U.S. patent application number 11/523709 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-20 for lens holding frame.
Invention is credited to Frederic Mathieu, Francois Mellon, Gilbert Menduni, Eric Roland.
Application Number | 20080068557 11/523709 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38667127 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080068557 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Menduni; Gilbert ; et
al. |
March 20, 2008 |
Lens holding frame
Abstract
A lens holding frame for holding lenses, both in front of the
projection optics of an HMD device and in front of the eye portion
of a wearer of the HMD device, the lens holding frame including a
nose bridge, the HMD device including a nose pad arranged to
support the nose bridge, and at least one correction lens. The lens
holding frame is arranged to be stretched out of its original shape
under a manual pressure to at least one transitional shape, and
includes connecting elements arranged to connect in a reversible
manner the HMD device to the lens holding frame being in a
transitional shape and having its nose bridge supported by the nose
pad of the HMD device.
Inventors: |
Menduni; Gilbert;
(Charenton, FR) ; Mellon; Francois; (Charenton,
FR) ; Roland; Eric; (Charenton, FR) ; Mathieu;
Frederic; (Charenton, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & THOMPSON
745 SOUTH 23RD STREET, 2ND FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
38667127 |
Appl. No.: |
11/523709 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
351/65 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 27/0176 20130101;
G02C 9/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
351/65 |
International
Class: |
G02C 1/00 20060101
G02C001/00 |
Claims
1. A lens holding frame for holding lenses, both in front of the
projection optics of an HMD device and in front of the eye portion
of a wearer of the HMD device, the lens holding frame comprising a
nose bridge, the HMD device comprising a nose pad arranged to
support the nose bridge, and at least one lens being a correction
lens, wherein the lens holding frame is arranged to be stretched
out of its original shape under a manual pressure to at least one
transitional shape, and wherein the lens holding frame further
comprises connecting means arranged to connect in a reversible
manner the HMD device to the lens holding frame being in a
transitional shape and having its nose bridge supported by the nose
pad of the HMD device.
2. The lens holding frame according to claim 1, wherein the lens
holding frame is made of resilient material the frame holding two
lenses, one of which at least being a correction lens.
3. The lens holding frame according to claim 1, wherein the lens
holding frame is made of resilient material having a tensile
strength of 400 to 700 N/mm.sup.2.
4. The lens holding frame according to claim 1, wherein the lens
holding frame is made of resilient material, the resilient material
including stainless steel.
5. The lens holding frame according to claim 1, wherein the frame
is arranged to be stretched out of its original shape under manual
pressures simultaneously exerted on the opposite ends of the
frame.
6. The lens holding frame according to claim 1, wherein the
connecting means include a central connecting means and two lateral
connecting means located at the opposite ends of the frame.
7. The lens holding frame according to claim 1, wherein the HMD
device includes a housing and a nose pad, and the connecting means
include one central connecting means of the nose bridge of the lens
frame onto the nose pad of the HMD device, and two lateral
connecting means of the opposite ends of the lens frame beneath the
HMD housing.
8. The lens holding frame according to claim 6, wherein the central
connecting means is a hump in the nose bridge designed to lay down
on the nose pad of the HMD device.
9. The lens holding frame according to claim 8, wherein the lateral
connecting means are two lateral rods in the form of an S welded on
each opposite end of the lens holding frame, and extending
downwardly.
10. A HMD device to which a lens holding frame is reversibly
connected so that the lens holding frame is both in front of the
projection optics of the HMD device and in front of the eye portion
of a wearer of the HMD device, wherein at least one lens is a
correction lens, and wherein the lens holding frame is connected
under pressure to the HMD device in a transitional shape different
from its original shape.
11. The HMD device according to claim 10, wherein the lens holding
frame is made of resilient material, the frame holding two lenses,
one of which at least being a correction lens.
12. The HMD device according to claim 10, wherein the lens holding
frame is made of resilient material having a tensile strength of
400 to 700 N/mm.sup.2.
