Systems and methods for ambient light control

Abstract

To provide an augmented reality system.SOLUTION: An augmented reality system includes a light source to generate a virtual light beam, the virtual light beam carrying information on a virtual object. The system also includes a light guiding optical element, the light guiding optical element allowing a first portion of a first real-world light beam to pass therethrough, where the virtual light beam enters the light guiding optical element, propagates through the light guiding optical element by substantially total internal reflection (TIR), and exits the light guiding optical element. The system further includes a lens disposed adjacently to the light guiding optical element and exterior to a surface thereof, the lens comprising a light modulating mechanism to absorb a second portion of the real-world light beam and to allow the first portion of the real-world light to pass through the lens.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Cross-reference of related applications) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 731,755, filed on 14 September 2018, titled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXTERNAL LIGHT MANAGEMENT," whose contents are expressly and fully incorporated herein by reference, as if they were fully described herein. This application is a U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 479,700, filed on April 5, 2017, under Patent Attorney Registration No. ML.20065.00, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUGMENTED REALITY," U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 331,218, filed on July 14, 2014, under Patent Attorney Registration No. ML.20020.00, titled "PLANAR WAVEGUIDE APPARATUS WITH DIFFRACTION ELEMENT(S) AND SYSTEM EMPLOYING SAME," and a U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 331,218, filed on November 27, 2014, under Patent Attorney Registration No. ML.20011.00, titled "VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY SYSTEMS AND U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 555,585, patent attorney number ML.20016.00, titled "METHODS," filed on May 29, 2015; U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 726,424, patent attorney number ML.20017.00, titled "METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY," filed on May 29, 2015; and U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 726,429, patent attorney number ML.20018, titled "METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CREATING FOCAL PLANES IN VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY."This relates to U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 726,396, filed on May 29, 2015, under patent number 00, titled "METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DISPLAYING STEREOSCOPY WITH A FREEFORM OPTICAL SYSTEM WITH ADDRESSABLE FOCUS FOR VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY," U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 702,212, filed on July 23, 2018, under patent attorney number ML-0676USPRV, titled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXTERNAL LIGHT MANAGEMENT," and U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 557,706, filed on August 30, 2019, under patent attorney number ML-0607US, titled "SPATIALLY-RESOLVED DYNAMIC DIMMING FOR AUGMENTED REALITY DEVICE." The contents of the aforementioned patent application are incorporated herein expressly and fully by reference, as they would be if described in their entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] Modern computing and display technologies are accelerating the development of systems for so-called "augmented reality" experiences, where digitally reproduced images or parts thereof are presented to the user in a manner that appears, or can be perceived, as real. Augmented reality, or "AR," scenarios typically involve the presentation of digital or virtual image information as an extension of the visualization of the real world around the user (i.e., transparent to other real-world visual inputs). Thus, AR scenarios involve the presentation of digital or virtual image information that is transparent to other real-world visual inputs. The human visual perception system is highly complex, making it difficult to produce AR technologies that facilitate a comfortable, natural, and rich presentation of virtual image elements among other virtual or real-world image elements.

[0003] The brain's visual center obtains useful perceptual information from the relative movements of both eyes and their components. The relative convergence and divergence movements of the eyes (i.e., the rotation of the pupils toward or away from each other to converge the lines of sight and fixate on an object) are closely related to the focusing (or "accommodation") of the eye's lens. Under normal conditions, changing the focus of the eye's lens, i.e., adjusting the eyes to focus on objects at different distances, will automatically produce a consistent change in convergence and divergence up to the same distance, under a relationship known as the "accommodation-vergence reflex." Similarly, changes in convergence and divergence will also induce a consistent change in accommodation under normal conditions. Actions that oppose this reflex are known to cause eye strain, headaches, or other forms of discomfort in the user (as in most conventional stereoscopic AR configurations).

[0004] Stereoscopic wearable glasses generally feature two displays, one for the left eye and one for the right, configured to display images with slightly different element presentations so that a three-dimensional viewpoint is perceived by the human visual system. Such configurations have been found uncomfortable for many users due to the inconsistency between convergence / divergence motion and accommodation ("convergence / divergence-accommodation collision") that must be overcome in order to perceive images in three dimensions. In fact, some AR users cannot tolerate stereoscopic configurations. Therefore, most conventional AR systems are not optimally suited to presenting a rich binocular three-dimensional experience in a manner that would be comfortable and most useful for the user, partly because conventional systems cannot address some of the fundamental aspects of the human perceptual system, including convergence / divergence-accommodation collision.

[0005] AR systems must also be capable of displaying virtual digital content at various perceived positions and distances to the user. The design of AR systems also presents numerous other challenges, including the system speed in delivering virtual digital content, the quality of the virtual digital content, the user's exit pupil distance (addressing convergence / divergence motion and near-far accommodation collisions), the system size and portability, and other system and optical challenges.

[0006] One possible approach to address these problems (including convergence / divergence motion and near / near-accommodative collisions) is to project the image onto multiple depth planes. To implement this type of system, one approach is to direct light to the user's eye using multiple optical stimulators so that the light appears to originate from multiple depth planes. The optical stimulators are designed to internally couple virtual light corresponding to a digital or virtual object, propagate it by total internal reflection ("TIR"), and then externally couple the virtual light to display the digital or virtual object to the user's eye. The optical stimulators are also designed to be transparent to light from (e.g., reflected from) actual real-world objects.

[0007] However, some real-world light may be internally coupled to the optical stimulating element and externally coupled in an uncontrolled manner, resulting in unintended rainbow artifacts presented to the user's eye as a result of the real-world light being diffracted by the optical stimulating element. The appearance of unintended rainbow artifacts in AR scenarios can interfere with the intended effects of the AR scenario. The systems and methods described herein are configured to address these challenges. [Overview of the Initiative] [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one embodiment, the augmented reality system includes a light source configured to generate a virtual light beam, the virtual light beam carrying information about virtual objects. The system also includes an optical stimulator element, which is transparent to a first real-world light beam, into which the virtual light beam enters, propagates through the optical stimulator element by total internal reflection (TIR), and exits from the optical stimulator element. In addition, the system also includes a lens positioned adjacent to the optical stimulator element, on the outside of its surface, which is configured with coloration to absorb a certain amount of real-world light and allow a portion of the real-world light to pass through the optical stimulator element.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the coloring is a gradient coloring such that the upper world-side portion of the lens transmits almost no real-world light, while the lower world-side portion transmits more real-world light, thereby minimizing rainbow artifacts generated from the accidental diffraction of real-world light from above by the optically induced optical element.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, gradient tinting gradually transmits more real-world light, starting from the upper world-side portion of the lens and moving towards the lower world-side portion of the lens. The first average transmittance (T) at the upper edge of the lens avg ) is 5%, and the second T in the central part of the lens avg It is 28%, and the third T at the bottom portion of the lens avg The amount of real-world light transmitted through a lens with gradient tint is consistently 33% across the bottom portion, and T avg It is represented as follows: The lens provides a protective element to the light-guiding optical element.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the lens further comprises a diverter positioned adjacent thereto, the diverter configured to correct the optical path of a second real-world light beam on the surface of the lens, the second real-world light beam originating from an overhead position relative to the upper world side.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the lens is configured with a diverter and gradient tinting, and the combination of the diverter and gradient tinting minimizes the rainbow effect generated from the accidental diffraction of a second real-world light beam by the optically stimulated optical element.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the divertor is configured to reflect a second real-world light beam.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the divertor is configured to refract or diffract a second real-world light beam.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the lens further comprises an alignment marking used to mount the lens onto the spectacle frame during assembly. The alignment marking comprises a special ink that makes the alignment marking visible under special lighting during assembly and invisible to the user during normal use.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the special ink is an infrared ink.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the special ink is an ultraviolet ink.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the special ink is not removed after the initial assembly of the lens onto the eyeglass frame, and the lens is reused and reassembled after maintenance work is completed on the lens or eyeglass frame.

[0019] 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 having a flat surface for mounting the flat peripheral surface onto the flat surface of the frame, and the lens provides a protective element to the optical element of the augmented reality system.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the lens is constructed with Trivex. The central thickness of the lens is 1.2 mm + / - 0.2 mm. The lens has a radius of curvature of 86.8 mm + / - 0.9 mm. The lens comprises at least one of a gradient tint coating, a hard coating, a mirror coating, an anti-fouling coating, and / or an anti-reflection coating.

[0021] In yet another embodiment, an augmented reality system includes a light source for generating a virtual light beam, the virtual light beam carrying information related to a virtual object. The system also includes a light-guiding optical element, wherein the light-guiding optical element allows a first portion of a first real-world light beam to pass therethrough, and the virtual light beam is incident on the light-guiding optical element, propagates through the light-guiding optical element by substantially total internal reflection (TIR), and exits from the light-guiding optical element. The system further includes a lens disposed adjacent to the light-guiding optical element and outside a surface thereof, the lens including a light modulation mechanism that attenuates a second portion of the real-world light beam and allows the first portion of the real-world light to pass through the lens.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the light modulation mechanism includes a liquid crystal layer, first and second electrodes disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal layer on opposite sides thereof, first and second compensation films disposed adjacent to and outside the first and second electrodes respectively, and first and second polarizers disposed adjacent to and outside the first and second compensation films respectively. Each of the first and second polarizers may include a plurality of regions configured to impart different degrees of polarization to light passing therethrough. The liquid crystal layer may be configured to impart a delay or a degree of polarization rotation to light passing therethrough in response to a voltage applied by the first and second electrodes. The degree of polarization imparted by the liquid crystal layer may be proportional to the voltage applied by the first and second electrodes.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the first and second electrodes are configured to apply a voltage to the liquid crystal layer that varies along a direction within the liquid crystal layer. The direction may be from the bottom to the top of the liquid crystal layer. The first and second electrodes may be separated by a distance that increases along the direction within the liquid crystal layer. The first electrode may be tapered so as to move away from the second electrode as the distance increases along the direction within the liquid crystal layer. The first electrode may include multiple segments, each adjacent pair of segments having a leading segment that is positioned further from the second electrode in the direction compared to the subsequent segment. The first electrode may have a thickness that decreases along the direction.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the first electrode includes first, second, and third segments arranged along a direction, the first and third segments having first and third resistances lower than the second resistance of the second segment. The first and third segments may contain indium tin oxide. The second segment may contain graphene. The system may also include first and second voltage sources electrically coupled to the first and third segments of the first electrode.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the first electrode includes a plurality of segments arranged along a direction and electrically isolated from each other by a plurality of corresponding resistors. The system may also include a voltage source electrically coupled to the first segment of the plurality of segments at the far end of the first electrode along the direction. The first electrode may have a flat shape, and the plurality of resistors may be arranged along the edge of the first electrode. The plurality of segments may be physically isolated from each other by a plurality of electrical insulating members. Each of the plurality of resistors may be physically positioned between individual pairs of the plurality of segments.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the head-mounted device comprises 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 so as to be positioned between the user's eyes and the user's environment when the head-mounted device is worn by the user, the controllable dimming assembly configured to exhibit a level of opacity that varies from a first level of opacity to a second level of opacity as a function of location on the controllable dimming assembly; and a control circuit network electrically coupled to the controllable dimming assembly, the control circuit network configured to apply one or more electrical signals to the controllable dimming assembly to adjust one or both of the first and second levels of opacity.

[0027] In some implementations, a controllable dimming assembly is configured to exhibit (i) a first opacity level at a first location on the controllable dimming assembly, and (ii) an opacity level that varies as a function of distance from the first location on the controllable dimming assembly. In some of these implementations, the controllable dimming assembly is configured to exhibit a second opacity level at a second location on the controllable dimming assembly, the second location being different from the first location. In some such implementations, the first or second location corresponds to a set of one or more points along at least a portion of the perimeter of the controllable dimming assembly. Furthermore, in some such implementations, the first location corresponds to a location within the inner region of the controllable dimming assembly. In some embodiments, the location within the inner region of the controllable dimming assembly corresponds to the center of the controllable dimming assembly.

[0028] In some embodiments, the first opacity level represents the global minimum opacity level, and the second opacity level represents the global maximum opacity level.

[0029] In some implementations, the controllable dimming assembly is configured to exhibit an opacity level that varies linearly, exponentially, or logarithmically as a function of its location on the controllable dimming assembly.

[0030] In some embodiments, the controllable dimming assembly is configured such that a first opacity level and a second opacity level vary based on the voltage levels of one or more electrical signals applied as inputs to the controllable dimming assembly.

[0031] In some implementations, the controllable dimming assembly is configured such that the first and second opacity levels change at different rates as the voltage level changes.

