Display device

Abstract

To provide a display device that, with a simple configuration, accurately determines a position of an eyepiece optical system irrespective of directions.SOLUTION: A display device has: a first eyepiece optical system that projects images to the right eye of a user; a second eyepiece optical system that projects images to the left eye of the user; an adjustment mechanism that adjusts an interval in a left-right direction (X-axis direction) between the first eyepiece optical system and the second eyepiece optical system; an urging member (ball plunger 900) that urges a target optical system that is the first eyepiece optical system or the second eyepiece optical system in a first direction perpendicular to the left-right direction; and grooves (adjustment position grooves 1000) that generate click feeling upon engagement of the urging member during the adjustment of the interval. The grooves are a recess in both the left-right direction and a second direction perpendicular to the left-right direction and the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a head mounted display, and more particularly to a position adjustment mechanism for an eyepiece optical system of a head mounted display. [Background technology]

[0002] A head-mounted display (HMD) is known as an XR device that enables the experience of Cross Reality (XR). XR includes, for example, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MVR). These include Mixed Reality (MR). A mechanism has also been proposed to adjust the positions of the left and right eyepiece optical systems of the HMD (the (horizontal) distance between the right and left eyepiece optical systems). Hereinafter, this mechanism will be referred to as the IPD adjustment mechanism. By adjusting the distance between the right and left eyepiece optical systems to the distance between the user's right and left eyes, known as the InterPupillary Distance (IPD), the display by the HMD can be viewed (observed) optimally.

[0003] In order to properly position the eyepiece optical system at a reference position, such as a position corresponding to the average IPD of a user, an IPD adjustment mechanism has been proposed that generates a clicking sensation when the eyepiece optical system reaches the reference position. Mechanisms that generate a clicking sensation at a predetermined position are known and are not limited to XR devices. Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanism that biases a sphere against a recess to generate a clicking sensation, and suppresses rattling by sandwiching the sphere between two parts, a dial and a base. Patent Document 2 discloses a mechanism that provides a recess in an operating ring of a lens and biases an axis member in the optical axis direction to generate a clicking sensation associated with the movement of the operating ring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-18372 [Patent Document 2] JP 2022-173260 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a complex mechanism in which a sphere is sandwiched between two parts, which leads to an increase in costs. In the mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 2, the biasing direction is only in the optical axis direction, so it is not possible to perform positioning with high precision in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a display device that has a simple configuration and is capable of positioning an eyepiece optical system with high accuracy regardless of the direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The display device of the present invention comprises a first eyepiece optical system that projects an image onto a user's right eye, a second eyepiece optical system that projects an image onto the user's left eye, an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the left-right distance between the first eyepiece optical system and the second eyepiece optical system, a biasing member that biases a target optical system, which is the first eyepiece optical system or the second eyepiece optical system, in a first direction perpendicular to the left-right direction, and a groove that generates a clicking sensation when the biasing member engages with the groove when the distance is adjusted, and is characterized in that the groove is recessed both in the left-right direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the left-right direction and the first direction. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the eyepiece optical system can be positioned with high accuracy regardless of the direction with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view of a head mounted display according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]1 is a cross-sectional view of a head mounted display according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of an IPD adjustment mechanism according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams of adjustment position grooves according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a user wears a head mounted display (HMD) 100 as an example of a display device according to this embodiment on his / her head. The display body 101 includes a display panel 310 and a display prism 320, which will be described later, and can provide the user with an XR experience such as VR, AR, or MR. The camera 500 is an imaging unit that captures real space (a scene around the HMD 100). In FIG. 1, a right-eye camera 500R and a left-eye camera 500L are provided on the front of the display body 101 as the camera 500. The wearing unit 104 is a headband-shaped member for wearing the HMD 100 on the head. When the user wears the HMD 100 on the head, the display body 101 is placed in front of the user. The wearing unit 104 is not limited to a headband-shaped member, but may be a helmet-shaped member (a member that covers the upper part of the head) or a temple-shaped member of glasses. The connecting unit 103 is a member that connects the display body 101 and the wearing unit 104 to each other. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the left-right direction of the HMD 100 (display main body 101) is described as the X-axis direction, the up-down direction as the Y-axis direction, and the front-rear direction as the Z-axis direction.

[0012] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a user wears the HMD 100 on his / her head. In Fig. 2, the user is looking into the display main body 101. Fig. 2 shows a cross section (horizontal cross section) obtained by a plane parallel to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction (a plane perpendicular to the Y-axis direction).

[0013] The display panel 310 displays an image (image) for the XR experience. For example, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel or an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) panel is used for the display panel 310. The display prism 320 is a display optical system that projects (projects) an image displayed on the display panel 310 to the user's eyes. The display prism 320 is, for example, a free-form prism. The prism holder 330 is a holding member that holds the display panel 310 and the display prism 320. Hereinafter, a combination of the prism holder 330, the display panel 310, and the display prism 320 will be referred to as a display unit 300 (ocular optical system). In FIG. 2, a display unit 300R on the right eye side and a display unit 300L on the left eye side are provided as the display unit 300. The display unit 300R includes a prism holder 330R, a display panel 310R, and a display prism 320R, and the display unit 300L includes a prism holder 330L, a display panel 310L, and a display prism 320L. Note that the display unit 300 may be a retinal projection type display unit.

[0014] As described above, the camera 500 is an imaging unit that captures real space (the scene around the HMD 100). The camera 500 includes a right-eye camera 500R and a left-eye camera 500L. A background image for the XR experience can be generated based on a real-space image (image of real space) acquired by the camera 500. Features such as markers or object edges are detected from the real-space image acquired by the camera 500, The position and orientation of the display main body 101 can also be detected.

[0015] The method of detecting the position and orientation is not particularly limited, and the position and orientation may be detected using an imaging unit other than the camera 500. If such an imaging unit is not used to generate a background image, a camera with a wide angle of view and a high shutter speed, or a stereo camera with a long baseline length may be used as the imaging unit. The orientation and orientation may be detected using an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor. By combining a plurality of methods, the position and orientation can be detected with higher accuracy.

[0016] The control board 600 performs various processes such as processing using the camera 500 (e.g., generating a background image and detecting the position and orientation) and synthesizing the background image with a CG image. The control board 600 aligns the background image with the CG image based on the results of the position and orientation detection. The control board 600 generates an image that matches the detected position and orientation as an image to be displayed on the display panel 310 (display image).

[0017] A cable socket 102 is provided on a side of the display main body 101, and a communication cable 700 is connected to the cable socket 102. The control board 600 can communicate with an external device such as a personal computer or a controller via the communication cable 700. The control board 600 may communicate with an external device so that part of the processing of the control board 600 is performed by the external device. This can be expected to have the effect of reducing the size and power consumption of the control board 600.

[0018] A mechanism has been proposed for adjusting the position of the display unit 300 (the distance (in the X-axis direction) between the right-eye display unit 300R and the left-eye display unit 300L). By adjusting the distance between the right-eye display unit 300R and the left-eye display unit 300L to the distance between the user's right and left eyes, known as the InterPupillary Distance (IPD), the display by the HMD 100 can be viewed (observed) optimally. Hereinafter, this adjustment will be referred to as IPD adjustment, and this mechanism will be referred to as an IPD adjustment mechanism.

[0019] The IPD adjustment guide 800 is a part of the IPD adjustment mechanism, and is a guide member (axis) for IPD adjustment. In FIG. 2, an IPD adjustment guide 800R for the right eye and an IPD adjustment guide 800L for the left eye are provided as the IPD adjustment guide 800. During IPD adjustment, the display unit 300 moves along the IPD adjustment guide 800. The prism holder 330, the display panel 310, and the display prism 320 move together. While viewing the image displayed on the display panel 310 through the display prism 320, the user moves the display unit 300 in the X-axis direction by hand or by controlling a drive motor to a position where a suitable view is achieved.

[0020] The exterior 105 is an exterior member that holds the above-mentioned components.

[0021] 3(A) and 3(B) are schematic diagrams of an IPD adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the right-eye display unit 300R (target optical system). The left-eye IPD adjustment mechanism is similar to the right-eye IPD adjustment mechanism, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0022] FIG. 3(A) is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section (horizontal cross section) obtained by a plane parallel to the X-axis direction, which is the IPD adjustment direction (direction of IPD adjustment), and the Z-axis direction, which is the front-to-back direction of the HMD 100 (display main body 101).

[0023] As described above, the IPD adjustment guide 800 is a guide member (axis) for IPD adjustment that moves the display unit 300 in the IPD adjustment direction. A guide hole 331 in the IPD adjustment direction is provided in the display unit 330, and the IPD adjustment guide 800 passes through the guide hole 331. This makes it possible to move the display unit 300 in the IPD adjustment direction (left-right direction) while maintaining the left-right orientation of the display unit 300 in an appropriate direction.

[0024] Ball plunger 900 is attached to prism holder 330 of display unit 300, and is a biasing member that biases display unit 300 in a direction (Z-axis direction in the example of FIG. 3(A)) perpendicular to the IPD adjustment direction (IPD adjustment guide 800, which is the axis). Ball plunger 900 can contract in the biasing direction (Z-axis direction), and biases display unit 300 by the restoring force generated when contracted. Ball plunger 900 engages with adjustment position groove 1000, which will be described later, to generate a clicking sensation when adjusting the IPD and to hold display unit 300 in an appropriate position.

[0025] The ball plunger 900 has a ball portion at its tip and a spring inside. The ball portion can be pushed into the ball plunger 900 in a direction perpendicular to the IPD adjustment direction (Z-axis direction), and the pushed ball portion is biased by the spring, and the biased ball portion biases the display unit 300. Since the ball portion has a ball shape, a force perpendicular to the biasing direction (Z-axis direction) is also converted into a force in the biasing direction. The ball portion engages with an adjustment position groove 1000, which will be described later, to generate a clicking sensation during IPD adjustment and hold the display unit 300 in an appropriate position. When a force equal to or greater than a threshold value (repulsive force of the spring) along the IPD adjustment direction is applied to the display unit 300 (ball portion), the ball portion is pushed into the ball plunger 900, and the display unit 300 is moved in the IPD adjustment direction.

[0026] The adjustment position groove 1000 is a recess that generates a clicking sensation during IPD adjustment and holds the display unit 300 at an appropriate position by engaging the ball plunger 900. For example, the adjustment position groove 1000 is formed at a position corresponding to the average IPD of users. This allows the display unit 300 to be held at a position suitable for many users. In addition, the adjustment position groove 1000 is formed at each of a plurality of positions (a plurality of positions corresponding to a plurality of IPDs, respectively) in the IPD adjustment direction. This allows the display unit 300 to be moved to a position more suitable for the user and held at that position. In FIG. 3(A), the adjustment position groove 1000 is formed in the exterior 105, but the member in which the adjustment position groove 1000 is formed is not limited to the exterior 105.

[0027] 3B is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section (vertical cross section) obtained by a plane parallel to the Y-axis direction, which is the up-down direction of the HMD 100 (display main body 101), and the Z-axis direction, which is the front-rear direction of the HMD 100. FIG.

[0028] The rotation restriction surface 1051 restricts the rotation of the display unit 300 around the IPD adjustment guide 800 (around the axis) due to its own weight by contacting the display unit 300. In FIG. 3B, the rotation restriction portion 332 is provided on the prism holder 330, and the rotation of the display unit 300 is restricted by the rotation restriction portion 332 contacting the rotation restriction surface 1051. In FIG. 3B, the urging force from the ball plunger 900 to the display unit 300 is a force in the Z-axis direction, which is a force in a direction that matches the direction of rotation of the display unit 300. As a result, the rotation restriction portion 332 contacts the rotation restriction surface 1051 with a force larger than the force due only to the weight of the display unit 300, and the display unit 300 can be positioned with high accuracy (the up and down orientation of the display unit 300 can also be kept in an appropriate orientation). 3B, the rotation of display unit 300 is restricted by modifying the shape of prism holder 330 (by providing rotation restricting portion 332 in prism holder 330), but this is not limiting. For example, the shape of exterior 105 may be modified. Rotation restricting surface 1051 may be a surface of a member different from exterior 105.

