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US6072443A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Adaptive ocular projection display

Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1996-03-29
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Granted: 2000-06-06
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Expires: 2016-03-29
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Abstract

Abstract An ocular projection display (12) projects an image directly to the eye (26) of the user (10). The focus of the image may be varied to allow for different user profiles or to relieve the stress of maintaining a fixed focus over a prolonged period of time. Optionally, the ocular projection display (12) can include a location and distance sensor (46) for identifying the location of the user's eyes for proper aiming of the image to the eyes of the user and focus detection circuitry (54) to correct for the user's focusing abilities.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gitty N. Nasserbakht
  • 👤 Martin J. Izzard

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 11:17
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/001; G09G3/003; G09G3/002; G09G2310/00; G09G2310/02; G09G2310/0235; G09G3/20; G09G3/34

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim 97 words
An image generation system, comprising: an image source for providing a beam of light incorporating said image; an optics system disposed between the image source and a user for directing said beam of light to at least one eye of the user, such that the illuminated image is initially displayed within said at least one eye of the user; and measurement circuitry for continually determining the distance of said user from said image generation system, said measurement circuitry cooperating with said optics system to provide an in-focus image to said at least one eye of said user.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 97 words
An image generation system, comprising: an image source for providing a beam of light incorporating said image; an optics system disposed between the image source and a user for directing said beam of light to at least one eye of the user, such that the illuminated image is initially displayed within said at least one eye of the user; and measurement circuitry for continually determining the distance of said user from said image generation system, said measurement circuitry cooperating with said optics system to provide an in-focus image to said at least one eye of said user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
The image generation system of claim 1 and further comprising an image detector for determining a direction for said beam of light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 24 words
The image generation system of claim 2 wherein said image detector includes a charged coupled device for receiving an image of the user's face.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
The image generation system of claim 3 wherein said image detector further includes circuitry for locating features in said image of the user's face.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 31 words
The image generation system of claim 2 and further comprising an electrically controllable mount coupled to said optics system to mechanically direct said beam of light responsive to said image detector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 24 words
The image generation system of claim 5 wherein said image detector further includes circuitry for locating features in said image of the user's face.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
The image generation system of claim 5 wherein movement of said mount is controlled by at least one stepper motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 20 words
The image generation system of claim 5 wherein said image detector tracks both lateral and horizontal movement of the user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 24 words
The image generation system of claim 1 and further comprising a focus detector for determining an optical characteristics for the eye of the user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 29 words
The image generation system of claim 1 wherein said optics system includes a plurality of lenses between said image source and said at least one eye of said user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 25 words
The image generation system of claim 10 wherein at least one of said lenses is movable to vary the focus of the beam of light.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 25 words
The image generation system of claim 1, wherein said optics system controls the distance at which said at least one eye focuses on said image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 21 words
The image generation system of claim 1, wherein an image is produced on the retina of said at least one eye.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 39 words
The image generation system of claim 13, wherein focus of said image produced on the retina of said at least one eye is provided by said optics system cooperating with a lens in said user's at least one eye.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 24 words
The image generation system of claim 1 wherein there are at least two lens between the image source and an eye of the user.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 116 words
A computer system comprising: a processing device for outputting data defining an image; and an image generation system coupled to said processing device comprising: an image source for providing a beam of light incorporating said image; an optics system disposed between the image source and a user for directing said beam of light to at least one eye of the user, such that the illuminated image is initially displayed within said at least one eye of the user; and measurement circuitry for continually determining the distance of said user from said image generation system, said measurement circuitry cooperating with said optics system to provide an in-focus image to said at least one eye of said user.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 116 words
A computer system comprising: a processing device for outputting data defining an image; and an image generation system coupled to said processing device comprising: an image source for providing a beam of light incorporating said image; an optics system disposed between the image source and a user for directing said beam of light to at least one eye of the user, such that the illuminated image is initially displayed within said at least one eye of the user; and measurement circuitry for continually determining the distance of said user from said image generation system, said measurement circuitry cooperating with said optics system to provide an in-focus image to said at least one eye of said user.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 25 words
The computer system of claim 16 wherein said image generation system further comprises an image detector for determining a direction for said beam of light.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 23 words
The computer system of claim 17 wherein said image detector includes a charged coupled device for receiving an image of the user's face.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 23 words
The computer system of claim 18 wherein said image detector further includes circuitry for locating features in said image of the user's face.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 34 words
The computer system of claim 17 wherein said image generation system further comprises an electrically controllable mount coupled to said optics system to mechanically direct said beam of light responsive to said image detector.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 27 words
The computer system of claim 16 wherein said image generation system further comprises a focus detector for determining an optical characteristics for the eye of the user.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 15 words
The computer system of claim 16 wherein said optics system includes a plurality of lenses.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 24 words
The computer system of claim 22 wherein at least one of said lenses is movable to vary the focus of the beam of light.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 134 words
An image generation system for providing an image to a user comprising: an image source for providing a beam of light incorporating said image; and an optics system disposed between the image source and the user for directing said beam of light to an eye of the user, said optics system including: a plurality of lenses between said image source and an eye of the user; and a control system for positioning individual ones of said lenses such that the illuminated image is in focus when initially displayed within an eye of the user at variable perceived distances, wherein said control system includes measurement circuitry for continually determining the distance of said user from said image generation system, said control system providing an in-focus image to said at least one eye of said user.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 134 words
An image generation system for providing an image to a user comprising: an image source for providing a beam of light incorporating said image; and an optics system disposed between the image source and the user for directing said beam of light to an eye of the user, said optics system including: a plurality of lenses between said image source and an eye of the user; and a control system for positioning individual ones of said lenses such that the illuminated image is in focus when initially displayed within an eye of the user at variable perceived distances, wherein said control system includes measurement circuitry for continually determining the distance of said user from said image generation system, said control system providing an in-focus image to said at least one eye of said user.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 28 words
The image generation system of claim 24 wherein said control system positions individual ones of said lenses to adjust the size of the image received by the user.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 16 words
The image generation system of claim 24 wherein said image source includes a digital mirror device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 154 words
An image generation system, comprising: a first image source for providing a first beam of light incorporating a first image; a first optics system disposed between the first image source and a user for directing said first beam of light to one eye of the user, such that the illuminated image is initially displayed within said one eye of the user; a second image source for providing a second beam of light incorporating a second image; a second optics system disposed between the second image source and the user for directing said second beam of light to another eye of the user, such that the illuminated image is initially displayed within said another eye of the user; and measurement circuitry for continually determining the distance of said user from said image generation system, said measurement circuitry cooperating with said first and second optics systems to provide in-focus images to said eyes of said user.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 154 words
An image generation system, comprising: a first image source for providing a first beam of light incorporating a first image; a first optics system disposed between the first image source and a user for directing said first beam of light to one eye of the user, such that the illuminated image is initially displayed within said one eye of the user; a second image source for providing a second beam of light incorporating a second image; a second optics system disposed between the second image source and the user for directing said second beam of light to another eye of the user, such that the illuminated image is initially displayed within said another eye of the user; and measurement circuitry for continually determining the distance of said user from said image generation system, said measurement circuitry cooperating with said first and second optics systems to provide in-focus images to said eyes of said user.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 17 words
The image generation system of claim 27, wherein said first image and said second image are identical.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 26 words
The image generation system of claim 27, wherein said first image and said second image are of slightly different perspective, thereby producing a three dimensional effect.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2003-06-06 2003-12-06 2004-06-06 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-06-06 2007-12-06 2008-06-06 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-06-06 2011-12-06 2012-06-06 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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