See-through Display Brightness Control via Gaze-Adaptive Opacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Augmented or mixed reality near-eye displays face challenges in protecting the wearer's eyes from excessive light, which can cause discomfort or damage, while also ensuring clear visibility of both virtual and real objects.
Innovation Solution
The technology adjusts the brightness of the see-through near-eye display by altering opacity and image brightness based on the light intensity of the region being viewed and the wearer's pupil size, using eye-tracking cameras and gaze detection elements to determine the region of focus and adjust settings accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the display uses high brightness to display images, then the virtual imagery is clearly visible, but the wearer's eyes may suffer damage or discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The display system dynamically adjusts brightness based on real-time detection of wearer gaze and environmental light conditions. The brightness control is not static but adapts continuously to changing viewing conditions, balancing visibility requirements with eye safety constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops using eye-tracking cameras and light sensors to monitor wearer behavior and environmental conditions. This feedback informs automatic brightness adjustments, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual usage conditions rather than relying on fixed settings.
2Illumination intensity
If the display allows high external light transmission for clear real object visibility, then the user can see real objects clearly, but too much external light shining through causes eye damage or discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The display applies different optical properties to different regions or conditions. When the wearer views bright real objects, the display increases opacity in those specific viewing conditions while maintaining transparency when viewing darker scenes, creating spatially and temporally varying optical characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical parameters of the display (opacity, brightness) based on detected conditions. By monitoring environmental light levels and wearer gaze, the system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters to optimize both visibility and eye safety.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the display increases opacity to reduce external light, then eye protection is improved, but the user's ability to see real and virtual objects clearly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The opacity adjustment is dynamic rather than static. The system continuously monitors viewing conditions and adjusts opacity in real-time, increasing opacity only when necessary for eye protection while maintaining high transparency when conditions permit, thus preserving object visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Eye-tracking feedback enables the system to determine when high opacity is actually needed. By detecting wearer gaze and environmental brightness, the system applies opacity adjustments only in conditions that require eye protection, maintaining clear visibility in appropriate conditions.
4Illumination intensity
If the display uses high image brightness, then virtual imagery is clearly visible, but power consumption increases and device lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes brightness parameters dynamically based on environmental conditions and wearer behavior. By lowering brightness when environmental light is sufficient or when gaze patterns indicate reduced viewing demand, the system reduces power consumption while maintaining adequate visibility when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
The technology provides various embodiments for controlling brightness of a see-through, near-eye mixed display device based on light intensity of what the user is gazing at. The opacity of the display can be altered, such that external light is reduced if the wearer is looking at a bright object. The wearer's pupil size may be determined and used to adjust the brightness used to display images, as well as the opacity of the display. A suitable balance between opacity and brightness used to display images may be determined that allows real and virtual objects to be seen clearly, while not causing damage or discomfort to the wearer's eyes.