JP5803784B2 - Head mounted display - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a head-mounted display that displays an image by allowing image light to enter a user's eye while allowing recognition of the external environment by external light, and more particularly to a head that images the external world by receiving external light. Regarding mount display.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image display device, a head mounted display (hereinafter referred to as “HMD” as appropriate) that is used by being mounted on a user's head is known. There is a so-called see-through type in which an image is displayed by allowing image light to enter a user's eye while allowing recognition of the outside world by outside light. Some HMDs have a configuration for imaging the outside world by receiving the incidence of outside light.

  An HMD having a configuration for displaying an image and a configuration for capturing the outside world is configured such that a display field angle and a display position for a display image match an imaging field angle and a shooting position for the captured image. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In Patent Document 1, a display unit having an image display unit that emits image light for displaying an image, and an imaging unit that captures the external world by receiving external light are provided in front of the user's eyes. The structure arrange | positioned on the right-and-left both sides through the arrange | positioned half mirror is disclosed. In such a configuration, the imaging unit is disposed outside the display unit. Patent Document 1 also describes a configuration in which a polarization beam splitter that transmits only a predetermined polarization component is disposed in an optical system including a half mirror disposed in front of a user's eye.

JP 2012-2889 A

  In the related art as described above, as an example, a display unit and an imaging unit provided outside the display unit are placed horizontally with a half mirror or a polarizing beam splitter positioned in front of the user's eyes. HMD devices are arranged on opposite sides in the direction (left and right direction), but the user's field of view is hindered by an imaging unit or the like provided outside the display unit, or the display unit and the imaging unit are easily separated. There was a problem of increasing the size.

  Patent Document 1 also discloses a configuration in which the image display unit and the imaging unit are arranged on the same side in the horizontal direction with respect to the half mirror positioned in front of the user's eyes. With regard to this configuration, for example, the image display unit and the imaging unit arranged on the same side with respect to the half mirror are housed in a common housing together with other optical systems such as lenses. For this reason, the size of the casing is increased, and for example, a part of the casing protrudes from the left or right side in front of the user's eyes, thereby hindering the user's field of view, particularly the horizontal field of view. Further, since the image light and the external light to be imaged pass through the half mirror many times, the intensity of the image light and the external light is considerably reduced, and there is a problem in terms of power consumption and image quality.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, the present invention can greatly improve the visual field in the horizontal direction in a configuration having an image pickup unit that picks up the outside world by receiving the incidence of external light in addition to the image display unit. An object of the present invention is to provide an HMD that can be miniaturized and has improved portability.

  In order to achieve the above object, a head mounted display according to the present invention includes a display element that emits image light for displaying an image, and an image that is disposed in front of a user's eye and emitted from the display element. A first optical element that receives light from above, reflects at least a part of the incident image light and enters the eye, and transmits a part of the incident external light to enter the eye; and The first optical element is disposed above the first optical element, and image light emitted from the display element is incident from a direction along the left-right direction of the user, and the incident image light is reflected downward to cause the first optical element to be reflected. The second optical element to be incident on the imaging surface and external light incident on the optical axis of the image light incident on the second optical element or its extension line via the second optical element are received by the imaging surface. Image sensor Equipped with a.

  One preferred embodiment of the head mounted display according to the present invention is that the display element emits s-polarized image light, and the first optical element reflects the s-polarized light and transmits the p-polarized light. A beam splitter that reflects the s-polarized component of the external light incident on the side opposite to the side that reflects the image light incident on the eye in the downward direction, and the second optical element converts the s-polarized light A polarizing beam splitter that reflects and transmits p-polarized light, and includes a quarter-wave plate and a total reflection mirror that are disposed below the first optical element and sequentially disposed with respect to incident light, A first polarization reflection unit that receives the s-polarized component of the external light reflected downward from the first optical element, converts the s-polarized component of the incident external light into a p-polarized component, and reflects it upward; Above the second optical element The first optical element and the second optical element that are reflected by the first polarization reflector and are arranged in order with respect to incident light. A p-polarized component of the external light transmitted through the light, and a second polarized light reflection unit that converts the p-polarized component of the incident external light into an s-polarized component and reflects it downward, and the imaging device comprises Outside light that is disposed at a position opposite to the display element with respect to the second optical element with respect to the left-right direction and reflected by the second optical element after being reflected by the second polarization reflecting portion. The s-polarized light component is incident on the imaging surface.

  Further, the total reflection mirrors included in each of the first polarization reflection unit and the second polarization reflection unit may be curved mirrors having power.

  One preferred embodiment of the head mounted display according to the present invention is that the display element emits s-polarized image light, and the first optical element reflects the s-polarized light and transmits the p-polarized light. A beam splitter, which reflects the s-polarized component of the external light incident on the opposite side to the side reflecting the image light incident on the eye, and the second optical element includes a total reflection mirror A quarter-wave plate and a total reflection mirror that are arranged below the first optical element and arranged in order with respect to incident light, and are reflected downward from the first optical element. An s-polarized component of the external light is incident, a polarization reflection unit that converts the s-polarized component of the incident external light into a p-polarized component and reflects it upward, and an optical axis of the image light incident on the second optical element Placed on top, reflecting s-polarized light A polarizing beam splitter having polarization characteristics that transmits polarized light, and image light emitted from the display element is incident from a direction orthogonal to the optical axis, and reflects the incident image light toward the second optical element. The imaging element is arranged at a position on the same side as the display element with respect to the second optical element in the left-right direction, and is reflected by the polarization reflection unit and then the second optical element. The imaging surface receives incident p-polarized light component of external light reflected by the element and further transmitted through the polarizing beam splitter.

  Further, the total reflection mirror as the second optical element and the total reflection mirror included in the polarization reflection unit may be a curved mirror having power.

  One of the preferred embodiments of the head mounted display according to the present invention is that the display element emits s-polarized image light, and the second optical element reflects the s-polarized light and transmits the p-polarized light. A beam splitter, which is disposed at a position opposite to the display element with respect to the second optical element in the left-right direction, receives external light incident from the front of the user, and totally reflects the incident external light A total reflection mirror that is incident on the second optical element; an external light introduction opening that is disposed in front of the total reflection mirror and that forms an opening that guides external light incident on the total reflection mirror; 2 is arranged on the optical axis of the image light incident on the optical element 2 and has a polarization characteristic of reflecting s-polarized light and transmitting p-polarized light, and the image light emitted from the display element is orthogonal to the optical axis. Direction And a polarization beam splitter that reflects the incident image light toward the second optical element, and the imaging element is configured to display the display element with respect to the second optical element in the left-right direction. The p-polarized component of the external light transmitted through the second optical element and the polarization beam splitter after being reflected by the total reflection mirror is received by the imaging surface.

  The total reflection mirror may be a curved mirror having power.

  According to the present invention, in addition to the image display unit, in a configuration having an imaging unit that captures the outside world by receiving the incidence of outside light, the horizontal field of view can be greatly improved, and the apparatus can be downsized. And portability can be improved.

The front view which shows the structure of HMD which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The side view which shows the structure of HMD which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The front view which shows the structure of HMD which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The side view which shows the structure of HMD which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the structure of HMD which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The front view which shows the structure of HMD which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the structure of HMD which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  In a see-through type HMD having a configuration for imaging the outside world, the present invention uses the polarization characteristics of light and the like for the image light for displaying an image and the path of the outside light to be imaged in the horizontal direction. An object of the present invention is to realize a configuration capable of greatly improving the field of view and reducing the size of the apparatus. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[First Embodiment]
(Schematic configuration of HMD)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 corresponds to a view in the direction of arrow A in FIG. In FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, illustration of a part of the configuration of the HMD 1 according to the present embodiment is omitted.

  The HMD 1 according to the present embodiment displays an image based on an image signal on a liquid crystal display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display) as a display element for one eye of a user of the HMD 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as “user”). By displaying with image light emitted from the user, the user is made to visually recognize images such as images and characters. In the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the structure which displays an image with respect to the user's left eye Y1 is shown. Further, the HMD 1 according to the present embodiment includes a configuration for imaging the outside world by receiving the incidence of external light in addition to the configuration for displaying an image by image light.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the HMD 1 of the present embodiment includes a control unit 2 and a display imaging unit 3.

  The control unit 2 includes a control unit that controls the operation of the HMD 1 and a power supply unit that supplies power to the display imaging unit 3. The control unit of the control unit 2 receives the image signal from the outside, or internally generates and outputs the image signal. The image signal output from the control unit of the control unit 2 is sent to the display imaging unit 3 through the cable 5 together with the power from the power supply unit.

  The display imaging unit 3 includes an LCD 11 as a display element that emits image light for displaying an image. The LCD 11 constitutes an image display unit in the HMD 1. The display imaging unit 3 receives an image signal and power sent from the control unit 2 by a display control unit that controls the operation of the display imaging unit 3, controls the LCD 11, and displays an image corresponding to the image signal from the LCD 11. Display. The LCD 11 performs liquid crystal display using light from a light source configured as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) backlight or the like.

  The display imaging unit 3 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 12 as an imaging device for imaging the outside world, and constitutes an imaging unit in the display imaging unit 3, and collects light with respect to the imaging surface of the CCD 12. You may comprise an imaging unit with the lens etc. which light. In addition, the display imaging unit 3 may have a camera board or the like on which a control frequency for controlling the IC, the CCD 12, or the like is mounted as a configuration for imaging the outside world.

  In addition to the CCD, other image sensors such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) are appropriately employed as the image sensor.

  Thus, the camera module constituted by the CCD 12 and the like in the display imaging unit 3 is connected to the control unit 2 by the cable 5. That is, the cable 5 includes a connection line such as a wire harness for connecting the camera module included in the display imaging unit 3 and the control unit 2. The image data acquired by the camera module is sent to the control unit or the like of the control unit 2 through the cable 5. Further, the camera module is supplied with power from the control unit 2 through the cable 5.

