Multi-element prescription lenses with eye-tracking

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments are generally directed to optical systems. The optical systems may include a proximal lens that may transmit light toward an eye of a user. The optical systems may also include a distal lens that may, in combination with the proximal lens, correct for at least a portion of a refractive error of the eye of the user. The optical systems may further include a selective transmission interface. The selective transmission interface may couple the proximal lens to the distal lens, transmits light having a selected property, and does not transmit light that does not have the selected property. The optical system can also include an accommodative lens, such as a liquid lens. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An optical system comprising:
 a structural support element that:
 transmits light having a selected property; and 
 does not transmit light that does not have the selected property; and 
   an adjustable lens coupled to the structural support element, wherein the adjustable lens comprises a deformable element that:
 is supported by the structural support element such that the structural support element comprises a backplane of the adjustable lens; and 
 when deformed, changes an optical property of the adjustable lens. 
   
     
     
         2 . The optical system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor, wherein
 the structural support element is configured to reflect at least a portion of an infrared spectrum of light such that infrared light reflected from an eye of a user is diverted toward the sensor.   
     
     
         3 . The optical system of  claim 1 , further comprising a headwear frame configured to hold the structural support element such that a proximal surface of the structural support element faces a user and a distal surface of the structural support element comprises the backplane of the adjustable lens. 
     
     
         4 . The optical system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the adjustable lens comprises a liquid lens; and   the deformable element is sealed to the structural support element to hold a deformable optical medium within a cavity located between the deformable element and the structural support element.   
     
     
         5 . The optical system of  claim 1 , wherein the structural support element comprises a non-zero optical power. 
     
     
         6 . The optical system of  claim 1 , wherein the selected property comprises a passband range of wavelengths such that the structural support element:
 transmits light within the passband range of wavelengths; and   is at least partially non-transmissive for light outside the passband range.   
     
     
         7 . The optical system of  claim 6 , further comprising a sensor, wherein:
 the passband range comprises at least a portion of a visible spectrum of light; and   the structural support element is configured to reflect at least a portion of an infrared spectrum of light such that infrared light reflected from an eye of a user is diverted toward the sensor.   
     
     
         8 . The optical system of  claim 7 , further comprising an eye-tracking subsystem programmed to use an output of the sensor to track movement of the eye of the user. 
     
     
         9 . The optical system of  claim 8 , wherein the eye-tracking subsystem is programmed to:
 track a gaze direction of both a right eye of the user and a left eye of the user; and   calculate, based on the gaze directions of the right and left eyes of the user, a depth at which the right and left eyes of the user are focused.   
     
     
         10 . The optical system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the adjustable lens comprises an accommodative lens; and   the eye-tracking subsystem is programmed to trigger a change in an optical property of the adjustable lens based on the depth at which the right and left eyes are focused.   
     
     
         11 . The optical system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the selected property comprises a polarization state of electromagnetic radiation; and   the structural support element comprises a reflective polarizer configured to transmit light having a first polarization state and to reflect light having a second polarization state that is different from the first polarization state.   
     
     
         12 . The optical system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the adjustable lens comprises a liquid lens; and   the structural support element comprises a backplane of the liquid lens.   
     
     
         13 . The optical system of  claim 1 , wherein the structural support element comprises an immersed reflective surface. 
     
     
         14 . The optical system of  claim 1 , wherein the structural support element comprises an optical substrate having a plurality of concentric facets. 
     
     
         15 . The optical system of  claim 1 , wherein the structural support element and the adjustable lens are configured in a manner that reduces a chromatic aberration caused by the adjustable lens. 
     
     
         16 . The optical system of  claim 1 , further comprising a head-worn display configured to transmit images through the structural support element and the adjustable lens to an eye of a user. 
     
     
         17 . An optical system comprising:
 a rigid lens comprising a non-zero optical power; and   an adjustable lens coupled to the rigid lens, wherein the adjustable lens comprises a deformable element that:
 is supported by the rigid lens such that the rigid lens comprises a backplane of the adjustable lens; and 
 when deformed, changes an optical property of the adjustable lens. 
   
     
     
         18 . The optical system of  claim 17 , further comprising an actuator that, when actuated, applies a force to the adjustable lens that causes the adjustable lens to deform in a manner that changes the optical property. 
     
     
         19 . The optical system of  claim 17 , further comprising a head-worn frame dimensioned to hold the rigid lens and the adjustable lens in front of an eye of a user, wherein the adjustable lens is configured to correct for at least a portion of a refractive error of the eye of the user. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 receiving, from an optical sensor, information about infrared light reflected off an eye of a user, wherein the infrared light reflected off the eye of the user is directed to the optical sensor by an optical element comprising:
 a structural support element that:
 transmits at least a portion of light in a visible spectrum; and 
 reflects at least a portion of light in an infrared spectrum; and 
 
 an adjustable lens coupled to the structural support element, wherein the adjustable lens comprises a deformable element that:
 is supported by the structural support element such that the structural support element comprises a backplane of the adjustable lens; and 
 when deformed, changes an optical property of the adjustable lens; 
 
   detecting, based on the information about the light reflected off the eye of the user, a gaze of the user; and   in response to detecting the gaze of the user, changing a state of an optical system that comprises the optical sensor and the optical element.