Systems and methods for external light management

Abstract

An augmented reality system includes a light source that generates a virtual beam of light carrying information for virtual objects. The system also includes a light-guiding optics element that allows a first portion of a first real-world beam of light to pass through it, wherein the virtual beam enters the light-guiding optics element, propagates through the light-guiding optics element by substantially total internal reflection (TIR), and exits the light-guiding optics element. The system further includes a lens disposed near and outside the surface of the light-guiding optics element, the lens including a light modulation mechanism to absorb a second portion of the real-world beam of light and allow the first portion of the real-world beam of light to pass through the lens.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application No. 201980059908.0, entitled "System and method for external light management" (filed on September 13, 2019).

[0002] Cross-reference to related applications

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 731,755, filed September 14, 2018, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXTERNALLIGHT MANAGEMENT,” the contents of which are expressly and entirely incorporated herein by reference. This application relates to U.S. Utility Model Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 479,700, filed April 5, 2017, Agent File No. ML.20065.00, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUGMENTED REALITY"; U.S. Utility Model Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 331,218, filed July 14, 2014, Agent File No. ML.20020.00, entitled "PLANAR WAVEGUIDE APPARATUS WITH DIFFRACTION ELEMENT(S) AND SYSTEM EMPLOYING SAME"; and U.S. Utility Model Patent Application Serial No. ML20011.00, filed November 27, 2014, entitled "VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY SYSTEMS AND U.S. Utility Model Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 555,585 entitled "METHODS (Virtual and Augmented Reality Systems and Methods)", filed May 29, 2015, Agent File No. ML.20016.00; U.S. Utility Model Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 726,424 entitled "METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY", filed May 29, 2015, Agent File No. ML.20017.00; and U.S. Utility Model Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 726,429 entitled "METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CREATING FOCAL PLANES IN VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY", filed May 29, 2015, Agent File No. ML.20018.U.S. Utility Model Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 726,396, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FORDISPLAYING STEREOSCOPY WITH A FREEFORM OPTICAL SYSTEM WITH ADDRESSABLE FOCUSFOR VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY”, filed July 23, 2018, Agent File No. ML-0676USPRV, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXTERNAL LIGHT MANAGEMENT”, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 702,212, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXTERNAL LIGHT MANAGEMENT”, filed August 30, 2019, Agent File No. ML-0607US, entitled “SPATIALLY-RESOLVED DYNAMIC DIMMING FOR AUGMENTED REALITY”. U.S. Utility Model Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 557,706, entitled "DEVICE (Spatial Resolution Dynamic Dimming for Augmented Reality Devices)," is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Technology

[0004] Modern computing and display technologies have facilitated the development of systems for so-called "augmented reality" experiences, in which digitally reproduced images or portions thereof are presented to the user in a way that looks or may be perceived as real. Augmented reality, or "AR," scenarios typically involve the presentation of digital or virtual image information as an enhancement to the visualization of the real world around the user (i.e., transparent to other actual visual inputs from the real world). Therefore, AR scenarios involve the presentation of digital or virtual image information with transparency to other actual visual inputs from the real world. The human visual perception system is highly complex; thus, developing an AR technology that promotes a comfortable and natural-feeling presentation of virtual image elements and other virtual or real-world image elements is challenging.

[0005] The brain's visualization center derives valuable perceptual information from the movement of the two eyes and their components relative to each other. The convergence and divergence of the two eyes relative to each other (i.e., the rolling motion of the pupils toward or away from each other to converge the eye's line of sight to fix it on an object) is closely related to the focusing (or "accommodation") of the eye's lens. Under normal circumstances, in a relationship known as the "accommodation-convergence reflex," changing the focus of the eye's lens or adjusting the eye to focus on an object at different distances will automatically result in a matching change in convergence and divergence at the same distance. Similarly, under normal circumstances, changes in convergence and divergence will also trigger matching changes in accommodation. Like most traditional stereoscopic AR configurations, manipulating this reflex can cause eye strain, headaches, or other forms of discomfort for the user.

[0006] Stereo wearable glasses typically have two displays for the left and right eyes, configured to show images with slightly different elements, allowing the human visual system to perceive three-dimensionality. This configuration has been found uncomfortable for many users due to a mismatch between convergence and accommodation (“convergence-accommodation conflict”), which must be overcome to perceive 3D images. Indeed, some AR users cannot tolerate stereo configurations. Therefore, most traditional AR systems are not optimally suited to providing a rich binocular and 3D experience in a way that is comfortable and maximizes user usability, partly because existing systems fail to address certain fundamental aspects of the human perceptual system, including the convergence-accommodation conflict.

[0007] AR systems must also be able to display virtual digital content at various perceived locations and distances relative to the user. The design of AR systems also presents many other challenges, including the speed at which the system delivers virtual digital content, the quality of the virtual digital content, eye comfort for the user (resolving the convergence-accommodation conflict), the size and portability of the system, and other system and optical challenges.

[0008] One possible approach to resolving these issues (including convergence-modulation conflicts) is to project the image onto multiple depth planes. To achieve this type of system, one method is to use multiple light-guiding optics to direct light to the user's eye, making the light appear to originate from multiple depth planes. The light-guiding optics are designed to ingress virtual light corresponding to a digital or virtual object, propagate that virtual light via total internal reflection (“TIR”), and then out-couple the virtual light to display the digital or virtual object to the user's eye. The light-guiding optics are also designed to be transparent to light from real-world objects (e.g., light reflected back from real-world objects).

[0009] However, some real-world light can couple into and out of light-guiding optics in an uncontrolled manner. Because this real-world light is diffracted by the light-guiding optics, unintended rainbow artifacts are presented to the user's eye. The appearance of unintended rainbow artifacts in AR scenes can ruin the intended effect of the AR scene. The system and method described in this paper are configured to address these challenges. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In one embodiment, the augmented reality system includes a light source configured to generate a virtual beam of light carrying information for a virtual object. The system also includes a light-guiding optics element that is transparent to the first real-world beam of light, wherein the virtual beam enters the light-guiding optics element, propagates through the light-guiding optics element via total internal reflection (TIR), and exits the light-guiding optics element. Additionally, the system includes a lens disposed near and outside the surface of the light-guiding optics element, wherein the lens is configured to absorb a portion of real-world light through a tint, such that a portion of the real-world light is transmitted through the light-guiding optics element.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the shading is gradient shading, which transmits less real-world light in the top portion of the world side of the lens and more real-world light in the bottom portion of the world side of the lens, wherein rainbow artifacts caused by unintentional diffraction of overhead real-world light by the light-guiding optics are minimized.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, gradient shading gradually transmits more real-world light from the top portion of the world side of the lens to the bottom portion of the world side. The first average transmission value (T) at the top edge of the lens... avg The value is 5%, and the second T in the middle part of the lens is 5%. avg It is 28%, and the third T at the bottom of the lens. avg At the bottom, the value remains at 33%, where the amount of real-world light transmitted through a lens with gradient shading is represented as T. avg Lenses provide protection for light-guiding optical components.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the lens further includes a diverter disposed adjacent to the lens, wherein the diverter is configured to modify the optical path of a second real-world beam at the surface of the lens, the second real-world beam emanating from an overhead position relative to the top of the world side.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the lens is configured with a deflector and gradient shading, wherein the combination of the deflector and gradient shading minimizes the rainbow effect caused by unintentional diffraction of a second real-world beam by the light-guiding optics.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the deflector is configured to reflect a second real-world beam of light.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the deflector is configured to refract or diffract a second real-world beam.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the lens further includes orientation marks, which are used during assembly to mount the lens onto the eyeglass frame. The orientation marks include special ink that makes them visible under special lighting during assembly, but invisible to the user during normal use.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the special ink is infrared ink.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the special ink is a UV ink.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the special ink is not removed after the lens is initially assembled onto the eyeglass frame, wherein the lens is reused and reassembled after maintenance of the lens or eyeglass frame is completed.

[0021] In another embodiment, the augmented reality system includes a lens having a flat peripheral surface substantially perpendicular to the frame. The system also includes a frame with a flat surface for mounting the flat peripheral surface to the flat surface of the frame, and the lens provides protection for the optical elements of the augmented reality system.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the lens is made of Trivex. The center thickness of the lens is 1.2 mm + / - 0.2 mm. The radius of curvature of the lens is 86.8 mm + / - 0.9 mm. The lens includes at least one of a gradient tinting coating, a hard coating, a specular coating, an anti-fouling coating, and / or an anti-reflective coating.

[0023] In yet another embodiment, the augmented reality system includes a light source for generating a virtual beam of light carrying information for a virtual object. The system also includes a light-guiding optics element that allows a first portion of a first real-world beam of light to pass through it, wherein the virtual beam enters the light-guiding optics element, propagates through the light-guiding optics element by substantially total internal reflection (TIR), and exits from the light-guiding optics element. The system further includes a lens disposed near and outside the surface of the light-guiding optics element, the lens including a light modulation mechanism to attenuate a second portion of the real-world beam of light and allow the first portion of the real-world light to pass through the lens.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the optical modulation mechanism includes a liquid crystal layer, a first electrode and a second electrode disposed near the liquid crystal layer and on opposite sides of the liquid crystal layer, a first compensation film and a second compensation film disposed near and outside the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively, and a first polarizer and a second polarizer disposed near and outside the first compensation film and the second compensation film, respectively. The first polarizer and the second polarizer may each include a plurality of regions configured to apply different degrees of polarization to light passing through them. The liquid crystal layer may be configured to apply a delay or polarization rotation degree to light passing through it in response to a voltage applied by the first electrode and the second electrode. The degree of polarization applied by the liquid crystal layer may be proportional to the voltage applied by the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, a first electrode and a second electrode are configured to apply a voltage varying along the direction of the liquid crystal layer. The direction may be from the bottom to the top of the liquid crystal layer. The first electrode and the second electrode may be separated by an increasing distance along the direction of the liquid crystal layer. The first electrode may taper away from the second electrode such that this distance increases along the direction of the liquid crystal layer. The first electrode may include multiple segments, each adjacent pair of segments having a preceding segment that is positioned further away from the second electrode than subsequent segments in that direction. The thickness of the first electrode may decrease along this direction.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the first electrode includes a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment disposed along the direction, and the first segment and the third segment have a first and a third resistance that are lower than the second resistance of the second segment. The first segment and the third segment may include indium tin oxide. The second segment may include graphene. The system may also include a first voltage source and a second voltage source electrically coupled to the first segment and the third segment of the first electrode.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the first electrode includes a plurality of segments disposed along the direction and electrically isolated from each other by corresponding resistors. The system may also include a voltage source electrically coupled to the first segment of the plurality of segments at a distal end of the first electrode along the direction. The first electrode may have a flat shape, and the resistors may be disposed along the edges of the first electrode. The plurality of segments may be physically separated from each other by a plurality of electrically insulating members. Each of the resistors may be physically disposed between corresponding pairs of the plurality of segments.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, a head-mounted device includes: a frame configured to be worn around the head of a user of the head-mounted device; a controllable dimming component physically coupled to the frame in a certain way to be positioned between the user's eyes and the user's environment when the user wears the head-mounted device, wherein the controllable dimming component is configured to display an opacity level that varies from a first opacity level to a second opacity level based on a position on the controllable dimming component; and control circuitry electrically coupled to the controllable dimming component, wherein the control circuitry is configured to apply one or more electrical signals to the controllable dimming component to adjust one or both of the first opacity level and the second opacity level.

[0029] In some embodiments, the controllable dimming component is configured to (i) display the first opacity level at a first position on the controllable dimming component, and (ii) display an opacity level that varies according to the distance from the first position on the controllable dimming component.

[0030] In some of these embodiments, the controllable dimming component is configured to display a second opacity level at a second position on the controllable dimming component, the second position being different from the first position.

[0031] In some such implementations, the first position or the second position corresponds to a set of one or more points along at least a portion of the outer periphery of the controllable dimming component.

[0032] Furthermore, in some such embodiments, the first position corresponds to a position within the internal region of the controllable dimming component.

[0033] In these examples, the location within the inner region of the controllable dimming component corresponds to the center of the controllable dimming component.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first opacity level represents the global minimum opacity level, and the second opacity level represents the global maximum opacity level.

[0035] In some embodiments, the controllable dimming component is configured to display an opacity level that varies linearly, exponentially, or logarithmically depending on the position on the controllable dimming component.

[0036] In some embodiments, the controllable dimming component is configured such that the first opacity level and the second opacity level vary based on the voltage level of one or more electrical signals applied as input to the controllable dimming component.

