JPH10254381A - Follow-up type virtual image view display system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a follow-up type virtual image view display system capable of following up movement of a glance and rotational movement of the head of a user, forming a clear virtual image with less aberration and displaying the virtual image on a position easy to see for the user when the glance is tilted vertically. SOLUTION: This follow-up type virtual image view display system D is provided with a video display part 10 having a virtual image optical system forming at least the virtual image of an object and movement mechanisms 11, 12 moving the video display part 10 together with the virtual image optical system, and the movement mechanisms 11, 12 always realizes the state placing the virtual image on the glance of the user by moving the video display part 10 to the position that the optical axis x of the virtual image optical system is overlapped the glance of the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a virtual image display system, and more particularly to a follow-up type virtual image display system capable of forming a virtual image of an object by following a user's line of sight and rotation of the head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional virtual image display system capable of forming a virtual image of an image is, for example, an HMD (Hea).
d Mounted Display) has been realized. Here, the virtual image can be formed on the object side when the object is located closer to the lens than the focal length. The principle of formation is described in, for example, “Introduction to Chemistry of Lens (above)”, Toshitoshi Ogura , Asahi Sonorama, "Optics", Kazumi Murata, Science, etc.
The details are described.

The HMD is, for example, as shown in FIG.
It is configured to include a lens that forms a virtual image by enlarging an image, and a display panel (for example, a liquid crystal display) that is disposed at a position closer than the focal length of the lens. As shown in the figure, the user can wear the HMD 100 on his / her head and view the image displayed on the display panel 102 through the lens 101 to view the virtual image. Here, the optical axis x ′ of the lens 101 and the line of sight e ′ of the user are configured to overlap.

[0004] In addition, for example, a viewfinder used for a portable video camera or the like is known. Normally, as shown in FIG. 19, the user can view an image presented on the internal display panel 107 from the eyepiece 106 attached to the viewfinder 105 with one of the right and left eyes of the user. I have. The viewfinder 105 is attached to the video camera body 108, and operates an image presented on the display panel 107 by operating buttons 109.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned HMD, since an optical system such as a lens is designed on the assumption that the lens is worn on the head, the optical axis of the lens and the line of sight of the user may overlap. Instead, if there is a deviation,
There is a problem that the virtual image is viewed as having a large aberration.

[0006] Similarly, in the above-described viewfinder, since the virtual image is magnified and viewed with a small lens, a clear virtual image cannot be obtained unless the eyeball is in contact with the eyepiece and the line of sight is not surely directed in a predetermined direction. There was a problem that it was not possible to see.

In these conventional configurations, since the position of the formed virtual image is constant, the user is forced to look at the image regardless of the difference in the visual acuity, so that a dry eye (dry eyes) or an eye There is a drawback that it causes fatigue. Further, when the device is used for a long time, there is a problem that the user feels fatigue by fixing the head for a long time.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and forms a clear virtual image with less aberration by following the movement of the user's line of sight and the rotation of the head. It is another object of the present invention to provide a tracking-type virtual image display system that can display a virtual image at a position that is easy for the user to see when the line of sight is inclined in the vertical direction.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a tracking type virtual image display system according to the present invention includes a video display unit having a virtual image optical system, and uses the virtual image placed on a user's line of sight. It is a configuration to enable, comprising a moving mechanism to move the image display unit together with the virtual image optical system, the moving mechanism is to move the image display unit to a position where the optical axis of the virtual image optical system overlaps the optical axis of the line of sight. It is characterized in that it is configured to be moved. According to the above configuration, the image display unit is configured to freely move as instructed by the user, and thus the image display unit is moved by the moving mechanism, whereby the optical axis of the virtual image optical system is changed to the optical axis of the line of sight. Can be overlaid. This realizes a state in which the image display unit is always placed in a correct positional relationship on the user's line of sight, and thus a virtual image with less aberration can be viewed.

[0010] In the following-type virtual image display system according to the present invention, when the image display section is configured to be movable in the vertical direction when the user moves the line of sight in the vertical direction, The image display unit rotates up and down around the eyeball. Therefore, when the user shifts his / her gaze in any desired vertical direction, the video display unit can be moved in the vertical direction, so that the video display unit is always placed in the correct positional relationship on the user's line of sight. Thus, a virtual image with less aberration can be viewed in a desired line of sight.

Further, in the following-type virtual image display system according to the present invention, when the image display section is configured to be movable in the left-right direction when the user rotates the head left and right, When the user rotates the head in any desired left and right direction, the video display unit can be moved in the left and right direction. As a result, a state in which the video display unit is always placed in a correct positional relationship on the user's line of sight is realized, and a virtual image with less aberration can be viewed in a desired line of sight.

In particular, in the tracking type virtual image display system according to the present invention, when the user moves his / her line of sight up and down, the image display unit is configured to be movable up and down, and When the image display unit is configured to be movable in the left and right direction when rotated to the left and right,
When the user shifts his / her eyes in any desired vertical direction, the video display unit can be moved in the vertical direction. Moreover, when the user rotates the head in any desired left and right direction,
Since the image display unit can be moved in the left-right direction, a state where the image display unit is always placed in a correct positional relationship on the user's line of sight is realized, and thus a virtual image with less aberration in the desired line of sight is realized. Be able to watch.

[0013] The tracking virtual image display system according to the present invention further comprises a line-of-sight detector for automatically detecting the line of sight of the user, and the moving mechanism controls the image display unit based on a detection output of the line-of-sight detector. Is automatically moved in the vertical direction to a position where the optical axis of the virtual image optical system overlaps the line of sight, when the user shifts the line of sight in any desired vertical direction, The video display unit moves up and down automatically following the direction movement. Therefore, a state where the image display unit is always placed on the user's line of sight and in a correct positional relationship is automatically realized, so that a virtual image with less aberration can be viewed in a desired line of sight.

[0014] The tracking virtual image display system according to the present invention further includes a head rotation detector for automatically detecting an amount of change generated when the user's head is rotated left and right. If the moving mechanism is configured to automatically move the video display unit in the left-right direction to a position where the optical axis of the virtual image optical system overlaps the line of sight, based on the detection output of When the head is rotated in an arbitrary left-right direction, the image display unit moves in the left-right direction by automatically following the rotation of the head. Therefore, a state where the image display unit is always placed on the user's line of sight and in a correct positional relationship is automatically realized, so that a virtual image with less aberration can be viewed in a desired line of sight.

In addition, the tracking type virtual image display system according to the present invention comprises a line-of-sight detector for automatically detecting the line of sight of the user, and a head for automatically detecting the amount of change occurring when the head of the user is rotated left and right. Section rotation detector, based on the detection output of the line of sight detector and the head rotation detector,
When the moving mechanism is configured to automatically move the image display unit vertically and / or horizontally to a position where the optical axis of the virtual image optical system overlaps the line of sight, When moving the line of sight up and down and rotating the head in any left and right direction, this line of sight movement and / or
Alternatively, the image display unit moves up and down and / or left and right automatically following the rotation of the head. Therefore, a state where the image display unit is always placed on the user's line of sight and in a correct positional relationship is automatically realized, so that a virtual image with less aberration can be viewed in a desired line of sight.

Further, when the image display section of the tracking type virtual image display system according to the present invention is configured to be able to move the position where the virtual image is formed, the user's line of sight movement and / or head rotation operation is performed. Accordingly, the distance at which the virtual image is formed can be manually or automatically changed. Therefore, a virtual image with little aberration is displayed at an easy-to-view position desired by the user.

Further, the image display section of the tracking type virtual image display system according to the present invention is configured to be able to move the position where the virtual image is formed, and when the user's line of sight is downward, the virtual image is closer to the user. If it is configured to be formed at the side position, as the user's line of sight becomes downward,
The virtual image is made to appear close. Therefore, a virtual image with little aberration is displayed at an easy-to-view position desired by the user.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that the following embodiments are preferred examples of the present invention, and various technically preferred limitations have been added.
The scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified in the following description.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an embodiment of a tracking type virtual image display system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating details of the image display unit support mechanism shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating other details of the image display unit support mechanism shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the tracking type virtual image display system shown in FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control portion of the tracking virtual image display system shown in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1, a tracking type virtual image display system D according to the present invention is a video display unit 10 for forming a virtual image.
A video display unit support mechanism 11 that holds the video display unit 10 at the tip and rotates vertically, and a video display unit support mechanism 1
1, a guide rail 12, which is laid out in an arc shape in the left-right direction, and movably inserts the image display unit 10 to transport the image display unit 10 in the left-right direction, a device control unit 15, and a chair 18 on which a user sits. It is provided with. In the above description, the image display support mechanism 11 and the guide rail 12 constitute a moving mechanism.

The image display section 10 has a virtual image optical system composed of a liquid crystal display and a lens system, and the optical axis x of the virtual image optical system is the optical axis of the line of sight of the user sitting on the chair 18 (hereinafter abbreviated as line of sight). ) Placed at a position overlapping with e. The configuration and operation of the video display unit 10 will be described later in detail.

The rear end of the image display support mechanism 11 is the chair 1
8 attached. The image display unit support mechanism 11 is shown in FIG.
And as shown in FIG.
4, 26 and the stepping motors 13a, 13b, 13
c. One end of the arm 24 is attached to the chair 18, and the other end is rotatably fitted to one end of the arm 25, and the rotational force is given by the stepping motor 13 a.

Further, the other end of the arm 25 is rotatably fitted to one end of the arm 14, and this rotational force is given by a stepping motor 13b. Next, the other end of the arm 14 is rotatably fitted to one end of the arm 26, and this rotational force is given by a stepping motor 13c, and the guide rail 12 is attached to the other end of the arm 26.

The joint between the arms will be further described. The other end of the arm 14 is integrally provided with a shaft 14a.
4a is a bearing 2 provided integrally at one end of the arm 26.
6b is slidably fitted. Further, the main body of the stepping motor 13c is attached to a bearing 26b of the arm 26, and the rotating shaft 23c of the stepping motor 13c is fitted into a rotating bearing hole 14aa formed in the center of the shaft 14a at the other end of the arm 14. I have. Stepping motor 13b
Similarly, the main body of the
b, and a rotating shaft 23b of the stepping motor 13b is fitted in a rotating bearing hole formed in the center of the shaft 25a at the other end of the arm 25. Stepping motor 13a
The same applies to.

The stepping motors 13a to 13c respectively rotate according to the instruction based on a control signal sent from the device control unit 15 via the second signal line 17. The device control unit 15 generates this control signal based on an instruction input by a user using an operation switch or the like. Thus, when the user moves the line of sight e in the vertical direction, the user inputs an instruction to that effect to operate the image display unit support mechanism 11 and move the image display unit 10 in the vertical direction. , The optical axis x can be adjusted to overlap the line of sight e.

In the vertical movement of the video display unit 10, the position of the user's eyeball is set as the center of rotation.
While keeping the distance from the eyeball to the image display unit 10 constant, so as to be equal to the angle of attack or inclination of the line of sight e,
The rotation angles of the stepping motors 13a to 13c are adjusted.

The video display unit 10 further displays the frame 1
As shown in FIG. 3, a propulsion motor 10B is fixed to the frame 10A, and a pinion gear fitted on the shaft of the propulsion motor 10B is used as a rack gear on the guide rail 12 side. Are engaged. Therefore, when the propulsion motor 10 </ b> B rotates based on a control signal sent from the device control unit 15 via the first signal line 16, the image display unit 10 runs on the guide rail 12 by itself.

Here, the guide rail 12 forms a circular arc centered on the center of the user's head on a plane, so that the image display unit 10 moves left and right while maintaining a constant distance from the eyeball. The robot moves on the guide rail 12 by itself until the rotated line of sight e becomes equal to the rotation angle. Therefore, when the user sitting on the chair 18 rotates his / her head in the left / right direction, the user inputs an instruction to operate the propulsion motor 10B and move the video display unit 10 in the left / right direction. The optical axis x can be adjusted so as to overlap the line of sight e moved by rotation. The state in which the image display unit 10 rotates on the guide rail 12 when the user U rotates the head in the left-right direction is shown in the plan view of FIG.

Further, in the above, the control of the movement of the video display unit 10 in the up-down direction and / or the left-right direction is performed based on the value manually input by the user using input means such as input buttons of the device control unit 15. However, as another configuration, it is possible to provide a line-of-sight detector emt for automatically detecting the vertical movement of the line of sight e, and to automatically control the vertical movement of the video display unit 10 based on this detection output. It is.

Such a line-of-sight detector emt can be mounted on the video display unit 10 as shown in FIG. 1, for example. As a line-of-sight detection sensor, a CCD camera captures the position of the user's eyeball and detects the position of the eyeball, or irradiates the eyeball with infrared light and uses the difference in reflectance between the white and black eyes to reflect light. There is a method of detecting the position of the eyeball by detecting the amount of incoming light. Similarly, a head rotation detector (see FIG. 7) for automatically detecting the left-right rotation of the head may be provided to automatically detect the left-right rotation of the head. As such a head rotation detector, an image processing circuit such as a pressure-sensitive sensor or a CCD camera can be applied.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control system, showing both the manual input mode and the automatic control mode. In the manual input mode, the device control unit 15 outputs the motor control signals 15a and 15b to the respective stepping motors 13a to 13c and the propulsion motor 10B based on the instruction input signal 28a input from the manual input panel 28.
Send to On the other hand, in the automatic control mode, the device control unit 15 controls the motor control signal based on the gaze detector signal e2 input from the gaze detector emt and / or the head motion detection signal 29a input from the head motion sensor 29. Fifteen
a, 15b respectively correspond to the stepping motors 13a to 13a.
3c to the propulsion motor 10B.

FIG. 6 is an overall perspective view of another embodiment of the tracking type virtual image display system according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the headrest portion shown in FIG. In this configuration, the lower end of the headrest 32 is attached to the chair 31 so as to be rotatable left and right by a rotation motor 33, and one end of an image display unit support mechanism 30 is attached to the upper end of the headrest 32. The video display unit 10 is provided at the other end of the display.

The image display section support mechanism 30 is composed of the same stepping motor 13m and arm 14m as in the above-described embodiment, and rotates the image display section 10 in the vertical direction as in the above-described embodiment. The headrest 32 is rotatable about the center of the head of the user, and a pressure-sensitive sensor 36 as shown in FIG. 7 is provided at a portion where the head of the user contacts the headrest 32.

The user leans on the headrest 32 and observes the virtual image formed by the image display unit 10. However, when the user turns his / her head left and right, the pressure in the rotation direction increases, and the pressure in the opposite direction increases. Since the difference is reduced, the rotation motor 33 is driven to rotate the headrest 32 so as to eliminate this difference. Then, the video display unit 10 attached to the headrest 32 rotates left and right according to the movement of the headrest 32. This allows the user to always view the virtual image at a comfortable position.

FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram showing an optical system according to an embodiment of the present invention, which shows an optical system for changing the distance of a virtual image. In the figure, O1 or O2 is a lens 1
A principal point of 3R or 13L is shown, respectively, and F1 or F2 represents a focal point of the lens 13R or 13L, respectively. O represents a middle point between the principal points O1 and O2. The display panel 14R or 14L has a center point (for example, in the case where the display panels 14R and 14L have a rectangular shape, an intersection of diagonal lines of the rectangle) connects the midpoint O with the focal point F1 or F2. They are located on the straight lines OF1 and OF2, respectively, and both are located on the same plane.

This is for the following reason. For example,
The direction from the principal point O2 to O1 is the d-axis, and the direction of the optical axis of the lens 13L (the direction from the principal point O2 to the focal point F2 is the s-axis).
Then, the center point of the display panel 14L is set to M1, and s
The coordinates on the d plane are (s1, d1), and
The center point with the virtual image formed by the lens 13L is M1 ′,
The coordinates on the sd plane are (s1 ′, d1 ′). Further, the midpoint between the focal points F1 and F2 is defined as O ′.

In this case, as described above, the display panel 1
Since 4R or 14L is in the same plane and its center point is on straight line OF1 or OF2, display panels 14R and 14L are connected to the main plane of lenses 13R and 13L (also in the same plane as described above). At the same distance). Therefore, since the virtual images R and L are also on the same plane, if the center points of the virtual images R and L are on a straight line OO 'connecting the midpoints O and O', the virtual images R and L are the same. Will be in position.

Therefore, the center point M1 of the display panel 14L
Since (s1, d1) is on the straight line OF2, the following equation holds. d = L / 2−L × s1 / (2 × f) where L represents the distance between the principal points O1 and O2, and f represents the focal length of the lens 13L. On the other hand, according to the imaging formula,
The following equation holds. 1 / f = 1 / s1-1 / s1 ′ Further, since the principal point O2 and the center points M1 and M1 ′ are on a straight line, the following equation is established. s1 / s1 '= d1 / d1'

From the above equation, d1 '= L / 2 is obtained. This is because the center point M1 ′ of the virtual image L is a straight line O
It shows that it is on O '. The optical system formed by the lens 13L and the optical system formed by the lens 13R are symmetric with respect to the straight line OO ′, and therefore, the center point of the virtual image R is also on the straight line OO ′.

As described above, since the virtual images R and L are on the same plane and their center points are all on the straight line OO ', the virtual images R and L are at the same position. Become. Therefore, the user can observe the virtual image in a state where the convergence adjustment of both eyes is matched, that is, in a relaxed state.

In the video display section 10, the center point of each of the display panels 14R or 14L is
On the F1 or OF2, they are synchronously moved so as to be included in the same plane, whereby the positions where the virtual images R and L are formed are moved from near the user to infinity. (The distance from the user to the virtual images R and L is changed).

The movement of the display panels 14R and 14L is performed by a virtual image distance control motor 45 (see FIG. 9) composed of, for example, a stepping motor. Further, each of the display panels 14R or 14L moves in a range closer to the lens 13R or 13L than the focal point F1 or F2. This is because, as described above, in order to observe a virtual image of an object, the object needs to be at a position closer to the lens than the focal length.

The display panels 14L and 14L
By moving R to a position near or far from the lenses 13L and 13R, the virtual images L and R move to positions near or far from the user, respectively.

Furthermore, the distance from the user to the virtual images R and L can be changed theoretically by the distance between the lenses 13L and 13R and the display panels 14L and 14R. Instead of 14R, lenses 13L and 13L
It can be changed by moving R.

FIG. 8 shows a lens 1 which is a convex lens.
Although 3L and 13R are used as the magnifying optical system, it is also possible to use a concave lens or the like as described later, for example, in addition to the convex lens.

Further, in FIG. 8, the virtual image observed by the left eye is formed independently by the lens 13L and the display panel 14L, and the virtual image observed by the right eye is formed independently by the lens 13R and the display panel 14R. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to provide not only a two-dimensional (planar) virtual image but also a three-dimensional virtual image. That is, for example, a stereoscopic virtual image is provided to a user by displaying a left-eye image or a right-eye image of a stereoscopic image using binocular parallax on the display panel 14L or 14R. Can be.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the video display unit 10. The lenses 13L and 13R are arranged at intervals such that the distance between their optical axes (principal points) is, for example, the average distance between the left and right eyes of a human being.
2 attached. The bottom panel 42 includes a lower left frame spacer 11C and a lower right frame spacer 11D.
And fixed to.

In addition to the frame spacers 11C and 11D, a front panel 40 and a rear panel 41 are provided so as to sandwich the upper left frame spacer 11A and the upper right frame spacer 11B. A motor mounting portion 44 for fixing a virtual image distance control motor 45 is provided at the center of the upper portion between the front panel 41 and the virtual image distance controlling motor 45, and is fixed to the front panel 40 and the rear panel 41. Virtual image distance control motor 45
Is configured to move the threaded motor shaft 46 in the vertical direction by rotating.

In FIG. 9, the front panel 40, the rear panel 41, and the bottom panel 42 are made transparent, but this is for convenience of illustrating the structure.
These need not necessarily be made of a transparent member.

The space between front panel 40 and rear panel 42 includes display panels 14L and 14R.
Is provided on the panel holder 39. That is, the panel holder 39 has the panel mounting portions 19L and 19R, and the display panel 14L or 14R is attached to the panel mounting portion 19L or 19R.
However, they are mounted so that their display screens face the lens 13L or 13R, respectively. The panel mounting portion 19L or 19R moves a predetermined range on the left or right side along the shaft 20L or 20R of the panel holder 39 in the horizontal direction (in FIG. 9, the direction parallel to the main plane of the lenses 13L and 13R). ) Has been made to be able to move each.

Further, the panel mounting portion 19L or 19
A pin 23L or 23R is provided on the near side of R, and the pin 23L or 23R is passed through a frame groove 21L or 21R provided on the front panel 40, respectively. Here, the frame grooves 21L or 21R are provided in a direction of rising left (falling right) or rising right (falling left) along the straight line OF2 or OF1 described with reference to FIG.

The rear panel 41 also has a frame groove 22L similar to the frame groove 21L or 21R of the front panel 40.
Or 22R is provided, respectively. A pin 23L is provided on the back side of the panel mounting portion 19L or 19R.
Or 23R, and pins (not shown) are provided in the same manner as in 23R. Each of the pins provided in the panel mounting portion 19L or 19R is
Passed through 2L or 22R.

Accordingly, when the panel holder 39 moves upward as a whole, the panel mounting portion 19L or 19R
The pin 23L or 23R is connected to the frame groove 21L (22
L) or 21R (22R), respectively, to move left or right, respectively, along shaft 20L or 20R. Also, the panel holder 39
Is moved downward as a whole, the panel mounting portion 19
L or 19R moves the shaft 20L or 20R when the pin 23L or 23R moves along the frame groove 21L (22L) or 21R (22R), respectively.
Move right or left along R, respectively.

As a result, the display panels 14L and 14L are interlocked with the vertical movement of the panel holder 39.
R is the frame groove 21L (22L) or 21R (22
R), that is, as described with reference to FIG. 8, each of the lines on the straight line OF2 or OF1 is moved so as to be included in the same plane.

At the center of the panel holder 39, the center plate 27
The center plate 27 has one end of a motor shaft 46 attached thereto. Therefore, the panel holder 39 moves up and down together with the motor shaft 46. That is, when the virtual image distance control motor 45 rotates, the display panels 14L and 14R move on the straight line OF2 or OF1 so as to be included in the same plane.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the half mirror 4
3 is fixed to the boundary between the back panel 41 and the bottom panel 42 so as to be oblique to the back panel 41. The half mirror 43 has a reflection surface on the front surface.

In the image display section 10 configured as described above, an image is displayed on the display panel 14L or 14R, and is enlarged by the lens 13L or 13R, respectively. The enlarged image obtained by the lens 13L or 13R is reflected by the half mirror 43 and enters the user's left or right eye, respectively. Thereby, a virtual image is observed in the user's eyeball. Also, external light
By passing through the surface of the half mirror 43 opposite to the reflection surface, the light enters the left eye or the right eye of the user, whereby an external scene is observed in the user's eyeball.

Then, the virtual image distance control motor 45 rotates, whereby the display panels 14L and 14L are rotated.
As R moves on the straight line OF2 or OF1, respectively, virtual images observed by the user are formed at various distances from the user.

In FIG. 9, the enlarged image obtained by the lens 13L or 13R is reflected by the half mirror 43 and is incident on the user's eyeball. It is also possible to make the enlarged images obtained at 13L and 13R directly enter the user's eyeball. However, in this case, the display panels 14R and 14L are located in front of the user. It is difficult to confirm an external situation (scenery) corresponding to the range of the obstructed visual field.

FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of the operation when the line of sight is horizontal in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of the operation when the line of sight is directed downward. By the way, for example, conventional bifocal glasses focus on an object at a long distance above (above the horizontal) and at a short distance below (below the horizontal) depending on the direction of the user's line of sight.

According to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10, the user's line of sight e
When the direction is upward including the horizontal state, the video display unit 10 is directed upward, and the distance between the display panel 14L and the lens 13L and the display panel 14R
The distance between the lens and the lens 13R is long.
Due to this positional relationship, the virtual image ig is far (for example, Li
g = 15 m).

On the other hand, when the direction of the user's line of sight e is downward as shown in FIG.
Is rotated downward. At this time, the display panels 14R and 14L move in the v direction (downward) according to the aforementioned straight line while interlocking with the left and right, and the distance between the display panel 14L and the lens 13L and the distance between the display panel 14R and the display panel 14R. The distance between the lenses 13R becomes shorter in each case. Due to this positional relationship, the virtual image ig is formed near the user (for example, at a position of Lig = 0.5 m).

The above structure changes the distance of the virtual image by tilting the line of sight downward, so that the virtual image can be displayed at a position that is easy for the user to see and in a clear state with little aberration. Become.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the operation of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, if a line of sight is detected by a line of sight detector (step S1), this output is sent to a virtual image distance control computer to identify a line of sight angle (steps S2 to S4), and a virtual image distance is identified (step S1). S5-S
7) The signal corresponding to the virtual image distance is sent to the virtual image distance motor to change the virtual image distance. This operation is executed by the device control unit 15 (see FIG. 1).

FIG. 13 is a simplified diagram showing the structure of another embodiment of the present invention. A concave mirror 13V is used in the image display section 10C instead of the lens. You may use a concave mirror and a lens together.

FIG. 14 is a simplified diagram showing the configuration of still another embodiment of the present invention, which is suitable for use where it is not necessary to superimpose images of the outside world. Since it is not necessary to make the image display unit 10D see-through, the image display unit 10D has a simple and inexpensive configuration in which the half mirror of the embodiment is removed.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view for explaining a mechanism relating to another image display unit of the tracking type virtual image display system of the present invention. The image display unit 10G is provided with the image display unit shown in FIG. Motor mounting section 44, virtual image distance control motor 45, motor shaft 4 in the configuration of section 10
6 is replaced with a drive unit including a distance shaft 47, a shaft fitting plate 48, and a panel holding spring 49. Here, the distance shaft 47 is driven in a vertical direction by a cam, a plunger, or the like (not shown). The other configuration is the same as the configuration in FIG. 9 described above, and the description is omitted.

FIG. 16 shows the image display unit 1 shown in FIG.
0G is a schematic front view of the operation when the line of sight is horizontal,
When the line of sight e is horizontal, the distance shaft 47 is located above, and thus the distance between the display panel 14L and the lens 13L (and the display panel 1 (not shown)).
The distance between the 4R and the lens 13R) is long. Due to this positional relationship, the virtual image ig is formed far away.

FIG. 17 shows the image display unit 1 shown in FIG.
0G is a schematic front view of the operation when the line of sight is downward, and when the line of sight e is downward, the distance shaft 47 descends, and the distance between the display panel 14L and the lens 13L (and the display panel not shown, but not shown). 14
The distance between R and the lens 13R) becomes shorter. Due to this positional relationship, the virtual image ig is formed near.

As described in detail above, the present invention realizes a virtual image display system that changes a virtual image to be presented following the movement of the user's line of sight and / or the head movement. A virtual image can always be viewed at a position where the aberration is small. Further, by incorporating a mechanism for changing the distance of the virtual image depending on the line of sight, the virtual image can be displayed at a position that is easy for the user to see.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Ultrasonic motor, DC, not stepping motor
A method using another motor such as a motor or a servomotor (including a positioning mechanism such as a rotary encoder). 2. A method using other display elements such as a small CRT instead of a liquid crystal panel. 3. Rather than seeing with both eyes of the user, one-eye type. 4. A method in which an auxiliary display screen is provided and used in combination with an image display unit. For example, various modifications are possible.

[0072]

As described in detail above, claim 1 of the present invention
The follow-up type virtual image display system according to the above has a moving mechanism for moving an image display unit provided, and the moving mechanism moves the image display unit to a position where the optical axis of the virtual image optical system overlaps the optical axis of the user's line of sight. With this configuration, it is possible to freely move the video display unit based on a user's instruction. As a result, the optical axis of the image display unit can be superimposed on the optical axis of the line of sight, and a clear virtual image can be provided to the user.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to the first aspect, in addition to the configuration according to the first aspect, the image display unit is configured to be rotatable up and down around the user's eyeball. It is. Therefore, the optical axis of the image display unit can be superimposed on the optical axis of the line of sight by rotating the image display unit up and down in response to a user's instruction input, so that a virtual image can always be viewed at a position where aberration is small. Will be possible.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to the first aspect, the image display unit is configured to be rotatable left and right around the user's head. Things. Therefore, the optical axis of the image display unit can be overlapped with the optical axis of the line of sight by rotating the image display unit to the left or right in response to a user's instruction input, so that a virtual image can always be viewed at a position where aberration is small. it can.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to the first aspect, the video display unit can be rotated up and down around the user's eyeball. The image display unit is configured to be rotatable in the left-right direction around the head of the user. Therefore, the image display section is moved up and down or / and /
By rotating the image display unit right and left, the optical axis of the image display unit can be superimposed on the optical axis of the line of sight, so that a virtual image can be always viewed at a position where aberration is small.

The tracking virtual image display system according to claim 5 of the present invention has a configuration in which, in addition to the configuration according to claim 1, it is automatically rotated up and down by an output of a line-of-sight detector. Is detected, and based on the detection result, the vertical rotation of the image display unit is automatically controlled following the movement of the eyeball. Therefore, even if the user moves his or her line of sight, the position is automatically adjusted to a position with little aberration, and a clear virtual image can be provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to the first aspect, the follow-up type virtual image display system is configured such that it is automatically rotated horizontally by the output of the head motion detector. The position of the section is detected, and based on the detection result, the rotation of the image display section in the horizontal direction is automatically controlled following the movement of the head. Therefore, even if the user turns his / her head, the position is automatically adjusted to a position where the aberration is small, and a clear virtual image can be provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to the first aspect, the image display unit is automatically rotated up and down by an output of a line-of-sight detector, and a head movement detector. Is automatically rotated horizontally by the output of. As a result, it is possible to automatically follow the movement of the user's line of sight and automatically follow the rotational movement of the head. Therefore, even if the user moves his / her gaze or rotates his / her head, the position is automatically adjusted to a position with little aberration, and a clear virtual image can be viewed.

