JP4802806B2 - Image display device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display device capable of displaying a predetermined image while transmitting external light, and more particularly to an image display device capable of adjusting the transmittance of external light.

Conventionally, as an image display device capable of displaying a predetermined image, such as a head-mounted image display device, for example, as disclosed in [Patent Document 1] to [Patent Document 3], an image is transmitted while transmitting external light. There is known a so-called see-through type image display device capable of displaying the image. Such an image display device is configured to be able to control the transmission of external light.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-94960 JP-A-6-70268 JP-A-8-146339

  However, in the conventional configuration, it is not possible to perform this adjustment partially while freely adjusting the transmittance of outside light, so that the degree of freedom of adjustment is low, and thus it may be difficult for the user to see the image. was there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image display device in which the degree of freedom in adjusting the transmittance of external light is improved.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 adjusts the image display means capable of displaying a predetermined image while transmitting external light, and the transmittance of external light transmitted through the image display means. And an auxiliary light source that illuminates the outside of the display area of the image that can be displayed by the image display means, and the image display means allows the image display means to transmit the external light by the transmittance adjustment means. a first region corresponding to the displayable region, the first of the transmittance adjustable within region and a second region corresponding to a region transmitting outer periphery a surrounding external light only area And adjusting the transmittance in each of the first region and the second region so that the transmittance of the second region is higher than the transmittance of the first region, by the auxiliary light source, bordering the first region In an image display device for illuminating a sea urchin said second region.

According to a second aspect of the invention, wherein the transmittance adjusting means, according to claim 1, characterized in that adjusting the transmittance of the display area and the same or substantially the same region of the image that the image display means displays In the image display device.

Third aspect of the present invention, wherein the transmittance adjusting means, according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said image display means to adjust the transmittance in accordance with the size of the image to be displayed In the image display device.

Invention of claim 4, by the transmittance adjusting means, any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that adjusting the transmission rate according to the position of the image by the image display means displays The image display device described in the above.

Invention of claim 5, by the transmittance adjusting means, any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that adjusting the transmittance depending on the type of the image which the image display means displays The image display device described in the above.

The invention according to claim 6 comprises wavefront curvature modulation means for adjusting a distance at which the image is recognized to be displayed, and the transmittance is determined according to the distance set by the wavefront curvature modulation means. and / or the image display means is in the image display apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that adjusting the size of the image to be displayed.

Invention according to claim 7, in the image display apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a switching means for the maximum or minimum the transmittance by the transmittance adjusting means .

The invention according to claim 8 has an external light detection means for detecting the intensity of external light, and the transmittance adjustment means adjusts the transmittance according to the intensity of external light detected by the external light detection means. lying in the image display apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that.

The invention according to claim 9 is the image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein color illumination is possible by the auxiliary light source.

The invention of claim 10 wherein the said auxiliary light source, in a picture display device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by using as a notification means for performing a predetermined notification to the viewer.

The invention described in claim 11 is the image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , which is a head-mounted image display device mounted on an observer's head.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the image display means is a retinal scanning image display device that forms an image by scanning a light beam according to an image signal, and projects and displays the image on a retina of an eye. The image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the image display device is characterized.

The invention described in claim 1 is an image display means capable of displaying a predetermined image while transmitting external light, a transmittance adjusting means for adjusting the transmittance of external light transmitted through the image display means, and the image display. And an auxiliary light source that illuminates the outside of the display area of the image that can be displayed by the means, and the transmittance adjustment means corresponds to a first area that corresponds to the area where the image display means can display the image while transmitting external light. of a region, in the first second region and adjustable region of the transmittance with a corresponding to a region that transmits surround only external light outside circumferential area, the transmission of the second region rate so is higher than the transmittance of the first region, to adjust the transmittance at each of the first region and the second region, by the auxiliary light source, the first region image illuminating the second region so as to border the Since it is in the display device, the degree of freedom of adjustment of the transmittance of external light is improved, the first area that is the display area of the image can be made to stand out, and the visibility of the image by the observer is improved. A display device can be provided.

According to a second aspect of the invention, wherein the transmittance adjusting means, according to claim 1, characterized in that adjusting the transmittance of the display area and the same or substantially the same region of the image that the image display means displays Therefore, it is possible to make the display area of the image stand out, and it is possible to provide an image display device with improved image visibility by an observer.

Third aspect of the present invention, wherein the transmittance adjusting means, according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said image display means to adjust the transmittance in accordance with the size of the image to be displayed Therefore, by adjusting the transmittance according to the size of the image, the image is made to stand out, and an image display device in which the visibility of the image by the observer is improved can be provided.

Invention of claim 4, by the transmittance adjusting means, any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that adjusting the transmission rate according to the position of the image by the image display means displays Therefore, it is possible to provide an image display device in which the image is made to stand out by adjusting the transmittance according to the position of the image and the visibility of the image by the observer is improved.

