DE102013201773B4 - Head-carried optical instrument and method for adjusting a head-carried optical instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

Head-carried optical instrument (1) with
- a left imaging element (20) for a left eye (4) and a right imaging element (20) for a right eye (4) of a user, the imaging elements (20) each being set up to display an image in a respective eye (4 ) of the user, and with
- A fastening mechanism (30) with which one of the imaging elements (20) can be fastened in front of an eye (4) of the user, characterized by
- An eye parameter measuring element (40) which is set up to determine at least one diopter of the left and right eye (4) of the user as an eye parameter, wherein
- An adjustment element (50) is set up to automatically set a focus of each imaging element (20) as an optical and / or geometric parameter depending on the determined diopter.

Description

The present invention relates to a head-worn optical instrument with at least one imaging element, the imaging element being set up to generate an image in at least one eye of a user, and with a fastening mechanism with which one of the imaging elements can be fastened in front of one or both eyes of the user is, and a method for adjusting such a head-carried optical instrument.

State of the art

Head-mounted instruments, so-called head-mounted displays (HMD), are becoming increasingly important in a large number of technical fields of application. For example, 3D glasses are becoming increasingly important for stereoscopic perception in the entertainment industry. Head-worn optical instruments, such as magnifying glasses or surgical microscopes, have become an important part of medical technology.

A user mounts the head-carried optical instrument to his head so that optical imaging elements are in front of his eyes. The user must first adjust the properties of the head-worn optical instrument to his needs and his individual eye parameters.

Eye parameters include, for example, the distance between the pupils or the height difference or the diopter of the user's two eyes. Each person has different eye parameters and therefore a different setting of the head-worn optical instrument is required for each person.

The user usually has to make the settings manually on the head-carried optical instrument. The user must feel the setting elements for the imaging elements on the head-carried optical instrument and make the settings without being able to see the setting elements. This often proves to be very cumbersome, unwieldy and impractical.

It is therefore desirable to provide a method to significantly facilitate the adaptation of a head-worn optical instrument to the needs and eye parameters of the user.

The DE 10 2007 024 269 B4 shows a display device which has a carrying device which can be placed on the head of a user and an image display device for displaying an image in the direction of an eye of the user.

The WO 96/36 271 A1 shows an image recording device and a method for capturing image information of an information recording of an optical information recording sensor system. An image-recording control system is provided parallel to the sensor system.

Other head-carried optical instruments are from the US 2007/0 200 927 A1 and the DE 10 2007 016 138 A1 known.

Summary of the invention

According to the invention, a head-carried optical instrument and a method for adjusting head-carried optical instruments with the features of the independent claims are proposed. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims and the following description.

A head-worn optical instrument according to the invention has at least one imaging element and a fastening mechanism. The imaging element is set up to generate an image in at least one eye of a user. An imaging element can be fastened in front of one or both eyes of the user by means of the fastening mechanism. An eye parameter measuring element is set up to determine at least one eye parameter of at least one of the user's eyes, and a setting element is set up to set at least one optical and / or geometric parameter of each imaging element as a function of the at least one specific eye parameter.

The invention further relates to a method for adjusting head-carried optical instruments with at least one imaging element, which is set up to generate an image in at least one eye of a user.

At least one eye parameter of at least one of the user's eyes is determined. Each imaging element is automatically adjusted such that at least one optical and / or geometric parameter of each imaging element is set as a function of the at least one specific eye parameter.

Advantages of the invention

The imaging element can be used, for example, for an object to be examined to show enlarged. The imaging element is then set up to generate an enlarged image in one eye of the user. The imaging element can be fastened in front of the corresponding eye by means of the fastening mechanism. The eye parameter measuring element can in particular determine eye parameters of this eye, in front of which the imaging element is attached. In particular, the eye parameter measuring element and the imaging element can be designed as a common element. It is also conceivable for the eye parameters of the other eye to be determined, in front of which the imaging element is not fastened, in which case it is then expedient to assume the same eye parameters for both eyes. For some eye parameters, on the other hand, it can be useful to examine both eyes, for example for a pupil distance, i.e. the distance between the pupils of both eyes.

