Head-Mounted Display Optics With Tunable Vision Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Head-mounted devices such as virtual and augmented reality glasses are cumbersome, tiring to wear due to bulkiness and lack of adjustability, leading to discomfort during extended use.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a display system with adjustable displays and tunable lenses, including tunable cylindrical liquid crystal lenses and fixed spherical lenses, along with sensors to measure refractive errors, allowing for adjustments based on user's eye positions and content being presented.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed optical components are used in head-mounted devices, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different users and conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability through motorized positioners that can move displays and lenses along multiple axes (x, y, z) to accommodate different interpupillary distances and facial anatomies. The liquid crystal lenses provide dynamic focal length adjustment, allowing the system to adapt to various viewing conditions and user requirements without requiring multiple fixed configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes optical parameters dynamically by adjusting the focal length of liquid crystal lenses through voltage control, modifying the separation distance between displays and lenses, and adjusting the position of optical components. These parameter changes enable the device to adapt to different users and viewing conditions while maintaining a single integrated structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable optical components are added to head-mounted devices, then adaptability to different users improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into single components: the liquid crystal lenses serve both as focusing elements and as adjustable power lenses for different vision requirements; the positioners simultaneously adjust interpupillary distance, vertical display location, and eye-to-display spacing; the sensor system performs both eye tracking and refractive error measurement, reducing the need for separate adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect user eye positions, interpupillary distance, and refractive errors, then autonomously adjust the optical components to optimal positions. This self-adjusting capability eliminates the need for manual adjustment mechanisms and reduces overall device complexity by using intelligent control to manage the adjustable components.
3Ease of operation
If standard optical systems are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but comfort during extended use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic focus adjustment through liquid crystal lenses that can change focal length in real-time, and motorized positioners that adjust display and lens positions to maintain optimal viewing conditions. This dynamic capability prevents eye strain during extended use by allowing continuous adaptation to user needs, while the electronic control systems manage the complexity of these dynamic components.
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
Enhances viewing comfort by accommodating individual interpupillary distances and facial anatomy, correcting refractive errors like farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism, minimizing eyestrain through dynamic focus adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
The index of refraction of the liquid crystal material can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the focal length of the cylindrical lens
Implementation Method 2
tunable lenses such as tunable cylindrical liquid crystal lenses
Implementation Method 3
a camera for gathering light that has reflected from the retinas of the user's eyes
Implementation Method 4
The sensor may include waveguides and volume holograms
Implementation Method 5
volume holograms
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mounted display may include a display system and an optical system in a housing. The display system may have displays that produce images. Positioners may be used to move the displays relative to the eye positions of a user's eyes. An adjustable optical system may include tunable lenses such as tunable cylindrical liquid crystal lenses. The displays may be viewed through the lenses when the user's eyes are at the eye positions. A sensor may be incorporated into the head-mounted display to measure refractive errors in the user's eyes. The sensor may include waveguides and volume holograms, and a camera for gathering light that has reflected from the retinas of the user's eyes. Viewing comfort may be enhanced by adjusting display positions relative to the eye positions and/or by adjusting lens settings based on the content being presented on the display and/or measured refractive errors.