NL2006840C2 - Head up display for personal eye protective devices. - Google Patents

Description

HEAD UP DISPLAY FOR PERSONAL EYE PROTECTIVE DEVICES

The present invention relates to a head up display (HUD) for a visor, in particular for visors for personal protection equipment having facial and eye 5 protection.

Examples of personal protection equipment include motorcycle helmets, motorcycle style helmets such as quad-bike, snowmobile, racing car and skiing helmets; heavy-duty protective visors, for example, ballistic face shields which may be used in riot helmets and visors for use by the emergency services; 10 and goggles such as motorcycle goggles or skiing goggles. .

Head Up Displays (HUD's) are known, and are commonly used in aircraft, in particular jet-fighters, and in other military applications, such as in night-viewers. These HUD's generally are complicated, and may be quite heavy. Some developments relate to the use of HUD for motor cyclist's helmets, wherein 15 information about for example speed can be projected on the outside surface of the visor, or where a small screen is mounted on the outside of the helmet visor.

Yet, HUD is not commonly used in mass production visor products, such as helmets for motorcyclists, even though it is desirable to be able to have for example routing information available. Also, for other applications, like for helmets 20 for police or military, it would be preferable to have a universally applicable system, which may be relatively simple.

The present invention allows a relatively simple, and universally applicable HUD for visors, especially for visors for motorcycle helmets.

The present invention thus provides a head up display for personal 25 eye protective devices with a visor comprising: (a) a GPS module adapted to be attached to a vehicle body or a main body of a human, and being adapted to transmit routing information; (b) a receiver provided on the device, the receiver being adapted for receiving routing information transmitted by the GPS module; 30 (c) a decoder for transforming the routing information into a visual signal; (d) the device comprising an inlay or overlay on the visor, adapted to act as a screen for visualization of the visual signal.

In a preferred embodiment for motor cyclists, the GPS module (a) is adapted to be electrically charged via connection to the motor cycle when in use, 35 and being adapted to transmit routing information to a receiver;

This HUD allows a universal system, that does not need to be 2 adapted to each type of helmet, goggle or visor. This allows for larger number of systems to be made, by virtue of which it is possible to make such devices at much lower costs. Furthermore, in case a user changes his visor, which may be necessary to adapt between sunny and rainy weather, or which is often done after some time 5 because of wear, the HUD still can be used, as the inlay or overlay can be mounted on most visors. The term visor includes a retractable sun visor.

Hence, this HUD can - in principle - be mounted on any helmet, protective goggle or other personal eye protective device. The personal eye protection device may have a fixed visor as part of a helmet, may be a fixed visor 10 of goggles, or, preferably, the visor is removably fixed before the eyes, like for example a rotatable visor of a helmet.

The visor in the personal eye protective device is the part which is transparent, and through which the bearer of the device can look.

The HUD of the present invention can be in the form of an after sales 15 kit (to be mounted on helmets bought previously), or as OEM manufactory mounting (delivered with a new helmet). In the latter case, the helmet/visor design can be adapted to functioning of the HUD. For example, the helmet can be provided with solar cells to charge the battery used for the HUD.

The HUD comprises at least two components.

20 The first component is a GPS module that is used for input of a destination, that is able to have a GPS radio-connection in order to assess the position of the GPS module, and that generates routing information.

Such module generally requires relatively high energy input. Therefore, in one embodiment of the invention, this module is able to be electrically 25 charged directly from a vehicle, such as a motor cycle.

The module preferably is able to work at 12 V or less, like for example 6, 9 or 12 V.

In an alternative embodiment, in case the module is adapted to be attached to the main body of a human, the GPS module may have, or may be 30 connected to a battery of sufficient energy content such that the GPS module can work for at least 6 hours, preferably at least 12 hours, and more preferably at least 50 hours before recharge is necessary. The GPS module may be for example attachable to a belt, or may be in a backpack or an inside pocket of a jacket. For the present invention, the main body of a human does not comprise the head of 35 said human.

The GPS module may be a dedicated device, which is able to 3 generate routing information, information on traffic jams and the like. In another embodiment of the invention, the device is also able to perform other functions like having direct internet access, telephone connections and the like. In this embodiment, a preferred device is a smart phone.

