Smartglasses Lens Wavefront Deformation for Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data glasses with partially transparent displays integrated into the lens face limitations in field of view and eyebox due to pixel size constraints and mechanical restrictions, making it difficult to provide a large field of view while maintaining see-through capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A spectacle lens with a light source arrangement on its edge or embedded within, using coherent light that is modulated by a display and deformation device to direct light cones towards the eye, allowing for increased field of view without reducing pixel size, and accommodating user-specific ametropia through wavefront deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a semi-transparent image sensor is embedded directly into the lens to allow unobstructed view, then see-through capability is maintained, but the field of view is limited by the critical angle for total internal reflection and the image sensor cannot be positioned in an optically conjugate plane to the retina
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into two functional zones: a central transparent zone that allows unobstructed view of surroundings, and a peripheral zone containing the image sensor and optical elements for generating the augmented image. This segmentation enables both see-through capability and extended field of view by spatially separating the transparent viewing path from the image generation path.
Solution Approach 2:
A wavefront modulator is introduced as an intermediary element between the image sensor and the eye. This modulator deformable membrane adjusts the wavefront of light from the image sensor to compensate for the non-conjugate positioning, enabling the image sensor to be placed in a location that provides larger field of view while still forming a sharp image on the retina.
2Device complexity
If the image sensor is positioned outside the optical plane conjugate to the retina to simplify the system, then the system complexity is reduced, but the image cannot be focused sharply on the retina without additional contact lenses
Solution Approach 1:
The wavefront modulator is a deformable membrane that can dynamically adjust its shape to modify the wavefront of light. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to compensate for the non-conjugate positioning of the image sensor, maintaining sharp focus on the retina without requiring additional static optical elements like contact lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The wavefront modulator changes the phase parameters of the light wavefront passing through it. By adjusting the phase distribution across the wavefront, the modulator compensates for the optical path differences caused by positioning the image sensor outside the conjugate plane, enabling sharp image formation on the retina.
3Area of stationary object
If the pixel size of the display is reduced to increase field of view, then the field of view expands, but the pixel size constraints make it difficult to maintain adequate resolution
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing field of view by reducing pixel size in the same dimensional plane, the invention uses the wavefront modulator to manipulate light in the angular dimension. The deformable membrane adjusts the direction and convergence of light rays from each pixel, effectively expanding the field of view without compromising pixel dimensions or resolution.
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 a larger field of view and improved eyebox by directing light cones optimally towards the eye, ensuring comprehensive image perception and reducing intensity fluctuations, while maintaining see-through capabilities and ergonomic design.
Implementation Method 1
a deformation device (7) for deforming the wavefront of the coherent light
Implementation Method 2
the display (5) is controlled in such a way that the wavefront of the coherent light emitted from the coherent light source arrangement is modulated
Implementation Method 3
coherent light emitted from the coherent light source arrangement
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A lens (1) for a pair of smartglasses is provided. The lens comprises: at least one light source arrangement (11A, 11B) that is arranged at the edge of the lens (1) and that emits coherent light, or at least one region (9A, 9B), arranged at the edge of the lens, for input coupling the light of a light source arrangement (11A, 11B) that emits coherent light, or at least one light source arrangement embedded in the lens, a transparent or partly transparent display (5) that is arranged at or in the lens (1) in such a way that coherent light emanating from the light source arrangement (11A, 11B) that emits coherent light passes through the display (5) or is reflected by the display (5) and that is embodied in such a way that the wavefront of the coherent light is modulatable in terms of the amplitude and/or the phase thereof by way of an appropriate actuation of the display (5, 105), and a deformation device (7) for deforming the wavefront of the coherent light before or after the modulation by the display (5).