JP2009020180A - Video display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device in which even when an outside scene (outside world) is changed, concentration of a user is hardly direct to the change, while avoiding a state where the outside scene looks dark. <P>SOLUTION: When a CPU 8 receives signals from a timer circuit 11 at prescribed intervals, or when the CPU 8 receives the signal that an operating section 4 is operated (for example, a switch is depressed), the CPU 8 sends the signal to an image processing section 9. The video signal inputted to the image processing section 9 from a media player section 3 via a frame memory 10 is subjected to image processing by the image processing section 9 to impart variation to the video signal. As a method of imparting the variation, at least one among luminance, chromaticity, contrast, γ correction value, and edge enhancement are changed for 1 to 2 seconds for the entire part or a part of the video to be displayed. As a result, the user feels the change in the circumstances of the display screen and concentrates the attention to the display picture. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display device having a function of displaying an image, such as a head mounted display mounted on a head and having a function of displaying an image.

  In recent years, it has been used by being worn on the human body, such as a spectacle type for observing an image displayed on a display device such as a liquid crystal panel (LCD) as an enlarged virtual image through an optical system having an eyepiece, a half mirror, or the like. Various video display devices have been proposed and are called wearable displays. Of these, those mounted on the head and used are particularly called head-mounted displays.

  In many cases, the head-mounted display is configured to be mounted on the head while being wound around the head, and corresponds to one eye of the binocular type in which a video display system is formed at a position corresponding to both eyes and the left and right eyes. There is a one-eye type in which an image display system is formed at a position. Of these, the binocular type is mainly used for the purpose of enjoying video. One-eye type devices are expected to be used as display devices such as wearable personal computers and display devices that display instructions to workers. As an example thereof, those of the type described in JP-A-8-305298 (Patent Document 1) and JP-A-2004-207847 (Patent Document 2) are known.

  In this way, one of the problems with video display devices that display video only for one eye is that attention will turn to the outside scene (outside) that is visible with eyes that are not displaying video. You may not be able to concentrate on the screen. As a method for solving such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-281922 discloses a method of dimming by putting a filter in front of an eye not displaying an image. However, this method has another problem of danger due to the darkness of the external scenery.

In order to solve such a problem, the inventors, etc., are video display devices that display video on one eye, and change or display the displayed original video at a predetermined timing. The user can recognize the displayed video by either replacing a part of the displayed original video with another image or superimposing another video on the displayed original video. A video display device having a function of giving a video change has been invented, and this invention is internationally disclosed as WO 2006/051743 A1 (Patent Document 3).
JP-A-8-305298 JP 2004-207847 A WO2006 / 051743 A1 publication

  However, Patent Document 3 does not describe an optimum method for specific video change time, video brightness change method, and the like. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is difficult for the user's concentration to be directed even if the appearance of the outside scenery (the outside world) changes while avoiding that the outside scenery looks dark. It is an object of the present invention to provide such an improved video display device.

  A first means for solving the above problem is a video display device that displays video on one eye, changing the displayed original video at a predetermined timing, and displaying the displayed original video Video that can be recognized by the user on the displayed video by either replacing part or all of the video with another video or superimposing another video on the displayed original video The video display device has a function of giving a change, and the time for giving the video change is 1 second or more and 2 seconds or less.

  The second means for solving the problem is the first means, and the video display device according to claim 1, wherein when the other video is superimposed on the original video, It has a function of reducing the luminance of the original image.

A third means for solving the problem is the first means or the second means, wherein the original video is a still image while the other video is displayed. The fourth means for solving the above-mentioned problem is the first means, in which the entire displayed original video is replaced with another image. The another video is displayed between the original video of one group and the original video of another batch.

  A fifth means for solving the problem is any one of the first to fourth means, and the other video includes information for identifying a specific product or a specific company. It is characterized by being.

  A sixth means for solving the above problem is any one of the first to fifth means, and the brightness of the other image changes according to the brightness of the wearer's surroundings. It is characterized by.

  The seventh means for solving the problem is any one of the first to sixth means, wherein an ear pad that contacts the side surface of the head, a fixing member that holds the ear pad, and the fixing In what has a headband part which connects a member and gives energizing force which presses the ear pad against the side of a head, and a display arm which attaches an image display part to either the right or left of the fixing member, It has a switch for turning on and off a function of giving a video change that can be recognized by the user, and the switch is attached to a fixing member to which the display arm is attached.

  According to the present invention, an improved video display apparatus that prevents the user from concentrating on the user's concentration even if the external scene changes (the outside world) while avoiding the external scene from appearing dark. Can be provided.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a head mounted display which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The head-mounted display includes a main body 1 that is mounted on the head, a control unit 2 that is mounted on a portion other than the head, a media player unit 3, and an operation unit 4.

  The main body 1 has a display element 5 formed of an LCD for forming an image, a backlight 6 for applying light to the display element, and an LCD driver 7 for operating the LCD. The control unit 2 includes a CPU 8 that controls the entire control, an image processing unit 9 that performs image processing, a frame memory 10 that stores video signals from the media player unit 3 and sends them to the image processing unit 9, a timer circuit 11, and a CPU 8 A player controller 12 that controls the media player unit 3 in response to a signal from is incorporated.

  In a normal state, the video signal from the media player unit 3 is subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 9 via the frame memory 10, and the LCD driver 7 is activated by the control signal from the image processing unit 9 and should be displayed. An image is formed on the display element 5. The image formed by the display element 5 is projected onto the user's eyes by an optical system (not shown).

  The head mounted display of this embodiment has various functions in order to attract the user's attention to the display image. Examples thereof will be described below.

  In the first example, when the CPU 8 receives a signal at a predetermined interval from the timer circuit 11 or when the CPU 8 receives a signal indicating that the operation unit 4 is operated (for example, a switch is pressed), the CPU 8 A signal is sent to the processing unit 9, and the image processing unit 9 performs image processing on the video signal input from the media player unit 3 to the image processing unit 9 via the frame memory 10, and changes the video signal. As a method of giving the change, at least one of the luminance, chromaticity, contrast, γ correction value, and edge enhancement degree of the video is changed for the entire displayed video or a part thereof. As a result, the user feels that the state of the display screen has changed, and concentrates his attention on the display screen.

  In the second example, at least a part of the display screen is enlarged or reduced. This method is particularly effective when a still screen is displayed. As a result, the user feels that the state of the display screen has changed, and concentrates his attention on the display screen.

  These two processes are performed as standard functions of the image processing function of the image processing unit 9, and the CPU 8 instructs which function to use.

  In the third example, an image different from the original image supplied from the media player unit 3 is displayed superimposed on the original image or replaced with a part of the original image. To superimpose corresponds to displaying another image superimposed on the original image in a translucent state.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a part of the original image (South America map) displayed on the screen 21 is replaced with a black line 22 and displayed. Further, the black line may be reciprocated left and right as indicated by arrows. In this way, the user feels that the display screen has changed, and concentrates his attention on the display screen.

  In this example, the display position of another image is changed, but another image may be displayed and its size and display content may be changed with time.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the displayed line is reciprocated to the left and right, the user may be intoxicated by the reciprocating movement of the line. As an example of preventing this, as shown in FIG. 3, two lines 23a and 23b may be displayed and moved so as to be symmetric with respect to the symmetry axis 24 of the screen.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, another frame-like image 25 may be displayed so as to surround the peripheral edge of the screen. In this way, another image 25 can be displayed (replaced or superimposed with the original image) while leaving the main part of the original image displayed on the screen. Furthermore, when this separate image is moved around as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4, the user's attention is particularly attracted.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, another image 26 may be started from the center of the screen and advanced to the vicinity of the outer periphery of the screen, and then the movement of making one round of the peripheral portion of the screen may be repeated. . Thereby, it is possible to make the user recognize the different image 26 with certainty. Note that the video source of the separate image 26 may be an original image, the original image may be reduced to create the separate image 26, or a part of the original image may be cut out to create the separate image 26. May be.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, you may make it display the character 27 regarding the image currently displayed. Another image related to the displayed image may be used instead of the character. In this way, the user can concentrate on the video without feeling uncomfortable with the displayed video.

  In addition to the examples shown above, another video that is replaced with the original video or another video that is superimposed on the original video is displayed on at least one of the low-luminance portion and the low-change portion of the original image. You may do it. When attention deviates from the screen, the entire screen may not be visible, but only a part of the screen may appear to replace the background (the appearance of the outside world seen by the eye not viewing the image). is there. In this case, the part of the screen that appears to be replaced is often a part where the brightness of the screen is low and there are few changes in the image (pattern changes and movements). Or even by superimposing, it is possible to minimize the cut-off of the video.

  As described above, replacement of a part of the original image supplied from the media player unit 3 with another image or superimposition of another image on the original image is realized as a standard function of the image processing unit 9. it can. The image to be replaced is stored in the memory of the CPU 8, and the display position is determined by issuing another command to the image processing unit 9 from the CPU 8, and its position.

  In the above embodiment, the original image to be displayed has been described as being supplied from the media player unit 3. However, when displaying a still image like icon display, the media player unit 3 is not used. The image stored in the memory of the CPU 8 may be supplied to the image processing unit 9 as an original image.

  As described above, the timing of the image change may be generated when the CPU 8 receives a pulse transmitted from the timer circuit 11 at a predetermined interval, or the user operates the operation unit 4. You may perform when CPU8 receives a signal.

  Furthermore, the video information of the media player unit 3 may be pre-read by the CPU 8 and a change may be generated in the video to be displayed before the video that does not allow the user to concentrate on the screen is displayed. In general, it is easy for the user to concentrate on the screen when the displayed video is a video with a low contrast or a small pattern. As a result of analysis by the CPU 8, it is found that such an image continues for a predetermined time. In such a case, a change may be generated in the displayed video.

  Whether or not the display image is an image having a low contrast or a small pattern can be known by examining the frequency distribution of luminance of the screen, the frequency distribution of chromaticity, the spatial frequency distribution of the image, or the like.

  The timing at which the changed image is returned to the original image may be returned when a predetermined time has elapsed since the change (determined by a signal from the timer circuit 11), or the user inputs from the operation unit 4 You may make it return at a timing.

  Alternatively, the video information of the media player unit 3 may be prefetched by the CPU 8, and the video to be displayed may be changed before the video that allows the user to concentrate on the screen is displayed. In general, the user can concentrate on the screen easily when the displayed video is a high contrast image or a video with many patterns. As a result of analysis by the CPU 8, it was found that such an image continues for a predetermined time. In this case, a change may be generated in the displayed video.

  Whether the display image is a high contrast image or a pattern-rich image can be determined by examining the luminance distribution of the screen, the frequency distribution of the chromaticity, the spatial frequency distribution of the image, or the like.

  Furthermore, when an image that allows the user to concentrate on the screen is displayed, a change may be generated in the displayed image. For this purpose, image information displayed in the past is stored in the frame memory or the CUP 8, and the CPU 8 analyzes that a predetermined number of such images have continued, so that such images continue for a predetermined time. When it is understood, it is only necessary to change the displayed video.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the time for changing the video is 1 second or more and 2 seconds or less. If the user's attention is off the screen, changing the video for less than 1 second is not sufficient to concentrate the user's attention on the video, as will be described later. Moreover, even if the image is changed over 2 seconds, the effect is saturated and only the time for disturbing the display of the original image is lengthened.

  For example, in FIG. 2, the black line 22 moves from the left end of the screen to the right end in 0.5 seconds, then moves from the right end to the left end in 0.5 seconds, and the black line 22 moves from the left end of the screen to the right end in 0.5 seconds. Try to move. In this way, for example, even when the user is on a train or the like and an object outside the field of view moves in a certain direction, a motion different from this (background) will always appear on the video display screen. Attention can be directed to the video display screen. The black line 22 in FIG. 2 may be a white line according to the darkness of the screen, and the movement may be in the vertical direction instead of the horizontal direction.

  In the above, the reason why the time from the one end to the other end is set to 0.5 seconds is as follows. First, it takes 0.2 seconds for the user who is focusing on the outside to notice the appearance and movement of the black line 22 (sometimes referred to as “image wiper”). Furthermore, it takes 0.3 seconds to move the eyeball from the outside to the monitor of the video display unit. Therefore, if the time of 0.5 seconds is set, it becomes possible to notice the movement of the image wiper and to watch the monitor of the video display unit.

  In addition, when the direction of movement of the image wiper and the direction of movement of the external landscape are the same direction, the movement of the first pattern may not be noticed. Therefore, the image wiper is moved in the opposite direction in the same manner over 0.5 seconds. Thus, it is preferable to spend at least 1 second for the movement of the image wiper. However, in order to further concentrate the user's consciousness of the movement of the video wiper in this one second on the monitor, the display is further performed for 0.5 second.

  Further, when another video is superimposed on the original video, it is preferable to reduce the luminance of the original video. When the luminance of the original video is high, another superimposed video may not be noticeable. Therefore, the original video is darkened to make the superimposed other video stand out and draw the user's attention.

  A flowchart of such processing is shown in FIG. First, the motion of the displayed moving image content is temporarily frozen (set as a still image) (step S1). Then, the brightness of the frozen image is reduced (step S2). Next, ambient brightness information is acquired (step S3). Then, the brightness of the image wiper is set according to the ambient brightness (step S4). In such a state, an image wiper is displayed (step S5). When the display of the image wiper is completed, the brightness of the freeze image is returned (step S6), the freeze of the image content is canceled, and the display of the moving image is resumed (step S7).

  Further, since the image wiper is an image that is easy to watch, it is preferable to include information that can identify a specific product or a specific company. In this way, it can be used for advertising.

  In addition, when a bright image is displayed when the surroundings are dark, the user feels uncomfortable. Therefore, it is preferable that the brightness of the other video to be displayed changes according to the brightness around the wearer.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the original video is a still image while another video is displayed. When another video is displayed, the original video cannot be viewed in its entirety, so the original video is stopped during this time. Thus, when the display of another video is finished, the user can view the continuation of the original video without performing rewinding.

  When displaying an image, the image may be divided into a group of images and several of these images may be displayed one after another. Such a group of videos is called content. The content may be a series of moving images, a still image displayed continuously or intermittently, or a single game image. In such a case, it is preferable to display another video between the contents. Thereby, the user can know that the content has changed. In addition, since the video is often dark at the beginning of the content, it is particularly effective to direct the consciousness to the monitor by displaying another display.

  A flowchart of such processing is shown in FIG. First, an image wiper is displayed (step S11). Subsequently, the first content display is performed (step S12). Subsequently, it is confirmed whether there is the next content (step S13). If there is, it is confirmed whether or not the surrounding is bright (step S14). If it is bright, an image wiper is displayed (step S15). When the surroundings are dark, even if the image wiper is not displayed, the image wiper is not displayed on the assumption that the user's attention is directed to the monitor. Subsequently, the next content is displayed (step S16), and the process returns to step S13. If it is determined in step S13 that there is no next content, the operation ends.

  By the way, as described above, it is preferable to forcibly actuate the function of giving a video change that can be recognized by the user to the displayed video by the image wiper activation switch. This is because it is preferable to focus attention on the monitor when the user's attention tends to be away from the monitor, and not to use such a function when there is no such concern.

  FIG. 9 shows an outline of an example of a head mounted display. This head-mounted display includes ear pads 31 and 32 that hold both ears from the left and right to fix the head-mounted display to the head. Speakers are provided in the ear pads 31 and 32, and sound is output to the respective ears. Each ear pad 31, 32 is fixed to the holding portions 33, 34 via a universal hinge. The left and right holding portions 33 and 34 (fixing members) are slidably inserted into the headband portion 35 and connected by the headband portion 35. The headband part 35 has elasticity, and gives the urging force which presses the ear pads 31 and 32 against the ear part from the left and right. The display unit 36 is held by a display unit arm 37, and the display unit arm 37 is coupled to the holding unit 34 via a rotation unit 38 and can be rotated in the front-rear direction when mounted.