[0032] In some embodiments, the controllable dimming assembly comprises first and second polarizers, first and second electrode assemblies positioned between the first and second polarizers, and a liquid crystal layer positioned between the first and second electrode assemblies. In some of these embodiments, a control circuit network is electrically coupled to the first and second electrode assemblies and configured to apply one or more electrical signals to the controllable dimming assembly, thereby producing an electric field between the first and second electrode assemblies.

[0033] Furthermore, in some such embodiments, one or both of the first and second polarizers are configured to impart a spatially variable degree of polarization to the light passing through them.

[0034] In at least some of these embodiments, in order to produce an electric field between a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly, the controllable dimming assembly is configured to produce an electric field between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly exhibiting a spatially fluctuating level of electric field intensity.

[0035] In some such embodiments, one or both of the first and second electrode assemblies are configured such that one or more of their properties are spatially variable. In some embodiments, one or more properties include thickness, resistance, conductivity, orientation, composition, or a combination thereof.

[0036] In some implementations, the control circuit network comprises one or more of the following: a voltage divider network, conductors, a processor, and a power source.

[0037] In some embodiments, the controllable dimming assembly is physically coupled to the frame so that it is positioned between the user's eyes and the user's environment when the head-mounted device is worn by the user.

[0038] In some implementations, the control network is further configured to receive inputs from one or more data sources and apply one or more electrical signals to a controllable dimming assembly to adjust one or both of the first and second opacity levels. 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 a combination thereof. The present invention provides, for example, the following: (Item 1) It is an augmented reality system, A light source for generating a virtual light beam, wherein the virtual light beam carries information about a virtual object, An optical stimulating element, wherein the optical stimulating element allows a first portion of a first real-world light beam to pass through it, the virtual light beam is incident on the optical stimulating element, propagates through the optical stimulating element by substantially total internal reflection (TIR), and exits the optical stimulating element, A lens positioned adjacent to the optical element and on the surface thereof, wherein the lens comprises an optical modulation mechanism that attenuates a second portion of the real-world light beam and allows a first portion of the real-world light to pass through the lens, and A system that includes these features. (Item 2) The aforementioned optical modulation mechanism is The liquid crystal layer, First and second electrodes are arranged adjacent to the liquid crystal layer and on the opposite side thereof, A first and a second compensation film, wherein the first and second compensation films are each positioned adjacent to and outside the first and second electrodes, A first and a second polarizer, wherein the first and second polarizers are each positioned adjacent to and outside of the first and second compensation films, and The system described in item 1, comprising the features described in item 1. (Item 3) The system according to item 2, wherein the first and second polarizers each include a plurality of regions configured to impart different degrees of polarization to the light passing through them. (Item 4) The system according to item 3, wherein the liquid crystal layer is configured to impart a delay or rotational polarization to the light passing through it in response to a voltage applied by the first and second electrodes. (Item 5) The system according to item 4, wherein the degree of polarization imparted by the liquid crystal layer is proportional to the voltage applied by the first and second electrodes. (Item 6) The system according to item 2, wherein the first and second electrodes are configured to apply a voltage to the liquid crystal layer that varies along the direction within the liquid crystal layer. (Item 7) The system according to item 6, wherein the direction is from the bottom of the liquid crystal layer to the top of the liquid crystal layer. (Item 8) The system according to item 6, wherein the first and second electrodes are separated by a distance increasing along the direction within the liquid crystal layer. (Item 9) The system according to item 8, wherein the first electrode is tapered away from the second electrode such that the distance increases along the direction within the liquid crystal layer. (Item 10) The system according to item 8, wherein the first electrode comprises a plurality of segments, and each adjacent pair of segments has a preceding segment that is positioned further from the second electrode than a subsequent segment in the said direction. (Item 11) The system according to item 6, wherein the first electrode has a thickness that decreases along the direction. (Item 12) The first electrode comprises first, second, and third segments arranged along the direction, The first and third segments have first and third resistances that are lower than the second resistance of the second segment. The system described in item 6. (Item 13) The system according to item 12, wherein the first and third segments include indium tin oxide. (Item 14) The second segment is the system described in item 12, which includes graphene. (Item 15) The system according to item 12, further comprising first and second voltage sources electrically coupled to the first and third segments of the first electrode. (Item 16) The system according to item 2, wherein the first electrode comprises a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments arranged along the direction and electrically isolated from each other by a plurality of corresponding resistors. (Item 17) The system according to item 16, further comprising a voltage source electrically coupled to the first segment of the plurality of segments at the far end of the first electrode along the aforementioned direction. (Item 18) The first electrode has a flat shape, The plurality of resistors are arranged along the edge of the first electrode, The system described in item 16. (Item 19) The system according to item 18, wherein the plurality of segments are physically separated from each other by a plurality of electrical insulating members. (Item 20) The system according to item 16, wherein each of the plurality of resistors is physically positioned between individual pairs of the plurality of segments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0039] The drawings illustrate the design and availability of various embodiments of the present invention. Note that the drawings are not drawn to exact scale, and elements of similar structures or functions are represented by the same reference numeral throughout the drawings. To gain a deeper understanding of how the various embodiments of the present invention achieve the aforementioned and other advantages and objectives, a brief detailed description of the present invention, as briefly stated above, will be given by reference to its specific embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. With the understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present invention and are therefore not to be considered as limitations of its scope, the present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.

[0040] [Figure 1] Figure 1-3 shows detailed schematic diagrams of various augmented reality systems. [Figure 2] Figure 1-3 shows detailed schematic diagrams of various augmented reality systems. [Figure 3] Figure 1-3 shows detailed schematic diagrams of various augmented reality systems.

[0041] [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the focal plane of an augmented reality system.

[0042] [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a detailed schematic diagram of the optically guided optical elements of an augmented reality system.

[0043] [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an end view of an optically guided optical element from prior art in augmented reality systems.

[0044] [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an end view of a lens positioned adjacent to and outside of an optically guided optical element in an augmented reality system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0045] [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a front view of a gradient-colored lens for an augmented reality system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0046] [Figure 9] Figure 9 illustrates multiple views of the flat peripheral surface around the edge of a gradient-colored lens in an augmented reality system, according to several embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0047] [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a front view of a gradient-colored lens for an augmented reality system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0048] [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a schematic side view of a controllable dimming assembly that may form all or part of the outer covering lens of an augmented reality system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0049] [Figure 12A] Figures 12A-12D illustrate various dimming patterns according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 12B] Figures 12A-12D illustrate various dimming patterns according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 12C]Figures 12A-12D illustrate various dimming patterns according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 12D] Figures 12A-12D illustrate various dimming patterns according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0050] [Figure 13A] Figures 13A–13D are front views of various polarizers configured to create dimming patterns, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 13B] Figures 13A–13D are front views of various polarizers configured to create dimming patterns, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 13C] Figures 13A–13D are front views of various polarizers configured to create dimming patterns, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 13D] Figures 13A–13D are front views of various polarizers configured to create dimming patterns, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0051] [Figure 14] Figures 14A–14C are schematic side views of electrode assemblies configured to create dimming patterns, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0052] [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a schematic perspective view of an electrode assembly configured to create a dimming pattern, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0053] [Figure 16A] Figures 16A–16D are front views of various electrode assemblies configured to create dimming patterns, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 16B] Figures 16A–16D are front views of various electrode assemblies configured to create dimming patterns, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 16C]Figures 16A–16D are front views of various electrode assemblies configured to create dimming patterns, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 16D] Figures 16A–16D are front views of various electrode assemblies configured to create dimming patterns, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0054] [Figure 17A] Figure 17A is a schematic perspective view of an electrode assembly configured to create a dimming pattern, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0055] [Figure 17B] Figure 17B is a schematic diagram of the electrode assembly depicted in Figure 17A, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0056] [Figure 18A] Figures 18A–18D are front views of various electrode assemblies configured to create dimming patterns, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 18B] Figures 18A–18D are front views of various electrode assemblies configured to create dimming patterns, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 18C] Figures 18A–18D are front views of various electrode assemblies configured to create dimming patterns, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 18D] Figures 18A–18D are front views of various electrode assemblies configured to create dimming patterns, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0057] Various embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and articles for implementing optical systems in one or more embodiments. Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are described in the detailed description, figures, and claims.

[0058] Herein, various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples of the invention, so as to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It should be noted that the following figures and embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Where any element of the invention can be partially or completely implemented using known components (or methods or processes), only those of such known components (or methods or processes) necessary for understanding the invention will be described, and detailed descriptions of other parts of such known components (or methods or processes) will be omitted so as not to obscure the invention. Furthermore, the various embodiments will encompass currently and future known equivalents of the components referenced herein as illustrations.

[0059] The optical system may be implemented independently of the AR system, but many of the following embodiments are described in relation to the AR system for illustrative purposes only. (Summary of the problem and solution)

[0060] One type of optical system for generating virtual images at various depths while allowing real-world light to pass through includes at least partially transparent optical stimulators (e.g., prisms, including diffractive optical elements). However, these optical stimulators can unintentionally internally couple real-world light from a real-world light source. This unintentionally internally coupled real-world light can be diffracted within the optical stimulator toward the user's eye. Externally coupled real-world light exits the optical stimulator in a diffracting manner, thereby generating artifacts such as a "rainbow" image or artifact that appear in the user's field of view and / or in the vicinity of virtual objects displayed by the optical stimulator within the AR scenario. Rainbow artifacts disrupt the effectiveness of the AR scenario with their dissonant images.

[0061] The following disclosure describes various embodiments of systems and methods for creating 3D perception using multi-planar focal optical elements, addressing the present problem by including an external cover lens ("window") for the light-guiding optical element. In particular, the external window has gradient tinting to reduce light (e.g., sunlight, overhead light, etc.) entering the light-guiding optical element from above the user. For example, the gradient tinting, in an embodiment, allows 5% light transmission at the top of the lens and gradually increases towards the bottom of the lens (e.g., 33%). The external window with gradient tinting is an important component for improving realism in virtual content by reducing the amount of ambient light incident on the AR system and for blocking / reducing rainbow artifacts by reducing the amount of overhead light that can unintentionally diffract within the AR system and generate "rainbow" artifacts displayed to the user. Gradient coloring allows for a lighting balance between blocking bright overhead light and minimizing rainbow artifacts that appear near virtual content, while allowing sufficient ambient light (e.g., reflected from real-world objects) to pass through the AR system, still enabling the user to see and interact with the physical environment.

[0062] The increase in perceived realism in virtual content as a result of ambient light reduction, unintentionally internally coupled to and externally coupled within light-guided optical elements, can be analogous to, for example, the interior lighting of a movie theater and the light source behind a display screen in a movie theater environment. For instance, as the interior lighting inside a movie theater is reduced, the image quality of the movie displayed on the screen appears to improve. In another embodiment, if a light source is unintentionally illuminating behind a display screen, the image quality of the movie displayed on the screen may appear significantly reduced. This reduction in image quality can be attributed to the light source behind the screen canceling out the image of the movie displayed on the screen. Similarly, the reduction of illumination from overhead real-world light sources while a user is wearing an augmented reality display system is analogous to the reduction of interior lighting, insofar as it improves the virtual objects displayed to the user. Furthermore, a light source emitted from the back of a display screen in a theater is analogous to an overhead light source that is unintentionally received and displayed by the augmented reality display system. When overhead light is minimized, the effects of rainbow artifacts are reduced accordingly, while the realism of the content of virtual objects displayed to the user is improved.

[0063] Having a gradient-tinted external lens reduces the majority of light entering the optical guiding element from above the user (e.g., sunlight, overhead light, etc.), thereby reducing the diffraction of unintentionally internally coupled light that can diffract within the LOE and produce rainbow artifacts. Gradient tinting reduces more light in the upper part of the lens compared to the lower part of the lens, as bright ambient light generally originates from a light source that is typically above the user in an augmented reality system. Typical examples of overhead light sources include sunlight, indoor ceiling lights, and outdoor streetlights. In other words, most light sources that illuminate a room or physical environment typically originate from above the user. Therefore, an external window to the optical guiding element can substantially reduce real-world light from above the user, minimizing unintentional internal coupling of real-world light into the optical guiding element and the associated rainbow artifacts. Simultaneously, the gradient of coloration allows for greater light transmission towards the central portion (e.g., the field of view) and even greater light transmission at the bottom of the lens, allowing more ambient light from the physical environment to enter the augmented reality system, enabling the user to interact with the physical environment and the virtual objects displayed by the AR system.

[0064] The controllable gradient tinted external lenses disclosed herein enable AR systems to respond to changes in ambient light intensity and direction. The AR system can increase tint when ambient illumination is relatively high in intensity and / or when ambient light originates from a high angle (compared to angles parallel to the optical axis). Controlling the intensity of tint allows the AR system to minimize the impact on ambient light transmittance, while reducing unintentionally internally coupled light and corresponding artifacts, in order to improve AR scenarios. (Illustrative augmented reality systems)

[0065] Before describing in detail the embodiments of external windows for light-guided optical elements, this disclosure will here provide an illustrative description of an AR system.

