JP3849574B2 - Head mounted display device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a head-mounted display device, and more particularly to a head-mounted display device that can reduce a black sun phenomenon that occurs near an outer edge of an overlapping portion of left and right images.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Head mounted displays (also referred to as HMD face-mounted displays FMD) have been developed as displays for viewing videos and DVDs.
The HMD is composed of a device (element) for displaying an image and an optical system for making it visible.
[0003]
The HMD can seem to appreciate images on a large screen, but in order to achieve high resolution, the pixel size remains the same and the panel is enlarged, or the panel size is left as it is and the pixel size is reduced. There are ways to do this, or both.
However, increasing the size of the panel leads to increased costs and weight, and we want to avoid it as much as possible. There is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the pixel size because it is technically difficult.
[0004]
Furthermore, in the image viewing with the HMD, when the head is shaken, the screen follows as it is, so there is unnaturalness and seasickness may occur.
In order to improve seasickness symptoms, a method of shifting the image in the direction opposite to the movement of the neck electrically or optically according to the amount of neck swing is considered.
[0005]
As an electrical method, there is a method of moving a display image in a display panel having a display area larger than the display image (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 8-220470). However, this method uses a display panel that is larger than originally required, which inevitably increases the size and cost of the system.
[0006]
Further, as a method of optically shifting an image, there are a method using a variable apex angle prism and a method of mechanically shifting the relative position between a display panel and an optical system (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-179239). In addition to up, there are other problems such as the shift amount being too large and heavy.
[0007]
An HMD device by the inventor that has solved the above problems has been proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-080287 (see FIG. 10).
The proposed HMD apparatus can be worn on a user's head, and is supplied with an input image signal to display the input image, and an image displayed on the image display device is displayed on the user. In an HMD apparatus having optical systems 12, 14, and 15 that form an image in the field of view of
An angle sensor 19 for detecting an angle of left and right swinging of the user's neck;
A shift amount for shifting the image display position of an image displayed on the image display device when the input image signal is supplied is shifted to the right for the left eye and to the left for the right eye, and the detected angle signal is supplied. In this case, a calculation unit (controller) that calculates a movement amount for moving the image display position of the image formed in the field of view in the direction opposite to the swinging direction of the neck corresponding to the angle of the left and right swinging of the neck. 13 and
A drive circuit for supplying the output of the arithmetic unit 13 and driving the image display devices 11;
The left eye is shifted in the left direction and the right eye is shifted in the right direction in proportion to the shift amount, and the entire image can be seen only by both eyes at the image display position of each image formed in the field of view. The image display position adjusting means 22 for adjusting the optical systems 12, 14, 15 is provided.
[0008]
However, in this HMD device, when an image is viewed on the HMD device, it is recognized by the left and right eyes that black sink occurs in the vicinity of both outer edges of the overlapped image portion that appears to overlap with the left and right eyes.
This black sun phenomenon is schematically shown in “image C synthesized in the head” of FIG.
[0009]
A black sun phenomenon occurs near the edge, and the vicinity of the boundary of the overlapped image part appears dark because the cut-out part of the image (the part without the image) suddenly falls to black. This is thought to be due to this.
[0010]
In this apparatus, a black sun phenomenon is observed in the vicinity of the outer edge of the overlapping portion of the left and right images (images A and B in FIG. 10). There is a problem.
