SEE-THROUGH NEAR-EYE DISPLAY GLASSES INCLUDING AN AUTO-BRIGHTNESS CONTROL FOR THE DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS BASED ON THE BRIGHTNESS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

• US 20120242678A1
• Filed: 03/26/2012
• Published: 09/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Osterhout Design Group
• Inventors: Border, John N., Osterhout, Ralph F.
• Granted Patent: US 9,097,891 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/589
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0093 with means for monitoring data relating to the user, e.g. head-tracking, eye-tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/005 Input arrangements through a video camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

This disclosure concerns an interactive head-mounted eyepiece with an integrated processor for handling content for display and an integrated image source for introducing the content to an optical assembly through which the user views a surrounding environment and the displayed content. The image source includes an auto-brightness control that controls the brightness of the displayed content based on the brightness in the environment.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an interactive head-mounted eyepiece worn by a user, wherein the eyepiece includes an optical assembly through which the user views a surrounding environment combined with displayed content, an integrated processor for handling content for display to the user, and an integrated image source for introducing the content to the optical assembly; and

an auto-brightness control of the image source that controls the brightness of the displayed content based on the brightness in the environment.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the rate of brightness change depends on the change in the environment.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the rate of brightness change is matched to the adaptation of the eye.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the display content is turned off for a period following a sudden change in environment brightness.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the display content is dimmed with a darkening of the environment.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the display content gets brighter with a brightening of the environment.