Head-mounted enhanced vision device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to head-mounted devices, particularly in the context of providing enhanced vision. In one arrangement, the device includes a display configured to display information, a sensor configured to sense an environment external to the device; a data processing system configured to control the display using the output from the sensor; and a lens system configured to allow the wearer to focus on the information displayed by the display when the device is worn on the wearer's head. A mounting device is provided that allows the device to be worn on a wearer's head. The mounting device includes a head engaging portion configured to be mounted over and / or around a head, and a protrusion mechanically attached to the head engaging portion and configured to extend away from the head in a generally forward direction relative to a face of a wearer when the device is worn on the head of the wearer. The projection supports at least the weight of the display and the lens system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a head-mounted augmented vision device, particularly in the context of providing an enhanced display output for a person suffering from a sensory, perceptual or cognitive disorder that affects their ability to process and interpret visual and auditory stimuli. Background Art

[0002] Dedicated virtual reality (VR) headsets are well known, but are relatively expensive and bulky. Head-mounted brackets with optical elements allow a smartphone to be placed in front of the eyes for the user to view. Both of these methods meet the requirements for creating a virtual reality environment, but are generally not suitable for long-term wear or situations where the user needs to move around in the real world. For example, this may be the case for users with certain sensory, perceptual or cognitive conditions who wear the device to enhance their awareness of the surrounding environment. Such devices can capture information about the environment through multiple sensors, but it is difficult to convey this information to the user in a natural way. The user may have difficulty maintaining balance, relying solely on the visual information provided by such a display. In addition, known devices are difficult to wear for long periods of time and may cause headaches, nausea or fatigue. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present disclosure is to at least partially address one, some or all of the above-mentioned drawbacks and / or other problems of the prior art.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a head-mounted device comprising: a display configured to display information; a sensor configured to sense the environment external to the device; a data processing system configured to control the display using the output from the sensor; a lens system configured to allow a wearer to focus on the information displayed by the display when the device is worn on the wearer's head; and a mounting device configured to allow the device to be worn on the wearer's head, the mounting device comprising: a head engagement portion configured to fit over and / or around the head; and a protrusion mechanically attached to the head engagement portion and configured to extend away from the head in a generally forward direction relative to the wearer's face when the device is worn on the wearer's head, wherein the protrusion is configured to support the weight of at least the display and the lens system.

[0005] Accordingly, a device is provided that allows a user to view the displayed information through a display worn by the user, but at least the weight of the display and the lens system is supported by a protrusion, which in turn is supported by a head engagement portion that is mounted above and / or around the head (e.g., encircling the head). The head engagement portion can be a cap crown or have a form substantially the same as a cap crown, which can be open or closed. The protrusion can be a visor or have a form substantially the same as a visor, which extends only forward or in all directions. It has been found that the method of the present invention provides significantly higher comfort compared to known head-mounted devices with active displays, which are typically fixed to the facial area of the wearer's head by straps that usually exert pressure near the eyes, ears, and nose and / or apply pressure to the nose, cheekbones, temples, ears, and forehead, leading to headaches, nausea, or fatigue after long-term use. The disadvantages of the prior art become even more severe when an open peripheral view is required, such as by switching from a virtual reality form to a glasses-like form, as there are now typically fewer contact points while the weight remains substantially the same. Some use cases, such as visual assistance, require the user to wear the device for several hours a day.

[0006] In one embodiment, the device includes a facial contact member supported by the protrusion, the facial contact member being configured to engage with the face of the wearer. The protrusion can be configured to pivot under the action of gravity to press the facial contact member against the face of the wearer, thereby providing a stable positioning of the lens system relative to the face of the wearer. It has been found that this method provides a simple and effective way to ensure the correct positioning of the lens system without compromising the comfort of long-term wear.

[0007] In one embodiment, the device further includes an adjacent member configured such that when the wearer looks in the horizontal direction: the facial contact member extends substantially horizontally; and the adjacent member extends generally downward from the facial contact member and limits the pivoting range of the protrusion by pressing against the face below the facial contact member. It has been found that this method allows for a particularly precise positioning of the lens system while minimizing the negative impact on long-term wear comfort. Additionally, this feature reduces the mechanical requirements for the protrusion of the mounting device, for example allowing the use of a wider range of visors (including weaker visors) to implement the protrusion.