13. The HMD device according to claim 10, wherein the lens holding
frame is made of resilient material, the resilient material being
stainless steel.
14. The HMD device according to claim 10, wherein the nose pad is
removable from the HMD device.
15. The HMD device according to claim 10, wherein the HMD device
includes a housing and a nose pad, and the connecting means include
one central connecting means of the nose bridge of the lens frame
onto the nose pad of the HMD device, and two lateral connecting
means of the opposite ends of the lens frame beneath the HMD
housing.
16. The HMD device according to claim 10, wherein the HMD device
includes a housing and a nose pad, and the connecting means include
one central connecting means of the nose bridge of the lens frame
onto the nose pad of the HMD device, which is a hump on the nose
bridge of the lens frame, designed to fit in a groove carved in the
nose pad of the HMD device, and two lateral connecting means of the
opposite ends of the lens frame beneath the HMD housing.
17. Method to connect a lens holding frame onto a HMD device, both
in front of the projection optics of an HMD device and in front of
the eye portion of a wearer of the HMD device, wherein at least one
lens is a correction lens, and wherein the frame is made of
resilient material and includes connecting means onto the HMD
device, the method comprising: simultaneously pressing the opposite
ends of the lens holding frame to put the lens holding frame in a
transitional shape placing the connecting means of the lens holding
frame in a position suitable for its connection with the HMD device
releasing the pressure onto the opposite ends of the lens holding
frame, so that the connecting means connect with the HMD
device.
18. Method according to claim 17, comprising a preliminary step of
connecting the nose pad to the HMD device. simultaneously pressing
the opposite ends of the lens holding frame to put the lens holding
frame in a transitional shape placing the connecting means of the
lens holding frame in a position suitable for its connection with
the HMD device releasing the pressure onto the opposite ends of the
lens holding frame, so that the connecting means connect with the
HMD device.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to an HMD device (1) (Head Mounted
Display device). More precisely, this invention relates to a HMD
device to which a lens holding frame, having at least one
correction lens, is reversibly connected. The invention also
relates to the lens holding frame having at least one correction
lens.
PRIOR ART
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,648 relates to an HMD device susceptible
to be used in combination with correction lenses, the HMD device
comprising two connecting devices, which are magnets, i.e a
permanent T-shaped magnet located on the frame, which may be
connected with a corresponding U-shaped permanent magnet located on
the glasses. This is aimed to obtain a stable connection, though
easily releasable.
[0003] US2006/0203187 relates to a prescription lens insert to be
attached to the shield of an eyewear article, including a means for
connecting the central bridge portion of the insert to a
corresponding central nose area of the shield, and a set of upper
and lower arms extending outward of the bridge portion and being
bendable for adjusting the position and orientation of the lenses
relative to the shield.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] However, it is major concern that the correction lenses be
fixed with an exact, precise and reproducible position with regard
to the projection optics of the HMD device; ensuring the
reproducibility of the positioning of the lenses remains an issue.
Moreover, the use of magnetic devices may not be wanted. Thus, it
is a goal of this invention to provide a lens holding frame which
can be reversibly connected, through mechanical means, onto an HMD
device. By reversibly is meant that the lens holding frame may be
put on and taken off as many times as wished, and may each time be
positioned with a repeatable accuracy and adjustability with regard
to the HMD projection optics.
[0005] This invention thus relates to a lens holding frame for
holding lenses, both in front of the projection optics of an HMD
device and in front of the eye portion of a wearer of the HMD
device, the lens holding frame comprising a nose bridge, the HMD
device comprising a nose pad arranged to support the nose bridge,
and at least one lens being a correction lens, wherein the lens
holding frame is arranged to be stretched out of its original shape
under a manual pressure to at least one transitional shape, and
wherein the lens holding frame further comprises connecting means
arranged to connect in a reversible manner the HMD device to the
lens holding frame being in a transitional shape and having its
nose bridge supported by the nose pad of the HMD device.
