Head-mounted display device

• US 6,359,602 B1
• Filed: 03/04/1999
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
• Original Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
• Inventors: Hatanaka, Hiroyuki, Mayama, Tetsuo, Kumai, Keizou, Nasu, Ryutaro, Amafuji, Hisashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chanh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alphonse, Fritz
• Application Number:
  US09/262,359
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 345/8, 345/9, 345/42, 345/48, 359/482, 359/67, 359/631
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0159 with mechanical means other than scaning means for positioning the whole image
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features

Abstract

In a head-mounted display device, image display light emitted from a display device is directed towards the eye of an observer by changing the light path thereof by means of an optical system. The display device, optical system and a drive signal generating device for the display device are worn on the head of the observer by means of a holding member. This optical system is positioned in front of the display device emitting display light in a forward direction from a position separated radially from the visual axis of the observer when looking straight ahead. The drive signal generating device is located in a position separated radially from the visual axis with an interval from the display device and optical system.

Claims

1. A head-mounted display device comprising:

a display device for emitting image display light, an optical system for changing the light path of the display light in order to direct the light towards an eye of an observer enabling the observer to see an image formed by the image display light with only one eye, and a drive signal generating device for the display device, are worn on a head of the observer,

wherein the display device is located in such a manner that the display light is emitted in a forward direction from a position separated radially from the visual axis of the observer when looking straight ahead;

the optical system is located in front of the display device with an interval; and

the drive signal generating device is located in a position that is separated radially from the visual axis and separated with an interval from the display device optical system, wherein the drive signal generating device is located behind said display device with an interval, beside a side of the head of the observer.

2. The head-mounted display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is located directly below said visual axis.

3. The head-mounted display device according to claim 2, wherein the optical system is coupled to said display wherein the display device is located in such a manner that the light path of the display light is changed directly below said visual axis.

4. The head-mounted display device according to claim 1, wherein said display light is directed towards one eye of the observer;

a housing for covering said drive signal generating device is coupled to a holding member beside the side of the head of the observer;

said optical system is connected to said display device in such a manner that it is located in a position separated radially from said visual axis; and

said display device is movably in a spherical plane relative to the housing covering said drive signal generating device, in front of the face of the observer.

5. The head-mounted display device according to claim 4, wherein the housing covering said drive signal generating device is coupled movably in a spherical plane to said holding member, beside the side of the head of the observer.

6. The head-mounted display device according to claim 1, further comprising a holding member having left and right side head pads which press against left and right sides of the head of the observer in regions surrounding the ears, and left and right holders for holding the pads, openings being formed in a center of the pads and the center of the holders, in such a manner that the ears of the observer are exposed.

7. The head-mounted display device according to claim 6, wherein the pads and the holders have a continuous ring shape.

8. The head-mounted display device according to claim 6, wherein the pressing force exerted via the pads on the left and right sides of the head in the regions surrounding the ears is greater in front of the ears than behind the ears.

9. The head-mounted display device according to claim 8, comprising means for imparting an elastic force which narrows the interval between the left and right holders behind the ears of the observer.

10. A head-mounted display device comprising:

a display device for emitting image display light, an optical system for changing the light path of the display light in order to direct the light towards an eye of an observer enabling the observer to see an image formed by the image display light with only one eye, and a drive signal generating device for the display device, are worn on a head of the observer,

wherein the display device is located in such a manner that the display light is emitted in a forward direction relative to the head of the observer from a position separated radially from the visual axis of the observer when looking straight ahead;

the optical system is located in front of the display device in the forward direction with an interval;

the drive signal generating device is located in a position that is separated radially from the visual axis and separated with an interval from the display device and optical system; and

a holding member having left and right side head pads which press against left and right sides of the head of the observer in regions surrounding the ears, and left and right holders for holding the pads, openings being formed in a center of the pads and the center of the holders, in such a manner that the ears of the observer are exposed,

wherein the pressing force exerted via the pads on the left and right sides of the head in the regions surrounding the ears is greater in front of the ears than behind the ears and

wherein the holding member comprises a coupling section for coupling the left and right holders;

the holders are each coupled to the coupling section, swingably about an axis in the vertical direction; and

pressing sections are pressing against the holders via elastic members are provided on said coupling section, in such a manner than an elastic force is imparted causing the front side of each holder to swing towards the side of the head of the observer.

11. The head-mounted display device according to claim 10, wherein left and right upper head pads pressed against the left and right upper portions of the head of the observer are coupled to the coupling section.