- Number
- 11480794
- Published
- 2022-10-25
- Filed
- 2020-02-04
- Assignee
- Disney Enterprises, Inc.
- Inventors
- Haseltine; Eric C., Smithwick; Quinn Yorklun Jen
- CPC
- G02B27/0172; G06F3/011; G02F1/133528
- Verdict
- Medium Hardware
- Source
- Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline
The keeper's note
Compact AR display hardware with increased field of view.
Abstract
Aspects described herein include an optical arrangement that defines a field of view relative to an optical reference point. The optical arrangement comprises a reflective element arranged within the field of view, an off-axis, short-throw projector arranged outside the field of view, and a substantially transparent projection screen arranged within the field of view. The projection screen is configured to preferentially direct imagery projected by the off-axis, short-throw projector toward the reflective element, and to, after direction by the reflective element, transmit the imagery toward the optical reference point.
Background
BACKGROUND (1) The present disclosure generally relates to computer-based entertainment, and more specifically to implementations of augmented reality (AR)-capable devices providing increased fields of view. (2) Many AR-capable devices often have a narrow field of view due to the mechanism used for combining virtual imagery with physical imagery. For example, AR-capable devices using fold optics (e.g., a planar beamsplitter) may require relatively more space to position the fold optics, which tends to increase a distance that a viewer's eye can be to an imaging eyepiece. Generally, the further away that the viewer's eye is from the imaging eyepiece, the subtended angle of the eyepiece will be smaller, and the field of view created by the optics will be smaller. Other AR-capable devices may use waveguide image combiners, which tend to position the imaging eyepiece closer to the viewer's eye. However, because waveguide image combiners operate using the principle of total internal refraction (TIR), the acceptance angle, and thus the field of view, is limited. (3) As a result, AR-capable devices tend to have a field of view limited to about 50 degrees, which is significantly less than direct-view virtual reality (VR) displays having fields of view of 90 degrees or more. The limited field of view in AR-capable devices tends to create “artificial windowing” and “framing” effects, in which the viewer sees more of the physical world than the virtual world. These effects preclude a se
Claims
1. An optical arrangement defining a field of view relative to an optical reference point, the optical arrangement comprising: a reflective element and a refractive element, wherein the reflective element is arranged within the field of view; an off-axis, short-throw projector arranged outside the field of view; and a substantially transparent projection screen arranged within the field of view and configured to: preferentially direct imagery projected by the off-axis, short-throw projector toward the reflective element; before direction by the reflective element, transmitting the imagery in a first pass through the refractive element; and after direction by the reflective element, transmit the imagery in a second pass through the refractive element and toward the optical reference point. ||
6. An optical arrangement defining a field of view relative to an optical reference point, the optical arrangement comprising: a reflective element arranged between a projection screen and the optical reference point; an off-axis, short-throw projector arranged outside the field of view and configured to project imagery having a measure of polarization; the projection screen, which is arranged within the field of view, wherein the projection screen is substantially transparent and is configured to: preferentially direct the imagery projected by the off-axis, short-throw projector toward the reflective element; and after direction by the reflective element, transmit the imagery toward the optical reference point, wherein the measure of polarization is substantially preserved by the projection screen; a circular-polarized filter between the reflective element and the optical reference point; and a quarter-wave retarder between the reflective element and the circular-polarized filter. ||
10. An augmented reality (AR)-capable headset comprising: one or more visual sensors; one or more computer processors communicatively coupled with the one or more visual sensors; and an optical arrangement defining a field of view relative to an optical reference point, the optical arrangement comprising: a reflective element and a refractive element, wherein the reflective element is arranged within the field of view; an off-axis, short-throw projector arranged outside the field of view and communicatively coupled with the one or more computer processors; and a substantially transparent projection screen arranged within the field of view and configured to: preferentially direct imagery projected by the off-axis, short-throw projector toward the reflective element; before direction by the reflective element, transmitting the imagery in a first pass through the refractive element; and after direction by the reflective element, transmit the imagery in a second pass through the refractive element and toward the optical reference point. ||
16. A method for use with an augmented reality (AR)-capable headset defining a field of view relative to an optical reference point, the method comprising: projecting, from an off-axis, short-throw projector outside the field of view, imagery toward a substantially transparent projection screen arranged within the field of view; using the projection screen, preferentially directing the imagery toward a reflective element arranged within the field of view; before direction by the reflective element, transmitting the imagery in a first pass through the refractive element; directing, using the reflective element, the imagery toward the optical reference point; and after direction by the reflective element, transmitting the imagery in a second pass through the refractive element.