[0066] One possible approach for implementing an AR system is to use multiple volume phase holograms, surface relief holograms, or optically stimulating optical elements that embed depth plane information and generate images that appear to originate from individual depth planes. In other words, diffraction patterns, i.e., diffractive optical elements ("DOEs"), may be embedded in or engraved on optically stimulating optical elements ("LOEs," e.g., plane waveguides) such that the diffraction pattern intersects at multiple locations as collimated light (a beam of light with a nearly plane wavefront) is substantially fully internally reflected along the LOE and emerges toward the user's eye. The DOEs are configured such that light emanating from the LOEs through them comes into contact with them and therefore appears to originate from a particular depth plane. The collimated light may be generated using optical focusing lenses ("focusers").

[0067] For example, a first LOE may be configured to deliver collimated light to the eye that appears to originate from an optical infinite depth plane (0 diopters). Another LOE may be configured to deliver collimated light that appears to originate from a distance of 2 meters (1 / 2 diopters). Yet another LOE may be configured to deliver collimated light that appears to originate from a distance of 1 meter (1 diopter). It can be understood that by using a stacked LOE assembly, multiple depth planes can be generated, and each LOE can be configured to display an image that appears to originate from a particular depth plane. It should be understood that a stack may contain any number of LOEs. However, at least N stacked LOEs are required to generate N depth planes. Furthermore, N, 2N, or 3N stacked LOEs may be used to generate RGB colored images in N depth planes.

[0068] 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., moving away from the user's eyes orthogonally). In other words, the virtual content can appear to change not only in the X and Y directions (i.e., a 2D plane orthogonal to the central visual axis of the user's eyes) but also in the Z direction, so that the user can perceive objects as being very close, infinitely far, or at any distance in between. In other embodiments, the user may perceive multiple objects simultaneously in different depth planes. For example, the user may see a virtual dragon appearing from infinity and running towards them. Alternatively, the user may simultaneously see a virtual bird at a distance of 3 meters from them and a virtual coffee cup at arm's length (approximately 1 meter) from them.

[0069] A multi-plane focus system generates a variable depth perception by projecting images onto some or all of multiple depth planes located at separate fixed distances in the Z direction from the user's eye. Referring here to Figure 4, it should be understood that a multi-plane focus system typically displays frames in fixed depth planes 202 (e.g., six depth planes 202 shown in Figure 4). While an AR system can include any number of depth planes 202, one exemplary multi-plane focus system has six fixed depth planes 202 in the Z direction. When generating virtual content in one or more of the six depth planes 202, 3D perception is generated so that the user perceives one or more virtual objects at a variable distance from the user's eye. Assuming that the human eye is more sensitive to objects at closer distances than to objects appearing at a greater distance, more depth planes 202 are generated the closer they are to the eye, as shown in Figure 4. In other embodiments, the depth planes 202 may be placed at equidistant distances from each other.

[0070] The depth plane position 202 is typically measured in diopters, which are units of refractive power equal to the reciprocal of the focal length measured in meters. For example, in one embodiment, depth plane 1 may be 1 / 3 diopter away, depth plane 2 may be 0.3 diopters away, depth plane 3 may be 0.2 diopters away, depth plane 4 may be 0.15 diopters away, depth plane 5 may be 0.1 diopters away, and depth plane 6 may represent infinity (i.e., 0 diopters away). It should be understood that other embodiments may generate depth planes 202 at other distances / diopters. Thus, when virtual content is generated in a strategically placed depth plane 202, the user can perceive the virtual objects in three dimensions. For example, the user may perceive a first virtual object as being close when displayed in depth plane 1, while another virtual object appears at infinity in depth plane 6. Alternatively, the virtual object may be displayed first in depth plane 6, then in depth plane 5, and so on, until the virtual object appears very close to the user. It should be understood that the above embodiment is greatly simplified for illustrative purposes. In another embodiment, all six depth planes may be concentrated at specific focal distances away from the user. For example, if the virtual content to be displayed is a coffee cup 1 / 2 meter away from the user, all six depth planes may be generated at various cross-sections of the coffee cup, giving the user a very granular 3D view of the coffee cup.

[0071] In one embodiment, the AR system may function as a multi-plane focal system. In other words, all six LOEs may be illuminated simultaneously so that images appearing as if originating from six fixed depth planes are generated in rapid conjunction with the light source, and image information is rapidly transmitted to LOE1, then LOE2, then LOE3, and so on. For example, a portion of a desired image, including an image of the sky at optical infinity, may be emitted at time 1, and LOE190 (e.g., depth plane 6 from Figure 4), which maintains light collimation, may be used. Then, an image of a closer tree branch may be emitted at time 2, and LOE190 (e.g., depth plane 5 from Figure 4), configured to generate an image appearing as if originating from a depth plane 10 meters away, may be used. Then, an image of a pen may be emitted at time 3, and LOE190, configured to generate an image appearing as if originating from a depth plane 1 meter away, may be used. This type of paradigm can be repeated in a rapid time-sequential manner (e.g., 360Hz) such that the user's eyes and brain (e.g., the visual cortex) perceive the input as the entirety of the same image.

[0072] AR systems are required to project images (i.e., by diverging or converging a light beam) that appear to originate from various locations along the Z-axis (i.e., the depth plane) and generate images for a 3D experience. As used in this application, the light beam includes, but is not limited to, directional projection of light energy (including visible and invisible light energy) emitted from a light source. Generating images that appear to originate from various depth planes adapts to the convergence-divergence and accommodation movements of the user's eyes for that image, minimizing or eliminating convergence-divergence-accommodation collisions.

[0073] Figure 1 illustrates a portion of a basic optical system 100 for projecting an image in a single depth plane. System 100 includes a light source 120 and a LOE 190 having associated diffractive optical elements (not shown) and an internally coupled grating 192 (ICG). The diffractive optical elements may be of any type, including volume or surface relief. In one embodiment, the ICG 192 is a reflection-mode aluminum-coated portion of the LOE 190. 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 is incident on the LOE 190 via the ICG 192 and propagates along the LOE 190 for display to the user's eye, due to substantially total internal reflection ("TIR"). Although only one beam is illustrated in Figure 1, it should be understood that multiple beams can be incident on the LOE 190 from a wide range of angles through the same ICG 192. A light beam “incident” or “received” in the LOE includes, but is not limited to, a light beam that interacts with the LOE to propagate along the LOE by substantial TIR. The system 100 depicted in Figure 1 may include various light sources 120 (e.g., LEDs, OLEDs, lasers, and masked large-area / broadband emitters). In other embodiments, light from the light source 120 may be delivered to the LOE 190 via an optical fiber cable (not shown).

[0074] Figure 2 depicts another optical system 100', which includes a light source 120, three LOEs 190, and three separate internally coupled gratings 192. Optical system 100' also includes a three-beam splitter or dichroic mirror 162 (for directing light to the individual LOEs) and three LC shutters 164 (for controlling when the LOEs are illuminated). When system 100' is in use, the light beam from the light source 120 is split into three sub-beams / beamlets by the three-beam splitter 162. The three-beam splitter also redirects the beamlets toward the individual internally coupled gratings 192. After the beamlets enter the LOEs 190 through the individual internally coupled gratings 192, they propagate along the LOEs 190 by substantial TIR, where they interact with additional optical structures and bring the display to the user's eye. The surface of the internal coupling grating 192 on the far side of the optical path can be coated with an opaque material (e.g., aluminum) to prevent light from passing through the internal coupling grating 192 to the next LOE 190. In one embodiment, a beam splitter 162 can be combined with a wavelength filter to generate red, green, and blue beamlets. In such an embodiment, three LOE 190 are required to display a color image in a single depth plane. In another embodiment, each LOE 190 may present a portion of a larger single depth plane image area, either of similar or different colors ("tiled field of view"), that is laterally angularly displaced within the user's field of view.

[0075] Figure 3 depicts yet another optical system 100'' having six beam splitters 162, six LC shutters 164, and six LOE 190s, each having a separate ICG 192. As discussed above during the discussion of Figure 2, three LOE 190s are required to display a color image in a single depth plane. Thus, the six LOE 190s of this system 100'' are capable of displaying a color image in two depth planes.

[0076] Figure 5 depicts the LOE 190, which has an ICG 192, an orthogonal pupil expander 194 ("OPE"), and an exit pupil expander 196 ("EPE").

[0077] As shown in Figure 1-4, the number of LOE190s and ICG192s increases as the number of depth planes, field tiles, or colors generated increases (e.g., with increasing AR scenario quality). For example, a single RGB color depth plane requires at least three LOE190s, accompanied by three ICG192s. Consequently, the opportunities for unintentional internal coupling of real-world light in these optical elements also increase. Furthermore, all real-world light can be internally coupled along the LOE190s, including external coupling gratings (not shown). Therefore, increasing the number of optical elements required to produce an acceptable AR scenario exacerbates the problem of rainbow artifacts from internally coupled real-world light. (Eye Expander)

[0078] The LOE190 discussed above also functions as an exit pupil expander 196 ("EPE"), increasing the numerical aperture of the light source 120, thereby increasing the resolution of the system 100. Because the light source 120 generates small diameter / spot-sized light, the EPE196 expands the apparent pupil size of the light emitted from the LOE190, thereby increasing the system resolution. In other embodiments of the AR system 100, the system may further include, in addition to the EPE196, an orthogonal pupil expander 194 ("OPE") to expand the light in both the X and Y directions. Further details of the EPE196 and OPE194 are described in U.S. Patent Applications 14 / 555,585 and 14 / 726,424, which are referenced above and whose contents have already been incorporated by reference.

[0079] Figure 5 depicts LOE190 having ICG192, OPE194, and EPE196. Figure 5 depicts LOE190 from a top view, similar to the view from the user's eye. ICG192, OPE194, and EPE196 may be any type of DOE, including solid or surface relief.

[0080] ICG192 is a DOE (e.g., a linear grid) configured to receive light from light source 120 for TIR propagation. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 5, light source 120 is positioned on the side of LOE190.

[0081] OPE194 is a DOE (e.g., a linear grid) that is tilted to a lateral plane (i.e., perpendicular to the optical path) such that the light beam propagating through system 100 will be deflected 90 degrees to the side. OPE194 is also partially transmissive and partially reflective along the optical path such that the light beam partially passes through OPE194 and forms multiple (e.g., 11) beamlets. In one embodiment, the optical path is along the X-axis, and OPE194 is configured to bend the beamlets with respect to the Y-axis.

[0082] EPE196 is a DOE (e.g., a linear grid) that is tilted in an axial plane (i.e., parallel to the optical path or Y direction) such that beamlets propagating through system 100 will be deflected 90 degrees in the axial direction. EPE196 is also partially transmissive and partially reflective along the optical path (Y-axis) such that beamlets partially pass through EPE196 and form multiple (e.g., seven) beamlets. EPE196 is also tilted in the Z direction with respect to the directional portion of the beamlets propagating toward the user's eye.

[0083] Both OPE194 and EPE196 are also at least partially transparent along the Z-axis, allowing real-world light (e.g., reflected from real-world objects) to pass through OPE194 and EPE196 in the Z-direction and reach the user's eye. In some embodiments, ICG192 is at least partially transparent along the Z-axis and also receives real-world light. However, when ICG192, OPE194, or EPE196 are the transparent diffracting portions of LOE190, they can unintentionally internally couple real-world light into LOE190. As described above, this unintentionally internally coupled real-world light can externally couple into the user's eye, forming a rainbow artifact. (Rainbow artifact problem)

[0084] Figure 6 is an end view of a prior art AR system 100 having an LOE 190. The LOE 190 is similar to the one depicted in Figure 5, except that only the ICG 192 and EPE 196 are depicted in Figure 6, and the OPE 194 is omitted for clarity. Several exemplary light beams from various sources are illustrated to demonstrate the rainbow artifact problem described above. A virtual light beam 302 generated by the light source 120 is internally coupled into the LOE 190 by the ICG 192. The virtual light beam 302 carries information about a virtual object 338 (e.g., a virtual robot) generated by the AR system 100.

[0085] The virtual light beam 302 is propagated by TIR through LOE 190 and partially emits each time it collides on EPE 196. In Figure 6, the virtual light beam 302 collides at two locations on EPE 196. The emitted virtual light beamlets 302' are sent to the user's eye 304 at angles determined by the AR system 100. The virtual light beamlets 302' depicted in Figure 6 are approximately parallel to each other. The virtual light beamlets 302' will therefore render an image (e.g., a virtual object 338 of a virtual robot) that appears to originate from a neighborhood at infinity. The virtual light beamlets 302' can be sent to the user's eye 304 at a wide range of angles relative to each other and render an image that appears to originate from a wide range of distances from the user's eye.

