Viewing screen assembly

• US 5,420,828 A
• Filed: 08/27/1993
• Issued: 05/30/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael B. Geiger
• Original Assignee: Michael B. Geiger
• Inventors: Geiger, Michael B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pihulic, Daniel T.
• Application Number:
  US08/093,532
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 367/107, 367/131, 367/7, 367/910, 348/53, 348/115
• US Class Current: 367/131
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/042 Optical devices night vision goggles G02B23/12
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/06 with rigid helmet
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/11 Arrangements specific to free-space transmission, i.e. transmission through air or vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/02 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the earth or a large mass of water thereon, e.g. earth telegraphy

Abstract

A viewing screen apparatus for helmets or face masks of the type having a viewing area covered by a face plate is disclosed. The apparatus includes an enclosure adapted to be mounted on a helmet or face mask adjacent the face plate, a solid-state flat panel display screen and associated circuitry contained within the sealed enclosure for displaying visual images on the screen responsive to electronic signals, and a signal receiver connected with the screen for enabling the screen to receive electronic signals from an electronic signal transmission source. In one embodiment the enclosure is selectively movable between a viewing position adjacent the face plate and a position out of the wearer'"'"'s field of vision to allow an unobstructed field of vision through the face plate. In another embodiment the apparatus includes an imaging device adapted to be connected to the helmet or face mask for transmitting electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals to a remote location. The apparatus may be incorporated into various types of helmets and face masks such as underwater diver'"'"'s helmets and masks, space suit helmets, fire fighters helmets and masks, etc., and allows the wearer to view drawings, text and other information transmitted from a remote source while carrying out tasks in an adverse environment and also allows two way visual communication between two or more persons wearing helmets or masks equipped with the viewing system.

Claims

1. A visual display screen apparatus for helmets or face masks of the type having a viewing area covered by a face plate comprising;

a sealed enclosure adapted to be movably mounted on a helmet or face mask adjacent the face plate and having a transparent portion,

a solid-state flat panel display screen and associated circuitry contained within said sealed enclosure capable of displaying sharp clear detailed visual images and text on said screen as they appear as seen by the naked eye responsive to electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals, and

signal connection means connected with said solid-state flat panel display screen for connecting said screen to an electronic signal transmission source for enabling said screen to receive said electronic signals,

said sealed enclosure being selectively movable between a viewing position adjacent the face plate in the wearer'"'"'s field of vision such that said visual images and text are seen by the wearer through the face plate and said transparent portion of said enclosure and a position out of the wearer'"'"'s field of vision to allow an unobstructed field of vision through the face plate.

2. The visual display screen apparatus according to claim 1 in which

said solid-state flat panel display screen is a liquid crystal display screen adapted to produce visual images from electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals.

3. The visual display screen apparatus according to claim 1 including

releasable fastener means for releasably fastening said sealed enclosure in a position out of the wearer'"'"'s field of vision to allow an unobstructed field of vision through the face plate.

4. The visual display screen apparatus according to claim 1 in which

said sealed enclosure is removably mounted on the helmet or face mask and removable therefrom to be hand-held or placed in a convenient location for viewing.

5. The visual display screen apparatus according to claim 1 in which;

said sealed enclosure is mounted on a movable member which is adapted to be movably connected the helmet or face mask adjacent the face plate.

6. The visual display screen apparatus according to claim 1 in which;

said associated circuitry includes adjustable backlighting means for automatically adjusting the brightness of said solid-state flat panel display screen to compensate for the lighting conditions of the ambient environment.

7. The visual display screen apparatus according to claim 1 in which;

said signal connection means comprises a signal receiver connected with said solid-state flat panel display screen for receiving electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals from a remote signal transmitter.

8. A helmet or face mask having a visual display screen comprising;

a helmet or face mask to be worn by a person which covers at least the eyes of the wearer and has a viewing area covered by a face plate,

an enclosure mounted on said helmet or face mask adjacent the face plate and having a transparent portion,

a solid-state flat panel display screen and associated circuitry contained within said enclosure capable of displaying sharp clear detailed visual images and text on said screen as they appear as seen by the naked eye responsive to electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals,

signal connection means connected with said solid-state flat panel display screen for connecting said screen to an electronic signal transmission source for enabling said screen to receive said electronic signals, and

said visual images and text being seen by the wearer through said face plate and said transparent portion of said enclosure while allowing the wearer a substantially unobstructed field of vision through said face plate.

9. The helmet or face mask according to claim 8 in which

said enclosure is movably attached to said helmet or face mask and is selectively movable between a viewing position adjacent said face plate in the wearer'"'"'s field of vision such that the images may be seen through the face plate and transparent portion of said enclosure and a position out of the wearer'"'"'s field of vision to allow an unobstructed field of vision through the face plate.

10. The helmet or face mask according to claim 8 in which

said helmet or face mask has a movable member connected thereto adjacent the face plate, and

said enclosure is mounted on said movable member adjacent the face plate of the helmet or face mask.

11. The helmet or face mask according to claim 8 in which

said solid-state flat panel display screen is a liquid crystal display screen adapted to produce visual images from electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals.

12. The helmet or face mask according to claim 8 in which

said enclosure is removably mounted on said helmet or face mask and removable therefrom to be hand-held or placed in a convenient location for viewing.

13. The helmet or face mask according to claim 8 including;

imaging means connected to said helmet or face mask for transmitting electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals to a remote location, and

signal receiver means connected with said solid-state flat panel display screen for receiving electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals from a remote signal transmitter.

14. The helmet or face mask according to claim 8 in which

said helmet or face mask is a diver'"'"'s helmet or face mask for use underwater, and

said enclosure is a waterproof enclosure for enclosing and waterproofing said solid-state flat panel display screen.

