Dimmable filter on the light guide cover glass

Abstract

An augmented reality headset may include a headset frame that a user can wear. A light guide positioned within or on the headset frame may direct projector light to the eye over at least a portion of the user's field of vision. A cover glass may be positioned within or on the headset frame such that, when the headset frame is worn by the user, the light guide is positioned between the cover glass and the user's eye. The field of vision of the eye may extend through at least a portion of the cover glass. A dimmable filter may be positioned on the surface of the cover glass, optionally between the cover glass and the light guide, and optionally laminated on the surface of the cover glass. The light guide, the dimmable filter, and the cover glass may optionally be parallel layers in a hierarchical structure.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] Claim of priority

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application No. 63 / 605,302 filed December 1, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Field of the present disclosure

[0004] The present disclosure generally relates to glasses such as augmented reality (AR) headsets. Background Technology

[0005] Augmented reality (AR) headset displays can be partially transparent. AR headsets can present visual information to the user, and this visual information can be superimposed on the user's view of their surroundings. There are ongoing efforts to improve AR headsets. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0006] Figure 1 shows an example perspective view of an augmented reality headset. Figure 2 illustrates an augmented reality headset from the user's perspective. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the left projector, light, and left near-eye display of the augmented reality headset of Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a part of the augmented reality headset of Figures 1 and 2. Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the right near-eye display of the augmented reality headset of Figures 1 and 2. Figure 6 shows an exploded view of the dimmer subassembly of the left near-eye display of the augmented reality headset of Figures 1 and 2. Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart of an example method for assembling an augmented reality headset. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0007] An augmented reality headset may include a headset frame that a user can wear. A light guide positioned within or on the headset frame may direct projector light toward the user's eyes over at least a portion of the user's field of vision. A cover glass may be positioned within or on the headset frame such that, when the headset frame is worn by the user, the light guide is positioned between the cover glass and the user's eyes. The field of vision may extend through at least a portion of the cover glass. A dimmable filter may be positioned on the surface of the cover glass, optionally between the cover glass and the light guide, and optionally laminated on the surface of the cover glass. The light guide, the dimmable filter, and the cover glass may optionally be parallel layers in a hierarchical structure.

[0008] Forming an augmented reality headset in this way can simplify the handling and assembly of the optical components of the augmented reality headset, allow greater flexibility in accommodating designs including complex curvatures of the optical components, and / or reduce the possibility of contamination of the optical components.

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example of an augmented reality headset (100). The augmented reality headset (100) may include a headset frame (102) that a user can wear. The headset frame (102) may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal, including any suitable shape memory alloy.

[0010] The headset frame (102) may include a first or left optical element holder (104), such as a display or lens holder. The left optical element holder (104) may support a first or left optical element (108), such as a lens, a display, and / or a display assembly. The headset frame (102) may include a second or right optical element holder (106), such as a display or lens holder. The right optical element holder (106) may support a second or right optical element (110), such as a lens, a display, and / or a display assembly. The headset frame (102) may include a bridge (112) connecting the left optical element holder (104) to the right optical element holder (106). The headset frame (102) may include a left arm or temple piece (122) and a right arm or temple piece (124). The headset frame (102) can optionally be formed from a single piece of material to have a single or integral structure.

[0011] The augmented reality headset (100) may include a computing device such as a controller (120). The headset frame (102) may have the controller (120). For example, the controller (120) may be suitably sized and shaped to be placed at least partially on one of the temple piece (122) or the temple piece (124). The controller (120) may include one or more processors having memory, wireless communication circuits, and power. The controller (120) may include low-power circuits, high-speed circuits, and a display processor. The controller (120) may include a battery (118) or other suitable portable power source. The battery (118) may be placed on one of the left temple piece (122) or the right temple piece (124). The controller (120) may be placed on the other of the left temple piece (122) or the right temple piece (124). The controller (120) may be electrically coupled to the battery (118). The augmented reality headset (100) may include a connector or port (not shown) suitable for charging the battery (118). The augmented reality headset (100) may include a wireless receiver, a transmitter, or a transceiver (not shown). The controller (120) may include a processor and a memory containing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform one or more operations described herein.

[0012] The augmented reality headset (100) may include one or more input sensors, such as cameras, bio-sensors, position sensors, and / or motion sensors. In the configuration of FIG. 1, the augmented reality headset (100) may include a first or left camera (114) and a second or right camera (116). One or more input sensors may provide video frame data for use by the augmented reality headset (100) to extract three-dimensional (3D) information from a real-world scene.