[0086] LOE190 is also transparent to real-world light beams 306, such as those reflected from real-world objects 308 (e.g., distant trees). Since the trees 308 depicted in Figure 6 are far from the user's eye 304, the real-world light beams 302 are approximately parallel to each other. The real-world light beams 306 pass through LOE190 because LOE190 is transparent to light. Real-world objects 308 at closer distances to the user's eye 302 would diverge from each other, but would still substantially pass through LOE190.

[0087] The problem is that the prior art LOE190 also internally couples (by refraction) an overhead real-world light beam 312a (e.g., overhead light source such as sunlight, ceiling lights, or streetlights) from above the user to the LOE190 in the upper part of the LOE190. The upper part of the LOE190 corresponds to the upper part of the world, such as the upper part of the headset when the headset 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 as depicted in Figure 6 is located overhead relative to the LOE190. The sun 314 is depicted to the right of the LOE190, but the sun 314 can, and typically can, be located high in the air above the LOE190. Sunlight from the sun is typically above the user, so sunlight will enter the headset from the upper world-facing portion, while most light beams from physical objects in the user's physical environment enter the headset more in the field of view portion of the headset (assuming the user is looking at physical objects), as opposed to the upper world-facing portion of the headset through which overhead light sources enter.

[0088] The sun 314 is an overhead real-world light source 314 that, because it is also bright, 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 accidentally collide onto the LOE 190 from above the user. The brightness of the overhead real-world light source causes diffraction within the LOE 190, and thus can produce a rainbow artifact in the vicinity of the virtual object 338 generated from the light source 302. Diffraction is the process by which a light wave is split into dark and light bands or spectral colors. Light passing through a narrow opening in a blind, causing light and dark shading and patterns to spread across the floor, is an example of diffraction.

[0089] As shown in Figure 6, the overhead real-world beam 312a can be internally coupled into the LOE190 at the outer surface 310 of the LOE190. From there, the LOE190 is fabricated. Due to the refractive index of the material, the internally coupled overhead real-world beam 312a' changes its trajectory from the overhead real-world beam 312a. Finally, when the internally coupled overhead real-world beam 312a' collides onto the EPE196, it exits the LOE190 as the exit overhead real-world beam 312a'' with a further altered trajectory. As shown in Figure 6, the exit overhead real-world beam 312a'' renders a rainbow image / artifact 316a within the field of view of the virtual object 338. In Figure 6, the rainbow image / artifact 316a appears to occur within the vicinity of the virtual object 338. The unintended juxtaposition of a rainbow image / artifact 316a next to the virtual object 338 may interfere with the intended effect of the AR scenario.

[0090] Because the AR system 100 requires a certain degree of transmission to the real-world light beam 306, its LOE 190 has the problem of unintended internal coupling of the overhead real-world light beam 312a and the rainbow artifact generated when the internally coupled overhead real-world beam 312a'' exits the LOE 190. Single beams and beamlets are depicted in Figure 6, but it should be understood that this is for clarity. Each single beam or beamlet depicted in Figure 6 represents multiple beams or beamlets that carry relevant information and have similar trajectories. While embodiments of this specification are described in relation to reducing rainbow artifacts, embodiments may also reduce other optical artifacts resulting from unintentional internal coupling of ambient light. (External covering lens for the light-guided optical element)

[0091] Figure 7 is an end view of a lens positioned adjacent to and outside an optical guiding element of an augmented reality system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The LOE190 comprises an ICG192, an OPE (not shown), an EPE196, and a lens 350. The lens 350 is positioned adjacent to and outside the surface 310 of the LOE190. The lens 350 may include coloring and be configured to absorb real-world light through coloring such that the amount of real-world light transmitted through the colored lens and transmitted through the optical guiding element (e.g., the LOE190) is reduced. The tinted lens may also be configured as a gradient tinted lens, where the upper world-side portion of the lens absorbs more real-world light (e.g., reduces more light / transmits less light) to minimize the "rainbow" artifact produced by bright overhead light sources, and the lower world-side portion of the lens absorbs less real-world light (e.g., reduces less light / transmits more light) to allow sufficient light to pass through the LOE190. The amount of real-world light transmitted through the gradient lens is such that 5% of the light transmitted through the lens is T avg = 5%, and 33% of the light transmitted through the lens is T avg As expressed as =33%, the average transmittance ("T avg It can be expressed as ").

[0092] For example, in Figure 7, the sun 314 is above / over the head of the user of the augmented reality system. The real-world overhead light source 314 (e.g., the sun) emits an overhead real-world light beam 312b. As the overhead real-world light beam enters lens 350 in the upper portion of a gradient-colored lens (for example, depicted as on the right side of Figure 7), a significant percentage of the overhead real-world light beam 312b is absorbed within the color of lens 350, so that the reduced real-world light beam 312b' (shown as a dashed line) is transmitted through lens 350 and transmitted through the transparent LOE 190. For example, the upper portion of lens 350 has a 5% T avgWhen gradient coloring is present, only 5% of the overhead real-world light beam 312b (e.g., the reduced real-world light beam 312b') is transmitted through lens 350 and through LOE 190.

[0093] As the reduced real-world light beam 312b' exits the LOE 190, the reduced real-world light beam 312b' can still be diffracted by elements within the LOE 190, so that the diffracted light beam 312b'' can still enter the user's eye 304 and thus create a reduced rainbow artifact 316b perceived by the user of the AR system. Note that the rainbow artifact 316a in Figure 6 appears significantly brighter than the reduced rainbow artifact 316b in Figure 7 because in Figure 6, the overhead real-world light beam 312a enters the LOE 190 with its full intensity (without a lens 350 having, for example, gradient coloring that absorbs part of the light 312b as illustrated in Figure 7, or any coloring to absorb any part of the overhead light). At full intensity, the diffraction of the light beam 312a'' into the eye is much stronger and brighter, and therefore, compared to Figure 6, it provides a rainbow artifact 316a perceived by the user as a brighter rainbow effect than the reduced rainbow artifact 316b in Figure 7, minimizing the rainbow effect. Since the reduced real-world light beam 312b' is not as strong as the real-world light beam 312a', the intensity and brightness of the reduced real-world light beam 312b' produce a rainbow artifact 316b that is not as bright and is not as strong.

[0094] As discussed above, there is a balance between the amount of light that should be allowed through lens 350 to maintain the augmented reality of the displayed virtual content with sufficient lighting in the user's physical environment, and the amount of light that should be blocked by lens 350 to minimize rainbow artifacts.

[0095] FIG. 8 is a front view of a gradient tinted lens of an AR system, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that the dashed lines depicted in FIG. 8 merely illustrate an imaginary line across the y-axis of the lens that has a uniform / fixed degree of tint. The lens 350 has variable tinting, wherein variation in tinting is a function of geometry. The degree of tint at any given location is fixed relative to the y-axis of the lens 350. The percentage transmission of the tint (e.g., T avg ) is determined by balancing a user's perception of the opacity of virtual content (e.g., opacity improves with lower ambient light transmission), reduced rainbow artifacts (e.g., improves with lower ambient light transmission), and enabling sufficient ambient light transmission to allow the user to clearly see and interact with the real world (which improves with higher ambient light transmission). Transmissions measured at various points on the EPE (e.g., T avg ) are shown in FIG. 8, and specifications are defined at each of the various points. In some embodiments, a "sweet spot" percent transmission gradient (e.g., as shown in FIG. 8) provides substantially rainbow-free content at acceptable opacity, while allowing a user to see sufficient world light to interact with physical objects viewed by the user through the AR system of the real world.

[0096] As discussed above, gradient tinting controls (a) the ambient light effect of rainbow artifacts through the lens assembly, and (b) brightness that cancels or improves virtual content perception. The lens 350 has various T avg values relative to the y-axis of the lens. As illustrated in FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the gradient tinted lens may include a top edge 810 of the lens, where the tint at the top edge 810 may, by way of example, have 5% T avg . At position 820 along the y-axis of the lens, the tint may, by way of example, have 18% T avgThe main area of ​​lens 350 having a gradient tint (for example, between the upper edge 810 and position 820) may be referred to in this disclosure as the upper portion of the gradient tint lens.

[0097] At position 830 relative to the y-axis of the lens, the tint is, as an example, 28% T avg It may have, which is 33% T avg Therefore, it absorbs less light than that incident at positions 830 and 840. As shown in Figure 8, the gradient coloring is 33% T avg The area of ​​the lens 350 between position 840 and the bottom edge 850 may be referred to in this disclosure as the bottom portion of the gradient-colored lens. In other embodiments, T avg And different locations (e.g., 820, 830, and 840) may vary based on additional optimization testing.

[0098] The gradient is a neutral density such that each wavelength of light is absorbed equally, and therefore the ambient light transmitted through the window appears neutral to the user in terms of temperature and color. That is, the gradient is true gray. In some embodiments, T avg In the linear scheme, 5% T at the upper edge 810 of lens 350. avg 33% T at position 840 avg It is gradually increased to. Those skilled in the art will know the various y-axis T values ​​of the lenses disclosed herein. avg It can be understood that the actual value is simply an exemplary configuration for balancing the control of ambient light effects of rainbow artifacts with brightness that cancels out virtual content perception.

[0099] Referring back to Figure 7, in some embodiments, the augmented reality system may also include a selective reflective coating 320 (e.g., a divertor) that reflects light from overhead light sources so as not to be inadvertently internally coupled into the LOE 190. The selective reflective coating can be angularly selective such that the coated optical element is substantially transparent to real-world light with a low angle of incidence ("AOI", e.g., about 90 degrees from the surface of the optical element). At the same time, the coating makes the coated optical element highly reflective to oblique real-world light with a high AOI (e.g., nearly parallel to the surface of the optical element, about 170 degrees).

[0100] The combination of both the gradient-tinted lens and the selectively reflective coating 320 can, in some embodiments, significantly reduce rainbow artifacts resulting from sunlight and / or overhead lighting such as ceiling lights. Since sunlight and / or ceiling lights can strike the reflective coating 320 from relatively high AOI, the light beam 312b can be reflected by the reflected light beam 313, as illustrated, thereby further reducing the amount of overhead light so that it does not enter the LOE 190. The selectively reflective coating 320 is placed on the outer surface 310 of the LOE 190. The selectively reflective coating 320 can be configured to reflect light having various properties depending on the state in which the coating 320 is "tuned". In one embodiment, the coating is tuned to selectively reflect light striking the coating 320 at relatively high AOI, while allowing light striking the coating 320 at relatively low AOI to pass through the coating. Coating 320 is also tuned to allow relatively low AOI light to pass through it without significantly altering the angle of its trajectory. Further details about Coating 320 (e.g., the divertor) are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 479,700, referenced above (the contents of which have already been incorporated by reference).

[0101] Alternatively, or in addition, a reflective coating 320 (e.g., a diverter), such as that described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 479,700, can be incorporated into the coating of the lens 350 to reflect overhead light, thereby further reducing the amount of overhead light that is transmitted through the lens 350 and can be transmitted through the LOE 190.

[0102] Single beams and beamlets are depicted in Figures 6 and 7, but please understand that this is for clarity only. Each single beam or beamlet depicted in Figures 6 and 7 represents multiple beams or beamlets that carry relevant information and have similar trajectories.

[0103] Lens 350, having gradient tinting, can reduce the field of view by reducing real-world overhead light, but the reduction or minimization of rainbow artifacts may outweigh the sacrifice of reduced illumination in the user's field of view. Furthermore, the gradient tinting of lens 350 may be adjusted to reduce rainbow artifacts while preserving an acceptable field of view. In fact, reducing overhead light improves the realism of the content of virtual objects displayed in the field of view, as discussed above.

[0104] The embodiments described herein include gradient tinted lenses, but those skilled in the art will understand that the gradient tinted lens may comprise a lens 350 having a gradient tinted coating applied to the surface of the lens 350. In some embodiments, the optical coating may be applied to the surface of the lens and may include gradient tinted coatings, anti-reflective coatings, hard coatings, mirror coatings, anti-fouling coatings, and / or alignment markings. The alignment markings provide markers for aligning the gradient during assembly. In some embodiments, the gradient tinted lens is elliptical and not circular. Those skilled in the art will understand that the shape of the gradient tinted lens may be a different shape other than elliptical or circular, and that the shape of the lens may depend on the use case for solving a certain problem. Alignment markings are further disclosed below.

[0105] In some embodiments, the tinted gradient may be a gradient film attached to the protective lens. In some embodiments, the tinted gradient may be manufactured directly within the lens itself. In some embodiments, the tinted gradient may be coated onto the surface 310 of the LOE190 so that the outer lens can be used as a protective structure rather than as an absorbent structure.

[0106] In some embodiments, blocking external overhead light transmission may be achieved by a combination of partial absorption of ambient light (gradient coloring) and partial reflection of ambient light (e.g., a diverter such as a reflective and / or mirror coating).

