Device and method for providing a light beam deflected in a constant direction and pair of smartglasses comprising the device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) and to a method, in particular for a pair of smartglasses, for providing a light beam (112a, 112a') deflected in a constant direction (112b, 112b'), comprising: a first part (102), in particular a part of a frame (302) of the smartglasses (300); at least one second part (104, 104'), in particular a part of a temple (304, 304') of the smartglasses (300), wherein the second part (104, 104') can be moved relative to the first part (102) about an axis of rotation (106) in at least one rotational degree of freedom, and in particular the first part (102) and the second part (104, 104') are interconnected by means of a hinge; a deflecting device (108), which is designed to deflect the light beam (112a, 112a') emitted by an illumination device (110, 110') arranged in the second part (104, 104') in the constant direction (112b, 112b') relative to the first part (102), in particular onto a lens (306) of the smartglasses (300), independently of a rotational position between the first part (102) and the second part (104, 104'). The invention also relates to a pair of smartglasses comprising the device.

Description

[0001] R. 408837

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] title

[0005] Device and method for providing a light beam deflected in a constant direction, and data glasses comprising the device

[0006] State of the art

[0007] The invention relates to a device and a method for providing a light beam deflected in a constant direction, as well as to data glasses comprising the device.

[0008] Conventional eyeglasses generally serve the purpose of geometrically aligning lenses with the wearer's eyes. This alignment is achieved by using the wearer's head, nose, and ears, and the eyeglass frame. The frame typically comprises a rim and temples, with the lenses positioned within the rim. For ease of storage, the rim and temples are often connected by a flexible element, such as a folding mechanism. This flexible element also contributes to the eyeglasses' flexibility and comfort. For conventional eyeglasses, precise and reproducible positioning of the temples relative to the frame is not critical. However, this is more important for smart glasses, as users of smart glasses, for example, put them on and take them off while maintaining a consistent image projection.

[0009] Smart glasses use a projection module to generate the projection. This module is typically located in the temple of the glasses and projects light rays onto a lens. This projection module is usually 40-80% the size of the temple. Therefore, positioning a flexible element in smart glasses is not as straightforward as in conventional glasses. R. 408837

[0010] - 2 -

[0011] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a flexible element that improves the wearing comfort and flexibility of the data glasses while maintaining the same image quality from the projection module.

[0012] Disclosure of the invention

[0013] This is achieved by a device, a method for providing a light beam deflected in a constant direction and data glasses according to the independent claims.

[0014] The device, in particular for smart glasses, comprises: a first part, in particular a part of a frame of the smart glasses; at least a second part, in particular a part of a temple of the smart glasses, wherein the second part is movable in at least one rotational degree of freedom relative to the first part about an axis of rotation, in particular the first part and the second part are connected by means of a hinge; a deflecting device configured to deflect a light beam emitted by a lighting device arranged in the second part in a constant direction relative to the first part, in particular onto a lens of the smart glasses, regardless of a rotational position between the first part and the second part.This makes it possible to move at least one of the second parts relative to the first without affecting the user's perception of the light beam, as the light beam is always redirected to the same point on the first part. The user can therefore adjust the temple of the smart glasses as desired without altering the image quality, while simultaneously improving wearing comfort. Furthermore, the flexibility of the smart glasses is enhanced, as the movable first and second parts make them easier to store and wear.Furthermore, due to the independence of the rotational position between the first and second parts with respect to the light beam deflected by the deflecting device, geometric tolerance requirements between the first part and at least one second part, which are relevant for the function of the smart glasses, in particular for the projection of an image onto the lens of the smart glasses, can be more easily met. R. 408837.

[0015] - 3 -

[0016] The device may include a projection unit comprising the illumination unit and a projection optic, wherein at least a part of the projection unit is located in the second part and at least a further part of the projection unit, in particular the projection optic, is located in the first part, and the deflection unit is arranged in a beam path between the illumination unit and the projection optic. The deflection unit allows a flexible element to be integrated into the projection unit. Thus, the flexible element can be implemented at any point on the temple or frame of the smart glasses.

[0017] The deflection device may include a rotatable mirror, with one axis of rotation of the mirror aligned parallel to, and in particular lying on, the axis of rotation. The deflection device is designed to rotate the mirror, depending on its rotational position, such that the mirror deflects the light beam in a constant direction. The rotatable mirror allows for a cost-effective implementation of the deflection device.

