JP2005208625A - Information display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information display device for reducing fatigue of eyes of a user. <P>SOLUTION: The information display device comprises an optical system (16) for displaying an image comprising character information or image information, a mounting means for mounting the optical system on a user so as to display both of an outside field and an image to both eyes of the user, and a change means (16b') for changing a display distance of the image. The change means sets the display distance in accordance with an instruction given from the outside of the information display device or an instruction generated in the inside of the information display device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a wearable information display device such as a near-eye display, and more particularly to an information display device that presents both an external world and an image to a user. The outside world refers to a region outside the information display device.

A user wearing a monocular type near-eye display (such as Patent Document 1) can view the outside world with one eye and can view a display image on the near-eye display with the other eye.
Since the image presentation distance (distance to the apparent position of the image) is set to be sufficiently long, the user can view the outside world or view the image without tensing the eyes too much.
JP-A-8-305298

However, the distance of the object existing in the outside world (distance to the object) varies, and it may be as short as 60 cm.
In this case, it is necessary to make difficult adjustments such as tensioning the eyes viewing the outside world and relaxing the eyes viewing the image, and the user's eyes become tired.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information display device that can reduce fatigue of a user's eyes.

  The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical system displays an image composed of character information or image information, and the optical system is arranged so that both the external world and the image are presented to both eyes of the user. An information display device comprising: a mounting unit that is mounted on the information display unit; and a changing unit that changes the presentation distance of the image. The changing unit includes an instruction given from outside the information display device, The presenting distance is set according to an instruction generated in the above manner.

The information display device according to claim 2, in the information display device according to claim 1, sensor means for acquiring information on a change in a viewing distance of an eye viewing the outside world of both eyes of the user; And a control means for driving the changing means in accordance with the output of the sensor means so that the presentation distance of the image follows the viewing distance.
The information display device according to claim 3 is the information display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mounting unit is configured to change the optical system so that the image is presented only to one eye of the user. It is mounted on the user.

The information display device according to claim 4 is the information display device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the sensor means is a sensor that detects a change in a distance of an object existing in the outside world. And
The information display device according to claim 5 is the information display device according to claim 4, wherein the sensor means detects a change in the distance of an object existing near the center of the visual field of the eye viewing the external world. It is a sensor which performs.

The information display device according to claim 6 is the information display device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the control unit changes the change in accordance with the user-specific information acquired in advance. The driving amount of the means is corrected.
The information display device according to claim 7, wherein in the information display device according to claim 6, the unique information includes a position of an eye viewing the image of both eyes of the user and the optical system. It is characterized by including relation information.

The information display device according to claim 8 is the information display device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the unique information includes refractive power of an eye viewing the image of both eyes of the user. This information is included.
The information display device according to claim 9 is the information display device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the eye viewing the external world and the eye viewing the image are The eyes are different from each other, and the unique information includes information on a diopter difference between the two eyes.

An information display device according to claim 10 is the information display device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, further comprising an acquisition unit configured to acquire the specific information from the user. .
The information display device according to claim 11 is the information display device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the eye viewing the image of both eyes of the user and the optical system The control means corrects the drive amount of the change means according to the output of the sensor.

An information display device according to a twelfth aspect is the information display device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, further comprising means for displaying information on a presentation distance of the image. .
An information display device according to a thirteenth aspect is the information display device according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the means is also used by the optical system.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the information display apparatus which can reduce a user's eye fatigue is implement | achieved.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
This embodiment is an embodiment of a near eye display.

First, the overall configuration of the near eye display will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the near-eye display includes headphones 11R and 11L, a rear arm 12, a front arm 13, a controller 14, a display unit (corresponding to an optical system in claims) 16, and the like.
The rear arm 12 and the front arm 13 each have a slightly larger arc shape so that it can be mounted on the head of the user U.