[0013] The augmented reality headset (100) may include one or more input / output devices, such as touchpads and / or buttons, to receive user input. For example, the augmented reality headset (100) may include a touchpad (126) mounted on or integrated into one or both of the left temple piece (122) and the right temple piece (124). The touchpad (126) may be approximately parallel to the user's temple when the augmented reality headset (100) is worn. The augmented reality headset (100) may include one or more buttons (128) positioned on the outer upper edges of the left optical element holder (104) and / or the right optical element holder (106). Other suitable positions and orientations may also be used.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an augmented reality headset (100) from the user's perspective. The left optical element holder (104) securely supports the left optical element (108). The right optical element holder (106) securely supports the right optical element (110). For clarity, FIG. 2 omits some elements shown in FIG. 1.

[0015] The augmented reality headset (100) may include a left front optical assembly (210) comprising a left projector (212) for emitting light (214). The augmented reality headset (100) may include a left near-eye display (216) for receiving light (214) and redirecting light (214) toward the user's left eye. The light (214) may provide an image on or within the left optical element (108) that is overlaid on the real-world view seen by the user.

[0016] Similarly, the augmented reality headset (100) may include a right front optical assembly (202) comprising a right projector (204) that emits light (208). The augmented reality headset (100) may include a right near-eye display (206) for receiving light (208) and redirecting light (208) toward the user's right eye. The light (208) may provide an image on or within the right optical element (110) that is overlaid on the real-world view seen by the user.

[0017] A combination of a GPU, a left front optical assembly (210), a left optical element (108), a right front optical assembly (202), and a right optical element (110) provides an optical engine for an augmented reality headset (100). The augmented reality headset (100) uses the optical engine to create an overlay that can be superimposed on a user's real-world view, including a display of a 3D user interface to a user of the augmented reality headset (100).

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the left projector (212), light (214) (represented as a single ray in FIG. 3), and left near-eye display (216) of the augmented reality headset (100) of FIG. 1 and 2. Corresponding elements for the right eye may have a similar configuration and function.

[0019] The left near-eye display (216) may include a light guide (302), also known as a waveguide. The light guide (302) may guide light through repeated internal total reflections from opposing light-guiding surfaces of the light guide (302). In the configuration of FIG. 3, the light guide (302) may be configured, for example, as a planar waveguide or a slab waveguide positioned in the xy plane. The light-guiding surfaces may be generally flat or planar surfaces that are parallel to each other and extend in the xy plane. One of the light-guiding surfaces may face the user's eye (304). The other of the light-guiding surfaces may face away from the user's eye (304).

[0020] The light guide (302) may include one or more diffraction and / or reflection structures capable of receiving light (214) from the left projector (212), internally redirecting the light within the light guide (302), and extracting the light from the light guide (302) to form an exiting light (306). For example, the light guide (302) may include one or more diffraction gratings and / or diffraction grating regions, such as a single diffraction grating structure having individual regions that can function as if they were separate diffraction gratings. The light guide (302) may include one or more reflection structures, such as mirrors, prisms, and / or reflection gratings. The light guide (302) may optionally include one or more light-collimating (or collimating-changing) optical elements, such as lenses. Any or all of these structures or elements may be included on one or both light-guiding surfaces of the light guide (302) or inside the light guide (302).

[0021] In the configuration of FIG. 3, the light guide (302) may include an input grating (308) capable of receiving light (214) from a left projector (212) and directing the light into the light guide (302) to form light (312). The light guide (302) may include an output grating (310) capable of receiving the light (312), splitting the light and internally redirecting it to extend over a relatively large area (compared to the input grating (308)), and directing the light out of the light guide (302) to form outgoing light (306). The redirection and splitting may occur from a plurality of (sequential) interactions with a single diffraction grating, or from sequential interactions with different gratings placed within the surface area of ​​the output grating (310). For example, a light ray may be internally reflected from one light-guiding surface of the light guide (302), interact with diffraction features on the output grating (310) on the opposing light guide surface, etc. Interactions with diffraction features on the output grating (310) may cause internal light rays or internal light beams within the light guide (302) to change direction within the light guide (302). Eventually, interactions with diffraction features may cause internal light rays or internal light beams to exit the light guide (302) and propagate toward the user's eye (304).

[0022] In some examples, the light guide (302) may be configured to operate in infinite conjugates. For example, the left projector (212) may project light (214) that forms an image at an infinite distance, and thus the light (214) will appear to be in focus on a screen placed relatively far from the left projector (212). Similarly, the output grid (310) may direct the outgoing light (306) toward the eye in such a way that the image appears to be infinitely far away to the user's eye (304). In the case of such an infinite conjugate arrangement, the spatial angles of the light incident on the light guide (302) and the light outgoing from the light guide (302) may uniquely correspond to the image positions within the image. For example, the propagation angles of the light (214) may uniquely map to the propagation angles of the outgoing light (306), which may ultimately map uniquely to the image positions within the image on the retina of the user's eye (304).

