JPH10262165A - Video display device and personal computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow the user to enjoy an image in a pleasant way by displaying a virtual image at a distance in matching with a focus of the user in the video image display device utilizing the virtual image. SOLUTION: Left/right display panels 3L, 3R are on the same plane and movable in parallel with left/right lenses 1L, 2R. Moreover, the display panels 3L, 3R are provided so that center points 3LM, 3RM are respectively moved on line segments GL, GR tying a center point OM between the lenses 1L, 1R and focuses FL, FR. A sensor 5 senses a sight of line of left/right eyes 2L, 2R, and a virtual image distance control means 6 applies movement control to the display panels 3L, 3R in response to the direction of the sight of line. Thus, the display distance of virtual images 4L, 4R is moved in response to the focus of the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image display device and a personal computer for displaying an image, and more particularly to an image display device and a personal computer for displaying an image using a virtual image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image display device for viewing an image using a virtual image, for example, an HMD (Head Mount) is known.
ed Display).

FIG. 16 shows a basic configuration of a conventional HMD. The HMD 70 includes, for example, a lens 71 that enlarges an image to form a virtual image, and a display panel (such as a liquid crystal display) 72 that is disposed at a position closer than the focal length of the lens. The user 73 has the HMD7
By wearing the image 0 on the head and viewing the image displayed on the display panel 72 through the lens 71, the virtual image can be appreciated.

In addition, a viewfinder used for a portable video camera or the like is known as an image display device for viewing an image using a virtual image. The viewfinder is attached to the video camera body 80 as shown in FIG. 17, and allows the user to view an image displayed on the internal display panel 81a from the eyepiece 81b with one of the right and left eyes of the user. I have. Then, the operation button 82 is used to perform an operation of switching the image displayed on the display panel 81a.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned HM
Since the distance between the lens and the display panel is constant, the D70 and the viewfinder 81 watch a virtual image at a fixed position, and cause a problem of inducing dry eye and eyestrain due to long viewing. there were. In addition, since the position of the virtual image is fixed, there is a problem that it is difficult for a person with poor vision to appreciate the image.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a video display device which enables comfortable viewing.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in a video display device using a virtual image,
A display panel for displaying an image, an enlarging optical member for enlarging the displayed image, an optical system support mechanism for supporting the interval between the display panel and the enlarging optical member in a continuously switchable manner, A line of sight detecting means for detecting the direction of the line of sight, and a virtual image distance control means for controlling the distance of the virtual image by switching the interval between the display panel and the enlargement in accordance with the detected direction of the line of sight of the user. An image display device is provided.

[0008] In such an image display device, the image displayed on the display panel is magnified by the magnifying optical member and reaches the user's eye as a virtual image. The line-of-sight detection unit detects the direction of the line of sight of the user, and the virtual image distance control unit switches the distance between the display panel and the magnifying optical member to control the distance of the virtual image according to the direction of the line of sight.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the video display device of the present invention. In the video device of the present invention, two left and right lenses 1
L, 1R are provided. These lenses 1L, 1R is the principal point of each other O _L, O _R is, ocular 2L of the left and right human, are spaced apart by an average distance D ₀ of 2R. The lenses 1L and 1R are arranged such that the main planes are on the same plane. The lens 1L, the focus of the 1R F _L, F _R
Are the same distance. Also, the principal point O _L, the axis passing through the O _R and D axis, and the principal point O _L of the origin lens 2L. Then, the positive direction towards the principal point O _R from the principal point O _L.

[0010] Liquid crystal display panels 3L and 3R are provided opposite the lenses 1L and 1R, respectively. Display panel 3L, the center point 3L _M (e.g., if the display panel 3L is rectangular, the intersection of the diagonals) of the lens 1
L, are arranged so as to be positioned on the straight line G _L connecting the main points of the 1R O _L, and a middle point of the O _R O _M and the focus F _L. on the other hand,
Display panel 3R, the central point 3R _M (e.g., if the display panel 3R is rectangular, the intersection of its diagonals) is arranged so as to be positioned on a straight line G _R connecting the middle point O _M and the focal point F _R ing. Further, the display panels 3L and 3R are arranged such that their display surfaces are located on the same plane H.

With such an arrangement, the optical system on the left eye side composed of the lens 1L and the display panel 3L and the optical system on the right eye side composed of the lens 1R and the display panel 3R have the focal points FL, _FL . the midpoint O _F between F _R, lenses 1L,
Around the straight line G _M that connects the middle point O _M between 1R, becomes symmetrical.

By the way, as shown in FIG.
In order to use the L and 1R and the display panels 3L and 3R to easily view a two-dimensional image, the virtual images 4L and 4R of the images displayed on the display panels 3L and 3R must be:
Must overlap completely. That is, both of the virtual image 4L, the midpoint of 4R 4L _M, the position of the 4R _M is eye 2L, 2
It is necessary to match R in all directions of front and rear, left and right, and up and down. Next, FIG. 1 shows that this condition is satisfied.

[0013] Now, a straight line connecting the principal point O _L and the focal point F _L of the left lens 1L and S-axis, the positive direction towards the principal point O _L to focus F _L. Then, in the plane created by the the S-axis and D axis, the coordinates of the center point 3L _M of the display panel _{3L (d 1, s 1)} , the central point of the virtual image 4L 4L
_If the coordinates of _M are (d ₂ , s ₂ ), Holds. Here, the focal length of f _L is the lens 1L, that is, the distance between the principal point O _L and the focus F _L.

On the other hand, 1 / f _L = 1 / s ₁ −1 / s ₂ ... (2) is established by the lens imaging formula. Also, the principal point O _L, center point 3L _M, 4L _M from that on a straight _{line, s 1 / s 2 = d} 1 / d 2 ···· (3) is satisfied. Furthermore from equation (1) and _{(3), d 2 = D} 0/2 ···· (4) is obtained. D axis coordinate d ₂ of the center point 4L _M of the virtual image 4L is that D _0/2, the center point 4L _M it can be seen located on the straight line G _M. As described above, the optical system and the right eye side of the optical system of the left eye side, since a symmetrical around the straight line G _M, the center point 4R _M of the virtual image 4R also the center point 4L _M of the virtual image 4L It can be said that they are located at the same coordinates (d ₂ , s ₂ ). That is, in the configuration of FIG. 1, the positions of the virtual image 4L and the virtual image 4R completely match. Thereby, the user can view the image without difficulty in a state where the adjustments such as the convergence of both eyes are matched.

The factors leading to such a result include the fact that the optical system on the left eye side and the optical system on the right eye side are symmetrically arranged, and the center points 3LM, 3L _M of the display panels 3L, 3R.
3R _M, respectively straight G _L, is to positioned on G _M. While maintaining this relationship, the display panels 3L, 3R
Approaching the lenses 1L and 1R, the virtual images 4L and 4R approach the eyes 2L and 2R. Conversely, when the display panels 3L, 3R are moved away from the lenses 1L, 1R, the virtual image 4
L and the virtual image 4R move away from the eyes 2L and 2R.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the display panels 3L, 3
And the R are synchronized with each other, each straight line G _L, is slidable along the G _M. A sensor 5 such as a CCD is provided near the eyes 2L and 2R to detect the movement of the eyes 2L and 2R. Then, the virtual image distance control means 6 controls the movement of the positions of the display panels 3L and 3R based on the signal from the sensor 5. Specifically, when both eyes 2L and 2R face downward, display panels 3L and 3R are connected to lenses 1L and 1R.
When the eyes 2L and 2R face upward, the display panels 3L and 3R are moved away from the lenses 1L and 1R.

However, in this case, the display panels 3L, 3R
Is the focal F _L, the lens than F _R 1L, is controlled within a range which is located 1R side. This is because the images displayed on the display panels 3L and 3R are small and must be enlarged and displayed in order for the user to be able to view them.

Next, a specific embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an HMD as a video display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. HMD (Head Mou
The nted display 10 mainly includes a holder 11 mounted on the user's head and a display unit 12 for displaying an image. The display unit 12 includes a display mechanism unit 13 having a lens, a display panel, and the like, which will be described later, built therein, and an image recognition unit 14 at the positions of the left and right eyes of the unit for actually viewing an image. The entire display unit 12 is mounted on the holder 1 via the shaft 15a of the angle adjusting motor 15.
1, and is rotatable around the axis 15a in accordance with the direction of the user's line of sight, as described later.