[0037] In some embodiments, the controllable dimming component is configured such that the first opacity level and the second opacity level change at different rates as the voltage level changes.

[0038] In some embodiments, the controllable dimming assembly includes: a first polarizer and a second polarizer; a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly.

[0039] In some of these embodiments, the control circuit is electrically coupled to the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, and is configured to apply one or more electrical signals to the controllable dimming assembly to generate an electric field between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly.

[0040] Furthermore, in some such embodiments, one or both of the first polarizer and the second polarizer are configured to apply a spatially varied degree of polarization to the light passing through them.

[0041] In at least some of these embodiments, in order to generate an electric field between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, the controllable dimming assembly is configured to generate an electric field between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly that exhibits a spatially varying electric field strength level.

[0042] In some such embodiments, one or both of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly are configured such that one or more of their characteristics are spatially variable.

[0043] In some examples, the one or more properties include thickness, resistance, conductivity, orientation, location, composition, or a combination thereof.

[0044] In some implementations, the control circuitry includes one or more of a voltage divider network, conductors, a processor, and a power supply.

[0045] In some embodiments, the controllable dimming component is physically coupled to the frame in such a way that it is positioned between the user's eyes and the user's environment when the user wears the head-mounted device.

[0046] In some embodiments, the control circuitry is further configured to receive input from one or more data sources, and wherein one or more electrical signals are applied to the controllable dimming component to adjust one or both of the first opacity level and the second opacity level, the control circuitry being configured to apply one or more electrical signals to the controllable dimming component to adjust one or both of the first opacity level and the second opacity level based on the input received from the one or more data sources.

[0047] In some such implementations, the one or more data sources include one or more sensing devices, user interface components, display system components, network-accessible resources, or combinations thereof. Attached Figure Description

[0048] The accompanying drawings illustrate the design and practicality of various embodiments of the invention. It should be noted that the drawings are not drawn to scale, and throughout the drawings, elements with similar structures or functions are indicated by similar reference numerals. To better understand how the above and other advantages and objects of the various embodiments of the invention are obtained, a more detailed description of the invention, which has been briefly described above, will be given with reference to specific embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the invention and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. The invention will be described and explained with additional features and details using the drawings, wherein:

[0049] Figures 1 to 3 These are detailed diagrams of various augmented reality systems;

[0050] Figure 4 It is a diagram depicting the focal plane of an augmented reality system;

[0051] Figure 5 This is a detailed schematic diagram of the light-guiding optical components of an augmented reality system;

[0052] Figure 6 is a side view schematic diagram of the light-guiding optical element of the prior art of augmented reality systems;

[0053] Figure 7 This is a side view schematic diagram of a lens disposed near and outside a light-guiding optical element in an augmented reality system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0054] Figure 8 This is a front view of a gradient-tinted lens in an augmented reality system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0055] Figure 9 shows multiple views of a flat peripheral surface around the edge of a gradient-shading lens in an augmented reality system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0056] Figure 10 This is a front view of a gradient shading lens in an augmented reality system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0057] Figure 11 This is a schematic side view of a controllable dimming assembly that can form all or part of an external overlay lens for an augmented reality system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0058] Figures 12A to 12D Various dimming patterns according to some embodiments of this disclosure are shown;

[0059] Figures 13A to 13D This is a front view of various polarizers configured to generate dimming patterns according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0060] Figures 14A to 14C This is a schematic side view of an electrode assembly configured to generate a dimming pattern according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0061] Figure 15 This is a schematic perspective view of an electrode assembly configured to generate a dimming pattern according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0062] Figures 16A to 16D This is a front view of various electrode assemblies configured to generate dimming patterns according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0063] Figure 17A This is a schematic perspective view of an electrode assembly configured to generate a dimming pattern according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0064] Figure 17B Based on some embodiments of this disclosure Figure 17A The circuit diagram of the electrode assembly depicted in the diagram; and

[0065] Figures 18A to 18D This is a front view of various electrode assemblies configured to generate dimming patterns according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0066] Various embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for implementing optical systems in one or more embodiments. Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims.

[0067] Various embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples of the invention to enable those skilled in the art to practice it. It is important to note that the following drawings and embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Where certain elements of the invention can be partially or fully implemented using known components (or methods or processes), only those portions of the known components (or methods or processes) necessary for understanding the invention will be described, and detailed descriptions of other portions of these known components (or methods or processes) will be omitted so as not to obscure the invention. Furthermore, the various embodiments encompass current and future known equivalents of the components referred to herein by way of example.

[0068] The optical system can be implemented independently of the AR system, but many embodiments are described below with respect to the AR system for illustrative purposes only.

[0069] Overview of problems and solutions

[0070] An optical system for generating virtual images at various depths while allowing real-world light to pass through includes at least partially transparent light-guiding optics (e.g., a prism including diffractive optics). However, these light-guiding optics may inadvertently couple real-world light from real-world light sources. This inadvertently coupled real-world light can diffract within the light-guiding optics toward the user's eye. Out-coupled real-world light exits the light-guiding optics diffractedly, generating artifacts in the AR scene, such as "rainbow" images or artifacts appearing within the user's field of view and / or near virtual objects displayed by the light-guiding optics. Rainbow artifacts disrupt the effect of the AR scene with their incongruous imagery.

[0071] The following disclosure describes various embodiments of systems and methods for creating 3D perception using multi-plane focusing optics that address the problem by including an external overlay lens (“window”) on a light-guiding optics element. Specifically, the external window has gradient shading to reduce light entering the light-guiding optics element from above the user (e.g., sunlight, overhead light, etc.). For example, as an example, gradient shading allows light transmittance of 5% at the top of the lens and gradually allows higher transmittance (e.g., 33%) towards the bottom of the lens. The gradient-shaded external window is an important component that improves the solidity of virtual content by reducing the amount of ambient light entering the AR system and occludes / reduces rainbow artifacts by reducing the amount of overhead light that may unintentionally diffract within the AR system to generate “rainbow” artifacts displayed to the user. Gradient shading allows for a balance between blocking bright overhead light to minimize rainbow artifacts appearing near the virtual content and allowing sufficient ambient light (e.g., reflected light from real-world objects) to allow the user to still see and interact with the physical environment through the AR system.

[0072] The increased perceived reliability of virtual content due to a reduction in ambient light unintentionally coupled into and out of the light-guiding optics can be analogous to, for example, the room lighting in a movie theater and the light source behind the display screen in a movie theater environment. For instance, as the room lighting inside a movie theater is reduced, the image quality of the movie displayed on the screen appears enhanced. As another example, if a light source is unintentionally shone behind the display screen, the image quality of the movie displayed on the screen may appear significantly degraded. The decrease in image quality may be due to the light source behind the screen overshadowing the image of the movie being displayed on the screen. Similarly, when a user wears an augmented reality display system, reducing illumination from overhead real-world light sources is analogous to reducing lighting in a theater in terms of enhancing the virtual objects displayed to the user. Furthermore, a light source emitted from behind the display screen in a theater is analogous to an overhead light source unintentionally received and displayed by the augmented reality display system. If overhead light is minimized, the effect of rainbow artifacts is correspondingly reduced, while simultaneously enhancing the content reliability of the virtual objects displayed to the user.

[0073] An external lens with gradient shading reduces most of the light entering the light guide optics from above the user (e.g., sunlight, overhead light, etc.), thereby reducing the diffraction of unintentionally coupled light that diffracts within the LOE and produces rainbow artifacts. Gradient shading reduces more light at the top of the lens compared to the bottom, because bright ambient light typically originates from light sources that are usually located above the user in the augmented reality system. Typical examples of overhead light sources include sunlight, indoor ceiling lights, outdoor streetlights, etc. In other words, most light sources used to illuminate a room or physical environment typically originate from above the user. Thus, the external window of the light guide optics can substantially reduce real-world light from above the user to minimize unintentional incoordination of real-world light into the light guide optics and the associated rainbow artifacts. Simultaneously, the gradient shading allows more light to pass through to the middle portion (e.g., the field of view), and even more light to pass through at the bottom of the lens, allowing more ambient light from the physical environment to enter the augmented reality system for the user to interact with the physical environment and virtual objects displayed by the AR system.

[0074] The controllable gradient-shaded external lens disclosed in this paper allows AR systems to respond to changes in the intensity and direction of external light. When the external illumination intensity is relatively high and / or the external light originates from a high angle (relative to parallel to the optical axis), the AR system can increase the shading. Control over the shading intensity allows the AR system to reduce intrusive coupled light and corresponding artifacts, while minimizing the impact on external light transmission to improve the AR scene.

[0075] Explanatory Augmented Reality System

[0076] Before describing in detail embodiments of the external window of the light-guiding optics, this disclosure will now provide a brief description of an illustrative AR system.

[0077] One possible approach to implementing an AR system is to use multiple volumetric phase holograms, surface relief holograms, or light-guiding optics embedded with depth plane information to generate images that appear to originate from the corresponding depth plane. In other words, a diffraction pattern or diffraction optic (“DOE”) can be embedded within or imprinted on a light-guiding optic (“LOE”; e.g., a planar waveguide) such that, for example, collimated light (a beam having a generally planar wavefront) is substantially totally internally reflected along the LOE, intersecting the diffraction pattern at multiple locations and exiting towards the user's eye. The DOE is configured such that light emitted from the LOE through it is directed to appear to originate from a specific depth plane. The collimated light can be generated using an optical condenser lens (“condenser”).

[0078] For example, a first LOE can be configured to deliver collimated light to the eye that appears to originate from an optical infinity depth plane (0 diopter). Another LOE can be configured to deliver collimated light that appears to originate from a distance of 2 meters (1 / 2 diopter). Yet another LOE can be configured to deliver collimated light that appears to originate from a distance of 1 meter (1 diopter). By using stacked LOE components, it can be understood that multiple depth planes can be created, where each LOE is configured to display an image that appears to originate from a specific depth plane. It should be understood that stacking can include any number of LOEs. However, at least N stacked LOEs are required to generate N depth planes. Furthermore, N, 2N, or 3N stacked LOEs can be used to generate RGB color images at N depth planes.

[0079] To present 3D virtual content to a user, an augmented reality (AR) system projects images of the virtual content into the user's eyes so that they appear to originate from various depth planes in the Z direction (i.e., perpendicularly away from the user's eyes). In other words, the virtual content can vary not only in the X and Y directions (i.e., in 2D planes orthogonal to the user's central visual axis) but also in the Z direction, so that the user may perceive objects as very close or at infinity, or any distance in between. In other embodiments, a user can perceive multiple objects simultaneously on different depth planes. For example, a user might see a virtual dragon appear from infinity and run towards the user. Or, a user might simultaneously see a virtual bird 3 meters away and a virtual coffee cup about arm's length (approximately 1 meter) away.

[0080] Multi-plane focusing systems create variable depth perception by projecting an image onto some or all of a plurality of depth planes at corresponding fixed distances from the user's eye in the Z direction. Now refer to Figure 4 It should be understood that multi-plane focusing systems typically operate in a fixed depth plane 202 (e.g., Figure 4 The frame is displayed on six depth planes 202 as shown. While an AR system may include any number of depth planes 202, an exemplary multi-plane focusing system has six fixed depth planes 202 in the Z direction. When virtual content is generated on one or more of the six depth planes 202, 3D perception is created to allow the user to perceive one or more virtual objects at different distances from the user's eyes. Assuming the human eye is more sensitive to objects that are closer than those that appear farther away, depth planes 202 closer to the eye are generated, such as... Figure 4 As shown. In other embodiments, the depth planes 202 may be placed equidistant from each other.

[0081] Depth plane positions 202 are typically measured in diopters, a unit of optical power equal to the reciprocal of focal length measured in meters. For example, in one embodiment, depth plane 1 may be spaced 1 / 3 diopters apart, depth plane 2 may be spaced 0.3 diopters apart, depth plane 3 may be spaced 0.2 diopters apart, depth plane 4 may be spaced 0.15 diopters apart, depth plane 5 may be spaced 0.1 diopters apart, and depth plane 6 may represent infinity (i.e., 0 diopters apart). It should be understood that other embodiments may generate depth plane 202 at other distances / diopters. Thus, when virtual content is generated at strategically placed depth plane 202, the user can perceive three-dimensional virtual objects. For example, when displayed in depth plane 1, the user might perceive a first virtual object approaching them, while another virtual object appears at infinity in depth plane 6. Alternatively, virtual objects may first appear in depth plane 6, then in depth plane 5, and so on, until the virtual objects appear very close to the user. It should be understood that the above example has been significantly simplified for illustrative purposes. In another embodiment, all six depth planes can be focused on a specific focal length away from the user. For example, if the virtual content to be displayed is a coffee cup half a meter away from the user, all six depth planes can be generated at various cross-sections of the coffee cup, thereby providing the user with a highly granular 3D view of the coffee cup.

