JP2000196975A - Head-mounted display, its displaying method, and distribution medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a head-mounted display to display the picture of video signals transmitted through a human body. SOLUTION: The video signal outputting device 21 of an information providing section 20 modulates video signals supplied from a connected video signal reproducing device 22 and outputs the modulated video signals to an electrode 23. The reproducing device 22 can output the video signals of a video camera, personal computer, etc. An HMD 10 is a head-mounted display for see-through picture and the user of the HMD 10 can see an external picture together with the picture displayed in its optical section 13. An electrode 11 receives the modulated video signals from the electrode 23 and supplies the signals to a control section 12 while the electrode 11 is brought into contact with the head of the user. The control section 12 demodulates the signals from the electrode 11 into the video signals and outputs the video signals to the optical section 13. The optical section 13 displays the picture corresponding to the inputted signals.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a head-mounted display, a display method thereof, and a providing medium, and more particularly, to a method in which a video signal is supplied via a human body and the timing of the supply of the video signal. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a head-mounted display capable of controlling display of an image, a display method thereof, and a providing medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 shows an example of the appearance of a conventional head mounted display (hereinafter abbreviated as HMD) 1. As shown in FIG. The HMD 1 is mounted on the head such that the optical unit 3 covers both eyes of the user.

The control section 2 performs a predetermined process on a video signal supplied from a video record or a computer (both not shown) and outputs the processed signal to an optical section 3. The optical unit 3 houses an LCD (not shown), and displays an image corresponding to a signal supplied from the control unit 2.

[0004]

In the conventional HMD 1 configured as described above, the video signal is supplied to the control unit 2 of the HMD 1 via a cable or wirelessly, and the video signal is supplied via a human body. No way to do so was proposed.

Also, in the conventional HMD 1, the transmittance of the optical unit 3 is usually set low so that the displayed image can be viewed more easily by the user. When no image is displayed on the unit 3, an external view cannot be secured. as a result,
For example, the user needs to remove the HMD 1 from his / her head when it is necessary to secure an external view, for example, when walking.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and displays an image of a video signal transmitted through a human body or, when no image is displayed, a user's view to the outside. Is to be able to secure.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a head-mounted display, comprising: receiving means for receiving a modulated video signal transmitted through a human body; and a modulated video signal received by the receiving means. A demodulator for demodulating a signal and a display controller for controlling display of an image corresponding to the video signal demodulated by the demodulator are provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display method, comprising: a receiving step of receiving a modulated video signal transmitted through a human body; and a demodulating step of demodulating the modulated video signal received in the receiving step. And a display control step of controlling display of an image corresponding to the video signal demodulated in the demodulation step.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving medium for receiving a modulated video signal transmitted through a human body, and a demodulating step for demodulating the modulated video signal received in the receiving step. And a display control step of controlling display of an image corresponding to the video signal demodulated in the demodulation step.

In the head mounted display according to the first aspect, the display method according to the third aspect, and the providing medium according to the fourth aspect, the modulated video signal transmitted through the human body is received. Then, the received modulated video signal is demodulated, and display of an image corresponding to the demodulated video signal is controlled.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a head-mounted display, comprising: receiving means for receiving a modulated video signal transmitted through a human body; and demodulating means for demodulating the modulated video signal received by the receiving means. And display control means for controlling display of an image corresponding to the video signal demodulated by the demodulation means, blocking means for blocking external light, and detection means for detecting the video signal demodulated by the demodulation means, And shutoff control means for controlling shutoff by the shutoff means based on a detection result by the detection means.

A display method according to a seventh aspect of the present invention includes a receiving step of receiving a modulated video signal transmitted through a human body, and a demodulating step of demodulating the modulated video signal received in the receiving step. A display control step of controlling display of an image corresponding to the video signal demodulated in the demodulation step, a blocking step of blocking external light, a detection step of detecting the video signal demodulated in the demodulation step, and a detection step. Based on the results of the steps,
And a cutoff control step of controlling the cutoff in the cutoff step.

[0013] The providing medium according to claim 8 includes a receiving step of receiving a modulated video signal transmitted through a human body, and a demodulating step of demodulating the modulated video signal received in the receiving step. A display control step of controlling display of an image corresponding to the video signal demodulated in the demodulation step, a blocking step of blocking external light, a detection step of detecting the video signal demodulated in the demodulation step, and a detection step. Based on the results of the steps,
A computer-readable program that causes a head-mounted display to execute a process including a blocking control step of controlling blocking in the blocking step is provided.

[0014] In the head-mounted display according to the fifth aspect, the display method according to the seventh aspect, and the providing medium according to the eighth aspect, the modulated video signal transmitted through the human body is received. The received modulated video signal is demodulated, display of an image corresponding to the demodulated video signal is controlled, light from outside is blocked,
The demodulated video signal is detected, and light blocking is controlled based on the detection result.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In order to clarify the correspondence between each means of the invention described in the claims and the following embodiments, each means is described. When the features of the present invention are described by adding the corresponding embodiment (however, an example) in parentheses after the parentheses, the result is as follows. However, of course, this description does not mean that each means is limited to those described.

A head-mounted display according to a first aspect of the present invention is a receiving means for receiving a modulated video signal transmitted through a human body (for example, the electrode 11 in FIG. 2).
And demodulating means for demodulating the modulated video signal received by the receiving means (for example, the modulated signal receiving unit 3 in FIG. 3).
1) and display control means (for example, the video signal processing unit 32 in FIG. 3) for controlling display of an image corresponding to the video signal demodulated by the demodulation means.

A head-mounted display according to a fifth aspect is a receiving means for receiving a modulated video signal transmitted through a human body (for example, the electrode 11 in FIG. 2).
And demodulating means for demodulating the modulated video signal received by the receiving means (for example, the modulated signal receiving unit 3 in FIG. 6).
1), display control means (for example, video signal processing unit 32 in FIG. 6) for controlling display of an image corresponding to the video signal demodulated by the demodulation means, and blocking means (for example, for blocking external light). An LCD shutter 63 in FIG. 6), a detecting means for detecting a video signal demodulated by the demodulating means (for example, the video signal detecting unit 61 in FIG. 6), and blocking by the blocking means based on a detection result by the detecting means. And a cut-off control unit (for example, an LCD shutter transmittance control unit 62 in FIG. 6) for controlling.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an information providing system to which the present invention is applied. The HMD 10 is a head mounted display for see-through images (eg, Glasstron)
PLM-50, 100 (trademark))
An external image (scenery) can be viewed together with the image displayed on the optical unit 13 shown in FIG.

The electrode 11 of the HMD 10 shown in FIG. 2 is brought into contact with the head of the user, receives the modulated video signal transmitted through the human body of the user, and supplies the modulated video signal to the control unit 12.
The control unit 12 demodulates the signal from the electrode 11 into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the optical unit 13. The optical unit 13 displays an image corresponding to the input signal.

Returning to FIG. 1, the N information providing units 20-1 to 20-N (hereinafter, when there is no need to individually distinguish them, simply referred to as the information providing unit 20. The same applies to other devices. Is provided with a video signal output device 21, a video signal reproduction device 22, and an electrode 23, respectively.

The video signal output device 21 of the information providing unit 20
Modulates the video signal supplied from the connected video signal reproducing device 22 and outputs it to the electrode 23. The video signal reproduction device 22 is, for example, a video signal (NTSX, PAL, or R) such as a video camera, video tape recorder, video disc, DVD, or personal computer.
GB signal).

A configuration example of the HMD 10 and the video signal output device 21 will be described below.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the internal configuration of the HMD 10 according to the first embodiment. The modulation signal receiving unit 31 of the control unit 12 receives the modulation signal supplied from the electrode 11, demodulates the modulation signal into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the video signal processing unit 32.
The video signal processing unit 32 generates an image signal displayed by the LCD 34 based on the video signal from the modulation signal receiving unit 31 and outputs the signal to the LCD driver 33.

The LCD driver 33 includes the video signal processing unit 3
A signal for driving the LCD 34 is generated based on the signal from the second device 2 and supplied to the LCD 34. The LCD 34 is an LCD driver 3
3 is driven by a signal supplied from the controller 3 to display a predetermined image.

The backlight 35 includes a cold cathode fluorescent lamp,
It is configured by a light guide or a diffusion sheet, and is disposed on the back of the LCD 34 to supply the LCD 34 with light necessary for generating an image.

The power supply section 36 is composed of an AC adapter or a battery connected to a commercial power supply, and includes a modulation signal receiving section 31, a video signal processing section 32, an LCD driver 33, an LCD 3
4, and a predetermined power supply is supplied to each of the backlight 35.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the optical unit 13 of the first embodiment of the HMD 10. Translucent concave mirror 41
Expands a predetermined image emitted by the LCD 34 and the backlight 35 and reflects the image rightward in the figure. Thereby, the user can see the image generated by the LCD 34 and the backlight 35.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the internal configuration of the video signal output device 21. The buffer circuit 51 adjusts the level of the video signal from the video signal reproducing device 22 and supplies the adjusted signal to the modulation circuit 52. The modulation circuit 52 performs FM modulation on the video signal whose level has been adjusted, and performs a band-pass filter (BP).
F) Supply to 53. The band-pass filter 53 is, for example, 11 MHZ for passing only necessary carrier components.
After filtering the FM signal from the modulation circuit 52, and outputs the result to the buffer amplifier 54. The buffer amplifier 54 amplifies the signal from the band-pass filter 53 and outputs the amplified signal to the electrode 23.

Next, a specific example of the use of the information providing system using the first embodiment of the HMD 10 will be specifically described. In this example, it is assumed that the HMD 10 provides the user with information (images) related to museum exhibits.

The electrodes 23 of the information providing unit 20 shown in FIG. 1 are installed in the vicinity of a corresponding exhibit, for example, as a touch sensor, and the video signal reproducing device 22 outputs a video of an image related to the corresponding exhibit. It is assumed that a signal is generated, and the video signal output unit 21 converts the video signal from the video signal reproducing device 22 into a modulated signal and outputs it to the electrode 23 as described with reference to FIG.

Therefore, the user, as shown in FIG.
With the HMD 10 mounted, for example, the electrode 23-1
Touch with your finger. Since the modulation signal of the video signal reproduced by the video signal reproducing device 22-1 is supplied to the electrode 23-1, it is supplied to the electrode 23-1 when the user contacts the electrode 23-1. The modulated signal is transmitted to the electrode 11 of the HMD 10 via the user's human body.
The technology related to signal transmission through the human body is described in 1997.
It was disclosed by IBM in a new communication technology "Personal Area Network" on June 10, 1998.

The electrode 23 transmitted to the electrode 11 of the HMD 10
-1 (modulated signal of the video signal reproduced by the video signal reproducing device 22-1) is supplied to the modulated signal receiving unit 31 of the control unit 12 of the HMD 10 shown in FIG. Is converted. The video signal output from the modulation signal receiving unit 31 is displayed on the LCD 34 in accordance with the processing in the video signal processing unit 32 and the LCD driver 33.

As described above, the user wears the HMD 10 and makes contact with the electrode 23-1 shown in FIG. 1 (corresponding to a predetermined exhibit), while the HMD 10 is being contacted. Images related to the exhibit (video signal playback device 2
2-1) The HMD1
0 can be viewed through the optical unit 13.

In the above description, the case where the electrode 23-1 is brought into contact with a finger or the like has been described as an example.
The user can also view the corresponding images via the optical unit 13 of the HMD 10 by touching the electrodes 23-1 to 23-N with a finger or the like, as in the case of the electrode 23-1.

Next, a configuration example of the second embodiment of the HMD 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. That is, in this example, the video signal detection unit 61 and the LCD shutter transmittance control unit 62 are further provided in the control unit 12, and the LCD shutter 63 is further provided in the optical unit 13.

The video signal detecting section 61 detects whether a video signal is output from the modulated signal receiving section 31 or not.
The detection result is output to the LCD shutter transmittance control unit 62. L
The CD shutter transmittance controller 62 includes a video signal detector 61
The control voltage of the LCD shutter 63 is changed in accordance with the detection result from. The LCD shutter 63 is provided on the outside (left side in the figure) of the translucent concave mirror 41, as shown in FIG. When the transmittance of the LCD shutter 63 decreases,
More external light is blocked, and at this time, the user cannot see the external image. So-called,
The view is obstructed. When the transmittance of the LCD shutter 63 increases, light from the outside is not blocked, and the field of view is secured.

Returning to FIG. 6, in the second embodiment of the HMD 10, as in the first embodiment,
Although power is supplied to each part of the HMD 10 from the power supply part 36, illustration thereof is omitted for simplicity. Also, HMD
Since the configuration example of the appearance of the first embodiment of the tenth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, its illustration and description are omitted.

Next, an example of use of the information providing system using the HMD 10 according to the second embodiment will be specifically described. Also in this example, similarly to the case where the above-described first embodiment of the HMD 10 is used, the second embodiment of the HMD 10 provides the user with information (images) on museum exhibits. I do.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the user wears the HMD 10 and touches the electrode 23 with a finger, the modulation signal output from the electrode 23 is transmitted to the HMD 10 via the user's body.
And is supplied to the modulation signal receiving section 31 of the control section 12 shown in FIG. The modulation signal supplied from the electrode 11 to the modulation signal receiving unit 31 is demodulated into a video signal there, and output to the video signal processing unit 32 and the video signal detection unit 61.

The video signal output to the video signal processing section 32 is displayed on the LCD 34 by the processing in the video signal processing section 32 and the LCD driver 33 described above.

