Waveguide Optical Combiner for Binocular Disparity Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Binocular disparity detection systems in artificial-reality devices face instability due to mechanical issues like temperature changes and device deformation, leading to errors in disparity measurement over time, as factory calibration is not sufficient to maintain consistent binocular disparity.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide optical combiner is used to direct images from left-eye and right-eye display systems to a single image sensor, employing various substrates and grating technologies to stabilize the disparity measurement, including volume Bragg grating, nano-imprint lithology, and polarization volume holographic gratings, with additional features like mirrors and coatings to improve performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If factory calibration is used to establish binocular disparity, then initial disparity measurement can be achieved, but mechanical instability from temperature changes and device deformation causes calibration drift over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an active feedback mechanism where a single image sensor continuously captures images from both left and right display systems, and a processor analyzes the disparity between these images to detect calibration drift. The system then automatically adjusts the display systems to compensate for mechanical instability, maintaining accurate binocular disparity measurement despite temperature changes and device deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces passive mechanical calibration with an active optical measurement system. Instead of relying on fixed mechanical calibration that degrades over time, the system uses optical images captured by a single image sensor to continuously monitor and adjust disparity, substituting mechanical stability requirements with optical measurement and active compensation.
2Measurement precision
If multiple image sensors are used for binocular disparity detection, then disparity measurement can be performed, but mechanical movement and wear between sensors cause measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple image sensors into a single image sensor that captures images from both left and right display systems. This consolidation eliminates the mechanical movement and relative positioning issues that occur between multiple sensors, while still enabling disparity measurement through optical processing of images from both eyes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system consisting of the single image sensor and associated optics that mediates between the left and right display systems. This intermediary captures optical information from both sources and delivers it to the processor for disparity analysis, eliminating the need for direct mechanical coupling between multiple sensors.
3Device complexity
If passive calibration methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but active compensation for mechanical instability is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional system where the single image sensor serves multiple purposes: capturing images from both left and right display systems, providing data for disparity measurement, and enabling active calibration compensation. This universal component achieves both simplified device architecture and reliable active calibration through its multiple functions.
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 solution provides stable and accurate binocular disparity detection, reducing errors caused by mechanical instability and improving reliability by using a single image sensor, which is less susceptible to movement and wear, thus maintaining consistent disparity measurement over the device's lifetime.
Implementation Method 1
A waveguide optical combiner is used to direct images from left-eye and right-eye display systems to a single image sensor
Implementation Method 2
employing various substrates and grating technologies to stabilize the disparity measurement, including volume Bragg grating, nano-imprint lithology, and polarization volume holographic gratings
Implementation Method 3
with additional features like mirrors and coatings to improve performance
Data Source
AI summary
Optical binocular disparity detection devices may include an optical combiner and a single image sensor. The optical combiner may include a left input for receiving a left image and a right input for receiving a right image. An output of the optical combiner may be configured to direct the left image and the right image out of the optical combiner. The single image sensor may be configured to receive and sense the left image and the right image from the output and to generate data indicative of a disparity between the left image and the right image. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.