JPH07306380A - Image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To miniaturize the whole device and to easily observe image information of a required aspect ratio by moving an optical unit in the direction to the left/right when the aspect ratio is made variable by turning the optical unit forming virtual images for the left/right eyes. CONSTITUTION:A dial 9 and axes 9aR, 9aL constitute an element of a moving means, and adjust the interval of a hold frame 1R. Further, the hold frame 1R is turned around a point nearly matched with the center between eye balls 5R, 5L of an observer, and the aspect ratio of an image observed by the observer is varied. At this time, respective elements 10R, 10L, 6aR, etc., for rotating the hold frame 1R constitute one element of a turning means. Then, the image information are expanded respectively for the left/right eyes, and images are formed in front of the observer as the virtual images, and at least one side virtual image for the left/right eyes is turned in the horizontal plane by the turning means, and the turning center of the virtual image is moved by the moving means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a left and right eye of an observer, for example, a compound eye type for displaying image information displayed on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device or a CRT as a virtual image enlarged in front of the observer. The present invention relates to an image display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a small display is attached to and fixed to the observer's head, and by observing the image information displayed on the small display, an image with a large angle of view and a realistic image can be displayed to the observer. Image display device, which is designed to be provided
Various so-called head mount displays (HMDD) have been proposed. FIG. 9 shows such H.264. M. D9
1 is an external view when 1 is attached to the head of an observer 92. FIG.

[0003]

In the conventional image display device, if an attempt is made to improve the performance of a display image such as a high definition and a large screen, the size of the image display device becomes large and portability and versatility are impaired. On the other hand, if portability is prioritized, there is a problem that the screen size becomes small and an image with a wide angle of view cannot be provided.

Further, the aspect ratio of the image information displayed on the image display section is fixed, for example, when the device compatible with NTSC or HD signals, especially the display to be used, is fixed, and the aspect ratio desired by the observer is obtained. There was a problem that the degree of freedom decreased.

On the other hand, there are individual differences in the distance between the left and right eyes (the distance between the center of the left and right eyeballs, hereinafter also referred to as the base line length) of the observers who wear them. It is necessary to consider the difference.

However, if the configuration is such that the pupil diameter of the optical system is large enough to ignore individual differences, there is a problem that the size of the entire apparatus becomes large.

According to the present invention, when the optical unit for forming a virtual image as image information for the left and right eyes is rotated by the rotating means to make the aspect ratio variable, the optical unit is also moved in the horizontal direction by the moving means. By doing so, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image display device that is small in size as a whole and that allows image information of a desired aspect ratio to be easily observed regardless of individual differences in the baseline length of the observer. .

[0008]

An image display apparatus of the present invention is an optical system for displaying a pair of display units for displaying image information and an optical system for enlarging the image information for the left and right eyes and forming a virtual image in front of an observer. It is characterized by having an optical system including an element, a rotating means for rotating at least one virtual image for the left and right eyes in a horizontal plane, and a moving means for moving a rotation center of the virtual image.

In particular, the moving means is characterized in that the center of rotation of the virtual image is substantially aligned with the center of the eyeball of the observer.

In addition to the above, in the present invention, a pair of display portions for displaying image information and a light beam from the display portions are guided to the left and right eyes of an observer to observe a virtual image of the image information for the left and right eyes. A pair of optical systems respectively formed in front of a person, a rotating means for rotating at least one virtual image for the left and right eyes in a horizontal plane, and the image display by moving at least a part of the optical system. And a moving unit that adjusts the interval between the optical axes of the light beams guided to the left and right eyes from the section.

In particular, the rotating means includes a guide mechanism having an arcuate guide portion, a holding member integrally holding the display portion and the optical system, and a movement direction of which is restricted by the guide portion, A first member for moving the holding member along the guide portion;
And a pair of guide mechanisms for the left and right eyes, each of which holds the holding member rotatably, and the moving means has a guide mechanism for the right eye. It is characterized in that it has a second drive part for moving the guide mechanism for the left eye in mutually opposite directions.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the essential portions of a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
1 is a sectional view of an essential part of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an optical path diagram of the optical system used in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a positional relationship of the guide mechanism of FIG.

