Patent ID: 12235447

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood at the outset that, although an illustrative implementation of one or more embodiments are provided below, the disclosed systems and/or methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary designs and implementations illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

An NED, which is a specialized, head-mounted eyepiece device that provides a simulated visual environment through a freeform optics lens, allows the user to see both a digital display of produced content and the natural environment or external environment. Typically, the AR lens included in the NED is a freeform lens, which is relatively thick when compared to standard sunglasses or prescription glasses. For example, the freeform lens may have a thickness of about 5 mm to about 15 mm. A typical freeform lens appears thick and bulky with abrupt and sharp edges that, when worn by the user, rests relatively close to a user's face and eyes. Therefore, the typical freeform lenses included in an NED are uncomfortable for the user, potentially hazardous to the user, and are unappealing to customers considering whether to purchase the NED.

The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to modifying the freeform lens to include a blunt bottom edge, instead of an abrupt edge, at the optical portion of the lens closest to the eyes of the user wearing the NED. The blunt bottom edge will reduce the apparent thickness of the freeform lens, while also enabling a more comfortable and safe user experience when handling the NED.

FIGS.1A-Bare diagrams illustrating the exterior and interior of an NED100according to various embodiments of the disclosure. In particular,FIG.1Ais a diagram illustrating an exterior surface of an NED100, andFIG.1Bis a diagram illustrating an interior of the NED100, which faces the user wearing the NED100.

As shown byFIG.1, the NED100comprises a frame103and two outer lenses106. The frame103secures the NED100to a user's head. As shown byFIG.1, the frame103includes temples109, which are arms on the sides of the frame103that extend from a hinge on the frame103and over the ears of a user wearing the NED100to keep the NED100on the user's face.

Frame103also secures or provides structural support for the various components of the NED100, such as the two outer lenses106. In an embodiment, the two outer lenses106are molded using plastic injection molding and bonded onto the frame103using glue, or integrally formed with the frame103. In an embodiment, the two outer lenses106are inserted and held in place with the frame103using eye wires that extend around each outer lens106. An outer lens106is made of transparent, partially transparent, or tinted material, such as, for example, a partially transparent plastic material and/or a polycarbonate material. In some embodiments, a user wearing the NED100may see through the outer lenses106to view an external environment surrounding the user and/or light from the external environment. As will be further described below with reference toFIG.1B, NED100further includes two AR lenses positioned on the inside (e.g., closer to the user's eye) of the NED100, in which the AR lenses superimpose content produced by a micro-display panel of the NED100with the external environment surrounding the user.

FIG.1Bis a diagram illustrating an interior of an NED100according to various embodiments of the disclosure. As shown inFIG.1B, NED100additionally includes two AR lenses110, and frame103additionally includes hinges112, a connecting bridge114, and a holder115. Each AR lens110is an optical glass, which allows images to reflect or refract within. In an embodiment, each AR lens110is a freeform optical lens, which is further described below with reference toFIGS.2A-D.

The hinges112interconnect the temples109to the holder115on the frame103. The connecting bridge114is an arched piece in the center of the frame103that includes two nose pads116, which rest on the user's nose when the user wears the NED100.

The holder115supports one or more component parts of the NED100, such as, for example, a battery129, a camera131, and/or a micro-display panel121. In an embodiment, a micro-display panel121is a panel that may include a display122, a processor123, and/or a memory126. It should be appreciated that the NED100may include other components not explicitly shown inFIG.1B, each of which may be part of the micro-display panel121and/or supported by the holder115.

The display122of the micro-display panel121is an emissive micro-display, such as an organic light-emitting diode (LED) (OLED), a micro light-emitting diode (μLED), a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) display, a digital light processing (DLP) display, or another display that generates images and projects the images into the AR lens110. The processor123may be a central processor unit (CPU), including one or more multi-core processors, and is coupled to the memory126. In an embodiment, the processor123is configured to generate images, frames, or videos that are passed through the AR lenses110and superimposed with the external environment or light from the external environment. In some cases, the micro-display panel121may refer to both the display122and the processor123. The memory126may be a cache for temporarily storing content, e.g., a random access memory (RAM). The memory126may also include a long-term storage for storing content relatively longer, e.g., a read-only memory (ROM). In an embodiment, the memory126stores the content produced by the processor123or captured by the camera131. The battery129may be the power source for the NED100. In some cases, the temples109may also be used to support and protect component parts of the NED100.