[0008] In one embodiment, the adjacent member is configured to allow adjustment of the angle between the face of the wearer and the lens axis of the lens system. This method can allow the wearer to vertically control which part of the scene is sensed by the sensor without the wearer having to change his / her head orientation.

[0009] In one embodiment, the device is configured such that when the facial contact member is engaged against the face, the wearer has peripheral vision of the external environment of the device. Allowing peripheral vision makes it easier for the user to maintain balance compared to alternative arrangements where the user must rely solely on central vision and / or peripheral vision is blocked. Peripheral vision is important for spatial navigation (e.g., the left and right monocular temporal crescents are used for spatial awareness and spatial learning).

[0010] In one embodiment, the device includes an actuatable shielding device configured to allow a controllable change in the range of peripheral vision. This feature provides flexibility to accommodate different usage scenarios or situations and / or to further enhance comfort. Neither a glasses-like system (where peripheral vision is not inhibited) nor a VR-based system (where peripheral vision is completely blocked) optimally meets all usage scenarios: each form factor has advantages and disadvantages in specific applications. For example, if the ambient light is too strong, glasses that typically allow navigation using peripheral vision can benefit from a reduction in the scene brightness where peripheral vision is available. A VR-based system can benefit from being "open" such that not only can peripheral vision be used for navigation as with glasses, but also more of the wearer's face is exposed to the person the wearer is interacting with (or to the front camera if the interaction is remote), enabling better capture of facial expressions and emotions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be further described solely by way of example and with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the head-mounted device viewed from below.

[0013] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a perspective front view of a portion of the device, showing details of an example smartphone holder.

[0014] Figure 3 is a perspective rear view of a portion of the device, showing the shielding device with the L-shaped member in the blocking state.

[0015] Figure 4 is viewed from below Figure 3 of the device

[0016] Figure 5 is viewed from below Figure 3 of the device, where the L-shaped member of the shielding device is in the open state.

[0017] Figure 6 and Figure 7Is a perspective view of a portion of the device viewed from below, the device having a lens housing configured to be switchable between an axially extended state and an axially contracted state; Figure 6 Depicts the lens housing in the axially extended state; Figure 7 Depicts the lens housing in an intermediate state between the axially extended state and the axially contracted state.

[0018] Figures 8 to 10 Is Figure 6 And Figure 7 A side view of the arrangement of, where the lens housing is in the axially contracted state and the pivotally supported member is in three different transitional stages between the deployed position and the stored position.

[0019] Figure 11 And Figure 12 Is a perspective view of an alternative configuration of the mounting means of the device. Detailed Description

[0020] The present disclosure relates to a head-mounted device. Embodiment arrangements will be discussed below.

[0021] The device includes a display, sensors, and a data processing system.

[0022] The display is configured to display information. The display may include, for example, an electronic display. The display may be opaque or transparent.

[0023] The sensors are configured to sense the environment external to the device. For example, the sensors may be configured to perform one or more of the following in any combination: capture a visual scene; record audio data; obtain multi-point distance information within the field of view, optionally by performing optical detection and ranging, LiDaR; measure linear acceleration; measure the intensity of ambient light; measure a magnetic field or magnetic dipole moment; and measure angular velocity.

[0024] The data processing system is configured to control the display using the output from the sensors. Any of a variety of known configurations may be provided to provide the required data processing functions (e.g., including a CPU, GPU, memory, power supply, etc.). For example, the data processing system may be configured such that the control of the display using the output from the sensors includes any combination of one or more of the following: segmentation and matting; localization and mapping; color enhancement; brightness adjustment; contrast adjustment; object tracking; pose estimation; recognition and / or parsing of text information; recognition of objects and / or object attributes; measurement of the distance to an object; the position of an object and the boundaries of an object; estimation of position changes; detection of obstacles; parsing and / or translation of spoken language; and detection of a person's face, emotions, and / or movements.

[0025] A display, sensors, and a data processing system can be provided by a portable computing device (such as a smartphone). An arrangement of this type is illustrated in the figures. Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , for example, the device can include a smartphone holder 2 and a smartphone supported by the smartphone holder.