[0006] According to an embodiment, the lens holding frame is made
of resilient material, the frame holding two lenses, one of which
at least being a correction lens.
[0007] According to another embodiment, the lens holding frame is
made of resilient material having a tensile strength of 400 to 700
N/mm.sup.2.
[0008] Preferably, the resilient material includes stainless
steel.
[0009] According to an embodiment, the lens holding frame is
arranged to be stretched out of its original shape under manual
pressures simultaneously exerted on the opposite ends of the
frame.
[0010] Advantageously, the connecting means include a central
connecting means and two lateral connecting means located at the
opposite ends of the frame.
[0011] According to a specific embodiment, the HMD device includes
a housing and a nose pad, and the connecting means include one
central connecting means of the nose bridge of the lens holding
frame onto the nose pad of the HMD device, and two lateral
connecting means of the opposite ends of the lens frame beneath the
HMD housing.
[0012] In a variation of the invention, the central connecting
means is a hump in the nose bridge designed to lay down on the nose
pad of the HMD device.
[0013] Preferably, the lateral connecting means are two lateral
rods in the form of an S welded on each opposite end of the lens
frame, and extending downwardly.
[0014] The invention also relates to a HMD device to which a lens
holding frame, as hereabove described, is reversibly connected so
that the lens holding frame is both in front of the projection
optics of the HMD device and in front of the eye portion of a
wearer of the HMD device, wherein at least one lens is a correction
lens, and wherein the lens holding frame is connected under
pressure on the HMD device in a transitional shape different from
its original shape.
[0015] The lens holding frame is made of resilient material,
preferably having a tensile strength of 400 to 700 N/mm.sup.2 and
the frame holds two lenses, one of which at least being a
correction lens. Advantageously, the resilient material includes
stainless steel.
[0016] According to an embodiment, the HMD device includes a
housing and a nose pad, and the connecting means include one
central connecting means of the nose bridge of the lens frame onto
the nose pad of the HMD device, and two lateral connecting means of
the opposite ends of the lens frame beneath the HMD housing.
According to another embodiment, the HMD device includes a housing
and a nose pad, and the connecting means include one central
connecting means of the nose bridge of the lens frame onto the nose
pad of the HMD device, which is a hump on the nose bridge of the
lens frame, designed to fit in a groove carved in the nose pad of
the HMD device, and two lateral connecting means of the opposite
ends of the lens frame beneath the HMD housing.
[0017] This invention also relates to a method for connecting a
lens holding frame onto a HMD device, both in front of the
projection optics of an HMD device and in front of the eye portion
of a wearer of the HMD device, wherein at least one lens is a
correction lens, and wherein the frame includes or is made of
resilient material and includes connecting means onto the HMD
device, the method comprising: [0018] simultaneously pressing the
opposite ends of the lens holding frame to put the lens holding
frame in a transitional shape [0019] placing the connecting means
of the lens holding frame in a position suitable for its connection
with the HMD device [0020] releasing the pressure onto the opposite
ends of the lens holding frame, so that the connecting means
connect with the HMD device.
[0021] According to an embodiment, the method of the invention
comprises a preliminary step of connecting the nose pad to the HMD
device. According to another embodiment, placing the connecting
means includes first having the nose bridge laid down onto the nose
pad, and second engaging the lateral connecting means under the
housing of the nose pad.
[0022] Although the following detailed description contains
specific features, these should not be construed as limiting the
scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of
some of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the HMD device 1 of the
invention, on which the lens holding frame 10 is adapted FIG. 2 is
a front view of the lens holding frame 10.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the central portion of the
HMD, and includes a sectional view of the nose pad 6 and of the
groove 8 carved in the nose pad 6.
