WO2024076388A1

WO2024076388A1 - Projector corrective glasses

Info

Publication number: WO2024076388A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/017480
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ivan de Jesus MARTINEZ
Original assignee: Martinez Ivan De Jesus
Priority date: 2022-10-03
Filing date: 2023-04-04
Publication date: 2024-04-11

Abstract

Optical glasses are provided with real-time image gathering cameras that process images and project augmented images onto the rear surface of one or more of the glass lenses. The wearer may look through one or both the lenses and gather additional information from the cameras to improve peripheral vision, nearsightedness, farsightedness or other eye conditions.

Description

I. TITLE: Projector Corrective Glasses

II. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to vision improvement devices, and more particularly, to a clip or full frame glasses with image capturing and projectors to provide enhanced field of vision and sight correction.

III. Related Applications

This application relates to and claims priority to US non-provisional patent application numPer 17/959,262 filed on 3 October 2022.

IV. Background Art

Several designs for vision improving eyewear have been designed in the past. None of them, however, include forward and peripheral cameras that capture images that are projected on the rear facing lenses in front of the wearer’s eyes to provide an improved quality and field of vision.

Applicant believes that the closest reference corresponds to commercially available eyewear with embedded forward facing cameras. However, these differ from the present invention because these do not include a means to project an image onto the rear surface of lenses that are captured from forward facing cameras that improve vision

Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention.

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification and title are provided as well for the purposes of complying with 37 CFR 1 .72 and are not intended to be used for interpreting or limiting the scope of the claims.

Without limiting the scope of the invention, a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the detailed description of the invention below.

V. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one of the main object of the present invention to provide a wearable device that captures a field of vision and projects those images onto one or both lenses to improve the vision of the wearer.

It is another object of this invention to provide a discrete, wearable device that corrects multiple vision deficiencies by allowing either eye to see from a perspective of what the other eye may be exposed to. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a device to solve the limitations of partial blindness or complete blindness in one eye or both eyes.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.

Further objects ofthe invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon

These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference can be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described various embodiments of the invention.

VI. Description of the Drawings

With the above and other related objects in view, the invention exists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a top plan view of a version of the projector corrective glasses.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of alternative an optional features of an iteration of projector corrective glasses.

VII. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific embodiments of the invention. This description is exemplary of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated and described.

For the purpose of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated or is obvious by context.

The subject device and method of use is sometimes referred to as the device, the invention, the glasses, the projector corrective glasses, the machine or other similar terms. These terms may be used interchangeably as context requires and from use the intent becomes apparent. The masculine can sometimes refer to the feminine and neuter and vice versa. The plural may include the singular and singular the plural as appropriate from a fair and reasonable interpretation in the situation. Corrective eyeglasses have been used for many years. Generally, the curvature of the lens corrects for issues in the eye to improve the clarity of the observed images. Improvements have been made, such as bifocals, polarization and tinted lenses. These improvements however do not address some issues with eyesight.

Traditional eyeglasses cannot compensate for deficiencies such as damage to the peripheral vision or where one eye is substantially less capable than the other eye. In these situations the present invention has been found beneficial to provide an augmented image to the more dominant or capable eye.

It is therefore an important aspect of this invention to provide a wearable eyeglass device that captures an image that otherwise would be seen by the eye, if able to, and reproduce that image, in real-time, in a way visible to the more functioning eye.

For example, if a person's left eye is less functional than the right eye, they may miss details on the left side, particularly in the peripheral vision zone This could prove to be an annoyance or even a danger. However, providing that person with projector corrective glasses where a camera captures an image from a perspective similar to that of the left, injured eye and projects that image onto the rear side of the right lens in front of the better functioning eye. The better functioning eye may then observe both the images from the left side camera and naturally through the lens of the right side of the glasses.

Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed that it basically includes a frame assembly 12, a bridge 14, a camera 16, a narrow field of vision 18, a wide field of vision 20, a peripheral camera 22, a projector 24, a camera 26, a projector 28, a lens 30, a lens 32, a coating 34, and image projector 35, a coating 36, a frame 38, a temple 40, a temple 42, a battery 44, a processor 46, controls 48, a cable 50, a hinge 52, a frame assembly 54, clips 56, in image 58, an image 60, a projector 62, a lens 64, a lens 66, a peripheral camera 68, an image projection 70 and an image projection 72.