In this embodiment, each element for the left eye of the observer is displayed with a reference symbol L, and each element for the right eye is displayed with a reference symbol R. The left-eye and right-eye elements have substantially the same mechanism and are symmetrical. Therefore, in the following description, each element for the right eye will be mainly described, and some of the elements denoted by reference numeral (L) in the description are omitted in the drawing.

In FIG. 3, reference numerals 2R and 2L denote display elements (display portions), which are composed of an LCD or the like. 3R and 3L are imaging lenses (optical elements), and the display elements 2R and 2L
The virtual image of the image information displayed on is formed in front of the observer.

4R and 4L are reflecting members (mirrors),
The light fluxes from the display elements 2R and 2L are reflected and deflected after passing through the imaging lens 3 and guided to the eyes 5R and 5L of the observer.

Each element for forming the virtual image, the display element 2
R, 2L, imaging lenses 3R, 3L, reflecting members 4R, 4L
Etc. are integrally held by holding frames (holding members) 1R and 1L.

The holding frames 1R and 1L have openings 1aR and 1a.
L and the openings 1bR and 1bL are provided so that when the observer wears the apparatus body, the openings 1aR and 1aL are located immediately in front of the eyes 5R and 5L of the observer so that image information can be observed. I am configuring.

Further, in this embodiment, the reflecting members 4R and 4L are
A half mirror is used for the openings 1aR, 1a
The scenery of the outside world obtained through L, the reflecting members 4R and 4L, and the openings 1bR and 1bL and the virtual image based on the image information of the display elements 2R and 2L are spatially superposed and observed.

The reflecting members 4R and 4L are not limited to this,
A light flux from the display element 2 may be configured to be guided to the eyes 5R and 5L of the observer by using a mirror or other optical element that is substantially 100% reflective.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, 6R (6L) is a guide frame as a guide mechanism, and rotatably holds the holding frame 1R (1L). The guide frame 6R (6L) has an arcuate cam portion 6aR (6aL) as a guide portion,
Pins 1cR and 1dR (1c) as cam followers in which the cam portion 6aR (6aL) is planted in the holding frame 1R (1L).
L, 1dL) to guide the rotation of the holding frame 1R (1L).

The positional relationship at this time will be described with reference to FIG. Pin 1cR, 1dL (1cL, 1dL) is eyeball 5R
Center 5RX of (5L) and Center 1 of virtual image 13R (13L)
It is arranged at a symmetrical position with respect to a center line 5aR connecting with 3RX (corresponding to the optical axis of the light beam guided to each eyeball 5R (5L)). The cam 6aR (6aL) is the eyeball 5R.
An arc centered on the center 5RX of (5L) is formed.

Numerals 7 and 8 are fixed frames, which are fixedly held at predetermined positions of the apparatus housing to be attached and fixed to the observer's head. The pin 7bR (6bL) of the guide frame 6R (6L) is engaged with the groove portion 7aR (7aL) provided in the fixed frame 7, and the guide frame 6R (6L) can slide in the direction of arrow AA 'in the figure. I am trying.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a dial (second driving means) for adjusting the base line length, which is rotatably held by the fixed frame 7. The dial 9 has shafts 9aR and 9aL, and the shafts 9aR and 9a
L has a screw portion (male screw) 9bR,
9bL is provided. For example, shaft 9bR is right-hand screw, shaft 9b
L is a left-hand thread.

The shafts 9aR and 9aL are respectively screwed with the screw portions 6cR (6cL) of the guide frames 6R and 6L. The dial 9 and the shafts 9aR, 9aL constitute one element of the moving means, and adjust the distance between the holding portions 1R, 1L (hereinafter, simply referred to as distance adjustment).

Reference numerals 10R and 10L denote slide plates for deflecting the display angle, which have cam portions 10aR and 10aL, and the cam portions 10aR and 10aL and the pin 1c of the holding frame 1R (1L).
R (1 cL) is engaged. Also, the slide plate 10
Pins 10bR, 10bL planted on the back surface of R, 10L
Engages with the groove 6dR (6dL) of the guide frame 6R (6L).

The slide plate 10R for the right eye and the slide plate 10L for the left eye are arranged so as to partially overlap with each other, and drive buttons (first drive unit) are provided in the grooves 10cR and 10cL provided in the overlapping portions. ) 11 pin portion 11a is inserted.