  The display / imaging unit 3 also includes a lens 13 that constitutes an optical system that receives image light emitted from the LCD 11. The lens 13 is one or a plurality of lenses, and is provided, for example, in a state of being housed in a lens barrel in the display imaging unit 3.

  As described above, the various configurations including the LCD 11, the CCD 12, and the lens 13 included in the display imaging unit 3 are accommodated in the outer case 4 as a casing constituting the display imaging unit 3. The outer case 4 is supported by a support frame (not shown) and is mounted on the user's head.

  The support frame provided in the HMD 1 is, for example, a glasses-type frame, and supports the display imaging unit 3 and constitutes a mounting portion that is mounted on the user's head. The support frame supports the display imaging unit 3 so that an image can be displayed to the user by the display imaging unit 3 as described above while being mounted on the user's head.

  The display imaging unit 3 also includes a polarizing beam splitter (Polarizing Beam Splitter, hereinafter referred to as “PBS”) 21 for guiding a user to view an image. The PBS 21 reflects polarized light (s-polarized light) having a predetermined polarization direction and transmits polarized light (p-polarized light) having another predetermined polarization direction. The PBS 21 is provided so as to be positioned in front of the left eye Y1 of the user while being supported by a holder provided at one end of the exterior case 4 of the display imaging unit 3.

  The display imaging unit 3 causes the user to visually recognize the image displayed on the LCD unit using the PBS 21. Moreover, PBS21 permeate | transmits external light and makes it inject into a user's eye Y1. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the image displayed by the display imaging unit 3 on the background recognized by the external light.

  As described above, the HMD 1 of the present embodiment secures a field of view to the outside world for the user by transmitting outside light, and also displays the image displayed by the display imaging unit 3 to the user. This is an image display device. The HMD 1 of the present embodiment is configured to display an image using an LCD as a display element that emits image light for displaying an image. As the display element, for example, an LED or an EL (EL) can be used. Other display elements using Electro Luminescence) or the like may be employed as appropriate. In addition, as the HMD, for example, a laser beam having an intensity corresponding to an image signal is scanned in a two-dimensional direction, and the scanned laser beam is incident from a pupil and projected onto the retina to visually recognize the image. It may be a so-called retinal scanning type image display device.

  In addition, the HMD 1 of the present embodiment is a configuration for the left eye that displays an image on the left eye Y1 of the user, but the HMD according to the present invention is a right eye that displays an image on the right eye of the user. Or a configuration for left and right eyes. The configuration for displaying an image on the right eye of the user is such that the configuration for the left eye as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a configuration for supporting the display imaging unit 3 with respect to the display imaging unit 3 and the glasses-type support frame. It is realized by being configured symmetrically in the right and left direction. In the following description, the up / down / front / back / left / right directions of the display imaging unit 3 correspond to the up / down / front / back / left / right directions of the user wearing the HMD 1.

(Detailed configuration of HMD)
The HMD 1 of the present embodiment is a see-through type HMD having a configuration for imaging the outside world. With respect to the arrangement of each configuration including the LCD 11, the CCD 12, the PBS 21, etc. It has a configuration that realizes a characteristic path for the emitted image light and the path of external light that enters the CCD 12 and is imaged. Details will be described below.

  As described above, the HMD 1 of the present embodiment includes the LCD 11 as a display element that emits image light for displaying an image, and the CCD 12 as an imaging element that receives external light on the imaging surface. Moreover, HMD1 is equipped with PBS21 arrange | positioned in front of a user's eye Y1. The PBS 21 receives the image light emitted from the LCD 11, reflects the incident image light, and enters the user's eye Y <b> 1. Moreover, PBS21 permeate | transmits external light and makes it inject into a user's eye Y1.

  The PBS 21 corresponds to the first optical element in the HMD 1 of the present embodiment. The PBS 21 receives image light emitted from the LCD 11 from above, reflects the incident image light, and enters the eye Y1. Specifically, it is as follows.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image light Xs2 traveling downward in the vertical direction is incident on the PBS 21. That is, the PBS 21 receives the image light Xs2 from above with the downward direction as the incident direction. The PBS 21 causes the reflected image light Xs3 to enter the left eye Y1 of the user by reflecting the image light Xs2 incident from above upward in a substantially horizontal direction.

  The PBS 21 has an exit surface 21a for guiding image light to the user's eye Y1. The emission surface 21a is a surface that is inclined to face the eye Y1 at a position in front of the eye Y1, and is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction when viewed from the side so that the lower side is closer to the user side and the upper side is farther from the user. It is a rectangular surface inclined so as to form 45 ° (see FIG. 2). That is, the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21 is a surface that faces rearward and obliquely upward.

  More specifically, the PBS 21 is a rectangular thin plate-like member, and is arranged in such a posture that each side of the rectangular plate-like outer shape is along the left-right direction and the up-down direction, respectively, as viewed from the front as shown in FIG. The As described above, in the PBS 21, the image light Xs2 enters the emission surface 21a from above, the incident image light Xs2 is reflected by the emission surface 21a, and the image light Xs3 as reflected light enters the user's eye Y1. To do.

  In addition to guiding the image light from above to the user's eye as described above, the PBS 21 transmits a part of the incident external light and makes it incident on the user's eye Y1. In the PBS 21, external light enters from the side opposite to the exit surface 21a.

  And PBS21 permeate | transmits a part of external field light which injects from a front side in the position ahead of a user's eye Y1, and permits the entrance to external eye Y1. About the external light which permeate | transmits PBS21, it becomes an aspect which radiate | emits from the output surface 21a of PBS21, and injects into the eye Y1. Here, since the PBS 21 transmits the p-polarized light as described above, the p-polarized component of the incident external light is transmitted.

  As described above, the PBS 21 receives the image light emitted from the LCD 11 on the emission surface 21a with the downward direction as the incident direction, reflects the incident image light to the eye Y1, and is opposite to the emission surface 21a. A part of the external light incident from the side is transmitted and incident on the eye Y1.

  HMD1 of this embodiment is equipped with PBS22 arrange | positioned above PBS21. The PBS 22 receives the image light emitted from the LCD 11, reflects the incident image light, and causes the image light to enter the PBS 21.

  The PBS 22 corresponds to a second optical element in the HMD 1 of the present embodiment. The PBS 22 receives image light emitted from the LCD 11 from a direction along the left-right direction of the user, reflects the incident image light downward, and enters the PBS 21. Specifically, it is as follows.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the PBS 22 has image light that travels in the direction along the left-right direction of the user, that is, in the horizontal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 1), from the outside in the left-right direction toward the inside. The traveling image light is incident. Since the HMD 1 of the present embodiment is configured for the left eye, the image light Xs1 traveling from the left side, which is the outer side in the left-right direction, to the right side, which is the inner side in the left-right direction, is incident on the PBS 22 Is done. That is, the PBS 22 receives the image light Xs1 from the left with the right direction (left direction in FIG. 1) as the incident direction. Then, the PBS 22 reflects the image light Xs1 incident from the left side downward in a substantially vertical direction, thereby causing the reflected image light Xs2 to enter the emission surface 21a of the PBS 21.

  The PBS 22 has an exit surface 22a for guiding image light to the PBS 21. The exit surface 22a is a surface that is inclined and opposed to the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21 at a position above the PBS 21, with the lower side positioned on the center side of the user's face (the nose side), that is, on the right side, and the upper side of the user's face. It is a rectangular surface that is inclined so as to form an angle of approximately 45 ° with respect to the vertical direction when viewed from the front, in a direction that is located on the outside, that is, on the left side (see FIG. 1). That is, the exit surface 22a of the PBS 22 is a surface that faces the diagonally lower left side.

  More specifically, the PBS 22 is a rectangular thin plate-like member, and in a side view as shown in FIG. 2, each side of the rectangular plate-shaped outer shape is in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 2) and the vertical direction, respectively. It is arranged in such a posture. As described above, in the PBS 22, the image light Xs1 is incident on the emission surface 22a from the left, the incident image light Xs1 is reflected, and the image light Xs2 as reflected light is incident on the emission surface 21a of the PBS 21.

  Thus, the incident direction of the image light Xs1 with respect to the emission surface 22a of the PBS 22 is a direction along the emission direction of the image light of the LCD 11. In other words, the LCD 11 is arranged at a position on the left side of the PBS 22 at a position where the image light exit surface is orthogonal to the optical axis O1 of the image light Xs1 incident on the exit surface 22a of the PBS 22. Therefore, the image light is emitted from the LCD 11 toward the right, and the image light emitted toward the right enters the emission surface 22a of the PBS 22 while maintaining the emission direction.

  Between the PBS 22 and the LCD 11 having such an arrangement relationship, the lens 13 constituting the optical system that receives the image light emitted from the LCD 11 as described above is provided. That is, the lens 13 is provided in the exterior case 4 in a state where the lens 13 is positioned so that the optical axis of the image light emitted from the LCD 11 and the lens optical axis coincide with each other in a state where the lens 13 is included in the lens barrel.

  The image light emitted rightward from the LCD 11 that has received light from a light source such as a backlight is incident on the lens 13 and is condensed or collimated by the lens 13, and is incident on the emission surface 22 a of the PBS 22. Incident (image light Xs1). The image light that has entered the exit surface 22a of the PBS 22 is reflected downward, is incident on the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21 (image light Xs2), and the image light that has entered the exit surface 21a is reflected backward and is used by the user. Is incident on the eye Y1 (image light Xs3).