Figure 1 shows an example of the projector corrective glasses embodied in a familiar form with a frame 38 connected to a temple 40 on the right in temple 42 on the left. A bridge 14 is provided to rest the frame 38 on the wearer's nose. The frame 38 includes a lens 30 on the left and lens 32 on the right. The lenses 30 and 32 may be straight glass or may be corrective lenses for any prescription.

The temple 48 may be connected to the frame 38 with hinge 52 to allow the temple 42 fold against the frame 38 for storage. Similarly, the temple 42 may fold about hinge 52 against frame 38 to compactly store the glasses. The glasses may then be stored in a case or protective bag. The storage device may include a battery to recharge the battery 44 in the frame 38. The battery 44 may have contacts that enable and electrical connection between a battery in the case and the battery 44 in the glasses In an alternative embodiment, the battery 44 may connect to electrical contacts in the case where the case is further connected by cord to an electrical source to in turn recharge the battery 44 Or, the battery may be directly connected to a charger.

An important feature of the projector corrective glasses is a camera 26 facing a direction to capture a perspective image similar to what the wearer would observe. Depending on the nature of the eye correction the user needs, the camera 26 may obtain a narrow field of vision 18 or a wide field of vision 20. For example, a wearer of the device who is unable to see clear at longer distances may benefit more from a narrow field of vision 18. Similarly, a wearer of the device that needs better near vision or peripheral vision may be more suited to a wide field of vision 20.

The frame 38 of the glasses contain a battery 44, a processor 46 and controls 48 in the temple 40. In either version, a cable 50 connects the battery 44, processor 46, controls 48, projector 28, projector 24, peripheral camera 22, camera 16 and the camera 26. In one version of the device a peripheral camera is provided on both sides of the frame 38

In the example in figure 1 , camera 16 captures real-time video image from the left side of the frame 38 while camera 26 captures real-time video from the right side of the frame 38. Both of these real-time video streams are sent to the processor 46 where the images are adjusted for correct projection. Immediately, these real-time images are sent to a projector to be imaged onto the rear facing surface of a lens.

For farsighted or long sided users, the camera 16 may gather an image that is projected by projector 24 onto lens 30. Simultaneously, camera 26 is capturing an image that is processed by processor 46 then projected by projector 28 onto the rear side of lens 32. The processor 46 makes corrections to the real-time captured images, depending on the specific measurements required by that particular users eyesight needs, and projects the corrected image onto the rear of the lenses.

In addition to aiding the wearer to focus at different points, the glasses can also improve the contrast of the images projected as well as the brightness of the images that are seen on the rear of the lenses by the wearer Color correction can improve the contrast allowing a user to see the enhanced image with more clarity.

The projector 24 is built into the temple 42 and projector 28 is built into temple 40. Because of these projectors 24 and 28 are to the side of each respective lens 30 and lens 32, the images may be keystone or trapezoid corrected to ensure that the image projection 35 is oriented true and square to the user's eyes.

The inside surface of lens 30 may have coating 34 to reduce the glare from the image projection 35. The coating 34 may also be adapted to increase the contrast of the image or to maintain faithful color representation. The coating 36 on lens 32 may be similar to that of coating 34 in stereoscopic applications. In other applications where the images projected onto the lens 30 is different from that of lens 32, the coating 36 may be adjusted to complement the different images projected.

In a version of the corrective glasses, a wide field of vision 20 captured from camera 16 or the peripheral camera 22, if present, may help a user with lower vision in the eye on that side. For example, if a user had limited vision in their left side, a peripheral camera 22 or wide field of vision 20 from camera 16 may be projected on the right side from projector 28 onto the coating 36 of lens 32. The lens 32 may allow light to naturally pass through to the stronger eye on the right and superimpose an image from the left side camera or cameras so that the right eye can see both naturally from the right side and with the augmented view from the image captured on the left and projected on the right. Figure 2 shows an alternate embodiment of the projector corrective glasses that the clip onto another pair of glasses frames. Instead of the temples in the other version, a clip 56 is positioned at each edge of the frame assembly 54. Because there are no temples, there is a projector 62 located near the bridge 14. The projector 62 may produce an image on either or both of the rear side of the lenses 64 and 66.

