US 11,767,300 B1 · Adaptive optical path with variable focal length

Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed relating to a lens system that allows for simultaneous focus of near and far-away images with one pair of glasses, heads-up-displays (HUDs), and the like, without the need to move the user's eyes. This lens system may be used in a HUD application, for example, where the user may focus on a display lens that may be approximately one inch from the eye to view computer-generated information such as altitude, temperature, directions, and the like, and simultaneously view the individual's surroundings. The lens system may include a liquid lens that when modulated may vary from a near-focus state to a far-focus state rapidly by using an electrowetting or piezoelectric hydraulic actuator. This variable rate lens may be multiplexed at a rate that allows both near and far-away images to appear in focus simultaneously through the advantageous use of a user's persistence of vision.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method, comprising:

providing a variable focus lens;
and alternatingly switching, via a modulation device operatively coupled to the variable focus lens, the focus of the variable focus lens between a near-focus state and a far-focus state at a switching rate that allows both near images and far-away images viewed by a user through the same point in the variable focus lens to appear in focus simultaneously due to the user's persistence of vision, wherein alternatingly switching the focus of the variable focus lens comprises providing, by the modulation device, an input to an electro wetting device or a piezoelectric hydraulic actuator operative to vary the focus of the variable focus lens according to the input received from the modulation device.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adaptive optical path with variable focal length

Life of this patent

Adaptive optical path with variable focal length

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18