WO2011024291A1

WO2011024291A1 - Display device

Info

Publication number: WO2011024291A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/065063
Authority: WO
Inventors: 真人田中
Original assignee: 株式会社島津製作所
Priority date: 2009-08-28
Filing date: 2009-08-28
Publication date: 2011-03-03

Abstract

A display device is provided with: a light outputting mechanism (S) having a display element (2) which outputs display light; a first light guide (4); and a second light guide (5). The first light guide (4) guides display light to the second light guide (5), and the second light guide (5) guides display light to a light outputting surface (52) while reflecting display light in a second set direction by means of a first surface (53a) and a second surface (53b), and the second light guide guides display light to the eye (E) of an observer from the light outputting surface (52). In the first light guide (4), display light outputted from the light outputting mechanism (S) is reflected by a total reflection surface (41), then, is guided to a light outputting surface (42), while reflecting display light in a first set direction by means of four surfaces, i.e. a first surface (43a), a second surface (43b), a third surface (43c) and a fourth surface (43d), and display light is guided to the second light guide (5) from the light outputting surface (42).

Description

Display device

The present invention relates to an information device that can be used in an environment other than a desktop, such as a wearable computer that is worn on the body via a waist belt or jewelry, or a communication device such as a mobile phone that can be carried in a knapsack or pocket. The present invention relates to a display device suitable for a monitor.

As display devices for information devices that are worn on the body, eyeglass-type forms are becoming mainstream. FIG. 5 is an external view showing a conventional eyeglass-type display (display device) mounted on the observer's head. FIG. 6 is an optical path diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a plane of a conventional glasses-type display worn on the observer's head, and FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic configuration of a side surface of the glasses-type display illustrated in FIG. 8 is an optical path diagram, and FIG. 8 is an optical path diagram showing a schematic configuration of another side surface of the eyeglass-type display shown in FIG.
The glasses-type display 101 has an appearance similar to that of glasses, and guides the image display light L to the observer's eye E while reflecting the image display light L from the unit U and the unit U. It includes a first light guide 104 and a second light guide 5 that are substrates, and a frame portion F to which the unit portion U, the first light guide 104, and the second light guide 5 are attached (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
The glasses-type display 101 is for the right eye, and defines an XYZ coordinate system having an origin at the center of the right eye E in a state of looking far away. The Z direction is in front of the observer, the Y direction is below the observer, and the X direction is to the left of the observer.

The unit portion U has an emission mechanism having a transmissive liquid crystal display (display element) 2 that forms an image to be a display region (Z ₁ × Y ₁ ) on a surface perpendicular to the emission direction and emits image display light L. S and an optical system 103 that forms a virtual image to be observed.
The emission mechanism S includes a light source (not shown) and a transmissive liquid crystal display 2. The transmissive liquid crystal display 2 forms an image to be a display region (Z ₁ × Y ₁ ) on a surface perpendicular to the emission direction, and emits the image display light L.
Optics 103, image display light for all the range of the display area _{(Z ₁} × _Y ₁₎ and the first optical element 103a which reflects and transmits the image display light L, the entire range of the display area _{(Z ₁} × _Y ₁₎ And a second optical element 103b that reflects L. Accordingly, the optical system 103 forms a virtual image of the observation target while reflecting and transmitting the image display light L in the entire display area (Z ₁ × Y ₁ ).

The first light guide 104 has a rectangular shape made of polycarbonate (refractive index ng), a planar total reflection surface 141 formed at one end and disposed in front of the emission mechanism S (Z direction), and the other end. And a side surface formed between the total reflection surface 141 and the emission surface 142 by an interface with air, and the emission surface 142 arranged behind the total reflection surface 51 of the second light guide 5 (−Z direction). A group 143.
The side group 143 has a quadrangular shape when viewed from the X direction (first setting direction), the first surface 143a, the second surface 143b facing the first surface 143a in the Z direction, the third surface 143c, It has the surface 143c and the 4th surface 143d which opposes in a Y direction. At this time, the distance between the third surface 143c and the fourth surface 143d is H ′.

The total reflection surface 141 has a planar shape, is arranged so as to be perpendicular to the third surface 143c and the fourth surface 143d, and not parallel to the first surface 143a and the second surface 143b.
The emission surface 142 includes five planar emission surfaces, and in order in the X direction (first setting direction), the first emission surface 142a, the second emission surface 142b,..., The fifth emission surface. It is arranged to be 142e.
Further, each of the emission surfaces 142a to 142e is disposed so as to be perpendicular to the third surface 143c and the fourth surface 143d and not parallel to the first surface 143a and the second surface 143b. .
Each of the exit surfaces 142a to 142e is a beam splitter surface that reflects 19% of the incident image display light L and transmits 81% of the image display light L.

The second light guide 5 has a flat plate shape made of polycarbonate (refractive index ng), is formed at one end, and is arranged in front of the first light guide 104 (in the Z direction), and the other end. And an exit surface 52 disposed in front of the observer's eye E (Z direction) and a side group 53 formed between the total reflection surface 51 and the exit surface 52 by an interface with air. .
The side group 53 has a quadrangular shape when viewed from the Y direction (second setting direction), the first surface 53a, the second surface 53b facing the first surface 53a in the Z direction, the third surface 53c, and the third surface. It has the surface 53c and the 4th surface 53d which opposes in a X direction.

Total reflection surface 51 has a planar shape, is disposed so as to be perpendicular to third surface 53c and fourth surface 53d, and not parallel to first surface 53a and second surface 53b. Yes.
The emission surface 52 is composed of five planar emission surfaces, and in order in the Y direction (second setting direction), the first emission surface 52a, the second emission surface 52b,..., The fifth emission surface. 52e.
Further, each of the emission surfaces 52a to 52e is disposed so as to be perpendicular to the third surface 53c and the fourth surface 53d and not parallel to the first surface 52a and the second surface 52b.
Each of the exit surfaces 52a to 52e is a beam splitter surface that reflects 19% of the incident image display light L and transmits 81% of the image display light L.

In such a glasses-type display 101, the total reflection surface 141 of the first light guide 104 reflects the image display light L in the display area (Z ₁ × Y ₁ ) from the optical system 103 in the substantially X direction. The two surfaces of the first surface 143a and the second surface 143b guide the image display light L in the display region (Z ₁ × Y ₁ ) to the first emission surface 142a while alternately reflecting the image display light L a plurality of times. Therefore, the first emission surface 142a reflects 19% of the incident light beam of the image display light L and transmits 81% of the light beam of the image display light L. That is, the light flux of the image display light that is 19.0% of the light flux of the image display light L is guided toward a part of the total reflection surface 51 of the second light guide 5.
Further, the image display light L transmitted through the first emission surface 142a reaches the second emission surface 142b. Therefore, the second exit surface 142b reflects 19% of the incident light flux of the image display light L and transmits 81% of the light flux of the image display light L. That is, the light flux of the image display light that is 15.4% of the light flux of the image display light L is guided toward the other part of the total reflection surface 51 of the second light guide 5.
In this way, each of the exit surfaces 142a to 142e reflects 19% of the incident light flux of the image display light L and transmits 81% of the light flux of the image display light L, thereby setting the light flux of the image display light L. The luminous flux of the image display light as a ratio is guided toward the total reflection surface 51 of the second light guide 5.

The total reflection surface 51 of the second light guide 5 reflects the image display light L in the display area (Z ₁ × Y ₁ ) from the first light guide 104 in the substantially Y direction. The two surfaces of the first surface 53a and the second surface 53b guide the image display light L in the display region (Z ₁ × Y ₁ ) to the first emission surface 52a while alternately reflecting the image display light L a plurality of times. Therefore, the first emission surface 52a reflects 19% of the incident image display light L and transmits 81% of the image display light L. That is, the light flux of the image display light that is the set ratio of the light flux of the image display light L is guided toward the observer's eye E.
Further, the image display light L transmitted through the first emission surface 52a reaches the second emission surface 52b. Therefore, the second emission surface 52b reflects 19% of the incident light beam of the image display light L and transmits 81% of the light beam of the image display light L. That is, the light flux of the image display light that is the set ratio of the light flux of the image display light L is guided toward the observer's eye E.
As described above, each of the exit surfaces 52a to 52e reflects 19% of the incident light beam of the image display light L and transmits 81% of the light beam of the image display light L, thereby setting the light beam of the image display light L. The luminous flux of the image display light as a ratio is guided toward the observer's eye E.

Special table 2003-536102 gazette

However, in such a glasses-type display 101, the third surface 143c and the fourth surface 143d do not reflect the image display light L once, and do not guide from the total reflection surface 141 to the emission surfaces 142a to 142e. Since the size of the optical system 103 in the Y direction, the distance H ′ between the third surface 143c and the fourth surface 143d, etc. cannot be reduced, the first light guide 104 and the optical system 103 are There was a problem that it became heavier as it became larger.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a display device that can reduce the size and weight of the first light guide and the optical system.

The display device of the present invention made to solve the above problems includes an emission mechanism having a display element for emitting display light, an optical system, a first light guide, and a second light guide, and the optical system. Guides display light from the emission mechanism to a first light guide, the first light guide guides display light from the optical system to a second light guide, and the second light guide The second surface facing the first surface, the exit surface arranged in front of the observer's eye, and the total reflection surface, and the total reflection surface reflects the display light from the first light guide A display device that guides display light from the exit surface to the observer's eyes while reflecting the display light in the second setting direction on the two surfaces, the first surface and the second surface. The first light guide includes a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface; A third surface, a fourth surface facing the third surface, an emission surface, and a total reflection surface; after reflecting display light from the emission mechanism on the total reflection surface, the first surface The display light is guided to the exit surface while reflecting the display light in the first setting direction on the four surfaces of the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface, and the display light is guided from the exit surface to the total reflection surface of the second light guide I try to guide you.

Here, the “first setting direction” is an arbitrary direction predetermined by a designer or the like, and is, for example, the left side of the observer or the right side of the observer.
The “second setting direction” is an arbitrary direction predetermined by a designer or the like, and is, for example, below the observer or above the observer.
According to the display device of the present invention, the first light guide reflects the display light from the emission mechanism on the total reflection surface, and then the four surfaces of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface. Since the display light is guided to the exit surface while reflecting the display light in the first setting direction, the size of the optical system for guiding the display light to the first light guide, and the third and fourth surfaces of the first light guide itself The distance between them can be reduced.

As described above, according to the display device of the present invention, the first light guide and the optical system can be reduced in size and weight.

(Means and effects for solving other problems)
In the above invention, the exit surface of the first light guide has a plurality of planar shapes capable of reflecting the set ratio of the incident display light beam and transmitting the set ratio of the display light beam. A beam splitter surface or a total reflection surface, and the beam splitter surfaces are arranged in order in the first setting direction and are parallel to each other, and the first surface, the second surface, and the third surface. Rather than being parallel and perpendicular to the fourth surface, the exit surface of the second light guide can reflect the set ratio of the incident display light beam and transmit the set ratio of the display light beam. A plurality of planar beam splitter surfaces or total reflection surfaces, each of the beam splitter surfaces being arranged in order in the second setting direction and parallel to each other, and the first surface and the second surface It may not be parallel and perpendicular to the.
Here, the “set ratio” is an arbitrary ratio predetermined by a designer or the like. For example, 19% of the incident light flux of the display light is reflected and 81% of the light flux of the display light is transmitted. To be decided.

Furthermore, in the above invention, the first setting direction and the second setting direction may be perpendicular to each other.

It is an optical path diagram which shows the schematic structure of the plane of the spectacles type display which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is an optical path figure which shows schematic structure of the side surface of the spectacles type display shown in FIG. It is an optical path figure which shows schematic structure of the other side surface of the spectacles type display shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a part of 1st light guide. It is an external view which shows the conventional spectacles type display with which an observer's head is mounted | worn. It is an optical path figure which shows the schematic structure of the plane of the conventional spectacles type display. It is an optical path figure which shows schematic structure of the side surface of the spectacles type display shown in FIG. It is an optical path figure which shows schematic structure of the other side surface of the spectacles type display shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and it is needless to say that various aspects are included without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an optical path diagram showing a schematic configuration of a plane of a glasses-type display (display device) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an optical path showing a schematic configuration of a side surface of the glasses-type display shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an optical path diagram showing a schematic configuration of another side surface of the eyeglass-type display shown in FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the thing similar to the spectacles type display 101 mentioned above.
The glasses-type display 1 includes a unit unit U that emits image display light L, a first light guide 4 that is a substrate that guides the image display light L from the unit unit U to the eyes E of the observer while reflecting the image display light L, and the first light guide 4. Two light guides 5, a unit portion U, a first light guide 4, and a frame portion F to which the second light guide 5 is attached.

The unit portion U has an emission mechanism having a transmissive liquid crystal display (display element) 2 that forms an image to be a display region (Z ₁ × Y ₁ ) on a surface perpendicular to the emission direction and emits image display light L. S and an optical system 3 that forms a virtual image of an observation object.
Optical system 3, the image display light for all the range of the display area (Z _₁ × Y _₁₎ and the first optical element 3a for reflecting and transmitting the image display light L, the entire range of the display area (Z _₁ × Y _₁₎ And a second optical element 3b that reflects L. Accordingly, the optical system 3 forms a virtual image of the observation target while reflecting and transmitting the image display light L in the entire display area (Z ₁ × Y ₁ ).
At this time, as will be described later, the image display light L of the entire range (Z ₁ × Y ₁ ) of the display area is converted into the first surface 43a, the second surface 43b, the third surface 43c, and the fourth surface of the first light guide 4. Since the light is reflected by four surfaces 43d, the size of the optical system 3 in the Y direction is small.

The first light guide 4 has a square columnar shape made of polycarbonate (refractive index ng), is formed at one end and is disposed in front of the emission mechanism S (in the Z direction). The guide 5 includes an emission surface 42 disposed behind the total reflection surface 51 (−Z direction) and a side group 43 formed between the total reflection surface 41 and the emission surface 42 by an interface with air. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the first light guide.
The side group 43 has a quadrangular shape when viewed from the X direction (first setting direction), the first surface 43a, the second surface 43b facing the first surface 43a in the Z direction, the third surface 43c, and the third surface. It has the surface 43c and the 4th surface 43d which opposes in a Y direction (2nd setting direction). At this time, the distance between the third surface 43c and the fourth surface 43d is H. That is, the distance H between the third surface 43c and the fourth surface 43d is smaller than the distance H ′ between the third surface 143c and the fourth surface 143d.

The total reflection surface 41 has a planar shape and is arranged so as not to be perpendicular to and parallel to the first surface 43a, the second surface 43b, the third surface 43c, and the fourth surface 43d.
The exit surface 42 includes five planar exit surfaces, and in order in the X direction (first setting direction), the first exit surface 42a, the second exit surface 42b,..., The fifth exit surface. 42e.
Further, each of the emission surfaces 42a to 42e is arranged not to be perpendicular to and parallel to the first surface 43a, the second surface 43b, the third surface 43c, and the fourth surface 43d. In addition, each of the emission surfaces 42 a to 42 e is disposed so as to be parallel to the total reflection surface 41.
Each of the exit surfaces 42a to 42e is a beam splitter surface that reflects 19% of the incident image display light L and transmits 81% of the image display light L.

In such a glasses-type display 1, the total reflection surface 41 of the first light guide 4 reflects the image display light L in the display region (Z ₁ × Y ₁ ) in the substantially X direction. For example, the image display light L in the display area (Z ₁ × Y ₁ ) is reflected by the first surface 43a, reflected by the third surface 43c, reflected by the second surface 43b, and reflected by the fourth surface 43d. As described above, the light is guided to the first emission surface 42a while being reflected a plurality of times. Therefore, the first emission surface 42a reflects 19% of the incident light flux of the image display light L and transmits 81% of the light flux of the image display light L. That is, the light flux of the image display light that is 19.0% of the light flux of the image display light L is guided toward a part of the total reflection surface 51 of the second light guide 5.
Further, the image display light L transmitted through the first emission surface 42a reaches the second emission surface 42b. Therefore, the second exit surface 42b reflects 19% of the incident light flux of the image display light L and transmits 81% of the light flux of the image display light L. That is, the light flux of the image display light that is 15.4% of the light flux of the image display light L is guided toward the other part of the total reflection surface 51 of the second light guide 5.
In this way, each of the exit surfaces 42a to 42e reflects 19% of the incident light flux of the image display light L and transmits 81% of the light flux of the image display light L, thereby setting the light flux of the image display light L. The luminous flux of the image display light as a ratio is guided toward the total reflection surface 51 of the second light guide 5.

The total reflection surface 51 of the second light guide 5 reflects the image display light L in the display area (Z ₁ × Y ₁ ) from the first light guide 4 in the substantially Y direction. The two surfaces of the first surface 53a and the second surface 53b guide the image display light L in the display region (Z ₁ × Y ₁ ) to the first emission surface 52a while alternately reflecting the image display light L a plurality of times. Therefore, the first emission surface 52a reflects 19% of the incident image display light L and transmits 81% of the image display light L. That is, the light flux of the image display light that is the set ratio of the light flux of the image display light L is guided toward the observer's eye E.
Further, the image display light L transmitted through the first emission surface 52a reaches the second emission surface 52b. Therefore, the second emission surface 52b reflects 19% of the incident light beam of the image display light L and transmits 81% of the light beam of the image display light L. That is, the light flux of the image display light that is the set ratio of the light flux of the image display light L is guided toward the observer's eye E.
In this way, each of the emission surfaces 52a to 52e reflects the image display light L, thereby guiding the light beam of the image display light, which is a set ratio of the light beam of the image display light L, toward the eye E of the observer.

As described above, according to the glasses-type display 1, the first light guide 4 and the optical system 3 can be reduced in size and weight.

