TW202340803A - Dimming element with edge-mounted illuminators for an optical assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical assembly is configured to receive visible scene light at the backside of the optical assembly and to direct the visible scene light on an optical path toward the eyeward side. The optical assembly includes a dimming element disposed on the optical path, wherein the dimming element includes a photochromic material that is configured to darken in response to exposure to a range of light wavelengths. An illuminator, coupled to an edge of the dimming element, is configured to selectively emit an activation light within the range of light wavelengths to activate a darkening of the photochromic material to dim the visible scene light.

Description

Dimming elements with edge-mounted illuminators for optical assemblies

Aspects of the invention relate generally to head-mounted devices, and particularly, but not exclusively, to dimming of photochromic materials included in optical assemblies of head-mounted devices. Cross-references to related applications

This application claims priority over U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/284,410, filed on November 30, 2021, and U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 17/717,644, filed on April 11, 2022, which applications are hereby Incorporated by reference.

Smart devices are electronic devices that typically communicate with other devices or networks. In some cases, a smart device may be configured to operate interactively with a user. Smart devices can be designed to support multiple form factors, such as head-mounted devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs), or smart displays (to name a few).

Smart devices may include one or more electronic components used in a variety of applications, such as gaming, aviation, engineering, medical, entertainment, video/audio chat, activity tracking, etc. In some examples, a smart device, such as a head mounted device or HMD, may include a display that can present data, information, images, or other virtual graphics while allowing a user to view the real world.

One aspect of the invention is an optical assembly comprising: an eye-facing side and a back side, wherein the optical assembly is configured to receive visible scene light at the back side of the optical assembly and toward the optical path along the optical path. directing the visible scene light toward the eye; a dimming element disposed on the optical path between the eyeward side and the backside, wherein the dimming element includes a configuration configured to darken in response to exposure to a range of light wavelengths a photochromic material; and at least one illuminator coupled to an edge of the dimming element, wherein the at least one illuminator is configured to selectively emit activation light within the light wavelength range to activate the photochromic material. Darkening of color-changing materials, thereby dimming the visible scene light.

In the optical assembly of this aspect of the invention, the dimming element includes a lens, and wherein the photochromic material is included in a coating on at least one optical surface of the lens.

In the optical assembly of this aspect of the invention, the modulating element includes a lens, and wherein the photochromic material is included in a dye embedded in the lens.

In the optical assembly of this aspect of the invention, the dimmer element is configured to direct the activating light by total internal reflection, thereby activating the darkening of the photochromic material.

In the optical assembly of this aspect of the invention, the at least one illuminator is configured to selectively emit the activating light to darken the photochromic material across a field of view provided by the optical assembly.

The optical assembly of the aspect of the invention further includes a reflective coating disposed on the edge of the dimming element, wherein the reflective coating is configured to reflect the activation light within the dimming element.

In an optical assembly of this aspect of the invention, the at least one illuminator is configured to selectively emit the activation light to darken the photochromic material for an area smaller than the field of view provided by the optical assembly. change.

In the optical assembly of the aspect of the invention, the activation light includes non-visible light, ultraviolet light, infrared light or violet light.

The optical assembly of the aspect of the present invention further includes: a display layer disposed on the optical path between the eye-facing side of the optical assembly and the light modulating element, wherein the display layer is configured to face the Visible display light is directed toward the eye.

Another aspect of the invention is a head-mounted display including: a frame; and an optical assembly fastened within the frame, wherein the optical assembly is configured to receive a visible light at a backside of the optical assembly. The scene light guides the visible scene light toward the eye-facing side of the optical assembly on the optical path, wherein the optical assembly includes: a dimming element disposed on the eye-facing side and the back side on the optical path. wherein the dimmer element includes a photochromic material configured to darken in response to exposure to a range of light wavelengths; and at least one illuminator coupled to an edge of the dimmer element, wherein the at least one illuminator Configured to selectively emit activation light within the light wavelength range to activate darkening of the photochromic material, thereby dimming the visible scene light.

