JP7268486B2 - Head-mounted display device, display system, image control device, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a head-mounted display device, display system, image control device, and program.

In recent years, glasses-type head-mounted display devices have been developed. Head-mounted display devices are called head-mounted displays (HMD), VR (virtual reality) goggles, VR glasses, smart glasses, AR (augmented reality) glasses, glass displays, glass devices, etc., depending on the shape. . Head-mounted display devices display virtual images on the display in front of their eyes and superimpose them on reality, providing users with an experience that is completely different from conventional desktop displays, smartphones, and tablet devices. can be done.

As for the head-mounted display device, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for starting image display when a predetermined motion is detected by a sensor that detects motion of the user's head or body. there is

As one method for enabling a head-mounted display device to be driven for a long period of time, it is conceivable to mount a large-capacity battery in the head-mounted display device. However, if the capacity of the battery mounted on the head-mounted display device is increased, the weight of the head-mounted display device increases and the wearing comfort decreases. Therefore, it is desired to reduce the power consumption of the head-mounted display device.

SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to reduce the power consumption of a head-mounted display device.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a first wireless receiving section for receiving an image signal, and a first wireless receiving section for receiving image light emitted to the wearer's eye. an image display unit that generates based on an image signal; a second wireless reception unit that consumes less power than the first wireless reception unit and receives a first control signal and a second control signal ; and the first wireless reception unit. , a power supply unit configured to supply power to the second wireless reception unit and the image display unit, the power supply unit supplying power to the first wireless reception unit , the second wireless reception unit and the image display unit. A state transition related to power consumption is performed between a first state of supplying power and a second state of supplying power to the second radio receiving unit, and in the second state, the second radio receiving unit performs the When a first control signal is received, the state related to power consumption is transitioned from the second state to the first state, and the second radio receiving unit receives the second control signal in the first state. and a power supply section that changes the state related to the power consumption from the first state to the second state when the state of the power consumption is changed .

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the head-mounted display device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a mode of use of a display system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the display system according to the embodiment; 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image control device according to the embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the head-mounted display device according to the embodiment; FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the image control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of communication between the head-mounted display device according to the embodiment and the image control device 2 according to the embodiment.

Embodiments of a head-mounted display device, a display system, an image control device, and a program will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in each embodiment and drawing, the same code|symbol may be attached|subjected to the same component and the overlapping description may be abbreviate|omitted.

(Aspect of use of the display system of the embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a mode of use of a display system according to an embodiment. The display system includes a head-mounted display device 1 and an image control device 2 .

The head-mounted display device 1 has a shape similar to spectacles, and the user (wearer) 3 wears the head-mounted display device 1 on the head in the same manner as spectacles. there is The shape of the head-mounted display device 1 is not limited to this shape.

Furthermore, the user 3 holds the image control device 2 in his/her hand. Here, the image control device 2 is assumed to be a smart phone. The image control device 2 can wirelessly transmit an image signal obtained by converting an image such as a still image or a moving image to the head-mounted display device 1 .

Note that the image control device 2 according to the embodiment is not limited to a smart phone. Any device can be used as the image control device 2 as long as it can transmit an image signal. For example, a desktop PC (personal computer), a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, etc. can be applied as the image control device 2 . Any device can be applied as the image control device 2 by providing a function capable of transmitting an image signal. For example, AV equipment, home electric appliances, vehicle control devices, etc. can be applied as the image control device 2 .

Also, the image signalization method is not limited to a specific method. The image signal may or may not be encoded.

The head-mounted display device 1 is provided with a housing 10 housing various electronic components in a portion corresponding to the temple of eyeglasses. The head-mounted display device 1 is provided with a light guide plate 11 in a portion corresponding to the lenses of spectacles, that is, so as to cover the field of view of the user 3 . The light guide plate 11 is connected to the housing 10 at a portion corresponding to the armor of eyeglasses.

The housing 10 receives the image signal transmitted by the image control device 2 , generates image light based on the received image signal, and causes the generated image light to enter the light guide plate 11 . The image light propagates inside the light guide plate 11 , is emitted from a predetermined position in front of the user's 3 eyes, and enters the user's 3 eyes. The user 3 can recognize the image light incident on the eye as an image.

In addition, the light guide plate 11 may include an optical member (for example, a reflecting member) for directing the optical path of the image light toward the eyes of the user 3 . The optical member may be a translucent optical member such as a half mirror. By using a translucent optical member for directing the optical path of the image light toward the eyes of the user 3, the user 3 can visually recognize the surrounding environment based on the ambient light passing through the light guide plate 11. . The user 3 can perceive the image as an image superimposed on the surrounding environment.

The housing 10 and the light guide plate 11 may be provided apart from each other. For example, the housing 10 and the light guide plate 11 may be connected via a relay optical system such as a lens or a light guide fiber capable of transmitting image light.

Here, the state related to power consumption of the head-mounted display device 1 includes a first state in which image light can be generated based on an image signal, and a second state in which power consumption is lower than that in the first state. .

In the embodiment, as an example, in the first state, power is supplied to all electronic components included in the head-mounted display device 1 . In the second state, power supply to most of the electronic components included in the head-mounted display device 1 is cut off, except for specific electronic components. In the second state, images cannot be reproduced, but power consumption is less than in the first state.

In the description below, the first state according to the embodiment is referred to as a power-on state. Also, the second state according to the embodiment is referred to as a power-off state.

Furthermore, in the power-off state, the head-mounted display device 1 can receive a control signal for transitioning the head-mounted display device 1 from the power-off state to the power-on state. That is, in the power-off state, among the electronic components included in the head-mounted display device 1, a component capable of receiving a control signal (the second wireless communication device 16, which will be described later) is energized. is waiting for the control signal of

The image control device 2 sends the above control signal to the head-mounted display device 1, and then sends an image signal to cause the head-mounted display device 1 to transition from the power-off state to the power-on state. It is possible to have the head-mounted display 1 provide an image to the user 3 .

As a technology to be compared with the embodiment, it is conceivable to provide a power switch in the head-mounted display device and operate the power switch by the user. Such a head-mounted display device cannot reproduce an image based on an image signal while the power switch is turned off. In order for the head-mounted display device to be able to reproduce images whenever it receives an image signal, the user turns on the power switch to turn on each electronic component of the head-mounted display device. Must be energized. When each electronic component is energized, a large amount of power is consumed while waiting for reception of an image signal.

A head-mounted display device is a device that is desired to be as light and small as possible due to the nature of being worn on the head. For that purpose, it is required to reduce power consumption as much as possible.

In the display system according to the embodiment, even if the power consumption state of the head-mounted display device 1 is in the power-off state, the image control device 2 transmits the control signal before transmitting the image signal. Then, each electronic component of the head-mounted display device 1 can be returned to the energized state, so that each electronic component of the head-mounted display device 1 is always energized in preparation for receiving an image signal. No need to leave. Therefore, power consumption can be significantly reduced. In addition, the user 3 does not need to operate the power switch when changing the state related to power consumption. Therefore, the convenience of the head-mounted display device 1 is improved.

In the embodiment, as an example, the head-mounted display device 1 changes the state related to power consumption from the power-on state to the power-on state in addition to the control signal for transitioning the state related to power consumption from the power-off state to the power-on state. A control signal may be received to transition from the state to the power off state. A control signal for changing the state related to power consumption from the power-off state to the power-on state is referred to as a start signal. A control signal for changing the state related to power consumption from the power-on state to the power-off state is referred to as a stop signal.

Also, here, the head-mounted display device 1 has a configuration in which a light guide plate 11 for emitting image light is provided in a portion corresponding to a lens. The configuration of the head-mounted display device 1 is not limited to the configuration in which the light guide plate 11 provides image light. For example, a display device that has a display in front of one's eyes and can be viewed directly or through a lens can be applied as the head-mounted display device 1 according to the embodiment. This type of display device is used in a head-mounted display for binocular non-transmissive VR display, a small monocular head-mounted display, and the like. In addition, the head-mounted display device 1 according to the embodiment may be any display device called, for example, VR goggles, VR glasses, smart glasses, AR glasses, glass displays, glass devices, etc., not limited to the head mounted display. It is possible to apply as

(Description of an example configuration of the display system according to the embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the display system according to the embodiment;

A head-mounted display device 1 includes a housing 10 and a light guide plate 11 . The housing 10 includes an image display device 12 , an image reproduction device 13 , a first wireless communication device 14 , a power supply device 15 , a second wireless communication device 16 and an energy harvesting device 17 .

The first wireless communication device 14 is an example of a first wireless receiver that receives an image signal. The image display device 12 is an example of an image display section that generates image light emitted to the eye of the wearer based on an image signal received by the first wireless communication device 14 as a first wireless reception section. The second radio communication device 16 is an example of a second radio reception unit that consumes less power than the first radio communication device 14 as a first radio reception unit and receives a control signal. The power supply device 15 and the energy harvesting device 17 supply power to the first wireless communication device 14 as the first wireless receiving unit, the second wireless communication device 16 as the second wireless receiving unit, and the image display device 12 as the image display unit. is an example of a power supply unit configured to be able to supply . Also, the power supply device 15 is an example of a main power supply unit. Also, the energy harvesting device 17 is an example of an auxiliary power supply unit.

The power supply device 15 includes a battery 18 that stores power. The battery 18 may be a secondary battery, that is, a rechargeable battery, or a primary battery, that is, a non-rechargeable battery. The battery 18 may be configured to be removable.

Note that the battery 18 may be provided outside the power supply device 15 . In addition, the battery 18 is provided outside the housing 10 so that the weight of the battery 18 is not applied to the head of the user 3, and the battery 18 and the power supply device 15 in the housing 10 can transmit power. It may be connected with a conductive wire. Also, the power supply device 15 may be provided outside the housing 10 together with the battery 18, and the housing 10 and the power supply device 15 may be connected by a lead wire capable of transmitting electric power.

In the power-on state, the power supply device 15 supplies power stored in the battery 18 to the image display device 12 , the image reproduction device 13 and the first wireless communication device 14 . As a result, the image display device 12, the image reproduction device 13, and the first wireless communication device 14 are in an energized state.

In the power-off state, the power supply device 15 does not supply the power stored in the battery 18 to any of the image display device 12 , the image reproduction device 13 and the first wireless communication device 14 . As a result, the image display device 12, the image reproduction device 13, and the first wireless communication device 14 are in a non-energized state and do not consume power.

The power supply device 15 performs switching between a power-on state and a power-off state based on a signal from the second wireless communication device 16 .

For example, the power supply device 15 has a movable contact driven by a signal from the second wireless communication device 16 on a power supply line connecting the battery 18, the image display device 12, the image reproducing device 13, and the first wireless communication device 14. may have a relay switch that In the power-off state, the moving contact and the fixed contact of the relay switch are separated from each other, thereby cutting off the power supply path to the image display device 12, the image reproduction device 13, and the first wireless communication device 14. there is In the power-on state, a path for supplying power to the image display device 12, the image reproducing device 13, and the first wireless communication device 14 is formed by the contact between the movable contact and the fixed contact of the relay switch. , and as a result, power is supplied to the image display device 12 , the image reproduction device 13 , and the first wireless communication device 14 .

Note that the specific configuration for switching the supply/cutoff of power by the power supply device 15 is not limited to a configuration using a relay switch.

The first wireless communication device 14 is a communication interface for receiving image signals transmitted from the image control device 2 .

In order to reproduce images without delay, high-speed image signal communication is required. Therefore, a communication interface capable of high-speed communication is selected as the first wireless communication device 14 . Such a first wireless communication device 14 is capable of high-speed communication, but consumes a large amount of power. The first wireless communication device 14 consumes a relatively large amount of power when it is energized, even during periods when it is not receiving image signals. That is, the standby power of the first wireless communication device 14 is relatively large.

As described above, the head-mounted display device 1 waits for an activation signal in the power-off state. If the first wireless communication device 14 is used to wait for activation signals, the power consumed in the power-off state will increase.

Therefore, the second wireless communication device 16 with lower standby power than the first wireless communication device 14 is prepared as a communication interface used for waiting for the activation signal. In this specification, standby power refers to power consumed in a state of being energized and waiting for reception of a signal. Since the second wireless communication device 16 only needs to be able to receive a simple signal such as an activation signal, the communication speed may be slower than that of the first wireless communication device 14 for receiving image signals. Therefore, as the second wireless communication device 16, it is possible to select a communication interface that requires less standby power than the first wireless communication device 14. FIG.

For example, as the first wireless communication device 14, a chipset conforming to Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is adopted, and as the second wireless communication device 16, a chip conforming to BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) is adopted. set is adopted. As a result, in the power-on state, the head-mounted display device 1 can smoothly reproduce an image based on the image signal, and in the power-off state, it can wait for an activation signal with low power consumption. It is possible. Therefore, it is possible to reduce power consumption during a period in which no image signal is received.

In addition, the communication standard to which each of the first wireless communication device 14 and the second wireless communication device 16 conforms is not limited to the above. For example, the communication standard that the second wireless communication device 16 complies with may be ZigBee (registered trademark).

The energy harvesting device 17 is a unit that generates electricity based on energy obtained from the environment. The energy harvesting device 17 is, for example, a solar cell unit that converts light energy into electric power, a vibration power generation unit that converts pressure generated on the vibrating surface by vibration into electric power using a piezoelectric element, or a thermoelectric conversion element. A temperature difference power generation unit that converts to electric power, and so on.

The power generated by the energy harvesting device 17 is supplied to the second wireless communication device 16 , and the second wireless communication device 16 is driven by the power supplied from the energy harvesting device 17 . Since the second wireless communication device 16 has low standby power, it can operate with less power from the energy harvesting device 17 as described above.

The second wireless communication device 16 is configured to be driven by the power generated by the energy harvesting device 17 instead of the power stored in the battery 18 in the power-off state. can wait for the activation signal without consuming

Note that the second wireless communication device 16 sends a power-on signal to the power supply device 15 upon receiving the activation signal. The power supply device 15 shifts the power consumption state from the power-off state to the power-on state based on the power-on signal. Further, when receiving the stop signal, the second wireless communication device 16 sends a power-off signal to the power supply device 15 . The power supply device 15 shifts the power consumption state from the power-on state to the power-off state based on the power-off signal.

The image reproduction device 13 generates an image frame based on the image signal received by the first wireless communication device 14 and inputs the image frame to the image display device 12 . When the image signal is encoded, the image reproduction device 13 decodes the image signal. The image reproduction device 13 may comprise memory for buffering image frames.

The image display device 12 generates image light corresponding to the image frames generated by the image reproduction device 13 . The image display device 12 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, a MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical System) display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or the like. Image light generated by the image display device 12 is incident on the eyes of the user 3 through the light guide plate 11 .

The image control device 2 includes a processing device 21 , a storage device 22 , a third wireless communication device 23 and a fourth wireless communication device 24 . The processing device 21, the storage device 22, the third wireless communication device 23, and the fourth wireless communication device 24 are electrically connected to each other.

The third wireless communication device 23 is a communication interface for transmitting image signals. The fourth wireless communication device 24 is a communication interface for transmitting control signals.

The processing device 21 is a processor capable of executing computer programs. The processing device 21 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

The storage device 22 is a memory in which various information can be stored. The type of memory that constitutes the storage device 22 is not limited to a specific type. The storage device 22 is configured by, for example, non-volatile memory, volatile memory, or a combination thereof. Non-volatile memory includes, for example, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), flash memory, CD (Compact Disc)-ROM (Read Only Memory), flexible disc (FD: Flexible Disc), CD-R (Recordable), or DVD ( Digital Versatile Disk), etc. Volatile memory is, for example, DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory).

An image control program 25 is stored in the storage device 22 . The image control program 25 is a computer-executable program, and is an example of the program according to the embodiment. Based on an image control program 25 stored in the storage device 22, the processing device 21 realizes control of transmission timings of control signals and image signals. That is, for example, the processing device 21 transmits the activation signal before transmitting the image signal to the head-mounted display device 1 and then transmits the image signal to the head-mounted display device 1 .

Note that the image control program 25 may be incorporated in a program that implements the operating system, or may be incorporated in an application program that runs on the operating system. The image control program 25 may be configured to be callable from an operating system or application.

The image control device 2 of the embodiment includes a processing device 21 such as a CPU, an HDD, a flash memory, a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a CD-R (Recordable), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). or a storage device 22 such as SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), and has a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

The image control program 25 executed by the image control device 2 of the embodiment is a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a CD-R, or a DVD in the form of an installable or executable file. may be recorded and provided to

Also, the image control program 25 executed by the image control apparatus 2 of the embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Also, the image control program 25 executed by the image control device 2 of the embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

Further, the image control program 25 executed by the image control device 2 of the embodiment may be configured so as to be pre-installed in a ROM or the like and provided.

The image control program 25 executed by the image control device 2 of the embodiment is a control signal and an image by the processing device 21 (processor) reading the image control program 25 from the storage medium and executing it as actual hardware. It is possible to realize the function of controlling the transmission timing of the signal.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image control device 2 according to the embodiment realized by the processing device 21 executing the image control program 25. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image control device 2 includes a first processing section 21a and a second processing section 21b.

The first processing unit 21 a transmits a start signal and a stop signal to the second wireless communication device 16 via the fourth wireless communication device 24 .

After the state related to the power consumption of the head-mounted display device 1 transitions from the power-off state to the power-on state in response to the activation signal, the second processing unit 21b controls the first wireless device included in the head-mounted display device 1. An image signal is transmitted to the communication device 14 via the third wireless communication device 23 .

Part or all of the first processing unit 21a and the second processing unit 21b may be implemented by a hardware circuit such as a logic circuit, FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). good.

(Description of an example of the operation of the display system according to the embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the head-mounted display device 1 according to the embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the state related to power consumption starts from the power-off state, but the state at the start is not limited to this.

In the power-off state, the second wireless communication device 16 is energized by the power generated by the energy harvesting device 17 and waits for a start signal. When the second wireless communication device 16 receives the activation signal transmitted from the image control device 2 ( S<b>101 ), the second wireless communication device 16 transmits a power-on signal to the power supply device 15 . Upon receiving the power-on signal, the power supply device 15 starts supplying power to the image reproduction device 13, the image display device 12, and the first wireless communication device 14, and the state related to power consumption transitions to the power-on state ( S102).

In the power-on state, the image reproduction device 13, the image display device 12, and the first wireless communication device 14 are energized and ready for operation. When the first wireless communication device 14 receives an image signal transmitted from the image control device 2 in the power-on state (S103), the image reproduction device 13 and the image display device 12 reproduce an image based on the image signal ( S104). Specifically, the image reproduction device 13 generates an image frame based on the image signal, and the image display device 12 generates image light corresponding to the image frame and enters the light guide plate 11 .

In the power-on state, the second wireless communication device 16 waits for a stop signal. When the second wireless communication device 16 receives the stop signal transmitted from the image control device 2 ( S<b>105 ), the second wireless communication device 16 transmits a power off signal to the power supply device 15 . Upon receiving the power-off signal, the power supply device 15 stops supplying power to the image reproduction device 13, the image display device 12, and the first wireless communication device 14, and the power consumption state transitions to the power-off state. (S106). After that, the process of S101 is performed.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the image control device 2 according to the embodiment.

When the timing for reproducing an image on the head-mounted display device 1 has arrived, the first processing section 21a first transmits an activation signal from the fourth wireless communication device 24 (S201). The second processing unit 21b waits until the power consumption state of the head-mounted display device 1 completes the transition from the power-off state to the power-on state, and then transmits an image signal from the third wireless communication device 23. (S202).

The first processing unit 21a transmits a stop signal from the fourth wireless communication device 24 when the timing for ending the image reproduction on the head-mounted display device 1 has come (S203). Then, the operation of the image control device 2 according to the embodiment ends.

It should be noted that the timing at which the head-mounted display device 1 reproduces an image or ends the reproduction of an image is not limited to a specific timing. For example, when an application program that uses the head-mounted display device 1 is activated by the image control device 2, the application program calls the first processing unit 21a, and the first processing unit 21a transmits an activation signal. to run. Then, the application program executes the transmission of the image signal via the second processing section 21b. After that, when the application program is terminated or the execution of the application program is interrupted, the first processing unit 21a transmits a stop signal.

(Description of an example of communication between the head-mounted display device 1 according to the embodiment and the image control device 2 according to the embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of communication between the head-mounted display device 1 according to the embodiment and the image control device 2 according to the embodiment. First, the image control device 2 transmits an activation signal to the head-mounted display device 1 (S301). In the head-mounted display device 1 that has received the activation signal, the power consumption state transitions to the power-on state (S302).

After the power consumption state of the head-mounted display device 1 transitions to the power-on state, the image control device 2 sequentially transmits image signals to the head-mounted display device 1 (S303). The head-mounted display device 1 reproduces images based on the sequentially received image signals.

When the image signal transmission is completed, the image control device 2 transmits a stop signal to the head-mounted display device 1 (S304). In the head-mounted display device 1 that has received the stop signal, the power consumption state transitions to the power off state (S305).

(Modification 1)
In the second state, the power consumption is smaller than in the first state, and as long as the second wireless communication device 16 is energized, the first state and the second state can be arbitrarily defined.

For example, the power supply device 15 may not supply power to at least one of the image reproduction device 13, the image display device 12, and the first wireless communication device 14 in the second state.

In the second state, the power supply device 15 supplies power to the image reproduction device 13, the image display device 12, and the first wireless communication device 14, but the brightness of the image light generated by the image display device 12 is It may be smaller than the first state.

A method for reducing the luminance of image light is not limited to a specific method. For example, when the image display device 12 is configured by a liquid crystal display or a MEMS display, the power supply device 15 cuts off power supplied to an illumination unit such as a backlight or reduces the amount of light in the illumination unit. .

In the second state, power consumption in the second state can be minimized by cutting off power supply to all electronic components other than the second wireless communication device 16 . However, for example, when image signals are received every several tens of seconds, turning on/off the power supply to all electronic components other than the second wireless communication device 16 each time an image signal is received may cause state transitions. The time loss corresponding to the required time causes the user 3 stress. In the second state, the luminance of the image light generated by the image display device 12 is reduced to that in the first state, and the image display device 12, the image reproducing device 13 and the first wireless communication device 14 are energized. If this state is maintained, the time required for the transition from the second state to the first state can be shortened, so that the stress felt by the user 3 can be reduced.

(Modification 2)
The auxiliary power supply is not limited to the energy harvesting device 17 . The head-mounted display device 1 includes a battery different from the battery 18 instead of the energy harvesting device 17, and the second wireless communication device 16 is driven by power supplied from the battery. may be configured to Since the standby power of the second wireless communication device 16 is small, the battery as the auxiliary power supply unit can be composed of a battery with a smaller capacity than the battery 18 . A battery as an auxiliary power supply unit can be configured by, for example, a small button battery.

Note that the auxiliary power supply unit may be omitted. The second wireless communication device 16 may be configured to be driven by power stored in the battery 18 .

(Modification 3)
The trigger for changing the state related to power consumption from the second state to the second state is not limited to reception of the stop signal. For example, the head-mounted display device 1 is provided with a predetermined determination unit, and the determination unit outputs a power-off signal to the power supply device 15 when the elapsed time from the last reception of the image signal reaches a predetermined value. You may send. As a result, the head-mounted display device 1 can voluntarily shift the state related to power consumption to the second state during a period in which no image is reproduced.

As described above, according to the embodiment, the head-mounted display device 1 includes the first wireless communication device 14 as the first wireless receiving unit that receives image signals, and the image emitted to the eyes of the wearer. An image display device 12 as an image display unit that generates light based on an image signal received by the first wireless communication device 14, and a second wireless that consumes less power than the first wireless communication device 14 and receives a control signal. A second wireless communication device 16 as a receiver, a power supply device 15 as a power source configured to supply power to the first wireless communication device 14, the second wireless communication device 16, and the image display device 12, and energy harvesting. a device 17; The power supply device 15 is in a state related to power consumption between a first state in which power is supplied to the first wireless communication device 14 and the image display device 12 and a second state in which power is supplied to the second wireless communication device 16. , perform the transition of The power supply device 15 causes the state related to power consumption to transition from the second state to the first state when the second wireless reception unit receives the activation signal in the second state.

Even if the power consumption state of the head-mounted display device 1 is in the first state, the image control device 2 transmits the activation signal before transmitting the image signal, so that the head-mounted display device 1 can be restored to a state in which images can be reproduced, it is possible to start receiving image signals without always maintaining the state related to power consumption in the first state. Therefore, power consumption can be significantly reduced. Moreover, since it is not necessary to operate the power switch when changing the state related to power consumption, the convenience of the head-mounted display device 1 is improved.

Also, the power supply device 15 as a power supply unit does not supply power to either the first wireless communication device 14 or the image display device 12 in the second state.

Therefore, it is possible to significantly reduce the power consumption in the second state.

Also, the power supply device 15 as the power supply unit may not supply power to at least one of the first wireless communication device 14 and the image display device 12 in the second state.

Therefore, the power consumption in the second state can be made smaller than the power consumption in the first state.

In the second state, the power supply device 15 as a power supply unit supplies power to the first wireless communication device 14 and the image display device 12, but the brightness of the image light generated by the image display device 12 is may be smaller than the luminance at .

By making only the luminance of the image light generated by the image display device 12 different between the first state and the second state, the time required for the transition from the second state to the first state can be shortened. It is possible to reduce the stress given to the user 3 at the time of state transition.

The head-mounted display device 1 also includes an auxiliary power supply unit that supplies power to the second wireless communication device 16 .

Therefore, the second wireless communication device 16 can wait for the activation signal without consuming the power of the battery 18 .

In addition, as an auxiliary power source, an energy harvesting device 17 that generates electric power by energy harvesting is provided.

Therefore, the second wireless communication device 16 can wait for the activation signal without consuming the power of the battery 18 . Also, a battery for driving the second wireless communication device 16 can be made unnecessary, and replacement and charging of the battery can be made unnecessary.

The second wireless communication device 16 as a second wireless receiving unit is, for example, a communication interface conforming to BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy).

In recent years, various devices such as smartphones are compatible with BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy). Therefore, if a communication interface conforming to BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) is applied as the second wireless communication device 16, various devices can be made to function as the image control device 2 without changing the hardware. becomes possible.

The image control device 2 also includes a third wireless communication device 23 as a first wireless transmission section and a fourth wireless communication device 24 as a second wireless transmission section. After the image control device 2 transmits a control signal to the second wireless communication device 16 via the fourth wireless communication device 24, and the state related to power consumption changes from the second state to the first state according to the control signal, , the image signal is transmitted to the first radio communication device 14 via the third radio communication device 23 .

Therefore, even if the power consumption state of the head-mounted display device 1 is in the second state, the image control device 2 can display an image without requiring the user 3 to perform a special operation such as operating the power switch. It is possible to start sending signals.

Further, the image control program 25 includes a step of transmitting a control signal to the second wireless communication device 16, and after the state related to power consumption transitions from the second state to the first state according to the control signal, the first wireless communication a step of transmitting an image signal to the device 14, and an image control device 2 as a computer.

Therefore, even if the power consumption state of the head-mounted display device 1 is in the second state, the image control device 2 can display an image without requiring the user 3 to perform a special operation such as operating the power switch. It is possible to start sending signals.

Reference Signs List 1 head-mounted display device 2 image control device 3 user 10 housing 11 light guide plate 12 image display device 13 image playback device 14 first wireless communication device 15 power supply device 16 second wireless communication device 17 energy harvesting device 18 battery 21 Processing device 21a First processing unit 21b Second processing unit 22 Storage device 23 Third wireless communication device 24 Fourth wireless communication device 25 Image control program

JP 2013-83731 A

Claims (10)

a first wireless receiver that receives an image signal;
an image display unit configured to generate image light emitted to the eye of the wearer based on the image signal received by the first wireless receiving unit;
a second radio reception unit that consumes less power than the first radio reception unit and receives a first control signal and a second control signal ;
A power supply unit configured to supply power to the first wireless receiving unit, the second wireless receiving unit, and the image display unit, wherein the first wireless receiving unit , the second wireless receiving unit, and the state transition related to power consumption is executed between a first state in which power is supplied to the image display unit and a second state in which power is supplied to the second wireless reception unit; 2 When the second radio receiving unit receives the first control signal, the state related to the power consumption is changed from the second state to the first state, and in the first state, the second radio receiving unit receives the first control signal. a power supply unit that, when receiving a second control signal, transitions the state related to power consumption from the first state to the second state;
A head-mounted display device. The power supply unit supplies power to neither the first wireless reception unit nor the image display unit in the second state,
2. The head-mounted display device according to claim 1. The power supply unit does not supply power to at least one of the first wireless reception unit and the image display unit in the second state,
2. The head-mounted display device according to claim 1. The power supply unit supplies power to the first wireless receiving unit and the image display unit in the second state, and compares the brightness of the image light generated by the image display unit with the brightness in the first state. to make it smaller,
2. The head-mounted display device according to claim 1. The power supply unit
a main power supply unit configured to supply power to the first wireless reception unit and the image display unit;
an auxiliary power supply unit configured to supply power to the second radio reception unit;
comprising
The head-mounted display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The auxiliary power supply unit generates power by energy harvesting,
6. The head-mounted display device according to claim 5. The second wireless reception unit is compliant with BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy),
7. The head-mounted display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. a head-mounted display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7;
an image control device;
with
The image control device is
a first radio transmission unit;
a second radio transmission unit;
transmitting the first control signal to the second radio receiving unit via the second radio transmitting unit, and changing the state related to the power consumption from the second state to the first state in response to the first control signal After the transition, the image signal is transmitted to the first radio reception unit via the first radio transmission unit , and after completing the transmission of the image signal, the second control signal is transmitted to the second radio reception unit. a processing unit that transmits via the second wireless transmission unit ;
comprising
display system. a first radio transmission unit;
a second radio transmission unit;
The first control signal is transmitted to the second wireless receiver included in the head-mounted display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 via the second wireless transmitter, and the first control signal is transmitted to the second wireless receiver. After the state related to the power consumption transitions from the second state to the first state in accordance with the signal, the image signal is first wirelessly transmitted to the first wireless reception unit included in the head-mounted display device. a processing unit that transmits the second control signal to the second wireless receiving unit via the second wireless transmitting unit after completing the transmission of the image signal;
An image control device comprising: to the computer,
a first step of transmitting the first control signal to the second wireless receiver included in the head-mounted display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7;
After the state related to the power consumption transitions from the second state to the first state in accordance with the first control signal, the image signal is transmitted to the first wireless reception unit included in the head-mounted display device . a second step of
a third step of transmitting the second control signal to the second wireless receiving unit after completing the transmission of the image signal;
program to run.

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