[0026] The smartphone holder 2 is configured to accommodate the smartphone. As Figure 2 shown, the smartphone holder 2 can, for example, include a cage that defines an internal space in which the smartphone can be placed and securely fixed. Figure 2 The cage is shown in the closed state with no smartphone placed in it. The user can open the cage and place the smartphone inside. Any of a variety of known techniques can be used to allow a range of different sized and shaped smartphones to be properly secured within the internal space, including specially sized adapters and / or elastic members. The smartphone holder 2 defines at least one opening 3 or transparent portion that is configured to allow the camera of the smartphone (an embodiment of a sensor) to capture images outside of the smartphone holder 2 when the smartphone is held within the smartphone holder 2. For example, images of the area in front of the smartphone holder 2 (on the side of the smartphone holder opposite the wearer) and / or the area behind the smartphone holder 2 (e.g., the wearer himself, such as capturing the wearer's mood, etc.) can be captured.

[0027] The device also includes a lens system 4 and mounting means that includes a head engagement portion 10 and a projection 12.

[0028] The lens system 4 is configured to allow the device wearer to focus on the information displayed on the display (e.g., focus on the display screen of the smartphone held in the smartphone holder 2) when the device is worn on the wearer's head. It is well known that a lens system is configured to allow focusing on an object closer to the eye than without a lens, and any suitable lens configuration can be used. The lens for each eye can be disposed in a respective lens housing 18. The lenses of the lens system 4 are typically separate from the display, but this is not necessary. The display can be partially or fully integrated (e.g., embedded) into one or more of the lenses of the lens system 4.

[0029] The mounting device formed by the head engagement portion 10 and the protruding portion 12 allows the device to be worn on the head. The engagement portion 10 is configured to be mounted above and / or around the head (e.g., encircling the head) such that the protruding portion 12 mechanically attached to the head engagement portion 10 can support the weight of at least the display and the lens system (optionally also the sensor and the data processing system), without the head engagement portion detaching from the head or moving significantly on the head. In an arrangement including a smartphone held in the smartphone holder 2, the protruding portion 12 is configured to be able to support the smartphone, the smartphone holder 2, and the lens system 4, without the head engagement portion detaching from the head or moving significantly on the head. The engagement portion 10 may have substantially the same form as the crown of a cap (cap crown). The cap crown may be closed, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 1 In other arrangements, the cap crown may be open. Figure 11 An embodiment of a mounting device with a head engagement portion in the form of an open cap crown is shown.

[0030] The protruding portion 12 is mechanically attached to the head engagement portion 10 and is configured to extend away from the head in a generally forward direction relative to the wearer's face when the device is worn on the wearer's head. The protruding portion 12 may have substantially the same form as the brim of a hat. The brim may extend only forward, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 1 In other arrangements, the brim may extend in all directions. Figure 12 An embodiment of a mounting device with a protruding portion 12 extending in all directions in the form of a brim is shown.

[0031] The display, sensor, data processing system, and lens system may be provided in a unit connected to the protruding portion 12. The unit may be detachably connected to the protruding portion 12.

[0032] In some arrangements, the device includes a face contact member 14. The face contact member 14 may be supported by a protrusion 12 of the mounting device. The face contact member 14 is configured to engage against the face of the wearer, typically against the upper part of the face, such as the forehead. The protrusion 12 is configured to pivot under the action of gravity to press the face contact member 14 against the face of the wearer, thereby providing stable positioning of the lens system 4 relative to the wearer's face. Thus, the weight of the display and the lens system (and optionally the sensor and data processing system, such as when these elements are provided by the smartphone in the smartphone holder 2) can exert a torque on the protrusion 12, causing it to bend downwards (e.g., pivot about an axis near where the protrusion 12 is connected to the head engagement portion 10) until the face contact member 14 presses against the face with sufficient force to balance the torque. This arrangement ensures that the device can be installed quickly and reliably such that the lens system 4 is properly positioned in front of the wearer's eyes without the wearer having to make no or only minimal time-consuming adjustments (e.g., aligning the lens system and / or adjusting the focus of the lens). It has been found that this function can be particularly effectively achieved by arranging the face contact member 14 to contact the face along an elongated path conforming to the wearer's head. The face contact member 14 may be particularly configured such that when the device is worn on the wearer's head and the wearer looks in the horizontal direction, the elongated path has an elongated axis that is substantially in the horizontal plane, such as as Figure 1 shown.

