Optical Waveguide Antenna Layout for See-Through Eyewear Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional see-through displays in portable eyewear devices face design constraints due to the integration of antennas, limiting their flexibility in patterning and placement, which affects wireless connectivity options like GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
Innovation Solution
The integration of antennas on non-active waveguide substrates or active waveguide surfaces allows for greater flexibility in design, enabling optically transparent and high-conductivity materials to be used for antennas, thereby enhancing wireless connectivity without compromising the optical functionality of the waveguide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If antennas are integrated into conventional see-through displays, then wireless connectivity is enabled, but design flexibility in patterning and placement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the antenna structure with the waveguide substrate by integrating the antenna onto the same substrate that guides optical waves. This combination allows the antenna to be embedded within the see-through display structure itself, enabling wireless connectivity while maintaining design flexibility through unified substrate utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the third dimension by placing the antenna on the waveguide substrate surface, allowing simultaneous optimization of optical waveguide performance and antenna radiation characteristics. This dimensional approach enables independent optimization of both functions without compromising design flexibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If antennas are placed on waveguide substrates, then design constraints are removed, but material selection becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using optically transparent materials specifically at the antenna location on the waveguide substrate. This allows the antenna region to have different material properties optimized for electromagnetic radiation, while the rest of the waveguide maintains properties optimized for optical wave guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining optically transparent conductive materials with the waveguide substrate material. This composite approach enables the antenna to function effectively for wireless communication while maintaining optical transparency and compatibility with the waveguide's optical performance requirements.
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
This approach removes design constraints, allowing for improved antenna patterns, size, and placement, thereby enhancing wireless connectivity options such as GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth in eyewear devices with see-through displays.
Implementation Method 1
Some conventional see-through displays include an optical waveguide
Implementation Method 2
The antenna is not subject to some design constraints and compromises. The antennas can be used for global positioning system (GPS), WIFI, and Bluetooth wireless connectivity
Data Source
AI summary
Eyewear including a see-through display including an optical waveguide module and one or more integrated antennas. In one example, the antenna is disposed on one of the non-active waveguide substrates, which non-active waveguide substrates are used as encapsulants to protect the waveguide active layer from environmental factors and do not have an active optical function in the waveguide operation. In another example, the antenna is disposed on one of the active waveguide substrate surfaces opposite another active waveguide substrate. As a result, there is a large lee-way available in patterning desired antenna shapes, length, and area on these surfaces using optically transparent, high conductivity materials. The antenna is not subject to some design constraints and compromises.