Reusable 3D Glasses with RFID and Snap Rings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 3D eyewear technologies for cinema theater operations face issues such as environmental unfriendliness, high costs, fragility, and limitations in color representation, particularly with the need for expensive and non-uniform silver screens, as well as practical challenges with Shutter Glasses like battery replacement and synchronization with film projectors.

Innovation Solution

The design of 3D viewing glasses with removable temples, optimized inter-pupil distance, and spectrally separated lens filters, along with RFID and Sensormatic tags for management, and features like snap rings for secure lens retention and a shelf for prescription glasses, addresses the need for reusable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solutions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If Linear Polarization 3D is used, then full color image with little color distortion is achieved, but expensive and fragile silver screen is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor representationVSAvoidscreen durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable 3D glasses with integrated linear polarizing filters instead of requiring durable silver screens. The projection system uses standard screens while the polarization function is transferred to the disposable eyewear, eliminating the need for expensive and fragile silver screens at the theater.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If Circular Polarization 3D is used, then head orientation freedom is achieved, but expensive and fragile silver screen is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehead orientation freedomVSAvoidscreen durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses disposable glasses with circular polarizing filters that provide head orientation freedom without requiring silver screens. The polarization capability is embedded in the inexpensive disposable eyewear rather than requiring expensive specialized projection screens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Strength

If Shutter Glasses are used, then no silver screen is required, but expensive glasses with batteries that must be frequently replaced are needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen durabilityVSAvoidglasses complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex active shutter glasses with simple disposable passive polarized glasses. This eliminates batteries, electronic components, and synchronization requirements while maintaining 3D functionality through optical polarization filters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes electronic active shuttering mechanisms with passive optical polarization filters. This replaces complex electronic systems with simple optical components that require no power source or synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If disposable 3D glasses are used, then ease of cleaning and re-use is achieved, but environmental unfriendliness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning easeVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a disposable glasses system where used eyewear is collected and discarded after single use. While this creates waste, it eliminates the need for complex cleaning and sanitization processes required for reusable glasses, particularly important in post-pandemic hygiene contexts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 solution provides a reusable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly 3D viewing experience with improved color representation and ease of maintenance, accommodating both children and adults with optimized viewing angles and reduced reflection, while enabling efficient management and distribution.

Implementation Method 1

Spectral Separation provides separation at the projector by filtering the left and right eye spectrally. The system differs from anaglyph in that the filters for the left and right eye each pass a portion of the red, green, and blue spectrum, providing for a full color image. The band pass spectrum of the left eye filter is complementary to the band pass spectrum of the right eye filter.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpectral separation: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

Linear Polarization 3D provides separation at the projector by filtering the left eye through a linear polarizer (commonly) oriented vertically, and filtering the right eye image through a linear polarizer oriented horizontally.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLinear polarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 3

Circular Polarization 3D was invented to address the problem of requiring the viewer to keep his head oriented vertically. Circular Polarization provides separation at the projector by filtering the left eye image through a (commonly) left handed circular polarizer, and filtering the right eye image through a right handed circular polarizer.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCircular polarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentEP2498118B13D Eyeglasses for personal and commercial use including reuse in 3d theater and other repeated operations
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORP
  • EP2498118B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2498118B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2498118B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

3D glasses including features for an enhanced viewing experience with lower production and operating costs for theaters. Keyed lenses and removable temples facilitate assembly and field repairs. Specific angles of lens placement, and the provision of specific anti-reflective areas on the frames enhance the quality of the optical path content being viewed. RFID and radio chips increase accountability and collection of use statistics. Smooth areas enhance cleaning and lower the time and material costs for between use cleanings.