[0107] In some embodiments, the lens material may be, by example, Trivex material, which is about 1 mm thick and may (a) be splash-proof, (b) impart minimal (ideally zero) distortion / refractive force to ambient light transmitted through the external window, and (c) have a refractive index of 1.58, which is approximately the same as that of waveguide glass. In other embodiments, the lens material may be, by example, polycarbonate. In yet another embodiment, the lens material may be, by example, plastic and / or glass.

[0108] In some embodiments, the lens 350 is geographically modulated relative to the eyebox instead of the EPE 196. The eyebox may be a box that provides a means for viewing or observing in a particular manner. The eyebox may be a volume of space in which a virtually visible image is formed by a lens system or a visual display (e.g., an augmented reality system) representing a combination of exit pupil size and interpupillary distance.

[0109] Figure 9 illustrates multiple views of the flat peripheral surface around the edge of a lens 350 of an augmented reality system according to several 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, which are configured around the edge of a gradient lens and enable interfacial contact and / or sealing with a mounting section, eyeglass frame, and / or AR headset, may hereafter be referred to as the “mounting section”.

[0110] Conventional lens designs generally include curved or rounded peripheral surfaces of the lens to facilitate simple snap-fit / snap-unfit configurations and assembly of the lens to its individual mounting parts. However, this disclosure includes flat peripheral surfaces 930 and 940 around the edge of the lens 350 to facilitate interface contact and / or sealing with the mounting part. For example, in some embodiments, the lens 350 may rely on a flat peripheral surface of the lens because it is a protective cover lens positioned adjacent to the optical guiding element and outside its surface, protecting the optical guiding element from physical contact with external objects in the user's physical environment. Having a rounded edge lens that may protrude from the mounting part in response to contact with external objects in the user's physical environment may not serve its purpose of protecting the optical guiding element. Therefore, in some embodiments, the lens 350 may include a flat peripheral surface to enable interface contact / sealing with the mounting part.

[0111] The measurement of the flat surface width 950 and the flat surface height 960 may depend on the flat surface area of ​​the mounting portion for installation. In some embodiments, the flat surface area of ​​the mounting portion may depend on the flat surface width 950 and the flat surface height 960, since the measurement of the flat peripheral surface (e.g., 950 and 960) may depend on the thickness of the lens 350, the curvature of the lens 350, or a combination thereof.

[0112] In some embodiments, the shape of the lens 350 may include a flat portion around the edge to which adhesive is applied during the assembly of the outer window (e.g., lens 350) to the magnesium mounting / frame. Sunglasses lenses generally include chamfered bevels that allow the lens to snap into the mounting / frame, and the mounting / frame may have some degree of flexibility. However, in some embodiments that include a magnesium mounting / frame, such flexibility is unavailable. Therefore, the lens must be glued thereto.

[0113] In some embodiments, the lens 350 may include at least one coating such as a gradient tinted coating, a hard coating, a mirror coating, an anti-fouling coating, and / or an anti-reflective coating. The lens 350 may have a center thickness of 1.20 ± 0.2 mm. The lens 350 may have a radius of curvature of 86.8 ± 0.9 mm.

[0114] Figure 10 is a front view of a lens 350 of an augmented reality system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The external lens / window (e.g., lens 350) may not be uniform in size and shape (e.g., elliptical, circular, square, etc.). The lens 350 has gradient coloring and is not perfectly circular. Alignment / orientation markers 1010 may be used to ensure that the lens is correctly oriented within its mounting area during assembly. The orientation markers may be positioned east, north, and west relative to the lens 350, as depicted in Figure 10. In prior embodiments, the ink used for the alignment markers 1010 is wiped off after the lens has been assembled into its mounting area so that the orientation marks are not visible to the user. Because the alignment / orientation markers 1010 are removed, the external window (e.g., lens 350) cannot be reattached to its mounting area once the alignment / orientation markers 1010 have been removed from the mounting area for maintenance of the AR system, as in the embodiment.

[0115] In some embodiments, a special type of ink may be used as the alignment / orientation marker 1010. The special type of ink may be visible under certain types of light in a factory or repair facility. However, the special type of ink will be invisible to the user during normal use of the AR system. The special type of ink may then be left on the outer lens after the initial assembly of the lens to the spectacle frame so that the lens can be reused and reassembled after maintenance work is completed on the lens or spectacle frame. In some embodiments, the special type of ink may be an infrared (IR) ink or an ultraviolet (UV) fluorescent ink. In some embodiments, the marking material and / or marking process may be developed by Essilor® as an example. (Controllable external lens system)

[0116] Figure 11 illustrates a controllable dimming assembly that may form all or part of the outer covering lens of a system (e.g., an augmented reality system) according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. More specifically, Figure 11 depicts a controllable dimming assembly that includes a liquid crystal layer 1108 sandwiched between an outer electrode 1106A and an inner electrode 1106B, and consequently sandwiched between an outer polarizer 1102A and an inner polarizer 1102B. In some embodiments, the controllable dimming assembly may further include an outer compensating film layer 1104A (or waveplate) positioned between an outer polarizer 1102A and an outer electrode 1106A, an inner compensating film layer 1104B (or waveplate) positioned between an inner polarizer 1102B and an inner electrode 1106B, or both.

[0117] During operation, the outer polarizer 1102A may impart a first polarization state (e.g., vertical polarization) to the ambient light propagating through it toward the user's eye. Next, the liquid crystal molecules contained within the liquid crystal layer 1108 may further rotate / polarize the polarized ambient light according to one or more electric fields applied across the outer and inner electrodes 1106A, 1106B. The polarization rotation imparted by the pair of electrodes 1106A, 1106B and the liquid crystal layer 1108 can effectively alter the polarization state of the ambient light passing through it. In some embodiments, delayed and / or additional polarization rotation may be imparted using outer and / or inner compensation film layers 1104A, 1104B. Finally, the inner polarizer 1102B may impart a second different polarization state (e.g., horizontal polarization) to the ambient light propagating through it toward the user's eye. The second polarization state may be configured to be substantially orthogonal to the cumulative polarization state that is imparted to the ambient light by the combined effect of the outer polarizer 1102A, the liquid crystal layer 1108, and optionally the outer and / or inner compensation film layers 1104A, 1104B. Therefore, the inner polarizer 1102B can ensure that the portion of ambient light in the second polarization state that passes through it is unaffected, and can attenuate the portion of ambient light in polarization states other than the second polarization state.

[0118] In some implementations, the controllable dimming assembly of Figure 11 may be configured to generate a gradient or otherwise non-uniform tinting / dimming pattern in a manner similar to that of lens 350 (see Figure 7), thereby attenuating ambient light incident on it. The controllable dimming assembly of Figure 11 may be configured to generate a gradient in response to the application of one or more electric fields / voltages across the outer and inner electrodes 1106A, 1106B. Examples of such patterns are shown in Figures 12A-12D. In addition, the system to which the controllable dimming assembly of Figure 11 belongs may result in a time-dependent adjustment of the global level of opacity of such spatially varying dimming patterns based on any of a variety of different factors. In some embodiments, the controllable dimming assembly may be configured to attenuate ambient light passing through it according to a gradient coloring / dimming pattern using at least one of its components (e.g., an outer polarizer 1102A, an inner polarizer 1102B, an outer compensating film layer 1104A, an inner compensating film layer 1104B, an outer electrode 1106A, an inner electrode 1106B, a network electrically coupled to the outer electrode 1106A and / or the inner electrode 1106B, a liquid crystal layer 1108, a substrate material positioned adjacent to the outer electrode 1106A and / or the inner electrode 1106B, etc.) configured to impart a polarization state that varies based on the location and / or angle at which ambient light is incident on the component.

[0119] As will be described in more detail below, one or both of the outer and inner polarizers 1102A, 1102B may be configured to polarize ambient light passing through them in a spatially varying or otherwise non-uniform manner. For example, the outer polarizer 1102A may be configured to impart a specific polarization state to ambient light incident on one part / section of it, but to impart another different polarization state to ambient light incident on the other part / section.

[0120] In addition, in some implementations, the controllable dimming assembly includes at least one compensating film layer (e.g., one or both of the outer and inner compensating film layers 1104A, 1104B), such compensating film layers 1104A, 1104B may be configured to polarize / rotate / delay ambient light passing through them in a manner that varies based on the location and / or angle at which ambient light is incident on the compensating film layers 1104A, 1104B. In some implementations, the compensating film layers 1104A, 1104B may be configured to interact with light impacting them in a manner similar to that of coating 320, as described above with reference to Figure 7 and further described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 479,700 (which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). For example, the outer compensation film layer 1104A may be configured to polarize / rotate / delay ambient light incident on one part / section of it by a specific amount, while polarizing / rotating / delaying ambient light incident on other parts / sections of it by a different amount. In another embodiment, the outer 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, while polarizing / rotating / delaying ambient light incident on the same surface at other angles by a different amount.

[0121] Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more of the outer and inner electrodes 1106A, 1106B may be configured to produce a spatially fluctuating or otherwise non-uniform electric field between them, thereby creating non-uniformity in the liquid crystal phase within the liquid crystal layer 1108 such that the liquid crystal layer 1108 polarizes / rotates / delays ambient light passing through it in the spatially fluctuating or otherwise non-uniform manner. For example, the outer electrode 1106A may be configured to produce a relatively strong electric field at one end but a relatively weak electric field at another different end. The one and different ends may be opposing ends along a certain direction on the outer electrode 1106A. This direction may correspond to the bottom to the top of the liquid crystal layer 1108. In various embodiments, the liquid crystal layer 1108 may employ liquid crystal technologies such as dye-doped or guest-host liquid crystal, torsion nematic (TN) or vertically matched (VA) liquid crystal, or ferroelectric liquid crystal. In some implementations, the liquid crystal layer 1108 may employ electrically controlled birefringence (ECB) technology, such as an ECB cell.

[0122] Similar to the external covering lenses described above with reference to Figures 8-10, in some implementations, the geometry of the photochromic assembly in Figure 11 may feature one or more rounded or curved edges and / or surfaces. In some embodiments, the geometry of the photochromic assembly in Figure 11 may be molded to follow the contour of a frame to which the photochromic assembly is physically coupled. In some of these embodiments, the frame may be configured to be worn centered on the user's head. Thus, in some embodiments, a pair of photochromic assemblies may be physically coupled to the frame so that, when the frame is worn by the user, the two photochromic assemblies are positioned in front of / aligned with the user's eyes in a manner similar to that of a pair of eyepieces. In other embodiments, a single relatively wide photochromic assembly may be physically coupled to the frame so that, when the frame is worn by the user, the photochromic assembly is positioned in front of the user's eyes in a manner similar to that of a visor, face mask, or shield.

[0123] Figures 12A–12D illustrate exemplary dimming patterns according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 12A shows a radial gradient dimming pattern G1 in which opacity / transparency varies as a function of the Euclidean distance from a corresponding point P1. More specifically, the radial gradient dimming pattern G1 exhibits little / no opacity at point P1 and increases in opacity as the Euclidean distance from point P1 increases. Point P1 may represent a point in the radial gradient dimming pattern G1 that exhibits the level of minimum global opacity, as depicted in Figure 12A. Similarly, the point in the radial gradient dimming pattern G1 that is furthest from point P1 may represent a point in the dimming pattern G1 that exhibits the level of maximum global opacity. Figure 12B shows a radial gradient dimming pattern G2 in which opacity / transparency varies as a function of the Euclidean distance from a corresponding point P2. As shown in Figure 12B, the radial gradient dimming pattern G2 exhibits a high level of opacity at point P2, and the opacity decreases as the Euclidean distance from point P2 increases. Point P2 may represent a point in the radial gradient dimming pattern G2 where the level of global maximum opacity is exhibited, as depicted in Figure 12B, while the point in the radial gradient dimming pattern G2 located furthest from point P2 may represent a point in the dimming pattern G2 where the level of global minimum opacity is exhibited. Figure 12C shows a linear gradient dimming pattern G3 in which the opacity / transparency varies linearly from one end to the other in a manner similar to the gradient coloring pattern of lens 350. Similar to dimming patterns G1 and G2, a set of one or more points at one end of a linear gradient dimming pattern G3 may represent a point in dimming pattern G3 where the global minimum opacity level is exhibited, while a set of one or more points at the other end of the linear gradient dimming pattern G3 may represent a point in dimming pattern G3 where the global maximum opacity level is exhibited. Figure 12D shows a radial gradient dimming pattern G4 in which opacity / transparency varies as a function of the Euclidean distance from its center. As shown in Figure 12D, the radial gradient dimming pattern G4 exhibits little / no opacity at its center and an increase in opacity as the Euclidean distance from the center increases.Similar to dimming patterns G1-G3, a set of one or more points at the center of the radial gradient dimming pattern G4 may represent a point within the dimming pattern G4 where the global minimum opacity level is exhibited, while multiple points located along the outer perimeter of the dimming pattern G4 may represent a point within the dimming pattern G4 where the global maximum opacity level is exhibited.

