Video display device

Abstract

To provide a video display device which can be used by easily switching an HMD form and an HHD form without adding or exchanging a component.SOLUTION: The video display device is equipped with a video display part 100 which displays a video and a head mount unit 200 which supports the video display part 100, and the head mount unit 200 can bend at a specific part and has a deformation part 202 which bends and hangs down at the specific part. Since the head mounted unit 200 includes the deformation unit 202, the image display apparatus can selectively adopt one of the HMD state and the HHD state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a video display device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, head-mounted displays (HMDs) have come into use as video display devices that are worn on the user's head and display images in front of the user's eyes. HMDs are used as devices that enable users to experience virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) because they allow users to easily view images on a large screen and facilitate stereoscopic viewing. HMDs are worn on the user's head for hands-free use and are expected to be used for a variety of observational purposes.

[0003] In addition to head-mounted devices like HMDs, handheld devices (HHDs) are also used as image display devices that allow users to experience VR and MR. HHDs have a grip that allows users to hold the image display unit, making them easier to use for observation than HMDs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6719868 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a device configuration in which the same image display device can be switched between HMD and HHD modes by replacing components. However, the device configuration of Patent Document 1 poses a problem in that if users who want to use the device in HMD mode and users who want to use the device in HHD mode frequently switch modes, it is time-consuming to switch modes, and users must prepare both device modes.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an image display device that can be easily switched between HMD and HHD modes without adding or replacing components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The image display device of the present disclosure includes a display unit for displaying an image, and a support unit that supports the display unit and is wearable on the head of a user. The support unit is bendable at a predetermined position and has a deformation portion that bends at the predetermined position and hangs down below the display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, an image display device is realized that can be easily switched between an HMD form and an HHD form without adding or replacing any components. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an image display unit of an image display device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a front view showing how the hood of the video display unit is operated. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the opposite side of the video display unit to that shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing an image display device in the form of an HMD according to a first embodiment, worn on a user's head. [Figure 5]1 is a side view showing an image display device in the form of an HMD according to a first embodiment, worn on the head of a user. [Figure 6] 1 is a side view showing an image display device in the form of an HMD according to a first embodiment, worn on the head of a user. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a user holds an image display device in an HHD format according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a side view showing a state in which a user holds an image display device in an HHD mode according to a first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the head-mounted unit in HHD mode as viewed from above. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an image display device in the form of an HMD worn on the head of a user according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a user holds an image display device in an HHD format according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a usage state of an image display device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a mechanism in which a deformation portion and an additional deformation portion are linked together. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] -Basic configuration of the image display device in various embodiments- Before specifically disclosing the embodiments, the basic configuration of the image display device in each embodiment will be described.

[0011] The image display device disclosed herein includes a display unit that displays an image and a support unit that supports the display unit and is wearable on a user's head. The support unit is bendable at a predetermined location and has a deformation unit that is bent at the predetermined location and hangs down below the display unit. The support unit has a deformation unit that allows the image display device to selectively adopt either a first usage mode (HMD mode), which is a basic mode, or a second usage mode (HHD mode). Specifically, when the deformation unit is not deformed, i.e., when the deformation unit is not bent at the predetermined location, the image display device is in the first usage mode in which the support unit is worn on the user's head. When the deformation unit is deformed, i.e., when the deformation unit is bent at the predetermined location, the image display device is in the second usage mode in which the support unit is gripped by the user. In the second usage mode, a portion of the deformation unit (the portion that contacts the user's back of the head in the first usage mode) is deformed and hangs down below the user's head, allowing the user to naturally and stably grip that portion as a gripping part. In this way, the present disclosure realizes an image display device that can be easily switched between an HMD form and an HHD form without adding or replacing any components.

[0012] In the first usage mode, the belt portion of the support means needs to be adjusted to fit the user's head circumference, so it is desirable for the belt portion to be flexible and elastic. On the other hand, in the second usage mode, the belt portion included in the deformation portion is required to hang down below the display means and stably hold the display means when the user grips the grip portion. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the deformation portion is configured to increase its rigidity by bending at a predetermined location. Specifically, the deformation portion is arc-shaped and connected to the grip portion at two predetermined rotatable locations, and the rotation axes of the two predetermined locations are configured to intersect with each other. In this case, when the deformation portion transforms from the first usage mode to the second usage mode, twisting occurs in the belt portion, increasing the rigidity of the belt portion and making the belt portion less susceptible to longitudinal displacement. This makes the belt portion rigid in the hanging state, allowing the display means to be stably held. In this way, the present disclosure makes it possible to achieve both the flexibility of the belt portion required in the first usage mode and the positional stability of the display means required in the second usage mode.

