KR20210081695A - Glasses for providing varifocal - Google Patents

Abstract

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, glasses providing variable focus are disclosed. The glasses may include: a lens having a liquid crystal layer for providing variable focus; a frame coupled to a portion of the lens to fix the lens, and having a shape that can be worn by a user of the glasses; an eye tracking sensor unit provided on the frame and having a sensor for tracking the eyes of the user wearing the glasses; and a control unit controlling the focus of the liquid crystal layer based on the eyes of the user determined by the eye tracking sensor unit.

Description

Varifocal Glasses {GLASSES FOR PROVIDING VARIFOCAL}

The present disclosure relates to variable focus glasses, and more particularly, to variable focus glasses capable of tracking a user's gaze.

Although people who use glasses use glasses for reasons of refractive errors such as myopia, astigmatism, and farsightedness, there are also many people who use glasses because of complex refractive errors, such as myopia accompanied by astigmatism.

In addition, in the case of presbyopia, the lens loses its flexibility and puts a strain on the muscles that move the lens of the eye, which may cause eye fatigue or symptoms that make it difficult to read close text. Users with presbyopia may use multifocal or bifocal glasses to relieve symptoms of presbyopia.

However, in the case of most multifocal or bifocal spectacles, a spectacle lens comprising a predetermined lens area for far and a lens area for near is used. Accordingly, there is an inconvenience in that the user has to focus his/her eyes on the lens area for a distance to see a distant object, and has to set his/her eyes on the lens area for a near field to see a near object.

Therefore, in order to solve these problems, the user's gaze can be tracked, and there may be a demand for glasses including a variable refractive index lens in the art.

US Registered Patent 15-399657

The present disclosure has been devised in response to the above-described background technology, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide variable focus glasses capable of tracking a user's gaze.

The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above-described problems, there is disclosed a spectacle providing a variable focus. The glasses may include: a lens having a liquid crystal layer for providing a variable focus; a frame coupled to a portion of the lens to fix the lens, and having a shape that can be worn by a user of the glasses; an eye tracking sensor unit provided in the frame and having a sensor for tracking the eye of the user wearing the glasses; and a control unit controlling the focus of the liquid crystal layer based on the user's gaze determined by the eye tracking sensor unit.

Alternatively, further comprising a user input unit for receiving user command information for controlling the focus of the liquid crystal layer, wherein the control unit configures a variable focus algorithm by relating the user gaze information at the time of receiving the user command. can

Effects obtainable in the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below. .

The present disclosure has been devised in response to the above-described background technology, and is intended to provide variable focus glasses.

Various aspects are now described with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numbers are used to refer to like elements collectively. In the following examples, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It will be evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing one or more aspects.
1 is a block diagram of glasses providing variable focus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram of glasses providing variable focus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a perspective view of glasses providing variable focus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
4A is a side cross-sectional view of a lens of eyeglasses providing variable focus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
4B is a side cross-sectional view in which a voltage is applied to a lens of eyeglasses providing a variable focus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
5A is a side cross-sectional view of a lens of eyeglasses providing variable focus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
5B is a side cross-sectional view in which a voltage is applied to a lens of eyeglasses providing variable focus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
6A is a diagram illustrating an example in which a nanostructure is positioned in a lens of glasses providing a variable focus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
6B is a diagram illustrating an example in which a nanostructure is positioned in a lens of glasses providing a variable focus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
7A is a view illustrating that the lens of eyeglasses according to the second embodiment of the present invention is operated to correct farsightedness.
7B is a view illustrating that the lens of glasses according to the second embodiment of the present invention is operated to correct myopia.

1 is a block diagram of glasses providing variable focus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The glasses 100 for providing variable focus according to the first embodiment of the present invention include a lens 110 , a user input unit 120 , a distance measurement unit 130 , a control unit 140 , and a first arrangement maintenance module 150 . , a second arrangement maintaining module 160 , a memory unit 170 , a communication unit 180 , and a frame 190 .

The lens 110 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a first lens-shaped optical unit 111 , a second lens-shaped optical unit 112 , a liquid crystal layer 113 , a display unit 114 , and a first transparent electrode. 115 , a second transparent electrode 116 , and a nanostructure 117 may be included.

One side of each of the first lens-shaped optical unit 111 and the second lens-shaped optical unit 112 may be disposed in contact with the liquid crystal layer 113 . The lens 110 may have a structure for accommodating the liquid crystal layer 113 as the first lens-shaped optical unit 111 and the second lens-shaped optical unit 112 . The first and second lens-shaped optical units 111 and 112 may have complementary structures to suppress aberration. For example, if the first lens-shaped optical unit 111 is a concave lens, the second lens-shaped optical unit 112 may have a convex lens shape. In addition, the first and second lens-shaped optical units 111 and 112 may include at least one of a concave lens, a convex lens, and an aspherical lens. In addition, the above-described types of lenses are merely examples, and the first and second lens-shaped optical units 111 and 112 may be formed of lenses having any shape. In addition, first and second transparent electrodes 115 and 116 may be positioned on one side of the first and second lens-shaped optical units 111 and 112 .

