Tunable Cylindrical Lenses for AR Vision Correction Without Custom Inserts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable display systems for augmented reality often require customization for non-emmetropic vision, which is time-consuming and expensive, and form factors accommodating eyeglasses can be unwieldy and aesthetically unappealing.
Innovation Solution
Integration of in-plane switching mode liquid crystal tunable lenses into head-mounted displays, featuring variable spherical and cylindrical refractive powers, allowing for customizable correction of refractive errors such as astigmatism, and adjustable focus depth relative to user fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If custom inserts are provided for non-emmetropic vision correction, then refractive error correction is achieved, but customization is time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs tunable lenses with variable optical power that can be dynamically adjusted to match different prescription requirements. The lenses transition from fixed-power custom inserts to dynamically adjustable optical elements controlled by electronic drivers, enabling real-time customization without physical fabrication or lengthy fitting processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the optical parameters (focal length, optical power) of the lenses electronically through voltage control of liquid crystal elements. This allows the same physical lens to provide multiple prescription corrections by varying its optical properties, eliminating the need for multiple custom-fabricated inserts for different users or conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If custom inserts are provided for non-emmetropic vision correction, then refractive error correction is achieved, but customization is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal optical component that serves multiple functions: it can correct various types of refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) and accommodate different prescription strengths through electronic control. A single lens design replaces the need for multiple user-specific custom inserts, significantly reducing manufacturing and customization costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of physically fabricating unique optical elements for each user, the system uses a single physical lens design with electronically controllable optical properties. The 'customization' is achieved through software-driven parameter adjustment rather than physical copying or fabrication of unique components for each user.
3Adaptability or versatility
If form factor is designed to accommodate eyeglasses, then non-emmetropic vision correction is possible, but the design becomes unwieldy and aesthetically unappealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vision correction function directly into the wearable display's optical path by integrating tunable lenses within the eyepiece assembly. This eliminates the need for separate eyeglasses or external corrective elements, creating a unified, streamlined form factor that is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally integrated.
Solution Approach 2:
The tunable lens elements are nested within the compact eyepiece structure of the wearable display. The optical components are arranged in a space-efficient configuration where the variable power lenses are integrated into the existing optical train, maintaining a sleek profile without requiring additional external space for correction elements.
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
Provides efficient and aesthetically pleasing correction of refractive errors without the need for custom fabrication, minimizing power consumption and electro-mechanical overhead, and accommodating multiple users through biometric identification.
Implementation Method 1
An example IPS mode LC element configured as a geometric phase (GP) cylindrical lens is shown in cross-section in FIG. 4. The IPS mode LC element 400 includes a layer of a liquid crystal (LC) material 410 between two substrates 420, 422.
Implementation Method 2
Each IPS mode LC element can include an electrode layer supported by one of the two substrates. The electronic controller can be programmed to drive the pixel electrodes to uniformly align the LC material along a first direction in a plane of the IPS mode LC element and to vary an alignment of the LC material along a second direction in the plane orthogonal to the first direction.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes in-plane switching mode liquid crystal geometric phase tunable lenses that can be integrated into an eyepiece of an optical device for the correction of non-emmetropic vision, such as in an augmented reality display system. The eyepiece can include an integrated, field-configurable optic arranged with respect to a waveguide used to project digital imagery to the user, the optic being capable of providing a tunable Rx for the user including variable spherical refractive power (SPH), cylinder refractive power, and cylinder axis values. In certain configuration, each tunable eyepiece includes two variable compound lenses: one on the user-side of the waveguide with variable SPH, cylinder power, and axis values; and a second on the world side of the waveguide with variable SPH.