Wearable Display Optical Path Using Mirror Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical head-mounted displays are complex and costly, making them undesirable for widespread use in applications like training and entertainment, as they require users to divert their gaze to view superimposed content, obstructing their primary view.
Innovation Solution
A wearable apparatus with a head-mountable frame, display, communication means, and adjustable reflective optics that project and reflect content in front of the user's view without obstructing their primary gaze direction, using mirrors or waveguides like prisms for magnification and clear visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If waveguiding or holographic technologies are used for viewing optics, then the display functionality is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex waveguiding and holographic technologies from the head-mounted display system, replacing them with a simplified optical assembly consisting of a display, mirror, and lens. This removes the problematic complex viewing optics while preserving the essential display functionality through a much simpler optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex waveguiding and holographic components with inexpensive, simple optical elements (mirror and lens) that are easier to manufacture and maintain. This substitution dramatically reduces device complexity and cost while achieving the same display function.
2Ease of operation
If the image is superimposed on the direct view of the user, then the user can view content without looking away, but the user's primary view becomes obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the display and optical components in a spatial arrangement where the reflected image appears in a different dimensional plane than the user's direct view. The mirror reflects light at an angle, projecting the display image into the user's peripheral or side vision rather than superimposing it directly over the central field of view, thus avoiding obstruction.
3Ease of operation
If the display projects content in front of the user's view, then the content is visible without diverting gaze, but the optical system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into distinct, simple functional segments: a display for generating the image, a mirror for redirecting light at an angle, and a lens for focusing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently with simple optics, avoiding the need for complex integrated waveguiding or holographic systems while still achieving projected display in the user's 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
Enables users to view content without diverting their gaze, maintaining an unobstructed primary view, and allowing for adjustable magnification and clear visibility of both displayed content and the surrounding environment.
Implementation Method 1
reflective means for reflecting said content from said display to the user's view
Implementation Method 2
the reflective means comprises a waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a wearable apparatus which can display content from a content provider to the user's view comprising: a head-mountable frame wearable by a user; a display for projecting an image; communication means for communicative association with said content provider; and reflective means for reflecting said content from said display to the user's view.