AR Waveguide Optics With Variable Light Control for Glare Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges exist in producing augmented reality technologies that provide a comfortable and natural-feeling presentation of virtual image elements amidst real-world imagery, as human visual perception systems are complex and difficult to integrate effectively.
Innovation Solution
A user-wearable display device with a variable optical material that changes in response to stimuli, such as ambient light conditions, to adjust the intensity, spectral content, or direction of light transmission through waveguides, using sensors and processing electronics to enhance the integration of virtual content with real-world visuals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If variable optical material is used to dynamically adjust light transmission, then the integration of virtual content with real-world visuals is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (variable optical material, waveguides, sensors, and processing electronics) into an integrated augmented reality display device. The variable optical material is incorporated within the waveguide structure, and sensors are integrated to detect ambient light conditions, allowing these components to work together as a unified system that dynamically adapts virtual content to real-world viewing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms where the variable optical material changes its optical properties in real-time based on sensor feedback about ambient light conditions. The system continuously monitors environmental factors and adjusts the transmission characteristics of the waveguide to maintain optimal visibility of virtual content across varying lighting conditions, making the device adaptive rather than static.
2Illumination intensity
If variable optical material adjusts light transmission dynamically, then glare is reduced and virtual content perception is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors detect ambient light conditions and provide this information to processing electronics, which then adjust the variable optical material's transmission properties accordingly. This closed-loop system ensures that energy is consumed only when and where needed to maintain optimal visual conditions, rather than operating at maximum capacity continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the variable optical material (such as transmission, reflection, or absorption characteristics) in response to detected ambient light conditions. By dynamically adjusting these material parameters rather than maintaining fixed settings, the system optimizes energy consumption while achieving the desired glare reduction and virtual content visibility across different environmental lighting conditions.
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 device improves the user experience by dynamically adjusting light conditions to align virtual objects with real-world elements, reducing glare and enhancing the perception of virtual content in augmented reality environments.
Implementation Method 1
a variable optical material that undergoes a physical and/or a chemical change in response to a stimulus
Implementation Method 2
a variable optical material that undergoes a physical and/or a chemical change in response to a stimulus
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device such as an augmented reality (AR) display device includes variable optical material that alters at least one of: incident ambient light, spectral content of incident ambient light or direction of incident ambient light through the optical device in response to a stimulus provided by the device. The device can sense intensity and/or spectral characteristics of ambient light and provide appropriate stimulus to various portions of the optical device to activate the variable optical material and alter at least one of: incident ambient light, spectral content of incident ambient light or direction of incident ambient light. In some examples, the variable optical material may be distributed unevenly across the optical device.