JP2007072340A - Picture display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology which visually assists an observer to adjust the position of pupil at a suitable position for viewing a picture in a picture display device which displays a picture to the observer by projecting light on the retina of the observer via the pupil. <P>SOLUTION: The picture display device includes: (a) light generating parts 20 and 22 which generate light in a state it is modified according to the picture to be displayed; (b) light emitting parts 24 and 26 which are used in a state the observer looks into, and from which the generated light is emitted toward the eye of the observer; and (c) a target display part 122 which displays a target 124 to be gazed by the observer at a position at which the relative target position of the pupil with respect to the emitting parts is provided when gazed by the observer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for displaying an image to an observer by projecting light onto the retina of the eye through the pupil of the observer's eye, and in particular, observation at an appropriate position for observing the image. The present invention relates to a technique for supporting a person who adjusts the position of a pupil.

  As a type of device that displays an image, there is already an image display device that displays an image to an observer by projecting light onto the retina of the eye through the pupil of the observer's eye.

  An example of this type of image display device is a retinal scanning display. The retinal scanning display includes a light source that generates a light beam, an intensity modulator that modulates the intensity of the light beam for each pixel of an image to be displayed, and a scanner that scans the generated light beam in a two-dimensional manner. And an emission part for emitting the scanned light beam.

  Another example of the above-mentioned type of image display device is a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display is, for example, a light source that emits uniform light and a transmissive liquid crystal panel that receives the uniform light from the light source in the back, and the intensity of the incident light is spatially modulated and output. A liquid crystal display is used to project light onto the retina.

  The retinal scanning display and the liquid crystal display are common to each other in that the image is displayed by causing the observer to perceive the image as a virtual image rather than as a real image.

  In any case, in order for an observer to observe an image using the image display apparatus described above, it is necessary for the observer to adjust the position of the pupil to an appropriate position for observing the image.

  The operation can be performed by turning the observer's line of sight toward the position of the image, relying on the image displayed by the image display device. However, when the displayed image is small and it is difficult for the observer to find it because the exit pupil of the image display device is small, it is difficult to adjust the pupil position using the image.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,132, in order to enlarge the exit pupil of a retinal scanning display, the optical path between the light source and the emitting part in the retinal scanning display is arranged between the light source and the emitting part. A technique for disposing a diffraction element (for example, a diffraction grating) at the same position as an existing intermediate image plane is disclosed.
US Pat. No. 5,701,132

  If this conventional technique is implemented, the exit pupil of the image display device is enlarged, and thus the observer may be able to easily adjust the pupil position using the display image. However, when this conventional technique is implemented, there is a possibility that the image quality of the display image is deteriorated at the price of increasing the exit pupil diameter. The reason will be specifically described below.

  There are transmissive and reflective diffractive elements. In a transmissive diffractive element, a transmissive part (for example, a slit) and a non-transmissive part are alternately arranged, whereas in a reflective diffractive element, a reflective part (for example, a blazed reflective surface) is non-reflective. The parts are lined up alternately.

  In any case, generally, in a diffraction element, a plurality of transmission parts or reflection parts are periodically arranged at a predetermined pitch (hereinafter referred to as “diffraction pitch”).

  Of the diffractive elements, the greater the number of transmissive parts or reflective parts that the same light is incident at one time, the more the elementary waves emitted from each transmissive part or each reflective part strengthen each other due to interference. The diffraction efficiency of the diffraction element is improved. The larger the beam diameter (hereinafter referred to as “incident beam diameter”) of the incident beam to the diffractive element, the greater the number of transmissive parts or reflective parts of the diffractive element on which the same light is incident at a time.

  Accordingly, in order for the incident beam to the diffraction element to be efficiently diffracted by the diffraction element, it is important to sufficiently optimize the dimensional relationship between the diffraction pitch and the incident beam diameter.

  On the other hand, in a retinal scanning display, generally, a beam emitted from a light source toward an emission part passes through an intermediate image plane existing between the light source and the emission part at the beam waist.

