Apparatus equipped with depth control function for enabling augmented reality

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020292829-A1
Application number	US-202016891512-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 3, 2020
Priority date	Mar 18, 2016
Publication date	Sep 17, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus equipped with a depth of field control function for enabling augmented reality, which is capable of controlling the depth of field and focus and also preventing an image from being blurred due to diffraction by using a pseudo-pinhole effect. The apparatus includes: a display unit configured to generate a virtual image; a circular depth of field control unit configured to have a size in a range from 50 to 700 μm, and also configured to reflect the virtual image generated in the display unit, to increase the depth of field of the virtual image, and to then enable the virtual image to reach an eye of the user; and a frame part configured such that the display unit and the depth of field control unit are installed thereon or therein, and also configured to enable the user to wear the apparatus for enabling augmented reality.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus equipped with a depth of field control function for enabling augmented reality, the apparatus being worn on a user, the apparatus comprising:
a display unit ( 10 ) configured to generate a virtual image; a depth of field control unit ( 20 ) configured to have a size smaller than eye pupil of human, and also configured to reflect the virtual image generated in the display unit ( 10 ), to increase a depth of field of the virtual image, and to then enable the virtual image to reach an eye of the user; and a frame part ( 30 ) configured such that the display unit ( 10 ) and the depth of field control unit ( 20 ) are installed thereon or therein, and also configured to enable the user to wear the apparatus for enabling augmented reality.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display unit ( 10 ) is embedded in the frame part ( 30 ).

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the depth of field control unit ( 20 ) is metal foil.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein surfaces of the depth of field control unit ( 20 ) are curved surfaces.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the frame part ( 30 ) is any one of a glass frame, a goggle frame, a body of a helmet, and a body of an HMD.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the frame part ( 30 ) comprises view field parts ( 32 ) configured to provide a field of view to the user and made of transparent or translucent material.

7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the depth of field control unit ( 20 ) is installed on or in one of the view field parts ( 32 ).

8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein a part or all of the view field parts ( 32 ) is formed to be opaque.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising two display units ( 10 ) and two depth of field control units ( 20 ) for both eyes of the user.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising one display unit ( 10 ) and a plurality of depth of field control units ( 20 and 20 ′) for a single eye of the user.

11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the depth of field control unit ( 20 ) is formed in a circular shape or an elliptical shape.

12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the size of the depth of field control unit ( 20 ) is less than 8 mm.

13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the size of the depth of field control unit ( 20 ) is in a range from 50 to 700 m.

Assignees

• Letinar Co Ltd

Inventors

• Ha Jeong Hun

Classifications

• H04N2213/008

  Aspects relating to glasses for viewing stereoscopic images · CPC title

• H04N13/344 Primary

  with head-mounted left-right displays · CPC title

• H04N13/128

  Adjusting depth or disparity · CPC title

• G02B2027/0178

  Eyeglass type (eyeglass details G02C) · CPC title

• G02B27/017

  Head mounted · CPC title