JP2014212526A - Head-mounted display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a head-mounted display device capable of facilitating on-off switching operations.SOLUTION: The head-mounted display device comprises: a fitting section locked on the head of a user; a microphone section the position of which can be adjusted relative to the fitting section and which collects users' sound; a sound collection switch section which switches on and off sound collection operations of the microphone section according to the adjustment position of the microphone section; and a speech communication section. The sound collection switch section switches on the sound collection operation of the microphone section, regardless of the adjustment position of the microphone section, when the speech communication section detects phone call incoming from the outside.

Description

  The present invention relates to a head mounted display device that is mounted on a user's head and displays an image in a user's field of view.

Conventionally, as a head mounted display device, what is described in Japanese translations of PCT publication No. 2000-511306 (USP 5,886,822) is known.
This head-mounted display device realizes a compact device configuration integrated with eyeglasses by using the inside of the eyeglass lens as a projection optical path of a display image.

Recently, it has become possible to appropriately download image data from a server on the Internet using a mobile phone (wireless terminal).
Therefore, by connecting the above-described head mounted display device and a mobile phone, it is possible to easily display image data downloaded via the mobile phone on the head mounted display device.

  With such a connection form, it is possible to relatively easily realize watching movies outdoors and providing a manual for a maintenance work such as an airplane.

  By the way, in the above-described image reproduction, the head mounted display device and the mobile phone must be connected. Therefore, in order to switch to the original call operation of the mobile phone, it is necessary to go through the following procedures one by one.

(1) Disconnect the electrical connection between the head mounted display device and the mobile phone,
(2) Turn off the display circuit of the head mounted display device,
(3) Remove the head mounted display device from the head,
(4) Switch the mobile phone from internet mode to call mode,
(5) Place the mobile phone on your ear and start talking.

  For this reason, in the connection mode described above, switching between the image display and the call operation is complicated, and there is a problem that it is not possible to immediately shift to the call operation of the mobile phone.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is configured as follows.
The present invention provides a mounting unit that is locked to a user's head, a microphone unit that is provided so as to be position-adjustable with respect to the mounting unit, and that collects user's voice, and a microphone unit according to the adjustment position of the microphone unit. A sound collection switch unit that switches on and off the sound collection operation of the sound source and a call unit that communicates with the outside. When the call unit detects an incoming call from the outside, the sound collection switch unit is independent of the adjustment position of the microphone unit. Switch on the sound collection operation of the microphone.

In addition, an image display unit may be provided that can be adjusted in position with respect to the mounting unit and displays an image in the user's field of view.
In addition, a display switch unit that switches on / off the image display operation of the image display unit according to the adjustment position of the image display unit may be provided.

  Moreover, you may provide the call control part which switches the call operation of a call part on / off according to the adjustment position of a microphone part.

It is an external view of 1st Embodiment. It is an internal block diagram of a 1st embodiment. It is a figure explaining the switch operation of the encoder. It is a figure explaining the switch operation of the encoder. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a switch operation of the head mounted display device 100. It is an external view of the head mount part 40 in 2nd Embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
<< First Embodiment >>
The first embodiment is an embodiment corresponding to claims 1 to 4.
[External appearance]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a head mounted display device 100 according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, the head mounted display device 100 is schematically configured by a head mount unit 10 and a player unit 21.
The head mount unit 10 includes the following components.
(1) A curved band 11 suspended on the user's head.
(2) Speakers 12a and 12b fixed to both ends of the band 11.

The speakers 12a and 12b are brought into contact with both ears of the user by the biasing force of the band 11 to bend.
(3) A substantially arc-shaped display arm 14.
Both ends of the display arm 14 are pivotally supported with respect to the rear surfaces of the speakers 12a and 12b.

(4) An encoder 13 that is provided at a shaft support location of the display arm 14 and detects the angle between the band 11 and the display arm 14.
The encoder 13 outputs an ON signal when the display arm 14 is within the visual field range (for example, θ1on shown in FIG. 3). Further, the encoder 13 outputs an off signal when the display arm 14 is out of the visual field range (for example, θ1off shown in FIG. 3).

(5) Left and right liquid crystal elements 15a and 15b (including an illumination unit), left and right projection lenses 16a and 16b, and left and right mirrors 17a and 17b disposed in the display arm 14.
The user observes the display images of the liquid crystal elements 15a and 15b through the mirrors 17a and 17b and the projection lenses 16a and 16b.

(6) Eye width adjustment unit 23 for adjusting the positions of the mirrors 17a and 17b according to the user's eye width
(7) A microphone arm 19 pivotally supported by the speaker 12a, and a microphone 20 disposed at the end of the microphone arm 19.

(8) An encoder 18 that is provided at a shaft support location of the microphone arm 19 and detects the angle between the band 11 and the microphone arm 19.
This encoder 18 is within the range in which user speech can be collected (for example, θ2on shown in FIG. 4).
If there is a microphone arm 19, an ON signal is output. Further, the encoder 18 outputs an off signal when the microphone arm 19 is outside the sound collection possible range (for example, θ2off shown in FIG. 4).

On the other hand, the player part 21 is configured to be foldable in two via a middle hinge part.
In the folded state, the operation unit of the mobile phone appears from the inside. The user can make a telephone call or connect to the Internet as appropriate by operating the mobile phone.

Further, in a state where the half-fold is closed, a reproduction switch 22 for image reproduction is provided at a position where the user's thumb abuts. The user can perform remote control (reproduction, stop, high-speed reproduction, frame advance, etc.) of image display by operating the reproduction switch 22.
[Explanation of internal block diagram]
FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of the head mounted display device 100.

In FIG. 2, a local control circuit 24 is provided on the internal substrate of the head mount unit 10. Speakers 12a and 12b and liquid crystal drive circuits 25a and 25b are connected to the local control circuit 24. Liquid crystal elements 15a and 15b are connected to the liquid crystal drive circuits 25a and 25b, respectively.
In addition, an audio signal collected by the microphone 20 is input to the local control circuit 24 via the sound collection circuit 26. Further, the encoder 13, the encoder 18, and the communication interface 27 are connected to the local control circuit 24.

On the other hand, a main control circuit 36 is provided on the internal board of the player unit 21. The main control circuit 36 is connected to the communication interface 31, the telephone device 32, the reproduction switch 22, and the buffer memory 37.
The telephone device 32 can be connected to a telephone network 34 or the Internet 35 at any time via an external radio base station 33.

[Correspondence with Invention]
Hereinafter, the correspondence between the first embodiment and the claims will be described. Note that the correspondence relationship here illustrates one interpretation for reference, and does not limit the present invention.
The mounting portion described in the claims corresponds to the band 11 and the speakers 12a and 12b.

The image display unit described in claims corresponds to the display arm 14, the liquid crystal elements 15a and 15b, the projection lenses 16a and 16b, the mirrors 17a and 17b, and the liquid crystal drive circuits 25a and 25b.
The display switch section described in the claims corresponds to the encoder 13 and the local control circuit 24.

The microphone unit described in claims corresponds to the microphone arm 19 and the microphone 20.
The sound collection switch unit described in the claims corresponds to the encoder 18 and the local control circuit 24.
The calling unit described in the claims corresponds to the telephone device 32.
The call control unit described in the claims corresponds to the main control circuit 36.

[Description of Operation of First Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the switch operation of the head mounted display device 100. The characteristic operation of the present invention will be described below in the order of step numbers shown in FIG.

  First, the head mount unit 10 is carried in a compact form by aligning the display arm 14 and the microphone arm 19 with the band 11. In this state, the image display-related and microphone-related power sources are all turned off by the operation of the local control circuit 24 described later, and the power saving state (power-on standby state) is maintained. From this state, the user attaches the band 11 to the head and starts using the head mount device 100 by tilting the display arm 14 and the microphone arm 19 forward of the face.

Step S1: The local control circuit 24 detects the angle of the display arm 14 from the signal output of the encoder 13.
Step S2: The local control circuit 24 detects the adjustment position of the display arm 14 based on the angle of the display arm 14. That is, when it is detected that the display arm 14 is out of the visual field range, the local control circuit 24 shifts its operation to step S3. On the other hand, in other cases, the local control circuit 24 shifts the operation to step S4.

Step S3: The local control circuit 24 turns off the power related to image display (liquid crystal drive circuits 25a and 25b, liquid crystal elements 15a and 15b, etc.). In addition, the local control circuit 24 instructs the player unit 21 to pause the reproduction operation via the communication interfaces 27 and 31. In accordance with this instruction, the main control circuit 36 in the player unit 21 temporarily stops the image reproduction operation.

