WIDE FIELD OF VIEW OCCLUSION CAPABLE AUGMENTED REALITY PANCAKE OPTICS HEAD MOUNTED DISPLAY

Number: 20200117007
Published: 2020-04-16
Filed: 2019-07-22
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: SMITHWICK; Quinn Yorklun Jen, WATSON; Scott F.
CPC: G02B27/0172; G02B5/3083; G02B5/3025; G02F1/1334; G02B27/283
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Pancake-optics AR headset display hardware (Smithwick).

Abstract

Embodiments provide for a display system that overlays augmented reality (AR) content onto a view of an environment. The display includes a first polarizer that receives light providing a view of the environment (which can be natural light or light generated from another display). The polarized light then passes through a transparent display that emits light forming the AR content. The light emitted by the display and the polarized light of the environment pass through a beam splitter before reaching a selective mirror. The polarized light from the environment passes through the selective mirror while the light from the display is reflected back towards the beam splitter where it is collimated. Moreover, when collimating the light, the beam splitter also reflects the light back towards the selective mirror and changes its polarization so the light can pass through the selective mirror.

Background

BACKGROUNDField

The present disclosure generally relates to computer-based entertainment, and more specifically to optical arrangements suitable for augmented reality (AR) and/or virtual reality (VR) display devices.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

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.

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 or mirror 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 or mirror element, the larger the eyebox, making for easier eye alignment. However, a display device with such a lens

Claims

1. A display system, comprising: a first polarizer element arranged to polarize background light received at the display system; a display arranged in-line with the first polarizer element, wherein the display is configured to emit light forming an augmented reality (AR) object and permit at least a portion of the background light to pass through the display, wherein, after passing through the display the background light has a different polarization than the emitted light; a beam splitter arranged to receive the emitted light and the background light; a second polarizer element, wherein the beam splitter is disposed between the display and the second polarizer element; and a selective mirror configured to permit a first polarization of light to pass therethrough but reflect a second polarization of light, wherein the second polarizer element is between the beam splitter and the selective mirror. 11. An augmented reality (AR) device comprising: a first polarizer element arranged to polarize background light received at the AR device; a transparent display arranged to receive, and permit to pass through, the background light, wherein the display is configured to emit light forming an AR object; a beam splitter arranged to receive the emitted light and the background light, wherein the emitted light the background light have orthogonal polarizations; a second polarizer element, wherein the beam splitter is disposed between the display and the second polarizer element; and a selective mirror, wherein the second polarizer element is between the beam splitter and the selective mirror. 18. A method, comprising: polarizing background light entering an AR display system from an environment; emitting light to form an AR object to overlay on a view of the environment; passing the background light and the emitted light through a beam splitter, wherein the background light has a polarization that is orthogonal to a polarization of the emitted light; passing the background light through a selective mirror; reflecting the emitted light from the selective mirror back towards the beam splitter; and collimating the reflected emitted light at the beam splitter and changing its polarization to the polarization of the background light; and passing the collimated emitted light through the selective mirror.