Modular heads-up display systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9885871-B2
Application number	US-201615149551-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 9, 2016
Priority date	Jun 29, 2011
Publication date	Feb 6, 2018
Grant date	Feb 6, 2018

Abstract

A Heads-Up Display (HUD) system comprises a processor, a power source, and one or more sensors coupled to a frame connector. The processor is configured to receive signals from the one or more sensors and output image data. A display is mounted on a display arm extending from the frame connector. The display is configured to display images based on the image data. A goggles frame is configured to releasably receive the frame connector. The display is located within a field of view of a user wearing the goggles frame when the frame connector is received by the goggles frame.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A Heads-Up Display (HUD) system configured for removable installation in headgear having a frame, the HUD system comprising:
an electronic system comprising one or more sensors, a processor for processing signals from the one or more sensors and outputting image data, a display for displaying the image data, and a power supply;
a first compartment and a second compartment for housing components of the electronic system other than the display, the first compartment and the second compartment configured to be removably received in first and second recesses in the frame of the headgear;
a cable connecting the first compartment and the second compartment; and,
a display arm for mounting the display, the display arm extending from the first compartment to a location within a field of vision of a user wearing the headgear, wherein the display arm is movable relative to the first compartment to permit adjustment of one or more of a viewing angle and a position of the display; and
a camera configured to capture image data and provide the captured image data to the processor; wherein the camera is coupled to the cable; wherein the camera is mounted on a connector configured to engage a corresponding connector on the cable, the camera being removably coupled to the cable.

2. The HUD system of claim 1 wherein the cable has an adjustable length.

3. The HUD system of claim 1 wherein the first compartment comprises an electronics compartment housing the one or more sensors and the processor, and the second compartment comprises a power compartment housing the power supply.

4. The HUD system of claim 3 wherein the cable is longitudinally adjustably connected to the power compartment.

5. The HUD system of claim 4 wherein the cable comprises an anchor near an end thereof within the power compartment, and wherein the power compartment defines a chamber therein configured to allow movement of the anchor, the chamber having an opening for receiving the cable and comprising a stop near the opening to prevent removal of the anchor from the chamber.

6. The HUD system of claim 1 wherein the cable comprises a spiraled or coiled stretchable cable.

7. The HUD system of claim 1 wherein the display arm comprises an optical enclosure housing the display, an extension projecting from the first compartment, and a ball and socket joint connecting the optical enclosure and the extension.

8. The HUD system of claim 1 , wherein at least the first compartment and the second compartment comprise connecting features configured to make a snap-fit connection with corresponding connecting features of at least the first recess and the second recess in the frame; and
wherein the connecting features of the at least first compartment and second compartment comprise a retaining element extending therefrom, the retaining element having an angled face and a retaining recess adjacent thereto, wherein the angled face is configured to be inserted into a retaining feature on the at least first recess and second recess in the frame comprising a projection configured to be received in the retaining recess.

9. The HUD system of claim 8 wherein the connecting features of the at least first compartment and second compartment comprise one or more protrusions configured to be received in one or more corresponding recesses in the at least first recess and the second recess in the frame.

10. The HUD system of claim 1 , further comprising a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver configured to output GPS signals to the processor.

11. The HUD system of claim 1 comprising a remote control for providing input commands to the processor.

12. The HUD system of claim 11 wherein the remote control comprises a thermometer for providing temperature readings to the processor.

13. The HUD system of claim 1 wherein the cable is configured to be received in a channel of a goggles frame and wherein the camera extends downwardly from the cable such that the camera points directly out of a lens opening of the goggles frame.

14. The HUD system of claim 1 wherein a viewing direction of the camera is adjustable.

15. The HUD system of claim 1 wherein the display is configured to act as a viewfinder for the camera.

16. A goggles frame comprising a top portion, first and second side portions and a bottom portion, the goggles frame defining a first recess in the first side portion configured to removably receive a first compartment of a Heads-Up Display (HUD) system, and a second recess defined in the second side portion configured to removably receive a second compartment of the HUD system;
wherein the goggles frame comprises a cable connecting the first compartment and the second compartment; and wherein the goggles frame comprises a camera configured to capture image data and provide the captured image data to the processor; wherein the camera is coupled to the cable; wherein the camera is mounted on a connector configured to engage a corresponding connector on the cable, the camera being removably coupled to the cable.

17. The goggles frame of claim 16 , further comprising an electronic system comprising one or more sensors, a processor for processing signals from the one or more sensors and outputting image data, a display for displaying the image data, and a power supply; wherein the first compartment or the second compartment housing one or more components of the electronic system.

18. The goggles from of claim 17 , further comprising a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver configured to output GPS coordinate information to the processor.

19. An apparatus comprising:
a Heads-Up Display (HUD) system comprising:
a frame connector;
a processor, a power source, and one or more sensors coupled to the frame connector, the processor configured to receive signals from the one or more sensors and output image data; and,
a display mounted on a display arm extending from the frame connector, the display configured to display images based on the image data, and
a goggles frame configured to releasably receive the frame connector;
wherein the display is located within a field of view of a user wearing the goggles frame when the frame connector is received by the goggles frame, and
a camera configured to capture image data and provide the captured image data to the processor; wherein the camera is coupled to the cable; wherein the camera is mounted on a connector configured to engage a corresponding connector on the cable, the camera being removably coupled to the cable.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver configured to output GPS coordinate information to the processor.

Assignees

• Intel Corp

Inventors

• Abdollahi Hamid
• Capelin Adam
• Zheng Xichi
• Hall Braden Fraser

Classifications

• A63B2071/0666

  worn on the head or face, e.g. combined with goggles or glasses · CPC title

• G02B2027/0138

  comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera · CPC title

• A63B71/0622

  Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user · CPC title

• A63B69/0024

  for hockey · CPC title

• G02B2027/014

  comprising information/image processing systems · CPC title