By means of the fastening mechanism, the imaging element can also be moved from one eye to the other eye if the user wants to change the eye with which he uses the imaging element. It is particularly advisable that the eye parameter measuring element determines the parameters of the eye in front of which the imaging element is attached. Thus, the imaging element can always be adjusted with respect to the eye parameters of the eye in front of which the imaging element is currently attached.

The imaging element can also be set up to generate an image in both eyes of the user. In this case, the eye parameter measuring element can determine the eye parameters of one of the eyes or of both eyes.

If the user places the head-carried optical instrument according to the invention on his head, the imaging element or the imaging elements are automatically adjusted to the individual needs of the user. The most important parameters that characterize an eye are determined by means of the eye parameter measurement element. The optical eye parameters differ from user to user, depending on whether a user is wearing glasses, for example, whether he is nearsighted or whether he is farsighted. The eyes of each user consequently have characteristic eye parameters. According to the invention, the imaging element or elements are precisely adjusted and adjusted to the user's eye parameters. If the user wears glasses, he does not have to keep the glasses on when using the head-worn optical instrument. The imaging element is automatically adjusted to the diopter of the user.

After putting on the head-carried optical instrument, the user only makes a rough pre-adjustment by hand. The user only brings the eye parameter measuring element in front of his eye in such a way that the eye parameter measuring element can determine the eye parameters of the eye. The fine adjustment is completely automatic. The setting element adjusts the imaging element and sets it individually for the user.

This means that the user no longer has to carry out the sensitive fine adjustment by hand. Manual fine adjustments often take a lot of time and are complex and cumbersome. In these cases, it is often only noticed during use that the head-worn optical instrument has not yet been correctly adjusted. The manual fine adjustment must then be repeated again while using the head-carried optical instrument. All of these disadvantages are eliminated with a head-worn optical instrument according to the invention.

The process of determining the eye parameter or parameters and the setting of the setting element can, for example, only be carried out as soon as the user puts on the head-carried optical instrument. The process can also be repeated during the operation of the head-carried optical instrument, for example at fixed, predetermined time intervals.

The different eye parameters and settings for different users can be saved in the form of user profiles. The determination of the eye parameter or parameters and the setting of the setting element are then carried out once for each user and stored in the user profile. If the user puts the head-carried optical instrument back on at a later point in time, he selects his individual user profile and the head-carried optical instrument is automatically correctly set without having to determine eye parameters again.

The setting element can have an influence on optical and / or geometric parameters of the imaging element or the imaging elements. For example, the setting element can change the geometric position of the imaging element from the user's eyes. For this purpose, the setting element can influence the fastening element, for example. The setting element can also change the optical parameters of the imaging element, e.g. to compensate for ametropia of the user.

For safety reasons, the head-carried optical instrument can also have an emergency shutdown which deactivates the eye parameter measuring element and / or the setting element. The fine adjustment of the head-carried optical instrument can be done manually by the user in the event of an emergency shutdown.

It should be noted that a computing unit or data processing unit can also be present, which receives the determined eye parameters from the eye parameter measuring element and uses this to determine a control signal for the setting element.

The adjusting element advantageously has at least one motor. By means of a motor, for example, the optical and / or geometric parameters of the imaging element can be changed. For example, a motor can be provided for each imaging element or for each optical and / or geometric parameter. Alternatively or additionally, for example, electroactive polymers and / or piezoelectric elements can also be provided for the adjustment of an imaging element.