[0029] It is preferable that the amount of contraction of ball plunger 900 (the amount of pressing (movement) of the ball portion) is larger than the gap between guide hole 331 and IPD adjustment guide 800. Because the urging force from ball plunger 900 brings guide hole 331 and IPD adjustment guide 800 into contact with each other, display unit 300 can be positioned with higher accuracy (display unit 300 can be kept in an appropriate orientation with high accuracy).

[0030] Fig. 3(C) is a schematic diagram of a modified example of the IPD adjustment mechanism, and is a cross-sectional view showing a vertical section. In Fig. 3(C), ball plunger 900 is arranged along the Y-axis direction. In Fig. 3(C), the urging force from ball plunger 900 to display unit 300 is a force in the Y-axis direction, which is a force in a direction that is more in line with the direction of rotation of display unit 300. This allows rotation restriction portion 332 to abut against rotation restriction surface 1051 with a larger force, and display unit 300 can be positioned with higher accuracy.

[0031] Fig. 3(D) is a schematic diagram of another modified example of the IPD adjustment mechanism, and is a cross-sectional view showing a vertical section. In Fig. 3(D), ball plunger 900 is arranged in the radial direction (direction from the center to the outside) of guide hole 331 and IPD adjustment guide 800. In Fig. 3(D), the urging force from ball plunger 900 to display unit 300 is a force in the direction toward guide hole 331 and IPD adjustment guide 800. This makes it possible to suppress rotation of display unit 300 and to position display unit 300 with high accuracy.

[0032] Figures 4(A) to 4(D) are schematic diagrams of the adjustment position groove 1000. The configurations of Figures 4(A) to 4(D) all correspond to the configurations of Figures 3(A) and 3(B).

[0033] Fig. 4(A) is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section (horizontal cross section) obtained by a plane parallel to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. As shown in Fig. 4(A), the adjustment position groove 1000 is a recess in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, a plurality of adjustment position grooves 1000 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the X-axis direction. In Fig. 4(A), the ball plunger 900 engages with one of the plurality of adjustment position grooves 1000, thereby fixing (holding) the display unit 300.

[0034] Fig. 4(B) is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section (vertical cross section) obtained by a plane parallel to the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The situation in Fig. 4(B) corresponds to the situation in Fig. 4(A). As shown in Fig. 4(A), the adjustment position groove 1000 is also recessed in the Y-axis direction.

[0035] 4(A) and 4(B), the biasing force from ball plunger 900 causes rotation restricting portion 332 to abut against rotation restricting surface 1051 with a large force. This makes it possible to restrict the rotation of display unit 300, and to keep not only the left-right orientation of display unit 300 but also the up-down orientation of display unit 300 in an appropriate orientation.

[0036] 4(A) and 4(B), the adjustment position groove 1000 is recessed in both the X-axis direction (left-right direction) and the Y-axis direction (up-down direction). This makes it possible to prevent wobbling between the IPD adjustment guide 800 and the guide hole 331, and to maintain not only the left-right position of the display unit 300 but also the up-down position of the display unit 300 in an appropriate position.

[0037] FIG. 4(C) is a cross-sectional view showing a horizontal section, and FIG. 4(D) is a cross-sectional view showing a vertical section. Both FIG. 4(C) and FIG. 4(D) show a state in which the ball plunger 900 is not engaged with the adjustment position groove 1000. As shown in FIG. 4(C) and FIG. 4(D), no recess exists in the portion where the adjustment position groove 1000 is not formed. This allows the tip portion (ball portion) of the ball plunger 900 to slide without unnecessary friction, allowing smooth IPD adjustment. Cut.

