Interactive data view and command system

• US 20020101568A1
• Filed: 01/30/2002
• Published: 08/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: David Parker Dickerson
• Inventors: Jochheim, Edgar, Dickerson, David P., Konigstein, Karsten, Eberl, Heinrich A., Eberl, Roland H.C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,245,273 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/211
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0132 comprising binocular systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0016 characterised by the operator's input device input arrangements for computing systems in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0038 by providing the operator with simple or augmented images from one or more cameras located onboard the vehicle, e.g. tele-operation images analyzed by a computer and used for automatic navigation G05D1/0246

Abstract

A method and information system for capturing signals, for processing signals, and for providing signals at least partially based on, or bearing correlation to, the captured signals is disclosed. The information system includes a signal input unit, a wireless communication unit, and an output unit. The signal input unit (preferably an optical signal unit) is constructed and is positionable to capture signals associated with an eye. The output unit is constructed to provide information based on the captured signals or to provide information as a function of the captured signals or in correlation with the captured signals.

Claims

1. An information system, comprising:

an optical signal unit constructed and positioned to capture signals associated with an eye;

a wireless communication unit; and

an output unit, interfaced with said wireless communication unit, constructed and arranged to provide information using a correlation unit constructed to find suitable relationship between said captured signals and additional data.

2. The information system of claim 1, further including an information unit constructed to provide said additional data, and wherein said correlation unit is constructed to determine a presentation relationship of said captured signals and said additional data.

3. The information system of claim 1, wherein said correlation unit is constructed to determine said presentation relationship between said captured signals and said additional data in terms of location of said additional data with respect of said captured data.

4. The information system of claim 1, wherein said correlation unit is constructed to determine said presentation relationship between said captured signals and said additional data in terms of presentation timing of said additional data with respect of said captured data.

5. The information system of claim 1, wherein said correlation unit is constructed to determine said presentation relationship between said captured signals and said additional data in terms of relative color display of said additional data with respect of said captured data.

6. An information system, comprising

an optical signal unit constructed and positioned to capture signals reflected back from at least one eye comprising the retina;

a field-of-view capturing unit constructed and arranged to capture light from a field of view associated with said retina without capturing a retinal reflex image thereof;

an information unit;

a wireless communication unit; and

an output unit constructed to provide information, at least partially obtained via said communication unit, in cooperation with said information unit as a function of said captured light and in correlation with said captured signals.

7. An information system, comprising

a optical signal unit constructed and positioned to capture signals reflected back from at least one eye comprising the retina, said optical signal unit comprising a scanning detection unit constructed to at least partially capture a retinal reflex image of said retina;

an information unit;

a wireless communication unit; and

an output unit constructed and arranged to provide information, at least partially obtained via said communication unit, in cooperation with said information unit as a function of said captured signals, said output unit being not capable of projecting information onto the retina.

8. An information system, comprising

an optical signal unit constructed and positioned to capture signals reflected back from at least one eye comprising the retina, said optical signal unit comprising a scanning detection unit constructed to at least partially capture a retinal reflex image of said retina during a first scanning operation and carrying out a less comprehensive capture of said retinal reflex image during a later scanning operation;

an information unit;

a wireless communication unit; and

an output unit constructed and arranged to provide information, at least partially obtained via said communication unit, in cooperation with said information unit as a function of said captured signals, said output unit comprising a scanning projection device constructed to project at least part of said information onto said retina.

9. An information system, comprising

an optical signal unit constructed and positioned to capture signals reflected back from at least one eye without reaching the retina;

an information unit;

a wireless communication unit; and

an output unit constructed and arranged to provide information, at least partially obtained via said communication unit in cooperation with said information unit as a function of said captured signals, said output unit comprising a scanning projection device constructed and arranged to project at least part of said information onto said retina.

10. The information system of claim 9 comprising a spherical or spherical-acting reflection layer operably positionable at a location immediately anterior and substantially confocal to said eye, and wherein said optical signal unit is constructed to capture optical field-of-vision signals reflected off said spherical or spherical-acting reflection layer.

11. The information system of claim 9 comprising a field-of-view capturing unit constructed to capture visible light from a field of view associated with the retina without capturing a retinal reflex image thereof;

and said output unit being suitable for providing said information in correlation with said captured visible light.

12. The information system of claim 9, wherein said function encompasses a pattern recognition that yields at least one information key, and said information keys serve for an information query based on said information apparatus.

15. The information system of claim 14 wherein said signal input unit includes a field-of-view capturing unit constructed to capture visible light from a field of view associated with the retina without capturing a retinal reflex image thereof;

and said output unit being suitable for providing said information in correlation with said captured visible light.

16. The information system of claim 15, wherein said information unit comprises an evaluation module constructed to obtain image information with regard to said field of view from said captured visible light;

and said projection device is constructed to project the image information onto the retina in correlation with said captured signals such that a naturally perceived field of view and projected image information are perceived as a unitary image by the retina.

17. The information system of claim 16 wherein said function encompasses a temporal correlation between said provision of information and said captured light.

18. The information system of claim 16 wherein said function encompasses a spatial correlation between said provision of information and said captured light.

19. The information system of claim 16 wherein said function encompasses a pattern recognition that yields at least one information key, and said information key serves for an information query based on said information apparatus.

13. An information system, comprising

a signal input unit constructed and positioned to capture at least two types of signals reflected back from at least one eye;

an information unit;

a wireless communication unit; and

an output unit constructed and arranged to providing information, at least partially obtained and/or provided via said communication unit, in cooperation with said information apparatus as a function of said captured signals, said output unit comprising a scanning projection device constructed to project at least part of said information onto the retina of said eye.

14. The information system of claims 13 comprising a spherical or spherical-acting reflection layer operably positionable at a location immediately anterior and substantially confocal to said eye, and wherein said signal unit is an optical signal unit constructed to capture optical field-of-vision signals reflected off said spherical or spherical-acting reflection layer.

20. A method of creating and providing information, comprising the acts of:

capturing signals associated with an eye;

enabling a wireless communication of data; and

providing information by using said wireless communication and correlating said captured signals and additional data.