[0033] In some arrangements, when the wearer looks in the horizontal direction, the face contact member 14 is arranged to extend substantially horizontally, and the device further includes an adjacent member 15 that extends substantially downward from the face contact member 14. The adjacent member 15 is configured to limit the pivoting range of the protrusion 12 under the weight of the elements attached to the protrusion (e.g., the smartphone holder 2, the smartphone, and the lens system 4). The pivoting is limited by the pressure (i.e., pressing) exerted by the position of the adjacent member 15 below the face contact member 14 on the face. Thus, the adjacent member 15 helps to reliably fix the position and alignment of the lens system 4 relative to the wearer's eyes. In some arrangements, the adjacent member 15 is configured to allow adjustment of the angle between the wearer's face and the lens axis of the lens system 4. Thus, the adjacent member 15 can precisely control the angle between the wearer's face and the protrusion 12, thereby allowing the user to better control which part of the scene the device is capturing (e.g., sensed by the sensor) without changing the orientation of the head. In some arrangements, the adjacent member 15 is configured to substantially conform to the external shape of the skeletal structure between the wearer's eyes. The adjacent member 15 may be connected to and / or supported by the face contact member 14 and / or the protrusion 12 of the mounting device.

[0034] In some arrangements, the device is configured such that when the facial contact member 14 engages against the face, the wearer has peripheral vision of the external environment of the device. Thus, the device is worn on the wearer in a manner that allows a degree of peripheral vision. Allowing peripheral vision can increase the comfort of the wearer, particularly when the device is configured to provide support for visually impaired persons interacting with the environment, such as by enhancing vision as the wearer moves through and / or interacts with the environment. For example, a smartphone can be configured to capture visual information using the smartphone's camera and display a processed version of the captured visual information on the smartphone's display. The processed version of the captured visual information can be configured to be more interpretable by a visually impaired wearer than the captured visual information. Allowing peripheral vision in such cases can make it easier for the wearer to maintain balance, thereby enhancing safety.

[0035] The data processing system can be configured to enhance the information displayed on the display in a variety of different ways. These can include one or more of the following:

[0036] The captured image can be color enhanced, for example by adjusting the contrast according to the lighting conditions of the scene;

[0037] The captured image can be edge enhanced by detecting edges in the scene and highlighting them in a user-friendly way;

[0038] Object recognition can be performed on the captured image, i.e., specific objects in the scene are detected and the nature and properties of these objects are communicated to the user through some output mechanism;

[0039] Motion tracking of relevant objects can be performed on the captured image, i.e., the direction of movement of specific objects in the scene is highlighted in a way that makes it easier to identify the movement; combined with object recognition, motion tracking can be used for obstacle avoidance by communicating information about obstacles and their potential directions to the user;

[0040] Optical character recognition can be performed on the captured text information present in the image to assist the user in understanding the content of the text block;

[0041] The captured image can be stabilized, i.e., in the case of an unstable or shaky user's head, the captured frames can be stabilized to compensate for head movement and present a more stable and consistent scene to the user;

[0042] The distance measurement module can provide information about the distance to different objects; this combined with object recognition can help the user estimate the distance to an object of interest or help them identify the distance to a specific obstacle;

[0043] Audio data can be captured by a microphone of the device; this data can be used to parse human speech and trigger actions based on the processed input; directional information in the audio stream can be extracted and combined with inputs from other sensors to aid in spatial awareness and spatial perception.

[0044] Peripheral vision can be allowed in all peripheral directions or a selected subset of available directions. In some embodiments, peripheral vision can be allowed in the lateral direction and / or the downward direction. Peripheral vision in the upward direction may be blocked by the protrusion 12 of the mounting device.