[0023] The light guide (302) can utilize this infinite-conjugated relationship to perform so-called "pupil mapping." The left projector (212) can be configured to have an exit pupil that matches the input grid (308). Internal divisions and redirections within the output grid (310) can effectively expand the surface area of ​​the exit pupil while maintaining a unique mapping of the propagation angle versus image position for the light within the pupil. The size of the output grid (310) (e.g., the surface area from which the exit light (306) comes out of the output grid (310)) can be larger than the pupil of the user's eye (304), so that, for example, if the pupil of the eye (304) moves due to the user changing their gaze direction, the amount of light incident on the pupil of the eye (304) may not change significantly, and the user may not perceive a change in the brightness of the image.

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the augmented reality headset (100) of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The augmented reality headset (100) may include a headset frame (102) that a user can wear. The augmented reality headset (100) may include a left near-eye display (216) and a right near-eye display (206) placed on the headset frame (102).

[0025] In the example of FIG. 4, the left near-eye display (216) and the right near-eye display (206) may each include optical elements attached to each other, for example, by stacking or other suitable techniques. The optical elements may form a hierarchical structure. The hierarchical structure may be relatively rigid so that a technician can position the hierarchical structure as needed during the assembly of the augmented reality headset (100). The hierarchical structure may include at least a light guide, a cover glass, and a dimmable filter, as described in detail below.

[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the right near-eye display (206) of the augmented reality headset (100) of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In an assembled (e.g., un-disassembled) state, the right near-eye display (206) may be placed on the headset frame (102) of the augmented reality headset (100). In the drawing of FIG. 5, the user's right eye is located at the bottom of FIG. 5. Specifically, environmental light propagating from the user's surroundings to the user's right eye propagates sequentially through the elements shown in FIG. 5, generally in a downward direction in FIG. 5.

[0027] The right near-eye display (206) of the augmented reality headset (100) may include one, two, three, or more than three light guides placed within or on the headset frame. The light guides or light guides may direct projector light to the user's eyes over at least a portion of the user's field of vision. The light guides or light guides may have a structure and function similar to the light guide (302) of FIG. 3.

[0028] In the example of FIG. 5, the right near-eye display (206) may include a first light guide (502) capable of guiding light having a first wavelength, a first color, or a first combination of wavelengths or colors. For example, the first light guide (502) may guide light including red light and green light. Other color schemes may also be used.

[0029] In the example of FIG. 5, the right near-eye display (206) may further include a second light guide (504) capable of guiding light having a second wavelength, a second color, or a second combination of wavelengths or colors. For example, the second light guide (504) may guide light including blue light and green light. Other color schemes may also be used. In the example of FIG. 5, light from the first light guide (502) (e.g., red light and green light) may be delivered to the user's eye through the second light guide (504).

[0030] The second light guide (504) may be attached to the first light guide (502) by a first adhesive layer (506) of pressure-sensitive adhesive applied around the perimeter of the second light guide (504) or around the perimeter of the first light guide (502). The first adhesive layer (506) may extend around the perimeter of the transparent opening of the first light guide (502) and the transparent opening of the second light guide (504), and thus may be maintained outside the field of view of the eye.

[0031] The right near-eye display (206) of the augmented reality headset (100) may include a cover glass (508) placed within or on the headset frame (102). The cover glass (508) may be oriented away from the user's eyes when the headset frame (102) is worn. In some examples, the cover glass (508) may be the optical element furthest from the eyes when the headset frame (102) is worn, and thus the cover glass (508) may protect other optical elements of the right near-eye display (206). A first light guide (502) may be placed between the cover glass (508) and the user's eyes when the headset frame (102) is worn by the user. A second light guide (504) may be placed between the cover glass (508) and the user's eyes when the headset frame (102) is worn by the user. The field of view of the eyes may extend through at least a portion of the cover glass (508). In some examples, the cover glass (508) may be rigid and may mechanically support other optical elements and / or films attached to the cover glass (508).

[0032] The right near-eye display (206) of the augmented reality headset (100) may include a dimmable filter (510) disposed on a cover glass (508). The field of view of the eye may extend through at least a portion of the dimmable filter (510). The dimmable filter (510) and the cover glass (508) together may form a dimmer subassembly (512).

[0033] The dimmer subassembly (512) may be attached to the first light guide (502) by a second adhesive layer (514) of pressure-sensitive adhesive applied around the perimeter of the first light guide (502) or around the perimeter of the dimmer subassembly (512). The second adhesive layer (514) may extend around the perimeter of the transparent opening of the first light guide (502) and the transparent opening of the dimmer subassembly (512), and thus may be maintained outside the field of view of the eye.