  On the other hand, the CCD 12 for imaging the outside world is arranged at a position on the right side of the PBS 22 where the imaging surface is orthogonal to the optical axis O1 of the image light incident on the exit surface 22a of the PBS 22. External light traveling from the left side to the right side is incident on the CCD 12. That is, the CCD 12 receives external light from the left as the incident direction in the right direction (left direction in FIG. 1).

  Further, the CCD 12 receives the external light incident along the extension of the optical axis of the image light incident on the PBS 22 via the PBS 22 and captures the image on the imaging surface. That is, the CCD 12 arranged on the right side of the PBS 22 receives external light emitted toward the right side from the PBS 22 that receives the image light from the LCD 11 from the left side. In the PBS 22, external light is emitted from the opposite side of the emission surface 22a.

  Regarding the external light incident on the CCD 12, external light from the outside enters the PBS 21 from the side opposite to the exit surface 21a (see FIG. 2). Then, the external light incident on the PBS 21 is emitted rightward from the PBS 22 positioned above the PBS 21 through a predetermined path, and is incident on the imaging surface of the CCD 12.

  In the configuration as described above, the PBS 21 is positioned in front of the user's eye Y1, and the PBS 22 positioned above the PBS 21 is positioned above the eye Y1 in front of the user's eye. The PBS 22 is positioned at the front of the user's forehead as a height position. The lens 13 is positioned on the left side of the PBS 22 and the LCD 11 is positioned further on the left side. On the other hand, the CCD 12 is located to the right of the PBS 22. For example, the CCD 12 is positioned in front of the user's eyes at a substantially center position of the face in the left-right direction, that is, above the nose N1 of the user (see FIG. 1).

  Therefore, in the display imaging unit 3 of the present embodiment, the LCD 11, the lens 13, the PBS 22, and the CCD 12 are arranged in the horizontal direction from the left outer side to the right side (center side) at a position above the eyes in front of the user's face. They are arranged in order on a common optical axis O1 along the (left-right direction). Further, the LCD 11, the lens 13, the PBS 22, and the CCD 12 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction at the same height at a position above the eyes in front of the user's face. The PBS 21 is positioned in front of the eye Y1 below the PBS 22.

  According to the HMD 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, the horizontal field of view is greatly improved in the configuration including the imaging unit that captures the outside world by receiving the incidence of outside light in addition to the image display unit. Thus, the apparatus can be miniaturized and the portability can be improved.

  In the HMD 1 of the present embodiment, the PBS 21 is positioned in front of the user's eye, and the other configurations, that is, the LCD 11, the lens 13, the PBS 22, and the CCD 12 are above the eye height position in front of the user's eye. Are arranged side by side at the position. That is, all but the pupil light guiding PBS 21 are arranged side by side at a position above the user's line of sight. Therefore, the exterior case 4 that accommodates these various configurations can be configured such that its main portion is located above the height position of the user's eyes (see FIG. 1).

  As a result, the exterior case 4 can be configured as an integral configuration that also accommodates a configuration for imaging the outside such as the CCD 12 in addition to a configuration for displaying an image such as the LCD 11. Further, the exterior case 4 can be configured to be clean and compact at a position above the position of the user's eyes.

  For these reasons, the visual field can be opened in the horizontal direction (left and right direction) of the user's eyes, and the horizontal visual field can be greatly improved. That is, when a part of the exterior case 4 is present in the left-right direction at the eye height position in front of the user's eyes, the user's left-right field of view is obstructed, whereas in the HMD 1 of the present embodiment, The exterior case 4 can be configured so that a part of the exterior case 4 does not enter the user's field of view on both the left and right sides of the PBS 21 positioned in front of the user's eye Y1. Thereby, the visual field obstruction in the horizontal direction can be greatly improved. In addition, since the image display unit including the LCD 11 and the imaging unit including the CCD 12 can be accommodated in the integrated exterior case 4, the configuration in which the imaging unit is provided outside the display unit including the image display unit, that is, the image display unit and the imaging unit The HMD 1 of the present embodiment is very effective in reducing the size and weight of the apparatus in comparison with a configuration in which the unit is housed in separate housings. As a result, the portability of the HMD 1 can be improved.

  Further, according to the HMD 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the various configurations such as the LCD 11 are arranged side by side, that is, the various configurations are arranged at substantially the same height in the vertical direction. The size can be effectively reduced in the vertical direction (vertical direction), and the support frame that supports the display imaging unit 3 can be configured to be suitable for a spectacle-shaped frame.

  Specifically, as a spectacle-shaped frame, for example, a front part located in front of the user's face, an armor part extending rearward from the left and right ends of the front part, and a pivotable connection to each armor part The structure which has the temple part made is employ | adopted. In such a configuration, the outer case 4 that houses various components such as the LCD 11 that is arranged side by side at a position higher than the height position of the user's eyes is supported by the support frame while being placed on the front portion. Configuration can be realized. Thereby, the exterior case 4 can be positioned above the height position of the user's eyes, and the visual field in the horizontal direction can be greatly improved. Further, since the size can be reduced in the vertical direction, even when the user wears a helmet or prevention, the outer case 4 does not get in the way and the state of the user's head (for example, helmet wearing) A high degree of freedom can be obtained for the state and the like.

  Hereinafter, the HMD 1 of the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to polarization characteristics of image light emitted from the LCD 11 and external light picked up by the CCD 12.

(About image light)
In the HMD 1 of the present embodiment, the image light emitted from the LCD 11 is s-polarized light (s wave). That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the LCD 11 emits s-polarized image light Xs1, which is polarized light in a specific direction. As described above, regarding the s-polarized light emitted from the LCD 11 as image light, when the s-polarized light is polarized in the first specific direction, the p-polarized light is polarized in a second specific direction different from the first specific direction.

  In the HMD 1 of this embodiment, the PBS 21 and the PBS 22 are both PBSs that reflect s-polarized light and transmit p-polarized light. Accordingly, the image light emitted from the LCD 11 is guided as follows.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the s-polarized image light Xs1 emitted rightward from the LCD 11 is condensed or collimated by the lens 13 and enters the exit surface 22a of the PBS 22, and the PBS 22 The light is reflected downward by the exit surface 22a of the PBS 22 due to the polarization characteristics it has.

  The s-polarized image light Xs2 reflected downward by the exit surface 22a of the PBS 22 enters the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21, and is reflected backward by the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21 due to the polarization characteristics of the PBS 21. . The s-polarized image light Xs3 reflected rearward by the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21 enters the user's eye Y1.

(About external light)
The s-polarized image light emitted from the LCD 11 is guided to the eye Y1, whereas the HMD 1 of the present embodiment guides external light incident on the PBS 21 to the CCD 12, The following configuration is provided. That is, the HMD 1 of this embodiment includes a polarization reflection unit 31 as a first polarization reflection unit and a polarization reflection unit 32 as a second polarization reflection unit in addition to the PBS 21 and the PBS 22.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the polarization reflection unit 31 is disposed below the PBS 21. External light reflected downward by the PBS 21 is incident on the polarization reflector 31 from above.

  Further, the polarization reflection unit 31 includes a quarter wavelength plate 33 and a total reflection mirror 34. The quarter-wave plate 33 and the total reflection mirror 34 are sequentially arranged with respect to the light incident on the polarization reflection unit 31. Therefore, as described above, the downward-reflecting external light reflected by the PBS 21 is incident on the polarization reflector 31, so that the quarter-wave plate 33 and the total reflection mirror 34 are, from above, the quarter-wave plate 33, The total reflection mirrors 34 are arranged in this order. The total reflection mirror 34 has an upper surface on the quarter wavelength plate 33 side as a reflection surface 34a.

  The quarter-wave plate 33 causes a predetermined phase difference in the transmitted light. The total reflection mirror 34 totally reflects the light incident on the reflection surface 34a. The quarter-wave plate 33 and the total reflection mirror 34 are, for example, substantially rectangular thin plate-like members having substantially the same size, and each side of the rectangular plate-like outer shape is seen in a plan view below the PBS 21. It is provided in a state of being vertically aligned with a posture along the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The polarization reflection unit 31 is provided at a position close to the PBS 21 such that, for example, the upper surface of the ¼ wavelength plate 33 positioned on the upper side substantially contacts the lower end of the PBS 21.

  The polarization reflector 31 transmits incident light through the quarter-wave plate 33 and receives the light from the total reflection mirror 34, and transmits the light reflected by the total reflection mirror 34 through the quarter-wave plate 33 again. As a result, the polarization direction of light is inverted between s-polarized light and p-polarized light, and light is reflected. That is, the polarization reflection unit 31 totally reflects the incident light by the reflection surface 34a of the total reflection mirror 34, and 1 in each of the forward path of light incident on the reflection surface 34a and the return path of light reflected from the reflection surface 34a. By transmitting the ¼ wavelength plate 33, the ¼ wavelength plate 33 is transmitted twice, and the polarization direction of the light is reversed.

  According to the polarization reflection unit 31 having such a configuration, when s-polarized light is incident on the polarization reflection unit 31, the incident light is reflected as p-polarization with the polarization direction reversed. On the other hand, when p-polarized light is incident on the polarization reflector 31, the incident light is reflected as s-polarized light with its polarization direction reversed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the polarization reflector 32 is disposed above the PBS 22. External light emitted upward from the PBS 22 is incident on the polarization reflector 32 from below.

  The polarization reflection unit 32 includes a quarter wavelength plate 35 and a total reflection mirror 36. The quarter-wave plate 35 and the total reflection mirror 36 are sequentially arranged with respect to the light incident on the polarization reflection unit 32. Therefore, as described above, the external light that travels upward from the PBS 22 is incident on the polarization reflector 32, so that the quarter-wave plate 35 and the total reflection mirror 36 are, from below, the quarter-wave plate 35, The total reflection mirrors 36 are arranged in this order. The total reflection mirror 36 has a lower surface on the quarter wavelength plate 35 side as a reflection surface 36a.

