JP2001305475A - Video display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the video display device of a head-mounted type which can be easily mounted, can be comfortably used and can widely secure a field of view other than a picture. SOLUTION: The video display device is provided with two display parts, a frame and a mounting part, and is mounted like ordinary glasses. Each display part consists of the display, the eyepiece optical system, and a casing holding them, and the mounting part consists of a nose pad and right and left temples. The frame connects each member of the mounting part while supporting the display part. The frame has a nearly platy shape with a larger length in the horizontal direction than that of the vertical direction, and the range intercepting the field of view is narrow, though it has a structure without deflection. The two display parts are movable in the longitudinal direction, and an interpupillary distance can be adjusted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a head mounted image display device which is used by being mounted on a head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, head-mounted image display devices that are worn on the head and used in front of eyes have become widespread as image display devices for personal viewing. In general, a head-mounted image display device includes a display for displaying an image, an eyepiece optical system for guiding light of the image displayed on the display to an observer's eyes, and a housing for accommodating them. Equipped with an eyepiece optical system, it is possible to naturally view images by providing a virtual image that is moderately distant from the eye instead of the real image itself displayed at a position close to the eye, By providing a zoom function, a large image can be provided while using a small display.

[0003] There are two types of configurations for mounting on the head: one that tightens the entire head, and one that resembles ordinary glasses supported by the nose and ears or the temporal region. The former is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-9-508711 and JP-A-7-50871.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-294983 discloses the latter.

In the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-508711, a belt-like member is attached to both ends of one housing containing left and right indicators, and the head and other parts are fastened by the housing and the belt. Like that. The display and the eyepiece optical system are fixed to the housing, and the interval between the left and right images cannot be adjusted according to the eye width of the user, that is, the interval between the left and right eyes. In the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-92441, the entire circumference of the head is fastened with a belt-shaped member, and the left and right housings are movably attached to this member to adjust the distance between the left and right images. Like that.

In the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-294983, a left and right display and an eyepiece optical system are accommodated in one housing, and a nose pad and a pair of temples are attached to the housing.
The display and the eyepiece optical system are fixed to the housing, and the distance between the left and right images cannot be adjusted according to the eye width of the user.

[0006]

In a device in which the entire circumference of the head is tightened, the stability of the device after mounting is good, but the mounting is somewhat difficult, and the user tends to feel discomfort and pain. . On the other hand, the device worn like ordinary glasses is
The mounting is easy, but the stability of the device after mounting is poor.

[0007] Regarding the device adopting any of the mounting methods, in a configuration in which the distance between the left and right images is fixed, the diameter of the luminous flux guided to the user's eye is provided in order to provide an image which is not affected by the eye width. It needs to be large, which requires a large eyepiece optical system. In a configuration in which the left and right indicators and the eyepiece optical system are housed in one housing,
A large housing is required. Increasing the size of the eyepiece optical system and the housing not only increases the weight of the apparatus and increases the fatigue of the user, but also increases the imbalance of the weight and makes the mounted apparatus unstable. In particular, in a device worn like eyeglasses, the instability is remarkable, and if the head is strongly pinched by a temple in order to enhance stability, the user will suffer pain.

[0008] An increase in the size of the housing also results in greatly blocking the view around the image. Obstruction of the view around the image does not affect the observation of the image itself, but it is often necessary for safety to be able to see the real environment other than the image, and the view is greatly obstructed by the housing Is not preferred.

Further, in a device in which the housing is mounted on a belt-shaped member, the relative position of the eye and the eyepiece optical system is easily changed depending on the vertical position of the belt at the time of mounting, and furthermore, depending on the shape of the user's forehead. The directions of the optical axes of the left and right eyepiece optical systems tend to fluctuate. These increase the burden on the eyes of the user and are not desirable for health.

[0010] In the conventional head-mounted image display device, any of these problems appears remarkably. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is easy to mount.
An object of the present invention is to provide a head-mounted image display device that can be used comfortably and that can ensure a wide field of view other than images.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a video display device mounted on a head and used in front of eyes, a display for displaying a video, and a display for displaying the video on the display. 1 including an eyepiece optical system that guides light of an image to an eye to provide a virtual image, and a housing that holds the display and the eyepiece optical system
Or, when the direction is determined based on the display unit of 2 and the user who wears the device, the length in the left-right direction is equal to or greater than the interpupillary distance, and the length in the front-rear direction is any part in the left-right direction. A frame that has a shape that is larger than the length in the vertical direction, supports the display unit, is mounted near the center in the horizontal direction of the frame, is attached to the nose in contact with the nose, and is mounted near both ends in the horizontal direction of the frame; , A pair of temples in contact with the temporal or occipital region.

This image display device has a mounting portion including a nose pad in contact with the nose and a pair of temples in contact with the ear, the temporal region or the occipital region. Supported by The display unit provides an image to one eye. By providing one or two display units, the display unit becomes a single-eye or binocular image display device. The frame is long in the left-right direction, is located in front of the user's face, supports the display unit, and connects three members forming a mounting unit. The length of the frame in the front-rear direction, that is, the direction of the user's line of sight, is greater than the length in the up-down direction. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the range of the field of view blocked by the frame while giving the frame sufficient strength to prevent deformation such as bending.

Here, it is preferable that the frame supports the display unit so as to be movable in the left-right direction. With this configuration, the relative position between the display unit and the eye can be adjusted, and the size of the eyepiece optical system can be reduced. When a device for two eyes is provided with two display units, it is easy to match the interval between the left and right images to the interpupillary distance of the user.

Further, it is preferable that the center of gravity of the frame and the display unit is located below the eyes. The frame and display are supported primarily by the nose, but the longer the distance from their center of gravity to the nose, the greater the moment of rotation and the instability of the device when the user faces downward.
By positioning the center of gravity of the frame and the display unit below the eyes, the rotational moment can be reduced, and the stability of the device can be improved.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is further provided a display device for displaying an image on an image display device mounted on the head and used in front of the eyes, and a light source for displaying the image on the display device. An eyepiece optical system that guides the eyepiece to provide a virtual image, a housing that holds the display and the eyepiece optical system, a member that is mounted on the head, and a cover that covers substantially the entire front surface of the housing.

The housing should be small and simple so as not to impair the function of holding the display unit and the eyepiece optical system in order to reduce the range that blocks the user's field of view and reduce the weight. desirable. However, the appearance of such a housing is not always beautiful. By providing a cover that covers substantially the entire front surface of the housing, the range in which the field of view is obstructed can be reduced, and the device can have a beautiful appearance while being lightweight.

The cover may be removable. By preparing several types of covers, it is possible to replace the covers arbitrarily, and it is possible to make the appearance of the device according to the preference of the user.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image display device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show the appearance of a video display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1, 2, and 3 show a state of use, that is, a state of being attached to the head, and are a top view, a front view, and a side view, respectively. FIG.
Is a top view when not in use.

The image display device 1 includes a pair of left and right display units 10.
L, 10R, a frame 20, and a mounting section 30.
The display units 10L and 10R respectively display images and provide the images to the left eye EL and the right eye ER of the user. The frame 20 supports the display units 10L and 10R, and positions the display units 10L and 10R immediately before the left and right eyes EL and ER during use. The mounting unit 30 includes a nose pad 31 and a pair of left and right temples 32L and 32R, and defines the position of the frame 20 with respect to the head.

The display units 10L and 10R are provided with housings 16L and 1R.
6R and an optical system held by the 6R. Display unit 10
FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the L and 10R optical systems. The optical system of each display unit includes a light source 11, a concave reflecting mirror 12, a prism 13, a liquid crystal display (LCD) 14, and an eyepiece optical system 15. The light source 11 includes, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) array, and emits light for illuminating the liquid crystal display 14. The concave reflecting mirror 12 condenses the light from the light source 11 and makes it incident on the prism 13. The prism 13 refracts the incident light and guides it to the LCD 14. The incident surface of the prism 13 has P
A polarization separation (PBS) film 13 a that transmits polarized light and reflects S-polarized light is provided, and only P-polarized light of the light from the light source 11 is guided to the LCD 14.

The LCD 14 is of a reflection type, and reflects incident light while modulating it according to a displayed image. The LCD 14 is set so that light whose polarization plane is rotated by 90 ° due to modulation represents an image. The light reflected by the LCD 14 enters the prism 13 again. Of this light, the light whose polarization plane did not change even after the modulation was converted to P-polarized light by the PBS film 13.
The light that represents an image whose polarization plane has been rotated by modulation by being incident on and transmitted by a is incident on the PBS film 13a as S-polarized light and is reflected.

The eyepiece optical system 15 comprises a concave lens 15a and a convex lens 15b. The eyepiece optical system 15 is a PBS film 1
Light representing the image reflected by 3a is guided to the user's eyes to provide an enlarged virtual image of the image displayed on LCD. The position of this virtual image is set to about several meters from the eye, and the magnification is set to several tens times.

The two lenses 15a, 1 of the eyepiece optical system 15
The position of the lens 5b in the optical axis direction and the distance between the two lenses are variable, and by changing these, the diopter can be adjusted. As shown in FIG. 1, the housings 16L and 16R are provided with operation members 17L and 17R for adjusting diopter, respectively, and the user can use the left and right display units 1 according to the visual acuity of the left and right eyes.
Diopters of 6L and 16R can be set.

