Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Image superposition by optical means – Operator body-mounted heads-up display
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-27
2001-01-09
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A. (Department: 3661)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Image superposition by optical means
Operator body-mounted heads-up display
C345S007000, C345S004000, C345S005000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06172657
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a body mount-type information display apparatus which is attachable to the body of a user and a display method using the same.
BACKGROUND ART
Advanced computer technology enables electronic information to be readily processed by a portable information processing apparatus, such as a mobile computer. The portable information processing apparatus is used for a variety of purposes by an operator (user) who carries out industrial or commercial work. By way of example, in the case of an application for a distribution management system, the portable information processing apparatus is used in the work for collecting required items from a warehouse to display the items to be collected in the warehouse or register the collected items.
In the conventional portable information processing apparatus, the operator should significantly move the eyes to alternately watch electronic information displayed on the portable information processing apparatus and an object existing in the field. It is accordingly troublesome to visually check the relationship between the electronic information and the object. Further, the operator can not handle the object with hands while the portable information processing apparatus is manually operated; this results in poor workability.
An object of the present invention is thus to solve the above problems and to provide a technique that enables an operator to efficiently carry out another operation while observing a display of electronic information.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In order to attain at least part of the above object, a body mount-type information display apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a computer unit for generating information to be displayed; first attachment means for attaching said computer unit to a part of the body of the user; a display unit attachable to the head of the user for displaying the information generated by the computer unit to be observable by the user; and second attachment means for attaching the display unit to the head of the user. The display unit comprises: an image display element for displaying the information generated by the computer unit; and an optical system for refracting a first light beam representing an image displayed on the image display element to enable the user to observe a magnified virtual image of the displayed image, and for causing the first light beam and a second light beam from an external field of vision to enter the eyes of the user. Both the first light beam representing the image including electronic information and the second light beam from the outside enter the eyes of the user. The user can thus observe the display of electronic information simultaneously with the outside view, thereby efficiently carrying out a required work.
The optical system may comprise: a magnifying optical system for refracting the first light beam representing the image displayed on the image display element to enable the user to observe a magnified virtual image of the displayed image; and a see-through optical system for transmitting the second light beam and enabling the transmitted second light beam and the first light beam to enter the eyes of the user.
The magnifying optical system may be a single-eye optical system for leading the first light beam to one eye; the see-through optical system comprises a translucent plane mirror arranged in front of both the eyes of the user; and the display unit further may comprise: switching means arranged to be able to move the magnifying optical system to be positioned in front of either one of the left and right eyes of the user. This structure enables the user to select an eye for simultaneous observation of the electronic information and the outside view and accordingly improves the workability of the body mount-type information display apparatus. The translucent plane mirror also exists in front of the eye without the magnifying optical system. This balances the light beams entering the two eyes and facilitates the simultaneous observation of the image and the outside view.
The magnifying optical system and the see-through optical system may be single-eye optical systems for leading the first light beam and the second light beam to one eye; and the display unit may further comprise: switching means arranged to be able to move the magnifying optical system and the see-through optical system to be positioned in front of either one of the left eye and the right eye of the user. This structure also enables the user to select an eye for observing the electronic information and the outside view.
The optical system may be implemented by a translucent concave mirror arranged in front of the eye of the user.
The computer unit may comprise: a power source; power management means for regulating power consumption of the power source; and power management switching means for switching a working condition of the power management means depending upon whether or not the computer unit is attached to the first attachment means. When the computer unit is not attached to the body, the working condition of the power management means is switched to reduce the power consumption.
The computer unit may comprise: an interface for connecting the computer unit with peripheral equipment to construct a desktop computer system when the computer unit is not attached to the body of the user, the peripheral equipment including at least one of a keyboard, a first pointing device, a display device, and a printer.
The computer unit may further comprise: a second pointing device that is usable at least when the computer unit is not attached to the body of the user.
The computer unit may also comprise: information communications means for communicating with an external host computer to receive a desired piece of information from the host computer. Various pieces of information can be received from the host computer and displayed in the display unit accordingly.
The piece of information received from the host computer is, for example, image information representing an image displayed on the display unit.
The information communications means may supply positional information to the host computer, the positional information including at least one of a direction, a visual angle, and a distance of an outside object seen from the user, and the information communications means may receive from the host computer the image information representing an image processed according to the positional information, thereby effecting to display the image on the display unit in harmony with the object. Accordingly, the user can observe the displayed image having the size and position harmonized with the object.
The positional information may be supplied from a global positioning system. This arrangement readily informs the user of the positional relationship between the user and the object.
The information communications means may instruct the host computer to change a size of an image displayed on the display unit and receive the image information representing the image of changed size, thereby effecting to display the image on the display unit in harmony with a size of an object in the outside. The user can observe the object together with the image that is harmonized with the size of the object accordingly.
The computer unit may comprise modulation means for modulating a video signal representing an image to be displayed on the display unit and transmitting the modulated video signal to the display unit; and the display unit may comprise demodulation means for receiving and demodulating the modulated video signal. This structure does not require wiring between the computer unit and the display unit and thus facilitates movement of the user.
The body mount-type information display apparatus may further comprise: a magnetic pointing device for specifying a position in an image displayed on the display unit, in response to an intensity of a magnetic field at a position of a magnetic device attached to part of a hand of the user. Alternatively, the apparatu
Kamakura Hiroshi
Ono Hiroshi
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Marc-Coleman Marthe Y
Oblon & Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt P.C.
Seiko Epson Corporation
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