[0013] In addition, the present disclosure may further include an additional deformation portion that is parallel to the deformation portion, has higher rigidity than the deformation portion, and bends and hangs down in conjunction with the bending movement of the deformation portion. This reinforces the belt portion of the deformation portion with the additional deformation portion, allowing the display means to be stably held when the first usage mode is transformed into the second usage mode. This configuration is suitable for use in a configuration in which the instruction means has a pair of deformation portions with gripping portions (occipital contact portions) that are spaced apart from each other.

[0014] -Specific Description of Various Embodiments- Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate identical or similar components, and redundant description will be omitted. Note that in the following embodiments, a pair of components located on the left and right sides are distinguished by adding an L to the reference numeral of the left component and an R to the reference numeral of the right component.

[0015] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image display section 100 of an image display device according to this embodiment. Image display unit 100 is a display means in the present disclosure and has lenses 10L and 10R. A user looks through lenses 10L and 10R to observe an image. Lenses 10L and 10R are prisms, lenses, etc. that magnify and guide images on an LCD, OLED, etc. (not shown) provided within image display unit 100. Hoods 11L and 11R are provided around lenses 10L and 10R.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a front view showing how the hoods 11L and 11R of the image display unit 100 are operated. The user can adjust the positions of the lenses 10L and 10R to the left or right to match their own interpupillary distance by operating the hoods 11L and 11R. Figure 2(a) shows the case where the interpupillary distance is adjusted to a wider distance, and Figure 2(b) shows the case where the interpupillary distance is adjusted to a narrower distance.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the opposite side of the image display unit 100 to that shown in FIG. The video display unit 100 has imaging cameras 20L and 20R and alignment cameras 21L and 21R. The imaging cameras 20L and 20R are stereo cameras that capture images of the surrounding real world to display to the user through lenses 10L and 10R. The alignment cameras 21L and 21R are stereo cameras that capture the position and orientation of the video display unit 100 by using feature points such as markers and object edges from the captured images. The alignment cameras 21L and 21R capture monochrome images and aim to achieve high-precision, highly fault-tolerant alignment by utilizing a wide angle of view, a high shutter speed, a long baseline length, etc.

[0018] In this embodiment, the alignment cameras 21L and 21R are provided separately from the imaging cameras 20L and 20R, but it is also possible to acquire display images and alignment information using only the imaging cameras 20L and 20R. Also, the alignment cameras 21L and 21R may be replaced with distance sensors that use ultrasonic waves, infrared rays, or the like.

[0019] The image display unit 100 exchanges position information and images with an external PC or controller (not shown) via a cable 90, and generates and displays a display image by, for example, superimposing CG on a real image. The user can observe the image through lenses 10L and 10R. The image display unit 100 also has operation buttons 30A, 30B, and 30C, which the user can use to give instructions, turn the power on, and so on.

[0020] The image display device according to this embodiment is in the form of an HMD, which is a basic form (first usage form). Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an image display device in the form of an HMD according to this embodiment worn on the head of a user, and Figs. 5 and 6 are side views showing an image display device in the form of an HMD according to this embodiment worn on the head of a user.

[0021] This image display device includes the above-described image display unit 100, which is a means for displaying images, and a head-mounted unit 200, which is a support means for the image display unit 100 and can be worn on the user's head. The head-mounted unit 200 has a front head contact portion 201, which is a first contact portion that comes into contact with the user's front head when worn on the head, and a deformable portion 202 that extends in an arc. The deformable portion 202 has band-shaped belts 220L, 220R made of a flexible material, rotating portions 221L, 221R that connect the front head contact portion 201 and the belts 220L, 220R, and a back head contact portion 250, which is a second contact portion that comes into contact with the user's back head when worn. The image display unit 100 is connected to the front head contact portion 201 and is fixed so as to be able to swing.

[0022] In the HMD form, the deformation portion 202 is not bent (non-bending) by the rotation portions 221L and 221R and is formed into an annular (ring-shaped) shape integrated with the forehead contact portion 201. The user can observe images hands-free by wearing the head-mounted unit 200, to which the image display 100 is connected, on his or her head.

[0023] In the HMD mode, as shown in Fig. 5, the image display unit 100 is swung relative to the forehead contact unit 201. The forehead contact unit 201 has a vertical adjustment dial 210. By operating the vertical adjustment dial 210 to move the image display unit 100 appropriately in the vertical direction, in combination with the above-mentioned interpupillary distance adjustment function, the lenses 10L and 10R can be adjusted to the optimal observation position for the user.