[0025] This invention thus relates to lenses mounted on a frame,
hereinafter called the "lens holding frame", the lens holding frame
being releasably mountable on a HMD device, and to an HMD device
suitable for having a lens holding frame releasably mounted on it.
Releasably mountable in the meaning of this invention means that
the lens holding frame is made attachable and detachable from the
HMD device. According to the invention, the connection or
disconnection of the lens holding frame to the HMD device can be
done by the user manually, without tools, and without effort, by
simply disengaging the connecting means, preferably by pressing the
opposite parts of the lens holding frame to disengage the lateral
connecting means from beneath the housing of the HMD device.
[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one lens held
by the lens holding frame is a correction lens. By correction
lenses is meant lenses or glasses which aim at correcting an eye
deficiency of the user.
[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the lens holding frame
is made of any suitable resilient material, which means material of
any nature, as long as it is resilient. By resilient in this
invention, is meant that the frame has elastic properties, so that
the opposite ends of the frame may be simultaneously tensed down,
but tend to recover their initial position. According to an
embodiment, the resilient material constituting the lens holding
frame is made of, or includes in its composition, stainless steel.
According to a preferred embodiment, the lens holding frame is a
resilient stainless steel wire comprising 8-10.5% Nickel, 17-19%
Chromium, 3-4% of Copper, less than 0.08% Carbon, less than 2%
Manganese, less than 1% Silicon, and less than 0.045% Phosphorus.
According to an embodiment, the lens holding frame according to the
invention is arranged to be stretched out of its original shape
under manual pressures simultaneously exerted on the opposite ends
of the frame.
[0028] According to an embodiment, the lens holding frame is made
of resilient material having a tensile strength of 400 to 700
N/mm.sup.2, more preferably of 500 to 600 N/mm.sup.2. According to
an embodiment of the invention, the elongation capacity of the lens
holding frame is of 30 to 50%, preferably of 35 to 45%.
[0029] The length of the lens holding frame is adapted to the
housing of the HMD device. According to an embodiment, the total
length of the lens holding frame is of 110 to 150 mm.
[0030] The width of the lens holding frame is adapted to the
housing of the HMD device. According to an embodiment, the total
width of the lens holding frame is of 15 to 25 mm.
[0031] The thickness of the lens holding frame is adapted to the
housing and to the nose pad of the HMD device. According to an
embodiment, the thickness is of 0.5 to 5 mm.
[0032] According to this invention, the lens holding frame
comprises two lenses, one at least being a correction lens. The
lenses may be made of glass, plastics or any other suitable
material. The lenses are preferably fixed permanently to the lens
holding frame.
[0033] According to the invention, the connecting means, which are
the means for connecting the lens holding frame to the HMD device,
include a central connecting means and two lateral connecting means
located at the opposite ends of the frame.
[0034] In this invention, the term connecting is meant as putting
into contact an HMD device on one hand, and a lens holding frame
put in a tensed or stretched position, by applying a mechanical
pressure in the opposite ends of the frame, on the other hand in
order to mechanically attach or connect the lens holding frame onto
the HMD device, in such a way that the lens holding frame securely
remains on the HMD device during use, and is attachable and
detachable.
[0035] According to an embodiment, the central connecting means is
the nose bridge or the central part of the nose bridge or is within
the nose bridge. According to an embodiment, the central portion of
the nose bridge is slightly curved to form a hump, for a better
fitting of the nose bridge on the HMD device. Preferably, the
central connecting means is a hump in the nose bridge designed to
lay down on the nose pad of the HMD device. According to an
embodiment, the lateral connecting means are two lateral rods in
the form of an S, one rod being welded on each opposite lateral end
of the lens frame, and extending downwardly, so that, when the user
simultaneously urges vertically and then horizontally the opposite
sides of the lens holding frame, each part of the S rods engage
beneath the HMD device, and is retained there when the urge ceases
by the spring effect of the resilient material.