The image recognition section 14 has a cylindrical case 14a having an open line of sight, and a half mirror 16 is provided in the case 14a. The user recognizes an image (virtual image) sent from the display mechanism unit 13 through the half mirror 16. Half mirror 1
Through 6, the scenery ahead can be recognized.

The case 14a has a CCD (Charge).
Coupled Device) A camera 17 is provided. CC
The D camera 17 detects the line of sight of both eyes of the user through the half mirror 16. This detection signal is sent to the control unit 19 via the cord 18.

The control unit 19 converts the video signal into code 1
The image data is sent to the display unit 12 via the display 8 and displayed on the display panel. Further, the control unit 19 includes the CCD camera 1
7 to detect the direction of the current line of sight in response to the detection signal,
The angle adjustment motor 15 and a later-described vertical movement motor 22 are controlled in accordance with the direction.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the display unit 12. As shown in FIG. The case 130 of the display mechanism 13 of the display unit 12 includes a transparent top plate 131 and a bottom plate 13, respectively.
2, formed by fixing the side plates 133, 134, the front plate 135, and the back plate 136 with spacers 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d. However, bottom plate 1
32 is not necessarily required, and at this time, the top plate 131 may not be transparent. A lens 20L for the left eye and a lens 20R for the right eye are fixed to the bottom plate 132 of the case 130. The lenses 20L and 20R are, for example, convex lenses, and are provided so that the distance between their optical axes (principal points) is, for example, the same as the average distance between human eyes (about 65 mm).

At the center of the top plate 131, a fixing member 21 is provided.
The vertical movement motor 22 is fixed to the fixing member 21. The vertical movement motor 22 is a stepping motor, and is rotated by a drive current from the control unit 19 described above, and has a threaded shaft 22a.
Moves up and down. At the lower end of the shaft 22a, a fixing member 2 is provided.
The panel holder 23 is fixed via 3a.

The panel holder 23 has four guide shafts 23b, 23c, 23d,
23e. Of these guide shafts,
The left guide shafts 23b and 23c and the right guide shafts 23d and 23e are provided to be parallel to each other. Also, the guide shaft 23
b, 23c, 23d, and 23e
It is parallel to the line connecting the principal points of L and 20R (D axis in FIG. 1). Further, the left guide shaft 23
The stopper members 23f are provided at the ends of the right and left guide shafts 23d and 23e.
3g are each attached.

A liquid crystal display panel 24L is slidably mounted between the left guide shafts 23b and 23c via connecting portions 241 and 242, respectively. Similarly, a liquid crystal display panel 24R is slidably mounted between the right guide shafts 23d and 23e via connecting portions 243 and 244, respectively. Further, the display panel 24L and the display panel 24R are provided such that their display surfaces are located on the same plane. The display panel 24L and the display panel 24R display a video signal sent from the control unit 19 on a display surface.

Further, the connecting portion 24 on the display panel 24L side.
Each of the first and second 242 is provided with a pin 241a and a pin (not shown). These pins 241a and pins (not shown) are provided with their axes passing through the center point of the display surface, on the same plane as the display surface of the display panel 24L, and at right angles to the sliding direction. The pins 241a and the pins (not shown) of the connecting portions 241 and 242 are respectively connected to the front plate 135 and the rear plate 1
36, a slanted slit 135a, a slit 1
36a slidably inserted. Here, the slit 135a and the slit 136a are
It is formed in parallel with a line connecting the midpoint between the principal points of L and 20R and the focal point of the lens 20L, that is, a line corresponding to the straight line _{GL in} FIG.

Similarly, the connecting portion 24 on the display panel 24R side.
Each of the pins 3 and 244 is provided with a pin 243a and a pin (not shown). These pins 243a and pins (not shown) are provided with their axes passing through the center point of the display surface, on the same plane as the display surface of the display panel 24R, and at right angles to the sliding direction. The pins 243a and the pins (not shown) of the connecting portions 243 and 244 are respectively connected to the front plate 135 and the rear plate 1
36, the slanted slit 135b, the slit 1
36b is slidably inserted. Here, the slit 135b and the slit 136b are
L, 20R midpoint lens 20R of the focus and the line connecting between the principal point of, namely, are formed parallel to the line corresponding to the straight line G _R in FIG.

In the display unit 12 having such a configuration, the images displayed on the left and right display panels 24L and 24R pass through the lenses 20L and 20R, respectively, and the half mirror 1
The light is reflected at 6 and reaches the left and right eyes 30L and 30R of the user as an enlarged virtual image. The display principle of this virtual image is the same as that shown in FIG.

The vertical movement motor 22 is operated to drive the shaft 2
2a is moved up and down, the display panel 24
L and 24R also move left and right and up and down. Specifically, axis 2
When 2a is lowered, the panel holder 23 is also lowered integrally. As a result, the display panels 24L and 24R approach the lenses 20L and 20R, so that the virtual images appear close to each other on the eyes 30L and 30R. At this time, the display panels 24L and 24R are provided with slits 135a and 136.
a, moving slit 135b, along the 136 b, i.e., the straight line G _L, moves along the G _R shown in FIG. 1, a virtual image of the left and right images are displayed in a state of completely overlap. Therefore, the user can recognize the video without feeling uncomfortable.

On the other hand, when the shaft 22a of the vertically moving motor 22 is raised, the panel holder 23 is also raised integrally. Thus, the display panels 24L, 24R are connected to the lenses 20L, 2L.
Since the eye moves away from the 0R side, a virtual image appears far away on the eyes 30L and 30R side. At this time, the display panel 24
L, 24R, a slit 135a, 136a, the slits 135b, moves along the 136 b, i.e., the straight line G _L, so moves along the G _R, virtual image of the left and right images are displayed in a state of completely overlap. Therefore, as in the case of the descent, the user can recognize the video without a sense of incongruity.

Next, the operation of the entire HMD 10 including such a display unit 12 will be described. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the HMD 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A illustrates a case where the user's line of sight is horizontal, and FIG. 4B illustrates a case where the user's line of sight is downward. FIG. First, the eye 30L of the left and right user, gaze E ₁ of 30R is, when facing a horizontal line I ₁ direction or upper than is, in the control unit 19 side, the eye 30L of the user, the focus of the 30R is in the distance It is determined that they match, and the display panels 24L and 24R are moved away from the lenses 20L and 20R as shown in FIG. Thereby, the virtual image 31
Is formed at a distance (for example, at a position of 15 m).

On the other hand, the eye 30L of the left and right user, gaze E ₁ of 30R, when facing downward from the horizontal line I ₁ direction, the control unit 19 side, the user's eyes 30L,
It is determined that the focal point of 30R is in the vicinity, and as shown in FIG.
L, approach 20R. Thereby, the virtual image 31 is formed in the vicinity (for example, at a position of 0.5 m). At the same time, the display unit 12, the slope downwardly in accordance with the line of sight E _1, line of sight E ₁ is controlled so that the center position of the virtual image 31.

Such a change in the distance of the virtual image 31 and the inclination of the display unit 12 can be continuously performed by driving the vertical movement motor 22 shown in FIG. 3 and the angle adjustment motor 15 shown in FIG. Therefore, the image can be displayed in a natural state.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of virtual image distance control according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [S1] The gaze direction of the user's eyes 30L and 30R is detected based on the detection signal sent from the CCD camera 17. [S2] It is determined whether or not the virtual image distance control is necessary, for example, because there is a change in the line-of-sight direction. If necessary, the process proceeds to step S3, and if not, the flow chart ends. [S3] By driving the vertical movement motor 22 and the angle adjustment motor 15, control of the virtual image distance according to the line of sight and control of the angle of the display unit 12 are performed. As a specific example of the control of the virtual image distance, if the viewing direction is horizontal (0 °) or more, the virtual image distance is, for example, 15 m.
When the viewing direction is 0 ° to −10 °, the virtual image distance is controlled to be 5 m, and the viewing direction is −
When the angle is 10 ° or less, control is performed so that the virtual image distance becomes 0.5 m.

In the present embodiment, the display panels 24L, 2L
Although the distance of the virtual image 31 is controlled by moving the 4R side, the same effect can be obtained by moving the lenses 20L and 20R.

In this embodiment, the left and right lenses 20L,
Although the position of the virtual image magnified by the 20R is completely matched, a stereoscopic image can be displayed by displaying different images on the left and right using the binocular parallax on the display panels 24L and 24R.

Further, as the vertical movement motor 22, other types of motors such as an ultrasonic motor and a DC motor can be used in addition to the stepping motor. However, in this case, position detecting means such as a rotary encoder is required.

Further, as the display panels 24L and 24R, other elements such as a small CRT can be used in addition to the liquid crystal panel. In the present embodiment, the lenses 20L, 2L
0R and two display panels 24L and 24R are provided so that virtual images can be viewed with both eyes. However, only one pair of lenses and display panels are provided so that only one eye can be seen like a viewfinder. Is also good.

Further, in the present embodiment, the CCD camera 17 is used as a means for detecting the user's line of sight, but an infrared irradiation type sensor may be used. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating an example of the structure of an infrared irradiation type sensor, wherein FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a surface on a detection side, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a method of use. The infrared irradiation type sensor 32 includes two infrared LEDs 321 and 322 and four photodiodes 323, 324, 325 and 326, as shown in FIG. Such an infrared irradiation type sensor 32 irradiates an infrared ray from the infrared LEDs 321 and 322 to the eye, and reflects the light reflected by the film on the photodiode 32.
Light is received at 3,324,325,326. On the control unit 19 side, each photodiode 323, 324, 32
The light receiving intensity at 5, 326 is analyzed to detect the line of sight.

In actual use, as shown in FIG.
Infrared irradiation type sensors 32L and 32R are attached to the left and right eyes 30L and 30R, respectively. Thereby, the line-of-sight direction can be detected.

In this embodiment, the lenses 20L, 20R
As an example, a convex lens is used, but a concave mirror can be used as shown in FIG. That is,
The half mirror 16 is provided so that the images from the display panels 24L and 24R are reflected in the direction of the line of sight, and the concave mirror 33 is provided at the tip of the half mirror 16. Thereby, the image reflected by the half mirror 16 is reflected by the concave mirror 33, and the left and right eyes 30L and 30R enlarge the virtual image 34.
Is recognized.

Further, in this embodiment, the lenses 20L, 20L
The virtual image magnified by R is reflected by the half mirror 16 and made incident on both eyes 30L and 30R. However, the half mirror 16 is not provided, and the lens 20 as shown in FIG.
The virtual image 35 magnified by L, 20R is directly input to both eyes 30L, 3
A configuration in which the light is incident on 0R is also possible.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The movement of the display panels 24L and 24R is performed by the vertical movement motor 22, but another vertical movement mechanism may be used.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the display unit using the HMD according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a display panel vertical movement mechanism using an HMD according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Here, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

First, as shown in FIG. 9, a hole 21a is formed substantially at the center of the fixing member 21.
A vertically movable shaft 41 is inserted into “a” so as to be vertically movable. The lower end 41a of the vertically moving shaft 41 is in contact with the upper surface of the fixing member 23a of the panel holder 23.
The panel holder 23 is constantly urged upward by a spring 42 fixed between the panel holder 23 and the bottom plate 132. A step 130a is formed at the upper end of the case 130 on the virtual image side.

A guide member 43 is fixed to the head holder 11 shown in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG.
The guide member 43 has an appropriately calculated curved guide surface 43a. On this guide surface 43a,
The upper end 41b of the vertical movement shaft 41 is in contact. The entire display unit 12 is rotatable with respect to the guide member 43 at substantially the same position as the positions of the eyes 30L and 30R of the user.

The left and right eyes 30L, 30R of the user
Gaze E ₂ is, when facing a horizontal line I ₂ direction or upward than, as in FIG. 10, the upper end portion 41b of the vertical movement shaft 41 abuts against the upper end of the guide surface 43a. At this time, since the vertically moving shaft 41 is at the highest position, the display panels 24L and 24R are connected to the lenses 20L and
Located far from 0R. As a result, the virtual image 44 is formed far away.

