Head-Worn Optics With Polarized Waveguides for Glare Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-worn computer systems face challenges in optimizing the user experience by effectively presenting content in a see-through display, requiring improved systems and methods to enhance the integration of digital imagery with the real environment.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of optical systems in head-worn computers that utilize reflective and emissive displays, combined with total internal reflection waveguides and holographic or notch mirrors, allow for the overlay of digital imagery onto the user's view of the environment, while maintaining a clear see-through view and minimizing glare.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If reflective displays and waveguides are used to overlay digital imagery, then the integration of digital content with real environment is improved, but glare and reduced clarity may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of digital content with real environmentVSAvoidglare and reduced clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A polarizing beam splitter is introduced as an intermediary optical element between the reflective display and the user's eye. This beam splitter selectively transmits polarized light from the display while blocking unpolarized environmental light, thereby reducing glare and improving clarity without compromising the integration of digital content with the real environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs polarizing filters and waveguides that utilize polarization as a controllable parameter to separate display light from environmental light. By manipulating the polarization state of light, the system achieves selective transmission that reduces glare while maintaining the augmented reality overlay effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If see-through display is used to maintain clear view of environment, then user awareness of real world is improved, but difficulty in presenting digital content accurately

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser awareness of real worldVSAvoidaccuracy of digital content presentation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The optical path is segmented into separate channels for display content and environmental view. The polarizing beam splitter creates distinct optical paths that allow digital content to be precisely positioned and overlaid on the environmental view, maintaining both user awareness and presentation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors to detect user eye position and gaze direction, providing feedback that dynamically adjusts the display content positioning. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate digital content presentation while maintaining a clear see-through view of the environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple optical components are added to reduce glare and improve clarity, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidnumber of optical components

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple optical functions are merged into a single polarizing beam splitter component, which simultaneously separates display light from environmental light and controls polarization states. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining high image quality and reducing glare.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This approach enhances the user experience by providing a seamless integration of digital content with the real world, reducing glare and improving clarity, thus creating an immersive and efficient augmented reality experience.

Implementation Method 1

total internal reflection waveguides

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

holographic or notch mirrors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20250355249A1Optical systems for head-worn computers

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 OSTERHOUT GROUP INC

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to optical systems with ergonomic presentation of content for use in head-worn computing systems. A method for controlling a head-worn computer when viewing virtual images, including image content, that encourages an ergonomic head position to reduce neck pain, includes determining an angle of the head-worn computer relative to horizontal, determining an angle of a line of sight to the center of the virtual image as presented to a user's eye, determining a deviation between the determined angle of the line of sight and a predetermined ergonomic angle, and shifting the image content of the virtual image vertically as displayed to the user's eye so that a portion of the image content is not viewable, wherein the amount of shifting is in reverse correspondence to the magnitude of the determined deviation.