Opto-mechanical system for head-mounted device

• US 9,529,198 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2014
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Fitch, John Stuart, Kubba, Michael, Cazalet, Peter Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Sugarman, Scott J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Vipin
• Application Number:
  US14/472,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20160062119A1
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 359629-633, 359/636, 359639-640, 359/618
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/003 Alignment of optical elements G02B7/001, G02B7/002 take precedence; for mirrors G02B7/1822

Abstract

Opto-mechanical systems, methods of assembly, and devices utilizing opto-mechanical systems are disclosed. One example opto-mechanical system includes an optics housing; an optics display; and a display module. The optics display can extend away from a first open end of the optics housing to display images to a user. A display module is positioned adjacent a second open end of the optics housing. The display module may be constructed and arranged to project images onto the optics display. The display module further comprises a display module housing, as well as module displays that are positioned within the display module housing. The optics housing may be constructed and arranged to join the display module to the optics housing. The display module can be positioned within the optics housing and is spaced a predetermined distance away from the first surface of the optics display.

Claims

1. A method of assembling an opto-mechanical system for a head-mounted device, the method comprising:

joining an optics display to a first open end of an optics housing, wherein the optics display is configured to be positioned in front of an eye of a user and to display images to the user that are projected onto the optics display through the optics housing;

positioning at least a portion of the display module within a second open end of the optics housing, the display module configured to project the images onto the optics display;

moving the display module while the at least a portion of the display module is positioned within the optics housing relative to the optics display so that a first axis extending through the display module is aligned with a second axis extending through the optics display, wherein the display module moved in six degrees of freedom; and

securing the display module to the optics housing so that the display module and optics display are accurately optically aligned and fixed relative to one another.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising securing the optics display to the optics housing before the step of aligning the display module.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of aligning the display module comprises moving the display module so that a first central axis extending through a mechanical center of the display module is aligned with a second central axis extending through the mechanical center of the optics display.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of aligning the display module further comprises axially aligning the first central axis of display module within a predetermined tolerance relative to the second central axis.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of aligning the first and second central axes comprises aligning the first and second central axes along a horizontal plane.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to the step of securing the display module to the optics housing, the display module is adjusted relative to the optics display and within the optics housing so as to obtain an image having at least one predetermined image quality selected from the group comprising brightness, sharpness, contrast, focus, modulation transfer function (MTF), and distortion.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of aligning the display module occurs before the step of adjusting the display module.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein brightness ranges from 1300-1500 nits;

a contrast ratio ranges from 70;

1 to 100;

1;

a minimum 3-pixel MTF equals 30%;

a minimum 5 pixel MTF equals 50%; and

a maximum distortion of 3%.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the display module is adjusted so that the image has more than one predetermined quality.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising, forming a groove between the display module and the optics housing, and disposing a sealant material within the groove.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising sealing the opto-mechanical system so that the opto-mechanical system has an Ingress Protection rating of at least IP67.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the moving the display module occurs before the securing the display module, and wherein the moving the display module in the six degrees of freedom changes at least one image quality of the projected image generated by the display module, the at least one image quality selected from the group comprising brightness, sharpness, contrast, focus, modulation transfer function (MTF), and distortion.

12. An opto-mechanical system for a head-mounted device, the system comprising:

an optics housing having a first open end, a second open end, and an interior surface positioned within the second open end;

an optics display positioned adjacent the first open end of the optics housing and extending away from the first open end of the optics housing, the optics display including a first surface adapted to display images projected onto the optics display to a user, the optics display configured to be positioned in front of an eye of a user; and

a display module positioned adjacent the second open end of the optics housing, the display module having a first exterior surface positioned partially within the optics housing, the display module constructed and arranged to project the images onto the optics display,

wherein the optics housing joins the optics display and the display module together, and wherein the first exterior surface of the display module is spaced a first predetermined distance away from the first interior surface of the optics housing, the first predetermined distance being sufficient to allow for movement of the display module within the optics housing in six degrees freedom to accurately optically align the optics display and the display module.

13. The opto-mechanical system of claim 12, wherein the optics housing comprises a second surface facing the optics display, the optics display being at least partially positioned within the optics housing and spaced a second predetermined distance away from the second surface of the optics housing.

14. The opto-mechanical system of claim 12 further comprising a gap positioned between an exterior surface of the display module and an exterior surface of the optics housing;

and a sealant disposed within the gap, wherein the opto-mechanical system has an Ingress Protection rating of at least IP67.

15. The opto-mechanical system of claim 12, wherein the optics housing, optics display, and display module are fixed relative to one another.

16. The opto-mechanical system of claim 12, wherein each of the optics housing, the optics display, and the display module further includes an axis extending through respective mechanical centers thereof, the respective axes of the optics housing, optics display, and display module being axially aligned along a horizontal plane.

17. A head-mounted device assembly comprising:

a central frame support having a first side arm and a second sidearm extending away from first and second ends of the frame support; and

an opto-mechanical system for displaying images to a user, the opto-mechanical system extending in a horizontal direction and including an elongated optics display extending in front of the central frame support, the opto-mechanical system further comprising;

an optics housing having a first open end and a second open end;

an optics display positioned adjacent and extending away from the first open end of the optics housing, the optics display displaying images projected onto a surface of the optics display; and

a display module positioned adjacent the second open end of the optics housing, the display module constructed and arranged to project the images onto the optics display, the display module further comprising a display module housing,

wherein the optics housing joins the optics display and display module together, and wherein the optics housing has a first interior surface facing the display module, a front surface of the display module housing being positioned within the optics housing and spaced a first predetermined distance away from the first interior surface of the optics housing; and

wherein the first predetermined distance is sufficient to allow for movement of the display module within the optics housing in six degrees freedom to accurately optically align the optics display and the display module.

18. The head-mounted device of claim 17, wherein the opto-mechanical system is at least partially housed within one of the side arms.

19. The head-mounted device of claim 18, wherein the opto-mechanical system is completely housed within the one of the side arms and the one of the side arms is removably connected to the central frame support.