The adjusting element is preferably set up to adjust the imaging element in a translatory and / or rotary manner. For example, this translational and / or rotary adjustment can be carried out by means of the motor or motors. In this case, a motor could be provided in each case both for the translational and for the rotational change of the imaging element. A translational adjustment can in particular be adapted to the pupil distance, a rotational adjustment to the convergence angle of a user's eyes.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the head-carried optical instrument has a left imaging element for a left eye and a right imaging element for a right eye of the user. The setting element is set up to adjust both imaging elements independently of one another.

In particular, the eye parameters are determined separately for each eye. Each imaging element is individually adjusted depending on the eye parameters of the eye in front of which the imaging element is attached.

It makes sense that a separate, independent eye parameter measuring element is provided for each eye. For example, the respective eye parameter measuring element and the respective imaging element can be designed as an integral element for each eye.

It should be noted that the setting element can also be set up to adjust the two imaging elements together. It may also be expedient to determine only eye parameters of one of the eyes and to adjust both imaging elements depending on these eye parameters.

The eye parameter measuring element is preferably set up to additionally determine one or more of the following parameters of the left and / or right eye of the user as eye parameters: a pupil distance, a convergence angle, positions of the pupil centers, positions of the eye rotation centers, a course of the optical eye axis, orientations and / or a height difference.

In the case of two imaging elements, the distance between the imaging elements in particular can be adjusted by means of the pupil distance. In particular, an alignment of each imaging element can be set by means of the convergence angle. In addition or as an alternative to the convergence angle, the position or the course of the optical axis of the eye can also be determined.

If the diopter of an eye of the user is determined, the imaging element can produce the image sharply in the eye of the user. It should be noted that the term diopter in the description and claims is to be understood as the refractive power or the refraction of the eye. The head-worn optical instrument automatically recognizes the eyesight of the user and thus recognizes, for example, myopia or farsightedness of the user. The user does not have to keep his glasses on while using the head-worn optical instrument and can still perceive a clear, sharp image.

The imaging element is advantageously designed as a magnifying glass, a microscope, an operating microscope or a stereoscopic microscope. The imaging element can also be designed as any suitable head-mounted display.

In another embodiment not according to the invention, the setting element and the eye parameter measuring element are implemented separately from one another. The setting element is connected to the eye parameter measuring element via a radio link. The eye parameter measuring element can also be implemented separately from the head-worn optical instrument. For example, the eye parameter measuring element in this case can be a high-resolution camera which monitors the user's eyes and the Eye parameters determined. The determined eye parameters are transmitted to the setting element via radio connection.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the eye parameter measuring element monitors at least one eye parameter during the operation of the head-carried optical instrument. The setting element tracks the imaging element as soon as at least one of the monitored eye parameters changes. Certain eye parameters can thus be monitored in real time. This ensures that the head-worn, optical instrument is always optimally adjusted to the user's eyes and is precisely adjusted. The user does not have to make any manual readjustments during operation of the head-carried optical instrument. In particular, eye movement or the alignment of the eye or eyes can be monitored as a result. If the user changes the orientation of the eyes and thus changes his gaze direction, the imaging element is adjusted depending on the new orientation, especially if the new orientation is maintained over a predetermined period of time. This automatic tracking can also be deactivated by the user.

The invention further relates to a method for adjusting a head-carried optical instrument according to the invention described in detail above. All statements in connection with the head-carried optical instrument and its configurations apply in the same way to the method according to the invention, without the need for separate explanations. In the following, the description of the method and its configurations should therefore be limited to the procedural steps required for this.

A head-carried optical instrument for a method according to the invention has at least one imaging element. In a first method step, at least one eye parameter of at least one of the user's eyes is determined. In a second method step, each imaging element is automatically adjusted such that at least one optical and / or geometric parameter of the imaging element is set as a function of the at least one specific eye parameter. As soon as the user has put on the head-carried optical instrument, the adjustment process can be carried out.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the head-carried optical instrument has a left imaging element for the left eye and a right imaging element for the right eye of the user. In the first method step, the pupil distance and / or the convergence angle and / or the diopter of the left and right eyes are determined as eye parameters.

