Patent Description:
In one aspect, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a system according to claim <NUM>. The system includes a space suit helmet. The space suit helmet includes an outer surface structure being an impact bubble, an inner surface structure being a pressure bubble, and a waveguide display. The inner surface structure is configured to maintain an oxygenated environment within an interior cavity of the space suit helmet, wherein a user is able to see through the inner surface structure and the outer surface structure. The outer surface structure and the inner surface structure are coupled to a ring. The waveguide display is implemented at least one of in or on the space suit helmet. The waveguide display includes a waveguide and an optical system positioned outside the interior cavity and configured to project images at least through the waveguide to be displayed to the user. There is a gap between the outer surface structure and the inner surface structure.

In a further aspect, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a method according to claim <NUM>. The method includes: providing a space suit helmet, comprising an outer surface structure being an impact bubble, an inner surface structure being a pressure bubble, and a waveguide display, wherein the inner surface structure is configured to maintain an oxygenated environment within an interior cavity of the space suit helmet, wherein a user is able to see through the inner surface structure and the outer surface structure, wherein the waveguide display is implemented at least one of in or on the space suit helmet, wherein the waveguide display comprises a waveguide and an optical system positioned outside the interior cavity and configured to project images at least through the waveguide to be displayed to the user. The space suit helmet further comprises a ring, where the outer surface structure and the inner surface structure are coupled to the ring. There is a gap between the outer surface structure and the inner surface structure.

Broadly, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a method and a system including a space suit helmet having a waveguide display.

Some embodiments may include a waveguide display integrated into a space suit helmet to provide real-time conformal or non-conformal information to a user (e.g., an astronaut wearing the helmet). In some embodiments, the waveguide display for the space suit helmet may have various configurations, such as a side-mounted display attached a side of the space suit helmet, a display mounted inside an oxygen enriched environment of the space suit helmet, a waveguide display installed in between an at least translucent (e.g., translucent and/or transparent) inner surface structure (e.g., a pressure bubble) and an at least translucent (e.g., translucent and/or transparent) outer surface structure (e.g., an impact bubble), and/or a waveguide display mounted external to the pressure bubble and the impact bubble. Some embodiments enable a small, compact display assembly to be integrated into the suit, which has not been possible with previous display technologies.

Previously conceived optical display solutions required large and bulky optics with the display sources remote from the apparatus that the user looks into in order to see the display. Some embodiments may allow for the viewing apparatus to be placed between the impact and pressure bubbles, which may protect the display itself as well as maximizing volume inside the bubble for the user to move around and not bump into items placed inside the pressure bubble.

Referring now to <FIG>, an exemplary embodiment of a system <NUM> according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein is depicted. The system <NUM> may be implemented as any suitable system, such as at least one vehicle (e.g., a spacecraft). For example, as shown in <FIG>, the system <NUM> may include at least one suit (e.g., a space suit <NUM>). For example, the space suit <NUM> may include a space suit helmet <NUM>. In some embodiments, the space suit helmet <NUM> may include at least one eye tracking system <NUM>, at least one suit tracking system <NUM>, at least one voice recognition system <NUM>, at least one processor <NUM>, at least one waveguide display <NUM>, at least one power supply (not shown), and/or at least one speaker <NUM>, some or all of which may be communicatively coupled at any given time. For example, the waveguide display <NUM> may include the at least one optical system <NUM>, at least one waveguide <NUM>, and/or at least one tint layer (e.g., at least one electrochromic layer <NUM>), some or all of which may be optically and/or communicatively coupled at any given time.

The eye tracking system <NUM> may include at least one infrared light source <NUM> (e.g., at least one infrared light emitting diode (LED)), at least one infrared image sensor <NUM>, at least one processor <NUM>, and at least one memory <NUM>, as well as other components, equipment, and/or devices commonly included in an eye tracking system, some or all of which may be communicatively coupled at any time, as shown in <FIG>. The eye tracking system <NUM> may be configured to track eye gestures, track movement of a user's eye, track a user's gaze, and/or otherwise receive inputs from a user's eyes. The eye tracking system <NUM> may be configured for performing fully automatic eye tracking operations of users in real time.

The infrared light source <NUM> may be configured to emit infrared light onto at least one eye of a user.