The version in figure 2 shows optional peripheral cameras 22 and 68. Forward facing camera 16 and 26 may also optionally be present, depending on where the user's vision needs augmentation. For example, if the wearer has a limited vision in the right eye, the peripheral camera 68 or camera 26 may be the only cameras needed to gather visual information and cues from the right side to project onto the left lens 64 where the user's stronger left eye a can view the image 58 that includes the additional information gathered by the right side cameras.

The projector 62 in the bridge 14 of the frame assembly 54 may also require trapezoidal or keystone correction due to the angle of the projection relative to the lens 64 and lens 66. The clip-on version of the projector corrective glasses will also include a processor, battery and controls to generate and orient the images 58 and 60 correctly on the respective lenses 64 and 66.

The clips 56 are provided to snap or clip onto another pair of glasses. These can be traditional corrective clear lenses or tinted lenses. In one version of the device in figure 2, the clips 56 fit onto the temples of a standard pair of glasses so that the clip-on's are between the traditional glasses and the user space. In another version, the clip-on lenses can be outside of the standard glasses.

Controls 48 may be present on any of the embodiments. The controls 48 may power the device on-off, control the intensity, contrast, brightness or other features that the processor 46 can affect when projecting images. Each version of the projector corrective glasses may also be controlled by the prescriber when setting up the glasses before first use. For example, the glasses may be set up with bilateral cameras or may have cameras set only on one side. The specifics of the wearer's vision needs may also be adjusted to compensate for myopia, farsightedness, difference in vision ability between eyes and other eye conditions.

An important version of the invention can be fairly described as projector corrective glasses comprising, among other things, a frame, a lens, a camera and a projector. The lens is affixed to the frame and positioned forward of a first eye, similar to how traditional glasses are worn. The camera is affixed to the frame and captures a real-time image forward and/or to the side of the user from a perspective of the second eye, on the other side. The real-time image captured by the camera is sent to a processor that keystone corrects the real-time image to make the image square and trapezoidal true. The image is then projected onto the rear side of the lens so that the first eye can see the real-time image on the lens and also see through the lens with that dominant eye as well. Optionally, the frame clips onto a second pair of glasses and therefore does not require temples. Optionally, controls are provided that can affect the contrast, brightness and other features of the real-time image. Another important version of the device can be fairly characterized as comprising a frame, a left and right lens, a left and right camera and a projector. Each of the left and right cameras project a corrected real-time image onto the rear surface of the respective left and right lenses from a central projector or projectors on each side. It should be appreciated that any reference to the left or right side of the glasses, parts thereof or the eyes may be equally reversed to compensate for differences between the left and right eyes of the wearer. In other words, the health of the left and right eyes influence the side from which the images are taken and onto which side the images are projected to correct for the eyes’ conditions. Left and right are reversible as the conditions warrant.

The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense. VIII. Industrial Applicability

It is evident that an invention such as the Projector Corrective Glasses, in any of it encompassed iterations, is desirable because it allows a person with limited eyesight to improve their ability to see their surrounding more clearly and more completely. Further, the device is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while being economical to operate.

Claims

IX. CLAIMS I claim:

1 . Projector corrective glasses comprising a frame, a lens, a camera and a projector; the lens is affixed to the frame and positioned forward of a first eye; the camera is affixed to the frame and captures a real time image from a perspective of a second eye; the real time image is sent to a processor that keystone corrects the real time image and sends the real time image to the projector; the projector projects the real time image to a rear side of the lens positioned where the first eye sees the real time image.

2. The projector corrective glasses of claim 1 further characterized in that the frame clips onto a second pair of glasses.

3. The projector corrective glasses of claim 1 further characterized in that the processor additionally controls contrast and brightness of the real time image.

4. Projector corrective glasses comprising a frame, a first lens, a second lens, a first camera, a second camera and a projector; the first camera is affixed to the frame and projects a first real time image onto a rear surface of the first lens from the projector; the second camera is affixed to the frame and projects a second real time image onto a rear surface of the second lens from the projector; a processor adjusts the first and second real time images to project images corrected for the angle of the projector relative to the rear surfaces of the first and second lenses.

5. The projector corrective glasses of claim 4 further characterized in that the frame clips onto a second pair of glasses.

6. The projector corrective glasses of claim 4 further characterized in that the processor additionally controls contrast and brightness of the first and second real time images.