Stereoscopic video image display appliance wearable on head like spectacles

• US 5,129,716 A
• Filed: 06/08/1990
• Issued: 07/14/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Exodus International Distributors, LLC
• Original Assignee: Exodus International Distributors, LLC
• Inventors: Holakovszky, Laszlo, Kezi, Laszlo, Endrei, Karoly, Endrei, Karolyne
• Primary Examiner(s): Bovernick, Rodney B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ryan, J. P.
• Application Number:
  US07/477,991
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 350/130, 350/141, 350/174, 350/618, 350/638, 351/41, 351/50, 351/51, 351/158, 351/201, 358/3, 358/88, 358/250
• US Class Current: 351/50
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/35 using reflective optical elements in the optical path between the images and the observer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/344 with head-mounted left-right displays

Abstract

Object of invention is such an appliance which is suitable for stereoscopic displaying of video images. It is wearable on head having a common stiff frame with two video image displays built in it; then an optical system, containing lenses and mirrors or prisms, is located, arranged symmetrically. Video image diplays (1), e.g. cathode ray tubes, while wearing on head, are located near the temples; in front of the screen (3) there is a mirror or a prism having reflecting surface, having of 45°-75° angles with the plain of the screen on two sides symetrically fitting into optical train between the screen (3) and the concerned pupil, then a lense or lense-system (8), then there is a reflecting mirror (7) having the area not greater than that of the average pupil, in front of the pupils (5), fixing of this mirror (7) is made of transparent material or is covered. The enumerated elements are built in the frame cover having many parts, from which part left and right side cover (9) contain video image display (1), mirrors or prisms (4) in front of the screen (3) and lenses or lense-systems (8), its connecting element (12) is transparent material and/or is constructed out of the virtual sight and rests on the ridge of the nose.

Claims

1. A video image display appliance for wearing on a head, the head having an eye for receiving light from a field of vision, said appliance comprising:

a frame having a first portion disposed adjacent the eye, said first portion defining a transparent section through which light from the field of vision passes and enters the eye, and a second portion connected to said first portion adjacent the eye;

a video image display mounted on said second portion and projecting an image along an optical train; and

an opaque reflective means connected to said first portion and disposed on said optical train for receiving and reflecting said image toward the eye, said opaque reflective means being disposed 1 to 3 centimeters from the eye, said opaque reflective means being disposed to block a portion of the light from the field of vision.

3. A video image display appliance of claims 1 or 2 further comprising a first reflective surface disposed on said frame between said video image display and said opaque reflective means for receiving said image projected by said video image display and reflecting said image along said optical train.

4. A video image display appliance of claim 3 further comprising a focusing means disposed between said first reflective surface and said opaque reflective means for receiving said image reflected by said first reflective surface and focusing said image at a predetermined focal length on said opaque reflective means.

5. A video image display appliance of claim 4 wherein said focusing means comprises a lens mounted on said frame.

6. A video image display appliance of claim 5 wherein said lens is movable mounted by a lens mounting means such that said lens is reciprocally adjustable in a direction of an optical axis of said lens.

7. A video image display appliance of claim 6 wherein said lens mounting means comprises a tube having a screw thread within which is mounted said lens.

8. A video image display appliance of claim 4 further comprising:

said first portion of said frame defining a second transparent section disposed in from of a second eye, said frame having a third portion connected to said first portion adjacent the second eye;

a second video image display disposed on said third portion and projecting a second image along a second optical train;

a second opaque reflective means connected to said first portion and disposed on said optical train for receiving and reflecting said image into the second eye, said second opaque reflective means being disposed to block a portion of a field of view of the second eye;

a third reflective surface disposed on said frame between said second video image display and said second opaque reflective means for receiving said second image projected by said second video image display and reflecting said image along said second optical train; and

a second focusing means disposed between said third reflective surface and said second opaque reflective means for receiving said second image reflected by said third reflective surface and focusing said second image at said predetermined focal length on said second opaque reflective means

9. A video image display appliance of claim 8 wherein said first image is one or more first colors, and said second image is one or more second colors.

10. A video image display appliance of claim 8 wherein said first and second images are substantially the same.

11. A video image display appliance of claim 8 wherein the combination of said first and second images viewed by said first and second eyes creates a stereoscopic video image.

12. A video image display appliance of claim 4 wherein said opaque reflective means comprises a metal mirror surface.

13. A video image display appliance of claim 4 wherein said video image display comprises a cathode ray tube.

14. A video image display appliance of claim 4 wherein said video image display comprises a liquid crystal display and a light source, said light source being disposed to emit light through said liquid crystal display.

15. A video image display appliance of claim 3 wherein said opaque reflective means comprises a metal mirror surface.

16. A video image display appliance of claim 15 wherein said video image display comprises a cathode ray tube.

17. A video image display appliance of claim 5 wherein said video image display comprises a liquid crystal display and a light source, said light source being disposed to emit light through said liquid crystal display.

18. A video image display appliance of claim 3 wherein said video image display comprises a cathode ray tube.

19. A video image display appliance of claim 3 wherein said video image display comprises a liquid crystal display and a light source, said light source being disposed to emit light through said liquid crystal display.

20. A video image display appliance of any one claims 1 or 2 wherein said video image display comprises a cathode ray tube.

21. A video image display appliance of any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said video image display comprises a liquid crystal display and a light source, said light source being disposed to emit light through said liquid crystal display.

22. A video image display appliance of claim 21 wherein said second portion of said frame is foldably connected to said first portion of said frame by means of a joint.

23. A video image display appliance of any one of claims 1 or 2 further comprising a display driving circuit electrically connected to said image display.

24. A video image display appliance of claim 23 wherein said display driving circuit comprises a television tuner.

25. A video image display appliance of claim 23 wherein said display driving circuit comprises a video recorder/player.

26. A video image display appliance of claim 23 wherein said display driving circuit comprises a computer.

27. A video image display appliance of claim 23 wherein said display driving circuit comprises a video camera.

28. A video image display appliance according to claim 1 wherein the eye has a primary line of sight, and said opaque reflective means being disposed below or intersecting said primary line of sight.

29. A video image display appliance according to claims 1 or 2 further comprising at least one earphone disposed on said second or third portions of said frame.

2. A video image display appliance for wearing on a head, said head having an eye for receiving light from a field of vision, the eye having a primary line of sight, said appliance comprising:

a frame having a first portion disposed adjacent the eye, said first portion defining a transparent section through which light from the field of vision passes and enters the eye, and a second portion connected to said first portion adjacent the eye;

a video image display mounted on said second portion and projecting an image along an optical train; and

an opaque reflective means connected to said first portion and disposed on said optical train for receiving and reflecting said image toward the eye, said opaque reflective means being disposed below or intersecting said primary line of sight to block a portion of the light from the field of vision.

30. A video image display appliance according to claim 2 wherein said opaque reflective means is disposed 1 to 3 cm from the eye.