Binocular Devices Patents (Class 359/480)
  • Patent number: 11860444
    Abstract: Electronic devices such as head-mounted electronic devices may include displays for presenting images to users. To accommodate variations in the interpupillary distances associated with different users, a head-mounted device may have left-eye and right-eye optical modules that move with respect to each other. To hide internal structures from view, the rear of a head-mounted device may be provided with a cover. The cover may have a stretchable layer that is coupled to a frame. Openings in the stretchable layer may be aligned with the optical modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yiwei Tao, Vedant A. Dhandhania, Timon A. Wright
  • Patent number: 11460687
    Abstract: An erecting system and a binocular telescope for laser ranging. The erecting system includes a roof half penta prism, a beam splitting prism and an isosceles prism. The beam splitting prism is positioned between the roof half penta prism and the isosceles prism. The beam splitting prism is formed by bonding two right-angle prisms. A beam splitting film is arranged on a bonding surface of the two right-angle prisms. The erecting system not only has simple structure and small occupation volume, but also is convenient in use, can realize the binocular observation and targeting at a measured object, and can display the distance of the measured object in real time in the field of view while observing the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventors: Xiangwei Qian, Chongqiu Liu
  • Patent number: 11092772
    Abstract: The invention discloses an optical module and a head-mounted display apparatus. The optical module includes a left/right lens barrel mechanism, a left/right sight distance adjusting mechanism, and a left/right pupillary distance adjusting mechanism; The left lens barrel mechanism includes a left lens barrel assembly and a left display screen disposed behind the left lens barrel assembly through a left screen bracket; The left sight distance adjusting mechanism adjusts the distance between the left display screen and the left lens barrel assembly; The left pupillary distance adjusting mechanism drives the left lens barrel mechanism to move left and right. Symmetrically, the structure of the right side is the same as left. The optical module adjusts the sight distance/pupillary distance of left and right eye separately by the left and right sight distance adjusting mechanism/pupillary distance adjusting mechanism, so that images seen by both eyes are clearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: SHENZHEN KUKU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaolin Zheng, Jun Liu, Hao Chen
  • Patent number: 10409068
    Abstract: A pair of eye-mounted displays includes a right eye-mounted display and a right eye-mounted display. Each eye-mounted display comprises a contact lens. A femtoprojector system in each contact lens projects an image onto a retina of a user's eye when the contact lens is mounted on the user's eye. When the pair of eye-mounted displays is mounted on the user's left eye and on the user's right eye, a left-eye image is projected onto the user's left eye retina and a right-eye image is projected onto the user's right eye retina. The two projected images only partially overlap within the user's binocular visual field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Tectus Corporation
    Inventors: Michael West Wiemer, Steven Louis Sinclair, Hansong Zhang, Brian Elliot Lemoff, Ben H. Shelef
  • Patent number: 10338388
    Abstract: There is provided an image display device that comprises an image forming unit and a light guide unit. The light guide unit includes a light guide plate configured to guide light of an image formed in the image forming unit, and a support member. The light guide plate is supported by one or more buffer members at, at least, a plurality of portions of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Hirano, Hiroshi Isobe, Koji Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 10152119
    Abstract: A head mounted display apparatus and a calibrating method thereof are provided. The HMD apparatus has a dual camera unit. The method includes: disposing a reference object in front of the dual camera unit, wherein the reference object has at least one physical feature; capturing a plurality of images of the reference object by the dual camera unit, and generating a distance information of the reference object according to the images; determining whether the dual camera unit being deformed or not by analyzing the distance information; and calibrating the HMD apparatus if the dual camera unit being deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Wan-Ju Tseng, Jing-Lung Wu
  • Patent number: 10073273
    Abstract: In a frame part, a center portion having a thick structure is provided between a first optical member as a first light guide unit and a second optical member as a second light guide unit to connect to both and fixes relative positions of the first optical member and the second optical member by the center portion, and thereby, reduction in weight and size of the frame part is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Miyao, Takahiro Totani, Masayuki Takagi, Takashi Takeda, Akira Komatsu, Kazuya Kamakura
  • Patent number: 9576478
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: based on received traveller data, the traveller data representing polled traveller usage of a particular traffic lane, designating the particular traffic lane as a restricted-use lane, the designation for use in subsequent navigation guidance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: HERE GLOBAL B.V.