In the second method step, a distance of the imaging elements from one another as a function of the pupil distance is set in translation as a first geometric parameter. Alternatively or additionally, an alignment of the imaging elements as a function of the convergence angle is set rotationally as a second geometric parameter. Alternatively or additionally, the focus of each imaging element is set as a visual parameter as a function of the diopter.

In order to adjust the orientation of the imaging elements, the optical eye axes of the left and right eyes of the user can alternatively or additionally be determined as eye parameters. The left and right imaging elements are adjusted in translation and / or rotation such that the optical axis of the left imaging element coincides with the optical eye axis of the left eye and that the optical axis of the right imaging element coincides with the optical eye axis of the right eye.

It should be noted that the present invention should not be restricted to the field of medical technology. For example, it is also conceivable to use the invention for 3D glasses or other glasses for perception of virtual realities, e.g. in the entertainment industry or for head-up displays for the operation of e.g. Vehicles or airplanes.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention is shown schematically in the drawing using an exemplary embodiment and is described in detail below with reference to the drawing.

list of figures

• 1 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of a head-carried optical instrument according to the invention in a perspective top view.
• 2 schematically shows a side view of a user's head with a preferred embodiment of a head-carried optical instrument according to the invention in lateral cross section.

Corresponding elements are given identical reference numerals. For the sake of clarity, they are not explained repeatedly.

In 1 is a preferred embodiment of a head-worn optical instrument according to the invention 1 shown schematically.

The head-worn optical instrument 1 has a headband 2 with which the head-carried optical instrument 1 on one head 3 of a user can be attached. On the front of the head-mounted optical instrument 1 is a guide rail 31 appropriate. The guide rail 31 is part of a fastening mechanism 30 , On the guide rail 31 can use up to two instruments 10 be attached.

In 2 is an instrument 10 shown schematically in detail in a side view. An instrument 10 each has an imaging element 20 , an eye parameter measuring element 40 , an adjustment element 50 and one as a microchip 60 trained computing unit. The picture element 20 is designed as a lens of a magnifying glass in this specific example for the sake of clarity.

The user sets the head-carried optical instrument 1 on his head 3 , he first manually moves each of the instruments 10 along the guide rail 31 until each of the instruments 10 each in front of one eye 4 located. Then the microchips lead 60 a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention for adjusting the head-carried optical instrument 1 by.

The eye parameter measuring elements 40 first determine a pupil distance and a convergence angle of the eyes 4 , Each of the eye parameter measurement elements 40 sends light, especially infrared light, to a dichroic mirror 41 out. The infrared light is from the dichroic mirror 41 in the eye 4 reflected by the user. That from the eye 4 reflected light is from the dichroic mirror 41 back into the eye parameter measuring element 40 reflected.

In the two eye parameter measurement elements 40 In particular, a computer program runs, which is from the received, from the eyes 4 reflected light rays were the pupil centers of the eyes 4 determine. The computer programs of the eye parameter measuring elements 40 can communicate with each other and can determine the pupil distance of the eyes from the determined positions of the pupil centers 4 determine. Furthermore, the computer programs determine the eye parameter measuring elements 40 the convergence angle of the eyes from the optical eye axes determined 4 ,

The dichroic mirrors 41 are designed such that they have a very high reflection rate for infrared light and a very low reflection rate for visible light. Visible light can be seen in the dichroic mirror 41 penetrate unhindered. The illustration element 20 can therefore freely display an image of an object to be examined in the eyes 4 of the user. Through the dichroic mirrors 41 and through the eye parameter measurement elements 40 No loss of intensity, color falsification or other sources of interference have to be accepted.

The two eye parameter measuring elements 40 stand with the respective microchip 60 in connection and transmit the microchips 60 the determined positions of the pupil centers, the pupil distance, the optical axis of the eyes and the angle of convergence as eye parameters. The microchips 60 then control the setting elements 50 to the mapping elements 20 depending on the specific eye parameters.

