OPTICAL CONFIGURATIONS FOR HEAD-WORN SEE-THROUGH DISPLAYS

• US 20150355466A1
• Filed: 06/05/2014
• Published: 12/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mentor Acquisition One, LLC (Magic Leap, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Osterhout Design Group
• Inventors: Border, John N.
• Granted Patent: US 9,841,599 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to methods and systems for providing a high transmission see-through view of the environment while trapping escaping light from the display system. In embodiments, a camera system is also provided that is aligned with the display system to provide images of the environment in a viewing direction of the user.

Claims

1. A head-worn computer, comprising:

a. A see-through optical system adapted to visually present digital content to an eye of a person wearing the head-worn computer, wherein the person can see a surrounding environment through the see-through optical assembly, the see-through optical system further comprising;

i. An image source adapted to generate display light based on the digital content; and

ii. A partially reflective combiner adapted to provide at least the following;

1. Reflecting at least a first portion of the display light toward the user'"'"'s eye such the person perceives the digital content as an image;

2. Transmitting at least a second portion of the display light toward a light trap;

3. Reflecting at least a first portion of light received from the surrounding environment toward a camera; and

,

4. Transmitting a portion of the light received from the surrounding environment toward the user'"'"'s eye to provide the see-through view of the surrounding environment.

2. The head-worn computer of claim 1, wherein the display light is polarized to a first state and the camera is positioned behind a polarizer adapted to absorb the first polarized state.

3. The head-worn computer of claim 2, wherein the light received from the surrounding environment is transmitted through the polarizer such that the camera images the surrounding environment.

4. The head-worn computer of claim 2, wherein the camera is positioned proximate the light trap.

5. The head-worn computer of claim 4, wherein the camera is positioned within the light trap.

6. The head-worn computer of claim 1, wherein the reflective combiner is further adapted to be electronically controllable such that the see-through transparency of the combiner, from the person'"'"'s perspective, can be adjusted.

7. The head-worn computer of claim 6, wherein the reflective combiner is automatically controlled to increase the see-through transparency when no digital content is being displayed.

8. The head-worn computer of claim 6, wherein the reflective combiner is automatically controlled to increase the see-through transparency based on a duty cycle coordinated with a display content duty cycle.

9. The head-worn computer of claim 6, wherein the reflective combiner is automatically controlled to increase the see-through transparency based on a duty cycle adapted to set an average see-through transparency.

10. The head-worn computer of claim 6, wherein the reflective combiner is user controlled to increase the see-through transparency.

11. A head-worn computer, comprising:

a. A see-through optical system adapted to visually present digital content to an eye of a person wearing the head-worn computer, wherein the person can see a surrounding environment through the see-through optical assembly, the see through optical system further comprising;

i. A partially reflective combiner adapted to reflect, towards the eye, display light based on the digital content; and

ii. A camera positioned to capture light from the surrounding environment that is reflected off a surface of the partially reflective combiner, wherein the surface is coaxially aligned with a forward facing position of the eye.

12. A head-worn computer, comprising:

a. A see-through optical system adapted to visually present digital content to an eye of a person wearing the head-worn computer, wherein the person can see a surrounding environment through the see-through optical assembly, the see through optical system further comprising;

i. A partially reflective combiner adapted to reflect, towards the eye, display light based on the digital content, wherein the partially reflective combiner is in-line with an optical axis that provides the eye with the see through view of the surrounding environment; and

ii. Wherein the partially reflective combiner includes an electronically controllable surface to regulate a see through transparency percentage of the partially reflective combiner.

13. (canceled)