[0011]
In view of this problem, the present invention has been made, and an apparatus that reduces the black sun phenomenon that occurs near the outer edges of the overlapped image portion that appears to overlap with the left and right eyes, and enables more natural image viewing. Is to provide.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To solve the above problem,
The invention described in 請 Motomeko 1,
The input image data is provided with an image missing part on the left side in the image viewing direction and shifted to the right side of the image to obtain image data for the left eye, and the input image data is provided with an image missing part on the right side in the image viewing direction. An image processing means 13 provided and shifted to the left side of the image to obtain image data for the right eye;
Left-eye and right-eye image display devices 11L and 11R for displaying the obtained left-eye and right-eye image data, respectively;
Optical that shifts the image data for the left eye and the right eye that are respectively displayed in the direction in which the respective image missing portions are provided to form virtual images on the retinas of the left and right eyes of the user. Systems 12 , 14 , 15 , 22 and
The image of the left-eye image data from a predetermined position that is 1/2 or more right in the horizontal direction of the image in the partial image of the left-eye image data corresponding to the overlapping partial image of the left-eye and right-eye image data in the virtual image Left-eye brightness setting means 24 (E) L for reducing the brightness of the image with a predetermined decrease curve toward the right end;
The brightness of the image is changed from the predetermined position at least ½ in the horizontal direction of the image in the partial image of the right-eye image data corresponding to the overlapping partial image to the left end of the right-eye image data. Right eye luminance setting means 24 (E) R to be lowered by a decrease curve;
Position adjustment input setting means 16 for inputting the predetermined positions of the ½ or more right and the ½ or more left,
A luminance gradient setting means 20 for setting a luminance gradient relating to the predetermined decrease curve,
The present invention provides a head-mounted display device in which the left-eye and right-eye brightness setting means are provided on the image data input sides of the left-eye and right-eye image display devices.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the head mounted display device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a head mounted display device of the present invention.
[0014]
The head mounted display device (HMD) of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes liquid crystal display devices (panels and image display devices) 11L and 11R, lenses 12L and 12R, a calculation unit (controller) 13, a glass 14L, 14R, mirrors 15L and 15R, position adjustment input means 16, drive circuits (drivers) 17L and 17R, video input means 18, angle sensor 19, eyeglass frame 21, position adjustment knob (screw) 22, and neutral density filter 24 (0 ) L, 24 (0) R.
[0015]
FIG. 1 shows an HMD having a structure in which a display panel is installed beside a face and an image magnified by a lens is reflected by a mirror 15 positioned almost in front of each eye.
When looking far away, there is no center of the panel in front of the eyes, the left eye is offset to the left and the right eye is offset to the right.
[0016]
The input image is adjusted by the drive circuit so that the screen is offset in the opposite direction to the optical system, and the overlapping parts of the displayed images on the left and right look exactly the same when looking forward about 2m. Yes.
[0017]
FIG. 1 shows how an image displayed on the liquid crystal display device (element) 11 is visible. In the display image on the panel, the hunting portion is a portion where nothing is displayed (black display).
The left and right eyes can see images with missing edges, but they are synthesized by the user's brain and appear to display a complete image.
[0018]
FIG. 2 shows a display image when the head is shaken. An acceleration sensor is attached to a predetermined position of the frame, and a signal is sent to the drive circuit so that the display image moves on the panel according to the swing angle.
[0019]
The figure shows the movement when the head is swung to the left. The image on the panel moves to the right and appears to stop. There is no limit to the amount of movement in the electrical method, and movement is possible until the image disappears from the field of view, but a limiter is appropriately provided.
[0020]
Similarly, correction in the vertical direction is also possible. In FIG. 1, since the image is displayed in the upper and lower parts of the display area of the panel, the image appears to be missing when shifted. However, the result is more favorable than the image appears to move, and the seasickness phenomenon is prevented.
[0021]
Further, for example, when a 16: 9 image such as a DVD is displayed on a 4: 3 panel, a non-display portion is formed at the top and bottom, and in this case, correction can be performed without omission of the image.
[0022]
In the present invention, a part of the image that can be seen by the left and right eyes overlaps, but unlike the case where two projector images are projected on the screen, the brightness of the overlapped part does not look twice but looks the same. .
[0023]
This is a characteristic of the human eye, but the boundary of the part that does not overlap the overlapping part appears dark (it appears to have a black shadow, which is called the black sun phenomenon).
This sensation varies greatly from person to person, and there is no problem for those who do not care.
[0024]
The head mounted display device of the present invention is configured to improve the black sun phenomenon.
The reason why the vicinity of the overlap boundary appears dark is that the cut-out part of the image (the part without the image) suddenly falls to black, and it is considered that the eyes perceive this boundary.
