Patent Application
20210157084
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of head-mounted optics, and in particular to mounting arrangements for display or other optic components. More specifically, inventive content relates to apparatus and methods for mounting a monocular display or other optic to a helmet for switchable left-eye or right-eye viewing.
Displays and other optic and imaging apparatus can be mounted to a helmet using a variety of attachment techniques. Once attached, the display position must be adjusted for a user's facial geometry. For example, proper visibility of the display can require apparatus adjustment to center each display to the line of sight along the center of a user's eyes. Displays attachable to a helmet can display information content or images. Depending on design requirements, a single monocular display can present an image to one eye or two displays can be positioned, one in front of each eye, to form a binocular display. In some cases, informational data is projected over a scene that is viewed directly by a user to create an “augmented” scene combining the directly viewed image with overlaid information pertinent to objects in the viewed scene, or related to instructions or nearby objects, for example.
A display or other optic that is provided from a helmet or other headgear or head-worn article often requires adjustment so that the display is suitably positioned in front of the eye for viewing. The best position for an individual viewer may be either right-eye viewing position or left-eye viewing position.
Typically, a display holding mechanism is attached as an integral part of the helmet and holds the display. The holding mechanism can include adjustments to position the display vertically, to position laterally, and to control display extension. Additionally, a rotational component can be part of the holding mechanism, enabling display correction relative to the eye with respect to roll, pitch. and yaw. There can be a number of such mechanisms used for head-mounted display.
With some display apparatus, switching between left- and right-eye display can be performed by pivoting components from one position to the other, without any disassembly. One type of system uses vertical and extension adjustments for an optical attachment and further incorporates two rotational joints to position a monocular display. The mechanism permits positioning of the monocular display in front of either eye without disassembling the mechanism. The two joints can be released to permit the display to swivel between eyes and the joints are tightened after positioning to secure the display in each position in front of an eye. This type of mechanism typically requires numerous parts; the function of providing a switchable arrangement of this type can add bulk and can require a large amount of space.
Removal of components and movement to another orientation or location is another option. For example, mechanisms are described having vertical adjustment, extension adjustment with independent lead screws to adjust each of two displays laterally. Various embodiments teach the use of a metal block called a “shoe” to provide attachment to a mating nest that locks the display or other optic to the mechanism. A display assembly can be temporarily removed and released from each lateral adjustment in order to switch a single display between view positions for one eye and another. However, the use of two separate lateral adjustment mechanisms typically creates a large, complex assembly with multiple parts and having significant weight, a disadvantage for the helmet wearer. Release mechanisms add further weight and complexity.
Thus, although existing solutions have provided some solutions for display mounting on a helmet or other head-worn article, there is room for improvement. For example, there is need for a simple mechanism which permits switching a monocular display between the right and left eye positions, while retaining adjustability when in either eye-position. The mechanism should be simple, allowing straightforward change between positions and requiring a minimum of parts. For example, it would be useful to have a given set of parts that configure the display without the need for additional parts in adapting the display mount.
It is an object of the present disclosure to advance the art disposing a display or other viewing optic within the field of view of a viewer, such as a helmet wearer.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide display optic attachment to the helmet with reduced parts count, weight, size, and complexity over conventional designs.
According to one aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising:
These objects are given only by way of illustrative example, and such objects may be exemplary of one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Other desirable objectives and advantages inherently achieved may occur or become apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention is defined by the appended claims.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following more particular description of various embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other.
The following is a detailed description of preferred embodiments, reference being made to the drawings in which the same reference numerals identify the same elements of structure in each of the several figures.
Figures provided herein are given in order to illustrate principles of operation and component relationships according to the present disclosure and are not drawn with intent to show actual size or scale. Some exaggeration may be necessary in order to emphasize basic structural relationships or principles of operation. Some conventional components that would be needed for implementation of the described embodiments, such as support components used for providing power, for packaging, and for mounting, for example, are not shown in the drawings in order to simplify description. In the drawings and text that follow, like components are designated with like reference numerals, and similar descriptions concerning components and arrangement, or interaction of components already described may be omitted.
Where they are used, the terms “first”, “second”, and so on, do not necessarily denote any ordinal or priority relation, but may be used for more clearly distinguishing one element or time interval from another. The term “plurality” means at least two.
In the context of the present disclosure, positional terms such as “top” and “bottom”, “upward” and “downward”, and similar expressions are used descriptively, to differentiate different surfaces, sides, or views of an assembly or structure and do not describe any necessary orientation of the assembly in an optical or electromechanical apparatus.