[0018] The deflection device may include a gear unit or an electromechanical drive unit configured to rotate the mirror, depending on its rotational position, such that the mirror deflects the light beam in a constant direction. The gear unit is insensitive to disturbances and requires no electrical energy, making the deflection device robust and efficient. The electromechanical drive unit is space-saving and requires no mechanical coupling between the first and second parts, thus reducing the deflection device's footprint and allowing for more flexible positioning.

[0019] The deflection device may include an optical element, for example a prism, which is designed to deflect the light beam in a constant direction.

[0020] The method, in particular for operating data glasses, comprises: moving a first part, in particular a part of a frame of R. 408837

[0021] - 4 -

[0022] Data glasses and at least a second part, in particular a part of a temple of the data glasses, in at least one rotational degree of freedom about an axis of rotation relative to each other; a deflection of a light beam emitted by a lighting device arranged in the second part, independent of a rotational position between the first part and the second part, in a constant direction relative to the first part, in particular onto a lens of the data glasses.

[0023] The method may include rotating a rotatable mirror encompassed by the deflecting device about a rotation axis of the mirror which is aligned parallel to the rotation axis, in particular lying on the rotation axis, so that the light beam is deflected in the constant direction by means of the mirror.

[0024] It may be provided that the mirror is rotated by means of a gear unit included in the deflection device or an electromechanical drive unit included in the deflection device in such a way that the light beam is deflected in the constant direction by means of the mirror.

[0025] It may be provided that the light beam is deflected in the constant direction by means of an optical element encompassed by the deflecting device, for example a prism.

[0026] The data glasses comprise the device as described above and are designed to perform the procedure described above.

[0027] Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the following description and the drawing. The drawing shows:

[0028] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a device for providing a light beam deflected in a constant direction, arranged in the data glasses;

[0029] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the device arranged in the data glasses; R. 408837

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[0031] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the device arranged in the data glasses;

[0032] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a method for providing a light beam deflected in a constant direction.

[0033] Figure 1 shows a device 100 for providing a light beam 112a, 112a' deflected in a constant direction 112b, 112b', which is arranged, for example, on smart glasses 300. The device 100 comprises a first part 102, in particular a part of a frame 302 of the smart glasses 300, and at least one second part 104, 104', in particular a part of a temple 304, 304' of the smart glasses 300, wherein the second part 104, 104' is movable in at least one rotational degree of freedom relative to the first part 102 about a rotational axis 106. For example, the first part 102 and the second part 104, 104' are connected by means of a hinge. The rotational axis 106 and the deflection device 108 can together be referred to as a flexible element or folding mechanism.

[0034] In Figure 1, a position of the second part 104, 104' rotated relative to the first part 102 is shown with dashed lines for illustration and labeled with the reference symbol 104'. The reference symbols 104 and 104' represent the same second part 104, 104' in different rotated positions.

[0035] The device 100 comprises a deflecting device 108 configured to deflect the light beam 112a, 112a' emitted by a lighting device 110, 110' arranged in the second part 104, 104' in the constant direction 112b, 112b' relative to the first part 102, in particular onto a spectacle lens 306 of the data glasses 300, regardless of any rotational position between the first part 102 and the second part 104, 104'. The rotational position between the first part 102 and the second part 104, 104' can, for example, be specified as a rotation angle.

[0036] The lighting device 110' and the light beam 112a' in the dashed representation, as described for the second part 104, 104', represent R. 408837

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[0038] Lighting device 110 and the light beam 112a in the rotated position of the second part 104, 104'.

[0039] In this example, the light beam 112a, 112a' emitted by the lighting device 110, 110' strikes the deflecting device 108 at different angles of incidence depending on the rotational position. Nevertheless, the deflecting device 108 deflects the light beam 112a, 112a' for different angles of incidence at a constant exit angle relative to the first part 102 in the constant direction 112b, 112b'. The light ray 112a, 112a', deflected in the constant direction 112b, 112b', thus always strikes the same point on the first part 102 for different rotational positions and corresponding angles of incidence. In the example, this point is a point on the spectacle lens 306 encompassed by the first part, which has a special optical function that deflects the light ray 112a, 112a', deflected in the constant direction 112b, 112b', into a further direction 112c, 112c' onto the eye 2 of a user.The further direction 112c, 112c' is also constant for different rotation positions. An image generated by the illumination device 110, 110' is therefore projected unchanged onto eye 2 for different rotation positions.

[0040] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the device 100 comprising a projection device 200, which includes the lighting device 110, 110' and a beam optic 202, wherein at least a part of the projection device 200 is arranged in the second part 104, 104' and at least a further part of the projection device 200, in particular the beam optic 202, is arranged in the first part 102, and the deflecting device 108 is arranged in a beam path between the lighting device 110, 110' and the beam optic 202.

