Optical projection time-piece attachment for spectacles or combination thereof

• US 4,751,691 A
• Filed: 07/01/1987
• Issued: 06/14/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kalukapuge T. Perera
• Original Assignee: Kalukapuge T. Perera
• Inventors: Perera, Kalukapuge T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W.
• Application Number:
  US07/068,548
• Time in Patent Office: 349 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/276-279, 350/36, 350/174, 351/57, 351/158
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/00 Non-optical adjuncts; Attachment thereof G02C7/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 47/00 Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece clockwork cases for special purposes G04B37/12; clocks with magnifying glass built in the face G04B39/00; time-pieces in which parts or cases produce special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects, G04B45/00, particularly with inscriptions or pictures moved by hand G04B45/003, with specially shaped cases or parts G04B45/0069; combination of writing or drawing implements with devices for indicating time B43K29/087; combined with cameras, projectors, or photographic printing apparatus G03B29/00

Abstract

A miniature time-piece attachment for use on spectacles or made as an integral component of a spectacles frame. The time-piece is of the electronic type displaying the time value as miniature light emitting numerical display when a miniature button is pressed. The time display is projected optically by a lens and clear transparent window arrangement such that the time display appears as a virtual image superimposed and projected at infinity on a side of the normal field of view of the spectacles wearer. When the display is not illuminated the normal field of view of the spectacles wearer is not impaired, or impaired as little as possible.

Claims

1. Optical projection time-piece attachment for spectacles or sunglasses comprising:

(a) a miniature housing with mounting and securing means for attachment to a pair of spectacles or sunglasses frame such that the normal field of vision is not obstructed,

(b) micro electronic circuitry means to generate electrical time of day functions,

(c) electric light emitting display panel means to display time of day using said electrical time of day functions,

(d) lens means to project an image of said display, said display panel and said lens disposed in said housing such that said display image is generally projected outward approximately at an angle of 45 degrees in a direction relative to a diametrical line of one viewing surface of the spectacles or sunglasses,

(e) a clear reflective window means to intercept and partially reflect said projected display image back towards the eye of the spectacles or sunglasses wearer so as to produce a virtual image of said time display superimposed on the normal field of view when said display is illuminated,

(f) convenient means to adjust and focus said display image,

(g) means for supplying electric power to said micro electronic circuitry and said electric light emitting display,

(h) readily accessible press button switch means to activate said electric light emitting display when required,

(i) further miniature switch means to set said electrical time of day functions.

2. Optical projection time-piece attachment for spectacles or sunglasses as claimed in claim 1 wherein said light emitting display further comprises either numeric or linear graphical type readout to represent time of day.

3. Optical projection time-piece attachment for spectacles or sunglasses as claimed in claim 1 wherein said clear reflective window is a thin optically transparent sheet which protrudes from said housing to stand in parallel with and in front of one viewing surface of the spectacles or sunglasses when the time-piece is attached.

4. Optical projection time-piece attachment for spectacles or sunglasses as claimed in claim 1 wherein said convenient focusing adjustment further comprises a miniature thumbwheel mechanically coupled to adjust the position of said display panel relative to said lens.

5. Head up time display spectacles or sunglasses comprising:

(a) micro electronic circuitry means to generate electrical time of day functions built into a spectacles or suglasses frame,

(b) electric light emitting display panel means to display time of day using said electrical time of day functions mounted within a compartment built into the rim of the spectacles or sunglasses frame,

(c) said compartment holding said electric light emitting display panel additionally containing a miniature lens means to project an image of said display, Said display panel and said lens disposed such that said display image is projected generally outward approximately at an angle of 45 degrees in a direction relative to a diametrical line of one viewing surface of the spectacles or sunglasses,

(d) a clear reflective window means to intercept and partially reflect said projected display image back towards the eye of the spectacles or sunglasses wearer so as to produce a virtual image of said time display superimposed in the normal field of view when said display is illuminated,

(e) convenient means to adjust and focus said display image,

(f) means for supplying electric power to said micro electronic circuitry and said electric light emitting display,

(g) readily accessible press button switch means to activate said electric light emitting display when required,

(h) further miniature switch means to set said electrical time of day functions.

6. Head up time display spectacles or sunglasses as claimed in claim 5 wherein said light emitting display further comprises either numeric or linear graphical type readout to represent time of day.

7. Head up time display spectacles or sunglasses as claimed in claim 5 wherein said clear reflective window is a thin optically transparent sheet mounted on to the spectacles or sunglasses frame to protrude and stand parallel with and in front of one viewing surface of the spectacles or sunglasses.

8. Head up time display spectacles or sunglasses as claimed in claim 5 wherein said convenient focussing adjustment further comprises a miniature thumbwheel mechanically coupled to adjust the position of said display panel relative to said lens.