Three-dimensional sight and sound reproduction apparatus for individual use

• US 4,952,024 A
• Filed: 06/20/1988
• Issued: 08/28/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas S. Gale
• Original Assignee: Thomas S. Gale
• Inventors: Gale, Thomas S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bovernick, Rodney B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/209,169
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 350/130, 350/133, 350/134, 350/131, 350/132, 350/143, 350/145, 350/330, 351/158, 351/201, 358/88, 358/241
• US Class Current: 359/477
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/25 Output arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/53 involving additional visual information provided to the game scene, e.g. by overlay to simulate a head-up display [HUD] or displaying a laser sight in a shooting game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/303 for displaying additional data, e.g. simulating a Head Up Display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6081 generating an output signal, e.g. under timing constraints, for spatialization
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0132 comprising binocular systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0159 with mechanical means other than scaning means for positioning the whole image
• 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: G02B 30/34 Stereoscopes providing a stereoscopic pair of separated images corresponding to parallactically displaced views of the same object, e.g. 3D slide viewers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/027 Spatial or constructional arrangements of microphones, e.g. in dummy heads
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/0335 Earpiece support, e.g. headbands or neckrests for monophonic headphones H04R1/105

Abstract

A three dimensional sight and sound reproduction apparatus for individual use is disclosed. The apparatus includes a headset having a central rib connecting an eye covering portion, a pair of depending lens and a rear portion. The eye covering portion substantially blocks ambient light from being viewed by the wearer of the headset and includes a first and second liquid crystal display screen spaced apart sideways. The images on the screens can be focused by use of lenses. Depending ear limbs are also provided containing a first and the second earphone adjacent to the ears of the wearer and being adjustable to suit the location of the individual wearer'"'"'s ears. A rear portion is connectable to a plurality of signal sources including a first signal source for providing an image for the first liquid crystal display screen, a second signal source for providing an image for the second liquid crystal display screen, a third signal source for providing a sound for the first earphone and a fourth signal source for providing sound for the second earphone. The first and second signal sources are oriented to correspond to the spacing of human eyes and the third and fourth signal sources are oriented to sense sounds in a like manner to human ears.

Claims

1. A three dimensional sight and sound reproduction apparatus for individual use comprising:

a balanced headset having a center rib connecting a contoured eye covering portion, a pair of depending ear limbs, and a rear portion,

the eye covering portion including adjustable means for substantially blocking ambient light from being seen by the wearer of the headset, at least a first and a second liquid crystal display screen spaced at an interocular distance apart on the same plane and means for focusing any images displayed thereon;

the depending ear limbs containing a first and a second means for reproducing sound adjacent the ears of the wearer of the headset, and means for adjusting the location of the first and second sound reproducing means to suit the individual wearer of the headset;

the rear portion including means for connecting the headset, and thereby the liquid crystal display screens and the sound reproducing means, to a plurality of signal sources, including,

a first signal source for providing an image for the first liquid crystal display screen;

a second signal source for providing an image for the second liquid crystal display screen;

a third signal source for providing a sound for the first sound reproduction means;

a forth signl source for providing a sound for the second sound reproduction means;

said first and second signal sources being oriented to and correspond to the spacing of a pair of human eyes, and said third and fourth signal sources being oriented to sense sounds in a like manner to human ears, the weight of the headset being generally balanced between the eye covering portion in the front and the rear portion, whereby the load of the headset is generally evenly distributed along said headset, wherein said rear portion includes a curved foot responsive to the wearer'"'"'s neck to conform therewith, said foot including a weight to counterbalance the weight of the eye covering portion.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said headset further includes an aroma source said aroma source providing scents to correspond to the signal sources.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said aroma source comprises a stationary ring member having inner and outer walls, and an orifice formed in each of said inner and outer walls;

a fan assembly mounted in said ring member said fan assembly directing air outward through said orifices;

a rotating scent ring comprising a plurality of openings, each of said openings containing a specific scent source, and

a motor for rotating said scent ring to align different of said openings to said orifices;

whereby said scents may be altered to correspond with the audio-visual signal sources received.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said aroma source is adapted to rest on a surface generally adjacent the wearer of the headset.

5. The invention of claim 3 wherein said aroma source is mounted onto the headset and has a scent-conveying tube associated with said orifices to carry scent to a position in close proximity to the wearer'"'"'s nostrils.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said eye covering portion is hingedly connected to said center rib, and may be maintained in an open position, or in a closed position.

7. The invention of claim 6 further including a switch to de-activate said headset upon the eye convering portion being placed in said open position.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said center rib includes a means for adjusting its length, the spacing between said eye covering portion and said rear portion being adjustable, responsive to the wearer'"'"'s head size.

9. The invention of claim 1 wherein said sound reproducing means include replaceable ear insertion portions.

10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said adjustable means for substantially blocking ambient light from being viewed by the wearer of the headset comprises a substantially light impermiable foamed rim, responsive to the wearer'"'"'s face to seal thereagainst.

11. The invention of claim 1 further including auxilliary sound reproducing means external to the headset and responsive to the signal sources.