JP2005286927A - Transparent indicating device mounted on the head - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device with a simple structure, at low cost, capable of various uses. <P>SOLUTION: The transparent indicating device 1 mounted on the head provides two imaging parts 111a and 111b which have distinctive imaging conditions, and virtual video image introduced to eyes by showing video images shot by the imaging parts 111a, 111b. A transparent indicator 150 which provides images of the external world by penetrating light from the external world to the eyes and controller 110 which switches two imaging parts are provided. Video image shot by switched imaging parts 111a and 111b are shown at transparent indicator 150. Imaging field angle is based on two fixed focus lenses of different focal distances, two fixed focus lenses of different focusing positions and two fixed scale factor lens of different imaging scale factors. Imaging field angle is smaller than an indicating angle. Another imaging field angle is larger than an indicating angle. Based on these imaging field angles, different imaging conditions switch between the imaging parts 111a and 111b by the user's manual operation or the user's head elevation angle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a transmissive head-mounted display device that is used in front of a face and is used, for example, as a visual impairment assisting device.

For example, as a visually impaired assisting device, there is one that can always observe a good image without blurring regardless of which part the user observes (for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, automatic focusing glasses that detect the line-of-sight direction and adjust the focus are provided (for example, Patent Document 2). Furthermore, for example, reading machines and magnifiers are sold.
JP-A-8-336128 JP 2000-249902 A

  By the way, in the thing of the patent document 1, the part which the viewer is observing is most vividly imaged from the viewpoint information of the viewer who has transmitted a plurality of photographed images, processed the image, and attached the head mounted display. It is a complicated structure to select a video. Moreover, the thing of patent document 2 has the problem that the structure of the automatic focus adjustment which adjusts a focus is complicated, and manufacturing cost increases.

  Furthermore, since the reading machine, the magnifying glass, and the like have limited uses, the user needs to select and prepare a plurality of auxiliary devices according to the symptoms and the use.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and provides a transmissive head-mounted display device that has a simple structure, is inexpensive, and can be worn on the head and used for various purposes such as reading and walking. The purpose is that.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is configured as follows.

The invention according to claim 1 includes two imaging units having different imaging conditions;
A transmissive display unit that displays an image captured by the imaging unit and guides it to the eye to provide a virtual image of the image, transmits light from the outside world, and guides it to the eye to provide an image of the outside world;
A control unit that switches between the two imaging units,
The transmissive head-mounted display device displays an image captured by the switched imaging unit on the transmissive display unit.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the transmissive head-mounted display device according to claim 1, wherein the different imaging conditions are based on two fixed focus lenses having different focal lengths.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the different imaging conditions include a first imaging unit having a focus position range of 1.5 m to 3 m and a second focus position range of 0.4 m to 0.8 m. The transmissive head-mounted display device according to claim 1, wherein the transmissive head-mounted display device is an imaging unit.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the transmissive head-mounted display device according to claim 1, wherein the different imaging conditions are based on two fixed magnification lenses having different imaging magnifications.

The invention according to claim 5 is a first imaging unit, wherein the imaging magnification is an imaging magnification such that the display image overlaps the outside world seen through the display unit;
5. The transmissive head-mounted display device according to claim 4, wherein the transmissive head-mounted display device is a second imaging unit having an imaging magnification that displays an image larger than the outside.

  The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the different imaging conditions are based on an imaging field angle equal to or smaller than a display field angle and an imaging field angle equal to or larger than a display field angle. The transmissive head-mounted display device described.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, at least one of the two imaging units is formed integrally with the transmissive display unit. The transmissive head-mounted display device described.

  The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the control unit switches between the two imaging units by a user's manual operation or an elevation angle of the user's head. A transmissive head-mounted display device according to claim 1.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the control unit performs switching at an angle between 10 degrees and 20 degrees below the horizontal position of the user's head, and the first is when the angle is upward from the switching angle. The transmission head according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an image of the imaging unit is displayed, and an image of the second imaging unit is displayed when the angle is lower than the switching angle. It is an on-board display device.

  The invention according to claim 10 includes an operation sensing unit that senses the movement of the user's head, and sets a display magnification in advance when the movement of the user's head is not sensed for a predetermined time. 10. The display according to claim 1, wherein the display is displayed with the magnification increased, and then the display is returned to the original display magnification when the movement of the user's head is detected. This is a transmissive head-mounted display device.

  With the above configuration, the present invention has the following effects.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the two imaging units having different imaging conditions are switched, the video captured by the switched imaging unit is displayed and guided to the eye to provide a virtual image of the video, It transmits light from the outside world and guides it to the eye to provide an image of the outside world. It has a simple structure and is inexpensive and can be worn on the head for various uses such as reading and walking.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the different imaging conditions are based on two fixed focus lenses having different focal lengths, and a clear image can be obtained at both a long distance and a short distance.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the different imaging conditions are that the first imaging unit having a focus position range of 1.5 m to 3 m and the focus position range of 0.4 m to 0.8 m. 2 and an inexpensive device that switches the focal length, it is possible to always observe a good image without blurring regardless of which part the user observes in daily life.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, different imaging conditions are based on two fixed magnification lenses having different imaging magnifications, and a clear image can be obtained both at a long distance and at a short distance.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the imaging magnification is the first imaging unit that is an imaging magnification such that the display image overlaps the outside world that is seen through the display unit, and the imaging magnification that is displayed larger than the outside world. This is a second imaging unit that is an inexpensive device that switches the imaging magnification. Even when the user observes a distant place in daily life, the user can always observe a good image by enlarging.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a telephoto or wide-angle image in which one imaging field angle is equal to or smaller than the display field angle and the other imaging field angle is equal to or greater than the display field angle. The user can always observe a good image in daily life.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, at least one of the two image pickup units is formed integrally with the transmissive display unit, and has a compact structure.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to switch freely by a user's manual operation and to capture and display the image. In addition, by switching according to the elevation angle of the user's head, the imaging magnification and focal length can be changed according to the viewer, and switching can be performed without burdening the user, and the captured image can be displayed.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, switching is performed at an angle between 10 degrees and 20 degrees below the horizontal position of the user's head, and when the angle is above the switching angle, the image of the first imaging unit When the angle is below the switching angle, the image of the second imaging unit is displayed. Usually, when the head is turned from the horizontal to the upper side, the distance is often seen, and when the head is turned downward, the vicinity is often seen. Therefore, the video to be displayed can be changed and displayed according to the viewer, and can be used in various situations.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when the movement of the user's head is not detected for a predetermined time or more, the display magnification is increased to a preset magnification and then displayed. When motion is detected, the display is restored to the original display magnification, and when the user does not move his / her head, the user is often gazing. By further increasing the magnification, visibility is improved and used in various situations. Is possible.

  Hereinafter, although the embodiment of the transmissive head-mounted display device of the present invention will be described, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The embodiment of the present invention shows the most preferable mode of the present invention, and the terminology of the present invention is not limited to this.

  The embodiment of the transmissive head-mounted display device of the present invention is configured as shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a transmissive head-mounted display device. The transmissive head-mounted display device 1 of this embodiment includes a display unit 100 that displays an image, an eyepiece optical system 101, and a transparent plate-like member 102 that holds the eyepiece optical system 101, which are transmissive. The expression display unit 150 is configured and used by being worn on the user's head.

  A control unit 110 is connected to the display unit 100, and two imaging units 111 a and 111 b are connected to the control unit 110. The imaging units 111 a and 111 b are configured by, for example, a CCD camera, and capture an image of a subject and send video information to the control unit 110. The display unit 100 displays an image under the control of the control unit 110. The light from the display unit 100 is guided to the eye E by the eyepiece optical system 101 to provide a virtual image of the image displayed on the display unit 100, and light from the outside is transmitted through the plate member 102 and guided to the eye E. Provide an image of the outside world.

  The two imaging units 111a and 111b have different imaging conditions. A manual operation unit S1 and an angle sensor S2 are connected to the control unit 110. The control unit 110 switches between the two imaging units 111a and 111b by the manual operation unit S1 or the angle sensor S2, and the switched first imaging is performed. The image is captured by the unit 111 a or the second imaging unit 111 b, and the captured image is displayed on the display unit 100.

  Next, the two imaging units 111a and 111b having different imaging conditions are configured as shown in FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating two imaging units having imaging conditions with different focal lengths. The two imaging units 111a and 111b of this embodiment are configured based on two fixed focus lenses 160a and 160b having different imaging conditions under different imaging conditions, and can obtain a clear image at a long distance or a short distance. it can.

