Segmented HUD Eyeglass Lens for Wide-Field Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current head-up display (HUD) eyeglasses face challenges in providing a wide-field, high-resolution, and comfortable viewing experience due to issues with ocular relay design, optical aberrations, and the need for depth-of-field and peripheral vision compatibility, which are not adequately addressed by existing technologies like ellipsoidal mirrors and Fresnel lenses.
Innovation Solution
A HUD eyeglass system featuring a small exit pupil projector and a semi-reflective eyeglass lens with alternating mirrored and clear segments, utilizing ellipsoidal or holographic optical elements to redirect light from a projector to the center of the eye, ensuring the digital display is in focus with the external scene regardless of gaze direction, with adjustments for aberrations and peripheral vision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a half-silvered mirror is used to combine real world view and computer display view, then a wide-field HUD display is achieved, but the device becomes too large to fit in eyeglasses
Solution Approach 1:
The eyeglass lens is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first region with a first focal length for viewing the digital display, a second region with a second focal length for viewing distant objects, and a third region with a third focal length for viewing near objects. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize for its specific function, enabling a compact design that fits in eyeglasses while still providing a wide field of view for the HUD display.
2Volume of stationary object
If a small display screen is placed in front of one or both eyes to create HUD eyeglasses, then the device becomes compact enough for eyeglasses, but the wearer's view of the world is partially or completely obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the eyeglass lens have different optical properties tailored to their specific functions. The first region is optimized for displaying computer-generated images with appropriate magnification, while the second and third regions are optimized for viewing real-world objects at different distances. This local quality differentiation allows the lens to provide both HUD display functionality and unobstructed views of the real world simultaneously.
3Volume of stationary object
If the digital display is positioned close to the eye to fit in eyeglasses, then the device becomes compact, but the eye must constantly accommodate between near and far distances causing eyestrain
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into distinct focal regions that allow the eye to maintain a fixed accommodation state for each function. The first region presents the digital display at a comfortable viewing distance, while the second and third regions allow clear viewing of distant and near real-world objects respectively. This eliminates the need for constant accommodation changes between near and far, reducing eyestrain during prolonged use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to different viewing scenarios by providing different focal lengths in different lens regions. When the user looks through the first region, the digital display is in focus; when looking through the second or third regions, real-world objects at corresponding distances are in focus. This dynamic optical adaptation allows comfortable viewing without requiring the eye to constantly adjust its focal state.
4Area of stationary object
If the eye moves in its socket to examine a scene, then peripheral vision is maintained, but the HUD display may fall out of focus
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is segmented into a first region for HUD display and second and third regions for real-world viewing at different distances. The first region is specifically designed to maintain focus on the digital display regardless of eye movement within the socket, while the other regions handle real-world viewing. This segmentation ensures that peripheral vision is maintained through eye movements while the HUD display remains in focus.
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 comfortable, stylish, and versatile HUD eyeglass system that maintains focus and visibility of the digital display across a wide field of view, compatible with prescription lenses, and allows for private and adjustable computer-generated data overlay on the real-world view.
Implementation Method 1
a semi-reflective eyeglass lens with alternating mirrored and clear segments, utilizing ellipsoidal or holographic optical elements to redirect light from a projector to the center of the eye
Implementation Method 2
utilizing ellipsoidal or holographic optical elements to redirect light from a projector to the center of the eye, ensuring the digital display is in focus with the external scene regardless of gaze direction
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention introduces a compact, HUD eyeglass display system of novel design that makes it possible to superimpose a wide-angle, computer-generated view on the real-world view, without obscuring the wearer's vision or requiring any additional optical element such as beam-splitters or contact lenses. The digital display is visible regardless of which way the wearer turns his eyes, and has great depth of field, so both it and the external scene appear in focus, regardless of the distance to the scene. These head-up display eyeglasses are compatible with prescription lenses.