[0041] In this example, the projection device 200 is configured to generate an image by means of the light beam 112a, 112a', which is perceived by the user of the data glasses. The deflecting device 108 deflects the light beam 112a, 112a' in a constant direction onto the emitting optics 202, thereby deflecting it further in the constant direction 112b, 112b' relative to the first part 102. R. 408837

[0042] - 7 -

[0043] In addition, the position of the rotation axis 106 is offset compared to the embodiment of Figure 1 and oriented in such a way that an imaginary extension of the rotation axis 106 intersects a main beam path of the light beam 112a, 112a'.

[0044] In this example, the deflecting device 108 can be located at any point inside or outside the projection device 200, as long as no optical device influencing the direction of radiation is provided downstream of the deflecting device in any direction of radiation.

[0045] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the device 10, wherein the deflecting device 108 comprises a rotatable mirror 114, 114' and a rotation axis 116 of the mirror 114, 114' is aligned parallel to the rotation axis 106, in particular lying on the rotation axis 106, wherein the deflecting device 108 is configured to rotate the mirror 114, 114' depending on the rotation position such that the mirror 114, 114' deflects the light beam 112a, 112a' in the constant direction 112b, 112b'. For example, an angular position of the mirror 114, 114' is adapted, in particular simultaneously, to the rotation position described by a rotation angle. In the event that the rotation axis 116 of the mirror 106 lies on the rotation axis 106, the mirror 114, 114' rotates with the angular position in a defined ratio of, for example, 1:2 relative to the rotation angle.

[0046] The illustration of the mirror 114, marked with the reference symbol 114' in Figure 3, shows it in a position that the mirror has as an example when the second part 104, 104' is in the rotated position.

[0047] For example, the deflecting device 108 has a gear unit or an electromechanical drive unit designed to rotate the mirror 114, 114' depending on the rotation position such that the mirror 114, 114' deflects the light beam 112a, 112a' in the constant direction 112b, 112b'.

[0048] The gear mechanism is coupled, for example, to the first part 102 and the second part 104, 104' and moves the mirror 114, 114' depending on R. 408837

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[0050] the rotation position agrees with a specific translation ratio such that the light beam 112a, 112a' is deflected in the constant direction 112b, 112b'.

[0051] The electromechanical drive unit moves the mirror 114, 114', for example, depending on the rotational position, which in the example is determined by means of a sensor device and provided to the electromechanical drive unit, such that the light beam 112a, 112a' is deflected in the constant direction 112b, 112b'.

[0052] The deflecting device 108 may include an optical element, for example a prism, configured to deflect the light beam 112q, 112a' in the constant direction 112b, 112b'. The prism has an imprinted trigonometric function that deflects the light beam 112q, 112a' in the constant direction 112b, 112b'.

[0053] Alternatively, the deflecting device 108 can comprise a dynamic mirror with an electrical adaptation of the exit angle, which is configured to deflect the light beam 112q, 112a' in the constant direction 112b, 112b'.

[0054] In a further embodiment, the deflecting device 108 can comprise a concave mirror, wherein the deflecting device 108 is configured to deflect the light beam 112q, 112a' into the constant direction 112b, 112b' by means of a lateral displacement of the concave mirror.

[0055] It is also conceivable that the deflecting device deflects the light beam 112q, 112a' into the constant direction 112b, 112b' by means of an optical fiber.

[0056] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a method 400 for providing a light beam 112a, 112a' deflected in a constant direction 112b, 112b'. In a step 402, the method comprises moving 402 the first part 102, in particular a part of a frame 302 of the data glasses 300, and at least the second part 104, 104', in particular a part of a temple 304, 304' of the data glasses 300, in at least one rotational degree of freedom about the axis of rotation 106 relative to each other; and deflecting 404 the light beam 110, 110' from the lighting device 110, 110' arranged in the second part 104, 104'. R. 408837

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[0058] emitted light beam 112a, 112a' independently of the rotation position between the first part 102 and the second part 104, 104' in the constant direction 112b, 112b' relative to the first part 102, in particular onto the spectacle lens 306 of the data glasses 300.

[0059] It may be provided that the method 400 includes rotating the rotatable mirror 114, 114' encompassed by the deflecting device 108 about the axis of rotation 116 of the mirror 114, 114', which is aligned parallel to the axis of rotation 106, in particular lies on the axis of rotation 106, so that the light beam 112a, 112a' is deflected by means of the mirror 114, 114' in the constant direction 112b, 112b'.