[0038] As described above, according to this embodiment, the eyepiece optical system can be positioned with high accuracy regardless of the direction with a simple configuration.

[0039] The above-described embodiment (including the modified examples) is merely an example, and the present invention also includes configurations obtained by appropriately modifying or changing the configurations of the above-described embodiment within the scope of the gist of the present invention. The present invention also includes configurations obtained by appropriately combining the configurations of the above-described embodiment.

[0040] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) a first eyepiece optical system for projecting an image onto a right eye of a user; a second eyepiece optical system that projects an image onto the left eye of the user; an adjustment mechanism that adjusts a left-right distance between the first eyepiece optical system and the second eyepiece optical system; a biasing member that biases a target optical system, which is the first eyepiece optical system or the second eyepiece optical system, in a first direction perpendicular to the left-right direction; a groove that generates a clicking sensation when the biasing member engages with the groove when the gap is adjusted, The groove is a recessed portion both in the left-right direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the left-right direction and the first direction. A display device comprising: (Configuration 2) The groove is formed at each of a plurality of positions in the left-right direction. 2. The display device according to configuration 1. (Configuration 3) The adjustment mechanism has a hole in the left-right direction provided in the target optical system and an axis passing through the hole. 3. The display device according to configuration 1 or 2. (Configuration 4) The optical system further includes a rotation restricting surface that restricts rotation of the optical system around the axis due to its own weight by contacting the optical system. 4. The display device according to configuration 3. (Configuration 5) the biasing member is capable of contracting in the first direction, and biases the target optical system by a restoring force generated when the biasing member contracts; The amount of contraction of the biasing member is greater than the gap between the hole and the shaft. 5. The display device according to configuration 3 or 4. (Configuration 6) The biasing member is provided so as to bias the target optical system with a biasing force in a direction that matches the direction of rotation around the axis due to the weight of the target optical system. 6. The display device according to any one of configurations 3 to 5. (Configuration 7) The biasing member is provided so as to bias the target optical system with a biasing force in a direction toward the hole and the axis. 6. The display device according to any one of configurations 3 to 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 100: Head-mounted display Display unit 101 300, 300R, 300L: Display unit 331: Guide hole 800: IPD adjustment guide 900R: Ball plunger 1000: Adjustment position groove

Claims

1. a first eyepiece optical system for projecting an image onto a right eye of a user; a second eyepiece optical system for projecting an image onto the left eye of the user; an adjustment mechanism that adjusts a left-right distance between the first eyepiece optical system and the second eyepiece optical system; a biasing member that biases a target optical system, which is the first eyepiece optical system or the second eyepiece optical system, in a first direction perpendicular to the left-right direction; a groove that generates a clicking sensation when the biasing member engages with the groove when the gap is adjusted, The groove is a recessed portion both in the left-right direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the left-right direction and the first direction. A display device comprising:

2. The groove is formed at each of a plurality of positions in the left-right direction.

2. The display device according to claim 1 .

3. The adjustment mechanism has a hole in the left-right direction provided in the target optical system and an axis passing through the hole.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

4. The optical system further includes a rotation restricting surface that restricts rotation of the optical system around the axis due to its own weight by contacting the optical system.

4. The display device according to claim 3.

5. the biasing member is capable of contracting in the first direction, and biases the target optical system by a restoring force generated when the biasing member contracts; The amount of contraction of the biasing member is greater than the gap between the hole and the shaft.

4. The display device according to claim 3.

6. The biasing member is provided so as to bias the target optical system with a biasing force in a direction that matches the direction of rotation around the axis due to the weight of the target optical system.

4. The display device according to claim 3.

7. The biasing member is provided so as to bias the target optical system with a biasing force in a direction toward the hole and the axis.

4. The display device according to claim 3.

Images