WEARABLE DISPLAY DEVICE

• US 20140043212A1
• Filed: 04/30/2013
• Published: 02/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2012
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Hanyang University
• Original Assignee: Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Hanyang University
• Inventors: Park, Jong-Il, Seo, Byung-Kuk
• Granted Patent: US 9,465,216 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0149 characterised by mechanical features G02B27/0176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0179 Display position adjusting means not related to the information to be displayed

Abstract

A wearable display device is disclosed, which includes: a frame; a display unit configured to show an image in at least a partial area thereof and positioned in front of a user'"'"'s eye in a first mode; a main unit coupled to the frame; and a hinge disposed at a coupling point of the display unit and the main unit to enable a rotation of the display unit, where the display unit is rotatable about the hinge by at least 180 degrees. With the device disclosed herein, it possible to prevent malfunctioning and damage even when the device is worn for extended periods, and it is also possible to resolve the problem of the wearable display device obstructing the field of vision when not in use.

Claims

1. A wearable display device comprising:

a frame;

a display unit configured to show an image in at least a partial area thereof and positioned in front of a user'"'"'s eye in a first mode;

a main unit coupled to the frame; and

a hinge disposed at a coupling point of the display unit and the main unit to enable a rotation of the display unit,

wherein the display unit is rotatable about the hinge by at least 180 degrees.

2. The wearable display device of claim 1, wherein the display unit is rotated in a second mode to be placed in contact with the main unit or in proximity with the main unit within a preset distance.

3. The wearable display device of claim 2, wherein the display unit and the main unit are disposed orthogonally in the first mode, and the display unit is rotated by approximately 270 degrees in the second mode.

4. The wearable display device of claim 2, wherein the main unit comprises an interface for control.

5. The wearable display device of claim 4, wherein the display unit is placed in contact with at least the interface of the main unit when the display unit is placed in contact with the main unit by the rotation.

6. The wearable display device of claim 1, further comprising:

a rotation control part configured to automatically rotate the display unit.

7. The wearable display device of claim 6, further comprising:

a detector part configured to detect a dangerous condition for a user,

wherein the rotation control part rotates the display unit if the detector part detects a dangerous condition for the user.

8. The wearable display device of claim 1, further comprising:

a mode setter part configured to determine whether the display unit is in an extended state such that the display unit is positioned in front of the user'"'"'s eye or in a retracted state such that the display unit is placed in contact with the main unit, the mode setter part configured to deactivate some of preset functions if the display unit is in the retracted state.

9. The wearable display device of claim 6, wherein the rotation control part automatically rotates the display unit if power is turned off or if a usage time exceeds a preset threshold amount of time.

10. A wearable display device comprising:

a frame;

a main unit coupled to the frame;

a display unit coupled to the main unit, the display unit configured to show an image in at least a partial area thereof and positioned in front of a user'"'"'s eye in a first mode; and

a hinge disposed at a coupling point of the display unit and the main unit to enable a rotation of the display unit,

wherein the display unit is rotated in a second mode to be placed in contact with the main unit or in proximity with the main unit within a preset distance.

11. The wearable display device of claim 10, wherein the hinge enables the display unit to rotate 270 degrees.

12. The wearable display device of claim 10, wherein the main unit comprises an interface for control.

13. The wearable display device of claim 10, further comprising:

a rotation control part configured to automatically rotate the display unit.

14. The wearable display device of claim 13, further comprising:

a detector part configured to detect a dangerous condition for a user,

wherein the rotation control part rotates the display unit to be in contact with the main unit if the detector part detects a dangerous condition for the user.

15. The wearable display device of claim 10, further comprising:

a mode setter part configured to determine whether the display unit is in an extended state such that the display unit is positioned in front of the user'"'"'s eye or in a retracted state such that the display unit is placed in contact with the main unit, the mode setter part configured to deactivate some of preset functions if the display unit is in the retracted state.

16. A wearable display device comprising:

a frame;

a main unit coupled to the frame;

a hinge coupled to the frame; and

a display unit coupled to the hinge, the display unit configured to show an image in at least a partial area thereof and positioned in front of a user'"'"'s eye during use,

wherein the display unit is capable of rotating at least 180 degrees by way of the hinge.

17. The wearable display device of claim 16, wherein the frame comprises a first support part and a second support part opposite the first support part for wearing on a user'"'"'s head, and wherein the main unit is coupled to the first support part and the display unit is coupled to the second support part.

18. The wearable display device of claim 17, wherein the first support part is worn on the user'"'"'s left ear and the second support part is worn on the user'"'"'s right ear.

19. A wearable display device comprising:

a frame;

a main unit coupled to the frame;

a display unit configured to show an image in at least a partial area thereof; and

a hinge for rotating the display unit,

wherein the display unit is capable of rotating at least 180 degrees between a position in front of a user'"'"'s eye to the main unit while the wearable display unit is worn by the user.

20. The wearable display device of claim 19, wherein the display unit comprises a camera configured to receive input of an image in front of the user'"'"'s eye while the wearable display unit is worn.