Wearable high resolution audio visual interface

• US 7,740,353 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2007
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Original Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Inventors: Jannard, James
• Primary Examiner(s): DANG, HUNG XUAN
• Application Number:
  US11/955,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20090059381A1
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 351/158, 351/41, 359/630, 359/631, 359/633, 359/638, 359/618, 345/8, 345/7, 345/9, 349/13
• US Class Current: 351/158
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0112 comprising device for genereting colour display
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0169 Supporting or connecting means other than the external walls
• 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 27/0179 Display position adjusting means not related to the information to be displayed
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3173 wherein the projection device is specially adapted for enhanced portability
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An adjustable visual optical element is provided, which may be supported, for example, by an eyeglass. The optical element is preferably adjustable in each of the X, Y, and Z axes to allow the wearer to optimize projection of the optical element. A view axis of the display is preferably also angularly adjustable with respect to a wearer'"'"'s straight ahead normal line of sight. Source electronics may be carried onboard the eyeglasses, or may be connectable to the eyeglasses via either a hardwire, optical guide, or radiofrequency link.

Claims

1. An adjustable optical element assembly for projecting at least one optical beam onto a retina of a wearer, the retina defining an optical centerline, the optical element being supported by an eyeglass having a frame and a pair of earstems extending posteriorly relative to the frame, the optical element assembly comprising:

a swingbar defining first and second ends, the first end of the swingbar being attachable to a first lateral end portion of the frame, the second end of the swingbar being attachable to a second lateral end portion of the frame, the swingbar being moveable toward the frame toward a retracted position and away from the frame toward an extended position wherein the swingbar is positioned posteriorly relative to a lens of the eyeglass;

an optical element comprising;

an adjustable connector having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being attachable to the swingbar, the distal end thereof being adjustable relative to the proximal end;

a transmission component being configured to receive optical data from at least one source, the transmission component being configured to transmit the optical data along a data path; and

a transmission surface being carried by the distal end of the adjustable connector along the data path, the transmission surface being configured to receive the optical data from the transmission component and to project at least one optical beam toward the retina of the wearer at an angle of incidence relative to the optical centerline, the optical beam being representative of the optical data,

wherein the swingbar is moveable to the extended position for adjusting the adjustable connector relative to the optical centerline of the retina, and wherein the distal end of the adjustable connector is configured to provide directional movement of the transmission surface along at least X and Y axis for altering the angle of incidence of the optical beam relative to the optical centerline.

2. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the transmission surface is tiltably connected to the distal end of the adjustable connector.

3. The optical element of claim 2 wherein the adjustable connector defines a connector axis and the transmission surface is tiltable about the connector axis.

4. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the adjustable connector is further configured to provide directional movement of the transmission surface along a Z axis.

5. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the adjustable connector is configured as a flexible shaft.

6. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the adjustable connector comprises a plurality of interconnected links.

7. The optical element of claim 6 wherein the adjustable connector is adjustable between a plurality of rigid positions.

8. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the adjustable connector is configured to provide for removable positioning of the transmission surface within the field of view of the wearer.

9. The optical element of claim 8 wherein the adjustable connector is configured to be removably stowable against the wearable support structure.

10. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the transmission surface projects the optical beam onto a reflective surface, the beam being reflected from the reflective surface onto the retina of the wearer.

11. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the transmission component is mounted on the adjustable connector.

12. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the transmission component includes an optical fiber.

13. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the swingbar pivots relative to the frame.

14. A wearable projection assembly for projecting at least one optical beam onto a retina of a wearer, the retina defining an optical centerline, the assembly comprising:

an eyeglass comprising a frame and a pair of earstems extending posteriorly relative to the frame, the frame comprising first and second lateral end portions;

a swingbar defining first and second ends being attachable to the respective ones of the first and second lateral end portions of the frame, the swingbar being moveable between a retracted position and an extended position;

at least one adjustable optical element being attachable to the swingbar, the optical element comprising;

an adjustable connector having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being attachable to the swingbar, the distal end thereof being adjustable relative to the proximal end;

a transmission component being configured to receive optical data from at least one source, the transmission component being configured to transmit the optical data along a data path toward the distal end of the adjustable connector; and

a transmission surface being disposed on the distal end of the adjustable connector along the data path, the transmission surface being configured to receive the optical data from the transmission component and to project at least one optical beam onto the retina of the wearer at an angle of incidence relative to the optical centerline, the optical beam being representative of the optical data,

wherein the swingbar is moveable to the extended position for adjusting the adjustable connector relative to the optical centerline of the retina, and wherein the distal end of the adjustable connector provides for at least X and Y axis movement of the transmission surface for altering the angle of incidence of the optical beam relative to the optical centerline.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the first and second ends of the swingbar are attached to a posterior portion of the frame of the eyeglass.

16. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the swingbar comprises an elongate body extending between the first and second lateral end portions of the frame.

17. The assembly of claim 16 further comprising a motion-limiting element configured to restrict motion of the swingbar relative to the frame.

18. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the first and second ends of the swingbar are pivotally attached to the frame.

19. A wearable projection assembly comprising:

an eyeglass comprising a frame and a pair of earstems extending posteriorly relative to the frame, the frame comprising first and second lateral end portions;

an elongate swingbar defining first and second ends being attached to the respective ones of the first and second lateral end portions of the frame for moving the swingbar between a retracted position and an extended position; and

first and second optical elements attached to the swingbar, the first and second optical elements being configured to transmit optical data from at least one source toward respective retinas of wearer, each optical element defining proximal and distal ends, the proximal ends thereof being attached to the swingbar, the distal ends thereof being adjustable relative to the proximal end with the swingbar in the extended position for adjusting the first and second optical elements relative to optical centerlines of the retinas of the wearer.

20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the first and second optical elements project the optical data directly onto the retinas of the wearer.

21. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the first and second optical elements can be nested in the swingbar in a retracted position.

22. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the frame comprises a groove wherein the swingbar is nested in the retracted position.

23. The assembly of claim 22 wherein the first and second ends of the swingbar are recessed into the frame.

24. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the first and second ends of the swingbar are pivotally attached to the frame.