Portable communication display device

• US 7,310,072 B2
• Filed: 05/16/1997
• Issued: 12/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kopin Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kopin Corporation
• Inventors: Ronzani, Peter A., Jacobsen, Jeffrey, Gale, Ronald, Pombo, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang, Regina
• Application Number:
  US08/857,273
• Publication Number:
  US 20020163486A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,868 Days
• Field of Search: 345 7- 9, 345/4, 345/5, 345/6, 345/87, 345/102, 345/76, 345/82, 345/905, 345/903, 348/794, 348/790, 348/800, 348/801, 348/51, 348/53, 348/115, 351/158, 340/980, 359/630
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/011 comprising device for correcting geometrical aberrations, distortion
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0132 comprising binocular systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0143 the two eyes not being equipped with identical nor symmetrical optical devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0154 with movable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0158 with adjustable nose pad
• 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 2027/0187 slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye
• 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 5/18 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
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/12 Adjusting pupillary distance of binocular pairs

Abstract

A head-mounted display system displays information via a matrix display element mounted within a housing that is positioned relative to at least eye of a user. The display is connected to a video or information source such that the user can view information or images shown on the display. The display can be mounted to a frame so that the user can move the display in and out of the user'"'"'s field of view without adjusting the supporting harness that holds the display on the user'"'"'s head.

Claims

1. A portable wireless communications device comprising:

a) a portable housing;

b) a wireless receiver within the housing for receiving wireless audio-video data;

c) a display module attached to the housing, the display module comprising;

i) an active matrix liquid crystal display panel, the display panel having an active matrix circuit and an array of at least 300,000 pixel electrodes;

ii) a light source that is optically coupled to the display panel, where light from the light source backlights the display panel;

iii) a lens magnifying an image displayed on the display panel for viewing by a user, wherein the active matrix display panel, the light source and the lens are located on a single optical axis extending along a line of sight of the user; and

iv) a display driver circuit coupled to the active matrix circuit, the display driver circuit forming images on the display panel from the received image data;

d) a processing unit mounted within the housing and coupled between the wireless receiver and the display driver circuit; and

e) a battery carried by the housing for powering the processing unit, the wireless receiver, the display panel, the light source, and the display driver circuit.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the display module rotates relative to the housing.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a head mounted support.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the display panel is a video display.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the display panel has an array of at least 640×

480 pixel electrodes.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal element along an optical path between the display panel and the lens.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a video processing circuit within the housing.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising a port coupled to the housing for receiving a memory card.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the light source comprises red, green and blue light sources.

10. The device of claim 1 further comprising a modem within the housing.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the display panel has an array of transistors that is formed with a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structure.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the display panel has a diagonal length of 0.7 inches or less.

13. The device of claim 1 further comprising a flexible ribbon cable connecting the housing and the display module.

14. The device of claim 1 further comprising a servo coupled to the processing unit and coupled to the display module, the servo allowing adjustment of the position of the display module relative to the user'"'"'s eyes.

15. The device of claim 1 comprising an external sensor module coupled to the processing unit for providing data relating to an environment surrounding the user.

16. The device of claim 1 comprising an internal sensor module coupled to the processing unit for providing data relating to an environment between the user and a protective layer.

17. The device of claim 1 comprising a lifesigns module coupled to the central processing unit for providing data regarding the user'"'"'s bodily condition.

18. The device of claim 1 further comprising display control circuitry mounted on the housing and coupled to the display driver circuit, the display control circuitry allowing for user control of the display.

19. The device of claim 1 further comprising an imaging device coupled to the housing.

20. The device of claim 1 wherein the display panel comprises an array of transistor circuits and an array of pixel electrodes such that the active matrix circuit is bonded to an optically transmissive substrate with an adhesive layer.

