Self-Focusing Eyeglass System Using Eye Accommodation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cameras capture images focused at a specific depth, limiting user input in viewing or adjusting the focus to different planes of depth within an image, requiring voluntary actions to change focus settings.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a plenoptic camera with an embedded algorithm that utilizes involuntary eye accommodation to automatically adjust the focus by measuring crystalline lens thickness, allowing for automatic refocusing of images across various planes of depth without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional camera captures an image focused at a particular depth, then the image quality at that depth is improved, but the ability to view other planes of depth is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system divides the imaging function into multiple segments: a main lens for capturing light and a microlens array for capturing angular information. Each microlens corresponds to a specific angular range, segmenting the light field information. This segmentation allows the system to capture complete light field data that can be processed to generate images at multiple depth planes, resolving the contradiction between focused image quality and multi-depth viewing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional 2D imaging to 4D light field imaging by adding two angular dimensions (horizontal and vertical angles) to the traditional spatial coordinates. The microlens array captures not only the intensity of light at each point but also its direction, enabling post-capture refocusing at different depth planes without requiring additional physical dimensions or manual adjustments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a plenoptic camera with microlens array is used to capture light field information, then the ability to refocus at different planes of depth is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the main lens and microlens array into a single integrated optical system. The microlens array is positioned in the image plane of the main lens, combining the functions of light collection and angular information capture in one structure. This merging reduces the overall complexity compared to having separate systems for each function, while still enabling refocusing capability through the embedded algorithm that processes the combined light field data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the captured light field information to automatically determine the accommodation state of the user's eye and self-adjust the focus plane without requiring manual input. The embedded algorithm analyzes the light field data and autonomously generates the appropriate depth plane, making the complex refocusing operation transparent to the user and effectively reducing the perceived complexity of using the system.
3Ease of operation
If manual control is used to adjust the plane of depth in an embedded algorithm, then the user has control over focus, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback by monitoring the user's natural eye accommodation state through the captured light field information. The embedded algorithm analyzes patterns in the light field data that correspond to the user's focus preferences and automatically adjusts the displayed depth plane accordingly. This feedback loop eliminates the need for manual sliders or buttons, making the system easier to operate while the algorithm handles the complexity of focus adjustment automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining the desired focus plane based on the user's natural viewing behavior and accommodation responses captured in the light field data. Instead of requiring the user to manually control focus adjustments, the system autonomously interprets the user's intent from the optical data and adjusts the image accordingly, greatly simplifying the user interaction while maintaining full control over the focus behavior.
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 seamless and automatic adjustment of focus within images, enhancing user experience by allowing dynamic focus changes without manual input, and enabling the capture and display of 3D images with improved depth perception.
Implementation Method 1
the accommodation of the crystalline lens of the eye, to provide the data to the embedded algorithm to get the new image. Thus, instead of the user performing a voluntary action to control the embedded algorithm, an involuntary action by the user is used to control the embedded algorithm. This allows the user to automatically adjust the POD of an LFP image. This embedded algorithm is controlled by measuring the crystalline len's thickness of the user as the user attempts to focus on a different POD.
Data Source
AI summary
An involuntary action adjusted by the accommodation of the crystalline lens of the eye provides the data to the embedded algorithm to get the new image. Instead of the user performing a voluntary action to control the embedded algorithm, an involuntary action by the user is used to control the embedded algorithm allowing the user to automatically adjust the Plane of Depth (POD) for a Light Field Photograph (LFP) image or an eyeglass image. The adjustment of eyeglass image is used by an accommodation system to control the mechanical system of lenses in an eyeglass to automatically focus the glasses over a range of PODs. In addition, a voluntary far/near button can be used manually to adjust the POD for both the LFP image and the eyeglass adjustment. The variation of the crystalline thickness to adjust the focus of nearby and distant objects is called accommodation.