[0034] The right near-eye display (206) of the augmented reality headset (100) may include an edge-blackening coating (516) that is opaque and can absorb most or all incident light (stray light). The edge-blackening coating (516) may be applied around the first light guide (502), the second light guide (504), the dimmable filter (510), and / or the cover glass (508).

[0035] The right near-eye display (206) may include an input tab (518) that can be oriented away from the (left-right) center of the headset frame (102) (Fig. 4). When assembled to the headset frame (102) (Fig. 4), the input tab (518) may be aligned with the projector and receive projector light from the projector. Each light guide may include an input grid within the input tab (518) that can combine at least some projector light into the light guide.

[0036] The right near-eye display (206) may include an electric tap (520). In the configuration of FIG. 5, the electric tap (520) may be located opposite the input tap (518). In the configuration of FIG. 5, the electric tap (520) may be oriented toward the (left-right) center of the headset frame (102) (Fig. 4), and optionally may be oriented toward the (left-right) center at or near the nosepiece of the headset frame (102). Positioning the electric tap (520) toward the center of the headset frame (102) may allow a center set of electric leads within the headset frame (102), as in the nosepiece, to be connected to both the left near-eye display (216) and the right near-eye display (206).

[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of a dimmer subassembly (512) of a left near-eye display (216) of the augmented reality headset (100) of FIG. 1 and 2. In an assembled (e.g., un-disassembled) state, the left near-eye display (216) may be placed on the headset frame (102) of the augmented reality headset (100). In the drawing of FIG. 6, the user's left eye is located at the top of FIG. 6. Specifically, ambient light propagating from the user's surroundings to the user's left eye propagates sequentially through the elements shown in FIG. 6, generally in an upward direction in FIG. 6.

[0038] A dimmer subassembly (512) of the left near-eye display (216) of an augmented reality headset (100) may include a dimmable filter (510) disposed on a cover glass (508). An optically transparent adhesive layer (602) may adhere or laminate the dimmable filter (510) to the cover glass (508). The field of view of the eye may extend through at least a portion of the dimmable filter (510).

[0039] The dimmable filter (510) may include a first dimmer substrate (604) that can be laminated to a cover glass (508) through an optically transparent adhesive layer (602). The dimmable filter (510) may include a second dimmer substrate (606) that can be adhered to the first dimmer substrate (604) through a dimmer adhesive layer (608). The dimmer adhesive layer (608) may extend around the perimeter of a transparent opening of the dimmable filter (510) so that the dimmer adhesive layer (608) does not obstruct the user's field of vision.

[0040] The first dimmer board (604) may include a first dimmer board electrical connection (610) in an area of ​​the first dimmer board (604) corresponding to the electrical tap (520) (Fig. 5). The second dimmer board (606) may include a second dimmer board electrical connection (612) in an area of ​​the second dimmer board (606) corresponding to the electrical tap (520) (Fig. 5). The electrical connections may be located far from the transparent opening of the optical elements of the dimmable filter (510), so they may be located outside the field of view of the eye.

[0041] The dimmable filter (510) may include a dimmer flexible printed circuit (614) to form electrical connections to and from the first dimmer substrate (604) and to and from the second dimmer substrate (606). The dimmer flexible printed circuit (614) may be attached to the first dimmer substrate electrical connection (610) of the first dimmer substrate (604) via a first anisotropic conductive film (616). The dimmer flexible printed circuit (614) may be attached to the second dimmer substrate electrical connection (612) of the second dimmer substrate (606) via a second anisotropic conductive film (618). Other suitable electrical connection techniques may also be used.

[0042] In some examples, the dimmable filter (510) may be positioned between the cover glass (508) and the first light guide (502). In some examples, the dimmable filter (510) may be positioned between the cover glass (508) and the second light guide (504). For example, when the headset frame (102) is worn by a user, a beam of ambient light within the eye's field of vision may be delivered to the eye sequentially by passing through the cover glass (508) from the environment around the user, then through the dimmable filter (510), then through the first light guide (502). Similarly, when the headset frame (102) is worn by a user, a beam of ambient light within the eye's field of vision may be delivered to the eye sequentially by passing through the cover glass (508) from the environment around the user, then through the dimmable filter (510), then through the second light guide (504).

[0043] By positioning the optical elements in this manner, the guided light extracted from the first light guide (502) may not be illuminated by the dimmable filter (510), which can increase the perceived brightness of the extracted light during operation of the augmented reality headset (100). Additionally, positioning the optical elements in this manner allows the elements of the dimmable filter (510) to be protected using a cover glass (508). By positioning the optical elements in this manner, the guided light extracted from the second light guide (504) may not be illuminated by the dimmable filter (510), which can increase the perceived brightness of the extracted light during operation of the augmented reality headset (100).

