U.S. patent application number 11/011481 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-15 for method and system for beam expansion in a display device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nokia Corporation. Invention is credited to Tapani Levola.
Application Number | 20060126181 11/011481 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36583476 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060126181 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Levola; Tapani |
June 15, 2006 |
Method and system for beam expansion in a display device
Abstract
An exit pupil extender with one input optical element and two
exit optical elements disposed on different sides of the input
optical element. The exit pupil extender also comprises two
intermediate optical couplers, each disposed between the input
optical element and one exit optical element. The couplers serve as
exit pupil extending components. All optical elements and couplers
are diffractive optical elements having grating lines. The grating
lines of one optical element are substantially parallel to that of
other optical elements, but the grating lines of the couplers are
at substantially a 60-degree angle from that of the optical
elements in order to optimize the exit pupil extending
efficiency.
Inventors: |
Levola; Tapani; (Tampere,
FI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WARE FRESSOLA VAN DER SLUYS &ADOLPHSON, LLP
BRADFORD GREEN BUILDING 5
755 MAIN STREET, P O BOX 224
MONROE
CT
06468
US
|
Assignee: |
Nokia Corporation
|
Family ID: |
36583476 |
Appl. No.: |
11/011481 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
359/567 ;
359/573 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 27/4205 20130101;
G02B 27/0081 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
359/567 ;
359/573 |
International
Class: |
G02B 27/44 20060101
G02B027/44; G02B 5/18 20060101 G02B005/18 |
Claims
1. An optical device comprising: a substrate of optical material
having a first side and an opposing second side; a first
diffractive element disposed on the substrate for receiving a light
beam; a second diffractive element disposed on the substrate in
relationship with the first diffractive element; and an
intermediate diffractive element disposed between the first and the
second diffractive elements, wherein at least part of the received
light beam is diffracted in the first diffractive element for
providing a diffracted light component to the intermediate
diffractive element in an incident direction substantially within
the first and second surface, and at least part of the diffracted
light component in the intermediate different element is coupled to
the second diffractive element substantially between the first and
second surfaces so as to allow at least part of the coupled
diffracted light component to exit the substrate by diffraction in
the second diffractive element, wherein the intermediate
diffractive element has a substantially periodic pattern composed
of substantially linear elements along a pattern direction for
producing conical diffraction.
2. The optical device of claim 1, wherein angle in the conical
diffraction is between 50 and 70 degrees.
3. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the intermediate
diffractive element has a substantially periodic pattern composed
of substantially linear elements along a pattern direction so that
the incident direction of the diffracted light component provided
to the intermediate different element is within an angular range
between 20 and 40 degrees relative to the pattern direction.
4. The optical device of claim 3, further comprising: a third
diffractive element disposed on the substrate in relationship with
the first diffractive element spaced from the second diffractive
element; and a further intermediate diffractive element disposed
between the first and the second diffractive elements, wherein at
least part of the received light beam is diffracted in the first
diffractive element for providing a diffracted light component to
the further intermediate diffractive element in an incident
direction within the first and second surface, and at least part of
the diffracted light component in the further intermediate
different element is coupled to the third diffractive element
substantially between the first and second surfaces so as to allow
at least part of the coupled diffracted light component to exit the
substrate by diffraction in the third diffractive element, wherein
the further intermediate diffractive element has a substantially
periodic pattern composed of substantially linear elements along a
pattern direction such that the incident direction of the
diffracted light component provided to the further intermediate
different element is within an angular range between 50 and 70
degrees relative to the pattern direction.
5. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the received light beam
is received in the first diffractive element through the first
surface and at least part of the coupled diffracted light component
exits the substrate through the second surface.
6. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the received light beam
is received in the first diffractive element through the first
surface and at least part of the coupled diffracted light component
exits the substrate through the first surface.
7. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the intermediate
diffractive element comprises a plurality of grooves forming the
period pattern.
8. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the first diffractive
element has a period pattern composed of a plurality of linear
elements along a pattern direction substantially perpendicular to
the incident direction.
9. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the second diffractive
element has a period pattern composed of a plurality of linear
elements along a pattern direction substantially perpendicular to
the incident direction.
