Personalized, private eyewear-based display system

• US 6,947,014 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary L. Wooten
• Original Assignee: Gary L. Wooten
• Inventors: Wooten, Gary L.
• Primary Examiner(s): WU, XIAO MIN
• Application Number:
  US10/327,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20040119663A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 349/11, 345 7- 9, 351/158, 348/52, 348/53, 359/462, 359/463, 359/63
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/101 having an electro-optical light valve electro-optical elements per se G02F

Abstract

An eyewear-based computer display system included with accessories that make the system capable of privately viewing a computer screen by an eyewear user. The device is attachable to a computer as a peripheral device for viewing images that would otherwise be displayed on a computer screen. Also, upon attachment the device includes a monitor auto-blanking system that allows images to no longer be seen on the computer screen, but only be seen within the eyewear device. The device assures for privacy of the user allowing them to have full capacity of their computer screen in a personal viewing system.

Claims

1. A peripheral device for a computer for private viewing of a standard video signal, the device comprising:

a) eyewear capable of being worn by a user for viewing a video signal from a computer when connected thereto;

b) a signal-transmitting connection connecting the eyewear to a video output from the computer, wherein the signal-transmitting connection causes another video output device connected to the computer to auto-blank;

c) a power supply; and

d) a display mechanism for private viewing of the video signal, wherein the display mechanism provides for a field of display on the eyewear that is viewable by the user when wearing the device.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the eyewear is further comprised of:

a) a frame; and

b) at least one lens mounted within said frame for displaying the video signal to the user.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the frame is made from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic, composites, and combinations thereof.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the frame substantially resembles a standard eyeglass frame.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein the display mechanism is a miniature LCD display.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the LCD display is affixed to the at least one lens.

7. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one lens is glare preventing.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the connection is a cable.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the cable is retractable.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the connection is a wireless connection.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the video signal is displayed by a miniature LCD display.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the display mechanism is a projection device.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the projection device uses proximal vision off-axis technology.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the display mechanism depicts a scaleable view as would be seen using a standard display device.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the scaleable view is a partial computer screen view.

16. The device according to claim 14, wherein the scaleable view is a complete computer screen view.

17. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a display navigation device to move a cursor or pointer on the display.

18. The device according to claim 17 wherein the display navigation device is a computer mouse.