  For this reason, the above-described conventional technique is implemented in this retinal scanning display. As a result, when a diffractive element is installed at the same position as the intermediate image plane, the beam enters the diffractive element with a minimum beam diameter. become.

  The smaller the incident beam diameter, the smaller the number of incident light beams incident at one time among the plurality of transmission parts or reflection parts in the diffraction element. Therefore, when this conventional technique is implemented, the number of incident light beams incident at a time among a plurality of transmission parts or reflection parts in the diffraction element is reduced, and diffraction of the incident beams is not performed efficiently.

  That is, when this conventional technique is implemented, the incident beam tends to scatter when passing through the diffractive element, and the ratio of the incident beam that is lost without being converted into diffracted light increases.

  Further, when the incident beam is scanned on the incident surface of the diffractive element, if the incident beam diameter is smaller than the diffraction pitch, the pattern of the transmissive part or the reflective part (for example, the incident beam is incident on the diffractive element at a time). The number of transmission parts or reflection parts in the irradiation region of the incident beam at each moment varies periodically. As a result, the pattern and brightness of the diffracted light also fluctuate periodically.

  With the circumstances described above as a background, the present invention is intended for observing an image in an image display device that displays an image to the observer by projecting light onto the retina of the eye through the pupil of the observer's eye. An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for assisting an observer to adjust the position of the pupil to an appropriate position.

  The following aspects are obtained by the present invention. Each aspect is divided into sections, each section is given a number, and is described in a form that cites other section numbers as necessary. This is to facilitate understanding of some of the technical features that the present invention can employ and combinations thereof, and the technical features that can be employed by the present invention and combinations thereof are limited to the following embodiments. Should not be interpreted. That is, it should be construed that it is not impeded to appropriately extract and employ the technical features described in the present specification as technical features of the present invention although they are not described in the following embodiments.

  Further, describing each section in the form of quoting the numbers of the other sections does not necessarily prevent the technical features described in each section from being separated from the technical features described in the other sections. It should not be construed as meaning, but it should be construed that the technical features described in each section can be appropriately made independent depending on the nature.

(1) An image display device that displays an image to the observer by projecting light onto a retina of the eye through the pupil of the eye of the observer,
A light generation unit that generates light in a state that can be modulated according to an image to be displayed;
Used in a state of being looked into by the observer, and a light emitting portion from which the generated light is emitted toward the eye;
An image display device comprising: a target display unit that displays a target to be watched by the observer at a position where a target relative position of the pupil is realized with respect to the emitting unit when the target is watched by the observer.

  In this image display device, the target is displayed to the observer. When the observer gazes at the target, the target relative position of the observer's pupil with respect to the emission part is realized. That is, the relative position of the pupil is adjusted to a position where the observer needs to gaze in order for the observer to normally observe the image to be displayed by the image display device.

  Therefore, according to this image display device, the work for the observer to adjust the position of the pupil is facilitated, and as a result, the usability of this image display device is improved.

  In this image display device, the “target display unit” can display the target in a period including at least a period prior to a series of image display by the image display apparatus, for example. In this way, prior to a series of image displays by the image display device, it is possible to assist the observer in adjusting the pupil position.

  In this image display device, the “target display unit” can display the target as an image larger than the image displayed by the image display device, for example. In this way, the observer can perform the pupil position adjustment work more easily than when the pupil position has to be adjusted to the target position by relying on the display image after the start of image display.

(2) Furthermore,
A guidance unit that is disposed between the light generation unit and the pupil and guides the generated light to the pupil;
The guide unit includes the target displayable optical component that also functions as the target display unit.

  According to this image display device, it is not necessary to add a dedicated component for displaying the target, or even if it is added, the number of additional components can be reduced.

  In the case where the “emission unit” in the item (1) is configured to include, for example, a relay optical system that guides the light emitted from the light generation unit, the relay optical system is the “guidance” in this item. Part.

  In this case, in the image display device according to this section, the relay optical system can be configured so as to be a target displayable component having a function of displaying a target in addition to a function of guiding light.

  On the other hand, the “emission part” in the above item (1), for example, a relay optical system that guides the light emitted from the light generation part, and a mirror that reflects the light emitted from the relay optical system toward the pupil Are included in the “guide unit” in this section.

  In this case, in the image display device according to this section, at least one of the relay optical system and the mirror is configured so as to be a target displayable component having a function of displaying a target in addition to a function of guiding light. Is possible.

(3) The target displayable optical component has a pattern portion on which a pattern for displaying the target is formed using ambient light incident on the image display device from a surrounding environment of the image display device (2 The image display device according to the item.

  In this image display device, ambient light incident on the image display device from the surrounding environment of the image display device is used for the target displayable component to display the target. As a result, according to this image display device, it is not necessary to use the light generated in this image display device in order to display the target.

  Therefore, according to this image display device, it is possible to display a target without depending on the operation of this image display device. Therefore, for example, an increase in load (for example, power consumption) of the image display device due to display of the target is suppressed.

  In this image display device, the “pattern portion” can form, for example, an opaque pattern on the surface of a transparent body by printing. In addition, the “patterned portion” can be formed by locally engraving the surface of the transparent body so that the refractive index, light reflectivity, or light absorption is different from the periphery (for example, grooving). It is.

  In addition, the “pattern portion” is formed by, for example, locally attaching a tangible object (for example, a wire) having a different light refraction degree, light reflection degree, or light absorption degree from the periphery to the surface of the transparent body. Is also possible. In addition, the “pattern part” can be formed by adhering a transparent label on which a pattern having a different light refraction degree, light reflection degree, or light absorption degree from the periphery is printed in advance on the surface of the transparent body. is there.

(4) The image display device is a see-through type that enables the observer to superimpose and display the displayed image on a real image of an external entity located in front of the observer,
The target displayable optical component reflects the generated light and guides it to the pupil, and transmits a light incident from the external entity and guides it to the pupil as the target displayable optical component. Including
The half mirror is an image display device according to item (3), in which light incident on the half mirror from the external entity is transmitted and guided to the pattern portion.

  In this image display device, a target is displayed by using incident light incident on a half mirror of the image display device so that an observer can observe an external entity superimposed on a display image by the image display device. Further, a pattern portion on which light is incident to display the target is formed on the half mirror.

  Therefore, according to this see-through type image display apparatus provided with a half mirror, a target can be displayed only by forming a pattern portion on the half mirror.

(5) Furthermore,
Including a protective component that is used by being attached to the emission part to cover and protect the emission part during non-use of the image display device;
The protective component functions also as the target display unit, according to the item (1).

According to this image display device, when the image display device is not in use, a dedicated component is added by using a protective component that is attached to and used by the emission portion to cover and protect the emission portion. It is possible to display the target without.
The protective parts are

(6) The image according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the target display unit displays the target at a position outside a central region of the observation region observed by the observer. Display device.

  In general, in this type of image display device, a desired image is displayed in the central region of the observation regions observed by the observer.

  On the other hand, in the image display device according to this section, the target is displayed at a position outside the central region of the observation region.

  Therefore, according to this image display device, when a desired image is displayed together with the target in the same observation area, the observer can observe the image without being disturbed by the target. .

(7) The target display unit displays the target at a position outside the image light passage region through which the generated light passes in the observation region observed by the observer (1) to (4). The image display device according to any one of items 1 to 3.

(8) The image display device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the target display unit changes display contents during image display and non-image display by the image display device.

  According to this image display device, when the request regarding the display of the target display unit is different between the image display by the image display device and the non-image display, each request is satisfied in accordance with each time. It becomes possible to operate the target display unit.

  In this image display device, the “target display unit”, for example, during non-image display that requires the observer to reconcile the actual pupil position of the observer with the target pupil position depending on the target, While displaying the target at a position that is easy for the observer to see, while displaying an image that the observer wants to observe the display image without being obstructed by the target, the image is displayed at a position outside the displayed image in the observation area. It is possible to display the target.

  In addition, the “target display unit” does not display the target at all during image display, displays the target in a reduced size compared with non-image display, or displays the target lighter than during non-image display. Or the target can be displayed in a blurred state (defocused state).

(9) The image display according to (8), wherein the target display unit automatically displays the target in response to the start of the image display while displaying the target during the non-image display. apparatus.

  According to this image display device, the target is displayed during non-image display, while the target is not displayed during image display. Accordingly, during non-image display, the observer can rely on the target to match the observer's actual pupil position with the target pupil position, while during image display, the observer is disturbed by the target. The display image can be observed without any problem.

(10) While the non-image display, the target display unit displays the target in a central region of the observation region observed by the observer, while responding to the start of the image display. The image display device according to item (8), wherein the image is automatically displayed at a position out of the central region in the observation region.

  According to this image display device, the target is displayed in the central area of the observation area during non-image display, while the target is positioned away from the central area of the observation area during image display. Is displayed. Therefore, during the non-image display, the observer can rely on the target to match the observer's actual pupil position with the target relative position, while the image is displayed even though the target is displayed. Therefore, it becomes possible for the observer to observe the display image without being disturbed by the target.

(11) The target display unit has a pattern portion on which a pattern for displaying the target is formed,
The pattern portion is selectively displaced to a position on the optical path formed between the light generation section and the emission section and a position off the optical path. An image display device according to claim 1.

  In an example of the image display device according to this section, the target display unit manually moves the transparent film on which the pattern corresponding to the target is printed, and the film at a position on the optical path and a position off the optical path. Or an electrically displacing mechanism. When the film is manually displaced, the power consumption of the image display device is reduced compared to when the film is electrically displaced.

(12) The image display device according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the target display unit changes a display content according to a type of a command from the observer.

  According to this image display device, the display content of the target display unit can be changed in accordance with the request of the observer, thereby improving the usability of the target display unit.

(13) The image display device is a see-through type that allows the observer to observe the displayed image superimposed on a real image of an external entity located in front of the observer,
The image display device further includes:
A half mirror that reflects the generated light and guides it to the pupil, and transmits the light incident from the external entity to guide the pupil;
The target display unit includes a pattern portion on which a pattern for displaying the target is formed using ambient light that is transmitted through the half mirror and incident on the image display device from the surrounding environment of the image display device. As part of the half mirror,
The pattern portion is represented by at least one line, and the thickness of the line is a light beam generated as light generated by the light generation unit to display one pixel in the image. The image display device according to any one of items (1) to (3), which is narrower than a size of a region projected onto the portion.

  In this image display device, in the half mirror, there is a possibility that light incident from the light generation unit and a pattern portion represented by at least one line overlap.

  In this case, when attention is paid to each pixel of the image displayed by the light incident from the light generation unit, the half mirror has a light beam (for example, one laser beam) as light generated by the light generation unit. , Projected onto an area larger than the line constituting the pattern portion.

  Therefore, according to this image display device, when attention is paid to each pixel, the luminous flux is brighter than the light emitted from the pattern portion. Therefore, according to this image display apparatus, an image formed by the light beam is observed by the observer relatively clearly with respect to the pattern portion. As a result, the observer can normally observe the image without being disturbed by the pattern portion.

(14) The image display device according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the target display unit selectively changes a display pattern of the target.

  According to this image display device, when a request for a target changes according to the surrounding environment, it is possible to display the target with a display pattern suitable for the actual surrounding environment.

  The “display pattern” in the image display device can be changed by changing the contrast between the target and the background according to the surrounding environment when the target is displayed together with the background, for example.

(15) The image display device is a see-through type that allows the observer to observe the displayed image superimposed on a real image of an external entity located in front of the observer,
The image display apparatus according to (14), wherein the target display unit changes a display pattern of the target in accordance with a change in the external entity.

  According to this image display device, it is possible to change the display pattern of the target in accordance with changes in the external entity.