[0045] In some arrangements, the extent to which peripheral vision is allowed can be controlled by the wearer and / or the data processing system. Thus, the device can switch between different modes. In some cases, for example, it may be desirable to completely block peripheral vision and allow the wearer to focus entirely on the output of the display. This may be appropriate when the wearer is sitting or the body is inactive. Alternatively, the surrounding environment may be too bright or distracting, so suppressing peripheral vision would be more comfortable. In other cases, for example when the wearer is interacting more actively with the surrounding environment and / or moving around, it may be desirable to switch the device to a mode that allows peripheral vision or allows a greater extent of peripheral vision. These operations can be performed manually by the wearer or automatically by the data processing system. For example, the data processing system can use a motion sensor (such as an accelerometer) to detect when the wearer switches from an inactive state to an active state and respond by increasing peripheral vision. Alternatively or additionally, the data processing system can detect changes in the ambient light intensity and respond by modifying peripheral vision (reducing peripheral vision when an increase in intensity is detected, such as when the sun comes out, and increasing peripheral vision when a decrease in intensity is detected). Thus, the device can automatically seek to provide an optimal balance between the light from the display and the ambient light entering through peripheral vision.

[0046] In some arrangements, the device includes an actuatable shielding device configured to allow a controllable change in the peripheral vision range. The change can be controlled by the data processing system, the wearer, or can occur automatically for other reasons (such as through a material that responds to different intensities of ambient light). The change can be achieved at least in part by changing the transparency (e.g., transmittance) of a variable transparency material. Thus, the shielding device can include a material with variable transparency. Alternatively or additionally, as Figures 3 to 5 shown, the change can be achieved mechanically (by moving and / or rotating one or more elements).

[0047] Figures 3 to 5 An embodiment of a class of devices is depicted, where the device can use an actuatable shielding device 16 to control peripheral vision. For ease of illustration, the smartphone holder 2 is not shown in Figures 3 to 5is shown. The occlusion device 16 can be manually actuated by direct manual manipulation by the wearer. Alternatively, the occlusion device 16 can be electrically actuated, for example, by a motor or any other suitable power mechanism. Such actuation can be controlled by a data processing system, for example, in response to an output from a sensor. The actuatable occlusion device 16 is configured to allow the occlusion device 16 to selectively switch between an open state and one or more peripheral vision suppression states. In the particular embodiment shown, the occlusion device 16 includes an L-shaped member, one for each eye, which blocks peripheral vision in the lateral and downward directions. Various other arrangements are possible.

[0048] This peripheral vision suppression state of the occlusion device 16 or each peripheral vision suppression state (illustrated in Figure 3 and Figure 4 ) enables the user to focus on the information displayed on the display when the face contact member 14 is engaged against the user's face, and the occlusion device 16 suppresses peripheral viewing of the surrounding environment relative to the open state.

[0049] As Figure 5 illustrated, the occlusion device 16 is in the open state such that when the face contact member 14 is engaged closely against the wearer's face, the wearer can concentrate on the information displayed by the display and peripherally view portions of the surrounding environment.

[0050] One or more peripheral vision suppression states can include multiple peripheral vision suppression states, where each peripheral vision suppression state suppresses peripheral vision to a different degree. For example, in the Figures 3 to 5 arrangement, the occlusion device 16 can be actuated to position the L-shaped member at a plurality of different positions along a longitudinal displacement axis parallel to the optical axis of the lens system 4. By allowing the L-shaped member to be positioned at one or more positions, different peripheral vision suppression states can be provided, which are between a fully blocked state where peripheral vision is completely blocked (e.g., as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown) and a fully open state where the L-shaped member does not suppress peripheral vision at all. At such intermediate positions, the occlusion device 16 can reduce peripheral vision but not completely block it. Providing such multiple peripheral vision suppression states can provide enhanced control for the wearer. For example, the wearer can adjust the degree of peripheral vision blockage according to the brightness of the surrounding environment. For example, when the wearer is outdoors, especially in sunny weather, a higher degree of blockage is provided, while when the wearer is indoors or the weather is cloudy or the sun is not high in the sky, etc., a lower degree of blockage is provided.

