Meta Patent | Zonal lenses for a head-mounted display (hmd) device

Patent: Zonal lenses for a head-mounted display (hmd) device

Publication Number: 20250306383

Publication Date: 2025-10-02

Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies

Abstract

An optical element may include two or more zones to perform functions in a head-mounted display (HMD) device. An optical component may include a first optical zone characterized by a first sag profile to correct a refractive error of an eye of a user and a second optical zone characterized by a second sag profile to redirect a path of an illumination light beam. A transition zone located between the first optical zone and the second optical zone may provide a smooth transition between the first optical zone and the second optical zone.

Claims

1. A near-eye display device, comprising:a light source; andan optical component, comprising:a first optical zone exhibiting a first sag profile; anda second optical zone exhibiting a second sag profile different from the first sag profile, wherein the light source is oriented with a view only through the second optical zone.

2. The near-eye display device of claim 1, further comprising a camera, wherein the optical component further comprises a third optical zone exhibiting a third sag profile different from the first sag profile and from the second sag profile, wherein the camera is oriented to view through the third optical zone.

3. The near-eye display device of claim 2, wherein the third sag profile is substantially flat.

4. The near-eye display device of claim 2, wherein the first sag profile is centrally located in the optical component, the second sag profile surrounds the first sag profile, and the third sag profile surrounds the second sag profile.

5. The near-eye display device of claim 1, wherein the second sag profile refracts an illumination light beam from the light source toward an eye of a user.

6. The near-eye display device of claim 1, wherein the first optical zone and the second optical zone define annular boundary zones.

7. The near-eye display device of claim 1, wherein the first optical zone and the second optical zone define rectilinear boundary zones.

8. The near-eye display device of claim 1, wherein the first optical zone and the second optical zone define sparse boundary zones.

9. The near-eye display device of claim 1, further comprising a transition zone between the first optical zone and the second optical zone and providing a smooth transition between the first optical zone and the second optical zone.

10. The near-eye display device of claim 1, wherein the first sag profile is configured to correct a refractive error of an eye of a user.

11. The near-eye display device of claim 1, wherein the optical component further comprises an optical lens.

12. A head-mounted display (HMD) device, comprising:a camera; andan optical component comprising:a first optical zone exhibiting a first sag profile; anda second optical zone exhibiting a second sag different from the first sag profile, wherein the camera is oriented to view through the second optical zone.

13. The HMD device of claim 12, wherein the optical component further comprises:a transition zone located between the first optical zone and the second optical zone and providing a smooth transition between the first optical zone and the second optical zone.

14. The HMD device of claim 12, wherein the second sag profile is substantially flat.

15. The HMD device of claim 12, wherein the first optical zone and the second optical zone define annular boundary zones.

16. The HMD device of claim 12, wherein the first optical zone and the second optical zone define rectilinear boundary zones.

17. The HMD device of claim 12, wherein the first optical zone and the second optical zone define sparse boundary zones.

18. The HMD device of claim 12, wherein the camera is oriented to view only through the second optical zone.

19. The HMD device of claim 12, wherein the first sag profile is configured to correct a refractive error of an eye of a user.

20. The HMD device of claim 12, wherein the camera is oriented to view a world side of the optical component through the second optical zone.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/831,066, filed 2 Jun. 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent application relates generally to optical lenses and components, and more specifically, to optical zonal lenses for various optical assemblies and systems, such as head-mounted display (HMD) devices.

BACKGROUND

With recent advances in technology, prevalence and proliferation of content creation and delivery has increased greatly in recent years. In particular, interactive content such as virtual reality (VR) content, augmented reality (AR) content, mixed reality (MR) content, and content within and associated with a real and/or virtual environment (e.g., a “metaverse”) has become appealing to consumers.

To facilitate delivery of this and other related content, service providers have endeavored to provide various forms of wearable display systems. One such example may be a head-mounted display (HMD) device, such as a wearable eyewear, a wearable headset, or eyeglasses. In some examples, the head-mounted display (HMD) device may project or direct light to form a first image and a second image, and with these images, to generate “binocular” vision for viewing by a user. Providing quality optical lenses for such devices may be challenging. For example, some users of head-mounted display (HMD) devices have impaired vision, such as hyperopia or myopia, which can be adversely affected by even the slightest refractive error. Furthermore, providing optical lenses that can concurrently provide beam shaping and smooth transitions may be important in such head-mounted display (HMD) devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Features of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not limited in the following figures, in which like numerals indicate like elements. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following that alternative examples of the structures and methods illustrated in the figures can be employed without departing from the principles described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an artificial reality system environment including a near-eye display, according to an example.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a near-eye display in the form of a head-mounted display (HMD) device, according to an example.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a near-eye display in the form of a pair of glasses, according to an example.

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of an example optical zone arrangement defining optical zones in terms of polar coordinates, according to an example.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of an example optical zone arrangement defining annular optical zones, according to some examples.

FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram of an example optical zone arrangement defining rectilinear optical zones, according to some examples.

FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram of an example optical zone arrangement defining sparsely distributed optical zones, according to an example.

FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram representing a sectional view of an example zonal lens that achieves a plurality of functions, according to some examples.

FIG. 9 illustrates a diagram representing an example head-mounted display (HMD) device incorporating the zonal lens of FIG. 8, according to some examples.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for creating a zonal lens for a head-mounted display (HMD) device, according to various examples.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for creating a zonal lens for a head-mounted display (HMD) device, according to various examples.