Meanwhile, the eye 30L of the left and right user, 30R of sight E _2, when the facing lower than the horizontal line I ₂ direction, as shown in FIG. 11, the entire display unit 12 is inclined downwardly, sight E ₂ is controlled so as to come to the center position of the virtual image 44. At this time, the upper end 41b of the vertically moving shaft 41 contacts the lower portion of the guide surface 43a more than in the case of FIG. 10, and is pushed downward. At the same time, the display panels 24L and 24R are pushed down by the lower end 41a of the vertically moving shaft 41 and descend to approach the lenses 20L and 20R. Thereby, a virtual image 44 is formed in the vicinity.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the display unit of the HMD according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Here, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The display unit 12 is fixed to a shaft 15a of the angle adjustment motor 15. Angle adjustment motor 1
The main body 5 is mounted integrally with the control plate 50.
The control plate 50 is connected to the head holder 11 shown in FIG. The control plate 50 includes a curved slit 5.
0a is formed. A pin 23h protruding from a stopper member 23f of the panel holder 23 is fitted into the slit 50a. The pin 23h is connected to the display panel 24.
It is provided so as to extend on a straight line connecting the center points of L and 24R.

A spring 51 is provided between the lower surface of the fixing member 21 of the panel holder 23 and the case 130.
The panel holder 23 is constantly urged upward by the spring 51.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the display unit of the HMD according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13A is a diagram when the user's line of sight is in the horizontal direction, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram in a case where the line of sight is downward. First, the line of sight E ₃ of the left and right eyes 30L and 30R of the user is the horizontal line I
_When facing in _three directions or upward, as shown in FIG. 2A, the angle adjusting motor 15 shown in FIG.
By the operation described above, the inclination of the entire display unit 12 is controlled so that the display panels 24L and 24R are horizontal.
At this time, the fitting of the groove 50a of the control plate 50 and the pin 23h causes the display panels 24L and 24R to move the lenses 20L and
It is held at a position far from 20R. Thereby, virtual image 5
2 is formed far away.

On the other hand, when the line of sight E ₃ of the left and right eyes 30L and 30R of the user is directed downward from the direction of the horizontal line I ₃ , as shown in FIG. slope, gaze E ₃ is controlled so that the center position of the virtual image 52. At this time, the display panels 24L, 24R
The pin 23h moves by being urged by the groove 50a of the control plate 50 to approach the lenses 20L and 20R. Thereby, a virtual image 52 is formed in the vicinity.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The notebook personal computer 60 includes a main body 61 and a display unit 62 for displaying images. The main body 61 has a large number of keys 611 on the upper surface thereof, and includes therein a basic function of a personal computer and a display unit 6.
And a control unit for two.

On the other hand, the display unit 62 is connected to the main body 61 by an arm 63, and can be manually moved up and down around a shaft 63a. Further, the entire display unit 62 is attached so as to be manually rotatable about a shaft 63b of the arm 63. further,
Since the display unit 62 when not in use is provided so as to fit in the recess 61a of the main body 61 as shown in the figure, it is suitable for carrying.

The display unit 62 includes a display mechanism section 621 and a video recognition section 622. The structures of the display mechanism unit 621 and the image recognition unit 622 are almost the same as those of the display mechanism unit 13 and the image recognition unit 14 shown in FIG. Display mechanism 6
On the display panel in 21, a normal personal computer screen is displayed, and the user can see an enlarged virtual image of this screen via the half mirror 622a of the video recognition unit 14.

The display unit 62 is provided with an angle sensor (not shown) for detecting an angle around the axis 63a with respect to the horizontal direction. This detection signal is sent to the inside of the main body 61.

Next, a method of using the notebook personal computer 60 will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a use state of the notebook computer 60 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In use, first, the arm 63 is rotated upward to raise the display unit 62. Then, the user views the video via the half mirror 622a of the video recognition unit 622. At this time, by rotating the entire display unit 12 about the axis 63b, the image can be viewed at an angle that is easy for the user to see. Specifically, when the display unit 12 is turned downward, a virtual image can be seen near by the same principle as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, when the display unit 12 is turned to the front or upward, the virtual image looks far away.

At the same time that a virtual image can be seen,
The key 611 at hand can be seen through the half mirror 622a. Therefore, unlike a conventional notebook personal computer, it is not necessary to operate the liquid crystal monitor and the keyboard while looking at the keyboard alternately, thereby improving work efficiency. Also, there is no need to worry about light reflection as in the liquid crystal monitor.

In this embodiment, the display unit 12 is rotated manually. However, as in the first embodiment, the motor and the sensor for detecting the line of sight are used to automatically rotate the display unit 12 in accordance with the direction of the line of sight. The angle may be adjusted in a targeted manner.

