JPH08160346A - Head mounted video display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a head mounted video display device correctly performing the stereoscopic observation of a three-dimensional image by surely synchronizing the reproducing timing of a left and a right video signals with each other. CONSTITUTION: This device for introducing a left and a right images from video signal sources LDP1L, 1R into a left and a right eyes of an observer by means of the respective left and right video display elements and a left and right eyepiece optical systems and reproducing the respective video signals in synchronization with each other for every frame is provided with a comparator 4 for deciding the input timing of the left and right video signals, a delay circuit 11 outputting plural video signals in which the delay of different time interval is imparted to a previously inputted video signal decided by the comparator, a counter 5 counting the time intervals of input timing of the left and right video signals and switches 6. 9 replacing the delayed video signal with the undelayed video signal and inputting them to the left and right video display element, respectively, based on the output of a selector 12 selecting one of plural video signals based on the output of the counter 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can observe a stereoscopic image (three-dimensional image) by guiding a left image and a right image from two independent image signal sources to the left and right eyes of an observer, respectively. The present invention relates to a head-mounted image display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional example of a head-mounted image display device that can be used for observing a stereoscopic image, for example, an actual Kaihei 5-15
There is one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 592. This conventional example
As shown in FIG. 5, two cameras 51 are provided as two independent video signal sources for respectively capturing the left image and the right image.
L and 51R are provided, and the left and right images from the cameras 51L and 51R are displayed on the left-eye display unit and the right-eye display unit (not shown) of the goggle-type image display device 53 through the controllers 52L and 52R, respectively. I am trying. Observer 5 wearing the conventional head-mounted image display device
4 can perform stereoscopic image observation by observing the left image and the right image with different parallaxes displayed as described above with the left and right eyes, respectively. However, in this conventional example, since the two cameras 51L and 51R are used as the video signal sources of the left image and the right image, only the real-time image can be observed, and the edited image of the real-time image is observed. I can't.

Therefore, in order to be able to observe a non-real time image, for example, as shown in FIG.
The two cameras 51 as independent video signal sources of the system
Two laser disk players (or video tape recorders; VTRs) 55L, 55 instead of L, 51R
It is necessary to configure a head-mounted image display device using R. According to the head-mounted image display device of FIG. 6, the left and right independent laser disc players 55L and 55R respectively insert a laser disc (not shown) in which a left video signal and a right video signal are recorded for reproduction. As a result, it is possible to perform stereoscopic observation of an image that is not real time.

[0004]

In the head-mounted image display device of FIG. 6, the reproduction is started simultaneously in the two laser disc players 55L and 55R as image signal sources for the left image and the right image. If so, the left image and the right image are displayed in synchronization with each frame on the left and right eyes of the observer, respectively, so that the left image and the right image can be correctly stereoscopically observed. However, even if the observer intends to press the reproduction switches of the two laser disc players at the same time, the reproduction start timing of the left video signal and the reproduction start timing of the right video signal are actually a predetermined time ( There is a high possibility that the left image and the right image will not be stereoscopically viewed correctly if the reproduction timings of the left image and the right image are out of sync.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and ensures that the reproduction timing of the left video signal and the reproduction timing of the right video signal are synchronized with each other so that the three-dimensional image can be correctly stereoscopically observed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a head-mounted image display device according to the above.

[0006]

To this end, the structure of claim 1 of the present invention comprises left and right image display elements for displaying left and right images respectively from two independent image signal sources, and the left and right image display elements. A head that includes left and right eyepiece optical systems for guiding the left and right images from the image display element of the above into the right and left eyeballs of the observer, respectively, and reproduces the left and right images by synchronizing each video signal for each frame. In the wearable image display device, comparing means for determining which of the image signals corresponding to the left and right images is input first, and an image determined to be input first by the comparing means. Based on the output of the delay means for outputting a plurality of video signals that are delayed by different time intervals to the signal, the counter means for counting the time interval of the input timing of the left and right video signals, the output of the counter means, The selection means for selecting one of the plurality of video signals output by the delay means, and the left and right video images based on the output of the comparison means are replaced with the video signal with delay and the video signal without delay. It is characterized by comprising switch means for inputting to each display element.

[0007]

According to the structure of claim 1 of the present invention, the left and right images from the two independent image signal sources are displayed on the left and right image display elements, and the left and right images are respectively displayed on the left and right eyepiece optical systems. When guiding to the left and right eyeballs of the observer and reproducing the left and right images by synchronizing each video signal for each frame,
The delay means outputs a plurality of video signals obtained by adding different delays to one of the left and right video signals that has been previously input by the comparison means, and counts the time interval of the input timing of the left and right video signals. The selection means selects one of the plurality of video signals output by the delay means based on the output of the counter means, and the switch means does not add the delayed video signal and the delayed video signal based on the output of the comparison means. The video signals are exchanged and input to the left and right video display elements, respectively. As a result, the reproduction timing of the left video signal and the reproduction timing of the right video signal can be reliably synchronized so that the three-dimensional image can be correctly stereoscopically viewed.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a head-mounted image display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this first embodiment, 2
The system is configured as a stereoscopic video reproduction system using two laser disk players (LDP) 1L and 1R as independent video signal sources of the system.
It is assumed that L reproduces an image for the left eye and LDP1R reproduces an image for the right eye. Two video tape recorders (VTRs) or the like may be used instead of the two LDPs.

