Electrochromic Lens Segmentation for Independent Eye and Camera Tinting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current portable eyewear devices, such as smart glasses, face challenges in providing adaptive and privacy-conscious see-through displays that can adjust to user head and eye movements while maintaining effective light transmission for both the user's eyes and cameras, especially in varying lighting conditions.
Innovation Solution
The integration of electrochromic lenses with multiple layers, allowing independent control of light transmission for the user's eyes and cameras, using different dye chemistries to manage tinting and opacity, and the use of visible and infrared cameras for tracking user movements to adjust the field of view and display content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single electrochromic lens is used for both user viewing and camera capture, then the structure is simple, but the light transmission cannot be independently controlled for user eyes and cameras
Solution Approach 1:
The single electrochromic lens is divided into multiple independent electrochromic layers, each capable of independent tinting control. This allows different regions (user viewing region and camera capture region) to have different light transmission properties simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and independent control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different electrochromic layers are assigned different dye chemistries and control characteristics to optimize performance for specific functions (user viewing vs. camera capture). This enables localized optimization of light transmission properties for different regions of the lens while maintaining overall structural integration.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard electrochromic lenses are used, then the manufacturing is straightforward, but the tinting range and wavelength control are limited
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electrochromic layers with different dye chemistries are combined in a single lens assembly. Each layer uses specially formulated dyes (e.g., viologens, methylene blue, eosin Y) that respond to different wavelengths and provide different tint characteristics, expanding the overall tinting range and wavelength control capability while maintaining a unified lens structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes different electrochemical parameters (redox potentials, response times, tinting ranges) for each dye chemistry to achieve versatile light transmission control. By selecting dyes with varying properties, the system can independently adjust tint intensity and wavelength filtering for different regions and applications.
3Reliability
If cameras are exposed in bright conditions, then the image capture is effective, but the user's eye comfort and privacy are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is segmented into user viewing regions and camera capture regions with independent electrochromic control. This allows the camera region to maintain high light transmission for effective image capture in bright conditions, while the user viewing regions can be independently tinted to protect user eye comfort and control privacy exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lens are assigned different light transmission properties optimized for their specific functions. The camera capture region uses dye chemistries and control parameters optimized for image quality, while user viewing regions use configurations optimized for eye comfort and privacy protection.
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 enables immersive, adaptive, and privacy-friendly augmented reality experiences by adjusting light transmission and tinting dynamically, improving visibility and contrast in bright conditions and allowing for creative control over camera exposure, while maintaining user privacy.
Implementation Method 1
The electrochromic lenses have an eye region for controlling a light transmissive property/tinting for a user's eye, and a separate camera region for controlling a light transmissive property/tinting for a camera
Implementation Method 2
the use of visible and infrared cameras for tracking user movements to adjust the field of view and display content
Data Source
AI summary
Eyewear having electrochromic lenses for controlling a light transmissive property/tinting for a user's eye and a camera. The electrochromic lenses have an eye region for controlling light transmission to a user's eye, and a separate camera region for controlling light transmission to a camera. Two or more electrochromic lenses are provided to independently control the tinting for each of the user's eye, and two or more cameras. The electrochromic lenses comprise of multiple lens layers forming a single stack. Each layer has an opening configured to receive a fill material, such as a dye, such that the fill material can have different chemistries. The displays may also have different dye chemistries to allow for different tint ranges (wavelengths of light passed).