing overall system volume while maintaining AR content delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional planar optical component arrangements to a three-dimensional waveguide-based architecture. Light is guided through the waveguide in multiple dimensions and directions, with out-coupling elements distributing light to the viewer's eye from different spatial locations, thereby reducing the footprint of individual components while maintaining functionality.
2Volume of moving object
If the size of display systems is reduced, then the device becomes more compact and wearable, but the complexity of integrating multiple optical functions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light from the light modulator, acts as a beam path for virtual image delivery, provides a mounting structure for out-coupling elements, and enables compact integration of optical components. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where optical components are positioned within or adjacent to each other in a compact configuration. The light modulator, waveguide, and out-coupling elements are integrated in a nested fashion that minimizes the overall volume while maintaining proper optical pathways and functionality.
3Ease of operation
If multiple depth planes are used to simulate three-dimensional imagery, then the realism and comfort of AR experience is improved, but the device complexity and number of optical elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display into multiple depth planes using the waveguide structure. Different portions of the waveguide or different out-coupling elements can be configured to deliver light corresponding to different depth planes, creating a three-dimensional visual experience without requiring separate complete display systems for each depth layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which depth planes are active and their corresponding optical pathways based on the viewer's eye position and the content being displayed. This dynamic configuration allows the system to provide realistic depth perception on demand without permanently incorporating all possible optical elements for every possible depth plane simultaneously.
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 system provides a realistic and comfortable AR experience by simulating depth perception through multiple depth planes and tracking eye movements, enhancing the integration of virtual objects with the real world.
Implementation Method 1
at least one waveguide configured to guide light therein from the coupling element to the out-coupling element
Implementation Method 2
at least one out-coupling element configured to couple light that is guided within the waveguide out of the waveguide and direct the light to the camera
Data Source
AI summary
A head mounted display system can include at least one imaging device, a waveguide, and optical elements formed on or in the waveguide, including at least one coupling optical element configured to in-couple, into the waveguide, light from the environment, and at least one out-coupling optical element configured to out-couple, from the waveguide and toward the imaging device(s), the light from the environment, such that the imaging device(s) can image the environment based on the in-coupled light. The waveguide may also include an in-coupling optical element configured to couple, into the waveguide, image light that conveys virtual image content, and another out-coupling optical element that may be separate from the at least one coupling optical element and that is configured to couple the image light out of the waveguide toward the user's eye.