Invention of claim 5, by the transmittance adjusting means, any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that adjusting the transmittance depending on the type of the image which the image display means displays Therefore, it is possible to provide an image display device in which the image is made to stand out by adjusting the transmittance according to the type of the image and the visibility of the image by the observer is improved.

The invention according to claim 6 comprises wavefront curvature modulation means for adjusting a distance at which the image is recognized to be displayed, and the transmittance is determined according to the distance set by the wavefront curvature modulation means. and / or because the image display means is in the image display apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that adjusting the size of the image to be displayed, for example when such a distance is short Reduces the transmittance and increases the size of the image, or increases the transmittance and reduces the size of the image when the distance is long, thereby reducing the image visibility, presence, An image display device with improved usability can be provided.

Invention according to claim 7, in the image display apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a switching means for the maximum or minimum the transmittance by the transmittance adjusting means Therefore, it is possible to provide an image display apparatus that improves the usability of the observer of the image by setting the transmittance to the maximum or the minimum as necessary.

The invention according to claim 8 has an external light detection means for detecting the intensity of external light, and the transmittance adjustment means adjusts the transmittance according to the intensity of external light detected by the external light detection means. it therefore exists in the image display apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the visibility of the image by an observer by adjusting the transmittance in accordance with the intensity of an external light is improved An image display device can be provided.

The invention according to claim 9 is the image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein color illumination is possible with the auxiliary light source. It is possible to make the display area stand out, and it is possible to provide an image display device in which the visibility of the image by the observer is further improved.

The invention according to claim 10 is the image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the auxiliary light source is used as notification means for performing predetermined notification to an observer. It is possible to make the display area of the image stand out and the like, and it is possible to provide a predetermined notification to the observer. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image display device with improved visibility and convenience of the image by the observer. .

The invention according to claim 11 is the image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the image display device is a head-mounted image display device mounted on the head of an observer. It is possible to provide a head-mounted image display device in which the degree of freedom in adjusting the transmittance of outside light is improved and the visibility of images by an observer is improved.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the image display means is a retinal scanning image display device that forms an image by scanning a light beam according to an image signal, and projects and displays the image on a retina of an eye. The image display apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that the degree of freedom in adjusting the transmittance of external light is improved and the visibility of an image by an observer is improved. An image display device can be provided.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Hereinafter, an image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of a retinal scanning display 1 as a retinal scanning image display apparatus that is an example of an image display apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the retinal scanning display 1 is provided with a light source unit 2. The light source unit 2 is provided with a video signal supply circuit 3 that performs various processes such as generating each signal as an element for synthesizing video when an external video signal is input. The video signal 4, the horizontal synchronization signal 5, and the vertical synchronization signal 6 are output from the video signal supply circuit 3.

  The light source unit 2 receives laser light whose intensity is modulated based on the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) video signals transmitted as the video signal 4 from the video signal supply circuit 3. An R laser driver 10, a G laser driver 9, and a B laser driver 8 for driving the R laser 13, the G laser 12, and the B laser 11 as light sources are provided so as to emit light.

  The light source unit 2 is combined with a collimating optical system 14 provided so as to collimate the laser light emitted from each laser, and a dichroic mirror 15 that combines the collimated laser lights. A fiber coupling optical system 16 for guiding the laser light to the optical fiber 17 is provided.

  Note that a semiconductor laser such as a laser diode or a solid-state laser may be used as the R laser 13, the G laser 12, and the B laser 11. The light source unit 2 in the present embodiment corresponds to an example of a modulation unit that modulates the intensity of light beams emitted from the R laser 13, the G laser 12, and the B laser 11 as light sources according to an image signal. Here, when a semiconductor laser is used for each light source, the intensity is directly modulated, and when a solid-state laser is used, an intensity modulator using an acoustooptic effect is included.

  The retinal scanning display 1 scans the laser beam propagated from the light source unit 2 and receiving the emitted laser beam and the laser beam guided by the relay optical system 18 in the horizontal direction using the galvano mirror 19a. A horizontal scanning system 19 as a first scanning system, a first relay optical system 20 for guiding laser light scanned by the horizontal scanning system 19 to a vertical scanning system 21 as a second scanning system, and a horizontal scanning system 19 The vertical scanning system 21 that scans the laser light incident through the first relay optical system 20 in the vertical direction using the galvano mirror 21a, and the laser light scanned by the vertical scanning system 21 is observed. And a second relay optical system 22 that leads to the pupil 24 of the person.

  The relay optical system 18 includes wavefront curvature modulation means for adjusting a distance at which an observer recognizes that an image is displayed. The wavefront curvature modulation means adjusts the state of the laser light emitted from the relay optical system 18 so that the laser light incident on the horizontal optical system 19 has a predetermined wavefront curvature according to the distance.

  For example, when the image display distance is infinite, adjustment is made so that parallel light is emitted from the relay optical system 18, and when the image display distance is finite distance, diffused light is emitted from the relay optical system 18. Adjust to When the image display distance is a finite distance, the diffusivity is increased as the distance is shorter.