[0082] In one embodiment, the AR system can be used as a multi-plane focusing system. In other words, all six LOEs may be illuminated simultaneously, allowing images that appear to originate from six fixed depth planes to be generated rapidly and sequentially, with the light source quickly transmitting image information to LOE 1, then LOE 2, then LOE 3, and so on. For example, a portion of the desired image, including an image of the sky at optical infinity, can be injected at time 1, and LOE 190 (e.g., maintaining light collimation) can be utilized. Figure 4 The depth plane 6). Then, images of closer branches can be injected at time 2, and LOE 190 can be utilized, which is configured to create a depth plane that appears to originate from 10 meters away (e.g., depth plane 6). Figure 4 An image of the depth plane (5) can be generated; then the image of the pen can be injected at time 3, and a LOE 190 can be used, which is configured to create an image that appears to originate from the depth plane 1 meter away. This type of paradigm can be repeated in a fast temporal sequence (e.g., at a frequency of 360 Hz) so that the user's eyes and brain (e.g., the visual cortex) perceive the input as all parts of the same image.

[0083] AR systems require projecting images that appear to originate from various locations along the Z-axis (i.e., the depth plane) (i.e., via diverging or converging beams) to generate images for a 3D experience. As used in this application, the beam includes, but is not limited to, the directional projection of light energy (including visible and invisible light energy) radiated from a light source. Generating images that appear to originate from various depth planes conforms to the user's eye's convergence and accommodation of that image, minimizing or eliminating convergence-accommodation conflicts.

[0084] Figure 1 A basic optical system 100 for projecting an image onto a single depth plane is depicted. System 100 includes a light source 120 and a light optics element 190, the LOE 190 having diffractive optical elements (not shown) and an associated ingress coupling grating 192 (ICG). The diffractive optical elements can be of any type, including volumetric or surface relief. In one embodiment, the ICG 192 is an aluminized portion of the LOE 190 representing its reflection mode. In another embodiment, the ICG 192 is a transmission diffractive portion of the LOE 190. When system 100 is used, a light beam from the light source 120 enters the LOE 190 through the ICG 192 and propagates along the LOE 190 by substantially total internal reflection (“TIR”) to be displayed to the user's eye. It should be understood that, although in Figure 1 Only one beam is shown, but multiple beams can enter the LOE 190 from the same ICG 192 through a wide range of angles. Beams that are “entering” or “permitted” to enter the LOE include, but are not limited to, beams that interact with the LOE and thus propagate along the LOE via essentially a TIR. Figure 1 The system 100 depicted may include various light sources 120 (e.g., LEDs, OLEDs, lasers, and masked wide-area / broadband transmitters). In other embodiments, light from the light source 120 may be transmitted to the LOE 190 via an optical fiber cable (not shown).

[0085] Figure 2Another optical system 100' is depicted, comprising a light source 120, three light optics (LOEs) 190, and three corresponding ingress coupling gratings 192. The optical system 100' also includes three beam splitters or dichroic mirrors 162 (for directing light to the corresponding LOEs) and three LC shutters 164 (to control when the LOEs are illuminated). When system 100' is in use, the beam from the light source 120 is split into three sub-beams / sub-beams by the three-beam splitters 162. The three beam splitters also redirect the sub-beams to the corresponding ingress coupling gratings 192. After the sub-beams enter the LOEs 190 through the corresponding ingress coupling gratings 192, the sub-beams propagate along the LOEs 190 via essentially TIR, where they interact with other optical structures to be displayed to the user's eye. An opaque material (e.g., aluminum) may be coated on the surface of the ingress coupling gratings 192 on the far side of the optical path to prevent light from passing through the ingress coupling gratings 192 to the next LOE 190. In one embodiment, beam splitter 162 can be combined with wavelength filters to produce red, green, and blue sub-beams. In such an embodiment, three LOEs 190 are required to display a color image on a single depth plane. In another embodiment, each LOE 190 can present a portion of a larger single depth plane image area that is laterally and angularly shifted within the user's field of view, either as the same color or as a different color ("tile field of view").

[0086] Figure 3 Another optical system 100 is depicted, which has six beam splitters 162, six LC shutters 164, and six LOEs 190, each with a corresponding ICG 192. As described above, in Figure 2 The discussion indicated that three LOE 190 sensors were needed to display a color image on a single depth plane. Therefore, the six LOE 190 sensors in the 100” system are capable of displaying color images on two depth planes.

[0087] Figure 5 The LOE 190 is depicted with an ICG 192, an orthogonal pupil expander 194 (“OPE”), and an exit pupil expander 196 (“EPE”).

[0088] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, the number of LOE 190 and ICG 192 increases with the number of generated depth planes, field tiles, or colors (e.g., with improved AR scene quality). For example, a single RGB color depth plane requires at least three LOE 190s with three ICG 192s. Consequently, the chance of inadvertent coupling of real-world light to these optics also increases. Furthermore, real-world light can be inadvertently coupled along the LOE 190, including at the outgoing coupling grating (not shown). Therefore, the increased number of optics required to produce an acceptable AR scene exacerbates the problem of rainbow artifacts from inadvertently coupled real-world light.

[0089] pupil expander

[0090] The LOE 190 discussed above can also be used as an outgoing pupil expander 196 (“EPE”) to increase the numerical aperture of the light source 120, thereby improving the resolution of the system 100. Since the light source 120 produces light with a small diameter / spot size, the EPE 196 expands the apparent size of the pupil of the light emitted from the LOE 190 to increase system resolution. In other embodiments of the AR system 100, the system may also include an orthogonal pupil expander 194 (“OPE”) in addition to the EPE 196 to expand the light in the X and Y directions. Further details regarding the EPE 196 and OPE 194 are described in U.S. Utility Model Patent Application Serial Nos. 14 / 555,585 and 14 / 726,424, which have been previously incorporated herein by reference.

[0091] Figure 5 LOE 190 is depicted with ICG 192, OPE 194 and EPE 196. Figure 5 LOE190 is depicted from a top-down view, which resembles the view from the user's eye. ICG 192, OPE 194, and EPE 196 can be any type of DOE, including volumetric relief or surface relief.

[0092] ICG 192 is a DOE (e.g., a linear grating) configured to allow light from light source 120 to propagate through a TIR. Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the light source 120 is disposed on one side of LOE 190.

[0093] OPE 194 is a DOE (e.g., a linear grating) tilted in a lateral plane (i.e., perpendicular to the optical path) such that a beam propagating through system 100 will be laterally deflected by 90 degrees. OPE 194 is also partially transparent and partially reflective along the optical path, so that the beam partially passes through OPE 194 to form multiple (e.g., 11) sub-beams. In one embodiment, the optical path is along the X-axis, and OPE 194 is configured to bend the sub-beams to the Y-axis.

[0094] EPE 196 is a DOE (e.g., a linear grating) tilted in the axial plane (i.e., parallel to the optical path or the Y direction), such that sub-beams propagating through system 100 are axially deflected by 90 degrees. EPE 196 is also partially transparent and partially reflective along the optical path (Y-axis), such that sub-beams partially pass through EPE 196 to form multiple (e.g., 7) sub-beams. EPE 196 is also tilted in the Z-direction, such that portions of the propagating sub-beams face the user's eye.

[0095] OPE 194 and EPE 196 are also at least partially transparent along the Z-axis to allow real-world light (e.g., reflected back by real-world objects) to pass through OPE 194 and EPE 196 in the Z-direction and reach the user's eye. In some embodiments, ICG 192 is at least partially transparent along the Z-axis, and also at least partially transparent along the Z-axis to allow real-world light to enter. However, when ICG 192, OPE 194, or EPE 196 is a transmission diffraction portion of LOE 190, they may inadvertently couple real-world light into LOE 190. As described above, such inadvertently coupled real-world light may out-couple into the user's eye, creating a rainbow artifact.

[0096] Rainbow artifact problem

[0097] Figure 6 is a side view of a prior art AR system 100 with LOE 190. LOE 190 and Figure 5 Similar to the example shown, but Figure 6 only shows ICG 192 and EPE 196; OPE 194 is omitted in Figure 6 for clarity. Several exemplary beams from various sources are shown to demonstrate the aforementioned rainbow artifact problem. A virtual beam 302 generated by light source 120 is coupled into LOE 190 via ICG 192. The virtual beam 302 carries information about a virtual object 338 (e.g., a virtual robot) generated by AR system 100.

[0098] Virtual beam 302 propagates via TIR through LOE 190 and partially exits each time it is incident on EPE 196. In Figure 6, virtual beam 302 is incident at two locations on EPE 196. The exiting virtual photon beam 302' is aligned with the user's eye 304 at an angle determined by AR system 100. The virtual photon beams 302' depicted in Figure 6 are substantially parallel to each other. Therefore, virtual photon beam 302' will render an image that appears to originate from near infinity (e.g., a virtual object 338 of a virtual robot). Virtual photon beams 302' can be aligned with the user's eye 304 at a wide range of angles relative to each other to render an image that appears to originate from a larger range of distances from the user's eye.

[0099] LOE 190 is also transparent to real-world light beams 306, such as those reflected back by real-world objects 308 (e.g., distant trees). Because the tree 308 depicted in Figure 6 is far from the user's eye 304, the real-world light beams 302 are essentially parallel to each other. Real-world light beams 306 pass through LOE 190 because LOE 190 is transparent to light. Real-world objects 308 that are closer to the user's eye 302 will diverge from each other but will still essentially pass through LOE 190.

[0100] The problem is that the prior art LOE 190 also couples (through refraction) an overhead real-world beam 312a (e.g., an overhead light source, such as sunlight, a ceiling light, a street light, etc.) from above the user, which addresses LOE 190 at the top of LOE 190. The top of LOE 190 corresponds to the top of the world side, such as the top of a headset when it is worn as designed and the user is standing or sitting upright. For example, the overhead real-world light source 314 (e.g., the sun) above the user shown in Figure 6 is located at the top of LOE 190. Although the sun 314 is described as being to the right of LOE 190, the sun 314 can and typically is located higher in the sky above LOE 190. Since sunlight from the sun is typically above the user, it enters the headset from the top of the world side. In contrast, most of the light beams from physical objects in the user's physical environment enter the headset more within the headset's field of view (assuming the user is looking at a physical object), rather than from the top of the world side of the headset through which the overhead light source passes.

[0101] The sun 314 is an overhead real-world light source 314, and because it is also bright, it can produce a rainbow artifact 316a. Other objects 314 that can produce a rainbow artifact 316a include overhead light sources (e.g., ceiling lights, streetlights, etc.) that happen to be incident on the LOE 190 from above the user. The brightness of the overhead real-world light source may cause diffraction within the LOE 190, thus generating a rainbow artifact near the virtual object 338 generated by the light source 302. Diffraction is the process of breaking down light waves into dark and bright bands or into spectral colors. Here is an example of diffraction: light passing through a narrow opening in a blind causes bright and dark shadows and patterns to fall on the floor.

[0102] As shown in Figure 6, the overhead real-world beam 312a can be incidentally coupled into the LOE 190 at the outer surface 310 of the LOE 190. Due to the refractive index of the material used to manufacture the LOE 190, the incidentally coupled overhead real-world beam 312a' alters the trajectory of the overhead real-world beam 312a. Finally, when the incidentally coupled overhead real-world beam 312a' strikes the EPE 196, it leaves the LOE 190 with a further altered trajectory as the outgoing overhead real-world beam 312a”. As shown in Figure 6, the outgoing overhead real-world beam 312a” renders a rainbow image / artifact 316a in the field of view near the virtual object 338. In Figure 6, the rainbow image / artifact 316a appears to originate from a location near the virtual object 338. The juxtaposition of the virtual object 338 with the unexpected rainbow image / artifact 316a can disrupt the intended effect of the AR scene.

[0103] Because AR systems 100 require a certain degree of transparency to the real-world beam 306, their LOE 190 exhibits the problem of unintentional ingress coupling of the overhead real-world beam 312a, and the resulting rainbow artifacts that occur when the ingressed overhead real-world beam 312a leaves the LOE 190. Although single beams and sub-beams are depicted in Figure 6, it should be understood that this is for clarity. Each single beam or sub-beam depicted in Figure 6 represents multiple beams or sub-beams carrying relevant information and having similar trajectories. While the embodiments described herein are about reducing rainbow artifacts, these embodiments can also reduce other optical artifacts caused by unintentional ingress coupling of external light.

