Dynamic Opacity Augmentation for AR Glasses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Augmented reality (AR) glasses with see-through lenses face challenges in bright lighting conditions, where the projected AR/VR image is often washed out, and shading the lenses to prevent this makes the wearer vulnerable to falls or trips over unseen obstacles.
Innovation Solution
The use of dynamic opacity technology, also referred to as Optrx alpha matte, which applies a layer or separate lens combined with the original reflective or see-through lens to become opaque only where needed, allowing the remainder of the lens to remain clear. This technology works in conjunction with eye-tracking software to map the user's eye gaze and adjust the opacity accordingly, ensuring the virtual image is brighter and more visible than the real world.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the lens is shaded all the time to prevent washed-out AR/VR images in bright lighting, then the visibility of virtual images is improved, but the wearer becomes vulnerable to falls or trips over unseen obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into multiple independently controllable regions or zones, each capable of adjusting its opacity level separately. This allows the system to shade only specific areas where virtual images are displayed while keeping other areas transparent for real-world visibility, thus preventing washed-out images without compromising obstacle detection.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lens are assigned different optical properties - specifically, variable opacity levels tailored to local needs. Areas displaying virtual content receive higher opacity to enhance contrast, while peripheral and non-display areas maintain lower opacity to preserve real-world scene visibility and safety.
2Illumination intensity
If a separate lens or layer is added to achieve dynamic opacity for AR/VR enhancement, then the visibility of virtual images in bright lighting is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic opacity layer is integrated with the existing lens structure, combining multiple functions (protection, optical correction, and dynamic shading) into a single unified component. This merging approach adds the desired AR/VR enhancement capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by sharing structural and control resources with existing system components.
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 effectively addresses the issue of washed-out AR/VR images in bright lighting by ensuring the virtual image is brighter and more visible, while also preventing the wearer from tripping over obstacles by maintaining clear vision of the real world where necessary.
Implementation Method 1
a layer or separate lens combined with the original reflective or see-through lens to become opaque only where needed
Data Source
AI summary
A mixed reality display comprising: at least one lens, where the at least one lens has a reflective element, the at least one lens comprising a plurality of pixels; at least one display capable of projecting one or more images onto at least a portion of the at least one lens; and a dynamic opacity system, where the dynamic opacity system is capable of making at least one pixel opaque in the portion of the at least one lens onto which the one or more images are projected, while any portion of the at least one lens onto which no image is projected remains see-through.