Supports – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-16
2001-05-22
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Miscellaneous
C345S008000, C381S385000, C224S201000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234446
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to audio/video devices and more particularly to such devices that are body or seat mounted and meant for use while the user is in a sitting or reclined position.
2. Description of the Related Art
Presently there is an accelerated evolution in audio/video (A/V) display technology. This rapid advancement, however, is being impeded by numerous obstacles. Such advancements will continue to define the methods we receive, transmit and interact with A/V information.
Body mounted A/V devices are challenged with even greater problems most of which involve the physical proximity of such devices to the human body. Complex physiological and ergonomic problems must be solved before body mounted devices can achieve an advantage over those which are not. Cost also plays a significant role when comparing these two types of devices. A variety of electro-optical technologies are in competition to solve these problems including: LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), LED (Light emitting diode), Laser Scanning and Active Matrix.
Airlines are one of the leading mass transit mediums experimenting with the incorporation of audio/video information systems aboard their vehicles. Some airlines incorporate large projection screens similar to movie theaters. LCD's are also used. On some aircraft LCD's are physically embedded in the rear portion of the seats. This application usually allows a better vantage point and less distractions than viewing the larger screens centrally located on bulkhead partitions.
F.A.A and airline safety regulations are very stringent as to installing A/V devices. Ironically, one of the most nagging dilemmas presently facing use of A/V devices onboard airlines is not safety, but the fact that they cannot achieve “private viewing.” Since present viewing devices are not private, airlines have been forced to institute self-censorship in order to eliminate “offensive” subject matter. Airlines see numerous advantages in being able to offer customers onboard entertainment, but they are also acutely aware of their passengers' desire for sensory privacy. In fact, there has been an increase in frivolous law suits filed by airline passengers who claimed they were offended or annoyed by onboard movies which they were unable to ignore.
With the advent of satellite “down linking”, airlines will soon be able to offer passengers hundreds of different viewing channels. Future plans expand satellite “down linking” of information with satellite “up linking” in which information may be transmitted as well as received by each and every passenger. Unless private viewing devices can be offered, diversity in onboard A/V entertainment cannot hope to increase. Not just airlines but other forms of mass transit vehicles such as: buses, trains, cruise ships and even automobiles will soon be capable of offering a wide spectrum of onboard A/V entertainment; but they too will be faced with this social dilemma.
The often tedious experience of being confined for long periods of time while traveling is an appropriate arena for A/V entertainment. However, mass transit only exemplifies a growing trend towards sensory privacy common to all public or semi-public environments. A case in point involves a recent referendum put on the ballot in San Jose, Calif. calling for computer work stations to install private booths so as to “protect patrons from exposure to unwanted Internet viewing.” Whenever A/V information systems avail themselves to a public or semi-public forum, especially where non-users are unable to avoid visual or audio contact, the same problem will present itself.
Some semi-public environments such as doctor's/dentist's office, hospital, etc. implement even stricter controls on environment which include safety factors. A body mounted A/V device might offer therapeutic value and also be more suited to the constraints of such environments.
“Virtual Reality” (V.R.) has become a buzz word in this new field of A/V technology because it can provide “virtual” involvement between the user and the projected fantasy world it provides. The user's “reality experience” becomes virtually “altered” as well as “deceived.”
It is reasonable to say that the application of technology is almost limitless. A/V eyeglasses, which are body mounted, now offer high resolution private viewing. Such technologies project images onto a surface which is only a short distance from the user's eye, while others project the image via low powered laser directly onto the retina itself. The eyes and the brain's visual cortex are tricked into seeing the image appear to exist on a large screen several feet away from the user.
Presently, almost all body mounted A/V devices incorporate head mounted displays or HMDs as they have come to be known. Because of their electromechanical complexity body mounted, HMD's share several common shortcomings. HMD's are cumbersome and their weight makes them uncomfortable to wear, especially for long periods. They require adjustability in several axis to accommodate positioning of the glasses relative to earphones. For this reason they require numerous mechanical joints, structural members and straps. They are excessively heavy (at minimum of 6 ounces) to be supported largely by the forehead and bridge of the nose. Incorporating so many mechanically adjustable parts is one reason why they are also quite expensive. Since the parts must be made as light as possible, they are typically manufactured from plastic and are prone to breaking. Also the mechanical joints are inclined to snag themselves in the user's hair or clothing. Another major drawback of HMDs is the fact that they slip over the head much like a ball cap and thereby inevitably mess up the user's hair. This is especially undesirable when such devices are offered for use in public places where women and men are quite sensitive about their hair looking neat.
There is little rationale for using an HMD while sitting in chairs since most chairs are constructed with backrests which are in close proximity to the user's head. HMDs are heavy and cumbersome and have a tendency to cause headaches, skin irritation and hair loss due to snagging. Because of this, HMD's cannot include additional interface electronics such as A/V drives or television tuning circuits.
Several HMD's are presently available on the retail market. One such device was manufactured by (now defunct) Virtual i.O., Inc. of Seattle, Wash., ref. U.S. Des. Pat. No. 375,495 issued Nov. 12, 1996 to Maciness et al. This device, however, had several important drawbacks. The Virtual i.O. HMD was heavy (more than 6 ounces) and was all encompassing when installed on the head. HMD's, as mentioned above, are not stand alone A/V systems since they all require some form of electronic interface equipment before they can produce a visual image. Though Virtual i.O.'s industrial designers managed to produce a sleek, “space age” exterior design, the device was quite clumsy to put on and ultimately uncomfortable to wear. Once in place, it seemed longer than necessary to adequately adjust the eyeglasses and earphones to the user's particular anatomy. Readjustment was also required whenever the user dramatically changed body position. Within several minutes of use the device tended to cause pain where it rested on the left and right brow area of the temple. This headache, though minor, diminished somewhat after the user's head had become accustom to wearing the device. A lack of outward adjustability of the width of the glasses, however, caused greater degree of discomfort for those with larger craniums. Though the optic resolution of the device was good, it afforded only limited peripheral vision (beyond the screen). This tended to cause a feeling of being trapped by the virtual environment. The device also tended to snag hair.
In general the device incorporated more mechanical parts than would seem necessary. They were flimsy plastic parts and ultimat
Marger Johnson & McCollom PC
Ramirez Ramon O.
Wood Kimberly
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