[0024] The rear head contact portion 250 has a belt adjustment dial 255. By operating the belt adjustment dial 255 and operating a rack and pinion or the like provided in the rear head contact portion 250, the length of the belts 220L, 220R in the extension direction can be adjusted to match the circumference of the user's head.

[0025] 6, by increasing the swing range of the image display unit 100, the image display device 100 can also be placed in a flip-up position (non-observation position). This allows the user to temporarily view the outside directly without removing the head-mounted unit 200 from the head. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the cable 90 is connected so as to extend from the side of the image display unit 100. This allows the image display unit 100 to be placed in the flip-up position without the cable 90 interfering with the head-mounted unit 200.

[0026] Also, as shown in Figure 4, the user can grasp the top and bottom of the image display unit 100 with one hand, thereby holding the image display unit 100 still relative to the user's head and operating the operation buttons 30A, 30B, and 30C as appropriate.

[0027] The image display device according to this embodiment is transformed by the transformation unit 202 to change from the HMD form to the HHD form, which is the second usage mode. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which a user holds an image display device in HHD mode according to this embodiment, and Fig. 8 is a side view showing a state in which a user holds an image display device in HHD mode according to this embodiment.

[0028] In the image display device in the HMD form described above, the deformation unit 202 is rotatable relative to the front head contact unit 201 at two rotation units 221L and 221R. The belts 220L and 220R and the back head contact unit 250 rotate at the rotation units 221L and 221R and hang down below the image display unit 100. This allows the image display device to assume the HHD form. In the HHD form, the back head contact unit 250, which comes into contact with the back of the user's head in the HMD form, is located in front of and below the user, and this back head contact unit 250 serves as a gripping unit that is held by the user.

[0029] 8, if the position of the rear head contact portion 250 used as a gripping portion is close to the position and angle shown in the figure relative to the user's head, the user can grip the device without having to raise their elbows from their sides, and the angle of the clenched fist is also natural. This is ideal as it reduces the user's fatigue.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the head mounted unit 200 in the HHD mode as viewed from above. In this embodiment, the deformation unit 202 is configured so that its rigidity increases as it rotates and bends at the rotation units 221L, 221R. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 9, the rotation units 221L, 221R of the deformation unit 202 are arranged so that their rotation axes 225L, 225R are not coaxial but intersect with each other. With this configuration, when the deformation unit 202 rotates at the rotation units 221L, 221R to transform from the HMD mode to the HHD mode, a twist occurs in the left and right belts 220L, 220R, increasing the rigidity in the direction in which the belt length changes, making it less likely to displace in that direction.

[0031] The left and right belts 220L, 220R are configured to be flexible in the longitudinal direction in the HMD mode so as to fit the user's head circumference. Therefore, if the device were to be transformed into the HHD mode in this state, the distance between the image display unit 100 and the back-of-the-head contact unit 250, which is the gripping portion in the HHD mode, would likely change, potentially interfering with image observation. In contrast, in this embodiment, the rotation axes 225L, 225R of the rotating units 221L, 221R are not coaxial but cross each other, as described above, thereby twisting the belts 220L, 220R and improving their rigidity. This makes it possible to achieve both the flexibility of the belts 220L, 220R required in the HMD mode and the positional stability of the image display unit 100 required in the HHD mode.

[0032] As described above, this embodiment realizes an image display device that can be easily switched between the HMD mode and the HHD mode without adding or replacing components. Also, an image display device is obtained that allows stable image observation without unexpected fluctuations in the distance between the image display unit 100 and the back-of-head contact unit 250, which serves as a grip in the HHD mode. [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing an image display device in the form of an HMD according to this embodiment worn on the head of a user, where (a) is a perspective view showing the image display device worn on the head by a user, and (b) is a perspective view of the image display device as seen from the rear side. The video display unit 100 in this embodiment has the same configuration as the video display unit 100 described in the first embodiment.

[0033] This image display device includes the image display unit 100 and a head-mounted unit 300 that supports the image display unit 100. The head-mounted unit 300 has a front head contact portion 301, a pair of deformation portions 302L and 302R, and a pair of additional deformation portions 303L and 303R. The front head contact portion 301 is a first contact portion that comes into contact with the front of the user's head when the device is worn on the head. The deformation portions 302L and 302R are connected to each end of the front head contact portion 301 and extend in an arc. The additional deformation portions 303L and 303R are arranged in parallel with the deformation portions 302L and 302R, respectively. The image display unit 100 is connected to the front head contact portion 301 and is fixed so as to be able to swing.

