Head-Worn Optical Module for Spatial Content Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable computing systems face challenges in effectively presenting spatially relevant virtual content to users, particularly in providing a seamless overlay of digital information with real-world environments while maintaining user comfort and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The development of head-worn computing systems that incorporate advanced optical modules, including DLP and TIR wedge configurations, to deliver high-resolution digital content overlaid on the user's field of view, utilizing polarized light and dark state management to enhance contrast and reduce stray light, along with integrated sensors for contextual awareness and gesture control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If advanced optical modules with DLP and TIR wedge configurations are used to deliver high-resolution digital content, then image quality and contrast are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (DLP projection, TIR wedge light guiding, polarized light management) into an integrated head-worn optical module. This merging approach delivers high-resolution digital content with enhanced contrast while managing the inherent complexity through unified design, resolving the contradiction between image quality improvement and device complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces polarized light as an intermediary mechanism to enhance contrast and reduce stray light in the optical path. By using polarized light filters and TIR wedge configurations, the system achieves superior image quality without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity, as the polarized light management serves as a mediating layer between the light source and the user's eye.
2Illumination intensity
If polarized light and dark state management are used to enhance contrast and reduce stray light, then visual clarity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes polarized light parameters (polarization state, orientation) to enhance contrast ratio and reduce stray light. By changing the optical parameters of the light itself rather than adding complex mechanical filtering systems, the patent achieves superior visual clarity with relatively manageable device complexity. The dark state management further optimizes this by controlling the polarization state to minimize unwanted light.
3Ease of operation
If integrated sensors and gesture control are implemented for contextual awareness, then ease of operation is improved, but device weight and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical control interfaces (buttons, switches) with gesture-based control systems. By using optical sensors and computer vision to detect hand gestures, the system improves ease of operation without requiring heavy mechanical components. The sensors process visual information to interpret gestures, substituting mechanical interaction with optical-field interaction, thereby reducing overall device weight while enhancing usability.
4Weight of moving object
If lightweight and compact design is achieved for head-worn device, then user comfort is improved, but optical module integration becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested doll approach by integrating the DLP module, TIR wedge, and optical guides into a compact hierarchical structure. The optical components are nested within each other, with the TIR wedge containing the optical guides which in turn contain the DLP projection elements. This nested configuration achieves lightweight and compact design while managing manufacturing complexity through modular integration, where each nested layer is designed and assembled in sequence.
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 a lightweight, compact, and immersive augmented reality experience that effectively overlays digital information onto the real world, improving user interaction and operational efficiency through contextual awareness and intuitive control mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
TIR wedge configurations
Implementation Method 2
utilizing polarized light and dark state management to enhance contrast and reduce stray light
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present invention relate presentation of digital content, in a see-through display, representing a known location in an environment proximate to a head worn computer.