  The polarization reflection unit 32 has a substantially symmetric configuration in the vertical direction with respect to the polarization reflection unit 31 and has a similar function to incident light. Therefore, the quarter wavelength plate 35 and the total reflection mirror 36 included in the polarization reflection unit 32 have the same configuration as the quarter wavelength plate 33 and the total reflection mirror 34 included in the polarization reflection unit 31, respectively. That is, with respect to the incident light, the polarization reflection unit 32 transmits the ¼ wavelength plate 35 and receives the light from the total reflection mirror 36, and again reflects the light reflected by the total reflection mirror 36 to the ¼ wavelength plate 35. By transmitting the light, the polarization direction of the light is inverted between the s-polarized light and the p-polarized light, and the light is reflected.

  In the HMD 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the CCD 12 disposed at a position orthogonal to the optical axis O1 of the image light incident on the exit surface 22a of the PBS 22 is the LCD 11 with respect to the PBS 22 in the left-right direction. It will be arranged at the opposite position. In other words, in the present embodiment, the LCD 11 is disposed on the left side of the PBS 22 and the CCD 12 is disposed on the right side of the PBS 22. The LCD 11 and the CCD 12 are positioned on the opposite sides of the PBS 22 with the PBS 22 positioned therebetween. To do.

  In the HMD 1 of this embodiment having the above-described configuration, external light is guided to the CCD 12 as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the HMD 1 of the present embodiment, the external light is taken in from the PBS 21 positioned in front of the user's eye Y1. The external light incident on the PBS 21 from the front includes s-polarized external light Ys1 and p-polarized external light Yp1. Of the external light incident on the PBS 21, the p-polarized external light Yp1 that is a p-polarized component is transmitted through the PBS 21 and emitted backward from the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21 due to the polarization characteristics of the PBS 21. Incident to the eye Y1.

  On the other hand, of the external light incident on the PBS 21, s-polarized external light Ys 1 that is an s-polarized component is reflected downward by the PBS 21 due to the polarization characteristics of the PBS 21. Thus, in the present embodiment, the PBS 21 reflects the s-polarized component of the external light incident on the side that reflects the image light incident on the eye Y1, that is, the side opposite to the exit surface 21a side, in the downward direction. .

  The s-polarized external light Ys2 reflected downward by the PBS 21 is incident on the polarization reflector 31 from the quarter-wave plate 33 side. The s-polarized external light Ys2 incident on the polarization reflector 31 is reflected by the quarter-wave plate 33 and the total reflection mirror 34 with its polarization direction reversed, so that the p-polarized external field is reflected from the quarter-wave plate 33. The light Yp2 is reflected upward. As described above, in the present embodiment, the polarization reflection unit 31 receives the s-polarized component of the external light reflected from the PBS 21 in the downward direction (s-polarized external light Ys2), and converts the s-polarized component of the incident external light to p. It is converted into a polarized component (p-polarized external light Yp2) and reflected upward.

  The p-polarized external light Yp2 reflected upward from the quarter-wave plate 33 in the polarization reflection unit 31 is transmitted through the PBS 21 and the PBS 22 from the polarization characteristics of the PBS 21 and the PBS 22, respectively, and is transmitted to the polarization reflection unit 32. Then, the light enters from the quarter wavelength plate 35 side. The p-polarized external light Yp2 incident on the polarization reflector 32 is reflected by the quarter-wave plate 35 and the total reflection mirror 36 so that the polarization direction is reversed. Light Ys3 is reflected downward. As described above, in the present embodiment, the polarization reflection unit 32 receives the p-polarized component of the external light (p-polarized external light Yp2) reflected by the polarization reflection unit 31 and transmitted through the PBS 21 and the PBS 22, and is incident external light. The p-polarized component is converted into an s-polarized component (s-polarized external light Ys3) and reflected downward.

  The s-polarized external light Ys3 reflected downward from the quarter-wave plate 35 in the polarization reflector 32 is reflected rightward by the PBS 22 due to the polarization characteristics of the PBS 22, and is s-polarized external light Ys4. As incident on the imaging surface of the CCD 12. As described above, in the present embodiment, the CCD 12 receives the incident of the s-polarized component of the external light (s-polarized external light Ys3) reflected by the PBS 22 after being reflected by the polarization reflector 32 on the imaging surface.

  According to the HMD 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, the LCD 11, the lens 13, the PBS 22, and the CCD 12 are provided on the horizontal (left-right) optical axis O 1 positioned above the user's line of sight. Most components housed in the outer case 4 can be arranged side by side in the left-right direction. That is, most of the exterior case 4 has a shape that forms a horizontally long accommodation space that accommodates various components such as the LCD 11 that is arranged side by side in the left-right direction at a position above the height position of the user's eyes. be able to. Thereby, the visual field in the horizontal direction can be effectively improved.

  Further, according to the HMD 1 of the present embodiment, the LCD 11 and the CCD 12 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the PBS 22 positioned above the user's eye Y1, so that the apparatus can be miniaturized with a good balance in the left-right direction. Can be achieved.

  Moreover, in HMD1 of this embodiment, the preferable structure is the structure in which the total reflection mirrors 34 and 36 which each of the polarization | polarized-light reflection part 31 and the polarization | polarized-light reflection part 32 have are curved mirrors which have power. That is, as the total reflection mirrors 34 and 36, it is preferable to employ a mirror that forms a curved reflection surface having a refractive power for converging or diverging light, such as a convex mirror and a concave mirror.

  Thus, by adopting curved mirrors having power as the total reflection mirrors 34 and 36, for example, between components such as between the polarization reflection unit 31 and the PBS 22, or between the polarization reflection unit 32 and the PBS 22. An interval can be shortened, or an optical system such as a lens required between these components can be omitted. Thereby, it is possible to effectively reduce the size of the apparatus. Of the two total reflection mirrors 34 and 36, the total reflection mirror 36 of the polarization reflection section 32 is an interior part accommodated in the exterior case 4 and is not exposed to the outside. It is suitable for adopting a curved mirror having high power.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 4 corresponds to the B direction arrow view in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 corresponds to the D direction arrow view in FIG. In FIG. 4, for convenience of explanation, illustration of a part of the configuration of the HMD according to the present embodiment is omitted. Further, the same contents as those in the first embodiment and the common configuration will be omitted as appropriate by using the same reference numerals.

  In the HMD 201 of the present embodiment, the PBS 21 corresponds to a first optical element. Further, the HMD 201 of this embodiment includes a total reflection mirror 222 disposed above the PBS 21. The total reflection mirror 222 receives the incident image light emitted from the LCD 11, reflects the incident image light, and enters the PBS 21.

  The total reflection mirror 222 corresponds to a second optical element in the HMD 201 of the present embodiment. The total reflection mirror 222 receives image light emitted from the LCD 11 from a direction along the left-right direction of the user, reflects the incident image light downward, and enters the PBS 21. Specifically, it is as follows.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the total reflection mirror 222 includes image light that travels in the direction along the left-right direction of the user, that is, in the horizontal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3). Image light traveling toward is incident. Since the HMD 201 of the present embodiment has a left-eye configuration, the total reflection mirror 222 has image light that travels from the left side that is the outer side in the left-right direction toward the right side that is the inner side in the left-right direction (leftward in FIG. 3). Xs2 is incident. That is, the total reflection mirror 222 receives the image light Xs2 from the left as the incident direction in the right direction (left direction in FIG. 3). The total reflection mirror 222 causes the reflected image light Xs3 to be incident on the emission surface 21a of the PBS 21 by reflecting the image light Xs2 incident from the left side downward in a substantially vertical direction.

  The total reflection mirror 222 has a reflection surface 222 a for guiding the image light to the PBS 21. The reflection surface 222a is a surface that is inclined and opposed to the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21 at a position above the PBS 21, the lower side is positioned on the user's face center side (nose side), that is, the right side, and the upper side is the user's face. It is a rectangular surface that is inclined so as to form an angle of approximately 45 ° with respect to the vertical direction when viewed from the front, in a direction that is located on the outside, that is, on the left side (see FIG. 3). In other words, the reflection surface 222a of the total reflection mirror 222 is a surface facing diagonally downward to the left.

  More specifically, the total reflection mirror 222 is a rectangular plate-like member, and the lower plate surface of both the plate surfaces is a reflection surface 222a. The total reflection mirror 222 is arranged in such a posture that each side of the rectangular plate-shaped outer shape is along the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 4) and the up-down direction, as viewed from the side as shown in FIG. As described above, in the total reflection mirror 222, the image light Xs2 is incident on the reflection surface 222a from the left, the incident image light Xs2 is reflected, and the image light Xs3 as reflected light is incident on the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21. To do.

  Thus, the incident direction of the image light Xs2 with respect to the reflection surface 222a of the total reflection mirror 222 is a direction orthogonal to the emission direction of the image light of the LCD 11 on the horizontal plane. The LCD 11 is disposed at a position on the left side of the total reflection mirror 222 such that the image light emission surface is orthogonal to the optical axis O1 of the image light Xs2 incident on the reflection surface 222a of the total reflection mirror 222 on the horizontal plane. The LCD 11 is disposed at a position behind the optical axis O1. Therefore, image light is emitted forward from the LCD 11, and the image light emitted forward is converted to the right direction and enters the reflection surface 222 a of the total reflection mirror 222.

  Thus, in order to convert the traveling direction of the image light emitted forward from the LCD 11 to the right, the HMD 201 of the present embodiment is disposed on the optical axis O1 of the image light incident on the total reflection mirror 222. PBS223 is provided. The PBS 223 receives the image light emitted from the LCD 11, reflects the incident image light, and makes it incident on the total reflection mirror 222.