The following-type virtual image display system according to claim 8 of the present invention provides the following-type virtual image display system.
In the configuration according to 6 or 7, that is, in addition to the rotation of the video display unit corresponding to the movement of the user's line of sight and / or the rotation of the head, the distance of the virtual image is changed while matching the convergence and the adjustment. As a result, it is possible to provide a virtual image suitable for a user's working state and visual acuity at a desired position and in a clear state with little aberration.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tracking type virtual image display system according to the first, second, third, fourth and fifth aspects.
The configuration according to 6 or 7, that is, the configuration in which the distance of the virtual image is changed by tilting the line of sight up and down in addition to the rotation of the image display unit corresponding to the user's line of sight movement and / or head rotation. . Therefore, it is possible to display a virtual image at a position that is easy for the user to see and in a clear state with little aberration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a tracking type virtual image display system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating details of an image display unit support mechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating other details of the image display unit support mechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining an operation of the tracking type virtual image display system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control portion of the tracking virtual image display system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an overall perspective view of another embodiment of the tracking type virtual image display system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a headrest portion shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram showing an optical system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a mechanism of an image display unit of the tracking type virtual image display system according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of the operation when the line of sight is horizontal in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of the operation when the line of sight is directed downward in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a simplified diagram showing a configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a simplified diagram showing a configuration of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a mechanism related to another image display unit of the tracking type virtual image display system of the present invention.

16 is a schematic front view of the operation of the image display unit shown in FIG. 15 when the line of sight is horizontal.

FIG. 17 is a schematic front view of the operation of the video display unit shown in FIG. 15 when the line of sight is directed downward.

FIG. 18 is a simplified diagram showing a configuration of a conventional HMD system.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of a conventional viewfinder.

[Explanation of symbols]

D: Tracking-type virtual image display system according to the present invention, 10: Image display unit, 11: Image display unit support mechanism, 12, Guide rails, 13a to 13c, Stepping motor, 14, Arm, 15 …… Device control unit,
16 first signal line, 17 second signal line, 18 chair, 24 arm, 25 arm, e line of sight, e
mt: gaze detector, x: optical axis

Claims (9)

[Claims] An image display unit having a virtual image optical system;
A virtual image display system having a configuration in which the virtual image is placed on the user's line of sight and is made available, comprising a moving mechanism that moves the image display unit together with the virtual image optical system, wherein the moving mechanism includes a moving image of the virtual image optical system. A tracking-type virtual image display system, wherein the image display unit is moved to a position where an optical axis overlaps the optical axis of the line of sight. 2. The tracking-type virtual image display system according to claim 1, wherein when the user moves the line of sight in the vertical direction, the video display unit is configured to be movable in the vertical direction. . 3. When a user turns his / her head left and right,
The tracking type virtual image display system according to claim 1, wherein the image display unit is configured to be movable in the left-right direction. 4. The video display unit is configured to move up and down when the user's line of sight moves, and to move horizontally when the user turns his / her head left and right. The tracking type virtual image display system according to claim 1, wherein 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a line-of-sight detector configured to automatically detect a line of sight of the user, wherein the moving mechanism is configured to detect a line of sight of the user based on a detection output of the line of sight
The tracking type virtual image display system according to claim 2, wherein the image display unit is automatically moved up and down to a position where an optical axis of the virtual image optical system overlaps the line of sight. 6. A head rotation detector for automatically detecting a change amount generated when the user rotates the head left and right, wherein the moving mechanism is configured to detect a change amount based on a detection output of the head rotation detector. The tracking type virtual image display system according to claim 3, wherein the image display unit is automatically moved in the left-right direction until the optical axis of the virtual image optical system overlaps the line of sight. 7. A moving mechanism, comprising: a line-of-sight detector for automatically detecting the line of sight of the user; and a head rotation detector for automatically detecting the amount of change that occurs when the user turns his / her head to the left and right. Automatically moves the image display unit up and down to a position where the optical axis of the virtual image optical system overlaps the line of sight based on the detection output of the line of sight detector, and detects the output of the head rotation detector. The tracking virtual image display system according to claim 4, wherein the virtual image optical system is configured to automatically move in the left-right direction to a position where the optical axis of the virtual image optical system overlaps the line of sight based on the following. 8. The tracking virtual image according to claim 1, wherein the image display unit is configured to be able to move a position where the virtual image is formed. Visual display system. 9. The image display unit is configured to be movable at a position where the virtual image is formed, and is configured to form the virtual image at a position closer to the user when the line of sight of the user is downward. Claims 1, 2, 3,
8. The tracking virtual image display system according to 4, 5, 6, or 7.