Head mounted display system

• US 5,642,221 A
• Filed: 03/09/1994
• Issued: 06/24/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Optics 1, Inc. (Safran SA)
• Original Assignee: Optics 1, Inc. (Safran SA)
• Inventors: Lee, L. Milton, Roth, Karl H., Fischer, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Thong
• Assistant Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren E.
• Application Number:
  US08/207,604
• Time in Patent Office: 1,203 Days
• Field of Search: 359/13, 359/14, 359/462, 359/466, 359/471, 359/475, 359/477, 359/630, 359/632, 359/771, 359/772, 359/773, 359/775, 359/781, 359/782, 359/815, 359/816, 345/7-9, 348/115, 348/838, 348/53, 351/158, 351/118, 2/6.2, 2/422
• US Class Current: 359/477
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/011 comprising device for correcting geometrical aberrations, distortion
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0116 comprising devices for correcting chromatic aberration
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/013 comprising a combiner of particular shape, e.g. curvature
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0132 comprising binocular systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0136 with a single image source for both eyes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0154 with movable elements
• 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 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• 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 5/04 Prisms
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/18 Diffraction gratings holographic optical elements G02B5/32, G03H; integrally combined with optical fibres G02B6/02057; for coupling light guides G02B6/34; integrally combined with optical integrated light guides G02B6/12; grating systems G02B27/44
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/30 Polarising elements light-modulating devices with active elements G02F1/00

Abstract

A head-mounted display system for the viewing of video or other sources of imagery which comprises a mechanism allowing for a wide range of adjustments for presenting the display to the wearer. The head mounted display device is supported by a headband or other support structure with three independent adjustments giving the wearer a wide range of adjustment capability. One pivot adjustment is in a location in proximity with the ear, the other pivot adjustment is located in close proximity with the pupil of the eye, and a third adjustment allows for the display unit to be adjusted in or out from the wearers head so as to permit convenient use with glasses. The mechanism allows the display to be located within or outside the wearer'"'"'s primary field of view by utilizing these multiple adjustment locations for the system. The display unit consists of viewing optics, fold mirrors, liquid crystal display devices, and a backlight unit. By folding the light inward to nearly co-located display devices, a single backlight unit can be used.

Claims

1. A head-mounted display system for a wearer, comprising:

display means for displaying a visual image, wherein said display means comprises a pair of groups of lenses, each group of lenses having two positively powered lenses and two negatively powered lenses all having a total of two radii of curvatures, and wherein one of said two radii of curvatures is approximately four times the other one of said two radii of curvatures;

supporting means to be worn on the head of the wearer for supporting said display means; and

mechanical coupling means for mechanically coupling said display means and said supporting means, said coupling means allowing said display means to be positioned within or outside a wearer'"'"'s primary field of view and yet always directing said visual image into the wearer'"'"'s pupils.

2. The head-mounted display as claimed in claim 1, wherein said two positively powered lenses comprise acrylic and said two negatively powered lenses comprise styrene.

3. The head-mounted display as claimed in claim 1, wherein said positively powered lenses have one of said two radii of curvature.

4. A head-mounted display system for a wearer, comprising:

supporting means having a first pivot pair;

an adjustable arm pair having a first pivot pair end and a second pivot pair, said first pivot pair end of the adjustable arm pair being coupled to said first pivot pair of said supporting means; and

a display module for respectively outputting a visual image, said display module being attached to said second pivot pair of said adjustable arm pair, wherein said adjustable arm pair can be rotated about said second pivot pair to allow the wearer to position said display module within or outside the wearer'"'"'s primary field of view, wherein said display module comprises a pair of groups of lenses, each group of lenses having only two radii of curvature, and wherein one of said two radii of curvature is approximately four times the other one of said two radii of curvature.

5. The head-mounted display as claimed in claim 4, wherein each group of lenses has two positively powered lenses comprised of acrylic and two negatively powered lenses comprised of styrene.

6. The head-mounted display as claimed in claim 4, wherein some lenses of said pair of groups of lenses are comprised of acrylic and other lenses of said pair of groups of lenses are comprised of styrene.

7. The head-mounted display as claimed in claim 4, wherein each group of lenses has two positively powered lenses and two negatively powered lenses.