In a head-mounted device according to another aspect of the invention, the dimming element is configured to guide the activation light through total internal reflection, thereby activating the darkening of the photochromic material.

In a head mounted device according to another aspect of the invention, the at least one illuminator is configured to selectively emit the activation light to darken the photochromic material across the field of view provided by the optical assembly. change.

The head-mounted device according to another aspect of the present invention further includes a reflective coating disposed on the edge of the dimming element, wherein the reflective coating is configured to reflect the activation light in the dimming element.

In a head mounted device of another aspect of the invention, the frame is positioned to absorb activation light escaping the dimming element via the at least one illuminator at the edge of the dimming element.

Another aspect of the invention further includes a computing device included in the frame and configured to control the at least one illuminator to emit the activation light.

In the head-mounted device according to another aspect of the present invention, the activation light includes non-visible light, ultraviolet light, infrared light or violet light.

In the head-mounted device according to another aspect of the present invention, the optical assembly further includes: a display layer disposed on the optical path between the eye-facing side of the optical assembly and the dimming element. time, wherein the display layer is configured to guide visible display light toward the eyeward side.

Yet another aspect of the invention is an optical assembly comprising: a dimming element including: a lens; and a photochromic material, wherein the photochromic material is included in a coating on the optical surface of the lens, or embedded in a dye within the lens, wherein the photochromic material is configured to darken in response to exposure to a range of light wavelengths; and a plurality of illuminators coupled to an edge of the lens, wherein the plurality of illuminators are configured to Activating light in the light wavelength range is selectively emitted to activate darkening of the photochromic material, thereby dimming visible scene light, and wherein the dimming element is configured to direct the activating light by total internal reflection.

In another aspect of the optical assembly of the present invention, the dimming element further includes a reflective coating disposed on the edge of the dimming element, wherein the reflective coating is configured to reflect the interior of the dimming element. It's time to activate the light.

In the optical assembly according to another aspect of the invention, the activation light includes non-visible light, ultraviolet light, infrared light or violet light.

Described herein are specific examples of apparatus and methods for controlling transmission attenuation in augmented reality. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of specific examples. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the techniques described herein may be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Therefore, the phrases "in one specific example" or "in a specific example" appearing in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same specific example. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the term "near-eye" may be defined to include elements configured to be placed within 50 mm of a user's eye when utilizing a near-eye device. Therefore, a "near-eye optical component" or "near-eye system" will include one or more components configured to be placed within 50 mm of the user's eye.

In aspects of the invention, visible light may be defined as having a wavelength range of approximately 380 nm to 700 nm. Non-visible light can be defined as light having wavelengths outside the visible range, such as ultraviolet light and infrared light. Infrared light having a wavelength range of approximately 700 nm to 1 mm includes near-infrared light. In aspects of the invention, near-infrared light may be defined as having a wavelength range of approximately 700 nm to 1.4 µm. Violet light may include light having a wavelength in the range of approximately 380 nm to 450 nm.

As mentioned above, a head mounted device may include a display configured to present data, information, images, or other virtual graphics while allowing a user to view the real world. However, if the environment is too bright, if there is insufficient contrast between the virtual graphics and the user's current view of the real world, if the colors of the virtual graphics match the colors of the real world behind the virtual graphics, or some combination thereof, the user It may be difficult to view virtual graphics. As an example, FIG. 1A illustrates a user view of a real-world scene 100 through an optical assembly 102 of a head-mounted device. As shown in Figure 1A, optical assembly 102 allows a user to view a real-world scene 100 while simultaneously presenting virtual graphics 104 to the user. In the illustrated example, virtual graphics 104 are diagrams, but in other examples, virtual graphics 104 may include text, images, videos, or other visual information generated by optical assembly 102 for presentation to a user. . However, as shown in Figure 1A, the virtual graphic 104 is positioned on the optical assembly 102 at the same location as the user's view of the real-world object 106 (eg, depicted as a shrub/bush in Figure 1A). In some instances, real-world objects 106 may interfere with the user's visibility of virtual graphics 104 . That is, real-world objects 106 may have the same or similar colors as virtual graphics 104 , and/or the contrast between real-world objects 106 and virtual graphics 104 may be too low. Therefore, under some conditions, when virtual graphics 104 are co-located with a user's view of real-world objects 106, it may be difficult for a user to discern virtual graphics.