[0034] The deforming portions 302L, 302R include belts 320L, 320R, rotating portions 321L, 321R that connect the forehead contact portion 301 and the belts 320L, 320R, and occipital contact portions 350L, 350R that are second contact portions that come into contact with the occipital area of ​​the user's head when the headset is worn. The occipital contact portions 350L and 350R are spaced apart from each other. The additional deforming portions 303L, 303R are more rigid than the deforming portions 302L, 302R, and bend and hang down in conjunction with the bending movement of the deforming portions 302L, 302R.

[0035] The image display device according to this embodiment is in the form of an HMD, which is a basic form (first usage form). In the HMD form, the deformation sections 302L, 302R do not bend (non-bend) at the rotation sections 321L, 321R and extend in an arc shape integral with the forehead contact section 201. The additional deformation sections 303L, 303R are non-bendable like the deformation sections 302L, 302R and extend substantially parallel to the deformation sections 302L, 302R. The user can observe images hands-free by wearing the head-mounted unit 300 connected to the image display 100 so that the left and right deformation sections 302L, 302R sandwich the user's head.

[0036] The image display device according to this embodiment is transformed from the HMD form to the HHD form, which is the second usage mode, by transformation using the transformation units 302L, 302R and the additional transformation units 303L, 303R. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing how a user holds an image display device in HHD format according to this embodiment.

[0037] In the image display device in the above-described HMD form, the deformation units 302L, 302R are each rotatable relative to the forehead contact unit 301 by means of rotation units 321L, 321R. The additional deformation units 303L, 303R are each rotatable relative to the forehead contact unit 301 by means of levers 340L, 340R. The belts 320L, 320R and the occipital contact units 350L, 350R rotate and hang down by means of the rotation units 321L, 321R. In conjunction with the rotation of the deformation units 302L, 302R, the additional deformation units 303L, 303R rotate and hang down by means of the levers 340L, 340R. This allows the image display device to assume the HMD form. In the HHD mode, the back of the head contact portions 350L, 350R that come into contact with the back of the user's head in the HMD mode are located in front of and below the user, and the back of the head contact portions 350L, 350R serve as grip portions that are grasped with the user's left and right hands, respectively.

[0038] FIG. 12 is a side view showing a usage mode of the video display device according to the present embodiment, where (a) shows the HMD form and (b) shows the HHD form. In FIG. 12, the deformed portion 302L and the additional deformed portion 303L on the left side of the head-mounted unit 300 are visible. In the following description, the left and right deformed portions 302L, 302R and the additional deformed portions 303L, 303R will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

[0039] The additional deformed portions 303L and 303R include rods 330L and 330R, levers 340L and 340R, and sliders 335L and 335R. The rods 330L and 330R are more rigid than the belts 320L and 320R of the deformed portions 302L and 302R. The levers 340L and 340R are rotatably connected to the rods 330L and 330R. The sliders 335L and 335R are each movable on the belts 320L and 320R and are rotatably connected to the rods 330L and 330R, respectively.

[0040] When transforming from the HMD form in FIG. 12(a) to the HHD form in FIG. 12(b), the levers 340L and 340R rotate as the belts 320L and 320R rotate at the rotation portions 321L and 321R. Then, the rods 330L and 330R are pushed down, and the sliders 335L and 335R connected to the rods 330L and 330R move along the belts 320L and 320R toward the back-of-head contact portions 350L and 350R. By becoming the HHD form as described above, the levers 340L and 340R, the rods 330L and 330R, and the sliders 335L and 335R do not move the back-of-head contact portions 350L and 350R upward within the head-mounted unit 300. As a result, when the user grips the back-of-head contact portions 350L and 350R, the flexibility of the belts 320L and 320R prevents the position of the video display unit 100 from dropping or bouncing in the vertical direction.

[0041] Note that when transforming from the HHD form in FIG. 12(b) to the HMD form in FIG. 12(a), the reverse process of the above is followed, and a state where head mounting can be performed due to the elasticity of the belts 320L and 320R is achieved.

[0042] 13 is a schematic diagram showing the mechanism by which the deformation units 302L, 302R and the additional deformation units 303L, 303R work together, with (a) showing the HMD mode and (b) showing the HHD mode. Note that while Fig. 13 and the following description only refer to the deformation unit 302L and additional deformation unit 303L on the left side, the same applies to the deformation unit 302R and additional deformation unit 303L on the right side.

[0043] As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, for example, a gear 361L is provided on the rotating portion 321L of the transformation portion 302L, and a gear 362L is provided on the lever 340L of the additional transformation portion 303L, and the gears 361L and 362L are meshed together. As a result, when transforming from the HMD mode to the HHD mode or from the HHD mode to the HMD mode, the lever 340L rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the belt 320L.

[0044] As described above, this embodiment realizes an image display device that can be easily switched between the HMD mode and the HHD mode without adding or replacing components. Also, an image display device is obtained that allows stable image observation without unexpected fluctuations in the distance between the image display unit 100 and the occipital contact parts 350L, 350R that serve as gripping parts in the HHD mode.

[0045] Although the preferred embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0046] The disclosure of various embodiments includes the following configurations. (Configuration 1) a display means for displaying an image; a support means for supporting the display means and being wearable on the head of a user; Equipped with The support means is The display device is bendable at a predetermined location and has a deformation portion that is bent at the predetermined location and hangs down below the display device. Video display device. (Configuration 2) The support means is a first contact portion to which the display means is connected and which contacts the forehead of a user; The deformation portion is The first contact portion extends in a strip shape and is bendably connected to the first contact portion at the predetermined position. 2. The image display device according to claim 1. (Configuration 3) the predetermined portion is a rotation portion, The deformation portion is rotatable by the rotation portion. 3. The image display device according to configuration 1 or 2. (Configuration 4) The deformation portion is Further, the headset has a second contact portion that contacts the back of the user's head. The image display device according to any one of the first to third aspects. (Configuration 5) The length of the deformation portion in the extension direction is adjustable. The image display device according to any one of the first to fourth configurations. (Configuration 6) The deformation portion increases its rigidity by bending at the predetermined portion. 6. The image display device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5. (Configuration 7) The deformation portion is The predetermined portion is rotatable in two places and has an arc shape, The rotation axis directions of the two predetermined portions intersect with each other. 7. The image display device according to configuration 6. (Configuration 8) The support means is an additional deformation portion that is parallel to the deformation portion and bends and hangs down in conjunction with the bending movement of the deformation portion; Further comprising: 6. The image display device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5. (Configuration 9) The additional deformation portion has higher rigidity than the deformation portion. 9. The image display device according to configuration 8. (Configuration 10) The support means is A pair of the deformation portions and a pair of the additional deformation portions Equipped with 10. The image display device according to configuration 8 or 9. (Configuration 11) a first usage mode in which the support means is attached to the user's head with the deformation portion in a non-bent state at the predetermined location; a second usage mode in which the support means is gripped by a user with the deformation portion bent at the predetermined portion; It was decided that either of the following could be selectively adopted. The image display device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 100 Image display device main body 10 Lenses 11 Lens hood 20 Imaging camera 21 Alignment Camera 30 Operation buttons 90 Cable 200,300 Head-Mounted Unit 201,301 Forehead contact area 202, 302 Deformed part 210,310 Up / down adjustment dial 220,320 Belt 221,321 Rotating part 250,350 Occipital contact area 255 Belt adjustment dial 330 rod 335 Belt slider 340 Lever

Claims

1. a display means for displaying an image; a support means for supporting the display means and being wearable on the head of a user; Equipped with The support means is The display device is bendable at a predetermined location and has a deformation portion that is bent at the predetermined location and hangs down below the display device. Video display device.

2. The support means is a first contact portion to which the display means is connected and which contacts the forehead of a user; The deformation portion is The first contact portion extends in a strip shape and is bendably connected to the first contact portion at the predetermined position.

2. The image display device according to claim 1.

3. the predetermined portion is a rotation portion, The deformation portion is rotatable by the rotation portion.

2. The image display device according to claim 1.

4. The deformation portion is Further, the headset has a second contact portion that contacts the back of the user's head.

2. The image display device according to claim 1.

5. The length of the deformation portion in the extension direction is adjustable.

2. The image display device according to claim 1.

6. The deformation portion increases its rigidity by bending at the predetermined portion.

2. The image display device according to claim 1.

7. The deformation portion is The predetermined portion is rotatable in two places and has an arc shape, The rotation axis directions of the two predetermined portions intersect with each other.

7. The image display device according to claim 6.

8. The support means is an additional deformation portion that is parallel to the deformation portion and bends and hangs down in conjunction with the bending movement of the deformation portion; Further comprising:

2. The image display device according to claim 1.

9. The additional deformation portion has higher rigidity than the deformation portion.

9. The image display device according to claim 8.

10. The support means is A pair of the deformation portions and a pair of the additional deformation portions Equipped with 9. The image display device according to claim 8.

11. a first usage mode in which the support means is attached to the user's head with the deformable portion in a non-bent state at the predetermined location; a second usage mode in which the support means is gripped by a user with the deformation portion bent at the predetermined portion; It was decided that either of the following could be selectively adopted.

2. The image display device according to claim 1.

Images