(Other embodiments)
The above-described glasses-type display is mounted on the body of an observer's head and arms, a helmet or glasses worn on the body via a headset, a belt, a band, a clip, or the like, or a mobile phone or a wristwatch. It may be attached to various portable devices such as or may be used while being held in the hand. Moreover, it is not limited to a form such as a head-mounted display attached to the observer, but may be a form such as a head-up display installed in front of the observer.
The emission mechanism may display a virtual image of an observation object in color with a light source that emits three-color light of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) in a time-sharing manner.
Further, the image display light may be guided to both eyes of the observer.

Further, in the above-described eyeglass-type display, the configuration in which the X direction and the first setting direction coincide with each other is shown, but the X direction and the first setting direction may not coincide with each other. Can be in any one direction. In addition, although the configuration in which the Y direction and the second setting direction match is shown, the Y direction and the second setting direction may not match, and the second setting direction may be any one direction. be able to.
Examples of the material for forming the first light guide and the second light guide include polycarbonate, polymethacrylic acid (PMMA), cycloolefin, and glass material.

In the eyeglass-type display described above, the first light guide 4 has five emission surfaces 42a to 42e and the second light guide 5 has five emission surfaces 52a to 52e. One light guide may have four exit surfaces, and the second light guide may have six exit surfaces, and the number of exit surfaces can be any number.
In the glasses-type display described above, the exit surfaces 42a to 42e of the first light guide 4 and the exit surfaces 52a to 52e of the second light guide 5 reflect 19% of the light flux of the incident image display light L and Although the configuration is such that it is a beam splitter surface that transmits 81% of the luminous flux of the display light L, the exit surface of the first light guide and the exit surface of the second light guide reflect different ratios, respectively. A configuration in which the beam splitter surface and the total reflection surface transmit different ratios may be used.
For example, for the exit surfaces 42a to 42e of the first light guide 4,
The exit surface 42a has a reflectance of 20%, a transmittance of 80%,
The exit surface 42b has a reflectance of 25%, a transmittance of 75%,
The exit surface 42c has a reflectance of 33%, a transmittance of 67%,
The exit surface 42d has a reflectance of 50%, a transmittance of 50%,
The exit surface 42e is a total reflection surface (reflectance 100%),
The emission light from each emission surface may be made uniform by 20% of the light flux of the image display light L.

In the eyeglass-type display described above, the refractive index ng of polycarbonate, which is the material of the first light guide 4, is between the second surface 43 b of the first light guide 4 and the first surface 53 a of the second light guide 5. Alternatively, the second light guide 5 may be bonded via a medium (for example, fluoride) having a refractive index ng and a lower refractive index ng ′ of polycarbonate which is a material of the second light guide 5.

The present invention can be used for information devices used in environments other than the desktop.

1, 101 glasses-type display (display device)
2. Transmission type liquid crystal display (display element)
3, 103

Optical system

4, 104 First light guide 5

Second light guide

41, 51, 141 Total reflection surface 42, 52, 142

Exit surface

42a, 52a, 142a

First exit surface

42b, 52b, 142b

Second exit surface

43a, 53a, 143a

First surface

43b, 53b,

143b Second surface

43c, 53c, 143c

Third surface

43d, 53d, 143d Fourth surface L Image display light E Eye of observer S Emitting mechanism U Unit part

Claims

An emission mechanism having a display element for emitting display light;
Optical system,
The first light guide,
With a second light guide,
The optical system guides display light from the emission mechanism to a first light guide,
The first light guide guides display light from the optical system to a second light guide,
The second light guide includes a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, an exit surface disposed in front of an eye of an observer, and a total reflection surface, and the total reflection surface After the display light from the first light guide is reflected, the display light is guided to the output surface while reflecting the display light in the second setting direction on the first surface and the second surface, and displayed from the output surface. A display device that guides light to the eyes of an observer,
The first light guide includes a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, a third surface, a fourth surface facing the third surface, an exit surface, and a total reflection surface. And reflecting the display light from the emission mechanism on the total reflection surface, and then displaying the display light on the four surfaces of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface in the first setting direction. A display device characterized by being guided to an exit surface while being reflected and guiding display light from the exit surface to a total reflection surface of a second light guide.
The exit surface of the first light guide reflects a set ratio of the incident display light beam and transmits a set ratio of the display light beam to a plurality of planar beam splitter surfaces or total reflection surfaces And
The beam splitter surfaces are sequentially arranged in the first setting direction, and are parallel to each other, and parallel and perpendicular to the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface. Rather than
The exit surface of the second light guide reflects a set ratio of the incident display light beam and transmits a set ratio of the display light beam in a plurality of planar beam splitter surfaces or total reflection surfaces And
The beam splitter surfaces are arranged in order in the second setting direction, are parallel to each other, and are not parallel and perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface. The display device according to 1.
3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first setting direction and the second setting direction are perpendicular to each other.