U.S. patent application number 10/587605 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-16 for image display device and image display system.
Invention is credited to Kenji Nishi.
Application Number | 20070188407 10/587605 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34829405 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070188407 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nishi; Kenji |
August 16, 2007 |
Image display device and image display system
Abstract
An image display device comprising a display portion that
projects, via eyepiece optical systems which respectively
correspond to each of the both eyes of a user, a light emitted from
a two-dimensionally light emitting type photoelectric device which
is perpendicular to the light beam emitting direction onto the
eyeballs of said user, a supporting portion that supports the
display portion at its portion that is not in contact with the
user, and a face contact portion that is supported by the display
portion and is capable of changing the distance between the
eyepiece optical systems and the eyes of the user, whereby images
with high image quality and high field angle are, in a space-saving
manner, safely provided to the user, and, at the time, with the
personal image display devices' disadvantages being saved, even
multiple persons can enjoy the images.
Inventors: |
Nishi; Kenji; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FRISHAUF, HOLTZ, GOODMAN & CHICK, PC
220 Fifth Avenue
16TH Floor
NEW YORK
NY
10001-7708
US
|
Family ID: |
34829405 |
Appl. No.: |
10/587605 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
October 19, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP04/15418 |
371 Date: |
July 27, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/8 ;
348/E5.145 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 25/001 20130101;
F16M 11/2064 20130101; F16M 11/24 20130101; F16M 2200/047 20130101;
F16M 13/04 20130101; F16M 11/10 20130101; G02B 27/027 20130101;
G02B 2027/0178 20130101; G02B 2027/0132 20130101; H04N 5/7491
20130101; F16M 11/2057 20130101; G02B 2027/0136 20130101; G02B
7/001 20130101; F16M 11/2014 20130101; G02B 27/0176 20130101; G02B
27/0172 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/008 |
International
Class: |
G09G 5/00 20060101
G09G005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 28, 2004 |
JP |
2004-020035 |
Apr 23, 2004 |
JP |
2004-128734 |
Claims
1. An image display device comprising: a display portion that
projects, via eyepiece optical systems which respectively
correspond to each of the both eyes of a user, a light emitted from
a two-dimensionally light emitting type photoelectric device which
is perpendicular to the light beam emitting direction onto the
eyeballs of said user; a supporting portion that supports said
display portion at its portion that is not in contact with said
user; and a face contact portion that is supported by said display
portion, is provided in contact with the face sides of said user,
sandwiches the face of said user, and is capable of changing the
distance between said eyepiece optical systems and the eyes of said
user.
2. An image display device according to claim 1, wherein said
display portion is movable in accordance with the movement of the
head of said user and with the distance between said eyepiece
optical systems and the eyes of said user, a portion of said face
contact portion being a point of support.
3. An image display device according to claim 1, wherein said face
contact portion comes into contact with the face sides by
sandwiching the both ears of said user, and wherein the portion
sandwiching said both ears comprises a sound output mechanism.
4. An image display device according to claim 1, wherein said face
contact portion comprises an elastic member for coming into contact
with the face sides of said user, and wherein said face contact
portion comprises, independently of said elastic member, a width
changing portion that changes the face sandwiching width and a
distance changing portion that changes the distance between said
eyepiece optical systems and the eyes of said user.
5. An image display device according to claim 1, wherein said
display portion changes, in accordance with the distance between
said eyepiece optical systems and the eyes of said user, the size
of an image to be displayed.
6. An image display device according to claim 1, wherein said
display portion comprises a face fixing member in a portion that
faces the front side of the face of said user, and wherein said
face contact portion can change its position to a distance where
the front side of the face of said user is in contact with said
face fixing member and to a distance where without the front side
of the face of said user being in contact with said face fixing
members, the sight line of the both eyes of said user is, relative
to said display portion, relatively movable around the axis passing
through the both ears.
7. An image display device according to claim 6, wherein said
display portion comprises said face fixing members in a manner that
they, evading the eyeglass frame of said user, are discretely
provided around and above and below said both eyes, and wherein
said display portion comprises light-shielding members for
shielding light from the outside in the right-and-left outsides of
said eyeglass frame.
8. An image display device according to claim 6, wherein said
display portion comprises a frame recognition portion that
recognizes whether there exists an eyeglass frame of said user, and
wherein the thickness in the optical axis direction of said
eyepiece optical systems is changeable in accordance with the
recognition results by said frame recognition portion.
9. An image display device according to claim 1, wherein each of
said eyepiece optical systems in said display portion is
constituted by at least three pieces of lenses.
10. An image display device according to claim 1, wherein in each
of said eyepiece optical systems in said display portion, the lens
located most distant from said eye is constituted by a cemented
lens.
11. An image display device according to claim 1, wherein in each
of said eyepiece optical systems in said display portion, the lens
located nearest to said eye is constituted by a lens of which at
least one surface is a conic surface with conic constant
K<0.
12. An image display device according to claim 1, wherein said
display portion comprises relay optical systems and light diffusing
plates between said photoelectric device and said eyepiece optical
systems, and wherein the transmitted images of said light diffusing
plates are projected, via said eyepiece optical systems, onto the
eyeballs of said user.
13. An image display device according to claim 1, wherein said
supporting portion comprises a balance portion that cancels the
moment of said display portion relative to said supporting portion,
and wherein said supporting portion comprises a hardwiring for
connecting said display portion to the outside, said hardwiring
being provided along the inside of said supporting portion, a
portion of said display portion fixed to a portion of said balance
portion.
14. An image display,device according to claim 1, wherein said
supporting portion is expandable and contractible.
15. An image display device according to claim 14, further
comprising: a setting condition detection portion that detects the
setting condition; and a supporting portion control portion that
suppresses the expansion and contraction changes of said supporting
portion when said setting condition detection portion detects that
the setting condition has significantly deteriorated.
16. An image display device according to claim 1, further
comprising: an adjustment portion which is provided on a portion of
said supporting portion and which adjusts at least either the
setting angle of said supporting portion relative to a floor
portion or the setting angle of said display portion relative to
said floor portion.
17. An image display device according to claim 16, wherein said
supporting portion comprises a vertical balance portion having a
weight.
18. An image display device according to claim 1, wherein said
display portion can change the content of the center region in the
projection area and the content of the peripheral region in the
projection area when said display portion displays said image, and
wherein said display portion performs either a first display in
which said image is projected with a high-definition in said center
region and said image is projected with a low-definition in said
peripheral region or a second display in which the entirety of said
image is projected with a high-definition in said center region and
an image different from said image is projected with a
low-definition in said peripheral region.
19. An image display device according to claim 18, wherein when
said display portion performs said second display, said display
portion displays an image different from said image in the portion
of said photoelectric device corresponding to said peripheral
region.
20. An image display device according to claim 19, wherein when
said display portion performs said second display, said display
portion displays an image having predetermined patterns of which
sizes become smaller as they near said center region in the portion
of said photoelectric device corresponding to said peripheral
region.
21. An image display device according to claim 20, wherein when
said display portion performs said second display, said display
portion displays, in the portion of said photoelectric device
corresponding to said center region, an image having in at least a
portion of the periphery of the portion of said photoelectric
device corresponding to said center region said predetermined
patterns that are similar to and smaller than said predetermined
patterns.
22. An image display device according to claim 21, wherein when
said display portion performs said second display, said display
portion projects said image in a defocused condition in said
peripheral region.
23. An image display device according to claim 18, wherein said
face contact portion comprises a movement detection portion that
detects the movement of the face of said user, and wherein said
display portion shifts the display region of the image to be
displayed on said photoelectric device in the portion of said
photoelectric device corresponding to said center region, in
accordance with the movement of the face of said user detected by
said movement detection portion.
24. An image display device according to claim 18, wherein when
said display portion performs said second display, said display
portion displays information relating to the operation by said user
as an image different from said image in the portion of said
photoelectric device corresponding to said peripheral region.
25. An image display device according to claim 18, wherein said
face contact portion comprises a movement detection portion that
detects the movement of the face of said user, and wherein said
display portion shifts either the display region of the image to be
displayed on said photoelectric device in the portion of said
photoelectric device corresponding to said center region or the
display region where the information relating to the operation by
said user is displayed, in accordance with the movement of the face
of said user detected by said movement detection portion.
26. An image display device according to claim 1, comprising: an
information recording portion that records information relating to
said user; and a control portion which reads out the information
relating to said user recorded in said information recording
portion and, based on the information, controls said display
portion and said face contact portion.
27. An image display system comprising: a display portion that
projects, via eyepiece optical systems which respectively
correspond to each of the both eyes of a user, a light emitted from
a two-dimensionally light emitting type photoelectric device which
is perpendicular to the light beam emitting direction onto the
eyeballs of said user; a chair portion on which said user can sit
and of which backrest portion is reclinable; a supporting portion
which is united with said chair portion and which supports said
display portion at its portion that is not in contact with said
user; and a face contact portion which is supported by said display
portion and comes into contact with the face of said user, wherein
said supporting portion is movable so that said display portion
follows the head of said user in accordance with the inclination of
the backrest portion of said chair portion.
28. An image display system according to claim 27, wherein said
face contact portion is provided in contact with the face sides of
said user and sandwiches the face of said user, and wherein said
display portion is movable in accordance with the movement of the
head of said user, a portion of said face contact portion being a
point of support.
29. An image display system according to claim 27, wherein said
supporting portion comprises a balance portion that cancels the
moment of said display portion relative to said supporting
portion.
30. An image display system according to claim 27, wherein said
supporting portion comprises a string-like flexible member that
connects said display portion and said balance portion and a
friction relaxing mechanism that relaxes the friction occurring to
said flexible member.
31. An image display system according to claim 30, wherein said
supporting portion comprises a stainless-steel fiber as said
string-like flexible member.
32. An image display system according to claim 30, wherein said
supporting portion comprises a para-type aramid fiber as said
string-like flexible member.
33. An image display system according to claim 30, wherein said
supporting portion comprises a drop prevention mechanism that
prevents said display portion from dropping when said flexible
member breaks.
34. An image display system according to claim 30, wherein said
supporting portion comprises a cover that covers the surface of the
supporting portion.
35. An image display system according to claim 30, comprising a
hardwiring for connecting said display portion to the outside in
the inside of said supporting portion, said hardwiring being
provided along said string-like flexible member, a portion of said
display portion fixed to a portion of said balance portion.
36. An image display system according to claim 27, wherein said
supporting portion comprises a weight in said balance portion,
wherein said supporting portion comprises a supporting column,
wherein said supporting column supports said display portion and
said weight by suspending them in a manner of a balance, and
wherein when assuming that the weight of said display portion is M,
that the weight of said weight is m, that the distance between said
display portion and a fulcrum is L, and that the distance between
said weight and said fulcrum is l, said supporting column holds
said fulcrum at a position where ML=ml is satisfied.
37. An image display system according to claim 27, wherein said
supporting portion is disposed adjacent to said backrest portion of
said chair portion, and wherein said chair portion comprises a
parallel link member which keeps the inclination of said supporting
portion relative to the ground in the vertical direction, when said
backrest portion inclines.
38. An image display system according to claim 27, wherein when
said user detaches said display portion from the face, said
supporting portion evacuates said display portion out of the region
defined by the arc drawn by said head at its center being the hips
of said user.
39. An image display system according to claim 27, wherein said
supporting portion is expandable and contractible.
40. An image display system according to claim 39, further
comprising: a setting condition detection portion that detects the
setting condition; and a supporting portion control portion that
suppresses the expansion and contraction changes of said supporting
portion when said setting condition detection portion detects that
the setting condition has significantly deteriorated.
41. An image display system according to claim 27, further
comprising: an adjustment portion which is provided on a portion of
said supporting portion and which adjusts at least either the
setting angle of said supporting portion relative to a floor
portion or the setting angle of said display portion relative to
said floor portion.
42. An image display system according to claim 41, wherein said
supporting portion comprises a vertical balance portion having a
weight.
43. An image display system according to claim 27, wherein said
display portion can change the content of the center region in the
projection area and the content of the peripheral region in the
projection area when said display portion displays said image, and
wherein said display portion performs either a first display in
which said image is projected with a high-definition in said center
region and said image is projected with a low-definition in said
peripheral region or a second display in which the entirety of said
image is projected with a high-definition in said center region and
an image different from said image is projected with a
low-definition in said peripheral region.
44. An image display system according to claim 43, wherein when
said display portion performs said second display, said display
portion displays an image different from said image in the portion
of said photoelectric device corresponding to said peripheral
region.
45. An image display system according to claim 44, wherein when
said display portion performs said second display, said display
portion displays an image having predetermined patterns of which
sizes become smaller as they near said center region in the portion
of said photoelectric device corresponding to said peripheral
region.
46. An image display system according to claim 45, when said
display portion performs said second display, said display portion
displays, in the portion of said photoelectric device corresponding
to said center region, an image having in at least a portion of the
periphery of the portion of said photoelectric device corresponding
to said center region said predetermined patterns that are similar
to and smaller than said predetermined patterns.
47. An image display system according to claim 46, wherein when
said display portion performs said second display, said display
portion projects said image in a defocused condition in said
peripheral region.
48. An image display system according to claim 43, wherein said
face contact portion comprises a movement detection portion that
detects the movement of the face of said user, and wherein said
display portion shifts the display region of the image to be
displayed on said photoelectric device in the portion of said
photoelectric device corresponding to said center region, in
accordance with the movement of the face of said user detected by
said movement detection portion.
49. An image display system according to claim 43, wherein when
said display portion performs said second display, said display
portion displays information relating to the operation by said user
as an image different from said image in the portion of said
photoelectric device corresponding to said peripheral region.
50. An image display system according to claim 43, wherein said
face contact portion comprises a movement detection portion that
detects the movement of the face of said user, and wherein said
display portion shifts either the display region of the image to be
displayed on said photoelectric device in the portion of said
photoelectric device corresponding to said center region or the
display region where the information relating to the operation by
said user is displayed, in accordance with the movement of the face
of said user detected by said movement detection portion.
51. An image display system according to claim 27, comprising: an
information recording portion that records information relating to
said user; and a control portion which reads out the information
relating to said user recorded in said information recording
portion and, based on the information, controls said display
portion and said face contact portion.
52. An image display system according to claim 27, further
comprising: a sound output portion which is disposed in the
backrest portion of said chair portion and outputs sound
information to said user; and a vibration portion which is disposed
in said chair portion and vibrates in concert with at least one of
said image and said sound information.
53. An image display device comprising: a display portion that
projects, via eyepiece optical systems which respectively
correspond to each of the both eyes of a user, a light emitted from
a two-dimensionally light emitting type photoelectric device which
is perpendicular to the light beam emitting direction onto the
eyeballs of said user; a supporting portion supporting said display
portion at its portion that is not in contact with said user and
having a balance portion that cancels the moment of said display
portion relative to said supporting portion; a face contact portion
supported by said display portion and coming into contact with the
face of said user; and a hardwiring for connecting said display
portion to the outside, said hardwiring being provided along the
inside of said supporting portion, a portion of said display
portion fixed to a portion of said balance portion.
54. An image display device according to claim 53, wherein said
face contact portion is provided in contact with the face sides of
said user and sandwiches the face of said user, and wherein said
display portion is movable in accordance with the movement of the
head of said user, a portion of said face contact portion being a
point of support.
55. An image display device comprising: a display portion that
projects, via eyepiece optical systems which respectively
correspond to each of the both eyes of a user, a light emitted from
a two-dimensionally light emitting type photoelectric device which
is perpendicular to the light beam emitting direction onto the
eyeballs of said user; a supporting portion that supports said
display portion at its portion that is not in contact with said
user; and a face contact portion that is supported by said display
portion and comes into contact with the face of said user, wherein
said supporting portion is expandable and contractible.
56. An image display device according to claim 55, further
comprising: a setting condition detection portion that detects the
setting condition; and a supporting portion control portion that
suppresses the expansion and contraction changes of said supporting
portion when said setting condition detection portion detects that
the setting condition has significantly deteriorated.
57. An image display device according to claim 55, wherein said
face contact portion is provided in contact with the face sides of
said user and sandwiches the face of said user, and wherein said
display portion is movable in accordance with the movement of the
head of said user, a portion of said face contact portion being a
point of support.
58. An image display device comprising: a display portion that
projects, via eyepiece optical systems which respectively
correspond to each of the both eyes of a user, a light emitted from
a two-dimensionally light emitting type photoelectric device which
is perpendicular to the light beam emitting direction onto the
eyeballs of said user; a supporting portion that supports said
display portion at its portion that is not in contact with said
user; a face contact portion that is supported by said display
portion and comes into contact with the face of said user; and an
adjustment portion which is provided on a portion of said
supporting portion and which adjusts at least either the setting
angle of said supporting portion relative to a floor portion or the
setting angle of said display portion relative to said floor
portion.
59. An image display device according to claim 58, wherein said
supporting portion comprises a vertical balance portion having a
weight.
60. An image display device according to claim 58, wherein said
face contact portion is provided in contact with the face sides of
said user and sandwiches the face of said user, and wherein said
display portion is movable in accordance with the movement of the
head of said user, a portion of said face contact portion being a
point of support.
61. An image display device comprising: a display portion that
projects, via eyepiece optical systems which respectively
correspond to each of the both eyes of a user, a light emitted from
a two-dimensionally light emitting type photoelectric device which
is perpendicular to the light beam emitting direction onto the
eyeballs of said user; a supporting portion that supports said
display portion at its portion that is not in contact with said
user; and a face contact portion that is supported by said display
portion and comes into contact with the face of said user, wherein
said display portion can change the content of the center region in
the projection area and the content of the peripheral region in the
projection area when said display portion displays said image, and
wherein said display portion performs either a first display in
which said image is projected with a high-definition in said center
region and said image is projected with a low-definition in said
peripheral region or a second display in which the entirety of said
image is projected with a high-definition in said center region and
an image different from said image is projected with a
low-definition in said peripheral region.
62. An image display device according to claim 61, wherein when
said display portion performs said second display, said display
portion displays an image different from said image in the portion
of said photoelectric device corresponding to said peripheral
region.
63. An image display device according to claim 62, wherein when
said display portion performs said second display, said display
portion displays an image having predetermined patterns of which
sizes become smaller as they near said center region in the portion
of said photoelectric device corresponding to said peripheral
region.
64. An image display device according to claim 63, wherein when
said display portion performs said second display, said display
portion displays, in the portion of said photoelectric device
corresponding to said center region, an image having in at least a
portion of the periphery of the portion of said photoelectric
device corresponding to said center region said predetermined
patterns that are similar to and smaller than said predetermined
patterns.
65. An image display device according to claim 64, wherein when
said display portion performs said second display, said display
portion projects said image in a defocused condition in said
peripheral region.
66. An image display device according to claim 61, wherein said
face contact portion comprises a movement detection portion that
detects the movement of the face of said user, and wherein said
display portion shifts the display region of the image to be
displayed on said photoelectric device in the portion of said
photoelectric device corresponding to said center region, in
accordance with the movement of the face of said user detected by
said movement detection portion.
67. An image display device according to claim 61, wherein when
said display portion performs said second display, said display
portion displays information relating to the operation by said user
as an image different from said image in the portion of said
photoelectric device corresponding to said peripheral region.
68. An image display device according to claim 61, wherein said
face contact portion comprises a movement detection portion that
detects the movement of the face of said user, and wherein said
display portion shifts either the display region of the image to be
displayed on said photoelectric device in the portion of said
photoelectric device corresponding to said center region or the
display region where the information relating to the operation by
said user is displayed, in accordance with the movement of the face
of said user detected by said movement detection portion.