[0044] Additionally, a beam of projector light within the field of vision, such as light (214) or light (208), can be transmitted to the eye from a light guide, such as a first light guide (502) or a second light guide (504), without passing through a dimmable filter (510) or a cover glass (508). By positioning optical elements so that the dimmable filter (510) does not dim the projector light, the augmented reality headset (100) can avoid unnecessary dimming of the image projected to the user.

[0045] In some examples, the dimmable filter (510) may be positioned immediately adjacent to the light guiding surface of a light guide, such as a first light guide (502) or a second light guide (504), without any interposed optical elements positioned between the dimmable filter (510) and the light guiding surface of the light guide. In a specific geometry of FIG. 5, the lower surface of the dimmable filter (510) may be positioned immediately adjacent to the light guiding surface of the first light guide (502) without any interposed optical elements positioned between the dimmable filter (510) and the light guiding surface of the first light guide (502). Positioning the optical elements in this manner can simplify the handling of the elements during the assembly of the augmented reality headset (100) and reduce the possibility of contamination during the assembly of the augmented reality headset (100).

[0046] In some examples, the cover glass (508) and the dimmable filter (510) may be in contact across a surface area corresponding to the eye's field of view. This contact may mechanically support the dimmable filter (510) and help ensure uniformity of the displayed image across the eye's field of view.

[0047] In some examples, the dimmable filter (510) may come into contact with the light guiding surface of a light guide, such as a first light guide (502) or a second light guide (504). In a specific geometry of FIG. 5, the lowest surface of the dimmable filter (510) may come into contact with the uppermost surface of the first light guide (502). Such contact may reduce the possibility of contamination during the assembly of the augmented reality headset (100).

[0048] In some examples, the dimmable filter (510) may be laminated onto the surface of the cover glass (508) using an optically transparent adhesive. Using an optically transparent adhesive in this way can help reduce the number of air / surface interfaces present in the optical path between the surroundings and the user's eyes, which can increase the perceived brightness of the surroundings for the user.

[0049] In some examples, the first light guide (502), the dimmable filter (510), and the cover glass (508) comprise parallel layers of a hierarchical structure. In some examples, the second light guide (504), the dimmable filter (510), and the cover glass (508) comprise parallel layers of a hierarchical structure. In some examples, the first light guide (502), the second light guide (504), the dimmable filter (510), and the cover glass (508) comprise parallel layers of a hierarchical structure. Forming the hierarchy in this way can simplify the handling of optical elements during the assembly of the augmented reality headset (100).

[0050] In some examples, the first light guide (502), the dimmable filter (510), and the cover glass (508) have corresponding composite curvatures. In some examples, the second light guide (504), the dimmable filter (510), and the cover glass (508) have corresponding composite curvatures. In some examples, the first light guide (502), the second light guide (504), the dimmable filter (510), and the cover glass (508) have corresponding composite curvatures. Because these optical elements may have composite curvatures, these optical elements may be particularly suitable for inclusion within a hierarchical structure as described above. More specifically, composite curvatures can complicate other assembly and attachment techniques in which optical elements are spaced apart. Additionally, composite curvatures may allow greater flexibility in the design of optical elements compared to planar arrangements for these optical elements.

[0051] In some examples, the cover glass (508) may be substantially rigid and may mechanically support the dimmable filter (510). Using the cover glass (508) to support in this manner may provide greater flexibility in the design and configuration of the dimmable filter (510).

[0052] In some examples, such as the configuration of FIG. 5, the augmented reality headset (100) may include a plurality of light guides, each providing light of a different spectral profile (e.g., having a different color, a different wavelength, and / or a different spectral range). As a specific example, a first light guide (502) may direct blue light and some green light toward the viewer's eye. In some examples, the first light guide (502) may receive blue light and green light from a plurality of projectors, each projector projecting light of a different color, wavelength, or spectral region. In other examples, the first light guide (502) may receive blue light and green light from a single projector and suitable spectral filters. Similarly, a second light guide (504) may direct red light and some green light toward the viewer's eye. In some examples, the second light guide (504) may receive red light and green light from a plurality of projectors, each projector projecting light of a different color, wavelength, or spectral region. In other examples, the second light guide (504) may receive red light and green light from a single projector and appropriate spectral filters. In the case where the augmented reality headset (100) is configured to include a plurality of light guides, the first light guide may receive projector light having a first spectral profile, and the second light guide may receive projector light having a second spectral profile different from the first spectral profile.