[0051] The shielding device 16 can be configured in a variety of different ways to achieve the desired functionality. In some configurations, at least a portion of the shielding device 16 is configured to move and / or rotate so as to be positioned closer to the wearer's face in one or more peripheral vision suppression states than in the open state. As described above, in the embodiment of Figures 3 to 5 , the L-shaped member of the shielding device 16 moves longitudinally. In an alternative configuration, the shielding device 16 can include a hinged shielding element that can rotate about the axis of the hinge from a blocking position to an open position. Alternatively or additionally, the shielding device can include a plurality of pins that can move individually along parallel pin axes. Each pin blocks a portion of the peripheral vision when in a longitudinally advanced position. By selectively advancing the available pins, the degree and directionality of peripheral vision blocking can be changed with a high degree of flexibility. Alternatively or additionally, the shielding device can be mounted in a permanently closed state but made of a material with variable transparency, the transparency level being controlled by a data processing system based on usage (e.g., viewing a photo versus navigating an environment) or based on sensor input (e.g., the amount of light read by an ambient light sensor).

[0052] In some arrangements, the lens system 4 includes two tubular lens housings 18. Each lens housing 18 contains one or more lenses of the lens system 4 and is aligned such that the wearer can view axially through the lens housing 18 and the lenses contained therein with respective eyes. Thus, the left eye will view through one of the lens housings 18, while the right eye will view through the other lens housing 18. In the open state of the shielding device 16, as illustrated in Figure 5 , the shielding device 16 is located at the same distance from the wearer's face as each lens housing 18, or at a position farther than each lens housing 18 (as shown in Figure 5 ). In the stated or each peripheral vision suppression state, as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the shielding device 16 is located closer to the wearer's face than each tubular lens housing 18.

[0053] In some arrangements, the lens system 4 is configured to be switchable between a viewing mode and a storage mode. The viewing mode positions the lens system 4 in the direct forward line of sight of the device wearer. The storage mode positions the lens system 4 outside the direct forward line of sight of the device wearer, optionally with the lenses of the lens system 4 folded towards the protrusion 12 of the mounting device, optionally parallel and / or flush (e.g., directly adjacent) to the protrusion 12 of the mounting device.

[0054] In some arrangements, as shown in Figures 6 to 10 , the lens housings 18 can be arranged to be axially extensible (as shown in Figure 6 ) and axially contractible (as shown in Figures 7 to 10Switch between the states (as shown), thereby facilitating switching between the viewing mode and the storage mode. This can be achieved by providing the lens housing 18 with walls formed of a stretchable / deformable material or by configuring the walls to be longitudinally compressible in a bellows or accordion manner. This allows the total thickness of the lens system 4 in the direction parallel to the optical axis to be reduced when needed. The reduction in thickness facilitates folding the lens system 4, for example when the wearer does not want to use the device. As Figures 8 to 10 shown, the device may include a pivotable support member 20 that allows the lens housing 18 (and the smartphone holder 2 in the shown arrangement) to pivot to a storage position when the lens housing 18 is in an axially contracted state.

Claims

1. A head-mounted device, comprising: a display configured to display information; a sensor configured to sense the environment external to the device; a data processing system configured to use the output from the sensor to control the display; a lens system configured to allow a wearer to focus on the information displayed by the display when the device is worn on the wearer's head; and a mounting device configured to allow the device to be worn on the wearer's head, the mounting device comprising: a head engagement portion configured to fit over and / or around the head; and a protrusion mechanically attached to the head engagement portion and configured to extend away from the head in a generally forward direction relative to the wearer's face when the device is worn on the wearer's head, wherein the protrusion is configured to support the weight of at least the display and the lens system.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is a brim or has a form substantially the same as a brim, the brim extending only in the forward direction or in all directions.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the head engagement portion is a crown or has a form substantially the same as a crown, the crown being open or closed.

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display, sensor, data processing system and lens system are provided in a unit connected to the protrusion, optionally detachably connected to the protrusion.

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a smartphone holder and a smartphone supported by the smartphone holder, wherein the smartphone comprises the display, sensor and data processing system, and the smartphone holder is supported by the protrusion.

6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lens system is configured to be switchable between a viewing mode and a storage mode, the viewing mode causing the lens system to be in the direct forward line of sight of the wearer of the device; and the storage mode causing the lens system to be out of the direct forward line of sight of the wearer of the device, optionally with the lenses of the lens system folded towards the protrusion of the mounting device, optionally parallel and / or flush with the protrusion of the mounting device.

