JP3900578B2 - Follow-up virtual image display system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a virtual image display system, and more particularly to a follow-up virtual image display system that can form a virtual image of an object following a user's line of sight or rotation of the head.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a virtual image display system capable of forming a virtual image of a conventional video, for example, a head-mounted display device such as an HMD (Head Mounted Display) is realized.
Here, the virtual image can be formed on the object side when the object is closer to the lens than the focal length. For example, “Introduction to lens chemistry (top)”, Toshi Ogura Details are described in Asahi Sonorama, “Optics”, Kazumi Murata, Science, etc.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 18, the HMD includes, for example, a lens that enlarges an image to form a virtual image, and a display panel (for example, a liquid crystal display) that is disposed at a position closer to the focal length of the lens. The
As shown in the figure, the user can watch the virtual image by wearing the HMD 100 on the head and viewing the image displayed on the display panel 102 through the lens 101. Here, the optical axis x 'of the lens 101 and the user's line of sight e' 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, with the left or right monocular of the user, the image presented on the internal display panel 107 is viewed from the eyepiece 106 attached to the viewfinder 105. Yes. The viewfinder 105 is attached to the video camera main body 108 and operates an image presented on the display panel 107 by an operation button 109.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the HMD as described above, since an optical system such as a lens is designed on the assumption that it is mounted on the head, the optical axis of the lens and the line of sight of the user do not overlap and may shift, There is a problem that a virtual image is viewed as having a large aberration.
[0006]
Similarly, in the viewfinder described above, the virtual image is magnified and viewed with a small lens, so that a clear virtual image can be seen unless the eyeball is in contact with the eyepiece and the line of sight is not directed in a predetermined direction. There was a problem that could not be.
[0007]
In these conventional configurations, since the position of the virtual image formed is constant, the user may try to forcibly view the image regardless of the difference in visual acuity, causing dry eyes (dry eyes) or eye strain. There were drawbacks such as this.
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.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, and it is possible to form a clear virtual image with less aberrations following the movement of the user's line of sight and the rotational movement of the head. Another object of the present invention is to provide a follow-up type virtual image display system capable of displaying a virtual image at a position that is easy for the user to see when the line of sight tilts in the vertical direction.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The purposeTo achieve this, the following virtual image display system according to the present invention is a following virtual image display system configured to include a video display unit having a virtual image optical system and to use the virtual image on a user's line of sight. A lower end of the headrest includes a chair attached to the top so that the lower end of the headrest can be rotated left and right around the center of the user's head, and a moving mechanism for moving the video display unit together with the virtual image optical system, The system is configured to form an enlarged virtual image of a display panel corresponding to both eyes at the same position in space, and the moving mechanism is a pressure-sensitive sensor provided at a portion of the headrest where a user's head contacts An image display unit support mechanism that has one end attached to the upper end of the headrest and the image display unit provided at the other end to rotate the image display unit in the vertical direction; A rotation motor that rotates the headrest according to the output obtained from the pressure-sensitive sensor in response to the movement of the child seated person, and the optical axis of the virtual image optical system is the optical axis of the line of sight By moving the video display unit to a position that overlaps with each other, it is possible to perform virtual image observation in a state where convergence adjustment of both eyes is matched. In the above configurationTherefore,The video display unit can freely move as instructed by the user. Therefore, the video display unit can be moved by the moving mechanism, and thereby the optical axis of the virtual image optical system can be superimposed on the optical axis of the line of sight. This realizes a state in which the video display unit is always placed in the correct positional relationship on the user's line of sight, so that a virtual image with less aberration can be viewed. In addition, when the video display unit of the follow-up virtual image display system according to the present invention is configured to be able to move the position where the virtual image is formed, along with the user's line-of-sight movement or / and head rotation operation, The distance at which the virtual image is formed can be changed manually or automatically. Therefore, a virtual image with few aberrations is displayed at an easy-to-see position desired by the user.
[0017]
Further, the video display unit of the follow-up 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 facing down, the virtual image is positioned closer to the user When the user is configured to form a virtual image, the virtual image can be seen closer as the user's line-of-sight direction becomes downward.
Therefore, a virtual image with few aberrations is displayed at an easy-to-see position desired by the user.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The following embodiment is a preferred example of the present invention, and various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention is described in the following description to particularly limit the present invention. As long as it is not, it is not restricted to these forms.