[0036] According to an embodiment, the HMD device includes a
housing and a nose pad, and the connecting means include one
central connecting means of the nose bridge of the lens frame onto
the nose pad of the HMD device, and two lateral connecting means of
the opposite ends of the lens frame beneath the HMD housing.
[0037] The lens holding frame may be moulded in a unitary piece.
According to an embodiment, the lens holding frame is rimless.
According to another embodiment, the lens holding frame includes
half rims welded on each side the nose bridge. According to still
another embodiment, the lens holding frame includes one full rim
including the nose bridge and two parts extending from each side of
the nose bridge, parts to which the lenses are attached.
[0038] In an embodiment, the lens holding frame lack temples.
[0039] The connecting means are such that the lens holding frame
may be adjusted onto the HMD device in a secure, reproducible and
releasable position. According to an embodiment, when connected
onto the HMD device, the lens holding frame may always held in the
same predetermined position with regard to the HMD device, which
helps preventing undesirable movement of the lens holding frame
relative to the HMD device. According to this invention, the
connecting means are capable of continuously supporting the lenses
held by the lens holding frame in front of the HMD device
projection optics, in a proper mounting position and in proper lens
alignment of both HMD projection optics and lenses. An advantage of
this invention is that the lens holding frame may be mounted or
replaced quickly on the HMD device. This invention may thus provide
a secure retention and a stable connection of the lens holding
frame on the HMD device, during use of the HMD device.
[0040] The connecting means include surfaces of retention of the
lens holding frame onto the HMD device, and use the resiliency of
the resilient lens holding frame material. The retention surfaces
are the surfaces where the lens holding frame is retained onto the
HMD device by friction and by the strength exerted by the
resiliency of the lens holding frame material. These surfaces are
located respectively at the opposite ends of the lens holding frame
and in the central part of the nose bridge of lens holding frame.
Any suitable means may be adapted to the location of the retention
surfaces in order to enhance friction.
[0041] Thanks to its resilient material, the lens holding frame is
elastically flexible in a vertical plane and in a horizontal plane.
In the connected position, the lens holding frame behave like a
spring between central connecting point(s) and lateral connecting
point(s).
[0042] The invention also relates to an HMD device comprises a
housing, temples, a nose pad and projection optics. The nose pad of
the HMD device of the invention may be a separate part or
alternatively, moulded with the housing of the HMD device.
[0043] In the embodiment where the nose pad is a separate part, it
is attachable and removable from the HMD device; in this embodiment
the nose pad is advantageously clipped on the HMD device. The lower
surface of nose pad may have various shapes, adapted to the
morphology of the user. Thus, the user may choose a nose pad
suitable for the morphology of his/her nose. According to a
preferred embodiment, the area of the nose pad which is engaged,
preferably clipped, on the HMD device, is always the same, whatever
the shape of the part of the nose pad laying down on the nose of
the user is. According to another preferred embodiment, the nose
pad always includes an upper surface on which the nose bridge of
the lens holding frame may be laid down or engaged.
[0044] The HMD device of the invention is suitable for connection
with a lens holding frame for holding lenses, both in front of the
projection optics of an HMD device and in front of the eye portion
of a wearer of the HMD device, the lens holding frame comprising a
nose bridge, the HMD device comprising a nose pad arranged to
support the nose bridge, and at least one lens being a correction
lens, wherein the lens holding frame is arranged to be stretched
out of its original shape under a manual pressure to at least one
transitional shape, and wherein the lens holding frame further
comprises connecting means arranged to connect in a reversible
manner the HMD device to the lens holding frame being in a
transitional shape and having its nose bridge supported by the nose
pad of the HMD device.
[0045] According to an embodiment, the nose pad projecting towards
the face of the user of the HMD device has, on the upper surface of
its projected portion, a groove parallel to the housing of the HMD
device.