  Different imaging conditions are that the fixed focus lens 160a of the first imaging unit 111a has a focus position range of 1.5 m to 3 m, and the fixed focus lens 160b of the second imaging unit 111b has a focus position range of 0 m. It is an inexpensive device that switches the focus position from 4 m to 0.8 m, and it is possible to always observe a good image with no blur regardless of which part the user observes in daily life.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing two imaging units having imaging conditions with different imaging magnifications. The two imaging units 111a and 111b are configured based on two fixed magnification lenses 161a and 161b with different imaging conditions and different imaging conditions, and can obtain a clear image at a long distance or a short distance. The fixed magnification lens 161a of the first imaging unit 111a of this embodiment is the same magnification, and the fixed magnification lens 161b of the second imaging unit 111b is an enlargement and is an inexpensive device that switches the imaging magnification. Even if the user observes a distant place in daily life, it is possible to always observe a good image by enlarging.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating two imaging units having imaging conditions with different configurations of imaging angle of view. The two imaging units 111a and 111b of this embodiment have a configuration based on an imaging field angle in which different imaging conditions are equal to or smaller than the display field angle and an imaging field angle equal to or larger than the display field angle. The imaging unit 111a has an imaging field angle equal to or smaller than the display field angle, and the imaging field angle of the imaging unit 111b is equal to or larger than the display field angle, so that a telephoto or wide-angle image can be obtained and used in daily life. Can always observe a good image. Next, the transmissive head-mounted display device 1 of this embodiment can be applied to glasses as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the transmissive display unit 150 of the transmissive head-mounted display device 1 is provided on the upper part of the frame 201 of the glasses 200, and light is guided to the eye E by the eyepiece optical system 101 and displayed on the display unit 100. In addition to providing a virtual image, light from the outside is transmitted through the plate member 102 and guided to the eye E to provide an image of the outside.

  The imaging units 111a and 111b and the angle sensor S2 are provided on the upper part of the frame 201 of the glasses 200. The power source of the transmissive head-mounted display device 1 may incorporate a battery in the transmissive display unit 150, or may be hung separately.

  The glasses 200 including the transmissive head-mounted display device 1 are used as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 shows a state where the user performs reading, and FIG. 7 shows a state where the user walks. When the user 400 wearing the glasses 200 including the transmissive head-mounted display device 1 reads or walks, the control unit 110 of the transmissive display unit 150 uses the information based on the angle information from the angle sensor S2. Switching is performed at an angle between 10 degrees and 20 degrees below the horizontal position of the head 400a of the person 400, and when the angle is above the switching angle, the image of the first imaging unit 111a is displayed and is below the switching angle. In some cases, the image of the second imaging unit 111b is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the user sits on the chair 300 and reads the book 302 placed on the desk 301, the angle is lower than the switching angle, and at this time, the image of the second imaging unit 111 b is displayed. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, when the imaging unit 111b is an embodiment in which different imaging conditions have different focal lengths, the focus position range is 0.4 m to 0.8 m, and a good image without blur is obtained. You can read.

  In the case where the imaging unit 111b is an embodiment in which different imaging conditions have different imaging magnifications as shown in FIG. 3, the imaging magnification is an imaging magnification that overlaps the outside world where the display image can be seen through the display unit. A first imaging unit 111a and a second imaging unit 111b that has an imaging magnification that is displayed larger than the outside world, and is an inexpensive device that switches the imaging magnification, and a user observes far away in daily life. However, it is always possible to observe a good image by enlarging. In addition, reading can be performed with a good image enlarged even with a small character or the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the imaging unit 111b is configured based on an imaging field angle in which different imaging conditions are equal to or smaller than the display field angle, and an imaging field angle equal to or larger than the display field angle. If so, you can read a wide-angle video.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the user 400 walks, it is upward from the switching angle, and at this time, the image of the first imaging unit 111 a is displayed. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, when the imaging unit 111 a is an embodiment in which different imaging conditions have different focal lengths, the focus position range is 1.5 m to 3 m, and walking with a good image without blur is performed. Can be done. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the imaging unit 111 a is an embodiment in which different imaging conditions have different imaging magnifications, the imaging magnification is enlarged, and the user 400 always enlarges far away so that a good image is always obtained. Can walk. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the imaging unit 111a is configured based on an imaging field angle in which different imaging conditions are equal to or less than the display field angle and an imaging field angle equal to or greater than the display field angle. If so, you can walk with telephoto images.

  In this way, the two image pickup units 111a and 111b having different image pickup conditions are switched, and the images picked up by the switched image pickup units are displayed. The structure is simple and inexpensive, and can be used for various applications. is there. In addition, at least one of the two imaging units 111a and 111b is formed integrally with the display unit 100 and has a compact structure.

  The transmissive head-mounted display device 1 according to this embodiment is configured as a transmissive glasses type as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, but is not limited thereto. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the appearance of the transmissive head-mounted display device. The transmissive head-mounted display device 1 of this embodiment includes one display unit 100, imaging units 111a and 111b, a control unit 110, an angle sensor S2, a pair of left and right prisms 20L and 20R, a nose pad 31, and left and right 1 It consists of a pair of temples 32L and 32R, and is mounted in front of the user's face so that the prisms 20L and 20R are positioned in front of the left and right eyes. The imaging units 111 a and 111 b are attached to the frames on both sides of the nose pad 31.

  In FIG. 8, the display unit 100, the control unit 110, the imaging units 111a and 111b, and the angle sensor S2 are all attached. However, as shown in FIG. The power may be supplied to the imaging units 111a and 111b and the display unit 100 to transmit and receive signals.

  The nose pad 31 is attached to the prisms 20L and 20R and connects them. The temples 32L and 32R are attached to the ends of the prisms 20L and 20R, respectively. At the time of wearing, the nose pad 31 hits the nose and the temples 32L and 32R hit the ear, the temporal region or the back of the head, and the transmissive head mounted display device 1 is supported by these three parts. The temples 32L and 32R can be rotated around a vertical axis (not shown) provided in the vicinity of the prisms 20L and 20R, and can be folded inward when not in use.

  The display unit 100 is attached to the right prism 20R. A cross section including the display unit 100 is shown in FIG. The display unit 100 includes a transmissive liquid crystal display (LCD) 11, a housing 12, a prism 13, a light emitting diode (LED) 14, and a lens 15. The LCD 11 displays an image to be displayed and modulates illumination light by the displayed image. The housing 12 accommodates and holds the LCD 11, the LED 14, and the lens 15. The LED 14 is a light source for illuminating the LCD 11, and the lens 15 is an illumination optical system for uniformly guiding light emitted from the LED 14 to the entire surface of the LCD 11.

  The display of the image on the LCD 11 and the light emission of the LED 14 are controlled by the control unit 101, the image information captured by the imaging unit 111 is subjected to image processing, and power and a video signal are supplied.

  The prism 13 has a flat plate shape and is made of transparent glass or resin. The prism 13 guides the light from the LCD 11 to the eye E and displays a virtual image of the image displayed on the LCD 11. The upper end portion of the prism 13 has a wedge shape whose edge is thicker than the inner side, and the housing 12 is attached to the prism 13 so as to sandwich the upper end portion of the wedge shape.

  The prism 20L has a flat plate shape and is composed of a single member. The prism 20R is also flat, but is not a single member but is composed of a prism 13 and a prism 21. The prism 20L and the prism 21 are made of the same material as the prism 13, and there is no difference in refractive index between these three. The prism 13 and the prism 21 constituting the prism 20R have complementary shapes, and are joined so that there is no gap and the surface is continuous. Except for the prism 13 having a wedge-shaped upper end, the prisms 20L and 20R are symmetrical as in general glasses. A user wearing the transmissive head-mounted display device 1 in front of his / her face observes the outside through the prisms 20L and 20R.

  The lower end portion of the prism 13 is formed so that the front surface (surface farther from the eye E) approaches the rear surface (surface closer to the eye E) toward the edge, and has a wedge shape. The front surface of the wedge-shaped portion, that is, the joint surface with the prism 21 is a flat surface, and the hologram element 22 is formed on the flat surface. The hologram element 22 is located immediately in front of the eye E when worn. The prism 13 and the hologram element 22 constitute an eyepiece optical system 101.

  The prism 13 guides the light from the LCD 11 to the inside from the end face of the upper end, and guides the light to the hologram element 22 while being totally reflected a plurality of times on the front face and the rear face. The hologram element 22 diffracts the guided light to make it enter the eye E while making it a light beam close to parallel light. Thereby, the virtual image of the image displayed on the LCD 11 is displayed to the user. The hologram element 22 hardly acts on the light from the outside world, and the virtual image is observed while overlapping the central portion of the outside world image.

  In the transmissive head-mounted display device 1, since the light from the LCD 11 is guided to the hologram element 22 while being reflected inside the prism 13, the prism 20R can be enlarged. Although the lower end of the prism 13 is wedge-shaped, it is joined to the prism 21 made of the same material, so that light from the outside that passes through the lower end of the prism 13 is not refracted. Therefore, the transmissive head-mounted display device 1 can display a high-quality image without causing the central portion of the external image to be distorted or discontinuous.

