JPH11212489A - Display device fitted to head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device fitted to a head which has an optical system and connection members easily repaired at the time of break of them to reduce the repair cost and doesn't narrow the visual field of an observer and reduces the storage space for transport. SOLUTION: A display part 6 held in a holding part fittable to the head of the observer is provided with a display light emission part which emits picture display light to the front of the observer, a connection member 12 which is extended from the display light emission part to the front of the observer, and an optical system 13 which is attached to the front end of the connection member so as to transmit the picture display light to eyes of the observer by changing its optical path. The connection member 12 can be attached to and detached from the display light emission part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a head mounted display (head mounted display (HMD)) capable of mounting an image display portion on a viewer's head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A head-mounted display device having a holding portion that can be mounted on the head of an observer and a display portion held by the holding portion has been used.

[0003] When displaying information for supporting various operations as an image by such a head-mounted display device, if the image is displayed over the entire visual field of the observer, the image and the optical system are inverted. It gets in the way of work. Further, it is desired that such a head mounted display device is as small and lightweight as possible.

[0004] Therefore, the display section is provided with a display light emitting section for emitting image display light toward the front of the observer, a connecting member extending from the display light emitting section toward the front of the observer, and a display section for the image display light. An optical system attached to the tip of the connecting member so that the optical path can be changed and guided to the observer's eyes has been considered. As a result, the display section can be arranged beside the observer, so that the optical system and other devices do not obstruct the observer's forward visual field, and the weight balance at the time of mounting can be improved.

Also, the display position of the image can be adjusted,
The connecting member is made movable with respect to the display light emitting unit, and the holding position of the display unit by the holding unit can be changed so that the optical system can be arranged outside the field of view of the observer when an image is unnecessary. Has been proposed.

[0006]

Since the optical system is attached to the tip of the connecting member, it tends to collide with an obstacle or the like. Such collision may damage the optical system and the connecting member. In the conventional configuration, when the optical system or the connecting member is damaged, it is necessary to replace the case of the display light emitting portion, and the repair is troublesome and the cost for the repair increases. Therefore,
Cover the optical system with a large protective member to prevent damage,
It is conceivable to enlarge the connecting member for reinforcement, but this will narrow the field of view of the observer. In addition, since the connecting member extends from the display light emitting portion, a large space is required at the time of transportation, and transportation costs increase.

An object of the present invention is to provide a head-mounted display device that can solve the above-mentioned problem.

[0008]

A head-mounted display device according to the present invention includes a holding unit that can be mounted on the head of an observer, and a display unit that is held by the holding unit. The display unit is a display light emitting unit that emits image display light toward the front of the observer, a connecting member extending from the display light emitting unit toward the front of the observer, and changes an optical path of the image display light. And an optical system attached to the distal end of the connecting member so as to be guided to the eyes of the observer. The connecting member is detachable from the display light emitting portion. According to the configuration of the present invention, since the connecting member is detachable from the display light emitting unit, when the optical system or the connecting member is damaged, it is not necessary to replace the case of the display light emitting unit, and the optical system and the connecting member can be replaced. It is enough to replace Accordingly, it is not necessary to cover the optical system with a large protective member to prevent damage, and it is not necessary to increase the size of the connecting member for reinforcement.

In the head-mounted display device according to the present invention, the connecting member can be detached from the display light emitting portion by pressing a stopper attached to the display light emitting portion, and detached from the display light emitting portion. The connecting member can be positioned with respect to the display light emitting section, and the connecting member is positioned with respect to the display light emitting section, so that the stopper can be returned to the original position by elasticity. It is preferable that the connection member is fixed to the display light emitting portion by the return of the state. Thereby, the connecting member can be easily attached to and detached from the display light emitting portion.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The head-mounted display device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a holding portion 5 that can be mounted on the head of the observer 4 and a display portion 6 held by the holding portion 5. Belt 11 on the waist
Is connected to the image signal output device 7 that can be mounted. In the present embodiment, the head-mounted display device 1 allows an image to be visually recognized only by one eye of the observer 4, but may be configured to allow both eyes to visually recognize the image.

The holding portion 5 includes a band-shaped main body portion 5a which sandwiches the head of the observer 4 by elasticity, and a plurality of pads 5b which are pressed against the head to prevent the display portion 6 from shifting from the head. However, the form is not limited as long as it can be worn on the head of the observer 4, and may be, for example, a helmet-like one. In the present invention, the head refers to a portion above the neck including the face.

