Suppression of stray light in head worn computing

• US 9,715,112 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2014
• Issued: 07/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mentor Acquisition One, LLC (Magic Leap, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Osterhout Design Group
• Inventors: Border, John N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US14/181,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20150205112A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,257 Days
• Field of Search: 359478, 359618, 359629, 359630, 359633, 359634, 359636, 359638, 359639, 345 7- 9, 345426, 348 1408, 348 E5024, 34833301, 34833309, 348341
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0105 Holograms with particular structures
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0174 holographic
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/10 Beam splitting or combining systems polarising systems G02B27/28; mixing and splitting light signals using optical waveguides G02B6/28; beam shaping, e.g. changing the cross-sectional area, by dividing or superposing multiple light beams G02B27/0905
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/14 operating by reflection only
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/28 for polarising used in stereoscopes G02B30/25
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/283 used for beam splitting or combining
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/344 with head-mounted left-right displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/346 using prisms or semi-transparent mirrors

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to suppression of stray light in head worn computing.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

reflecting a portion of image light off of an angled reflective surface directly towards a position of an eye of a person wearing a head-worn computing (HWC) system; and

suppressing stray image light that is transmitted through the angled reflective surface by absorbing the stray light before it escapes the confines of the HWC system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the stray light is absorbed by a wavelength specific material, wherein the wavelength specific material is adapted to absorb wavelengths of light produced by a content image display system of the HWC system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the stray light is absorbed by a broadband absorption material.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the stray light is absorbed by a portion of an outer shield of the HWC system, wherein the portion of the outer shield includes light absorption material.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the stray light is absorbed by an absorptive polarizer.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the stray light is absorbed by a notch filter, wherein the notch filter is adapted to absorb wavelengths of light produced by a content image display system of the HWC system.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the stray light is absorbed by a microlouver film.

8. A head-worn see-through display forming a part of a head-worn computing (HWC) system, comprising:

a. an image source that produces image light and directs the image light towards a combiner, wherein the combiner is positioned such that a user wearing a head-worn computing (HWC) views the image light as content and sees through the combiner to view a surrounding environment, wherein the combiner reflects at least a portion of the image light directly towards a position of an eye of the user; and

b. a stray light suppression system that suppresses stray image light that is transmitted through the combiner before it escapes the confines of the HWC system.

9. The head-worn see-through display of claim 8, wherein the stray light suppression system includes a wavelength specific material, wherein the wavelength specific material is adapted to absorb wavelengths of the image light and allow other visible light bandwidths to pass.

10. The head-worn see-through display of claim 8, wherein the stray light suppression system includes a broadband absorption material.

11. The head-worn see-through display of claim 8, wherein the stray light suppression system includes a light absorption material as a portion of an outer shield.

12. The head-worn see-through display of claim 8, wherein the stray light suppression system includes an absorptive polarizer.

13. The head-worn see-through display of claim 8, wherein the stray light suppression system includes a notch filter, wherein the notch filter is adapted to absorb wavelengths of light in the image light.

14. The head-worn see-through display of claim 8, wherein the stray light suppression system includes a microlouver film.