Eye Imaging in Head-Worn Computing with Stray Light Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable computing systems, particularly head-worn computing devices, face challenges in effectively suppressing stray light, which affects image quality and user experience, especially in augmented reality applications where bright digital content can cause eye glow and face glow, compromising visibility and privacy.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of advanced optical configurations, including polarized light sources, digital micromirror devices (DLP), and light traps, along with combiner elements like holographic or notch mirrors, to manage and redirect stray light away from the user's eye, ensuring high contrast and reduced extraneous illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high-brightness digital content is displayed in head-worn computing devices, then visibility and image quality are improved, but stray light causes eye glow and face glow that compromise visibility and privacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures the harmful stray light that causes eye glow and face glow, and redirects it onto a light trap surface where it is absorbed. This converts the harmful stray light into a beneficial effect by preventing it from reaching the user's eye and face, thereby eliminating the glow effect while maintaining high digital content brightness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light trap as an intermediary element between the optical system and the user's eye. This light trap acts as a mediator that intercepts and absorbs stray light before it can cause eye glow or face glow, allowing high-brightness digital content to be displayed without the harmful side effects
2Object-generated harmful factors
If light traps are added to suppress stray light, then eye glow and face glow are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the light trap into the existing optical module structure, combining multiple functions into a unified design. The light trap is positioned to work in conjunction with the waveguide, combiner, and other optical elements, reducing the need for separate stray light suppression components and minimizing overall device complexity
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
These solutions enhance image quality by minimizing stray light, reducing eye glow and face glow, and maintaining user privacy, while allowing for high-brightness and high-contrast digital content display in head-worn computing systems.
Implementation Method 1
directed toward a light trap to be absorbed thereby preventing the stray light from reaching the user's eye
Implementation Method 2
In embodiments, a polarized light source is provided
Implementation Method 3
digital micromirror devices (DLP), and light traps, along with combiner elements like holographic or notch mirrors, to manage and redirect stray light
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present invention relate to methods and systems for imaging, recognizing, and tracking of a user's eye that is wearing a HWC. Aspects further relate to the processing of images reflected from the user's eye and controlling displayed content in accordance therewith.