The infrared sensitive image sensor <NUM> may be configured to capture images of the at least one eye illuminated by the infrared light source <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may be configured to process data received from the infrared sensitive image sensor <NUM> and output processed data (e.g., eye tracking data) to one or more devices or systems of the space suit helmet <NUM> and/or the system <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may be configured to generate eye tracking data and output the generated eye tracking data to one of the devices (e.g., the processor <NUM>) of the space suit helmet <NUM> and/or the system <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may be configured to run various software applications or computer code stored (e.g., maintained) in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory <NUM>) and configured to execute various instructions or operations. The processor <NUM> may be implemented as a special purpose processor configured to execute instructions for performing (e.g., collectively performing if more than one processor) any or all of the operations disclosed throughout. For example, the processor <NUM> may be configured to: receive image data from the infrared sensitive image sensor <NUM>; track movement of at least one eye of a user based on the image data; and/or output eye tracking system data indicative of the tracked movement of the at least one eye of the user. For example, the processor <NUM> may be configured to: perform visor distortion correction operations; perform eye mapping and alignment operations; output, via at least one data connection, eye tracking system data (e.g., indicative of eye azimuth and/or elevation) to a spacecraft interface, simulator interface, and/or other computing device of the system <NUM>; and/or perform a suit tracking translation operation.

The suit tracking system <NUM> may have optical, magnetic, and/or inertial tracking capability. In some embodiments, the suit tracking system <NUM> may include suit tracking capabilities and/or be coordinated with suit tracking capabilities, for example, such that the suit tracking operations are relative to a position and/or orientation of the suit <NUM> and/or relative to a position and/or orientation to a vehicle. For example, suit tracking system <NUM> may be configured to track a direction of where a field of view (FOV) through the waveguide display <NUM> is pointing. For example, if the waveguide display <NUM> is mounted to the suit <NUM> (e.g., to the space suit helmet <NUM>), this direction may be a direction that a torso or bubble is pointing that is being tracked. The suit tracking system <NUM> may include at least one sensor <NUM>, at least one processor <NUM>, and at least one memory <NUM>, as well as other components, equipment, and/or devices commonly included in a suit tracking system, some or all of which may be communicatively coupled at any time, as shown in <FIG>. The at least one sensor <NUM> may be at least one optical sensor (e.g., an optical infrared sensor configured to detect infrared light), at least one magnetic sensor, and/or at least one inertial sensor. The suit tracking system <NUM> may be configured to determine and track a position and an orientation of a user's head relative to an environment. The suit tracking system <NUM> may be configured for performing fully automatic suit tracking operations in real time. The processor <NUM> of the suit tracking system <NUM> may be configured to process data received from the sensors <NUM> and output processed data (e.g., suit tracking data) to one of the computing devices of the system <NUM> and/or the processor <NUM> for use in generating images aligned with the user's field of view, such as augmented reality or virtual reality images aligned with the user's field of view to be displayed by the waveguide display <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may be configured to determine and track a position and orientation of a user's head relative to an environment. Additionally, for example, the processor <NUM> may be configured to generate position and orientation data associated with such determined information and output the generated position and orientation data. The processor <NUM> may be configured to run various software applications or computer code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory <NUM>) and configured to execute various instructions or operations. The at least one processor <NUM> may be implemented as a special purpose processor configured to execute instructions for performing (e.g., collectively performing if more than one processor) any or all of the operations disclosed throughout.

The voice recognition system <NUM> may include at least one microphone <NUM>, at least one processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and storage <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, as well as other components, equipment, and/or devices commonly included in a voice recognition system. The microphone <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, and the storage <NUM>, as well as the other components, equipment, and/or devices commonly included in a voice recognition system may be communicatively coupled. The voice recognition system <NUM> may be configured to recognize voice commands or audible inputs of a user. The voice recognition system <NUM> may allow the user to use verbal commands as an interaction and control method. The voice recognition system <NUM> may be configured to detect user commands and output user command data (e.g., voice command data), which, for example, may be used to provide commands to control operation of the waveguide display <NUM>. Additionally, verbal commands may be used to modify, manipulate, and declutter content displayed by the waveguide display <NUM>. The voice recognition system <NUM> may be integrated with the eye tracking system <NUM> so context of user inputs can be inferred. The processor <NUM> may be configured to process data received from the microphone <NUM> and output processed data (e.g., text data and/or voice command data) to a device of the system <NUM> and/or the processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may be configured to run various software applications or computer code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and configured to execute various instructions or operations.

The at least one processor <NUM> may be implemented as any suitable processor(s), such as at least one general purpose, at least one image processor, at least one graphics processing unit (GPU), and/or at least one special purpose processor configured to execute instructions for performing (e.g., collectively performing if more than one processor) any or all of the operations disclosed throughout. In some embodiments, the processor <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to the waveguide display element <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may be configured to: receive the eye tracking system data; receive the suit tracking system data; receive the voice command data; generate and/or output image data to the waveguide display <NUM> and/or to the optical system <NUM>, for example, based on the eye tracking system data, the voice command data, and/or the suit tracking system data; generate and/or output image data to the optical system <NUM>, for example, based on the eye tracking system data, the voice command data, and/or the suit tracking system data; generate and/or output augmented reality and/or virtual reality image data to the optical system <NUM>, for example, based on the eye tracking system data, the voice command data, and/or the suit tracking system data; and/or generate and/or output other image data, which may include vehicle operation (e.g., space flight) information, navigation information, tactical information, and/or sensor information to the optical system <NUM>, for example, based on the eye tracking system data, the voice command data, and/or the suit tracking system data.

For example, the processor <NUM> may be configured to: output graphical data to the optical system <NUM>; control operation of the optical system based at least on the eye tracking data, the voice command data, and/or the suit tracking data; control whether the optical system is in an active state or deactivated state based at least on the eye tracking data, the voice command data, and/or the suit tracking data; control content displayed by the waveguide display <NUM> based at least on the eye tracking data, the voice command data, and/or the suit tracking data; steer a field of view of the waveguide display <NUM> based at least on the eye tracking data, the voice command data, and/or the suit tracking data; control an operation (e.g., an amount of tint) of the electrochromic layer <NUM>, for example, based at least on the eye tracking data, the voice command data, the suit tracking data, and/or a sensed brightness; and/or output audio data to the at least one speaker <NUM> for presentation to the user, for example, based at least on the eye tracking data, the voice command data, and/or the suit tracking data.

The waveguide display <NUM> may be implemented as any suitable waveguide display. The waveguide display <NUM> may include the at least one optical system <NUM>, at least one waveguide <NUM>, and/or at least one tint layer (e.g., at least one electrochromic layer <NUM>). For example, the optical system <NUM> may include at least one processor, at least one collimator, and/or at least projector <NUM>. The optical system <NUM> may be configured to project images at least through the waveguide <NUM> to be displayed to the user. In some embodiments, the waveguide <NUM> may be a diffractive, mirror, or beam splitter based waveguide. In some embodiments, the waveguide display <NUM> may include at least one lens, at least one mirror, diffraction gratings, at least one polarization sensitive component, at least one beam splitter, the at least one waveguide <NUM>, at least one light pipe, at least one window, and/or the projector <NUM>.

The optical system <NUM> may be configured to receive image data from the processor <NUM> and project images through the waveguide <NUM> for display to the user.

The tint layer (e.g., the electrochromic layer <NUM>) may be positioned on a side of a viewable portion of the waveguide <NUM> (e.g., positioned on a back side such that a viewable portion of the waveguide <NUM> is between the tint layer and the user <NUM>). For example, the tint layer may improve a perceived brightness of content displayed by the waveguide display <NUM> in a high brightness environment. For example, the electrochromic layer <NUM> may receive an electric stimulus from the processor <NUM> and/or the optical system <NUM> to darken the electrochromic layer <NUM> so as to improve a perceived brightness. In some embodiments, the processor <NUM> and/or the optical system <NUM> may automatically control a tint level of the electrochromic layer <NUM> based at least on a sensed environmental brightness. For example, the electrochromic layer <NUM> may provide a variable tint. For example, the electrochromic layer <NUM> may dim real world ambient light from passing through a viewable portion of the waveguide <NUM> and improve display visibility.

Referring now to <FIG>, exemplary embodiments of a space suit helmet <NUM> of <FIG> worn by a user <NUM> (e.g., an astronaut) according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein are depicted. In addition to one or more of the elements shown in <FIG>, the space suit helmet <NUM> may include at least one ring <NUM>, a first surface structure (e.g., an outer surface structure; e.g., an impact bubble <NUM>), a second surface structure (e.g., an inner surface structure; e.g., a pressure bubble <NUM>), a gap <NUM> between the first surface structure and the second surface structure, an interior cavity <NUM>, and/or wires <NUM> (e.g., connecting the optical system <NUM> to the processor <NUM>).

For example, the first surface structure (e.g., an outer surface structure; e.g., an impact bubble <NUM>) and the second surface structure (e.g., an inner surface structure; e.g., a pressure bubble <NUM>) may be coupled to the ring <NUM>. The inner surface structure (e.g., the pressure bubble <NUM>) may be configured to maintain an oxygenated environment within the interior cavity <NUM> of the space suit helmet <NUM>. The outer surface structure (e.g., the impact bubble <NUM>) may be configured to absorb impacts. Each of the inner surface structure and the outer surface structure may be at least translucent (e.g., translucent or transparent), such that the user <NUM> is able to see through the inner surface structure and the outer surface structure. The inner surface structure and the outer surface structure may be any suitable shape, such as having at least one flat surface, at least one curved surface, or a combination thereof. For example, the outer surface structure may be the impact bubble <NUM>, and the inner surface structure may be the pressure bubble <NUM>.

The waveguide display <NUM> may be implemented in and/or on the space suit helmet <NUM>. The waveguide display <NUM> may be positioned at any suitable location, such as in a direct forward view or some other location (e.g., off to a side of the user <NUM> and/or down at chin level of the user <NUM>). In some embodiments, the waveguide display <NUM> may be adjustably positionable (e.g., tiltable and/or movable in a lateral and/or vertical direction), such as by use of a motor, magnets, a pivot joint, and/or a track); in some of such embodiments, the processor <NUM> may be configured to control an orientation and/or a position of a viewable portion of the waveguide display <NUM>; in other of such embodiments, the orientation and/or the position of a viewable portion of the waveguide display <NUM> may be manually adjusted.

As shown in <FIG>, the waveguide display <NUM> may be mounted within space suit helmet <NUM> in the interior cavity <NUM>. For example, the waveguide display <NUM> may be mounted to the space suit helmet <NUM> near the ring <NUM> at eye level such that (a) when the user <NUM> is looking straight ahead, the waveguide display <NUM> is in a field of view of at least one eye of the user <NUM> or (b) when the user <NUM> looks to the side (e.g., the left or right side), the waveguide display <NUM> is in a field of view of at least one eye of the user <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the waveguide display <NUM> may be mounted within space suit helmet <NUM> in between the first surface structure (e.g., the impact bubble <NUM>) and the second surface structure (e.g., the pressure bubble <NUM>). For example, the waveguide display <NUM> may be mounted to the ring <NUM> of the space suit helmet <NUM>. For example, the waveguide display <NUM> may be positionable at any suitable height and lateral position. For example, the waveguide display <NUM> may be positioned at eye level such that (a) when the user <NUM> is looking straight ahead, the waveguide display <NUM> is in a field of view of at least one eye of the user <NUM> or (b) when the user <NUM> looks to the side (e.g., the left or right side), the waveguide display <NUM> is in a field of view of at least one eye of the user <NUM>. For example, the waveguide display <NUM> may be positioned at chin level level such that (a) when the user <NUM> is looking down and straight ahead, the waveguide display <NUM> is in a field of view of at least one eye of the user <NUM> or (b) when the user <NUM> looks down and to the side (e.g., the left or right side), the waveguide display <NUM> is in a field of view of at least one eye of the user <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, positioning the optical system <NUM> outside of the oxygenated interior cavity <NUM> may reduce a likelihood of an electrical spark causing combustion. For example, as shown in <FIG>, positioning the waveguide display <NUM> between the first surface structure (e.g., the impact bubble <NUM>) and the second surface structure (e.g., the pressure bubble <NUM>) may protect the waveguide display <NUM> and maximize a volume inside of the pressure bubble <NUM> for the user <NUM> to move around in the pressure bubble <NUM> and not bump into the waveguide display <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the waveguide display <NUM> may be mounted within space suit helmet <NUM>. For example, the optical system <NUM> may be mounted in between the first surface structure (e.g., the impact bubble <NUM>) and the second surface structure (e.g., the pressure bubble <NUM>). For example, the waveguide <NUM> may be mounted at least in part in the interior cavity <NUM>. In some embodiments, the optical system <NUM> may be configured to project images through the inner surface structure and the waveguide <NUM> to be displayed to the user. In some embodiments, the waveguide <NUM> may extend through the inner surface structure to within the interior cavity <NUM>. For example, the optical system <NUM> may be mounted to the ring <NUM> of the space suit helmet <NUM>. For example, the waveguide <NUM> may be positionable at any suitable height and lateral position. For example, the waveguide <NUM> may be positioned at eye level such that (a) when the user <NUM> is looking straight ahead, the waveguide display <NUM> is in a field of view of at least one eye of the user <NUM> or (b) when the user <NUM> looks to the side (e.g., the left or right side), the waveguide display <NUM> is in a field of view of at least one eye of the user <NUM>. For example, the waveguide <NUM> may be positioned at chin level such that (a) when the user <NUM> is looking down and straight ahead, the waveguide display <NUM> is in a field of view of at least one eye of the user <NUM> or (b) when the user <NUM> looks down and to the side (e.g., the left or right side), the waveguide display <NUM> is in a field of view of at least one eye of the user <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, positioning the optical system <NUM> outside of the oxygenated interior cavity <NUM> may reduce a likelihood of an electrical spark causing combustion.

As shown in <FIG>, the waveguide display <NUM> may be mounted on an exterior of the space suit helmet <NUM> such that the outer surface structure is positioned between the waveguide display <NUM> and the inner surface structure. For example, the waveguide display <NUM> may be mounted to an exterior of the ring <NUM> of the space suit helmet <NUM>. For example, the waveguide display <NUM> may be positionable at any suitable height and lateral position. For example, the waveguide display <NUM> may be positioned at eye level such that (a) when the user <NUM> is looking straight ahead, the waveguide display <NUM> is in a field of view of at least one eye of the user <NUM> or (b) when the user <NUM> looks to the side (e.g., the left or right side), the waveguide display <NUM> is in a field of view of at least one eye of the user <NUM>. For example, the waveguide display <NUM> may be positioned at chin level such that (a) when the user <NUM> is looking down and straight ahead, the waveguide display <NUM> is in a field of view of at least one eye of the user <NUM> or (b) when the user <NUM> looks down and to the side (e.g., the left or right side), the waveguide display <NUM> is in a field of view of at least one eye of the user <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, positioning the optical system <NUM> outside of the oxygenated interior cavity <NUM> may reduce a likelihood of an electrical spark causing combustion.

Referring now to <FIG>, an exemplary embodiment of a method <NUM> according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein may include one or more of the following steps. Additionally, for example, some embodiments may include performing one more instances of the method <NUM> iteratively, concurrently, and/or sequentially. Additionally, for example, at least some of the steps of the method <NUM> may be performed in parallel and/or concurrently. Additionally, in some embodiments, at least some of the steps of the method <NUM> may be performed non-sequentially. Additionally, in some embodiments, at least some of the steps of the method <NUM> may be performed in sub-steps of providing various components.

A step <NUM> may include providing a space suit helmet, comprising a surface structure, an inner surface structure, and a waveguide display, wherein the inner surface structure is configured to maintain an oxygenated environment within an interior cavity of the space suit helmet, wherein a user is able to see through the inner surface structure and the surface structure, wherein the waveguide display is implemented at least one of in or on the space suit helmet, wherein the waveguide display comprises a waveguide and an optical system configured to project images at least through the waveguide to be displayed to the user.

As will be appreciated from the above, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be directed to a method and a system including a space suit helmet having a waveguide display.

As used throughout and as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, "at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium" may refer to as at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., e.g., at least one computer-readable medium implemented as hardware; e.g., at least one non-transitory processor-readable medium, at least one memory (e.g., at least one nonvolatile memory, at least one volatile memory, or a combination thereof; e.g., at least one random-access memory, at least one flash memory, at least one read-only memory (ROM) (e.g., at least one electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)), at least one on-processor memory (e.g., at least one on-processor cache, at least one on-processor buffer, at least one on-processor flash memory, at least one on-processor EEPROM, or a combination thereof), or a combination thereof), at least one storage device (e.g., at least one hard-disk drive, at least one tape drive, at least one solid-state drive, at least one flash drive, at least one readable and/or writable disk of at least one optical drive configured to read from and/or write to the at least one readable and/or writable disk, or a combination thereof), or a combination thereof).

Claim 1:
A system, comprising:
a space suit helmet (<NUM>), comprising:
an outer surface structure (<NUM>) being an impact bubble;
an inner surface structure (<NUM>) being a pressure bubble,
wherein the inner surface structure is configured to maintain an oxygenated environment within an interior cavity (<NUM>) of the space suit helmet, wherein a user is able to see through the inner surface structure and the outer surface structure;
a ring (<NUM>), wherein the outer surface structure (<NUM>) and the inner surface structure (<NUM>) are coupled to the ring; and
a waveguide display (<NUM>) implemented at least one of in or on the space suit helmet (<NUM>), the waveguide display comprising:
a waveguide (<NUM>); and
an optical system (<NUM>) positioned outside the interior cavity (<NUM>) and configured to project images at least through the waveguide (<NUM>) to be displayed to the user;
wherein there is a gap (<NUM>) between the outer surface structure (<NUM>) and the inner surface structure (<NUM>);.