10. A method of optical coupling in an optical device, the optical
device comprising: a substrate of optical material having a first
side and an opposing second side; a first diffractive element
disposed on the substrate for receiving a light beam, wherein at
least part of the received light beam is diffracted in the first
diffractive element for providing a diffracted light component; and
a second diffractive element disposed on the substrate in
relationship to the first diffractive element so as to allow at
least part of the diffracted light component to exit the substrate
substantially by diffraction in the second diffractive element,
said method comprising: disposing an intermediate diffractive
element between the first and the second diffractive elements, so
as to allow part of the diffracted light component to enter the
intermediate diffractive element between the first and second
surfaces at an incident direction, wherein the intermediate
diffractive element has a substantially periodic pattern composed
of substantially linear elements along a pattern direction to
produce conical diffraction.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the intermediate diffractive
element has a substantially periodic pattern composed of
substantially linear elements along a pattern direction such that
the incident direction of the diffracted light component is within
an angular range between 20 and 40 degrees relative to the pattern
direction.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the optical device further
comprises a third diffractive element disposed on the substrate in
relationship to the first diffractive element spaced from the
second device so as to allow at least part of the diffracted light
component also to exit the substrate substantially by diffraction
in the third diffractive element, said method further comprising:
disposing a further intermediate diffractive element between the
first and the third diffractive elements, so as to allow part of
the diffracted light component to enter the further intermediate
diffractive element between the first and second surfaces at an
incident direction, wherein the intermediate diffractive element
has a substantially periodic pattern composed of substantially
linear elements along a pattern direction such that the incident
direction of the diffracted light component is within an angular
range between 50 and 70 degrees relative to the pattern
direction.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the first diffractive element
having a substantially period pattern composed of substantially
linear elements along a first pattern direction, and the second
diffractive element having a substantially period pattern composed
of substantially linear elements along a second pattern direction
substantially parallel to the first pattern direction.
14. An electronic device comprising: a data processing unit; an
optical engine operatively connected to the data processing unit
for receiving image data from the data processing unit; a display
device operatively connected to the optical engine for forming an
image based on the image data; and an exit pupil extender,
comprising: a substrate of optical material having a first side and
an opposing second side; a first diffractive element disposed on
the substrate for receiving a light beam; a second diffractive
element disposed on the substrate in relationship with the first
diffractive element; and an intermediate diffractive element
disposed between the first and the second diffractive elements,
wherein at least part of the received light beam is diffracted in
the first diffractive element for providing a diffracted light
component to the intermediate diffractive element in an incident
direction substantially within the first and second surface, and at
least part of the diffracted light component in the intermediate
different element is coupled to the second diffractive element
substantially between the first and second surfaces so as to allow
at least part of the coupled diffracted light component to exit the
substrate by diffraction in the second diffractive element, wherein
the intermediate diffractive element has a substantially periodic
pattern composed of substantially linear elements along a pattern
direction for producing conical diffraction.
15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein angle in the conical
diffraction is between 50 and 70 degrees.
16. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the intermediate
diffractive element has a substantially periodic pattern composed
of substantially linear elements along a pattern direction so that
the incident direction of the diffracted light component provided
to the intermediate different element is within an angular range
between 20 and 40 degrees relative to the pattern direction.
17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the optical device
further comprises: a third diffractive element disposed on the
substrate in relationship with the first diffractive element spaced
from the second diffractive element; and a further intermediate
diffractive element disposed between the first and the second
diffractive elements, wherein at least part of the received light
beam is diffracted in the first diffractive element for providing a
diffracted light component to the further intermediate diffractive
element in an incident direction within the first and second
surface, and at least part of the diffracted light component in the
further intermediate different element is coupled to the third
diffractive element substantially between the first and second
surfaces so as to allow at least part of the coupled diffracted
light component to exit the substrate by diffraction in the third
diffractive element, wherein the further intermediate diffractive
element has a substantially periodic pattern composed of
substantially linear elements along a pattern direction such that
the incident direction of the diffracted light component provided
to the further intermediate different element is within an angular
range between 50 and 70 degrees relative to the pattern
direction.