Accordingly, aspects of the present invention provide for dimming the light received from the real-world scene 100 to increase the visibility of the virtual graphics 104 . For example, FIG. 1B illustrates darkening of the entire field of view provided by optical assembly 102. In some examples, dimming the entire field of view may be referred to as global dimming. As shown, the dimming provided by optical assembly 102 reduces or blocks light received from real-world scene 100 but does not block or dim the display light used to create virtual graphics 104 . Therefore, although FIG. 1B depicts virtual graphics 104 as unchanged relative to the view shown in FIG. 1A , due to the darkening of real-world objects 106 provided by global dimming of optical assembly 102 , virtual graphics 104 may have Increased visibility.

1C illustrates an example of an optical assembly 102 that darkens a region 108 that is smaller than the entire field of view provided by the optical assembly 102. In some examples, dimming only a portion of the field of view provided by optical assembly 102 (eg, less than the entire field of view) is referred to as local dimming.

As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C , the dimming provided by the optical assembly 102 may be provided by a dimming element included in the optical assembly 102 . The modulating element may include a photochromic material that darkens in response to exposure to a range of light wavelengths. In some aspects, the photochromic material may undergo a reversible photochemical reaction when activated, which results in a change in its visible light absorption, intensity, and/or wavelength.

In some embodiments, dimming of the dimmer element is activated with one or more illuminators coupled to the edges of the dimmer element within the optical assembly 102 . The illuminators are configured to selectively emit activating light to activate darkening of the photochromic material. These and other aspects are discussed in more detail below.

Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary head mounted device 200 in accordance with aspects of the invention. A head mounted device, such as head mounted device 200, is a type of smart device that is typically worn on a user's head to provide artificial reality content to the user. Artificial reality is a form of reality that has been adjusted in some way before being presented to the user. It can include, for example, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality ( mixed reality (MR), mixed reality or a combination and/or derivative thereof.

The illustrated example of head mounted device 200 is shown to include frame 202, temples 204A and 204B, and near-eye optical assembly 206A and 206B. Figure 2 also illustrates an exploded view of an example of near-eye optical assembly 206A. Near-eye optical assembly 206A is shown including a display layer 210 and a dimming element 212.

As shown in Figure 2, frame 202 is coupled to temples 204A and 204B for securing headset 200 to the user's head. The example headset 200 may also include support hardware incorporated into the frame 202 and/or temples 204A and 204B. The hardware of the head mounted device 200 may include processing logic, a wired and/or wireless data interface for sending and receiving data, a graphics processor, and one or more memories for storing data and computer-executable instructions. Either. In one example, headset 200 may be configured to receive wired power and/or may be configured to be powered by one or more batteries. Additionally, head mounted device 200 may be configured to receive wired and/or wireless data including video data.

Figure 2 illustrates near-eye optical assemblies 206A and 206B configured for mounting to frame 202. Frame 202 may accommodate near-eye optical assemblies 206A and 206B by surrounding at least a portion of the perimeter of near-eye optical assemblies 206A and 206B. Near-eye optics assembly 206A is configured to receive visible scene light 222 at the backside 211 of near-eye optics assembly 206A and to direct visible scene light 222 in an optical path toward eyeward side 209 . In some examples, near-eye optics assembly 206A may appear transparent to the user to facilitate augmented reality or mixed reality, allowing the user to view visible scene light 222 from the environment while also receiving via display layer 210 Display light 224 directed to its eyes. In other examples, some or all of near-eye optical assemblies 206A and 206B may be incorporated into a virtual reality headset, where the transparent nature of near-eye optical assemblies 206A and 206B allows a user to view the elements incorporated into the virtual reality headset. Electronic displays (for example, liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, micro-LED display, etc.).

