Wearable Optical Display Virtual Image Contrast Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable optical display systems struggle to effectively overlay virtual images onto real-world environments while maintaining clear visibility of the background, as they often fail to dynamically adjust contrast based on changing environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A display system that includes an image generator, optical components, an optical sensor, and a processor to generate a light pattern for a virtual image, which can be dynamically adjusted in contrast with the real-world environment by identifying background features and modifying visual characteristics such as hue, saturation, and brightness to enhance or reduce visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the virtual image brightness is increased to improve visibility, then the virtual image becomes more distinguishable, but the background real-world environment becomes less visible
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the brightness of the virtual image based on real-time analysis of the background environment. The processor continuously monitors background luminance and modifies the virtual image brightness accordingly, transitioning from static to adaptive contrast control to resolve the visibility contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the brightness parameter of the virtual image based on detected background conditions. By analyzing background luminance levels and adjusting the virtual image brightness parameter in response, the system optimizes both virtual image visibility and background preservation simultaneously.
2Loss of information
If the virtual image contrast is dynamically adjusted based on background analysis, then visibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical components serve multiple functions: they transmit the virtual image to the user while simultaneously allowing the sensor to capture background light. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each task, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing optical path and components to serve dual purposes. The same optical components that deliver the virtual image also enable background capture, and the processor uses the captured background information to automatically adjust virtual image parameters, creating a self-regulating system that minimizes additional complexity.
3Measurement precision
If background features are identified and analyzed in real-time, then contrast control accuracy is improved, but processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs background analysis at a sufficient level to achieve effective contrast control without exhaustive processing. By implementing partial action - analyzing only the necessary background features required for contrast adjustment rather than complete scene understanding - the system achieves adequate precision while limiting energy consumption.
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 users to seamlessly view virtual images overlaid on real-world environments with improved distinguishability or visibility, depending on the background conditions, enhancing interaction and information access during daily activities.
Implementation Method 1
one or more optical components coupled to the display panel and configured to transmit the light pattern and external light from a real-world environment
Implementation Method 2
a first beam splitter optically coupled to the image generator. The virtual image and a real-world view are viewable through the first beam splitter
Implementation Method 3
an optical sensor coupled to the one or more optical components and configured to receive the external light to obtain an image of the real-world environment
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes generating a light pattern using a display panel and forming a virtual image from the light pattern utilizing one or more optical components. The virtual image is viewable from a viewing location. The method also includes receiving external light from a real-world environment incident on an optical sensor. The real-world environment is viewable from the viewing location. Further, the method includes obtaining an image of the real-world environment from the received external light, identifying a background feature in the image of the real-world environment over which the virtual image is overlaid, and extracting one or more visual characteristics of the background feature. Additionally, the method includes comparing the one or more visual characteristics to an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value and controlling the generation of the light pattern based on the comparison.