The drive button 11 is a groove portion 8a of the fixed frame 8.
And is regulated by the groove 8a so that the sliding direction is the front-back direction of the photographer (arrow BB 'direction in the figure).

When the drive button 11 is operated to move in the direction of arrow B (B ') in the figure, the slide plates 10R and 10L engaging with the pin portion 11a cause the groove portion 6dR of the guide frame 6R (6L).
Guided by (6dL), it also moves in the direction of arrow B (B ') in the figure.

The movements of the slide plates 10R and 10L are transmitted to the pins 1cR (1cL) via the grooves 10aR and 10aL, and the pins 1cR and 1dR (1cL and 1dL) are guided to the cam portions 6aR (of the guide frames 6R and 6L). 6aL).

As a result, the holding frames 1R, 1L are rotated about a point substantially coincident with the centers of the eyes 5R, 5L of the observer, and the aspect ratio of the image observed by the observer is changed as described later.

For example, FIG. 5 shows a case where the aspect ratio is changed so as to observe horizontally long image information as compared with FIG.

At this time, the respective elements 11, 10R, 10L, 6aR (6aL) for rotating the holding frames 1R, 1L constitute one element of the rotating means.

Next, changes in the aspect ratio will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 8, reference numerals 12R and 12L denote optical units (optical systems), each of which includes an imaging lens 3R held by the holding frames 1R and 1L, reflecting means 4R and 4L, and the like. In the figure, the optical path is expanded and shown without specifying the position of the reflecting means 4.

The optical units 12R and 12L convert the image information displayed on the displays 2R and 2L into the baseline length Lm of the observer.
Virtual images 13R and 13L having a width H are formed at positions of a distance D with respect to the left and right eyes 5R and 5L that are separated from each other.

The optical units 12R and 12L are connected to the eyeball 5
The central axes of the light beams guided to the R and 5L are rotatable by the rotating means so that the approximate center of the eyeballs 5R and 5L is the center of rotation, and the optical unit 12R and the optical unit 1 are arranged.
By rotating 2L symmetrically, the virtual images 13R and 13L formed by each are similarly rotated.

FIG. 8A shows a case where the virtual images 13R and 13L are displayed in an overlapping manner. For example, each virtual image 13R, 1
The line connecting the center of 3L and each eyeball 5R, 5L is the centerline 5
aR, 5aL (corresponding to the central axis of the light beam guided to the eyeballs 5R, 5L), and the centerline 5aR is counterclockwise at a predetermined angle θ1 (provided that each eyeball 5R, 5L faces the front). , Θ1 = sin ⁻¹ (L / 2D)), and the optical unit 12R, which is symmetrical to this, so that the center line 5aL forms the angle θ1 in the clockwise direction.
By rotating 12L, virtual images 13R, 13L
Are displayed so as to intersect with each other at substantially the center.

At this time, the observer observes the virtual images 13R and 13L as a virtual image 13 having an approximately width H which is superimposed.

FIG. 8B shows a case where the virtual images 13R and 13L are displayed side by side. For example, the optical unit 12 is tilted such that the center line 5aR is tilted clockwise from the front and the angle θ2, and the center line 5aL is tilted clockwise from the front and the angle θ2.
By rotating the R and 12L, the left end of the virtual image 13R and the right end of the virtual image 13L are displayed so as to substantially coincide with each other.

At this time, the observer observes each of the virtual images 13R and 13L as a continuous virtual image 13 having a width of 2H.

As a result, image information having different aspect ratios can be displayed. The display units 2R, 2
As the image information displayed on L, the image information according to the aspect ratio is displayed.

For example, in FIG. 8A, the display portions 2R and 2L are shown.
The same image information or image information having parallax is displayed on the. Further, in FIG. 8B, the horizontally long image information is divided into left and right and displayed on the display units 2R and 2L, respectively.

Next, the interval adjustment of the optical units by the moving means of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The moving means rotates the dial 9 to rotate the dial 9 so that the screw portions 9bR and 9b of the shafts 9aR and 9aL thereof are moved.
The guide frame 6R (6L) is moved in the direction of arrow A (A ') in the figure via L and the screw portion 6cR (6cR) screwed to this. At this time, the slide plates 10R and 10L have grooves 6dR.
It moves together with the guide frame 6R (6L) via the pin 10bR (10bL) that engages with (6dL).