  As the configuration of the wavefront curvature modulation means, for example, as proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-295108, there are various known configurations. The image signal supply circuit 3 is driven so that the laser light emitted from the relay optical system 18 is in the state described above according to the image display distance that the person wants to recognize.

  The first relay optical system 20 has convex lenses 41 and 42. The convex lens 41 and the convex lens 42 have the same optical power. The second relay optical system 22 includes convex lenses 51 and 52 and a half mirror 60. The convex lens 51 and the convex lens 52 have the same optical power. The half mirror 60 functions as an image display unit that allows a predetermined image to be displayed by reflecting the laser beam that has passed through the convex lenses 51 and 52 while allowing the external light L to pass therethrough and scanning it on the retina of the observer. Have.

  The first relay optical system 20 is conjugated with the galvano mirror 19a of the horizontal scanning system 19 and the galvano mirror 21a of the vertical scanning system 21, and the second relay optical system 22 is connected with the galvano mirror 21a. Each of them is provided so as to be conjugate with the pupil 24 of the person.

  The horizontal scanning system 19 is an optical system that performs horizontal scanning (an example of primary scanning) in which a laser beam is scanned in the horizontal direction for each frame of an image to be displayed. The horizontal scanning system 19 includes a galvano mirror 19a that performs horizontal scanning, and a horizontal scanning control circuit 19c that controls driving of the galvano mirror 19a.

  The galvanometer mirror 19a is driven to rotate about an axis extending in the vertical direction, and the beam light incident from the relay optical system 18 is reflected by the deflecting surface 19b to be scanned and emitted in the horizontal direction. One relay optical system 20 will be led.

  On the other hand, the vertical scanning system 21 is an optical system that performs vertical scanning (an example of secondary scanning) in which the laser beam horizontally scanned by the horizontal scanning system 19 is vertically scanned in the vertical direction. The vertical scanning system 21 includes a galvano mirror 21a that scans a laser beam in the vertical direction, and a vertical scanning control circuit 21c that controls driving of the galvano mirror 21a.

  The galvanometer mirror 21a is rotated around an axis extending in the horizontal direction, and the beam light incident from the first relay optical system is reflected by the deflecting surface 21b to be scanned and emitted in the horizontal direction. It will lead to the second relay optical system 22.

  Therefore, the horizontal scanning system 19 and the vertical scanning system 21 perform scanning in a direction crossing each other.

  The horizontal scanning system 19 and the vertical scanning system 21 are connected to the video signal supply circuit 3 and scan the laser beam in synchronization with the horizontal synchronization signal 5 and the vertical synchronization signal 6 output from the video signal supply circuit 3, respectively. Is configured to do.

  The horizontal scanning system 19 and the vertical scanning system 21 in this embodiment are an example of an optical scanning device that scans an incident light beam in a primary direction and a secondary direction substantially perpendicular to the primary direction.

  The retinal scanning display 1 includes a filter 61 that can transmit light such as external light L and light from an auxiliary light source 64 described later. The filter 61 functions as a transmittance adjusting unit that adjusts the transmittance of light such as the external light L or the light from the auxiliary light source 64 that is transmitted through the half mirror 60. The filter 61 is driven by the video signal supply circuit 3.

  The retinal scanning display 1 detects a light sensor 62 that detects and measures the intensity of the external light L, and converts the current detected by the photo sensor 62 according to the intensity of the external light L into a voltage. And a voltage conversion circuit 63 for outputting to the video signal supply circuit 3.

  The retinal scanning display 1 is an auxiliary light source that emits white light that is driven to blink by the video signal supply circuit 3 in accordance with the voltage corresponding to the intensity of the external light L detected by the photosensor 62 and input by the voltage conversion circuit 63. 64 and a light guide plate 65 that guides the light of the auxiliary light source 64 into the pupil 24 through the filter 61 and the half mirror 60.

  The retinal scanning display 1 is a head-mounted image display device that is also referred to as a head-mounted display, which is mounted on an observer's head. For example, the retinal scanning display 1 is mounted on a housing (not shown) such as a glasses shape, a goggle shape, or a helmet shape. It is mounted on the observer's head. The half mirror 60 is positioned in front of the pupil 24 of the observer while being mounted on the observer's head.

  An outline of the configuration and control of the filter 61 will be described with reference to FIG. The filter 61 includes a liquid crystal layer (not shown) that seals liquid crystal, and a polarization filter (not shown) that is integrated with the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal is a liquid crystal called a twisted nematic liquid crystal having a twisting property in a normal state. The filter 61 is usually called a liquid crystal shutter, which allows light to pass through, but prevents liquid crystal molecules from twisting when a voltage is applied, thereby preventing light from passing therethrough.

  The filter 61 is configured in a matrix, and the energization corresponding to each line is performed by the filter controller 66, so that the arrangement state of the liquid crystal molecules inside changes and the transmittance of a predetermined portion is lowered. The transmittance is adjusted according to the magnitude of the energization voltage applied by the filter controller 66, and in a state where the transmittance is lowered most by increasing the voltage, the light is completely shielded.