69. An image display device according to claim 61, wherein said
face contact portion is provided in contact with the face sides of
said user and sandwiches the face of said user, and wherein said
display portion is movable in accordance with the movement of the
head of said user, a portion of said face contact portion being a
point of support.
70. An image display device comprising: a display portion that
projects, via eyepiece optical systems which respectively
correspond to each of the both eyes of a user, a light emitted from
a two-dimensionally light emitting type photoelectric device which
is perpendicular to the light beam emitting direction onto the
eyeballs of said user; a face contact portion that is supported by
said display portion and comes into contact with the face of said
user; an information recording portion that records information
relating to said user; and a control portion which reads out the
information relating to said user recorded in said information
recording portion and, based on the information, controls said
display portion and said face contact portion.
71. An image display device according to claim 70, wherein said
face contact portion is provided in contact with the face sides of
said user and sandwiches the face of said user, and wherein said
display portion is movable in accordance with the movement of the
head of said user, a portion of said face contact portion being a
point of support.
72. An image display system comprising: a display portion that
projects, via eyepiece optical systems which respectively
correspond to each of the both eyes of a user, a light emitted from
a two-dimensionally light emitting type photoelectric device which
is perpendicular to the light beam emitting direction onto the
eyeballs of said user; a chair portion on which said user can sit
and of which backrest portion is reclinable; a supporting portion
which is united with said chair portion and which supports said
display portion at its portion that is not in contact with said
user; a face contact portion which is supported by said display
portion and comes into contact with the face of said user; a sound
output portion which is disposed in the backrest portion of said
chair portion and outputs sound information to said user; and a
vibration portion which is disposed in said chair portion and
vibrates in concert with at least one of said image and said sound
information, wherein said supporting portion is movable so that
said display portion follows the head of said user in accordance
with the inclination of the backrest portion of said chair
portion.
73. An image display system according to claim 72, wherein said
face contact portion is provided in contact with the face sides of
said user and sandwiches the face of said user, and wherein said
display portion is movable in accordance with the movement of the
head of said user, a portion of said face contact portion being a
point of support.
74. An image display device comprising: a display portion that
projects, via eyepiece optical systems which respectively
correspond to each of the both eyes of a user, a light emitted from
a two-dimensionally light emitting type photoelectric device which
is perpendicular to the light beam emitting direction onto the
eyeballs of said user, a sound output portion, a communication
portion that inputs image information from the outside into said
display portion and inputs sound information into said sound output
portion, a supporting portion which supports said display portion
at its portion that is not in contact with said user, and a face
contact portion which is supported by said display portion and
comes into contact with the face of said user, wherein said
communication portion has, when at least two sets of said image
display devices are set in the vicinity of each other and are used,
a switching mechanism of infrared lights having slightly different
wavelengths.
75. An image display device according to claim 74, wherein said
face contact portion is provided in contact with the face sides of
said user and sandwiches the face of said user, and wherein said
display portion is movable in accordance with the movement of the
head of said user, a portion of said face contact portion being a
point of support.
76. An image display device comprising: a display portion that
projects, via eyepiece optical systems which respectively
correspond to each of the both eyes of a user, a light emitted from
a two-dimensionally light emitting type photoelectric device which
is perpendicular to the light beam emitting direction onto the
eyeballs of said user, a sound output portion that outputs sound to
the both ears of said user, a voice input portion to which the
voice of said user is inputted, a supporting portion which supports
said display portion at its portion that is not in contact with
said user, and a face contact portion which is supported by said
display portion and comes into contact with the face of said user,
wherein said image display device being characterized in that it is
provided, when at least two sets of said image display devices are
set in the vicinity of each other and are used, with a switching
portion that switches what kind of sound information is outputted
from said sound output portion and with a switching portion that
switches to which image display device is inputted voice
information from said voice input portion.
77. An image display system according to claim 76, wherein said
face contact portion is provided in contact with the face sides of
said user and sandwiches the face of said user, and wherein said
display portion is movable in accordance with the movement of the
head of said user, a portion of said face contact portion being a
point of support.
78. An image display device comprising: a display portion that
projects, via eyepiece optical systems which respectively
correspond to each of the both eyes of a user, a light emitted from
a two-dimensionally light emitting type photoelectric device which
is perpendicular to the light beam emitting direction onto the
eyeballs of said user, a sound output portion that outputs sound to
the both ears of said user, a supporting portion which supports
said display portion at its portion that is not in contact with
said user, a face contact portion which is supported by said
display portion and comes into contact with the face of said user,
and a switching portion that switches whether sound information
from the outside is outputted by said sound output portion.
79. An image display system according to claim 78, wherein said
face contact portion is provided in contact with the face sides of
said user and sandwiches the face of said user, and wherein said
display portion is movable in accordance with the movement of the
head of said user, a portion of said face contact portion being a
point of support.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an image display device
that is used with it being positioned near to the eyeballs and
relates to an image display system.
Background Art
[0002] Generally, image display devices can be divided into devices
for multiple persons to enjoy images displayed thereon such as
televisions and projectors, and personal display devices by which
displayed images are enjoyed personally such as personal computers,
televisions set in the chairs in an airplane, and cell phones. In
the case of the former ones, for multiple persons to appreciate
images, the images are required to be displayed at a position
distant from the picture plane, and thus there is the disadvantage
that there arises a restriction with respect to the size of the
display, and, at the time, a large space is required. On the other
hand, since the latter ones are for personal use, images may be
displayed near the picture plane, and even if the picture plane
itself is small, the images can be observed with a field angle
comparable to that of the above-described televisions or
projectors. However, since focal position is located near the user,
there also is a restriction concerning the field angle (the user
can approach such a display only down to a distance of from 30 to
40 cm); since the focal position is located near the user, the user
is apt to be tired, and, moreover, wide range images having a field
of view angle of more than 30 degrees cannot be obtained from such
a display.
[0003] What was devised to solve the latter problem was eyeglass
type displays and head mount type displays, namely, these displays
are configured such that their image display portions are attached
on the head, or such that their image display portions such as
eyeglass frames are attached on the face; large picture planes
located at a distant focal position are viewed with virtual images.
However, in order to be attached on the head, they are required to
be made light, and both of their image quality and field angle are
unsatisfactory. On the other hand, as a method to satisfy high
performances of both of image quality and field angle, there are
systems configured such that with the heavy object of an image
display portion of high image quality and high field angle being
fixed on a position other than a user, the user looks into the
image display portion, or with the sight line position being
detected, the image display device is made to follow the detected
sight line position by actuators (for example, see Patent Document
1 and Patent Document 2).
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Hei
5-293790.
Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Hei
10-161058.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problem to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, in the above-described case where the heavy object
is supported by an outside member, since there is the possibility
that the heavy object is driven in the vicinity of the face, it is
required that it properly follow the face portion and that the risk
that the face collides with the heavy object should be evaded.
Further, also in the case of displays for personal use, when the
system is structured such that the entire field of vision is
light-shielded, there is the disadvantage that the user cannot
appreciate images while paying attention to outside information.
While to avoid this disadvantage, with respect to eyeglass type
displays and head mount type displays, ingenuities in which, for
example, see-through portions through which the peripheral portions
can be observed or windows, located at the periphery of the
eyeglass, for observing the outside are disposed are made, the
ingenuities themselves decrease the sense of reality, and thus
there is the disadvantage that the original sense of reality
associated with a large screen image cannot be obtained. Still
further, with respect to eyeglass type displays and head mount type
displays, there is the disadvantage that while they can be utilized
for personal use, multiple persons cannot enjoyably appreciate
images.
[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an image
display device by which these problems are solved and through which
images with high image quality and high field angle are, in a
space-saving manner, safely provided to the user, and, at the time,
with the personal image display devices' disadvantages being saved,
even multiple persons can enjoy the images.
Means for Solving Problem
[0006] An image display device of the present invention comprises a
display portion that projects, via eyepiece optical systems which
respectively correspond to each of the both eyes of a user, a light
emitted from a two-dimensionally light emitting type photoelectric
device which is perpendicular to the light beam emitting direction
onto the eyeballs of said user; a supporting portion that supports
said display portion at its portion that is not in contact with
said user; and a face contact portion that is supported by said
display portion, is provided in contact with the face sides of said
user, sandwiches the face of said user, and is capable of changing
the distance between said eyepiece optical systems and the eyes of
said user.
[0007] Preferably, said display portion is movable in accordance
with the movement of the head of said user and with the distance
between said eyepiece optical systems and the eyes of said user, a
portion of said face contact portion being a point of support.
[0008] Further, preferably, said face contact portion comes into
contact with the face sides by sandwiching the both ears of said
user, and the portion sandwiching said both ears comprises a sound
output mechanism.
[0009] Further, preferably, said face contact portion comprises an
elastic member for coming into contact with the face sides of said
user, and said face contact portion comprises, independently of
said elastic member, a width changing portion that changes the face
sandwiching width and a distance changing portion that changes the
distance between said eyepiece optical systems and the eyes of said
user.
[0010] Further, preferably, said display portion changes, in
accordance with the distance between said eyepiece optical systems
and the eyes of said user, the size of an image to be
displayed.
[0011] Further, preferably, said display portion comprises a face
fixing member in a portion that faces the front side of the face of
said user, and said face contact portion can change its position to
a distance where the front side of the face of said user is in
contact with said face fixing member and to a distance where
without the front side of the face of said user being in contact
with said face fixing members, the sight line of the both eyes of
said user is, relative to said display portion, relatively movable
around the axis passing through the both ears.
[0012] Further, preferably, said display portion comprises said
face fixing members in a manner that they, evading the eyeglass
frame of said user, are discretely provided around and above and
below said both eyes, and said display portion comprises
light-shielding members for shielding light from the outside in the
right-and-left outsides of said eyeglass frame.
[0013] Further, preferably, said display portion comprises a frame
recognition portion that recognizes whether there exists an
eyeglass frame of said user, and the thickness in the optical axis
direction of said eyepiece optical systems is changeable in
accordance with the recognition results by said frame recognition
portion.
[0014] Further, preferably, each of said eyepiece optical systems
in said display portion is constituted by at least three pieces of
lenses.
[0015] Further, preferably, in each of said eyepiece optical
systems in said display portion, the lens located most distant from
said eye is constituted by a cemented lens.
[0016] Further, preferably, in each of said eyepiece optical
systems in said display portion, the lens located nearest to said
eye is constituted by a lens of which at least one surface is a
conic surface with conic constant K<0.
[0017] Further, preferably, said display portion comprises relay
optical systems and light diffusing plates between said
photoelectric device and said eyepiece optical systems, and the
transmitted images of said light diffusing plates are projected,
via said eyepiece optical systems, onto the eyeballs of said
user.
[0018] Further, preferably, said supporting portion comprises a
balance portion that cancels the moment of said display portion
relative to said supporting portion, and said supporting portion
comprises a hardwiring for connecting said display portion to the
outside, said hardwiring being provided along the inside of said
supporting portion, a portion of said display portion fixed to a
portion of said balance portion.
[0019] Further, preferably, said supporting portion is expandable
and contractible.
[0020] Further, preferably, an image display device further
comprises a setting condition detection portion that detects the
setting condition; and a supporting portion control portion that
suppresses the expansion and contraction changes of said supporting
portion when said setting condition detection portion detects that
the setting condition has significantly deteriorated.
[0021] Further, preferably, an image display device further
comprises an adjustment portion which is provided on a portion of
said supporting portion and which adjusts at least either the
setting angle of said supporting portion relative to a floor
portion or the setting angle of said display portion relative to
said floor portion.
[0022] Further, preferably, said supporting portion comprises a
vertical balance portion having a weight.
[0023] Further, preferably, said display portion can change the
content of the center region in the projection area and the content
of the peripheral region in the projection area when said display
portion displays said image, and said display portion performs
either a first display in which said image is projected with a
high-definition in said center region and said image is projected
with a low-definition in said peripheral region or a second display
in which the entirety of said image is projected with a
high-definition in said center region and an image different from
said image is projected with a low-definition in said peripheral
region.
[0024] Further, preferably, when said display portion performs said
second display, said display portion displays an image different
from said image in the portion of said photoelectric device
corresponding to said peripheral region.
[0025] Further, preferably, when said display portion performs said
second display, said display portion displays an image having
predetermined patterns of which sizes become smaller as they near
said center region in the portion of said photoelectric device
corresponding to said peripheral region.
[0026] Further, preferably, when said display portion performs said
second display, said display portion displays, in the portion of
said photoelectric device corresponding to said center region, an
image having in at least a portion of the periphery of the portion
of said photoelectric device corresponding to said center region
said predetermined patterns that are similar to and smaller than
said predetermined patterns.
[0027] Further, preferably, when said display portion performs said
second display, said display portion projects said image in a
defocused condition in said peripheral region.
[0028] Further, preferably, said face contact portion comprises a
movement detection portion that detects the movement of the face of
said user, and said display portion shifts the display region of
the image to be displayed on said photoelectric device in the
portion of said photoelectric device corresponding to said center
region, in accordance with the movement of the face of said user
detected by said movement detection portion.
[0029] Further, preferably, when said display portion performs said
second display, said display portion displays information relating
to the operation by said user as an image different from said image
in the portion of said photoelectric device corresponding to said
peripheral region.
[0030] Further, preferably, said face contact portion comprises a
movement detection portion that detects the movement of the face of
said user, and said display portion shifts either the display
region of the image to be displayed on said photoelectric device in
the portion of said photoelectric device corresponding to said
center region or the display region where the information relating
to the operation by said user is displayed, in accordance with the
movement of the face of said user detected by said movement
detection portion.
[0031] Further, preferably, an image display device comprises an
information recording portion that records information relating to
said user; and a control portion which reads out the information
relating to said user recorded in said information recording
portion and, based on the information, controls said display
portion and said face contact portion.
[0032] An image display system of the present invention comprises a
display portion that projects, via eyepiece optical systems which
respectively correspond to each of the both eyes of a user, a light
emitted from a two-dimensionally light emitting type photoelectric
device which is perpendicular to the light beam emitting direction
onto the eyeballs of said user; a chair portion on which said user
can sit and of which backrest portion is reclinable; a supporting
portion which is united with said chair portion and which supports
said display portion at its portion that is not in contact with
said user; and a face contact portion which is supported by said
display portion and comes into contact with the face of said user,
wherein said supporting portion is movable so that said display
portion follows the head of said user in accordance with the
inclination of the backrest portion of said chair portion.
[0033] Further, preferably, said face contact portion is provided
in contact with the face sides of said user and sandwiches the face
of said user, and said display portion is movable in accordance
with the movement of the head of said user, a portion of said face
contact portion being a point of support.
[0034] Further, preferably, said supporting portion comprises a
balance portion that cancels the moment of said display portion
relative to said supporting portion.
[0035] Further, preferably, said supporting portion comprises a
string-like flexible member that connects said display portion and
said balance portion and a friction relaxing mechanism that relaxes
the friction occurring to said flexible member.
[0036] Further, preferably, said supporting portion comprises a
stainless-steel fiber as said string-like flexible member.
[0037] Further, preferably, said supporting portion comprises a
para-type aramid fiber as said string-like flexible member.
[0038] Further, preferably, said supporting portion comprises a
drop prevention mechanism that prevents said display portion from
dropping when said flexible member breaks.
[0039] Further, preferably, said supporting portion comprises a
cover that covers the surface of the supporting portion.
[0040] Further, preferably, an image display system comprises a
hardwiring for connecting said display portion to the outside in
the inside of said supporting portion, said hardwiring being
provided along said string-like flexible member, a portion of said
display portion fixed to a portion of said balance portion.
[0041] Further, preferably, said supporting portion comprises a
weight in said balance portion, said supporting portion comprises a
supporting column, wherein said supporting column supports said
display portion and said weight by suspending them in a manner of a
balance, and when assuming that the weight of said display portion
is M, that the weight of said weight is m, that the distance
between said display portion and a fulcrum is L, and that the
distance between said weight and said fulcrum is l, said supporting
column holds said fulcrum at a position where ML=ml is
satisfied.
[0042] Further, preferably, said supporting portion is disposed
adjacent to said backrest portion of said chair portion, and said
chair portion comprises a parallel link member which keeps the
inclination of said supporting portion relative to the ground in
the vertical direction, when said backrest portion inclines.
[0043] Further, preferably, when said user detaches said display
portion from the face, said supporting portion evacuates said
display portion out of the region defined by the arc drawn by said
head at its center being the hips of said user.
[0044] Further, preferably, said supporting portion is expandable
and contractible.
[0045] Further, preferably, an image display system further
comprises a setting condition detection portion that detects the
setting condition; and a supporting portion control portion that
suppresses the expansion and contraction changes of said supporting
portion when said setting condition detection portion detects that
the setting condition has significantly deteriorated.
[0046] Further, preferably, an image display system further
comprises an adjustment portion which is provided on a portion of
said supporting portion and which adjusts at least either the
setting angle of said supporting portion relative to a floor
portion or the setting angle of said display portion relative to
said floor portion.
[0047] Further, preferably, said supporting portion comprises a
vertical balance portion having a weight.
[0048] Further, preferably, said display portion can change the
content of the center region in the projection area and the content
of the peripheral region in the projection area when said display
portion displays said image, and said display portion performs
either a first display in which said image is projected with a
high-definition in said center region and said image is projected
with a low-definition in said peripheral region or a second display
in which the entirety of said image is projected with a
high-definition in said center region and an image different from
said image is projected with a low-definition in said peripheral
region.
[0049] Further, preferably, when said display portion performs said
second display, said display portion displays an image different
from said image in the portion of said photoelectric device
corresponding to said peripheral region.
[0050] Further, preferably, when said display portion performs said
second display, said display portion displays an image having
predetermined patterns of which sizes become smaller as they near
said center region in the portion of said photoelectric device
corresponding to said peripheral region.
[0051] Further, preferably, when said display portion performs said
second display, said display portion displays, in the portion of
said photoelectric device corresponding to said center region, an
image having in at least a portion of the periphery of the portion
of said photoelectric device corresponding to said center region
said predetermined patterns that are similar to and smaller than
said predetermined patterns.
[0052] Further, preferably, when said display portion performs said
second display, said display portion projects said image in a
defocused condition in said peripheral region.
[0053] Further, preferably, said face contact portion comprises a
movement detection portion that detects the movement of the face of
said user, and said display portion shifts the display region of
the image to be displayed on said photoelectric device in the
portion of said photoelectric device corresponding to said center
region, in accordance with the movement of the face of said user
detected by said movement detection portion.
[0054] Further, preferably, when said display portion performs said
second display, said display portion displays information relating
to the operation by said user as an image different from said image
in the portion of said photoelectric device corresponding to said
peripheral region.
[0055] Further, preferably, said face contact portion comprises a
movement detection portion that detects the movement of the face of
said user, and said display portion shifts either the display
region of the image to be displayed on said photoelectric device in
the portion of said photoelectric device corresponding to said
center region or the display region where the information relating
to the operation by said user is displayed, in accordance with the
movement of the face of said user detected by said movement
detection portion.
[0056] Further, preferably, an image display system comprises an
information recording portion that records information relating to
said user; and a control portion which reads out the information
relating to said user recorded in said information recording
portion and, based on the information, controls said display
portion and said face contact portion.
[0057] Further, preferably, an image display system further
comprises a sound output portion which is disposed in the backrest
portion of said chair portion and outputs sound information to said
user; and a vibration portion which is disposed in said chair
portion and vibrates in concert with at least one of said image and
said sound information.
[0058] An image display device of another mode of the present
invention comprises a display portion that projects, via eyepiece
optical systems which respectively correspond to each of the both
eyes of a user, a light emitted from a two-dimensionally light
emitting type photoelectric device which is perpendicular to the
light beam emitting direction onto the eyeballs of said user; a
supporting portion supporting said display portion at its portion
that is not in contact with said user and having a balance portion
that cancels the moment of said display portion relative to said
supporting portion; a face contact portion supported by said
display portion and coming into contact with the face of said user;
and a hardwiring for connecting said display portion to the
outside, said hardwiring being provided along the inside of said
supporting portion, a portion of said display portion fixed to a
portion of said balance portion.
[0059] Further, preferably, said face contact portion is provided
in contact with the face sides of said user and sandwiches the face
of said user, and said display portion is movable in accordance
with the movement of the head of said user, a portion of said face
contact portion being a point of support.
[0060] An image display device of another mode of the present
invention comprises a display portion that projects, via eyepiece
optical systems which respectively correspond to each of the both
eyes of a user, a light emitted from a two-dimensionally light
emitting type photoelectric device which is perpendicular to the
light beam emitting direction onto the eyeballs of said user; a
supporting portion that supports said display portion at its
portion that is not in contact with said user; and a face contact
portion that is supported by said display portion and comes into
contact with the face of said user, wherein said supporting portion
is expandable and contractible.
[0061] Further, preferably, an image display device further
comprises a setting condition detection portion that detects the
setting condition; and a supporting portion control portion that
suppresses the expansion and contraction changes of said supporting
portion when said setting condition detection portion detects that
the setting condition has significantly deteriorated.
[0062] Further, preferably, said face contact portion is provided
in contact with the face sides of said user and sandwiches the face
of said user, and said display portion is movable in accordance
with the movement of the head of said user, a portion of said face
contact portion being a point of support.
[0063] An image display device of another mode of the present
invention comprises a display portion that projects, via eyepiece
optical systems which respectively correspond to each of the both
eyes of a user, a light emitted from a two-dimensionally light
emitting type photoelectric device which is perpendicular to the
light beam emitting direction onto the eyeballs of said user; a
supporting portion that supports said display portion at its
portion that is not in contact with said user; a face contact
portion that is supported by said display portion and comes into
contact with the face of said user; and an adjustment portion which
is provided on a portion of said supporting portion and which
adjusts at least either the setting angle of said supporting
portion relative to a floor portion or the setting angle of said
display portion relative to said floor portion.
[0064] Further, preferably, said supporting portion comprises a
vertical balance portion having a weight.
[0065] Further, preferably, said face contact portion is provided
in contact with the face sides of said user and sandwiches the face
of said user, and said display portion is movable in accordance
with the movement of the head of said user, a portion of said face
contact portion being a point of support.
[0066] An image display device of another mode of the present
invention comprises a display portion that projects, via eyepiece
optical systems which respectively correspond to each of the both
eyes of a user, a light emitted from a two-dimensionally light
emitting type photoelectric device which is perpendicular to the
light beam emitting direction onto the eyeballs of said user; a
supporting portion that supports said display portion at its
portion that is not in contact with said user; and a face contact
portion that is supported by said display portion and comes into
contact with the face of said user, wherein said display portion
can change the content of the center region in the projection area
and the content of the peripheral region in the projection area
when said display portion displays said image, and wherein said
display portion performs either a first display in which said image
is projected with a high-definition in said center region and said
image is projected with a low-definition in said peripheral region
or a second display in which the entirety of said image is
projected with a high-definition in said center region and an image
different from said image is projected with a low-definition in
said peripheral region.
[0067] Further, preferably, when said display portion performs said
second display, said display portion displays an image different
from said image in the portion of said photoelectric device
corresponding to said peripheral region.
[0068] Further, preferably, when said display portion performs said
second display, said display portion displays an image having
predetermined patterns of which sizes become smaller as they near
said center region in the portion of said photoelectric device
corresponding to said peripheral region.
[0069] Further, preferably, when said display portion performs said
second display, said display portion displays, in the portion of
said photoelectric device corresponding to said center region, an
image having in at least a portion of the periphery of the portion
of said photoelectric device corresponding to said center region
said predetermined patterns that are similar to and smaller than
said predetermined patterns.
[0070] Further, preferably, when said display portion performs said
second display, said display portion projects said image in a
defocused condition in said peripheral region.
[0071] Further, preferably, said face contact portion comprises a
movement detection portion that detects the movement of the face of
said user, and said display portion shifts the display region of
the image to be displayed on said photoelectric device in the
portion of said photoelectric device corresponding to said center
region, in accordance with the movement of the face of said user
detected by said movement detection portion.
[0072] Further, preferably, when said display portion performs said
second display, said display portion displays information relating
to the operation by said user as an image different from said image
in the portion of said photoelectric device corresponding to said
peripheral region.
[0073] Further, preferably, said face contact portion comprises a
movement detection portion that detects the movement of the face of
said user, and said display portion shifts either the display
region of the image to be displayed on said photoelectric device in
the portion of said photoelectric device corresponding to said
center region or the display region where the information relating
to the operation by said user is displayed, in accordance with the
movement of the face of said user detected by said movement
detection portion.
[0074] Further, preferably, said face contact portion is provided
in contact with the face sides of said user and sandwiches the face
of said user, and said display portion is movable in accordance
with the movement of the head of said user, a portion of said face
contact portion being a point of support.
[0075] An image display device of another mode of the present
invention comprises a display portion that projects, via eyepiece
optical systems which respectively correspond to each of the both
eyes of a user, a light emitted from a two-dimensionally light
emitting type photoelectric device which is perpendicular to the
light beam emitting direction onto the eyeballs of said user; a
face contact portion that is supported by said display portion and
comes into contact with the face of said user; an information
recording portion that records information relating to said user;
and a control portion which reads out the information relating to
said user recorded in said information recording portion and, based
on the information, controls said display portion and said face
contact portion.
[0076] Further, preferably, said face contact portion is provided
in contact with the face sides of said user and sandwiches the face
of said user, and said display portion is movable in accordance
with the movement of the head of said user, a portion of said face
contact portion being a point of support.
[0077] An image display system of another mode of the present
invention comprises a display portion that projects, via eyepiece
optical systems which respectively correspond to each of the both
eyes of a user, a light emitted from a two-dimensionally light
emitting type photoelectric device which is perpendicular to the
light beam emitting direction onto the eyeballs of said user; a
chair portion on which said user can sit and of which backrest
portion is reclinable; a supporting portion which is united with
said chair portion and which supports said display portion at its
portion that is not in contact with said user; a face contact
portion which is supported by said display portion and comes into
contact with the face of said user; a sound output portion which is
disposed in the backrest portion of said chair portion and outputs
sound information to said user; and a vibration portion which is
disposed in said chair portion and vibrates in concert with at
least one of said image and said sound information, wherein said
supporting portion is movable so that said display portion follows
the head of said user in accordance with the inclination of the
backrest portion of said chair portion.
[0078] Further, preferably, said face contact portion is provided
in contact with the face sides of said user and sandwiches the face
of said user, and said display portion is movable in accordance
with the movement of the head of said user, a portion of said face
contact portion being a point of support.
[0079] An image display device of another mode of the present
invention comprises a display portion that projects, via eyepiece
optical systems which respectively correspond to each of the both
eyes of a user, a light emitted from a two-dimensionally light
emitting type photoelectric device which is perpendicular to the
light beam emitting direction onto the eyeballs of said user, a
sound output portion, a communication portion that inputs image
information from the outside into said display portion and inputs
sound information into said sound output portion, a supporting
portion which supports said display portion at its portion that is
not in contact with said user, and a face contact portion which is
supported by said display portion and comes into contact with the
face of said user, wherein said communication portion has, when at
least two sets of said image display devices are set in the
vicinity of each other and are used, a switching mechanism of
infrared lights having slightly different wavelengths.
[0080] Further, preferably, said face contact portion is provided
in contact with the face sides of said user and sandwiches the face
of said user, and said display portion is movable in accordance
with the movement of the head of said user, a portion of said face
contact portion being a point of support.
[0081] An image display device of another mode of the present
invention comprising:
[0082] a display portion that projects, via eyepiece optical
systems which respectively correspond to each of the both eyes of a
user, a light emitted from a two-dimensionally light emitting type
photoelectric device which is perpendicular to the light beam
emitting direction onto the eyeballs of said user, a sound output
portion that outputs sound to the both ears of said user, a voice
input portion to which the voice of said user is inputted, a
supporting portion which supports said display portion at its
portion that is not in contact with said user, and a face contact
portion which is supported by said display portion and comes into
contact with the face of said user, wherein said image display
device being characterized in that it is provided, when at least
two sets of said image display devices are set in the vicinity of
each other and are used, with a switching portion that switches
what kind of sound information is outputted from said sound output
portion and with a switching portion that switches to which image
display device is inputted voice information from said voice input
portion.
[0083] Further, preferably, said face contact portion is provided
in contact with the face sides of said user and sandwiches the face
of said user, and said display portion is movable in accordance
with the movement of the head of said user, a portion of said face
contact portion being a point of support.
[0084] An image display device of another mode of the present
invention comprises a display portion that projects, via eyepiece
optical systems which respectively correspond to each of the both
eyes of a user, a light emitted from a two-dimensionally light
emitting type photoelectric device which is perpendicular to the
light beam emitting direction onto the eyeballs of said user, a
sound output portion that outputs sound to the both ears of said
user, a supporting portion which supports said display portion at
its portion that is not in contact with said user, a face contact
portion which is supported by said display portion and comes into
contact with the face of said user, and a switching portion that
switches whether sound information from the outside is outputted by
said sound output portion.
[0085] Further, preferably, said face contact portion is provided
in contact with the face sides of said user and sandwiches the face
of said user, and said display portion is movable in accordance
with the-movement of the head of said user, a portion of said face
contact portion being a point of support.
Effect of the Invention
[0086] In accordance with the present invention, there can be
provided an image display device through which images with high
image quality and high field angle are, in a space-saving manner,
safely provided to the user, and, at the time, with the personal
image display devices' disadvantages being saved, even multiple
persons can enjoy the images.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0087] [FIG. 1] A sketch drawing of image display device 1 of a
first embodiment.
[0088] [FIG. 2] Top views showing the manner in which the face
comes to be sandwiched by face sandwiching portions 5.
[0089] [FIG. 3] Top views showing the condition in which with face
sandwiching portions 5 being shortened, the face and face fixing
portion 6 are in contact with each.
[0090] [FIG. 4] Drawings showing the relationship between face
fixing portion 6 and eyeglasses and schematic drawings showing the
states in which the eye relief is varied depending upon the
existence and nonexistence of the eyeglasses.
[0091] [FIG. 5] Top views showing the condition in which with the
elastic members of face sandwiching portions 5 being elastically
deformed, the face is detached from face fixing portion 6.
[0092] [FIG. 6] Drawings illustrating the eye relief and the
movement of the face.
[0093] [FIG. 7] Drawings illustrating in detail the telescopic
mechanism of face sandwiching portions 5 and the configuration of
sandwiching portions around the ears.
[0094] [FIG. 8] Drawings showing that with face sandwiching
portions 5 being elongated, the face is detached from face fixing
portion 6, and the display portion does not follow the rotation of
the face around the axis passing through the both ears and showing
the condition in which the ears and the eyes rotate.
[0095] [FIG. 9] An optical drawing of a relay magnification optical
system.
[0096] [FIG. 10] Drawings showing that there are two kinds of eye
reliefs for image display portion 2 and that under each of the both
conditions, the eyeball and the light diffusing plate are conjugate
with each other.
[0097] [FIG. 11] Optical path drawing (a) using eyepiece optical
system 31 of a first method and the field of view drawing (b)
showing the observable field of view.
[0098] [FIG. 12] Optical path drawing (a) when the eye relief is 10
mm and optical path drawing (b) when the eye relief is 30 mm, in
the case of eyepiece optical system 31 of the first method.
[0099] [FIG. 13] MTF output drawing (a) when the eye relief is 10
mm and MTF output drawing (b) when the eye relief is 30 mm, in the
case of eyepiece optical system 31 of the first method.
[0100] [FIG. 14] A line graph showing the distortion amounts when
the eye relief is varied by 5 mm from 10 to 30 mm, in the case of
eyepiece optical system 31 of the first method.
[0101] [FIG. 15] Optical path drawing (a) using eyepiece optical
system 31 of a second method and the field of view drawing (b)
showing the observable field of view.
[0102] [FIG. 16] Optical path drawing (a) when the eye relief is 10
mm and optical path drawing (b) when the eye relief is 30 mm, in
the case of eyepiece optical system 31 of the second method.
[0103] [FIG. 17] MTF output drawing (a) when the eye relief is 10
mm and MTF output drawing (b) when the eye relief is 30 mm, in the
case of eyepiece optical system 31 of the second method.
[0104] [FIG. 18] A line graph showing the distortion amounts when
the eye relief is varied by 5 mm from 10 to 30 mm, in the case of
eyepiece optical system 31 of the second method.
[0105] [FIG. 19] Optical path drawing (a) using eyepiece optical
system 31 of a third method and the field of view drawing (b)
showing the observable field of view.
[0106] [FIG. 20] Optical path drawing (a) when the eye relief is 10
mm and optical path drawing (b) when the eye relief is 30 mm, in
the case of eyepiece optical system 31 of the third method.
[0107] [FIG. 21] MTF output drawing (a) when the eye relief is 10
mm and MTF output drawing (b) when the eye relief is 30 mm, in the
case of eyepiece optical system 31 of the third method.
[0108] [FIG. 22] A line graph showing the distortion amounts when
the eye relief is varied by 5 mm from 10 to 30 mm, in the case of
eyepiece optical system 31 of the third method.
[0109] [FIG. 23] A sketch drawing of image display system 50 of a
second embodiment.
[0110] [FIG. 24] Drawings for illustrating supporting portion
54.
[0111] [FIG. 25] Drawings for illustrating rotation mechanisms for
each of the rotation axes of .theta.x, .theta.y, and .theta.z.
[0112] [FIG. 26] A side view showing that when a user bends his or
her body in a state of sitting, there is no obstacle in the
vicinity of the head.
[0113] [FIG. 27] A side view showing the condition when the
backrest portion of a chair is reclined.
[0114] [FIG. 28] A side view showing that when a user raises his or
her body in a state of reclining, there is no obstacle in the
vicinity of the head.
[0115] [FIG. 29] A drawing illustrating the hardwiring in a third
embodiment.
[0116] [FIG. 30] A drawing showing supporting portion 54 of image
display system 170 of a fourth embodiment, as viewed from
above.
[0117] [FIG. 31] A drawing illustrating, with respect to supporting
portion 54 of image display system 170 of the fourth embodiment,
only the configuration of a z-direction movement mechanism.
[0118] [FIG. 32] A sketch drawing of image display system 180 of a
fifth embodiment, as viewed from the side direction.
[0119] [FIG. 33] A sketch drawing of image display system 180 of
the fifth embodiment.
[0120] [FIG. 34] A drawing illustrating the inclination of the
ground.
[0121] [FIG. 35] A drawing illustrating the images displayed by
image display device 190 of a sixth embodiment.
[0122] [FIG. 36] A correspondence table of the number of pixels vs.
the field of view angle, with respect to the image of the center
region.
[0123] [FIG. 37] A drawing illustrating the control system of image
display device 190 in the sixth embodiment.
[0124] [FIG. 38] Drawings illustrating the images displayed by
image display device 190 in the sixth embodiment.
[0125] [FIG. 39] Drawings illustrating the images displayed by
image display device 190 in the sixth embodiment.
[0126] [FIG. 40] Drawings illustrating the images displayed by
image display device 190 in the sixth embodiment.
[0127] [FIG. 41] Drawings illustrating the images displayed by
image display device 190 in the sixth embodiment.
[0128] [FIG. 42] Drawings illustrating the images displayed by
image display device 190 in the sixth embodiment.
[0129] [FIG. 43] A sketch drawing of image display device 120 in a
seventh embodiment.
[0130] [FIG. 44] A sketch drawing of image display device 130 in an
eighth embodiment.
[0131] [FIG. 45] A sketch drawing of image display device 150 in a
ninth embodiment.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0132] In the following, embodiments of the present invention will
be described, referring to the drawings.
FIRST EMBODIMENT
[0133] As shown in FIG. 1, image display device 1 of a first
embodiment is provided with image display portion 2, sound output
portions 3, and supporting portion 4. Image display portion 2
projects, via eyepiece optical systems which respectively
correspond to each of the both eyes of a user (which will be
detailed later), a light emitted from a two-dimensionally light
emitting type photoelectric device, not shown, which is
perpendicular to the light beam emitting direction onto the
eyeballs of the user. Further, sound output portions 3 are disposed
by elastic members, which will be described later, so as to
sandwich the both ears of the user to output sound. Further, as
shown in FIG. 1, supporting portion 4 supports image display
portion 2 at its portion that is not in contact with the user.
[0134] First, a face sandwiching mechanism supported by image
display portion 2 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and
2(b), image display portion 2 supports face sandwiching portions 5.
FIG. 2(a) shows the condition before the face of the user is
sandwiched by face sandwiching portions 5; FIG. 2(b) shows the
condition after the face of the user is sandwiched by face
sandwiching portions 5.
[0135] Further, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), image display
portion 2 is provided with face fixing portion 6 and
outside-light-shielding plates 7, and head portion lateral width
changing frames 8 are rotationally movably attached by head portion
lateral width changing mechanisms 9 to the ends of face sandwiching
portions 5. Further, to the ends of head portion lateral width
changing frames 8 are provided rotation shafts 11 for sound output
portions 3, and outside sound output portions 3 are provided ear
region contact portions 12. In the following, description will be
made with respect to the left side portion. The same description
applies to the right side portion.
[0136] With face width changing mechanism 9 being moved in the
direction of arrow A, head portion lateral width changing frames 8
nears ear 10. And, sound output portion 3, with its rotation center
being rotation shaft 11, comes, parallel to ear 10, into contact
with ear 10; ear region contact portions 12 completely covers ear
10 and, as shown in FIG. 2(b), sandwiches the face. In this regard,
elastic member 13 is intermediately disposed at the root portion of
face width changing frame 8 and functions as a cushion for not
sandwiching ears 10 with an excessive force.
[0137] Since face sandwiching portions 5 move left and right
symmetrically and sandwich the face, it is adjusted such that each
of the centers of the both eyes of the user approximately coincides
with the center of the corresponding eyepiece lens. Further, face
width changing mechanism 9 is provided with a stopper mechanism,
not shown, through which it is configured such that with the knob
portion of the face width changing mechanism being held, the knob
portion can be freely moved and such that the knob portion being
got off, the knob portion cannot be moved; and thus, it is
configured such that when the knob portion is got off in cases
where the sandwiching pressure becomes appropriate, the stopper
mechanism works, and the face sandwiching width of face sandwiching
portions 5 is fixed.
[0138] FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are drawings for illustrating the
changing of the distance between the eyepiece optical systems, not
shown, of image display portion 2 and the eyes of the user
(hereinafter, referred to as "eye relief"). Note that with respect
to the portions similar to those in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), their
reference numerals/letters and descriptions will be omitted.
[0139] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), image display portion 2 is
provided with eye relief changing mechanisms 14. By moving eye
relief changing mechanisms 14 in the direction of arrow B, the eye
relief can be shortened. FIG. 3(a) shows the state before the eye
relief is shortened; FIG. 3(b) shows the state in which with the
eye relief being shortened, the face of the user has come into
contact with face fixing portion 6.
[0140] By the way, regarding image display device 1 of this
embodiment, the weight of image display portion 2 is supported by
the outside supporting portion 4, and thus, the weight is not
required to be held by the face or the head as is done in the case
of an eyeglass type display or a head mount type display.
Generally, in the case of an eyeglass type display, the weight
holding and the eye relief fixing are performed in a lump; in the
case of a head mount type display, the display is fixed by the
head, and the eye relief is determined by the design of the fixing
portion.
[0141] In contrast, in image display device 1 of the embodiment,
while the position of image display portion 2 is determined, with
the face being sandwiched, depending upon the position of ear 10,
the weight of image display portion 2 is not required to be held.
Thus, a new feature is created that so long as the positional
relationship between ear 10 and ear frame fixing portion 12 is
fixed, the eye relief can be set to be a desired distance by
shortening or elongating face sandwiching portions 5. For that
purpose, it is preferable that the attaching of image display
portion 2 to the face is performed in the sequence that the face
sandwiching operation is performed first to determine the
positional relationship between ear 10 and ear frame fixing portion
12, and the eye relief is determined next.
[0142] In FIG. 4 are drawings illustrating face fixing portion 6
that can address both of a user wearing eyeglasses and a user not
wearing eyeglasses. FIG. 4(a) is an elevation view showing the
relationship when the face of a user wearing eyeglasses is in
contact with face fixing portion 6; the circle denoted by 15
represents eyepiece lens 15 which is located nearest to the eye of
the user. FIG. 4(b) is a side view at that time; FIG. 4(c) is a
side view in which to illustrate the change of the thickness of
face fixing portion 6 in accordance with the eye relief,
illustration of outside-light-shielding plates 7 is omitted.
[0143] As shown in FIG. 4(a), irrespective of the existence or
nonexistence of eyeglasses, face fixing portions 6 are disposed in
a manner that they, evading eyeglass frame portion 16, are disposed
outside and above and below eyepiece lenses 15. Further, in the
right-and-left outsides of the eyeglass frame ends are disposed
outside-light-shielding plates 7 that shield light from the
outside, and it is configured, as shown in FIG. 4(b), such that
with the field of vision angle of the user being assumed to be 180
degrees, those plates cover the face so that outside light does not
enter the eyes from the outside of the image display region.
Further, at the positions of face fixing portions 6 corresponding
to eyeglass frame end portions are located protruded portions 17
for recognizing whether there exist eyeglasses; when protruded
portions 17 are pushed by the eyeglass frame end portions, stoppers
18 work, as shown in FIG. 4(c), and block face fixing portion 6
from contracting relative to eyepiece lens frame 19. As shown in
FIG. 4(c), face fixing portion 6 is originally designed to
correspond to a length of about 20 mm; when assuming that the eye
relief between the eyeglasses and the position of the eyeball of
the user is 15 mm, the eyeglasses and eyepiece lens 15 do not come
into contact with each other at the time when face fixing portion 6
comes into contact with the skin on the bone around the eye, even
if the eyeglass has a thickness of from 2 to 3 mm. In other words,
the user can appreciate images in a state of wearing glasses and
with an eye relief of 20 mm.
[0144] On the other hand, FIG. 4(d) is a drawing showing the case
where a user not wearing eyeglasses uses the image display device;
in this case, since there exist no eyeglass end portions, protruded
portions 17 are never pushed. Thus, stoppers 18 do not work, and
block face fixing portion supporting mechanism 20 is extended and
contracted, starting from the time when face fixing portion 6 comes
into contact with the skin on the bone around the eye, until the
eye relief becomes ear 10 mm. As a result thereof, face fixing
portion 6 becomes to have a length of 10 mm, and the user can
appreciate images with an eye relief of 10 mm. In this way, the
user wearing eyeglasses can appreciate images with an eye relief of
20 mm, and the user not wearing eyeglasses can appreciate images in
an optimal condition of an eye relief of 10 mm.
[0145] Next, FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) show the condition in which by
elastically deforming elastic members 13 of face sandwiching
portions 5, the user's face is detached from face fixing portion 6.
FIG. 5(a) shows the condition in which the user is enjoying the
images of image display portion 2 by means of the above-described
method. In this condition, image display portion 2 and the face are
positioned by face sandwiching portions 5 in an optimal condition,
and the user is enjoying the images in a comfortable condition.
However, among image information, there are images that cause VE
sickness because they have an excessively high sense of reality;
further, eyestrain occurs when the user continues to appreciate
images for a long time. Still further, there may occur situations
in which the user has to look at the outside in accordance with
information inputted from the outside. In connection with such
cases, it takes a considerable time to perform position adjustment
by using the above-described method, and it also a lot of trouble
to perform re-adjustment. Here, to address those problems, with
neither face width changing mechanisms 9 nor eye relief changing
mechanism 14 being used, the face is detached from image display
portion 2 by directly holding with both hands ear frame fixing
portions 12 and by elastically deforming elastic members 13, as
shown in FIG. 5(b). Of course, elastic members 13 are constituted
by a mechanism which uses leaf springs or springs that are designed
not to exceed their elastic limit and allows ear frame fixing
portions 12 to be detached from the face; and thus, by making eye
relief changing mechanisms 14 come into contact with the face and
by aligning ear frame fixing portions 12 with ears 10 to return to
the original condition, the previous condition can be
re-created.
[0146] FIG. 6(a) is a drawing viewing the state of FIG. 3(b) from
the side; FIG. 6(b) is a drawing viewing from the side the state in
which the face is inclined downwardly in the state of shown in FIG.
3(b). In the case of FIG. 6(a), the user's face is completely fixed
by ear frame fixing portions 12 of face sandwiching portions 5 and
by face fixing portion 6; thus, when, for example, the face is
inclined downwardly as shown in FIG. 6(b), image display portion 2
also, following the face, moves downwardly while rotating. In this
condition, the user is appreciating images with an eye relief of,
e.g., 10 mm in the case of not wearing eyeglasses, and the image is
displayed in the direction to which the face moves.
[0147] In contrast, in FIG. 6(c), face sandwiching portions 5 are
elongated, and FIG. 6(c) shows the state of FIG. 3(a) as viewed
from the side. Thus, face fixing portion 6 and the face are
completely detached from each other. In this condition, while the
face is constrained by ear frame fixing portions 12 of face
sandwiching portions 5 with respect to almost every direction, the
face has a freedom only with respect to around the axis passing
through the both ears; thus, by, as shown in FIG. 6(d), inclining
the face downwardly (rotating it around the axis passing through
the both ears) or by, with the face being fixed, upwardly moving
image display portion 2 (rotating it around the axis passing
through the both ears to lift it), the user can direct the eyes
from image display portion 2 to different directions. By this, the
user can not only direct the eyes to different directions, but also
take a meal or eat between meals with ease because image display
portion 2 which was in the vicinity of the mouth, with the face
being directed downwardly, also departs from the mouth.
[0148] Next, more detailed description will follow, referring to
FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7(a) is a drawing showing in detail the
sandwiching configuration around ear 10 when face sandwiching
portion 5 is shortened; FIG. 7(b) is a drawing showing in detail
the sandwiching configuration around ear 10 when face sandwiching
portion 5 is elongated. Member 21 is a portion fixed to image
display portion 2; member 22 holding portions including sound
output portion 3 is translationally movably connected to member 21
by linear guide 23. (Here, since the portion indicated by the wavy
lines is the portion where face width changing mechanism 9 exists
in relation to ear 10, illustration thereof is omitted.) Since face
width changing frame 8 nears ear 10, sound output portion 3, with
its rotation center being rotation shaft 11, comes, approximately
parallel to ear 10, into contact with ear 10, and the face is
sandwiched by ear frame fixing portions 12 so as to completely
cover ear 10, ear region contact portion 12 and image display
portion 2 can set, as desired, the eye relief between the eye and
the eyepiece lens through the translational movement executed by
linear guide 23.
[0149] The shortening and elongating of face sandwiching portions 5
by linear guide 23 is performed by the movement, along hole portion
27 provided in member 21, of pin 26 attached to the end of lever
portion 25, with the movement being associated with the rotational
movement, in the direction of arrow C, of lever portion 25 which is
rotationally movably connected to rotation shaft 26 set on member
22. It is to be noted that it is configured such that a knob
portion to be held by hand is provided on the other end of lever
portion 25; with this knob portion being held, a stopper is
released, and the above-mentioned rotational movement can be
performed; and with the knob portion being got off, the stopper
works, and a desired eye relief can be obtained. (While an example
of telescopic mechanism has been described, various kinds of
telescopic methods, e.g., electrically driven means, can of course
be also conceived.)
[0150] The entirety of those things constitutes eye relief changing
mechanism 14, and the user can freely change the eye relief while
viewing images. In FIG. 8 are drawings showing the relationship
between the eye and image display portion 2 in the case where the
eye relief is elongated by eye relief changing mechanism 14. As
described above, ear 10 is completely covered by ear frame fixing
portion 12. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8(a) and 8(b), face
fixing portion 6 and the face are completely separated from each
other. Accordingly, in contrast to the case where face fixing
portion 6 and the face are in contact with each other, the freedom
in the rotation direction around the axis that passes through the
both ears and is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing is
permitted, as shown by the transition from the state of FIG. 8(a)
to that of FIG. 8(b). In other words, the user can, by inclining
the face downwardly, direct the sight line direction to the outside
of image display portion 2, as shown by the transition of the eye
sight line from the direction indicated by arrow D to that
indicated by arrow E. Further, by rotating image display portion 2
around the rotation axis in a state of directing the face straight
ahead, an equivalent effect can be obtained. This effectively works
for looking at the outside conditions while continuously listening
to sound from sound output portions 3, for taking a meal or eating
between meals while viewing images, and for relieving eyestrain due
to images. Further, since image display portion 2 is supported by
supporting portion 4, and only the freedom in the rotation
direction around the axis that passes through the both ears and is
perpendicular to the plane of the drawing is permitted, the user
can immediately appreciate images only by positioning the face in
the original position and is freed from the trouble of, e.g.,
removing image display portion 2 each time or performing the
re-adjustment when re-wearing the image display portion, as shown
in FIG. 9.
[0151] Next, referring to FIG. 9, the inner mechanism of image
display portion 2 will be described. 161G, 161B, and 161R are a
two-dimensionally light emitting type optical device that emits a
green image, a two-dimensionally light emitting type optical device
that emits a blue image, and a two-dimensionally light emitting
type optical device that emits a red image, respectively; those
images are combined by three color multiplexing prism 162. As those
two-dimensionally light emitting type optical devices, for example,
liquid crystal display devices and organic EL devices using LED
light sources can be listed. Image display portion 2 is provided
with two sets of the above-mentioned optical devices 161G, 161B,
and 161R and three color multiplexing prisms 162.
[0152] Further, image display portion 2 has a relay magnification
optical system; as shown in FIG. 9, the relay magnification optical
system is provided with zoom optical systems 28 and 29 and half
prism 30. And, by driving zoom optical systems 28 and 29, the size
of images can be changed. Further, the images led by zoom optical
systems 28 and 29 are combined by half prism 30, and the combined
images are led to eyepiece optical systems, not shown. It should be
noted that in combining images, the sizes of the two images may or
may not be the same. Further, it may also be configured, for
example, such that one of the images is an image corresponding to
the center portion, and the other image is an image of the entire
portion. Still further, it may also be configured such that by
substituting half prism 30 with another optical device, the images
led by zoom optical systems 28 and 29 are separately led to each of
the right and left eyepiece optical systems.
[0153] The images magnified by the above-mentioned relay
magnification optical system are projected on screen 32 shown in
FIG. 10. Here, for the image to be viewed with the eye as an image
that is as large as possible, eyepiece optical system 31 plays a
crucial role. Eyepiece optical system 31 plays a role of keeping
screen 32 and the retina in the eyeball in a conjugate positional
relationship. As shown in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), in this
embodiment, it is configured such that at least two kinds of eye
reliefs are provided. In the case where, as shown in FIG. 10(a),
the eye relief is narrow, the field of view angle relative to the
eye can be made a large one; and thus, among the light beams
including the transmitted image information emitted from the field
angle of the image on screen 32, the number of the light beams that
transmit through eyepiece optical system 31 and can pass through
the pupil of the eye also become large and can be recognized a
large image.
[0154] By the way, in connection with FIG. 10, it has been
described that the eyepiece optical system plays a role of keeping
screen 32 and the retina in the eyeball in a conjugate positional
relationship; however, in the case where the light beams proceeding
to the pupil are parallel light beams, they constitute an infinite
image, and even if the eye relief is made larger than the original
one, the image can be still observed, with only the disadvantage
that the viewable field of view angle becomes smaller.
[0155] Further, when screen 32 and eyepiece optical system 31 are
located nearer to each other, a condition in which an object
located near is viewed is created. Even if, under this condition,
the eye relief is made larger than the original one, the image can
be similarly observed because the user's eyes have a focusing
function.
[0156] On the other hand, in the case where, as shown in FIG.
10(b), the eye relief is wide, the field of view angle relative to
the eye becomes small; and thus, the transmitted image emitted from
the field angle of the image on screen 32 transmits through
eyepiece optical system 31, but the number of light beams that can
pass through the pupil of the eye within the field of view angle
becomes small. As a result, the resultant image is an image smaller
than that of FIG. 10(a). As just described, to provide at least two
kinds of eye reliefs, it is preferable that the characteristic of
eyepiece optical system 31 is good at least two distances. Here, in
view of the fact that the standard eye relief between eyeglasses
and the eye is 15 mm, the eye relief between eyepiece optical
system 31 and the eye is set to be 10 mm, in this embodiment which
is not used while the user bouncing or exercising hard, but used at
a fixed position. Assuming further that the eye relief by which the
user's sight line can be directed to the outside of image display
portion 2 is 30 mm, the following consideration will be made to
show, as an example, that images of .+-.30 degrees by which a high
sense of reality can be obtained are obtained at the position of
both eye reliefs.
[0157] First, the case where eyepiece optical system 31 is
constituted by an ordinary, single convex lens will be considered.
From a design viewpoint, in the case of a single convex lens, a
field angle of about .+-.30 degrees can be obtained by making the
curvatures thereof large. However, the aberrations in the
peripheral area become large, and the distortion also becomes
large. When, for example, under this condition, the cases of eye
relief distances of 10 mm and 30 mm are considered, a large,
spool-shaped distortion of more than two times and of, as to the
rate-of-change, more than 15%, compared with the case of the 10 mm
eye relief, is present at the longer eye relief side, which makes
it difficult to set two kinds of eye reliefs. Since, in the case of
a large screen image, generally, the distortion amount which does
not trouble the user is thought to be an amount of less than 10%,
and the endurable distortion amount is thought to be an amount of
less than 15%, it is highly likely that such specification cannot
be satisfied by a single convex lens.
[0158] For that reason, in the embodiment, as a first method,
eyepiece optical system 31 is constituted by at least three pieces
of lenses. FIG. 11 includes an optical drawing in which, to obtain
a wide field of view angle, the eye relief is set to be 10 mm;
using three pieces of convex lenses L1, L2, and L3 with glass
material LAC7 having a low refractive index but having a small
color dispersion being used, each lens having a curvature of 220 mm
and arranged sequentially from the left side of the drawing. While
from the viewpoint of aberration, combination of convex lens and
concave lens is generally used, concave lenses have a low
deflecting effect with respect to peripheral light beams and thus
are not appropriate to obtain a wide field of view angle. Thus,
here, it is adopted a method in which all of the lenses are
intentionally constituted by a convex lens, and by making each
curvature small, the aberrations are suppressed.
[0159] As shown by the light beams shown in FIG. 11(a), field
angles of -30 degrees, -15 degrees, 0 degree, +15 degrees, +30
degrees, +45 degrees, and +60 degrees, as considered from the
center, are obtained with respect to the left eye, and field angles
of -30 degrees, -15 degrees, 0 degree, +15 degrees, +30 degrees,
+45 degrees, and +60 degrees, as considered from the center, are
obtained with respect to the right eye also; it can be seen that,
as shown in FIG. 11(b), the field of view angle viewable by the
both eyes is .+-.30 degrees, and as a field of view angle, an image
of field of view angle of .+-.60 degrees is obtained as a whole.
However, since, in this case, the lenses in the right and left
sides overlap with each other, the overlapping portions are
required to be cut.
[0160] FIG. 12(a) shows the light beams when the eye relief of this
eyepiece optical system 31 is set to be 10 mm; FIG. 12(b) shows the
light beams when the eye relief of this eyepiece optical system 31
is set to be 30 mm. The field of view angle viewable by the both
eyes is about .+-.25 degrees, which means that a little portion is
suppressed; however, it can be seen that images can be appreciated
in the both states of eye relief within the above-described field
of view angle of .+-.30 degrees.
[0161] FIG. 13 shows the results of the evaluation of the optical
drawing in FIG. 12; FIG. 13(a) shows an MTF output drawing when the
eye relief is 10 mm, and FIG. 13(b) shows an MTF output drawing
when the eye relief is 30 mm. When eye relief is 10 mm, as shown in
FIG. 13(a), at the position of field of view angle of .+-.15
degrees, while depending upon the pattern direction, only about 4
cycles/mm can be resolved at best at an MTF of 30% (0.25 mm L/S
being resolvable). Further, also at the position of field of view
angle of .+-.30 degrees, while depending upon the pattern
direction, only about 2 cycles/mm can be resolved at best at an MTF
of 30% (0.5 mm L/S being resolvable); however, since when ordinary
large screen moving images are viewed, the user's sight line is
practically directed to the center area having a high resolution,
the user does not sense that the images are so bad.
[0162] On the other hand, when the eye relief is 30 mm, as shown in
FIG. 13(b), at the position of field of view angle of .+-.15
degrees, while depending upon the pattern direction, only about 3
cycles/mm can be resolved at best at an MTF of 30% (0.3 mm L/S
being resolvable). Further, at the position of field of view angle
of .+-.30 degrees, while depending upon the pattern direction,
about 2.5 cycles/mm can be resolved at best at an MTF of 30% (0.4
mm L/S being resolvable), which shows that the resolution is
improved a little. In this case also, since when ordinary large
screen moving images are viewed, the user's sight line is
practically directed to the center area having a high resolution,
the user does not sense that the images are so bad.
[0163] FIG. 14 shows further the distortions at each of the eye
reliefs and at each of the field of view angles. It can be seen
that, as shown in FIG. 14, the above-described endurable amount of
less than 15% is satisfied under every condition, as seen still
from the graph of eye relief 30 mm. The usage of the embodiment is
directed to the cases where image quality does not relatively
trouble the user, as in appreciating large screen moving images.
Thus, since the eyepiece optical system can be designed to be an
inexpensive one, it has an adequate configuration applicable to a
system in which an eye relief changing mechanism is
incorporated.
[0164] However, the above-described eyepiece optical system becomes
unsatisfactory for the case where the images are required to have a
high resolution as in the case of a computer display. Since there
are a lot of fine black and white patterns or rich and colorful
patterns in a computer display, design that sufficiently takes care
of the largeness of aberrations, in particular, of chromatic
aberration is required. For that reason, in the embodiment, as a
second method, eyepiece optical system 31 is constituted by at
least three pieces of lenses, and, at the time, to maintain a large
screen image and to perform chromatic aberration correction, the
lens located most distant from the eye is constituted by a cemented
lens made by combining a convex lens and a concave lens.
[0165] FIG. 15(a) is an optical drawing in which the material for
lenses L4 and L5 are made NLAK8, the material for lens L6 is made
NBAK4, and the material for lens L7 is made SF10, those lenses are,
sequentially from the left side of the drawing, arranged in this
order, and the approximate curvatures of lens L4, lens L5, lens L6,
and lens L7 are (-65 mm, -25 mm), (125 mm, -70 mm), (40 mm), and
(-40 mm, 30 mm), respectively.
[0166] As shown by the light beams shown in FIG. 15(a), when the
eye relief is set to be 10 mm, field angles of -46 degrees, -30
degrees, -15 degrees, 0 degree, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, and 46
degrees, as considered from the center, are obtained with respect
to the left eye, and field angles of -46 degrees, -30 degrees, -15
degrees, 0 degree, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, and 46 degrees, as
considered from the center, are obtained with respect to the right
eye also. It can also be seen from FIG. 15(b) that with a concave
lens being used, the field of view angle viewable by the both eyes
is .+-.46 degrees, but, as a field of view angle, only an image of
field of view angle of .+-.46 degrees is similarly obtained.
However, since, in this case, the lens diameters are small, there
is the advantage that for example, eye-width adjustment can be done
relatively easily.
[0167] FIG. 16(a) shows the light beams when the eye relief of this
eyepiece optical system 31 is set to be 10 mm; FIG. 16(b) shows the
light beams when the eye relief of this eyepiece optical system 31
is set to be 30 mm. The field of view angle viewable by the both
eyes is about .+-.30 degrees, and it can be seen that images can be
appreciated in the both states of eye relief within that range.
[0168] FIG. 17 shows the results of the evaluation of the optical
drawing in FIG. 16; FIG. 17(a) shows an MTF output drawing when the
eye relief is 10 mm, and FIG. 17(b) shows an MTF output drawing
when the eye relief is 30 mm. When eye relief is 10 mm, it can be
seen that, as shown in FIG. 17(a), at the position of field of view
angle of .+-.15 degrees, about 22 cycles/mm can be resolved at the
minimum at an MTF of 30% (45 .mu.m L/S being resolvable), and even
at the position of field of view angle of .+-.30 degrees, up to
about 6 cycles/mm can be resolved at an MTF of 30% (167 .mu.m L/S
being resolvable). The chromatic aberration correction by the
cemented lens has contributed to this resolution, at the level
which ordinary letters can be resolved without difficulty even in a
computer display.
[0169] However, when the eye relief is 30 mm, as shown in FIG.
17(b), at the position of field of view angle of .+-.15 degrees,
only about 4 cycles/mm can be resolved at best at an MTF of 30%
(0.25 mm L/S being resolvable), and also at the position of field
of view angle of .+-.30 degrees, only about 3 cycles/mm can be
resolved at best at an MTF of 30% (0.33 mm L/S being resolvable).
Thus, when viewing large screen moving images, the user is scarcely
troubled, but there arises, for example, the disadvantage that
letters in the peripheral areas of a computer display become a
little hard to be read.
[0170] FIG. 18 shows further the distortions at each of the eye
reliefs and at each of the field of view angles. It can be seen
that, as shown in FIG. 18, the above-described endurable amount of
distortion of less than 15% is satisfied under every condition.
However, when the eye relief is in the range of from 25 to 30 mm,
the distortion change becomes a little larger. If the user is
accustomed to viewing images at an eye relief of 10 mm, the user
may feel a sense of discomfort a little at the relatively large
distortion change. However, generally, a large screen image of
.+-.30 degrees is hardly used for a computer display, and thus,
when the screen image area on which the user directly operates is
set to be an area of about .+-.20 degrees, the user is not much
troubled, as to the distortion change level. In other words, since
the eyepiece optical system can be designed to be an inexpensive
one by setting limits to the image screen size at the 10 mm eye
relief, it has an adequate configuration applicable to a system in
which an eye relief changing mechanism is incorporated.
[0171] However, since an eye relief of 10 mm is presupposed, it is
preferable, under this condition, that a field of view angle of
.+-.60 degrees, which is substantially comparable to that of
eyeglasses, is obtained, and, further, also at an eye relief of 30
mm, good images are obtained with a field of view angle of .+-.30
degrees. For that reason, in the embodiment, as a third method,
eyepiece optical system 31 is constituted by at least three pieces
of lenses; the lens located most distant from the eye is
constituted by a cemented lens; and the lens located nearest to the
both eyes is constituted by a lens of which one surface is a conic
surface with conic constant K<0.
[0172] FIG. 19(a) is an optical drawing in which the material for
lens L8 is made SLAH66, the material for lens L9 is made SLAH55,
the material for lenses L10 and L13 are made SLAH58, and the
material for lenses L11 and L12 are made SNPH2, those lenses are,
sequentially from the left side of the drawing, arranged in this
order, and the approximate curvatures of lens L8, lens L9, lens
L10, lens 11, lens L12, lens L13, and lens L14 are (.infin., -31 mm
and a hyperboloid with a conic constant of -1.3), (.infin., -66
mm), (.infin., -66 mm), (.infin., -53 mm), (-53 mm, .infin.),
(.infin., 42 mm), and (42 mm, 150 mm), respectively.
[0173] As shown by the light beams shown in FIG. 19(a), when the
eye relief is set to be 10 mm, field angles of -60 degrees, -45
degrees, -30 degrees, -15 degrees, 0 degree, 15 degrees, 30
degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees, as considered from the center,
are obtained with respect to the left eye, and field angles of -60
degrees, -45 degrees, -30 degrees, -15 degrees, 0 degree, 15
degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees, as considered from
the center, are obtained with respect to the right eye also. This
results from improving, by using an aspheric lens having a negative
conic constant instead of making the curvature of the lens located
nearest to the eye small, the aberration which would be inherently
generated when the lens curvature is small and from improving
various aberrations by, as described above, using a plurality of
convex lenses and by adopting a cemented lens. As shown in FIG.
19(a), the field of view angle viewable by the both eyes is .+-.60
degrees, and, also as a field of view angle, a field of view angle
of .+-.60 degrees is similarly realized, which shows that a field
angle comparable of which largeness is substantially comparable to
that of eyeglasses is obtained. However, since, in this case, an
aspheric surface is used, there is the disadvantage that the
eyepiece optical system becomes expensive. It is preferable that to
alleviate this disadvantage, as the glass material of the lens
subjected to aspheric processing, a glass material of which
refractive index is as high as possible and which can be processed
with ease be used. In addition, to improve large chromatic
aberration, a glass material having a large color dispersion and a
glass material having a small color dispersion are combined;
further, to improve the yield ratio in preparing glass materials,
lens L11 and lens L12 are separately prepared in order to limit the
thickness of the lenses.
[0174] FIG. 20(a) shows the light beams when the eye relief of this
eyepiece optical system 31 is set to be 10 mm; FIG. 20(b) shows the
light beams when the eye relief of this eyepiece optical system 31
is set to be 30 mm. A field of view angle viewable by the both eyes
of more than .+-.30 degrees is obtained. Further, even when
comparing the both of the two eye relief state in the range of
.+-.30 degrees, it can be seen that images can be appreciated well
in the both states of eye relief within that range.
[0175] FIG. 21 shows the results of the evaluation of the optical
drawing in FIG. 19; FIG. 21(a) shows an MTF output drawing when the
eye relief is 10 mm, and FIG. 21(b) shows an MTF output drawing
when the eye relief is 30 mm. When eye relief is 10 mm, it can be
seen that, as shown in FIG. 21 (a), at the position of field of
view angle of .+-.15 degrees, about 14 cycles/mm can be resolved at
an MTF of 30% (71 .mu.m L/S being resolvable), and even at the
position of field of view angle of .+-.30 degrees, up to about 4
cycles/mm can be resolved at an MTF of 30% (0.25 mm L/S being
resolvable). Under this resolution level, up to .+-.15 degrees,
ordinary letters in a computer display can be resolved without
difficulty, and up to .+-.30 degrees, large screen moving images
can be appreciated without difficulty.
[0176] Since with this optical configuration being adopted, also
when the eye relief is 30 mm, at the position of field of view
angle of .+-.15 degrees, about 15 cycles/mm can be resolved at an
MTF of 30% (67 .mu.m L/S being resolvable), and even at the
position of field of view angle of .+-.30 degrees, about 4
cycles/mm can be resolved at an MTF of 30% (0.33 mm L/S being
resolvable), it can be seen that images substantially equal to
those when the eye relief is 10 mm can be obtained.
[0177] FIG. 22 shows further the distortions at each of the eye
reliefs and at each of the field of view angles. As shown in FIG.
22, this eyepiece optical system satisfies the above-described
endurable amount of distortion of less than 10% and, when compared
with the other optical systems, the eyepiece optical system has the
characteristic that the distortion amounts become smaller as the
eye relief becomes larger. This means that at the position of an
eye relief of 10 mm, the user can fully enjoy a sense of reality
given by large screen images, and the user can, even at the
position of an eye relief of 30 mm, appreciate good images with a
field of view angle of .+-.30 degrees.
[0178] Accordingly, in a system in which an eye relief changing
mechanism is incorporated, the optical system of this invention
represents a configuration that brings about the most effective
performance. While, of course, the eye relief is supposed to range
from 10 mm to 30 mm here, but the eyepiece optical system is
designed for a field angle of 60 degrees; thus by utilizing this
embodiment and by setting the field angle to be smaller, a
mechanism having an eye relief of more than 30 mm may also be
constructed.
[0179] As described above, in accordance with the first embodiment,
there are provided a display portion that displays an image, a
supporting portion that supports the display portion at its portion
that is not in contact with a user, and a face sandwiching portion
that is supported by the display portion, is provided in contact
with the face sides of the user, sandwiches the face of the user,
and is capable of changing the distance between eyepiece optical
systems and the eyes of the user. Thus, the number of choices
regarding the distance between the eyepiece optical systems and the
eyes of the user is increased, which makes it possible to attach
the display portion to the face according to the situation.
Further, the face sandwiching portion is provided in contact with
the face sides of the user and sandwiches the face of the user, and
the display portion is movable, with a portion of the face
sandwiching portion being a point of support, in accordance with
the movement of the head of said user and with the distance between
the eyepiece optical systems and the eyes of the user. Thus, with
the first eye relief state, in which the image display portion is
made to follow the movement of the face of the user substantially
completely, the user can appreciate images having a high image
quality and a high field angle, in a state of a high sense of
reality. Further, since, even in the second eye relief state, a
fixed distance between the image display portion and the face is
maintained by the face sandwiching mechanism, there is no risk that
the face collides with the image display portion, and, in this
state, there is generated, for example, the effect that the user,
while appreciating images of a field of view angle of about 60
degrees, can, by directing the user's sight line to the outside,
enjoy a meal or acquire outside information.
[0180] Further, in accordance with the first embodiment, the face
sandwiching mechanism comes into contact with the face sides by
sandwiching the both ears of the user and is provided with a sound
output mechanism in the portion sandwiching the both ears. Thus,
even if the field of view angle becomes smaller through the
above-described transition from the first eye relief state to the
second eye relief state, the positional relationship between the
sound output mechanism and the ears does not change. For this
reason, the user can still receive sound information and thus,
while a state of high sense of reality being maintained, can, for
example, have a meal or contact others.
[0181] Further, in accordance with the first embodiment, the face
sandwiching mechanism is provided with an elastic member for the
face sandwiching portion coming into contact with the face sides of
the user and is provided, independently of the elastic member, with
a width changing portion that changes the face sandwiching width
and with a distance changing portion that changes the eye relief.
Thus, while the degree of pressing is determined by the width
changing portion, the pressing is performed via the elastic member;
thus the pressing does not become an excessive one, and a
comfortable sandwiching condition can maintained in accordance with
the distance between the both ears. Further, as a sequence, the
position of the ears is aligned with the face sandwiching portion
first; however, since the face and the image display portion are
not in contact with each other at that time, there does not arise
such a problem that the face collides with the convex portion of
the image display portion. While, further, by changing the eye
relief, the face and the image display device are made to be in
contact with each other, there does not arise such a problem that
the eyes collide with the convex portion of the image display
portion, because the positioning on the surface perpendicular to
the optical axis of the image has already been performed. Further,
since the sandwiching portion can be shortened or elongated in
accordance with the distance between the ears and the face front, a
comfortable contact condition can be maintained. Further, while the
image display portion moves following the movement of the face
while the position of the image display portion and the position of
the eyes being kept in a predetermined relation (the state in which
the eye center is located in the lens center) by the change of the
eye relief and by the change of the face sandwiching width, the
face sandwiching mechanism can be directly widened in emergency
situations. This is because the mechanism can be widened by
elastically deforming the elastic members within their elastic
limit; the user can immediately detach the face from the image
display portion when the user feels sick, when an emergency arises,
or when an inquiry is made from the outside. Further, since the
elastic members resumes their original form, the eye relief and the
face sandwiching width condition previously set can be maintained
when the user wants to view images, and thus re-attaching or
re-adjusting is required.
[0182] Further, in accordance with the first embodiment, with the
size of the images to be displayed on the image display portion
being automatically controlled in accordance with the eye relief,
images having an appropriate size can be appreciated without
feeling a sense of discomfort even if the eye relief is
changed.
[0183] Further, in accordance with the first embodiment, the
display portion is provided, in a portion that faces the front side
of the face of the user, with a face fixing portion, and the face
fixing portion can change its state to a first eye relief state in
which the front side of the face of said user is in contact with
the face fixing portion and the distance between the display
portion and the user's eyes is kept constant and to a second eye
relief state in which without the front side of the face of said
user being in contact with said face fixing members, the sight line
of the both eyes of said user is, relative to said display portion,
relatively movable around the axis passing through the both ears.
Thus, since in the first eye relief state, the face fixing portion
comes into contact with the skin on the bone around the eye,
contact between the eye and the eyepiece lens is avoided, and even
when the image display portion is pushed toward the face for some
reason, the risk that the face would be damaged is avoided.
Further, while in the second eye relief state, the face fixing
portion and the face are not in contact with each other, the face
sandwiching mechanism is set so as to surround the ears, and thus,
the face can be rotated around the above-described axis. Further,
since with the ears being covered by the ear region contact
portion, the lengthwise movement is restrained, the risk that the
face would be damaged can be similarly avoided, even when the image
display portion is pushed toward the face for some reason or when
the face inclines forward because of drowsiness. With the safety
conditions being maintained in this way, the user can enjoy images
and sound in the above-described two states.
[0184] Further, in accordance with the first embodiment, the
display portion is provided with the face fixing portions in a
manner that they, evading the eyeglass frame of the user, are
discretely provided around and above and below the both eyes and is
provided, in the right-and-left outsides of the eyeglass frame,
with light-shielding members for shielding light from the outside.
Thus, even in a state of wearing eyeglasses, the face fixing
portions and the eyeglass frame do not interfere with each other,
the user can appreciate, with a high sense of reality, images at a
predetermined eye relief. Generally, it is desired that also at the
time of look-around eye action, in which the user moves the eyes
around, the field of view is made wide. For this reason, it is
desirable that for a user not wearing eyeglasses, the eye relief is
set to be about 10 mm, which is shorter than the normal eye relief
of 15 mm. However, in the case of a user wearing eyeglasses, since
the standard eye relief between eyeglasses and the eye is
traditionally set to be 15 mm, the eye relief of the user wearing
eyeglasses would become totally more than 25 mm when assuming that
the face fixing portion is 10 mm in thickness. However, in
accordance with the first embodiment, the face fixing portions are
discretely provided around and above and below the both eyes,
evading the eyeglass frame of the user, such a problem can be
evaded.
[0185] Further, since with the face fixing portions being
discretely provided above and below, air comes in and out, there
can also be obtained another effect that the eyeglass lenses and
the eyepiece optical systems do not cloud over. It should be noted
that an air blowing system may further be provided to prevent them
from clouding over.
[0186] Further, in accordance with the first embodiment, the
display portion is provided with a frame recognition portion that
recognizes whether there exists an eyeglass frame of the user and
is capable of, in accordance with the recognition results, changing
the thickness of the face fixing portion. Thus, for a user not
wearing eyeglasses, an eye relief of 10 mm is realized, and for a
user wearing eyeglasses, with the eyeglass frame being recognized,
the stopper works, and an eye relief of 20 mm is set. As a result,
since even if the eyeglass has a thickness of from 2 to 3 mm, there
is provided a space of from 2 to 3 mm thickness between the
eyeglass portion and the eyepiece lens portion, there is produced
the effect that the lenses do not come into contact with each other
and that images can be appreciated at an eye relief of 20 mm.
Further, by virtue of such configuration, most suitable conditions
can be provided to both of the user not wearing eyeglasses and the
user wearing eyeglasses.
[0187] Further, in accordance with the first embodiment, each of
the eyepiece optical systems is constituted by at least three
pieces of lenses. Thus, various aberrations are suppressed while a
high field angle being secured at an eye relief of 10 mm, and, at
the same time, even when several kinds of eye reliefs are set, the
distortion can be suppressed such that it has a small distortion
rate-of-change and is of less than 15%.
[0188] Further, in accordance with the first embodiment, in each of
the eyepiece optical systems, the lens located most distant from
the eye is constituted by a cemented lens. Thus, a high field angle
is realized, and, at the same time, chromatic aberration can be
corrected.
[0189] Further, in accordance with the first embodiment, in each of
the eyepiece optical systems, the lens located nearest to the eye
is constituted by a lens of which at least one surface is a conic
surface with conic constant K<0. Thus, a high field angle is
realized; aberrations are improved; further, even when several
kinds of eye reliefs are set, the distortion can be suppressed.
Still further, deterioration of the image quality due to the
changing of eye relief can also be suppressed.
[0190] Further, in accordance with the first embodiment, the
display portion is configured such that relay optical systems and
light diffusing plates are provided between the photoelectric
device and the eyepiece optical systems and such that the
transmitted images of the light diffusing plates are projected, via
the eyepiece optical systems, onto the eyeballs of the user. Thus,
it is configured such that images to be projected are tentatively
projected by a relay magnification optical system onto the light
diffusing plates, and then the projected images are observed
through the eyepiece optical systems. By this, images having a high
image quality can be provided to the user. In particular, in the
case of a liquid crystal panel, which has a strong directivity and
looks dark when viewed from a given direction, there also arises
the advantage that with the light diffusing plates being used, the
images can be observed from a wide range of angle because of the
diffusing effect.
SECOND EMBODIMENT
[0191] As shown in FIG. 23, image display system 50 of a second
embodiment is provided with voice input portion 51, image display
portion 52, sound output portions 53, supporting portion 54, and,
further, chair portion 55. Voice input portion 51 can, with it
being moved in the direction of arrow F, perform on/off of voice
input. Further, image display portion 52 projects, via eyepiece
optical systems which respectively correspond to each of the both
eyes of a user, a light emitted from a two-dimensionally light
emitting type photoelectric device, not shown, which is
perpendicular to the light beam emitting direction onto the
eyeballs of the user. Further, sound output portions 53 output
sound to the user. Further, as shown in FIG. 23, supporting portion
54 supports image display portion 52 at its portion that is not in
contact with the user.
[0192] First, supporting portion 54, which supports image display
portion 52, will be described. FIG. 24(c) is a cross-section
drawing of supporting portion 54 of this embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 24(c), supporting portion 54 is provided with
in-horizontal-plane drive portion 76 including joint 77, string 56
by which image display portion 52 is suspended, supporting column
57, weight 58 disposed in supporting column 57, and pulleys 59, 60,
and 61. The weight of weight 58 within supporting column 57 is
substantially equal to that of image display portion 52. With
respect to image display portion 52, its free movement in a
horizontal plane is realized by in-horizontal-plane drive portion
76, and with image display portion 52 and weight 58 being connected
with each other by string 56 along pulleys 59, 60, and 61, the
image display portion's movement in the vertical direction is
realized.