18. The electronic device of claim 14, comprising a computer game
device.
19. The electronic device of claim 14, comprising a digital
camera.
20. The electronic device of claim 14, further comprising a
communications unit for receiving signals containing information
indicative of the image data, wherein the data processing unit is
operatively connected to the communications unit for receiving the
information.
21. The electronic device of claim 20, comprising a mobile
terminal.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a display device
and, more specifically, to a display that uses two or more
diffractive elements for extending the exit pupil of the display
for viewing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] While it is a common practice to use a low-resolution
liquid-crystal display (LCD) panel to display network information
and text messages in a mobile device, it is preferred to use a
high-resolution display to browse rich information content of text
and images. A microdisplay-based system can provide full color
pixels at 50-100 lines per mm. Such high-resolution is generally
suitable for a virtual display. A virtual display typically
consists of a microdisplay to provide an image and an optical
arrangement for manipulating light emerging from the image in such
a way that it is perceived as large as a direct view display panel.
A virtual display can be monocular or binocular.
[0003] The size of the beam of light emerging from imaging optics
toward the eye is called exit pupil. In a Near-Eye Display (NED),
the exit pupil is typically of the order of 10 mm in diameter.
Further enlarging the exit pupil makes using the virtual display
significantly easier, because the device can be put at a distance
from the eye. Thus, such a display no longer qualifies as an NED,
for obvious reasons. Head-Up Displays are examples of the virtual
display with a sufficiently large exit pupil.
[0004] WO 99/52002 discloses a method of enlarging the exit pupil
of a virtual display. The disclosed method uses three successive
holographic optical elements (HOEs) to enlarge the exit pupil. In
particular, the HOEs are diffractive grating elements arranged on a
planar, light transmissive substrate 6, as shown in FIG. 1. As
shown, light from an image source 2 is incident upon the first HOE,
or H1, which is disposed on one side of the substrate 6. Light from
H1, coupled to the substrate 6, is directed toward the second HOE,
or H2, where the distribution of light is expanded in one
direction. H2 also redirects the expanded light distribution to the
third HOE, or H3, where the light distribution is further expanded
in another direction. The holographic elements can be on any side
of the substrate 6. H3 also redirects the expanded light
distribution outward from the substrate surface on which H3 is
disposed. The optical system, as shown in FIG. 1, operates as a
beam-expanding device, which maintains the general direction of the
light beam. Such a device is also referred to as an exit pupil
extender (EPE).
[0005] In an EPE, the energy of the exit beam relative to the input
beam depends upon the coupling between adjacent optical elements.
As the energy output of the image source is limited, it is
desirable to achieve a high coupling efficiency between adjacent
optical elements.
[0006] It is advantageous and desirable to provide a method and
system for improving the optical coupling between optical elements
in an exit pupil extender.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an objective of the present invention to improve the
optical coupling between two optical elements such as diffractive
optical elements in an exit pupil extender. This objective can be
achieved by using a diffractive optical element having the grating
lines are oriented in a certain direction as optical coupler
disposing between the input optical element and the exit optical
element. In particular, the grating lines of the optical coupler
are oriented substantially at a 60-degree from the grating lines of
the input and exit optical element.
[0008] Thus, the first aspect of the present invention provides an
optical device, comprising:
[0009] a substrate of optical material having a first side and an
opposing second side;
[0010] a first diffractive element disposed on the substrate for
receiving a light beam;
[0011] a second diffractive element disposed on the substrate in
relationship with the first diffractive element; and
[0012] an intermediate diffractive element disposed between the
first and the second diffractive elements, wherein
[0013] at least part of the received light beam is diffracted in
the first diffractive element for providing a diffracted light
component to the intermediate diffractive element in an incident
direction substantially within the first and second surface,
and
[0014] at least part of the diffracted light component in the
intermediate different element is coupled to the second diffractive
element substantially between the first and second surfaces so as
to allow at least part of the coupled diffracted light component to
exit the substrate by diffraction in the second diffractive
element, wherein the intermediate diffractive element has a
substantially periodic pattern composed of substantially linear
elements along a pattern direction for producing conical
diffraction.
[0015] According to the present invention, the angle in the conical
diffraction is between 50 and 70 degrees.