In the context of the present disclosure, the term “coupled” is intended to indicate a mechanical association, connection, relation, or linking between two or more components, such that the disposition of one component affects the spatial disposition of a component to which it is coupled. For mechanical coupling, two components need not be in direct contact, but can be linked through one or more intermediary components.
In the context of the present disclosure, the terms “user”, “wearer”, and “viewer” may be considered equivalent when referring to the person wearing a helmet configured with the display apparatus described herein.
As used herein, the term “energizable” relates to a device or set of components that perform an indicated function upon receiving power and, optionally, upon receiving an enabling signal.
In the context of the present disclosure, the term “head-worn article” can include types of headgear, including helmets, hard-hats, hats and caps, and protective hoods, as well as eyeglasses, goggles, and various types of eyewear that seat externally, with support along the sides or top of the viewer's head.
The
Display mount 20 is attached to helmet 10 and serves as a coupling to support displays and other optical components such as imaging cameras or optics such as lenses, lens systems, optical filters, polarizers, and the like. In embodiments shown herein, display mount 20 extends outward from the headgear for attachment of an optic. Display mount 20 can have a series of brackets or other retainers that, in turn, can have embedded adjustments that allow adjustable optical apparatus 12 to translate a display or other optic horizontally or vertically, relative to the wearer, or extensively, that is, outward, such as along the viewer's line of sight. Adjustments can also provide various ways to rotate an attached optic, such as to align a displayed image or optic to one or both eyes of the viewer.
Optical apparatus 12 of the present disclosure is shown coupled to display mount 20 in
As shown in
Display assembly 40 can consist of a display and a set of optics enclosed within a housing, with the display energizable to present image monochrome or color image content within the field of vision of the viewer. Display assembly 40 can be configured for virtual reality (VR) imaging, in which viewer visibility is constrained to the generated image content on the display, or for augmented reality (AR) imaging, in which generated image content from the display appears to be overlaid onto one or more portions of the external scene, so that at least portions of the external scene remain visible to the viewer.
Optical apparatus 12 can further include an optional translation mechanism 30 that permits lateral movement of the generated image across the viewer field of view (FOV). The lateral adjustment allows compensation for variable inter-pupil distance (IPD) in the viewer population. Further adjustments for display position or orientation can also be made, such as providing alternate locations for an image presented within the viewer field of view.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, mounting shoe 52 can be removable for repositioning at one of two alternative positions: attached to surface 66 for the right eye or to surface 68 for the left-eye viewing position. This arrangement thus allows the end-user to configure the display device for either left- or right-eye viewing, using the same fastener hardware, for example. Referring to both
Referring back to
Exploded views of
Bilateral connecting arm 60 and any associated bilateral fitting 50 are designed so that de-coupling and reorientation with respect to the display or optic component is straightforward and repeatable. The arrangement of bilateral fitting 50 of bilateral connecting arm 60 configures rapid setup and reconfiguration, so that display assembly 40 can be aligned vertically and horizontally with a viewer's left and right eyes. This process is shown in
It can be appreciated that any suitable type of fasteners or devices can be configured to secure or release the connection arm. Repeatable reconfiguration of the optical apparatus for use with the alternate eye can use the following general sequence:
Re-orientation inverts the bilateral connecting arm 60, such as switching a top surface to a bottom surface within a fitting or reversing arm direction from left to right with respect to the head-worn article, for example. The coupled position of connecting arm 60 may be effected by insertion into a fitting.
An embodiment of the present disclosure requires only a single translation mechanism 30 for use with either eye. The use of a single lateral adjustment improves over mechanisms that have separate translation stages, such as one for each eye in display mount 20. The use of a single translation mechanism 30 can help to reduce weight and cost associated with a dual lateral adjustment mechanism.
Translation mechanism 30 is shown in detail in
Bilateral fitting 50 of connecting arm 60 can have a specific orientation for providing visibility to each eye of the viewer. Translation mechanism 30, configured to shift the position of the monocular optic along a line between the viewer's eyes, can be incorporated into display mount 20. In that configuration, translation mechanism 30 operates from a central attachment point on helmet 10 to permit bilateral connecting arm 60 to position display assembly 40 over either eye.
Indicia 58 can be engraved, printed, stamped, or labeled on bilateral fitting 50 to assist the viewer in reconfiguring the mechanism. An indicial text or letter (for example, “R” or “L” as shown in
Advantageously, an embodiment of the present disclosure allows the image on a display to have the same orientation with apparatus 12 in either right- or left-eye viewing position. Thus, there is no need to sense display position in order to adjust the sequence of data delivery to the display.
The disclosure has been described in detail with particular reference to a presently preferred embodiment, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein.