The display section 6 includes a display light emitting section 11 for emitting image display light toward the front of the observer 4, and an arm (connecting member) extending from the display light emitting section 11 to the front of the observer 4. 12 and the arm 1 so that the optical path of the image display light can be changed and guided to the eyes of the observer 4.
And an optical system 13 attached to the front end of the optical system. The display light emitting section 11 is connected to the image signal output device 7 via a cable 9.

The display light emitting section 11 includes a case 31 and
As shown in FIG. 2, in a case 31, a backlight 32 constituted by a halogen lamp with a reflector is provided.
A voltage regulator 33 for the backlight 32, a heat absorption filter 34 for absorbing the heat of the backlight 32,
A liquid crystal panel 35, a scattering plate 36 for guiding the light from the backlight 32 uniformly to the liquid crystal panel 35, a liquid crystal driver 38 connected to the liquid crystal panel 35, and an input / output interface connected to the liquid crystal driver 38 3
9 is provided. Image display light is emitted from the front surface of the liquid crystal panel 35 through a window 31 ′ formed at the front end of the case 31 as shown by a broken line. Instead of the liquid crystal panel 35 with the backlight 32, for example, a CRT display may be used. Further, a cold cathode tube, a hot cathode tube, a metal halide lamp, or the like may be used as the backlight.

The optical system 13 has an optical path changing surface.
The image display light is guided to the eyes of the observer 4 by changing the optical path of the image display light by reflection or diffraction to form a virtual image of the observation target at a position far in front of the observer 4 so that the virtual image of the observation target can be easily viewed. In the present embodiment, the optical system 13 is composed of a combiner such as a half mirror or a hologram element that transmits light from the front and guides the light to the eyes of the observer 4, and the optical path changing surface is a curved surface. Thereby, the observer 4
Can see both the virtual image and the real entity in front. The optical system 13 may be configured by a mirror or the like that changes the optical path by totally reflecting the image display light, and may further include a condenser lens system.

The image signal output device 7 includes the display unit 6
Image signal generated by a reproducing apparatus for image data recorded on a storage medium such as a laser disk or a mini disk, or a communication device from a computer located away from the observer 4. Can be configured by a computer that sends an image signal sent through the display unit 6 to the display unit 6. The image signal output device 7 can output an image signal via the cable 9 by the operation of the switch 7a by the observer 4 in the illustrated example, but does not require such operation by the observer 4. It may output an image signal. Further, the image signal output device may be integrated with the display unit, or may be disposed apart from the observer 4. The image signal can be output in the form of, for example, a composite video signal, a Y / C separate video signal, an RGB component video signal, or the like.

The image signal output from the image signal output device 7 is output to the liquid crystal driver 38 via the input / output interface 39. When the liquid crystal driver 38 drives the liquid crystal panel 35, image display light corresponding to the image signal is emitted from the display unit 6.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the case 31 of the display light emitting portion 11 has a rectangular front surface 31a and rear surface 31b, and front and rear portions 31e and 31f on the left and right sides.
g and 31h are perpendicular to the front and rear surfaces, and the middle portions 3 on the left and right side surfaces.
1i and 31j are inclined with respect to the front and rear surfaces 31a and 31b so as to approach each other toward the rear.

The arm 12 has a first portion 12a along an intermediate portion 31j on the right side of the case 31 and a second portion 12b extending forward from the first portion 12a and along a front portion 31f on the right side. A third portion 12c extending forward from the second portion 12b, and a fourth portion 12d and a fifth portion 12e extending leftward from between the second portion 12b and the third portion 12c and vertically separated from each other. . The optical system 13 is attached to the tip of the third portion 12c. A fourth portion 12d is attached to the upper portion of the window 31 'on the front surface 31a of the case 31, and a fifth portion 12e is attached to the lower portion.

As shown in FIG. 5, fourth and fourth recesses 31a 'and 31a "formed in the front surface 31a of the case 31 are provided.
The protrusions 12d 'and 12e', which are positioning members integrally formed on the fifth portions 12d and 12e, are lightly press-fitted so as to be removable. The arm 12 is positioned with respect to the display light emitting unit 11 by the press-fitting. Each convex part 12
The arm 12 is made of an elastically deformable material so that d 'and 12e' can be elastically displaced with respect to the fifth portions 12d and 12e.

As shown in FIG. 6, an opening 31j 'is formed in an intermediate portion 31j on the right side of the case 31, and a stopper 40 is provided so as to be able to protrude and retract from the opening 31j'.
That is, the stopper 40 has a substrate 31a cantilevered by the inner surface of the case 31, and a push button 31b integrated with the substrate 31a. The push button 31b normally projects outside the case 31 from the opening 31j '. The substrate 31a is made of an elastically deformable material, and can be elastically displaced with respect to the case 31 by pressing the push button 31b.
1 b can be immersed in the case 31.

A push button 31b projecting out of the case 31
Can be inserted into an opening 12 a ′ formed in the first portion 12 a of the arm 12. The push button 31b is inserted into the opening 12a 'of the first portion 12a of the arm 12, and the recesses 31a', 31a "on the front surface 31a of the case 31.
The projections 1 of the fourth and fifth portions 12d and 12e of the arm 12
The arms 12 are fixed to the case 31 by press-fitting the 2d 'and 12e' as described above.

As shown in FIG. 7, each of the projections 12d 'and 12e' of the arm 12 removed from the display light emitting portion 11 is elastically displaced with respect to the fifth portions 12d and 12e. The parts 12d 'and 12e' are
The push button 31b can be pressed by the peripheral portion of the opening 12a 'while being press-fitted into the display light emitting portions a' and 31a '. By being positioned with respect to 11, the push button 31b returns to its original position by elasticity and can be inserted into the opening 12a '. Later, the convex portion 12d 'of the arm 12 fixed to the display light emitting portion 11,
12e 'is elastically displaced with respect to the fifth portions 12d, 12e, and each of the projections 12d', 12e 'is
The arm 12 can be removed from the case 31 upon completion of the removal. That is, the arm 12 can be attached to and detached from the display light emitting unit 11. I have.

According to the above configuration, since the arm 12 is detachable from the display light emitting section 11, the optical system 13 and the arm 12
Is damaged, it is not necessary to replace the case 31 of the display light emitting unit 11, and it is sufficient to replace the optical system 13 and the arm 12. This eliminates the need to cover the optical system 13 with a large protective member to prevent damage and to increase the size of the arm 12 for reinforcement, thereby preventing the field of view of the observer 4 from being narrowed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the connection member is made of a material such as silicon rubber, polyacetal, aluminum, stainless steel, etc. which can be sterilized,
Also, by making the display unit displaceable with respect to the holding unit,
When the head-mounted display device is worn by an observer performing medical surgery or the like, the observer can be prevented from being contaminated by bacteria even if the display unit is arranged outside the field of view by hand using the connecting member. . Further, the optical system may be detachable from the connecting member. In the above embodiment, the display unit is attached to the right side of the holding unit, and the connecting member is attached to the right side of the display light emitting unit. However, the display unit can be selectively attached to the left and right sides of the holding unit, and the connecting member is displayed. It may be selectively attachable to the left and right of the light emitting unit. In this case, for example, a stopper 40 is provided on the left side of the display light emitting unit 11 as in the above embodiment,
A structure in which the arm 12 is turned upside down and can be attached to the left side of the display light emitting unit 11 may be adopted.

[0026]

According to the present invention, when the optical system and the connecting member are damaged, the repair can be easily performed, the repair cost can be reduced, and the storage space for transportation can be reduced without narrowing the field of view of the observer. A part-mounted display device can be provided.

[0027]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the head-mounted display device of the present invention, it is preferable that the display unit is displaceable with respect to the holding unit, and the material of the connecting member is preferably sterilizable. This makes it possible to prevent the hands from being contaminated by bacteria when the display unit is placed out of the field of view by hand with the connecting member, so that the observer wearing the head-mounted display device performs surgery or the like. Suitable for

In the head mounted display of the present invention, the optical system is preferably constituted by only one member having an optical path changing surface. Thereby, the head-mounted display device can be reduced in size and weight as much as possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a use state of a head mounted display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration explanatory view of the head-mounted display device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a display unit according to the embodiment of the present invention;
(2) is a side view

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of a display unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view for explaining the operation of the display unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partially broken plan view of a main part of a display unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partially broken plan view for explaining the operation of the display unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 4 observer 5 holding unit 6 display unit 11 display light emitting unit 12 arm (connecting member) 13 optical system 40 stopper

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A display device comprising: a holding portion that can be mounted on a head of an observer; and a display portion that is held by the holding portion. The display portion emits image display light toward the front of the observer. A light emitting portion, a connecting member extending from the display light emitting portion toward the front of the observer, and attached to a distal end of the connecting member so that the optical path of the image display light can be changed and guided to the observer's eyes. A head-mounted display device, comprising: an optical system, wherein the connecting member is detachable from the display light emitting unit. 2. The connecting member is detachable from the display light emitting portion by pressing a stopper attached to the display light emitting portion, and the connecting member removed from the display light emitting portion is connected to the display light emitting portion. When the connecting member is positioned with respect to the display light emitting portion, the stopper can be returned to the original position by elasticity, and the returning of the stopper causes the connecting member to return to the display light emitting portion. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is fixed to an emission unit.