[0104] External cover lens for light guide optical elements

[0105] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the edge of a lens disposed near and outside a light-guiding optics element in an augmented reality system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. LOE 190 has ICG 192, OPE (not shown), EPE 196, and lens 350. Lens 350 is disposed near and outside a surface 310 of LOE 190. Lens 350 may be configured to include shading to absorb real-world light via shading, thereby reducing the amount of real-world light transmitted through the shading lens to transmit through the lighting light-guiding optics element (e.g., LOE 190). The shading lens may also be configured as a gradient-shading lens to absorb more real-world light at the top of the world-side of the lens (e.g., reduce more light / transmit less light) to minimize “rainbow” artifacts produced by bright overhead light sources and to absorb less real-world light at the bottom of the world-side of the lens (e.g., reduce less light / transmit more light) to allow sufficient light to transmit through LOE 190. The amount of real-world light transmitted through the gradient lens can be expressed as the transmission average (“T”). avg ”), so that 5% of the light transmitted through the lens is represented as T. avg =5%, 33% of the light transmitted through the lens is expressed as T. avg =33%.

[0106] For example, in Figure 7 In the image, the sun 314 is positioned above / above the user's head in the augmented reality system. A real-world overhead light source 314 (e.g., the sun) emits a real-world beam 312b overhead. When the real-world beam overhead is above a gradient-shading lens (e.g., as shown in the image), the real-world beam is positioned above the user's head. Figure 7 As the real-world beam 312b (shown on the right) enters lens 350, most of the overhead real-world beam 312b is absorbed within the shading of lens 350, causing a reduced portion of the real-world beam 312b' (shown as dashed) to transmit through lens 350 to the transparent LOE 190. For example, if the top of lens 350 has a gradient shading at a 5% T... avg In this case, only 5% of the overhead real-world beam 312b (e.g., reduced real-world beam 312b') is transmitted through lens 350 to transmit through LOE 190.

[0107] When the reduced real-world beam 312b' leaves LOE 190, it can still be diffracted by elements within LOE 190, allowing the diffracted beam 312b" to enter the user's eye 304, thereby reducing the rainbow artifact 316b perceived by the user in the AR system. Note that the rainbow artifact 316a in Figure 6 appears smaller than... Figure 7 The reduced rainbow artifact 316b in Figure 6 is noticeably brighter because, in Figure 6, the overhead real-world beam 312a enters LOE 190 at its full intensity (e.g., without...). Figure 7 The lens 350 shown has a gradient coloring that absorbs a portion of the light 312b, or any coloring for absorbing any portion of overhead light. At full intensity, the diffraction of the beam 312a” to the eye is much stronger and brighter, thus providing a more... Figure 7 The reduced rainbow artifact 316b is perceived by users as a brighter rainbow effect than the rainbow artifact 316a. Figure 7 Compared to Figure 6, the rainbow effect is minimized. Since the intensity of the reduced real-world beam 312b' is less than that of the real-world beam 312a', the reduced intensity and brightness of the real-world beam 312b' produce a rainbow artifact 316b with lower brightness and intensity.

[0108] As mentioned above, there is a balance between how much light should be allowed through the lens 350 to maintain sufficient illumination of the user's physical environment for the augmented realism of the virtual content and how much light should be blocked by the lens 350 to minimize rainbow artifacts.

[0109] Figure 8 This is a front view of a gradient-shaded lens in an AR system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Note that... Figure 8 The dashed line depicted is merely an imaginary line with uniform / fixed shading across the y-axis of the lens. Lens 350 has variable shading, such that the variation in shading is a function of geometry. The shading at any given location is fixed relative to the y-axis of lens 350. The percentage of transmission of the shading (e.g., T) avg Transparency can be determined by: balancing the user's perception of the opacity of the virtual content (e.g., opacity improves with less external light transmission), reducing rainbow artifacts (e.g., improves with less external light transmission), and allowing sufficient external light transmission for the user to clearly see / interact with the real world (improves with more external light transmission). Transparency is measured at various points on the EPE (e.g., T). avg )like Figure 8 As shown, specifications are defined at each point. In some embodiments, the "optimal point" transmission percentage gradient (e.g., Figure 8 (As shown) it provides essentially rainbow-free content with acceptable opacity, while allowing users to see enough world light to interact with physical objects that the user sees through a real-world AR system.

[0110] As described above, gradient shading controls (a) the ambient light effect of rainbow artifacts through the lens assembly, and (b) the brightness that overwhelms or enhances the perception of virtual content. Lens 350 has various T values ​​relative to the lens's y-axis. avg Value. For example... Figure 8As shown, in some embodiments, a gradient-colored lens may include a top edge 810 of the lens, wherein the shading at the top edge 810 may have, for example, 5% T. avg For example, at a position of 820° relative to the y-axis of the lens, the shading can have 18% T. avg The gradient-colored region of lens 350 (e.g., between top edge 810 and position 820) may be referred to herein as the top of the gradient-colored lens.

[0111] For example, at a position of 830° relative to the y-axis of the lens, the shading can have a T of 28%. avg Its absorption enters positions 830 and 840 (33% of T). avg Less light in areas such as (e.g.) Figure 8 As shown, gradient shading can be applied at position 840 with a 33% TL. avg This concludes the discussion, so that the region of lens 350 between position 840 and the bottom edge 850 of the lens may be referred to herein as the bottom of the gradient-colored lens. In other embodiments, based on additional optimization tests, T avg The positions can be different (e.g., 820, 830, and 840).

[0112] The gradient is a neutral density that ensures light of every wavelength is absorbed equally, making the external light transmitted through the window neutral to the user in terms of temperature and hue; the gradient is true grayscale. In some embodiments, T avg It increases gradually in a linear manner, starting from T at the top edge of 810. avg 5% to T at position 840 of lens 350. avg The value is 33%. Those skilled in the art will understand that the T values ​​at each y-axis of the lens disclosed in this disclosure are... avg The actual value of s is merely an exemplary configuration to strike a balance between controlling the ambient light effect of the rainbow artifact and the perceived brightness that overwhelms the virtual content.

[0113] Refer again Figure 7 In some embodiments, the augmented reality system may also include a selectively reflective coating 320 (e.g., a diverter) to reflect overhead light sources inadvertently coupled to the LOE 190. The selectively reflective coating may be angle-selective, such that the coated optics are substantially transparent to real-world light with a low angle of incidence (“AOI”; e.g., nearly 90 degrees to the surface of the optics). Simultaneously, the coating makes the coated optics highly reflective to tilted real-world light with a high AOI (e.g., nearly parallel to the surface of the optics; approximately 170 degrees).

[0114] The combination of a gradient-shaded lens and a selective reflective coating 320 can significantly reduce rainbow artifacts caused by, for example, overhead lighting (such as sunlight and / or ceiling lighting). Because sunlight and / or ceiling light can be incident on the reflective coating 320 at a relatively high AOI, beam 312b can be reflected as shown by reflected beam 313, further reducing the amount of overhead light entering the LOE 190. The selective reflective coating 320 can be configured to be disposed on the outer surface 310 of the LOE 190. The selective reflective coating 320 can be configured to reflect light with various characteristics depending on how the coating 320 is "tuned". In one embodiment, the coating is tuned to selectively reflect light incident on the coating 320 at a relatively high AOI while allowing light incident on the coating 320 at a relatively low AOI to pass through the coating. The coating 320 is also tuned to allow relatively low AOI light to pass through without significantly altering its trajectory angle. Further details regarding coating 320 (e.g., a steering gear) are described in U.S. Utility Model Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 479,700, which has been previously incorporated herein by reference.

[0115] Alternatively or additionally, a reflective coating 320 (e.g., a deflector) such as that described in U.S. Utility Model Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 479,700 may be incorporated into the coating of lens 350 to reflect overhead light and thereby further reduce the amount of overhead light that may be transmitted through lens 350 to transmit through LOE 190.

[0116] Although in Figure 6 and Figure 7 The diagram depicts a single beam and sub-beams, but it should be understood that this is for clarity. Figure 6 and Figure 7 Each individual beam or sub-beam depicted in the diagram represents multiple beams or sub-beams carrying relevant information and having similar trajectories.

[0117] While a gradient-shaded lens 350 can reduce the field of view by decreasing real-world overhead lighting, the benefits of reducing or minimizing rainbow artifacts may outweigh the cost of reducing user field-of-view illumination. Furthermore, the gradient shading of lens 350 can be adjusted to reduce rainbow artifacts while maintaining an acceptable field of view. In fact, as mentioned above, reducing overhead lighting improves the reliability of the content displayed within the field of view for virtual objects.

[0118] While the embodiments described herein include gradient-colored lenses, those skilled in the art will understand that gradient-colored lenses may include a lens 350 having a gradient-colored coating applied to the surface of the lens 350. In some embodiments, an optical coating may be applied to the surface of the lens, the optical coating including a gradient-colored coating, an anti-reflective coating, a hard coating, a specular coating, an anti-fouling coating, and / or directional markings. Orientation markings provide markings for aligning gradients during assembly. In some embodiments, the gradient-colored lens is elliptical, not circular. Those skilled in the art will understand that the shape of the gradient-colored lens may be other than elliptical or circular, and the shape of the lens may be a function of use cases that address certain problems. Orientation markings are further disclosed below.

[0119] In some embodiments, gradient shading may be a gradient film attached to a protective lens. In some embodiments, gradient shading may be fabricated directly into the lens itself. In some embodiments, gradient shading may be applied to surface 310 of the LOE 190, allowing the outer lens to function as a protective structure rather than a light-absorbing structure.

[0120] In some embodiments, blocking the transmission of external overhead light can be accomplished by a combination of absorbing some external light (gradient shading) and reflecting some external light (e.g., a deflector such as a reflective and / or specular coating).

[0121] In some embodiments, the lens material may be, for example, Trivex material with a thickness of approximately 1 mm, which can (a) withstand a drop specification; (b) impose minimal distortion / optical power (ideally zero) on external light transmitted through the external window; and (c) have a refractive index of 1.58, approximately the same as that of the waveguide glass. In other embodiments, the lens material may be, for example, polycarbonate. In other embodiments, the lens material may be, for example, plastic and / or glass.

[0122] In some embodiments, lens 350 is geomodulated relative to the eyebox rather than EPE 196. The eyebox can be a means of providing a particular way of viewing or observing. The eyebox can be a space of a certain volume in which an effectively viewable image, representing a combination of exit pupil size and eye relief distance, can be formed by a lens system or visual display (e.g., an augmented reality system).

[0123] Figure 9 illustrates multiple views of a flat peripheral surface surrounding the edge of a lens 350 of an augmented reality system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The lens 350 may include an outward-facing surface 910, an inward-facing surface 920, a first flat peripheral surface 930 having a flat surface width 950, and a second flat peripheral surface 940 having a flat surface height 960. The first flat peripheral surface 930 and the second flat peripheral surface 940 are configured to surround the edge of the gradient lens to allow interfacing and / or sealing with a base, eyeglass frame, and / or AR headset, hereinafter collectively referred to as the "base".

[0124] Conventional lens designs typically include curved or rounded peripheral surfaces to facilitate simple snap-on / snap-off configurations and assembly of the lens to its corresponding base. However, this disclosure includes flat peripheral surfaces 930 and 940 surrounding the edge of lens 350 to facilitate engagement and / or sealing with the base. For example, some embodiments may rely on the flat peripheral surfaces of the lens because lens 350 is a protective overlay lens positioned near and outside the surface of the light-guiding optics to protect the light-guiding optics from physical contact with external objects in the user's physical environment. A lens with rounded edges that could potentially pop out of the base upon contact with external objects in the user's physical environment may not achieve the purpose of protecting the light-guiding optics. Therefore, in some embodiments, lens 350 may include flat peripheral surfaces to allow engagement / sealing with the base.

[0125] The measurements of the flat surface width 950 and flat surface height 960 may depend on the flat surface area of ​​the base used for attachment. In some embodiments, the flat surface area of ​​the base may depend on the width 950 and flat surface height 960 of the flat surface, because the measurement of the flat peripheral surfaces (e.g., 950 and 960) may depend on the thickness of the lens 350, the curvature of the lens 350, or a combination thereof.

