Correcting Optical Function for Head-Mounted See-Through Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-mounted see-through display systems fail to adapt to individual users' visual needs, particularly their prescriptions, leading to suboptimal virtual image rendering and user comfort.

Innovation Solution

A method and component for determining a correcting optical function to be applied on a virtual image in head-mounted systems, which involves an optical lens with both front and back faces designed to accommodate user prescriptions, and a see-through displaying device that transmits the virtual image through the optical lens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an optical lens with high power or variable power (progressive/multifocal) is used to correct user vision, then the wearer's visual needs are met, but aberrations become more visible and virtual image rendering becomes non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to user prescriptionVSAvoiduniformity of virtual image rendering
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary determination of the correcting optical function based on the optical lens characteristics before displaying the virtual image. By calculating the appropriate correction in advance and applying it to the virtual image data, the system pre-compensates for the aberrations that will be introduced by the optical lens, ensuring uniform rendering despite the lens's variable power characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a see-through displaying device is integrated with an optical lens to provide virtual information, then the system provides augmented reality functionality, but the virtual image rendering becomes non-uniform due to lens aberrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaugmented reality capabilityVSAvoidvirtual image quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary correcting optical function that acts as a mediator between the virtual image source and the optical lens. This correcting function, determined based on the lens's optical characteristics, processes the virtual image data to compensate for the lens's aberrations, ensuring that the final rendered image maintains uniform quality and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the optical system is customized to individual user prescriptions, then user comfort is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system customizes the virtual image display by changing optical parameters based on the user's prescription and the optical lens characteristics. By determining a correcting optical function that adjusts key parameters such as optical power distribution and aberration compensation, the system achieves personalized user comfort while managing complexity through parameter optimization rather than structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ensures a uniform and aberration-reduced rendering of virtual information, optimizing user comfort and virtual image quality, especially for users with progressive or multifocal lens prescriptions.

Implementation Method 1

an optical lens (14) designed to be placed in front of an eye of a user... the virtual image being transmitted at least through the back face (16) of the optical lens (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3296793B1Method of determining a correcting optical function to a virtual image
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP3296793B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

A method implemented by computer means of determining a correcting optical function to be applied on a virtual image to be displayed to a user of an optical system (12) comprising at least: - an optical lens (14) designed to be placed in front of an eye of the user and comprising at least a back face (16) having an optical design; - a see-through displaying device (20) designed and configured to display the virtual image towards the eye of the user, the virtual image being transmitted at least through the back face (16) of the optical lens defining a display area on the back face; the method comprises: - an optical design data providing step, during which optical design data relating to the optical design of the back face of the optical lens are provided; - a display area data providing step, during which display area data relative to at least one parameter of the display area are provided; and - a correcting optical function determining step, during which a correcting optical function is determined based at least on the optical design data and on the display area data.