Head-Worn Therapy Device With Polarized Light and Dark Traps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-mounted displays (HMDs) with see-through views face challenges in optimizing user experience due to complex content presentation, requiring improved systems and methods for enhancing the user interface.
Innovation Solution
A head-worn computing system with integrated sensors and displays that provide a lightweight, compact, and contextually aware augmented reality experience, utilizing optical modules with dark light traps and polarized light management to enhance image clarity and reduce stray light, combined with haptic and audio feedback for therapeutic stimuli.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If optical modules with dark light traps and polarized light management are used, then image clarity and contrast are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into separate functional modules: a first optical module for generating images and a second optical module for presenting images to the user's eye. Each module contains specific optical elements (combiners, light traps, polarizers) optimized for its particular function, allowing independent design and optimization of image quality without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A combiner element is introduced as an intermediary between the first optical module and the second optical module. This combiner manages light paths by reflecting and transmitting light based on polarization states, enabling the system to achieve high image clarity through polarized light management while keeping the overall device structure organized and manageable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If see-through displays are used to provide environmental view, then user awareness of surroundings is improved, but content presentation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different display modes (see-through mode for environmental awareness and immersive content mode) based on user needs and environmental conditions. The optical modules can be configured to prioritize either transparency for environmental view or light blocking for immersive content, providing adaptability without requiring a completely different device for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The head-worn computing system is designed to perform multiple functions through a single integrated platform: providing environmental awareness through see-through displays, delivering immersive therapeutic content, and adapting to different usage scenarios. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices while managing content presentation complexity through unified optical architecture.
3Reliability
If integrated sensors and displays are used for therapeutic stimuli, then therapeutic benefits are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple therapeutic functions are merged into the optical system: visual therapy through the first optical module, haptic feedback through integrated actuators, and audio therapy through speakers. By combining these functions within the same device architecture, the system achieves reliable therapeutic effectiveness without proportionally increasing complexity, as the functions share common structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Integrated sensors detect user responses and environmental conditions, providing feedback to control the therapeutic content delivery. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable therapeutic effectiveness by adapting to user needs in real-time while managing system complexity through automated control rather than requiring complex manual intervention.
4Weight of moving object
If lightweight and compact design is implemented, then user comfort is improved, but optical performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs thin-film optical components and flexible structural elements to achieve a lightweight and compact form factor. The optical modules are designed with thin optical paths and integrated components that minimize weight while maintaining sufficient optical performance for both see-through and immersive display modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical modules are nested within a compact housing structure that efficiently arranges components to maximize space utilization. The first and second optical modules are integrated into a compact configuration that maintains optical performance while minimizing overall device size and weight, allowing the device to be worn comfortably for extended periods.
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 system provides a high-resolution, immersive augmented reality experience with improved image contrast and reduced stray light, enhancing user engagement and therapeutic benefits through coordinated light, sound, and haptic feedback.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing optical modules with dark light traps and polarized light management to enhance image clarity and reduce stray light
Implementation Method 2
optical system with at least two portions, a first optical portion that generates an image and a second optical portion that presents the image to a user's eye
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a head-worn apparatus, comprising: a frame adapted to be mounted to a head of a user; a light emitting system positioned within the frame to provide light to an eye of the user; a sound system adapted to provide audio to the user; a haptic system positioned within the frame to provide haptic feedback to the user; and a processor adapted to control the lighting system, audio system and haptic system in a coordinated pattern of light, sound and haptics that causes a mental-health therapeutic stimulus provided to the user, whereby the user experiences an improvement in mental performance based on the coordinated pattern.