5 Useful information may comprise radio station log (and radio music receiver), speed, warnings and other on line information and the like. Also, internet accessible information like manuals, telephone numbers search facilities can be made available.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the GPS module 10 comprises a data logger with blue tooth affixed on the motorbike to transfer information from the motorbike with digital impulses to the helmet HUD. Such information being speed, gear, oil/water temp and warnings.

For police or military applications, other instant information, like facial photographs of convicts, burglars or hooligans, car-registration, enemy 15 movements and the like can be transmitted to the GPS module.

The GPS module has means to transfer information to a receiver in or on the personal eye protection device, like a helmet, goggles, including the visor, overlay and/or inlay. This transfer of information is performed via a wireless connection, for example via a radio transmitter. A suitable system is blue tooth or 20 the like.

The second component is an inlay or overlay on the visor, which is able to act as screen for visualization the routing information. The inlay or overlay may be a screen only, or may comprise further components as required.

Visor assemblies comprising a shield-visor with an inlay or overlay-25 visor releasably attached thereto, are known. In such visor assemblies the shield-visor is more substantial than the inlay or overlay-visor and acts as a shield. In the case of motorbike style helmets the shield-visor acts to protect a user's face from wind, rain, dirt and grit; and in the case of ballistic visors it acts to protect the user's face from more substantial projectiles and blows. In goggles the shield-visor 30 tends to be limited to extending over the eyes and that part of face immediately adjacent the eyes. Goggles may be provided with two shield-visors, one per eye.

The overlay or inlay is typically utilized to provide an improved viewing window for the visor wearer. For example, the overlay or inlay may be adapted to have an anti-condensation function to prevent misting-up of the viewing 35 area. The overlay or inlay may also or alternatively be provided with tinting to give improved viewing in varying light conditions. The viewing area of the shield-visor 4 and/or the overlay or inlay is the area through which the user looks.

Examples of helmet visor assemblies are known from US Patent numbers US5765235 and US6922850, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, which provide anti-condensation 5 overlay-visors attached to shield-visors.

It is potentially a problem with presenting a HUD image on a visor that the visor is close to a wearer's eyes. This means that it is difficult, if not impossible to focus on the image on the visor. In the present invention the inlay or overlay is preferably able to aid in presenting a virtual image at about between 20 10 to 50 cm from a user's eyes.

It is preferred, that in the HUD according to the invention, the energy necessary in the helmet (including visor, inlay and/or overlay) is provided by a battery and/or solar cells. The battery preferably is a rechargeable battery. In a more preferred embodiment, the battery is rechargeable by solar cells which may 15 be present on the helmet. However, the way the energy is provided is immaterial for the invention. It is an advantage of the present invention that the energy required for the GPS module is disconnected from the energy requirement of the components in the helmet (including visor, inlay and/or overlay).

In one embodiment of the invention, preferably an inlay is used. This 20 is preferred because the wear and tear on the inlay will be less than on an overlay.

In the HUD according to the invention, the inlay or overlay for the visor is preferably releasably fixed to the visor. This is conveniently achieved by use of mechanical fixing elements, such as pins, or abutting protrusions. The inlay or overlay may also be attached to the visor with an adhesive (as in an adhesive 25 film), double sided tape or the like. Mechanical fixing elements are preferred because of stability and ease of removal.

It is preferred that the visor with the inlay or overlay has a transparency of about 60% or more, preferably of about 70% or more, and even more preferably about 85% or more. The transparency may be even about 90%. 30 The transparence will be less that 100%, and generally less than 97%. In one embodiment of the invention, it is preferable to have a visor which has a certain color (i.e., is darker than transparent). Such visor is preferred because it such visor allows more reflection of an image, in particular when using a microbeamer (see below).

35 In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that in the HUD according to the invention, an inlay for the visor is used, which is 5 releasable fixed to the visor via the mechanical retention systems described in W09616563, WOOl 13750, W02009/040581and W02008/096178; the contents of all of which documents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Preferred retention systems include retention by two or more opposed pins, and 5 retention of an in-lay or over-lay in a recess in the visor.

In the invention, the information transfer between the GPS module (a) including a transmitter, and the receiver (b) is wireless.

As explained, an inlay in the visor is preferably mounted on the inside of the visor. Nevertheless, it is also possible to mount an overlay on the outside. 10 This may have a disadvantage of increased wear, on the other hand, it would have the advantage that such "overlay" can be taken off more easily when a helmet is worn by the driver.

A number of options are available to implement such HUD with respect to transforming information from the receiver into a signal that can be 15 made visual.