As shown byFIG.1B, the AR lenses110are positioned inside of the outer lenses106. The AR lenses110are also attached to the frame103, the construction of which is further described below with reference toFIGS.2A-B.FIG.1Bshows two AR lenses110. The AR lens110on the right shows a typical bottom edge118having sharp edges with about 90 degree (°) angles, while the AR lens110on the left shows an embodiment of blunt bottom edge120with rounded or smooth edges. In an embodiment, the blunt bottom edge120tapers down in a slope that is parallel to the face of a user wearing the NED100. As shown byFIG.1B, the AR lens110on the left includes smoothed edges that are angled with a rounded slope substantially parallel to the face of a user wearing the NED100. Additional detail regarding the blunted bottom edge120is further described below with reference toFIGS.4-7.

When a user wears an NED100, a bottom edge118of an AR lens110rests relatively close to a user's face and eyes. However, the bottom edge118of an AR lens110typically includes sharp edges having about 90° angles. The sharp edges of the AR lenses110may occasionally injure or scratch the user's face when the user wears the NED100. In addition, the sharp edges of the AR lenses110contribute to the thick and bulky appearance of the AR lenses, in terms of depth (in the Z direction).

Disclosed herein are embodiments that taper the bottom edge118of the AR lens110to create a blunt bottom edge120, as shown by the left AR lens110inFIG.1B, which is rounded, smooth, and/or blunt to prevent the user from being injured by the AR lens110. In addition, the blunt bottom edge120of the AR lens110enables the AR lens110to appear thinner in the Z direction. In some embodiments, the blunt bottom edge120is not only smoothed or rounded along the bottom edge118in the Y direction, but also smoothed or rounded along the sidewalls132of the AR lens110in the X direction. Additional details regarding the blunt bottom edge120is further described below with reference toFIGS.3A-B,4A-B,5A-D,6A-B, and7A-B.

Referring now toFIGS.2A-D, shown are diagrams illustrating the composition and display path of an AR lens110according to various embodiments of the disclosure. In particular,FIG.2Ais a diagram illustrating a side view of an AR lens110,FIG.2Bis a ray diagram illustrating a display path within the AR lens110,FIG.2Cis a diagram illustrating a front view of an AR lens110with a blunt bottom edge120, andFIG.2Dis a diagram illustrating a top view of the AR lens110with a blunt bottom edge120according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring now toFIG.2A, shown is a diagram illustrating a side view of an AR lens110. The AR lens110ofFIG.2Aincludes a display corrector lens203, a main prism lens206, and a see-through corrector lens209. The display corrector lens203, the main prism lens206, and the see-through corrector lens209may be freeform prisms. Freeform prisms are prisms that comprise at least one freeform surface. A freeform surface is a surface that has no translational symmetry or rotational symmetry about axes normal to a mean plane. Freeform prisms provide a relatively smaller size, a relatively simpler manufacturing process, and relatively better performance characteristics compared to non-freeform prisms.

The display corrector lens203, the main prism lens206, and the see-through corrector lens209are low-dispersion lenses comprising polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) materials or high-dispersion lenses comprising polycarbonate (PC) materials. Low-dispersion lenses have at least one positively-powered surface to converge optical waves. High-dispersion lenses have at least one negatively-powered surface to diverge optical waves.

The display corrector lens203provides the first optical fold of the AR lens110and the degrees of freedom for aberration correction and display quality improvement. The main prism lens206provides the second and third optical fold. The main prism lens206is a generally wedge-shaped lens. Together, the display corrector lens203and the main prism lens206act as a doublet to reduce chromatic aberration of images. For that purpose, either the display corrector lens203or the main prism lens206is a low-dispersion lens while the other is a high-dispersion lens.

The see-through corrector lens209corrects the distortion from the main prism lens206in a see-through path between the user's eyes and the external environment the user is viewing, and helps to form an undistorted view of the external environment. The see-through corrector lens209maintains a non-distorted natural FOV and counteracts distortions from the main prism lens206due to ambient light passing from the see-through corrector lens209and through the main prism lens206. For that purpose, the main prism lens206and the see-through corrector lens209are either both low-dispersion lenses or high-dispersion lenses.

Referring now toFIG.2B, shown is a ray diagram210illustrating a display path (in dashed lines) that content would take through, for example, the AR lens110ofFIG.2A. The ray diagram210shows a micro-display panel121. As will be more fully explained below, the ray diagram210also depicts various surfaces of the display corrector lens203, the main prism lens206, and the see-through corrector lens209from the AR lens110inFIG.2A.