As shown in Figure 2, the display layer 210 is disposed between the eyeward side 209 and the backside 211 of the near eye optical assembly 206A in the optical path of the near eye optical assembly 206A. Specifically, the display layer 210 is disposed between the eye side 209 and the light modulating element 212 . In some examples, display layer 210 may include a waveguide 216 configured to direct display light 224 to present one or more virtual graphics to the eyes of a user of headset 200 . In some aspects, waveguide 216 is configured to direct display light 224 generated by the electronic display to the user's eyes. In some implementations, at least a portion of the electronic display is included in frame 202 of head mounted device 200 . Electronic displays may include LCDs, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, micro-LED displays, micro-projectors, or liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) displays for generating display light 224 .

FIG. 2 illustrates the dimmer element 212 disposed between the eyeward side 209 and the backside 211 in the optical path of the near-eye optical assembly 206A. Specifically, dimming element 212 is shown disposed between display layer 210 and backside 211 . In some examples, dimming element 212 includes a photochromic material configured to darken in response to exposure to a range of light wavelengths. For example, photochromic materials can be configured to undergo a reversible photochemical reaction in response to exposure to non-visible light, such as infrared (IR) and/or ultraviolet (UV) light. In other examples, the photochromic material can be activated to darken in response to exposure to violet light having a wavelength in the range of 400 to 440 nm. In some aspects, the photochromic material is a film or dye applied to a transparent material, such as a plastic or glass lens. In other aspects, the photochromic material is provided by a photochromic compound suspended within a transparent substrate, such as a plastic or glass lens.

In some aspects, the photochromic material of the modulating element 212 is distributed across the entire field of view provided by the near-eye optical assembly 206A (eg, across the entire modulating element 212). In other aspects, the photochromic material may be disposed in only certain portions of the field of view (eg, the upper half of the modulating element 212).

FIG. 2 also shows the dimming element 212 as including one or more illuminators 214 coupled to the edge 213 (ie, the perimeter) of the dimming element 212 . Illuminator 214 is configured to selectively emit activation light 226 to activate darkening of the photochromic material included in modulating element 212 . In some examples, the activation light 226 is within a wavelength range of light that activates the photochromic material of the dimming element 212 (eg, IR light, UV light, violet light, etc.).

In some aspects, illuminator 214 may be a light source that generates activation light 226, such as a light emitting diode, a micro light emitting diode (microLED), an edge emitting LED, or a vertical cavity surface emitting laser. ; VCSEL) diode or superluminescent diode (Superluminescent diode; SLED).

In some examples, dimming element 212 may have a curvature for focusing light (eg, scene light 222) toward the user's eyes. Therefore, in some examples, dimming element 212 may be referred to as a lens. In some aspects, the dimming element 212 may have a thickness and/or curvature corresponding to the user's specifications. In other words, the dimming element 212 may be a prescription lens.

As mentioned above, the illuminator 214 of the dimmer element 212 is configured to emit activation light 226 into the dimmer element 212 to activate darkening of the photochromic material. In some examples, activation of illuminator 214 is dynamically determined by the computing device of head mounted device 200 . For example, head mounted device 200 may include a computing device that determines whether visible scene light 222 will interfere with the visibility of virtual graphics produced by visible display light 224 . The computing device may make this determination based on a comparison of the color of visible scene light 222 and/or by determining the contrast between visible scene light 222 and visible display light 224 . If the color of visible scene light 222 is the same or similar to the color of visible display light 224 , and/or if the contrast between visible scene light 222 and visible display light 224 is below a low contrast threshold, the computing device may cause the illuminator to 214 is capable of emitting activation light 226 to darken the photochromic material of the dimming element 212 .

In some aspects, the photochemical reaction of the dimmer element 212 induced by the activation light 226 may be reversible. In one specific example, deactivating illuminator 214 such that it no longer emits activation light 226 allows the photochromic material of dimmer element 212 to naturally return to its previous non-darkened state. In other embodiments, headset 200 may be configured to actively restore dimming element 212 to its non-darkened state (undimmed) by directing bleaching light to dimming element 212 . In some examples, the bleaching light may be emitted by illuminator 214 or by other light sources included in headset 200 (not explicitly shown). The bleaching light may be light of a wavelength that increases the rate at which the photochromic material returns to its non-darkened state, such as visible light, UV light, and/or IR light.

