Smart Eyewear Tunable Optics Refractive Error Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current smart eyewear technologies, such as augmented and virtual reality headsets, lack effective methods for correcting objective refractive errors and accommodating changes in refractive power during use, leading to user discomfort and reduced usability due to inadequate adjustment capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a working wavefront aberrometer module within smart eyewear systems that assesses the user's refractive state in real-time, adjusting tunable optics to correct refractive errors and improve visual acuity, and optionally using biometric identification for personalized calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If head-mounted devices use fixed optical systems, then device structure is simple, but user comfort deteriorates due to inability to accommodate individual refractive errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic optical adjustment by incorporating tunable lenses that can change their focal power in real-time based on the user's refractive needs. The optical system transitions from a fixed state to a dynamically adjustable state, allowing the device to adapt to different users and viewing conditions without requiring multiple fixed optical configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the system by using variable power lenses that can adjust their dioptric value. This allows the same optical component to serve multiple functions by changing its parameter (focal length) rather than requiring separate components for each refractive correction level.
2Measurement precision
If smart eyewear lacks refractive error correction, then device structure is simple, but visual acuity deteriorates for users with prescription errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the smart eyewear universal by enabling it to serve both as a standard display device and as a vision correction device. The same optical system can accommodate users with different refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) by adjusting the lens parameters, eliminating the need for separate corrective eyewear.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect the user's refractive state and adjust the optical parameters accordingly, without requiring manual intervention or separate calibration procedures. The device performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment to maintain optimal visual acuity.
3Measurement precision
If optical systems are made adjustable for vision correction, then refractive error correction improves, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical optical adjustment mechanisms (such as moving lens elements or switching between multiple lenses) with electronically controlled tunable lenses. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical structures, reducing overall device weight while maintaining the ability to provide precise refractive error correction.
4Measurement precision
If real-time refractive assessment is implemented, then visual acuity adjustment improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the refractive assessment function with the existing display and optical system of the smart eyewear. The same optical path used for displaying content is also used for wavefront sensing and refractive measurement, eliminating the need for separate assessment hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
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
Enhances user comfort by dynamically adjusting the optics to match the user's refractive needs, reducing eyestrain and extending the usability of smart eyewear by providing accurate and continuous refractive error correction across varying viewing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a working wavefront aberrometer module that measures wavefront aberrations of an eye
Implementation Method 2
a tunable optical element focused to a wavelength of light emitted by the light source
Data Source
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AI summary
Open view smart eyewear is combined with a wavefront aberrometer module. The smart eyewear serves as an open view eyewear form factor and house the wavefront aberrometer module among other digital processing components and corresponding software. Alternatively, the wavefront aberrometer module is removably coupled to the smart eyewear. The wavefront aberrometer module calibrates a tunable optical element according to detected optical needs of the user. The wavefront aberrometer module automatically adjusts the wearer-user's effective visual acuity (at least refractive power) viewing through the smart eyewear. The smart eyewear apparatus can also provide clinical-quality optical measurements of wearer-users for electronic communication or transmission to an eye care professional. Alignment of open view smart eyewear, the wavefront aberrometer module, and user's eyes (line of sight) can be facilitated. Iris biometric identification can be used to associate the user-specific calibration parameters and measurements with the smart eyewear.