The LDPs 1L and 1R are constructed so as to operate in synchronization with each frame by a sync signal from the sync signal generator 2. However, even if the operations of the LDP 1L and 1R are managed by the synchronization signal,
Laser disk (LD) not shown in LDP1L
Timing of starting the reproduction of the video signal of LDP1
It is difficult to perfectly match the timing at which the reproduction of the video signal of the laser disk (LD) not shown in R is started due to the influence of the individual difference of the LDP, etc. The cost of the control system of the device increases significantly. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the synchronization signal generator 2 and the LDP 1 are arranged so that the delay of the reproduction timing between the left and right video signals is suppressed to a maximum of 5 frames.
A control system including L and 1R is configured. Therefore, although the left video signal is delayed by two frames with respect to the right video signal as shown in the time chart of FIG. 4, the left video signal is reproduced in synchronization with each frame.

In this embodiment, a comparator 4 is provided in the controller 3 to input video signals from LDP 1L and 1R respectively, and the comparator 4 determines (detects) which of the left and right video signals is input first, Based on the determination result, the deviation of the left and right reproduction start timings is corrected. The controller 3 is configured to have a function equivalent to that of the controllers 52L and 52R of the conventional example shown in FIG. 6 and a function of correcting the deviation of the reproduction start timing. Note that, as shown in FIG. 4, the following description will be developed assuming that the right video signal from LDP1R is input to the comparator 4 before the left video signal from LDP1L.

In addition to the comparator 4, the controller 3 receives the video signals from the LDPs 1L and 1R, respectively, and a counter 5 for counting the deviation between the video signals and the LDP.
A first switch 6 which receives the video signals from 1L and 1R and the output signal of the comparator 4 and determines the output destinations of the both video signals based on the output signal of the comparator 4.
And a second switch 9 into which the video signal output from one output end of the first switch 6 is input via the A / D converter 7 and the D / A converter 8, and the other output end of the first switch 6. A delay circuit 11 to which a video signal output from the input circuit is input via the A / D converter 10 and delay elements 11a, 11b, which are arranged in series to form the delay circuit 11;
Output signals IN1 and IN from 11c, 11d, and 11e
A selector 12 that selects one of 2, IN3, IN4, IN5, and IN6 based on the output signal of the counter 4;
It comprises a D / A converter 13 for inputting the output signal of the selector 12 to the second switch 9, and the second switch 9 is input via the D / A converter 8 based on the output signal of the comparator 4. The output destination of the video signal input via the D / A converter 13 and the output video signal is determined.

The right video signal (output 1) and the left video signal (output 2) output from the second switch 9 are, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively, in the main body 14 of the head-mounted video display device. It is input to the image display element (LCD) 15R for the right eye and the image display element (LCD) 15L for the left eye. LCD
Reference numerals 15R and 15L include backlights 16R and 16L, respectively, and the right video signal and the left video signal displayed on the LCDs 15R and 15L are guided into the left and right eyeballs 18R and 18L of the observer via the eyepieces 17R and 17L, respectively. .

In this embodiment, as described above, the synchronization signal generator 2 and the LDP 1 are arranged so that the delay of the reproduction timing between the left and right video signals is suppressed to a maximum of 5 frames.
Although the control system including L and 1R is configured, when the control system including the synchronization signal generator and the LDP is configured with lower accuracy than that, the delay elements are provided by the same number as the maximum allowable delay frame number. It is assumed that the delay circuit 11 is configured by connecting in series. In addition, the number written in the bus connecting the respective elements in FIG. 1 indicates the number of bits, and for example, between the counter 5 and the selector 12 is 3 bits.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described based on the time chart of FIG. An observer (or another operator) inserts a laser disk (not shown) having left and right images to be stereoscopically observed into the LDP 1L, 1R into the LDP 1L and 1R, and then inserts a reproduction switch (not shown) provided in the synchronization signal generator 2. When the pushing operation is performed, first, as shown in FIG.
The reproduction is started in DP1R, and the right video signal from LDP1R is input at the instant t1. Then, reproduction is started in LDP1L at instant t2, which is delayed by two frames from instant t1, and the left video signal from LDP1L is input at instant t2.

During this period, the first switch 6 is used to determine which of the left and right video signals is input first.
Based on the result of the determination, the right video signal determined to be input first is led to the delay circuit 11 side, and the left video signal determined to be input later is output to the A / D converter 7 side. Determine (reverse) the destination. At the same time, the second switch 9 determines (inverts) the output destination based on the determination result of the comparator 4 so that the right video signal is guided to the right eye side and the left video signal is guided to the left eye side. To do. on the other hand,
The counter 5 starts counting from the instant t1 when the right video signal which is the first video signal is input, and counts how many frames have passed until the instant t2 when the left video signal which is the next video signal is input. To do.