[0053] In some examples, the dimmable filter (510) may be pixelated. For example, the dimmable filter (510) may include a plurality of filter regions, each having controllable transparencys. In some examples, the plurality of filter regions includes two, three, four, or more than four regions. In some examples, the plurality of filter regions may include pixels sufficient to form a low-resolution or high-resolution image for a user. In some examples, the augmented reality headset (100) may include a controller, such as a controller (120). The controller can control the transparencys of the plurality of filter regions. The transparencys may be controlled independently of each other.

[0054] In some examples, the augmented reality headset (100) may include light projectors such as a left projector (212) and / or a right projector (204). The projector may provide projector light such as light (214) or light (208). The projector light may display an image. A controller may control the transparency of a plurality of filter regions based at least partially on the image. For example, the image may include an object. The controller may increase the contrast of the object by reducing the transparency of a dimmable filter in at least one filter region corresponding to the location of the object in the image.

[0055] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of an example of a method (700) for assembling an augmented reality headset, such as an augmented reality headset (100) or others. Method (700) is only one method for assembling an augmented reality headset. Other suitable methods may also be used.

[0056] In operation (702), a dimmable filter such as a dimmable filter (510) can be placed on a cover glass such as a cover glass (508).

[0057] In operation (704), a light guide such as a light guide (302), a first light guide (502), and / or a second light guide (504) may be attached to the light guide and the cover glass so that the light guide is positioned between the cover glass and the light guide.

[0058] In operation (706), a light guide, a dimmable filter, and a cover glass may be attached to a wearable headset frame, such as a headset frame (102). When the headset frame is worn by a user, the light guide is configured to provide projector light to the user's eyes over at least a portion of the user's eye's field of vision. When the headset frame is worn by a user, the light guide is positioned between the cover glass and the user's eyes. When the headset frame is worn by a user, the field of vision of the eyes extends through at least a portion of the cover glass and at least a portion of the dimmable filter.

[0059] In some examples, the step of placing a dimmable filter on a cover glass may include the step of laminating the dimmable filter onto the surface of the cover glass using an optically transparent adhesive.

[0060] In some examples, the method (700) may further include the step of forming a hierarchical structure from a light guide, a dimmable filter, and a cover glass.

[0061] To further illustrate the systems and related methods disclosed herein, a non-limiting list of examples is provided below. Each of the following non-limiting examples may stand alone or may be combined with any one or more of the other examples by any substitution or combination.

[0062] In Example 1, the augmented reality headset may comprise: a headset frame that a user can wear; a light guide disposed within or on the headset frame and configured to direct projector light toward the user's eyes over at least a portion of the user's eye's field of vision; a cover glass—the cover glass is disposed within or on the headset frame such that when the headset frame is worn by the user, the light guide is disposed between the cover glass and the user's eyes, and the field of vision of the eyes extends through at least a portion of the cover glass—; and a dimmable filter disposed on the cover glass—the field of vision of the eyes extends through at least a portion of the dimmable filter.

[0063] In Example 2, the augmented reality headset of Example 1 can optionally be configured so that a dimmable filter is placed between the cover glass and the light guide.

[0064] In Example 3, the augmented reality headset of any one of Examples 1 to 2 may optionally be configured such that when the headset frame is worn by the user: a beam of environmental light within the eye's field of vision is sequentially transmitted from the environment surrounding the user through a cover glass, then through a dimmable filter, then through a light guide to the eye; and a beam of projector light within the eye's field of vision is transmitted from the light guide to the eye without passing through a dimmable filter or a cover glass.

[0065] In Example 4, the augmented reality headset of any one of Examples 1 to 3 may optionally be configured such that a dimmable filter is positioned immediately adjacent to the light guiding surface of the light guide without any intervening optical elements placed between the dimmable filter and the light guiding surface of the light guide.

[0066] In Example 5, the augmented reality headset of any one of Examples 1 to 4 may optionally be configured so that the cover glass and the dimmable filter come into contact across a surface area corresponding to the eye's field of view.

[0067] In Example 6, the augmented reality headset of any one of Examples 1 to 5 may optionally be configured so that a dimmable filter contacts the light guiding surface of the light guide.

[0068] In Example 7, the augmented reality headset of any one of Examples 1 to 6 may optionally be configured so that a dimmable filter is laminated onto the surface of the cover glass using an optically transparent adhesive.

[0069] In Example 8, the augmented reality headset of any one of Examples 1 to 7 may optionally be configured such that the light guide, the dimmable filter, and the cover glass include parallel layers of a hierarchical structure.

[0070] In Example 9, the augmented reality headset of any one of Examples 1 to 8 may optionally be configured so that the light guide, the dimmable filter, and the cover glass have corresponding composite curvatures.