Display on the LCD 14 and lighting of the light source 11 are controlled by a control device (not shown) provided outside the video display device 1. The control device is connected to the video display device 1 by a cable 40, and the display units 10L, 10R
The power is supplied to the light source 11 and the LCD 14, and a video signal representing a video to be displayed is given to the LCD 14. The image displayed on the LCD 14 of the left and right display units 10L and 10R by the control device has parallax, and the user is provided with a three-dimensional image.

The frame 20 is made of a metal such as titanium, which is lightweight and has high strength. The length in the left-right direction of the frame 20 is set to be larger than the standard eye width of an adult male, and both ends are located near both ends of the face. The frame 20 has a substantially plate-like shape in which the length in the front-rear direction is greater than the length in the up-down direction at any part in the left-right direction. Both ends of the frame 20 are smoothly curved rearward.

The center of the frame 20 is lower than both ends, and the portion between the center and both ends is lower than the center. The lowest of these parts is located below the front of the left and right eyes EL and ER, and the display units 10L and 10R
Is attached. Thereby, the display units 10L, 1
0R is located immediately before the eyes EL and ER, and the vertical position of the optical axis of the eyepiece optical system 15 substantially coincides with the vertical position of the pupils of the eyes EL and ER.

As shown by an arrow A in FIG.
L and 10R are frames 20 so that they can move in the left-right direction.
And the optical axis of the eyepiece optical system 15 is
It can be set to pass through the centers of the pupils of L and ER. Therefore, it is not necessary to make the diameter of the light beam guided to the observer's eye so large in order to provide a clear image, and the eyepiece optical system 15 can have a small configuration.

The above-described cable 40 is inserted into the frame 20 from one end, and is connected to the display units 10L and 10R through the inside of the frame 20. The cable 40 protrudes rearward and outward from the frame 20 and does not restrict or hinder the movement of the user's arm.

The nose pad 31 of the mounting section 30 is made of a somewhat elastic resin, and is attached to the center of the frame 20. A spring (not shown) is interposed between the nose pad 31 and the frame 20, and the nose pad 31 is movable in the front-rear direction as indicated by an arrow B in FIG. Being energized.

The temples 32L and 32R are attached to hinges 21 provided on both right and left ends of the frame 20. The temples 32L and 32R are the rotation shafts 21 of the hinges 21.
a, the image display device 1
Takes an open state shown in FIG. 1 and a folded state shown in FIG. Each of the temples 32L and 32R has a substantially arc shape, and is made by covering the surface of a metal such as titanium with a resin. The first half of the temples 32L and 32R is formed to be thin in the vertical direction and wide in the horizontal direction, and conversely, the second half is formed to be wide in the vertical direction and thin in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the first half of the temples 32L and 32R has high rigidity in the horizontal direction, and the second half has rich elasticity in the horizontal direction.

The user places the temples 32L, 32R in FIG.
To be bent outward as shown by reference symbol α. In the mounted state, the nose pad 31 hits the nose of the user, and the temples 32L and 32R hit the upper end of the base of the ear and the region from the temporal to the occipital region. Thereby, the position of the video display device 1 with respect to the user's head is determined. Since the nose pad 31 is movable in the front-rear direction and the rear half of the temples 32L and 32R has elasticity, many people can wear and wear the video display device 1 regardless of the size of the head. The stability of the video display device 1 is high. Moreover, since the width of the rear half of the temples 32L and 32R in the vertical direction is large, the user does not feel much pressure.

Since the frame 20 has a plate-like shape and a large length in the front-rear direction, the temples 32L, 32R
Does not bend even when subjected to force from Therefore, the directions of the display units 10L and 10R do not change, and the direction of the optical axis of the eyepiece optical system 15 can be always kept constant.

The centers of gravity of the display units 10L and 10R and the frame 20 are located below the eyes EL and ER.
The distance from the nose portion hitting 1 to its center of gravity is short. When the user faces downward, a rotational moment acts. In such a setting, the rotational moment is small.
Even if the head is not strongly pressed by L and 32R, the stability of the image display device 1 is not impaired.

In the temples 32L and 32R having the above structure, one front half and the other rear half do not interfere with each other even in the folded state shown in FIG. Therefore, the image display device 1 has a size that is convenient for carrying when not in use.

The housings 16L and 16R are provided with the display units 10L and 1L.
It has a size sufficient to hold the optical system of 0R and has a simple rectangular parallelepiped shape. Therefore, the range of the user's field of view that is blocked by the housings 16L and 16R is small. Further, since the frame 20 is plate-shaped and has a small length in the vertical direction, the range of the field of view blocked by the frame 20 is also small. FIG. 6 shows a field of view outside the housings 16L and 16R in the left-right direction. Area V blocked by frame 20
1 is a small part of the whole range V0. Thus, the image display device 1 can secure a wide field of view around the image, and the user can easily visually recognize the change in the environment even while watching the image.

