Pixelated light shutter mechanisms for improving contrast between computer-generated images and an ambient visible environment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Augmented reality glasses, comprising:
- a processor that generates image signals corresponding to a computer-generated image;
a see-through display surface comprising a first side and an opposing second side, wherein the display surface is at least partially transmissive to ambient light;
a projector that projects the computer-generated image on to the first side of the see-through display surface; and
a light shutter positioned adjacent to the second side of the see-through display surface that receives the ambient light, the light shutter comprising shutter elements, each shutter element being independently controllable by the computer processor to modulate an amount of the ambient light that passes through a corresponding portion of the light shutter and reaches a corresponding portion of the display surface,the processor controlling a number of the shutter elements to cause the number of the shutter elements to block at least a portion of the ambient light from reaching an area of the display surface comprising multiple portions of the display surface, and wherein the multiple portions of the display surface comprise a first portion of the display surface displaying at least part of the computer-generated image, a second portion of the display surface displaying no part of the computer-generated image and a third display surface portion displaying no part of the computer generated image, wherein the second portion and the first portion are contiguous and the second portion and the third portion are contiguous, and wherein the shutter elements block a larger amount of light at the second portion than at the third portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Augmented reality systems and associated methods, computer-readable media, techniques, and methodologies for improving contrast between projected or emitted computer-generated images and ambient light of a visible real-world environment are disclosed. Devices that incorporate such augmented reality systems are also disclosed.
28 Citations
20 Claims
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1. Augmented reality glasses, comprising:
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a processor that generates image signals corresponding to a computer-generated image; a see-through display surface comprising a first side and an opposing second side, wherein the display surface is at least partially transmissive to ambient light; a projector that projects the computer-generated image on to the first side of the see-through display surface; and a light shutter positioned adjacent to the second side of the see-through display surface that receives the ambient light, the light shutter comprising shutter elements, each shutter element being independently controllable by the computer processor to modulate an amount of the ambient light that passes through a corresponding portion of the light shutter and reaches a corresponding portion of the display surface, the processor controlling a number of the shutter elements to cause the number of the shutter elements to block at least a portion of the ambient light from reaching an area of the display surface comprising multiple portions of the display surface, and wherein the multiple portions of the display surface comprise a first portion of the display surface displaying at least part of the computer-generated image, a second portion of the display surface displaying no part of the computer-generated image and a third display surface portion displaying no part of the computer generated image, wherein the second portion and the first portion are contiguous and the second portion and the third portion are contiguous, and wherein the shutter elements block a larger amount of light at the second portion than at the third portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An augmented reality system, comprising:
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electronic circuitry that generates an image from image data and causes display of the image on a display surface that is at least partially transparent to ambient light; and a light shutter comprising a plurality of shutter elements, wherein each shutter element of the plurality of shutter elements is independently controllable by the electronic circuitry to modulate an amount of the ambient light that passes through a corresponding portion of the light shutter and reaches a corresponding portion of the display surface, wherein the display surface comprises a first portion contiguous to a second portion and a third portion contiguous to the second portion, and wherein the shutter elements block a larger amount of light at the second portion than at the third portion. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method, comprising:
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generating, by one or more computer processors, image signals corresponding to a computer-generated image; providing, by the one or more computer processors, the image signals to an imaging element that generates light forming the computer-generated image, wherein the light is reflected off of or emitted through a display surface that is transparent to ambient light; independently controlling, by the one or more computer processors, a first shutter element of a light shutter to block a first portion of the ambient light from passing through a first portion of the light shutter and reaching a first portion of the display surface that is displaying at least a portion of the computer-generated image; and independently controlling, by the one or more computer processors, a second shutter element of the light shutter to allow a second portion of the ambient light to pass through a second portion of the light shutter and reach a second portion of the display surface; independently controlling, by the one or more computer processors, a third shutter element of the light shutter to allow a third portion of the ambient light to pass through a third portion of the light shutter and reach a third portion of the display surface, wherein the second portion and the first portion are contiguous and the second portion and the third portion are contiguous, and wherein the first, second and third shutter elements block a larger amount of light at the second portion of the display surface than at the third portion of the display surface. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification