WO2011076741A1

WO2011076741A1 - Variable-focus eye protection digital spectacles

Info

Publication number: WO2011076741A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/070252
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-François DEMONCHY; Philippe Berisset; Frédéric COQUELET
Original assignee: Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives
Priority date: 2009-12-22
Filing date: 2010-12-20
Publication date: 2011-06-30
Also published as: FR2954091A1

Abstract

The invention relates to variable-focus digital spectacles that protect the eyes of an operator from annoying or dangerous visible radiation, comprising: a camera (10) for viewing the motion field, provided with a variable-focus focusing lens (12); a power supply battery (18); at least one image restitution screen (15) to be placed in front of the operator's eyes (16, 17); a unit (19) for processing the images received from the at least one camera, which unit controls at least one image restitution screen; and an indicator (20) of the focal length state of the focusing lens.

Description

DIGITAL EYE PROTECTION LENSES WITH FOCUS

VARIABLE

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to digital eyewear with variable focus against light radiation deemed troublesome or dangerous.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

French patent FR 2 886 538 proposes eye protection spectacles for an operator located near one or more sources of light radiation, for example of the laser type. They include:

- digital vision goggles, which can be virtual dual-monitor LCD glasses,

- at least one video camera,

a control device, which comprises a power supply.

There are other protective glasses of the prior art that absorb light at the wavelengths (colors) of lasers, which we want to protect, and thus protect the user from the real reflection of his environment. The digital vision glasses of known art make it possible to visualize the scene surrounding the user, so that he can move or work in his environment while visualizing light radiation, visible or non-threatening the integrity of his eyes.

But the meticulous work is more difficult to achieve with a focal (field of vision) common to the movement and work.

The present invention aims to solve such a technical problem by providing new digital eye protection glasses to improve the user's comfort during careful work.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to digital spectacles for protecting the eyes of an operator against uncomfortable or dangerous light radiations with variable focal length, comprising:

at least one camera allowing visualization of the displacement field provided with a zoom and a battery pack,

at least one image rendering screen that can be placed in front of the operator's eyes,

a unit for processing images received from the at least one camera, which controls each image reproduction screen,

characterized by further comprising: a zoom status indicator with different zoom states between a minimum zoom view and a maximum zoom view;

and in that the zoom comprises means for returning to a determined position after a given time. Each camera may include a CCD cell or a CMOS cell.

In one embodiment, the focusing optics is associated with a motorization.

In another embodiment, the glasses of the invention comprise two cameras, and two image reproduction screens each corresponding to a camera, each image rendering screen being able to be arranged in front of an eye of the operator. .

Advantageously, the means for changing the focal length may allow a gradual change of focal length. The zoom status indicator can be achieved by overprinting at least one of the image rendering screens.

Each camera may include a motorized zoom, or a digital zoom, which may have a "normal" position to which it returns after timing.

The user of the glasses of the invention can, at his discretion, zoom in on small objects or montages, the sharpness and the convergence of the cameras being adjusted automatically, according to the distance of the objects observed.

The glasses of the invention facilitate the execution of fine work with a set easy to use and low cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate simple vision vision spectacles with motorized progressive zooming according to the invention,

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate single vision vision spectacles with digital bifocal according to the invention,

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate protective eyewear with restitution of the reliefs and progressive motorized zooming according to the invention,

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate protective glasses with restitution of the reliefs and digital bifocal according to the invention. DETAILED PRESENTATION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

In a first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, the digital protection glasses of the invention are simple vision spectacles with motorized progressive zoom, which include:

a camera 10 comprising a CCD or CMOS cell 11 and a focussing optics 12 with variable focal length or "zoom" provided with a motorization 13, directed towards a scene 14 to be displayed,

an image display screen 15 arranged in front of the eyes 16 and 17 of the operator,

an image processing unit 19 which receives the output signals from the camera, and controls the image restoration screen 15,

a zoom status indicator 20, a battery 18 for feeding these different elements.