  The holding unit 33 is provided with an operation unit 39, and the operation unit 39 is provided with push button switches 40, 41, 42, 43 and a dial 44 which are operation members.

  In the present embodiment, an image wiper activation switch 45 is provided on the ear-side holding portion 34 on the same side as the ear side on which the display portion arm 37 is provided. Thus, by providing the image wiper activation switch 45 in the holding part 34 on the same ear side as the ear side on which the display unit arm 37 is provided, on the side opposite to the side on which many operation members are provided, It can be provided with a margin. When this head mounted display is used as a headphone, the display unit arm 37 is lifted upward so that the image wiper activation switch 45 can be hidden behind the display unit arm 37 to prevent erroneous operation.

  With such an arrangement, the display unit arm 37 and the image wiper activation switch 45 are arranged close to each other. However, when the hand contacts the display unit arm 37 in the power operation, the display unit arm 37 and the display unit are arranged. Even if the image 36 becomes unstable due to shaking 36, this is a case of the image wiper display, so there is no inconvenience to the user.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the head mounted display which is an example of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example which replaces a part of original image with another image, or superimposes another image on a part of original image. It is a figure which shows the example which replaces a part of original image with another image, or superimposes another image on a part of original image. It is a figure which shows the example which replaces a part of original image with another image, or superimposes another image on a part of original image. It is a figure which shows the example which replaces a part of original image with another image, or superimposes another image on a part of original image. It is a figure which shows the example which superimposed the character data on the original image. It is a flowchart for making another superimposed image stand out and attracting the user's attention. It is a flowchart which displays another image | video between content. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the example of a head mounted display.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main-body part, 2 ... Control part, 3 ... Media player part, 4 ... Operation part, 5 ... Display element, 6 ... Back light, 7 ... LCD driver, 8 ... CPU, 9 ... Image processing part, 10 ... Frame memory 11 ... Timer circuit, 21 ... Screen, 22 ... Line, 23a, 23b ... Line, 24 ... Axis of symmetry of screen, 25 ... Different image, 26 ... Different image, 27 ... Character, 31 ... Ear pad, 32 ... Ear pad, 33 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Holding part, 34 ... Holding part, 35 ... Headband part, 36 ... Display part, 37 ... Display part arm, 38 ... Turning part, 39 ... Operation part, 40 ... Push button switch, 41 ... Push button switch, 43 ... Push button switch, 44 ... Dial, 45 ... Image wiper start switch

Claims (7)

  A video display device that displays video on one eye, changing the displayed original video at a predetermined timing, replacing part or all of the displayed original video with another video, Or, by any means of superimposing another image on the displayed original image, the displayed image has a function of changing the image so as to be recognized by the user, and the image change is given. A video display device characterized in that the time is 1 second or more and 2 seconds or less.   The video display device according to claim 1, wherein when the other video is superimposed on the original video, the video display has a function of reducing luminance of the original video. The video display device according to claim 1, wherein the original video is a still image while the other video is displayed.   The video display device according to claim 1, wherein when the entire displayed original video is replaced with another image, the other video includes a group of the original video and another group of the original video. An image display device displaying between the original images.   5. The video display device according to claim 1, wherein the another video includes information that can identify a specific product or a specific company. 6.   6. The video display device according to claim 1, wherein brightness of the other video changes according to brightness around the wearer.   The video display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an ear pad that contacts a side surface of the head, a fixing member that holds the ear pad, and the fixing member are connected, What has the headband part which gives the urging force which presses an ear pad against a head side, and the display arm which attaches an image display part to either one of the right and left of the above-mentioned fixed member, so that the user can recognize An image display device comprising: a switch for turning on / off a function of giving an image change, wherein the switch is attached to a fixing member to which the display arm is attached.

Images