Augmented reality eyewear

• US 9,977,245 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2016
• Issued: 05/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Laforge Optical Inc.
• Original Assignee: Laforge Optical Inc.
• Inventors: Mack, Corey, Kokonaski, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Hung
• Application Number:
  US15/055,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20160252728A1
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 351158, 351 41, 359631, 359633, 359630
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/013 comprising a combiner of particular shape, e.g. curvature
• 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 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: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/12 Overlay of images, i.e. displayed pixel being the result of switching between the corresponding input pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/14 Solving problems related to the presentation of information to be displayed
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/16 Use of wireless transmission of display information
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/373 for modifying the size of the graphic pattern
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

Eyewear for displaying a virtual image comprising a visor for placement in a field of vision of a wearer, a light source in optical communication with the visor, and a reflective surface situated within the visor and configured to direct light projected into the visor from the light source toward at least one eye of the wearer for display as a virtual image. Another eyewear comprising a visor configured to display a virtual image in a field of vision of a wearer, a frame for supporting the visor, and electronics for operating the eyewear, the electronics being integrally embedded within one or more components of the frame.

Claims

1. Eyewear for displaying a virtual image, the eyewear comprising:

a visor lens for placement in a field of vision of a wearer of the eyewear;

a light source in optical communication with an edge of the visor lens and configured to project light into the visor lens through the edge of the visor lens; and

a reflective surface situated within the visor lens, and configured to direct the light projected into the visor lens from the light source toward at least one eye of the wearer for display as a virtual image.

2. Eyewear as set forth in claim 1, wherein the visor lens is shaped to have a corrective power for correcting vision of the wearer.

3. Eyewear as set forth in claim 1, wherein the visor lens comprises a first body section and a second body section, the first and second body sections being coupled to form an internal interface within the visor lens.

4. Eyewear as set forth in claim 3, wherein the reflective surface is situated along the internal interface within the visor lens.

5. Eyewear as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reflective surface focuses the light at a location beyond the reflective surface.

6. Eyewear as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reflective surface has a concave curvature.

7. Eyewear as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reflective surface is planar.

8. Eyewear as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reflective surface is angled to direct the light projected into the visor lens towards the one or both eyes of the wearer.

9. Eyewear as set forth in claim 1, wherein multiple reflective surfaces are arranged within the visor lens to form a light guide.

10. Eyewear as set forth in claim 9, wherein the multiple reflective surfaces are configured such that the light reflects or refracts off of each of the reflective surfaces one or more times before being directed towards one or both eyes of the wearer.

11. Eyewear as set forth in claim 1, further comprising at least one of a transform optic, a focusing optic, an optical waveguide, and a collimating optic embedded within the visor lens.

12. Eyewear as set forth in claim 1, further comprising at least one of a transform optic, a focusing optic, an optical waveguide, and a collimating optic situated between the light source and the visor lens.

13. Eyewear as set forth in claim 1, wherein the light source is oriented towards the edge of the visor lens.

14. Eyewear as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an optical element for directing the light from the light source towards the edge of the visor lens.

15. Eyewear as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an image sensor configured to capture at least one of images, video, and light readings from an ambient environment.

16. Eyewear as set forth in claim 15, further comprising a second reflective surface in the visor lens configured to direct ambient light from the surrounding environment through the visor lens and towards the image sensor.

17. Eyewear as set forth in claim 1, wherein the image sensor is absent direct optical communication with an area in front of the eyewear.

18. Eyewear as set forth in claim 17, wherein the second reflective surface is a reverse side of the reflective surface configured to redirect light projected into the visor lens from the light source toward the at least one eye of the wearer for display as a virtual image.

19. Eyewear for displaying a virtual image, the eyewear comprising:

a visor lens configured to display a virtual image in a field of vision of a wearer of the eyewear;

a frame for supporting the visor lens within the field of vision of the wearer; and

electronics for operating the eyewear, the electronics being integrally embedded within one or more components of the frame.

20. Eyewear as set forth in claim 19, wherein the electronics are arranged on one or more printed circuit boards.

21. Eyewear as set forth in claim 19, wherein the one or more frame components in which the electronics are integrally embedded includes one or more shells molded over the integrally embedded electronics.

22. Eyewear as set forth in claim 19, wherein the one or more components in which the electronics are integrally embedded includes one or more shells laminated onto the integrally embedded electronics.

23. Eyewear as set forth in claim 19, wherein the frame is a spectacles frame.

24. Eyewear as set forth in claim 23, wherein the electronics are integrally embedded within the first temple and the second temple.

25. Eyewear as set forth in claim 24, wherein the integrally embedded electronics in the first temple are in wireless communication with the integrally embedded electronics in the second temple.

26. Eyewear as set forth in claim 23, wherein the integrally embedded electronics in the first temple are in electrical communication with the integrally embedded electronics in the second temple.

27. Eyewear as set forth in claim 26, wherein the electrical communication extends through a frame front of the spectacle frame.

28. Eyewear as set forth in claim 26, wherein the frame is rimless, and electrical communication extends through a crossover electrical connection.

29. Eyewear as set forth in claim 19, wherein the one or more components of the frame containing integrally embedded electronics are configured for modular coupling with the other components of the frame.

30. Eyewear as set forth in claim 19, wherein the frame is a goggles frame.

31. Eyewear as set forth in claim 19, wherein the frame is a helmet.