Further, instead of the keys 611, a handwritten board may be used as the notebook personal computer 60. Further, an auxiliary display screen may be provided on the main body 61 side and used in combination with the display unit 12.

[0061]

As described above, in the present invention, the direction of the user's line of sight is detected, and the distance between the display panel and the magnifying optical member is switched to control the distance of the virtual image according to the direction of the line of sight. Therefore, the position of the virtual image can be adjusted according to the focus of the user's eye. Therefore, comfortable viewing is possible

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of an image display device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a video display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration inside a display unit.

4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an operation of the HMD according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A is a diagram in a case where the user's line of sight is horizontal, and FIG. It is a figure in the case of facing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of virtual image distance control according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating an example of a structure of an infrared irradiation type sensor, wherein FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a surface on a detection side, and FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example in the case where a concave mirror is used instead of a convex lens in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example in a case where a virtual image is directly incident on both eyes according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a display unit using an HMD according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a display panel vertical movement mechanism using an HMD according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a case where the user's line of sight is facing downward in the HMD according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a display unit using an HMD according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an operation of the display unit of the HMD according to the third embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 13A is a diagram when the user's line of sight is in the horizontal direction, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram in a case in which the object faces downward.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a use state of the notebook computer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a conventional HMD.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a portable video camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

1L, 1R ... lens, 2L ... left eye, 2R ...
Right eye, 3L, 3R ... display panel, 4L, 4R ...
Virtual image, 5 ... sensor, 6 ... virtual image distance control means, 1
0: HMD (Head Mounted Display), 11:
Holder, 12: Display unit, 13: Display mechanism, 14: Image recognition unit, 15: Angle adjustment motor, 16: Half mirror, 17: CCD camera, 19 ... -Control unit, 20L, 20R ... lens, 22 ... vertical movement motor, 24L, 24R ...
Display panel, 30L, 30R ... eyes

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image display device using a virtual image, comprising: a display panel for displaying an image; an enlargement optical member such as a lens for enlarging the displayed image; and a continuous space between the display panel and the enlargement optical member. An optical system supporting mechanism that supports the display panel in a switchable manner, a line-of-sight detection unit that detects the direction of the user's line of sight, and the display panel and the magnifying optical member according to the detected direction of the user's line of sight. An image display device, comprising: virtual image distance control means for controlling a distance of the virtual image by switching an interval. 2. The virtual image distance control means displays the virtual image in the distance when the line of sight is horizontal or upward, and displays the virtual image in the vicinity when the line of sight is lower than horizontal. 2. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image display device is configured to drive the optical system support mechanism. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the virtual image distance control means includes a motor for controlling movement of a distance of the display panel with respect to the magnifying optical member, and a driving means for driving the motor. Video display device. 4. An optical system supporting mechanism for supporting the optical system supporting mechanism so that an angle of an optical axis of the magnifying optical member can be switched, and an angle in a vertical direction of the line of sight, 2. The image display device according to claim 1, further comprising an optical axis angle control unit that controls the optical system support mechanism so that the center of the virtual image is positioned on the line of sight. 5. The image display device according to claim 4, further comprising an interlocking mechanism for operating the optical system supporting mechanism in conjunction with the operation of the optical system supporting mechanism. 6. A display mechanism for integrally supporting the display panel, the magnifying optical member, and the optical system supporting mechanism, and reflects a virtual image magnified by the magnifying optical member in the direction of the user's eye. The image display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a mirror configured to cause the image to be displayed. 7. The image display device according to claim 5, wherein the mirror is a half mirror. 8. The line-of-sight detecting means includes a CCD (Charge C).
2. The video display device according to claim 1, wherein the video display device is a camera. 9. A portable personal computer, comprising: a main body having an input function and an arithmetic function; a display panel connected to the main body and displaying an image; and an enlarging optical member for enlarging the displayed image. An optical system support mechanism for continuously and switchably supporting the distance between the display panel and the magnifying optical member; a line-of-sight detecting means for detecting the direction of the line of sight of the user; and the line of sight of the detected user And a virtual image distance control means for controlling the distance between the virtual images by switching the distance between the display panel and the magnifying optical member according to the direction of the personal computer.