21. A portable wireless telephone comprising:

a) a portable housing;

b) a wireless receiver within the housing for receiving wireless audio and image data;

c) a display module attached to the housing, the display module comprising;

i) an active matrix liquid crystal display panel attached to the housing, the display panel having an active matrix circuit and an array of at least 300,000 pixel electrodes;

ii) a light source that is optically coupled to the display panel such that light from the light source backlights the display panel;

iii) a lens magnifying an image displayed on the display panel for viewing by a user, wherein the active matrix display panel, the light source and the lens are located on a single optical axis extending along a line of sight of the user; and

iv) a display driver circuit within the housing and coupled to the active matrix circuit, the display driver circuit forming images on the display panel from the received image data;

d) a processing unit coupled between the wireless receiver and the display driver circuit; and

e) a battery within the housing for powering the processing unit, the receiver, the display panel, and the display driver circuit.

22. The telephone of claim 21 wherein the display module rotates relative to the housing.

23. The telephone of claim 21 wherein the housing comprises a head mounted support.

24. The telephone of claim 21 wherein the display panel is a video display.

25. The telephone of claim 21 wherein the display panel has an array of at least 640×

480 pixel electrodes.

26. The telephone of claim 21 further comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal element along an optical path between the display panel and the lens.

27. The telephone of claim 21 further comprising a video processing circuit within the housing.

28. The telephone of claim 21 further comprising a port coupled to the housing for receiving a memory card.

29. The telephone of claim 21 wherein the light source comprises red, green and blue light sources.

30. The telephone of claim 21 further comprising a modem within the housing.

31. The telephone of claim 21 wherein the display panel has an array of transistors that is formed with a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structure.

32. The telephone of claim 21 wherein the display module comprises a reflector positioned around the light source.

33. The telephone of claim 21 wherein the display panel has a diagonal length of 0.7 inches or less.

34. The telephone of claim 21 further comprising a flexible ribbon cable connecting the housing and the display module.

35. The telephone of claim 21 wherein the display panel and the lens are on a single optical axis.

36. The telephone of claim 21 further comprising a servo coupled to the processing unit and coupled to the display module, the servo allowing adjustment of the position of the display module relative to the user'"'"'s eyes.

37. The telephone of claim 21 comprising an external sensor module coupled to the processing unit for providing data relating to an environment surrounding the user.

38. The telephone of claim 21 comprising an internal sensor module coupled to the processing unit for providing data relating to an environment between the user and a protective layer.

39. The telephone of claim 21 comprising a lifesigns module coupled to the processing unit for providing data regarding the user'"'"'s bodily condition.

40. The telephone of claim 21 further comprising display control circuitry mounted on the housing, the display control circuitry allowing for user control of the display.

41. The telephone of claim 21 further comprising an imaging device coupled to the housing.

42. The telephone of claim 21 wherein the display panel comprises an array of transistor circuits and an array of pixel electrodes such that the active matrix circuit is bonded to an optically transmissive substrate with an adhesive layer.

43. A portable wireless communications device comprising:

a) a portable housing;

for

b) a wireless receiver within the housing for receiving wireless image data;

c) a display module attached to the housing, the display module comprising;

i) an active matrix liquid crystal display panel attached to the housing, the display panel having an active matrix circuit including an array of transistor circuits and an array of at least 300,000 pixel electrodes such that the active matrix circuit is bonded to an optically transmissive substrate with an adhesive layer;

ii) a light source that is optically coupled to the display panel where light from the light source backlights the display panel;

iii) a lens magnifying an image displayed on the display panel for viewing by a user, wherein the active matrix display panel, the light source and the lens are located on a single optical axis extending along a line of sight of the user; and

iv) a display driver circuit coupled to the active matrix circuit, the display driver circuit forming images on the display panel from the received image data;

d) a processing unit coupling the wireless receiver with the display driver circuit;

e) display control circuitry mounted on the housing and coupled through the processing unit to the display driver circuit, the display control circuitry allowing for user control of the display;

f) a servo coupled to the processing unit and coupled to the display panel, the servo allowing adjustment of the position of the display panel relative to the user'"'"'s eyes;

g) an external sensor module coupled to the processing unit for providing data relating to an environment surrounding the user;

h) an internal sensor module coupled to the processing unit for providing data relating to an environment between the user and a protective layer;

i) a life sign module coupled to the processing unit for providing data regarding the user'"'"'s bodily condition; and

j) a battery carried by the housing for powering the processing unit, the receiver, the display panel, the light source, and the display driver circuit.

44. The device of claim 43, wherein the housing includes a head mounted support.