Headphones 11R and 11L are attached to both ends of the rear arm 12, respectively. An attachment member 11R ′ for attaching to the right ear of the user U is attached to the headphone 11R, and an attachment member 11L ′ for attaching to the left ear of the user U is attached to the headphone 11L (in the claims). Corresponds to mounting means.)
The display unit 16 is attached to one end of the front arm 13. The other end of the front arm 13 is connected to one end of the rear arm 12.

The controller 14 is provided in any part of the entire arm including the front arm 13 and the rear arm 12 (in FIG. 1, the connecting portion between the front arm 13 and the rear arm 12). On the outer wall of the upper surface of the controller 14, for example, a setting button 14s for the user U to input a signal to the near eye display is provided.
When the headphones 11R and 11L are attached to the right and left ears of the user U via the attachment members 11R ′ and 11L ′, respectively, the display unit 16 is in front of one eye EL (the left eye in FIG. 1) of the user U. Placed in.

The one eye EL is an eye for viewing a virtual image I ′ (described later), and the other eye ER is an eye for viewing the outside. Hereinafter, the former is referred to as “observation eye” and the latter is referred to as “non-observation eye”.
Incidentally, in order to retract only the display unit 16 from the front of the observation eye EL or adjust the position and angle of the display unit 16 in this state, any one of the rear arms 12 and the front arm 13 is selected. An adjustment mechanism including an extension / contraction mechanism (not shown) or a rotation mechanism is provided at the location. Incidentally, the connecting portion (the place where the controller 14 is provided) between the rear arm 12 and the front arm 13 has an expansion / contraction mechanism, and the interval between the observation eye EL and the display unit 16 can be adjusted.

Further, in the near-eye display of the present embodiment, the display unit 16 is provided with an infrared type distance measuring sensor 17 (corresponding to the sensor means in the claims).
The distance measurement accuracy, distance measurement resolution, distance measurement distance and the like of the distance measurement sensor 17 may be the same as those of a distance measurement sensor used for a general-purpose camera.
As shown in FIG. 2, the distance measurement target region E of the distance measurement sensor 17 is relatively near the center of the field of view of the user U (here, the field of view of the non-observing eye ER (hereinafter simply referred to as “field of view”)). A narrow area (equivalent to the focus area of the camera) is set in FIG.

Therefore, the output of the distance measuring sensor 17 indicates the distance s (the distance of the object O with reference to the display unit 16) of an arbitrary object O (a tree in FIG. 2) existing near the center of the visual field.
Furthermore, in addition to the setting button 14s, operation buttons 14f and 14n are provided on the outer wall of the controller 14 of the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 (corresponding to acquisition means in claims, details will be described later).

Next, the internal configuration of the display unit 16 and the controller 14 of this embodiment will be described.
In the display unit 16, as shown in FIG. 3, a lens 16a and a display element 16b are arranged in this order from the observation eye EL side. The display screen I of the display element 16b faces the direction of the observation eye EL. In addition, the display unit 16 includes a display element driving unit 16b ′ (corresponding to changing means in claims).

The controller 14 includes a CPU (corresponding to control means in claims) 14a, a RAM 14b, an image processing circuit 14c, and an external interface circuit 14d.
The display unit 16 and the controller 14 are electrically connected via a connection line (not shown).
Next, the basic operation of the near eye display of this embodiment will be described.

A video signal is input to the controller 14 from an external device such as a DVD player. The video signal is input to the display element 16 b in the display unit 16 via the external interface circuit 14 d and the image processing circuit 14 c in the controller 14. Thereby, an image is displayed on the display screen I of the display element 16b.
In addition, the display screen I of this embodiment has the character display area Ib which displays the image of a character (character information) other than the video display area Ia which displays an image | video as shown in FIG. The display of the character information is realized by the CPU 14a giving an instruction to the image processing circuit 14c.

The emitted light beam from the display screen I enters the observation eye EL of the user U via the lens 16a. The lens 16a brings the emitted light beam from the display screen I close to a parallel light beam. Therefore, the virtual image I ′ of the display screen I is presented at a position farther from the observation eye EL than the actual position of the display screen I.
The display element 16b is movable in the visual axis direction of the observation eye EL by the display element driving unit 16b ′. When the display element 16b moves in the visual axis direction, the presentation distance s ′ of the virtual image I ′ (the distance of the virtual image I ′ with reference to the display unit 16) changes accordingly.

The driving amount of the display element driving unit 16b ′ at this time is controlled by the CPU 14a. Therefore, the movement amount of the display element 16b (and hence the presentation distance s ′ of the virtual image I ′) is controlled by the CPU 14a.
The CPU 14a controls each part in accordance with a signal from the setting button 14s, the operation buttons 14f and 14n, and a signal from the distance measuring sensor 17.

The operation button 14f is a button for the user U to move the presenting position of the virtual image I ′ away from him, and the operation 14n is a button for the user U to bring the presenting position of the virtual image I ′ closer to him (at this time) The operation of the near eye display will be described later).
Next, the characteristic part (initialization, eye fatigue reduction operation) of the operation flow of the near-eye display of this embodiment will be described. Note that the flow of this operation is controlled by the CPU 14a.

As shown in FIG. 4, an operation for initialization (step S2 in FIG. 4) and an eye fatigue reduction operation (step S3 in FIG. 4) are sequentially performed.
The operation for initialization (step S2 in FIG. 4) is started when an instruction for initialization is given from the user U via the setting button 14s (step S1 YES in FIG. 4).
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the user U places the initialization reference object O ′ (background, column, wall hanging) or the like at a position where it can be seen in front of the user U.

At this time, in the near-eye display, the distance measuring sensor 17 measures the distance, the distance s of the reference object O ′ is recognized from the output of the distance measuring sensor 17, and character information (“1 m”) indicating the distance s (measured distance). Is displayed in real time in the character display area Ib of the display screen I (step S21 in FIG. 4).
These processes from ranging to display are repeated continuously. Therefore, the displayed measurement distance accurately indicates the distance s of the reference object O ′ at that time.

At this time, a video input from an external device or a predetermined reference image is displayed in the video display area Ia of the display screen I.
Then, while viewing the reference object O ′ with the non-observing eye ER, the user U gradually increases the interval between the user and the reference object O ′ as shown in FIG. Stop zooming in when it starts to blur.

On the display screen I, character information (such as “2 m”) indicating the measurement distance s in that state is displayed. Incidentally, the measurement distance s (= the distance of the reference object O ′) in this state corresponds to the far point of the non-observation eye ER.
Further, the user U views the reference object O ′ in that state with the non-observation eye ER and also visually views the virtual image I ′ on the display screen I with the observation eye EL.

Then, the user U operates the operation buttons 14f and 14n to adjust the presentation distance s ′ of the virtual image I ′ so that each of the reference object O ′ and the virtual image I ′ can be viewed as easily as possible. That is, the presentation distance s ′ of the virtual image I ′ is adjusted so that the tension level of the observation eye EL and the tension level of the non-observation eye ER are approximately the same.
Then, when the eye can be seen most easily, the setting button 14s is operated to give a confirmation signal to the near-eye display.

In the near-eye display, when the operation button 14f is operated, the presentation distance s ′ of the virtual image I ′ is increased by a distance corresponding to the operation amount. When the operation button 14n is operated, the presentation distance s ′ of the virtual image I ′ is shortened by a distance corresponding to the operation amount (step S22 in FIG. 4).
In the near-eye display, when a definite cue is given (step S23 YES in FIG. 4), the distance s ₀ of the reference object O ′ and the presentation distance s ₀ ′ of the virtual image I ′ at that time are recognized (FIG. 5). (See (b).)

Here, the presentation distance s ₀ 'of the reference object O' distance s ₀ of the virtual image I ', not coincident as shown also in FIG. 5 (b), a unique offset delta ₀ user U Has occurred (s ₀ ′ = s ₀ −Δ ₀ ).
This is because the diopter of the non-observed eye ER and the diopter of the observed eye EL often do not match, and the positional relationship between the non-observed eye ER and the observed eye EL and the display unit 16 varies depending on the user U. Further, the positional relationship varies depending on the wearing state of the near-eye display even for the same user U.

Therefore, the offset Δ ₀ can be regarded as information on the diopter difference between the observation eye EL and the non-observation eye ER and information on the wearing state of the near eye display (unique information).
In the near-eye display, determined 'difference between (s ₀ -s _0' reference object O presenting distance s ₀ 'of the distance s ₀ and the virtual image I' of the) as an offset delta _0, the information of the offset delta ₀ to RAM14b Store (step S24 in FIG. 4).

Here, when determining the offset Δ ₀ , a unit of refractive power (diopter “Dp”) is adopted as a unit of the distance s ₀ of the reference object O ′ and the presentation distance s ₀ ′ of the virtual image I ′. For example, s ₀ and s ₀ ′ are respectively represented by refractive powers necessary for an eye existing at a predetermined position with respect to the display unit 16 to form a reference object O ′ and a virtual image I ′.
Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, for example, the user U uses the near-eye display at a place desired by the user U. FIGS. 5C and 5D show respective states when the user U faces an arbitrary object O and approaches the object O and moves away.

At this time, a video (video desired by the user U) input from the external device is displayed in the video display area Ia of the display screen I.
In the near-eye display, the distance measuring sensor 17 measures the distance, the distance s of the object O is recognized from the output of the distance measuring sensor 17, and the distance s of the object O and the information of the offset Δ ₀ stored in the RAM 14b are used. Accordingly, the presentation distance s ′ of the virtual image I ′ is set in the vicinity of the distance s of the object O.

These processes from ranging to setting are repeated continuously. Therefore, the presentation distance s ′ of the virtual image I ′ follows the distance s of the object O (step S3 in FIG. 4, FIGS. 5C and 5D).
Here, the presentation distance s ′ of the virtual image I ′ is a distance (s ′ = s−Δ ₀ ) obtained by correcting the distance s of the object O by the offset Δ ₀ .

In this correction, the distance s of the object O and the presentation distance s ′ of the virtual image I ′ are in units of the distance s ₀ of the reference object O ′ and the presentation distance s ₀ ′ of the virtual image I ′ when the offset Δ ₀ is obtained. The same units are adopted.
Incidentally, according to this correction, the difference in the actual distance between the distance s of the object O and the presentation distance s ′ of the virtual image I ′ is equal to the distance s of the object O as shown in FIGS. The shorter it is, the smaller it will be.

Next, the effect of the near eye display of this embodiment will be described.
In this near-eye display, as described above, the distance sensor 17 detects the distance s of the object O, and the presentation distance s ′ of the virtual image I ′ is set according to the distance s of the object O. Therefore, the presentation distance s ′ of the virtual image I ′ follows the distance s of the object O (see FIGS. 5C and 5D).

Here, the distance s of the object O corresponds to an approximate viewing distance of the non-observing eye ER (an approximate distance from the non-observing eye ER to its focus position).
Therefore, the presentation distance s ′ of the virtual image I ′ follows the viewing distance of the non-observing eye ER.
In this way, if the presentation distance s ′ of the virtual image I ′ follows the viewing distance of the non-observing eye ER, the direction of change of the viewing distance of the observation eye EL viewing the virtual image I ′ and the non-observing eye ER viewing the outside world. The viewing distance changes in the same direction. That is, when the observation eye EL is strained, the non-observation eye ER is also strained, and when the observation eye EL is relaxed, the non-observation eye ER is also relaxed.

In this way, if the direction of change in the degree of tension of both eyes matches, the fatigue of both eyes is reduced.
Further, the distance measuring sensor 17 is small, high-performance, and inexpensive, and therefore can easily and reliably detect a change in the viewing distance of the non-observing eye ER.
In this near-eye display, the presentation distance s ′ of the virtual image I ′ is corrected according to the offset Δ ₀ unique to the user U (actually, the driving amount of the display element driving unit 16b ′ is corrected). Therefore, it can cope with various users U.

Moreover, since this offset Δ ₀ indicates the wearing state of the near eye display by the user U, the near eye display can cope with various wearing states by the user U.
Further, since this offset Δ ₀ represents a diopter difference between the observation eye EL and the non-observation eye ER, the near-eye display can cope with various diopter differences of each user U.
In addition, since the near-eye display directly acquires the unique information (offset Δ ₀ ) from the user U, it is possible to save the trouble of separately measuring the diopter difference and the wearing situation or storing them.

Further, the near-eye display can display information on the distance s of the object O, and thus can be used as a distance measuring device.
Moreover, since the display element 16b of the display unit 16 is also used as a means for displaying, it is also efficient.
(Other)
The arrangement angle of the distance measurement sensor 17 and the spread angle of the distance measurement light beam are set so that the distance measurement target area E is narrow as shown in FIG. 2, but as shown in FIG. May be set to be wide. In this case, the average distance of the object existing in the visual field is measured, and the presentation distance s ′ of the virtual image I ′ follows the average distance.

Further, the size of the distance measurement target area E may be changeable (or switchable) by the user U. According to such a near eye display, it is possible to deal with various situations in the outside world (such as the distribution of the object O).
The information of the offset delta ₀ stored in RAM14b need not be the value itself of the offset delta _0, other information indicating the offset delta _0, for example, the output signal of the information and the display device 16b of the distance measuring sensor 17 The position coordinate information may be used.

In determining the offset Δ ₀ , the distance s of the reference object O ′ is set to the distance s ₀ corresponding to the far point of each user U. However, even if the distance s of the reference object O ′ is set to a predetermined distance. Good. However, the offset Δ ₀ can be obtained with higher accuracy when the distance s ₀ corresponding to the far point is set.
In addition, the adjustment of the presentation distance of the virtual image I ′ at the time of initialization is performed electrically, but the near-eye display may be configured to be performed manually.

Also, the display of the information on the distance s of the object O can be omitted.
Further, the near-eye display of the present embodiment can be modified as follows.
That is, as shown in FIG. 7, a sensor 21 that detects a change in the positional relationship between the display unit 16 and the observation eye EL is provided. The sensor 21 includes, for example, an encoder that is provided in a mechanism portion of the front arm 13 and the rear arm 12 and detects the state of the mechanism portion. (In the above description, fitted to the offset delta _0.) The correction amount of the correction in accordance with a change in the output of the sensor 21 be changed in real time, corresponding to changes in the way the use of mounting conditions of the near-eye display it can.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG.
This embodiment is an embodiment of a near eye display. Here, only differences from the first embodiment will be described.
First, the differences will be roughly described.

The first difference is that the display unit 16 'is configured as a see-through type.
Therefore, the observation eye EL looks at both the outside world and the virtual image I ′. This near-eye display aims to reduce fatigue of the observation eye EL.
The second difference is that a refractive power sensor 39 is provided instead of the distance measuring sensor 17.
The third difference is that the operation buttons 14f and 14n are omitted.

Next, the internal configuration of the display unit 16 ′ and the refractive power sensor 39 of this embodiment will be described.
Since the display unit 16 ′ is a see-through type, only the half mirror HM is disposed in front of the observation eye EL.
The light flux from the outside and the light flux from the display element 16b are superimposed on the half mirror HM and enter the observation eye EL.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral I indicates a display screen, reference numeral 16a indicates a lens, reference numeral 16b ′ indicates a display element driving unit, reference numeral B indicates a transparent substrate, and reference numeral M indicates. It is a mirror. The lens 16a, the display element 16b, and the display element driver 16b ′ function in the same manner as those in the first embodiment.
The refractive power sensor 39 is attached to the display unit 16 ′, and the measurement light beam from the refractive power sensor 39 is projected to the observation eye EL through the display unit 16 ′. Further, the measurement light beam reflected from the fundus of the observation eye EL returns to the refractive power sensor 39 via the display unit 16 ′.

The measurement light flux of the refractive power sensor 39 is made of light (infrared rays) having a safe wavelength without disturbing the observation eye EL for visually observing the outside world or viewing the virtual image I ′.
In FIG. 8, the measurement light beam from the refractive power sensor 39 is incident on the back side of the display element 16b (the opposite side of the display screen I) and sequentially passes through the display element 16b, the lens 16a, the mirror M, and the half mirror HM. In this example, the light enters the observation eye EL.

Incidentally, the refractive power sensor 39 includes a light projecting unit 39a and a detecting unit 39b.
The light projecting unit 39a generates a measurement light beam to be projected onto the observation eye EL, and the detection unit 39b detects the measurement light beam returned from the fundus of the observation eye EL.
In addition, what is indicated by a symbol HM in the refractive power sensor 39 in FIG. 8 is a half mirror.
The output of the refractive power sensor 39 (the output of the detection unit 39b) is given to the controller 14 ′. In the controller 14 ′, the CPU 14a ′ recognizes the refractive power of the observation eye EL based on the output. This refractive power indicates the visual distance (distance from the observation eye EL to the focus position) t of the observation eye EL.

Next, the characteristic part (initialization, eye fatigue reduction operation | movement) of the operation | movement flow of the near eye display of this embodiment is demonstrated. The flow of this operation is controlled by the CPU 14a ′.
As shown in FIG. 9, the operation for initialization (step S2 ′ in FIG. 9) and the eye fatigue reduction operation (step S3 ′ in FIG. 9, FIGS. 10B and 10C) are sequentially performed.

The operation for initialization (step S2 ′ in FIG. 9) is started when an initialization instruction is received from the user U via the setting button 14s (step S1 YES in FIG. 9).
In the operation for initialization, the presentation distance t ′ of the virtual image I ′ on the display screen I is set to a predetermined value t ₀ ′ (see step S21 ′ in FIG. 9, FIG. 10A).
This predetermined value t ₀ ′ is a distance that many users U can see, for example, about 1 m.

At this time, a video input from an external device or a predetermined reference image is displayed in the video display area Ia of the display screen I.
The user U views the virtual image I ′ at this time with the observation eye EL.
When the virtual image I ′ is visible, the user I ′ operates the setting button 14s to give a confirmation signal to the near-eye display.

When a confirmation signal is given (step S23 YES in FIG. 9), in the near-eye display, the refractive power sensor 39 performs measurement, and the visual distance t ₀ of the observation eye EL at that time is recognized from the output of the refractive power sensor 39. The
Here, the viewing distance t ₀ of the observation eye EL does not coincide with the presentation distance t ₀ ′ of the virtual image I ′ as shown in FIG. 10A, and an offset Δ ₀ unique to the user U is generated. (T ₀ ′ = t ₀ −Δ ₀ ).

This is because the positional relationship between the observation eye EL and the display unit 16 ′ (that is, the interval between the observation eye EL and the virtual image I ′) varies depending on the user U, and even if the positional relationship is the same user U. This is because it varies depending on the near eye display.
Accordingly, the offset Δ ₀ can be regarded as information (unique information) about the wearing state of the near eye display.

In the near-eye display, calculated difference between 'presenting distance t _0' of the viewing distance t ₀ of the observing eye EL virtual I a (t ₀ -t ₀ ') as the offset delta _0, the information of the offset delta ₀ to RAM14b Store (step S24 'in FIG. 9).
Here, when obtaining the offset Δ ₀ , a unit of refractive power (diopter “Dp”) is adopted as a unit between the viewing distance t ₀ of the observation eye EL and the presentation distance t ₀ ′ of the virtual image I ′. For example, the viewing distance t ₀ of the observation eye EL is represented by the refractive power of the observation eye EL, and the presentation distance t ₀ ′ of the virtual image I ′ is the virtual image I of the eye existing at a predetermined position with respect to the display unit 16 ′. It is expressed by the refractive power necessary to image '.

Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C, for example, the user U uses the near eye display at a place desired by the user U. FIGS. 10B and 10C show respective states when the user U faces an arbitrary object O and approaches the object O and moves away.
At this time, a video (video desired by the user U) input from the external device is displayed in the video display area Ia of the display screen I.

In the near-eye display, the refractive power sensor 39 performs measurement, the visual distance t of the observation eye EL is recognized from the output of the refractive power sensor 39, and information on the visual distance t of the observation eye EL and the offset Δ ₀ stored in the RAM 14b. Accordingly, the display distance t ′ of the virtual image I ′ with respect to the observation eye EL is set in the vicinity of the visual distance t of the observation eye EL. The presentation distance t ′ of the virtual image I ′ is a distance (t ′ = t−Δ ₀ ) obtained by correcting the viewing distance t of the observation eye EL by the offset Δ ₀ .

In this correction, the visual distance t of the observation eye EL and the presentation distance t ′ of the virtual image I ′ are expressed in units of the visual distance t ₀ of the observation eye EL and the presentation distance t of the virtual image I ′ when the offset Δ ₀ is obtained. Units similar to ₀ 'are adopted.
These processes from measurement to setting are repeated continuously. Therefore, the presentation distance t ′ of the virtual image I ′ follows the viewing distance t of the observation eye EL (step S3 ′ in FIG. 9).

Next, the effect of the near eye display of this embodiment will be described.
In the near eye display, as described above, the visual distance t of the observation eye EL is detected by the refractive power sensor 39, and the presentation distance t ′ of the virtual image I ′ is set according to the visual distance t. Therefore, the presentation distance t ′ of the virtual image I ′ follows the viewing distance t of the observation eye EL (see FIGS. 10B and 10C).

In this way, if the presentation distance t ′ of the virtual image I ′ follows the viewing distance t of the observation eye EL, the amount of adjustment when the observation eye EL viewing the outside world looks at the virtual image I ′ can be suppressed. .
Thus, if the adjustment amount is suppressed, the fatigue of the observation eye EL is reduced.
In this near-eye display, the presentation distance t ′ of the virtual image I ′ is corrected according to the offset Δ ₀ unique to the user U (actually, the driving amount of the display element driving unit 16b ′ is corrected). Therefore, it can cope with various users U.

In addition, since this offset Δ ₀ represents the positional relationship between the observation eye EL and the display unit 16 ′, it can cope with various wearing situations of the near-eye display.
In addition, since the near-eye display directly acquires the unique information (offset Δ ₀ ) from the user U, it is possible to save the trouble of separately measuring the wearing state and storing it by the user U.

(Other)
Note that the information on the offset Δ ₀ stored in the RAM 14 b does not have to be the value of the offset Δ ₀ itself, but may be other information indicating the offset Δ ₀ , for example, information on the refractive power of the observation eye EL.
Further, the near-eye display of the present embodiment is modified as shown in FIG. 7 and includes a sensor 21 (an encoder provided in a mechanism portion of the front arm 13 and the rear arm 12 and detecting the state of the mechanism portion). ) the output correction amount of the correction according to the change (the description of fitted to the offset delta _0.) may be allowed to vary in real time. In this case, it is possible to cope with a change in use of the near eye display wearing state.

[Others]
In the first and second embodiments, the monocular near-eye display to which the present invention is applied has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a see-through and binocular near-eye display.
Further, the above-described initialization operation can be omitted if the variation of the fatigue reduction effect depending on the user U and the variation depending on the wearing state of the near-eye display are allowed.

Further, in order to eliminate this variation, the user U is caused to input separately measured unique information, and the near-eye display matches the correction amount of the correction (in the above description, the offset Δ ₀ in accordance with the input unique information). May be determined.
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the unit of refractive power (diopter “Dp”) is used as the unit of distance when the offset Δ ₀ is obtained and corrected. (E.g., meter “m”) may be employed. However, it is preferable to use the unit of refractive power because the calculation for obtaining the offset Δ ₀ and the calculation for correcting are simplified as described above (specifically, an addition / subtraction calculation).