The setting elements 50 each have two motors 51 and 52 on. The first engine 51 is always with a gear 32 connected. The gears 32 grip the guide rail with a positive fit 31 and also form part of the fastening mechanism 30 , Becomes the first engine 51 operated, the gear rotates 32 and the corresponding instrument 10 moves along the direction of the guide rail 31 , The instrument 10 is varied in translation. Will the second engine 52 operated, so the moment of the engine 52 about a translation 53 into a rotational movement of the imaging element 20 translated. By means of the first engines 51 become the picture elements 20 the distance between the pupils or the position of the pupils of the eyes 4 adjusted by the user and by means of the second motors 52 become the picture elements 20 at the angle of convergence of the eyes 4 adjusted by the user.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

head-carried optical instrument

2

headband

3

head

4

eye

10

instrument

20

imaging element

30

fastening mechanism

31

guide rail

32

gear

40

Eye parameters measuring element

41

dichroic mirror

50

adjustment

51

engine

52

engine

53

translation

60

microchip

Claims (10)

Head-worn optical instrument (1) with - a left imaging element (20) for a left eye (4) and a right imaging element (20) for a right eye (4) of a user, the imaging elements (20) each being set up for this purpose To generate an image in a respective eye (4) of the user, and with - a fastening mechanism (30) with which one of the imaging elements (20) can be fastened in front of an eye (4) of the user, characterized by - an eye parameter measuring element (40) which is set up to determine at least one diopter of the left and right eyes (4) of the user as an eye parameter, wherein - an adjusting element (50) is set up to automatically set a focus of each imaging element (20) as an optical and / or set geometric parameters as a function of the particular diopter. Head-worn optical instrument (1) Claim 1 , wherein the adjusting element (50) has at least one motor (51, 52). Head-worn optical instrument (1) Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the adjusting element (50) is set up to adjust the imaging element (20) in a translatory and / or rotary manner. Head-worn optical instrument (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjusting element (50) is set up to adjust both imaging elements independently of one another. Head-worn optical instrument (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the eye parameter measuring element (40) is set up to - a pupil distance, - a convergence angle, - positions of the pupil centers, - positions of the eye rotation centers, a course of the optical eye axis, - Alignments and / or - To determine a height difference of the left and / or right eye (4) of the user as an eye parameter. Head-worn optical instrument (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the imaging element (20) as - a magnifying glass, - a microscope, - an operating microscope or - A stereoscopic microscope is designed. Head-worn optical instrument (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjusting element (50) and the eye parameter measuring element (40) are implemented separately from one another and the adjusting element (50) is connected to the eye parameter measuring element (40) via a radio link. Head-worn optical instrument (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the eye parameter measuring element (40) monitors at least one eye parameter during the operation of the head-carried optical instrument (1) and wherein the adjusting element (50) tracks the imaging element (20) as soon as at least one the monitored eye parameter changes. Method for adjusting head-carried optical instruments (1) with a left imaging element (20) for a left eye (4) and a right imaging element (20) for a right eye (4), each of which is set up to have an image in a respective one To generate the user's eye (4), characterized in that - by means of an eye parameter measurement element (40) of the head-worn optical instrument (1) at least one diopter of the left and right eye (4) of the user is determined as an eye parameter, and - each imaging element (20) is automatically adjusted such that at least the focus of each imaging element (20) is set as an optical and / or geometric parameter as a function of the determined diopter. Procedure according to Claim 9 , wherein - the pupil distance and / or the convergence angle and the diopters of the left and right eyes (4) are determined as eye parameters and - as a first geometric parameter a distance of the imaging elements (20) from one another is set in translation as a function of the pupil distance and / or - as a second geometric parameter, an orientation of the imaging elements (20) is set rotationally as a function of the convergence angle, and - the focus of each imaging element (20) is set as an optical parameter as a function of the diopter.

Images