WO2015136088A1 - An optical see-trough head-mounted device - Google Patents

An optical see-trough head-mounted device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015136088A1
WO2015136088A1 PCT/EP2015/055329 EP2015055329W WO2015136088A1 WO 2015136088 A1 WO2015136088 A1 WO 2015136088A1 EP 2015055329 W EP2015055329 W EP 2015055329W WO 2015136088 A1 WO2015136088 A1 WO 2015136088A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
opacity
wearer
optical
transmission
eye
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2015/055329
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Benoit Callier
Antoine Videmann
Original Assignee
Essilor International (Compagnie Generale D'optique)
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Essilor International (Compagnie Generale D'optique) filed Critical Essilor International (Compagnie Generale D'optique)
Publication of WO2015136088A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015136088A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/01—Head-up displays
    • G02B27/017—Head mounted
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
    • G02C7/00—Optical parts
    • G02C7/16—Shades; shields; Obturators, e.g. with pinhole, with slot
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/01—Head-up displays
    • G02B27/017—Head mounted
    • G02B2027/0178—Eyeglass type

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an optical see-through head-mounted device comprising an optical lens extending between a wearer' s eye and a real world scene when the device is worn by the wearer and an opacity filter covering at least a part of the optical lens.
  • Optical see-trough head mounted devices such as optical lenses, may comprise at least one opacity filter.
  • the opacity filter is used to adjust the transmission of the optical see-trough head mounted device.
  • optical devices have static opacity filter that provide a static adjustment of the transmission.
  • an optical device may be provided with an opacity filter providing a determined level of filtration of the light rays over a range of wavelengths.
  • Adjustable opacity filters exist and may be used to change the opacity properties of the optical device for example the opacity properties of the opacity filter may be changed based on the luminosity.
  • All known opacity filters provide the same filtering properties and appearance to the wearer of the optical device and a person facing the wearer.
  • the existing opacity filters provide the same transmission function to the wearer of the optical device and to the people around the wearer.
  • the wearer may want the optical device to provide him or her a transmission function different from the people around. For example the wearer may want the optical lenses to appear dark of the person facing him and clear for him or vice versa.
  • the wearer may also want to have given zone of the optical glass that have different opacity while having for esthetic reasons the optical lens appear transparent for the people facing the wearer. Therefore, there is a need for an optical see-through head- mounted device having an opacity filter providing a different transmission for the wearer of the optical device and for the people facing the wearer.
  • a goal of the present invention is to provide such an optical device.
  • the invention proposes an optical see-through head-mounted device comprising an optical lens extending between a wearer's eye and a real world scene when the device is worn by the wearer and an opacity filter covering at least a part of the optical lens, wherein the transmission of the opacity filter is a function of the angle of incidence.
  • having the transmission of the opacity filter function of the angle of incidence provides a transmission that is different for the wearer and the people facing the wearer.
  • the wearer scans an angular ranger larger than the person facing the wearer.
  • the person facing the wearer has a very small angular range compared to the wearer himself.
  • the transmission of the opacity filter is smaller than or equal to 25% and for at least a second angle of incidence the transmission of the opacity filter is greater than or equal to 75%; and/or at least two angles of incidence have a different in transmission greater than or equal to 25%; and/or
  • the optical device further comprises a controller adapted to control the transmission of the opacity filter as a function of the angle of incidence;
  • the transmission of the opacity filter as a function of the angle incidence in a vertical plan is different than in a horizontal plan;
  • the optical filter comprises a pattern consisting of elements of different transmission, the pattern being arranged so as to provide an overall transmission that is a function of the angle of incidence; and/or wherein the opacity filter comprises at least two opacity layers placed one behind the other in the direction defined by the wearer's eye and the real world scene; and/or
  • the two opacity layers are placed one behind the other, in contact, in the direction defined by the wearer's eye and the real world scene; and/or the optical device further comprises a controller configured to control the pattern of at least one opacity layer;
  • At least one of the opacity layers comprises a plurality of pixels, the controller being configured to control the opacity of each pixel;
  • the opacity filter comprises a system of mechanical blinds.
  • the opacity filter is adapted so as to have an average transmission smaller than or equal to 50% for angles of incidence comprised between 15° and 30° and greater than or equal to 70 % for angles of incidence greater than 30° and incidence smaller than 15°; and/or
  • the optical device further comprises a light source adapted to emit light to the user's eye, the light representing information; and/or
  • the opacity filter is placed between the real-world scene and the light source when the device is worn by the user;
  • the light source is configured to display light to the wearer's eye with a first angular extent of a wearer field of view, the opacity filter being configured so as to have an average transmission smaller than 80% in an angular extent greater than or equal to said first angular extent of the wearer field of view;
  • the optical lens is mounted to a frame worn by the wearer
  • the device further comprises a tracking component adapted to track a location of the user's eye relative to the frame and the controller is configured to control the opacity of the filter according to the location of the wearer's eye relative to the frame;
  • the opacity filter comprises at least one electrochromic layer; and/or the function of the transmission of the opacity filter according to the angle of incidence depends on the polarization of the incident light.
  • o figure 1 represents an optical see-through head-mounted device according to an embodiment of the invention
  • o figure 2 represents an example of opacity filter comprised in an optical device according to an embodiment of the invention
  • o Figure 3 represents a further example of opacity filter comprised in an optical device according to an embodiment of the invention
  • o Figure 4 represents an optical see-through head-mounted device according to a further embodiment of the invention
  • o Figures 5a to 5c represent examples of opacity filters according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 1 depicts an example of an optical see-trough head-mounted device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the optical device comprises two optical lenses 101 and 103 extending between a wearer's eye and a real world scene when the device is worn by the wearer.
  • the optical lenses are mounted in a spectacle frame.
  • the spectacle frame is similar to a conventional eyeglasses frame and can be worn with a similar comfort level.
  • other implementations are possible, such as a face shield which is mounted to the user's head by a helmet, strap or other means.
  • the spectacle frame includes a frame front 102 and temples 104 and 105.
  • the frame front holds a left- side optical lens 101 for the user's left eye and a right-side optical lens 103 for the user's right eye.
  • the left and right orientations are from the user's perspective.
  • the left-side optical lens 101 comprises a left-side opacity filter 123 and the right-side optical lens 103 comprises a right-side opacity filter 121.
  • both the left and right optical lenses comprises opacity filters
  • the invention is not limited to such configuration and only one of the two optical lenses could comprise an opacity filter.
  • the opacity filters 121 and 123 cover at least part, for example all the surface of the optical lens.
  • the opacity filters may be placed on the front or rear face of the optical lenses or incorporated between the front and rear faces of the optical lenses.
  • the opacity filters 121 and 123 are arranged so that the transmission of such opacity filters is function of the angle of incidence. In other words, depending on the angle of incidence of an incoming light ray, the transmission function is different.
  • the transmission of the opacity filter corresponds to average over the corresponding range of wavelength of the percentage of intensity of the incident light within the corresponding range of wavelength that is transmitted through the opacity filter.
  • the range of wavelength may be from 380 nm to 800 nm or adapted to the light source.
  • the opacity filter may be arranged so that for a first angle of incidence the transmission of the opacity filter is smaller than or equal to 25 % and for at least a second angle of incidence the transmission of the opacity filter is greater than or equal to 75%. Furthermore, the opacity filter may be arranged to that the difference of transmission between the first angle of incidence and the second angle of incidence is greater than or equal to 25%.
  • the opacity filter may be arranged so that for angles of incidence smaller than 10°, the transmission of the opacity filter is greater than or equal to 75 % and for angles of incidence greater than or equal to 45° the transmission of the opacity filter is smaller than or equal to 25%.
  • Such opacity filter would reduce the field of view of the wearer or at least provide glare protection in periphery vision. Such reduction may help the wearer concentrate on central vision.
  • the opacity filter may be an active opacity filter, i.e. the property of the opacity filter can be controlled by a controller at least between two states and possibly continuously between two extreme states.
  • the optical device comprises a controller adapted to control the transmission of the opacity filter as a function of the angle of incidence.
  • a controller adapted to control the transmission of the opacity filter as a function of the angle of incidence.
  • the controller may be a mechanical controller that when activated orientates the blinds.
  • the wearer With the configuration of the blinds 32 as represented on figure 5a, the wearer has a zone of uniform opacity whereas the people facing the wearer observes only a small attenuation over the opacity zone.
  • the pattern formed of the blinds is uniform providing a uniform opacity to the wearer and a different attenuation for the people facing the wearer depending on their position relative to the wearer.
  • the configuration of the blinds represented on figure 5c corresponds to a pattern having a geometry linked to the eye of the wearer.
  • the opacity filter may comprise a pattern consisting of elements of different transmission.
  • the pattern is arranged to provide an overall transmission that is a function of the angle of incidence.
  • the overall transmission is the average local transmission or integration over an angular range, the angular range comprising at least one of the high transmission elements and one of the lower transmission elements of the pattern.
  • Figure 2 represents an example of pattern 10 according to a first embodiment.
  • the pattern 10 comprises two opacity layers 12 and 14 places one behind the other in the direction defined by the wearer's eye and the real world scene.
  • the opacity layers 12 and 14 consist of an alternation of transparent strips 16, for example of strips having a transmission greater than or equal to 75%, and of opaque strips 18, for example having a transmission smaller than or equal to 25%.
  • the opacity layers 12 and 14 are placed one behind the other so that the each transparent strips of the first opacity layer 12 faces a transparent strip of the second opacity layer 14.
  • the opacity layers may be placed in contact, i.e. with no gap between them.
  • such arrangement allows providing a large transmission for angles of incidence close to zero, for example smaller than or equal to 10°, and a small transmission for large angles of incidence, for example greater than or equal to 45°.
  • the pattern 10 may comprise further opacity layers. Furthermore, depending on the position on the optical lens the orientation of the opacity layers may be different.
  • Figure 3 represents an example of pattern 20 according to a second embodiment.
  • the pattern 20 comprises two opacity layers 22 and 24 places one behind the other in the direction defined by the wearer's eye and the real world scene.
  • the opacity layers 22 and 24 consist of an alternation of transparent strips 26, for example of strips having a transmission greater than or equal to 75%, and of opaque strips 28, for example having a transmission smaller than or equal to 25%.
  • the opacity layers 22 and 24 are placed one behind the other so that the each transparent strips 26 of the first opacity layer 22 faces an opaque strip 28 of the second opacity layer 24.
  • the transparent strips and the opaque strips may not have the same sizes and/or the opacity layers may be placed in contact, i.e. with no gap between them.
  • such arrangement allows providing a large transmission for large angles of incidence, for example greater than or equal to 45°, a small transmission for small angles of incidence, for example smaller than or equal to 10°.
  • the pattern 20 may comprise further opacity layers. Furthermore, depending on the position on the optical lens the orientation of the opacity layers may be different.
  • the pattern may consist is a combination of different opacity layers.
  • the orientation of each layer and the position of the layers relative to one another provide multiple possibility of having the transmission of the pattern be function of the angle of incidence as represented on figures 5a to 5c.
  • the pattern may be arranged so that the transmission of the opacity filter as a function of the angle of incidence is a vertical plan is different than in a horizontal plan.
  • the device may comprise a controller configured to control the pattern of at least one of the opacity layer.
  • At least one of the opacity layers comprises a plurality of pixels and the controller is arranged to control the opacity of each pixel.
  • each pixel may be controlled between an opaque state and a transparent state depending on the voltage applied to the pixel.
  • such embodiment allows providing an active opacity filter whose function according to the angle of incidence can be changed using the controller.
  • the opacity filter can comprise at least one electrochromic layer.
  • Figure 4 depicts an example of an optical device 100 comprising light sources adapted to emit light to the wearer's eye, the light may represent information displayed to the wearer.
  • the frame is similar to a conventional eyeglasses frame and can be worn with a similar comfort level.
  • a face shield which is mounted to the wearer's head by a helmet, strap or other means.
  • the frame includes a frame front 102 and temples 104 and 105.
  • the frame front holds a left side optical lens 101 for the wearer's left eye and a right side optical lens 103 for the wearer's right eye.
  • the left and right orientations are from the wearer's perspective.
  • the left-side optical lens 101 comprises a left side opacity filter 123 and a left side light-transmissive optical component 122 such as a beam splitter which mixes an augmented reality image with light from the real- world scene for viewing by the left eye.
  • the reality image is generated by a left-side light source 108 mounted to the frame via an arm 110.
  • the right-side optical lens 103 comprises a right side opacity filter 121 and a right side light-transmissive optical component 120 such as a beam splitter which mixes an augmented reality image with light from the real- world scene for viewing by the left eye.
  • the reality image is generated by a right side light source
  • the right and left side opacity filters 121 and 123 are preferably placed between the real-world scene and the right and left light sources respectively when the device is worn by the wearer.
  • the optical device 100 further comprises an opacity filter controller 112 mounted to the bridge of the frame, and controlling by the left- and right-side opacity filters.
  • the light source is configured to display light to the wearer's eye with a first angular extent of a wearer field of view, the opacity filter being configured so as to have an average transmission smaller than 50% in an angular extent greater than or equal to said first angular extent of the wearer field of view.
  • the optical device may further comprise a tacking component 126 adapted to track the location of the user's eye relative to the frame and the controller is configured to control the opacity of the filter according to the location of the wearer's eye relative to the frame.
  • An opening 124 in one of the opacity filter can be provided to allow the eye tracking component 126 to image the left eye, including the pupil.
  • the opening can be, e.g., a hole in the left side optical lens 101, or a region of the left side optical lens 101 in which the opacity filter 123 is not provided or is controlled so as to allow the eye tracking.
  • the opacity filter can be provided in or on another light-transmissive lens material such as glass or plastic, as mentioned. Infrared light used by the eye tracking component 126 can pass through such a light-transmissive lens material.
  • the eye tracking component 126 can be mounted to the frame via an arm 136, in one possible approach. According to an alternative embodiment, the eye tracking component may be directly on, and inside, the front eye glass frame 102, the temple 104 or the bridge of the frame.
  • An electrical power source 130 for example a battery provides power to the different elements of the head mounted device.
  • Appropriate electrical connections can be made via conductive paths in the frame, for instance.

Abstract

An optical see-through head-mounted device comprising an optical lens extending between a wearer's eye and a real world scene when the device is worn by the wearer and an opacity filter covering at least a part of the optical lens, wherein the transmission of the opacity filter is a function of the angle of incidence.

Description

An optical see-trough head-mounted device
The invention relates to an optical see-through head-mounted device comprising an optical lens extending between a wearer' s eye and a real world scene when the device is worn by the wearer and an opacity filter covering at least a part of the optical lens.
The discussion of the background of the invention herein is included to explain the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge at the priority date of any of the claims.
Optical see-trough head mounted devices, such as optical lenses, may comprise at least one opacity filter.
The opacity filter is used to adjust the transmission of the optical see-trough head mounted device.
Most optical devices have static opacity filter that provide a static adjustment of the transmission. For example, an optical device may be provided with an opacity filter providing a determined level of filtration of the light rays over a range of wavelengths.
Adjustable opacity filters exist and may be used to change the opacity properties of the optical device for example the opacity properties of the opacity filter may be changed based on the luminosity.
All known opacity filters provide the same filtering properties and appearance to the wearer of the optical device and a person facing the wearer.
In other terms, the existing opacity filters provide the same transmission function to the wearer of the optical device and to the people around the wearer.
At least for confidentiality reasons and/or esthetic reasons, the wearer may want the optical device to provide him or her a transmission function different from the people around. For example the wearer may want the optical lenses to appear dark of the person facing him and clear for him or vice versa.
The wearer may also want to have given zone of the optical glass that have different opacity while having for esthetic reasons the optical lens appear transparent for the people facing the wearer. Therefore, there is a need for an optical see-through head- mounted device having an opacity filter providing a different transmission for the wearer of the optical device and for the people facing the wearer.
A goal of the present invention is to provide such an optical device.
To this end, the invention proposes an optical see-through head-mounted device comprising an optical lens extending between a wearer's eye and a real world scene when the device is worn by the wearer and an opacity filter covering at least a part of the optical lens, wherein the transmission of the opacity filter is a function of the angle of incidence.
Advantageously, having the transmission of the opacity filter function of the angle of incidence provides a transmission that is different for the wearer and the people facing the wearer.
Indeed, the wearer scans an angular ranger larger than the person facing the wearer. The person facing the wearer has a very small angular range compared to the wearer himself.
According to further embodiments which can be considered alone or in any possible combination:
for at least a first angle of incidence the transmission of the opacity filter is smaller than or equal to 25% and for at least a second angle of incidence the transmission of the opacity filter is greater than or equal to 75%; and/or at least two angles of incidence have a different in transmission greater than or equal to 25%; and/or
the optical device further comprises a controller adapted to control the transmission of the opacity filter as a function of the angle of incidence; and/or
the transmission of the opacity filter as a function of the angle incidence in a vertical plan is different than in a horizontal plan; and/or
the optical filter comprises a pattern consisting of elements of different transmission, the pattern being arranged so as to provide an overall transmission that is a function of the angle of incidence; and/or wherein the opacity filter comprises at least two opacity layers placed one behind the other in the direction defined by the wearer's eye and the real world scene; and/or
the two opacity layers are placed one behind the other, in contact, in the direction defined by the wearer's eye and the real world scene; and/or the optical device further comprises a controller configured to control the pattern of at least one opacity layer;
at least one of the opacity layers comprises a plurality of pixels, the controller being configured to control the opacity of each pixel; and/or
the opacity filter comprises a system of mechanical blinds.
the opacity filter is adapted so as to have an average transmission smaller than or equal to 50% for angles of incidence comprised between 15° and 30° and greater than or equal to 70 % for angles of incidence greater than 30° and incidence smaller than 15°; and/or
the optical device further comprises a light source adapted to emit light to the user's eye, the light representing information; and/or
the opacity filter is placed between the real-world scene and the light source when the device is worn by the user; and/or
the light source is configured to display light to the wearer's eye with a first angular extent of a wearer field of view, the opacity filter being configured so as to have an average transmission smaller than 80% in an angular extent greater than or equal to said first angular extent of the wearer field of view; and/or
the optical lens is mounted to a frame worn by the wearer, the device further comprises a tracking component adapted to track a location of the user's eye relative to the frame and the controller is configured to control the opacity of the filter according to the location of the wearer's eye relative to the frame; and/or
the opacity filter comprises at least one electrochromic layer; and/or the function of the transmission of the opacity filter according to the angle of incidence depends on the polarization of the incident light. Non limiting embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
o figure 1 represents an optical see-through head-mounted device according to an embodiment of the invention,
o figure 2 represents an example of opacity filter comprised in an optical device according to an embodiment of the invention, and o Figure 3 represents a further example of opacity filter comprised in an optical device according to an embodiment of the invention,
o Figure 4 represents an optical see-through head-mounted device according to a further embodiment of the invention, and o Figures 5a to 5c represent examples of opacity filters according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 1 depicts an example of an optical see-trough head-mounted device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The optical device comprises two optical lenses 101 and 103 extending between a wearer's eye and a real world scene when the device is worn by the wearer. The optical lenses are mounted in a spectacle frame.