From the first switch 6 to the A / D converter 10
The left video signal input to the delay circuit 11 via the input terminal is first input to the delay element 11a, and then sequentially to the delay element 1
It is input to 1b, 11c, 11d and 11e. Each of the delay elements 11a to 11e is composed of a frame memory and has a function of adding a delay of one frame to each video signal per delay element. Therefore, the video signal IN1 having no delay with respect to the input video signal is output from the bus between the A / D converter 10 and the delay element 11a, and the video signal IN2 delayed by one frame with respect to the input video signal is the delay element. 11a
And the video signal IN3 output from the bus between 11b and delayed by two frames with respect to the input video signal.
A video signal IN4 output from the bus between 1b and 11c and delayed by 3 frames with respect to the input video signal is output from the bus between delay elements 11c and 11d and delayed by 4 frames with respect to the input video signal. IN5 is output from the bus between the delay elements 11d and 11e and is delayed by 5 frames from the input video signal, the video signal IN6.
Is output from the bus after the delay element 11e.

Here, the selector 12 selects one of the video signals IN1 to IN6 based on the output signal of the counter 5. That is, when there is no delay at all, IN1 is selected by the output signal of the counter 5 = 0, and when there is one frame delay, the output signal of the counter 5 = 1.
IN2 is selected by, the output signal of the counter 5 is 2 when the delay is 2 frames, and IN3 is selected when the delay is 5 frames. Similarly, the output signal of the counter 5 is 5 when the delay is 5 frames.
IN6 is selected by. In the case of the left and right video signals shown in FIG. 4, the left video signal is delayed by two frames from the right video signal, so that the output signal of the counter 5 is 2 and IN2 is selected.

By the selection of the selector 12, as shown in FIG. 4, the right video signal which is the video signal previously input is 2
Since the frames are delayed, the first frames of the left and right video signals are output at the same time at the second switch 9. Therefore, the output 1 which is a video signal at the same timing as the left video signal from the LDP1L and the output 2 which is a video signal obtained by delaying the right video signal from the LDP1R by two frames are output from the second switch 9 to the LCD 15R and the LCD.
15L respectively, the left and right images in which the same frames are synchronized are displayed on the left and right eyes of the observer,
The observer can correctly observe the stereoscopic image.

Further, the delay elements 11a to 1 of the delay circuit 11 are
Since 1e is configured by the frame memory as described above, when delaying the left and right video signals,
Frame resolution can be achieved. In correspondence with the use of the frame memory to realize the resolution of one frame, the A / D converter 10 is used on the input side of the series circuit of the delay elements 11a to 11e and the D / A converter is used on the output side. The converter 13 is used, and the A / D converter 7 and the D / A converter 8 are also used in the path of the video signal that does not give a delay to ensure the resolution of one frame as a whole and to delay the delay time. Is managed accurately.

[0020]

As described above, according to the structure of claim 1 of the present invention, the left and right images from the two independent image signal sources are displayed on the left and right image display elements respectively, and the left and right images are displayed. When each is guided to the left and right eyeballs of the observer by the left and right eyepiece optical systems and the left and right images are reproduced in synchronization with each video signal for each frame, it is determined that the comparison means has previously input. The delay means outputs a plurality of video signals obtained by adding different delays to one of the left and right video signals, and based on the output of the counter means for counting the time interval of the input timing of the left and right video signals, the delay means The selecting means selects one of the plurality of output video signals, and the switch means switches the delayed video signal and the non-delayed video signal based on the output of the comparison means to display the left and right video signals. Respectively input to the child. As a result, the reproduction timing of the left video signal and the reproduction timing of the right video signal can be reliably synchronized so that the three-dimensional image can be correctly stereoscopically viewed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a head-mounted image display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the outer appearance of the head-mounted image display device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an optical system of the head-mounted image display device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional head-mounted image display device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional head-mounted image display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1L, 1R Laser Disc Player (LDP) 2 Synchronous Signal Generator 3 Controller 4 Comparator (Comparison Means) 5 Counter (Counter Means) 6 First Switch (Switch Means) 9 Second Switch (Switch Means) 11 Delay Circuit (Delay Means) ) 12 selector (selection means) 15L, 15R image display device (LCD) 17L, 17R eyepiece optical system

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A left and right video display device for displaying left and right video images from two independent video signal sources respectively, and a left and right video image from the left and right video display devices respectively in the left and right eyeballs of an observer. In a head-mounted image display device that includes left and right eyepiece optical systems for guiding, and reproduces left and right images by synchronizing each image signal for each frame, in the image signals corresponding to the left and right images, respectively. Comparing means for determining which video signal is input first, and delay for outputting a plurality of video signals obtained by adding delays of different time intervals to the video signal determined to be input first by the comparing means Means, counter means for counting the time interval of the input timings of the left and right video signals, and a selection means for selecting one of the plurality of video signals output by the delay means based on the output of the counter means. Means and switch means for switching the delayed video signal and the non-delayed video signal based on the output of the comparison means and inputting them to the left and right video display elements, respectively. Head mounted video display device.