  Accordingly, the filter 61 is configured to be able to adjust the light transmittance partially and freely in gradation by being driven by the filter controller 66. Thus, the filter 61 is a light shutter that is electrically controlled by the filter controller 66. The filter controller 66 is configured by the video signal supply circuit 3.

  The video signal supply circuit 3 performs A / D conversion on the current input by the voltage conversion circuit 63 and detects the intensity of the external light L. The video signal supply circuit 3 has a function as an auxiliary light source driving circuit that drives the auxiliary light source 64 in accordance with the detected intensity of the external light L.

  The light guide plate 65 uniformly irradiates the filter 61 with the light of the auxiliary light source 64 from the surface on the filter 61 side when the auxiliary light source 64 is turned on. As described above, the filter 61 has the light transmittance adjusted in whole or in part, and transmits the external light L and / or the light from the light guide plate 65 accordingly. The half mirror 60 transmits light that has passed through the filter 61, reflects the laser beam that has passed through the convex lens 52, and displays and recognizes these combined images as images.

  Next, a process from when the retinal scanning display 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention receives an image signal from the outside to when an image is projected on the retina of the observer will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the retinal scanning display 1, when the video signal supply circuit 3 provided in the light source unit 2 is supplied with an external video signal, the video signal supply circuit 3 outputs laser light of red, green, and blue colors. A video signal 4 composed of an R video signal, a G video signal, and a B video signal, a horizontal synchronizing signal 5 and a vertical synchronizing signal 6 are output.

  The R laser driver 10, the G laser driver 9, and the B laser driver 8 respectively drive the R laser 13, the G laser 12, and the B laser 11 based on the input R video signal, G video signal, and B video signal. Output a signal. Based on this drive signal, the R laser 13, the G laser 12, and the B laser 11 each generate intensity-modulated laser light and output each to the collimating optical system 14.

  The video signal supply circuit 3 controls the timing of generating laser light and outputting each to the collimating optical system 14 in accordance with a BD signal (not shown) indicating a driving state of a galvano mirror 19a described later. That is, such a retinal scanning display 1 (video signal supply circuit 3) controls the timing at which the galvano mirror 19a or the like emits a light beam.

  The generated laser light is collimated into parallel light by the collimating optical system 14, and further, is incident on the dichroic mirror 15 to be combined into one light beam. 17 to be incident.

  The laser light propagated through the optical fiber 17 is guided from the optical fiber 17 by the relay optical system 18 and is emitted to the horizontal scanning system 19 after adjusting the wavefront curvature. The emitted laser light is incident on the deflection surface 19b of the galvanometer mirror 19a of the horizontal scanning system 19.

  The laser light incident on the deflection surface 19b of the galvanometer mirror 19a is scanned in the horizontal direction in synchronization with the horizontal synchronizing signal 5 and incident on the deflection surface 21b of the galvanometer mirror 21a of the vertical scanning system 21 via the first relay optical system 20. To do. In the first relay optical system 20, the deflection surface 19b of the galvanometer mirror 19a and the deflection surface 21b of the galvanometer mirror 21a are adjusted so as to have a conjugate relationship.

  The galvano mirror 21a is reciprocally oscillating so that the deflection surface 21b changes the horizontal emission angle of the incident light in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal 6 in the same manner as the galvano mirror 19a synchronizes with the horizontal synchronization signal 5. The laser light is scanned in the vertical direction by the galvanometer mirror 21a.

  Laser light scanned in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction by the horizontal scanning system 19 and the vertical scanning system 21, that is, two-dimensionally, is such that the deflection surface 21b of the galvano mirror 21a and the pupil 24 of the observer have a conjugate relationship. Is reflected by the half mirror 60, is incident on the pupil 24 of the observer, and is projected onto the retina.

  The observer can thus recognize the image by the laser light that is two-dimensionally scanned and projected onto the retina. At this time, the observer recognizes the display distance of the image according to the wavefront curvature adjusted by the wavefront curvature modulation means. The galvanometer mirror 19a of the horizontal scanning system 19 and the galvanometer mirror 21a of the vertical scanning system 21 have been described with the same names, but their reflection surfaces change in angle (vibration, rotation, etc.) so as to scan light. Needless to say, any drive system such as resonance type, non-resonance type, piezoelectric drive, electromagnetic drive, electrostatic drive, etc. may be used.

  The observer recognizes the image by the laser beam in this way, but as described above, the image recognized by the observer includes not only the laser beam but also an image by the light transmitted through the half mirror 60. It is a composite image.

  An outline of an image recognized by the observer will be described with reference to FIG.

  Such an image 71 is observed and recognized in a region A corresponding to a region where the transmittance of the external light L can be adjusted by the filter 61.

  The area A is located outside the area A1 and the first area A1 corresponding to an area where the half mirror 60 can display a virtual image that is an image by laser light while transmitting the external light L and the light from the light guide plate 65. And a second region A2 corresponding to a region that transmits only the external light L and the light from the light guide plate 65. In the region A1, not only a virtual image but also a real image constituted by the external light L can be observed. Therefore, the real image can be observed in the entire region A unless the regions A1 and A2 are completely shielded from light.