    Inventor: Leon Oliver Stenneth
  • Patent number: 9104021
    Abstract: The binoculars include right and left optical systems including right and left image stabilizing lenses, a lens holding member holding the image stabilizing lenses and being movable in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis direction, first and second guiding members disposed between the lens holding member and a base member, a first guiding mechanism allowing rolling of a first ball in a first direction between the lens holding member and the first guiding member, a second guiding mechanism allowing rolling of a second ball in a second direction between the first and second guiding members. The binoculars further include a first biasing member applying a biasing force toward the optical axis direction to the first and second guiding members, and a second biasing member applying a biasing force toward a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction to the second guiding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8988463
    Abstract: A method for overlaying first and second images in a common focal plane of a viewer comprises forming the first image and guiding the first and second images along an axis to a pupil of the viewer. The method further comprises adjustably diverging the first and second images at an adaptive diverging optic to bring the first image into focus at the common focal plane, and, adjustably converging the second image at an adaptive converging optic to bring the second image into focus at the common focal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn Stone Perez, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Andrew Fuller, Philip Greenhalgh, David Hayes, John Tardif
  • Patent number: 8988315
    Abstract: There is provided a head mounted display including a glasses-type frame to be worn on a head of an observer; two optical modules including two image creation devices, and two light guides having two light guide plates coupled one-to-one with the two image creation devices and placed closer to a center of a face of the observer than the image creation devices are as a whole, that guide light beams output from the image creation devices and output the light beams toward pupils of the observer; and an optical plate supporting the two light guides, wherein the optical plate is attached to a center part of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mukawa, Atsushi Kagawa, Satoshi Nakano, Keita Hibi, Yohei Fukuma, Tomoaki Takuma
  • Publication number: 20140307315
    Abstract: A binocular head mounted display includes a first binocular eye piece including a first torsional brace and a second binocular eye piece including a second torsional brace configured to engage the first torsional brace. The binocular head mounted also includes a frame assembly holding the first binocular eye piece and the second binocular eye piece at an adjustable interpupillary distance. The frame assembly includes a torsional support to directly or indirectly engage the first torsional brace and the second torsional brace. Such engagement resists rotational movement of the first binocular eye piece relative to the second binocular eye piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: David D. Bohn
  • Publication number: 20140085720
    Abstract: A binocular viewing device includes two eyepieces, each eyepiece being provided with perpendicular lines. Each eyepiece is provided only with one horizon line and one line perpendicular to the horizon line, so that the point of intersection of these two single lines is marked by a visible point situated approximately 3-5 mm off center on the temporal side of said eyepiece and 2-4 mm off center towards the bottom of said eyepiece in relation to the center of the field of vision of each eyepiece corresponding to the centre of a pupil of a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Francois Merz
  • Patent number: 8681184
    Abstract: A display unit for binocular representation of a multicolor image including a control unit triggering an imaging element such that the imaging element generates in a temporal successive manner the image to be displayed for a first beam path and a second beam path as a first image and second image, respectively. The images are generated in a pre-distorted manner, opposite of the chromatic aberration of the respective beam path, such that the chromatic aberration generated in the respective beam path is compensated when the first and second image is displayed. The display unit includes a switching module which operates in temporal synchrony with the first and second image being generated, such that a user can see the first image only via the first beam path and the second image only via the second beam path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Markus Seesselberg, Johannes Ruoff
  • Publication number: 20130293956
    Abstract: An optical system for imaging an object is provided that is in particular embodied as binocular field glasses, as monocular field glasses, as a spotting scope or as a telescope. The optical system comprises at least one first objective, at least one first image stabilizing unit, and at least one first eyepiece. As seen from the first objective in the direction of the first eyepiece, the first objective is arranged first along a first optical axis in a first housing, followed by the first image stabilizing unit and then the first eyepiece. The first image stabilizing unit is mounted in a cardan-joint fashion in the first housing, rotatably about a first hinge point, wherein the first hinge point is arranged between the first objective and the first eyepiece. Furthermore, the optical system comprises at least one first drive unit for contactless driving of the first image stabilizing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Dirk Dobermann, Karsten Kuhn