The liquid crystal layer 113 may be accommodated in the first and second lens-shaped optical units 111 and 112 . Liquid crystal layer 113 Based on the arrangement state of the liquid crystal layer 113 that is changed by the voltage applied from the first transparent electrode 115 and the second transparent electrode 116 to the liquid crystal layer, light passing through the liquid crystal layer By allowing the refractive index to change, the focus of the lens can be varied. Accordingly, the glasses according to the first embodiment of the present invention can provide a variable focus, so that the user is not affected by the appearance and can conveniently use the glasses without cumbersome replacement of the glasses. The voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 113 by the closed curves of the first transparent electrode 115 and the second transparent electrode 116 is determined by the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 113 and the first and second lens-shaped optical units 111 . , 112 may be adjusted so that the deviation of the refractive index increases from the center of the lens toward the outside of the lens 110 . The liquid crystal layer 113 has a refractive index identical to or similar to that of the first and second lens-shaped optical units 111 and 112 in the center of the lens 110 when the glasses 100 are operated, but the outer edge of the lens 110 . may have a refractive index having a large deviation from the refractive indices of the first and second lens-shaped optical units 111 and 112 . The liquid crystal layer 113 is composed of a plurality of regions, and the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 113 is applied to the plurality of regions to suppress aberration by varying the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer depending on the position on the lens 110 . It can be adjusted differently depending on the Although the refractive index of the first and second lens-shaped optical units 111 and 112 on the lens 110 is constant, when the glasses 100 operate, the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 113 is that of the lens 110 . The refractive index of the central portion and the outer portion may be different. This will be described later.

The liquid crystal layer 113 may include at least one of a nematic liquid crystal, a smectic liquid crystal, a ferroelectric liquid crystal, and a chiral liquid crystal. Also, the liquid crystal layer 113 may include different types of liquid crystals to enable fine diopter control.

The first transparent electrode 115 is composed of one or more closed curves so as to apply a voltage according to the position on the lens 110 to the liquid crystal layer 113, and is formed in the liquid crystal layer 113 together with the second transparent electrode 116. It may be positioned on one side of the first lens-shaped optical unit 111 so as to apply a voltage in the vertical direction. In addition, the second transparent electrode 116 is composed of one or more closed curves to apply a voltage according to the position on the lens 110 to the liquid crystal layer 113 , and the liquid crystal layer 113 together with the first transparent electrode 115 . ) may be positioned on one side of the second lens-shaped optical unit to apply a voltage in the vertical direction. The first and second transparent electrodes 115 and 116 may be configured as one or more closed curves to apply a voltage according to their position on the lens 110 to the liquid crystal layer 113 , and may transmit light and be electrically conductive. It may be composed of a material with

The nanostructure 117 is a moth eye-shaped structure, and may be located on one side of the first lens-shaped optical unit 111 or one side of the second lens-shaped optical unit 112 . The nanostructure 117 may increase a change in refractive index caused by the liquid crystal layer 113 . In addition, the nanostructure 117 may reduce light reflection so that the user of the glasses 100 can see an object more clearly. The nanostructure 117 may reduce the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 113 by reducing light reflection and maximizing a change in refractive index by the liquid crystal layer 113 . Therefore, since the overall thickness of the lens 110 can be appropriately configured without being too thick, it is possible to provide the user with the eyeglasses 100 with better appearance.

In addition, a portion of the liquid crystal layer 113 may include a display unit 114 capable of displaying information recognizable by a user of the lens 110 by blocking at least a portion of light passing through the liquid crystal layer 113 . have. The display unit 114 may block at least a portion of light passing through the lens 110 by distortion of the liquid crystal particles of the liquid crystal layer 113 , thereby displaying visual information on a portion of the lens 110 .

The user input unit 120 may receive user command information for controlling the focus of the liquid crystal layer. Specifically, the user input unit 120 may allow the user to adjust the voltage applied to the liquid crystal. The user input unit 120 may include a push button, a touch sensor, and the like, and may include any means capable of detecting a user's input. The user input unit 120 may be disposed on a portion of the frame 190 of the glasses 100 . 3 shows that the user input unit 120 protrudes, but the user input unit 120 may be located in a part of the temples. In addition, the user input unit 120 allows the user to change the operation mode of the glasses in order to change the operation mode of the glasses to a distance mode, a medium distance mode, or a near mode according to the distance of an object that the user of the glasses wants to see. can The user may allow the focus of the glasses to be continuously changed through the user input unit 120 or may be discontinuously changed according to a preset mode.

The distance measuring unit 130 may measure a distance from the object that the user of the glasses 100 wants to see. The distance measuring unit 130 may be configured as a laser sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. In addition, the distance measuring unit 130 may include an arbitrary sensor capable of measuring the distance to the object. The distance measuring unit 130 may be located on a part of the frame 190 of the glasses in the direction of the user's gaze.

The eye tracking sensor unit 135 is provided in the frame 190 and may have a sensor for tracking the gaze of a user wearing the glasses 100 . Specifically, it may include at least one of near-infrared illumination and a high-definition camera to measure the movement of each of the eyeballs of the user of the glasses 100 . More specifically, the eye tracking sensor unit 135 may project light to the eye using near-infrared illumination and a high-definition camera and record the direction reflected from the cornea as user gaze information. The eye tracking sensor unit 135 may include one or more eye tracking sensor units 135 to be included or positioned in a part of the eyeglass frame 190 so as to measure the movement of each of the user's eyeballs. It can be located in a direction that can track the movement of the .

The controller 140 may adjust the amount of voltage applied to the liquid crystal to change the focus of the glasses 100 based on the distance to the object measured by the distance measuring unit 130 . Also, the controller 140 may adjust the amount of voltage applied to the liquid crystal to change the focus of the glasses 100 based on the respective movements of the user's eyeballs measured by the eye tracking sensor unit 135 . Specifically, the controller 140 may configure a variable focus algorithm by relating the user's gaze information at the time of receiving the user command. More specifically, the control unit 140 may allow the user to receive a user command through the user input unit 120 . Also, when receiving a user command, the controller 140 may receive at least one user gaze information from the eye tracking sensor unit 135 for a predetermined time period. The user gaze information may include information on a direction in which light projected on the cornea of the user's eye is reflected.

Accordingly, the controller 140 may configure a variable focus algorithm for determining the amount of voltage applied to the liquid crystal based on each of the received user gaze information. Specifically, the controller 140 may determine a variable focus algorithm by comparing the received user gaze information with one or more predetermined gaze distance information. The gaze distance information may be information on a direction in which light projected onto the cornea is reflected based on each of at least one distance from the glasses 100 to the object. For example, a first direction in which light projected on the cornea is reflected from the glasses 100 at a distance of 100 m from the object, and a second direction in which light projected on the cornea is reflected from the glasses 100 at a distance of 200 m from the object The direction may be included in the gaze distance information. Also, the first direction and the second direction may be different.

Also, the controller 140 may compare the predetermined gaze distance information with the received user gaze information and determine the distance from the glasses 100 to the object. In addition, when the received user gaze information is one or more, the controller 140 may determine one or more distances from the glasses 100 to the object by comparing it with predetermined gaze distance information for each of the user gaze information. Accordingly, the controller 140 may configure a variable focus algorithm for determining the amount of voltage applied to the liquid crystal based on the distance from the at least one eyeglass 100 to the object.

Also, as described above, the controller 140 may adjust the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 113 by the first and second transparent electrodes 115 and 116 . The controller 140 may include one or more microprocessors, and may adjust the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 113 to adjust the focal length of the glasses 100 .

When the power supply of the glasses 100 is stopped, the first arrangement maintenance module 150 is arranged to prevent a change in refractive index due to the arrangement of the liquid crystal layer 113 returning to its original state. state can be maintained. When the power supply of the glasses 100 is stopped, the arrangement of the liquid crystal layer 113 returns to its original state to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable due to the change in refractive index, the first arrangement maintaining module 150 is the glasses 100 . It is possible to maintain the arrangement state of the liquid crystal layer 113 even when the power supply of the liquid crystal layer 113 is stopped. The first arrangement maintenance module 150 supplies DC power to the first and second transparent electrodes 115 and 116 and short-circuits the first and second transparent electrodes to maintain the arrangement state of the liquid crystal layer 113 . have. For example, when the liquid crystal layer 113 is arranged so that the user can see near the glasses 100, but the power supply is stopped, the arrangement of the liquid crystal layer 113 returns to its original state so that the user can see near. If there is no, problems such as dizziness may occur to the user. The first arrangement maintenance module 150 may solve this problem by maintaining the arrangement state of the liquid crystal layer 113 in the last state.

The second arrangement maintenance module 160 may return the arrangement state of the liquid crystal layer 113 to a preset state when the power supply of the glasses 100 is stopped. The first and second alignment maintenance modules 150 and 160 apply a magnetic field to the liquid crystal with a permanent magnet, etc. to maintain the alignment state of the liquid crystal (the first alignment maintenance module 150), or change the arrangement state of the liquid crystal to a preset state. It can be made to return (the second arrangement maintaining module 160). In addition, the first and second alignment maintenance modules 150 and 160 apply an electric field, magnetic field temperature, stress, etc. to the liquid crystal layer 113 to maintain the arrangement state of the liquid crystal layer 113 or return to a predetermined state. can let you go

The memory unit 170 is the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer, the amount of distortion of the liquid crystal layer, alignment, the type of the liquid crystal layer, the refractive index of the light passing through the liquid crystal layer, the focal length of the lens based on the state of the liquid crystal layer, and the user of the lens. At least one of the visual acuity may be recorded. The recorded information may be used to implement a database including the distance between the user's eyesight and the object, and the amount of voltage for correcting it. Memory unit 170 is a flash memory type (flash memory type), hard disk type (hard disk type), multimedia card micro type (multimedia card micro type), card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory, etc.), Random Access Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Magnetic Memory, It may include at least one type of storage medium among a magnetic disk and an optical disk. The above-described storage medium is merely an example, and the memory unit 170 may include various temporary or permanent storage media.