(16) The image display device according to any one of (1) to (15), wherein the target display unit includes a display that variably displays an image.

  According to this image display device, it is possible to selectively display and disappear the target and change the display pattern of the target by using the display.

  In this image display device, the display device can be, for example, a transmissive type that displays an image using light from the outside, or a self-luminous type that emits light and displays an image. An example of a transmissive display device is a transmissive liquid crystal panel described later, an example of a self-luminous display device is an EL, and another example is an LED panel described later.

  The transmission type includes, for example, a method for displaying an image using light generated by the light generation unit and a method for displaying an image using ambient light. When this transmissive type is adopted by the display, it is not necessary to add a dedicated light source to the display to display the target, and further, power consumption does not increase.

  On the other hand, when the display employs a self-luminous type, the brightness of the target does not depend on the brightness of the external environment or the light from the light generation unit. Regardless of the usage environment of the apparatus, it becomes easy to display brightly so that the viewer can easily see.

  As a result, when the display adopts a self-luminous type, according to the image display device, for example, even when the image display device is used in a dark place, the observer can easily find the target. It becomes possible.

(17) The indicator is disposed on an optical path formed between the light generation unit and the emission unit, and transmits light incident from the light generation unit and spatially modulates the intensity of the light. The image display device according to item (16), wherein an image is displayed by

  In this image display device, the display device displays the target using the light generated by the light generation unit. Therefore, according to this display, in order to display a target, it is not necessary to add a dedicated light source to the display, and further, power consumption does not increase.

(18) Furthermore,
A guidance unit that is disposed between the light generation unit and the pupil and guides the generated light to the pupil, and forms an intermediate image plane;
The image display device according to any one of (1) to (17), wherein the target display unit is disposed at a position substantially coincident with the intermediate image plane.

  According to this image display device, it is easier to display the target in a state in which the target is not blurred than when the target display unit is arranged at a position far from the intermediate image plane existing between the light generation unit and the pupil. It becomes.

(19) The target display unit
A frame that is arranged outside the image light passage region through which the generated light passes and does not extend inside;
The image display device according to any one of (1) to (18), further comprising: a light emitting element that is disposed in the frame and emits light to display the target.

  According to this image display device, since the frame constituting the target display unit is arranged outside the image light passage region without extending inward, the image light is transmitted when the image light passes through the target display unit. , You don't have to go through a real frame.

  Therefore, according to this image display device, it is possible to easily reduce the possibility of noise being mixed into the image light due to the addition of the target display unit.

  In this section, the “light emitting element” can be configured to emit light using external light, for example, or as a light emitter that emits light by itself.

  When this “light emitting element” is configured as a light emitter, it is possible to arrange the light emitter on the surface of the frame, for example. The light emitter can emit light having a color that changes or does not change over time, either continuously or intermittently.

  In this section, the “target display unit” can be disposed at substantially the same position as the intermediate image plane positioned between the light generation unit and the pupil, for example. When arranged in this way, the observer can observe the image of the light emitted from the “target display unit” without blurring, and as a result, the observer can clearly observe the image of the target. Is possible.

(20) Furthermore,
A guidance unit that is disposed between the light generation unit and the pupil and guides the generated light to the pupil;
The guiding portion includes a plurality of optical components arranged along the optical axis,
The image display device according to any one of (1) to (19), wherein among the plurality of optical components, the one arranged at a position closest to the pupil functions also as the target display unit.

  According to this image display device, the target display unit and the pupil are closer to each other than the case where the target display unit is arranged on the upstream side of the plurality of optical components constituting the guiding unit that are closest to the pupil. Therefore, according to this image display device, it becomes easy for the observer to find the target, and as a result, it becomes easy for the observer to turn the line of sight toward the target.

(21) The image display device is a see-through type that enables the observer to superimpose the displayed image on a real image of an external entity located in front of the observer (1). The image display device according to any one of items (20) to (20).