  • Publication number: 20130170031
    Abstract: In embodiments of eyebox adjustment for interpupillary distance, a first optical lens receives light of an image from a display optic at a projected orientation of the light, and the first optical lens deviates the light of the image by a deviation angle from the projected orientation of the light. A second optical lens receives the light of the image from the first optical lens at the deviation angle, and the second optical lens alters the deviated light of the image back to the projected orientation of the light for viewing the image. Left and right eyeboxes align with respective left and right eyes that view the image, and a distance between the left and right eyeboxes approximately correlates to an interpupillary distance between the left and right eyes. The light of the image can be laterally shifted to increase or decrease the distance between the left and right eyeboxes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: David D. Bohn, Rod G. Fleck, Steven John Robbins
  • Patent number: 8422129
    Abstract: An observation apparatus includes a first member 9 supporting first optical elements L1L and L1R, a second member 7 supporting second optical elements L4L and L4R and the first member via balls so as to be movable in an optical axis direction, and a biasing device 11 generating a biasing force for clamping the balls. The first and second members include guide portions 7a, 7b, 9a, and 9b engaging with first balls so as to permit a rolling motion of the two first balls 10a and 10b in the optical axis direction and prevent the first member from displacing with respect to the second member in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction, and ball holding portions 7c, 7d, 9c, and 9d holding second balls 10c and 10d so as to permit a rolling motion of the second balls in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20120200917
    Abstract: A binocular system includes a first monocular, a second monocular, a mounting bracket, a base plate, coupled to the mounting bracket, a first arm coupled to the base plate via a first hinge and coupled to the first monocular via a first guide rail, and a second arm coupled to the base plate via a second hinge and coupled to the second monocular via a second guide rail. The monoculars are independently moveable using the guide rails and the hinges. Collimation of the monoculars is maintained independently of movement of the monoculars side to side and fore and aft on the guiderails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Maxim Rivkin, Gintautas Narkevicius
  • Publication number: 20120200918
    Abstract: A binocular system includes a first monocular, a second monocular, a first arm coupled to a base plate via a first hinge and coupled to the first monocular, and a second arm coupled to the base plate via a second hinge and coupled to the second monocular. Each of the monoculars rotates about a corresponding one of the hinges along an axis of rotation that is not parallel to an axis of collimation of each of the monoculars. The monoculars are collimated when rotated into a deployed position. The binocular system may also include a mounting bracket coupled to the base plate, a tilt base, interposed between the mounting bracket and the base plate and a tilt lever, having a cam that is operatively engaged with the tilt base, where actuation of the lever causes the base plate to tilt with respect to the mounting bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Maxim Rivkin, Gintautas Narkevicius
  • Publication number: 20120099196
    Abstract: An attachment device (1) that attaches a pair of binoculars (3) to the brim (4) of a hat (2) via a clip (5). The attachment device has a series of arms (7, 10, 13) that are pivotally attached to each other and to the clip, thereby allowing a user to flip the binoculars upward in a stored position on top of the brim or downward so that the user can look through the binoculars. The pivoting arms further allow a user to adjust the binoculars up or down depending on the position of a user's eyes in relation to the brim of the hat. In addition, the pivoting arms are slidably attached to the clip via slides (6), thereby allowing a user to adjust the distance between his or her eyes and the binoculars. An optional strap (20) may be worn around the user's head to provide additional support to the attachment device and binoculars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Johnny L. Wood, Donald L. Springer
  • Patent number: 8120845
    Abstract: An optical system includes an optical assembly frame having an input portion, an output portion, and an objective lens assembly disposed at the input portion of the optical assembly frame. The objective lens assembly has an objective lens central optical axis. An eyepiece lens assembly is disposed at the output portion of the frame. The eyepiece lens assembly has an eyepiece lens central optical axis parallel to the objective lens central optical axis and offset from the objective lens central optical axis by a distance. An inverting image intensifier is disposed between the objective lens assembly and the eyepiece lens assembly. The image intensifier has an image intensifier optical axis parallel to the objective lens central optical axis and parallel to the eyepiece lens central optical axis. The image intensifier optical axis is offset from both the objective lens central optical axis and the eyepiece lens central optical axis by about half the distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Rawlin Heath Brown, Nils Thomas, Kevin Schlirf, Todd Neff