[0060] It is conceivable that the deflecting device 108 comprises the gearing device or the electromechanical drive device by means of which the mirror 114, 114' is rotated in such a way that the light beam 112a, 112a' is deflected by means of the mirror 114, 114' in the constant direction 112b, 112b'.

[0061] It may be provided that the light beam 112a, 112a' is deflected in the constant direction 112b, 112b' by means of the optical element encompassed by the deflecting device 108, for example a prism.

[0062] In general, the method 400 is set up to operate the device 100 according to the above descriptions, in particular to operate the data glasses 300 with the device 100.

Claims

R. 408837 - 10 - Claims 1. Device (100), in particular for data glasses (300), for providing a light beam (112a, 112a') deflected in a constant direction (112b, 112b') comprising: a first part (102), in particular a part of a frame (302) of the data glasses (300); at least a second part (104, 104'), in particular a part of a temple (304, 304') of the data glasses (300), wherein the second part (104, 104') is movable in at least one rotational degree of freedom relative to the first part (102) about an axis of rotation (106), in particular the first part (102) and the second part (104, 104') are connected by means of a hinge; a deflecting device (108) configured to deflect a light beam (112a, 112a') emitted by a lighting device (110, 110') arranged in the second part (104, 104') in the constant direction (112b, 112b') relative to the first part (102), in particular onto a lens (306) of the data glasses (300), regardless of a rotational position between the first part (102) and the second part (104, 104').

2. The device (100) according to claim 1 comprising a projection device (200) comprising the lighting device (110, 110') and a beam optic (202), wherein at least the lighting device (110, 110') is arranged in the second part (104, 104') and at least the beam optic (202) is arranged in the first part (102), and the deflection device (108) is arranged in a beam path between the lighting device (110, 110') and the beam optic (202).

3. The device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the deflection device (108) comprises a rotatable mirror (114, 114') and R. 408837 - 11 - a rotation axis (116) of the mirror (114, 114') is aligned parallel to the rotation axis (106), in particular lies on the rotation axis (116), wherein the deflecting device (108) is designed to rotate the mirror (114, 114') depending on the rotation position such that the mirror (114, 114') deflects the light beam (112a, 112a') in the constant direction (112b, 112b').

4. The device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the deflecting device (108) comprises a gear unit or an electromechanical drive unit configured to rotate the mirror (114, 114') depending on the rotation position such that the mirror (114, 114') deflects the light beam (112a, 112a') in the constant direction (112b, 112b').

5. The device (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the deflecting device (108) comprises an optical element, for example a prism, which is configured to deflect the light beam (112q, 112a') in the constant direction (112b, 112b').

6. Method (400), in particular for operating data glasses (300), for providing a light beam (112a, 112a') deflected in a constant direction (112b, 112b') comprising: a movement (402) of a first part (102), in particular a part of a frame (302) of the data glasses (300) and at least a second part (104, 104'), in particular a part of a temple (304, 304') of the data glasses (300), in at least one rotational degree of freedom about an axis of rotation (106) relative to each other; a deflection (404) of the light beam (112a, 112a') emitted by a lighting device (110, 110') arranged in the second part (104, 104') in the constant direction (112b, 112b') relative to the first part (102), in particular onto a lens (306) of the data glasses (300), independent of a rotation position between the first part (102) and the second part (104, 104').

7. The method (400) according to claim 6, wherein at least a part of a projection device (200), comprising the lighting device (110, 110') and a beam optic (202), in the second part (104, 104') and at least a further part of the projection device (200), in particular R. 408837 - 12 - the emitting optics (202) is arranged in the first part (102), and the deflecting device (108) is arranged in a beam path between the lighting device (110, 110') and the emitting optics (202).

8. The method (400) according to claim 6 or 7 comprising rotating a rotatable mirror (114, 114') encompassed by the deflecting device (108) about an axis of rotation (116) of the mirror (114, 114') which is aligned parallel to the axis of rotation (106), in particular lying on the axis of rotation (106), so that the light beam (112a, 112a') is deflected by means of the mirror (114, 114') in the constant direction (112b, 112b').

9. The method (400) according to claim 8, wherein the deflecting device (108) comprises a gear unit or an electromechanical drive unit by means of which the mirror (114, 114') is rotated such that the light beam (112a, 112a') is deflected by means of the mirror (114, 114') in the constant direction (112b, 112b').

10. The method (400) according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the light beam (112a, 112a') is deflected in the constant direction (112b, 112b') by means of an optical element, for example a prism, encompassed by the deflecting device (108).

11. A data glasses (300) comprising a device (10) according to claims 1 to 5 wherein the device (10) is configured to perform a method (400) according to claims 6 to 10.

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