Remote control for auto-darkening lens systems and method
A wireless remote control is provided for an auto-darkening lens (ADL) system used in a welding helmet, respirator system or other device to control or to adjust settings of an ADL of a controllable light shutter. A display system facilitates providing information indicating the operative settings and/or conditions of the controllable light shutter. A wired remote control for controlling or adjusting an ADL also uses a display system with indicators to indicate the operative settings and/or conditions of the ADL. The display may include a number of indicators, an alpha-numeric display, a heads-up display or other display. The display may include discrete indicators in the peripheral field of view of one eye of a user a controllable. The invention also includes methods of using a remote control for an ADL and of making an ADL to provide for future use of a wireless remote control.
1. An auto-darkening lens system, comprising
an auto-darkening lens, including a controllable light shutter capable of attenuating light to the eyes of a user over a range of shades while the auto-darkening lens is worn by the user,
operating circuitry to control light transmitting characteristics of the controllable light shutter over such range of shades, a wireless remote control in proximity to and operable by the user of the auto-darkening lens to adjust at least one operating parameter of the auto-darkening lens including the shade of the auto-darkening lens, and
further comprising indicators adapted to display to the user while the auto-darkening lens is worn by the user information pertaining to operation of the auto-darkening lens, said indicators being in position relative to the auto-darkening lens for conveying such information in the peripheral field of view of the user.
2. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , said remote control comprising a wireless remote control having a security feature to tend to prevent adjustment of an unintended auto-darkening lens.
3. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , said wireless remote control comprising a transmitter having a range limited to on the order of from about 6 inches to about 2 feet.
4. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , said operating circuitry including a receiver.
5. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , said auto-darkening lens including controls to adjust at least one operating parameter of thereof.
6. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 5 , wherein the remote control provides redundant adjustment of such at least one operating parameter.
7. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 6 , further comprising a switch for determining priority of control between the remote control and the controls of the auto-darkening lens.
8. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , further comprising a memory to store data to coordinate settings input by the remote control with operational parameters of the auto-darkening lens.
9. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , further comprising an attachment to attach the remote control to at least part of the auto-darkening lens.
10. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , further comprising an attachment device for attaching the remote control to a support.
11. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1
further comprising an attachment device to attach the remote control to another object, said attachment device comprising a Velcro type fastener.
12. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , further comprising a helmet, the auto-darkening lens being mounted in the helmet, and the remote control being external of the helmet.
13. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 12 , said remote control having a wireless radio frequency (rf) connection to provide input to the operating circuitry.
14. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 13 , said remote control having a transmission range limited to on the order of from less than one foot to several feet.
15. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 14 , said remote control having a transmission range limited to on the order of from about 6 inches to about 2 feet.
16. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , further comprising a respirator helmet, the auto-darkening lens being mounted in the respirator helmet.
17. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , further a face mask, the auto-darkening lens being mounted in the face mask.
18. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , further comprising a face shield, the auto-darkening lens being mounted in the face shield.
19. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , further comprising a dental mask, the auto-darkening lens being mounted in the dental mask.
20. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , said auto-darkening lens comprising safety eye glasses.
21. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , said auto-darkening lens comprising goggles.
22. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , said auto-darkening lens comprising eye glasses.
23. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , said remote control comprising a display.
24. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , said remote control comprising a display having a number of indicators similar to the indicators that are in position relative to the auto-darkening lens.
25. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 1 , further comprising a heads-up display adapted to provide useful information in the field of view of a user concerning the auto-darkening lens while the user performs useful tasks wearing the auto-darkening lens system.
26. An auto-darkening lens system, comprising
an auto-darkening lens, including a controllable light shutter capable of attenuating light over a range of shades to provide such light to the eyes of a user wearing the auto-darkening lens,
operating circuitry to control light transmitting characteristics of the controllable light shutter over at least part of such range of shades,
a wired remote control to adjust at least one operating parameter of the auto-darkening lens via the operating circuitry while the auto-darkening lens system is worn,
the wired remote control including indicators to indicate at least one of a setting and an operating condition of at least one of the auto-darkening lens and operating circuitry the indicators being viewable through the auto-darkening lens in the direct field of view of a user wearing the auto-darkening lens.
27. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 26 , said auto-darkening lens including controls to adjust at least one operating parameter of thereof.
28. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 27 , wherein the remote control provides redundant adjustment of such at least one operating parameter.
29. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 27 , further comprising a switch for determining priority of control between the remote control and the controls of the auto-darkening lens.
30. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 26 , further comprising a memory to store data to coordinate settings input by the remote control with operational parameters of the auto-darkening lens.
31. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 26 , further comprising a helmet, the auto-darkening lens being mounted in the helmet, and the remote control being external of the helmet.
32. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 26 , further comprising indicators adapted to display to a user while the auto-darkening lens is worn by the user information pertaining to operation of the auto-darkening lens, said display comprising indicators for conveying quantitative information in the peripheral field of view of the user.
33. An auto-darkening lens system, comprising
an auto-darkening tens, including a controllable light shutter,
operating circuitry to control light transmitting characteristics of the controllable light shutter over a range of shades while the auto-darkening lens is worn by a user, and
a heads-up display to provide in the direct field of view of a user wearing the controllable light shutter information concerning the auto-darkening lens, the heads-up display comprising a display and an optical system for directing light from the display of the heads-up display to at least one eye of a user.
34. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 33 , further comprising a housing for the heads-up display.
35. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 34 , further comprising lenses in the housing.
36. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 33 , further comprising a helmet, the heads-up display being in the helmet.
37. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 33 , further comprising a reflector to direct information from the heads-up display to a user.
38. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 37 , wherein the optical system is adapted to direct light from the display of the heads-up display to only one eye of a user.
39. The auto-darkening lens system of claim 37 , the heads-up display comprising an alphanumeric display.
40. An auto-darkening apparatus for protection of the eyes of a user from incident electromagnetic energy, comprising
a controllable variable electromagnetic energy transmission lens positionable before at least one eye of a user while the user is wearing the lens,
a control circuit adapted to control transmission of electromagnetic energy through said lens over a range of shades,
a remote control adapted to adjust operation of said control circuit and/or said lens permitting a user to effect such control while wearing the lens, and
an indicator adapted to indicate in the peripheral field of view of a user wearing the lens at least one operational parameter of the lens while the lens is being worn by the user,
whereby while the lens is being worn by a user, adjustments may be made to effect control of said control circuit and/or said lens and the results of such adjustments may be displayed to the user by the indicator to the user.
41. The auto-darkening apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the remote control is wireless.
42. The auto-darkening apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the remote control is wired to the control circuit.
43. The auto-darkening apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the indicator is positioned relative to the lens to provide information in the peripheral field of view of a user wearing the lens indicative of the operational shade characteristic of the lens.