7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a face contact member supported by the protrusion, the face contact member being configured to engage with the wearer's face.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the protrusion is configured to pivot under the action of gravity to press the face contact member against the wearer's face, thereby providing a stable positioning of the lens system relative to the wearer's face.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the device further comprises an adjacent member configured such that, when the wearer looks in the horizontal direction: the face contact member extends substantially horizontally; and The adjacent member extends generally downwardly from the facial contact member and limits the pivoting range of the protrusion by bearing against the face below the facial contact member. Wherein, Optionally: The adjacent member is configured to allow adjustment of the angle between the wearer's face and the lens axis of the lens system, thereby optionally allowing the wearer to vertically control which part of the scene is sensed by the sensor without the wearer changing the orientation of the head.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the facial contact member is configured to contact the face along an elongated path conforming to the wearer's head.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the facial contact member is configured such that when the apparatus is worn on the wearer's head and the wearer looks straight ahead in the horizontal direction, the elongated path has an elongation axis substantially in the horizontal plane.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11, configured such that when the facial contact member bears against the face, the wearer has peripheral vision of the environment outside the apparatus.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, comprising an actuatable shielding device configured to allow controllable variation of the range of the peripheral vision.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 12, Wherein: The apparatus includes an actuatable shielding device configured to allow the shielding device to selectively switch between an open state and one or more peripheral vision suppression states; The open state enables the wearer to focus on the information displayed by the display and observe parts of the environment from the surroundings when the facial contact member engages with the wearer's face; and The or each peripheral vision suppression state enables the user to focus on the information displayed on the display and, relative to the open state, the shielding device suppresses the observation of the environment from the surroundings when the facial contact member engages with the user's face.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the one or more peripheral vision suppression states include a plurality of peripheral vision suppression states, each peripheral vision suppression state causing a different degree of suppression of peripheral vision.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein at least a part of the shielding device is configured to move and / or rotate so as to be positioned closer to the wearer's face in the one or more peripheral vision suppression states than in the open state.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the lens system includes two tubular lens housings, each lens housing containing one or more of the lenses of the lens system and aligned such that the wearer can axially view through the lens housing and the lenses contained therein with respective eyes.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, Wherein: In the open state of the shielding device, the shielding device is positioned at a distance from the face of the wearer that is the same as or greater than that from each lens housing; and in the peripheral vision suppression state or each peripheral vision suppression state of the shielding device, the shielding device is positioned closer to the face of the wearer than each lens housing.

19. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the lens system comprises two tubular lens housings, each lens housing containing one or more of the lenses of the lens system, and aligned such that the wearer can view axially through the lens housing and the lenses contained therein with respective eyes.

20. The device according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein each lens housing is configured to be switchable between an axially extended state and an axially contracted state.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the lens housing is supported by a pivotally supported member configured to allow the lens housing to pivot to a storage position outside the direct forward line of sight of the wearer of the device when the lens housing is in the axially contracted state, the storage position optionally being such that the pivotally supported member and / or the lens housing is substantially parallel and / or flush with the protrusion of the mounting device.

22. The device according to any one of claims 13 to 21, wherein the data processing system is configured to control the activation of the shielding device in response to an output from the sensor.

23. The device according to any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein the shielding device is configured to be actuated at least partially manually by the wearer.

24. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor is configured to perform one or more of the following in any combination: Capture a visual scene; Record audio data; Obtain multi-point distance information within the field of view, optionally by performing light detection and ranging LiDaR; Measure linear acceleration; Measure the intensity of ambient light; Measure a magnetic field or magnetic dipole moment; and Measure angular velocity.

25. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing system is configured such that the control of the display using the output from the sensor comprises any combination of one or more of the following: Segmentation and matting; Localization and mapping; Color enhancement; Brightness adjustment; Contrast adjustment; Object tracking; Pose estimation; Recognition and / or parsing of text information; Recognition of objects and / or object attributes; Measurement of the distance to an object; Position of an object and boundaries of an object; Estimation of position change; Detection of obstacles; Parsing and / or translation of spoken language; and Detection of a person's face, emotion and / or movement.

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