Field of the Invention

This invention is relates generally to a display apparatus and more particularly to a heads-up display that is integrated into a pair of eyeglasses for providing a user with visual information.

Background of the Invention

A growing trend in the electronics industry is the coupling of general purpose data terminals such as notebook computers, lap-top computers, personal computers and the like with wireless communication devices and consequently wireless communications capabilities. As will be appreciated, wireless communication devices have enhanced the personal mobility of the computer user by providing the individual with the ability to transmit and receive information virtually any place or time via wireless communications media such as radio frequency (RF) and /or infrared (IR) channels. These portable communicating computers are rapidly changing the face of the industry as we know it today.

In the future, it is readily conceivable that other platforms will support wireless communications capabilities, thereby offering end users the ability to transmit and/or receive information via wireless communications media.

Summary of the Invention

Briefly described, the present invention is an information display apparatus integrated into a pair of eyeglasses for displaying visual information to the eyeglass wearer. The apparatus includes a display device mounted on the eyeglass frame for displaying information to the wearer, a plurality of angled mirrors disposed on a surface of at least one optical lens, and a mirror connected to the frame and disposed

between the display devise and the plurality of angled mirrors for optically coupling the display device to the plurality of angled mirrors.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates an expanded view of a pair of eyeglasses employing the heads-up display apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an expanded view of the banded mirror of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram representation of the receiver shown in FIG. 1.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

Heads-up display devices are well known in the art and are typically employed to project text and/or graphical information into the field of view of the device user. FIG. 1 illustrates a pair of eyeglasses having an integrated heads-up display device in accordance with the present invention. The eyeglasses are considered standard eyeware and include a frame for supporting optical lens 110 including nose support 120 ear supports 130 by which the eyeglasses are held in place upon a user face during operation. The head-up display portion of the present invention includes a receiver 140, display device 150, focusing lens 160, flat mirror 170 and a plurality of angled mirrors 180 disposed on the surface of optical lens 110.

The receiver 140 receives the information to be displayed to the user. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, receiver 140 may connect to either a wireless or wireline information network from which the information is received. In accordance with the preferred embodiment receiver 140 is a wireless receiver capable of communicating

over wireless media such as, but not limited to RF and/or IR communications channels. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, receiver 140 is an RF receiver as will be described in more detail below. Receiver 140 is coupled to optical display device 150 via video cable 145 in order to present the display device with the information for presentation to the user. As will be appreciated, optical display device 150 may comprise any of the well known visual display devices including, but not limited to liquid crystal displays (LCD), cathode ray tubes (CRT), television monitors and light emitting diodes (LEDs). In accordance with the preferred embodiment, optical display device 150 is an LCD device like those known in the art and having a screen 152 (i.e., image plane). In conjuncton with display device 150, the heads-up display of the present inventon employs focusing lens 160. Focusing lens 160 in conjunction with flat mirror 170, angled mirriors 180 and the lens of the user's eye, operates to focus the image plane object of display device 150 onto the retina of the user's eye. During this operation, flat mirror 170 and angled mirrors180 operate to fold the optical path between the image plane 152 and the user's retina thereby permitting the heads-up dispaly to function in the small confines offered by standard eyeware. The plurality of angled mirrors 180, may collectively be referred to as a banded mirror. As shown in FIG. 1 , the angled mirrored bands or mirrored facets comprising banded mirror 180 are disposed on the inner surface 1 12 of optical lens 110 and are separated by transparent, non-mirrored facets 185. The mirrored facets 180 reflect the image plane object of display device 150 to the user's eye, while the transparent bands 185 simultaneously permit light entering from the outer surface 1 14 of optical lens 1 10 to enter the user's eye. This point is further addressed with reference to FIG. 2, which is an expanded view of the banded mirror 180 of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is presented to show that the use of the banded mirror reflects the flat mirror image into the user's eye.

The banded mirror 180 may be covered with plastic or glass to promote a smooth and easily cleaned surface. The mirrored facets thereof as well as flat mirror 170 are coated with a reflective material such as, but not limited to, silver, aluminum and reflective plastics.

FIG. 3 is a partial block diagram representation of receiver 140 as shown in FIG. 1. It willbe appreciated by those skilled in the art that additional functionality is typically implemented in such a receiver. Notwithstanding, only those sections necessary for the present invention will be discussed. As shown receiver 140 comprises a receiver circuit 310, a video processor 320 and video cable 345. Receiver circuit 310 may comprise any of the well known radio receiver technologies capable of receiving RF signals, demodulating said signals, and capturing the transmitted data (i.e., voice, text and/or video). The captured data is then passed to video procesor 320 which converts the data signals received from receiver circuit 320 into video signals for transmission to display device 150 via video cable 145 for further processing prior to display to the device user. Video processors are well known in the art and have in the past been available by contacting ATI Technologies Inc. at 3761 Victoria Park Avenue Scarborough, Ontario Canada M1 W 3S2.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that receiver 140 may be modified to include transmit functions without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It will further be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the heads- up display of the present invention may function as the output terminal of a portable computer and used to transmit and receive information in a wireless environment where mobility is essential.

What is claimed is: