DISPLAY DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR

• US 20120169591A1
• Filed: 03/14/2012
• Published: 07/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Moriya, Akihisa, Nakamura, Hiroaki, Sasaki, Takashi, Okumura, Haruhiko, Hotta, Aira
• Granted Patent: US 8,576,142 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/785 on or in relation to the windshield or windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/654 the user being the driver
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/002 for measuring two or more coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/026 by measuring distance between sensor and object G01B11/0608 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0187 slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0816 by means of one or more reflecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0093 with means for monitoring data relating to the user, e.g. head-tracking, eye-tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/16 involving the use of mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2027/001 Comprising a presence or proximity detector
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/045 supported by the wheels
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/049 giving information to passengers inside the vehicles

Abstract

One embodiment provides a display device, including: a luminous flux generator which generates luminous flux including image information; a reflector plate which reflects the luminous flux generated by the luminous flux generator toward one eye of a viewer; a head detector which detects a head of the viewer by using at least two pairs of distance sensors; a controller which controls a position of the reflector plate based on an output from the head detector; and a driver which drives the reflector plate based on an output from the controller.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising:

a luminous flux generator which generates luminous flux including image information;

a reflector plate which reflects the luminous flux generated by the luminous flux generator toward one eye of a viewer;

a head detector which detects a head of the viewer by using at least two pairs of distance sensors;

a controller which controls a position of the reflector plate based on an output from the head detector; and

a driver which drives the reflector plate based on an output from the controller,

wherein the head detector includes;

a first pair of distance sensors for measuring a position of the head of the viewer; and

a second pair of distance sensors for determining a coefficient used for measurement based on the first pair of distance sensors.

2. The display device of claim 1,

wherein the controller

calculates a difference between output voltages of the first pair of distance sensors,

calculates the coefficient by using a distance between a midpoint of the first pair of distance sensors and a midpoint of the second pair of distance sensors and a difference between output voltages of the second pair of distance sensors, and

controls a direction or position of the reflector plate based on the difference between the output voltages of the first pair of distance sensors and the coefficient.

3. The display device of claim 2,

wherein the luminous flux generator includes:

a light source;

a limiter which limits a direction of movement of the luminous flux from the light source;

a diffuser which diffuses the luminous flux;

an image device which adds image information to the luminous flux diffused by the diffuser;

a first lens which converges the luminous flux having passed through the image device;

an aperture member which controls an angle of divergence of the luminous flux having passed through the first lens; and

a second lens which converges the luminous flux having passed through the aperture member.

4. A method for controlling a display device, comprising:

generating luminous flux including image information;

reflecting the generated luminous flux toward one eye of a viewer;

detecting a head of the viewer by using at least two pairs of distance sensors; and

controlling a direction of the reflection based on a result of the detection,

wherein the detection uses;

a first pair of distance sensors for measuring a position of the head of the viewer; and

a second pair of distance sensors for determining a coefficient used for measurement based on the first pair of distance sensors.

5. The method of claim 4,

wherein the control

calculates a difference between output voltages of the first pair of distance sensors,

calculates the coefficient by using a distance between a midpoint of the first pair of distance sensors and a midpoint of the second pair of distance sensors and a difference between output voltages of the second pair of distance sensors, and

controls the direction of the reflection based on the difference between the output voltages of the first pair of distance sensors and the coefficient.