SEE-THROUGH COMPUTER DISPLAY SYSTEMS

• US 20160282626A1
• Filed: 03/27/2015
• Published: 09/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Osterhout Design Group
• Original Assignee: Osterhout Design Group
• Inventors: Border, John N., Shams, Nima L., Bietry, Joseph, Haddick, John D.
• Application Number:
  US14/671,885
• Publication Number:
  US 20160282626A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0127 comprising devices increasing the depth of field
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0134 of stereoscopic type
• 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 2027/0154 with movable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0185 Displaying image at variable distance
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/08 adapted to co-operate with a remote control mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2202/20 Diffractive and Fresnel lenses or lens portions
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/022 Ophthalmic lenses having special refractive features achieved by special materials or material structures G02C7/049 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/128 Adjusting depth or disparity
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/344 with head-mounted left-right displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/361 Reproducing mixed stereoscopic images; Reproducing mixed monoscopic and stereoscopic images, e.g. a stereoscopic image overlay window on a monoscopic image background
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/371 for tracking viewers with different interocular distances; for tracking rotational head movements around the vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/383 for tracking with gaze detection, i.e. detecting the lines of sight of the viewer's eyes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 : Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2213/008 : Aspects relating to glasses for viewing stereoscopic images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3152 : for shaping the light beam beam shaping per se G02B27/09
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/317 : Convergence or focusing systems electronic adjustment of convergence H04N9/3185; convergence or focusing arrangements for cathode ray tubes H04N9/28; means for automatic focusing of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/53
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3176 : wherein the projection device is incorporated in a camera details of cameras adapted for combination with a projector not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B17/54
• 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

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to methods and systems for the see-through computer display systems with focus and/or vergence adjustment systems.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a head-worn display that provides a change in viewing distance of a displayed image overlaid onto a see-through view of a surrounding environment, comprising:

a. upper optics including an image source, an illumination source, one or more lenses and a focus change module;

b. a partially reflective combiner;

c. an integrated processor; and

d. wherein the focus change module moves the image source between predetermined positions, thereby providing two or more focus distances for the displayed image.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the focus change module moves the image source between two predetermined positions that enable displayed images to be provided with one focus distance within an arm'"'"'s length of a user and another focus distance that is beyond the arm'"'"'s length of the user.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the focus change module includes wedges that move laterally to move the image source between the predetermined positions.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein one or more solenoids are used to move the wedges laterally.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a manually operated screw is used to move the wedges laterally.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein an electric motor is used to turn a screw that moves the wedges laterally.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the wedges are positioned between the image source and the lenses and the wedges include windows for light to pass through to the lenses and combiner.

8. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the wedges are positioned above the image source.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the focus change module includes a guidance mechanism associated with the image source to guide the movement of the image source between the predetermined positions.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the guidance mechanism is a pin.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the guidance mechanism is a leaf spring.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the guidance mechanism is a four bar linkage.

13. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the wedges are transparent and the lateral movement of the wedges changes an optical thickness through the wedges that changes the focus distance of the displayed image.