Head mounted display

Abstract

A goggle system for providing a personal media viewing experience to a user is provided. The goggle system may include an outer cover, a mid-frame, optical components for generating the media display, and a lens on which the generated media displayed is provided to the user. The goggle system, or head mounted display may have any suitable appearance. For example, the goggle system may resemble ski or motorcycle goggles. To enhance the user's comfort, the goggle system may include breathable components, including for example breathable foam that rests against the user's face, and may allow the user to move the display generation components for alignment with the user's eyes. In some embodiments, the goggle system may include data processing circuitry operative to adjust left and right images generated by the optical components to display 3-D media, or account for a user's eyesight limitations.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This applications claims the benefit of prior filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 927,624, filed May 4, 1997, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention is directed to a display for video that is mounted to a user's head.[0003]Users of electronic devices may view media on different types of screens. For example, users may view media on a screen integrated in the electronic device (e.g., view media on the display screen of a personal electronic device, for example the iPod™ available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.). As another example, users may couple the electronic device to a separate display and direct the display to provide the media. For example, users may couple a computer to a screen and display media on the computer screen. As another example, users may direct a television to display media streamed or downloaded from an electronic device (e.g., using an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]A personal goggle system for presenting a personal display of media is provided. The goggle system may include an outer cover, a frame and a display generation component. To enhance the appearance and aesthetic appeal of the goggle system, the outer cover and frame may be designed to resemble ski or motorcycle goggles (e.g., covering only the user's eyes, with a foam layer against the user's face).

[0010]The goggle system may include any suitable display generation component. For example, the goggle system may include two display generation components operative to provide the displayed images for each eye. In some embodiments, the display generation components may be moved relative the goggle frame to be placed opposite the user's eyes (e.g., move or tilt the display generation components to align them with the user's eyes). The display generation components may be operative to provide different images for each eye. For example, the components may offset the images to give the user the illusion of viewing media in three dimensions. As another example, the components may provide different images for each eye based on the eyesight corrections needed by the user (e.g., change the focus to reflect an eyesight prescription). In some embodiments, the display generation components may provide the displayed images on a lens coupled to the frame (e.g., attached to the inner cover).

[0011]The goggle system may include a foam layer adjacent the frame that rests against the user's face. The foam may serve to prevent ambient light from entering the goggle system and affecting the images displayed on the lens. The foam layer may be formed from any suitable compressible material, including for example different types of foam or flock. In some embodiments, the foam may be more compressible in regions where a user's eyeglasses contact the frame to enhance the comfort of the goggle system.

Problems solved by technology

For users who wish to view media provided by an electronic device when they are away from their homes and away from their television and computer screens (e.g., users traveling), integrated displays may be limiting.

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