The ray diagram210ofFIG.2Bdepicts first surface220, a second surface230, and a third surface240that correspond to the shape of the display corrector lens203ofFIG.2A. The fourth surface250, the fifth surface260, and the sixth surface270correspond to the shape of the main prism lens206ofFIG.2A. The seventh surface280and the eighth surface290of the ray diagram210inFIG.2Bcorrespond to the shape of the see-through corrector lens209ofFIG.2A.

In an embodiment, the third surface240of the display corrector lens203abuts, or faces up against, the fourth surface250of the main prism lens206. For example, the third surface240of the display corrector lens203may be bonded to the fourth surface250of the main prism lens206using glue.

In operation, the micro-display panel121generates an image and projects the image into the display corrector lens203. Though a single ray represents the image, the image is a combination of optical waves at different wavelengths.

The image refracts through the first surface220, reflects off of the second surface230, and refracts through the third surface240and the fourth surface250to enter the main prism lens206. Then, the image reflects off of the fifth surface260, reflects off of the sixth surface270, refracts through the fifth surface260, and enters a user's eye. Meanwhile, the user's FOV refracts through the eighth surface290, the seventh surface280, the sixth surface270, and the fifth surface260, to then enter the user's eye.

Referring now toFIG.2C, shown is a diagram illustrating a front view291of an AR lens110with a blunt bottom edge120according to various embodiments of the disclosure. The AR lens110may include an optical area293. The optical area293is a portion of the AR lens110that the user wearing the NED100sees through to view both the external environment surrounding the user and the image or content generated and displayed by the micro-display panel121. In an embodiment, the optical area293includes a portion of the main prism lens206, the see-through corrector lens209, and the bottom edge118of the AR lens110.

As shown by the front view291of the AR lens110, when the AR lens includes a blunt bottom edge120, a non-optical layer294is disposed around at least a portion of the optical area293of the AR lens110. The non-optical layer294of the blunt bottom edge120is a layer of transparent or partially transparent material that does not include any of the prisms or folds that are included in the AR lens110, as described with reference toFIGS.2A-B.

Referring now toFIG.2D, shown is a diagram illustrating a top view295of the AR lens110with a blunt bottom edge120according to various embodiments of the disclosure. As shown byFIG.2D, the non-optical layer294is disposed around the sidewalls132of the AR lens110.

Additional details regarding the structure and display path of the AR lens110, implemented as a freeform lens, is further described in U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2012/0081800 and U.S. Pat. App. No. 62/789,728.

FIG.3Ais a diagram illustrating an exterior of the AR structure300of the NED100ofFIG.1(e.g., the portion of the NED100facing the external environment), andFIG.3Bis a diagram illustrating an interior of the AR structure300of the NED100(e.g., the portion of the NED100facing the user's eyes).

Referring now toFIG.3A, shown is a diagram illustrating an exterior of the AR structure300of the NED100ofFIG.1according to various embodiments of the disclosure. The AR structure300includes the AR lens110, a railing303, and joints311. The railing303includes one or more horizontal bars that support the AR lenses110. The AR lenses110are secured to the railing303using the joints311. In an embodiment, the AR lenses110are secured in place using the joints311, which may include one or more screws. In an embodiment, the joints311each have two holes, for example, that may attach or latch onto the railing303. The holes of the joints311permit the joints311, and thus also the AR lenses110, to slide horizontally (e.g., in the direction of the X-axis) along the railing303. In this way, the positioning of the AR lenses110in a single NED100may be adjusted to account for different users having different pupillary distances (e.g., distance between a pupil of the user's left eye and a pupil of the user's right eye). The micro-display panel121is positioned above the AR lens110proximate to the railing303.FIG.3Aalso shows a flexible circuit board309that curves around the railing303and provides an electrical connection to various portions of the NED100.

As described above,FIG.3Ashows an exterior of the AR structure300of the NED100, which faces the exterior environment. As shown inFIG.3A, the display corrector lens203is positioned above the see-through corrector lens209within each of the AR lenses110. In an embodiment, the joints311are positioned on the sides of the display corrector lens203.

For the NED100shown inFIG.3A, the AR lens110on the left does not include a blunt bottom edge120, while the AR lens110on the right includes the blunt bottom edge. Both the AR lenses110on the left and the right include the optical area293. The optical area293includes the bottom edge118of the AR lens110, which is proximate to the see-through corrector lens209. The optical area293also includes a width312and a height313. As shown by AR lens110on the right of the NED100shown inFIG.3A, the blunt bottom edge120surrounds the entire width312and height313of the optical area293.