In this example, the spectacle frame is similar to a conventional eyeglasses frame and can be worn with a similar comfort level. However, other implementations are possible, such as a face shield which is mounted to the user's head by a helmet, strap or other means.
The spectacle frame includes a frame front 102 and temples 104 and 105. The frame front holds a left- side optical lens 101 for the user's left eye and a right-side optical lens 103 for the user's right eye. The left and right orientations are from the user's perspective.
The left-side optical lens 101 comprises a left-side opacity filter 123 and the right-side optical lens 103 comprises a right-side opacity filter 121. Although in the embodiment represented on figure 1, both the left and right optical lenses comprises opacity filters, the invention is not limited to such configuration and only one of the two optical lenses could comprise an opacity filter. The opacity filters 121 and 123 cover at least part, for example all the surface of the optical lens. The opacity filters may be placed on the front or rear face of the optical lenses or incorporated between the front and rear faces of the optical lenses.
The opacity filters 121 and 123 are arranged so that the transmission of such opacity filters is function of the angle of incidence. In other words, depending on the angle of incidence of an incoming light ray, the transmission function is different.
In the sense of the invention, the transmission of the opacity filter corresponds to average over the corresponding range of wavelength of the percentage of intensity of the incident light within the corresponding range of wavelength that is transmitted through the opacity filter. For example, the range of wavelength may be from 380 nm to 800 nm or adapted to the light source.
According to an embodiment, the opacity filter may be arranged so that for a first angle of incidence the transmission of the opacity filter is smaller than or equal to 25 % and for at least a second angle of incidence the transmission of the opacity filter is greater than or equal to 75%. Furthermore, the opacity filter may be arranged to that the difference of transmission between the first angle of incidence and the second angle of incidence is greater than or equal to 25%.
For example, the opacity filter may be arranged so that for angles of incidence smaller than 10°, the transmission of the opacity filter is greater than or equal to 75 % and for angles of incidence greater than or equal to 45° the transmission of the opacity filter is smaller than or equal to 25%. Such opacity filter would reduce the field of view of the wearer or at least provide glare protection in periphery vision. Such reduction may help the wearer concentrate on central vision.
Advantageously, for a person facing the wearer such difference in opacity does not appears since the person sees the optical lens with an angle of incidence smaller than 10°.
Although not represented on figure 1, the opacity filter may be an active opacity filter, i.e. the property of the opacity filter can be controlled by a controller at least between two states and possibly continuously between two extreme states.
According to such embodiment, the optical device comprises a controller adapted to control the transmission of the opacity filter as a function of the angle of incidence. To provide an opacity filter 30 whose transmission is function of the angle of incidence one may use a system of mechanical blinds 32 as represented on figures 4a to 4c. The orientation of the mechanical blinds 32 determines the overall transmission of the opacity filter. The controller may be a mechanical controller that when activated orientates the blinds.
With the configuration of the blinds 32 as represented on figure 5a, the wearer has a zone of uniform opacity whereas the people facing the wearer observes only a small attenuation over the opacity zone.
With the configuration of the blinds as represented on figure 5b, the pattern formed of the blinds is uniform providing a uniform opacity to the wearer and a different attenuation for the people facing the wearer depending on their position relative to the wearer.
The configuration of the blinds represented on figure 5c corresponds to a pattern having a geometry linked to the eye of the wearer.
According to a further embodiment, the opacity filter may comprise a pattern consisting of elements of different transmission. The pattern is arranged to provide an overall transmission that is a function of the angle of incidence.
In the sense of the invention, the overall transmission is the average local transmission or integration over an angular range, the angular range comprising at least one of the high transmission elements and one of the lower transmission elements of the pattern.
Figure 2 represents an example of pattern 10 according to a first embodiment. The pattern 10 comprises two opacity layers 12 and 14 places one behind the other in the direction defined by the wearer's eye and the real world scene.