[0016] According to the present invention, the intermediate
diffractive element has a substantially periodic pattern composed
of substantially linear elements along a pattern direction so that
the incident direction of the diffracted light component provided
to the intermediate different element is within an angular range
between 20 and 40 degrees relative to the pattern direction.
[0017] According to the present invention, the optical device
further comprises:
[0018] a third diffractive element disposed on the substrate in
relationship with the first diffractive element spaced from the
second diffractive element; and
[0019] a further intermediate diffractive element disposed between
the first and the second diffractive elements, wherein
[0020] at least part of the received light beam is diffracted in
the first diffractive element for providing a diffracted light
component to the further intermediate diffractive element in an
incident direction within the first and second surface, and
[0021] at least part of the diffracted light component in the
further intermediate different element is coupled to the third
diffractive element substantially between the first and second
surfaces so as to allow at least part of the coupled diffracted
light component to exit the substrate by diffraction in the third
diffractive element, wherein the further intermediate diffractive
element has a substantially periodic pattern composed of
substantially linear elements along a pattern direction such that
the incident direction of the diffracted light component provided
to the further intermediate different element is within an angular
range between 50 and 70 degrees relative to the pattern
direction.
[0022] According to the present invention, the received light beam
is received in the first diffractive element through the first
surface and at least part of the coupled diffracted light component
exits the substrate through the first surface or the second
surface.
[0023] According to the present invention, intermediate diffractive
element comprises a plurality of grooves forming the period
pattern.
[0024] According to the present invention, the first diffractive
element has a period pattern composed of a plurality of linear
elements along a pattern direction substantially perpendicular to
the incident direction, and the second diffractive element has a
period pattern composed of a plurality of linear elements along a
pattern direction substantially perpendicular to the incident
direction.
[0025] The second aspect of the present invention provides a method
of optical coupling in an optical device, the optical device
comprising:
[0026] a substrate of optical material having a first side and an
opposing second side;
[0027] a first diffractive element disposed on the substrate for
receiving a light beam, wherein at least part of the received light
beam is diffracted in the first diffractive element for providing a
diffracted light component; and
[0028] a second diffractive element disposed on the substrate in
relationship to the first diffractive element so as to allow at
least part of the diffracted light component to exit the substrate
substantially by diffraction in the second diffractive element. The
method comprises:
[0029] disposing an intermediate diffractive element between the
first and the second diffractive elements, so as to allow part of
the diffracted light component to enter the intermediate
diffractive element between the first and second surfaces at an
incident direction, wherein the intermediate diffractive element
has a substantially periodic pattern composed of substantially
linear elements along a pattern direction to produce conical
diffraction.
[0030] According to the present invention, the intermediate
diffractive element has a substantially periodic pattern composed
of substantially linear elements along a pattern direction such
that the incident direction of the diffracted light component is
within an angular range between 20 and 40 degrees relative to the
pattern direction.
[0031] According to the present invention, the optical device
further comprises a third diffractive element disposed on the
substrate in relationship to the first diffractive element spaced
from the second device so as to allow at least part of the
diffracted light component also to exit the substrate substantially
by diffraction in the third diffractive element. The method further
comprises:
[0032] disposing a further intermediate diffractive element between
the first and the third diffractive elements, so as to allow part
of the diffracted light component to enter the further intermediate
diffractive element between the first and second surfaces at an
incident direction, wherein the intermediate diffractive element
has a substantially periodic pattern composed of substantially
linear elements along a pattern direction such that the incident
direction of the diffracted light component is within an angular
range between 50 and 70 degrees relative to the pattern
direction.
[0033] According to the present invention, the first diffractive
element has a substantially period pattern composed of
substantially linear elements along a first pattern direction, and
the second diffractive element has a substantially period pattern
composed of substantially linear elements along a second pattern
direction substantially parallel to the first pattern
direction.
