DISPLAY DEVICE

This invention relates to a display device and in particular to a display device

designed to allow an individual to view images or information.

A number of display devices are known in which small amounts of information, for

example a short series of alphanumeric characters, can be viewed by an individual. One

known arrangement takes the form of a pair of glasses, the lenses of which are designed to

reflect an image towards a user's eyes. An arrangement of this type is shown in

JP 2004145367. Although this type of device may function adequately, it is relatively

complex.

According to the present invention there is provided a display device comprising a

frame having a face carrying a lens, a pair of temples being connected to the face, a display

device carried by one of the temples the display device having a viewing face directed, in

use, downwardly, a first reflector located beneath the display device and carried by the

associated temple, and a second reflector associated with the lens.

In such an arrangement, an image displayed by the device is viewable by a wearer

of the display device, the displayed image being reflected by both the first and second

reflectors.

The display device may comprise a liquid crystal display. It may be backlit or of the

reflective type.

The second reflector may comprise reflective surface applied to part of the

associated lens.

Both temples may, if desired, have display devices associated therewith, in which

case two first reflectors and two second reflectors are provided.

The display device and/or first reflector may be adjustably mounted on the temple

to allow adjustment of the position at which the image appears on the second reflector.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the

accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display device in accordance with one

embodiment of the invention; and

Figures 2 to 4 are diagrammatic views of parts of the device of Figure 1.

The display device illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a spectacles

or spectacle-like frame 10 having a front face 12 supporting lens or a lenses region 14, the

front face 12 being connected to a pair of temples 16. The temples 16 are conveniently

hinged to the front face 12 for storage purposes. However, this need not always be the

case.

In the arrangement illustrated, the frame 10 is intended to form a pair of sunglasses,

thus the lenses or lens regions 14 are of suitably tinted form. However, this need not always

be the case, and the frame 10 could form a pair of glasses for sight correct. Further, if

desired, where used as a pair of sunglasses, the lenses or lens regions 14 could additionally

perform a sight correction function.

Close to the edges of the lenses or lens regions 14, the inner surface of the lenses or

lens regions 14 is provided with a coating of a light reflective material 18. The reflective

coating 18 is conveniently applied in the form of a vertically extending band. However, this

need not always be the case and the precise shape of the area to which the reflective coating

18 is applied may be chosen to suit the frame design or application in which the invention

is to be used.

The temples 16 are of relatively great thickness adjacent the front face 12, the inner

surfaces 20 of the temple 16 being shaped so as to conform, generally, with the curvature

of the user's face. It will be appreciated, however, that in order to be suitable for use by a

wide range of users, there will typically be some spacing between the surface 20 and the

user's face. The temples 16, close to the front face 12, are of hollow form defining a

chamber which, in use, receives a display unit 22. The display unit 22 comprises a liquid

crystal display device 24 having a viewing face 26 which, in use, is directed generally

downwardly. The unit 22 further comprises a first reflector in the form of a mirrored

surface 28 angled at approximately 45° to the viewing face 26 of the liquid crystal display

device 24.

The liquid crystal display device 24 conveniently comprises a back lit arrangement

thus, as illustrated in Figure 4, light emitted from the liquid crystal display device 24 is

reflected at the mirrored surface 28 so as to be transmitted, generally horizontally through

an opening 30 provided in the end of the associated temple 16, the light being incident upon

the reflective coating 18 which serves as a second reflector so as to be reflected towards the

wearer's eye. It will be appreciated, therefore, that a wearer of the frame 10 will be able to

see the image displayed by the liquid crystal display device 24 by looking towards the area

of the lenses or lens regions 14 provided with the reflective coating 18. As illustrated, the

reflective coating 18 is conveniently provided on a part of the lenses or lens regions 14 not

immediately in front of the wearer's eyes so that the wearer's forward vision is not

interrupted or affected by the presence of the reflective coating 18 and displayed image.

In order to allow adjustability of the position at which the displayed image appears

on the reflective coating 18, the unit 22 is conveniently adjustably mounted on the

associated one of the temples 16. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the unit 22 conveniently

has a thumb grip 32 associated therewith, the thumb grip 32 projecting through a slot 34

provided in the associated temple 16 to allow the user to adjust the position of the unit 22,

and hence to adjust the position at which the image appears. Although the slot 34 is

illustrated as allowing adjustment of the position of the unit 22 in the fore/aft direction, the

display device may also incorporate means to allow lateral adjustment of the position of the

unit or to allow angular adjustment thereof, if desired.

Although the liquid crystal display device 24 described hereinbefore is of the

transmissive type, the display device 24 incorporating a suitable back-light arrangement, it

could if desired, be replaced by a display device of the reflective type.

In use, the liquid crystal display device 24 may be arranged to display information

derived from a number of sources. For example, it could be connected to an audio device,

for example an MP3 or other data file player or a CD player and arranged to display

information relating to the track being played at a given time. However, it will be

appreciated that a number of other data sources could be used to supply the data displayed

by the liquid crystal display device 24. A suitable control arrangement 36 will be provided

to drive the liquid crystal display device 24 in the desired manner.

A range of modifications or alterations may be made to the arrangement described

hereinbefore if desired. For example, it is envisaged that the reflective coating 18 applied

to the lenses or lens regions 14 will be of partially reflective form such that the displayed

image will appear to be displayed over a background of the actual environment in which the

user is positioned. However, this need not be the case and the reflective coating 18 could

be fully reflective, if desire. Further, it is envisaged to provide each temple 16 with a unit

22 and to provide the frame 10 with two areas provided with the reflective coating 18.

However, this need not be the case, and the display device could incorporate only a single

unit 22 and single area provided with the reflective coating 18, if desired. A number of

other modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the

invention.