Adjustable Liquid Crystal Lenses for HMDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing optical systems for virtual and augmented reality devices is challenging due to the need for flexible and high-performance lenses that can accommodate varying interpupillary distances and directions of view, often resulting in insufficient flexibility and suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
The use of adjustable liquid crystal lenses with transparent electrodes and control circuitry that dynamically adjusts the refractive index and position of the lenses based on measured eye characteristics, such as interpupillary distance and direction of view, to ensure optimal alignment and minimize distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed lenses are used in head-mounted displays, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot adapt to different users' interpupillary distances and directions of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing fixed lenses with adjustable liquid crystal lenses that can dynamically change their optical properties. The lenses are controlled by electrode patterns that can be reconfigured in real-time to adapt to different users' interpupillary distances and directions of view, transforming a static optical system into a dynamic one that responds to user-specific parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the refractive index distribution within the liquid crystal lenses through electrical control. By changing the voltage applied to different electrode segments, the optical parameters (focal length, center position, shape) of the lenses are adjusted to match individual user characteristics, enabling customization without mechanical movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable liquid crystal lenses with electrode patterns are used, then the lenses can adapt to different users, but the manufacturing and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the electrode structure into multiple independent segments or zones within the liquid crystal lens. Each electrode segment can be independently controlled to create specific optical zones, allowing the lens to be programmed for different users. This segmentation enables flexible configuration without requiring entirely different lens structures for each user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single liquid crystal lens structure that can perform multiple functions through electrical reconfiguration. The same physical lens can be adjusted to serve different users with different interpupillary distances and viewing preferences, eliminating the need for multiple specialized lenses and simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
3Reliability
If the lens center is not aligned with the direction of view, then the device structure is simple, but visual artifacts such as blur and distortion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using measured user characteristics (interpupillary distance, direction of view) to dynamically adjust the lens electrode patterns. The system continuously monitors or queries user parameters and uses this feedback information to optimize lens alignment and optical properties in real-time, ensuring the lens center aligns with the direction of view and minimizing visual artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing optimal electrode patterns for various user configurations. Before actual use, the system can quickly retrieve or compute the appropriate lens configuration based on measured user parameters, preparing the optical system in advance to eliminate alignment issues without requiring complex real-time adjustments during operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables flexible and high-performance optical systems that adapt to individual users' needs, reducing visual artifacts like blur and distortion by dynamically adjusting lens positions and refractive indices, thereby enhancing image quality across a wide range of viewing angles.
Implementation Method 1
The adjustable lenses may be liquid crystal lenses
Implementation Method 2
The adjustable lenses may have transparent electrodes such as elongated indium tin oxide electrodes that are supplied with time-varying control signals by the control circuitry
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device such as a head-mounted device may have displays that are viewable by the eyes of a viewer through adjustable lenses. The adjustable lenses may be liquid crystal lenses. A camera and other sensors in the head-mounted device may monitor the eyes of the user and gather other information. Control circuitry in the head-mounted device may control the adjustable lenses based on measured characteristics of the eyes of the user such as interpupillary distance and direction-of-view. The control circuitry may match the distance between the centers of the adjustable lenses to the measured interpupillary distance and may align the lens centers with the measured direction-of-view. The adjustable lenses may have transparent electrodes that are supplied with time-varying control signals by the control circuitry.