  Generally, when the image display device is a see-through type in which an observer observes an image as a virtual image superimposed on a real image of an external entity in front of the eye, a transparent body is used to synthesize the real image and the virtual image before the eye. (For example, a half mirror) is arranged.

  This transparent body may be edged or not. In the former case, it is easy to turn the line of sight to the center position of the transparent body depending on the shape of the edge of the transparent body, whereas in the latter case, this is difficult.

  However, according to the image display device according to this section, the target is displayed in order to adjust the pupil position, and as a result, it is not necessary to rely on the outer shape of the transparent body to adjust the pupil position.

  Therefore, according to this image display device, regardless of whether or not the transparent body itself has a structure in which it is difficult to measure the center position of the transparent body, the observer relies on the target to adjust the pupil position. It becomes possible to do.

(22) The light generation unit includes a light source that generates a light beam, an intensity modulator that modulates the intensity of the light beam for each of a plurality of pixels into which the image is divided, and the generated light beam in a two-dimensional manner. The image display device according to any one of (1) to (21), including a scanner that performs scanning.

  One type of the image display device according to any one of (1) to (21) is a retinal scanning display. The retinal scanning display includes a light source that generates a light beam, an intensity modulator that modulates the intensity of the light beam for each pixel of an image to be displayed, and a scanner that scans the generated light beam in a two-dimensional manner. It is comprised so that it may contain.

  In this retinal scanning display, the higher the light beam scanning speed, the higher the resolution of the image. On the other hand, the faster the luminous flux scanning speed, the smaller the movable part of the scanner is required. The smaller the movable part of the scanner, the smaller the cross-sectional area of the light beam irradiated to the movable part.

  As a result, in this retinal scanning display, the exit pupil becomes small. This means that in this retinal scanning display, it is more difficult for the observer to adjust the pupil position to the exit pupil position than other types of image display devices.

  On the other hand, in the image display device according to this section, the target is displayed in order to visually assist the observer to adjust the pupil position while being a retinal scanning type. It won't be difficult.

  Hereinafter, some of more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a retinal scanning display (hereinafter abbreviated as “RSD”) 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The RSD 10 projects a laser beam as light onto the retina 16 of the eye 12 through the pupil 14 of the observer's eye 12. The RSD 10 scans the laser beam over the retina 16 and thereby displays an image to the viewer. The observer perceives the image as a virtual image, not as a real image.

  The RSD 10 is a see-through type, and allows an observer to observe an image displayed on its retina 16 superimposed on a real image of an external entity located in front of the observer.

  In order to realize the functions described above, the RSD 10 includes a light source unit 20, a scanner 22, a relay optical system 24, and a half mirror 26 as shown in FIG.

  The light source unit 20 is composed of three component laser beams (red laser beam (R), green laser beam (G), and blue laser beam (B)) having three primary colors and one having an arbitrary color. Are provided to output a combined laser beam. For this reason, the light source unit 20 includes three laser light sources 40 that respectively generate the three component laser beams (only one laser light source 40 is representatively shown in FIG. 1). ing.

  The light source unit 20 further includes an intensity modulator 42 that can modulate the intensity (luminance) of each component laser beam emitted from each laser light source 40 for each laser light source 40. Each intensity modulator 42 modulates the intensity of each component laser beam based on an image signal (video signal) supplied from the outside. Each intensity modulator 42 can be, for example, an AOM, an EOM, or a MOM.

  In addition, when each laser light source 40 is mainly composed of a semiconductor laser, for example, it is possible to cause the semiconductor laser itself to perform intensity modulation. In this case, the use of each intensity modulator 42 independent of each laser light source 40 is not indispensable for carrying out the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the scanner 22 includes a main scanning system 50, a relay optical system 52, and a sub-scanning system 54.

  The main scanning system 50 is optically connected to the light source unit 20. In order to improve the degree of freedom of the arrangement position with respect to the light source unit 20, the main scanning system 50 is optically connected via a flexible optical transmission medium 56 such as an optical fiber. It is connected to the.

