Wearable Display Prisms with Adaptive Coating for Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable display devices face challenges in improving visibility of virtual images, especially in varying ambient brightness conditions, and require reduction in size and weight for user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A wearable display device design incorporating a first prism to adjust the light path for virtual images, a second prism to reduce real image distortion, and a coating layer that adjusts brightness inversely proportional to ambient brightness, along with a reflective layer to enhance visibility and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a wearable display device uses a conventional optical structure to display virtual images, then the device can function as intended, but the visibility of the virtual image deteriorates under varying ambient brightness conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the brightness of the coating layer variable rather than fixed. The coating layer's brightness is adjusted in inverse proportion to ambient brightness, allowing the optical system to adapt dynamically to different lighting conditions and maintain virtual image visibility across varying environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the brightness parameter of the coating layer to resolve the visibility issue. By adjusting the brightness parameter of the coating layer in inverse proportion to ambient brightness, the system maintains optimal contrast and visibility of the virtual image under different ambient lighting conditions.
2Weight of moving object
If the wearable display device is reduced in size and weight for user convenience, then user comfort improves, but the optical path adjustment capability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into distinct functional components: a first prism for virtual image light path adjustment, a second prism for real image distortion reduction, and a coating layer for brightness control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, maintaining optical functionality while reducing overall device size and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension by adding the coating layer between the two prisms, which controls brightness without occupying significant spatial volume. This dimensional addition allows optical path adjustment capability to be maintained while minimizing the impact on device size and weight.
3Illumination intensity
If a coating layer is added to adjust brightness and improve visibility, then visibility of virtual image improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coating layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it adjusts brightness in inverse proportion to ambient brightness, improves virtual image visibility, and works in conjunction with both prisms to maintain overall system performance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
4Ease of operation
If the first prism adjusts the light path for virtual images, then virtual image display is enabled, but distortion of real image increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric design by employing two different prisms with distinct functions: the first prism is optimized for virtual image light path adjustment while the second prism is specifically designed to compensate for and reduce real image distortion. This asymmetric configuration allows each prism to address its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the distortion reduction function from the virtual image display function by introducing a separate second prism. This separation allows the first prism to focus solely on virtual image light path adjustment while the second prism independently handles real image distortion reduction, thereby maintaining both capabilities without mutual interference.
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 improves the visibility of virtual images by adjusting brightness and reducing distortion, while also achieving a smaller and lighter device form factor, thus enhancing user convenience and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a first prism disposed in front of an eyeball of a user to allow a displayed virtual image to reach the eyeball by adjusting a path of light introduced thereto
Implementation Method 2
a second prism coupled to the first prism to reduce distortion of a real image that reaches the eyeball of the user
Implementation Method 3
a coating layer interposed between the first prism and the second prism, the coating layer being configured such that a brightness thereof is adjusted in inverse proportion to an ambient brightness so as to improve a visibility of the virtual image
Implementation Method 4
a reflective layer disposed at a predetermined position in a path of the light which forms the virtual image
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable display device according to an embodiment may comprise: a first prism, positioned in front of a user's eye, for controlling the path of an incident light and enabling the arrival of a virtual image to be displayed on the eye; a second prism, coupled to the first prism, for reducing distortion of a real image arriving at the user's eye; and a coating layer which is interposed between the first prism and the second prism and of which the brightness is controlled in inverse proportion to the ambient brightness, such that the visibility of the virtual image increases.