On the front surfaces of the housings 16L and 16R, there are provided thin covers 50L and 50R for covering substantially the entirety.
The covers 50L and 50R are opaque and detachable. Although the aesthetics of the housings 16L and 16R themselves are not so high, the video display device 1 has a sufficiently high aesthetics by providing the covers 50L and 50R.

By preparing various covers having different shapes, patterns, and colors, it is possible to provide a device having an appearance according to a user's preference, and a device whose appearance can be changed according to the environment in which the device is used. However, if the cover is too large, the field of view will be obstructed by the cover. Therefore, it is preferable that the cover be small enough to cover substantially the entire front surface of the housing. Attachment of the cover may be performed using screws, or an engagement portion such as a groove for inserting the edge of the cover may be provided on the housing or the frame, and may be performed by engagement.

It should be noted that in the video display device 1 of the present embodiment, 2
Although one display unit 10L and 10R are provided, it is also possible to omit one of the display units to provide a device for one eye.

[0039]

According to the present invention, there is provided a frame having a shape in which the length in the left-right direction is equal to or greater than the interpupillary distance and the length in the front-rear direction is larger than the length in the up-down direction at any part in the left-right direction. Support, nose pad and left and right 1
The video display device of the present invention having the mounting portion including the pair of temples can be easily mounted like ordinary glasses. In addition, the vertical position of the display unit with respect to the eyes is determined simply by mounting it, and the frame has a shape that can easily secure sufficient strength to prevent deformation such as bending, so that the optical axis of the eyepiece optical system It is possible to avoid the burden on the eyes due to the change of the direction, and it is possible to use comfortably. Furthermore, the range of the field of view blocked by the frame is small, and the safety in use is high.

When the frame supports the display unit so as to be movable in the left-right direction, the relative position of the display unit with respect to the eye in the left-right direction can be adjusted, so that a small eyepiece optical system can be used. it can. Thus, the device is lighter and the comfort is further increased. In particular, if the display unit is 2
When a device for both eyes is provided, the distance between the left and right images can be adjusted to the eye width of the user, and the device can be used comfortably by anyone.

Further, when the center of gravity of the frame and the display unit is located below the eyes, it is possible to prevent the device from becoming unstable when the user faces downward, thereby providing a more comfortable operation. It becomes a usable device.

In the image display apparatus of the present invention, which has a cover for covering substantially the entire front surface of the housing for holding the display and the eyepiece optical system, the cover can ensure the aesthetics. What is necessary is just to provide something simple and small enough to hold the eyepiece optical system. Therefore, the device is lightweight and beautiful, and the range of the field of view blocked by the housing is small, so that the device can be used comfortably and safely. In addition, by making the cover detachable, it is possible to provide a device having an appearance according to the user's preference.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view when an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used.

FIG. 2 is a front view when the video display device is used.

FIG. 3 is a side view when the video display device is used.

FIG. 4 is a top view when the image display device is not used.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a configuration of an optical system of a display unit of the video display device.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a field of view of a user wearing the video display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 image display device 10L, 10R display unit 11 light source 12 concave reflecting mirror 13 prism 13a polarization separation film 14 liquid crystal display 15 eyepiece optical system 15a concave lens 15b convex lens 16L, 16R housing 17L, 17R diopter adjusting member 20 frame 21 hinge 21a rotation Shaft 30 Mounting part 31 Nose pad 32L, 32R Temple 40 Cable 50L, 50R Cover

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kenji Ishibashi 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Inside Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshie Shimizu 2-chome, Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi 13 Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Masakazu Nagano 2-313 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi F-term in Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. 5G435 AA06 BB12 BB16 BB19 FF03 FF05 GG02 GG03

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image display device mounted on a head and used in front of an eye, comprising: a display for displaying an image; and an eyepiece optical system for guiding light of the image displayed on the display to an eye to provide a virtual image. 1 or 2 display units including a housing for holding a display and an eyepiece optical system, and the length in the left-right direction is equal to or greater than the interpupillary distance when determining the direction based on the view from the user wearing the device. In any part in the left-right direction, the length in the front-rear direction is larger than the length in the vertical direction, and a frame that supports the display unit; A video display device comprising: a mounting portion including a contact, and a pair of temples attached near both ends of the frame in the left-right direction and in contact with an ear, a temporal region, or an occipital region. 2. The video display device according to claim 1, wherein the frame supports the display unit so as to be movable in the left-right direction. 3. The video display device according to claim 1, wherein the center of gravity of the frame and the display unit is located below the eyes. 4. An image display device mounted on a head and used in front of an eye, comprising: a display for displaying an image; and an eyepiece optical system for guiding light of the image displayed on the display to an eye to provide a virtual image. An image display device comprising: a housing for holding a display and an eyepiece optical system; a member for attachment to a head; and a cover for covering substantially the entire front surface of the housing. 5. The video display device according to claim 4, wherein the cover is detachable.