[0126] In some embodiments, the shape of lens 350 may include a flat portion around an edge, on which an adhesive is applied during assembly of the external window (e.g., lens 350) to the magnesium base / frame. Sunglasses lenses typically include a chamfered bevel that allows the lens to snap into the base / frame, where the base / frame may have some degree of elasticity. However, in some embodiments including a magnesium base / frame, such elasticity is lacking. Therefore, the lens must be glued on.

[0127] In some embodiments, lens 350 may include at least one or more coatings, such as a gradient-colored coating, a hard coating, a specular coating, an anti-fouling coating, and / or an anti-reflective coating. Lens 350 may have a center thickness of 1.20 + / - 0.2 mm. Lens 350 may have a radius of curvature of 86.8 + / - 0.9 mm.

[0128] Figure 10 This is a front view of a lens 350 in an augmented reality system according to some embodiments of this disclosure. The size and shape (e.g., elliptical, circular, square, etc.) of the external lens / window (e.g., lens 350) may be non-uniform. Lens 350 has gradient shading and is not a perfect circle. Alignment / orientation marks 1010 can be used during assembly to ensure the lens is correctly oriented in its base. Figure 10 As shown, the orientation marks can be placed in the east, north, and west positions relative to lens 350. In conventional embodiments, after the lens is assembled to its base, the ink used for the alignment marks 1010 is wiped off so that the orientation marks are not visible to the user. Because the alignment / orientation marks 1010 are removed, the external window (e.g., lens 350) cannot be reattached to its base, for example, once the alignment / orientation marks 1010 have been removed from the base for maintenance of the AR system.

[0129] In some embodiments, a special type of ink may be used as an alignment / orientation mark 1010. This special type of ink is visible under certain types of light in a factory or repair facility. However, the user will not see this special type of ink during normal use of the AR system. After the lens is initially assembled into the eyeglass frame, the special type of ink may be left on the outer lens so that it can be reused and reassembled after maintenance work on the lens or eyeglass frame is completed. In some embodiments, the special type of ink may be infrared (IR) ink or ultraviolet (UV) fluorescent ink. In some embodiments, the marking material and / or marking process may be, for example, by... Development.

[0130] Controllable external overlay lens system

[0131] Figure 11 Controllable dimming components according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown, which can form all or part of an external overlay lens of a system (e.g., an augmented reality system). More specifically, Figure 11A controllable dimming assembly is depicted, comprising a liquid crystal layer 1108 sandwiched between an external electrode 1106A and an internal electrode 1106B, the liquid crystal layer 1108 being further sandwiched between an external polarizer 1102A and an internal polarizer 1102B. In some examples, the controllable dimming assembly may further include an external compensation film layer 1104A (or waveplate) located between the external polarizer 1102A and the external electrode 1106A, an internal compensation film layer 1104B (or waveplate) located between the internal polarizer 1102B and the internal electrode 1106B, or both.

[0132] In operation, the external polarizer 1102A can apply a first polarization state (e.g., vertical polarization) to ambient light propagating toward the user's eye. Next, liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal layer 1108 can further rotate / polarize the polarized ambient light based on one or more electric fields applied between the external electrode 1106A and the internal electrode 1106B. Therefore, the polarization rotation applied by the pair of electrodes 1106A, 1106B and the liquid crystal layer 1108 can be used to effectively change the polarization state of the ambient light passing through it. In some examples, delayed and / or additional polarization rotation can be applied by external and / or internal compensation layers 1104A, 1104B. Finally, the internal polarizer 1102B can apply a different second polarization state (e.g., horizontal polarization) to the ambient light propagating toward the user's eye. The second polarization state can be configured to be nearly orthogonal to the cumulative polarization state applied to the ambient light by the combined effect of the external polarizer 1102A, the liquid crystal layer 1108, and optionally the external compensation layer 1104A and / or the internal compensation layer 1104B. Therefore, the internal polarizer 1102B allows a portion of ambient light in the second polarization state to pass through it unaffected, and attenuates a portion of ambient light in a polarization state different from the second polarization state.

[0133] In some implementation schemes, Figure 11 The controllable dimming component can be configured in a manner similar to lens 350 (see...) Figure 7 It generates gradients or other non-uniform coloring / dimming patterns to attenuate ambient light incident upon it. Figure 11 The controllable dimming component can be configured to generate a gradient when one or more electric fields / voltages are applied to the external electrode 1106A and the internal electrode 1106B. An example of this pattern is shown in... Figure 12A-12D As shown in the image. Additionally... Figure 11The system to which the controllable dimming component belongs can adjust the overall opacity of this spatially varying dimming pattern over time based on any of a variety of different factors. In some examples, the controllable dimming component can be configured to attenuate ambient light passing through it according to a gradient tinting / dimming pattern by at least one of its components (e.g., external polarizer 1102A, internal polarizer 1102B, external compensation film layer 1104A, internal compensation film layer 1104B, external electrode 1106A, internal electrode 1106B, circuitry electrically coupled to external electrode 1106A and / or internal electrode 1106B, substrate material disposed adjacent to liquid crystal layer 1108, external electrode 1106A and / or internal electrode 1106B, etc.), at least one component being configured to apply a polarization state that varies based on the position and / or angle at which ambient light is incident on such component.

[0134] As described in further detail below, one or both of the external polarizer 1102A and the internal polarizer 1102B can be configured to polarize ambient light passing through them in a spatially varied or otherwise non-uniform manner. For example, the external polarizer 1102A can be configured to apply a specific polarization state to ambient light incident on one of its portions / sections, while applying other different polarization states to ambient light incident on other portions / sections.

[0135] Additionally, in some embodiments where the controllable dimming assembly includes at least one compensation layer (e.g., one or both of an external compensation layer 1104A and an internal compensation layer 1104B), such compensation layers 1104A, 1104B can be configured to polarize / rotate / delay ambient light passing through them in a manner that varies according to the position and / or angle of the ambient light incident on the compensation layers 1104A, 1104B. In some embodiments, compensation layers 1104A, 1104B can be configured to interact with light incident thereon in a manner similar to that of coating 320, as referenced above. Figure 7 As described and as described in more detail in U.S. Utility Model Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 479,700, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. For example, the external compensation film layer 1104A may be configured to polarize / rotate / delay ambient light incident on a portion thereof by a specific amount, but to polarize / rotate / delay ambient light incident on another portion thereof by a different amount. In another example, the external compensation film layer 1104A may be configured to polarize / rotate / delay ambient light incident on its surface at a specific angle by a specific amount, but to polarize / rotate / delay ambient light incident on said surface at other angles by a different amount.

[0136] Furthermore, in some examples, one or more of the external electrode 1106A and the internal electrode 1106B may be configured to generate a spatially varied or other non-uniform electric field therebetween, which in turn may produce liquid crystal phase inhomogeneities in the liquid crystal layer 1108, causing the liquid crystal layer 1108 to polarize / rotate / delay ambient light passing through it in the aforementioned spatially varied or other non-uniform manner. For example, the external electrode 1106A may be configured to generate a relatively strong electric field at one end, but a relatively weak electric field at a different end. One end and the other end may be opposite ends along a direction on the external electrode 1106A. This direction may correspond to from the bottom to the top of the liquid crystal layer 1108. In various embodiments, the liquid crystal layer 1108 may employ liquid crystal technology, such as dye-doped or guest-host liquid crystals, twisted nematic (TN) or vertically aligned (VA) liquid crystals, or ferroelectric liquid crystals. In some embodiments, the liquid crystal layer 1108 may employ electrically controlled birefringence (ECB) technology, such as ECB cells.

[0137] Very similar to the reference above Figure 8-10 In some embodiments, the aforementioned external cover lens... Figure 11 The geometry of the controllable dimming component may have one or more circular or curved edges and / or surfaces. In some embodiments, Figure 11 The geometry of the controllable dimming component can be shaped to follow the contour of the frame to which the controllable dimming component is physically coupled. In some of these embodiments, the frame can be configured to be worn around the user's head. Thus, in some embodiments, a pair of controllable dimming components can be physically coupled to the frame, with each component positioned in front of / aligned with the user's eyes in a manner similar to a pair of eyepieces. In other embodiments, a single, relatively wide controllable dimming component can be physically coupled to the frame such that, when the user wears the frame, the controllable dimming component is positioned in front of the user's eyes in a manner similar to a visor, face mask, or shield.

[0138] Figures 12A to 12D Exemplary dimming patterns according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 12A A radial gradient dimming pattern G1 is shown, where the opacity / transparency varies according to the Euclidean distance from the corresponding point P1. More specifically, the radial gradient dimming pattern G1 exhibits little or no opacity at point P1, or exhibits an increasing amount of opacity with increasing Euclidean distance from point P1. Figure 12A As shown, point P1 can represent a point in the radial gradient dimming pattern G1 where the global minimum opacity level is displayed. Furthermore, it can be deduced that the point in the radial gradient dimming pattern G1 farthest from point P1 can represent the point in the dimming pattern G1 where the global maximum opacity level is displayed. Figure 12BA radial gradient dimming pattern G2 is shown, where the opacity / transparency varies according to the Euclidean distance from the corresponding point P2. (See diagram.) Figure 12B As shown, the radial gradient dimming pattern G2 exhibits a high level of opacity at point P2, and the opacity decreases with increasing Euclidean distance from point P2. Figure 12B As shown, point P2 can represent a point in the radial gradient dimming pattern G2, which displays the global maximum opacity level, while the point in the radial gradient dimming pattern G2 that is farthest from point P2 can represent a point in the dimming pattern G2, which displays the global minimum opacity level. Figure 12C A linear gradient dimming pattern G3 is shown, in which the opacity / transparency varies linearly from one end to the other in a manner similar to the gradient shading pattern of lens 350. Much like dimming patterns G1 and G2, a set of one or more points at one end of the linear gradient dimming pattern G3 can represent points exhibiting the globally minimum opacity level in the dimming pattern G3, while a set of one or more points at the other end of the linear gradient dimming pattern G3 can represent points exhibiting the globally maximum opacity level in the dimming pattern G3. Figure 12D A radial gradient dimming pattern G4 is shown, where the opacity / transparency varies according to the Euclidean distance from its center. (See diagram.) Figure 12D As shown, the radial gradient dimming pattern G4 exhibits little or no opacity at its center, and shows an increasing amount of opacity with increasing Euclidean distance from the center. Similar to dimming patterns G1-G3, one or more points at the center of the radial gradient dimming pattern G4 can represent points in the dimming pattern G4 that exhibit the global minimum opacity level, while multiple points along the outer periphery of the dimming pattern G4 can represent points in the dimming pattern G4 that exhibit the global maximum opacity level.

[0139] In some implementations, the change in opacity relative to the position of one or more points displaying a global minimum or maximum opacity level within a given dimming pattern can be linear, exponential, logarithmic, or essentially polynomial. Furthermore, in some examples, all gradient vectors associated with a given dimming pattern may have the same magnitude and direction. In some embodiments, such as those employing radial gradient dimming patterns, the gradient vectors associated with a given dimming pattern may not all have the same direction. In some implementations, Figure 11The system to which the controllable dimming component belongs can adjust the global opacity level of the dimming pattern over time by adjusting one or both of the global minimum and maximum opacity levels. As mentioned above, in some examples, the global opacity level can be adjusted based on any of a number of different factors, some of which are described in further detail below.

[0140] Figures 13A to 13D Exemplary polarizers configured to generate dimming patterns according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. In some embodiments, Figures 13A to 13D One or more exemplary polarizers can be similar to those in the above reference. Figure 11 The external polarizer 1102A and / or the internal polarizer 1102B are implemented using a controllable dimming assembly. In some examples, Figures 13A-13D Each exemplary polarizer shown may include one or more linear grid polarizer components. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, Figures 13A-13D Each exemplary polarizer shown may include multiple thin-film micropolarizer components. Furthermore, Figures 13A-13D Each exemplary polarizer shown may include multiple distinct polarizer regions / parts R1-R4, each configured to impose a different polarization state on ambient light propagating through it. For example, ambient light propagating through a different polarizer region / part R1 of a given exemplary polarizer of a controllable dimming system may subsequently experience almost no attenuation, while ambient light propagating through a different polarizer region / part R4 of such an exemplary polarizer may subsequently experience a relatively large amount of attenuation (e.g., 10 degrees or 45 degrees). In this example, ambient light passing through a different polarizer region / part R2 may be attenuated to a greater extent than ambient light passing through a different polarizer region / part R1 but less than ambient light passing through a different polarizer region / part R4. Therefore, in this example, ambient light passing through a different polarizer region / part R3 may be attenuated to a greater extent than ambient light passing through a different polarizer region / part R2 but less than ambient light passing through a different polarizer region / part R4.