The communication unit 180 may transmit data recorded in the memory unit 170 to the external computing device so that the external computing device generates a database related to vision correction. The communication unit 180 may communicate with an external computing device through wired/wireless communication. As wireless Internet technologies, wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-Fi), wireless broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), etc. may be used. As the wired Internet technology, Digital Subscriber Line (XDSL), Fibers to the home (FTTH), Power Line Communication (PLC), or the like may be used. In addition, the communication unit 180 may include a short-distance communication module to transmit and receive data to and from an external computing device located in a relatively short distance from the glasses 100 and including the short-distance communication module. Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, etc. may be used as short range communication technologies. In addition, the communication unit 180 may include a communication means such as a universal serial bus (USB), Thunderbolt, SATA, mSATA, PCI, and the like. External device user terminal, PC (personal computer), notebook (note book), mobile terminal (mobile terminal), smart phone (smart phone), tablet PC (tablet pc), main frame computer, medium-sized computer, large computer , a server, and the like, and may include all types of terminals capable of accessing a wired/wireless network.

The frame 190 may be coupled to a portion of the lens 110 to fix the lens 110 , and may have a shape that can be worn by the user of the glasses 100 . In addition, the user input unit 120 , the distance measuring unit 130 , the eye tracking sensor unit 135 , the control unit 140 , the memory unit 170 , the communication unit 180 , and the like may be located in the frame 190 .

2 is a block diagram of glasses providing variable focus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The glasses 200 providing variable focus according to the second embodiment of the present invention include a lens 210 , a user input unit 220 , a distance measurement unit 230 , an eye tracking sensor unit 235 , a control unit 240 , It may include a first arrangement maintaining module 250 , a second arrangement maintaining module 260 , a memory unit 270 , a communication unit 280 , and a frame 290 .

The lens 210 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a first lens-shaped optical unit 211 , a second lens-shaped optical unit 212 , a liquid crystal layer 213 , a display unit 214 , and a transparent electrode 215 . , and a nanostructure 217 .

The user input unit 220, the distance measurement unit 230, the eye tracking sensor unit 235, the control unit 240, and the first arrangement maintenance module of the glasses 200 providing variable focus according to another embodiment of the present invention 250 , the second arrangement maintaining module 260 , the memory unit 270 , the communication unit 280 , and the frame 290 are the user of the glasses 100 providing variable focus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Input unit 120 , distance measuring unit 130 , eye tracking sensor unit 135 , control unit 140 , first arrangement maintaining module 150 , second arrangement maintaining module 160 , memory unit 170 , communication unit (180), and the same as the frame 190, the description thereof is as described above.

The first and second lens-shaped optical units 211 and 212, the display unit 214, and the nanostructure 217 have the first and second lens shapes of the lens 110 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The optical units 111 and 112, the display unit 114, and the nanostructure 117 are the same, and the description thereof is as described above.

The liquid crystal layer 213 may be accommodated in the first and second lens-shaped optical units 211 and 212 . The liquid crystal layer 213 allows the refractive index of light passing through the liquid crystal layer to change based on the arrangement state of the liquid crystal layer 213 that is changed by the voltage applied between the closed curves of the transparent electrode 215 to the liquid crystal layer. , the focus of the lens 210 may be variable. Accordingly, the glasses according to the second embodiment of the present invention can provide a variable focus, so that the user can conveniently use the glasses without being affected by the appearance and without having to change the glasses in a cumbersome manner. The voltage applied between the closed curves of the transparent electrode 215 is the difference between the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 213 and the refractive indices of the first and second lens-shaped optical units 111 and 112 at the center of the lens 210. ) can be adjusted to increase toward the outside. A voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer 213 in a direction parallel to the liquid crystal layer 213 by a voltage applied between closed curves of the transparent electrode 215 . The liquid crystal layer 213 has the same refractive index or similar refractive index to the first and second lens-shaped optical units 211 and 212 at the center of the lens 210 when the glasses 200 are operated, but the outer edge of the lens 210 . may have a refractive index having a large deviation from the refractive indices of the first and second lens-shaped optical units 211 and 212 . The liquid crystal layer 213 is composed of a plurality of regions, and the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 213 is applied to the plurality of regions to suppress aberration by varying the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer depending on the position on the lens 210 . It can be adjusted differently depending on the Although the refractive indices of the first and second lens-shaped optical units 211 and 212 on the lens 210 are constant, when the glasses 200 operate, the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 213 is that of the lens 210 . The refractive index of the central portion and the outer portion may be different. This will be described later.

Also, as described above, the liquid crystal layer 213 may include at least one of a nematic liquid crystal, a smectic liquid crystal, a ferroelectric liquid crystal, and a chiral liquid crystal. In addition, the liquid crystal layer 213 may include different types of liquid crystals to enable fine diopter control.

The transparent electrode 215 is composed of one or more closed curves or a plurality of closed curves so as to apply a voltage according to a position on the lens 210 to the liquid crystal layer 213, and a different voltage is applied to each closed curve, so that a voltage is applied between the closed curves. A voltage may be applied thereto, so that a voltage may be applied in the horizontal direction of the liquid crystal layer 213 . The transparent electrode 215 may be positioned on one side of the first lens-shaped optical unit 211 or the second lens-shaped optical unit 212 so as to be in contact with one side of the liquid crystal layer 213 . 5A, 5B, 6B, 7A, and 7B, the transparent electrode 215 is illustrated as being positioned on one side of the second lens-shaped optical unit 212, but this is only an example, and the transparent electrode 215 is the first It may be located on one axial surface of the lens-shaped optical unit 211 .

