State-Change AR Optics for Lightweight Focus-Adjustable Glasses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional augmented reality devices are cumbersome, costly, and require separate operations or hardware/software for focal length adjustment, leading to discomfort and reduced focus flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight optical device using a state change optical element with a reflective unit that adjusts between full mirror, translucent, and transparent states, allowing for natural image recognition and adjustable real object light transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional optical system using fixed reflective units is used, then the device structure is simple, but the weight and volume are considerable and manufacturing costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a state change optical element that can dynamically alter its optical properties (reflectivity, transmissivity) in response to external stimuli such as temperature or voltage. This allows the same physical component to provide different optical functions without changing its physical structure, thereby reducing device complexity, weight, and manufacturing costs while maintaining functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by replacing fixed reflective units with a dynamic state change optical element whose properties can be adjusted in real-time. This dynamic component can transition between different states (e.g., reflective, translucent, transparent) based on operational requirements, eliminating the need for multiple separate optical components and reducing overall device weight.
2Device complexity
If a conventional optical system with fixed reflective units is used, then the device structure is simple, but the manufacturing processes are complicated and manufacturing costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single state change optical element that can perform multiple optical functions (reflection, transmission, refraction) that would traditionally require separate components. This multi-functional component simplifies the overall optical system and reduces manufacturing complexity by eliminating the need to produce and assemble multiple specialized parts.
Solution Approach 2:
By using a state change optical element whose properties can be modified through parameter changes (temperature, voltage), the patent reduces manufacturing complexity. The same component can be manufactured once and then adjusted to provide different optical functions, eliminating the need for complex manufacturing processes to produce multiple variants of optical components.
3Reliability
If a reflective unit with fixed size is used, then the depth of field is limited, but increasing the size increases the visible reflective area making the device noticeable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a state change optical element that can adjust its effective size and optical properties in real-time. The element can transition between states to control the amount of light reflected versus transmitted, allowing the system to adapt to different viewing conditions without requiring a physically larger component, thus maintaining focus stability while keeping the visible reflective area minimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to control the optical properties of the reflective unit. By changing parameters such as temperature or voltage, the state change optical element can adjust its reflectivity and transmissivity, effectively controlling the depth of field and visual appearance without physically changing the size of the component.
4Reliability
If a reflective unit is made smaller than the pupil size, then the depth of field increases, but the reflective unit becomes visible when viewed from the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a state change optical element that can dynamically adjust its optical properties. When the element is in a transparent or translucent state, it becomes less visible from the outside while still maintaining the depth of field benefit of the smaller effective size. The system can switch between states based on whether the reflective unit needs to be functional or invisible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color changes or transparency changes of the state change optical element to control its visibility. By transitioning to a transparent or translucent state, the reflective unit becomes less noticeable when viewed from the outside, while still maintaining its functional properties for depth of field control when needed.
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 device provides a comfortable, cost-effective augmented reality experience with natural image focus and transparency, suitable for general glasses use without visible reflective units.
Implementation Method 1
a state change optical element whose reflectance for the reflection of light and transmittance are changed in response to a control signal of a controller
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an optical device for augmented reality, and provides a lightweight optical device for augmented reality using a state change optical element, the lightweight optical device including: an optical means configured to transmit at least part of real object image light therethrough toward the pupil of an eye of a user; and a reflective unit disposed inside the optical means, and configured to transfer augmented reality image light, output from an image output unit, toward the pupil of the eye of the user by reflecting the augmented reality image light, thereby providing an image for augmented reality to the user; wherein the reflective unit is formed of a state change optical element whose reflectance for the reflection of light and transmittance are changed in response to a control signal of a controller.