Waveguide Fused Vision System for Helmet-Mounted Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head/helmet-mounted display systems (HMDSs) are bulky, obstructive, and limit situational awareness due to analog components, making them unsafe and inefficient for certain operational scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, see-through waveguide binocular display system integrated with a head-mounted sensor module that merges sensor information with real-world scenes, providing augmented reality capabilities without obstructing peripheral vision, using digital components and projectors to overlay images on waveguides in front of the user's eyes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional analog components are used in HMDS, then sensor image capability is provided, but the system becomes bulky and obstructs user's normal vision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional analog mechanical components with a digital sensor module and waveguide-based optical system. The digital sensor module captures images and the waveguide combiners project them optically, eliminating the need for bulky analog mechanical components while maintaining sensor image capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin waveguide combiners that are transparent and can be integrated into the helmet structure. These thin optical waveguides provide the necessary image projection functionality without adding significant volume or obstructing the user's vision.
2Ease of operation
If conventional HMDS is used, then sensor viewing is enabled, but situational awareness is decreased and hands must be removed from equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display functionality by providing separate waveguide combiners for each eye, allowing the user to view sensor images while maintaining natural binocular vision. The sensor module is positioned to capture images without blocking the user's forward view, enabling continuous situational awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces waveguide combiners as intermediary optical elements that project sensor images into the user's field of view without requiring the user to look away or remove hands from equipment. The waveguides act as mediators between the digital sensor module and the user's eyes.
3Loss of information
If the HMDS is flipped up to improve situational awareness, then vision is unobstructed, but hands must be removed from equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous operation by allowing the user to view sensor images and maintain situational awareness simultaneously without needing to flip the display up or remove hands from equipment. The waveguide-based system provides continuous overlay of sensor information in the user's field 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 system enhances situational awareness by maintaining unobstructed peripheral vision, reducing neck strain, and providing high-quality, processed images with mission-specific information, suitable for various applications including military and rescue operations.
Implementation Method 1
a first waveguide and a second waveguide disposed in a frame
Data Source
AI summary
A waveguide based fused vision system includes a helmet mounted or head worn sensor module and a display assembly. The display assembly includes a frame including a pair of waveguide combiners and a pair of projectors associated with waveguide combiners. The display assembly also includes a sensor module. The pair of projectors is disposed on opposite sides of a frame. The sensor module is disposed substantially above the frame and includes a first sensor, a second sensor, a video processing circuit, and a symbol generator. The video processing circuit is configured to merge first sensor information from the first sensor and first symbols from the symbol generator and to merge second symbols and the second sensor information for displaying conformally the real world scene.