[0046] According to an embodiment of the invention, the HMD device
according to the invention may be provided such that the observer
wearing it on his head can only perceive the images (in particular,
virtual images) generated by the HMD device. Alternatively, it may
also be provided such that he will perceive the generated images as
superimposed upon the environment or that he will perceive the
generated images in one part of his visual range and the
environment in another.
[0047] Further, the HMD device may be provided such that it either
generates images for only one or for both of the observer's eyes,
it being possible, in the latter case, to achieve a
three-dimensional representation, in particular, by a slight
difference between the images for the right eye and for the left
eye. According to an embodiment, the HMD device of the invention is
suitable for an anaglyphic perception of the images. According to a
first embodiment, the lens holding frame is such that one lens is
of red colour and the other lens is of blue-green color. According
to a second embodiment, the HMD projection optics include one lens
is of red colour and the other lens is of blue-green color.
According to a third embodiment, the HMD device includes a image
treatment suitable for an anaglyphic perception of the images by
the user.
[0048] FIG. 1 shows an HMD device 1 to which a lens holding frame
10 is adapted, the HMD device 1 comprising a housing 2, temples 5,
a nose pad 6 and projection optics 9. The nose pad 6 projects
toward the face of the user of the HMD device 1. According to the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the top 7 of the nose pad 6 has a
groove 8 parallel to the housing of the HMD device 1.
[0049] When the user puts on the HMD device of FIG. 1, or wears it
on his head, the temples 5 are supported by the ears and the nose
pad is supported by the nose, so that the HMD device is worn like
ordinary glasses.
[0050] FIG. 2 shows the lens holding frame 10.
[0051] According to an embodiment, the lens holding frame has a
general rectangular form, with a total length of 110 to 120 mm, and
the total width of 30 to 40 mm. Preferably, each lens is of general
rectangular form with a height of 17 to 18 mm and a width of 33.5
mm. The thickness of the frame may be adapted to the thickness of
the lenses. According to an embodiment, the thickness of the frame
is of 1 to 5 mm, preferably 1.75 mm. The lens holding frame may be
curved. Preferably, the neutral radius of the curve is of about 90
to 110.degree.. According to an embodiment, the neutral radius is
of 104.6.
[0052] According to a particular embodiment, the lens holding frame
comprises a nose bridge 11 with a central hump 12, two lenses, at
least one being a correction lens. Preferably, the length of the
nose bridge is of 25 to 40 mm, preferably 30-38 mm.
[0053] Each lens may be mounted on a rim, welded on one side to the
nose bridge, and on the other side to a connecting rod 14. The
length of each rim is adapted to the length of the lens.
[0054] The connecting rods 14 may extend downwardly, orthogonally
with regard to the rims to which they are welded, and are
preferably deviated from the verticality of about 10.degree..
[0055] Considering that the nose bridge 11 of the lens holding
frame 10 is laid onto the nose pad 6 of the HMD device 1, the lens
holding frame 10 may then be urged down by the user, using the
resiliency of the material constituting the lens holding frame 10,
towards the bottom 4 of the housing 2 of the HMD device 1.
[0056] The connection of the lens holding frame 10 to the HMD
device 1 may be effected by engaging the nose bridge 11 of the lens
holding frame 10 in the groove 8 located on the top 7 of the nose
pad 6 and by flexing downwardly the opposite ends of the lens
holding frame and pushing them for engagement of the lower part of
the rods 7 beneath the HMD device (1).
[0057] The rods 7 are preferably in the form of an S, the upper
part of the S being welded to the rim 13, the central part of the S
extending downwardly vertically, and the end of the S being
essentially orthogonal of the central part of the S and extending
toward the bottom 4 of the housing 1. The rods 7 may form an angle
of about 5 to 30.degree. to the vertical plan of the lens holding
frame. The length of the rods shall be adapted to the housing. In
an embodiment, the length of the rods is of 14 to 15 mm.
[0058] FIG. 3 shows an example of a nose pad, having a lens holding
frame on it.
* * * * *