Referring now toFIG.3B, shown is a diagram illustrating an interior of the AR structure300of the NED100ofFIG.1according to various embodiments of the disclosure. The interior of the AR structure300shown inFIG.3Bis similar to the exterior of the AR structure300shown inFIG.3A, in thatFIG.3Balso shows the railing303and the micro-display panel121positioned within a panel holder366, which may be coupled to the railing303. However, whileFIG.3Ashows the portion of the NED100facing the external environment,FIG.3Bshows the portion of the NED100facing the user's eyes. Therefore, as shown inFIG.3B, the interior of the AR structure300includes the main prism lens206of the AR lenses110.

Referring now toFIGS.4A-B, shown are diagrams illustrating various views of an AR lens110construction with a blunt bottom edge120according to various embodiments of the disclosure. In particular,FIG.4Aillustrates a side view of an AR lens110construction with a blunt bottom edge120, andFIG.4Billustrates a front view (e.g., the exterior) of an AR lens110construction with a blunt bottom edge120.

Referring now toFIG.4A, shown is a diagram illustrating a side view400of an AR lens110construction with a blunt bottom edge120according to various embodiments of the disclosure. The AR lens110, which includes the display corrector lens203, the main prism lens206, and the see-through corrector lens209, is coupled to or held together with the micro-display panel121using the panel holder366. In an embodiment, the panel holder366is coupled to the AR lens110, for example, using glue. AR lens is coupled to the joints311, for example, using screws.

In an embodiment, the AR lens110includes a blunt bottom edge120, which surrounds the edges of the optical area293of the AR lens110. As described above, the optical area293of the AR lens110includes at least a portion of the main prism lens206, the see-through corrector lens209, and the bottom edge118of the AR lens110.

In an embodiment, the blunt bottom edge120may taper downwards (in the Y direction) to a blunt tip403, in a slope or angle substantially parallel to the slope or angle of a user's face around the eyes of the user. As shown byFIG.4A, the depth406of the bottom most point of the AR lens110tapers, or diminishes gradually, to reach the blunt tip403. In an embodiment, the blunt tip403is a bottom most portion of the blunt bottom edge120. In an embodiment, the blunt tip403is a smoothed or rounded edge at which the depth406of the bottom most portion of the AR lens110has decreased to a minimum threshold.

Unlike the standard bottom edge118of the AR lens110, the blunt bottom edge120does not contain any sharp edges or any edges having about a 90° angle. Instead, in an embodiment, all of the edges of the blunt bottom edge120, including the blunt tip403, are rounded or smoothed, so as to prevent any sharp edges from coming into contact with the face of a user and potentially injuring the user.

In this way, when a user wears or removes the NED100from the user's face, there are no abrupt edges on the AR lens110that may scratch or otherwise injure the user's eyes or face. In addition, the blunt bottom edge120also provides the appearance that the AR lens110is thinner than a typical AR lens110. Therefore, the blunt bottom edge120of the AR lens110reduces the apparent thickness of the AR lens110, while also enabling a more comfortable user experience when handling the NED100.

In an embodiment, the blunt bottom edge120tapers, or diminishes, downwards to reach the blunt tip403, which may be a point at the blunt tip403. In an embodiment, the point on the blunt tip403may still be smoothed or blunt so as to prevent scratching the user's face while reducing the apparent thickness of the AR lens110.

Referring now toFIG.4B, shown is an exterior side view420of the AR lens110construction according to various embodiments of the disclosure. The exterior side view420of the AR lens110construction shown inFIG.4Bis the side of the AR structure300facing the exterior environment (as described above with regard toFIG.3A). The exterior side view420shows that the blunt bottom edge120not only tapers downwards (or longitudinally) at the bottom edge118of the optical area293with respect to the Y-axis along the width312of the optical area293to a blunt tip403, but also smoothed horizontally (or latitudinally) at the sidewalls132of the optical area293with respect to the X-axis along the height313of the optical area293.

The blunt bottom edge120of the AR lens110can either be constructed directly as the bottom edge of the AR lens110or can be a separate attachment that is coupled to the bottom edge of the AR lens110. In a first embodiment, the optical area293is post-processed or polished around the edges to taper the edges of the optical area293.

