An AR/VR headset optical arrangement that increases returned light using polarized display output in a compact form factor.
Implementations of an augmented reality (AR)-capable display device for displaying polarized light generated by a display onto a predefined field of view are disclosed herein. The display device comprises an optical arrangement having a predefined arrangement relative to a predefined position of the display and defining the field of view. The optical arrangement comprises a mirror element disposedwithin the field of view and at least partially transmissive of ambient light incident ona first surface and at least partially reflective of light incident on an opposite secondsurface, a polarized beam splitter element disposed within the field of view and closer to the second surface of the mirror element than the first surface, a half-wave plate element disposed between the polarized beam splitter element and the display and outside the field of view, and a quarter-wave plate element disposed between the polarized beam splitterelement and the mirror element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
So that the manner in which the above recited aspects are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of embodiments of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary interactive environment, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 2 isa diagram illustrating an AR/VR headset configured to interact with a mobile computing device, according to embodiments described herein.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating attachment of a mobile computing device with a mount assembly, according to embodiments described herein.
FIGS. 4-6 illustrate exemplary implementations of a compact AR/VR display device, according to embodiments described herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For implementations of an AR-capable and/or VR-capable display device including a display for displaying imagery, it is generally desirable to capture as much light emitted by the display as possible. In some implementations, such as those incorporating an external display device (such as a smartphone or other mobile computing device of a wearer), the display may be configured to produce polarized light. For the different types
1. An augmented reality (AR)-capable display device for displaying, onto a predefined field of view, polarized light generated by a display with a first polarization axis, the display device comprising: an optical arrangement having a predefined arrangement relative to a predefined position of the display and defining the field of view, the optical arrangement comprising: a mirror element having a firstsurface and opposite second surface, the mirror element disposed within the field of viewand being at least partially transmissive of ambient light incident on the first surface and at least partially reflective of light incident on the second surface; a polarized beam splitter element disposed within the field of view and closer to the second surface of the mirror element than the first surface; a half-wave plate element disposed between the polarized beam splitter element and the display and outside the field of view; and a quarter-wave plate element disposed between the polarized beam splitter element and the mirror element, wherein the optical arrangement defines a first optical path from the display, through the half-wave plate element, to the polarized beam splitter element, through the quarter-wave plate element, to the second surface of the mirror element, through the quarter-wave plate element and through the polarized beam splitter element, and wherein the opticalarrangement further defines a second optical path from the first surface of the mirror element through the quarter-wave plate element and through the polarized beam splitter element.
8. A system comprising: a display configured to generate polarized light with a first polarization axis; and an optical arrangement having a predefined arrangement relative to a predefined position of the display and defining a field of view, the optical arrangementcomprising: a mirror element having a first surface and opposite second surface, the mirror element disposed within the field of view and being at least partially transmissive of ambient light incident on the first surface and at least partially reflective of light incident on the second surface; a polarized beam splitter element disposed within the field of view and closer to the second surface of the mirror element than the first surface; a half-wave plate element disposed between the polarized beam splitter element and the displayand outside the field of view; and a quarter-wave plate element disposed between the polarized beam splitter element and the mirror element, wherein the optical arrangement defines a first optical path from the display, through the half-wave plate element, to the polarized beam splitter element, through the quarter-wave plate element, to the second surface of the mirror element, through the quarter-wave plate element and through the polarized beam splitter element, and wherein the optical arrangement further defines a second optical path from the first surface of the mirror element through the quarter-wave plate element and through the polarized beam splitter element.
16. An augmented reality (AR)-capable display device for displaying, onto a predefined field of view, polarized light generated by adisplay with a polarization axis, the display device comprising: an optical arrangement having a predefined arrangement relative to a predefined position of the display and defining the field of view, the optical arrangement comprising: a polarized beam splitter element disposed within the field of view and having the polarization axis, the polarized beam splitter configured to reflect a first portion of the polarized light; a polarized reflector disposed within the field of view; and a quarter-wave plate element disposed between thepolarized beam splitter element and the polarized reflector, the quarter-wave plate element configured to transmit a second portion of the reflected first portion, wherein the polarized reflector is configured to reflect a third portion of the transmitted second portion, wherein the quarter-wave plate element is further configured to transmit a fourth portion of the reflected third portion, and wherein the polarized beam splitter element is further configured to transmit a fifth portion of the transmitted fourth portion.