3 is a perspective view of glasses providing variable focus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the external appearance of glasses 100 providing variable focus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The spectacles 200 providing variable focus according to the second embodiment of the present invention have the same appearance as the spectacles 100 according to the first embodiment.

Glasses 100 for providing variable focus according to an embodiment of the present invention fix a lens, a frame 190 that can be worn by a user, a lens 110 fixed to the frame, and a user input unit that can be positioned on the frame 120 , a distance measuring unit 130 , an eye tracking sensor unit 135 , a memory unit 170 , and a communication unit 180 , and the like.

The lens 110 may accommodate the liquid crystal layer 113 . The liquid crystal layer 113 may be positioned on a portion of the lens 110 . In addition, transparent electrodes 115 and 116 for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer 113 may be positioned on the lens 110 . Although only the first transparent electrode 115 is displayed in the example of FIG. 3 , the second transparent electrode 116 may be located on one side of the second lens-shaped optical unit 112 of the lens 110 .

In addition, the lens 110 may include a display unit 114 including visual information that can be recognized by the wearer of the glasses 100 by the liquid crystal layer 113 . The display unit 114 may be positioned on a portion of the lens 110 , and may be positioned on a portion of an area occupied by the liquid crystal layer 113 in the lens.

The user input unit 120 is located on the side of the glasses 100 so that the user of the glasses 100 can easily operate them. The distance measuring unit 130 may be positioned to face the front, and may measure a distance to an object viewed by the user's eye of the glasses 100 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , one or more eye tracking sensor units 135 may be positioned in the frame 190 to measure the movement of each of the user's eyeballs. Also, the eye tracking sensor unit 135 may include at least one of near-infrared illumination and a high-definition camera.

Although not shown in FIG. 3 , the communication unit 180 may also be located in the frame 190 of the glasses 100 . A user may connect a cable to the communication unit 180 so that the computing device and the glasses 100 communicate. The communication unit 180 may include a structure capable of accommodating a cable for this purpose. Also, the communication unit 180 may be configured as a wireless communication means, and in this case, it may not include a structure capable of accommodating a cable.

4A is a side cross-sectional view of a lens of eyeglasses providing variable focus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

4B is a side cross-sectional view in which a voltage is applied to a lens of eyeglasses providing a variable focus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The lens 110 includes a first lens-shaped optical unit 111 , a second lens-shaped optical unit 112 , and a liquid crystal layer 113 accommodated in the lens-shaped optical units, and first and second transparent electrodes for driving the liquid crystal (115, 116).

전압이 인가될 수 있다. 본 발명의 일 실시예에 따른 안경(100)은 하나 이상의 폐곡선으로 구성되는 투명 전극들(115, 116)에 의하여 액정층(113)에 렌즈(110) 상에서의 위치에 따라 상이한 전압을 인가할 수 있다. 도 4b는

의 전압이 인가된 예시로서, 액정층(113)의 액정 입자들 중 렌즈(110)에서 외곽에 위치하는 액정 입자들이 가장 많이 뒤틀릴 수 있다. 본 발명의 일 실시예에 따른 가변 초점을 제공하는 안경(100)은 액정층(113)에 도 4b의 예시에서와 같이 렌즈(110) 상에서의 위치에 따라 액정층(113)에 걸리는 전압이 상이할 수 있다. 따라서, 액정층(113)의 입자들의 뒤틀림은 렌즈(110) 상에서의 위치에 따라 상이할 수 있으며, 액정층(113)에 의한 굴절률은 렌즈(110) 상에서의 위치에 따라 상이할 수 있다. 그러므로, 본 발명의 일 실시예에 따른 안경(100)은 액정층(113)의 굴절률을 렌즈(110) 상에서의 위치에 따라 다르게 함으로써, 가변 초점을 제공하는 안경(100)에서 발생할 수 있는 수차를 억제하여 사용자에게 보다 선명한 상을 제공할 수 있고, 사용자의 피로도를 경감시킬 수 있다. Since no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer 113 in FIG. 4A , the liquid crystal particles of the liquid crystal layer 113 may be aligned without distortion. In FIG. 4B , a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer 113 in a vertical direction in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal layer 113 by the first transparent electrode 115 and the second transparent electrode 116 , for example, the first and closed curves of the second transparent electrodes 115 and 116, respectively.

A voltage may be applied. Glasses 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may apply different voltages depending on the position on the lens 110 to the liquid crystal layer 113 by the transparent electrodes 115 and 116 configured with one or more closed curves. have. 4b is

As an example to which a voltage of is applied, among the liquid crystal particles of the liquid crystal layer 113 , liquid crystal particles located outside the lens 110 may be distorted the most. In the glasses 100 providing variable focus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 113 is different depending on the position on the lens 110 as in the example of FIG. 4B on the liquid crystal layer 113 . can do. Accordingly, the distortion of the particles of the liquid crystal layer 113 may be different depending on the position on the lens 110 , and the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 113 may be different depending on the position on the lens 110 . Therefore, the glasses 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention change the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 113 according to the position on the lens 110, thereby reducing aberrations that may occur in the glasses 100 providing variable focus. By suppressing it, a clearer image can be provided to the user, and fatigue of the user can be reduced.