Therefore, in order to improve the problem of occurrence of black sun, it is necessary to prevent the vicinity of the edge of the image missing portion from suddenly darkening.
[0025]
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a configuration capable of improving the black sun phenomenon of the head mounted display device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the head mounted display device of the present invention is optically corrected.
[0026]
FIG. 3 shows a neutral density filter 24 (O) whose transmittance changes from 100% to 10% or less toward the edge from the center position of the overlapping portion of the image (or a predetermined position that is 1/2 or less of the overlapping portion of the image). ) Is inserted into each of the left and right units between the display panel 11 of the transmissive liquid crystal display panel and the backlight 25.
[0027]
Here, only the dark filter 24 (O) L for the left eye is shown. This is omitted for the right-eye neutralizing filter 24 (O) R, which is symmetrical to the left-eye neutralizing filter 24 (O) L.
The neutral density filter 24 (O) may be placed on the front surface of the display panel 11. In the self-luminous display panel, a neutral density filter 24 (O) is placed in front of the display panel 11.
[0028]
Specifically, the neutral density filter 24 (O) for optical correction is configured as shown in FIG.
A neutral density filter 24 (O) cut by tilting a flat plate of OD1 (transmittance 1/10) is inserted between the backlight 25 and the liquid crystal panel 11.
The plastic filters 24 (O) L and 24 (O) R for the left and right eyes are arranged symmetrically.
[0029]
The mounting position of the plastic filter 24 (O) is the display position of the liquid crystal panel 11 where the overlapping image portion of the left and right eyes is displayed. For example, the mounting position of the plastic filter 24 (O) L for the left eye is the liquid crystal for the left eye. It is made to correspond to the display position of the panel 11L.
[0030]
Next, an embodiment for electrically correcting the head mounted display device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a specific block configuration when the electric means of the head mounted display device of the present invention is used, and FIG. 9 is a luminance setting means used in the embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed one Example which matched and showed the curve of the characteristic (alpha) with each screen on either side.
[0031]
Luminance setting means 24 (E) L, 24 (for setting a coefficient α to be applied to the image signal from the center position of the image width of the overlapping portion (or a predetermined position within 1/2 of the image width of the overlapping portion) to the edge. E) R will be described.
[0032]
The luminance setting unit 24E includes a position adjustment input setting unit 16 and a luminance inclination setting unit 20. The luminance setting unit 24E is inserted between the calculation unit 13 and the driver 17 that drives the panel 11.
[0033]
Regarding the setting of the luminance setting means 24E, a predetermined position at the center (or within ½) of the image width of the overlapping portion is set by the position adjustment input setting means 16.
Further, the luminance gradient of the image width of the overlapping portion is set by the luminance gradient setting means 20.
[0034]
The brightness from the set position toward the edge is given a slope by setting a coefficient α by the brightness slope setting means 20, brightness setting means 24 (E) L, 24 (E) R (see FIG. 9).
The characteristics of the brightness setting means 24 (E) L and 24 (E) R are shown in FIG. 9 as PGA and PGB, respectively.
[0035]
The left-eye luminance setting means 24 (E) L is located at the right edge of the overlap image portion from the position indicated by PL1 in FIG. 9 at the approximate center of the image width of the overlap image portion that appears to overlap with the left and right eyes, PL2 in FIG. The brightness of the image is set so as to decrease continuously toward the right side toward the position indicated by.
[0036]
Also, the right-eye brightness setting means 24 (E) R has an edge on the left side of the overlapping image portion from the position indicated by PR1 in FIG. 8 at the approximate center of the image width of the overlapping image portion that appears to overlap with the left and right eyes. The brightness of the image is set so as to decrease continuously toward the left side toward the position indicated by PR2.
[0037]
In this case, the amount of change in luminance may be about 100% to 10%, but can be optimally adjusted by adding a variable mechanism (not shown).
In addition, if the start point of the brightness reduction is the center position of the image width of the overlapping image or a position less than 1/2, no shadow will appear at the center of the display image, but it is adjusted according to the overlapping amount of the images. For example, it is possible to easily correct individual differences (the amount of overlap may vary depending on the eye width when the viewing angle of the optical system is not sufficient).
[0038]
In addition, if the start position of the brightness reduction is a position that is 1/2 or more of the image width of the overlapped image portion, the brightness gradient portions applied to the left and right images partially overlap, and the overlapped common portion and Since a shadow can be seen at the center of the displayed image, the start position of the luminance reduction is set to the center position of the image width or a position equal to or less than 1/2.
[0039]
The luminance setting means 24 (E) is configured so that the image created in advance shown in FIG. 8B is combined with the source input of the output of the arithmetic unit 13 and the output is supplied to the driver 17. Also good.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, by supplying the left-eye and right-eye image data output from the image processing means to the left-right eye luminance setting means respectively , It is possible to reduce the black sun phenomenon that occurs in the vicinity of the outer edge of the image, and to enable image viewing on a more natural screen.
[0042]
It is not necessary to add a special mechanism to the optical system, and it is not necessary to enlarge the panel, so that the optical system can be made smaller. Therefore, there is no increase in weight and the wearing feeling is not harmed.
In addition, a small system that does not impair fashionability can be created.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment and an operation principle of a head mounted display device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment and operation principle of the head mounted display device of the present invention (appearance when the neck is swung to the left);
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a neutral density filter according to an optical improvement method of a head mounted display device of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of luminance setting means by an electrical improvement method for a head mounted display device according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a specific block configuration when the optical means of the head mounted display device of the present invention is used.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a specific block configuration in the case of using the electrical means of the head mounted display device of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a head mounted display device of the present invention.
FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a neutral density filter and luminance setting means used in an embodiment of the head mounted display device of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the curve of the characteristic α of the luminance setting means used in the example of the head mounted display device of the present invention is associated with the left and right screens.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a head mounted display device in which a black sun phenomenon occurs.
[Explanation of symbols]
11L, 11R liquid crystal display devices (liquid crystal display elements, image display devices, panels)
12L, 12R Lens 13 Calculation unit (controller)
14L, 14R Glass 15L, 15R Mirror 16 Luminance tilt start position setting means (position adjustment input means)
17L, 17R LCD device drive circuit (driver)
18 Image input means 19 Angle sensor 20 Luminance inclination setting means 21 Eyeglass frame 22 Image display position adjustment knob (screw) (image display position adjustment means)
23 display unit 24 (0) L left-eye neutralizing filter 24 (0) R right-eye neutralizing filter 24 (E) L left-eye luminance setting means 24 (E) R right-eye luminance setting means 25 backlight unit α luminance coefficient

Claims (1)

The input image data is provided with an image omission part on the left side in the image viewing direction and shifted to the right side of the image to obtain image data for the left eye, and the input image data is provided with an image omission part on the right side in the image viewing direction. Image processing means for providing and obtaining image data for the right eye by shifting in the left direction of the image;
A left-eye image display device and a right-eye image display device that respectively display the obtained left-eye image data and right-eye image data;
Optical that these left-eye image data and right-eye image data respectively displayed are optically shifted in the direction in which the respective image missing portions are provided, and imaged as virtual images on the retinas of the left and right eyes of the user The system,
The image of the left-eye image data from a predetermined position that is ½ or more right in the horizontal direction of the image in the partial image of the left-eye image data corresponding to the overlapping partial image of the left-eye and right-eye image data in the virtual image A left-eye luminance setting means for reducing the brightness of the image with a predetermined decrease curve toward the right end;
The brightness of the image is changed from the predetermined position on the left in the horizontal direction of the partial image of the right-eye image data corresponding to the overlapping partial image to the left end of the right-eye image data. Brightness setting means for the right eye to be lowered by a decrease curve;
Position adjustment input setting means for inputting the predetermined positions of the ½ or more right and the ½ or more left,
A luminance gradient setting means for setting a luminance gradient relating to the predetermined decrease curve,
A head-mounted display device comprising the left-eye and right-eye luminance setting means provided on the image data input side of each of the left-eye and right-eye image display devices.

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