Display device with image depth simulation
View Patent ↗An optical system is provided with a transparent element having a proximal surface on one side and a distal surface on an opposite side. A plurality of light-scattering structures is formed in the distal surface. A positionally-corresponding plurality of surface lenses is provided on the proximal surface. The light-scattering structures and the surface lenses may be arranged in a slightly angled or offset square array relative to a side surface of the transparent element. A rastering, collimated light source, directs a beam of light roughly in the plane of the transparent element towards individual light-scattering structures. The light-scattering structures scatter at least a portion of the light towards the corresponding surface lenses, which may collect and collimate the light towards a viewing location. The optical system may be incorporated into a head-mounted display (HMD).
1. An optical system, comprising:
a transparent element comprising a proximal surface, and a distal surface opposite the proximal surface, wherein a real-world environment is viewable through the proximal surface in combination with the distal surface;
a plurality of light-scattering structures on the distal surface, wherein the plurality of light-scattering structures comprises a respective plurality of pits in the distal surface, and wherein each pit comprises at least one of a substantially hemispherical shape or a substantially cylindrical shape;
a rastering light source configured to selectively illuminate individual light-scattering structures in the plurality of light-scattering structures on the distal surface; and
a plurality of surface lenses on the proximal surface, wherein each surface lens is optically coupled to at least one respective light-scattering structure so as to collimate light scattered therefrom towards a viewing location.
2. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the rastering light source comprises:
at least one laser configured to emit at least one laser beam; and
a galvanometer optically coupled to each at least one laser and configured to selectively direct the at least one laser beam.
3. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein each surface lens comprises at least one aspherical microlens.
4. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein each surface lens comprises at least one spherical microlens.
5. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the transparent element comprises a lens.
6. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the transparent element is in a head-mounted display (HMD).
7. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the transparent element is a visor of a helmet.
8. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the transparent element is a vehicle windshield.
9. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the transparent element is an ocular lens of an optical device.
10. The optical system of claim 9 , wherein the optical device comprises a telescope, a microscope, binoculars, or a viewfinder.
11. A head-mounted display (HMD), comprising:
a head-mounted support; and
at least one optical system attached to the head-mounted support, wherein the at least one optical system comprises:
(a) a transparent element comprising a proximal surface, a distal surface opposite the proximal surface, and a side surface, wherein a real-world environment is viewable through the proximal surface in combination with the distal surface;
(b) a plurality of light-scattering structures on the distal surface, wherein the plurality of light-scattering structures comprises a respective plurality of pits in the distal surface, and wherein each pit comprises at least one of a substantially hemispherical shape or a substantially cylindrical shape;
(c) a rastering light source configured to selectively illuminate individual light-scattering structures in the plurality of light-scattering structures on the distal surface through the side surface of the transparent element; and
(d) a plurality of surface lenses on the proximal surface, wherein each surface lens is optically coupled to at least one respective light-scattering structure so as to collimate light scattered therefrom towards a viewing location.
12. The HMD of claim 11 , further comprising a processor, wherein the processor is configured to control the rastering light source.
13. The HMD of claim 11 , wherein the rastering light source comprises:
at least one laser configured to emit at least one laser beam; and
a galvanometer optically coupled to the at least one laser and configured to selectively direct the at least one laser beam.
14. The HMD of claim 11 , wherein each surface lens comprises at least one aspherical microlens.
15. The HMD of claim 11 , wherein each surface lens comprises at least one spherical microlens.