5A is a side cross-sectional view of a lens of eyeglasses providing variable focus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5B is a side cross-sectional view in which a voltage is applied to a lens of eyeglasses providing variable focus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The lens 110 includes a first lens-shaped optical unit 211 , a second lens-shaped optical unit 212 , and a liquid crystal layer 213 accommodated in the lens-shaped optical units and a transparent electrode 215 for driving the liquid crystal. can do.

의 전압이 인가된 예시로서, 액정층(213)의 액정 입자들 중 렌즈(210)에서 외곽에 위치하는 액정 입자들이 가장 많이 뒤틀릴 수 있다. 본 발명의 일 실시예에 따른 가변 초점을 제공하는 안경(200)은 액정층(213)에 도 5b의 예시에서와 같이 렌즈(210) 상에서의 위치에 따라 액정층(213)에 걸리는 전압이 상이할 수 있다. 따라서, 액정층(213)의 입자들의 뒤틀림은 렌즈(210) 상에서의 위치에 따라 상이할 수 있으며, 액정층(213)에 의한 굴절률은 렌즈(210) 상에서의 위치에 따라 상이할 수 있다. 그러므로, 본 발명의 일 실시예에 따른 안경(200)은 액정층(213)의 굴절률을 렌즈(210) 상에서의 위치에 따라 다르게 함으로써, 가변 초점을 제공하는 안경(200)에서 발생할 수 있는 수차를 억제하여 사용자에게 보다 선명한 상을 제공할 수 있고, 사용자의 피로도를 경감시킬 수 있다. Since no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer 213 in FIG. 5A , the liquid crystal particles of the liquid crystal layer 213 may be aligned without distortion. In FIG. 5B , a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer 213 in a parallel direction in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal layer 213 by the transparent electrode 215 , and for example, closed curves are formed by each closed curve of the transparent electrode 215 . A voltage may be applied between them. In the glasses 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, different voltages may be applied to the liquid crystal layer 213 according to a position on the lens 210 by the transparent electrode 215 having a plurality of closed curves. 5b is

As an example to which a voltage of is applied, among the liquid crystal particles of the liquid crystal layer 213 , liquid crystal particles located outside the lens 210 may be distorted the most. In the glasses 200 providing variable focus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 213 is different depending on the position on the lens 210 as shown in the example of FIG. 5B on the liquid crystal layer 213 . can do. Accordingly, the distortion of the particles of the liquid crystal layer 213 may be different depending on the position on the lens 210 , and the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 213 may be different depending on the position on the lens 210 . Therefore, the glasses 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention change the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 213 according to the position on the lens 210, thereby reducing aberrations that may occur in the glasses 200 providing variable focus. By suppressing it, a clearer image can be provided to the user, and fatigue of the user can be reduced.

6A is a diagram illustrating an example in which a nanostructure is positioned in a lens of glasses providing a variable focus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

6B is a diagram illustrating an example in which a nanostructure is positioned in a lens of glasses providing a variable focus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The nanostructures 117 and 217 are structures in the form of moth eyes, and are formed on one side of the first lens-shaped optical units 111 and 211 or on one side of the second lens-shaped optical units 112 and 212 . can be located The nanostructures 117 and 217 may increase the change in refractive index caused by the liquid crystal layers 113 and 213 . In addition, the nanostructures 117 and 217 reduce light reflection, so that the user of the glasses 100 and 200 can see objects more clearly. The nanostructures 117 and 217 reduce light reflection, thereby maximizing a change in refractive index caused by the liquid crystal layers 113 and 213 to reduce the thickness of the liquid crystal layers 113 and 213 . Therefore, since the overall thickness of the lenses 110 and 210 can be appropriately configured without being too thick, it is possible to provide the user with the eyeglasses 100 and 200 with better external appearance.

7A is a view illustrating that the lens of eyeglasses according to the second embodiment of the present invention is operated to correct farsightedness.

The example shown in FIG. 7A is for the second embodiment of the present invention, but the glasses 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can also correct farsightedness in the same way.

In the example shown in FIG. 7A , the first lens-shaped optical unit 211 and the second lens-shaped optical unit 212 of the spectacles 200 are illustrated as convex lenses having a characteristic of condensing light, but in the present invention The glasses 200 including the liquid crystal layer 213 for providing variable focus according to the embodiment may operate in a corresponding manner for a concave lens or an aspherical lens.

