Image viewing device and operation unit for said image viewing device, accessories used with said image viewing device, a facility in which said device and accessories are used, and method of using said image viewing device

• US 6,304,287 B1
• Filed: 11/25/1997
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd. (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd. (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Nagata, Hideki
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): NATNAEL, PAULOS M
• Application Number:
  US08/978,309
• Time in Patent Office: 1,421 Days
• Field of Search: 348/51, 348/53, 348/739, 348/838, 345/8, 345/7, 359/631, 359/630, 359/477, 359/632, 359/633
• US Class Current: 348/53
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0132 comprising binocular systems
• 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: G09G 3/3406 Control of illumination source illumination devices structurally associated with liquid crystal cells G02F1/1336
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/66 Transforming electric information into light information scanning details H04N3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7491 of head mounted projectors

Abstract

In order to allow the user to see the surrounding area without obstructing the image so that he may use an operation unit or eat and drink while viewing the image while leaving an image viewing device mounted on the head, at least a part of the frame unit of the image viewing device has the property of allowing light of a specific wavelength to pass through it, and a light source for the light of said specific wavelength is mounted on, for example, containers as well as on the operation unit.

Claims

1. An image viewing system comprising:

a frame unit; and

an image display system located inside said frame unit for displaying an image;

wherein at least a part of said frame unit has a property of allowing light of a specific wavelength to pass through; and

wherein said frame unit can completely encompass a user'"'"'s field of view for both eyes so that the user can see the displayed image and can see objects outside of said frame unit only when the objects emit or reflect radiation of the specific wavelength.

2. An image viewing system as stated in claim 1, wherein said image display system includes a display device for displaying the image thereon and a viewing member located in said frame unit to enable the viewing of the image displayed on said display device.

3. An image viewing system comprising:

a frame unit;

an image display system located inside said frame unit for displaying an image; and

a controller for controlling the image display of the display system;

wherein at least a part of said frame unit has a property of allowing light of a specific wavelength to pass through; and

wherein at least a portion of said controller emits light of the specific wavelength.

4. An image viewing system as stated in claim 3, wherein said controller has a light emitting diode which emits light of the specific wavelength.

5. An image viewing system as stated in claim 3, wherein the portion of said controller is treated to have a luminescent property.

6. An image viewing system as stated in claim 3, wherein the portion of said controller is treated to have a phosphorescent property.

7. An image viewing system as stated in claim 3, wherein the portion of said controller is treated to have a fluorescent property.

23. An image viewing system as stated in claim 3, wherein said part of said frame unit comprises a band pass filter.

8. An image viewing system comprising:

an image viewing device having a frame unit and a display device located inside said frame unit for displaying an image thereon, wherein at least a part of said frame unit has a property of allowing light of a specific wavelength to pass through; and

an accessory, wherein at least a portion of said accessory emits light of the specific wavelength.

9. An image viewing system as stated in claim 8, wherein said accessory has a light emitting diode which emits light of the specific wavelength.

10. An image viewing system as stated in claim 8, wherein the portion of said accessory is treated to have a luminescent property.

11. An image viewing system as stated in claim 8, wherein the portion of said accessory is treated to have a phosphorescent property.

12. An image viewing system as stated in claim 8, wherein the portion of said accessory is treated to have a fluorescent property.

13. An image viewing system as stated in claim 10, further comprising an illuminating apparatus which emits light for activating said luminescent property so that said accessory emits light of the specific wavelength.

19. An image viewing system as stated in claim 8, wherein said accessory is exterior of said frame unit.

24. An image viewing system as stated in claim 8, wherein said part of said frame unit comprises a band pass filter.

14. A facility comprising:

an image viewing device for use in said facility, said image viewing device having a frame unit and a display device located inside said frame unit for displaying an image thereon;

wherein at least a part of said frame unit has a property of allowing light of a specific wavelength to pass through; and

an accessory for use in said facility, wherein at least a portion of said accessory emits light of the specific wavelength.

15. A facility as stated in claim 14, further comprising an illuminating apparatus which emits light for enhancing the light emission by said accessory.

16. A facility as stated in claim 15, wherein the portion of said accessory is treated to have a luminescent property and wherein said illuminating apparatus emits light for activating said luminescent property so that said accessory emits light of the specific wavelength.

20. A facility as stated in claim 14 wherein said accessory is exterior of said frame unit.

25. A facility as stated in claim 14, wherein said part of said frame unit comprises a band pass filter.

17. A method of using an image viewing system having an image viewing device having a frame unit and a display device located inside the frame unit for displaying an image thereon, wherein said frame unit can completely encompass a user'"'"'s field of view for both eyes so that the user can see the displayed image and can see objects outside of said frame unit only when the objects emit or reflect radiation of a specific wavelength, wherein at least a part of the frame unit has a property of allowing light of the specific wavelength to pass through, and using a controller, wherein at least a portion thereof emits light of the specific wavelength, said method comprising:

mounting on a head or a face said image viewing device for observing an image displayed on the display device; and

controlling the image display on the display device by operating said controller by observing the portion thereof through said part of said frame unit.

26. A method of using an image viewing system as stated in claim 17, wherein said part of said frame unit comprises a band pass filter.

18. A method of using an image viewing system having an image viewing device having a frame unit and a display device located inside the frame unit for displaying an image thereon, wherein at least a part of the frame unit has a property of allowing light of a specific wavelength to pass through, and using a controller, wherein at least a portion thereof emits light of the specific wavelength, said method comprising:

mounting on a head or a face said image viewing device for observing an image displayed on the display device;

controlling the image display on the display device by operating said controller by observing the portion thereof through said frame unit; and

wherein said image viewing system includes a game equipment, wherein said image displayed on the display device is controlled in compliance with the game equipment.

