Optical Head-Mounted Display System for Laser Safety Eyewear

The system combines laser goggles with an optical head-mounted display that displays a real-time video camera image of a laser beam. Users are able to visualize the laser beam while his/her eyes are protected. The system also allows for numerous additional features in the optical head mounted display such as digital zoom, overlays of additional information such as power meter data, Bluetooth wireless interface, digital overlays of beam location and others. The system is built on readily available components and can be used with existing laser eyewear. The software converts the color being observed to another color that transmits through the goggles. For example, if a red laser is being used and red-blocking glasses are worn, the software can convert red to blue, which is readily transmitted through the laser eyewear. Similarly, color video can be converted to black-and-white to transmit through the eyewear. NASA's Langley Research Center has created a new system that allows a laser operator to safely view a laser beam while using a high-powered laser. Currently, viewing an otherwise invisible laser beam requires cumbersome equipment such as laser viewing cards and video cameras. This system uses an optical head-mounted display integrated with laser safety eyewear to allow an operator to safely see a laser beam in real-time while also providing freedom of movement. The display provides a picture-in-picture, augmented reality, which can include additional information and provide multiple viewing options.