Zonal Illumination Lighting Unit for Head-Mounted Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting units for head-mounted displays face challenges in providing uniform and efficient illumination due to low optical throughput and issues with speckle patterns and interference fringing, which affect the comfort and performance of the display.
Innovation Solution
A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) based lighting unit with a dynamic light distribution module and beam spot array generation module that configures illuminating light into tightly focused spots for individual pixels, using out-couplers and tunable elements to achieve high-performance, zonal illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional lighting unit is used for head-mounted display, then the display can be illuminated, but the illumination is non-uniform and exhibits speckle patterns and interference fringing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the waveguide into multiple discrete coupling regions, each corresponding to a specific zone on the display panel. This segmentation allows independent control of illumination in different areas, enabling uniform illumination across the entire display while avoiding speckle patterns and interference fringing that occur in conventional unified lighting approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing customized illumination characteristics to different zones of the display panel. Each coupling region is optimized for its specific zone, with tailored optical properties such as coupling efficiency, beam direction, and intensity distribution. This local optimization ensures uniform illumination while eliminating harmful optical artifacts in each specific area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the display panel has complex geometry and wavelength selectivity, then the display can be optimized for specific applications, but the optical throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of the illumination system, allowing the optical characteristics to be adjusted in real-time based on the display content and viewing conditions. The system can dynamically optimize the coupling efficiency and light distribution to match the specific geometry and wavelength requirements of different display applications, thereby maintaining high optical throughput while adapting to various optimization needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the optical system, including wavelength selection, coupling angle adjustment, and intensity modulation, to optimize illumination for specific display applications. By dynamically changing these parameters, the system maintains high optical throughput while adapting to different geometric configurations and wavelength requirements of the display panel.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact lighting system is used for head-mounted display, then the device is more wearable, but achieving uniform illumination becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the coupling regions and optical elements are integrated within the waveguide itself. The multiple coupling regions are nested along the waveguide path, allowing the compact lighting system to achieve uniform illumination across the display panel without requiring additional external components, thus maintaining a compact form factor suitable for head-mounted displays.
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 a compact, efficient, and uniform illumination system that reduces optical interference and enhances the display's performance and user comfort by ensuring even light distribution across the display panel.
Implementation Method 1
a light distribution module including a plurality of output waveguides for configurably distributing illuminating light between individual output waveguides
Implementation Method 2
An array of out-couplers is coupled to individual output waveguides and configured to out-couple portions of the illuminating light to propagate towards the display panel
Implementation Method 3
A beam spot array generation module is configured to receive portions of the illuminating light out-coupled by out-couplers of the array of out-couplers, and to convert each portion to illuminate a zone of the display panel with an illuminating light field comprising an array of light spots
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting unit for a display panel includes a light distribution module, an array of out-couplers, and a beam spot array generation module. The light distribution module includes a plurality of output waveguides for configurably distributing illuminating light between the output waveguides. Each out-coupler is coupled to an output waveguide and configured to out-couple a portion of the illuminating light to propagate towards the display panel. The beam spot array generation module is configured to receive portions of the illuminating light out-coupled by out-couplers of the array of out-couplers and to convert each portion to illuminate a zone of the display panel with an illuminating light field comprising an array of light spots. Each light spot is configured for illuminating an individual pixel or sub-pixel of the zone of the display panel.