27. A method of using an image viewing system as stated in claim 18, wherein said part of said frame unit comprises a band pass filter.

21. An image viewing device comprising:

a frame unit; and

an image display system located inside said frame unit for displaying an image;

wherein at least a part of said frame unit has a property of allowing light of a specific wavelength to pass through; and

wherein said frame unit can completely encompass a user'"'"'s field of view for both eyes so that the user can see the displayed image and can see objects outside of said frame unit only when the objects emit or reflect radiation of the specific wavelength.

22. An image viewing device as stated in claim 21, wherein said image display system includes a display device for displaying the image thereon and a viewing member located in said frame unit to enable the viewing of the image displayed on said display device.

28. An image viewing device as stated in claim 21, wherein said part of said frame unit comprises a band pass filter.

29. An image viewing system comprising:

a frame unit; and

an image display system attached to said frame unit for displaying an image;

wherein at least a part of said frame unit has a narrow-band transmissibility property that allows light of a limited range of wavelengths to pass through; and

wherein said frame unit is adapted to encompass at least a portion of a user'"'"'s field of view so that the user can see the displayed image and can see objects outside of said frame unit only when the objects emit or reflect radiation within the limited range of wavelengths.

30. An image viewing system as stated in claim 29, wherein said image display system includes a display device for displaying the image thereon and a viewing member located in said frame unit to enable the viewing of the image displayed on said display device.

31. An image viewing system as stated in claim 29, further comprising a controller for controlling the image display system, wherein at least a portion of said controller emits light within the limited range of wavelengths.

32. An image viewing system as stated in claim 31, wherein said controller has a light emitting diode which emits light within the limited range of wavelengths.

33. An image viewing system as stated in claim 31, wherein the portion of said controller is treated to have a luminescent property.

34. An image viewing system as stated in claim 31, wherein the portion of said controller is treated to have a phosphorescent property.

35. An image viewing system as stated in claim 31, wherein the portion of said controller is treated to have a fluorescent property.

36. An image viewing system comprising:

a frame unit; and

an image display system attached to said frame unit for displaying an image;

wherein at least a part of said frame unit has a narrow-band transmissibility property that allows light of a limited range of wavelengths to pass through; and

wherein said frame unit is adapted to interrupt at least a portion of a user'"'"'s normal field of view so that the user can see the displayed image and can see objects outside of said frame unit only when the objects emit or reflect radiation within the limited range of wavelengths.

37. An image viewing system as stated in claim 36, wherein said image display system includes a display device for displaying the image thereon and a viewing member located in said frame unit to enable the viewing of the image displayed on said display device.

38. An image viewing system comprising:

a frame unit;

an image display system attached to said frame unit for displaying an image; and

a controller for controlling the image display of the display system;

wherein at least a part of said frame unit has a narrow-band transmissibility property that allows light of a limited range of wavelengths to pass through; and

wherein at least a portion of said controller emits light within the limited range of wavelengths.

39. An image viewing system as stated in claim 38, wherein said controller has a light emitting diode which emits light of the specific wavelength.

40. An image viewing system as stated in claim 38, wherein the portion of said controller is treated to have a luminescent property.

41. An image viewing system as stated in claim 38, wherein the portion of said controller is treated to have a phosphorescent property.

42. An image viewing system as stated in claim 38, wherein the portion of said controller is treated to have a fluorescent property.

43. A facility comprising:

an image viewing device for use in said facility, said image viewing device having a frame unit and a display device attached to said frame unit for displaying an image thereon;

wherein at least a part of said frame unit has a narrow-band transmissibility property that allows light of a limited range of wavelengths to pass through; and

an accessory for use in said facility, wherein at least a portion of said accessory emits light within the limited range of wavelengths.

44. A facility as stated in claim 43, wherein said accessory has a light emitting diode which emits light of the specific wavelength.

45. A facility as stated in claim 43, wherein the portion of said accessory is treated to have a luminescent property.

46. A facility as stated in claim 45, further comprising an illuminating apparatus adapted to emit light for activating said luminescent property so that said accessory emits light within the limited range of wavelengths.

47. A facility as stated in claim 43, wherein the portion of said accessory is treated to have a phosphorescent property.

48. A facility as stated in claim 43, wherein the portion of said accessory is treated to have a fluorescent property.

49. A method of using an image viewing system having an image viewing device having a frame unit and a display device attached to the frame unit for displaying an image thereon, wherein said frame unit is adapted to interrupt at least a portion of a user'"'"'s normal field of view so that the user can see the displayed image and can see objects outside of said frame unit only when the objects emit or reflect radiation of a wavelength within a limited range of wavelengths, wherein at least a part of said frame unit has a narrow-band transmissibility property that only allows light within the limited range of wavelengths to pass through, and using a controller, wherein at least a portion thereof emits light of the specific wavelength, said method comprising:

mounting on a head or a face said image viewing device for observing an image displayed on the display device; and

controlling the image display on the display device by operating said controller by observing the portion thereof through said part of said frame unit.

50. A method of using an image viewing system as stated in claim 49, wherein said part of said frame unit comprises a band pass filter.

51. An image viewing system comprising:

a frame unit; and

an image display system attached to said frame unit for displaying an image;

wherein at least a part of said frame unit has a narrow-band transmissibility property that allows light of a limited range of wavelengths to pass through; and

wherein said frame unit is adapted to interfere with at least a portion of a user'"'"'s normal field of view so that the user can only clearly appreciate objects outside of said frame that emit or reflect radiation within the limited range of wavelengths.