AR Waveguide Tunable Lenses for Vision Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current augmented reality (AR) devices lack a convenient means for vision correction, particularly for users with vision impairments, as they often require additional optical clips, which are inconvenient, and do not effectively provide an immersive AR environment with high-quality virtual image display.
Innovation Solution
An AR device equipped with an optical engine, waveguide, and a dual-lens system comprising a first focus-tunable lens and a second focus-tunable lens, where the processor adjusts the refractive powers of these lenses based on user vision information and attribute depth information to correct vision and compensate for distortion, allowing for self-vision correction and improved virtual image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional optical clips are used for vision correction in AR devices, then users with vision impairments can use the device, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need for additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vision correction function with the AR optical system by integrating a focus-tunable lens into the existing waveguide structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate optical clips while providing vision correction capability, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The focus-tunable lens serves multiple functions: it acts as both the AR optical element and the vision correction element. This multi-functionality allows the same component to serve different purposes (AR display and vision correction), reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If a focus-tunable lens is added for vision correction, then vision correction is enabled, but the device complexity increases due to additional lens components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vision correction lens with the AR optical system by placing the focus-tunable lens at the input coupling region of the waveguide. This integration allows a single component to fulfill both AR and vision correction functions, avoiding the addition of separate lens components
3Device complexity
If the focal distance of virtual image is fixed at infinite, then the optical system is simple, but the immersive AR environment and quality of virtual image display deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the focal distance dynamic by implementing a focus-tunable lens that can adjust its focal length according to the depth information of virtual objects. This dynamic adjustment enables immersive AR experiences with varying focal distances while maintaining reasonable optical system complexity through integrated design
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 provides an immersive AR environment with self-vision correction, enhancing the quality of virtual images and real scenes by dynamically adjusting the focal distance and refractive powers of the lenses, thereby improving user experience for users with vision impairments.
Implementation Method 1
a first focus-tunable lens having a first refractive power that is tunable by the processor
Implementation Method 2
a second focus-tunable lens having a second refractive power that is tunable by the processor
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a device for displaying augmented reality including an optical engine configured to output light of a virtual image, a waveguide configured to output light of the virtual image and transmit light of a real scene, a first lens part and a second lens part, and a processor, the first lens part being configured to tune a focus of the virtual image and including a first focus-tunable lens having a refractive power tunable by the processor and a fixed refractive lens having a refractive power, the second lens part being configured to compensate distortion of the real scene and including a second focus-tunable lens having a refractive power that is tunable by the processor, and the processor being further configured to determine the first refractive power based on vision information of the user, attribute depth information of the virtual image, and fixed refractive power of the fixed refractive lens.