Corrector plates for head mounted display system

HMD corrector-plate optics hardware (Smithwick).

The embodiments herein use a corrector plate or a light field display in an AR/VR display device to compensate for sub-optimal collimation at the edge of the FOV. In one embodiment, the corrector plate is disposed between the collimator and the viewer so that the light at the edge of the FOV can be corrected so that the aberrations mentioned above do not occur. In another embodiment, rather than using a corrector plate, the AR/VR display device can include a light field display that can use color intensity to pre-distort emitted light to compensate for sub-optimal collimation at the edge of the FOV. In this manner, the AR/VR display device can mitigate aberrations or distortions as the user moves her eyes relative to the display device.

BACKGROUND (1) Computer graphics technology has significantly progressed since the first video games were developed. Relatively inexpensive 3D graphics engines can now produce nearly photo-realistic interactive virtual environments. Virtual reality (VR) in particular involves generating images, sounds, etc. that simulate a user's presence in a virtual environment, typically using specialized equipment such as VR headsets. In contrast, augmented reality (AR) involves superimposing computer generated imagery on a user's view of the real-world environment. (2) VR/AR head-mounted displays, as well as other types of displays such as those of flight simulators, can require a wide field of view and high resolution with a large eyebox. A simple magnifier is one approach for making a wide field of view, high-resolution display with a large eyebox. A display device with a simple magnifier typically includes a display disposed at a focal plane of a lens element that collimates light emitted by the display, making the displayed imagery appear to be “at infinity,” or very far away. The longer the focal length of the lens element, the larger the eyebox, making for easier eye alignment. However, a display device with such a lens is also longer and larger, which can be undesirable. For example, the length/size of a head-mounted display with a simple magnifier creates a moment pulling the head-mounted display downward, which is not comfortable for the wearer and can create eye alignment probl