Electrochromic Eyeglass Lens With Light-Guided AR/VR Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spectacle lenses, particularly those without varifocal capabilities, face challenges in providing rapid and wide dynamic range light transmittance adjustments, which affect user satisfaction and comfort during virtual reality and augmented reality experiences, especially due to long response times and UV/temperature sensitivity.

Innovation Solution

A spectacle lens design incorporating a light guide component, first and second lens elements, and an electrochromic laminate, allowing for rapid transmittance adjustments and wide dynamic range, while accommodating prescription values and virtual image display at a predetermined distance, with lens elements having flat surfaces and specific powers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a photochromic layer is used in the experience lens, then the dynamic range of transmittance is wide and it is easy to process into spherical and curved surface shape, but the response time at the time of adjusting the transmittance is long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic range of transmittanceVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple lens elements with different optical properties (photochromic layer for wide dynamic range and curvature processing capability, liquid crystal layer for fast response time) into a composite lens structure. This allows the system to achieve both wide transmittance adjustment range and rapid response by utilizing the complementary strengths of different materials and mechanisms working together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of time

If a liquid crystal electronic device is used in the experience lens, then the response time at the time of adjusting the transmittance is short, but the dynamic range of the transmittance is only about 40% at most and it is not easy to process it into the spherical and curved surface shape

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoiddynamic range of transmittance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite lens system where a liquid crystal layer (providing fast response time) is combined with a photochromic layer and other optical elements. This composite structure enables the system to overcome the limitations of individual materials, achieving both rapid transmittance adjustment and wide dynamic range that neither component could achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The experience lens is designed as a multi-functional composite structure that integrates multiple mechanisms (photochromic adjustment, liquid crystal control, spherical and curved surface processing) into a single lens system. This allows the lens to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing wide transmittance dynamic range, achieving fast response time, and maintaining proper optical shape for virtual reality/augmented reality applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a varifocal lens is used to provide virtual reality and augmented reality perception, then the focus of wavefront can be changed, but a special lens such as liquid crystal lens or electroactive lens is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual reality and augmented reality experienceVSAvoidlens type requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite lens structure combining photochromic layers, liquid crystal layers, and multiple optical elements to achieve varifocal functionality for virtual reality and augmented reality. This composite approach provides the necessary focus adjustment capability while integrating multiple functions into a unified lens system that can be processed into appropriate spherical and curved surface shapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 comfortable and appropriate virtual/augmented reality experiences regardless of location, with rapid transmittance adjustments and reduced sensitivity to UV/temperature, using normal spectacle lens materials.

Implementation Method 1

at least any of the first lens element and the second lens element includes an electrochromic laminate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Data Source

PatentEP4628975A1Eyeglass lens and eyeglasses

Publication Date: 2025.10.08 HOYA LENS THAILAND LTD

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AI summary

Provided are a spectacle lens and related techniques, the spectacle lens having an object side surface and an eyeball side surface and including a light guide component, a first lens element adjacent to the light guide component on the object side, and a second lens element adjacent to the light guide component on the eyeball side, wherein in a case in which a light flux that passes through the first lens element and the second lens element is focused to obtain a real image, the first lens element and the second lens element realize prescription values of a wearer, and a virtual image obtained by focusing the light flux that is transmitted in the light guide component and passes through the second lens element is displayed by the second lens element at a single predetermined distance away from the wearer, and at least any of the first lens element and the second lens element includes an electrochromic laminate.