How does Google glass work?

Google Glass is a technical masterpiece. It combines numerous functions and features in a very small unit. In addition to phone and camera (photo, video), it offers Internet connection, including GPS.

Google Glass InfoGoogle Glass Info

The core feature of Google Glass is a visual layer that is placed over the reality ("augmented reality"). This layer opens a door to amazing new possibilities. But how does it work? In the Google Glass contains a mini-projector, which projected the layer via a clever, semi-transparent prism directly on the retina in the eye. Because of this the image, even though it is so close to the eye, is sharp and clear. You can move the front part of the Google Glass easily to optimize the focus.

How Google Glass works
How Google Glass works

Here the top-view on the eye. It shows how the prism focuses the image on the retina (Fovea = Point of sharp visual image).

Google Glass and Retina (eye)
Google Glass and Retina (eye)

Depending on how you wear the Google Glass, the layer appears in the upper right corner or in the middle of the visual field. When the Google Glass is high on the nose, so that you can practically see through underneath, you must turn the eye up to view the image sharp. Because the prism is semi-transparent you can also place it directly in front of the pupil. In that case, you have the sharp layer directly in front of the eyes.

How to waer Google Glass
How to waer Google Glass

The biggest challenge for Google will now be to make the Google Glass also usable for people with normal glasses (to compensate for a low vision). In this case the Google Glass has to be placed ahead of normal glasses - which doesn't look and feel well or like a glass. Or Google has to manufactor individual customized prisms, but this would be considerably more expensive than the standard production.

Google Glass Infographic

How does it work, Googles new Glass? Why can you see with it a sharp image-layer? How does the image overlay the image of reality? The following infographic illustrates the optical principle - very simple and easy to understand.

Google Glass Infographic
Google Glass Infographic - CC-BY by Marin Missfeldt, https://www.varifocals.net

This infographic is licensed unter Creative-Commons-Lizenz CC-BY. Feel free to use and share it - but don't forget to mention the author (Martin Missfeldt) and a link to this page as the source.

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