See-Through Waveguide Display With Vision Correction and Light Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-mounted displays (HMDs) face challenges in optimizing the user experience by effectively presenting content in a see-through display, particularly in ensuring compatibility with vision correction and maintaining high content density while addressing fragility and cost issues of glass waveguides.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a hardened waveguide with integrated vision correction optics and an electrochromic layer, combined with protective layers and controlled scene lighting, enhances the durability and content density of see-through displays, allowing for improved user experience and reduced breakage risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If glass waveguides are used in head-mounted displays, then optical performance is improved, but fragility and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive glass waveguides with cheaper polymer waveguides that are more durable and resistant to breakage. This substitution maintains adequate optical performance while significantly improving reliability and reducing cost, aligning with the principle of using affordable, durable materials instead of precious glass components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining polymer waveguides with corrective lenses and electrochromic layers. This composite approach integrates multiple functions (waveguiding, vision correction, and light modulation) into a unified structure that is both durable and optically functional, resolving the contradiction between optical performance and fragility.
2Illumination intensity
If glass waveguides are used in head-mounted displays, then optical performance is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive glass waveguides with inexpensive polymer waveguides that are easier and cheaper to manufacture. This material substitution maintains the essential optical functions while dramatically reducing production costs, making the HMD more economically viable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from glass to polymer, which alters the cost and manufacturing characteristics while maintaining adequate optical performance. This parameter change enables cheaper production without sacrificing the core waveguiding function.
3Productivity
If content density is increased in see-through displays, then user experience is improved, but optical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional layers (corrective lens, electrochromic layer, waveguide) into a nested optical stack. This nested structure allows multiple functions to be combined in a compact arrangement, increasing content density capability while managing optical complexity through integrated design rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates an electrochromic layer that can dynamically adjust its optical properties to control light transmission. This dynamic control enables the system to optimize content density by adjusting light levels in real-time, allowing high-density content presentation without permanently increasing optical complexity.
4Ease of operation
If vision correction is integrated into the display system, then user experience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vision correction function with the display waveguide system by integrating a corrective lens into the optical stack. This combination allows the same optical path to serve both waveguiding and vision correction functions, reducing overall device complexity compared to having separate correction systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the optical stack to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the corrective lens provides vision correction while the waveguide delivers display content. This multi-functional design increases user experience by addressing both vision needs and display requirements through a single integrated system, avoiding the complexity of separate components.
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 solution provides a lightweight, durable, and efficient see-through display system with enhanced content density and vision correction, optimizing user interaction and environmental adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochromic layer on the corrective lens
Implementation Method 2
a waveguide, a corrective lens on a first side of the waveguide
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided herein are examples of an impact resistant glass- waveguide configuration for a see- through head-worn computer display. In embodiments, the configuration includes vision correction and content density control through electrochromic and/or photochromic systems.