[0141] Figure 13A An exemplary polarizer 1102-G1 of a controllable dimming system is shown, which is configured to cause the controllable dimming component to adjust according to the polarizer's polarizer configuration. Figure 12A The radial gradient dimming pattern G1 attenuates ambient light in a way that polarizes the ambient light passing through it. Figure 13B An exemplary polarizer 1102-G2 of a controllable dimming system is shown, which is configured to cause the controllable dimming component to adjust according to the actual situation. Figure 12B The radial gradient dimming pattern G2 attenuates ambient light in a way that polarizes the ambient light passing through it. Figure 13CAn exemplary polarizer 1102-G3 of a controllable dimming system is shown, which is configured to cause the controllable dimming component to adjust according to the actual situation. Figure 12C The linear gradient dimming pattern G3 attenuates ambient light in a way that polarizes the ambient light passing through it. Figure 13D An exemplary polarizer 1102-G4 of a controllable dimming system is shown, which is configured to cause the controllable dimming component to adjust according to the actual situation. Figure 12D The radial gradient dimming pattern G4 is used to attenuate ambient light by polarizing the ambient light passing through it.

[0142] As described above, in some embodiments, the controllable dimming component may include at least one compensation film layer (e.g., one or both of the outer compensation film layer 1104A and the inner compensation film layer 1104B) configured to interact with ambient light passing through it in a manner that varies based on the angle at which ambient light is incident upon it. Examples of components that may be used as or included as part of at least one compensation film layer include one or more coatings (e.g., coating 320 described above), and / or one or more retardation films or other optical compensation films that may be configured to interact with light incident thereon in a manner similar to coating 320 described above, such as uniaxial retardation films (e.g., polycarbonate films, for example...). Examples of optical compensation films include biaxial retardation films (e.g., triacetyl cellulose (“TAC”) films, cyclic olefin polymer (“COP”) films, etc.) and liquid crystal films (e.g., wide viewing angle (“WV”) films, twisted nematic films, hybrid nematic films, vertical films, etc.). In embodiments where at least one compensation film comprises one or more retardation films or other optical compensation films, such films can be adjusted or otherwise manufactured using any of a variety of techniques (e.g., oriented “stretching” and / or “rubbing” treatments, etc.) to enable a controllable dimming system to attenuate a relatively large amount of tilted ambient light with a high AOI and attenuate a relatively small amount of ambient light with a low AOI. Further examples of materials, constructions, techniques, and operating principles that can be utilized in implementing at least one compensation film layer described above are provided in U.S. Utility Model Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 479,700, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0143] As described above, in some embodiments, the controllable dimming component may include at least one compensation film layer (e.g., one or both of an outer compensation film layer 1104A and an inner compensation film layer 1104B) configured to interact with ambient light passing through it in a manner that varies based on the position of the ambient light incident thereon. Examples of components that may be used as or included as part of at least one compensation film layer in such embodiments may include retarders and waveplates that are spatially variable or in accordance with the provisions herein. Figures 13A-13DOne or more exemplary polarizers described are patterned in a similar manner. In other words, such a component may include different sections / regions, each configured to delay or rotate light passing through it in a different way. For example, such a component may be configured to cause light incident on its upper section / region (similar to...) Figures 13A-13D A specific amount of ambient light delay or rotation is applied to a portion / region R4 of the light source, but this delays or rotates the light incident on the other lower portions (similar to...). Figures 13A-13D Ambient light polarization / rotation / delay (of one or more of R1, R2, and R3) and other minor amounts. In some embodiments, such a component may include one or more liquid crystal layers tuned or otherwise manufactured using any of a variety of techniques, such as one or more of those described in U.S. Utility Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 815,449 and / or U.S. Utility Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 795,067, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0144] Figures 14A to 14C Exemplary electrode assemblies configured to generate dimming patterns according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. In some embodiments, Figures 14A to 14C One or more of the exemplary electrode assemblies can be in a manner similar to the above reference. Figure 11 The described manner of the external electrode 1106A and / or internal electrode 1106B is implemented in a controllable dimming assembly. More specifically, Figures 14A to 14C Exemplary electrode assemblies are shown, each comprising at least one electrode component 1106 embedded in and / or disposed on the substrate material 1107. In some examples, in Figures 14A-14C At least one electrode component 1106 shown in one or more exemplary electrode assemblies may be a transparent conductive film, such as an indium tin oxide (“ITO”) film. Each exemplary electrode assembly may be in a manner similar to that referenced above. Figure 11 The described manner of the internal electrode 1106A or external electrode 1106B is implemented in a controllable dimming assembly. Thus, each exemplary electrode assembly can be positioned parallel to the other electrode, while electrode component 1106 is not necessarily parallel to the other electrode. In some examples, such another electrode assembly may comprise a single planar layer of ITO or other transparent conductive film. A configuration similar to the above reference can be provided between each pair of electrode assemblies. Figure 11 The liquid crystal layer 1108 is a liquid crystal molecule layer similar to that described above.

[0145] Figure 14A An exemplary electrode assembly including a tilted planar electrode component 1106 is shown. For example, Figure 14AAn exemplary electrode assembly can be implemented in a controllable dimming assembly parallel to another electrode assembly, which includes a single planar layer of ITO. That is, the surface of the substrate material 1107 can be positioned parallel to the surface of the single planar layer of ITO in the other electrode assembly. Thus, Figure 14A The surface of electrode component 1106 of the exemplary electrode assembly may be tilted or otherwise not parallel to the surface of a single planar layer of ITO in another electrode assembly, while the exemplary electrode assembly and other electrode assemblies may be stacked in parallel (e.g., on either side of the liquid crystal layer). Thus, Figure 14A The distance between the surface of electrode component 1106 of an exemplary electrode assembly and the surface of a single planar layer of ITO in another electrode assembly may be non-uniform. In this way, during operation, Figure 14A An exemplary electrode assembly can generate a non-uniform electric field between itself and another electrode assembly. This non-uniform electric field can lead to non-uniform polarization of the liquid crystal layer, which in turn can cause non-uniform or gradient attenuation of light passing through it. Because Figure 14A The distance between the surface of the electrode component 1106 of the electrode assembly and another electrode assembly increases from the bottom to the top of the electrode assembly, so the electric field and the resulting polarization are stronger at the top of the electrode assembly, and the light attenuation is greater at the top of the liquid crystal layer compared to the bottom.

[0146] Figure 14B An exemplary electrode assembly is shown, which includes a plurality of planar electrode components / segments 1106, each planar electrode component / segment 1106 being at a different distance from its planar surface. Figure 14B An exemplary electrode assembly can be implemented, for example, in a controllable dimming assembly parallel to another electrode assembly, which comprises a single planar layer of ITO. Figure 14A The exemplary electrode assembly is very similar to that of the present invention. Figure 14B The surface of the substrate material 1107 in the exemplary electrode assembly can be positioned parallel to the surface of a single planar layer of ITO in another electrode assembly. Due to the relative positions of the planar electrode components / segments 1106 to each other, Figure 14B The distance between the surface of each planar electrode component / segment 1106 in one electrode assembly and the surface of a single planar layer of ITO in another electrode assembly differs. That is, the distance increases from the bottom to the top of the electrode assembly. Thus, during operation, it is possible... Figure 14B An exemplary electrode assembly generates a non-uniform (i.e., increasing from bottom to top) electric field with another electrode assembly. As described above, the increased electric field at the top of the liquid crystal layer results in greater light attenuation compared to the bottom.

[0147] Figure 14CAn exemplary electrode assembly is shown, including an electrode component 1106 having (1) a surface inclined away from or not parallel to the surface of the substrate material 1107, and (2) a thickness decreasing from the bottom to the top of the electrode assembly. For example, Figure 14C An exemplary electrode assembly can be implemented in a controllable dimming assembly parallel to another electrode assembly, which comprises a single planar layer of ITO. Very similar to... Figure 14A and 14B Exemplary electrode assembly, Figure 14C The surface of the substrate material 1107 in the exemplary electrode assembly can be positioned parallel to the surface of a single planar layer of ITO in another electrode assembly. Figure 14C The distance between one surface of electrode component 1106 in one electrode assembly and the surface of a single planar layer of ITO in another electrode assembly varies. That is, the distance increases from the bottom to the top of the electrode assembly. Additionally, the thickness of electrode component 1106 decreases from the bottom to the top of the electrode assembly. Since the resistance of a given electrical conductor is inversely proportional to its cross-sectional area, the resistance of electrode component 1106 may vary from the bottom to the top of the electrode assembly due to the variation in its thickness. In operation, Figure 14C This feature of the electrode component 1106 shown is in Figure 14C The exemplary electrode assembly generates a non-uniform (i.e., increasing from bottom to top) electric field with other electrode assemblies. As described above, the increased electric field at the top of the liquid crystal layer results in greater light attenuation compared to the bottom.

[0148] Figure 15 Exemplary electrode assemblies according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown, including a non-uniform, multi-section, planar first electrode 1106A and a uniform, planar second electrode 1106B. In some embodiments, Figure 15 The exemplary electrode assembly can be in a manner similar to the reference above. Figure 11The external electrode 1106A and internal electrode 1106B are implemented in a controllable dimming assembly. The uniformly planar second electrode 1106B may comprise a single planar layer of ITO. The first electrode 1106A and the second electrode 1106B may be parallel to each other and disposed on either side of the liquid crystal layer. The first electrode 1106A may comprise three portions / parts 1116, 1117, and 1118 disposed adjacent to each other on its surface. The first portion 1116 is disposed at the top of the first electrode 1106A, the third portion 1118 is disposed at the bottom of the first electrode 1106A, and the second portion 1117 is disposed between the first portion 1116 and the third portion 1118. The first portion 1116 and the third portion 1118 may be formed of a relatively highly conductive transparent material (such as a layer of ITO or other transparent conductive oxides (“TCO”), and the intermediate second portion 1117 may be formed of a relatively less conductive transparent material (such as a layer including or comprising graphene, graphene oxide, and / or carbon nanotubes (“CNT”). The exemplary electrode assembly also includes a first voltage source 1126 electrically coupled to the first portion 1116 and a ground electrode electrically coupled to the second electrode 1106B. The exemplary electrode assembly also includes an optional second voltage source 1128 electrically coupled to the third portion 1118.

[0149] In operation, when first and second voltages (via first and second voltage sources 1126, 1128) are applied to the first electrode 1106A, a non-uniform electric field is generated between the first electrode 1106A and the second electrode 1106B. Specifically, a non-uniform electric field is generated when a stronger voltage is applied to the first voltage source 1126 and a weaker voltage is applied to the second voltage source 1128, and this electric field increases approximately from the bottom to the top of the first electrode 1106A. In embodiments without the second voltage source 1128, applying a voltage to the first voltage source can produce a similar non-uniform electric field. The non-uniform electric field can lead to non-uniform polarization of the liquid crystal layer, which in turn can lead to non-uniform or gradient attenuation of light passing through it. Because the non-uniform electric field increases approximately from the bottom to the top of the first electrode 1106A, the electric field and the resulting polarization are stronger at the top of the electrode assembly, and the light attenuation is greater at the top of the liquid crystal layer compared to the bottom. In some embodiments, reference is made herein to... Figure 15 and Figures 16A-16D One or more exemplary electrode assemblies described may include only portions 1116 and 1117, excluding portion 1118. In these embodiments, portion 1117 may be directly electrically coupled to the corresponding circuit.

