Semi-Transparent Frame Coating to Limit Light Bleed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices used in artificial reality and other light-guiding applications often cause eye or visual processing problems due to light emitted from illuminating objects, such as blurred vision, tunnel vision, central vision loss, and halos, as the human eye receives nearly one third of total light transmitted through the pupil periphery.

Innovation Solution

The optical device includes a semi-transparent frame with a light source and a light guide, coated with a low volatile organic compound (LVOC) or non-conductive vacuum metallizing (NCVM) coating to limit light leakage, ensuring only the light guide is illuminated, with thickness ranging between 12 μm and 87 μm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If light is emitted from an illuminating object in an optical device, then the light guide can be illuminated to convey information, but light leakage occurs to the semi-transparent frame causing visual disturbances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight guide illuminationVSAvoidlight leakage to frame

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A light-blocking coating is applied as an intermediary layer between the light guide and the semi-transparent frame. This coating selectively blocks light from reaching the frame while allowing the light guide to remain illuminated, thereby preventing light leakage-induced visual disturbances without compromising the information conveyance function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The light-blocking coating is applied selectively only to specific portions of the semi-transparent frame where light leakage would cause visual disturbances. This localized treatment ensures that the light guide remains illuminated for information conveyance while preventing harmful light from reaching the frame in critical areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a coating is applied to the light guide to limit light leakage, then visual disturbances are reduced, but the coating adds complexity to the device structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight leakage reductionVSAvoidcoating structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A light-blocking coating with specific optical properties is applied to the light guide or frame portions. The coating is designed with appropriate thickness and material composition to effectively block light leakage while maintaining device functionality. The coating can be applied as a thin film layer that integrates with the existing device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The optical device utilizes composite construction by combining the light guide material with a light-blocking coating layer. This composite structure leverages the transparent properties of the light guide material for light transmission while the coating material provides light-blocking capabilities, achieving both illumination and light leakage reduction functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the coating thickness is increased to improve light blocking, then light leakage is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight leakage controlVSAvoidcoating thickness control

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coating is designed with specific thickness parameters and material properties that optimize light-blocking performance while remaining manufacturable. By carefully selecting and controlling the coating thickness within defined ranges and using materials with appropriate optical absorption coefficients, effective light leakage prevention is achieved without requiring extreme manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution effectively reduces light leakage, minimizing eye strain and visual disturbances, allowing clear vision by directing light only to the intended area, enhancing user experience in extended-reality headsets.

Implementation Method 1

The light guide is configured to transmit light from the light source to an exterior surface of the semi-transparent frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

the coating is configured to limit leakage of the light to the semi-transparent frame such that only the light guide is illuminated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20260050105A1Systems, methods, and devices for reducing light bleed transmitted through a material

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to providing an optical device. The optical device includes a semi-transparent frame. The semi-transparent frame includes a light source configured to display a status of the optical device. Moreover, the semi-transparent frame includes a light guide configured to transmit light from the light source to an exterior surface of the semi-transparent frame. The semi-transparent frame further includes a coating adhered to the light guide and configured to limit leakage of the light to the semi-transparent frame such that only the light guide is illuminated. The coating is a type selected from a group of a low volatile organic compound coating, a non-conductive vacuum metallizing coating, and an organic water-based coating.