  • Publication number: 20110299029
    Abstract: A method for causing visual images on the foveas of a patient to be differentially displaced from their default position by determining an optimal amount of displacement for each eye to maximize visual acuity while maintaining binocular vision, and fabricating lenses to achieve the determined differential displacements by use of two prisms of different dioptric strength. Optical devices, including eyeglasses and contact lenses, displace the images on the foveas of a patient by an amount sufficient to mitigate problems caused by non-fully functional foveas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Alan H. Grant
  • Publication number: 20110267690
    Abstract: A binocular display system that provides minimum occlusion of a user's field of vision such that the occluded area is primarily filled with an image displayed to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Spaller
  • Patent number: 8045266
    Abstract: Provided is a binocular loupe capable of adapting to current vision of a worker of a medical operation or precise operation in operating. The binocular loupe has frame means, a pair of binocular loupe bodies, attaching means for fixing the binocular loupe bodies to the frame means, focus adjusting means for adjusting a focal length of each of the binocular loupe bodies, and supporting means for detachably attaching the focus adjusting means to eyepiece portions of the binocular loupe bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignees: ACP Japan, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoichi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20110170048
    Abstract: A vision assist device without side temples comprises a frame for holding a first vision assisting lens with a carabiner clip that extends from the frame for use as a handle. The carabiner clip has at least 3 sides, at least one of said sides including a bar with spring biasing to define a closed clip position. The carabiner clipped device can be used as reading glasses, a magnifying glass, lorgnette and/or binoculars. Optionally, the carabiner includes a switch-activated light. One preferred embodiment uses overlapping lenses to provide twice the vision correction when folded closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Eyewear Inventions and Licensing, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Samuel R. Shapiro
  • Publication number: 20110069386
    Abstract: Binoculars includes left and right image stabilizing lenses, a lens holder configured to move in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis direction, a reference member as a positioning reference in an optical axis direction of the lens holder, a plurality of balls provided at least three each around each of the left and right image stabilizing lenses between the lens holder and the reference member, and configured to roll in accordance with a move of the lens holder, and left and right biasing members inside of the three balls in the left and right ball units and configured to press the lens holder and the reference member against the balls. A coupling portion in the lens holder is so flexible that at least three balls can contact the lens holder by the left and right biasing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhiro NOGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20110043910
    Abstract: A tripod-connecting adapter for connecting a pair of binoculars to a tripod comprising: a base portion that has a width in which a left and a right lens barrels of the pair of binoculars to be placed thereon come into contact therewith, and restricts rotation of the pair of binoculars around a joint shaft that connects the pair of lens barrels of the pair of binoculars; and a holding device that is provided on the base portion and is connected to the joint shaft to support the pair of lens barrels so that said pair of lens barrels may be placed on an upper surface of the base portion to come in contact therewith, and restricts movement of the pair of binoculars in an optical axis direction of the pair of binoculars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Mitsuo YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20100265490
    Abstract: This invention provides range binoculars capable of measuring a distance between the observation place and an object, the binoculars being made small-sized with keeping the functions as binoculars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: KAMAKURA KOKI CO., LTD
    Inventor: Naomi WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20100149633
