Placement of a computer generated display with focal plane at finite distance using optical devices and a see-through head-mounted display incorporating the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017045742-A1
Application number	US-201514825148-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 12, 2015
Priority date	Aug 12, 2015
Publication date	Feb 16, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Fixed position optical devices for displaying augmented reality images are provided herein. In one embodiment an optical device includes a AIIE having a waveguide that reflects a computer generated image along a central viewing axis, the computer generated image being received from an image generator optically coupled to the waveguide, and a fixed lens assembly for coupling a background image with the computer generated image to create the augmented reality display, the fixed lens assembly including a proximal lens disposed on one side of the waveguide, the proximal lens being fixedly spaced apart from the waveguide at a first distance, and a distal lens disposed on an opposing side of the AIIE from the one side, the distal lens being fixedly spaced apart from the waveguide at a second distance.

First claim

1 . An optical device providing an augmented reality display, comprising:
an augmented image insertion element (AIIE) that reflects a computer generated image (CGI) along a central viewing axis, the CGI being receivable from an image generator optically coupled to the AIIE; and a fixed optics lens assembly for coupling a background image with the CGI to create the augmented reality display, the fixed lens assembly comprising:
a proximal static fixed lens disposed on one side of the AIIE, the proximal fixed lens being fixedly spaced apart from the AIIE at a first distance so that a gap is created therebetween;
a distal static fixed lens disposed on an opposing side of the AIIE from the one side, the distal fixed lens being fixedly spaced apart from the AIIE at a second distance so that a gap is created therebetween; and wherein the proximal fixed lens and the distal fixed lens are each pre-configured to shift an apparent focal plane of the CGI, and further wherein the distal lens is pre-configured to nullify an overall focusing power of the optical device such that a focal plane of the background image is substantially unchanged.

2 . The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the proximal lens is pre-configured to shift an apparent focus of the CGI from infinity to a finite distance.

3 . (canceled)

4 . The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the proximal lens is further pre-configured to shift a focal power of the background image to account for a prescription of a wearer.

5 . The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the proximal lens and the distal lens comprise diffractive elements.

6 . The optical device according to claim 1 , further comprising a variable opacity layer disposed between the distal lens and the waveguide to control a relative intensity of the background image.

7 . The optical device according to claim 6 , wherein the variable opacity layer is segmented into pixels, wherein the pixels can be selectively utilized to transmit or occlude objects within the central viewing axis.

8 . The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the distal lens comprises a photochromic or polarized coating that controls a relative intensity of the background image.

9 . The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the AIIE comprises an optical waveguide with two parallel surfaces.

10 . The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the proximal lens and the distal lens are each plano-spherical.

11 . The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the proximal lens comprises a concave surface that faces the AIIE and a concave surface that faces away from the AIIE; and wherein the distal lens comprises a convex surface that faces the AIIE and a second convex surface that faces away from the AIIE.

12 . The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the proximal lens and the distal lens are each spherical lenses comprising two surfaces have different radii of curvature.

13 . The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the proximal lens comprises a meniscus lens; and wherein the distal lens comprises a meniscus lens.

14 . The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the proximal lens and the distal lens are each plano-aspherical.

15 . A device, comprising:
a frame that is configured to be worn on a head of an individual; and an image generator optically coupled to at least one of two optical devices; each of the two optical devices disposed on the frame, one of the two optical devices for each eye of the individual, wherein each of the optical devices comprises: an augmented image insertion element (AIIE) comprising a waveguide that reflects a computer generated image (CGI) along a central viewing axis, the CGI being receivable from the image generator optically coupled to the waveguide; and a fixed optics lens assembly for coupling a background image with the CGI to create the augmented reality display, the fixed lens assembly comprising:
a proximal static fixed lens disposed on one side of the waveguide, the proximal lens being fixedly spaced apart from the waveguide at a first distance; and
a distal static fixed lens disposed on an opposing side of the AIIE from the one side, the distal lens being fixedly spaced apart from the waveguide at a second distance.

16 . The device according to claim 15 , wherein each of the two optical devices is disposed at a face form angle θ relative to a reference axis X that is orthogonal to the central viewing axis.

17 . The device according to claim 16 , wherein each of the two optical modules is pivoted relative to the central viewing axis according to a pantoscopic tilt angle φ.

18 . The device according to claim 17 , wherein the pantoscopic tilt angle φ is set such that the central viewing axis is aligned with a central gaze angle of the eye.

19 . The device according to claim 16 , wherein the distal lens is plano-convex and the proximal lens is plano-concave.

20 . The device according to claim 16 , wherein the distal lens has spherical surfaces and the proximal lens is a meniscus lens.

21 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Daqri Llc

Inventors

• Greenhalgh Philip
• Crosby David
• Hayes David

Classifications

• G02B27/0176

  characterised by mechanical features · CPC title

• G02B27/0172 Primary

  characterised by optical features · CPC title

• G02B2027/0154

  with movable elements · CPC title

• G02B2027/0174

  holographic · CPC title

• G02B27/0081

  with means for altering, e.g. enlarging, the entrance or exit pupil · CPC title