When the video signal detecting section 61 detects a video signal from the modulated signal receiving section 31, the video signal detecting section 61
A signal (hereinafter, referred to as a contact state signal) indicating that a video signal is output from No. 1 (the user is in contact with the electrode 23) is output to the LCD shutter transmittance control unit 62.

When a contact state signal is input from the video signal detection unit 61, the LCD shutter transmittance control unit 62
The control voltage is adjusted so that the transmittance of the shutter 63 is reduced. As a result, external light is more blocked, and the image displayed on the LCD 34 is more easily viewed by the user.

Also, for example, when the user releases his / her finger from the electrode 23 shown in FIG. 1, the modulation signal from the electrode 23 is not transmitted to the electrode 11 of the HMD 10, and the signal shown in FIG. Modulated signal receiving unit 31 of control unit 12 of HMD 10
Does not output a video signal. At this time, the video signal detection unit 61 outputs a signal indicating that no video signal is output from the modulation signal reception unit 31 (the user is not in contact with the electrode 23) (hereinafter, referred to as a non-contact state signal). Is output to the LCD shutter transmittance control unit 62.

When the non-contact state signal is input from the video signal detection unit 61, the LCD shutter transmittance control unit 62
The adjustment voltage is adjusted so as to increase the transmittance of the D shutter 63. As a result, external light is not blocked, and the user can secure an external view even when the HMD 10 is worn.

As described above, when the image is displayed on the LCD 34, the transmittance of the LCD shutter 63 is reduced, and when the image is not displayed, the transmittance of the LCD shutter 63 is increased. For example, the user can walk in a museum while wearing the HMD 10.

In the above description, the transmittance of the LCD shutter 63 has changed based on the result of detection by the video signal detecting section 61. However, the user can use, for example, a predetermined operating section (not shown) provided in the control section 12. ), It is possible to adjust the external appearance (the transmittance of the LCD shutter 63) by itself. In this case, the control unit 12
As shown in FIG. 8, the manual transmittance control unit 64
Is further provided. The manual transmittance control unit 64 includes:
The LCD shutter transmittance controller 62 is controlled to change the transmittance of the LCD shutter 63 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit.

Next, a configuration example of the third embodiment of the HMD 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, parts corresponding to the case in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. That is, in this example, the video signal detection unit 61
Are also supplied to the video signal processing unit 32. Since the configuration example of the external appearance of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, its illustration and description are omitted.

The video signal processing unit 32 displays, for example, a blue-back image instead of a distorted image when the level of the video signal from the modulation signal receiving unit 31 is lowered or when noise is input. (Hereinafter referred to as noise processing).

When the non-contact state signal is input from the video signal detecting section 61, the video signal processing section 32 stops outputting the signal to the LCD driver 33. As a result, an image corresponding to noise or a blue-back image can be displayed on the LCD 3.
4 will not be displayed.

Next, an example of use of the information providing system using the third embodiment of the HMD 10 will be described. In this example, as in the case of the above-described first and second embodiments of the HMD 10, the HMD 10
It is assumed that the third embodiment provides the user with information (images) on museum exhibits.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the user wears the HMD 10 on the head and does not touch the electrode 23, for example, when moving (walking) to the location of the next exhibit,
The video signal detection unit 61 of the control unit 12 of the HMD 10 in FIG.
Since the video signal is not input from the modulation signal receiving unit 31, the non-contact state signal is transmitted to the LCD shutter transmittance control unit 62.
And outputs it to the video signal processing unit 32.

While the non-contact state signal is being input from the video signal detector 61, the video signal processor 32 stops all processing for displaying an image on the LCD 34, including noise processing. Thus, even when noise occurs during walking, for example, nothing is displayed on the LCD 34 of the optical unit 13, and the user can always secure an external view. At this time, the LCD shutter 63
Is lowered by the LCD shutter transmittance control unit 62.

In the third embodiment, FIG.
And the user can change the transmittance of the LCD shutter 63 by himself / herself.

In the above, as shown in FIG.
Although the ten control units 12 are held by the user, for example, the control units 12 may be fixed to a predetermined place. In addition, the user may hold only a part of each part constituting the control unit 12 and leave the other part in a predetermined place.

In the above, the electrode 1 of the HMD 10 is used.
Although the case 1 has been described as an example in which it is in contact with the head, when the outer case of the optical unit 13 is formed of a metal such as a magnesium alloy, the outer case may be used as the electrode 11. When the outer case of the optical unit 13 is formed of plastic, a metal body attached inside the outer case can be used as the electrode 11. Further, in the above, a person (human body) is connected to the electrode 11 of the HMD 10 and the information providing unit 20.
Although the case of directly contacting the electrode 23 has been described as an example,
The contact (capacitive contact) can be made via an insulator.

In the present specification, the term “system” means an entire device including a plurality of devices and means.

Further, as a providing medium for providing a user with a computer program for performing the above-described processing,
In addition to recording media such as magnetic disks, CD-ROMs, and solid-state memories, communication media such as networks and satellites can be used.

[0058]

According to the head-mounted display according to the first aspect, the display method according to the third aspect, and the providing medium according to the fourth aspect, a modulated video signal transmitted via a human body. Is received, an image corresponding to the modulated video signal transmitted through the human body can be displayed.

According to the head-mounted display according to the fifth aspect, the display method according to the seventh aspect, and the providing medium according to the eighth aspect, the video signal is detected. , It is possible to control the blocking of light from the outside.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information providing system using a head mounted display 10 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a first example of the head mounted display 10 of FIG.
It is a figure showing the example of a structure of the external appearance of embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a first view of the head mounted display 10 of FIG. 1;
It is a block diagram showing the example of an internal structure of 1st Embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a first example of the head mounted display 10 of FIG.
It is a figure showing the example of composition of optical part 13 of an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a video signal output device 21 in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a second example of the head mounted display 10 of FIG.
It is a block diagram showing the example of an internal structure of 1st Embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a second example of the head mounted display 10 of FIG.
It is a figure showing the example of composition of optical part 13 of an embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a second example of the head mounted display 10 of FIG.
It is a block diagram showing the example of a structure at the time of further providing the manual transmittance | permeability control part 64 in embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a third example of the head mounted display 10 of FIG.
It is a block diagram showing the example of an internal structure of 1st Embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an appearance of a conventional head mounted display 1.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 HMD, 2 control unit, 3 optical unit, 10 HM
D, 11 electrodes, 12 control unit, 13 optical unit,
20 information providing unit, 21 video signal output device,
22 video signal reproducing device, 23 electrodes, 31 modulation signal receiving unit, 32 video signal processing unit, 33 LCD
Driver, 34 LCD, 35 backlight, 3
6 power supply section, 41 translucent concave mirror, 51 buffer circuit, 52 modulation circuit, 53 BPF, 54 buffer amplifier, 61 video signal detection section, 62 LC
D shutter transmittance controller, 63 LCD shutter, 64
Manual transmittance control section

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A receiving means for receiving a modulated video signal transmitted via a human body, a demodulating means for demodulating the modulated video signal received by the receiving means, and a demodulating means by the demodulating means. And a display control means for controlling display of an image corresponding to the video signal. 2. The head mounted display according to claim 1, wherein said receiving means is mounted in contact with an occipital region. 3. A display method for a head-mounted display, comprising: a receiving step of receiving a modulated video signal transmitted through a human body; and a demodulation of demodulating the modulated video signal received in the receiving step. And a display control step of controlling display of an image corresponding to the video signal demodulated in the demodulation step. 4. A receiving step of receiving a modulated video signal transmitted through a human body, a demodulating step of demodulating the modulated video signal received in the receiving step, and a demodulating step in the demodulating step. A computer-readable program for causing a head-mounted display to execute a process including a display control step of controlling display of an image corresponding to the video signal. 5. A receiving unit for receiving a modulated video signal transmitted via a human body, a demodulating unit for demodulating the modulated video signal received by the receiving unit, and a demodulating unit by the demodulating unit. Display control means for controlling the display of an image corresponding to the video signal, blocking means for blocking external light, detection means for detecting the video signal demodulated by the demodulation means, and detection means And a cut-off control means for controlling the cut-off by the cut-off means based on the detection result of the head-mounted display. 6. The head mounted display according to claim 5, wherein the display control unit performs control to stop displaying based on a detection result by the detection unit. 7. A display method for a head-mounted display, comprising: a receiving step of receiving a modulated video signal transmitted through a human body; and a demodulation of demodulating the modulated video signal received in the receiving step. A display control step of controlling display of an image corresponding to the video signal demodulated in the demodulation step; a blocking step of blocking external light; and detecting the video signal demodulated in the demodulation step. A display method, comprising: a detection step of performing a cut-off operation; and a cut-off control step of controlling cut-off of the cut-off step based on a detection result of the detection step. 8. A receiving step for receiving a modulated video signal transmitted through a human body, a demodulating step for demodulating the modulated video signal received in the receiving step, and a demodulating step in the demodulating step. A display control step of controlling display of an image corresponding to the video signal, a blocking step of blocking external light, a detection step of detecting the video signal demodulated in the demodulation step, and the detection step A computer-readable program for causing a head-mounted display to execute a process including a blocking control step of controlling the blocking in the blocking step based on the detection result of the computer.