Modular binocular electronic imaging system

Patent 5861994 Issued on January 19, 1999. Estimated Expiration Date:

March 25, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Magneto-optic display
Patent #: 4575722
Issued on: 03/11/1986
Inventor: Anderson

Helmet display systems
Patent #: 4902116
Issued on: 02/20/1990
Inventor: Ellis

Graded index asperhic combiners and display system utilizing same
Patent #: 4968117
Issued on: 11/06/1990
Inventor: Chern, et al.

Biocular holographic helmet mounted display
Patent #: 5035474
Issued on: 07/30/1991
Inventor: Moss, et al.

Large-field holographic binocular helmet visor
Patent #: 5124821
Issued on: 06/23/1992
Inventor: Antier, et al.

Eye protection system with heads up display
Patent #: 5343313
Issued on: 08/30/1994
Inventor: Fergason

Head-mounted image display
Patent #: 5392158
Issued on: 02/21/1995
Inventor: Tosaki

Display apparatus
Patent #: 5414544
Issued on: 05/09/1995
Inventor: Aoyagi, et al.

Mapping and analysis system for precision farming applications
Patent #: 5467271
Issued on: 11/14/1995
Inventor: Abel, et al.

Automatic image regulating arrangement for head-mounted image display apparatus Patent #: 5485172
Issued on: 01/16/1996
Inventor: Sawachika, et al.

Inventor

Kelly, Shawn L.

Application

No. 823617 filed on 03/25/1997

US Classes:

359/630, Superimposing visual information on observer`s field of view (e.g., head-up arrangement, etc.)359/480, BINOCULAR DEVICES359/481Binocular loupe type

Examiners

Primary: Callahan, Timothy P.
Assistant: Kim, Jung Ho

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Lyon, P.C.

Foreign Patent References

227953 GB 12/22/1994

International Class

G02B 027/14

Abstract

A portable, electronic imaging system (100) includes a compact housing (102) extending across and beyond the eyes of the user, a wide field of view binocular viewfinder imaging subsystem (104) operating on an image produced by an electronic display subsystem (104) located within the housing, speakers (106) integrally mounted with the housing, an internal, interactive electronic control subsystem (108) to control the functions of the system, and an external input/output interface (110) to facilitate connection with a plurality of optional external devices and/or modules. The housing may further provide for modular mounting and removal of a plurality of optional system modules such as the electronic camera (120), a video tape record and playback device and battery (122), the electronic display (118), a night vision camera, a television tuner, a video game electronic system, a head orientation and position tracking device, or a means for mounting the system on the user's head.

Other References

International Symposium Digest of Technical Papers, New York, 1973, Patrick D. Pratt, "A Helmet-Mounted Camera and Display System for Pilot Training", Fig.