Electrochromic Lens Glasses for Immersive AR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and augmented reality (AR) devices are cumbersome, lack immersive experiences, and have performance limitations, especially with bulky camera designs that hinder their use in public environments.
Innovation Solution
A pair of glasses featuring an electrochromic lens, a camera, an infrared sensor circuit, a processing circuit, and a battery, which captures foreground images, emits and receives infrared light to determine object distance, and controls voltage on the lens to create an immersive viewing experience by making specific areas transparent or opaque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing VR devices are used to create an immersive space, then immersive experience is improved, but the device becomes cumbersome to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using an electrochromic lens that can dynamically change its optical properties (from transparent to opaque) in response to voltage changes. This allows the device to adapt its state based on operational requirements, providing immersive experience when needed while maintaining wearability. The lens transitions between different optical states to balance immersion and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic elements through the electrochromic lens that can change its properties in real-time based on control signals. The processing circuit dynamically adjusts the lens state by applying voltage changes, enabling the system to transition between immersive mode (lens opaque) and normal viewing mode (lens transparent), thus resolving the contradiction between immersive experience and ease of wearing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If MR devices capture live images through a camera, then live image capture capability is improved, but the device size becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes in the electrochromic lens to enable live image capture functionality without requiring additional bulky optical components. By changing the lens optical state through voltage control, the system can capture live images through the existing lens structure, maintaining a compact device size while achieving MR capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If existing AR devices are designed, then device portability is improved, but immersive experience is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the electrochromic lens through a processing circuit that applies voltage changes based on captured image analysis. This dynamic adjustment allows the compact AR device to provide immersive experience by controlling the lens transparency state, enabling the user to focus on specific target objects while maintaining device portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality control by selectively changing the optical properties of the lens in response to identified target objects. The processing circuit analyzes the captured image to determine target object locations and controls the lens to provide enhanced immersion for specific regions, maintaining overall device portability while delivering localized immersive experiences.
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
Enables a compact, user-friendly, and immersive experience by selectively revealing target objects while maintaining a small device size, enhancing the VR, MR, and AR experiences.
Implementation Method 1
a lens made of electrochromic glass
Implementation Method 2
an infrared sensor circuit for emitting an infrared light, receiving the infrared light reflected by a target object
Data Source
AI summary
A pair of glasses is disclosed. The glasses include a lens made of electrochromic glass; a camera for capturing a foreground image; an infrared sensor circuit for emitting an infrared light, receiving the infrared light reflected by a target object in the foreground image, and determining an emitting time for emitting the infrared light and a receiving time for receiving the reflected infrared light; and a processing circuit for obtaining information of an area of the target object based on the foreground image, the emitting time, and the receiving time, and controlling a change of a voltage applied to the corresponding area based on the information of the corresponding area; a battery for supplying the voltage applied to the corresponding area at the lens to change the voltage applied; and a frame for accommodating the lens, the camera, the infrared sensor circuit, the processing circuit, and the battery.