  Since the filter 61 can partially adjust the transmittance of the external light L in the region A, the transmittance can be adjusted in each of the region A1 and the region A2. Therefore, for example, if the transmittance of the region A2 is lowered to be darker than the transmittance of the region A1, the region A1 surrounded by the region A2 is displayed to the viewer as a region where a virtual image can be displayed, for example, a region such as a screen. Can be recognized. Note that if the area A1 is completely shielded from light, only a virtual image can be seen, and the degree of clarity of the real image in the area A1 can be controlled by adjusting the transmittance of the area A1.

  FIG. 3A shows a case in which the outer edge of the region A1 and the inner edge of the region A2 are aligned, and FIG. 3B shows that the inner edge of the region A2 is slightly smaller than the outer edge of the region A1. FIG. 3C shows a case where the inner edge of the region A2 is located slightly outside the outer edge of the region A1.

  In this way, the filter 61 makes the transmittance of the region A2 different from the transmittance of the region A1, and adjusts the position of the inner edge of the region A2, so that the outer edge of the virtual image display region A1 displayed by the half mirror 60 is adjusted. By adjusting the transmittance of the same or substantially the same area, the observer can easily recognize the area where the virtual image can be displayed. That is, even if the position of the inner edge of the region A2 and the position of the outer edge of the region A1 coincide with each other or slightly deviate from each other, the region A1 can be easily recognized. Thus, so-called bordering using the difference in transmittance can be used, for example, when a video image of a television program or a movie is displayed as a virtual image in the entire area A1.

  The fact that the border can be used is the same when the virtual image I is displayed in the area A1, as shown in FIG. That is, for example, if the virtual image I is a character or character of a TV program or a movie, according to the movement of the character or character, if the transmittance is changed to be high or low so as to border the display portion, Characters and characters can be highlighted. The position, size, and range of the region for adjusting the transmittance can be changed according to the position, size, and range of the virtual image I.

  In this case, the transmittance of the entire display area of the virtual image I may be different from the transmittance around it, or the transmittance of only the outer edge of the display area of the virtual image I and the vicinity thereof is different from the transmittance around it. Also good. In other words, the filter 61 can be used to adjust the transmittance of an area that is the same as or substantially equal to the display area of the virtual image I displayed by the half mirror 60.

  In FIG. 4A, a band-like region A3 is provided in the left and right direction at the lower edge in the region A1, and the transmittance of the region A3 and the transmittance of other regions are made different. The area A3 is an area where subtitles are displayed in a television program or a movie, for example. Subtitles may be difficult to see because they blend into the surrounding video. Therefore, for example, when subtitles are displayed with high-luminance characters, it is possible to make the subtitles easier to see by making the transmissivity of the subtitle display area A3 lower than that of other areas and making it darker. It is.

  In this case, the transmittance of the area A3 can be lowered only when the contrast between the caption and the surrounding video is low. In addition, depending on the type of virtual image displayed in the display area A3, the transmittance of the display area A3 can be made higher than the transmittance of other areas. The position, size, and range of the area A3 can be changed according to the position, size, and range of the virtual image.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, in the region A1, the transmittance of only the region A3 can be reduced, and the transmittance of other portions can be maximized. If displayed in this way, for example, if the retinal scanning display 1 is used in a commentary device in a museum, art gallery, or other theater, it is possible to display a commentary on the real image that the observer is viewing in the area A3. It is. Further, when the retinal scanning display 1 is used as a head-mounted medical monitor used at the time of surgery or the like, the patient A is observed in the region A1, and the heart rate, electrocardiogram, etc. are related to the region A3. It is also possible to display the data in real time.

  Although not shown in the figure, when the above-described virtual image I is displayed in the area A1 having the maximum transmittance, for example, when the retina scanning display 1 is used as a display of a game machine, It is also possible to display such characters as if they exist in the real image. In this case, as described above, the transmittance may be decreased so that the virtual image I is trimmed. In the area A3, it is also possible to display characters, data, etc. indicating the progress of the game.

  As described above, the transmittance adjustment by the filter 61 can be performed according to the size, position, and range of the virtual image displayed by the half mirror 60, or can be performed according to the type of content represented by the virtual image. it can. For example, as described above, when a character is displayed in a high luminance state, it is desirable to darken the surrounding transmittance by reducing it to a band shape. It is desirable to reduce the rate and darken. Furthermore, when displaying characters, the transmittance can be varied depending on the type of content, such as blocking the transmitted light around the characters.

  The transmittance can be adjusted according to the display distance of the virtual image recognized by the observer, which is set by the wavefront curvature modulation means. Similarly, the size of the virtual image and the display distance can be adjusted.

  For example, when the distance is short, the size of the virtual image is increased and the transmittance, particularly the transmittance at the virtual image display position is lowered. This makes it difficult to see the real image on the other side of the large virtual image, and the virtual image is clearly visible. If the distance is long, the size of the virtual image is reduced and the transmittance is lowered. As a result, the real image on the other side of the reduced virtual image can be easily seen, the contrast between the real image and the virtual image is reduced, and the sense of reality is improved.

  Adjusting the transmittance and size in this way reduces the sense of incongruity when viewing the entire image including the virtual image and virtual image displayed by wavefront modulation, and improves the texture of the virtual image displayed by wavefront modulation. In addition, the presence of the image by the observer, the feeling of use, and the visibility in some cases are also improved.

  The filter 61 is not limited to one, and a plurality of filters 61 can be mounted. FIG. 4C shows a state in which the transmittance of the region corresponding to the region A2 and the virtual image I is lowered. For example, as in the region A2, the frequency of adjusting the position, size, and range is relatively low. For the transmittance of the low and substantially fixed region, a manual filter 61 configured to reduce the transmittance to a constant value in a portion corresponding to the region A2 in advance is used, and the arrangement thereof is manually adjusted. In addition, for the transmittance of a region where the frequency of position, size, and range adjustment is relatively high, such as the virtual image I, the transmittance adjustment is automatically performed as described below. can do. That is, a plurality of filters 61 may be used, and manual or automatic filters may be used alone or in combination as appropriate.

  FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of control for automatically adjusting the transmittance adjusting unit in accordance with the position of the virtual image. This processing is performed by the video signal supply circuit 3. The video signal supply circuit 3 outputs the video signal 4 based on the video signal supplied from the outside with reference to the timing of outputting the horizontal synchronizing signal 5 and the vertical synchronizing signal 6, and outputs the R laser 13, G laser 12, and B laser. 11 is obtained as a delay time Td until oscillation of 11 occurs.

  The acquired delay time Td is compared with the delay time default value TD from such timing (S1), and when these are not equal, it is determined that the virtual image display position is deviated from the default position, and Td / TD The change position of the light transmittance by the filter 61 is adjusted by the ratio (S2). Thus, the position of the transmittance adjusting unit in the filter 61 is adjusted according to the position of the virtual image.

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of control for automatically adjusting the transmittance adjusting unit in accordance with the size and shape of the virtual image. This processing is performed by the video signal supply circuit 3. The video signal supply circuit 3 acquires the aspect ratio of the virtual image based on the video signal supplied from the outside.

  It is determined whether the acquired aspect ratio is 4: 3 (S3). If the aspect ratio is 4: 3, the aspect ratio of the area corresponding to the area A in the filter 61, that is, the area for adjusting the transmittance is set. When 4: 3 is set (S4) and the aspect ratio is not 4: 3, the aspect ratio of the area corresponding to the area A in the filter 61, that is, the area for adjusting the transmittance is changed to a predetermined ratio such as 16: 9. (S5).

  Next, the video signal supply circuit 3 acquires the amplitude w of each of the galvanometer mirrors 19a and 21a based on the video signal supplied from the outside. It is determined whether or not the acquired amplitude w is equal to the amplitude default value W (S6). If they are not equal, the area corresponding to the area A in the filter 61, that is, the area where the transmittance is adjusted is determined by the ratio of w / W. Each size is adjusted (S7).

  Next, the video signal supply circuit 3 acquires a distance d to the filter 61 with reference to the position of the half mirror 60 based on a signal from a sensor (not shown). It is determined whether or not the acquired distance d is equal to the distance default value D (S8). If not, the size of the area corresponding to the area A in the filter 61, that is, the area whose transmittance is to be adjusted in the ratio of d / D. Each is adjusted (S9). Thus, the size and shape of the transmittance adjusting unit in the filter 61 are adjusted according to the size and shape of the virtual image.

  Next, control related to the photosensor 62 will be described.

  The adjustment of the transmittance by the filter 61 is also performed by the intensity of the external light L detected by the photosensor 62. When the intensity of the external light L is large, it is difficult to see the virtual image. In this case, it is possible to make the virtual image easily visible by increasing the luminance of the virtual image, but there is a limit to increasing the luminance.

  Therefore, the transmittance of the filter 61 is reduced, and the intensity of the external light L transmitted through the half mirror 60 is weakened to make the virtual image easy to see. The transmittance can be adjusted linearly or stepwise depending on the intensity of the external light L. This is the same in other cases.

  On the other hand, when the intensity of the external light L is small, if the transmittance of the region A2 is made lower than the transmittance of the region A1, the boundary with the region A1 becomes difficult to understand. Therefore, the auxiliary light source 64 is turned on to brighten the area A2, and the area A1 is trimmed.

  Therefore, in order to display the light from the auxiliary light source 64 with high luminance in the region corresponding to the region A2 by the light guide plate 65, the transmittance by the filter 61 corresponds to the region A2, as shown in FIG. The brightness of the area A2 is made higher than that of the area A1 by increasing the maximum value in the area and lowering the area corresponding to the area A1 than the area corresponding to the area A2, and the observer recognizes the range of the area A1. It is supposed to let you. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 67 indicates a region where the luminance is increased.