가 인가된 영역)일수록 굴절률이 크도록 하여야 한다. 따라서, 투명 전극(215)에 의하여 렌즈(210)상에서 중심부로 갈수록 강한 전압(

)이 인가될 수 있다. 이에 따라서, 렌즈(210)의 외곽에 위치하는 액정층(213)의 액정 입자가 가장 적게 뒤틀리게 되고, 액정층(213)의 굴절률은 렌즈(210)의 외곽에서 가장 크게 된다. 제 1 렌즈 형상 광학부(211)의 굴절률(

)은 렌즈(210) 상에서의 위치에 따라 일정하다고 가정하면, 액정의 굴절률은 중심부가 가장 낮고 외곽으로 갈수록 증가(

)할 수 있다. 액정층(213) 중심부의 굴절률(

)이 제 1 렌즈 형상 광학부(211)의 굴절률과 동일하다고 가정하면, 액정층(213)과 제 1 렌즈 형상 광학부(211)의 굴절률의 편차는 렌즈(210)의 중심부에서 외곽으로 갈수록 커지게 된다. 이러한 방식으로 액정층(213)에 인가되는 전압을 렌즈(210)상에서의 위치에 따라 달리하여, 액정층(213)의 굴절률을 다르게 하여 수차를 제거할 수 있다. 도 7a예시에서 제 2 렌즈 형상 광학부(212)의 굴절률(

)은 제 1 렌즈 형상 광학부(211)의 굴절률(

)과 동일하게 도시되어 있으나, 이와 상이할 수도 있다. 제 1 렌즈 형상 광학부(211)의 굴절률은 렌즈(210)상에서 위치에 따라 동일한 것으로 설명하였으나, 상이할 수도 있으며, 액정층(213)의 굴절률은 수차 제거를 위하여 제 1 및 제 2 렌즈 형상 광학부의 굴절률과의 편차가 렌즈(210)의 중심부에서 외곽으로 갈수록 커지도록 제어될 수 있다. 본 발명의 실시예에 따른 안경(200)은 액정층(213)에 전압이 인가되어 동작함으로써, 액정층(213)이 동작하지 않을 때 보다, 집광 특성이 강화되어 안경(200)의 사용자에게 맺히는 상을 망막으로 당겨 원시를 보정할 수 있다. When a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer 213 , as the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 213 increases, the light collecting characteristics of the first and second lens-shaped optical units 211 and 212 may be reduced. In hyperopia, the image is located behind the retina in the eye, and since the image must be located on the retina using glasses, etc., the image forming position must be pulled forward from the current state. To this end, the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 213 is weakly applied as the position on the lens 210 is on the outer side, and the position on the lens 210 is on the outer side (in the example of FIG. 7A ).

area to which is applied), the refractive index should be larger. Therefore, the stronger the voltage (

) can be approved. Accordingly, the liquid crystal particles of the liquid crystal layer 213 positioned at the outer edge of the lens 210 are distorted the least, and the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 213 is greatest at the outer edge of the lens 210 . The refractive index of the first lens-shaped optical unit 211 (

) is assumed to be constant depending on the position on the lens 210, the refractive index of the liquid crystal is lowest at the center and increases toward the outside (

)can do. The refractive index of the center of the liquid crystal layer 213 (

) is the same as the refractive index of the first lens-shaped optical unit 211 , the deviation of the refractive indices of the liquid crystal layer 213 and the first lens-shaped optical unit 211 increases from the center of the lens 210 to the outside. will lose In this way, by varying the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 213 according to a position on the lens 210 , the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 213 may be changed to eliminate aberration. The refractive index of the second lens-shaped optical unit 212 in the example of FIG. 7A (

) is the refractive index (

), but may be different from this. The refractive indices of the first lens-shaped optical unit 211 have been described as being the same depending on positions on the lens 210, but may be different, and the refractive indices of the liquid crystal layer 213 are the first and second lens-shaped optics to eliminate aberration. The deviation from the negative refractive index may be controlled to increase from the center of the lens 210 toward the outside. The glasses 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention operate by applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer 213 , so that the light collecting characteristic is strengthened compared to when the liquid crystal layer 213 does not operate, so that the user of the glasses 200 is focused on the glasses 200 . Farsightedness can be corrected by pulling the image onto the retina.

7B is a view illustrating that the lens of glasses according to the second embodiment of the present invention is operated to correct myopia.

The example shown in FIG. 7B is for the second embodiment of the present invention, but the glasses 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can also correct myopia in the same manner.

In the example shown in FIG. 7B , the first lens-shaped optical unit 211 and the second lens-shaped optical unit 212 of the spectacles 200 are illustrated as convex lenses having a characteristic of condensing light. The glasses 200 including the liquid crystal layer 213 for providing variable focus according to the embodiment may operate in a corresponding manner for a concave lens or an aspherical lens.

가 인가된 영역)일수록 굴절률이 작도록 하여야 한다. 따라서, 투명 전극(215)에 의하여 렌즈(210)상에서 외곽으로 갈수록 강한 전압(

)이 인가될 수 있다. 이에 따라서, 렌즈(210)의 외곽에 위치하는 액정층(213)의 액정 입자가 가장 많이 뒤틀리게 되고, 액정층(213)의 굴절률은 렌즈(210)의 외곽에서 가장 작게 된다. 제 1 렌즈 형상 광학부(211)의 굴절률(

