Head mounted display

• US 5,757,339 A
• Filed: 01/06/1997
• Issued: 05/26/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: XYBERNAUT CORPORATION
• Inventors: Jenkins, Michael D., Ronzani, Peter A., Williams, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen, Jr., Thomas J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US08/779,265
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 345/7, 345/8, 345/9, 359/630, 359/631, 359/633, 359/632, 348/744, 348/745, 348/788, 353/71
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features

Abstract

A Head Mounted Display (HMD) having both single viewing capability and group viewing capability is provided. The eyepiece of the HMD can be either converted to a group viewing projector or can be replaced or interchangeable with a group viewing unit.

Claims

1. A head mounted display (HMD) comprising a detachable eyepiece unit, said head mounted display also containing means to receive in place of said detachable eyepiece unit a projector unit, said projector unit having means to project for group viewing any display viewable on said eyepiece unit.

2. The head mounted display of claim 1 wherein said HMD is used in a body worn, mobile computer system.

3. The head mounted display of claim 1 wherein said projector unit is composed of replacement components used in place of removable components of said eyepiece unit.

4. The head mounted display of claim 1 wherein said projector unit is a projector housing containing substantially all of the conventionally necessary components of a projector, and can interchangeably, with said eyepiece, fit on a corresponding portion of said HMD.

5. The head mounted display of claim 1 wherein said projector unit has a stand for said projector unit which can be adjusted to alter a height of said projector unit.

6. The head mounted display of claim 1 wherein said projector unit comprises a display means, a focus lens, a condensing lens, a light source and a fan.

7. The head mounted display of claim 1 wherein said eyepiece unit is convertible into a projector unit by the removal of components from said eyepiece unit and replacing them with components necessary for a projector unit.

8. The head mounted display of claim 1 wherein said HMD has the same means therein for attachment to a single viewing eyepiece or to a group viewing projector means.

9. A head mounted display comprising means to be used as either or both a single viewing display means, or means to be used as a group viewing display means, said single viewing display means comprising a conventional eyepiece display means used on an HMD for wearer viewing, said group viewing display means comprising a projector unit, each of said eyepiece and said projector being electrically connected to any signal source, including a computer, processor or other image producing means and wherein said eyepiece unit is convertible into a projector unit by the removal of components from said eyepiece unit and replacing them with components necessary for a projector unit.