  The PBS 223 receives image light emitted from the LCD 11 from a direction orthogonal to the optical axis O <b> 1 and reflects the incident image light to the total reflection mirror 222. Specifically, it is as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the PBS 223 has image light that travels in the front-rear direction (vertical direction in FIG. 5) as the direction orthogonal to the optical axis O1, and travels from the rear side to the front side in the front-rear direction. Is incident. Since the HMD 201 of the present embodiment is configured for the left eye, the image light Xs1 that travels from the rear side toward the front side (downward in FIG. 3) with respect to the PBS 223 disposed on the left side of the total reflection mirror 222. Incident. That is, the PBS 223 receives the image light Xs1 from the rear with the front direction (downward in FIG. 5) as the incident direction. The PBS 223 reflects the image light Xs1 incident from the rear in the right direction so that the reflected image light Xs2 is incident on the reflection surface 222a of the total reflection mirror 222.

  The PBS 223 has an exit surface 223a for guiding image light to the total reflection mirror 222. The emission surface 223a is a surface that is inclined and opposed to the reflection surface 222a of the total reflection mirror 222 at the left position of the total reflection mirror 222, and the front side is positioned on the user's face center side (nose side), that is, on the right side. The rear surface is a rectangular surface that is inclined so as to form an angle of approximately 45 ° with respect to the front-rear direction in a plan view in such a direction as to be positioned on the outer side of the user's face, that is, on the left side (see FIG. 5). That is, the exit surface 223a of the PBS 223 is a surface facing the diagonally right rear side.

  More specifically, the PBS 223 is a rectangular thin plate-like member, and is arranged in such a posture that each side of the rectangular plate-like outer shape is along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, respectively, as viewed from the front as shown in FIG. The As described above, in the PBS 223, the image light Xs1 enters the emission surface 223a from the rear, the incident image light Xs1 is reflected, and the image light Xs2 as reflected light enters the reflection surface 222a of the total reflection mirror 222. .

  Then, between the PBS 223 and the total reflection mirror 222, the lens 13 constituting the optical system that receives the image light emitted from the LCD 11 as described above is provided. The lens 13 is provided in the outer case 4 so as to be positioned so that the optical axis O1 of the image light incident on the total reflection mirror 222 and the optical axis of the lens coincide with each other in a state where the lens 13 is included in the lens barrel, for example.

  In such a configuration, image light emitted forward from the LCD 11 that has received light from a light source such as a backlight is incident on the emission surface 223a of the PBS 223 (image light Xs1). The image light that has entered the PBS 223 is reflected rightward, is incident on the lens 13, is condensed or collimated by the lens 13, and is incident on the reflection surface 222 a of the total reflection mirror 222 (image light Xs 2). The image light incident on the reflection surface 222a of the total reflection mirror 222 is reflected downward, is incident on the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21 (image light Xs3), and the image light incident on the exit surface 21a is reflected backward. And enters the user's eye Y1 (image light Xs4).

  On the other hand, the CCD 12 for imaging the outside world is an image light whose imaging surface is incident on the reflection surface 222 a of the total reflection mirror 222 at the left position of the total reflection mirror 222 and further to the left of the PBS 223. Is disposed at a position orthogonal to the optical axis O1. External light traveling from the right side to the left side is incident on the CCD 12. That is, the CCD 12 receives external light from the right side with the left direction (right direction in FIG. 3) as the incident direction.

  Further, the CCD 12 receives the external light incident along the optical axis of the image light incident on the total reflection mirror 222 via the total reflection mirror 222 and captures an image. In other words, the CCD 12 disposed on the left side of the total reflection mirror 222 receives incident external light emitted leftward from the total reflection mirror 222. External light emitted toward the left from the total reflection mirror 222 passes through the PBS 223 and enters the CCD 12.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the total reflection mirror 222, the reflection surface 222 a is an emission surface of external light with respect to the CCD 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, in the PBS 223, external light with respect to the CCD 12 is emitted from the opposite side of the emission surface 223a.

  Regarding the external light incident on the CCD 12, external light from the outside enters the PBS 21 from the side opposite to the exit surface 21 a (see FIG. 4). Then, the external light incident on the PBS 21 is emitted toward the left from the reflection surface 222a of the total reflection mirror 222 positioned above the PBS 21 via a predetermined path, and is incident on the imaging surface of the CCD 12. .

  In the configuration as described above, the PBS 21 is positioned in front of the user's eye Y1, and the total reflection mirror 222 positioned above the PBS 21 is positioned above the eye Y1 in front of the user's eye. The total reflection mirror 222 is located at the front of the user's forehead as a height position. The lens 13 is positioned to the left of the total reflection mirror 222, the PBS 223 is positioned further to the left, and the CCD 12 is positioned further to the left. Further, the LCD 11 is located behind the PBS 223.

  Therefore, in the display imaging unit 3 of the present embodiment, the CCD 12, the PBS 223, the lens 13, and the total reflection mirror 222 are arranged from the left outer side to the right side (center side) at a position above the eyes in front of the user's face. Are arranged in order on a common optical axis O1 along the horizontal direction (left-right direction). The LCD 11 is arranged behind the PBS 223. Further, the CCD 12, the PBS 223, the lens 13, the total reflection mirror 222, and the LCD 11 are arranged at the same height at a position above the eyes in front of the user's face. The PBS 21 is positioned in front of the eye Y1 below the total reflection mirror 222.

  In this embodiment, the LCD 11 is arranged at a position behind the optical axis O1, but the LCD 11 may be arranged at a position ahead of the optical axis O1. In this case, the LCD 11 is disposed in front of the PBS 223, and the PBS 223 is disposed such that its emission surface 223a faces the right front side.

  According to the HMD 201 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, similarly to the HMD 1 of the first embodiment, in the configuration including the imaging unit that captures the outside world by receiving the incidence of outside light, the horizontal field of view is reduced. This can greatly improve the size of the apparatus.

  Hereinafter, the HMD 201 of this embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to polarization characteristics of image light emitted from the LCD 11 and external light picked up by the CCD 12.

(About image light)
In the HMD 201 of this embodiment, the PBS 223 has a polarization characteristic that reflects s-polarized light and transmits p-polarized light. Accordingly, the image light emitted from the LCD 11 is guided as follows.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the s-polarized image light Xs1 emitted forward from the LCD 11 is incident on the exit surface 223a of the PBS 223. Due to the polarization characteristics of the PBS 223, the s-polarized image light Xs1 Reflected toward the direction. The s-polarized image light Xs 2 reflected rightward by the exit surface 223 a of the PBS 223 is condensed or converted into parallel light by the lens 13 and enters the reflection surface 222 a of the total reflection mirror 222. Reflected downward by the reflecting surface 222a. As described above, in this embodiment, the PBS 223 receives the image light emitted from the LCD 11 from a direction orthogonal to the optical axis O <b> 1 and reflects the incident image light toward the total reflection mirror 222.

  The s-polarized image light Xs3 reflected downward by the reflection surface 222a of the total reflection mirror 222 is incident on the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21 and is directed rearward by the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21 due to the polarization characteristics of the PBS 21. Reflected. The s-polarized image light Xs4 reflected backward by the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21 is incident on the user's eye Y1.

(About external light)
The HMD 201 of the present embodiment guides the external light incident on the PBS 21 to the CCD 12 while the s-polarized image light emitted from the LCD 11 is guided to the eye Y1 as described above. The following configuration is provided. That is, the HMD 201 of this embodiment includes a polarization reflection unit 231 in addition to the PBS 21, the total reflection mirror 222, and the PBS 223.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the polarization reflection unit 231 is disposed below the PBS 21. External light reflected downward by the PBS 21 is incident on the polarization reflecting portion 231 from above.

  The polarization reflection unit 231 has the same configuration as the polarization reflection unit 31 provided in the HMD 1 of the first embodiment. That is, the polarization reflection unit 231 includes a quarter-wave plate 233 and a total reflection mirror 234 that are sequentially arranged from above. The total reflection mirror 234 has an upper surface on the quarter wavelength plate 233 side as a reflection surface 234a.

  Then, the polarization reflection unit 231 transmits the quarter-wave plate 233 with respect to the incident light, receives the light from the total reflection mirror 234, and again reflects the light reflected by the total reflection mirror 234 to the quarter-wave plate 233. By transmitting the light, the polarization direction of the light is inverted between the s-polarized light and the p-polarized light, and the light is reflected. That is, the polarization reflection unit 231 totally reflects the incident light by the reflection surface 234a of the total reflection mirror 234, and 1 in each of the forward path of the light incident on the reflection surface 234a and the return path of the light reflected from the reflection surface 234a. By transmitting the ¼ wavelength plate 233, the ¼ wavelength plate 233 is transmitted twice, and the polarization direction of the light is reversed.

  According to the polarization reflection unit 231 having such a configuration, when s-polarized light is incident on the polarization reflection unit 231, the incident light is reflected as p-polarization with the polarization direction reversed. On the other hand, when p-polarized light is incident on the polarization reflector 231, the incident light is reflected as s-polarized light with its polarization direction reversed.

  In the HMD 201 of the present embodiment, as described above, the CCD 12 arranged at a position orthogonal to the optical axis O1 of the image light incident on the reflection surface 222a of the total reflection mirror 222 is the total reflection mirror in the left-right direction. It is arranged at the same position as the LCD 11 with respect to 222. That is, in the present embodiment, both the LCD 11 and the CCD 12 are located to the left of the total reflection mirror 222. Specifically, on the left side of the total reflection mirror 222, the CCD 12 is positioned via the lens 13 and the PBS 223, and the LCD 11 is positioned behind the PBS 223.