[0019]
  FIG. 1 shows the present invention.Relevant for reference1 is an overall perspective view of an embodiment of a follow-up virtual image display system. 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 for explaining other details of the image display unit support mechanism shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the follow-up virtual image display system shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control portion of the follow-up virtual image display system shown in FIG.
[0020]
In FIG. 1, a follow-up virtual image display system D according to the present invention includes a video display unit 10 that forms a virtual image, and a video display unit support mechanism 11 that holds the video display unit 10 at the tip and rotates it vertically. A guide rail 12 that is held by the video display unit support mechanism 11 and is developed in an arc shape in the left-right direction, and the video display unit 10 is movably inserted and carried in the left-right direction; A chair 18 on which a person sits is provided.
In the above description, the image display unit support mechanism 11 and the guide rail 12 constitute a moving mechanism.
[0021]
The video display unit 10 includes a virtual image optical system including a liquid crystal display and a lens system, and an optical axis x of the virtual image optical system is set to an optical axis (hereinafter abbreviated as a line of sight) e of a user sitting on the chair 18. It is placed in an overlapping position. The configuration and operation of the video display unit 10 will be described in detail later.
[0022]
The rear end of the image display unit support mechanism 11 is attached to the chair 18. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image display unit support mechanism 11 includes arms 24, 25, 14, and 26 and stepping motors 13a, 13b, and 13c.
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. This rotational force is given by the stepping motor 13a.
[0023]
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 the 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 the stepping motor 13 c, and the guide rail 12 is attached to the other end of the arm 26.
[0024]
The joint between the arms will be further described. A shaft 14 a is integrally provided at the other end of the arm 14, and the shaft 14 a is slidably fitted to a bearing 26 b provided integrally at one end of the arm 26. Yes. Further, the main body of the stepping motor 13c is attached to the bearing 26b of the arm 26, and the rotation shaft 23c of the stepping motor 13c is fitted into the rotation bearing hole 14aa formed in the center of the shaft 14a at the other end of the arm 14. Yes.
Similarly, the main body of the stepping motor 13b is attached to the bearing 14b of the arm 14, and the rotation shaft 23b of the stepping motor 13b is fitted into a rotation bearing hole formed in the center of the shaft 25a at the other end of the arm 25. Match. The same applies to the stepping motor 13a.
[0025]
The stepping motors 13a to 13c each rotate by an 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 input by the user using an operation switch or the like.
As a result, when the user moves the line of sight e in the vertical direction, the video display unit support mechanism 11 is operated by the user inputting an instruction to that effect, and the video display unit 10 is moved in the vertical direction. The optical axis x can be adjusted to overlap the line of sight e.
[0026]
In the vertical movement of the video display unit 10, the angle of attack of the line of sight e is maintained while keeping the distance from the eyeball to the video display unit 10 with the position of the user's eyeball as the center of rotation. The rotation angles of the stepping motors 13a to 13c are adjusted so as to be equal to the depression angle.
[0027]
Further, the image display unit 10 is configured such that the frame 10A is movable in sliding contact with the guide rail 12 as shown in FIG. 3, and the propulsion motor 10B is fixed to the frame 10A and is fitted on the shaft of the propulsion motor 10B. The pinion gear meshes with the rack gear on the guide rail 12 side.
Therefore, when the propulsion motor 10 </ b> B rotates based on the control signal sent from the device control unit 15 via the first signal line 16, the video display unit 10 runs on the guide rail 12.
[0028]
Here, the guide rail 12 forms a circular arc centered on the center of the user's head on the plane, and thus the video display unit 10 can move the line of sight rotated left and right while keeping the distance from the eyeball constant. It travels on the guide rail 12 until it becomes equal to the rotation angle of e.
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 to overlap the line of sight e moved by rotation.
A state in which the video 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.
[0029]
Furthermore, in the above, the movement of the video display unit 10 in the vertical direction and / or the horizontal direction is controlled based on the value manually input by the user using the input means such as the input button of the device control unit 15. As another configuration, it is possible to provide a line-of-sight detector emt that automatically detects the movement of the line of sight e in the vertical direction and automatically control the vertical movement of the video display unit 10 based on the detection output.
[0030]
Such a line-of-sight detector emt can be mounted on the video display unit 10 as shown in FIG. 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 by applying infrared rays to the eyeball and using the difference in reflectance between white and black eyes, There is a method of detecting the position of the eyeball by detecting the amount of light that comes.
Similarly, a head rotation detector (see FIG. 7) that automatically detects the left-right rotation of the head can be provided, and thereby the left-right rotation of the head can be automatically detected. As such a head rotation detector, an image processing circuit such as a pressure sensor or a CCD camera can be applied.
[0031]
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 sends motor control signals 15a and 15b to the stepping motors 13a to 13c and the propulsion motor 10B based on the instruction input signal 28a input from the manual input panel 28, respectively.
On the other hand, in the automatic control mode, the device control unit 15 performs motor control signals based on the line-of-sight detector signal e2 input from the line-of-sight detector emt and / or the head movement detection signal 29a input from the head movement sensor 29. 15a and 15b are sent to the stepping motors 13a to 13c and the propulsion motor 10B, respectively.
[0032]
  Next, FIG. 6 shows a follow-up virtual image display system according to the present invention.Of one embodimentIt is a whole perspective view. 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 the rotation motor 33, and one end of the video 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 screen.
[0033]
The video display unit support mechanism 30 includes a stepping motor 13m, an arm 14m, and the like similar to those in the above embodiment, and rotates the video display unit 10 in the vertical direction as in the above embodiment.
The headrest 32 is rotatable about the center of the user's head, and a pressure-sensitive sensor 36 as shown in FIG. 7 is provided at a portion where the user's head contacts the headrest 32.
[0034]
The user will appreciate the virtual image formed by the video display unit 10 leaning against the headrest 32, but when the user rotates his / her head left and right, the pressure in the rotational direction increases and the pressure in the opposite direction decreases. In order to eliminate this difference, the rotation motor 33 is driven to rotate the headrest 32. Then, the video display unit 10 attached to the headrest 32 rotates in the left-right direction according to the movement of the headrest 32.
Thereby, the user can always appreciate the virtual image at a comfortable position.
[0035]
FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram showing an optical system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows an optical system that changes the distance of a virtual image.
In the figure, O1 or O2 represents the principal point of the lens 13R or 13L, and F1 or F2 represents the focal point of the lens 13R or 13L, respectively. O represents the midpoint between the principal points O1 and O2.
The center point of the display panel 14R or 14L (for example, when the display panels 14R and 14L are rectangular), the midpoint O and the focal point F1 or F2 are connected to each other. They are positioned on the straight lines OF1 and OF2, respectively, and are disposed so as to be positioned on the same plane.
[0036]
This is due to the following reason. For example, the direction from the principal point O2 to O1 is taken as the d-axis, and the optical axis direction of the lens 13L (the direction from the principal point O2 to the focal point F2 is taken as the s-axis. (S1, d1), the center point with the virtual image formed by the lens 13L is M1 ′, and the coordinates on the sd plane are (s1 ′, d1 ′), and the focal points F1 and F2 Let O ′ be the midpoint between.
[0037]
In this case, as described above, since the display panel 14R or 14L is in the same plane and the center point thereof is on the straight line OF1 or OF2, the display panels 14R and 14L have the main planes of the lenses 13R and 13L ( This is also equidistant from the same plane as described above. Therefore, since the virtual images R and L are also in the same plane, if the center points of the virtual images R and L are both on the straight line OO ′ connecting the middle points O and O ′, the virtual images R and L are the same. Will be in position.
[0038]
Therefore, since the center point M1 (s1, d1) of the display panel 14L is on the straight line OF2, the following equation is established.
d = L / 2−L × s1 / (2 × f)
However, 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, the following formula is established by the imaging formula.
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 expression is established.
s1 / s1 '= d1 / d1'
[0039]
From the above formula
d1 '= L / 2
Is obtained. This indicates that the center point M1 'of the virtual image L is on the straight line OO'.
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'.
[0040]
As described above, the virtual images R and L are on the same plane, and their center points are both on the straight line OO ′, so that the virtual images R and L are at the same position.
Therefore, the user can observe the virtual image without difficulty in a state where the convergence adjustment of both eyes is matched, that is, in a relaxed state.
[0041]
In the video display unit 10, the center point of each display panel 14R or 14L is moved synchronously so as to be included in the same plane on the straight line OF1 or OF2, thereby the virtual image R And the position where L is formed is moved from near the user to infinity (the distance from the user to the virtual images R and L is changed).
[0042]
The display panels 14R and 14L are moved by, for example, a virtual image distance control motor 45 (see FIG. 9) configured by a stepping motor or the like. Further, each of the display panels 14R or 14L moves in a range on the lens 13R side or 13L side from 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 located closer to the lens than the focal length.
[0043]
By moving the display panels 14L and 14R to positions close to or far from the lenses 13L and 13R, the virtual images L and R move to positions close to or far from the user, respectively.
[0044]
Further, since the distance from the user to the virtual images R and L can theoretically be changed by the distance between the lenses 13L and 13R and the display panels 14L and 14R, it is not the display panels 14L and 14R. It is also possible to change the position by moving the lenses 13L and 13R.
[0045]
In FIG. 8, the lenses 13L and 13R that are convex lenses are used as the magnifying optical system. However, in addition to the convex lens, for example, a concave mirror or the like can be used as described later.
[0046]
Further, in FIG. 8, a virtual image to be observed by the left eye is independently formed by the lens 13L and the display panel 14L, and a virtual image to be observed by the right eye is independently formed by the lens 13R and the display panel 14R. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to provide a three-dimensional virtual image in addition to a two-dimensional (planar) virtual image. That is, for example, 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, a stereoscopic virtual image is provided to the user. Can do.
[0047]
Next, FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of the video display unit 10.
The lenses 13L and 13R are attached to the bottom panel 42 at an interval such that the distance between their optical axes (principal points) is an average distance between the human left eye and the right eye, for example. The bottom panel 42 is fixed to the lower left frame spacer 11C and the lower right frame spacer 11D.
[0048]
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 the virtual image distance control motor 45 is provided in the upper center between the front panel 40 and the rear panel 41. The virtual image distance control motor 45 is configured to move the screwed motor shaft 46 in the vertical direction by rotating.
[0049]
In FIG. 9, the front panel 40, the back panel 41, and the bottom panel 42 are made transparent. However, this is for convenience of illustration, and these are always made of a transparent member. There is no need.
[0050]
In a space sandwiched between the front panel 40 and the back panel 42, a panel holder 39 to which the display panels 14L and 14R are attached is provided.
That is, the panel holder 39 has panel mounting portions 19L and 19R, and the display panel 14L or 14R is mounted on the panel mounting portion 19L or 19R so that the display screen faces the lens 13L or 13R, respectively. It has been. Then, the panel attachment portion 19L or 19R extends in a horizontal direction (in FIG. 9, in a direction parallel to the main plane of the lenses 13L and 13R) along the shaft 20L or 20R of the panel holder 39. ) Can be moved respectively.
[0051]
Further, a pin 23L or 23R is provided on the front side of the panel mounting portion 19L or 19R, and the pin 23L or 23R is passed through a frame groove 21L or 21R provided in the front panel 40, respectively. .
Here, the frame groove 21L or 21R is provided in the direction of upward left (downward to the right) or upward (downward to the left) along the straight line OF2 or OF1 described in FIG.
[0052]
Similarly to the frame groove 21L or 21R of the front panel 40, the frame groove 22L or 22R is also provided on the back panel 41, respectively. Further, pins (not shown) are provided on the back side of the panel mounting portion 19L or 19R in the same manner as the pins 23L or 23R, respectively, and the pins provided in the panel mounting portion 19L or 19R are respectively connected to the rear panel. 41 is passed through the frame groove 22L or 22R.
[0053]
Therefore, when the panel holder 39 is moved upward as a whole, the panel mounting portion 19L or 19R moves the shaft 20L or 19R by moving the pin 23L or 23R along the frame groove 21L (22L) or 21R (22R), respectively. Move to the left or right along 20R, respectively. When the panel holder 39 moves downward as a whole, the panel mounting portion 19L or 19R moves the shaft 20L or 19R by moving the pin 23L or 23R along the frame groove 21L (22L) or 21R (22R), respectively. Move to the right or left along 20R.
[0054]
As a result, in conjunction with the vertical movement of the panel holder 39, the display panels 14L and 14R move along the frame grooves 21L (22L) or 21R (22R), that is, as described with reference to FIG. Each of them moves on the OF2 or OF1 so as to be included in the same plane.
[0055]
A center plate 27 is provided at the center of the panel holder 39, and one end of a motor shaft 46 is attached to the center plate 27. Accordingly, the panel holder 39 moves up and down together with the motor shaft 46. That is, as 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.
[0056]
In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the half mirror 43 is fixed to the boundary portion between the back panel 41 and the bottom panel 42 so as to be inclined with respect to the back panel 41. The front surface of the half mirror 43 is a reflecting surface.
[0057]
In the image display unit 10 configured as described above, an image is displayed on the display panel 14L or 14R and 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 left eye or right eye of the user, respectively. Thereby, a virtual image is observed in a user's eyeball. The light from the outside passes through the surface opposite to the reflecting surface of the half mirror 43 and enters the left eye or the right eye of the user. Observed.
[0058]
Then, the virtual image distance control motor 45 rotates, whereby the display panels 14L and 14R move on the straight line OF2 or OF1, respectively, so that the virtual image observed by the user is at various distances from the user. It is formed.
[0059]
In FIG. 9, the magnified image obtained by the lens 13L or 13R is reflected by the half mirror 43 and is incident on the user's eyeball. However, the lenses 13L and 13R are not provided without the half mirror 43. The enlarged image obtained in
It is also possible to 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 the external situation (scenery) corresponding to the range of the blocked visual field.
[0060]
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 faces downward.
By the way, for example, the conventional bifocal glasses are focused on an object at a long distance above (horizontal above) and at a short distance below (horizontal below) according to the direction of the user's line of sight.
[0061]
In the present invention, when the direction of the user's line of sight e is upward, including the horizontal state, as shown in FIG. The distance between 14L and lens 13L and the distance between display panel 14R and lens 13R are both long. Due to this positional relationship, the virtual image ig is formed far away (for example, the position of Lig = 15 m).
[0062]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, when the direction of the user's line of sight e is downward, the video display unit 10 is rotated downward. At this time, the display panels 14R and 14L are interlocked with each other in the left-right direction. And the distance between the display panel 14L and the lens 13L and the distance between the display panel 14R and the lens 13R are both shortened. Due to this positional relationship, the virtual image ig is formed in the vicinity of the user (for example, the position of Lig = 0.5 m).
[0063]
The above configuration changes the distance of the virtual image by tilting the line of sight downward, so that the virtual image can be displayed in a clear state with few aberrations at a position that is easy for the user to see.
[0064]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the operation of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, when the line of sight is detected by the line of sight detector (step S1), this output is sent to the virtual image distance control computer to identify the line of sight angle (steps S2 to S4), and the virtual image distance is identified (step). S5 to S7), the distance of the virtual image is changed by sending a signal corresponding to the virtual image distance to the virtual image distance motor. This operation is executed by the device control unit 15 (see FIG. 1).
[0065]
FIG. 13 is a simplified diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of the present invention, and a concave mirror 13V is used in the image display unit 10C instead of the lens. You may use a concave mirror and a lens together.
[0066]
FIG. 14 is a simplified diagram showing the configuration of still another embodiment of the present invention, and is suitable for application where it is not necessary to superimpose images of the outside world. Since the video display unit 10D does not need to be see-through, it has a simple and inexpensive configuration in which the half mirror of the above embodiment is removed.
[0067]
FIG. 15 is a perspective view for explaining a mechanism related to another video display unit of the follow-up virtual image display system of the present invention. This video display unit 10G is the same as the video display unit 10 shown in FIG. In this configuration, the motor mounting portion 44, the virtual image distance control motor 45, and the drive portion by the motor shaft 46 are replaced with a drive portion including a distance shaft 47, a shaft fitting insertion plate 48, and a panel holding spring 49.
Here, the distance shaft 47 is driven in the vertical direction by a cam, a plunger or the like (not shown). Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 9, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0068]
FIG. 16 is a schematic front view of the operation of the video display unit 10G shown in FIG. 15 when the line of sight is horizontal. When the line of sight e is horizontal, the distance shaft 47 is positioned upward, and thus the display panel 14L. The distance between the lens 13L and the lens 13L (and the distance between the display panel 14R and the lens 13R (not shown)) is long. Due to this positional relationship, the virtual image ig is formed far away.
[0069]
FIG. 17 is a schematic front view of the operation of the video display unit 10G shown in FIG. 15 when the line of sight is downward. When the line of sight e is downward, the distance shaft 47 descends downward, and the display panel 14L The distance between the lenses 13L (and the distance between the display panel 14R and the lens 13R (not shown)) is shortened. Due to this positional relationship, the virtual image ig is formed nearby.
[0070]
As described above in detail, the present invention realizes a virtual image display system that changes the virtual image to be presented by following the movement of the user's line of sight or / and the head movement. You can appreciate the virtual image in a few positions. Furthermore, by incorporating a mechanism that changes the distance of the virtual image according to the line-of-sight direction, the virtual image can be displayed at a position that is easy for the user to see.