FIG. 3A illustrates the dimming element 302 in an undimmed state (not darkened), and FIG. 3B illustrates the dimming element 302 in a dimmed state (darkened) according to aspects of the present invention. The dimming element 302 is a possible implementation of the dimming element 212 in FIG. 2 . Dimming element 302 is shown including lens 304, at least one illuminator 306, and coating 308. As shown in Figure 3A, illuminator 306 is coupled to edge 305 corresponding to the perimeter of lens 304, and coating 308 is disposed on optical surface 307 of lens 304. In some aspects, coating 308 is a coating of photochromic material applied to optical surface 307 . As discussed above, illuminator 306 may be a light source configured to generate activation light 226 . As shown in Figure 3B, lens 304 is configured to direct activation light 226 via total internal reflection (TIR). In some embodiments, activation light 226 undergoes multiple rounds of total internal reflection inside lens 304 . These multiple bounces can trigger darkening of the photochromic material of coating 308 . In some examples, the wavelength of the activating light matches the peak of the absorption spectrum of the photochromic material.

FIG. 4A illustrates the dimming element 402 in an undimmed state (not dimmed), and FIG. 4B illustrates the dimming element 402 in a dimmed state (darkened) according to aspects of the present invention. The dimming element 402 is a possible implementation of the dimming element 212 in FIG. 2 . Dimming element 402 is shown including lens 404, at least one illuminator 306, and dye 406. As shown in Figure 4A, illuminator 306 is coupled to edge 405 corresponding to the perimeter of lens 404 with dye 406 embedded within lens 404. In some aspects, dye 406 includes, such as a photochromic material that is distributed within lens 404 during molding or casting. As discussed above, illuminator 306 may be a light source configured to generate activation light 226 . As shown in Figure 3B, lens 404 is configured to direct activation light 226 by total internal reflection (TIR). In some embodiments, activation light 226 undergoes multiple rounds of total internal reflection inside lens 404. These multiple rebounds can trigger the darkening of the photochromic material of dye 406.

Figure 5A illustrates a dimming element 500 with edge-mounted illuminators 502, 504, 506, and 508 configured for global dimming, in accordance with aspects of the invention. The dimming element 500 is a possible implementation of the dimming element 212 in FIG. 2 . As shown in Figure 5A, illuminators 502 to 508 are mounted on the peripheral edge 505 of the dimming element 500. Although FIG. 5A depicts the dimmer element 500 as including four illuminators 502 - 508 , the dimmer element 500 may provide any number of illuminators, including one or more. In some cases, illuminators 502-508 are positioned on edge 505 to direct activation light into dimming element 500 to achieve global dimming (ie, across the field of view). As an example, FIG. 5B illustrates global dimming of dimming element 500 provided by illuminators 502 - 508 that emit activation light 226 . In some embodiments, activation light 226 propagates via the dimming element (via TIR), but may eventually leak out via edge 505 . Thus, in some examples, the intensity of activation light 226 produced by illuminators 502-508 is set to be greater than the activation threshold required for darkening of the photochromic material. In other examples, a reflective coating may be included on the edges of the dimming element to reduce or prevent leakage of activation light 226. As an example, FIG. 6 illustrates a dimmer element 600 with a reflective coating 602 for containing activating light 226 in accordance with aspects of the invention. As shown in FIG. 6 , reflective coating 602 is disposed on edge 605 (ie, perimeter) of dimmer element 600 and may be configured to reflect activation light 226 within dimmer element 600 . In some examples, reflective coating 602 minimally transmits a range of wavelengths corresponding to activation light 226 .

Although reflective coating 602 may minimally transmit activation light 226, during operation some activation light 226 may continue to leak, primarily at locations corresponding to illuminators 502-508 themselves. Thus, in some examples, the frame upon which the optical assembly is placed may be configured to absorb or block activation light 226 that continues to escape the dimming element. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates a portion 700 of a headset including a frame 702 and a dimming element 600 in accordance with aspects of the invention. As shown, frame 702 may be configured to completely surround or cover dimming element 600 at its perimeter to block or absorb any leaked activation light 226 .

