Focus-Tunable Lens for Visual Acuity Measurement in VR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) devices with visual acuity (VA) corrections face inconvenience due to the need for additional means like power clips, and existing technologies lack effective methods for providing VA correction using focus-tunable lenses.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a focus-tunable lens with a display engine, image combiner, input device, storage, and processor to project VA measuring images, guide light, receive user input, and determine VA by assigning different optical powers to lens regions, allowing for VA measurement and correction within VR/AR devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a focus-tunable lens is used to provide VA correction in VR/AR devices, then the convenience of use is improved by eliminating the need for power clips, but the device complexity increases due to the need for precise optical power control and measurement systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a focus-tunable lens that can dynamically adjust its optical power to match different visual acuity requirements. The lens transitions from a fixed optical power design to a dynamically adjustable one, allowing the same lens to serve multiple users with different VA corrections without requiring additional components like power clips.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical power parameter of the lens dynamically based on user input and measurement results. By adjusting the optical power from fixed to variable, the system can accommodate different visual acuity levels, resolving the contradiction between convenience and complexity through intelligent parameter control.
2Measurement precision
If VA measurement is performed using traditional methods, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient for accurate VA assessment in VR/AR environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the focus-tunable lens multi-functional by using it both for VA measurement and for providing VA correction. The same lens that measures visual acuity through controlled optical power variations also serves as the correction lens, eliminating the need for separate measurement and correction systems while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback-based measurement system where the optical power of the lens is adjusted based on user responses to visual acuity test images. The system continuously measures and adjusts optical power according to user feedback, achieving high measurement precision through an iterative feedback loop rather than a single static measurement.
3Measurement precision
If multiple lens regions with different optical powers are used for comprehensive VA measurement, then the measurement precision is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lens into multiple lens regions (first lens region, second lens region, etc.), each capable of having different optical powers assigned independently. This segmentation allows comprehensive VA measurement across different optical power ranges while maintaining manageable control complexity through modular region management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality control by assigning different optical powers to different lens regions based on local measurement requirements. Each lens region can be independently controlled to provide the specific optical power needed for measuring particular VA levels, optimizing measurement precision without requiring uniform control of the entire lens.
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 convenient and accurate measurement and correction of visual acuity within VR/AR environments by projecting VA measuring images and adjusting optical powers, improving user experience and immersion.
Implementation Method 1
the focus-tunable lens may include a first strip electrode liquid crystal lens and a second strip electrode liquid crystal lens including a first strip electrode array and a second strip electrode array
Implementation Method 2
control the focus-tunable lens to assign a first optical power to a first lens region and a second optical power that is different from the first optical power to a second lens region
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an apparatus and method for measuring a visual acuity (VA) by using a focus-tunable lens. The apparatus includes a display engine, an image combiner, a focus-tunable lens provided on a path of the light guided by the image combiner, an input device, and a processor configured to control the focus-tunable lens to assign different first and second optical powers to first and second lens regions, respectively, on a lens surface of the focus-tunable lens, control the display engine to display a VA measuring image through first and second output regions of the image combiner, control the input device to receive a user's input with respect to the VA measuring image, specify one optical power of the first and second optical powers based on the user's input, and determine a VA of a user based on the specified optical power.