Step S4: The local control circuit 24 detects the adjustment position of the display arm 14 based on the angle of the display arm 14. That is, when it is detected that the display arm 14 is within the visual field range, the local control circuit 24 shifts its operation to step S5. On the other hand, in other cases, the local control circuit 24 shifts the operation to step S6.

Step S5: The local control circuit 24 turns on the power supply related to image display. In addition, the local control circuit 24 instructs the player unit 21 to resume the reproduction operation via the communication interfaces 27 and 31. The main control circuit 36 in the player unit 21 releases the pause of the reproduction operation according to this instruction.
Step S6: The local control circuit 24 detects the angle of the microphone arm 19 from the signal output of the encoder 18.

Step S <b> 7: The local control circuit 24 detects the adjustment position of the microphone arm 19 based on the angle of the microphone arm 19. That is, when it is detected that the tip of the microphone arm 19 is separated from the user's mouth and the microphone 20 is out of the sound collecting range, the local control circuit 24 shifts the operation to step S8. On the other hand, in other cases, the local control circuit 24 shifts the operation to step S9.

Step S8: The local control circuit 24 turns off the power supply related to the microphone (sound collection circuit 26, microphone 20, etc.). Further, the local control circuit 24 instructs the player unit 21 to turn off the power related to the call via the communication interfaces 27 and 31. The main control circuit 36 in the player unit 21 turns off the circuit-related circuit power in the telephone device 32 in accordance with this instruction.

Step S <b> 9: The local control circuit 24 detects the adjustment position of the microphone arm 19 based on the angle of the microphone arm 19. That is, when it is detected that the tip of the microphone arm 19 has approached the user's mouth and the microphone 20 has entered the sound collecting range, the local control circuit 24
Shifts the operation to step S10. On the other hand, in other cases, the local control circuit 24 returns the operation to step S1.

Step S10: The local control circuit 24 turns on the power supply related to the microphone (sound collection circuit 26, microphone 20, etc.). Further, the local control circuit 24 instructs the player unit 21 to turn on power related to the call via the communication interfaces 27 and 31. In accordance with this instruction, the main control circuit 36 in the player unit 21 turns on circuit-related circuit power in the telephone device 32 (so-called off-hook state). In this state, the user can make a telephone call using the microphone 20 and the speakers 12 a and 12 b while wearing the head mount unit 10.

  During the above operation, when the telephone device 32 detects an incoming call, the main control circuit 36 transmits the incoming call tone to the head mount unit 10 side. This ringing tone is reproduced on the speakers 12a and 12b on the head mount unit 10 side to inform the user of the incoming call. When such a call is received, it is preferable to forcibly switch on the microphone-related power supply regardless of the position of the microphone arm 19. In this case, it is possible to shift to a call operation more quickly.

[Effects of First Embodiment]
As described above, in the first embodiment, the user can easily switch on and off the image display and the microphone only by adjusting the positions of the display arm 14 and the microphone arm 19.
As a result, the user can quickly switch between two operations such as a telephone call and image reproduction while the head mount unit 10 is worn on the head.

<< Second Embodiment >>
The second embodiment is an embodiment corresponding to claims 1 to 4.
FIG. 6 is an external view of the head mount unit 40 according to the second embodiment.
The characteristic points of the configuration of the head mount unit 40 are as follows.
(1) The band 11 in the first embodiment is omitted. In this case, the head mount unit 40 is locked to the user's head by an inward biasing force of the display arm 14 or an ear hook structure (not shown).

(2) In the center of the display arm 14, a slide adjustment unit 44, a butterfly leg 45, and a pad 46 are provided. The user can place the display arm 14 in the visual field range by placing the pad 46 on the nose. (If the display arm 14 is not located in the field of view due to individual differences, the height is adjusted appropriately by the slide adjustment unit 44.)
(3) The touch sensor 43 is provided on the pad 46. By sensing the contact of the nose with the touch sensor 43, the local control circuit 24 can determine whether or not the display arm 14 is located within the visual field range. In the second embodiment, the local control circuit 24 performs on / off switching related to image display in accordance with the sensor output of the touch sensor 43.

Since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used as they are, and redundant descriptions are omitted here.
[Correspondence with Invention]
Hereinafter, the correspondence between the second embodiment and the items described in the claims will be described. Note that the correspondence relationship here illustrates one interpretation for reference, and does not limit the present invention.

The mounting portion described in the claims corresponds to the speakers 12 a and 12 b and the display arm 14.
The image display unit described in claims corresponds to the display arm 14, the liquid crystal elements 15a and 15b, the projection lenses 16a and 16b, the mirrors 17a and 17b, and the liquid crystal drive circuits 25a and 25b.

The display switch section described in the claims corresponds to the touch sensor 43 and the local control circuit 24.
The microphone unit described in claims corresponds to the microphone arm 19 and the microphone 20.
The sound collection switch unit described in the claims corresponds to the encoder 18 and the local control circuit 24.

The calling unit described in the claims corresponds to the telephone device 32.
The call control unit described in the claims corresponds to the main control circuit 36.
[Effects of Second Embodiment, etc.]
Also in the second embodiment, the user can easily switch on / off related to image display and microphone by adjusting the positions of the display arm 14 and the microphone arm 19.

As a result, the user can quickly switch between two operations such as a telephone call and image reproduction while the head mount unit 40 is mounted on the head.
<< Additional items of embodiment >>
In the above-described embodiment, it is preferable to form the display arm 14 with a substantially uniform width that is narrower than the eyes of the user. In this case, since the display arm 14 covers only part of the user's eyes, the impression of the entire face can be kept good. Further, it is preferable that the display arm 14 is formed of a transparent resin that transmits visible light, and the mirrors 17 a and 17 b are formed of “a hologram element that transmits visible light”. In this case, since the display arm 14 is almost transparent in appearance, the impression of the entire face can be kept better.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the local control circuit 24 realizes power on / off switching. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a rotary switch may be arranged in place of the encoders 13 and 18, and a power source and a circuit may be directly connected / disconnected using the rotary switch.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Head mount part 11 Band 13 Encoder 14 Display arm 17a, 17b Mirror 18 Encoder 19 Microphone arm 20 Microphone 21 Player part 22 Playback switch 23 Eye width adjustment part 24 Local control circuit 25a, 25b Liquid crystal drive circuit 26 Sound collection circuit 27 Communication interface 31 Communication Interface 32 Telephone Device 33 Radio Base Station 34 Telephone Network 35 Internet 36 Main Control Circuit 37 Buffer Memory 40 Head Mount Unit 43 Touch Sensor 44 Slide Adjustment Unit 45 Butterfly Foot 46 Pad 100 Head Mount Display Device

An aspect of a head-mounted display device illustrating the present invention includes an arm , an ear hook that attaches the arm to a user's head, a pad that is provided on the arm and contacts the user's nose, and a central portion of the arm. obtain Bei a microphone unit that is provided between the one end and a speaker provided between the central portion and the one end of the arm.

The width of the arm may be narrower than the user's eyes .
Moreover, you may provide the call part which makes a telephone call with the outside by a microphone part .

Also, when the call unit detects the incoming call from the outside, it may be switched to turn on the microphone unit.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
<< First Embodiment >>
[ External appearance]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a head mounted display device 100 according to the first embodiment.

<< Second Embodiment >>
FIG. 6 is an external view of the head mount unit 40 according to the second embodiment.
The characteristic points of the configuration of the head mount unit 40 are as follows.
(1) The band 11 in the first embodiment is omitted. In this case, the head mount unit 40 is locked to the user's head by an inward biasing force of the display arm 14 or an ear hook structure (not shown).

Since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used as they are, and redundant descriptions are omitted here .

[ Effects of Second Embodiment, etc.]
Also in the second embodiment, the user can easily switch on / off related to image display and microphone by adjusting the positions of the display arm 14 and the microphone arm 19.

Claims (4)

A mounting portion that locks onto the user's head;
A microphone unit that is provided so as to be position-adjustable with respect to the mounting unit, and that collects the voice of the user;
A sound collection switch unit for switching on and off the sound collection operation of the microphone unit according to the adjustment position of the microphone unit;
A call unit for making a call to the outside,
The sound collection switch unit switches on the sound collection operation of the microphone unit regardless of the adjustment position of the microphone unit when the call unit detects an incoming call from the outside. apparatus. The head mounted display device according to claim 1,
A head-mounted display device comprising an image display unit that is provided so as to be position-adjustable with respect to the mounting unit and displays an image in the field of view of the user. The head mounted display device according to claim 2,
A head mounted display device comprising: a display switch unit for switching on and off an image display operation of the image display unit according to an adjustment position of the image display unit. In the head mounted display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A head mounted display device comprising: a call control unit that switches on and off a call operation of the call unit according to an adjustment position of the microphone unit.

Images