  Such adjustment is performed when the light emission surface of the light guide plate 65 is configured to correspond to the entire region corresponding to the region A. However, the light guide plate 65 makes it easy for the observer to see the virtual image. Therefore, when the area A1 is fixed, for example, the exit surface of the light guide plate 65 is arranged corresponding to only the area A2, and the luminance of the area A2 is set to the area when the auxiliary light source 64 emits light. You may make it higher than A1 and make an observer recognize the range of area | region A1.

  The light guide plate 65 may be arranged so as to illuminate the outside of the virtual image displayable area A1 so that the observer can easily see the virtual image. Therefore, as shown in FIG. The illumination position is not limited to illuminating the entire periphery, and the illumination position is appropriately selected, for example, as shown in FIG. 7B, only the lower side of the area A1 is illuminated.

  As described above, the auxiliary light source 64 illuminates the outside of the displayable area A1 of the virtual image displayed by the half mirror 60 so that the virtual image can be easily observed. The auxiliary light source 64 and the light guide plate 65 have a function as a backlight for facilitating observation of a virtual image.

  The auxiliary light source 64 of this embodiment emits white light alone and performs white illumination via the light guide plate 65, but is not limited thereto, and may be capable of color illumination. For example, the auxiliary light source 64 may include a light source that emits three primary colors of red, green, and blue, respectively, and can perform color illumination including white with the mixed color.

  Even if the auxiliary light source 64 emits only white light, color illumination can be performed if a dichroic mirror, a color filter, a color liquid crystal panel, etc. are provided in the optical path from the auxiliary light source 64 to the half mirror 60. If a color liquid crystal panel or the like is provided, a color image can be freely displayed in the display area. Thus, by changing the color of area | region A2 etc. suitably and coloring a real image, recognition of area | region A1 and recognition of a virtual image become easy.

  The control for coloring in this way can be performed in association with the detection of the intensity of the external light L by the photosensor 62. For example, when the auxiliary light source 64 is turned on when the retinal scanning display 1 is used in a dark place, dazzling is reduced if coloring is performed so as to reduce the luminance.

  The control for coloring may be performed without being associated with the detection of the intensity of the external light L by the photosensor 62. Alternatively, the auxiliary light source 64 may be turned on as long as it has a color liquid crystal panel or the like. This is because the area A1 and the virtual image can be easily recognized by appropriately changing the color of the area A2 and the like.

  The video signal supply circuit 3 has a function as an external light change rate measuring unit that measures the change rate of the external light L based on the change of the voltage corresponding to the intensity of the external light L per time. The video signal supply circuit 3 controls the driving of the auxiliary light source 64 so that the change rate of the luminance of the auxiliary light source 64 becomes slower than the change rate of the external light L. Thereby, the rapid change of the brightness | luminance of the auxiliary light source 64 is reduced, and dazzling is reduced.

  For example, when the retinal scanning display 1 is used and the user enters the house from a clear sky outdoors, the intensity of the external light L suddenly decreases. For this reason, the auxiliary light source 64 is turned on. At this time, if the luminance of the auxiliary light source 64 is suddenly maximized, or if the luminance corresponds to the intensity of the indoor outdoor light L by normal control, the observer However, it may not be able to cope with changes in the image being observed.

  Therefore, by gradually changing the luminance of the auxiliary light source 64 and gradually approaching the luminance corresponding to the intensity of the indoor outdoor light L, the observer can cope with the change in the image being observed. Therefore, the visibility of the image is improved. The luminance of the auxiliary light source 64 may be changed by changing the voltage supplied to the auxiliary light source 64, by changing the transmittance by the filter 61, or by changing the coloring described above.

  In addition, for example, when the user goes out of the room from a sunny day, the transmittance of the filter 61 is greatly decreased and then the transmittance is gradually increased so that the observer does not feel dazzled by the external light L. It can also be made to go. In this way, only the transmittance of the filter 61 is determined regardless of the driving of the auxiliary light source 64 based on the detection of the photosensor 62 so that the change rate of the amount of light transmitted through the filter 61 becomes gentler than the change rate of the external light L. Can be adjusted.

  The video signal supply circuit 3 improves the usability of the observer when the observer using the retinal scanning display 1 feels some trouble due to a sudden change in the intensity of the external light L or other circumstances. For this reason, the filter 61 has a function as switching means for maximizing or minimizing the transmittance of the filter 61 in the entire filter 61.

  The switching means is operated by a switch (not shown) that is manually operated, and can be operated by an observer operating the switch as necessary.

  For example, when the retinal scanning display 1 is used in a state where the transmittance by the filter 61 is lowered and the real image is not visible or difficult to see, the switch is operated and the switching means operates when the real image needs to be seen. Thus, a real image can be immediately seen without removing the retinal scanning display 1 from the head.

  When the switch is operated, this operation has the highest priority. When the switching means is operated by the switch operation, it is preferable that the control of the filter 61 based on the detection of the photosensor 62 is not performed.