[0124] In some implementations, the change in opacity as a function of position for one or more points in a given dimming pattern, where a global minimum or maximum opacity level is exhibited, may be linear, exponential, logarithmic, or otherwise polynomial. Furthermore, in some embodiments, 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, all gradient vectors associated with a given dimming pattern do not have the same direction. In some implementations, the system to which the controllable dimming assembly in Figure 11 belongs may adjust the global level opacity of the dimming pattern over time by making adjustments to one or both of the global minimum and maximum opacity levels. As described above, in some embodiments, the adjustment to the global opacity level may be based on any of a variety of different factors, some of which are described in more detail below.

[0125] Figures 13A–13D illustrate exemplary polarizers configured to create dimming patterns according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. In some implementations, one or more of the exemplary polarizers in Figures 13A–13D may be implemented within a controllable dimming assembly in a manner similar to that of the outer and / or inner polarizers 1102A, 1102B as described above with reference to Figure 11. In some embodiments, each exemplary polarizer illustrated in Figures 13A–13D may include one or more linear wire grid polarizer components. Alternatively, or in addition, in some implementations, each exemplary polarizer illustrated in Figures 13A–13D may include multiple thin-film micropolarizer components. Furthermore, each exemplary polarizer illustrated in Figures 13A–13D may include multiple distinctly different polarizer regions / sections R1–R4, each configured to impart a different polarization state to ambient light propagating through it. For example, ambient light propagating through a distinctly different polarizer region / section R1 of a given exemplary polarizer in a controllable dimming system may subsequently undergo little to no attenuation, while ambient light propagating through a distinctly different polarizer region / section R4 of such an exemplary polarizer may subsequently undergo a relatively large amount of attenuation (e.g., 10 degrees or 45 degrees). In this embodiment, the range over which ambient light passing through a distinctly different polarizer region / section R2 may be attenuated is greater than that passing through a distinctly different polarizer region / section R1 and less than that passing through a distinctly different polarizer region / section R4. In this embodiment, the range over which ambient light passing through a distinctly different polarizer region / section R3 may be attenuated is greater than that passing through a distinctly different polarizer region / section R2 and less than that passing through a distinctly different polarizer region / section R4.

[0126] Figure 13A illustrates an exemplary polarizer 1102-G1 of a controllable dimming system, configured to polarize ambient light passing through it so that the controllable dimming assembly attenuates ambient light according to the radial gradient dimming pattern G1 of Figure 12A. Figure 13B illustrates an exemplary polarizer 1102-G2 of a controllable dimming system, configured to polarize ambient light passing through it so that the controllable dimming assembly attenuates ambient light according to the radial gradient dimming pattern G2 of Figure 12B. Figure 13C illustrates an exemplary polarizer 1102-G3 of a controllable dimming system, configured to polarize ambient light passing through it so that the controllable dimming assembly attenuates ambient light according to the linear gradient dimming pattern G3 of Figure 12C. Figure 13D illustrates an exemplary polarizer 1102-G4 of a controllable dimming system, configured to polarize ambient light passing through it so that the controllable dimming assembly attenuates ambient light according to the radial gradient dimming pattern G4 of Figure 12D.

[0127] As described above, in some embodiments, the controllable dimming assembly may include at least one compensating film layer (e.g., one or both of the outer and inner compensating film layers 1104A, 1104B) configured to interact with ambient light passing through it in a manner that varies based on the angle at which ambient light strikes it. Embodiments of the component that may serve as, or be included as, at least one compensating film layer include one or more coatings such as the coating 320 described above, and / or one or more delay films or other optical compensating films that can be configured to interact with light striking it in a manner similar to that of the coating 320 described above, such as uniaxial delay films (e.g., polycarbonate resin films such as PureAce®), biaxial delay films (e.g., triacetylcellulose ("TAC") films, cycloolefin polymer ("COP") films, etc.), and liquid crystal films (e.g., wide-view ("WV") films, twisted nematic films, hybrid nematic films, vertically oriented films, etc.), and equivalents. In a configuration in which at least one compensation film comprises one or more delay films or other optical compensation films, such films may be tuned or otherwise processed using any of the following techniques (e.g., directional "stretching" and / or "rubbing" processes, etc.) so that the controllable dimming system is configured to attenuate a relatively large amount of oblique ambient light with a high AOI and a relatively small amount of ambient light with a lower AOI. Additional embodiments of materials, configurations, techniques, and operating principles that can be utilized when implementing the at least one compensation film layer described above are provided in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 479,700 (which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).

[0128] As described above, in some embodiments, the controllable dimming assembly may include at least one compensating film layer (e.g., one or both of the outer and inner compensating film layers 1104A, 1104B) configured to interact with ambient light passing through it in a manner that varies based on where the ambient light strikes it. Examples of components that may serve as, or be included as, at least one compensating film layer in such embodiments may include retarders and waveplates that are spatially varied or otherwise patterned in a manner similar to one or more of the exemplary polarizers described herein with reference to Figures 13A–13D. In other words, such components may each comprise distinctly different sections / regions configured to delay or rotate the light passing through them in different manners. For example, such a component may be configured to delay or rotate ambient light incident on its upper portion / section by a specific amount (similar to section / region R4 in Figures 13A-13D), but to polarize / rotate / delay ambient light incident on its other lower portion / section by a smaller amount (similar to one or more of sections / regions R1, R2, and R3 in Figures 13A-13D). In some implementations, such a component may include one or more liquid crystal layers that are conditioned or otherwise fabricated using one or more of the various techniques described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 815,449 and / or U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 795,067 (both of which are incorporated herein by reference as a whole).

[0129] Figures 14A–14C illustrate exemplary electrode assemblies configured to create dimming patterns according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. In some implementations, one or more of the exemplary electrode assemblies in Figures 14A–14C may be implemented within a controllable dimming assembly in a manner similar to that of the outer and / or inner electrodes 1106A, 1106B as described above with reference to Figure 11. More specifically, Figures 14A–14C each illustrate exemplary electrode assemblies comprising at least one electrode component 1106 embedded in and / or positioned on a substrate material 1107. In some embodiments, the at least one electrode component 1106 illustrated in one or more of the exemplary electrode assemblies in Figures 14A–14C may be a transparent conductive film such as an indium tin oxide ("ITO") film. Each exemplary electrode assembly may be implemented within a controllable dimming assembly in a manner similar to that of the inner or outer electrodes 1106A, 1106B as described above with reference to Figure 11. Therefore, each exemplary electrode assembly may be positioned parallel to another electrode assembly, while electrode component 1106 is not necessarily parallel to another electrode. In some embodiments, such another electrode assembly may include a single planar layer of ITO or other transparent conductive film. A layer of liquid crystal molecules, similar to the liquid crystal layer 1108 described above with reference to Figure 11, may be placed between each pair of electrode assemblies.

[0130] Figure 14A illustrates an exemplary electrode assembly comprising a tilted planar electrode component 1106. The exemplary electrode assembly in Figure 14A may be mounted, for example, in parallel with another electrode assembly within a controllable dimming assembly and may include a single planar layer of ITO. That is, the surface of the substrate material 1107 may be positioned parallel to the surface of the single planar layer of ITO in the other electrode assembly. Thus, the surface of the electrode component 1106 of the exemplary electrode assembly in Figure 14A may be tilted or otherwise non-parallel to the surface of the single planar layer of ITO in the other electrode assembly, while the exemplary electrode assembly and the other electrode assembly may be stacked parallel to each other (for example, on both sides of the liquid crystal layer). Therefore, the distance between the surface of the electrode component 1106 of the exemplary electrode assembly in Figure 14A and the surface of the single planar layer of ITO in the other electrode assembly may be non-uniform. Thus, during operation, a non-uniform electric field may be produced between the exemplary electrode assembly in Figure 14A and the other electrode assembly. A non-uniform electric field can result in non-uniform polarization due to the liquid crystal layer, which in turn can lead to non-uniform or stepwise attenuation of light passing through it. In Figure 14A, the distance between the surface of electrode component 1106 of the electrode assembly and the other electrode assembly increases from the bottom to the top of the electrode assembly. Therefore, both the electric field and the resulting polarization are stronger at the top of the electrode assembly compared to the bottom, and the light attenuation is greater at the top of the liquid crystal layer.

[0131] Figure 14B illustrates an exemplary electrode assembly comprising multiple planar electrode components / segments 1106, each positioned at a different distance from its planar surface. The exemplary electrode assembly in Figure 14B may be mounted, for example, in parallel with another electrode assembly within a controllable dimming assembly and may include a single planar layer of ITO. Similar to the exemplary electrode assembly in Figure 14A, the surface of the substrate material 1107 in the exemplary electrode assembly in Figure 14B may be positioned parallel to the surface of the single planar layer of ITO in the other electrode assembly. Due to the relative positions of the planar electrode components / segments 1106 relative to each other, the distance between the surface of each planar electrode component / segment 1106 in the electrode assembly in Figure 14B and the surface of the single planar layer of ITO in the other electrode assembly varies. That is, the distance increases from the bottom to the top of the electrode assembly. Therefore, during operation, a non-uniform (i.e., increasing from the bottom to the top) electric field may be produced between the exemplary electrode assembly in Figure 14B and the other electrode assembly. As explained above, the increasing electric field results in greater light attenuation at the top of the liquid crystal layer compared to the bottom.

[0132] Figure 14C illustrates an exemplary electrode assembly comprising an electrode component 1106 having (1) a surface that is tilted away from or otherwise non-parallel to the surface of the substrate material 1107, and (2) a thickness that decreases from the bottom to the top of the electrode assembly. The exemplary electrode assembly in Figure 14C may be mounted, for example, in a controllable dimming assembly parallel to another electrode assembly and may include a single planar layer of ITO. Similar to the exemplary electrode assemblies in Figures 14A and 14B, the surface of the substrate material 1107 in the exemplary electrode assembly in Figure 14C may be positioned parallel to the surface of the single planar layer of ITO in another electrode assembly. The distance between one surface of the electrode component 1106 in the electrode assembly in Figure 14C and the surface of the 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. In addition, the thickness of the 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 the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductor, the resistance of electrode component 1106 can vary from the bottom to the top of the electrode assembly depending on variations in the thickness of electrode component 1106. Such a feature of electrode component 1106, as depicted in Figure 14C, produces a non-uniform (i.e., increasing from bottom to top) electric field between the exemplary electrode assembly in Figure 14C and other electrode assemblies during operation. As described above, the increasing electric field results in greater light attenuation at the top of the liquid crystal layer compared to the bottom.

[0133] Figure 15 illustrates an exemplary electrode assembly comprising a non-uniform multi-partitioned first electrode 1106A and a uniformly planar second electrode 1106B, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some implementations, the exemplary electrode assembly of Figure 15 may be implemented within a controllable dimming assembly in a manner similar to that of the outer and inner electrodes 1106A, 1106B as described above with reference to Figure 11. The uniformly planar second electrode 1106B may include a single planar layer of ITO. The first and second electrodes 1106A, 1106B may be parallel to each other and arranged on both sides of the liquid crystal layer. The first electrode 1106A may include three sections / parts 1116, 1117, 1118 arranged adjacent to each other on the surface of the first electrode 1106A. The first section 1116 is located above the first electrode 1106A, the third section 1118 is located below the first electrode 1106A, and the second section 1117 is located between the first and third sections 1116 and 1118. The first and third sections 1116 and 1118 may be formed from a relatively conductive transparent material, such as a layer of ITO or other transparent conductive oxides ("TCO"), and the intervening second section 1117 may be formed from a relatively less conductive transparent material, such as a layer containing graphene, graphene oxide, and / or carbon nanotubes ("CNT"). The exemplary electrode assembly also includes a first voltage source 1126 electrically coupled to the first section 1116 and a ground electrode electrically coupled to the second electrode 1106B. The exemplary electrode assembly also includes an optional second voltage source 1128 that is electrically coupled to the third section 1118.

[0134] During operation, when the first and second voltages are applied to the first electrode 1106A (via the first and second voltage sources 1126 and 1128), a non-uniform electric field is generated between the first and second electrodes 1106A and 1106B. In particular, when a stronger voltage is applied by the first voltage source 1126 and a weaker voltage is applied by the second voltage source 1128, a non-uniform electric field is generated that 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 generate a similar non-uniform electric field. The non-uniform electric field can result in non-uniform polarization by the liquid crystal layer, which in turn can result in non-uniform or stepwise 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, both the electric field and the resulting polarization are stronger at the top of the electrode assembly compared to the bottom, and the light attenuation is greater at the top of the liquid crystal layer. In some embodiments, one or more of the exemplary electrode assemblies described herein with reference to Figures 15 and 16A–16D may include only sections 1116 and 1117 and not section 1118. In these embodiments, section 1117 may be directly electrically coupled to the corresponding circuit.

