Invention Title:

SEE-THROUGH NEAR EYE OPTICAL MODULE

Publication number:

US20240393589

Publication date:
Section:

Physics

Class:

G02B27/0149

Inventors:

Applicant:

Smart overview of the Invention

The see-through near eye optical module is designed for augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) applications. It consists of a transparent display with a sparse arrangement of pixels or pixel patches, and a corresponding micro-lens array. The sparse pixel arrangement allows the display to remain at least partially transparent, enabling the passage of external light to the user's eye, creating a real image. Simultaneously, active pixels generate light that passes through the micro-lenses to form a virtual image, allowing users to experience AR or MR by combining real and virtual visuals.

Technical Composition

The module includes a transparent near eye display and a micro-lens array aligned with the display's pixels. This alignment facilitates the projection of virtual images while maintaining transparency for real-world visuals. The system may incorporate additional components such as electrical connectors, sensors, and various optical elements. The display can utilize technologies like OLEDs or TOLEDs to achieve partial transparency, while the micro-lens array can be made from materials like plastic or glass and feature lens types such as plano-convex or Fresnel.

Functionality

Sparsely populated displays have fewer active pixels compared to fully populated displays, enhancing transparency. This sparse population can be achieved by deactivating certain pixels, allowing more light from the real world to pass through. Similarly, the micro-lens array can be sparsely populated, reducing lens density to maintain transparency. The module can also include light-blocking elements behind pixels to prevent outward light leakage, optimizing the user's visual experience.

Embodiments

The module can be configured in various embodiments: sparsely populated displays with sparsely populated static micro-lenses, fully populated displays with dynamic switchable micro-lenses, or sparsely populated displays with fully populated dynamic micro-lenses. These configurations allow flexibility in how the device presents augmented content, balancing between transparency and virtual image clarity based on application needs.

Innovative Impact

This innovation addresses current limitations in AR/MR systems by offering a lightweight, power-efficient solution with improved aesthetics. By reducing the form factor and enhancing transparency while delivering high-quality augmented visuals, this technology has the potential to increase adoption rates in consumer markets and transform how AR/MR experiences are delivered through eyewear or headwear devices.