[0034] The third aspect of the present invention provides an
electronic device comprising:
[0035] a data processing unit;
[0036] an optical engine operatively connected to the data
processing unit for receiving image data from the data processing
unit;
[0037] a display device operatively connected to the optical engine
for forming an image based on the image data; and
[0038] an exit pupil extender, comprising: [0039] a substrate of
optical material having a first side and an opposing second side;
[0040] a first diffractive element disposed on the substrate for
receiving a light beam; [0041] a second diffractive element
disposed on the substrate in relationship with the first
diffractive element; and [0042] an intermediate diffractive element
disposed between the first and the second diffractive elements,
wherein [0043] at least part of the received light beam is
diffracted in the first diffractive element for providing a
diffracted light component to the intermediate diffractive element
in an incident direction substantially within the first and second
surface, and [0044] at least part of the diffracted light component
in the intermediate different element is coupled to the second
diffractive element substantially between the first and second
surfaces so as to allow at least part of the coupled diffracted
light component to exit the substrate by diffraction in the second
diffractive element, wherein the intermediate diffractive element
has a substantially periodic pattern composed of substantially
linear elements along a pattern direction for producing conical
diffraction.
[0045] According to the present invention, the angle in the conical
diffraction is between 50 and 70 degrees, and the intermediate
diffractive element has a substantially periodic pattern composed
of substantially linear elements along a pattern direction so that
the incident direction of the diffracted light component provided
to the intermediate different element is within an angular range
between 20 and 40 degrees relative to the pattern direction.
[0046] According to the present invention, the optical device
further comprises:
[0047] a third diffractive element disposed on the substrate in
relationship with the first diffractive element spaced from the
second diffractive element; and a further intermediate diffractive
element disposed between the first and the second diffractive
elements, wherein
[0048] at least part of the received light beam is diffracted in
the first diffractive element for providing a diffracted light
component to the further intermediate diffractive element in an
incident direction within the first and second surface, and
[0049] at least part of the diffracted light component in the
further intermediate different element is coupled to the third
diffractive element substantially between the first and second
surfaces so as to allow at least part of the coupled diffracted
light component to exit the substrate by diffraction in the third
diffractive element, wherein the further intermediate diffractive
element has a substantially periodic pattern composed of
substantially linear elements along a pattern direction such that
the incident direction of the diffracted light component provided
to the further intermediate different element is within an angular
range between 50 and 70 degrees relative to the pattern
direction.
[0050] According to the present invention, the electronic device
can be a portable device, such as a mobile phone, personal digital
assistant (PDA), communicator, portable Internet appliance,
hand-held computer, digital video and still camera, wearable
computer, computer game device, specialized bring-to-the-eye
product for viewing and other portable electronic devices. However,
the exit pupil extender, according to the present invention, can
also be used in a non-portable device, such as a gaming device,
vending machine, band-o-matic, and home appliances, such as an
oven, microwave oven and other appliances and other non-portable
devices.
[0051] The present invention will become apparent upon reading the
description taken in conjunction with FIGS. 2-7.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0052] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation showing a prior art
exit pupil extender using three diffractive elements.
[0053] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation showing a top view of
an exit pupil extender, according to the present invention.
[0054] FIG. 3 a schematic representation showing an isometric view
of the exit pupil extender, according to the present invention.
[0055] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation showing the orientation
of the grating lines in the intermediate diffractive optical
element, according to the present invention.
[0056] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation showing another
embodiment of the exit pupil extender, according to the present
invention.
[0057] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation showing typical
reflection and diffraction in a diffractive optical element.
[0058] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation showing an electronic
device, having a virtual display system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0059] In the exit pupil extender (EPE) 10, according to the
present invention, has a substrate 20 made of an optical material.
On the substrate 20, there are one input optical element 30 and one
or two exit optical elements 50, as shown in FIG. 2. The EPE 10
also has one or two intermediate optical couplers 40, 40' each
disposed between the input optical element 30 and one of the exit
optical elements 50, 50'. The couplers 40,40' serve as exit pupil
extending components. The optical elements 30, 50, 50' and the
couplers 40, 40' are diffractive optical elements (DOEs), for
example. Each of the DOEs has a plurality of grating lines for
diffraction purposes. As shown, the optical element 30 has a
plurality of grating lines 32; the optical element 40 (40') has a
plurality of grating lines 42 and the optical element 50 (50') has
a plurality of grating lines 52.