  In the HMD 201 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, external light is guided to the CCD 12 as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the HMD 201 of the present embodiment, external light is taken in from the PBS 21 positioned in front of the user's eye Y1 as in the HMD 1 of the first embodiment. Accordingly, of the external light incident on the PBS 21, the p-polarized external light Yp1 that is a p-polarized component passes through the PBS 21, is emitted backward from the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21, and enters the user's eye Y1. . On the other hand, of the external light incident on the PBS 21, the s-polarized component is reflected downward by the PBS 21.

  The s-polarized external light Ys2 reflected downward by the PBS 21 is incident on the polarization reflector 231 from the quarter-wave plate 233 side. The s-polarized external light Ys2 that has entered the polarization reflector 231 is reflected by the quarter-wave plate 233 and the total reflection mirror 234 with the polarization direction reversed, so that the p-polarized external field is reflected from the quarter-wave plate 233. The light Yp2 is reflected upward. As described above, in this embodiment, the polarization reflection unit 231 receives the s-polarized component of the external light reflected from the PBS 21 in the downward direction (s-polarized external light Ys2), and the s-polarized component of the incident external light is p. It is converted into a polarized component (p-polarized external light Yp2) and reflected upward.

  The p-polarized external light Yp2 reflected upward from the quarter-wave plate 233 in the polarization reflection unit 231 is transmitted through the PBS 21 and is incident on the reflection surface 222a of the total reflection mirror 222 due to the polarization characteristics of the PBS 21. . The external light Yp2 incident on the reflection surface 222a of the total reflection mirror 222 is reflected to the left as the external light Yp3.

  The p-polarized external light Yp3 reflected toward the left from the reflection surface 222a in the total reflection mirror 222 passes through the lens 13 and then passes through the PBS 223 and enters the imaging surface of the CCD 12 due to the polarization characteristics of the PBS 223. To do. As described above, in this embodiment, the CCD 12 receives the p-polarized component of the external light (p-polarized external light Yp3) that is reflected by the total reflection mirror 222 after being reflected by the polarization reflection unit 231 and further transmitted through the PBS 223. Is received on the imaging surface.

  According to the HMD 201 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, it is housed in the outer case 4 at the height position of the optical axis O1 in the horizontal direction (left-right direction) located above the user's line of sight. Most components can be arranged side by side.

  Further, according to the HMD 201 of the present embodiment, both the image light emitted from the LCD 11 and the external light incident on the CCD 12 are guided by an optical path that passes through a common optical system including the lens 13. For this reason, it is possible to easily match the display angle of view for the display image on the LCD 11 and the image angle of view for the image captured by the CCD 12. That is, the configuration of the present embodiment is preferable from the viewpoint of matching the display field angle and the imaging field angle.

  Further, according to the HMD 201 of the present embodiment, the LCD 11 and the CCD 12 are arranged on the same side in the left-right direction with respect to the total reflection mirror 222 positioned above the user's eye Y1, so that the LCD 11 and the CCD 12 are connected. They can be arranged close to each other. As a result, the LCD 11 and the CCD 12 to be controlled by the control unit 2 can be provided at a set position, and the electrical configuration such as wiring related to the LCD 11 and the CCD 12 can be simplified.

  In the HMD 201 of the present embodiment, as a preferable configuration, the total reflection mirror 222 and the total reflection mirror 234 included in the polarization reflection unit 231 are curved mirrors having power, as in the case of the HMD 1 of the first embodiment. There is a certain configuration.

  Thus, by adopting curved mirrors having power as the total reflection mirrors 222 and 234, for example, a configuration between the polarization reflection unit 231 and the total reflection mirror 222, between the total reflection mirror 222 and the PBS 223, or the like. An interval between elements can be shortened, or an optical system such as a lens necessary between these components can be omitted. Thereby, it is possible to effectively reduce the size of the apparatus.

[Third Embodiment]
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 corresponds to the F direction arrow view in FIG. Further, the same contents as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment and the common configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In the HMD 301 of the present embodiment, the PBS 21 corresponds to a first optical element. In addition, the HMD 301 of this embodiment includes a PBS 322 disposed above the PBS 21. The PBS 322 has a configuration corresponding to the second optical element in the HMD 301 of the present embodiment, like the PBS 22 provided in the HMD 1 of the first embodiment.

  That is, the PBS 322 is similar to the PBS 22 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), the image light emitted from the LCD 11 is incident from the direction along the left-right direction of the user, and the incident image light is reflected downward to cause the PBS 21 To enter. The PBS 322 has an exit surface 322a for guiding image light to the PBS 21. The exit surface 322a is a surface facing the diagonally lower left side. In the PBS 322, the image light Xs2 is incident on the exit surface 322a from the left, the incident image light Xs2 is reflected, and the image light Xs3 as reflected light is incident on the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21.

  As described above, the incident direction of the image light Xs2 with respect to the emission surface 322a of the PBS 322 is the emission direction of the image light of the LCD 11 on the horizontal plane in the same manner as the image light Xs2 with respect to the reflection surface 222a of the total reflection mirror 222 in the HMD 201 of the second embodiment. It is a direction orthogonal to. Therefore, image light is emitted forward from the LCD 11, and the image light emitted forward is converted to the right direction and is incident on the emission surface 322 a of the PBS 322.

  In this way, in order to convert the traveling direction of the image light emitted forward from the LCD 11 to the right direction, the HMD 301 of the present embodiment is similar to the HMD 201 of the second embodiment, and the light of the image light incident on the PBS 322. A PBS 223 is provided on the axis O1. The PBS 223 receives the image light emitted from the LCD 11, reflects the incident image light, and enters the PBS 322.

  The PBS 223 receives image light emitted from the LCD 11 from a direction orthogonal to the optical axis O <b> 1 and reflects the incident image light to the PBS 322. Then, between the PBS 223 and the PBS 322, the lens 13 constituting the optical system that receives the image light emitted from the LCD 11 as described above is provided. The lens 13 is provided in the outer case 4 so as to be positioned so that the optical axis O1 of the image light incident on the PBS 322 and the optical axis of the lens coincide with each other, for example, in a state of being mounted in a lens barrel.

  In such a configuration, image light emitted forward from the LCD 11 that has received light from a light source such as a backlight is incident on the emission surface 223a of the PBS 223 (image light Xs1). The image light incident on the exit surface 223a of the PBS 223 is reflected rightward, is incident on the lens 13, is condensed or collimated by the lens 13, and is incident on the exit surface 322a of the PBS 322 (image light Xs2). . The image light that has entered the exit surface 322a of the PBS 322 is reflected downward, is incident on the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21 (image light Xs3), and the image light that has entered the exit surface 21a is reflected backward and is used by the user. Is incident on the eye Y1.

  On the other hand, the CCD 12 for imaging the outside world has the same positional relationship with the PBS 322 as the positional relationship with the total reflection mirror 222 in the HMD 201 of the second embodiment. That is, the CCD 12 is arranged at a position on the left side of the PBS 322 and further on the left side of the PBS 223 at the position where the imaging surface is orthogonal to the optical axis O1 of the image light incident on the exit surface 322a of the PBS 322. . Further, the CCD 12 receives incident external light via the PBS 322 on the imaging surface. As shown in FIG. 6, in the PBS 322, the exit surface 322 a is an exit surface for external light with respect to the CCD 12.

  Regarding the external light incident on the CCD 12, in the display imaging unit 3, external light from the outside is incident from an aperture 325 serving as an external light introduction opening described later (see FIG. 7). Further, the display imaging unit 3 is provided with a total reflection mirror 324 described later in order to reflect external light incident from the diaphragm 325 to the CCD 12 side. Then, external light incident on the diaphragm 325 enters the imaging surface of the CCD 12 via a predetermined path including the total reflection mirror 324.

  In the configuration as described above, the PBS 21 is positioned in front of the user's eye Y1, and the PBS 322 positioned above the PBS 21 is positioned above the eye Y1 in front of the user's eye. The PBS 322 is positioned at the front of the user's forehead as a height position. The lens 13 is positioned on the left side of the PBS 322, the PBS 223 is positioned further to the left, and the CCD 12 is positioned further to the left. Further, the LCD 11 is located behind the PBS 223.

  Therefore, in the display imaging unit 3 of the present embodiment, the CCD 12, the PBS 223, the lens 13, the total reflection mirror 222, and the lens 13 from the left outer side to the right side (center side) at a position above the eyes in front of the user's face, and Total reflection mirrors 324 are sequentially arranged on a common optical axis O1 along the horizontal direction (left-right direction). The LCD 11 is arranged behind the PBS 223. Further, the CCD 12, the PBS 223, the lens 13, the total reflection mirror 222, the total reflection mirror 324, and the LCD 11 are arranged at the same height at a position above the eyes in front of the user's face. The PBS 21 is positioned in front of the eye Y1 below the PBS 322. Also in this embodiment, the LCD 11 may be disposed at a position in front of the optical axis O1 as in the second embodiment.

  According to the HMD 301 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, similarly to the HMD 1 of the first embodiment, the horizontal field of view can be obtained in a configuration having an imaging unit that captures the external world by receiving external light. This can greatly improve the size of the apparatus.

  Hereinafter, the HMD 301 of the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to polarization characteristics of image light emitted from the LCD 11 and external light picked up by the CCD 12.

(About image light)
In the HMD 301 of this embodiment, the PBS 322 is a PBS that reflects s-polarized light and transmits p-polarized light. Accordingly, the image light emitted from the LCD 11 is guided as follows.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the s-polarized image light Xs1 emitted forward from the LCD 11 is incident on the exit surface 223a of the PBS 223. Due to the polarization characteristics of the PBS 223, the s-polarized image light Xs1 is transmitted to the right by the exit surface 223a of the PBS 223. Reflected toward the direction. The s-polarized image light Xs2 reflected rightward by the exit surface 223a of the PBS 223 is condensed or collimated by the lens 13 and enters the exit surface 322a of the PBS 322, and is lowered downward by the exit surface 322a of the PBS 322. Reflected towards. As described above, in the present embodiment, the PBS 223 receives image light emitted from the LCD 11 from a direction orthogonal to the optical axis O1, and reflects the incident image light toward the PBS 322.