15. The helmet or face mask according to claim 14 including;

imaging means connected to said helmet or face mask for transmitting electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals to a remote location, and

signal receiver means connected with said solid-state flat panel display screen for receiving electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals from a remote signal transmitter.

16. The helmet or face mask according to claim 8 in which

said face plate is a truncated spherical configuration having a transparent portion in the wearers field of vision, and

said enclosure is located on the interior of said face plate.

17. The helmet or face mask according to claim 8 in which

said face plate is a truncated spherical configuration having a transparent portion in the wearers field of vision, and

said enclosure is located on the exterior of said face plate.

18. The helmet or face mask according to claim 8 in which

said helmet or face mask comprises a helmet having an outer shell and an inner shell,

said inner shell being a truncated spherical configuration having a transparent front portion and fitted at its open end with a neck ring suitable for sealing connection with a pressurized space suit,

an outer visor pivotally connected to said helmet outer shell to pivot between a retracted raised position about the rear portion of said helmet between said inner and outer shells and a forward lowered position to cover the front transparent portion of said inner shell, and

said enclosure is mounted adjacent said inner shell in a position to give a substantially unobstructed field of vision to the wearer.

19. The helmet or face mask according to claim 18 in which

said enclosure is mounted on said inner shell in a position to give a substantially unobstructed field of vision to the wearer.

20. The helmet or face mask according to claim 18 in which

said enclosure is mounted on said outer visor in a position to give a substantially unobstructed field of vision to the wearer.

21. The helmet or face mask according to claim 18 in which

said helmet has an intermediate member disposed between said inner shell and said outer visor, and

said enclosure is mounted on said intermediate member in a position to give a substantially unobstructed field of vision to the wearer.

22. A visual information system for installation on helmets or face masks of the type which covers at least the eyes of a wearer and has a viewing area covered by a face plate, the system comprising:

a solid-state flat panel display screen and associated circuitry adapted to be connected to an electronic signal transmission source for receiving electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals and capable of displaying the signals as sharp clear detailed visual images and text on said screen as they appear as seen by the naked eye;

signal connection means connected with said solid-state flat panel display screen for connecting said screen to an electronic signal transmission source for enabling said screen to receive said electronic signals;

an enclosure for enclosing said solid-state flat panel display screen and having a transparent portion; and

mounting means for mounting said enclosure to the helmet or face mask adjacent the wearer'"'"'s field of vision; and

said visual images and text being seen by the wearer through said transparent portion of said enclosure while allowing the wearer a substantially unobstructed field of vision through the face plate.

23. A visual information system for installation on helmets or face masks comprising:

a solid-state flat panel display screen and associated circuitry adapted to be connected to an electronic signal transmission source for receiving electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals and capable of displaying the signals as sharp clear detailed visual images and text on said screen as they appear as seen by the naked eye;

signal connection means connected with said solid-state flat panel display screen for connecting said screen to an electronic signal transmission source for enabling said screen to receive said electronic signals;

an enclosure for enclosing said solid-state flat panel display screen;

mounting means for mounting said enclosure to a helmet or mask worn by a person adjacent the wearer'"'"'s field of vision; and

said enclosure being selectively movable between a viewing position adjacent the wearer'"'"'s field of vision and a position out of the wearer'"'"'s field of vision to allow an unobstructed field of vision;

whereby the wearer may view sharp clear detailed visual images or text transmitted from a remote source while engaged in various activities.

24. The visual information system according to claim 23 wherein

the helmet or face mask has a transparent face plate covering the wearer'"'"'s field of vision, and

said enclosure is located on the interior of the face plate.

25. The visual information system according to claim 23 wherein

the helmet or face mask has a transparent face plate covering the wearer'"'"'s field of vision, and

said enclosure is located on the exterior of the face plate.

26. The visual information system according to claim 23 including;

imaging means adapted to be connected to the helmet or face mask for transmitting electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals to a remote location, and

signal receiver means connected with said solid-state flat panel display screen for receiving electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals from a remote signal transmitter.

27. The visual information system according to claim 23 wherein

said solid-state flat panel display screen is a solid-state liquid crystal display screen adapted to produce visual images from electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals.

28. The visual information system according to claim 23 wherein;

said associated circuitry includes adjustable backlighting means for automatically adjusting the brightness of said solid-state flat panel display screen to compensate for the lighting conditions of the ambient environment.

29. An underwater visual information system for installation on helmets or face masks comprising:

a solid-state flat panel display screen and associated circuitry adapted to be connected to an electronic signal transmission source for receiving electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals and capable of displaying the signals as sharp clear detailed visual images and text on said screen as they appear as seen by the naked eye;

signal connection means connected with said solid-state flat panel display screen for connecting said screen to an electronic signal transmission source for enabling said screen to receive said electronic signals;

a waterproof enclosure for enclosing and waterproofing said solid-state flat panel display screen; and

attachment means for movably attaching said enclosure to a diver'"'"'s helmet or mask adjacent the face plate of the helmet or mask in the diver'"'"'s field of vision;

whereby a diver may view sharp clear detailed visual images and text transmitted from a remote source while submerged in a fluid medium, and

said solid-state flat panel display screen is selectively movable from the diver'"'"'s field of vision by the diver during the course of a dive.

30. The underwater visual information system according to claim 29 including;

imaging means adapted to be connected to said helmet or face mask for transmitting electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals to a remote location, and

signal receiver means connected with said solid-state flat panel display screen for receiving electronic signals selected from the group consisting of analog, digital, television, and laser imaging signals from a remote signal transmitter.