[0060] FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing the relationship between
an input beam 70 and two exit beams 80, 80'. As shown, the
substrate 20 has a first side 22 and a second side 24. The input
beam 70 enters the EPE 10 on one side of the substrate 20 and exit
beams 80, 80' exit the EPE 10 on a different side of the substrate
20, in a direction substantially parallel to the input beam.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 2, the grating lines 32 and 52 in DOEs 30
and 50 (50') are substantially parallel to the Y-axis. In order
that the DOE 40 (40') acts like a beam extender, and that its
efficiency is optimized, the grating lines in the coupler DOEs 40
(40') are substantially at a 60-degree angle in reference to the
Y-axis, as shown in FIG. 4. As such, the light entering one side of
the DOEs 40 (40') is trapped in the grating area between the first
side 22 and the second side 24 until it emerges out from the other
side of the DOEs 40 (40'). Furthermore, the shape of the DOEs 40
(40') is designed so that, at the output end, the rays leaving the
grating area are substantially parallel to the X-axis, as shown in
FIG. 3.
[0062] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
grating periods in all DOEs 30, 40 (40') and 50 (50') are
substantially the same. However, while the DOE 30 and 50 (50') have
the same period, the DOE 40 is allowed to deviate from those
slightly without disturbing the functioning of the EPE system.
Nevertheless, each of the gratings has a unique grating profile,
optimized to its function. DOE 30 and DOE 40 (40') typically have a
deep profile and a proper filling ratio.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 3, when the EPE 10 is used to expand a
light beam 70 incident upon the DOE 30, the beam 70 is diffracted
and reflected, due to total internal reflection (TIR) on one side
of substrate 20 (if the DOE 30 is disposed on the upper side 22,
then TIR occurs on the lower side 24) toward the DOEs 40 (40')
substantially along the direction 72 (72'). The beam is further
diffracted from the DOEs 40 (40') to the direction that makes
substantially a 60 degree conical angle with respect to the
direction 72 (72'). After a TIR in the lower side of the substrate
20, the beam encounters the grating 40 (40') again and then is
diffracted again in a direction parallel to direction 72 (72').
Finally, after some successive steps, the beam enters the DOEs 50
(50') substantially along the direction 74 (74'), which is
substantially the same as direction 72 (72'). It is important to
ensure that the beam encounters the grating 40 (40') an even number
of times. Otherwise the beam does not enter DOE 50 (50') exactly at
the correct direction. Finally, the beam exits the DOEs 50, 50' as
exit beams 80, 80'. It should be noted, however, that the cross
section of the exit beams 80, 80' is larger than that of the input
beam 70 as the input beam is expanded in the DOEs both in the Y and
X axes. As shown in FIG. 3, the incident angle of the light beam
entering the DOE 40 is substantially along the direction 72, which
is substantially in the XZ plane. The direction 72 can be
calculated from the conical grating equations, and generally in
practical cases, the beam in the direction 72 does not exactly
travel in the XZ plane, but deviates some degrees from that.
[0064] FIG. 4 shows the orientation of the grating lines 42 in the
DOE 40. As mentioned above, the grating lines 42 are substantially
at a 60-degree angle in reference to the Y-axis. Thus, the grating
lines 42 are substantially at a 60-degree conical angle in
reference to the incident direction 72 (see FIG. 3). However, the
conical angle can deviate from 60 degrees as long as in the
diffraction there exists only two reflected diffraction modes, zero
and first order. It should be noted that, in conical diffraction,
the beam is, in general, not perpendicular to the grating lines.
The conical angle is defined from the perpendicular position. This
condition depends on the incoming beam angles (70), grating period
and on the refractive index of the material. This acceptable
angular space must be calculated case by case using the conical
diffraction formulas. This acceptable angular space is generally so
large, that the system works in most of the practical cases, even
wide field of view cases. As mentioned earlier, it is necessary
that the beam meets an even number of times the grating 40 (40').