    Abstract: An optical system includes an optical assembly frame having an input portion, an output portion, and an objective lens assembly disposed at the input portion of the optical assembly frame. The objective lens assembly has an objective lens central optical axis. An eyepiece lens assembly is disposed at the output portion of the frame. The eyepiece lens assembly has an eyepiece lens central optical axis parallel to the objective lens central optical axis and offset from the objective lens central optical axis by a distance. An inverting image intensifier is disposed between the objective lens assembly and the eyepiece lens assembly. The image intensifier has an image intensifier optical axis parallel to the objective lens central optical axis and parallel to the eyepiece lens central optical axis. The image intensifier optical axis is offset from both the objective lens central optical axis and the eyepiece lens central optical axis by about half the distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Rawlin Heath Brown, Nils Thomas, Kevin Schlirf, Todd Neff
  • Publication number: 20100142044
    Abstract: A pair of binoculars includes: a pair of lens barrels in each of which a telescopic optical system including an objective lens and an eyepiece is held; a reticle that is provided between the objective lens and the eyepiece of one of the telescopic optical systems movably in an optical axis direction of the one of the telescopic optical systems; and an adjusting ring that moves the reticle in the optical axis direction by rotation operation to adjust a position of the reticle in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Yasuyuki AIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20100073774
    Abstract: The invention relates to improving optical properties of optical instruments with variable magnification, such as zoom binoculars, reducing the weight thereof, and enabling the user to change magnifications quickly. The invention provides an optical instrument with a focal length-varying lens 4 disposed on the optical axis between an objective lens 7 and an eyepiece 3, further having an adjusting lens 5 for adjusting optical properties when the focal length-varying lens is in an area to provide high magnification. The adjusting lens is supported so that it is capable of moving between a location on the optical axis and a location off the path of light beams. Interlocked with a magnification-varying mechanism that controls the position of the focal length-varying lens, the adjusting lens is moved to the on-the-axis location when the focal length-varying lens is in an area to provide high magnification, and to the off-the-axis location when low magnification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: KAMAKURA KOKI CO., LTD
    Inventors: Naomi WATANABE, Kazuya MIYAJI
  • Publication number: 20100053750
    Abstract: An observation apparatus includes a first member 9 supporting first optical elements L1L and L1R, a second member 7 supporting second optical elements L4L and L4R and the first member via balls so as to be movable in an optical axis direction, and a biasing device 11 generating a biasing force for clamping the balls. The first and second members include guide portions 7a, 7b, 9a, and 9b engaging with first balls so as to permit a rolling motion of the two first balls 10a and 10b in the optical axis direction and prevent the first member from displacing with respect to the second member in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction, and ball holding portions 7c, 7d, 9c, and 9d holding second balls 10c and 10d so as to permit a rolling motion of the second balls in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20100046070
    Abstract: A head-mounted display includes a frame shaped like glasses to be worn on the head of an observer, two image display apparatuses respectively including image generating devices to be placed outside the eyes of the observer, and light guide devices attached to the image generating devices and provided closer to the center of the face of the observer than the image generating devices as a whole, light emitted from the image generating device entering the light guide devices, and being guided and emitted from the light guide devices toward the eyes of the observer, and a coupling member configured to couple the image generating devices and attached to a center portion of the frame between the eyes of the observer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mukawa
  • Publication number: 20090303315
    Abstract: A binocular device including two ocular units and directing means to allow a user to view a display, the display being moveable when the distance between the ocular units is varied for interocular adjustment to maintain focus on the display. Instead of the display being movable, focus can be maintained by the inclusion in the directing means of optical relays for transmitting parallel light. In a further embodiment, a sensor is provided, the output of which is directed for viewing via the ocular units. In yet another embodiment, image capture means are provided for recording the image from the ocular units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: STEREONICS LIMITED
    Inventor: Charles Nicolas Charlesworth
  • Publication number: 20090303457
    Abstract: The invention relates to a binocular observation device, in particular a field glass, with two visual optical paths and with a laser distance meter with a laser transmitter and a laser receiver and with an opto-electronic display element. A part of an optical path of the laser transmitter is integrated in a first visual optical path and a part of an optical path of the laser receiver is also integrated in the first visual optical path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: SWAROVSKI-OPTIK KG.