[0071]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, For example,
1. A method of using other motors (including a positioning mechanism such as a rotary encoder) such as an ultrasonic motor, a DC motor, and a servo motor instead of a stepping motor.
2. A method of 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 a video display unit.
Various modifications are possible.
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
  As detailed above, the present inventionPertaining toThe follow-up type virtual image display system includes a moving mechanism for moving the image display unit, 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.so,By interlocking with the additional configuration, the video display unit can be freely moved following the movement of the user's line of sight or / and the head movement. As a result, the optical axis of the video display unit can be overlapped with the optical axis of the line of sight, and a clear virtual image can be provided to the user.
[0078]
  The present inventionPertaining toFollow-up virtual image display systemThen, videoThe display unit is configured to automatically rotate up and down by the output of the line-of-sight detector and to automatically rotate horizontally by the output of the head movement detector. As a result, it is possible to automatically follow the movement of the user's line of sight and to automatically follow the rotational movement of the head. Therefore, even if the user moves his / her line of sight and rotates his / her head, it is automatically adjusted to a position where there is always little aberration, and a clear virtual image can be viewed.it can.With a moving mechanism that includes a headrest, pressure sensor, and video display support mechanism,aboveAn effect is obtained.
[0079]
  Of the present inventionClaim 2A follow-up virtual image display system according to claim 11 relatedIn other words, in addition to the rotation of the video display unit corresponding to the movement of the user's line of sight or / and 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 the user's work state and visual acuity at a desired position and in a clear state with few aberrations.
[0080]
  Of the present inventionClaim 3A follow-up virtual image display system according to claim 11 relatedIn other words, in addition to the rotation of the video display unit corresponding to the movement of the user's line of sight or / and the rotation of the head, the distance of the virtual image is changed by the vertical inclination of the line of sight. Therefore, it becomes possible to display the virtual image at a position that is easy for the user to see and in a clear state with few aberrations.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an embodiment of a follow-up virtual image display system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating details of the video display unit support mechanism shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view for explaining other details of the image display unit support mechanism shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the tracking virtual image display system shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
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 follow-up virtual image display system according to the present invention.
7 is a perspective view illustrating the headrest portion shown in FIG. 6. FIG.
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 the mechanism of the video display unit of the follow-up virtual image display system according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of an operation when the line of sight is horizontal in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of an operation when the line of sight faces 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 the configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a simplified diagram showing the configuration of still another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a mechanism relating to another video display unit of the follow-up virtual image display system of the present invention.
16 is a schematic front view of the operation of the video display unit shown in FIG. 15 when the line of sight is horizontal.
17 is a schematic front view of the operation of the video display unit shown in FIG. 15 when the line of sight faces 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: Follow-up virtual image display system according to the present invention, 10: Video display unit, 11: Video display unit support mechanism, 12: Guide rail, 13a to 13c: Stepping motor, 14: Arm, 15 ...... Device controller, 16 ... first signal line, 17 ... second signal line, 18 ... chair, 24 ... arm, 25 ... arm, e ... gaze, emt ... gaze detector, x ……optical axis

Claims (3)

A follow-up virtual image display system configured to include a video display unit having a virtual image optical system, and to make the virtual image available on a user's line of sight,
A chair in which the lower end of the headrest is attached to the top so as to be able to rotate left and right around the center of the user's head;
A moving mechanism for moving the video display unit together with the virtual image optical system;
The virtual image optical system is configured to form an enlarged virtual image of a display panel corresponding to both eyes at the same position in space,
The moving mechanism includes a pressure-sensitive sensor provided at a portion of the headrest where a user's head contacts, and one end attached to the upper end of the headrest and the image display unit provided at the other end. The image display unit support mechanism that rotates in the vertical direction, and a rotation motor that rotates the headrest according to the output obtained from the pressure-sensitive sensor in response to the movement of the seated person of the chair. The image display unit is moved to a position where the optical axis of the virtual image optical system overlaps the optical axis of the line of sight, thereby enabling virtual image observation in a state where convergence adjustment of both eyes is matched. Follow-up virtual image display system. The follow-up virtual image display system according to claim 1, wherein the video display unit is configured to be movable in a position where the virtual image is formed. The video 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. The tracking-type virtual image display system according to claim 1 .

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