In a first embodiment of the invention, in the HUD according to the invention, the means for transforming the routing information into a visual signal comprises a microprocessor to control a LCD or OLED screen. The term LCD incorporates the term Super LCD (SLCD). The OLED screen incorporates the term 20 AMOLED, and is preferably of a type like AMOLED (including Super-AMOLED). The inlay or overlay in the visor comprises a LCD or OLED screen which visualizes the signal. In this embodiment, the inlay or overlay may comprise a battery as energy source, a receiver chip, which receives the routing information from the GPS module, and a chip to steer the LCD or OLED screen. The latter two chips are 25 preferably integrated either in the inlay/overlay and/or the visor.

This embodiment allows for the possibility to use the inlay/overlay also as a partial (sort of sunglasses effect) or full sun screen. In this embodiment, the LCD or OLED screen can be adjusted in color and color intensity to e.g. become a full color, yellow, blueish, or brown screen. This change in color can be made 30 dependent on the amount of light. For example, with high light intensity the screen turns colored, and with low light intensity, the screen can change to have the highest transparency.

In order to adjust the color of such inlay/overlay automatically, the inlay/overlay may be provided with a light-intensity sensitive sensor. This sensor 35 may steer the color and the color intensity of the inlay, through a microprocessor. Such sensor is close to the actual light intensity experienced by the user, and can 6 be regulated such that color and intensity change is very fast. This is a difference with generally used chemical pigments that change upon light intensity changes as these chemical systems are much slower.

The inlay/overlay preferably is provided with the possibility to turn 5 screen effects off and on. For example, the inlay/overlay may be set to provide for a sun-screen effect, but not for routing information.

The present invention, therefor, also relates to an inlay/overlay for helmet visor, comprising an LCD or OLED screen adaptable to change in color and color intensity, further comprising a light-intensity sensitive sensor, an energy 10 source and a microprocessor to steer the color and color intensity of the visor dependent on the light intensity.

In a second embodiment of the invention, in the HUD according to the invention, the means for transforming the routing information into a visual signal comprises a micro beamer. Such micro-beamer (or projector) can be 15 mounted on the inside of the helmet, and it may project onto the inlay or onto the overlay. The micro-beamer can comprise the receiver of the signal from the GPS module, and an energy source. The inlay/overlay on the visor preferably comprises a multiple prism-type of screen. In a further embodiment, the screen may be a reflective, semi-transparent screen or tinted screen. In an alternative embodiment, 20 the projected light is guided through optical fibers. The micro beamer projects light into the fibers. This allows more design freedom for placing the micro-beamer. The wave guides (optical fibers cable) can be mounted in such way, that light can be projected onto the inlay, overlay, or visor in a way that the information becomes visible for the user. This may be effected - for example - by having a 90° projected 25 angle on the screen, or equally by projecting on a prism based screen at another angle (when 90° is e.g. not feasible). Also in these cases, the virtual image is positioned between 20 and 50 cm from the user.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the inlay or overlay may be provided with a photo-chromic layer. Such layer has a lower 30 transparency when activated by sun rays, which may aid in improving the quality of the image of the HUD, in particular in combination with a micro-beamer. Preferably, in this embodiment, the head up display is provided with an inlay and/or overlay with a photochromic dye in a coating or in an interlay adhesive sandwiched between two non UV absorber polycarbonate sheets in laminated form 35 It will be preferred to take into account that the inlay on the visor is not a flat screen, but slightly curved or even three-dimensional. Generally, it will be 7 possible to take the curvature into account (via software) when transforming the routing information into a visual signal making the image legible. It is preferred that the system is auto focusing.

The inlay/overlay may be provided with further functional layers.

5 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in the HUD according to the invention, the inlay is provided with an anti-reflective coating or anti-reflective removable film.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that in the HUD according to the invention the inlay is provided with a moisture resistant 10 coating in particular to prevent fogging.

In a further embodiment of the invention - if an overlay is used - the overlay is provided with an anti-scratch/anti-smudge layer on the outside of the overlay. The anti-scratch layer preferably is an anti-scratch hydrophobic coating.

In a preferred embodiment, the inlay or overlay will comprise a 15 carrier layer, and a layer that is adapted to act as a screen for visualization of the routing information.