    Inventors: Gavin Lancaster, Konrad A. Roider
  • Publication number: 20090268287
    Abstract: The invention relates to a binocular device for displaying information, the device comprising a support for placing on the nose and supporting a right display element and a left display element each designed to be placed in front of an eye and each comprising a light guide for receiving a beam of light rays emitted by a beam generator device towards an inlet face and for propagating the beam to an outlet face where the beam is directed towards the corresponding eye, the binocular device having an arrangement for adjusting the pupillary distance by moving at least one of the light guides relative to said support so as to adjust the distance between the light guides. According to the invention, said light guides are disposed over a said support and are held by a strip disposed over the light guides and secured to said support by means of at least one spacer, at least one slack takeup means being interposed between said strip and said light guides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Cedric Buchon, Felten Yohann
  • Publication number: 20090268288
    Abstract: A carriage for a headgear mount including a base having a top surface and a bottom surface, the carriage attachable to the headgear mount. At least one rail extends from the bottom surface, the rail adapted to receive night vision goggles and the rail being integral with the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventor: Jonathon R. Prendergast
  • Publication number: 20090174939
    Abstract: Binoculars have two tubes which are connected to each other via a folding bridge and an Abbe-König prism system is arranged in each tube. The Abbe-König prism systems are each provided for image reversal of respective visual viewing beam paths. Each Abbe-König system comprises an isosceles prism and a roof prism adjacent thereto. A laser transmitter (21) having an emanating laser beam path (24) in the first tube (3a) and a corresponding laser receiver (22) having an incoming laser beam (24) in the second tube (3b) can be changed in parallel with respect to the distance to each other by means of the folding bridge (37). One of the two prisms (9, 10) of each Abbe-König prism system (6) is configured with a splitter layer (12, 12?, 12?) or is connected via a cement layer for splitting the viewing beam (7) and laser beam (24) into separate beams with the beams (7, 24) running part way in common in the respective tubes (3a, 3b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Christof Heintz, Volker Tautz, Norbert Mueller
  • Publication number: 20090147358
    Abstract: A viewing device containing one or more display screens and adjustment means to allow the device to be adjusted to suit a user's interocular distance, wherein alignment means are provided to check the alignment of the device with the wearer's eyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: STEREONICS LIMITED
    Inventor: Nick Charlesworth
  • Publication number: 20090116128
    Abstract: A viewing device comprises: a pair of optically aligned lenses which are moveable relative to each other to vary the gap between facing surfaces of the lenses, and a linkage for controlling the relative motion. The linkage includes first and second elongate members which crossover each other at a crossover pivot connection. The first elongate member extends between a slidably moveable pivot connection which is arranged to transmit relative motion to the first lens of the pair and a pivot connection which is arranged to transmit relative motion to the second lens of the pair. The second elongate member extends between a slidably moveable pivot connection which is arranged to transmit relative motion to the second lens and a pivot connection which is arranged to transmit relative motion to the first lens. The connections are arranged such that the linkage can open and close in a concertina- or scissor-like fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Cambridge Enterprise Limited
    Inventor: Paul Meyer
  • Patent number: 7315415
    Abstract: An interpupillary distance adjustment mechanism for an optical device includes a slide rail (1) mounted on a middle support of the optical device, two slide blocks (2) mounted on respective lens barrels of the optical device, and a blocking member (4, 4?). The two slide blocks are slidably movable relative to the slide rail toward or away from each other to change the distance between the two lens barrels of the optical device. The blocking member is manually operable to provide an acting force between the slide block and the slide rail, and thus changing the friction force therebetween during sliding movement of the slide block. In this way, undesired sliding movement of the slide block relative to the slide rail can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Pai Shih-Yu, Lai Hsiang-Yi
  • Patent number: 7177080
    Abstract: A viewing arrangement includes an image generator having a single, two-sided display screen having a front and a back side which display a front image and a back image, respectively, of a translucent or transparent image generated by the image generator; two eyepieces suitable for viewing the front and back images via respective eyes of a person using the arrangement; and an optical imaging system which images and transmits the front image to one eye of the person using the arrangement via the first eyepiece, and the back image to another eye of the person using the arrangement via the second eyepiece. A corresponding method includes generating an image; processing the image with an optical imaging system into front and back images; displaying the front and back images on a two-sided display; and transmitting the front and back images to first and second eyepieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Flir Systems AB
    Inventor: Michel Soderlindh
  • Patent number: 7072107