[0071] In Example 10, the augmented reality headset of any one of Examples 1 to 9 may optionally be configured such that the cover glass is substantially rigid and mechanically supports a dimmable filter.

[0072] In Example 11, the augmented reality headset of any one of Examples 1 to 10 optionally has a light guide that is a first light guide; a projector light that is a first projector light and has a first spectral profile; the augmented reality headset further includes a second light guide; the first light guide is positioned between the second light guide and a dimmable filter; the field of view of the user's eyes extends through at least a portion of the second light guide when the headset frame is worn by the user; the second light guide is configured to provide a second projector light to the user's eyes over at least a portion of the field of view of the user's eyes; and the second projector light may be configured to have a second spectral profile different from the first spectral profile.

[0073] In Example 12, the augmented reality headset of any one of Examples 1 to 11 may optionally be configured such that a dimmable filter comprises a plurality of filter regions, each having controllable transparencys; and the augmented reality headset may further comprise a controller configured to control the transparencys of the plurality of filter regions—the transparencys are controlled independently of each other.

[0074] In Example 13, the augmented reality headset of any one of Examples 1 to 12 may optionally further include a light projector configured to provide projector light—the projector light represents an image, and the controller is further configured to control the transparency of a plurality of filter regions at least partially based on the image.

[0075] In Example 14, the augmented reality headset of any one of Examples 1 to 13 may optionally be configured such that an image includes an object; and further configured such that a controller increases the contrast of the object by reducing the transparency of a dimmable filter in at least one filter area corresponding to the position of the object in the image.

[0076] In Example 15, a method for assembling an augmented reality headset may include: placing a dimmable filter on a cover glass; attaching a dimmable filter and a light guide to the cover glass such that the dimmable filter is positioned between the cover glass and the light guide; and attaching the light guide, the dimmable filter, and the cover glass to the wearable headset frame such that when the headset frame is worn by a user: the light guide is configured to provide projector light to the user's eye over at least a portion of the user's eye's field of vision; the light guide is positioned between the cover glass and the user's eye; and the field of vision of the eye extends through at least a portion of the cover glass and at least a portion of the dimmable filter.

[0077] In Example 16, the method of Example 15 may optionally be configured such that the step of placing a dimmable filter on a cover glass includes the step of laminating a dimmable filter onto the surface of the cover glass using an optically transparent adhesive.

[0078] In Example 17, the method of any one of Examples 15 to 16 may optionally further include the step of forming a layered structure from a light guide, a dimmable filter, and a cover glass.

[0079] In Example 18, the augmented reality headset may include: a headset frame that a user can wear; a light projector placed within or on the headset frame and configured to provide projector light that displays an image; a light guide placed within or on the headset frame and configured to direct the projector light to the user's eye over at least a portion of the user's eye's field of vision; a cover glass—the cover glass is placed within or on the headset frame such that when the headset frame is worn by the user, the light guide is placed between the cover glass and the user's eye, and the field of vision of the eye extends through at least a portion of the cover glass—; a dimmable filter laminated on the surface of the cover glass between the cover glass and the light guide—the field of vision of the eye extends through at least a portion of the dimmable filter, the light guide is placed between the user's eye and the dimmable filter when the headset frame is worn by the user, and the dimmable filter includes a plurality of filter regions each having controllable transparencys—; and a controller configured to control the transparencys of the plurality of filter regions based at least partially on an image.

[0080] In Example 19, the augmented reality headset of Example 18 may optionally be configured such that an image contains an object; and further configured such that a controller increases the contrast of the object by reducing the transparency of a dimmable filter in at least one filter area corresponding to the position of the object in the image.

[0081] In Example 20, the augmented reality headset of any one of Examples 18 to 19 may optionally include a light guide, a dimmable filter, and a cover glass comprising parallel layers of a hierarchical structure; and the light guide, the dimmable filter, and the cover glass may be configured to have corresponding composite curvatures.