)은 렌즈(210) 상에서의 위치에 따라 일정하다고 가정하면, 액정의 굴절률은 중심부가 가장 낮고 외곽으로 갈수록 감소(

)할 수 있다. 액정층(213) 중심부의 굴절률(

)이 제 1 렌즈 형상 광학부(211)의 굴절률과 동일하다고 가정하면, 액정층(213)과 제 1 렌즈 형상 광학부(211)의 굴절률의 편차는 렌즈(210)의 중심부에서 외곽으로 갈수록 커지게 된다. 이러한 방식으로 액정층(213)에 인가되는 전압을 렌즈(210)상에서의 위치에 따라 달리하여, 액정층(213)의 굴절률을 다르게 하여 수차를 제거할 수 있다. 도 7b예시에서 제 2 렌즈 형상 광학부(212)의 굴절률(

)은 제 1 렌즈 형상 광학부(211)의 굴절률(

)과 동일하게 도시되어 있으나, 이와 상이할 수도 있다. 제 1 렌즈 형상 광학부(211)의 굴절률은 렌즈(210)상에서 위치에 따라 동일한 것으로 설명하였으나, 상이할 수도 있으며, 액정층(213)의 굴절률은 수차 제거를 위하여 제 1 및 제 2 렌즈 형상 광학부의 굴절률과의 편차가 렌즈(210)의 중심부에서 외곽으로 갈수록 커지도록 제어될 수 있다. 본 발명의 실시예에 따른 안경(200)은 액정층(213)에 전압이 인가되어 동작함으로써, 액정층(213)이 동작하지 않을 때 보다, 집광 특성이 약화되어 안경(200)의 사용자에게 맺히는 상을 망막으로 밀어 근시를 보정할 수 있다. When a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer 213 , as the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 213 increases, the light collecting characteristics of the first and second lens-shaped optical units 211 and 212 may be reduced. In myopia, the image is located in front of the retina in the eye, and since the image must be located on the retina by using glasses, etc., the image forming position must be pushed to the rear of the current state. To this end, the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 213 is strongly applied as the position on the lens 210 is on the outside, so that the position on the lens 210 is on the outside (in the example of FIG. 7B ).

area to which is applied), the refractive index should be smaller. Therefore, the stronger the voltage (

) can be approved. Accordingly, the liquid crystal particles of the liquid crystal layer 213 positioned on the outside of the lens 210 are most distorted, and the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 213 is the smallest at the outside of the lens 210 . The refractive index of the first lens-shaped optical unit 211 (

) is assumed to be constant depending on the position on the lens 210, the refractive index of the liquid crystal is the lowest at the center and decreases toward the outside (

)can do. The refractive index of the center of the liquid crystal layer 213 (

) is the same as the refractive index of the first lens-shaped optical unit 211 , the deviation of the refractive indices of the liquid crystal layer 213 and the first lens-shaped optical unit 211 increases from the center of the lens 210 to the outside. will lose In this way, by varying the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 213 according to a position on the lens 210 , the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 213 may be changed to eliminate aberration. The refractive index of the second lens-shaped optical unit 212 in the example of FIG. 7B (

) is the refractive index (

), but may be different from this. The refractive indices of the first lens-shaped optical unit 211 have been described as being the same depending on positions on the lens 210, but may be different, and the refractive indices of the liquid crystal layer 213 are the first and second lens-shaped optics to eliminate aberration. The deviation from the negative refractive index may be controlled to increase from the center of the lens 210 toward the outside. The glasses 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention operate by applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer 213 , so that the light collecting characteristic is weakened compared to when the liquid crystal layer 213 does not operate, so that the user of the glasses 200 is focused on the glasses 200 . Myopia can be corrected by pushing the image to the retina.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, instructions, information, signals, bits, symbols and chips that may be referenced in the above description are voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields particles or particles, or any combination thereof.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, processors, means, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein are implemented in electronic hardware, (convenience , it will be understood that it may be implemented by various forms of program or design code (referred to herein as "software") or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. A person skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in various ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

The various embodiments presented herein may be implemented as methods, apparatus, or articles of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering techniques. The term “article of manufacture” includes a computer program, carrier, or media accessible from any computer-readable device. For example, computer-readable media include magnetic storage devices (eg, hard disks, floppy disks, magnetic strips, etc.), optical disks (eg, CDs, DVDs, etc.), smart cards, and flash memory. devices (eg, EEPROMs, cards, sticks, key drives, etc.). Also, various storage media presented herein include one or more devices and/or other machine-readable media for storing information. The term “machine-readable medium” includes, but is not limited to, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, retaining, and/or carrying instruction(s) and/or data.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the presented processes is an example of exemplary approaches. Based on design priorities, it is to be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes may be rearranged within the scope of the present invention. The appended method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, but are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

The description of the presented embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments presented herein, but is to be construed in the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features presented herein.

Claims (2)

In the glasses providing variable focus,
a lens having a liquid crystal layer for providing variable focus;
a frame coupled to a portion of the lens to fix the lens, and having a shape that can be worn by a user of the glasses;
an eye tracking sensor unit provided in the frame and having a sensor for tracking the eye of the user wearing the glasses; and
a control unit controlling a focus of the liquid crystal layer based on the user's gaze determined by the eye tracking sensor unit;
containing,
Glasses with variable focus.
The method of claim 1,
a user input unit for receiving user command information for controlling the focus of the liquid crystal layer;
further comprising,
The control unit configures a variable focus algorithm by associating it with user gaze information at the time of receiving the user command,
Glasses with variable focus.

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