  The main scanning system 50 is provided for performing main scanning on the combined laser beam incident from the light source unit 20 through the optical transmission medium 56. An example of the main scanning system 50 is a galvanometer mirror as shown in FIG. 1, but instead of this, a oscillating mirror as another reciprocating oscillating mirror is employed, or a polygon mirror as a unidirectional rotating mirror is employed. It is possible to adopt.

  The speed at which the main scanning system 50 scans the laser beam is faster than the speed at which the sub-scanning system 54 scans the laser beam. Therefore, the main scanning system 50 controls the scanning speed of the laser beam based on the high speed synchronization signal input thereto.

  The laser beam scanned by the main scanning system 50 then passes through the relay optical system 52 and enters the sub-scanning system 54. The relay optical system 52 is configured to include a front lens system 60 close to the main scanning system 50 and a rear lens system 62 close to the sub scanning system 54.

  The sub-scanning system 54 is provided for performing sub-scanning on the laser beam incident from the relay optical system 52. By the sub-scanning, the laser beam is scanned in a direction that intersects the direction in which the laser beam is scanned by the main scanning described above. An example of the sub-scanning system 54 is a galvano mirror as shown in FIG. 1, but instead of this, a vibrating mirror as another reciprocating oscillating mirror or a polygon mirror as a one-way rotating mirror is used. It is possible to adopt.

  The speed at which the sub-scanning system 54 scans the laser beam is lower than the speed at which the main scanning system 50 scans the laser beam. Therefore, the sub-scanning system 54 controls the scanning speed of the laser beam based on the low-speed synchronization signal input thereto.

  The laser beam scanned by the sub-scanning system 54 then passes through the relay optical system 24 and enters the half mirror 26. The relay optical system 24 is configured to include a front lens system 70 close to the sub-scanning system 54 and a rear lens system 72 close to the half mirror 26.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the laser beam emitted from the relay optical system 24 enters the half mirror 26. On the incident surface of the half mirror 26, the laser beam is two-dimensionally divided into a main scanning direction in which main scanning is performed by the main scanning system 50 and a sub-scanning direction in which sub-scanning is performed by the sub-scanning system 54. Scanned.

  The half mirror 26 reflects the laser beam incident from the relay optical system 24 toward the eye 12 of the observer. In addition to the reflection action, the half mirror 26 also performs a transmission action of transmitting light incident from an external entity (not shown) located in front of the observer's eye 12 toward the observer's eye 12.

  Therefore, as long as the observer gazes at the target direction, the observer can perceive the image represented by the image signal as a virtual image and can superimpose the real image of the external entity on the image.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the RSD 10 further includes a controller 80. The controller 80 is mainly composed of a computer 82.

  As is well known, the computer 82 includes a CPU 84, a ROM 86, and a RAM 88 connected to each other via a bus 90. The RSD 10 is activated by the control program stored in the ROM 86 being executed by the CPU 84 while using the RAM 88.

  The controller 80 is electrically connected to a power switch 100 that is operated by an observer to instruct the controller 80 to turn on and off the power. The controller 80 supplies an image signal supplied from the outside to the intensity modulator 42.

  The controller 80 further generates a high-speed synchronization signal and a low-speed synchronization signal based on the supplied image signal, and sends the high-speed synchronization signal and the low-speed synchronization signal to the main scanning system 50 and the sub-scanning system 54, respectively. Supply.

  In FIG. 2, the scanner 22, the relay optical system 24, and the half mirror 26 of the RSD 10 are shown in a perspective view together with the eye 12 with respect to their physical configuration, and in FIG. 3 is shown in a plan view. ing.

