Supplemental Lens Mounting for Vision-Corrected Headsets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-mounted devices struggle to accommodate users with visual defects such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, as their optical systems often fail to provide clear focus on displayed content.

Innovation Solution

A head-mounted device with a non-removable lens system that supports removable supplemental lenses, which can be magnetically coupled and adjusted to correct for individual visual defects, using stored information like eyeglass prescriptions and optical characteristics to customize the display for each user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed optical system with non-removable lenses is used in head-mounted devices, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but users with visual defects cannot focus properly on displayed content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual clarity for users with defectsVSAvoidoptical system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical system is divided into two separate lens components: a fixed non-removable lens and a removable supplemental lens. This segmentation allows the device to maintain a simple base structure while enabling customization through the addition of corrective lenses for users with visual defects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The optical system transitions from a static fixed lens configuration to a dynamic configurable system where supplemental lenses can be added or removed based on the user's visual needs, allowing the device to adapt to different users without redesigning the entire optical system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If custom lenses are manufactured for each user's specific visual prescription, then visual clarity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocus accuracy for individual usersVSAvoidlens production process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lens system is segmented into a standardized base lens that is mass-producible and a customizable supplemental lens component. This allows the majority of the optical system to be manufactured efficiently while only the supplemental portion requires customization for each user's prescription.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The supplemental lens component is designed with a universal interface and standardized mounting mechanism that can accommodate different optical prescriptions. This universal design allows a single lens holder structure to serve multiple users with different visual needs, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining customization capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If removable supplemental lenses are added to accommodate different users, then adaptability to individual visual needs is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of different visual defectsVSAvoidlens installation and configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lens system allows dynamic reconfiguration by enabling users to remove and install supplemental lenses as needed. The magnetic coupling mechanism provides a simple, tool-free method for users to change lenses, maintaining ease of operation while achieving adaptability to different visual prescriptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A magnetic coupling mechanism serves as an intermediary between the lens holder and supplemental lenses, providing automatic alignment and secure attachment. This intermediary simplifies the user interaction by eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures or specialized tools, making lens changes intuitive and easy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If magnetic coupling structures are used to attach supplemental lenses, then ease of installation is improved, but reliability of lens attachment may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens attachment processVSAvoidlens attachment security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic coupling acts as an intermediary attachment mechanism that balances ease of installation with secure retention. The magnetic force provides sufficient holding strength to keep lenses firmly in place during normal use while allowing simple removal when needed, achieving both operational ease and attachment reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 clear focus for users with various visual impairments by adjusting lens characteristics, ensuring a personalized and effective viewing experience.

Implementation Method 1

Magnetic coupling structures or other engagement structures may be used to removably couple the supplemental lens system to the head-mounted device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

This information be stored in the removable supplemental lens system using bar codes or other optically readable patterns, programmable memory, or other data storage. A memory reader, gaze tracking system, or other sensor may be used in retrieving the stored information.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical reading: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP3830629B1Electronic device system with supplemental lenses
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 APPLE INC
  • EP3830629B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3830629B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3830629B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A head-mounted device may have a display that displays content for a user. Head- mounted support structures in the device support the device on the head of the user. A non- removable lens system may be supported by the head-mounted support structures. The head- mounted support structures may be configured to receive a removable supplemental lens system. The removable supplemental lens system may be used to customize the head- mounted display to accommodate the user's vision. Information such as information on the optical characteristics of the removable supplemental lens system and the user' s eyeglass prescription may be stored in the removable supplemental lens system using bar codes, text, programmable memory, or other data storage. When the removable supplemental lens system is installed in the head-mounted device, control circuitry in the head-mounted device may retrieve the stored information. A gaze tracker system or other sensors may be used in retrieving the stored information.