Therefore, the relative position of the guide frame 6R (6L) and the slide plate 10R (10L) does not change, and the holding frame 1R
(1L) also moves integrally while being maintained at the same position as the guide frame 6R (6L).

With these constructions, it is possible to adjust the interval in accordance with the length of the base line, so that good observation can be performed. Moreover, the aspect ratio of the display screen does not change due to this interval adjustment.

In this embodiment, the moving means uses the rotation centers of the optical units 12R and 12L as the eyes 5R and 5L of the observer.
Since it is almost always aligned with the center of, the desired aspect ratio can be easily obtained regardless of individual differences in the baseline length.

In this embodiment, the guide frame 6R (6L) for holding the holding frames 1R and 1L is provided with a screw portion 6cR for adjusting the space.
(6 cL) and cam part 6a for changing the aspect ratio
By providing R and 6aL, the overall size of the device is reduced.

In this embodiment, the dial 9 and the drive button 11 are described as being manually operated by the user or the observer of the apparatus, but they may be operated by operating them using an actuator such as an electric motor. It may be configured.

Further, in the present embodiment, the moving means appropriately maintains the relative positions of the cam portions 6aR, 6aL and the holding frames 1R, 1L, while the center of rotation of the holding frames 1R, 1L and the eyeball 5 are moved.
The intervals are adjusted so that the centers of R and 5L coincide with each other, and as shown in FIG.
L'is provided, and the central axes 5aR, 5
The inclination of aL may be finely adjusted.

In the figure, for example, when the same aspect ratio as in FIG. 8A is obtained, the angle θ1 when the base line length Lm is adjusted to be narrow and the angle θ1 when the base line length Lm is adjusted to be wide is obtained. To reduce the cam portion 10cR ', 1
0cL 'is set.

[0052]

According to the present invention, when the optical unit for forming the virtual images for the left and right eyes is rotated by the rotating means to change the aspect ratio, the optical unit is moved in the left and right direction by the moving means. By doing so, it is possible to achieve an image display device in which the entire device is small and the image information of a desired aspect ratio can be easily observed regardless of individual differences in the baseline length.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an essential part of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an optical path diagram of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a positional relationship between a guide portion and a virtual image.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a rotation state of a holding frame when a virtual image is made horizontally long.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a moving means according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing another example of the moving means.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing changes in aspect ratio.

FIG. 9 is an external view when a conventional image display device is attached.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Holding frame 2 Display part 3 Imaging lens 4 Reflecting member 5 Eyeball 6 Guide frame 7,8 Fixed frame 9 Dial (2nd drive part) 10 Sliding plate 11 Drive button (1st drive part) 12 Optical unit 13 Virtual image

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A pair of display units for displaying image information, an optical system including an optical element for enlarging the image information for the left and right eyes and forming a virtual image in front of an observer, and the left and right eyes. An image display device comprising: a rotating unit that rotates at least one virtual image in a horizontal plane; and a moving unit that moves a rotation center of the virtual image. 2. The moving means sets a rotation center of the virtual image,
The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the center of the eyeball of the observer is substantially aligned with the center of the eyeball. 3. A pair of display units for displaying image information, and a virtual image of the image information is directed to the left and right eyes of the observer by guiding light beams from the display units to the left and right eyes of the observer. A pair of optical systems each formed, a rotating means for rotating at least one virtual image for the left and right eyes in a horizontal plane, and at least a part of the optical system to move the left and right eyes from the image display unit. An image display device, comprising: a moving unit that adjusts a distance between central axes of light beams guided to the light source. 4. The rotating means includes a guide mechanism having an arcuate guide portion, a holding member integrally holding the display portion and the optical system, and having a movement direction restricted by the guide portion, The image display device according to claim 1, further comprising a first drive unit configured to move the holding member along the guide unit. 5. The pair of guide mechanisms are provided for the left and right eyes, and each holds the holding member so as to be rotatable.
5. The image display device according to claim 4, wherein the moving unit has a second driving unit that moves the guide mechanism for the right eye and the guide mechanism for the left eye in opposite directions.