Wearable vision redirecting devices

• US 9,690,119 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2016
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vertical Optics, LLC
• Original Assignee: Vertical Optics, LLC
• Inventors: Garofolo, Timothy Richard, Loock, Dean, Choi, Jungwoo, Devernoe, David Lynn, Clear, Scott, Elam, John Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Hung
• Application Number:
  US15/058,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20160334644A1
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 351158, 351 41, 351 47, 351 57, 351 48, 351 58
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0692 head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/24 for the mouth, i.e. stomatoscopes, e.g. with tongue depressors tongue depressors per se A61B13/00; Instruments for opening or keeping open the mouth combined with saliva removers A61C17/00; mouth openers for animals A61D15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 25/004 having binocular arrangement
• 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: G02C 7/088 Lens systems mounted to spectacles
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/14 Mirrors; Prisms
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 9/02 by hinging
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/14 for taking photographs during medical operations
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/563 Camera grips, handles means in general for steadying hand-held apparatus F16M13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0503 Built-in units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/08 by simultaneous recording
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 : Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 : Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 : for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 : from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to cantilevered and divergent view wearable optical systems that redirect an optical path, and provide for optimal ergonomics coupled with vision enhancement and vision magnification. Methods of use, devices, and kits are also contemplated.

Claims

1. A wearable optical system, comprising:

a user wearable frame comprising a centered viewing portion comprising a display that is viewable by a user via a horizontal optical path; and

a vision redirecting mechanism defining a work area optical path in optical communication with the viewing portion, the horizontal optical path and the work area optical path being different optical paths, wherein the vision redirecting mechanism or the viewing portion magnifies an image passed through the work area optical path wherein the optical communication comprises data transmission of an image obtained by a camera comprised in the vision redirecting mechanism to the viewing portion, and

a light source configured to emit a light signal that is coextensive with the work area optical path,

wherein the vision redirecting mechanism is comprised in a cantilevered vision directing mechanism on an imaging extension whereby a position of the camera relative to the user wearable frame is adjustable on a horizontal plane parallel to the horizontal optical path.

2. The wearable optical system of claim 1, wherein the viewing portion is comprised in a lens supported by the frame.

3. The wearable optical system of claim 1, wherein the display comprises an inner surface and an outer surface and the outer surface comprises smart glass.

4. The wearable optical system of claim 1, wherein the vision redirecting mechanism or display is in wireless data communication with imaging software, a laboratory information system, a medical apparatus, or an insurance efiling system.

5. The wearable optical system of claim 1, wherein the work area optical path is oriented downward at an angle relative to the horizontal optical path.

6. The wearable optical system of claim 5, wherein the angle is between 55°

to 85°

.

7. The wearable optical system of claim 5, wherein the imaging extension is extendable.

8. The wearable optical system of claim 5, wherein the camera is movably mounted on the imaging extension in the horizontal plane parallel to the horizontal optical path.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging modality or display is voice-controlled.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging modality or display is remote controlled by the user.

11. The wearable optical system of claim 1, wherein the imaging extension comprises multiple imaging extensions.

12. The wearable optical system of claim 11, wherein the multiple imaging extensions are extendable.

13. The wearable optical system of claim 11, wherein the camera is movably mounted in the horizontal plane parallel to the horizontal optical path on one or more of the multiple imaging extensions.

14. The wearable optical system of claim 11, wherein two or more of the multiple imaging extensions are independently extendable in the horizontal plane parallel to the horizontal optical path.

15. A method of improving workflow in a dental office, comprising:

donning the system of claim 1;

optionally adjusting the camera along the horizontal plane, thereby adjusting the work area optical path;

imaging a work area with the system; and

transmitting data comprising or related to the image to a remote location;

or sending or receiving data related to the workflow of the dental office from or to the user.

16. A wearable optical system, comprising:

a user wearable frame comprising a viewing portion comprising a display defining a horizontal optical path for the user, wherein the display comprises an inner surface and an outer surface and the outer surface comprises smart glass; and

a vision redirecting mechanism that redirects the horizontal optical path to a second optical path defined by a downward angle versus the horizontal optical path, wherein the vision redirecting mechanism magnifies an image passed through the second optical path and the horizontal optical path, wherein a camera is comprised in the vision redirecting mechanism, and

a light source configured to emit a light signal that is coextensive with the second optical path.

17. The wearable optical system of claim 16, wherein the smart glass comprises a smart glass technology selected from electrochromic smart glass, photochromic smart glass, suspended particle smart glass, liquid crystal smart glass, or nano smart glass.

18. The wearable optical system of claim 16, wherein the vision redirecting mechanism is comprised in a cantilevered vision directing mechanism on an imaging extension whereby a position of the camera relative to the user wearable frame is adjustable on a horizontal plane parallel to the horizontal optical path.

19. The wearable optical system of claim 18, wherein the camera is movably mounted on the imaging extension in the horizontal plane parallel to the horizontal optical path.

20. The wearable optical system of claim 18, wherein the imaging extension comprises multiple imaging extensions.