# US 11,169,381 B2 · Head-mounted display apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,169,381 B2 - Document ID: US11169381B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/101,039 - Filed: 2020-11-23 - Published: 2021-06-10 - Granted: 2021-11-09 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-05 - Assignees: Six15 Technologies - Applicants: Six15 Technologies - Inventors: Theodore K. Ricks - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11169381B2 ## CPC - G02B 27/0172: {characterised by optical features} - G02B 27/0176: {characterised by mechanical features} - G02B 27/0179: {Display position adjusting means not related to the information to be displayed} - G02B 27/0972: {Prisms (prisms per se G02B5/04)} - G02B 2027/0138: {comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A head-mounted display apparatus for a viewer has an optical imager having a display generator that is energizable to emit image-bearing light in a first direction and a prism that is configured to redirect the generated light in a second direction that is toward the viewer's eye and orthogonal to within +/−30 degrees relative to the first direction. A housing is configured to form a sealed chamber that encloses at least the display generator of the optical imager and to expose at least a portion of the prism extended from the sealed chamber. A releasable coupling formed onto a cover element of the sealed chamber is configured to cooperate with a mounting fixture formed on headgear worn by the viewer for mounting the housing and suspending the exposed portion of the prism into a field of view of the viewer's eye. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A head-mounted display apparatus for a viewer comprising: a) an optical imager having a display generator that is energizable to emit image-bearing light in a first direction and a prism that is configured to redirect the generated light in a second direction that is toward the viewer's eye and orthogonal to within +/−30 degrees relative to the first direction; b) a housing that is configured to form a sealed chamber that encloses at least the display generator of the optical imager and further configured to expose at least a portion of the prism extended from the sealed chamber; and c) a releasable coupling formed onto a cover element of the sealed chamber and configured to cooperate with a mounting fixture formed on headgear worn by the viewer for mounting the housing and suspending the exposed portion of the prism into a field of view of the viewer's eye. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a logic control circuit board enclosed within the housing, wherein the logic control circuit board extends in parallel to the cover element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a protective collar that extends from the housing around one or more exposed edges of the prism of the optical imager. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a sensor that is mounted within the sealed chamber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the sensor is a camera. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more optical filters disposed within the sealed chamber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the releasable coupling comprises a shaft that rotates from a pivot position on the cover element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the releasable coupling comprises a shoe configured for a releasable fit into a corresponding bracket on the headgear. ### Claim 9 A head-mounted display apparatus for a viewer comprising: a) an optical imager having a display generator that is energizable to emit image-bearing light in a first direction and a compound prism that is configured to redirect the generated light in a second direction that is toward the viewer's eye and orthogonal to within +/−30 degrees relative to the first direction; b) a housing that is configured to form a sealed chamber that encloses at least the display generator of the optical imager and a control logic circuit, wherein the housing is further configured to expose, within the viewer field of view, at least a portion of the compound prism that extends from an orifice in the housing; c) a releasable coupling formed onto a cover element of the sealed chamber and configured to cooperate with a mounting fixture formed on headgear worn by the viewer for mounting the housing and suspending the exposed portion of the prism into the viewer field of view; and d) a sensor that is mounted within the sealed chamber and generates a signal related to a sensed condition in the field of view. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the sensor is a camera. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the display generator is an electroluminescent device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the releasable coupling formed onto the cover element comprises a ball joint. ### Claim 13 A method for display to a viewer, the method comprising: a) disposing, within a housing, a display generator that is energizable to emit image-bearing light in a first direction; b) extending, from the housing, a prism that is configured to guide the emitted light to a folding surface that redirects the emitted light in a second direction that is orthogonal to within +/−30 degrees relative to the first direction; and c) sealing the housing to enclose the display generator and form a sealed chamber by attaching a cover, wherein the cover further includes a coupling configured for releasable attachment to headgear worn by the viewer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein attaching the cover comprises using mechanical fasteners. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 further comprising attaching the coupling to the viewer headgear for displaying an image within a field of view of the viewer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 further comprising extending a protective collar around one or more exposed edges of the prism. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 further comprising disposing an optical filter within the sealed housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 further comprising providing, on the cover, an adjustment for an angle of the extended prism. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein the adjustment is about an axis that lies outside a field of view of the viewer.