Therefore the angle of the leaving edge of the DOE 40 (40') must be
such that this condition is fulfilled. This angle can be calculated
from the conical diffraction formulas and the angular spread of the
incoming beams. Generally, the leaving edge of DOE 40 (40') thus
forms an angle slightly larger than 30 degrees with respect to the
Y-axis. The DOE 40 (40') is typically a binary type grating and, in
the geometry described in this invention, the diffraction
efficiency of the first diffraction order can be as high as 90%.
Furthermore, the grating efficiency can be tuned to be polarization
independent with a proper filling ratio.
[0065] The DOE 40' is substantially a mirror image of the DOE 40.
Thus, the orientation of the grating lines 42' is similar to that
of the grating lines 42.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 3, the input beam 70 entering the DOE 30 on
one side of the EPE 10, while the exit beams 80, 80' leave the DOE
50, 50' on the other side of the EPE 10. It should be noted that
generally arrangement of the diffraction gratings in the EPE 10 is
such that the exit beams 80 and 80' exit the EPE 10 also on the
same side as the input beam 70 entering the EPE 10, as shown in
FIG. 5.
[0067] It is known in the art that the beam expansion in the exit
beams 80, 80' as compared to the input beam 70 is partly due to the
different dimensions and shapes in the various DOEs, and partly due
to the multiple diffraction and total internal reflection (TIR). As
shown in FIG. 6, the incoming beam is reflected by TIR at different
locations R and diffracted by the grating lines 52 at diffraction
locations D, resulting in the exit beam 80.
[0068] The EPE 10 can be used in a portable device 100, such as a
mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), communicator,
portable Internet appliance, hand-hand computer, digital video and
still camera, wearable computer, computer game device, specialized
bring-to-the-eye product for viewing and other portable electronic
devices. As shown in FIG. 7, the portable device 100 has a housing
210 to a house a communication unit 212 for receiving and
transmitting information from and to an external device (not
shown). The portable device 100 also has a controlling and
processing unit 214 for handling the received and transmitted
information, and a virtual display system 230 for viewing. The
virtual display system 230 includes a micro-display or image source
192 and an optical engine 190. The controlling and processing unit
214 is operatively connected to an optical engine 190 to provide
image data to the image source 192 to display an image thereon. The
EPE 10, according to the present invention, can be optically linked
to an optical engine 190.
[0069] It should be noted that each of the optical elements 30, 40,
40', 50, 50' can be diffractive optical elements having grating
lines or a holographic diffractive optical element (HOE) having
interference fringes. As the name suggests, a holographic
diffraction element is holographically produced where at least two
coherent light beams are used to produce the fringes. In contrast,
a diffraction optical element can be mechanically or chemically
produced.
[0070] The objective of the present invention is to achieve
efficient optical coupling between the various DOEs in an EPE while
the DOEs are sized and shaped and arranged for exit pupil
expansion. The application for the EPE of the present invention is
not limited to virtual displays. The selective reflection control
in a planar waveguide (substrate 20), according to the present
invention, can also be used in any application where optical beam
expansion in one or more directions is required and light of
different wavelengths is used. The diffractive elements are, in
fact, optical couplers and light modulator devices for coupling
light into the planar waveguide. Thus, the EPE 10, as shown in
FIGS. 2 to 6, can be viewed as an optical device comprised of a
planar waveguide and a plurality of optical couplers (or light
modulator devices) disposed adjacent to or on the waveguide for
light coupling and manipulating purposes.
[0071] The image source 192, as depicted in FIG. 7, can be a
sequential color LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon) device, an OLED
(Organic Light Emitting Diode) array, an MEMS (MicroElectro
Mechanical System) device or any other suitable micro-display
device operating in transmission, reflection or emission.
[0072] Moreover, the electronic device 100 can be a portable
device, such as a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA),
communicator, portable Internet appliance, hand-held computer,
digital video and still camera, wearable computer, computer game
device, specialized bring-to-the-eye product for viewing and other
portable electronic devices. However, the exit pupil extender,
according to the present invention, can also be used in a
non-portable device, such as a gaming device, vending machine,
band-o-matic, and home appliances, such as an oven, microwave oven
and other appliances and other non-portable devices.
[0073] Thus, although the invention has been described with respect
to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes,
omissions and deviations in the form and detail thereof may be made
without departing from the scope of this invention.
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