Head mount display

• US 6,388,640 B1
• Filed: 12/30/1998
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Takano, Hironori, Chigira, Tatsuo, Miyauchi, Kenji
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengistu, Amare
• Application Number:
  US09/222,775
• Time in Patent Office: 1,231 Days
• Field of Search: 345/7, 345/8, 349/11, 359/13, 359/630, 359/632
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features

Abstract

A user changes the shapes of the side frames from the shapes at the positions indicated by dashed lines at which no external force is applied to those at the positions indicated by dashed lines, and mounts the side frames on the head. As a result, the side frames and rear mount pads perfectly fit on the head, as indicated by solid lines. The user therefore can see video on a main body of a display unit in a natural state without any strain.

Claims

1. A head mount display comprising:

a display unit having a display element and optical means for enlarging/displaying an image on said display element;

a first frame extending substantially conforming to a forehead of a user;

first support portion mounted on said first frame at a predetermined angle; and

support means for supporting said display unit on said first frame,

wherein said first frame is formed by bending a metal rod, metal pipe, or metal plate, first and second hinges are mounted on two end portions of said first frame, the other end of each of said first and second hinges supports a corresponding one of first and second side frames, which respectively have second and third support portions, have shapes bent inwardly, and have elasticity in a direction in which said first and second side frames bend, to allow each of said side frames to rotate in a direction of the head, and said first, second, and third support portions are biased with biasing forces produced by spreading said first and second side frames, thereby producing a force that allows said first, second and third support portions to be worn on the head.

2. A display according to claim 1, wherein cross-sectional areas of portions of said first and second side frames which are located near the end portions where said first and second hinges are mounted are larger than those of the remaining portions.

3. A display according to claim 2, wherein cross-sectional shapes of said first and second side frames are formed with cross-sectional areas decreasing, at least at portions near the end portions where said first and second hinges are mounted, in a direction of length.

4. A display according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said first and second side frames are made of a metal.

5. A display according to claim 4, wherein the metal is a stainless steel alloy.

6. A display according to claim 4, wherein the metal is a titanium alloy.

7. A display according to claim 4, wherein the metal is a super-elastic alloy.

8. A display according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said first and second side frames are made an elastomer.

9. A display according to claim 1, wherein said first frame is made of a titanium alloy.

10. A head mount display comprising:

a display unit having a display element and optical means for enlarging/displaying an image on said display element;

a first frame extending substantially conforming to a forehead of a user;

first support portion mounted on said first frame at a predetermined angle; and

support means for supporting said display unit on said first frame,

wherein said first frame is formed by coating a core member obtained by bending a metal rod, metal pipe, or metal plate with a resin film, first and second hinges are mounted on two end portions of said first frame, the other end of each of said first and second hinges supports a corresponding one of first and second side frames, which respectively have second and third support portions, have shapes bent inwardly, and have elasticity in a direction in which said first and second side frames bend, to allow each of said side frames to rotate in a direction of the head, and said first, second, and third support portions are biased with biasing forces produced by spreading said first and second side frames, thereby producing a force that allows said first, second and third support portions to be worn on the head.

11. A display according to claim 10, wherein cross-sectional areas of portions of said first and second side frames which are located near the end portions where said first and second hinges are mounted are larger than those of the remaining portions.

12. A display according to claim 11, wherein cross-sectional shapes of said first and second side frames are formed with cross-sectional areas decreasing, at least at portions near the end portions where said first and second hinges are mounted, in a direction of length.

13. A display according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein said first and second side frames have cores made of a metal.

14. A display according to claim 13, wherein the metal is a stainless steel alloy.

15. A display according to claim 13, wherein the metal is a titanium alloy.

16. A display according to claim 13, wherein the metal is a super-elastic alloy.

17. A display according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein said first and second side frames are made of an elastomer.

18. A display according to claim 10, wherein said first frame has a core member made of a titanium alloy.

19. A head mount display comprising:

a display unit having a display element and optical means for enlarging/displaying an image on said display element;

a first frame extending substantially conforming to a forehead of a user;

first support portion mounted on said first frame at a predetermined angle; and

support means for supporting said display unit on said first frame,

wherein said first frame is formed by bending a metal rod, metal pipe, or metal plate, first and second hinges are mounted on two end portions of said first frame, the other end of each of said first and second hinges supports a corresponding one of first and second side frames, which have shapes bent inwardly and have elasticity in a direction in which said first and second side frames bend, to allow each of said side frames to rotate in a direction of the head, said first and second side frames respectively have third and fourth hinges mounted on end portions different from the end portions coupled to said first and second hinges, first and second press members respectively having second and third support portions are respectively supported on said third and fourth hinges to be rotatable in a direction of the head, and said first, second, and third support portions are biased with biasing forces produced by spreading said first and second side frames, thereby producing a force that allows said first, second and third support portions to be worn on the head.

20. A display according to claim 19, wherein cross-sectional areas of portions of said first and second side frames which are located near the end portions where said first and second hinges are mounted are larger than those of the remaining portions.

21. A display according to claim 20, wherein cross-sectional shapes of said first and second side frames are formed with cross-sectional areas decreasing, at least at portions near the end portions where said first and second hinges are mounted, in a direction of length.

22. A display according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein said first and second side frames are made of a metal.