In the near-eye display of each embodiment described above, the presentation distance is automatically set according to the output of sensor means such as the distance measuring sensor 17 and the refractive power sensor 39. In this case, the display element driving unit 16b ′ (changing unit) needs an electric motor that generates a moving force of the display element 16b.
However, the near-eye display of any of the embodiments described above may be configured such that the user can manually set the presentation distance. Such a near-eye display is provided with operation means (dial, knob, button, etc.) for the user to give an instruction to the display element drive unit 16b ′ (change means). In that case, the electric motor is not essential. For example, the display element driver 16b ′ (change means) may be configured only by a transmission mechanism that converts the motion of the operation means into the motion of the display element 16b.

It is an external view of the near eye display of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the ranging object area | region E of the ranging sensor. It is a block diagram of the display part 16 and the controller 14 of 1st Embodiment. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the near eye display of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the near eye display of 1st Embodiment, reference | standard object O ', the object O, and the virtual image I'. It is a figure explaining the modification of the near eye display of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the modification of the near eye display of 1st Embodiment or 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the display part 16 'and controller 14' of 2nd Embodiment. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the near eye display of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the near eye display of 2nd Embodiment, the object O, and the virtual image I '.

Explanation of symbols

11R, 11L Headphones 11R ', 11L' Mounting member 12 Rear arm 13 Front arm 14, 14 'Controller 14a, 14a' CPU
14b RAM
14d External interface circuit 14c Image processing circuit 16, 16 'Display unit 16a Lens 16b Display element 17 Distance sensor 14s Setting button 14f, 14n Operation button EL Observation eye ER Non-observation eye U User O Object E Distance measurement target area I Display screen I 'Virtual image Ia Video display area Ib Character display area

Claims (13)

An optical system for displaying an image composed of character information or image information;
Mounting means for mounting the optical system to the user so that both the outside world and the image are presented to both eyes of the user;
In an information display device comprising: changing means for changing the presentation distance of the image,
The changing means is
The presenting distance is set in accordance with an instruction given from the outside of the information display apparatus or an instruction generated inside the information display apparatus. The information display device according to claim 1,
Sensor means for acquiring information on a change in viewing distance of an eye viewing the outside world of both eyes of the user;
An information display device comprising: a control unit that drives the changing unit according to an output of the sensor unit so that a presentation distance of the image follows the viewing distance. In the information display device according to claim 1 or 2,
The mounting means includes
The information display device, wherein the optical system is attached to the user so that the image is presented only to one eye of the user. In the information display device according to claim 2 or 3,
The sensor means includes
It is a sensor which detects the change of the distance of the object which exists in the said external field. The information display apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The information display device according to claim 4,
The sensor means includes
An information display device, comprising: a sensor that detects a change in a distance of an object existing near a center of a visual field of an eye viewing the outside. In the information display device according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The control means includes
An information display device, wherein the driving amount of the changing means is corrected in accordance with the user's specific information acquired in advance. The information display device according to claim 6,
The unique information includes
The information display device includes information on a positional relationship between the optical system and an eye viewing the image among both eyes of the user. In the information display device according to claim 6 or 7,
The unique information includes
Information on refractive power of an eye viewing the image among both eyes of the user is included. In the information display device according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
The eyes viewing the outside world and the eyes viewing the image are different eyes,
The unique information includes
The information display apparatus characterized by including information on a diopter difference between the two eyes. In the information display device according to any one of claims 6 to 9,
An information display device, comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire the unique information from the user. In the information display device according to any one of claims 2 to 10,
A sensor for detecting a change in a positional relationship between the optical system and an eye viewing the image among both eyes of the user;
The control means includes
The information display device, wherein the driving amount of the changing means is corrected according to the output of the sensor. In the information display device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
An information display device comprising means for displaying information on the presentation distance of the image. The information display device according to claim 12, wherein
The information display apparatus is characterized in that the means is also used by the optical system.

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