JP2011229024A - Head-worn information notification device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To instantly notify a user of information reception without cutting off a front view.SOLUTION: A head-worn information notification device is equipped with: a supporting part (15) which can be worn onto the user's head; and a light-emitting part (11) disposed via the supporting part to inform the user of the information reception. The light-emitting part is disposed at a position which is inside a user's field of view and is outside the field of view visible through eyeglass lenses when the user wears the eyeglasses.

Description

  The present invention relates to a head-mounted information notification apparatus.

  A conventional information display terminal has a function of notifying reception of information by a ring tone, light emission, vibration, or the like. In addition, in a video display device mounted on the head, a technique is disclosed in which, when there is a notification (warning, notification), a light for notification is irradiated within the field of view of a virtual image to be displayed (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

JP 2007-52224 A

  Conventionally, if a small mobile terminal such as a mobile phone is put in a pocket or a bag, there is a problem that a ring tone, light emission, vibration, etc. indicating reception of information may not be recognized, and information cannot be confirmed when information is received. It was. According to Patent Document 1, an information notification area is provided around a virtual image display, and information notification display is performed as a virtual image. However, in a virtual image display device having a small pupil diameter, a line of sight is displayed on the display image in order to visually recognize the information notification. There was a problem that had to be directed. In addition, in a head-mounted display device, generally, as the pupil diameter is increased, image light is incident on the eyeball regardless of the line-of-sight direction. Use becomes difficult.

  In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a small head-mounted information notification device suitable for a mobile environment that can immediately notify the user of information reception and does not block the front view. There is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a head-mounted information notification device according to the present invention is disposed via a support unit that can be mounted on a user's head and receives the information from the user. A light-emitting unit for notifying the user, and the light-emitting unit is disposed within a field of view of the user and out of a field of view through a spectacle lens when wearing spectacles. .

  According to the head-mounted information notification device, the light emitting unit can always notify the reception of information. In addition, since the front view is not obstructed and is compact, the troublesomeness at the time of wearing can be eliminated.

  In the head mounted information notification apparatus according to the present invention, the light emitting unit is provided in the support unit.

  According to the head-mounted information notification apparatus, the light emitting unit is provided on the support unit, so that the head-mounted information notification device can be placed in a place where it is easier to see and does not get in the way.

  In the head-mounted information notification apparatus according to the present invention, the support unit includes an information receiving unit that receives information to be notified to the light emitting unit.

  According to the head-mounted information notification apparatus, it is not necessary to carry the information receiving unit separately.

  In the head-mounted information notification device according to the present invention, the display unit is fixed to the support unit and displays an image, and the display of the display unit and the light emission of the light emitting unit are controlled based on the reception of the information. And a head-mounted display device having a display light emission control unit and a power source. The light-emitting unit is provided in the head-mounted display device.

  According to the head-mounted information notification device, in addition to notification of reception by the light emitting unit, information can be displayed by the display unit.

  In the head-mounted information notification device according to the present invention, the support unit includes a display unit that displays an image, and a display that controls display of the display unit and light emission of the light-emitting unit based on reception of the information. A head-mounted display device having a light emission control unit and a power source is provided with a connection unit that can be attached via an electrical contact, and the light emission unit is powered from the power source via the connection unit. It is characterized by being supplied.

  According to the head-mounted information notification device, in addition to notification of reception by the light emitting unit, information can be displayed by the display unit. Further, since the head-mounted display device can be removed when not used, it can be used as normal glasses when removed.

  The head-mounted information notification apparatus according to the present invention further includes an audio output unit that outputs audio, and the display light emission control unit controls audio output of the audio output unit based on reception of the information. It is characterized by that.

  According to the head-mounted information notification apparatus, the reception of information can be notified by voice.

  In the head-mounted information notification apparatus according to the present invention, the head-mounted display apparatus includes an information receiving unit that receives information to be notified to the light emitting unit.

  According to the head-mounted information notification apparatus, it is not necessary to carry the information receiving unit separately.

  In the head-mounted information notification apparatus according to the present invention, the information receiving unit receives information from an information terminal carried by a user.

  According to the head-mounted information notification apparatus, it is possible to always notify the reception status of a portable information terminal and reduce the burden of operating the information terminal.

  In the head-mounted information notification device according to the present invention, the light emitting unit is characterized in that an irradiation area is limited so that light emitted from the light emitting unit is blocked by a user's head. .

  According to the head-mounted information notification device, the light emitted from the light emitting unit does not leak to the outside and does not cause discomfort to nearby people. It is possible to notify information while taking into consideration.

  In the head-mounted information notification apparatus according to the present invention, the support portion is a spectacle frame.

  According to the head-mounted information notification device, it can also be used as glasses.

  According to the present invention, since the light emitting unit does not block the front view, the light emitting unit does not block the activity in the mobile environment, and the light receiving unit within the field of view can immediately notify the reception of information. It becomes like this.

1 is an external view of a head mounted information notification apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram of a head-mounted information notification apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the directivity of the light emission part of the head mounted information notification apparatus of 1st Embodiment by this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the information notification system of 1st Embodiment by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information notification system of 1st Embodiment by this invention. It is an external view of the head mounted information notification apparatus of 2nd Embodiment by this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the head mounted information notification apparatus of 2nd Embodiment by this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the information notification system of 2nd Embodiment by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information notification system of 2nd Embodiment by this invention. It is an external view of the head mounted information notifying device of the third embodiment according to the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of the head mounted information notifying device of the third embodiment according to the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of the information notification system of 3rd Embodiment by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information notification system of 3rd Embodiment by this invention.

  Embodiments of a head-mounted information notification device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an external view of a head-mounted information notification apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the head-mounted information notification apparatus according to the first embodiment. The head-mounted information notification device 1 includes a light emitting unit 11, a light emission control unit 12, an information receiving unit 13, a power source 14, and a support unit 15.

  The information receiving unit 13 acquires information from the outside, and outputs notification information for notifying that the information has been acquired to the light emission control unit 12.

  The light emission control unit 12 controls the light emission of the light emitting unit 11 based on the notification information input from the information receiving unit 13, and the information receiving unit 13 receives information from the user of the head-mounted information notification device 1. Notify that.

  The light emitting unit 11 is provided in the support unit 15 and, for example, turns on the light emitting unit, blinks, or changes the emission color under a control of the light emission control unit 12.

  The power supply 14 supplies power to the light emitting unit 11, the light emission control unit 12, and the information receiving unit 13.

  The support unit 15 is a support member for enabling the head-mounted information notification device 1 to be mounted on the user's head, and FIG. 1 shows an example in which the support unit 15 is a spectacle frame. However, what is necessary is just to be able to fix the light emitting part 11 to the head.

  The information receiving unit 13 and the power source 14 may be provided in the support unit 15 or may be carried separately by the user.

  Here, the arrangement of the light emitting units 11 will be described. A region A of about 100 degrees on the ear side and about 60 degrees on the nose side from the central visual axis is called a visual field, and a range of about ± 15 degrees with respect to the central visual axis is called a central visual field. The central visual field is a range in which the object can be recognized in detail, and disposing the light emitting unit 11 in this range is not preferable because it disturbs the external field of view. Further, even if it is outside the central visual field range, if the light emitting unit 11 is disposed in a region close to the central visual field, the visual field is obstructed, and if it is disposed in a region outside the visual field A, it cannot be recognized. Therefore, a range that is within the range of the visual field A and that does not obstruct the field of view is set as the light emitting unit arrangement region B, and the light emitting unit 11 is arranged in the light emitting unit arrangement region B.

  The spectacle lens field of view can cover an area necessary for recognizing the outside world in daily operations, and if it is outside this area, the view necessary for recognizing the outside world is not obstructed. On the other hand, the peripheral visual field outside the central visual field is excellent in visual recognition of objects that change with time such as moving objects and blinking light. Therefore, the information is received by setting the light emitting unit arrangement region B within the range of the field of view A and out of the field of view through the spectacle lens (glass spectacle lens field of view) when wearing spectacles. If not, the visual field is not hindered, and the information can be clearly recognized only when the light emitting unit 11 is turned on or blinks.

  Generally, it is said that the ideal distance between the eye and the spectacle lens when wearing glasses is 12 mm. The lateral width of the spectacle lens is generally 60 mm or less. Therefore, since arctan (30/12) ≈68 degrees, the spectacle lens field of view is an area of about ± 68 degrees in the left-right direction with respect to the central visual axis. That is, the light emitting portion arrangement region B is a region of about 68 degrees to about 100 degrees toward the ear with respect to the central visual axis. Although FIG. 1 shows the light emitting portion arrangement region B in the horizontal direction, the light emitting portion arrangement region B in the vertical direction is defined in the same manner. Since the vertical width of the spectacle lens is generally 36 mm or less and arctan (18/12) ≈56 degrees, the spectacle lens visual field in the vertical direction is an area of about ± 56 degrees in the vertical direction with respect to the central visual axis. is there.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the directivity of the light emitting unit 11. Consideration of the surroundings is also important in the mobile environment, and the notification environment that gives discomfort to the surroundings may limit the usable environment. Therefore, the irradiation area of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 11 is limited to the irradiation area C. The irradiation area C is an area surrounded by both end faces of the user's head when viewed from the emitting part, that is, an area where irradiation light is blocked by the head.

  In order to limit the irradiation region of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 11 within the irradiation region C, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, a mask 111 is provided on both sides of the light emitting unit 11 to limit the irradiation region. . Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, an illumination lens 112 is disposed in front of the light emitting unit 11 to limit the irradiation area. As a result, the light emitted from the light emitting unit does not leak to the surroundings, and the user can be notified of information without causing discomfort to the surrounding people, and can always be used in various environments. .

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an information notification system in which the head-mounted information notification device 1 and a portable information terminal are connected. The information receiving unit 13 can be connected by communication with a portable information terminal 16 that is separately carried by the user.

  The portable information terminal 16 includes a communication unit 161. The communication unit 161 is connected to the network 17 by wireless or wired and acquires information via the network 17. In addition, the communication unit 161 is connected to the information receiving unit 13 by wireless or wired, and outputs the acquired information to the information receiving unit 13. The communication unit 161 may be different from the communication unit for connecting to the network 17 and the communication unit for connecting to the head-mounted display device 1. For example, a device for near field communication may be used for connection with the head-mounted display device 1.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information notification system shown in FIG. The portable information terminal 16 acquires information via the network 17 by the communication unit 161 (step S101). The information to be acquired is, for example, notification information that informs the reception of an incoming call or the reception of mail or news.

  The head-mounted information notification device 1 receives the notification information acquired by the communication unit 161 by the information receiving unit 13 (step S102), and controls the light emission of the light emitting unit 11 based on the notification information by the control unit 12, The light emitting unit is turned on and blinked, the blinking pattern and the emission color are changed (step S103), and the user is notified of information reception. The control unit 12 can also switch the light emission blinking pattern and the light emission color according to the notification information. As a result, the user can grasp the type of information, and can determine the urgency such as whether the information should be confirmed immediately or can be confirmed later.

  Moreover, the light emission control part 12 can also have the brightness detection part (not shown) which detects the surrounding brightness. The brightness detection unit changes the emission intensity of the light emitting unit 11 according to the detected brightness. Since brighter light emission is easier to visually recognize in a bright environment, the light emission intensity of the light-emitting unit 11 is increased. In a dark environment, light emission that is too bright is dazzling and obstructs the field of view, so the light emission intensity is reduced. By controlling the light emission intensity in accordance with the ambient brightness, it is possible to make it easier to see brightly in a bright environment, and to reduce the annoyance by suppressing the brightness in a dark environment.

  Thus, according to the head-mounted information notification device 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to immediately notify the user of information reception and recognize it. In addition, the light emitting unit 11 is disposed at a position that does not interfere with the field of view, and the field of view can be secured. In addition, usually, when you are acting with others, it is assumed that there are many situations where you may restrict yourself from checking other information due to consideration of the other party. Since there is no leakage and the incoming call is not known from the outside, the user can confirm the reception without giving discomfort to the people around.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a head mounted information notification apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is an external view of a head-mounted information notification apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the head-mounted information notification apparatus according to the second embodiment. The head-mounted information notification device 2 includes a head-mounted display device 4 including a display unit 41, a display light emission control unit 42, an information reception unit 43, and a power source 44, a light emitting unit 11, a support unit 15, and a fixed unit. Part 5.

  The light emitting unit 11 is provided in the head-mounted display device 4. Further, similarly to the head-mounted information notification device 1 of the first embodiment, the light emitting unit 11 is arranged in the light emitting unit arrangement region B, and the irradiation region is limited to the irradiation region C.

  The fixing unit 5 fixes the head-mounted display device 4 to the support unit 15. In FIG. 6, as an example, the case where the support portion 15 is a spectacle frame is shown, but any device that can fix the head-mounted display device 4 to the head may be used. In addition, the fixing unit 5 is not an essential configuration, and the support unit 15 and the head-mounted display device 4 may be configured integrally.

  The information receiving unit 43 acquires information from the outside and outputs notification information for notifying that the information has been acquired to the display light emission control unit 42. In addition, when mail or news is received, the display data is output to the display light emission control unit 42.

  The display light emission control unit 42 controls the light emission of the light emitting unit 11 based on the notification information input from the information receiving unit 43. The video signal is output to the display unit 41 based on the display data input from the information receiving unit 43.

  The display unit 41 displays a video based on the video signal input from the display light emission control unit 42, guides the video light to the eyeball, and forms a virtual image that is an enlarged video.

  The power supply 44 supplies power to the display unit 41, the display light emission control unit 42, the information reception unit 43, and the light emission unit 11.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of an information notification system in which the head-mounted information notification device 2 and the portable information terminal 16 are connected. The information receiving unit 43 can be connected to the portable information terminal 16 separately carried by the user by communication.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information notification system shown in FIG. The portable information terminal 16 acquires information via the network 17 by the communication unit 161 (step S201). The information to be acquired is, for example, notification information that informs the reception of an incoming call or the reception of mail or news. When mail or news is received, display data indicating the contents is also acquired. Further, when a call is received, the name of the caller or the like can be acquired as display data when the received call number or the information of the call number is registered in the portable information terminal 16.

  The head-mounted information notification device 2 receives the notification information and display data acquired by the communication unit 161 by the information receiving unit 43 (step S202), and the display light emission control unit 42 emits light from the light emitting unit 11 based on the notification information. (Step S203) and the display of the display unit 41 is controlled based on the display data (step S204).

  The display light emission control unit 42 performs the control of the light emitting unit 11 in step S203 and the control of the display unit 41 in step S204 in conjunction with each other at a predetermined timing. When the display light emission control unit 42 acquires the notification information from the information receiving unit 43, the display light emission control unit 42 causes the light emitting unit 11 to emit light, and displays a video on the display unit 41 based on the display data after a predetermined time has elapsed. By automatically turning on the display unit 41 after the light emitting unit 11 emits light, the user can recognize the light emission and confirm the content of the received information simply by moving the line of sight to the virtual image display screen.

  Further, the display light emission control unit 42 ends the display of the display unit 41 after a certain time has elapsed after the light emission unit 11 emits light. After the light emitting unit 11 emits light, the display unit 41 is automatically turned off, so that the user only needs to move the line of sight after confirming the reception and confirming the contents of the received information until returning to the standby state. Can do.

  Further, it is possible to save power by receiving information and performing display on the display unit 41 only for a certain period of time, and stopping the operation of the display light emission control unit 42 during other times.

  As described above, according to the head-mounted information notification device 2 of the present embodiment, the user can immediately recognize the reception of the incoming call, and the contents of the information can be obtained by incorporating the display unit 41. Can be confirmed immediately without opening a separate information terminal.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a head mounted information notification apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same reference number is attached | subjected to the same component as 2nd Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted. FIG. 10 is an external view of a head-mounted information notification apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of the head-mounted information notification apparatus according to the third embodiment. The head-mounted information notification device 3 includes a light emitting unit 11, a support unit 15, an audio output unit 18, and a connection unit 19, and makes the head-mounted display device 4 detachable. The head-mounted display device 4 includes a display unit 41, a display light emission control unit 42, an information reception unit 43, and a power source 44.

  The light emitting unit 11 is provided on the support unit 15 and is connected to the head-mounted display device 4 so that the light emitting unit is turned on or blinked for a predetermined time or controlled by the control of the display light emitting control unit 42. To change. Further, similarly to the other embodiments, the light emitting unit 11 is arranged in the light emitting unit arrangement region B, and the irradiation region is limited to the irradiation region C.

  The audio output unit 18 is connected to the head-mounted display device 4, and outputs sound through an earphone, a bone conduction speaker, or the like under the control of the display light emission control unit 42, and performs voice notification and information transmission. Note that the audio output unit 18 is not an essential component. Here, the sound includes sound.

  The connection unit 19 allows the head-mounted display device 4 to be attached via an electrical contact.

  The head-mounted display device 4 includes a display unit 41, a display light emission control unit 42, an information reception unit 43, and a power source 44. The power supply 44 is provided on the head-mounted display device 4 side in order to reduce the size of the spectacle frame when the head-mounted display device 4 is removed as much as possible.

  The display light emission control unit 42 controls the display unit 41 and the light emitting unit 11 and the audio output unit 18 via the connection unit 19 based on information input from the information receiving unit 43.

  FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of an information notification system in which the head-mounted information notification device 3, the head-mounted display device 4, and the portable information terminal 16 are connected. The information receiving unit 43 can be connected to the portable information terminal 16 separately carried by the user by communication. The portable information terminal 16 includes a communication unit 161. The communication unit 161 is connected to the network 17 by wireless or wired and acquires information via the network 17. In addition, the communication unit 161 is connected to the information receiving unit 43 by wireless or wired, and outputs the acquired information to the information receiving unit 43.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information notification system shown in FIG. The portable information terminal 16 acquires notification information, mail and news display data via the network 17 by the communication unit 161 (step S301).

  The head-mounted display device 4 receives the information acquired by the communication unit 161 by the information receiving unit 43 (step S302), and the display light emission control unit 42 controls the light emission of the light emitting unit 11 based on the received information (step S303). Then, voice control of the voice output unit 18 (step S304) and display control of the display unit 41 are performed (step S305). Note that the order of the voice control (step S304) and the display control (step S305) may be reversed or may be performed simultaneously.

  When the information receiving unit 43 acquires the notification information, the sound output unit 18 outputs a sound indicating that the information has been received. When the portable information terminal 16 receives news or mail, the display content is output by voice. Further, when the mobile information terminal 16 receives a call, the telephone number and the name of the caller can be output by voice.

  Thus, according to the head-mounted information notification device 3 of the present embodiment, the head-mounted display device is configured by supplying signals and power via the head-mounted display device 4 and the connection unit 19. 4 can be removed when not in use, and can be used as normal glasses when the head-mounted display device 4 is removed. In addition, since the outer shape is almost the same as that of a spectacle frame, it can be used as it is on a daily basis and can provide a feeling of use that is not different from normal spectacles.

  Each of the above-described embodiments has been described as a representative example. However, many modifications and replacements can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and each embodiment can be combined to realize another embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this is possible. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, the head-mounted information notification device 1 according to the first embodiment or the head-mounted information notification device 2 according to the second embodiment may further include a voice output unit.

  The present invention is useful for any application for notifying a user of information.

1, 2, 3 Head-mounted information notification device 11 Light emitting unit 111 Mask 112 Illumination lens 12 Light emission control unit 13, 43 Information receiving unit 14, 44 Power supply 15 Support unit 16 Portable information terminal 161 Communication unit 17 Network 18 Audio output unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 Connection part 4 Head mounted display apparatus 41 Display part 42 Display light emission control part 5 Fixed part

Claims (10)

A support part that can be mounted on the user's head;
A light-emitting unit arranged via the support unit for notifying the user of reception of information;
The head-mounted information notification device, wherein the light emitting unit is disposed in a position within the visual field of the user and out of a visual field that can be seen through a spectacle lens when the spectacles are worn.   The head mounted information notification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit is provided in the support unit.   The head-mounted information notification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support unit includes an information receiving unit that receives information to be notified to the light emitting unit. A head-mounted type that includes a display unit that is fixed to the support unit and displays an image, a display light emission control unit that controls display of the display unit and light emission of the light emitting unit based on reception of the information, and a power source. A display device;
The head-mounted information notification device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit is provided in the head-mounted display device. The head-mounted display device includes: a display unit that displays an image; a display light emission control unit that controls display of the display unit and light emission of the light emitting unit based on reception of the information; and a power source. Is equipped with a connection part that can be attached via electrical contacts,
The head mounted information notification device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit is supplied with power from the power source via the connection unit. A voice output unit for outputting voice;
The head-mounted information notification device according to claim 5, wherein the display light emission control unit controls audio output of the audio output unit based on reception of the information.   The head-mounted information notification device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the head-mounted display device includes an information receiving unit that receives information to be notified to the light emitting unit. .   The head-mounted information notification device according to claim 3 or 7, wherein the information receiving unit receives information from an information terminal carried by a user.   The head according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an irradiation area of the light emitting unit is limited so that light emitted from the light emitting unit is blocked by a user's head. Part-mounted information notification device.   The head-mounted information notification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support unit is a spectacle frame.

Images