Figure 8 illustrates a dimming element 800 with multiple edge-mounted illuminators 802 and 804 configured for zone dimming, in accordance with aspects of the invention. The dimming element 800 is a possible implementation of the dimming element 212 in FIG. 2 . As shown in FIG. 8 , illuminators 802 to 804 are mounted on the peripheral edge of the dimming element 800 . Although diagram 800 depicts dimmer element 800 as including two illuminators 802-804, dimmer element 800 may provide any number of illuminators, including one or more. In some cases, illuminators 802 - 804 are positioned on the edges of the dimming element 800 to direct activation light into the dimming element 800 to achieve area dimming (ie, less than the entire field of view). As an example, FIG. 8 illustrates area dimming of dimming element 800 provided by illuminators 802 - 804 that emit activation light 226 to darken area 806 .

Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary computing device 902 for dynamic control of edge-mounted luminaires, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The illustrated example of computing device 902 is shown to include a communication interface 904 , one or more processors 906 , hardware 908 , and memory 910 . In one example, one or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 9 may be incorporated into the frame 202 and/or temples 204A/204B of the headset 200 of FIG. 2 . In other examples, one or more of the components illustrated in Figure 9 may be incorporated into a remote computing device communicatively coupled to head mounted device 200 for performing illumination. One or more aspects of dynamic control of the device.

Communication interface 904 may include wireless and/or wired communication components that enable computing device 902 to transmit data to and receive data from other network-connected devices. Hardware 908 may include additional hardware interfaces, data communications, or data storage hardware. For example, the hardware interface may include a data output device (eg, electronic display, audio speakers) and one or more data input devices.

Memory 910 may be implemented using computer readable media, such as computer storage media. In some aspects, computer-readable media may include volatile and/or non-volatile media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Volatile, removable and/or non-removable media. Computer-readable media include but are not limited to RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD), high-definition multimedia/data storage disk or other optical storage, cartridges, tapes, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmission media that can be used to store information for access by a computing device.

The processor 906 and memory 910 of the computing device 902 may implement the display module 912 and the dimming control module 914. The display module 912 and the dimming control module 914 may include routines, program instructions, objects and/or data structures that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. The memory 910 may also include a data storage area (not shown) used by the display module 912 and/or the dimming control module 914 .

The display module 912 may be configured to determine that the visible scene light of the near-eye optical assembly (eg, the visible scene light 222 of FIG. 2 ) will interfere with the visibility of the virtual graphics (eg, the virtual graphics 104 of FIG. 1 ) generated by the visible display light 224 . sex. In some implementations, a headset may include one or more light sensors that provide information about visible scene light (eg, brightness, contrast, color, etc.). In another embodiment, the headset may include a camera positioned (eg, on temples 204B of Figure 2) to obtain an image of the field of view provided by the optical assembly. The display module 912 may receive images and/or data from the light sensor to determine whether visible scene light will interfere with the visibility of the virtual graphics.

In some aspects, display module 912 determines the visibility of virtual graphics based on readings obtained from light sensors and/or by performing image processing on images of the field of view. This may include determining ambient brightness and/or determining contrast between visible scene light and virtual graphics. In another example, the display module 912 may determine the visibility of the virtual graphics by comparing the color of visible scene light in a region corresponding to where the virtual graphics will be displayed. If the visible scene light is too bright, the contrast between the scene light and the virtual graphics is too low, and/or if the color of the scene light is similar to the color of the virtual graphics, the display module 912 then determines that the visible scene light will actually interfere with the virtual graphics. Visibility of graphics.

In response to a determination by the display module 912 that the visible scene light will interfere with the visibility of the virtual graphics, the dimming control module 914 may then activate dimming of one or more areas of the dimming element of the near-eye optical assembly to dim and /or block visible scene light. For example, referring to the headset 200 of FIG. 2 , the dimming control module 914 may enable the illuminator 214 to emit activation light 226 to activate dimming of the dimming element 212 . As discussed above, dimming of dimming element 212 may dim visible scene light 222 to increase the visibility of virtual graphics produced by display light 224.