  The auxiliary light source 64 may be turned on under conditions different from the detection of the intensity of the external light L by the photosensor 62. For example, the condition can be that the retinal scanning display 1 has been used for more than a certain time, or that a defect has occurred in any part of the retinal scanning display 1 such as when a virtual image display has failed.

  That is, if the auxiliary light source 64 is turned on or colored when the auxiliary light source 64 is turned on based on such conditions, either the notice that the retinal scanning display 1 has been used for a certain period of time or the retinal scanning display 1 is selected. Notifications such as notification that a defect has occurred in a part can be made. As described above, the auxiliary light source 64 can be used as notification means for performing predetermined notification to the observer.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Deformation / change is possible.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the transmittance adjustment by the filter 61 is automatically performed under the control of the video signal supply means 3, but the transmittance adjustment by the filter 61 is performed manually. Also good. For example, the filter 61 may be an ND filter, and the transmittance may be adjusted by the number of ND filters, or the transmittance adjustment position may be adjusted by manually moving the filter 61.

  In the case where the position of the filter 61 can be adjusted so that the distance between the filter 61 and the half mirror 60 changes, a sensor for detecting this distance is provided and used for the control shown in FIG. The transmittance may be changed. For example, when the effect of the filter 61 decreases as the distance increases, the transmittance is adjusted so as to maintain the effect.

  The positional relationship between the filter 61 and the light guide plate 65 may be reversed. For example, the light guide plate 65 may be disposed closer to the half mirror 60 than the filter 61.

  In the above-described embodiment, the beam is scanned first in the horizontal direction by the horizontal scanning system 19 and then scanned in the vertical direction by the vertical scanning system 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The scanning may be performed in the vertical direction by the vertical scanning system, and then scanned in the horizontal direction by the horizontal scanning system.

  In the above-described embodiment, the retinal scanning display 1 (an example of a retinal scanning image display apparatus) that projects an image on the retina of the eye and displays the image has been described. The present invention may be applied to a screen scanning type image display device, a display or the like (an example of an image display device) that projects and displays on a see-through type screen or the like, without directly projecting an image on the retina. . Further, an image display device other than the head-mounted type may be used.

  The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the retinal scanning type image display apparatus as an image display apparatus in this embodiment. It is a top view which shows the outline of the transmittance | permeability adjustment means in this embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of the aspect which adjusts the transmittance | permeability by the transmittance | permeability adjustment means in this embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of the aspect which adjusts the transmittance | permeability according to the state and kind of the image to display by the transmittance | permeability adjustment means in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of control which adjusts the transmittance | permeability according to the display position of a virtual image by the transmittance | permeability adjustment means in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of control which adjusts the transmittance | permeability according to the magnitude | size of a virtual image by the transmittance | permeability adjustment means in this embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example which displays using the auxiliary light source in this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image display apparatus 3 Switching means 18 Wavefront curvature modulation means 60 Image display means 61 Transmittance adjustment means 62 External light detection means 64 Auxiliary light source, notification means A Area where the transmittance can be adjusted A1 First area A2 Second area I virtual image L outside light

Claims (12)

Image display means capable of displaying a predetermined image while transmitting external light;
A transmittance adjusting means for adjusting the transmittance of external light transmitted through the image display means;
An auxiliary light source that illuminates the outside of the display area of the image that can be displayed by the image display means,
By the transmittance adjusting means, said image display means is transmitted through a first region corresponding to the viewable area of the image while transmitted external light, only the external light surrounds the outer periphery of the first region The transmittance of the second region is higher than the transmittance of the first region in the region where the transmittance can be adjusted, the second region corresponding to the region. Adjusting the rate in each of the first region and the second region;
An image display device that illuminates the second area with the auxiliary light source so as to border the first area . The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmittance adjustment unit adjusts the transmittance of a region that is the same as or substantially equal to a display region of the image displayed by the image display unit. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the transmittance is adjusted by the transmittance adjusting unit according to a size of the image displayed by the image display unit. The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmittance is adjusted by the transmittance adjusting unit according to a position of the image displayed by the image display unit. 5. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the transmittance is adjusted by the transmittance adjusting unit according to a type of the image displayed by the image display unit. Wavefront curvature modulation means for adjusting a distance at which the image is recognized to be displayed is provided, and the transmittance and / or the image display means is in accordance with the distance set by the wavefront curvature modulation means. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein a size of the image to be displayed is adjusted. The image display device according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit that maximizes or minimizes the transmittance by the transmittance adjusting unit. An external light detection means for detecting the intensity of external light is provided, and the transmittance is adjusted by the transmittance adjustment means according to the intensity of external light detected by the external light detection means. The image display device according to any one of 1 to 7. The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein color illumination is possible with the auxiliary light source. The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary light source is used as notification means for performing predetermined notification to an observer. The image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the image display device is a head-mounted image display device mounted on an observer's head. The image display means is a retinal scanning type image display device that forms an image by scanning a light beam according to an image signal, and projects and displays the image on a retina of an eye. The image display device according to any one of the above.

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