Removable Lens Assembly for Head-Mounted Display Vision Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current head-mounted displays (HMD) for virtual and augmented reality applications do not adequately accommodate users with vision errors, as they often lack sufficient space to accommodate prescription glasses, leading to impaired user experience for those who wear them.

Innovation Solution

A removable lens assembly that can be attached to the HMD's eye cone, comprising a corrective lens and a frame, which corrects vision errors and can be easily detached when not needed, allowing for different prescription lenses for each eye if necessary, and is designed to prevent contamination of the optical lens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If HMD is designed with enough space to accommodate prescription glasses, then users with vision errors can use the device, but the size of the HMD increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of prescription glassesVSAvoidsize of HMD
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the vision correction function into a separate removable lens assembly that can be attached to or detached from the HMD. This segmentation allows the HMD to accommodate prescription needs without permanently increasing its size, as the corrective lenses are provided through an attachable component rather than integrating them into the main device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable lens assembly serves multiple functions: it provides vision correction for users with prescription needs, can be removed when not needed, and allows different lens configurations for different users. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability without permanently increasing device volume.

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

2Ease of operation

If users wear prescription glasses inside HMD, then vision errors are corrected, but user experience is impaired due to limited space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfort of wearingVSAvoidspace constraints
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the prescription lens with a frame structure that attaches to the HMD's eye cone. This combination creates an integrated solution that provides both vision correction and comfortable wearing experience, as the merged structure is designed to fit within the HMD's existing form factor without causing discomfort or operational issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If corrective lens is added to HMD, then vision errors are corrected, but the optical lens may be contaminated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevision error correctionVSAvoidcontamination of optical lens
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a frame structure as an intermediary between the corrective lens and the HMD's optical lens. This intermediary frame with its peripheral wall creates a protective barrier that prevents the corrective lens from directly contacting or contaminating the optical lens, while still allowing both lenses to function together in the optical path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If removable lens assembly is attached to eye cone, then vision errors are corrected, but the assembly must be securely attached

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprescription lens accommodationVSAvoidattachment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the attachment mechanism into separate components: a peripheral wall on the frame and a corresponding structure on the eye cone. This segmentation allows for a dedicated attachment interface that provides secure connection while maintaining the ability to easily attach and detach the lens assembly as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame structure is designed to fit within or around the eye cone structure, with the peripheral wall of the frame interacting with a corresponding surface on the eye cone. This nested arrangement ensures secure attachment while allowing the removable lens assembly to be properly positioned and stabilized within the HMD's optical path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 users to wear HMDs comfortably by correcting vision errors without increasing the device's size, ensuring clear images and preventing contamination of the optical lens, while allowing for easy switching between different prescription lenses.

Implementation Method 1

The corrective lens corrects vision error of an eye of a user of the HMD

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

The corrective lens may be secured to the frame by adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3441811B1Removable lens assembly for a head-mounted display
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP3441811B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3441811B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3441811B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A lens assembly can be removably attached to an eye cone of a HMD. The eye cone displays images to an eye of a user of the HMD. The eye cone includes a peripheral wall that extends towards rear of the HMD. The lens assembly includes a corrective lens and a frame. The corrective lens corrects a vision error of the eye of the user. The frame includes an inner surface onto which the corrective lens is attached. The frame also includes a wall that receives a peripheral wall of the eye cone for removably securing the lens assembly to the HMD. The HMD can include another eye cone that displays images to the other eye of the user. Another lens assembly can be removably attached to the other eye cone.