Adjustable Lenses for HMD Vision Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-mounted display devices (HMDs) do not account for users' vision defects, such as astigmatism, myopia, or hyperopia, leading to unfocused or unclear visual content for users who wear vision correction glasses.

Innovation Solution

The HMD incorporates a selectively removable optical system with adjustable lenses and actuators that can correct for various vision conditions by modifying the optical characteristics along the optical path of virtual image light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If HMD displays visual content without vision correction, then device structure remains simple, but visual content appears unfocused or unclear for users with vision defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual content clarityVSAvoidoptical system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements adjustable lenses that can dynamically change their optical characteristics to correct for different vision conditions. The lenses are movable relative to each other along a first axis, allowing the optical system to adapt to various vision defects such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, thereby maintaining visual content clarity while managing complexity through controlled adjustability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes optical parameters by adjusting the position and orientation of lenses within the optical system. By modifying the relative positions of lenses along the optical path and transverse axes, the system alters focal lengths and optical characteristics to correct vision defects, transforming a static optical system into one with variable parameters that can be tuned for different user needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If HMD includes space for vision correction glasses, then users with vision defects can wear glasses, but device size and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of vision correctionVSAvoidspace in front of user's eyes
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the vision correction function directly into the HMD's optical system by integrating adjustable correction lenses within the existing optical path. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate glasses, allowing the HMD to provide vision correction while maintaining a compact form factor and avoiding additional space requirements in front of the user's eyes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical system is designed to perform multiple functions: displaying virtual image light and correcting various types of vision defects. The adjustable lenses can correct for myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, making the HMD universally adaptable to different vision conditions without requiring separate components or increasing overall device volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If HMD includes adjustable lenses for vision correction, then visual content becomes clear for users with vision defects, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection for vision conditionsVSAvoidoptical system assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the vision correction function into distinct adjustable lenses that can be independently positioned and oriented. Each lens can be adjusted along specific axes to correct different aspects of vision defects, allowing for modular assembly and simplifying the manufacturing process by enabling separate calibration of each optical element rather than requiring complex integrated adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution enables the HMD to provide clear and focused visual content for users with vision defects, enhancing the overall user experience by accommodating different vision conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a first set of lenses positioned at a first location along the optical path and having first optical characteristics correcting for a first set of vision conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP4055435B1Optical system for head-mounted display device
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 VALVE CORPORATION
  • EP4055435B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4055435B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4055435B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

Systems and methods for providing an optical system in a head-mounted display (HMD) that is operable to modify virtual image light to correct for one or more vision conditions of a user's eyes. The optical system includes a left optical subsystem for the left eye and a right optical system for the right eye. Each optical subsystem includes a first correction portion and a second correction portion each having a lens assembly. A first lens assembly includes a first set of lenses having a first lens selectively adjustable along a first axis transverse to an optical path of the virtual image light. A second lens assembly includes a second set of lenses having a second lens selectively rotatable around a second axis transverse to the first axis. Selective adjustment of the first lens and the second lens helps to correct for the vision conditions in the user's eyes.