Display projection optical system for spectacles or sunglasses

• US 4,867,551 A
• Filed: 07/11/1988
• Issued: 09/19/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kalukapuge T. Perera
• Original Assignee: Kalukapuge T. Perera
• Inventors: Perera, Kalukapuge T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bovernick, Rodney B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DZIERZYNSKI, PAUL M
• Application Number:
  US07/217,674
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 351/57, 351/158, 350/174, 368/10
• US Class Current: 351/158
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/00 Non-optical adjuncts; Attachment thereof G02C7/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/105 having inhomogeneously distributed colouring
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 9/00 Attaching auxiliary optical parts auxiliary optical parts per se G02C7/08 - G02C7/16
• 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 display projection system, for attachment to a pair of spectacles or sunglasses, or made as an integral system combination, display projection and sunglasses. A miniature opto-electronic display panel is driven by micro electronics to generate bright luminous display images, providing useful displays such as time of day or even television images. A novel optical projection window is used to project the display, such that to appear superimposed onto the normal field of view of the spectacles or sunglasses wearer, when the display panel is activated. When the display panel is not active the normal field of view is seen unhindered.

Claims

1. A display projection optical system attachment for spectacles or sunglasses comprising:

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

(b), An opto-electronic display panel contained in said housing, means to electronically display bright luninous visual display images when electrically activated,

(c), Micro electronic circuitary means to generate electronic functions, providing useful video display information to drive said opto-electronic display panel,

(d), A projection window made of thin optically transparent material with an active projection area formed into an oblong concave section of a parabolic surface and the rest of the area continues to make a fixture to said miniature housing, means to collect and partially reflect the light from said display so as to project a well focussed virtual image in front of the eye to appear superimposed on the normal field of view of the spectacles or sunglasses wearer when said display is activated,

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

(f), Means for supplying electric power to said opto-electronic display panel and said micro electronic circuitary,

(g), A readily accessible miniature press button micro switch means to activate said opto-electronic display when required,

(h), Further micro switches electrically coupled to said micro electronic circuitary means to adjust or select display parameters and functions.

2. A display projection optical system attachment for spectacles or sunglasses as claimed in claim 1 wherein said projection window active parabolic concave section is chosen and oriented such that the focal point is approximately at said display panel position, furthermore when said miniature housing is mounted on to a spectacles or sunglasses frame it shall present said active concave section of said projection window in front of an eye of the spectacles or sunglasses wearer with no obstruction to the optical path between said display panel and said active concave projection section.

3. A display projection optical system attachment for spectacles or sunglasses as claimed in claim 1 wherein said opto-electronic display panel further comprises either light emitting diode display technology or liquid crystal display technology, capable of providing either simple alpha-numeric displays or video quality image displays.

4. A display projection optical system attachment for spectacles or sunglasses as claimed in claim 1 wherein said micro electronic circuitary further comprises either electronic time of day generating functions housed within said housing or complete television reception circuitary carried externally and electrically connected to said display panel.

5. A display projection optical system attachment for spectacles or sunglasses as claimed in claim 1 wherein said convenient focussing adjustment further comprises a miniature manual adjuster mechanically coupled to vary the position of said display panel relative to said projection window active concave section.

6. A combination sunglasses display projection system comprising:

(a), A miniature opto-electronic display panel, means to electrically generate bright luminous visual display images,

(b), Micro electronic circuitary, means to generate electronic functions, providing useful video display information to drive said opto-electronic display panel,

(c), A conventional style sunglasses frame, with built in compartments, means to house said opto-electronic display panel and said micro electronic circuitary,

(d), A pair of sunglasses eye-piece viewing surfaces, constructed and formed, such that part of the eye-piece surface is shaped into a parabolic active section, concaved towards the eye, means to partially reflect a focussed image of said display directly to the eye, so as to produce a virtual image of said display, to appear superimposed on the normal field of view of the sunglasses when said display is activated,

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

(f), Means to provide electric power to said opto-electronic display panel and said micro electronic circuitary,

(g), A readily accessible miniature push button micro switch, means to activate said opto-electronic display when required,

(h), Further micro switches, electrically coupled to said micro electronic circuitary, means to adjust or select display parameters and functions.

7. A combination sunglasses display projection system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said opto-electronic display panel, housed in said compartment of said sunglasses frame, is so disposed, to present the display surface, open and generally facing towards the inside surface of said active parabolic section of an eye-piece of said sunglasses, with no obstruction, additionally said display panel shall be disposed approximately at the focal point of said parabolic active section of said eye-piece.

8. A combination sunglasses display projection system as claim in claim 6, wherein said convenient focussing adjustment, further comprising a miniature manual adjuster, mechanically coupled, to vary the position of said display panel relative to said eye-piece parabolic active section.

9. A combination sunglasses display projection system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said opto-electronic display further comprises either light emitting diode display technology or liquid crystal display technology capable of providing either simple alpha-numeric displays or video quality image displays.

10. A combination sunglasses display projection system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said micro electronic circuitary further comprises either electronic time of day generating functions housed within said compartments of the sunglasses frame or complete television reception circuitary carried externally and electrically connected to said opto-electronic panel.