    Abstract: A modular binocular-like vision assembly (300) has individual interconnecting inner (320, 330) and outer (310, 340) optical modules. Each module is separately sealed and self-contained and includes image intensifier means for converting incoming light to an intensified visible image for presentation to the eyes of the observer in low light conditions. Electrical connectors are provided between the modules for permitting free flow of electrical power and information between the modules. Attaching system is provided for removably attaching the outer modules to the inner modules to deliver a panoramic field of vision and removal of any single module from the assembly will not break any pressure seals or degrade the optical performance of the removed module or the remaining modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignees: Night Vision Corporation, Kollsman, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny Filipovich, Jack C. Fiore, Ofer Robert Ziv, Philip Uy
  • Patent number: 6961150
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an edge detecting unit which identifies an area of given image data as a gradation sequence area and a character/line art area and which outputs edge information of the character/line art, a level converting unit which generates a strength modulation signal so as to emphasize an edge of the character/line art area, a laser driver which outputs a laser drive signal in order to form a picture dot larger than a standard size in response to the strength modulation signal. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to print an image with emphasizing an edge portion of a character/line art by a laser printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Okuyama
  • Publication number: 20040257648
    Abstract: Electronic binoculars comprise an imaging unit, and first and second ocular units. The imaging unit has an imaging device that projects an optical image of an object, and converts the optical image to electric signals. The first ocular unit has a first image-indicating device that indicates the object image based on the electric signals in a first image-indicating field. The second ocular unit has a second image-indicating device that indicates the object image based on the electric signals in a second image-indicating field. The first image-indicating field is smaller than a first effective image-indicating area which is the maximum image-indicating area of the first image-indicating device. The second image-indicating field is smaller than a second effective image-indicating area which is the maximum image-indicating area of the second image-indicating device. The respective first and second image-indicating fields can move within the respective first and second effective image-indicating areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Mogamiya
  • Patent number: 6827577
    Abstract: The night vision goggle training apparatus simulates the size, feel and handling of actual night vision goggles. A narrow band-width green filter is positioned over the viewing port, to simulate nighttime viewing conditions. The image intensification system used in night vision goggles is eliminated; limiting use of the training goggles to daytime use. The out of balance weight of the night vision goggles is identical to actual night vision goggles. Brightness control is simulated by attenuation filters that fit over the objective lens. The blooming effect of lights is simulated with a star filter. A thin, fine mesh screen is used to simulate reduced acuity, scintillation and ghosting effects during low light or rapid motion, which occur during use of actual night vision goggles. The objective focus and diopter adjustment are identical to night vision goggles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: DCS Corporation
    Inventor: Jim E. Fulbrook
  • Publication number: 20040227993
    Abstract: The invention relates to a binocular image display system which can follow changes in the viewing position of a viewer, if any, without superposition of the right-eye pupil and the left-eye pupil, so that the viewer can view 3D images, etc. The image display system comprises an image display device 3, an illumination light source 4, an illumination optical system, a relay optical system 31 and an eyepiece optical system 32. The image display device 3 is a single device adapted to display left-eye and right-eye images alternately. The illumination light source 4 comprises a light source that is changed over to separate illumination areas depending on the displayed left-eye and right-eye images so that the illumination areas can be moved. The exit pupil comprises a pair of left and right exit pupils 1L and 1R determined depending on the illumination areas of the illumination light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Takahiro Amanai, Takayoshi Togino
  • Patent number: 6788459
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting two monocular devices to form a binocular device. A method of collimating the monocular devices, so that the binocular device is collimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy H. Holmes, Mark A. Bryant
  • Patent number: 6768583
    Abstract: Binoculars doubling as a toy, in particular, various spherical shapes such as a soccer ball or baseball. These binoculars have lens barrels ejected from hemispherical bodies to increase the field of vision up over a long distance. The binoculars doubling as a toy may be constructed with hemispherical bodies 1 and 21 defining a complete global shape when coupled with each other, connected to each other by a hinge 15; eye lens barrels 6 and 26 each having eye lenses 5 and 25 and mounted to centers of arc sections 2 and 22 of the bodies 1 and 21; circular plates 7 and 27 mounted into grooves 3 and 23 formed in the arc sections 2 and 22; objective lens barrels 10 and 30 each having objective lenses 9 and 29 and inserted into through holes of the circular plates 7 and 27; and springs 13 and 33 each mounted between the eye lens barrels 6 and 26 and the objective lens barrels 10 and 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventor: Ouk-Kyon Shin
  • Patent number: 6728030
    Abstract: Electronic binoculars comprise a body containing an electronic camera having an electromechanical zoom, a single display, a power source, and electronics for modifying the output of the camera, including a variable electronic zoom. A lens is positioned between the user's eyes and the display to further magnify the image. External controls toggle power and select modifications to the image to be performed by the electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: David Bellefuil