SYSTEMS, ARTICLES, AND METHODS FOR INTEGRATING HOLOGRAPHIC OPTICAL ELEMENTS WITH EYEGLASS LENSES
Systems, articles, and methods that integrate photopolymer film with eyeglass lenses are described. One or more hologram(s) may be recorded into/onto the photopolymer film to enable the lens to be used as a transparent holographic combiner in a wearable heads-up display employing an image source, such as a microdisplay or a scanning laser projector. The methods of integrating photopolymer film with eyeglass lenses include: positioning photopolymer film in a lens mold and casting the lens around the photopolymer film; sandwiching photopolymer film in between two portions of a lens; applying photopolymer film to a concave surface of a lens; and/or affixing a planar carrier (with photopolymer film thereon) to two points across a length of a concave surface of a lens. Respective lenses manufactured/adapted by each of these processes are also described.
1 . A method of adapting a lens for use in a wearable heads-up display, the method comprising:
providing a lens having a concave surface;
applying a photopolymer film to a planar carrier, wherein the planar carrier is optically transparent; and
affixing at least two points of the planar carrier to at least two respective points on the concave surface of the lens, the at least two points of the planar carrier at opposite ends of at least a portion of a length of the planar carrier.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein affixing at least two points of the planar carrier to at least two respective points on the concave surface of the lens defines a cavity in between the concave surface of the lens and the planar carrier, and wherein affixing at least two points of the planar carrier to at least two respective points on the concave surface of the lens includes adhering at least two points of the planar carrier to at least two respective points on the concave surface of the lens using an optical adhesive.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
applying an eyeglass prescription to the lens before affixing the at least two points of the planar carrier to the at least two respective points on the concave surface of the lens.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
recording a hologram into the photopolymer film before affixing the at least two points of the planar carrier to the at least two respective points on the concave surface of the lens, wherein the hologram compensates for at least one of an optical effect of the lens and/or a curvature of the photopolymer film.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
recording a hologram into the photopolymer film after affixing the at least two points of the planar carrier to the at least two respective points on the concave surface of the lens, wherein:
applying the photopolymer film to the planar carrier; and
affixing at least two points of the planar carrier to at least two respective points on the concave surface of the lens,
are both performed in a dark environment.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
forming a recess in the concave surface of the lens; and
positioning the planar carrier, with the photopolymer film applied thereto, within the recess, wherein affixing at least two points of the planar carrier to at least two respective points on the concave surface of the lens includes affixing the planar carrier within the recess in the concave surface of the lens.
7 . A lens for use in a wearable heads-up display, the lens adapted by a process comprising:
providing a lens having a concave surface;
applying a photopolymer film to a planar carrier, wherein the planar carrier is optically transparent; and
affixing at least two points of the planar carrier to at least two respective points on the concave surface of the lens, the at least two points of the planar carrier at opposite ends of at least a portion of a length of the planar carrier.