Specific examples of the invention may include or be implemented in conjunction with artificial reality systems. Artificial reality is a form of reality that has been adjusted in a certain way before being presented to the user. It can include, for example, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), mixed reality or a combination and/or derivative thereof. Artificial reality content may include fully generated content or generated content combined with captured (eg, real-world) content. Artificial reality content may include video, audio, haptic feedback, or some combination thereof, and any of these may be presented in a single channel or in multiple channels (such as stereo video that creates a three-dimensional effect on the viewer). Additionally, in some embodiments, artificial reality may also be associated with applications that are used, for example, to create content in the artificial reality and/or to otherwise be used in the artificial reality (e.g., to perform activities in the artificial reality). , products, accessories, services, or a combination thereof. Artificial reality systems that provide artificial reality content can be implemented on a variety of platforms, including head-mounted displays (HMDs) connected to host computer systems, stand-alone HMDs, mobile devices or computing systems or capable of providing artificial reality content to Any other hardware platform for one or more viewers.

The above descriptions of illustrated embodiments of the invention, including what is described in the Abstract, are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Although specific embodiments and examples of the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize.

Such modifications may be made to the invention in view of the above detailed description. The terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in this specification. Rather, the scope of the invention will be determined entirely by the following claims, which will be interpreted in accordance with established principles for interpreting claims.

100:Real world scenario 102:Optical assembly 104:Virtual graphics 106:Real world objects 108:Area 200:Head mounted device 202:Frame 204A: temples 204B: temples 206A: Near-vision optical assembly 206B: Near-vision optical assembly 209:Toward the eye 210:Display layer 211:dorsal 212: Dimming component 213:Edge 214:Illuminator 216:Waveguide 222: Visible scene light 224:Display light 226:Activate light 302: Dimming component 304:Lens 305: Edge 306:Illuminator 307: Optical surface of lens 308:Coating 402: Dimming component 404:Lens 405: Edge 406:Dye 500: Dimming component 502:Illuminator 504:Illuminator 505: Edge 506:Illuminator 508:Illuminator 600: Dimming component 602: Reflective coating 605: Edge 700: Part of the head mounted device 702:Frame 800: Dimming component 802:Illuminator 804:Illuminator 806:Area 902: Computing device 904: Communication interface 906: Processor 908:Hardware 910:Memory 912:Display module 914: Dimming control module

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

[FIG. 1A], [FIG. 1B], and [FIG. 1C] illustrate user views of a near-eye optical assembly via a head-mounted device according to aspects of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] illustrates a head-mounted device according to an aspect of the present invention.

[Fig. 3A] illustrates a dimming element in an undimmed state according to an aspect of the present invention.

[Fig. 3B] illustrates the dimming element of Fig. 3A in a dimmed state according to an aspect of the present invention.

[Fig. 4A] illustrates another dimming element in an undimmed state according to aspects of the present invention.

[Fig. 4B] illustrates the dimming element of Fig. 4A in a dimmed state according to an aspect of the present invention.

[Fig. 5A] illustrates a dimming element with multiple edge-mounted illuminators configured for global dimming in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

[Fig. 5B] illustrates the dimming element of Fig. 5A in a dimmed state according to aspects of the present invention.

[Fig. 6] illustrates a dimmer element having a reflective coating for containing activating light according to an aspect of the present invention.

[Fig. 7] illustrates a portion of a head-mounted device including a frame and a light modulating element according to an aspect of the present invention.

[Fig. 8] illustrates a dimming element with multiple edge-mounted illuminators configured for zone dimming according to aspects of the present invention.