[0150] Figure 16A An exemplary first electrode 1106-G1 of a controllable dimming system is shown, which is configured to cause the controllable dimming component to adjust according to... Figure 12AThe radial gradient dimming pattern G1 attenuates ambient light in a manner that polarizes the ambient light passing through it. An exemplary first electrode 1106-G1 has three portions / parts 1116, 1117, and 1118, which are arranged and shaped in accordance with… Figure 15 The first electrode shown is similar to 1106A. Figure 16B An exemplary first electrode 1106-G2 of a controllable dimming system is shown, which is configured to cause the controllable dimming component to adjust according to... Figure 12B The radial gradient dimming pattern G2 attenuates ambient light in a manner that polarizes the ambient light passing through it. An exemplary first electrode 1106-G2 has a radial gradient dimming pattern G2 that attenuates ambient light in a manner that polarizes the ambient light passing through it. Figure 15 The first electrode 1106A shown has three similar parts / sections 1116, 1117, and 1118, but the shapes of these three parts / sections 1116, 1117, and 1118 are different. Figure 15 The corresponding portions of the first electrode 1106A depicted in the figure have different shapes. Figure 16C An exemplary first electrode 1106-G3 of a controllable dimming system is shown, which is configured to cause the controllable dimming component to adjust according to... Figure 12C The linear gradient dimming pattern G3 attenuates ambient light in a manner that polarizes the ambient light passing through it. An exemplary first electrode 1106-G3 has three portions / parts 1116, 1117, and 1118, similar to... Figure 15 The first electrode 1106A is depicted, but the shapes of the three parts / sections 1116, 1117, and 1118 are different from those of the first electrode 1106A. Figure 15 The corresponding portions of the first electrode 1106A depicted in the figure have different shapes. Figure 16D An exemplary first electrode 1106-G4 of a controllable dimming system is shown, which is configured to cause the controllable dimming component to adjust according to... Figure 12D The radial gradient dimming pattern G4 attenuates ambient light in a manner that polarizes the ambient light passing through it. An exemplary first electrode 1106-G3 has three portions / parts 1116, 1117, and 1118, similar to... Figure 15 The first electrode 1106A is depicted, but the shape and arrangement of the three parts / sections 1116, 1117, and 1118 are different from those in the original text. Figure 15 The difference lies in the corresponding portion of the first electrode 1106A shown.

[0151] Figure 17A Exemplary electrode assemblies according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. These exemplary electrode assemblies include a non-uniform, multi-section, planar first electrode 1106A and a second electrode 1106B. In some embodiments, the exemplary electrode assembly of FIG17 can be similar to that referenced above. Figure 11The described external electrode 1106A and internal electrode 1106B are implemented in a controllable dimming assembly. The first electrode 1106A and the second electrode 1106B can be parallel to each other and disposed on either side of the liquid crystal layer. The first electrode 1106A may include four portions S1, S2, S3, and S4 disposed adjacent to each other but electrically insulated from each other on its surface. An insulator may be disposed between portions S1 and S2, S2 and S3, and S3 and S4 to insulate portions S1, S2, S3, and S4 from each other. The first portion S1 is disposed on top of the first electrode 1106A, the second portion S2 is disposed below the first electrode 1106A, the third portion S3 is disposed below the first electrode 1106A, and the fourth portion S4 is disposed at the bottom of the first electrode 1106A. Portions S1, S2, S3, and S4 can be formed of a relatively highly conductive transparent material (e.g., an ITO layer). The second electrode 1106B may include four portions S1', S2', S3', and S4' disposed adjacent to each other on its surface. The first portion S1' is disposed at the top of the second electrode 1106B, the second portion S2' is disposed below the second electrode 1106B, the third portion S3' is disposed below the second electrode 1106B, and the fourth portion S4' is disposed at the bottom of the second electrode 1106B. The portions S1', S2', S3', and S4' may be formed of a transparent material with relatively high conductivity (e.g., an ITO layer). In some embodiments, Figure 17A The exemplary electrode assembly can be at least partially driven by a voltage divider network, such as the following reference Figure 17B The circuit or equivalent circuit described. For example, parts S1, S2, S3, and S4 can be electrically coupled to the following reference at points A, B, C, and D, respectively. Figure 17B The circuit described. Similarly, in such an example, portions S1', S2', S3', and S4' can be electrically coupled at points B, C, D, and E, respectively. Figure 17B The circuit. In operation, portions of the first electrode 1106A and the second electrode 1106B, due to their connection with... Figure 17B The electrical connections of the circuit can be used as anode and cathode respectively. Figure 17B yes Figure 17A The circuit diagram shows an exemplary electrode assembly. Specifically, Figure 17B The above reference is described. Figure 17A An exemplary voltage divider circuit for each electrode portion in the described exemplary electrode assembly. It should be understood that alternatives may be used. Figure 17B circuit or combination Figure 17B The circuits are used to implement other circuits and / or computing circuits and components. For example... Figure 17BAs shown, such a voltage divider circuit can include at least a voltage source electrically coupled to multiple resistors in series. In some embodiments, the voltage source can be variable, switchable, or otherwise controlled by one or more hardware components (e.g., processor, power supply, logic gates, etc.) electrically coupled thereto. Figure 17A Each anode-cathode pair in the exemplary electrode assembly shown can be electrically coupled in parallel with one or more different combinations of resistors. Figure 17A and Figure 17B In the example, the S1-S1' electrode pair is electrically coupled in parallel with the first resistor R1, the S2-S2' electrode pair is electrically coupled in parallel with the second resistor R2, the S3-S3' electrode pair is electrically coupled in parallel with the third resistor R3, and the S4-S4' electrode pair is electrically coupled in parallel with the fourth resistor R4. Furthermore, in this example, the resistance of the fourth resistor R4 is greater than the resistance of the third resistor R3, the resistance of the third resistor R3 is greater than the resistance of the second resistor R2, and the resistance of the second resistor R2 is greater than the resistance of the first resistor R4. In some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of resistors (e.g., R1, R2, R3, R4) may be arranged along the edge of one electrode (e.g., the first electrode 1106A) in the electrode assembly. In other embodiments, one or more of a plurality of resistors (e.g., R1, R2, R3, R4) may be disposed on the surface between corresponding portions of one electrode (e.g., S1, S2, S3, S4) of an electrode assembly (e.g., the first electrode 1106A).

[0152] In operation, when a voltage is applied to the first electrode 1106A and the second electrode 1106B, a non-uniform electric field is generated between the first electrode 1106A and the second electrode 1106B. Specifically, when a voltage is applied to the first portion A of the first electrode 1106A via a voltage source, the voltage is reduced using each series-coupled resistor R1, R2, R3, R4, thereby effectively applying a lower voltage to each subsequent portion S2, S3, S4 of the first electrode 1106A. As a result, a non-uniform electric field is generated that increases approximately from the bottom to the top of the first electrode 1106A. This non-uniform electric field can lead to non-uniform polarization of the liquid crystal layer, which in turn can lead to non-uniform or gradient attenuation of light passing through it. Because the non-uniform electric field increases approximately from the bottom to the top of the first electrode 1106A, the electric field and the resulting polarization are stronger at the top of the electrode assembly, and the light attenuation is greater at the top of the liquid crystal layer compared to the bottom. In some embodiments, each of portions S1', S2', and S3' may not be electrically coupled to points B, C, and D, respectively. Figure 17B The circuit, instead of being a separate circuit, can be electrically coupled at point E in roughly the same way as part of S4'. Figure 17BThe circuit. In this way, each part of the second electrode 1106B can be electrically coupled to a common ground, so that the circuit exists... Figure 17A Each anode-cathode pair in the exemplary electrode assembly shown can be electrically coupled in parallel with different combinations of multiple resistors. For example, refer again... Figure 17A and 17B For example, in these embodiments, the S1-S1' electrode pair will be electrically coupled in parallel with resistors R1-R4, the S2-S2' electrode pair will be electrically coupled in parallel with resistors R2-R4, the S3-S3' electrode pair will be electrically coupled in parallel with resistors R3-R4, and the S4-S4' electrode pair will be electrically coupled in parallel with a fourth resistor R4. In such embodiments, the quantitative relationship between the values ​​of the plurality of resistors R1-R4 may not necessarily conform to the above description and Figure 17B The relationships depicted (i.e., the relationship where R4>R3>R2>R1) are described. For example, in some embodiments, some or all of the plurality of resistors R1-R4 may have substantially equal resistance values. In some examples, one or more of the plurality of resistors may have a higher resistance value than one or more resistors downstream of them in series.

[0153] Figure 18A An exemplary first electrode 1106-G1 of a controllable dimming system is shown, which is configured to cause the controllable dimming component to adjust according to... Figure 12A The radial gradient dimming pattern G1 attenuates ambient light in a manner that polarizes the ambient light passing through it. An exemplary first electrode 1106-G1 has four portions / parts S1, S2, S3, S4, which are arranged and shaped similarly to the first electrode 1106A shown in FIG. 17. Figure 18B An exemplary first electrode 1106-G2 of a controllable dimming system is shown, which is configured to cause the controllable dimming component to adjust according to... Figure 12B The radial gradient dimming pattern G2 attenuates ambient light in a manner that polarizes the ambient light passing through it. An exemplary first electrode 1106-G2 has four portions S1, S2, S3, S4, similar to the first electrode 1106A depicted in FIG17, but the shapes of these four portions S1, S2, S3, S4 are different from the corresponding portions of the first electrode 1106A depicted in FIG17. Figure 18C An exemplary first electrode 1106-G3 of a controllable dimming system is shown, which is configured to cause the controllable dimming component to adjust according to... Figure 12C The linear gradient dimming pattern G3 attenuates ambient light in a manner that polarizes the ambient light passing through it. The exemplary first electrode 1106-G3 has four parts / portions S1, S2, S3, S4, similar to the first electrode 1106A depicted in FIG17, but the shapes of these four parts / portions S1, S2, S3, S4 are different from the corresponding portions of the first electrode 1106A depicted in FIG17. Figure 18D An exemplary first electrode 1106-G4 of a controllable dimming system is shown, which is configured to cause the controllable dimming component to adjust according to... Figure 12D The radial gradient dimming pattern G4 attenuates ambient light in a way that polarizes the ambient light passing through it. An exemplary first electrode 1106-G3 has four portions S1, S2, S3, S4, similar to the first electrode 1106A depicted in FIG17, however, the shape and arrangement of these four portions S1, S2, S3, S4 are different from the corresponding portions in the first electrode 1106A depicted in FIG17.

[0154] Although the aforementioned controllable dimming components and their various parts include a specific number of parts / sections with a particular shape, these numbers and shapes are merely exemplary. The number and shape of these parts / sections can vary while remaining within the scope of this disclosure. Although various mechanisms for controllable dimming have been described independently above, the scope of this disclosure includes combinations and sub-combinations of the aforementioned mechanisms. For example, Figures 13A to 13D The polarizer depicted can be combined with the electrodes shown in Figures 14, 15, and 17A. The aforementioned controllable dimming assembly allows the application of voltages (e.g., one or two) to perform gradient attenuation of light passing through the controllable dimming assembly. This simple activation mechanism simplifies light attenuation in AR systems, enabling the activation of light attenuation gradients in response to the intensity and / or direction of detected external light.

[0155] As referenced above Figure 11 In some examples, the controllable dimming system may drive the dimming component in such a way that it adjusts the global opacity level of a spatially varying dimming pattern (e.g., a gradient dimming pattern) over time based on any of a variety of different factors. In some implementations, such factors may include inputs received from one or more data sources. That is, in some implementations, the controllable dimming system may drive or otherwise adjust the amount of voltage applied to the dimming component based on inputs received from one or more data sources. Examples of such one or more data sources may include sensing devices, user interface components, display system components, network-accessible resources, etc.

[0156] For example, in some embodiments, a controllable dimming system may include one or more ambient light sensors (e.g., photodiodes, imaging sensors, etc.) configured to measure the intensity of ambient light incident upon it, and may adjust the amount of voltage applied to the dimming component in real time based on data received from the one or more ambient light sensors. In some examples, a controllable dimming system may include one or more user interface components (e.g., handheld controllers, buttons, dials, touchpads, microphones, cameras, and other components that may provide user input thereto), and may adjust the amount of voltage applied to the dimming component based on data received from such one or more user interface components. In this way, a user may be able to interact with such one or more user interface components (e.g., via touch input, voice input, gesture input, etc.) to adjust the dimming component according to their preferences. In some embodiments, the controllable dimming system may adjust the amount of voltage applied to the dimming component based on data received from one or more display system components (e.g., one or more processing units configured to generate, render, and render virtual content). In some implementations, the controllable dimming system can adjust the amount of voltage applied to the dimming component based on data received from one or more resources via one or more communication networks (e.g., websites, cloud computing systems, remote computing and / or sensing devices, etc.).

[0157] In some embodiments, a controllable dimming system can adjust the amount of voltage applied to a dimming component based on input received from multiple data sources, including one or more sensing devices, one or more user interface components, one or more display system components, one or more network-accessible resources, or combinations thereof. Further examples of such data source and dimming component control schemes are described in more detail in U.S. Utility Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 557,706, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, one or more of the aforementioned data source and / or dimming system control schemes may be employed in one or more systems and techniques described herein.

