EXTERNAL USER INTERFACE FOR HEAD WORN COMPUTING

• US 20160025980A1
• Filed: 10/17/2014
• Published: 01/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Osterhout Design Group
• Original Assignee: Osterhout Design Group
• Inventors: Osterhout, Ralph F., Nortrup, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US14/517,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20160025980A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/254 Projection of a pattern, viewing through a pattern, e.g. moiré
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0141 characterised by the informative content of the display
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0198 System for aligning or maintaining alignment of an image in a predetermined direction
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0093 with means for monitoring data relating to the user, e.g. head-tracking, eye-tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/012 Head tracking input arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/006 Mixed reality object pose determination, tracking or camera calibration for mixed reality G06T7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1423 the instrument generating sequences of position coordinates corresponding to handwriting preprocessing or recognising digital ink G06V30/32
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/38 with means for controlling the display position
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/363 using image projection screens volumetric display H04N13/388
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3129 : scanning a light beam on the display screen scanning a light beam on a screen in displays other than projection devices G09G3/02; scanning systems in general G02B26/10; projectors using laser light sources in general H04N9/3161
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3173 : wherein the projection device is specially adapted for enhanced portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3179 : Video signal processing therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3185 : Geometric adjustment, e.g. keystone or convergence optical or mechanical adjustment of convergence H04N9/317; using scanning means H04N3/22; optical or mechanical adjustments of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3194 : including sensor feedback

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to the projection of imagery from a head-worn computer, wherein a projector with x-y control and a laser are mounted in the head-worn computer and positioned to project a raster style interactive user interface image onto a nearby surface.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

a. Arranging a laser projector in a head-worn computer such that it projects a user interface image on to a surface proximate the head-worn computer;

b. Stabilizing the projector and locking the position of the user interface such that the user interface maintains its relative position on the surface during movements of the head-worn computer; and

c. Positioning virtual content resulting from an interaction with the user interface in a see-through display of the head-worn computer at a focal plane in relation to the focal plane of the surface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the focal plane of the content is different than the focal plane of the surface such that the user viewing the user interface through the see-through display focuses on either the user interface or the content.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the focal plane of the content is substantially the same as the focal plane of the surface such that the user focuses on both the content and the surface simultaneously.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the position of the content does not overlap with projected user interface from the user'"'"'s perspective.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface image is shape corrected to maintain a normal shape as the head-worn computer moves.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein interactions with the user interface are detected through an analysis of structured light.