XR Waveguide Display With Remote Multi-Plane Image Projection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional XR glasses are bulky and heavy due to integrated computing power and light sources, limiting their potential for a smaller, less visible, and smarter design with an improved user experience.

Innovation Solution

Separate the computing power and light sources from the XR glasses to a remote device, using optical fibers to transmit images to see-through waveguides, and employ an image director with electro-mechanical mirrors to dynamically alter optical paths for multi-plane image projection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If computing power and light sources are integrated into XR glasses, then image generation and display functions are achieved, but the device becomes heavy and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidXR glasses weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two separate parts: a remote device containing the image generator and light sources, and XR glasses containing only the optical waveguides and display components. This segmentation removes the heavy computing power and light sources from the wearable device, significantly reducing weight while maintaining functionality through optical fiber transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the image generation and light source components from the XR glasses and places them in a separate remote device. Only the essential optical components (waveguides, mirrors) remain in the glasses, extracting the bulk of the weight while preserving the core display function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If computing power and light sources are integrated into XR glasses, then complete XR functionality is achieved, but the device becomes bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveXR functionalityVSAvoidXR glasses volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates XR functionality into a remote computing device and lightweight optical components in the glasses. The remote device handles all computation and light generation, while the glasses only manage optical path guidance and image projection, dramatically reducing volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Optical fibers serve as an intermediary medium to transmit images from the remote device to the XR glasses. This intermediary enables complete XR functionality to be achieved remotely while keeping the glasses themselves small and compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If conventional integrated XR components are used, then image display is achieved, but the device cannot be made smaller and less visible

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveXR glasses form factorVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the system into a remote image generator and compact optical components, the XR glasses achieve a sleek, minimal form factor that is smaller and less visible, while the remote device provides all necessary computational power and light sources to maintain excellent user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Extracting the bulky components from the glasses leaves only the essential optical elements, enabling a compact, aesthetically pleasing design that is harder to detect, while the separated remote device ensures full functionality is preserved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Weight of moving object

If optical fibers are used to transmit images, then device weight and size are reduced, but image transmission quality must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveXR glasses weightVSAvoidimage transmission quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Optical fibers act as a high-fidelity intermediary that transmits light-based image data from the remote device to the XR glasses with minimal loss. This optical transmission medium preserves image quality while enabling the lightweight design, avoiding the need for heavy electronic signal transmission components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 a slim and lightweight XR device capable of displaying multi-layer images without the need for battery-powered components, allowing for a more comfortable and efficient user experience.

Implementation Method 1

using optical fibers to transmit images to see-through waveguides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

employ an image director with electro-mechanical mirrors to dynamically alter optical paths for multi-plane image projection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

using optical fibers to transmit images to see-through waveguides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWaveguide (optics): Waveguide (optics)

Data Source

PatentEP4066042B1Supply of multi-layer extended reality images to a user
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4066042B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4066042B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4066042B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus that supplies multi-plane images for viewing by a user includes an image generator, an image director, and a first output port. The image generator generates a first image to be seen by the user as being a first distance from a user point of view, and a second image to be seen by the user as being a second distance from the user point of view The first image is comprised of a number of optical wavelength components, and the second image is comprised of the number of optical wavelength components. The image director is configured to direct the first image to traverse a first optical path to the first output port of the apparatus, and to direct the second image to traverse a second optical path to the first output port of the apparatus. The first optical path corresponds to the first distance and the second optical path corresponds to the second distance. The first optical path and the second optical path have different lengths. The first output port is configured to connect to a first optical waveguide that is configured to guide the number of optical wavelength components to a user display device.