  The s-polarized image light Xs3 reflected downward by the exit surface 322a of the PBS 322 enters the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21, and is reflected backward by the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21 due to the polarization characteristics of the PBS 21. . The s-polarized image light Xs4 reflected backward by the exit surface 21a of the PBS 21 is incident on the user's eye Y1.

(About external light)
The HMD 301 of the present embodiment guides external light to the CCD 12 while the s-polarized image light emitted from the LCD 11 is guided to the eye Y1 as described above. It has a configuration. That is, the HMD 301 of this embodiment includes a total reflection mirror 324 and a diaphragm 325 in addition to the PBS 322 and the PBS 223.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the total reflection mirror 324 is disposed at a position opposite to the LCD 11 with respect to the PBS 322 in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the LCD 11 is arranged behind the PBS 223 located on the left side of the PBS 322, whereas the total reflection mirror 324 is arranged on the right side of the PBS 322. That is, the total reflection mirror 324 and the PBS 223 are located on the opposite sides of the PBS 322 with the PBS 322 positioned therebetween, and the LCD 11 is located behind the PBS 223 located on the left side of the PBS 322.

  The total reflection mirror 324 receives external light incident from the front of the user and causes the incident external light to be totally reflected and incident on the PBS 322. Specifically, it is as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 7, external light traveling from the front side to the rear side of the user is incident on the total reflection mirror 324. That is, the total reflection mirror 324 receives external light Ys1 and Yp1 from the front with the rear direction (upward in FIG. 7) as the incident direction. The total reflection mirror 324 reflects the external light Ys1 and Yp1 incident from the front to the left in the left-right direction, thereby causing the reflected external light Ys1 and Yp1 to enter the PBS 322.

  The total reflection mirror 324 has a reflection surface 324a for guiding external light to the PBS 322. The reflective surface 324a is a surface that is inclined and opposed to the PBS 322 at a position to the right of the PBS 322, and is approximately 45 ° with respect to the vertical direction in plan view so that the front side is positioned on the right side and the rear side is positioned on the left side. It is a rectangular surface inclined so as to form (see FIG. 7). That is, the reflection surface 324a of the total reflection mirror 324 is a surface facing the diagonally left front side.

  More specifically, the total reflection mirror 324 is a rectangular plate member, and the front plate surface of both plate surfaces is defined as a reflection surface 324a. The total reflection mirror 324 is arranged in such a posture that each side of the outer shape of the rectangular plate is along the left-right direction and the up-down direction, respectively, in a front view as shown in FIG. As described above, in the total reflection mirror 324, the external light Ys1 and Yp1 are incident on the reflection surface 324a from the front, the incident external light Ys1 and Yp1 are reflected, and the external light Ys1 and Yp1 as reflected light are reflected in the PBS 322. Incident on the opposite side of the exit surface 322a.

  The diaphragm 325 is disposed in front of the total reflection mirror 324. In the present embodiment, the diaphragm 325 is positioned at the front of the user's forehead as the height position, and is provided at a position approximately at the center of the user in the left-right direction.

  The diaphragm 325 is an outside light introduction opening that forms an opening 325 a for guiding outside light incident on the total reflection mirror 324. That is, the diaphragm 325 is a portion that opens the internal space of the exterior case 4 to the outside on the front side of the exterior case 4 that constitutes the display imaging unit 3, and is a portion that forms, for example, a circular small hole as the opening 325a. .

  In the HMD 301 of this embodiment, as described above, the CCD 12 arranged at a position orthogonal to the optical axis O1 of the image light incident on the exit surface 322a of the PBS 322 is totally reflected in the case of the second embodiment. Similar to the relationship with the mirror 222, it is arranged at the same position as the LCD 11 with respect to the PBS 322 in the left-right direction. That is, in this embodiment, both the LCD 11 and the CCD 12 are located on the left side of the PBS 322. Specifically, the CCD 12 is positioned on the left side of the PBS 322 via the lens 13 and the PBS 223, and the LCD 11 is positioned behind the PBS 223.

  In the HMD 301 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, external light is guided to the CCD 12 as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the HMD 301 of this embodiment, the outside light is taken in from the aperture 325. The external light incident on the stop 325 from the front includes s-polarized external light Ys1 and p-polarized external light Yp1. The ambient light incident from the diaphragm 325 enters the reflection surface 324a of the total reflection mirror 324 located behind the diaphragm 325 as it is. The external light incident on the reflection surface 324a of the total reflection mirror 324 is reflected toward the left as s-polarized external light Ys2 and p-polarized external light Yp2.

  External light Ys2 and Yp2 reflected leftward by the reflection surface 324a of the total reflection mirror 324 enter the PBS 322 from the opposite side of the emission surface 322a. As for the external light incident on the PBS 322, only the p-polarized external light Yp3 is transmitted due to the polarization characteristics of the PBS 322. The external light Yp3 transmitted through the PBS 322 is emitted from the emission surface 322a of the PBS 322. Note that the s-polarized component of the external light incident on the PBS 322 is reflected upward.

  The p-polarized external light Yp3 emitted from the emission surface 322a in the PBS 322 passes through the lens 13, passes through the PBS 223, and enters the imaging surface of the CCD 12 due to the polarization characteristics of the PBS 223. As described above, in this embodiment, the CCD 12 receives the p-polarized component of the external light (p-polarized external light Yp3) that has been reflected by the total reflection mirror 324 and then transmitted through the PBS 322 and the PBS 223 on the imaging surface.

  According to the HMD 301 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, it is housed in the outer case 4 at the height position of the optical axis O1 in the horizontal direction (left-right direction) located above the user's line of sight. Most components can be arranged side by side. Further, according to the HMD 301 of the present embodiment, as with the HMD 201 of the second embodiment, the display angle of view for the display image by the LCD 11 and the view angle of view for the image captured by the CCD 12 can be easily matched. In addition, the electrical configuration such as wiring for the LCD 11 and the CCD 12 can be simplified.

  Furthermore, according to the HMD 301 of the present embodiment, only the pupil light guiding PBS 21 is present in front of the user's eye Y1, which is better than the first and second embodiments. In addition to providing a good field of view, the device can be further miniaturized.

  Further, in the HMD 301 of the present embodiment, as a preferable configuration, the total reflection mirror 324 is a curved mirror having power, as in the case of the HMD 1 of the first embodiment.

  As described above, by adopting a curved mirror having power as the total reflection mirror 324, for example, the interval between the components such as the total reflection mirror 324 and the PBS 322 can be shortened, or each of these components can be reduced. An optical system such as a lens required between elements can be omitted. Thereby, it is possible to effectively reduce the size of the apparatus.

  In the HMD of each of the embodiments described above, the configuration of the display imaging unit 3 is configured symmetrically with respect to the center of the user's face, thereby displaying the image on the right eye of the user. And the configuration for the left and right eyes can be realized. In this regard, in the HMD 301 of the third embodiment, instead of the total reflection mirror 324 located behind the diaphragm 325, a cubic PBS having two mirror surfaces is used, so that with one diaphragm 325, It is possible to incorporate external light for both eyes.

  Further, in the HMD of each embodiment, a half mirror may be used instead of PBS (PBS21) as the first optical element for guiding the pupil arranged in front of the user's eyes. In this regard, in the case of the third embodiment, the PBS 21 does not exist on the optical path of the external light. Therefore, compared to the first and second embodiments, the demerit due to the reduction in the amount of light when the half mirror is used instead of the PBS 21. There are few. Therefore, in the case of the third embodiment, as the first optical element disposed in front of the user's eyes, a PBS or a half mirror is appropriately selected depending on the amount of light to be secured, cost, and the like.

  Further, in the HMD of each embodiment, the image light emitted from the LCD 11 is s-polarized light, but by optimizing the direction of the reflection surface of the PBS and the arrangement of the polarization reflection portion provided in the configuration of each embodiment. The image light can be easily implemented as p-polarized light. In particular, in the second embodiment, the arrangement of the LCD 11 and the CCD 12 can be exchanged and the direction of the PBS 21 can be easily rotated by 90 °.

  The HMD of each of the embodiments described above includes two PBSs at a position where the optical paths of the image light emitted from the LCD 11 and the external light incident on the CCD 12 overlap as a common configuration. Specifically, the HMD 1 of the first embodiment includes a PBS 21 and a PBS 22. The HMD 201 of the second embodiment includes a PBS 21 and a PBS 223. The HMD 301 of the third embodiment includes a PBS 322 and a PBS 223.

  As described above, of the two PBSs included in the HMD of each embodiment, in one PBS, image light and external light are mixed in the vicinity of the user's eye Y1, and in the other PBS, an image emitted from the LCD 11 is mixed. The light and the external light finally incident on the CCD 12 are separated. The PBS 21 of the first and second embodiments and the PBS 322 of the third embodiment correspond to the former PBS, the PBS 22 of the first embodiment, and the PBS 223 of the second and third embodiments are the latter PBS. It corresponds to.

  As described above, according to the HMD according to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be expected.