23. A display according to claim 22, wherein the metal is a stainless steel alloy.

24. A display according to claim 22, wherein the metal is a titanium alloy.

25. A display according to claim 22, wherein the metal is a super-elastic alloy.

26. A display according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein said first and second side frames are made of an elastomer.

27. A display according to claim 19, wherein said first frame is made of a titanium alloy.

28. A head mount display comprising:

a display unit having a display element and optical means for enlarging/displaying an image on said display element;

a first frame extending substantially conforming to a forehead of a user;

first support portion mounted on said first frame at a predetermined angle; and

support means for supporting said display unit on said first frame,

wherein said first frame is formed by bending a metal rod, metal pipe, or metal plate, first and second hinges are mounted on two end portions of said first frame, the other end of each of said first and second hinges supports a corresponding one of first and second side frames, which have shapes bent inwardly and have elasticity in a direction in which said first and second side frames bend, to allow each of said side frames to rotate in a direction of the head, said first and second side frames respectively have first and second elastic members mounted on end portions different from the end portions coupled to said first and second hinges, first and second press members respectively having second and third support portions are respectively supported on said first and second elastic members to be foldable in a direction of the head, and said first, second, and third support portions are biased with biasing forces produced by spreading said first and second side frames, thereby producing a force that allows said first, second and third support portions to be won on the head.

29. A display according to claim 28, wherein said first and second elastic members are made of a super-elastic alloy.

30. A display according to claim 28, wherein cross-sectional areas of portions of said first and second side frames which are located near the end portions where said first and second hinges are mounted are larger than those of the remaining portions.

31. A display according to claim 30, wherein cross-sectional shapes of said first and second side frames are formed with cross-sectional areas decreasing, at least at portions near the end portions where said first and second hinges are mounted, in a direction of length.

32. A display according to any one of claims 28, 30, and 31, wherein said first and second side frames are made of a metal.

33. A display according to claim 32, wherein the metal is a stainless steel alloy.

34. A display according to claim 32, wherein the metal is a titanium alloy.

35. A display according to claim 32, wherein the metal is a super-elastic alloy.

36. A display according to any one of claims 28, 30, and 31, wherein said first and second side frames are made of an elastomer.

37. A display according to claim 28, wherein said first frame is made of a titanium alloy.

38. A head mount display comprising:

a display unit having a display element and optical means for enlarging/displaying an image on said display element;

a first frame extending substantially conforming to a forehead of a user;

a first support portion mounted on said first frame at a predetermined angle; and

support means for supporting said display unit on said first frame,

wherein first and second hinges are mounted on two end portions of said first frame, the other end of each of said first and second hinges supports a corresponding one of first and second side frames, which respectively have second and third support portions, have shapes bend inwardly, and have elasticity in a direction in which said first and second side frames bend, to allow each of said side frames to rotate in a direction of the head, and said first, second and third support portions are biased with biasing forces produced by spreading said first and second side frames, thereby producing a force that allows said first, second and third support portions to be worn on the head.

39. A head mount display comprising:

a display unit having a display element and optical means for enlarging/displaying an image on said display element;

a first frame extending substantially conforming to a forehead of a user;

a first support portion mounted on said first frame at a predetermined angle; and

support means for supporting said display unit on said first frame,

wherein said first and second hinges are mounted on two end portions of said first frame, the other end of each of said first and second hinges supports a corresponding one of first and second side frames, which have shapes bent inwardly and have elasticity in a direction in which said first and second side frames bend, to allow each of said side frames to rotate in a direction of the head, said first and second side frames respectively have third and fourth hinges mounted on end portions different from the end portions coupled to said first and second hinges, first and second press members respectively having second and third support portions are respectively supported on said third and fourth hinges to be rotatable in a direction of the head, and said first, second and third support portions are biased with biasing forces produced by spreading said first and second side frames, thereby producing a force that allows said first, second and third support portions to be worn on the head.

40. A head mount display comprising:

a display unit having a display element and optical means for enlarging/displaying an image on said display element;

a first frame extending substantially conforming to a forehead of a user;

first support portion mounted on said first frame at a predetermined angle; and

support means for supporting said display unit on said first frame,

wherein first and second hinges are mounted on two end portions of said first frame, the other end of each of said first and second hinges supports a corresponding one of first and second side frames, which have shapes bent inwardly and have elasticity in a direction in which said first and second side frames bend, to allow each of said side frames to rotate in a direction of the head, said first and second side frames respectively have first and second elastic members mounted on end portions different from the end portions coupled to said first and second hinges, first and second press members respectively having second and third support portions are respectively supported on said first and second elastic members to be foldable in a direction of the head, and said first, second and third support portions are biased with biasing forces produced by spreading said first and second side frames, thereby producing a force that allows said first, second and third support portions to be worn on the head.

41. A head mount display comprising:

a display unit having a display element and optical means for enlarging/displaying an image on said display element;

a frame having an arc shape extending along a head of a user from a forehead to an occipital, said frame having elasticity inwardly thereof;

a first support portion mounted on said frame at a predetermined angle, said first support portion adapted to come into contact with the forehead of the user;

second and third support portions mounted on two end portions of said frame, said second and third support portions adapted to come into contact with the occipital of the user; and

support means for supporting said display unit on said frame,

wherein said first, second and third support portions are biased with biasing forces produced by spreading said frame, thereby producing a force that allows said first, second and third support portions to be worn on the head.