Auxiliary targeting viewer

• US 7,898,503 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2006
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kopin Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kopin Corporation
• Inventors: Cuprys, Lawrence M., Pombo, Stephen A., Presz, Michael J., Bacarella, Antonio V., Crane, Mark H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengistu, Amare
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zhou, Hong
• Application Number:
  US11/403,559
• Publication Number:
  US 20070075918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,784 Days
• Field of Search: 345 7- 9, 359630-634, 2/62, 2/63, 242/2, 24/673, 349/11
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/165 using a TV-monitor
• 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 23/125 head-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/14 Viewfinders for photographic apparatus G03B13/02
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/002 Mounting on the human body

Abstract

A head mounting viewing system includes a viewer having a microdisplay for displaying images. Viewing optics can be included for viewing the display. The display and the optics can be housed in a housing. Integrated operational controls can be located on the housing for controlling the operation of the viewer.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for a head mounted viewer comprising:

a securement portion for securing to headwear, the securement portion comprising a clip device having a pair of fixed position stationary opposed jaws that are separated from each other by a fixed gap and which extend and are contoured for mating with a portion of the headwear therebetween, and a spring loaded jaw extending in the gap between the fixed opposed jaws resiliently biased toward one of the fixed jaws for further securement by providing clamping between the spring loaded jaw and said one of the fixed jaws; and

a mounting member coupled to the securement portion, the viewer capable of being mounted to the mounting member, the mounting member capable of moving relative to the securement portion to move the viewer to first and second positions to position the viewer in front of either eye of a user.

2. The mounting assembly of claim 1 in which the mounting member can pivot horizontally along a mounting member joint about a first vertical axis.

3. The mounting assembly of claim 2 in which the mounting member includes a mounting location for mounting the viewer which is offset from the first vertical axis.

4. The mounting assembly of claim 3 in which the mounting location includes an adapter which can be secured to the viewer.

5. The mounting assembly of claim 4 in which the adapter is capable of pivoting along an adapter joint about a second vertical axis for pivoting the viewer about the second vertical axis.

6. The mounting assembly of claim 5 further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the adapter joint.

7. The mounting assembly of claim 6 in which the locking mechanism can lock the adapter joint in two positions about 180°

apart.

8. The mounting assembly of claim 7 in which the locking mechanism includes a spring loaded locking member that can be disengaged by a release member.

9. The mounting assembly of claim 1 in which the securement portion is configured for securing to a brim of a helmet.

10. A method of mounting a viewer to a head with a mounting assembly comprising:

securing a securement portion to headwear, the securement portion comprising a clip device having a pair of fixed position stationary opposed jaws that are separated from each other by a fixed gap and which extend and are contoured for mating with a portion of the headwear therebetween, and a spring loaded jaw extending in the gap between the fixed opposed jaws resiliently biased toward one of the fixed jaws for further securement by providing clamping between the spring loaded jaw and said one of the fixed jaws;

coupling a mounting member to the securement portion; and

mounting the viewer to the mounting member, the mounting member capable of moving relative to the securement portion to move the viewer to first and second positions to position the viewer in front of either eye of a user.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising rotatably coupling the mounting member along a mounting member joint about a first vertical axis to allow the mounting member to pivot horizontally about the mounting member joint.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising mounting the viewer to a mounting location on the mounting member which is offset from the first vertical axis.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising securing the viewer to an adapter at the mounting location.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising rotatably coupling the adapter along an adapter joint about a second vertical axis capable of pivoting the adapter and the viewer about the second vertical axis.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising locking the adapter joint with a locking mechanism.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising configuring the locking mechanism to lock the adapter joint in two positions about 180°

apart.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising providing the locking mechanism with a spring loaded locking member that can be disengaged by a release member.

18. The method of claim 10 further comprising securing the securement portion to a brim of a helmet.