This zoom status indicator is shown more precisely in FIG. 1B, with different zoom states between a minimum zoom view 21 and a maximum zoom view 22.

In a second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A, the digital protection glasses of the invention are single-vision glasses with digitized bifocal, which include:

a camera 10 comprising a CCD or CMOS cell 11 and a focussing optics 12 with variable focal length or zoom, directed towards a scene to be viewed 14,

an image reproduction screen 15 placed in front of the eyes 16 and 17 of the operator,

a zoom status indicator 20,

a battery 18 for feeding these different elements.

This zoom state indicator 20, shown more precisely in FIG. 2B, comprises two views: a minimum zoom view 21 and a maximum zoom view 22.

In a third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A, the digital protection glasses of the invention are glasses allowing restitution of the reliefs and a progressive motorized zoom, which include: two cameras 10 and 10 'each comprising a CCD or CMOS cell 11 (11') and a focusing optic 12 (12 ') with variable focal length or zoom lens provided with a motor 13 (13'), directed to a scene at view 14,

two image reproduction screens 15 (15 ') each corresponding to a camera, respectively arranged in front of the eyes 16 and 17 of the operator,

an image processing unit 19 which receives the output signals from the camera and controls the two screens 15 and 15 'of image reproduction,

a zoom status indicator 20,

a battery 18 for feeding these different elements.

This zoom status indicator 20 is shown more precisely in FIG. 3B, with different zoom states between a minimum zoom view 21 and a maximum zoom view 22.

In a fourth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A, the digital protection glasses of the invention are glasses allowing restitution of the reliefs and a digital focal length, which comprise:

two cameras 10 and 10 'each comprising a CCD or CMOS cell 11 (11') and a focusing optic 12 (12 ') with variable focal length or zoom, directed towards a scene to be viewed 14,

two image reproduction screens 15 and 15 'each corresponding to a camera, respectively arranged in front of the eyes 16 and 17 of the operator, an image processing unit 19 which receives the output signals from the camera, and controls the two image reproduction screens,

a zoom status indicator 20,

- A battery 18 for feeding these different elements.

This zoom state indicator, shown more precisely in FIG. 4B, comprises two views: a minimum zoom view 21 and a maximum zoom view 22.

The mode of change of focus can thus be:

progressive, which allows to move gradually from one focal point to another, for example from 10 mm to 100 mm,

- Tilt, which allows for example a focal length of 10 mm at a focal length of 100 mm.

The user can thus pay close attention to the value of the focal length (zoom position) during his movements by using such a zoom state indicator 20.

The focal length can be the subject of one of the following indications:

an indication superimposed on at least one image rendering screen (15 '), if the glasses have an image processing, or otherwise an indication on a display, for example with light-emitting diodes, in the field of vision of the operator.

Depending on the resolution, that is, the number of pixels in the CCD or CMOS cell of the (or of the camera (s), we can choose one of the following solutions:

- a motorized optical zoom for a low resolution of less than 2 megapixels,

- a digital zoom of lesser image quality for a good resolution between 2 and 5 megapixels,

a digital zoom of good image quality for a high resolution higher than 5 megapixels.

The zoom can advantageously be returned to the "normal" position for the displacement, after a delay, if the sharpness distance goes to infinity.

Other variant embodiments of the glasses of the invention are also possible:

- with audio transmission,

- with power control,

with management and transmission / reception of all or nothing signals,

- with transmission-reception of video signals,

- with shooting.

Example of features and operation of an embodiment

1. Features:

a) Stereovision

b) Bifocal

c) Laser spot search

d) Still image (picture) recording or image sequence e) Battery level monitoring

2. Operation:

a) Stereovision

This mode is used to restore the relief of the environment to the user. It requires the integration of two cameras and two viewing screens.