  The LCD 11 has a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction, and can display one to several lines of character strings in which dozen characters are arranged in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the user can obtain a lot of information from the video at a time. In this embodiment, the video is displayed on the right eye. Of course, the video may be displayed on the left eye.

  The appearance of another embodiment is shown in FIG. The transmissive head-mounted display device 1 according to this embodiment includes a pair of display units 10L and 10R, displays an image on both the left and right eyes, and gives power to the prisms 20L and 20R so that the user's visual acuity Can be corrected. The configurations of the display units 10L and 10R are the same as those of the display unit 100 of the transmissive head-mounted display device 1 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 except that the prisms 13L and 13R have a curvature.

  The power of the prisms 20L and 20R is set according to the visual acuity of the user. By giving negative power to the prisms 20L and 20R, myopia can be corrected, and by providing positive power, hyperopia can be corrected. The joint surfaces of the lower ends of the prisms 13L and 13R with the prisms 21L and 21R are flat, and the hologram elements 22L and 22R can be easily formed.

  The present invention switches between two image pickup units having different image pickup conditions, displays an image picked up by the switched image pickup unit, has a simple structure, is inexpensive, and is worn on the head for various purposes such as reading and walking. It can be applied to a transmissive head-mounted display device that can be used for various purposes.

It is a block diagram of a transmissive head-mounted display device. It is a figure which shows two imaging parts which have the imaging conditions of a structure from which a focal distance differs. It is a figure which shows two imaging parts which have the imaging condition of a structure from which imaging magnification differs. It is a figure which shows two imaging parts which have the imaging conditions of a structure from which an imaging angle of view differs. It is a figure which shows embodiment of spectacles provided with a transmissive head-mounted display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the state in which a user performs reading. It is a figure which shows the state in which a user walks. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a transmissive | pervious head mounted display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a transmissive | pervious head mounted display apparatus. It is sectional drawing containing the display part of a transmission type head mounted display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of another transmission type head mounted display apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transmission type head mounted display apparatus 100 Display part 101 Eyepiece optical system 102 Plate-shaped member 110 Control part 111a, 111b Imaging part 150 Transmission type display part S1 Manual operation part S2 Angle sensor

Claims (10)

Two imaging units having different imaging conditions;
A transmissive display unit that displays an image captured by the imaging unit and guides it to the eye to provide a virtual image of the image, transmits light from the outside world, and guides it to the eye to provide an image of the outside world;
A control unit that switches between the two imaging units,
A transmissive head-mounted display device, wherein an image captured by the switched imaging unit is displayed on the transmissive display unit. The transmissive head-mounted display device according to claim 1, wherein the different imaging conditions are based on two fixed focus lenses having different focal lengths. The different imaging conditions are a first imaging unit having a focus position range of 1.5 m to 3 m and a second imaging unit having a focus position range of 0.4 m to 0.8 m. The transmissive head-mounted display device according to claim 1. The transmissive head-mounted display device according to claim 1, wherein the different imaging conditions are based on two fixed magnification lenses having different imaging magnifications. A first imaging unit whose imaging magnification is an imaging magnification such that a display image overlaps the outside world seen through the display unit;
The transmissive head-mounted display device according to claim 4, wherein the transmissive head-mounted display device is a second imaging unit having an imaging magnification that displays an image larger than the outside. The transmissive head-mounted display device according to claim 1, wherein the different imaging conditions are based on an imaging field angle that is equal to or less than a display field angle and an imaging field angle that is equal to or greater than the display field angle. . The transmissive head-mounted display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the two imaging units is formed integrally with the transmissive display unit. . The transmission head according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit switches between the two imaging units according to a user's manual operation or an elevation angle of the user's head. Part-mounted display device. The control unit performs switching at an angle between 10 degrees and 20 degrees below the horizontal position of the user's head, and displays an image of the first imaging unit when the angle is upward from the switching angle, The transmissive head-mounted display device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an image of the second imaging unit is displayed when the angle is lower than the switching angle. Having a motion sensing unit that senses the movement of the user's head,
When the movement of the user's head is not sensed for a predetermined time or more, the display magnification is increased to a preset magnification and then displayed when the movement of the user's head is sensed. The transmissive head-mounted display device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the display is returned to a magnification.

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