SYSTEMS AND METHODS PROVIDING A COMPUTERIZED EYEWEAR DEVICE TO AID IN WELDING

• US 20140346158A1
• Filed: 12/13/2013
• Published: 11/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lincoln Global Incorporated (Lincoln Electric Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lincoln Global Incorporated (Lincoln Electric Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Matthews, William T.
• Granted Patent: US 10,748,447 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/130.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/06 Masks, shields or hoods for welders safety devices for welding in general F16P1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 37/00 Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups eye-shields for welders worn on the operator's body or carried in the hand A61F9/00 , i.e. A61F9/02; applicable to metal-working machines other than soldering, welding, or flame-cutting machines B23Q; laser protective screens B23K26/706; protective shields for other welding methods F16P1/06
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/0953 using computing means
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/0956 using sensing means, e.g. optical
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/10 Other electric circuits therefor; Protective circuits; Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/1006 Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/32 Accessories earthing connections H01R
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/321 Protecting means protecting means in general F16P1/06
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0158 with adjustable nose pad
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0187 slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/20 in augmented reality scenes
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/003 Repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/24 : Use of tools
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/02 : with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/00 : Simulators for teaching or training purposes for the use of weapons F41; computing aspects G06; protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality H04L67/131

Abstract

Systems and methods to aid a welder or welding student. A system may provide a real-world arc welding system or a virtual reality arc welding system along with a computerized eyewear device having a head-up display (HUD). The computerized eyewear device may be worn by a user under a conventional welding helmet as eye glasses are worn and may wirelessly communicate with a welding power source of a real-world arc welding system or a programmable processor-based subsystem of a virtual reality arc welding system.

Claims

1. An arc welding system, comprising:

a welding power source; and

a computerized eyewear device having a head-up display (HUD) and control and communication circuitry (CCC) operatively connected to the HUD, wherein the computerized eyewear device is configured to;

be worn by a user as eye glasses are worn, while also wearing a protective welding helmet; and

wirelessly communicate with the welding power source.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control and communication circuitry is configured to wirelessly receive information from the welding power source and display the information on the HUD.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the computerized eyewear device further includes a microphone operatively connected to the control and communication circuitry and configured to receive voice-activated user command information and wirelessly transmit the voice-activated user command information to the welding power source.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the computerized eyewear device further includes a camera operatively connected to the control and communication circuitry and configured to capture one or more of still pictures and moving video.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the control and communication circuitry is configured to access the internet through a wireless access point.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the computerized eyewear device further includes a frame configured to be worn on the head of a user.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the computerized eyewear device further includes at least one housing affixed to the frame containing one or more of the control and communication circuitry, a microphone, and a camera.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the HUD is affixed to the frame and is movable with respect to the frame through rotation about a first axis that extends parallel to a brow portion of the frame.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the computerized eyewear device further includes at least one prescription optical lens held in place by the frame.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the frame includes a bridge configured to be supported on the nose of the user, a brow portion coupled to and extending away from the bridge to a first end remote therefrom and configured to be positioned over a first side of a brow of the user, and a first arm having a first end coupled to the first end of the brow portion and extending to a free end, the first arm being configured to be positioned over a first temple of the user with the free end disposed near a first ear of the user.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the bridge is adjustable for selective positioning of the brow portion relative to an eye of the user.

12. The system of claim 2, wherein the welding power source and the computerized eyewear device are cooperatively configured to provide one or more of augmented indicators indicative of a user'"'"'s welding technique and sequencer functionality indicative of a next weld to be made on the HUD.

13. A virtual reality welding system, comprising:

a programmable processor-based subsystem; and

a computerized eyewear device having a head-up display (HUD) and control and communication circuitry (CCC) operatively connected to the HUD, wherein the computerized eyewear device is configured to;

be worn by a user as eye glasses are worn; and

wirelessly communicate with the programmable processor-based subsystem.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the control and communication circuitry is configured to wirelessly receive information from the programmable processor-based subsystem and display the information on the HUD.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the computerized eyewear device further includes a microphone operatively connected to the control and communication circuitry and configured to receive voice-activated user command information and wirelessly transmit the voice-activated user command information to the programmable processor-based subsystem.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the computerized eyewear device further includes a camera operatively connected to the control and communication circuitry and configured to capture one or more of still pictures and moving video.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the control and communication circuitry is configured to access the internet through a wireless access point.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the computerized eyewear device further includes a frame configured to be worn on the head of a user.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the computerized eyewear device further includes at least one housing affixed to the frame containing one or more of the control and communication circuitry, a microphone, a motion sensing device, a touch-sensitive user interface, and a camera.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the HUD is affixed to the frame and is movable with respect to the frame through rotation about a first axis that extends parallel to a brow portion of the frame.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the computerized eyewear device further includes at least one prescription optical lens held in place by the frame.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the frame includes a bridge configured to be supported on the nose of the user, a brow portion coupled to and extending away from the bridge to a first end remote therefrom and configured to be positioned over a first side of a brow of the user, and a first arm having a first end coupled to the first end of the brow portion and extending to a free end, the first arm being configured to be positioned over a first temple of the user with the free end disposed near a first ear of the user.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the bridge is adjustable for selective positioning of the brow portion relative to an eye of the user.

24. The system of claim 13, wherein the computerized eyewear device further includes at least one motion sensing device operatively connected to the control and communication circuitry and configured to provide spatial information to the programmable processor-based subsystem as a user moves his head.

25. The system of claim 13, wherein the computerized eyewear device further includes a touch-sensitive user interface operatively connected to the control and communication circuitry and configured to allow a user to select command information and wirelessly transmit the command information to the programmable processor-based subsystem.

26. The system of claim 14, wherein the programmable processor-based subsystem and the computerized eyewear device are cooperatively configured to provide one or more of virtual reality images associated with a virtual reality welding process and virtual cues and indicators associated with a virtual reality welding process on the HUD.