In a second embodiment, a beveled edge, which is separate from the AR lens110and further described below with reference toFIGS.5A-D, is attached to the bottom edge118of the AR lens110to create the blunt bottom edge120. In this embodiment, the beveled edge can be molded using plastic injection molding and then attached to the bottom edge118of the AR lens110using glue.

Referring now toFIGS.5A-D, shown are various views of a beveled edge500that is to be attached to the bottom edge118of the AR lens110to create the blunt bottom edge120according to various embodiments of the disclosure.FIG.5Ashows a front view of the beveled edge500according to various embodiments of the disclosure. In an embodiment, the beveled edge500is a U-shaped insert that may be attached to the bottom edge118of the AR lens110. The beveled edge500comprises two sides503and a bottom surface506. Similar to the blunt bottom edge120described above with reference toFIGS.4A-B, the beveled edge500is tapered to downwards to a rounded bottom surface533, which is a rounded or smooth edge. The beveled edge500is tapered in a slope or angle substantially parallel to the slope or angle of a user's face around the eyes of the user. In an embodiment, the bottom surface506of the bevel500tapers downwards with respect to the Y-axis. In an embodiment, the sides503each taper with respect to the X-axis. As shown byFIG.5A, the left side503tapers off to the left horizontally in the X direction, and the right side503tapers off to the right horizontally in the X direction.

FIG.5Bshows a side view of the beveled edge500according to various embodiments of the disclosure. The beveled edge500tapers out, down, and around the edges to gradually reduce the depth406of the beveled edge500with respect to the Z-axis. As shown byFIG.5B, the beveled edge500tapers or slopes from the sides511and512to create a ridge509. The ridge509is a rounded and smooth edge that wraps around the sides503and the bottom surface506of the beveled edge500. The ridge509is at a substantially obtuse angle, so as to prevent a sharp edge from existing at the bottom of the beveled edge500.

FIG.5Cis a diagram illustrating a top view of the beveled edge500according to various embodiments of the disclosure. As shown byFIG.5C, the beveled edge500is in the shape of a triangular prism, and thus may include triangular ends515. The beveled edge500tapers or slopes from the sides511and512to create the ridge509.FIG.5Cfurther shows the internal surface517of the beveled edge500. In an embodiment, the internal surface517is glued to the bottom edge118of the AR lens110. For example, the internal surface517is molded using plastic injection molding and glued to the bottom edge118of the AR lens110using glue.

FIG.5Dis a diagram illustrating a bottom view of the beveled edge500according to various embodiments of the disclosure. Particularly,FIG.5Dshows the bottom surface506and a side503of the beveled edge500. As shown byFIG.5D, the bottom surface506tapers down from two edges520and522with respect to the Y-axis to form the ridge509and the blunt tip403.

In an embodiment, the beveled edge500is made of material similar to that described above with reference to the blunt bottom edge120. For example, the beveled edge500is made of substantially transparent plastic or polycarbonate material. In the embodiments of the beveled edge500shown inFIGS.5A-D, the tapering of the edges and the ridge509protect the user from the sharp edges of the AR lens110while enabling the AR lens110to appear thinner and more appealing to the eye.

WhileFIGS.5A-Dare described to be a beveled edge500that is separate and attached to the bottom edge118to form a blunt bottom edge120of the AR lens110, the AR lens110itself may be post processed to include a blunt bottom edge120substantially similar to the beveled edge500. In this sense, the blunt bottom edge120, which is not part of the original AR lens110and not glued onto the AR lens110, has the same ridge509that wraps around the optical area293of the AR lens110. WhileFIGS.5A-Dshow a beveled edge500in the shape of a triangular prism, the beveled edge500may be in any other shape so long as the beveled edge500tapers down with respect to the Y-axis and to the sides with respect to the X-axis.

Referring now toFIGS.6A-B, shown are diagrams illustrating various views of an AR lens110construction with a blunt bottom edge120shaped as a trapezoidal prism600according to various embodiments of the disclosure. The blunt bottom edge120shaped as a trapezoidal prism600may be formed as part of the AR lens110. Alternatively, the blunt bottom edge120shaped as a trapezoidal prism600may be a separate beveled edge, such as beveled edge500, that may be attached to or glued onto the bottom edge118of the AR lens110.

As shown byFIG.6A, the blunt bottom edge120that wraps around the AR lens110is shaped as a trapezoidal prism600includes trapezoidal ends603and a trapezoidal plane609. As shown byFIG.6A, the blunt bottom edge120tapers or slopes from the sides to create a trapezoidal plane609. Similar to the ridge509, the trapezoidal plane609is a flat surface that wraps around the sides and the bottom surface of the blunt bottom edge120. In an embodiment, the trapezoidal plane609may have a minimum threshold depth with respect to the Z-axis.