The opacity layers 12 and 14 consist of an alternation of transparent strips 16, for example of strips having a transmission greater than or equal to 75%, and of opaque strips 18, for example having a transmission smaller than or equal to 25%.
The opacity layers 12 and 14 are placed one behind the other so that the each transparent strips of the first opacity layer 12 faces a transparent strip of the second opacity layer 14. According to an embodiment of the invention, the opacity layers may be placed in contact, i.e. with no gap between them. Advantageously, such arrangement allows providing a large transmission for angles of incidence close to zero, for example smaller than or equal to 10°, and a small transmission for large angles of incidence, for example greater than or equal to 45°.
Although on figure 2 only two opacity layers are represented, the pattern 10 may comprise further opacity layers. Furthermore, depending on the position on the optical lens the orientation of the opacity layers may be different.
Figure 3 represents an example of pattern 20 according to a second embodiment. The pattern 20 comprises two opacity layers 22 and 24 places one behind the other in the direction defined by the wearer's eye and the real world scene.
The opacity layers 22 and 24 consist of an alternation of transparent strips 26, for example of strips having a transmission greater than or equal to 75%, and of opaque strips 28, for example having a transmission smaller than or equal to 25%.
The opacity layers 22 and 24 are placed one behind the other so that the each transparent strips 26 of the first opacity layer 22 faces an opaque strip 28 of the second opacity layer 24. According to an embodiment of the invention, the transparent strips and the opaque strips may not have the same sizes and/or the opacity layers may be placed in contact, i.e. with no gap between them.
Advantageously, such arrangement allows providing a large transmission for large angles of incidence, for example greater than or equal to 45°, a small transmission for small angles of incidence, for example smaller than or equal to 10°.
Although on figure 3 only two opacity layers are represented, the pattern 20 may comprise further opacity layers. Furthermore, depending on the position on the optical lens the orientation of the opacity layers may be different.
Furthermore, the pattern may consist is a combination of different opacity layers. The orientation of each layer and the position of the layers relative to one another provide multiple possibility of having the transmission of the pattern be function of the angle of incidence as represented on figures 5a to 5c.
According to an embodiment, the pattern may be arranged so that the transmission of the opacity filter as a function of the angle of incidence is a vertical plan is different than in a horizontal plan. According to an embodiment of the invention, the device may comprise a controller configured to control the pattern of at least one of the opacity layer.
For example, at least one of the opacity layers comprises a plurality of pixels and the controller is arranged to control the opacity of each pixel. Typically, each pixel may be controlled between an opaque state and a transparent state depending on the voltage applied to the pixel.
Advantageously, such embodiment allows providing an active opacity filter whose function according to the angle of incidence can be changed using the controller.
According to an embodiment, the opacity filter can comprise at least one electrochromic layer.
Figure 4 depicts an example of an optical device 100 comprising light sources adapted to emit light to the wearer's eye, the light may represent information displayed to the wearer.
In this example, the frame is similar to a conventional eyeglasses frame and can be worn with a similar comfort level. However, other implementations are possible, such as a face shield which is mounted to the wearer's head by a helmet, strap or other means. The frame includes a frame front 102 and temples 104 and 105.
The frame front holds a left side optical lens 101 for the wearer's left eye and a right side optical lens 103 for the wearer's right eye. The left and right orientations are from the wearer's perspective.
The left-side optical lens 101 comprises a left side opacity filter 123 and a left side light-transmissive optical component 122 such as a beam splitter which mixes an augmented reality image with light from the real- world scene for viewing by the left eye. The reality image is generated by a left-side light source 108 mounted to the frame via an arm 110.
Furthermore, the right-side optical lens 103 comprises a right side opacity filter 121 and a right side light-transmissive optical component 120 such as a beam splitter which mixes an augmented reality image with light from the real- world scene for viewing by the left eye. The reality image is generated by a right side light source
116 mounted to the frame via an arm 114. The right and left side opacity filters 121 and 123 are preferably placed between the real-world scene and the right and left light sources respectively when the device is worn by the wearer.