[0158] The AR system described above is provided as an example of various optical systems that can benefit from optical elements that transmit light more selectively and controllably. Therefore, the use of the optical systems described herein is not limited to the disclosed AR systems, but is applicable to any optical system. In fact, although described primarily in the context of AR and VR display systems, it should be understood that one or more systems and techniques described herein can also be utilized in a variety of other paradigms and settings. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the systems or techniques described herein can be used in any of a variety of other types of eyewear, such as prescription glasses, sunglasses, safety glasses, swimming goggles, etc., and any of a variety of other types of wearable devices, possibly including goggles, face shields, and / or protective covers, such as helmets (e.g., rugby helmets, hockey helmets, motorcycle helmets, etc.), ski and snowboard goggles, paintball masks, etc. For example, in some embodiments, two controllable dimming components may be employed in one of the above-described types of eyewear and configured such that when a user wears the eyewear, the two controllable dimming components are respectively located in front of / aligned with the user's two eyes, much like a pair of eyepieces. Furthermore, in other embodiments, a single, relatively wide, controllable dimming component may be employed in one of the wearable devices of the aforementioned types, and configured such that when a user wears the wearable device, the controllable dimming component is positioned in front of the user's two eyes, similar to a sun visor, face mask, or protective shield. In these embodiments, the controllable dimming component can be effectively used as a sun visor, face mask, or protective shield of the wearable device, or can be physically coupled to a sun visor, face mask, or protective shield of the wearable device.

[0159] Additional examples of embodiments are provided below.

[0160] Example 1: A head-mounted device includes: a frame configured to be worn around the head of a user of the head-mounted device; a controllable dimming assembly physically coupled to the frame in a certain way to be positioned between the user's eyes and the user's environment when the user wears the head-mounted device, wherein the controllable dimming assembly is configured to display an opacity level that varies from a first opacity level to a second opacity level based on a position on the controllable dimming assembly; and control circuitry electrically coupled to the controllable dimming assembly, wherein the control circuitry is configured to apply one or more electrical signals to the controllable dimming assembly to adjust one or both of the first opacity level and the second opacity level.

[0161] Example 2: The head-mounted device according to Example 1, wherein the controllable dimming component is configured to (i) display the first opacity level at a first position on the controllable dimming component, and (ii) an opacity level that varies according to the distance from the first position on the controllable dimming component.

[0162] Example 3: The head-mounted device according to Example 2, wherein the controllable dimming component is configured to display a second opacity level at a second position on the controllable dimming component, the second position being different from the first position.

[0163] Example 4: The head-mounted device according to Example 2, wherein the first position or the second position corresponds to a set of one or more points along at least a portion of the outer periphery of the controllable dimming component.

[0164] Example 5: The head-mounted device according to Example 2, wherein the first position corresponds to a position within the internal region of the controllable dimming component.

[0165] Example 6: The head-mounted device according to Example 2, wherein the position within the internal region of the controllable dimming component corresponds to the center of the controllable dimming component.

[0166] Example 7: The head-mounted device according to Example 1, wherein the first opacity level represents the global minimum opacity level, and the second opacity level represents the global maximum opacity level.

[0167] Example 8: The head-mounted device according to Example 1, wherein the controllable dimming component is configured to display an opacity level that varies linearly, exponentially, or logarithmically depending on the position on the controllable dimming component.

[0168] Example 9: The head-mounted device according to Example 1, wherein the controllable dimming component is configured such that the first opacity level and the second opacity level vary based on the voltage level of one or more electrical signals applied as input to the controllable dimming component.

[0169] Example 10: The head-mounted device according to Example 9, wherein the controllable dimming component is configured such that the first opacity level and the second opacity level change at different rates as the voltage level changes.

[0170] Example 11: The head-mounted device according to Example 1, wherein the controllable dimming component includes: a first polarizer and a second polarizer; a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly.

[0171] Example 12: The head-mounted device according to Example 11, wherein one or both of the first polarizer and the second polarizer are configured to apply a spatially varied degree of polarization to light passing through them.

[0172] Example 13: The head-mounted device according to Example 11, wherein the control circuit is electrically coupled to the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, and is configured to apply one or more electrical signals to the controllable dimming assembly to generate an electric field between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly.

[0173] Example 14: According to the head-mounted device of Example 13, in order to generate an electric field between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, the controllable dimming assembly is configured to generate an electric field between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly that exhibits a spatially varying electric field strength level.

[0174] Example 15: The head-mounted device according to Example 13, wherein one or both of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly are configured such that one or more of their characteristics are spatially variable.

[0175] Example 16: The head-mounted device according to Example 15, wherein the one or more characteristics include thickness, resistance, conductivity, orientation, position, composition or a combination thereof.

[0176] Example 17: The head-mounted device of Example 1, wherein the control circuitry includes one or more of a voltage divider network, conductors, a processor, and a power supply.

[0177] Example 18: The head-mounted device according to Example 1, wherein the controllable dimming component is physically coupled to the frame in such a way that it is positioned between the user's eyes and the user's environment when the user wears the head-mounted device.

[0178] Example 19: The head-mounted device according to Example 1, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to receive input from one or more data sources, and wherein one or more electrical signals are applied to the controllable dimming component to adjust one or both of the first opacity level and the second opacity level, the control circuitry being configured to apply one or more electrical signals to the controllable dimming component to adjust one or both of the first opacity level and the second opacity level based on the input received from the one or more data sources.

[0179] Example 20: The head-mounted device according to Example 19, wherein the one or more data sources include one or more sensing devices, user interface components, display system components, network-accessible resources, or combinations thereof.

[0180] Various exemplary embodiments of the invention are described herein. Reference is made to these examples in a non-limiting sense. They are provided to illustrate aspects of the invention's broader applicability. Various changes may be made to the described invention without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and equivalents may be substituted. Furthermore, numerous modifications may be made to adapt particular circumstances, materials, composition, processes, process actions, or steps to the purpose, spirit, or scope of the invention. Moreover, as those skilled in the art will understand, each individual variant described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features that can be readily separated from or combined with features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the claims associated with this disclosure.

[0181] This invention includes methods that can be performed using the subject device. The method may include actions of providing such a suitable device. Such provision can be performed by an end user. In other words, the "providing" action only requires the end user to obtain, access, approach, locate, set, activate, power on, or otherwise provide the necessary device in the subject method. The methods described herein can be performed in any logically possible order of the described events, and in the order in which the described events occur.

[0182] Exemplary aspects of the invention, along with details regarding material selection and manufacturing, have been set forth above. Further details of the invention can be understood in conjunction with the foregoing cited patents and publications, as well as those commonly known or understood by those skilled in the art. This also applies to the method-based aspects of the invention, as well as to the additional actions typically or logically employed.

[0183] Furthermore, although the invention has been described with reference to several examples that optionally incorporate various features, the invention is not limited to what is described or indicated with respect to each variation of the invention. Various changes may be made to the described invention without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and equivalents may be substituted (whether referenced herein or excluded for brevity). Additionally, where a range of values ​​is provided, it should be understood that every intermediate value between the upper and lower limits of the range and any other stated value or intermediate value within the range is included within the scope of the invention.

[0184] Similarly, it is contemplated that any optional features of the described variant of the invention may be set forth and claimed independently or in combination with any one or more of the features described herein. Reference to a single item includes the possibility that multiple identical items exist. More specifically, as used herein and in its associated claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” include plural indicators unless otherwise specifically stated. In other words, the use of articles allows for “at least one” of the subject matter items described above and in the claims associated with this disclosure. It should also be noted that such claims may be drafted to exclude any optional elements. Thus, the statement is intended as a prior basis for the use of exclusive terms such as “solely,” “only,” or the use of “negative” restriction in connection with the recitation of the claim elements.

[0185] Without using such exclusive terminology, the term "comprising" in claims associated with this disclosure shall allow the inclusion of any additional elements, regardless of whether a given number of elements are enumerated in such claim, or whether the added features may be considered to change the nature of the element presented in such claim. Except as expressly defined herein, all technical and scientific terms used herein shall be applied as broadly as commonly understood to maintain the validity of the claims.

[0186] The scope of this invention is not limited to the examples provided and / or this specification, but is limited to the scope of the claims relating to this disclosure.

[0187] In the foregoing specification, the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the above-described process flow has been described with reference to a specific sequence of processing actions. However, the sequence of many described processing actions can be changed without affecting the scope or operation of the invention. Therefore, the specification and drawings should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

Claims

1. A head-mounted device, comprising: A frame that is configured to be worn around the head of the user of the headset; A controllable dimming component, physically coupled to the frame, is positioned between the user's eyes and the user's environment when the user wears the head-mounted device. The controllable dimming component includes: a first electrode assembly comprising a first electrode having a first dimming pattern, a second electrode assembly comprising a second electrode having a second dimming pattern different from the first dimming pattern, a first polarizer, a second polarizer, and a liquid crystal layer, wherein the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly are disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer, and the liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, wherein the controllable dimming component is configured to exhibit an opacity level, the opacity level varying from a first opacity level to a second opacity level according to the position on the controllable dimming component; and A control circuit, electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes of the controllable dimming assembly, is configured to apply one or more electrical signals to the first and second electrodes to generate an electric field between the first and second electrode assemblies and adjust one or both of the first and second opacity levels. In this configuration, at least one of the first polarizer and the second polarizer is configured to apply a spatially varying degree of polarization to light passing through it.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The controllable dimming component is configured as follows: The first level of opacity is present at a first location on the controllable dimming component, and It exhibits an opacity level that varies depending on the distance from the first position on the controllable dimming assembly.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein, The controllable dimming component is configured to present the second level of opacity at a second position on the controllable dimming component, the second position being different from the first position.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein, The first position corresponds to a set of one or more points along at least a portion of the outer periphery of the controllable dimming component.

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein, The second position corresponds to one or more points along at least a portion of the outer periphery of the controllable dimming component.

6. The device according to claim 2, wherein, The first position corresponds to a position within the internal area of ​​the controllable dimming component.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein, The position within the internal region of the controllable dimming component corresponds to the center of the controllable dimming component.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The first opacity level represents the global minimum opacity level, and the second opacity level represents the global maximum opacity level.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The controllable dimming component is configured to exhibit an opacity level that varies linearly, exponentially, or logarithmically depending on the position on the controllable dimming component.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The controllable dimming component is configured such that the first opacity level and the second opacity level vary based on the voltage level of one or more electrical signals applied as inputs to the controllable dimming component.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein, The controllable dimming component is configured such that the first opacity level and the second opacity level change at different rates as the voltage level changes.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The controllable dimming component is configured to generate an electric field with a spatially varying electric field strength level between the first electrode component and the second electrode component, thereby generating the electric field between the first electrode component and the second electrode component.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein, One or both of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly are configured such that one or more of their characteristics are spatially variable.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The control circuit includes one or more of the following: a voltage divider network, conductors, a processor, and a power supply.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The controllable dimming component is physically coupled to the frame to be positioned between the user's two eyes and the user's environment when the user wears the head-mounted device.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The control circuit is also configured to: Receive input from the data source, and Based on the input received from the data source, one or more electrical signals are applied to the controllable dimming component to adjust at least one of the first opacity level and the second opacity level.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein, The data source includes sensing devices.

18. The device according to claim 16, wherein, The data source includes: user interface components, display system components, network-accessible resources, or combinations thereof.

19. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The control circuit is also configured to: Receives input from multiple data sources, and Based on inputs received from the plurality of data sources, one or more electrical signals are applied to a single controllable dimming component to adjust at least one of the first opacity level and the second opacity level.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein, The multiple data sources include sensing devices and one or more of the following: user interface components, display system components, and network-accessible resources.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein, The plurality of data sources includes at least two of the following: user interface components, display system components, and network-accessible resources.

22. The device according to claim 13, wherein, The one or more characteristics include the thickness, resistance, conductivity, orientation, composition, or combination thereof of one or both of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly.

23. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The first electrode includes a non-uniform multi-section electrode, and the second electrode includes a uniform electrode.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein, The first electrode and the second electrode are planar electrodes that are parallel to each other and are disposed on opposite sides of the liquid crystal layer.

25. The device according to claim 23, wherein, The first electrode includes a first or top electrode portion, a second electrode portion, and a third or bottom electrode, wherein the second electrode portion is disposed between the first or top electrode portion and the third or bottom electrode portion.

26. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The control circuit is electrically coupled to the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, and is configured to apply one or more electrical signals to the controllable dimming assembly to generate a non-uniform electric field between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly and to generate non-uniform light attenuation in the liquid crystal layer.

27. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The controllable dimming component includes a single piece configured as a sun visor, face mask, or shield, positioned between the user's two eyes and the user's environment when the user wears the head-mounted device.

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