As shown byFIG.6B, the blunt bottom edge120shaped as a trapezoidal prism600that is tapered out, down, and around the edges of the optical area293to gradually reduce the depth406of the blunt bottom edge120with respect to the Z-axis, similar to the beveled edge500. In the embodiments of the blunt bottom edge120shown inFIGS.6A-B, the tapering, smoothing, or rounding of the edges and the trapezoidal plane609protect the user from the sharp edges of the AR lens110while enabling the AR lens110to appear thinner and more appealing to the eye.

Referring now toFIGS.7A-B, shown are diagrams illustrating various views of an AR lens110construction with a blunt bottom edge120shaped as a semi-hemisphere700according to various embodiments of the disclosure. The blunt bottom edge120shaped as a semi-hemisphere700may be formed as part of the AR lens110. Alternatively, the blunt bottom edge120shaped as a semi-hemisphere700may be a separate beveled edge, such as beveled edge500, that may be attached or glued onto the bottom surface118AR lens110.

As shown byFIG.7A, the blunt bottom edge120shaped as a semi-hemisphere700includes semi-circular ends703. As shown byFIG.6A, the blunt bottom edge120is tapered or rounded from the sides to create a semi-hemisphere or dome shape along the edges of the optical area293.

As shown byFIG.7B, the blunt bottom edge120shaped as a blunt bottom edge120tapered to a rounded in a convex shape out, down, and around the edges of the optical area293to gradually reduce the depth406of the blunt bottom edge120in the Z direction, similar to the beveled edge500. In the embodiments of the blunt bottom edge120shown inFIGS.7A-B, the semi-hemisphere700or dome shape of the blunt bottom edge120protect the user from the sharp edges of the AR lens110while enabling the AR lens110to appear thinner and more appealing to the eye.

FIG.8is a flowchart illustrating a method800for manufacturing an NED100according to various embodiments of the disclosure. A manufacturer implements the method800. Alternatively, multiple manufacturers implement the method800. In an embodiment, method800may be implemented after the frame103of the NED100has been molded together to include at least the component parts shown and described above with reference toFIGS.1A-Band2A-B.

At step803, the AR lens110is constructed and provided, in which the AR lens110includes at least the main prism lens206and the see-through corrector lens209. In an embodiment, the AR lens110is constructed similar to the manner described above with reference toFIGS.2A-D. In an embodiment, the AR lens110also includes the display corrector lens203, in which the main prism lens206is positioned substantially in between the display corrector lens203and the see-through corrector lens209.

At step806, the AR lens110is attached to a frame103of the NED100. For example, a top edge of the AR lens110, which is the edge opposite to the bottom edge118and proximate to the display corrector lens203, is attached to a frame103of the NED100. In an embodiment, the AR lens110is attached to the frame103of the NED100using screws. For example, a manufacturer uses screws to attach the top edge of the AR lens110to the frame103of the NED100.

At step809, an optical area293of the AR lens110proximate to the see-through corrector lens209is smoothed or rounded to create a blunt bottom edge. In one embodiment, the AR lens110is constructed with smoothed or rounded edges on the sides and bottom surface of the optical area293of the AR lens110. For example, a manufacturer polishes the sides and bottom surface of the optical area293of the AR lens110to taper the optical area293of the AR lens110. In another embodiment, a beveled edge500, which may be constructed as a triangular prism (seeFIG.5), trapezoidal prism (seeFIG.6), or semi-hemisphere (seeFIG.7), may be coupled to the bottom edge118of the AR lens110. For example, a manufacture attaches the beveled edge500made using plastic injection molding to the bottom edge118of the AR lens110using glue.

In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises an AR lens110comprising a main prism lens206and a see-through corrector lens209. In an embodiment, the AR lens comprises a bottom edge118proximate to the see-through corrector lens209. In an embodiment, the bottom edge118of the AR lens110is smoothed or rounded to form a blunt bottom edge120. In an embodiment, a micro-display panel121is coupled to the AR lens110and comprises a processor123configured to process content for display to a user wearing the NED100, and a display122coupled to the processor123and configured to project the content to the AR lens110.

In addition, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, components, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as coupled may be directly coupled or may be indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device, or intermediate component whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.