Body-carryable display devices and systems using E.G. coherent fiber optic conduit
First Claim
1. A body-carryable display device, comprisingan image source for producing an image;
- an image transmission device, the image transmission device comprising a coherent fiber optic conduit for receiving the image from the image source and carrying the image for ultimate display, the image transmission device being carryable on the body of a user, the coherent fiber optic conduit comprising a ball lens disposed along the fiber optic conduit, the ball lens allowing the coherent fiber optic conduit to fold;
optics for receiving and relaying the image carried by the image transmission device; and
a display for receiving the image from the optics and displaying the image, the displayed image being visible by at least one person.
15 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A body-mountable display device includes an image source for producing an image, an image transmission device including at least one optically-transmissive fiber, the image transmission device being mountable on the body of a user, projection optics for receiving and relaying the image carried by the image transmission device, and a display for receiving the image from the image transmission device and projecting the image to at least one person. Embodiments of the invention are of significantly reduced size and weight, significantly reduced power consumption and thermal output, and significantly increased durability and reliability. Embodiments of the invention also are more aesthetically pleasing in appearance. Corresponding method embodiments provide similar advantages.
189 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A body-carryable display device, comprising
an image source for producing an image; -
an image transmission device, the image transmission device comprising a coherent fiber optic conduit for receiving the image from the image source and carrying the image for ultimate display, the image transmission device being carryable on the body of a user, the coherent fiber optic conduit comprising a ball lens disposed along the fiber optic conduit, the ball lens allowing the coherent fiber optic conduit to fold; optics for receiving and relaying the image carried by the image transmission device; and a display for receiving the image from the optics and displaying the image, the displayed image being visible by at least one person.
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2. A fiber-optic coupled head-mounted display device, the fiber-optic coupled head-mounted display device comprising:
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drive and interface electronics for receiving a video signal from video output circuitry of a source, the drive and interface electronics producing signals compatible with display electronics; a display for receiving signals from the drive and interface electronics the display comprising a two-dimensional array of picture elements, the signals from the drive and interface electronics controlling which picture elements to turn on and off and controlling the brightness or color of the individual pixels to form an image on the display; a display light source for making the image on the display visible to a wearer of the head-mounted display device; imaging optics to inject and transmit the image on the display; a coherent fiber optic conduit for receiving the image from the display via the imaging optics, the coherent fiber optic conduit having two ends the coherent fiber optic conduit receiving the image at one end and carrying it to and replicating it at the other end, the coherent fiber optic conduit being constructed for carrying by the head of the wearer; projection optics for receiving and relaying the image carried by the coherent fiber optic conduit; and a projection mirror for receiving the image from the projection optics and relaying the image to the eye of the wearer, wherein the display is a transmission-type display;
further wherein the light source is positioned behind the display to form a backlight for the display.
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3. A fiber-optic coupled head-mounted display device, the fiber-optic coupled head-mounted display device comprising:
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drive and interface electronics for receiving a video signal from video output circuitry of a source, the drive and interface electronics producing signals compatible with display electronics; a display for receiving signals from the drive and interface electronics the display comprising a two-dimensional array of picture elements, the signals from the drive and interface electronics controlling which picture elements to turn on and off and controlling the brightness or color of the individual pixels to form an image on the display; a display light source for making the image on the display visible to a wearer of the head-mounted display device; imaging optics to inject and transmit the image on the display; a coherent fiber optic conduit for receiving the image from the display via the imaging optics, the coherent fiber optic conduit having two ends, the coherent fiber optic conduit receiving the image at one end and carrying it to and replicating it at the other end, the coherent fiber optic conduit being constructed for carrying by the head of the wearer; projection optics for receiving and relaying the image carried by the coherent fiber optic conduit; and a projection mirror for receiving the image from the projection optics and relaying the image to the eye of the wearer, wherein the display is a transmission-type display;
further wherein the display light source is positioned in front of or to the side of the display.
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4. A fiber-optic coupled head-mounted display device, the fiber-optic coupled head-mounted display device comprising:
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drive and interface electronics for receiving a video signal from video output circuitry of a source, the drive and interface electronics producing signals compatible with display electronics; a display for receiving signals from the drive and interface electronics, the display comprising a two-dimensional array of picture elements, the signals from the drive and interface electronics controlling which picture elements to turn on and off and controlling the brightness or color of the individual pixels to form an image on the display; a display light source for making the image on the display visible to a wearer of the head-mounted display device; imaging optics to inject and transmit the image on the display; a coherent fiber optic conduit for receiving the image from the display via the imaging optics, the coherent fiber optic conduit having two ends, the coherent fiber optic conduit receiving the image at one end and carrying it to and replicating it at the other end, the coherent fiber optic conduit being constructed for carrying by the head of the wearer; projection optics for receiving and relaying the image carried by the coherent fiber optic conduit; and a projection mirror for receiving the image from the projection optics and relaying the image to the eye of the wearer, wherein the projection mirror comprises an off-axis parabolic mirror.
