Wearable Display Light Guide Asymmetric Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable display devices face issues such as being inconvenient to carry and use due to separate module configurations, limited environmental use, isolation from real surroundings in video see-through types, and poor image quality, thickness, and high power consumption in optical see-through types.
Innovation Solution
A compact and light wearable display device is designed with a light guide element that includes a first optical surface, a second optical surface, a third optical surface, and a rotationally asymmetric fourth optical surface to guide and reflect light, reducing aberrations and power consumption, while allowing for harmonious interaction with the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a video see-through type display is used, then the user is provided with synthesized image information, but the user becomes isolated from the real surrounding environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the video see-through display and optical see-through display into a single hybrid display system. The light guide element simultaneously guides synthetic image light from a display element and external light from the real environment, combining both functions in one device to provide both synthesized image information and environmental awareness.
2Measurement precision
If the resolution of virtual image information is forcibly set to be high, then the image quality is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by allowing the display element to operate at lower resolution when full resolution is not needed. The optical system selectively guides only the necessary amount of light from the display element through the light guide element to the user's eye, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining sufficient image quality for the application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an optical see-through type display is used, then the user can interact with the surrounding environment, but the device becomes thick and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into distinct functional surfaces within the light guide element: a first optical surface for receiving external light, a second optical surface for reflecting synthetic image light, and a third optical surface for guiding light to the user's eye. This segmentation allows for a more compact and lightweight design compared to traditional optical see-through displays.
4Loss of information
If traditional optical see-through display construction is used, then the user can see virtual images, but the device has poor image quality due to aberrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric optical design where the second optical surface and third optical surface are positioned at different angles and locations within the light guide element. This asymmetric configuration optimizes the light paths for both synthetic image light and external light, reducing optical aberrations and improving overall image quality while maintaining virtual image visibility.
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 device provides improved image quality, reduced thickness, and extended battery life by minimizing aberrations and optimizing power usage, enabling seamless interaction with both virtual and real-world environments.
Implementation Method 1
a second optical surface configured to reflect the first light input through the first optical surface; a third optical surface configured to reflect the first light input through the first optical surface
Implementation Method 2
a light guide element configured to guide the first light from the display element and a second light input from outside of the wearable display device to a predetermined position
Implementation Method 3
a fourth optical surface configured to reflect the reflected first light, reflected by the second optical surface and the third optical surface, to the predetermined position, wherein the fourth optical surface is a rotationally asymmetric reflective surface
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a wearable display device and a light guide element thereof, the display device including: a display element configured to project a first light forming a virtual image; and a light guide element configured to guide the first light from the display element and a second light input from outside of the wearable display device to a predetermined position. The light guide element includes: a first optical surface facing the display element; a second optical surface and a third optical surface configured to reflect the first light input through the first optical surface; and a fourth optical surface configured to reflect the reflected first light to the predetermined position. The first to third optical surfaces are flat surfaces, and the fourth optical surface is a rotationally asymmetric reflective surface.