Monocular display device

• US 8,378,924 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2008
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kopin Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kopin Corporation
• Inventors: Jacobsen, Jeffrey J., Pombo, Stephen A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang, Regina
• Application Number:
  US12/008,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20080291277A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,869 Days
• Field of Search: 345 7- 9, 381/364, 381/370, 381/381, 348/115
• US Class Current: 345/7
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0123 comprising devices increasing the field of view
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0154 with movable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0161 characterised by the relative positioning of the constitutive elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/10 Filters, e.g. for facilitating adaptation of the eyes to the dark; Sunglasses

Abstract

A head mounted support system for a head mounted apparatus. The apparatus includes a monocular display with a wireless communications interface, a user input device, a transmitter, receiver and a controller. The controller is configured to control the transmitter for sending and receiving control signals to and from an external device via the wireless interface. The monocular display is positioned relative to the user'"'"'s dominant eye to display images to the user while occluding less than half of the user'"'"'s maximum viewing space, while enabling the user to send and receive audible information or music. The head mounted support system may include an ear loop, and a housing for storing one or more functional components of the apparatus.

Claims

1. A head mounted monocular display support system being convertible from a right eye display to a left eye display comprising:

an ear loop;

a rear support connected to the ear loop, and extending around at least a portion of the head of the wearer;

a cantilevered support member for supporting a display and connected to the ear loop;

the head mounted monocular display support system being arranged for viewing the display with a right eye;

the head mounted monocular display support system being convertible for viewing the display with a left eye;

a first pivot being between the cantilevered support member and the ear loop; and

a second pivot being between the ear loop and the rear support.

2. The head mounted monocular display support system of claim 1, wherein the head mounted monocular display support system is convertible for viewing the display with the left eye by rotating the cantilevered support member by the first pivot and by rotating the rear support by the second pivot to move the rear support to the opposite ear of the wearer.

3. The head mounted monocular display support system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the ear loop, the cantilever support member, and the rear support include an interior space for housing a component.

4. The head mounted monocular display support system of claim 1, wherein the cantilevered support member is configured to move longitudinally relative to the ear loop.

5. The head mounted monocular display support system of claim 1, wherein the ear loop is a first ear loop and further comprising a second ear loop;

the first ear loop being rotatably connected to the rear support;

the second ear loop being rotatably connected to the rear support;

the cantilever support member being rotatable about a pivot relative to the rear support;

wherein the head mounted monocular display support system is suitable for viewing the display with right eye, and the head mounted monocular display support system is convertible for viewing the display with the left eye by rotating the first and the second ear loops, and by inverting the entire head mounted monocular display support system 180 degrees.

6. The head mounted monocular display support system of claim 5, further comprising a member connecting the cantilevered support member to the rear support, the member including the pivot to permit the rotation of the cantilevered support member relative to the rear support.

7. The head mounted monocular display support system of claim 5, wherein the cantilevered support member is slidably supported relative to the rear support.

8. The head mounted monocular display support system of claim 1, further comprising a frame including the rear support, the ear loop, an intermediate member, and a display support;

wherein the rear support is rotatably connected to the ear loop for supporting the ear loop on a first ear;

wherein the intermediate member is connected to an opposite end of the ear loop relative to the rear support;

wherein the intermediate member is connected to the display support;

wherein the display is rotatably connected to the display support with the frame suitable for viewing the display with a first eye; and

wherein the frame is convertible for viewing the display with an opposite eye by rotating the display about the intermediate member about 180 degrees, rotating the rear support, and supporting the ear loop on an opposite ear.

9. A head mounted monocular display comprising:

a display being arranged relative to a wearer'"'"'s eye;

a housing connected to the display;

an ear loop connected to the housing, the ear loop substantially surrounding an ear of the wearer, the ear loop supporting the display relative to the wearer'"'"'s eye by employing a cantilevered support member supported from the ear of the wearer;

a support member being connected to at least one of the display and the housing, the support member supporting the display in a different location than a first location defined as around an ear of the wearer;

a first pivot being between the cantilevered support member and the ear loop; and

a second pivot being between the ear loop and a rear support, the rear support connected to the ear loop, and extending around at least a portion of the head of the wearer.

10. The head mounted monocular display of claim 9, wherein the display is telescopically connected to the housing by a telescoping arm.