The optical device 100 further comprises an opacity filter controller 112 mounted to the bridge of the frame, and controlling by the left- and right-side opacity filters.
According to an embodiment, the light source is configured to display light to the wearer's eye with a first angular extent of a wearer field of view, the opacity filter being configured so as to have an average transmission smaller than 50% in an angular extent greater than or equal to said first angular extent of the wearer field of view.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the optical device may further comprise a tacking component 126 adapted to track the location of the user's eye relative to the frame and the controller is configured to control the opacity of the filter according to the location of the wearer's eye relative to the frame.
An opening 124 in one of the opacity filter can be provided to allow the eye tracking component 126 to image the left eye, including the pupil. The opening can be, e.g., a hole in the left side optical lens 101, or a region of the left side optical lens 101 in which the opacity filter 123 is not provided or is controlled so as to allow the eye tracking. The opacity filter can be provided in or on another light-transmissive lens material such as glass or plastic, as mentioned. Infrared light used by the eye tracking component 126 can pass through such a light-transmissive lens material.
The eye tracking component 126 can be mounted to the frame via an arm 136, in one possible approach. According to an alternative embodiment, the eye tracking component may be directly on, and inside, the front eye glass frame 102, the temple 104 or the bridge of the frame.
An electrical power source 130, for example a battery provides power to the different elements of the head mounted device.
Appropriate electrical connections can be made via conductive paths in the frame, for instance.
The invention has been described above with the aid of embodiments without limitation of the general inventive concept. Many further modifications and variations will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art upon making reference to the foregoing illustrative embodiments, which are given by way of example only and which are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, that being determined solely by the appended claims.
In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that different features are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these features cannot be advantageously used. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An optical see-through head-mounted device comprising an optical lens extending between a wearer's eye and a real world scene when the device is worn by the wearer and an opacity filter covering at least a part of the optical lens,
wherein the transmission of the opacity filter is a function of the angle of incidence.
2. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the optical device further comprises a controller adapted to control the transmission of the opacity filter as a function of the angle of incidence.
3. The optical device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission of the opacity filter as a function of the angle incidence in a vertical plan is different than in a horizontal plan.
4. The optical device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the optical filter comprises a pattern consisting of elements of different transmission, the pattern being arranged so as to provide an overall transmission that is a function of the angle of incidence.
5. The optical device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opacity filter comprises at least two opacity layers placed one behind the other in the direction defined by the wearer's eye and the real world scene.
6. The optical device according to claim 5, wherein the two opacity layers are placed one behind the other, in contact, in the direction defined by the wearer's eye and the real world scene
7. The optical device according to claims 5 and 6, wherein the optical device further comprises a controller configured to control the pattern of at least one opacity layer.
8. The device according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the opacity layers comprises a plurality of pixels, the controller being configured to control the opacity of each pixel.
9. The optical device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opacity filter comprises a system of mechanical blinds.
10. The optical device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the optical device further comprises a light source adapted to emit light to the user's eye, the light representing information.
11. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein the opacity filter is placed between the real-world scene and the light source when the device is worn by the user.
12. The device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the light source is configured to display light to the wearer' s eye with a first angular extent of a wearer field of view, the opacity filter being configured so as to have an average transmission smaller than 50% in an angular extent greater than or equal to said first angular extent of the wearer field of view.
13. The device according to any of claims 2 to 12, wherein the optical lens is mounted to a frame worn by the wearer, the device further comprises a tracking component adapted to track a location of the user' s eye relative to the frame and the controller is configured to control the opacity of the filter according to the location of the wearer's eye relative to the frame.
14. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opacity filter comprises at least one electrochromic layer.
PCT/EP2015/055329 2014-03-14 2015-03-13 An optical see-trough head-mounted device WO2015136088A1 (en)

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EP14305371.8 2014-03-14
EP14305371 2014-03-14

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