[0135] Figure 16A illustrates an exemplary first electrode 1106-G1 of a controllable dimming system, configured to polarize ambient light passing through it so that the controllable dimming assembly attenuates ambient light according to the radial gradient dimming pattern G1 of Figure 12A. The exemplary first electrode 1106-G1 has three sections / parts 1116, 1117, and 1118, which are arranged and molded similarly to the first electrode 1106A depicted in Figure 15. Figure 16B illustrates an exemplary first electrode 1106-G2 of a controllable dimming system, configured to polarize ambient light passing through it so that the controllable dimming assembly attenuates ambient light according to the radial gradient dimming pattern G2 of Figure 12B. An exemplary first electrode 1106-G2 has three divisions / parts 1116, 1117, and 1118, similar to the first electrode 1106A depicted in Figure 15, however, the three divisions / parts 1116, 1117, and 1118 are shaped differently from the corresponding divisions in the first electrode 1106A depicted in Figure 15. Figure 16C illustrates an exemplary first electrode 1106-G3 of a controllable dimming system, configured to polarize ambient light passing through it so that the controllable dimming assembly attenuates ambient light according to the linear gradient dimming pattern G3 of Figure 12C. An exemplary first electrode 1106-G3 has three divisions / parts 1116, 1117, and 1118, similar to the first electrode 1106A depicted in Figure 15, however, the three divisions / parts 1116, 1117, and 1118 are shaped differently from the corresponding divisions in the first electrode 1106A depicted in Figure 15. Figure 16D illustrates an exemplary first electrode 1106-G4 of a controllable dimming system, configured to polarize ambient light passing through it so that the controllable dimming assembly attenuates ambient light according to the radial gradient dimming pattern G4 in Figure 12D. The exemplary first electrode 1106-G3 has three sections / parts 1116, 1117, and 1118, similar to the first electrode 1106A depicted in Figure 15; however, the three sections / parts 1116, 1117, and 1118 are molded and arranged differently from the corresponding sections in the first electrode 1106A depicted in Figure 15.

[0136] Figure 17A illustrates an exemplary electrode assembly comprising non-uniform multi-partitioned first and second electrodes 1106A, 1106B according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some implementations, the exemplary electrode assembly of Figure 17 may be implemented within a controllable dimming assembly in a manner similar to that of the outer and inner electrodes 1106A, 1106B as described above with reference to Figure 11. The first and second electrodes 1106A, 1106B may be parallel to each other and arranged on both sides of the liquid crystal layer. The first electrode 1106A may include four sections / parts S1, S2, S3, S4 arranged adjacent to each other on the surface of the first electrode 1106A but electrically isolated from each other. Insulators may be placed between sections S1 and S2, S2 and S3, and S3 and S4 to insulate sections S1, S2, S3, S4 from each other. The first section S1 is located above the first electrode 1106A, the second section S2 is located further below the first electrode 1106A, the third section S3 is located even further below the first electrode 1106A, and the fourth section S4 is located at the bottom of the first electrode 1106A. Sections S1, S2, S3, and S4 may be formed from a relatively conductive transparent material such as a layer of ITO. The second electrode 1106B may include four sections / parts S1', S2', S3', and S4' arranged adjacent to each other on the surface of the second electrode 1106B. The first section S1' is located above the second electrode 1106B, the second section S2' is located further below the second electrode 1106B, the third section S3' is located even further below the second electrode 1106B, and the fourth section S4' is located at the bottom of the second electrode 1106B. Sections S1', S2', S3', and S4' may be formed from a relatively conductive transparent material such as a layer of ITO. In some implementations, the exemplary electrode assembly in Figure 17A may be driven at least in part by a voltage divider network such as a circuit or equivalent network described below with reference to Figure 17B. For example, sections S1, S2, S3, and S4 may be electrically coupled at points A, B, C, and D to a circuit described below with reference to Figure 17B.Similarly, in such embodiments, sections S1', S2', S3', and S4' may be electrically coupled to the circuit of Figure 17B at points B, C, D, and E, respectively. During operation, the section of the first electrode 1106A and the section of the second electrode 1106B may function as the anode and cathode, respectively, by their electrical connection to the network of Figure 17B. Figure 17B is a schematic diagram for the exemplary electrode assembly illustrated in Figure 17A. In particular, Figure 17B depicts an exemplary voltage divider network for driving each of the electrode sections in the exemplary electrode assembly described above with reference to Figure 17A. It should be understood that other electrical and / or computational circuits and components may be implemented instead of, or in conjunction with, the network of Figure 17B. As shown in Figure 17B, such a voltage divider network may include at least a voltage source electrically coupled in series with a plurality of resistors. In some implementations, the voltage source may be variable, switchable, or otherwise controllable by one or more hardware components electrically coupled thereto, such as a processor, power source, logic gate, and equivalent. Each anode-cathode pair present in the exemplary electrode assembly illustrated in Figure 17A may be electrically coupled in parallel to different combinations of one or more different resistors from a plurality of resistors. In the embodiments of Figures 17A and 17B, the S1-S1' electrode pair is electrically coupled in parallel to a first resistor R1, the S2-S2' electrode pair is electrically coupled in parallel to a second resistor R2, the S3-S3' electrode pair is electrically coupled in parallel to a third resistor R3, and the S4-S4' electrode pair is electrically coupled in parallel to a fourth resistor R4. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the resistance of the fourth resistor R4 is greater than that of the third resistor R3, which is greater than that of the second resistor R2, which is greater than that of the first resistor R4. In some embodiments, one or more of the multiple resistors (e.g., R1, R2, R3, R4) may be positioned along the edge of one electrode in the electrode assembly (e.g., the first electrode 1106A).In other embodiments, one or more of the multiple resistors (e.g., R1, R2, R3, R4) may be positioned on the surface of one electrode (e.g., the first electrode 1106A) in the electrode assembly between its individual sections (e.g., S1, S2, S3, S4).

[0137] During operation, when a voltage is applied to the first and second electrodes 1106A and 1106B, a non-uniform electric field is generated between the first and second electrodes 1106A and 1106B. In particular, when a voltage is applied by a voltage source to the first section A of the first electrode 1106A, the voltage is reduced using sequentially coupled resistors R1, R2, R3, and R4 so that a substantially lower voltage is applied to each subsequent section S2, S3, and S4 of the first electrode 1106A. As a result, a non-uniform electric field is generated that approximately increases from the bottom to the top of the first electrode 1106A. This non-uniform electric field can result in non-uniform polarization by the liquid crystal layer, which in turn can result in non-uniform or stepwise 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, both the electric field and the resulting polarization are stronger at the top of the electrode assembly compared to the bottom, and the light attenuation is greater at the top of the liquid crystal layer. In some implementations, sections S1', S2', and S3' do not have to be electrically coupled to the network of Figure 17B at points B, C, and D, respectively, but instead, they may all be electrically coupled to the network of Figure 17B at point E in the same manner as section S4'. Thus, all sections of the second electrode 1106B may be electrically coupled to common ground so that each anode-cathode pair present in the exemplary electrode assembly illustrated in Figure 17A can be electrically coupled in parallel with different combinations of resistors. For example, referring again to the embodiments in Figures 17A and 17B, in these implementations, the S1-S1' electrode pair is electrically coupled in parallel with resistors R1-R4, the S2-S2' electrode pair is electrically coupled in parallel with resistors R2-R4, the S3-S3' electrode pair is electrically coupled in parallel with resistors R3-R4, and the S4-S4' electrode pair is electrically coupled in parallel with a fourth resistor R4. In such implementations, the quantitative relationship between the values ​​of the multiple resistors R1-R4 (i.e., the relationship R4 > R3 > R2 > R1) does not necessarily have to match that described above and depicted in Figure 17B. For example, in some embodiments, some or all of the multiple resistors R1-R4 may have substantially equal resistance values.In some embodiments, one or more of the resistors may have a higher resistance value than one or more resistors sequentially downstream from it.

[0138] Figure 18A illustrates an exemplary first electrode 1106-G1 of a controllable dimming system, configured to polarize ambient light passing through it so that the controllable dimming assembly attenuates ambient light according to the radial gradient dimming pattern G1 of Figure 12A. The exemplary first electrode 1106-G1 has four sections / parts S1, S2, S3, and S4, which are arranged and molded similarly to the first electrode 1106A depicted in Figure 17. Figure 18B illustrates an exemplary first electrode 1106-G2 of a controllable dimming system, configured to polarize ambient light passing through it so that the controllable dimming assembly attenuates ambient light according to the radial gradient dimming pattern G2 of Figure 12B. An exemplary first electrode 1106-G2 has four divisions / parts S1, S2, S3, and S4, similar to the first electrode 1106A depicted in Figure 17, however, the four divisions / parts S1, S2, S3, and S4 are shaped differently from the corresponding divisions in the first electrode 1106A depicted in Figure 17. Figure 18C illustrates an exemplary first electrode 1106-G3 of a controllable dimming system, configured to polarize ambient light passing through it so that the controllable dimming assembly attenuates ambient light according to the linear gradient dimming pattern G3 in Figure 12C. An exemplary first electrode 1106-G3 has four divisions / parts S1, S2, S3, and S4, similar to the first electrode 1106A depicted in Figure 17, however, the four divisions / parts S1, S2, S3, and S4 are shaped differently from the corresponding divisions in the first electrode 1106A depicted in Figure 17. Figure 18D illustrates an exemplary first electrode 1106-G4 of a controllable dimming system, configured to polarize ambient light passing through it so that the controllable dimming assembly attenuates ambient light according to the radial gradient dimming pattern G4 of Figure 12D. The exemplary first electrode 1106-G3 has four divisions / parts S1, S2, S3, and S4, similar to the first electrode 1106A depicted in Figure 17; however, the four divisions / parts S1, S2, S3, and S4 are molded and arranged differently from the corresponding divisions in the first electrode 1106A depicted in Figure 17.

[0139] The controllable dimming assemblies and their various components described above include a specific number of divisions / parts with specific shapes, but these number and shapes are illustrative only. The number and shapes of divisions / parts may vary, while remaining within the scope of this disclosure. Various mechanisms for controllable dimming are described above independently, but the scope of this disclosure includes combinations and secondary combinations of the mechanisms described above. For example, the polarizers depicted in Figures 13A–13D can be combined with the electrodes depicted in Figures 14, 15, and 17A. The controllable dimming assemblies described above allow the application of a few (e.g., 1 or 2) volts to perform a stepwise attenuation of light passing through the controllable dimming assembly. This simple activation mechanism simplifies light attenuation for AR systems, which can activate a stepwise attenuation of light in response to the detected intensity and / or direction of ambient light.

[0140] As described above with reference to Figure 11, in some embodiments, the controllable dimming system may drive a dimming assembly to bring about a time-dependent adjustment of the global level of opacity of a spatially variable dimming pattern (e.g., a gradient dimming pattern) 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 assembly based on inputs received from one or more data sources. Embodiments of such one or more data sources may include sensing devices, user interface components, display system components, network-accessible resources, and equivalents.

[0141] For example, in some embodiments, the 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 on it, and may adjust the amount of voltage applied to the dimming assembly in real time based on data received from one or more ambient light sensors. In some embodiments, the controllable dimming system may include one or more user interface components (e.g., handheld controllers, buttons, dials, touchpads, microphones, cameras, and other components through which user input may be provided), and may adjust the amount of voltage applied to the dimming assembly based on data received from one or more such user interface components. Thus, a user may be able to interact with one or more such user interface components (e.g., using touch input, voice input, gesture input, etc.) and adjust the dimming assembly according to their preferences. In some embodiments, the controllable dimming system may adjust the amount of voltage applied to the dimming assembly based on data received from one or more display system components, such as one or more processing units configured to generate, render, and present virtual content. In some implementations, a controllable dimming system may adjust the amount of voltage applied to the dimming assembly based on data received from one or more resources via one or more communication networks, such as websites, cloud computing systems, remotely located computing and / or sensing devices, and equivalents.

[0142] In some embodiments, a controllable dimming system may adjust the amount of voltage applied to a dimming assembly based on inputs 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 a combination thereof. Additional embodiments of such data sources and dimming assembly control schemes are described in further detail in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 557,706, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In some implementations, one or more of the aforementioned data sources and / or dimming system control schemes may be employed in one or more of the systems and techniques described herein.