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5. A fiber-optic coupled head-mounted display device the fiber-optic coupled head-mounted display device comprising:
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drive and interface electronics for receiving a video signal from video output circuitry of a source, the drive and interface electronics producing signals compatible with display electronics; a display for receiving signals from the drive and interface electronics, the display comprising a two-dimensional array of picture elements, the signals from the drive and interface electronics controlling which picture elements to turn on and off and controlling the brightness or color of the individual pixels to form an image on the display; a display light source for making the image on the display visible to a wearer of the head-mounted display device; imaging optics to inject and transmit the image on the display; a coherent fiber optic conduit for receiving the image from the display via the imaging optics, the coherent fiber optic conduit having two ends, the coherent fiber optic conduit receiving the image at one end and carrying it to and replicating it at the other end, the coherent fiber optic conduit being constructed for carrying by the head of the wearer; projection optics for receiving and relaying the image carried by the coherent fiber optic conduit; and a projection mirror for receiving the image from the projection optics and relaying the image to the eye of the wearer, wherein the projection mirror comprises a transparent substrate overlain with a partially reflective coating.
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6. A fiber-optic coupled head-mounted display device for use by a wearer, the fiber-optic coupled head-mounted display device comprising:
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drive and interface electronics for receiving a video signal from video output circuitry of a source, the drive and interface electronics producing signals compatible with display electronics; a display for receiving signals from the drive and interface electronics and displaying an image, the signals from the drive and interface electronics controlling formation of the image on the display, the display being constructed for carrying by the head of the wearer; a display light source for making the image on the display visible to a wearer of the head-mounted display device; imaging optics to inject and transmit the image on the display; a coherent fiber optic conduit for receiving the image from the display via the imaging optics, the coherent fiber optic conduit having two ends, the coherent fiber optic conduit receiving the image at one end and carrying it to and replicating it at the other end, the coherent fiber optic conduit being constructed for carrying by the head of the wearer; projection optics for receiving and relaying the image carried by the coherent fiber optic conduit; and a projection mirror for receiving the image from the projection optics and relaying the image to the eye of the wearer. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A body-carryable display device, comprising:
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an image source for producing an image; a display for displaying the image, the display being constructed for support by the head of the user; structure extending from adjacent the image source toward the display, said structure being constructed for support by the head of the user, said structure comprising an image transmission device, the image transmission device comprising an optical rod constructed to receive the image from the image source and carry the image for ultimate display; and projection optics for receiving the image carried by the image transmission device and relaying the image along an image path to the display, the device being constructed such that the image path is substantially unenclosed, the projection optics being constructed for support by the head of the user. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A body-carryable display device, comprising
means for producing an image, the means for producing an image being carryable by the head of a user; -
means for transmitting the image, comprising means for receiving the image from the image source and carrying the image for ultimate display, the means for transmitting the image being carryable on the body of the user; means for receiving and relaying the image carried by the means for transmitting the image; and means for receiving the image from the means for receiving and relaying, and for displaying the image to at least one person. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A finger-carryable display device, comprising
an image source for producing an image; -
an image transmission device, the image transmission device comprising at least one optically transmissive fiber for receiving the image from the image source and carrying the image for ultimate display, the image transmission device being constructed and dimensioned for substantially encircling the finger of a user and being worn as a finger ring by the user; optics, operably coupled with the image transmission device, for receiving and relaying the image carried by the image transmission device; and a display for receiving the image from the optics and displaying the image, the displayed image being visible by at least one person. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A body-carryable display device, comprising
an image source for producing an image, the image source being constructed for support by the head of a user of the device; -
a display for displaying the image, the display being constructed for support by the head of the user; structure extending from adjacent the image source toward the display, said structure being constructed for support by the head of the user, said structure comprising an image transmission device, the image transmission device comprising an optical rod constructed to receive the image from the image source and carry the image for ultimate display; and projection optics for receiving and relaying the image carried by the image transmission device, the projection optics being constructed for support by the head of the user; the display receiving the image from the projection optics and displaying the image, the displayed image being visible to at least one eye of the user. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A body-carryable display method, comprising:
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producing an image with an image source carried by the head of a user; transmitting the image by an image transmission device, the image transmission device comprising a fiber optic rod including at least one optically transmissive fiber for receiving the image from the image source and carrying the image for ultimate display, the image transmission device being carryable on the body of the user; receiving and relaying the image carried by the image transmission device by projection optics; receiving the image from the projection optics with a display, the display being visible by at least one person; and displaying the image to the at least one person. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40)
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Specification