Head-Worn Optical Systems with Waveguides for Glare Reduction
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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, to overlay digital imagery onto the user's view of the environment, while maintaining a high level of transparency and reducing glare.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If reflective and emissive displays are used to overlay digital imagery, then the integration of digital content with real environment is improved, but the transparency and glare reduction require optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is segmented into multiple independent components: reflective display elements for digital imagery, emissive display elements for additional content, and separate optical paths. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while working together to reduce glare and maintain transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical elements such as waveguides and beam splitters act as intermediaries between the display elements and the user's eye. These intermediaries control the mixing of reflected and emitted light, enabling seamless integration of digital content while maintaining environmental visibility and reducing glare through precise optical path management.
2Loss of energy
If total internal reflection waveguides are used, then the optical path efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical functions are merged into single components. The waveguide structure combines total internal reflection for light guidance with integrated coupling mechanisms for inputting display light. Beam splitters and other optical elements are integrated directly into the waveguide, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining high optical efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light from display elements, combines multiple optical paths, and presents the final composite image to the user. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity while maintaining efficient light transmission and integration of digital imagery with the real environment.
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 allows for a seamless integration of digital content with the real environment, enhancing user experience by providing high clarity and reducing visual interference, thus improving the overall functionality and usability of head-worn computing devices.
Implementation Method 1
total internal reflection waveguides
Implementation Method 2
reflective and emissive displays
Data Source
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.