[0143] The AR systems described above are provided as embodiments of various optical systems that can more selectively and controllably benefit from transparent optical elements. Therefore, the use of the optical systems described herein is not limited to the disclosed AR systems, but rather applicable to any optical system. In fact, although primarily described in the context of AR and VR display systems, it should be understood that one or more of the systems and techniques described herein may also be utilized in various other paradigms and settings. For example, in some implementations, one or more of the systems and techniques described herein may be employed in any of various other types of eyewear, e.g., prescription glasses, sunglasses, safety glasses, swimming goggles, and equivalents, and in any of various other types of wearable gear, including visors, face masks, and / or protective shields, e.g., helmets (e.g., football helmets, hockey helmets, motorcycle helmets, etc.), ski and snowboard goggles, paintball masks, and equivalents. For example, in some embodiments, two controllable photochromic assemblies may be employed in one of the aforementioned types of eyeglasses, and when the eyeglasses are worn by a user, the two controllable photochromic assemblies may be configured to be positioned in front of / aligned with the user's eyes, like a pair of eyepieces. Furthermore, in other embodiments, a single relatively wide controllable photochromic assembly may be employed in one of the aforementioned types of wearable gear, and when the wearable gear is worn by a user, the controllable photochromic assembly may be configured to be positioned in front of the user's eyes in a manner similar to that of a visor, face mask, or shield. In these embodiments, the controllable photochromic assembly may effectively function as a visor, face mask, or shield of the wearable gear, or may be physically coupled to a visor, face mask, or shield of the wearable gear.

[0144] Additional embodiments are provided below.

[0145] Example 1: A head-mounted device comprising: 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 so as to be positioned between the user's eyes and the user's environment when the head-mounted device is worn by the user, the controllable dimming assembly configured to exhibit a level of opacity that varies from a first level of opacity to a second level of opacity as a function of the location on the controllable dimming assembly; and a control circuit network electrically coupled to the controllable dimming assembly, configured to apply one or more electrical signals to the controllable dimming assembly to adjust one or both of the first and second levels of opacity.

[0146] Example 2: The head-mounted device according to Example 1, wherein the controllable dimming assembly is configured to exhibit (i) a first level of opacity at a first location on the controllable dimming assembly, and (ii) a level of opacity that varies as a function of distance from the first location on the controllable dimming assembly.

[0147] Example 3: The head-mounted device according to Example 2, wherein the controllable dimming assembly is configured to exhibit a second opacity level at a second location on the controllable dimming assembly, the second location being different from the first location.

[0148] Example 4: The head-mounted device according to Example 2, wherein the first or second location corresponds to a set of one or more points along at least a portion of the outer periphery of the controllable dimming assembly.

[0149] Example 5: The head-mounted device described in Example 2, wherein the first location corresponds to a location within the inner region of the controllable dimming assembly.

[0150] Example 6: The location within the inner region of the controllable dimming assembly corresponds to the center of the controllable dimming assembly, in the head-mounted device described in Example 2.

[0151] 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.

[0152] Example 8: The head-mounted device according to Example 1, wherein the controllable dimming assembly is configured to exhibit a level of opacity that varies linearly, exponentially, or logarithmically as a function of location on the controllable dimming assembly.

[0153] Example 9: A head-mounted device according to Example 1, wherein the controllable dimming assembly is configured such that a first opacity level and a second opacity level vary based on the voltage levels of one or more electrical signals applied as inputs to the controllable dimming assembly.

[0154] Example 10: A controllable dimming assembly configured such that a first opacity level and a second opacity level change at different rates as the voltage level changes, the head-mounted device described in Example 9.

[0155] Example 11: A head-mounted device according to Example 1, comprising a controllable dimming assembly, first and second polarizers, first and second electrode assemblies disposed between the first and second polarizers, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second electrode assemblies.

[0156] Example 12: The head-mounted device according to Example 11, wherein one or both of the first and second polarizers are configured to impart a spatially variable degree of polarization to the light passing through them.

[0157] Example 13: The head-mounted device according to Example 11, wherein the control circuit network is electrically coupled to the first and second electrode assemblies and configured to apply one or more electrical signals to a controllable dimming assembly and to produce an electric field between the first and second electrode assemblies.

[0158] Example 14: A head-mounted device according to Example 13, wherein the controllable dimming assembly is configured to produce an electric field between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, exhibiting a spatially fluctuating level of electric field intensity.

[0159] Example 15: The head-mounted device according to Example 13, wherein one or both of the first and second electrode assemblies are configured such that one or more of their properties are spatially variable.

[0160] Example 16: The head-mounted device according to Example 15, wherein one or more properties include thickness, resistance, conductivity, orientation, position, composition, or a combination thereof.

[0161] Example 17: The head-mounted device according to Example 1, wherein the control circuit network comprises one or more of the following: a voltage divider network, conductors, a processor, and a power supply.

[0162] Example 18: The head-mounted device according to Example 1, wherein the controllable dimming assembly is physically coupled to the frame so that it is positioned between the user's eyes and the user's environment when the head-mounted device is worn by the user.

[0163] Example 19: The head-mounted device according to Example 1, wherein the control circuit network is further configured to receive inputs from one or more data sources and to apply one or more electrical signals to a controllable dimming assembly to adjust one or both of the first and second opacity levels.

[0164] Example 20: A head-mounted device as described in Example 19, wherein one or more data sources include one or more sensing devices, user interface components, display system components, network-accessible resources, or a combination thereof.

[0165] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein. These embodiments are referenced in a non-limiting sense. They are provided to illustrate broader applicable aspects of the present invention. Various modifications may be made to the described invention, and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, material composition, process, process act, or step to the object, spirit, or scope of the invention. Furthermore, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, each individual modification described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features that can be readily separated from or combined with features of any of several other embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims associated with this disclosure.

[0166] The present invention includes methods that can be carried out using a subject device. The methods may include the act of providing such a suitable device. Such provision may be carried out by an end user. In other words, the act of “providing” simply requires the end user to act in such a way as to obtain, access, approach, position, configure, activate, power on, or otherwise provide the device required in the methods of the subject. The methods described herein may be carried out in any logically possible order of the described events, and in the order in which the events are described.

[0167] Exemplary aspects of the present invention, along with details relating to material selection and manufacturing, are described above. Further details of the present invention are understood in connection with the patents and publications referenced above and are generally known or understood by those skilled in the art. The same may apply to the method-based aspects of the present invention in terms of additional actions that may be generally or logically adopted.

[0168] In addition, although the present invention is described with reference to several embodiments that optionally incorporate various features, the present invention is not limited to those described and indicated as considered with respect to each modification of the present invention. Various modifications may be made to the described invention, and equivalents (whether described herein or not for some simplicity) may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, where a range of values ​​is provided, it should be understood that all intervening values ​​between the upper and lower limits of that range, and any other provisions or intervening values ​​within that defined range, are encompassed within the present invention.

[0169] Furthermore, it should be considered that any optional feature of the modified versions of the invention described herein may be described and claimed independently or in combination with one or more of the features described herein. References to singular items include the possibility that there are plural identical items. More specifically, as used herein and in the claims associated herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “said,” and “the” include plural referents unless otherwise specified. In other words, the use of articles allows for “at least one” of the items of interest in the above description and in the claims associated with this disclosure. Furthermore, it should be noted that such claims may be drafted to exclude any optional elements. Thus, this statement is intended to function as an antecedent for the use of such exclusive terms, or “negative” restrictions, such as “solely,” “only,” and equivalents, in connection with the description of elements of a claim.

[0170] Without using such exclusive terms, the term “comprising” in the claims associated with this disclosure shall allow for the inclusion of any additional elements, whether a given number of elements are enumerated in such claims or whether the addition of features can be considered a transformation of the properties of the elements described in such claims. Unless specifically defined herein, all technical and scientific terms used herein are given the broadest possible generally understood meaning while maintaining the validity of the claims.

[0171] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the provided examples and / or the subject specification, but rather is limited only by the language of the claims associated with this disclosure.

[0172] In the aforementioned specification, the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the aforementioned process flow is described with reference to a specific sequence of process actions. However, many of the sequences of process actions described may be changed without affecting the scope or operation of the invention. The specification and drawings should therefore be considered illustrative, not restrictive.

Claims

1. It is a head-mounted device, A frame configured to be worn around the head of the user of the head-mounted device, A controllable dimming assembly, which, when the head-mounted device is worn by the user, is physically coupled to the frame in such a manner that it is positioned between the user's eyes and the user's environment, the controllable dimming assembly comprises a first electrode assembly having a first electrode, a second electrode assembly having a second electrode, a first polarizer, a second polarizer, and a liquid crystal layer, wherein the first and second electrode assemblies are positioned between the first and second polarizers, the liquid crystal layer is positioned between the first and second electrode assemblies, the first and second electrodes are configured to produce an electric field between the first and second electrode assemblies having a spatially variable level of electric field intensity, and at least one of the first and second polarizers is configured to impart a spatially variable degree of polarization to the light passing through it, A control network electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes of the controllable dimming assembly A device equipped with the following features.

2. The controllable dimming assembly is The level of opacity varies as a function of the distance from a first location on the controllable dimming assembly. The device according to claim 1, configured to exhibit the following characteristics.

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

4. A head-mounted device, A frame configured to be worn around the head of the user of the head-mounted device, A controllable dimming assembly, which, when the head-mounted device is worn by the user, is physically coupled to the frame in such a manner that it is positioned between the user's eyes and the user's environment, the controllable dimming assembly comprises a first electrode assembly having a first electrode, a second electrode assembly having a second electrode, a first polarizer, a second polarizer, and a liquid crystal layer, wherein the first and second electrode assemblies are positioned between the first and second polarizers, the liquid crystal layer is positioned between the first and second electrode assemblies, the first and second electrodes are configured to produce an electric field between the first and second electrode assemblies having a spatially variable level of electric field intensity, and at least one of the first and second polarizers is configured to impart a spatially variable degree of polarization to the light passing through it, A control network electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes of the controllable dimming assembly Equipped with, The controllable dimming assembly is The level of opacity varies as a function of the distance from a first location on the controllable dimming assembly. It is configured to exhibit the following characteristics: The first location corresponds to a location within the inner region of the controllable dimming assembly, The location within the inner region of the controllable dimming assembly corresponds to the center of the controllable dimming assembly.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controllable dimming assembly is configured to exhibit a level of opacity that varies linearly, exponentially, or logarithmically as a function of location on the controllable dimming assembly.

6. The controllable dimming assembly is configured to exhibit a first opacity level and a second opacity level that vary based on the voltage levels of one or more electrical signals applied as inputs to the controllable dimming assembly. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controllable dimming assembly is configured such that the first opacity level and the second opacity level change at different rates as the voltage level changes.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controllable dimming assembly is configured to produce an electric field between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly by producing an electric field exhibiting a spatially fluctuating level of electric field intensity between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit network comprises one or more of a voltage divider network, a conductor, a processor, and a power supply source.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controllable dimming assembly is physically coupled to the frame in such a manner that when the head-mounted device is worn by the user, it is positioned between the user's eyes and the user's environment.

10. The aforementioned control circuit network is Receiving input from multiple data sources, Applying one or more electrical signals to the controllable dimming assembly to adjust at least one level of opacity based on inputs received from the plurality of data sources The device according to claim 1, further configured to perform the following:

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of data sources include a sensing device and one or more of a user interface component, a display system component, and a network-accessible resource.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of data sources include at least two of a user interface component, a display system component, and a network-accessible resource.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the thickness, resistance, conductivity, composition, or combination thereof of one or both of the first and second electrode assemblies are spatially variable.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode comprises a non-uniform multi-partition electrode, and the second electrode comprises a uniform electrode.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are planar electrodes that are parallel to each other and arranged on both sides of the liquid crystal layer.

16. A head-mounted device, A frame configured to be worn around the head of the user of the head-mounted device, A controllable dimming assembly, which, when the head-mounted device is worn by the user, is physically coupled to the frame in such a manner that it is positioned between the user's eyes and the user's environment, the controllable dimming assembly comprises a first electrode assembly having a first electrode, a second electrode assembly having a second electrode, a first polarizer, a second polarizer, and a liquid crystal layer, wherein the first and second electrode assemblies are positioned between the first and second polarizers, the liquid crystal layer is positioned between the first and second electrode assemblies, the first and second electrodes are configured to produce an electric field between the first and second electrode assemblies having a spatially variable level of electric field intensity, and at least one of the first and second polarizers is configured to impart a spatially variable degree of polarization to the light passing through it, A control network electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes of the controllable dimming assembly Equipped with, The first electrode comprises a non-uniform multi-partition electrode, and the second electrode comprises a uniform electrode. The device comprises a first electrode having a first or upper electrode portion, a second electrode portion, and a third or bottom electrode, wherein the second electrode portion is positioned between the first or upper electrode portion and the third or bottom electrode portion.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit network is electrically coupled to the first and second electrode assemblies and is configured to produce a non-uniform electric field between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly and non-uniform light attenuation within the liquid crystal layer by applying one or more electrical signals to the controllable dimming assembly.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controllable dimming assembly comprises a single component configured as a visor, mask, or shield, positioned between the user's eyes and the user's environment when the head-mounted device is worn by the user.

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