The carrier layer generally can for example consists of polycarbonate, a transparent plastic. The thickness preferably is between about 0.01 to 2 mm, preferably between 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

20 The inlay or overlay may be mounted on the visor of the helmet in ways known as such. For example, two small holes can be drilled in the visor, and locking pins can be mounted on the visor. Thereafter, for example, an inlay can be easily fixed on the inside of the visor (or outside, depending on the construction), or conversely by fixing the inlay in a cavity recess which corresponds exactly to the 25 measurements of the inlay (100% Max Vision concept).

The present invention also relates to a personal eye protection device, like helmet or goggles, preferably a helmet, provided with components b-d, as defined above. In case - for example - the receiver in the device is a blue-tooth type of receiver, any smart phone may be used to provide the routing and/or other 30 information to the HUD system for the helmet. The smart phone (for example with an app.) should of course be able to transmit the routing information - and/or other information - to the receiver in the HUD system. Furthermore, other information may be provided, such as telephone number and information related thereto, music albums, motorbike information, like speed and time since former set 35 point, time and the like.

The present invention also relates to a motor helmet, provided with 8 components b-d, as described above, and a module transmitting information to the receiver. This information can be any kind of information.

In one embodiment, the information is routing information provided by a GPS module.

5 In a further embodiment, the module comprises a data logger with blue tooth affixed on the motorbike to transfer information from the motorbike with digital impulses to the helmet HUD. Such information being for example speed, gear, oil/water temp and warnings.

10

Claims (23)

A head-up display for a personal eye protection device comprising: a. A GPS module adapted to attach to a body or to a human body and adapted to send route information; 5 b. a receiver on the device, including a visor, inner layer or outer layer, suitable for receiving route information sent by the GPS module; c. a decoder for changing the route information into a visual signal; 10 d. an inner layer or outer layer on the visor, suitable as a screen for displaying the visual signal. 2. Head-up display according to claim 1, wherein the device is a motorcycle helmet, the HUD comprises: a. A GPS module adapted to be electrically charged through a connection to a motorcycle and adapted to send route information to a receiver. 3. Head-up display according to any of claims 1-2, wherein the inner layer or outer layer comprises an LCD, SLCD, OLED or AMOLED screen, preferably AMOLED or super-AMOLED, and wherein the decoder comprises a microprocessor around the LCD , SLCD, OLED or AMOLED screen. The head-up display according to any of claims 1-2, wherein the decoder comprises a micro beamer. The head-up display of claim 4, wherein the inner layer or outer layer comprises a micro prism screen. A head-up display according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a screen helps to present a virtual image at about 20-50 cm from the eye of a user. The head-up display according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the GPS module is a smart phone. A head-up display according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the energy required for the device, including visor, outer layer or inner layer is provided by a battery and / or solar cells. Head-up display according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner layer or the outer layer for the visor is releasably attached to the visor. The head-up display according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner layer or outer layer for the visor is releasably secured to the visor by means of opposite pins or by side walls of a recess in the visor. The head-up display according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device is a helmet or glasses. 12. Head-up display according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the visor, inner layer or outer layer is provided with an anti-reflective coating. Head-up display according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an outer layer is provided with an anti-scratch coating, preferably an anti-scratch water-repellent coating. 14. Head-up display as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein an outer layer or inner layer is provided with a photochromic dye in a coating or in an adhesive layered between 2 non-UV-absorbing polycarbonate plates in laminated form. 15. Head-up display according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an inner layer is provided with an anti-fog layer. 16. Personal eye protection device provided with components b-d, as defined in any one of the preceding claims. The device of claim 16, wherein the device is a helmet or glasses. The device of claim 17, wherein a helmet is for use as a motorcycle rider helmet. 19. Device as claimed in claim 17, wherein a helmet is for use as a police or military helmet. 20. Inner layer or outer layer for an helmet visor, comprising an LCD or OLED screen adaptable to change in color and color intensity, further comprising a light intensity, sensitive sensor, an energy source and a microprocessor to change the color and color intensity of the inner layer or outer layer of the visor depending on the light intensity. The motorcycle helmet, according to claim 18, further comprising a module for sending information to the receiver, the module being attachable to the motorcycle, the information being any kind of information. 22. A motorcycle helmet as claimed in claim 21, wherein the module comprises a GPS module and the information route information comprises. The motorcycle helmet according to claim 21, wherein the module comprises a data logger mounted on the motorcycle and the information information about the motorcycle includes, for example, speed, acceleration, oil / water temperature and warnings. 35