Claims

Claim 1 An augmented reality headset comprising: a headset frame that a user can wear; a light guide disposed within or on the headset frame and configured to direct projector light toward the user's eye over at least a portion of the user's eye's field of vision; a cover glass—the cover glass disposed within or on the headset frame such that when the headset frame is worn by the user, the light guide is disposed between the cover glass and the user's eye, and the field of vision of the eye extends through at least a portion of the cover glass—; and a dimmable filter disposed on the cover glass—the field of vision of the eye extends through at least a portion of the dimmable filter—an augmented reality headset comprising Claim 2 An augmented reality headset according to claim 1, wherein the dimmable filter is disposed between the cover glass and the light guide. Claim 3 In paragraph 2, when the headset frame is worn by the user, a beam of ambient light within the field of vision of the eye is sequentially transmitted from the environment surrounding the user through the cover glass, then through the dimmable filter, then through the light guide to the eye; and a beam of projector light within the field of vision of the eye is transmitted from the light guide to the eye without passing through the dimmable filter or the cover glass, an augmented reality headset. Claim 4 In paragraph 2, the augmented reality headset, wherein the dimmable filter is positioned immediately adjacent to the light guiding surface of the light guide without any intervening optical elements positioned between the dimmable filter and the light guiding surface of the light guide. Claim 5 An augmented reality headset according to claim 1, wherein the cover glass and the dimmable filter are in contact across a surface area corresponding to the field of view of the eye. Claim 6 In claim 1, the augmented reality headset, wherein the dimmable filter contacts the light guiding surface of the light guide. Claim 7 An augmented reality headset according to claim 1, wherein the dimmable filter is laminated onto the surface of the cover glass using an optically transparent adhesive. Claim 8 An augmented reality headset according to claim 1, wherein the light guide, the dimmable filter, and the cover glass comprise parallel layers of a hierarchical structure. Claim 9 An augmented reality headset according to claim 1, wherein the light guide, the dimmable filter, and the cover glass have corresponding composite curvatures. Claim 10 An augmented reality headset according to claim 1, wherein the cover glass is substantially rigid and mechanically supports the dimmable filter. Claim 11 In claim 1, the light guide is a first light guide; the projector light is a first projector light and has a first spectral profile; the augmented reality headset further comprises a second light guide; the first light guide is positioned between the second light guide and the dimmable filter; when the headset frame is worn by the user, the user's field of vision extends through at least a portion of the second light guide; the second light guide is configured to provide a second projector light to the eye over at least a portion of the user's field of vision; and the second projector light has a second spectral profile different from the first spectral profile, the augmented reality headset. Claim 12 In claim 1, the dimmable filter comprises a plurality of filter regions each having controllable transparencys; the augmented reality headset further comprises a controller configured to control the transparencys of the plurality of filter regions, wherein the transparencys are controlled independently of each other. Claim 13 An augmented reality headset according to claim 12, further comprising a light projector configured to provide the projector light, wherein the projector light represents an image, and the controller further configured to control the transparency of the plurality of filter regions at least partially based on the image. Claim 14 An augmented reality headset according to claim 13, wherein the image includes an object; and the controller is further configured to increase the contrast of the object by reducing the transparency of the dimmable filter in at least one filter area corresponding to the position of the object in the image. Claim 15 A method for assembling an augmented reality headset, comprising: placing a dimmable filter on a cover glass; attaching a light guide to the dimmable filter and the cover glass such that the dimmable filter is positioned between the cover glass and the light guide; and when the headset frame is worn by a user: The light guide is configured to provide projector light to the eye over at least a portion of the user's field of vision; The above light guide is positioned between the cover glass and the user's eye; A method comprising the step of attaching the light guide, the dimmable filter, and the cover glass to a wearable headset frame so that the field of view of the eye extends through at least a portion of the cover glass and at least a portion of the dimmable filter. Claim 16 In claim 15, the step of placing the dimmable filter on the cover glass comprises the step of laminating the dimmable filter onto the surface of the cover glass using an optically transparent adhesive. Claim 17 A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of forming a hierarchical structure from the light guide, the dimmable filter, and the cover glass. Claim 18 An augmented reality headset comprising: a headset frame that a user may wear; a light projector disposed within or on the headset frame and configured to provide projector light that displays an image; a light guide disposed within or on the headset frame and configured to direct the projector light to the eye over at least a portion of the user's eye's field of vision; a cover glass—the cover glass disposed within or on the headset frame such that when the headset frame is worn by the user, the light guide is disposed between the cover glass and the user's eye, and the field of vision of the eye extends through at least a portion of the cover glass—; a dimmable filter laminated on the surface of the cover glass between the cover glass and the light guide—the field of vision of the eye extends through at least a portion of the dimmable filter, the light guide is disposed between the user's eye and the dimmable filter when the headset frame is worn by the user, and the dimmable filter comprises a plurality of filter regions each having controllable transparencys—; and a controller configured to control the transparencys of the plurality of filter regions based at least partially on the image. Claim 19 An augmented reality headset according to claim 18, wherein the image includes an object; and the controller is further configured to increase the contrast of the object by reducing the transparency of the dimmable filter in at least one filter area corresponding to the position of the object in the image. Claim 20 An augmented reality headset according to claim 18, wherein the light guide, the dimmable filter, and the cover glass comprise parallel layers of a hierarchical structure; and the light guide, the dimmable filter, and the cover glass have corresponding composite curvatures.

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