[0193] Weight 58 is connected with image display portion 52 by
string 56 and cancels the moment of image display portion 52
relative to supporting portion 54.
[0194] Further, pulleys 59, 60, and 61 relax the friction occurring
to string 56. It is to be noted that it may also be configured such
that by applying Teflon (registered trademark) processing to the
portions where pulleys 59, 60, and 61 are provided instead of
disposing pulleys 59, 60, and 61, the friction is relaxed.
[0195] Here, as string 56, a string-like flexible member that is
strong is preferably used. For example, a twined cord using
stainless-steel fibers, which excel in tensile strength, or a
para-type aramid fiber (brand name: technora, KEVLAR) may be
used.
[0196] By the way, when string 56 is exposed to the outside of
supporting column 57, it may break because of its contact with
other members. Since image display portion 52 itself weighs from 1
to 3 kg, a significant danger occurs when it drops. To address
this, as shown in FIG. 24(b), supporting portion 54 is provided
with a cover in the portion ranging from in-horizontal-plane drive
portion 76 to image display portion 52 suspended by string 56. The
cover is constructed by connecting cover 62 fixed to
in-horizontal-plane drive portion 76 with cover 64 fixed to
universal joint portion 63 of image display portion 52 via nested
portion 65, as shown in FIG. 24(b), and the cover is structured
such that even if string 56 happens to break, image display portion
52 does not drop.
[0197] By adopting at least one of the above-described safety
measure examples, it can be thought that appropriate safety has
been obtained.
[0198] Further, in consideration of a case where the string breaks
despite of such safety measure, it is configured such that with the
string being divided a little above nested portion 65, a brake
member of which shape is configured such that when the tension of
the divided string disappears, the brake member's claws open right
and left and come into contact with cover 62 is attached to the
divided portion. It may also be configured such that the brake
member comes into contact with the upper end portion of cover 62,
causing friction, and makes the dropping speed slower.
[0199] The portion, other than the suspending portion, where string
56 is exposed to the outside is the portion of in-horizontal-plane
drive portion 76. As shown in FIG. 24(d), with respect to this
portion, to each of the joints of in-horizontal-plane drive portion
76 is provided cover 66, and it is structured such that while
string 56 and pulleys 59, 60, and 61 are not viewable from the
outside, the drive in a horizontal plane can be completely
performed.
[0200] Next, FIG. 25 shows, other than the above-described XYZ
movements, rotation mechanisms for each of the rotation axes of
.theta.x, .theta.y, and .theta.z. With image display portion 52
being moved up and down and with in-horizontal-plane drive portion
76 being driven, via universal joint portion 63 and string 56,
movement of six degree of freedom is assured. The six degree of
freedom referred to here means not only that the display portion
simply moves but also that with the techniques of balancing weight
and keeping center of gravity, the display portion completely
follows the movement of the face almost without no resistance and
that the user can appreciate images at a desired direction of the
display portion so long as the direction is within the permitted
range of stroke, in either of the state of standing, the state of
sitting, or the state of lying.
[0201] By the way, while the mechanism in which chair portion 55
and supporting portion 54 are integrally provided makes it possible
to perform various things, special attention must be paid to safety
because the heavy object is set on the user's head. Since
supporting portion 54 is set on backrest portion 55a of chair
portion 55, there arises no problem when the user does ordinary
actions. However, when, as shown in FIG. 26, the user detaches
image display portion 52 from the face, in-horizontal-plane drive
portion 76 of supporting portion 54 automatically retracts, and
image display portion 52 is evacuated at least out of the region
defmed by the arc G drawn, with its center being the hips, by the
head, which is the action region when the user rises from the
chair.
[0202] Further, as shown in FIG. 27, regarding chair portion 55,
backrest portion 55a is inclinable (reclinable). Also when backrest
portion 55a of chair portion 55 is reclined, or when, as shown in
FIG. 28, the user detaches image display portion 52 from the face,
in-horizontal-plane drive portion 76 of supporting portion 54
automatically retracts, and image display portion 52 is evacuated
at least out of the region defined by the arc H drawn, with its
center being the hips, by the head, which is the action region when
the user rises from the chair. In the ordinary actions where, as
described just above, the user is not willing to intentionally make
his or her body come into contact with the heavy object, a safety
design is applied so that the user is not damaged by the heavy
object.
[0203] Next, description will be made on the situation where, as
shown in FIG. 27, backrest portion 55a of chair portion 55 is
reclined. In FIG. 27, to chair main body 68 fixed to setting to
floor base 67 is rotationally drivably fixed by joint portions 72 a
parallel link mechanism (69, 70, 71) that supports by a parallel
link mechanism supporting portion 54. And, it is configured such
that supporting portion 54 that is drivably set by joint portions
72 driven up-and-down and back-and-forth in accordance with the
reclining of backrest portion 55a of chair main body 68 is driven
up-and-down and back-and-forth in a state that supporting portion
54 is kept parallel to parallel link fixing portion 65 by the
constraint of parallel link mechanism (69, 70, 71).
[0204] In accordance with the reclining of backrest portion 55a, a
foot reclining mechanism (73, 74) set to chair main body 68 also
operates. It is configured such that those operations are
controllable by armrest portion 75 fixed to chair main body 68.
[0205] Here, since, as shown in FIG. 26, supporting portion 54 is
kept parallel to parallel link fixing portion 78 in both of the
normal state and the reclining state, space larger than the space
required by the reclining of the chair is not required. Thus, space
saving can be realized. Further, weight 58 described in connection
with FIG. 24 exists in supporting column 57 of supporting portion
54, and it is structured such that with supporting portion 54 being
kept vertical, the balance between image display portion 52 and
weight 58 can be maintained. Further, in this method, the position
of supporting column 57 also moves in accordance with the
reclining, and, compared with a floorstanding device, the stroke of
the moving mechanism moving in the horizontal direction mounted on
supporting portion 54 can be made smaller by the extent that is
realized by the position movement of supporting column 57, and thus
it is possible to make the image display system more compact.
[0206] Further, while, referring to FIG. 27, the necessity that in
the case of connecting weight 58 and image display portion 52 by
using string 56, supporting column 57 is kept vertical so that
weight 58 existing in supporting column 57 does not collide with
the inner surface of supporting column 57 has been described, this
can be applied to the other mechanisms.
[0207] As described above, in accordance with the second
embodiment, the image display system comprises a display portion
that displays images, a chair portion on which a user can sit and
of which backrest portion is reclinable, a supporting portion which
is united with the chair portion and which supports the display
portion at its portion that is not in contact with the user, and a
face contact portion which is supported by the display portion and
comes into contact with the face of the user, and the supporting
portion is movable so that the display portion follows, in
accordance with the inclination of the backrest portion of the
chair portion, the head of the user. Thus, with the supporting
portion and the image display portion being connected to the chair
portion on which the user sits, the risk that with the image
display portion moving and thus with the gravity center position
changing, the image display system itself would become likely to
fall can be avoided. Further, it is preferable that, as with the
first embodiment, the face contact portion is provided in contact
with the face sides of the user and sandwiches the face of the
user, and the display portion is movable, with a portion of the
face contact portion being a point of support, in accordance with
the movement of the head of the user. By doing so, the image
display portion can be made to follow the movement of the face of
the user substantially completely.
[0208] Further, in accordance with the second embodiment, the
supporting portion is provided with a balance portion that cancels
the moment of the display portion relative to the supporting
portion. Thus, it can be configured such that the image display
portion smoothly follows the movement of the face.
[0209] Further, in accordance with the second embodiment, the
supporting portion is provided with a string-like flexible member
that connects the display portion and the balance portion and with
a friction relaxing mechanism that relaxes the friction occurring
to the flexible member. Further, since the balance portion is not
exposed to the outside of this system, damage to the user (e.g.,
contact) is prevented; further, since only the torque of the image
display portion occurs, smooth following of the image display
portion to the user can be assured.
[0210] Further, in accordance with the second embodiment, the
supporting portion is provided, as the string-like flexible member,
with a stainless-steel fiber. A stainless-steel fiber is flexible
and excels in durability and tensile strength; thus, by utilizing a
twined cord using the fibers, the risk that the flexible member
would become likely to break can be avoided.
[0211] Further, in accordance with the second embodiment, the
supporting portion is provided, as the string-like flexible member,
with a para-type aramid fiber. As with the stainless-steel fiber
described above, a para-type aramid fiber is flexible and excels in
durability and tensile strength; thus, by utilizing a twined cord
using the fibers, the risk that the flexible member would become
likely to break can be avoided.
[0212] Further, in accordance with the second embodiment, the
supporting portion is provided with a drop prevention mechanism
that prevents the display portion from dropping when the flexible
member breaks. Thus, this drop prevention mechanism plays an
important role for avoiding the risk caused when the flexible
member happens to break.
[0213] Further, in accordance with the second embodiment, the
supporting portion is provided with a cover that covers the surface
of the supporting portion. Thus, it can be prevented that fingers,
etc. are pinched by the portions driven when image display portion
is driven. Further, by providing a cover to each of the joint
portions so that the flexible member cannot be seen from the
outside and cannot be touched, the risk that with the flexible
member being exposed to the outside, the flexible member would
deteriorate, would be damaged, and would break, and thus the image
display portion would drop can be avoided.
[0214] Further, in accordance with the second embodiment, the
supporting portion is disposed adjacent to the backrest portion of
the chair portion, and the chair portion is provided with a
parallel link member which keeps, when the backrest portion
inclines, the inclination of the supporting portion relative to the
ground in the vertical direction. Thus, a large stroke for the
image display portion to follow the head, which has been required
in a floorstanding type image display system, is not required. This
is because it is configured such that the backrest portion
shoulders the stroke. For this reason, space saving can be
realized. Further, in this configuration, the supporting column
always stands orthogonally to a horizontal plane. Thus, there is
the effect that the supporting portion is prevented from coming
into contact with the weight in the supporting portion.
[0215] In other words, there is the effect that space saving is
realized when the chair reclines (because the supporting column
portion does not protrude from the space for reclining) and that
smooth following of the image display portion is realized, without
depending upon the reclining position.
[0216] Further, in accordance with the second embodiment, when the
user detaches the display portion from the face, the supporting
portion evacuates the display portion out of the region defined by
the arc drawn, with its center being the hips of the user, by the
head. Thus, a safety design is applied so that when the user rises
from the chair, the user does not come into contact with the image
display portion or the supporting portion, which assures that the
image display system can be used at ease even in a dark room.
[0217] By the way, in the second embodiment, it may be configured
such that in a case where image display portion 52 and weight 58
are suspended by a carrying pole instead of string 56, when
assuming that the weight of image display portion 52 is M, that the
weight of weight 58 is m, that the distance between image display
portion 52 and a fulcrum is L, and that the distance between weight
58 and the fulcrum is l, the moments are cancelled by ML=ml. With
such structure being adopted, as with in a case of a balance,
weight 58 and image display portion 52 can be driven up and down in
a state that they are balanced (which substitutes the up and down
motion of the string). Further, since this method does not use a
string or a pulley, configuration can be simplified.
[0218] As with the above-described case, in which string 56 is
used, also when such configuration is adopted, by keeping
supporting column 57 vertical, space saving can be realized, and,
further, the stroke in the horizontal direction can be made
smaller. Further, in such configuration, it is configured such
that, for the purpose of driving in the horizontal direction, with
a rotation mechanism having supporting column 57 as rotation axis
and with a horizontally driving stage being provided to supporting
column 57, image display portion 52 is made by the combination
thereof horizontally movable as desired; and thus, if supporting
column 57 inclines, the rotation axis of supporting column 57 and
the horizontally driving stage also incline, and smooth driving in
the horizontal direction cannot be realized. Accordingly, as with
the above-described example, it becomes important that supporting
column 57 is kept vertical.
THIRD EMBODIMENT
[0219] Image display device 100 of a third embodiment has a
configuration almost similar to that of FIG. 23 of the second
embodiment. Thus, with illustration and configuration description
thereof being omitted, description will be made hereinafter by
using symbols similar to those in FIG. 23.
[0220] In the following, characterizing portions of the third
embodiment will be described.
[0221] FIG. 29 is a cross-section drawing of supporting portion 54
of image display device 100. As shown in FIG. 29, supporting
portion 54 has hardwiring 101 along a string-like flexible member
102 in supporting portion 54. And, hardwiring 101 is led from image
display portion 52 to weight 58 via pulleys for wiring 103, 104,
and 107. Hardwiring 101 is fixed, at its intermediate portion, to
wiring fixing portion 105 attached to weight 58. Hardwiring 101 is
slackened so that it has a sufficient margin for the up and down
drive of weight 58 (see region I in FIG. 29) and then is connected
to the outside (e.g., controller 106). In other words, with respect
to hardwiring 101 itself, its curvature is made as large as
possible so that it does not break; it is designed such that it is
not directly affected by the weight of weight 58 or the weight of
image display portion 52; and it is disposed with a predetermined
margin so as not to become a load when image display portion 52
moves. Since, for this reason, tensile force scarcely occurs to
hardwiring 101 itself, the resistive load is small; further, it is
taken care of that no load is exerted to hardwiring 101 itself.
[0222] Such hardwiring 101 is provided, for example, for supplying
power to the LCDs of image display portion 52 and to the LCD
illumination system, for displaying images, and for transmitting
sound information. Of course, if all of such purposes could be
addressed by radio transmission, a battery, a solar battery, or the
like, that would suffice; however, to obtain stable outputs,
supplying by means of hard wiring is the most effective way.
[0223] As described above, in accordance with the third embodiment,
the image display device comprises a display portion that displays
images, a supporting portion that supports the display portion at
its portion that is not in contact with a user and that is provided
with a balance portion that cancels the moment of the display
portion relative to the supporting portion, a face contact portion
that is supported by the image display portion and comes into
contact with the face of the user, and a hardwiring for connecting
the display portion to the outside which hardwiring is provided
along the inside of the supporting portion and a portion of which
hardwiring is fixed to a portion of the balance portion. Thus,
since tensile force scarcely occurs to hardwiring 101 itself, the
resistive load is small; further, with no load being exerted to
hardwiring 101 itself, stable outputs can be obtained. Further, it
is preferable that, as with the first embodiment, the face contact
portion is provided in contact with the face sides of the user and
sandwiches the face of the user, and the display portion is
movable, with a portion of the face contact portion being a point
of support, in accordance with the movement of the head of the
user. By doing so, the image display portion can be made to follow
the movement of the face of the user substantially completely.
[0224] It is to be noted that the invention described by the third
embodiment may be applied to image display device 1 of the first
embodiment, to the image display system of the second embodiment,
or to each of the embodiments described later.
FOURTH EMBODIMENT
[0225] Image display device 170 of a fourth embodiment has a
configuration almost similar to that of FIGS. 23 and 24 of the
second embodiment. Thus, with illustration and configuration
description thereof being omitted, description will be made
hereinafter by using symbols similar to those in FIGS. 23 and
24.
[0226] In the following, characterizing portions of the fourth
embodiment will be described.
[0227] FIG. 30 is a drawing illustrating supporting portion 54 of
image display device 170, as viewed from above.
[0228] Basically, to make the user not feel the weight of image
display portion 52, it should be structurally addressed such that
image display portion 52 smoothly follows the face in response to
the movement of the face. Thus, as shown in FIG. 30, a magic hand
technique is introduced to supporting portion 54. This magic hand
can be driven in the directions of x, y, and .theta.z in FIG. 30.
Thus, angle adjustment can be easily performed.
[0229] As shown in FIG. 30, in-horizontal-plane drive portion 76 is
a mechanism which, like a magic hand, has angle adjustment
mechanisms at cross portions CR, in which each of the members
constituting in-horizontal-plane drive portion 76 is rotational
movably coupled with a corresponding member, and, thus, which is
expandable and contractible. In-horizontal-plane drive portion 76
is provided, at its one end opposite to the other end thereof where
image display portion 52 is attached, with counterbalance portion
171. Since the ratio of the distance between supporting column 57
and counterbalance portion 171 and the distance between supporting
column 57 and image display portion 52 is p to q, the ratio of
moment is p to q in the case of the same weight. Since the ratio of
the weight of counterbalance portion 171 including
in-horizontal-plane drive portion 76 ranging from the supporting
column to counterbalance portion 171 and the weight of image
display portion 52 including in-horizontal-plane drive portion 76
ranging from the supporting column to the suspending position of
image display portion 52 is q to p, the actual moment to supporting
column 57 is constant by the relation of pq=qp, irrespective of the
expansion and contraction of in-horizontal-plane drive portion 76.
For this reason, when with a ball bearing or an air bearing being
used, the operation of the coupling of each of cross portions CR
and the operation of the rotation shaft of supporting column 57 can
be smoothly performed, the magic hand can be driven in the
directions of x, y, and .theta.z while the user scarcely feel load.
Further, by virtue of this mechanism, the rigidity of supporting
column 57 is not required to be made so high, and vibrations can be
also suppressed. Further, by this, a configuration through which,
for example, the risk that the main body falls is highly likely to
be avoided is realized.
[0230] It is to be noted that when introducing such magic hand
technique, the image display device is provided with a detector
portion that detects the setting condition such as levelness degree
or vibration, and the angle adjustment mechanisms are provided with
braking mechanisms that suppress rotational movements. And, when
the setting condition has significantly deteriorated (in-flight air
pocket, earthquakes, etc.), the expansion and contraction of
in-horizontal-plane drive portion 76 is suppressed by the braking
mechanisms. More specifically, the angle adjustment mechanisms are
provided with well-known braking mechanisms that are controlled by
signals from the detector portion. By such controlling, danger, an
accident, etc. can be avoided.
[0231] Further, an elevator technique is used for the position
adjustment of image display portion 52 in the up and down
direction. FIG. 31 illustrates, with respect to supporting portion
54 of image display device 170, only the configuration of the
z-direction movement mechanism.
[0232] As shown in FIG. 31, like an elevator, it is structured such
that when the weight ratio of counterbalance portion 171 and image
display portion 52 is q to p, balance is kept by using pulley PU.
For example, in the case of q:p=2:1, the use of pulley PU, a pulley
type as illustrated in FIG. 31, will suffice. Supporting column 57
can be moved up and down by hand, and it is configured such that
rough height setting thereof can be performed in accordance with
each of the states in which the user is lying, sitting, or
standing. On the other hand, when the user moves the face up and
down in a given state, image display portion 52 also moves up and
down by about from 2 to 30 cm. In this regard, when with a ball
bearing or an air bearing being used, the operation of the rotation
shaft of the above-described pulley PU can be smoothly performed,
the image display portion can be driven in the z-direction while
the user scarcely feel load.
[0233] As described above, in accordance with the fourth
embodiment, the image display device is provided with a display
portion that displays images and with a supporting portion that
supports the display portion at its portion that is not in contact
with a user and that is expandable and contractible. Thus, the
image display portion can be made to follow the movement of the
face of the user, while alleviating the image display portion's
weight felt by the user. Further, it is preferable that, as with
the first embodiment, the face contact portion is provided in
contact with the face sides of the user and sandwiches the face of
the user, and the display portion is movable, with a portion of the
face contact portion being a point of support, in accordance with
the movement of the head of the user. By doing so, the image
display portion can be made to follow the movement of the face of
the user substantially completely.
[0234] Further, in accordance with the fourth embodiment, the image
display device is provided with a setting condition detection
portion that detects the setting condition and with a supporting
portion control portion that suppresses the expansion and
contraction changes of the supporting portion when the setting
condition detection portion detects that the setting condition has
significantly deteriorated. Thus, danger, an accident, etc. can be
avoided.
[0235] It is to be noted that the invention described by the fourth
embodiment may be applied to the first embodiment, to the second
embodiment, to the third embodiment, or to each of the embodiments
described later.
FIFTH EMBODIMENT
[0236] Image display system 180 of a fifth embodiment has a
configuration almost similar to those of the second embodiment and
the third embodiment. Thus, in the following, description will be
made by using symbols similar to those of the second embodiment and
the third embodiment.
[0237] In the following, characterizing portions of the fifth
embodiment will be described.
[0238] While in the second embodiment, the description has been
made by using the image display system provided with the reclinable
chair portion 55, in this embodiment, an image display system that
is usable even in the case where it is supposed that the ground
inclines, for example, in the case where the system is applied to a
chair in an airplane, will be further described.
[0239] FIG. 32 is a sketch drawing of image display system 180, as
viewed from the side direction. In image display system 180, to
chair portion 55 is provided fixing member 182 that is expandable
and contractible in the direction of arrow b, and to backrest
portion 55a is provided fixing member 183 that is expandable and
contractible in the direction of arrow c. And, via those fixing
members 182 and 183, the parallel link mechanism (see 69-71 in FIG.
27) and the chair portion are fixed to each other.
[0240] Further, to the under surface of parallel link fixing
portion 78 is attached weight 181. And, to the upper portion of
supporting column 57 and in the opposite direction side relative to
image display portion 52 is disposed counterweight portion 184 to
create balance to image display portion 52. The counterweight
portion 184 can be so disposed because the XY-stroke over the chair
small and thus because the counterweight portion 184 does not form
an obstacle in view of space even it is disposed there. Further,
the reason that the counterweight is disposed is that when in a
vehicle, the balance realized by counterweight portion 184 were not
kept, expansion and contraction of in-horizontal-plane drive
portion 76 would occur when the vehicle inclines, which would be
dangerous. Further, to the lower end of supporting column 57 is
attached weight 185.
[0241] Further, the above-described fixing member 183 is disposed
at the position where it is balanced between the pair of
counterweight portion 184 and image display portion 52 and weight
185 and plays a role of stably maintaining supporting column 57 to
be vertical. Here, FIG. 33 is a drawing that illustrate the
situation in which the floor has inclined when, for example, an
airplane is taking off.
[0242] In such a case, by virtue of the effect of weight 181,
parallel link fixing portion 78 tries to keep vertical relative to
a horizontal plane. Thus, fixing member 182 adjusts the distance
and inclination between parallel link fixing portion 78 and the
chair so as to address the floor inclination indicated by arrow a,
and in concert with that motion, supporting column 57 is also kept
to be vertical by the parallel link. Since, as a result thereof,
in-horizontal-plane drive portion 76 is maintained to be
horizontal, the danger induced by the inclination of
in-horizontal-plane drive portion 76 does not occur. Further, by
controlling such that when the supporting column happens to incline
because of steep inclination occurring in the case of, e.g., an
airplane, in-horizontal-plane drive portion 76 is locked by a
stopper which inactivates the movement of in-horizontal-plane drive
portion 76, the system can sufficiently address sudden condition
changes that occur, e.g., when the airplane is hit by an air
pocket. It is to be noted that the entirety of weight 181, weight
185, and counterweight portion 184 corresponds to "vertical balance
portion" referred to in the claims.
[0243] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 34, there are cases where
supporting column 57 cannot be set to be vertical also when, for
example, this system is used in an ordinary house. When supporting
column 57 is vertical as shown in FIG. 34(1), there arises no
problem; however, when supporting column 57 is set aslant as shown
in FIG. 34(2), weight 58 comes into contact with the inner wall of
supporting column 57, which makes smooth movement difficult. In the
case of a small inclination of supporting column 57, processing the
portion of the inner wall with which the weight may come into
contact to be a smooth surface will suffice. However, in the case
where the system is, for example, a type not provided with the
above-described counterweight portion 184, with in-horizontal-plane
drive portion 76 being inclined as shown in FIG. 34(2), the
expansion and contraction of in-horizontal-plane drive portion 76
acts in a certain direction, and thus the user feels a sense of
discomfort that the user is pulled in the direction when the image
display portion is attached to the user's face.
[0244] In order to improve this situation, it may be configured
such that, as shown in FIG. 34(3), by providing angle adjustment
mechanism 186 on the base of supporting column 57, supporting
column 57 is kept vertical. Alternatively, it may be configured
such that, as shown in FIG. 34(4), by providing angle adjustment
mechanism 187 between supporting column 57 and in-horizontal-plane
drive portion 76, in-horizontal-plane drive portion 76 is kept
horizontal.
[0245] Also, it may be configured such that by providing, in angle
adjustment mechanism 186 or angle adjustment mechanism 187, a level
degree detector and a drive means that drives the angle adjustment
mechanism, angle adjustment is automatically performed in respect
to inclination.
[0246] As described above, in accordance with the fifth embodiment,
the image display system comprises a display portion that displays
images, a supporting portion that supports the display portion at
its portion that is not in contact with a user, a face contact
portion that is supported by the image display portion and comes
into contact with the face of the user, and an adjustment portion
which is provided on a portion of the supporting portion and which
adjusts at least either the setting angle of the supporting portion
relative to a floor portion or the setting angle of the display
portion relative to the floor portion. Thus, the image display
system is usable even in the case where it is supposed that the
ground inclines, for example, in the case where the system is
applied to a chair in an airplane.
[0247] Further, in accordance with the fifth embodiment, the
supporting portion is provided with a vertical balance portion
having weights. Thus, also in this case, the image display system
is usable even in the case where it is supposed that the ground
inclines, for example, in the case where the system is applied to a
chair in an airplane.
[0248] It is to be noted that the invention described by the fifth
embodiment may be applied to image display device 1 of the first
embodiment, to image display system 50 of the second embodiment, to
image display device 100 of the third embodiment, to image display
device 170 of the fourth embodiment, or to each of the embodiments
described later.
SIXTH EMBODIMENT
[0249] Image display device 190 of a sixth embodiment has a
configuration almost similar to that of image display device 1 of
the first embodiment. Thus, with illustration and configuration
description thereof being omitted, description will be made
hereinafter by using symbols similar to those of the first
embodiment.
[0250] By using image display device for a home-theater,
high-definition images can be viewed with a high resolution and a
higher sense of reality can be enjoyed.
[0251] In this embodiment, as with the FIG. 9 of the first
embodiment, two images are combined and divided to supply
information to the both eyes. In that process, the image is
projected with a predetermined size and with a high-definition in
the center region shown in FIG. 35, and the image is projected with
a low-definition in the peripheral region. With respect to the
image of the peripheral region, it is controlled such that by
making its center portion, the portion that overlaps with the image
of the center region, an inky black image (originally,
displayable), no sense of discomfort is induced when the images are
combined.
[0252] Next, consideration will be given to the appropriate size of
the center region. Generally, the number of pixels of a liquid
crystal device is often considered in terms of its image screen
size; This invention is directed to a system in which virtual
images are viewed through eyepiece lenses, and description will be
made from the viewpoint of the relationship between the field of
view and the dot size therein (which means the number of pixels of
a liquid crystal device) and of the eyesight. Under ordinary
circumstances, the eyesight is generally determined by testing,
through an eyesight test, to what degree one has relative to the
critical resolution; however, in the case of a liquid crystal
device, the eyesight is defmed by determining whether the gaps
between pixels can be resolved by human eyes. Thus, an experiment
using transmission type liquid crystal devices has been conducted,
and the data based on the results thereof will be shown next.
[0253] FIG. 36 is a table in which with a display device having an
image screen size of 52 inches (diagonal length) being placed and
with the number of pixels and the field of view angle being
changed, the eyesights by which the dots displayed on the display
device are visible are written. "The number of pixels per unit
area" means the number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the
display device having an aspect ratio of 16:9. Further, when the
display device is observed from a position at a distance of, e.g.,
2 m, the field of view angle in the diagonal direction becomes
approximately 36.546 degrees, and the field of view angle becomes
approximately 32.111 degrees.
[0254] Regions a-d, in the table, indicated by heavy lines are
defined by determining by the experiment "whether dots are visible"
instead of determining whether the above-described "gaps between
pixels" are visible. Further, the determination is based on the
following categories: a="dots in the displayed image are not
visible," b="dots in the displayed image are visible, but when the
entire image is viewed, one scarcely feels uneasy," c="dots in the
displayed image are visible, but when accustomed, one does not feel
uneasy," and d="the resolution is low, and the image screen size
should be made smaller."
[0255] As a result of this, when the above-described number of
pixels is made equal to or larger than 1280, high-definition images
up to 108.3 degrees (images of a diagonal field of view angle of
120 degrees) can be viewed with a sufficient sense of reality.
Further, it can be seen that when the above-described number of
pixels is made 1920, images up to 53 degrees can be enjoyed without
being aware of dots.
[0256] However, the data are based on transmission type liquid
crystal devices, and since it is known that in reflection type
liquid crystal devices, the gaps between pixels are still narrower
when compared at the same number of pixels, the gaps between pixels
of reflection type liquid crystal devices are more invisible even
when the field of view angle is made larger. It can be understood
that it can be arranged such that the size of the center region is
first determined based on the liquid crystal devices to be used,
and then the size of the peripheral region is determined. It is to
be noted that, regarding the peripheral region images, it is said
that the field of view angle recognizable by human eyes is 180
degrees; however, as a result of the experiment, it has been shown
that a field of view angle of more than 90 degrees would provide a
considerable sense of being absorbed, and thus configuring such
that a diagonal field of view angle of about from 90 to 120 degrees
is obtained would suffice. Regarding the peripheral region images,
as shown in FIG. 36, with respect to the field of view angle range
of 79.4 to 108.3 degrees, many of them are categorized as "the
resolution is low, and the image screen size should be made
smaller" when the number of pixels is small. However, while it is
desirable that to display these portions, high-definition images
are used, there is also the possibility that low-resolution devices
are used in view of cost and because the portions are not used so
much. In this case, it is desirable that control by which the color
thereof is tuned with the image of the center region or that
letters and figures are displayed as large as possible.
[0257] The control system for outputting center region images and
peripheral region images will be outlined next, referring to FIG.
37. In FIG. 37, a control method using three RGB LCDs is
illustrated, as an example. Here, as an option, description will be
made based on a control system outline drawing in which peripheral
region images are displayed as still images. (Of course, three RGB
LCDs can be also applied to the peripheral region; in that case,
supposing that the same set of 1920.times.1080 liquid crystal
devices as those for the center region images is present would
suffice.)
[0258] With respect to the 1920.times.1080 liquid crystal devices
RGB191, each of the images therefrom are combined with each other
by the optical system, and the combined image is outputted as a
color image. Each of crystal devices RGB191 is controlled by each
of liquid crystal device drivers 192 that control liquid crystal
ON/OFF, and when an image is outputted as a color image, it is
structured such that with the image being controlled by video
signal conversion/color irregularity correction unit 193 that
converts high-definition video signals into liquid crystal ON/OFF
control, a color image as a sharp color image is outputted.
However, this high-definition image is an image controlled only for
reproducing with fidelity an original image; as a front end
processor, video signal coordinate conversion/video signal
combining unit 194 that electrically resizes video sizes, shifts an
image in a predetermined direction, combines images, and generates
peripheral region images in accordance with a predetermined
condition is located. CPU 195 that controls video signal coordinate
conversion/video signal combining unit 194 also controls head phone
output portion 196, performs switching control by which the head
phone output is switched to information from outside voice input
portion in an emergency, and processes, for example, signal
processing portion 198 that reads output values from
.theta.x-.theta.y-.theta.z rotary encoder 197 (provided to, for
example, universal joint portion 63 shown in FIG. 25 of the second
embodiment) that is attached to the face-attaching portion, detects
the relative angle between the ground and the face, and, based on
that information, processes the image by using the above-described
video signal coordinate conversion/video signal combining unit 194,
optical zoom position detection portion 199, and eye relief
detection portion 200; and thus it is designed such that
comfortable images are provided.
[0259] While this control system is set to image display portion
52, a control system, a control panel, etc. that actually control
high-definition images from the outside, driving of the reclining
chair, and driving of the fixing mechanism provided for the storage
and security of image display portion 52 are all set to the chair
side. Here, the communication between image display portion 52 and
chair portion 55 is performed mainly by radio transmission, optical
fibers, etc., to decrease the number of hardwirings as far as
possible; only with respect to the power supply portions,
hardwiring passes through the balance weight storage pipe portion
to realize hardwiring connection.
[0260] The control system has been briefly described in the above.
Next, referring to FIGS. 38-42, description will be made on the
image processing that is actually performed by the above-described
video signal coordinate conversion/video signal combining unit
194.
[0261] FIG. 38(A) shows an outputted image of a center region
image; FIG. 38(B) shows an outputted image of a peripheral region
image. While the display optical system that displays the center
region image can originally display it with the same size as that
of the peripheral region image, the center region image is reduced
by an optical zoom mechanism and is made to have the size of the
center region image. In other words, the display pixel pitch itself
is also reduced, and the pixel cannot be recognized by the eyes.
This processing is performed so that the user will not be aware of
pixels in the field of equal to or less than a field of view angle
of 60 degrees where the user is relatively likely to move the eyes.
However, since if not additionally processed, the image displayed
in the screen also becomes small, the image is displayed with the
image being enlarged so that it has the same size as the peripheral
region image. When there is not an intermediate value as dot, an
interpolating processing is of course applied based on the
peripheral dot value. FIG. 38(A) shows the image experienced the
above-described processings.
[0262] To combine these images by the combining optical system and
then to project a combined image as shown in FIG. 38(C) to the
right and left eyes is the basic image processing method of the
present invention. In this case, the both images are optically and
electrically adjusted so that they coincide with each other and are
displayed as if the user is viewing the combined image on a single
display. However, in the center portion is projected a
high-definition image with fine pixels, and in the peripheral
portion is projected a low-definition image of which pixels are
recognizable.
[0263] Next, FIG. 39 shows the change of the display image when
since the soccer player image shown in FIG. 38 was located in the
left side from the center, the user tries to see the soccer player
in the image center by turning his or her head in the left
direction. The rotation of the user's head is determined by the
.theta.z-direction output value of the above-described
.theta.x.theta.y-.theta.z rotary encoder 197. Since, as described
above in connection with FIG. 36, the largeness of the field angle
can be substituted with the field of view angle, both of the entire
images of FIGS. 39(A) and 39(B) are shifted in the right direction
by rotation angle detected by .theta.x-.theta.y-.theta.z rotary
encoder 197.
[0264] In this case, the image data of course lacks data
corresponding to the left-side, black portion of FIG. 39(B), and
when the image is outputted, the sense of reality is impaired. To
address this problem, as the image processing method of the present
invention, the information of the pixels adjacent to the black
portion is stored, and the left black portion is substituted with
the same thing as the information, with the same thing being
extended. When viewing the center, the resolution and attention
degree of human eyes relative to peripheral images has extremely
decreased, and thus so long as continuous images and colors exist
there, almost no sense of discomfort is induced. By this method,
even if there exits no image data of the portion, a sense of
reality can be enjoyed by generating images by such method.
[0265] However, among image contents, there are ones that use the
image screen fully; in such a case where the above-described soccer
player further moves from one end to the other, there arises the
possibility that the user gets tired all the more because the
screen is too large. So, in the present invention, the mode in
which an image is displayed as a full image as shown in FIG. 40(A)
can be switched to the mode in which the image is displayed only in
the center region. Referring to FIGS. 40(B) and 40(C), description
will be made on the case where the image display device is switched
to the mode in which the image is displayed only in the center
region.
[0266] Since the original center region image is an image optically
reduced, such image is an image accompanying no peripheral image as
shown in FIG. 40(B) when supplied with only the normal output
information. The center has a field of view angle of 60 degrees,
the image itself can be enjoyed sufficiently; however, since there
exists no peripheral image, the user feels as if he or she is in a
movie theater. However, as described above, in the present
invention, the information of the pixels adjacent to the black
peripheral portion is stored, the left black portion is substituted
with the same thing as the information, with the same thing being
extended, and the same thing is displayed in the peripheral region.
This state is illustrated by FIG. 40(C), and, as described above,
the resolution and attention degree relative to the peripheral
images has extremely decreased, and thus so long as continuous
images and colors exist there, almost no sense of discomfort is
induced.
[0267] By this method, even if there exits no image data of the
portion, a sense of reality can be enjoyed by generating images by
such method. Further, in FIG. 40(D) is shown the change of the
display image when the user tries to see the soccer player in the
image center by turning his or her head in the left direction. The
rotation of the user's head is determined by the output value of
.theta.x-.theta.y-.theta.z rotary encoder 197. The image is shifted
by image processing in the right direction by rotation angle
detected by .theta.x-.theta.y-.theta.z rotary encoder 197; the
information of the pixels adjacent to the portions lacking images
is stored, and the same thing as the information is used, with the
same thing being extended. By this the user can not only enjoy the
entire image, but also enjoy a sense of reality as if he or she is
on the spot.
[0268] In FIG. 40, the method of extending adjacent image
information has been adopted; as another method of using the image
display device, it may also be configured such that high-definition
images are displayed basically only in the center region, and other
information is provided in the peripheral region.
[0269] In FIG. 41, the image display device is, as shown in FIG.
41(A), switched to the image display mode in which an image is
displayed only in the center region, and, as shown in FIG. 41(B),
character information L, operation panel P, etc. are displayed in
the peripheral region. As character information L, information
services of other TV programs, teletext broadcasting information,
etc. can be conceived. Regarding the operation panel, it is
preferable that for example, a pointing device is displayed on the
operation panel, and makes it operable with an operation member,
e.g., a mouse.
[0270] Further, it may also be configured such that the image
display device is operated by combining the operation member, such
as a mouse, and the recognition of the user's movement through the
above-described .theta.x-.theta.y-.theta.z rotary encoder. 197.
[0271] For example, it may also be configured such that by
selecting the center region with the operation member and by
performing an action of turning the head, the image display device
is switched to the above-described mode in which the image is
shifted (FIG. 41(C)) or switched to the mode in which while the
image being shifted (FIG. 41(D)), adjacent pixel information is
extended.
[0272] Further, it may also be configured such that selecting the
peripheral region with the operation member and by performing an
action of turning the head, the image display device is switched to
a mode in which character information L, operation panel P, etc.
shown in FIG. 42(A) are shifted to the center region (FIG. 42 (B,
C)). This mode takes into account of the fact that since peripheral
images are located outside a field of view angle of 60 degrees, it
is fatiguing for the user to continue looking at such portion by
moving his or her eyes by a large amount; FIG. 42(B) shows the
state in which with the head being directed to the upper-left
direction, other TV programs' information that was on the
upper-left has been shifted to the screen center. Of course, the
amount by which the head has been moved in the upper-left direction
can be calculated from the .theta.z-direction rotation angle
measured by .theta.x-.theta.y-.theta.z rotary encoder 197, and thus
this mode is useful when, for example, the user takes a look at
other programs while viewing center images without moving his or
her eyes. Similarly, FIG. 42(C) shows the state in which with the
head being directed to the downward direction, the character
information and operation panel image that were on the lower
portion have been shifted to the screen center. Of course, the
amount by which the head has been moved in the downward direction
can be calculated from the .theta.x-direction rotation angle
measured by .theta.x-.theta.y-.theta.z rotary encoder 197, and thus
the user can take a look at the character information or operate
operation panel image. The reason why such mode can be realized is
that since it is configured such that the peripheral region image
can originally display its center image (in normal conditions,
displayed as black), overlapping image outputs can be performed
with ease.
