Systems and methods for protection of eyepiece displays

摘要

An electronic eyepiece includes a digital microdisplay and an electrically switchable light blocking mechanism configured to selectively transmit or block light transmitted along an optical path toward the digital microdisplay to protect the microdisplay from the risk of light focus damage. Further, a method of protecting a digital microdisplay of an electronic eyepiece from light focus damage includes determining a risk of light focus damage, and selectively opening or closing an optical path to the digital microdisplay responsive to the risk of light focus damage exceeding a predetermined risk threshold.

主权项

1. An electronic eyepiece comprising:
a digital microdisplay; an electrically switchable light blocking mechanism configured to selectively transmit or block light transmitted along an optical path toward the digital microdisplay; a light detector having a field of view matching a field of view of the eyepiece and configured to provide a first signal indicative of a brightness of light entering the eyepiece; a use sensor configured to provide a second signal indicative of likely use or disuse of the electronic eyepiece, the use sensor including a proximity sensor configured to detect a presence of a user of the electronic eyepiece and to provide the second signal responsive to detection of the presence of the user; and a controller coupled to the electrically switchable light blocking mechanism, to the use sensor, and to the light detector, the controller being configured to:
receive the first and second signals,based on the first signal, determine whether a risk of damage to the microdisplay from the light transmitted along the optical path toward the digital microdisplay exceeds a predetermined risk threshold,adjust the predetermined risk threshold responsive to the second signal, andresponsive to determining that the predetermined risk threshold is exceeded, to provide a control signal to the electrically switchable light blocking mechanism to control the electrically switchable light blocking mechanism to block the light transmitted along the optical path toward the digital microdisplay.