The images captured by the cameras are transmitted to the display screens through a video processor. The cameras are oriented so that their point of convergence is at a distance of about 25 cm from the user's head. This distance is chosen because it corresponds to the distance head / hands during the execution of a manual work. The screens are positioned in front of each eye of the user. The screens have, for example, a resolution of 800x600. The camera cells have, for example, a resolution of 2400x1800. This resolution, three times higher than the resolution of the screens, makes it possible to reproduce a good quality image on the screens, even in digital zoom. b) Bifocal

The user can switch the tilt control using a "blowing swicht" device ("BS" or contactors activated by the breath). This control mode allows an action on the focal length, while leaving free the hands of the user. The "all or nothing" information generated by this "BS" device is transmitted to the processor video. Depending on the reception of this signal, the processor switches from "wide field" vision mode to "zoomed" vision mode and vice versa. In "wide field" vision mode, the processor renders the images captured by the cameras on the screens by dividing the resolution of the cameras by three.

In "zoomed" vision mode, the processor renders the images captured by the cameras to the screens by performing a sub-image windowing to multiply the focal length by, for example, 5 (x15 zoom).

When displaying a zoomed view, the video processor includes an icon in the image to warn the user of the viewing mode in use. c) Laser spot search

A laser spot, in the visible, representing a hazard to the human eye has a light intensity greater than the average of the ambient brightness.

The video processor, in real time, analyzes the image, detects the points of light overcurrent, validates their belonging to a family of laser spots (color, shape, dimension ...) and finally the materialized on the screen, modifying the image, by a non-natural color and / or a blinking instead of this spot (these spots). d) Still picture (picture) recording or picture sequence

To memorize an action, an event or anything else, the glasses are equipped with a "Compact Flash" memory card. The order of the user to capture an image can be made using a device "blowing swicht" (contactors operated by the breath). The "all or nothing" information generated by this "BS" device is transmitted to the video processor. The video processor, upon receiving this command, stores the video frame from the right camera in the memory card as a JPG, BMP, TIF or other image, according to a predefined configuration.

By a double breath (double equivalent

"Click" on a computer mouse), the processor stores on the same card a sequence of n seconds at i frames per second in MPG, AVI or other format (backup format), where n and i are preprogrammed parameters.

The video processor includes in the image an icon warning the user of the memory capacity still available, for example 135 (135 being the number of still recordable images). e) Battery level monitoring

An electronic voltage comparator equips the battery pack of the "safety glasses" set. This one by two signals "all or nothing" informs the processor of two levels of battery (bottom: 15 mn of remaining autonomy, weak: 5 minutes of remaining autonomy). The processor, upon reading this information, displays on the screens an alarm icon for the low level and, in addition, flashes the display on the screens for the low level.

Claims

1. Digital eye protection glasses for an operator against uncomfortable or dangerous light radiation with variable focus, comprising:

at least one camera (10, 10 ') for viewing the zoomed field of view (12, 12') and a battery pack (18),

at least one image-reproduction screen (15, 15 ') which can be arranged in front of the eyes (16, 17) of

1 operator,

a unit (19) for processing images received from the at least one camera, which controls each image rendering screen,

characterized by further comprising:

- a zoom state indicator (20) with different zoom states between a minimum zoom view (21) and a maximum zoom view (22);

and in that the zoom comprises means for returning to a determined position after a given time.

2. Glasses according to claim 1, wherein each camera comprises a CCD cell.

3. Glasses according to claim 1, wherein each camera comprises a CMOS cell.

4. Goggles according to claim 1, wherein the means of change of focal includes a motor.

5. Glasses according to claim 1, comprising two cameras, and two display screens images each corresponding to a camera, each screen being able to be arranged in front of an eye of the operator.

6. Glasses according to claim 1, wherein the focal length changing means allow a gradual change of focal length.

7. Glasses according to claim 1, wherein the zoom state indicator is achieved by overprinting at least one image display screen.

8. Glasses according to claim 1, wherein each camera comprises a motorized zoom.

9. Glasses according to claim 1, wherein each camera comprises a digital zoom.

10. Glasses according to claim 1, wherein each camera includes a zoom with a normal position to which it returns after timing.