[Fig. 9] illustrates an exemplary computing device for dynamic control of edge-mounted luminaires in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

200:Head mounted device

202:Frame

204A: temples

204B: temples

206A: Near-vision optical assembly

206B: Near-vision optical assembly

209:Toward the eye

210:Display layer

211:dorsal

212: Dimming component

213:Edge

214:Illuminator

216:Waveguide

222: Visible scene light

224:Display light

226:Activate light

Claims (20)

An optical assembly containing: Eyeward and dorsal, wherein the optical assembly is configured to receive visible scene light at the backside of the optical assembly and direct the visible scene light on an optical path toward the eyeward; A modulating element disposed between the eyeward side and the backside in the optical path, wherein the modulating element includes a photochromic material configured to darken in response to exposure to a range of light wavelengths; and At least one illuminator coupled to an edge of the dimming element, wherein the at least one illuminator is configured to selectively emit activation light within the light wavelength range to activate darkening of the photochromic material, thereby modulating The dark should be visible to the scene light. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the dimming element includes a lens, and wherein the photochromic material is included in a coating on at least one optical surface of the lens. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the dimming element includes a lens, and wherein the photochromic material is included in a dye embedded in the lens. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the dimming element is configured to guide the activation light by total internal reflection, thereby activating the darkening of the photochromic material. The optical assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one illuminator is configured to selectively emit the activation light to darken the photochromic material across a field of view provided by the optical assembly. The optical assembly of claim 5, further comprising a reflective coating disposed on the edge of the dimming element, wherein the reflective coating is configured to reflect the activation light in the dimming element. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one illuminator is configured to selectively emit the activation light to darken the photochromic material for an area smaller than the field of view provided by the optical assembly. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the activation light includes non-visible light, ultraviolet light, infrared light or violet light. The optical assembly of claim 1 further includes: A display layer is disposed on the optical path between the eyeward side of the optical assembly and the dimming element, wherein the display layer is configured to guide visible display light toward the eyeward side. A head-mounted device containing: framework; and An optical assembly secured within the frame, wherein the optical assembly is configured to receive visible scene light at a backside of the optical assembly and to direct the visible scene light in an optical path toward the eyeward side of the optical assembly Scene light, wherein the optical assembly includes: A modulating element disposed between the eyeward side and the backside in the optical path, wherein the modulating element includes a photochromic material configured to darken in response to exposure to a range of light wavelengths; and At least one illuminator coupled to an edge of the dimming element, wherein the at least one illuminator is configured to selectively emit activation light within the light wavelength range to activate darkening of the photochromic material, thereby modulating The dark should be visible to the scene light. The head mounted device of claim 10, wherein the dimming element is configured to guide the activation light by total internal reflection, thereby activating the darkening of the photochromic material. The head mounted device of claim 11, wherein the at least one illuminator is configured to selectively emit the activation light to darken the photochromic material across the field of view provided by the optical assembly. The head mounted device of claim 12, further comprising a reflective coating disposed on the edge of the dimming element, wherein the reflective coating is configured to reflect the activation light in the dimming element. The head mounted device of claim 13, wherein the frame is positioned to absorb activation light escaping the dimming element via the at least one illuminator at the edge of the dimming element. For example, the head-mounted device of claim 10 further includes: A computing device included in the frame and configured to control the at least one illuminator to emit the activation light. Such as the head-mounted device of claim 10, wherein the activation light includes non-visible light, ultraviolet light, infrared light or violet light. The head-mounted device of claim 10, wherein the optical assembly further includes: A display layer is disposed on the optical path between the eyeward side of the optical assembly and the dimming element, wherein the display layer is configured to guide visible display light toward the eyeward side. An optical assembly containing: Dimming components, including: lenses; and Photochromic material, wherein the photochromic material is included in a coating on the optical surface of the lens or in a dye embedded within the lens, wherein the photochromic material is configured to darken in response to exposure to a range of light wavelengths ;and A plurality of illuminators coupled to the edge of the lens, wherein the plurality of illuminators are configured to selectively emit activation light within the light wavelength range to activate darkening of the photochromic material, thereby dimming the visible Scene light, and wherein the dimming element is configured to direct the activation light by total internal reflection. The optical assembly of claim 18, wherein the dimming element further includes a reflective coating disposed on the edge of the dimming element, wherein the reflective coating is configured to reflect the activation light within the dimming element. The optical assembly of claim 18, wherein the activation light includes non-visible light, ultraviolet light, infrared light or violet light.