[0273] Further, in FIG. 42(D), as peripheral images, predetermined
images are outputted in a state of being defocused. This method
takes advantage of the human memory that even if one cannot
recognize what the peripheral images are, he or she thinks that
defocused images are located in the distance and that sharp images
are located at a short distance; and by virtue of the peripheral
defocused images, the user can have a sense of depth with respect
to the center image.
[0274] Further, since the peripheral images are projected in a
state of being defocused, the user's attention can be easily
directed to the center image, and thus, the sense of being absorbed
felt by the user can be further improved.
[0275] Further, in this case, it may also be configured such that,
as shown in FIG. 42(D), an image having predetermined patterns pl
of which sizes become smaller as they near the center region is
displayed in the peripheral region image. In FIG. 42(D), those
marks are shown only with respect to the lower region among the
peripheral regions. By performing such a display, still enhanced
perspective can be supplied to the user. Further, as shown in FIG.
42(D), by displaying, along the frame of the center region image,
the above-described predetermined patterns p2 that are smaller than
patterns p1, perspective can be further improved. In particular, by
displaying marks that are not interrupted and are positioned in
both of the center region image and the peripheral region image,
natural perspective can be supplied to the user.
[0276] In addition, since, as described above, the center region
image is projected so that it becomes a clear image, and the
peripheral region images are projected so that they are in a state
of being defocused, perspective can be supplied more effectively.
Further, as shown in FIG. 42(D), an image having, along the left
end and the right end of the center region image, column-like
patterns p3 and p4 is displayed in the peripheral region image.
Since by displaying such patterns, the user's attention can be
drawn to the center region, the sense of being absorbed felt by the
user can be further improved.
[0277] As described above, in accordance with the sixth embodiment,
the image display device comprises a display portion that displays
images, a supporting portion that supports the display portion at
its portion that is not in contact with a user, and a face contact
portion that is supported by the image display portion and comes
into contact with the face of the user, and the display portion,
when it displays an image, can change the content of the center
region in the projection area and the content of the peripheral
region in the projection area and performs either a first display
in which the image is projected with a high-definition in the
center region and the image is projected with a low-definition in
the peripheral region or a second display in which the entirety of
the image is projected with a high-definition in the center region
and an image different from the image is projected with a
low-definition. Thus, the display can be performed in accordance
with the user's usage or taste.
[0278] Further, in accordance with the sixth embodiment, the
display portion, when it performs the second display, displays, in
the portion corresponding to the peripheral region, an image having
information different from the image displayed in the portion
corresponding to the center region. Thus, in accordance with the
user's desire, a sense of being absorbed can be given to the user
at the time of viewing.
[0279] Further, in accordance with the sixth embodiment, the
display portion, when it performs the second display, displays, in
the portion corresponding to the peripheral region, an image having
predetermined patterns of which sizes become smaller as they near
the center region. Thus, images that give perspective to the user
and are provided with a sense of reality can be provided.
[0280] Further, in accordance with the sixth embodiment, the
display portion displays, in the portion corresponding to the
center region, an image having in at least a portion of the
periphery of the portion corresponding to the center region
patterns that are similar to and smaller than the predetermined
patterns that the peripheral region has. Thus, more natural
perspective can be supplied to the user.
[0281] Further, in accordance with the sixth embodiment, the
display portion projects, in the peripheral region, an image in a
defocused condition. Thus, the user's attention can be easily
directed to the center image, and the sense of being absorbed felt
by the user can be further improved.
[0282] Further, in accordance with the sixth embodiment, the face
contact portion is provided with a movement detection portion that
detects the movement of the face of the user, and the display
portion, in accordance with the movement of the face of the user
detected by the movement detection portion, shifts, in the portion
corresponding to the center region, the display region of the image
to be displayed. Thus, the sense of discomfort felt by the user at
the time of using the device can be alleviated.
[0283] Further, in accordance with the sixth embodiment, the
display portion, when it performs the second display, displays, as
the peripheral image, information relating to the operation by the
user. Thus, with the display area being effectively utilized,
information useful to the user can be provided.
[0284] Further, in accordance with the sixth embodiment, the face
contact portion is provided with a movement detection portion that
detects the movement of the face of the user, and the display
portion, in accordance with the movement of the face of the user
detected by the movement detection portion, shifts either the
display region of the image to be displayed in the portion
corresponding to the center region or the display position where
the information relating to the operation by the user is displayed.
Thus, the sense of discomfort felt by the user at the time of using
the device can be alleviated, and, at the same time, the
operability can be improved.
[0285] It is to be noted that the invention described by the sixth
embodiment may be applied to image display device 1 of the first
embodiment, to image display system 50 of the second embodiment, to
image display device 100 of the third embodiment, to image display
device 170 of the fourth embodiment, to image display system 180 of
the fifth embodiment, or to each of the embodiments described
later.
SEVENTH EMBODIMENT
[0286] Image display device 120 of a seventh embodiment has a
configuration almost similar to that of the first embodiment image
display device 1 having been described referring to FIG. 1. In this
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 43, at least two sets of image display
devices 120 are set in the vicinity of each other and are used.
[0287] In FIG. 43, the weight of image display portion 122 of the
left side image display device 120 is supported by supporting
portion 121 in a manner that the image display portion is suspended
by the supporting portion that is supported by the floor; to image
display portion 122 are provided voice input portion 123 to which
voice is inputted and sound output portion 124 which outputs sound
information. Image processing device 125 is a DVD player, a BS
tuner, a computer main body, or the like; information therefrom is,
as radio transmission information sound data or image data,
outputted, by infrared light emitting portion 127 which is attached
to supporting portion 121 via cable 126, to infrared light
receiving portion, not shown, attached to image display portion
122. The outputted information can supply to the user the image and
sound having been processed by image processing device 125. Since
the right side image display device 120 is also similarly supplied
with sound information and image information from the right side
image processing device 125, each of the two users can originally
enjoy completely independent image and sound.
[0288] Since the system according to this invention is intended for
personal use, there are few cases where, as shown in FIG. 1, the
image display devices are set in the vicinity of each other in a
room; however, a lot of users feel surrounded when they view images
alone, and thus a possibility in which, as shown in FIG. 1, two
sets of the image display devices are placed near to each other,
and the users, while enjoying conversation or between-meal eating,
appreciate separate images may well be conceived. So, this
embodiment is configured such that image processing devices 5 of
the right and left image display devices 120 are connected to each
other by voice transmission cable 128 (radio transmission being
also applicable), and one user's speaking voice from voice input
portion 123 is outputted from the other user's sound output portion
124 together with the primary sound information.
[0289] Further, in this embodiment, in order to prevent separate
pieces of information from infrared light emitting portions 127
from mixing with each other, there are provided switches for
shifting the wavelength by a predetermined frequency. By virtue of
these switches, the separate pieces of information delivered by the
infrared light emitting portions 127 on both sides can use separate
frequency bands, and thus mixing with one another can be precluded.
In accordance with this invention, it may also be realized that
when borrowing a single DVD and running it by one DVD player, by
coinciding the infrared light emitting frequencies with each other,
image and sound information from, e.g., the left side infrared
light emitting portion 127 is to be received by both of the right
and left users, and as a result the two users simultaneously enjoy
the same image.
[0290] As described above, in accordance with the seventh
embodiment, the image display device is an image display device
comprises a display portion, a sound output portion, a
communication portion that, from the outside, inputs image
information into the display portion and inputs sound information
into the sound output portion, a supporting portion which supports
the display portion at its portion that is not in contact with a
user, and a face contact portion which is supported by the display
portion and comes into contact with the face of the user, wherein
the communication portion has, when at least two sets of the image
display devices are set in the vicinity of each other and are used,
a switching mechanism of infrared lights having slightly different
wavelengths. Thus, when multiple sets of the image display devices
are placed in the vicinity of each other, and multiple users
appreciates images, the images and sounds to be appreciated do not
mix with each other. In accordance with this invention, in the case
where in order to make the image display portion smoothly follow
the face (because when the number of hardwirings is large, it
creates resistance, and smooth following cannot be realized), a
mechanism for transmitting sound outputs and image displays from
the image processing device by use of radio transmission such as
infrared light is introduced, by using identical image display
devices near to each other, identical images can be displayed on
the both of the image display devices (through which multiple image
display portions can be supplied with images by a single image
processing device, which leads to cost reduction). However, since
the image display device is first and foremost intended for
personal use, when users appreciating images want to separate
images, sound information or image information mix with one
another. As described above, switching of infrared lights having
slightly different wavelengths resolves those problems and produces
the effect that the users can not only enjoy separate images but
also enjoy identical images. Further, it is preferable that, as
with the first embodiment, the face contact portion is provided in
contact with the face sides of the user and sandwiches the face of
the user, and the display portion is movable, with a portion of the
face contact portion being a point of support, in accordance with
the movement of the head of the user. By doing so, the image
display portion can be made to follow the movement of the face of
the user substantially completely.
EIGHTH EMBODIMENT
[0291] Image display device 130 of an eighth embodiment has a
configuration almost similar to that of the second embodiment image
display device 50 having been described referring to FIG. 44. Thus,
with illustration and configuration description thereof being
omitted, description will be made hereinafter by using symbols
similar to those in FIG. 23.
[0292] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 44, at least two sets
of image display devices 130 are set in the vicinity of each other
and are used.
[0293] This embodiment envisages a case where multiple users
appreciate images, for example, in a movie theater. FIG. 44 shows
the state in which a user has selected an information sharer, and
the user and the selected user are exchanging information. With
respect to each of the image display devices 130 arranged side by
side, as with in the case of FIG. 23, supporting portion 54 is set
to the backrest portion of the chair, and image display portion 52
is suspended by supporting portion 54. In the case of a
floorstanding type image display device as shown in FIG. 1 of the
first embodiment, the supporting portion itself can be moved with
ease; however, since it can be placed in any place, there arise
problems in terms of space and safety. In contrast, supporting
portion 54 set to the backrest portion is set in a space portion
where no person accesses; thus, although there is the disadvantage
that the image display device itself cannot be easily moved, it
excels in space and safety, and thus it will be suitably used in
cases where it is used almost without being moved, for example, in
a public facility, in movie theater, or as a relaxation chair for
home use. In FIG. 44, conversation on/off mechanism 131 for
enabling users sitting on adjacent chairs to have a conversation
with each other is shown; and it is configured such that when
adjacent chairs is connected by the conversation on/off mechanism,
one user's speaking voice from voice input portion 51 is outputted
from the other user's sound output portion 53 together with sound
information of, e.g., a movie. While, as described earlier, on/off
of voice input can be performed by moving voice input portion 51 up
and down, the users cannot enjoy conversation unless the chairs are
connected with each other by conversation on/off mechanism 131.
Thus, any user can enjoy images while having a conversation only
with a user with whom the former user wants to have a
conversation.
[0294] However, when voice inputted to one voice input portion 51
is constantly goes to sound output portions 53, the inputted voice
mixes, as noise, with the primary images and sound, and thus the
sense of reality may be impaired. To address this problem, in this
invention, it is configured such that the on/off of sound output
portions 53 can be performed by upwardly moving voice input portion
51 to detach it from the mouth position. By this, any user can have
a conversation only when the user wants to have a conversation, and
when the user need not have a conversation, the user can have other
user enjoy images and sound with the sense of reality.
[0295] As described above, in accordance with the eighth
embodiment, the image display device is an image display device
comprises a display portion, a sound output portion that outputs
sound to the both ears of a user, a voice input portion to which
the voice of the user is inputted, a supporting portion which
supports the display portion at its portion that is not in contact
with the user, and a face contact portion which is supported by the
display portion and comes into contact with the face of the user,
the image display device being characterized in that it is
provided, when at least two sets of said image display devices are
set in the vicinity of each other and are used, with a switching
portion that switches what kind of sound information is outputted
from said sound output portion and with a switching portion that
switches to which image display device is inputted voice
information from said voice input portion. Thus, this invention
works effectively when it is applied to, for example, a movie
theater. Generally, a movie theater requires a large facility in
which a large screen is placed and by which the screen can be
viewed from every seat, which costs a great deal. In contrast, when
the invention of this embodiment is utilized to form a movie
theater-like facility, an ordinary room would suffice; further,
there arises the advantage that even when the surrounding is noisy
or even when the user in front has a long sitting height, any user
can enjoy a movie equally without being bothered. But then, when
the user came to the movie theater together with fellow users, the
user cannot at all have a conversation with the other and feels
isolated. To address this problem, in this embodiment, there is
provided the condition by which with the user who speaks and the
user who is spoken to being freely switched, any user can enjoy
conversation with a desired user; also, there is achieved, for
example, a switching function by which only when a user wants to
speak, the user downwardly moves the microphone (voice input
device) to make sound output "on" and to speak, and when the user
need not speak, the user upwardly moves the microphone to make
sound output "off" and not to convey muttering or cough to the
other user. This method can produce, for example, the effect that
any user can enjoy conversation with a desired user under desired
conditions. Further, it is preferable that, as with the first
embodiment, the face contact portion is provided in contact with
the face sides of the user and sandwiches the face of the user, and
the display portion is movable, with a portion of the face contact
portion being a point of support, in accordance with the movement
of the head of the user. By doing so, the image display portion can
be made to follow the movement of the face of the user
substantially completely.
NINTH EMBODIMENT
[0296] Image display device 150 of a ninth embodiment has a
configuration almost similar to that of the second embodiment image
display device 50 having been described referring to FIG. 23. Thus,
with illustration and configuration description thereof being
omitted, description will be made hereinafter by using symbols
similar to those in FIG. 23.
[0297] As shown in FIG. 45, two sets of image display devices 150
of this embodiment are attached to the two chairs arranged one
behind the other, as a setting example of image display device 150.
Each of the two image display devices 150 is provided with
supporting portion 54 and supports by supporting portion 54 image
display portion 52 to which sound output portion 53 and voice input
portion 51 are attached. Further, the image display portion is
provided, in its armrest portion, with information input on/off
switch 151. Further, as described above, voice input portion 51 can
perform, by its up and down motion, on/off of voice input.
[0298] In FIG. 45, the left side user has upwardly moved voice
input portion 51. That is, the voice input is in "off" state. Thus,
the left side user is in the state in which the user need not speak
with a person around the user and is appreciating images. In this
case, information input on/off switch 151 is used for an outside
person to ask a question of the user. For example, in the case of a
seat in an airplane, when a flight attendant pushes information
input on/off switch 151, the voice of the flight attendant is
outputted from sound output portion 53 of the user together with
the information being outputted as sound information. The switch is
utilized by the flight attendant when he or she provides
information to a user sitting on a specified seat at the time of
arranging meals or servicing drinking water.
[0299] In contrast, in FIG. 45, the right side user has downwardly
moved voice input portion 3. That is, the voice input is in "on"
state. This is a state in which the user can, by speaking to a
specified user (who is selectable within the image and is sitting
nearby (but whose approval is required)), exchange information.
Further, it is may also be configured such that, with the voice
input being kept "on," when the user pushes information input
on/off switch 151, the user can directly speak with a specified
person (e.g., a flight attendant). By configuring so, the user can
use the switch in case of emergency or when the user wants to be
serviced.
[0300] As described above, in accordance with the ninth embodiment,
the image display device comprises a display portion, a sound
output portion that outputs sound to the both ears of a user, a
supporting portion which supports the display portion at its
portion that is not in contact with the user, a face contact
portion which is supported by the display portion and comes into
contact with the face of the user, and a switching portion that
switches whether sound information from the outside is outputted by
said sound output portion. Thus, this invention effectively works
in a case where, for example, an airplane flight attendant supplies
information to an individual as necessary. More specifically, even
in a situation where surrounding information enters the eyes or
ears of a user, and it is difficult for the user to be absorbed in
image viewing, the user can, when this embodiment is applied, be
absorbed in image viewing because no outside sound or images enter
the eyes or ears. Moreover, since an on/off switch for deciding
whether to mix outside approach into the sound received by the user
is provided, there is produced the effect that the sense of reality
felt by the user is not impaired, and minimized information
provision can be performed. Further, the face contact portion is
provided in contact with the face sides of the user and sandwiches
the face of the user, and the display portion is movable, with a
portion of the face contact portion being a point of support, in
accordance with the movement of the head of the user. Thus, the
image display portion can be made to follow the movement of the
face of the user substantially completely.
MODIFICATION EXAMPLES
[0301] Next, among the mechanisms having been described above,
inventions having still higher effects will be described.
Eye-width Adjustment
[0302] By completely adjusting the distance between the lenses for
the both eyes and the eye-width by the eye-width adjustment
mechanism, good images that do not cause eyestrain can be provided.
However, when optically adjusting the eye-width actually, the
adjustment time may be long, or the adjustment mechanism may become
complicated. So, it may be configured such that by providing an
optical adjustment portion which makes the lens distance roughly
coincide with the eye-width and an electrical adjustment portion
which makes the eye-width precisely coincide with the distance
between the both image screens, good images that do not
substantially cause eyestrain are provided.
[0303] In this configuration, for example, as in the case of child
vs. adult or foreigner vs. Japanese, the mechanical, rough
adjustment is made within the eye-width range of from 65 mm to 55
mm on a basis of 5 mm to meet their average eye-widths. And, as the
fine adjustment, the images are electrically shifted. This method
has the following advantages: since substantially the optical
center is used by the mechanical adjustment, distortion difference
felt by the right and left eyes is substantially zero; since the
fine adjustment is electrically performed, fine adjustment between
the eye-width and the image display distance can be performed, and
the eye-width adjustment mechanism becomes relatively simple.
Use by Multiple Users
[0304] In the case where it is assumed that the image display
device is used by a few users by turns, it is troublesome to
perform adjustment addressing each user on each occasion. Thus, it
may be configured such that the image display device is supplied
with an information input means for identifying the user and with a
control means which in accordance with the inputted information,
performs automatic adjustment in accordance with adjustment
information pre-stored for each user. As the information input
means for identifying the user, a method in which the user selects
a specified button displayed on the image display portion or method
in which the user is recognized through password input may be used.
And, with, in accordance with the recognition results, the image
display device being automatically adjusted to all of the
conditions meeting the specified user, including the eye-width
adjustment and the display image/focus adjustments, wasted time can
be eliminated, and the user can immediately enjoy image
viewing.
Sound Output Portion
[0305] While the example in which the face sandwiching portion and
the speaker are integrally disposed has been described, it may also
be configured such that the speaker is provided on the chair
portion. In that case, the ear portion can be released. Further, a
vibration portion which vibrates in concert with at least one of
the image and the sound information may be provided on the chair
portion.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0306] The following merchantabilities can be expected in utilizing
the present invention:
[0307] Large screen personal computers and CADs that do not make
one feel the weight and fatigue, large screen displays that
substitute movie theaters and projectors, provision of 3D large
screen images full of reality, the Internet reception of images
from the above-described video mechanism, provision of images fill
of reality to a sick person or bedridden elderly person, relaxation
image display devices, provision of new sense TV game images,
provision of large screen images in a small space, high
confidentiality information display systems for individual use,
virtual reality displays, remote controllable large screen
displays, digital newspaper reception systems with a wide screen,
relaxation service at the seat of an airplane, etc., educational
materials that do not injure the eyesight, new display games in an
amusement facility, etc.
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