Electrochromic systems for head-worn computer systems

• US 9,880,441 B1
• Filed: 09/08/2016
• Issued: 01/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mentor Acquisition One, LLC (Magic Leap, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Osterhout Design Group
• Inventors: Osterhout, Ralph F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, James
• Application Number:
  US15/259,437
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 359275, 359630
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/006 Filter holders
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes

Abstract

Embodiments include a head-worn computer, comprising: a removable lens, wherein the removable lens comprises an electrochromic layer adapted to transition between at least two states of transparency level dependent on an electrical condition applied to the electrochromatic layer; a variable-power magnetic-electrode mounted on the head-worn computer; and a magnetic element mounted in the removable lens, wherein the magnetic element is positioned behind the electrochromic layer and aligned to mate with the variable-power magnetic-electrode such that, when the lens is mounted, the variable-power magnetic-electrode and the magnetic element physically attract to one another making an electrical connection between the variable-power magnetic-electrode and an electrically conductive layer of the electrochromic layer.

Claims

1. A head-worn computer, comprising:

a removable lens, wherein the removable lens comprises an electrochromic layer adapted to transition between at least two states of transparency level dependent on an electrical condition applied to the electrochromatic layer;

a variable-power magnetic-electrode mounted on the head-worn computer; and

a magnetic element mounted in the removable lens, wherein the magnetic element is positioned behind the electrochromic layer and aligned to mate with the variable-power magnetic-electrode such that, when the lens is mounted, the variable-power magnetic-electrode and the magnetic element physically attract to one another making an electrical connection between the variable-power magnetic-electrode and an electrically conductive layer of the electrochromic layer.

2. The head-worn computer of claim 1, wherein the variable-power magnetic-electrode is further positioned behind a permanently tinted region of the removable lens to conceal the variable-power magnetic-electrode from view.

3. The head-worn computer of claim 1, wherein the removable lens is mechanically held in place within the head-worn computer by a mounting magnet system.

4. The head-worn computer of claim 1, wherein the removable lens is mechanically held in place within the head-worn computer by a mechanical system.

6. The head-worn computer of claim 1, wherein the variable-power pressure loaded electrode is further positioned behind a permanently tinted region of the removable lens to conceal the variable-power pressure loaded electrode from view.

7. The head-worn computer of claim 1, wherein the removable lens is mechanically held in place within the head-worn computer by a mounting magnet system.

8. The head-worn computer of claim 1, wherein the removable lens is mechanically held in place within the head-worn computer by a mechanical system.

5. A head-worn computer, comprising:

a removable lens, wherein the removable lens comprises an electrochromic layer adapted to transition between at least two states of transparency level dependent on an electrical condition applied to the electrochromatic layer; and

a variable-power pressure loaded electrode mounted on the head-worn computer, wherein the pressure loading is a mechanical pressure adapted to push a front surface of the pressure loaded electrode into another surface while it compresses, wherein the variable-power pressure loaded electrode is positioned to apply pressure to an electrically conductive layer of the electrochromic layer the electrochromic layer when the lens is mounted.