  (1) The HMD 1 of the above-described embodiment is arranged in front of the LCD 11 that emits image light for displaying an image and the user's eye Y1, and the image light emitted from the LCD 11 is incident from above and is incident. PBS 21 that reflects at least a part of the image light to enter the eye Y1 and transmits a part of the incident external light to enter the eye Y1, and the image light that is disposed above the PBS 21 and emitted from the LCD 11 Is incident from the direction along the left-right direction of the user, reflects the incident image light downward and enters the PBS 21, and the optical axis of the image light incident on the PBS 22 via the PBS 22 or its extension line A CCD 12 that receives external light incident along the imaging surface and picks up an image. Thereby, in addition to the image display unit, in a configuration having an imaging unit that captures the outside world by receiving the incidence of outside light, the horizontal field of view can be greatly improved, and the apparatus can be downsized. And portability can be improved.

  (2) In the HMD 1 of the above embodiment, s-polarized image light is emitted from the LCD 11, and the PBS 21 is PBS that reflects s-polarized light and transmits p-polarized light, and is incident on the eye Y1. The s-polarized component of the external light incident on the side opposite to the side that reflects the light is reflected downward, and the PBS 22 is a PBS that reflects the s-polarized light and transmits the p-polarized light, and is disposed below the PBS 21. The s-polarized light component of the external light reflected downward from the PBS 21 is incident and the s-polarized light of the incident external light is incident. A polarization reflector 31 that converts the component into a p-polarized component and reflects it upward, a quarter-wave plate 35 and a total reflection mirror 36 that are arranged above the PBS 22 and arranged in order with respect to the incident light. Then, the p-polarized component of the external light reflected by the polarizing reflective unit 31 and transmitted through the PBS 21 and the PBS 22 is incident, and the p-polarized component of the incident external light is converted into the s-polarized component and reflected downward. The CCD 12 is disposed at a position opposite to the LCD 11 with respect to the PBS 22 in the left-right direction, and images the incidence of the s-polarized component of the external light reflected by the PBS 22 after being reflected by the polarization reflector 32. Receive on the surface. Thereby, the visual field in the horizontal direction can be effectively improved. Further, the apparatus can be miniaturized with a good balance in the left-right direction.

  (3) In the HMD 1 of the above embodiment, the total reflection mirrors 34 and 36 included in each of the polarization reflection unit 31 and the polarization reflection unit 32 are curved mirrors having power. Thereby, it is possible to effectively reduce the size of the apparatus.

  (4) In the HMD 201 of the above embodiment, s-polarized image light is emitted from the LCD 11, and the PBS 21 is PBS that reflects s-polarized light and transmits p-polarized light, and is incident on the eye Y1. The second optical element is a total reflection mirror 222, which is disposed below the PBS 21, and is incident light. The s-polarized component of the external light reflected downward from the PBS 21 is incident and the s-polarized component of the incident external light is p-polarized. A polarized light reflecting portion 231 that converts the light into components and reflects it upward, and a polarization characteristic that is disposed on the optical axis O1 of image light incident on the total reflection mirror 222, reflects s-polarized light and transmits p-polarized light. , The image light emitted from the CD 11 is incident from a direction orthogonal to the optical axis O1, and further includes a PBS 223 that reflects the incident image light toward the total reflection mirror 222. The CCD 12 includes the total reflection mirror 222 in the left-right direction. The p-polarized light component of the external light that is disposed on the same side as the LCD 11 and reflected by the total reflection mirror 222 after being reflected by the polarization reflector 231 and further transmitted through the PBS 223 is received by the imaging surface. Thereby, the visual field in the horizontal direction can be effectively improved. Further, it is possible to easily match the display angle of view for the display image on the LCD 11 with the image pickup angle of view for the image captured by the CCD 12.

  (5) In the HMD 201 of the above-described embodiment, the total reflection mirror 222 as the second optical element and the total reflection mirror 234 included in the polarization reflection unit 231 are curved mirrors having power. Thereby, it is possible to effectively reduce the size of the apparatus.

  (6) In the HMD 301 of the above embodiment, the LCD 11 emits s-polarized image light, and the second optical element is a PBS 322 that reflects s-polarized light and transmits p-polarized light. The total reflection mirror 324 is arranged at a position opposite to the LCD 11 and receives external light incident from the front of the user, totally reflects the incident external light and enters the PBS 322, and a total reflection mirror 324 Arranged on the front, an aperture 325 that forms an opening 325a for guiding external light incident on the total reflection mirror 324, and an optical axis O1 of image light incident on the PBS 322, reflects s-polarized light and transmits p-polarized light. The image light emitted from the LCD 11 is incident from a direction orthogonal to the optical axis O1, and the incident image light is converted into PBS 32. PBS 223 that reflects toward the left side, and the CCD 12 is arranged at the same position as the LCD 11 with respect to the PBS 322 in the left-right direction, and is reflected by the total reflection mirror 324 and then passes through the PBS 322 and the PBS 223. The p-polarized component is incident on the imaging surface. As a result, a better field of view can be obtained, and further downsizing of the device can be achieved.

  (7) In the HMD 301 of the above embodiment, the total reflection mirror 324 is a curved mirror having power. Thereby, it is possible to effectively reduce the size of the apparatus.

1 HMD
11 LCD
21 PBS (first optical element)
22 PBS (second optical element)
31 Polarization reflection unit (first polarization reflection unit)
32 Polarization reflector (second polarization reflector)
33 1/4 wavelength plate 34 Total reflection mirror 35 1/4 wavelength plate 36 Total reflection mirror 201 HMD
222 Total reflection mirror (second optical element)
223 PBS
231 Polarization reflection unit 233 1/4 wavelength plate 234 Total reflection mirror 301 HMD
324 Total reflection mirror 325 Diaphragm (external light introduction opening)
325a opening

Claims (7)

A display element that emits image light for displaying an image;
An image light that is disposed in front of the user's eye and is emitted from the display element is incident from above, and at least a part of the incident image light is reflected and incident on the eye. A first optical element that passes through a portion and enters the eye,
The first optical element is disposed above the first optical element, and image light emitted from the display element is incident from a direction along the left-right direction of the user, and the incident image light is reflected downward to cause the first optical element to be reflected. A second optical element incident on the element;
An imaging element that receives the external light incident along the optical axis of the image light incident on the second optical element or its extension line via the second optical element on an imaging surface; and
Head mounted display. From the display element, s-polarized image light is emitted,
The first optical element is a polarization beam splitter that reflects s-polarized light and transmits p-polarized light. The first optical element has an s-polarized component of external light incident on the side opposite to the side that reflects image light incident on the eye. Which reflects downward,
The second optical element is a polarization beam splitter that reflects s-polarized light and transmits p-polarized light,
A quarter-wave plate and a total reflection mirror which are arranged below the first optical element and arranged in order with respect to incident light, and are used for external light reflected downward from the first optical element. a first polarization reflection unit that receives an s-polarized component, converts the s-polarized component of the incident external light into a p-polarized component, and reflects it upward;
The first optical element is disposed above the second optical element and has a quarter-wave plate and a total reflection mirror arranged in order with respect to incident light, and is reflected by the first polarization reflection unit. A p-polarized component of external light that has passed through the element and the second optical element is incident, a second polarized light reflecting unit that converts the p-polarized component of the incident external light into an s-polarized component and reflects it downward, Further comprising
The imaging element is disposed at a position opposite to the display element with respect to the second optical element in the left-right direction, and is reflected by the second optical element after being reflected by the second polarization reflection unit. Receiving the incident s-polarized light component of the ambient light on the imaging surface;
The head mounted display according to claim 1. The total reflection mirror included in each of the first polarization reflection unit and the second polarization reflection unit is a curved mirror having power.
The head mounted display according to claim 2. From the display element, s-polarized image light is emitted,
The first optical element is a polarization beam splitter that reflects s-polarized light and transmits p-polarized light. The first optical element has an s-polarized component of external light incident on the side opposite to the side that reflects image light incident on the eye. Which reflects downward,
The second optical element is a total reflection mirror;
A quarter-wave plate and a total reflection mirror which are arranged below the first optical element and arranged in order with respect to incident light, and are used for external light reflected downward from the first optical element. a polarization reflection unit that receives an s-polarized component, converts the s-polarized component of the incident external light into a p-polarized component, and reflects it upward;
It is disposed on the optical axis of the image light incident on the second optical element, has a polarization characteristic that reflects s-polarized light and transmits p-polarized light, and image light emitted from the display element is on the optical axis. A polarization beam splitter that is incident from an orthogonal direction and reflects the incident image light toward the second optical element, and
The imaging element is disposed at a position on the same side as the display element with respect to the second optical element in the left-right direction, and is reflected by the second optical element after being reflected by the polarization reflection unit. Receiving the p-polarized component of external light transmitted through the polarizing beam splitter on the imaging surface;
The head mounted display according to claim 1. The total reflection mirror as the second optical element and the total reflection mirror included in the polarization reflection unit are curved mirrors having power.
The head mounted display according to claim 4. From the display element, s-polarized image light is emitted,
The second optical element is a polarization beam splitter that reflects s-polarized light and transmits p-polarized light,
The second optical element is disposed at a position opposite to the display element in the left-right direction, receives external light incident from the front of the user, and totally reflects the incident external light. A total reflection mirror that is incident on the optical element;
An external light introduction opening which is disposed in front of the total reflection mirror and forms an opening for guiding external light incident on the total reflection mirror;
It is disposed on the optical axis of the image light incident on the second optical element, has a polarization characteristic that reflects s-polarized light and transmits p-polarized light, and image light emitted from the display element is on the optical axis. A polarization beam splitter that is incident from an orthogonal direction and reflects the incident image light toward the second optical element, and
The imaging element is disposed at a position on the same side as the display element with respect to the second optical element in the left-right direction, and after being reflected by the total reflection mirror, the second optical element and the polarization beam splitter Receiving the p-polarized light component of the external light transmitted through the imaging surface,
The head mounted display according to claim 1. The total reflection mirror is a curved mirror having power,
The head mounted display according to claim 6.

Images