11. The head mounted monocular display of claim 9, wherein the display pivots relative to the housing.

12. The head mounted monocular display of claim 9, further comprising an arm connecting the display to the housing, the arm articulating for adjustment of the display.

13. The head mounted monocular display of claim 9, further comprising an arm connecting the housing with the display, the arm slidably supported in a channel formed in the housing, the arm adapted for longitudinal movement relative to the housing;

and

wherein the housing includes a cushion that contacts at least a portion of the head of the wearer.

14. The head mounted monocular display of claim 9, further comprising an audio transducer element operatively connected to a power supply that outputs audio to the wearer.

15. The head mounted monocular display of claim 9, further comprising a support member being connected to at least one of the display and the housing, the support member supporting the display in a different location than a first location defined as around an ear of the wearer.

16. The head mounted monocular display of claim 15, wherein the housing is generally elongated, and the support member is configured for supporting the display on at least a portion of the face of the wearer.

17. The head mounted monocular display of claim 15, further comprising a cushion connected to at least a portion of the display, wherein the cushion contacts at least a portion of the face of the wearer.

18. The head mounted monocular display of claim 15, wherein the housing is weighted with a weight, and wherein the weight is positioned to move a total center of gravity of the housing closer to the ear loop relative to the display.

19. The head mounted monocular display of claim 18, wherein the ear loop is weighted with the weight, and wherein the weight moves the total center of gravity of the housing closer to the ear loop relative to the display.

20. The head mounted monocular display of claim 15, wherein the support member is a silicon pad being connected to the display element.

21. The head mounted monocular display of claim 15, further comprising an adhesive on the support member, the support member configured for supporting and adhering the display on the face of the wearer.

22. The head mounted monocular display of claim 15, wherein the support member is moveable between at least two positions including a first position configured for supporting the display on at least a portion of the face of the wearer and a second position wherein the display is elevated relative to the face of the wearer.

23. The head mounted monocular display of claim 9, further comprising a support structure including a plurality of ear loops supported on each of the wearer'"'"'s ears that supports at least the monocular display;

and

the plurality of ear loops including a first ear loop connected to a member that is connected to a second ear loop of the plurality of ear loops, the member extending along a portion of the wearer'"'"'s head to distribute an overall weight of the apparatus.

24. The head mounted monocular display of claim 23, wherein the monocular display is telescopically connected to a housing by a telescoping arm, and the housing is connected to at least one of the plurality of ear loops, the at least one ear loop supporting the monocular display.

25. The head mounted monocular display of claim 23, wherein the member is a bar that extends along a rear of the wearer'"'"'s head.

26. The head mounted monocular display of claim 23, wherein the member is a bar that extends along a rear of the wearer'"'"'s head, and that is collapsible for storage.

27. The head mounted monocular display of claim 23, wherein the monocular display is pivotally connected to a housing that is connected to at least one of the plurality of ear loops.

28. The head mounted monocular display of claim 23, wherein at least one ear loop includes a cushion that contacts the ear of the wearer.

29. The head mounted monocular display of claim 23, wherein the member includes a cushion that contacts the head of the wearer.

30. The head mounted monocular display of claim 23, further comprising a compartment that houses at least one component of the apparatus.

31. The head mounted monocular display of claim 30, wherein the component comprises at least one of a processor, a memory, a wireless communication interface, a video circuit, a power supply, a receiver, a transmitter, and any combination thereof.

32. A head mounted monocular display comprising:

a display being arranged relative to a wearer'"'"'s eye;

a housing connected to the display to an ear loop by a first link;

a support member being connected to the housing that supports the display relative to the wearer'"'"'s eye;

a rear loop connected to the ear loop, and extending around at least a portion of the head of the wearer;

a first pivot link being between the support member and the ear loop; and

a second pivot link being between the ear loop and the rear support.

33. The head mounted monocular display of claim 32, further comprising a plurality of links with at least the first pivot link connected to the second pivot link, the plurality of links connecting the display with the housing, the first pivot link being adapted to articulate relative to the second pivot link.

34. The head mounted monocular display of claim 32, wherein at least some of the plurality of links are longitudinally moveable relative to the housing and extend between at least two positions with at least a first position being in the housing, and at least a second position being outside of the housing.

35. The head mounted monocular display of claim 32, wherein the display is moveable to a position that is generally in front of a wearer'"'"'s eye, and to a different position in the peripheral view of the wearer.