Adjustable Transmittance Optical Lens for Near-Eye Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current virtual reality devices stimulate users' eyes due to varying brightness levels, affecting the user experience as the display screen's light intensity changes, and existing solutions do not adequately regulate light transmittance to prevent eye stimulation.

Innovation Solution

An optical processing apparatus with an adjustable light transmittance optical lens group, comprising a photodetector, a controller, and a light-transmissive layer with a liquid crystal layer and transparent driving electrode layers, which adjusts light transmittance based on detected light intensity to maintain the light within a comfortable range for human eyes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the display screen displays high-brightness images, then the visual impact is enhanced, but the human eyes are strongly stimulated affecting user experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay screen brightnessVSAvoideye stimulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An optical processing apparatus is introduced as an intermediary component between the display screen and the user's eyes. This apparatus includes a liquid crystal layer that can dynamically adjust its light transmittance, acting as a mediator that modifies the light from the display before it reaches the eyes, thereby reducing eye stimulation while preserving the displayed image content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The light transmittance parameter of the optical processing apparatus is dynamically changed based on the brightness of the displayed image. When high-brightness images are detected, the liquid crystal layer adjusts its transmittance to reduce the intensity of light reaching the eyes, thereby adapting the harmful factor (eye stimulation) in real-time while maintaining the visual experience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the light transmittance is reduced to prevent eye stimulation, then the harmful effect on eyes is decreased, but the overall light intensity and visual quality may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeye stimulationVSAvoidlight intensity reaching eyes
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical processing apparatus employs dynamic adjustment of light transmittance rather than a fixed reduction. The liquid crystal layer's transmittance is continuously modulated based on real-time detection of display brightness, allowing the system to minimize eye stimulation only when necessary (during high-brightness periods) while maintaining normal light transmission during low-brightness periods, thus preserving visual quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a liquid crystal layer is added to adjust light transmittance, then the light regulation capability is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmittance adjustabilityVSAvoidoptical lens group structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical processing apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions within a single integrated structure. The same optical lens group that focuses and directs light from the display screen also incorporates the liquid crystal layer for light transmittance adjustment, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device complexity despite the added functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The apparatus effectively regulates light transmittance to prevent eye stimulation by adjusting the light intensity to a comfortable range, enhancing user experience in virtual reality devices by ensuring consistent and non-stimulating light exposure.

Implementation Method 1

the controller is configured to control a power supply to supply a driving voltage to the driving electrode layer, so as to generate an electric field for driving a liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer to deflect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal deflection: Liquid Crystals

Implementation Method 2

generate an electric field for driving a liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer to deflect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field effect: Electric Field

Implementation Method 3

one convex lens or a plurality of coaxially arranged convex lenses configured to converge light from a light incident side of the optical lens group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight convergence: Lens

Implementation Method 4

a photodetector configured to detect intensity of light emitted to the optical lens group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3859427B1Optical processing device and near-eye display apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3859427B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP3859427B1 patent drawingFigure 2c~4
  • EP3859427B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~6

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an optical processing apparatus, including at least one optical lens group, light transmittance of which is adjustable; a photodetector configured to detect an intensity of light emitted to the optical lens group; and a controller configured to adjust the light transmittance of the optical lens group according to the light intensity detected by the photodetector.