  2 and 3, the optical path between the relay optical system 24, the half mirror 26, and the eye 12 is shown by an optical path diagram. This optical path diagram is created with priority given to explaining the order in which the laser beams travel among the relay optical system 24, the half mirror 26, and the eye 12. Therefore, the direction in which the laser beam travels is not accurately reflected in this optical path diagram.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, one end of the housing 112 of the relay optical system 24 is connected to one end of the housing 110 of the scanner 22, and one end of the half mirror 26 is connected to the other end of the housing 112. ing. In use, the RSD 10 has the half mirror 26 positioned just in front of the eye 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the half mirror 26 includes a target display unit 122 that displays a target 120 (see FIG. 4 showing an image perceived by the observer) to be watched by the observer. As a part of it. The target display unit 122 displays the target 120 as a real image at a position where the target relative position of the pupil 14 with respect to the half mirror 26 is realized when the viewer gazes.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the half mirror 26 has not only a function of guiding the laser beam emitted from the relay optical system 24 to the pupil 14 but also a function of displaying the target 120 to the observer. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the target display unit 122 includes a pattern portion 124 on which a pattern for displaying the target 120 using ambient light incident on the RSD 10 from the outside located in front of the observer is formed.

  The pattern portion 124 has a light refraction degree, a light reflection degree, or a light absorption degree on the front surface (surface close to the observer) of the half mirror 26 by a method such as printing, engraving, or attaching a thin wire. Different patterns are formed.

  However, the pattern portion 124 may be formed on the rear surface (surface far from the observer) of the half mirror 26, or may be formed inside the half mirror 26 by embedding a thin wire in the half mirror 26. Also good.

  In order to explain the operation of the target display unit 122, when light from an external entity located in front of the observer enters the rear surface of the half mirror 26, the light passes through the half mirror 26 and enters the pattern portion 124. The pattern portion 124 has a pattern corresponding to the target 120 (for example, a pattern in which cross lines are arranged in a circle as shown in FIG. 1).

  As a result, when the ambient light that has passed through the pattern portion 124 enters the pupil 14, the observer corresponds to the observation area (the area on the surface of the half mirror 26) where observation is performed by the observer, as shown in FIG. 4. The target 120 (for example, a pattern in which a cross line is arranged in a circle as shown in FIG. 4) is perceived in the central region of the region 128.

  In addition, when the pattern portion 124 expresses a pattern with a black line, the target 120 is perceived by the observer as a pattern expressed with a black line. On the other hand, when the pattern portion 124 is formed on the half mirror 26 by engraving, the target 120 is perceived by the observer as a pattern expressed by a white line.

  In the present embodiment, the pattern portion 124 is represented by at least one line (for example, a black line, a white line, etc.). The thickness of the line is larger than the size of the region where one laser beam is generated by the light source unit 20 and irradiated onto the target display unit 122 in order to display one pixel in the image to be displayed by the RSD 10. thin.

  Here, referring to FIG. 1, the overall operation of the RSD 10 will be described together with the usage of the observer.

  When the power switch 100 of the RSD 10 is in the off state, image display by the RSD 10 is not performed. In this state, when the observer looks into the half mirror 26, the observer observes an external entity through the half mirror 26 without accompanying a display image by the RSD 10. The observer finds the target 120 by moving the eyeball of the eye 12 appropriately.

  As long as the observer gazes at the target 120, the observer gazes at the center position of the half mirror 26 where the image is to be displayed by the RSD 10, prior to the image display by the RSD 10. Become. That is, prior to image display by the RSD 10, the relative position of the pupil 14 with respect to the half mirror 26 is matched with the target position.

  In the present embodiment, the entire half mirror 26 is transparent, and the half mirror 26 is not trimmed. Therefore, it is difficult for an observer to gaze at the center position of the half mirror 26 depending on the outer shape of the half mirror 26.

  If the image display by the RSD 10 is started, the observer can match the actual position of the pupil 14 with the target position using the image displayed in the observation area 128. However, even after the start of image display, the exit pupil may be too small for the observer to find the image, and even if the observer can find the image successfully, the gaze Until the start of, the display image by the RSD 10 cannot be observed.

  On the other hand, according to this embodiment, the observer can gaze at the scheduled display position of the image, relying on the target 120 that can be observed before the image is displayed by the RSD 10. Therefore, when the image display by the RSD 10 is started, the observer can observe the display image without fail from the beginning.

  In the present embodiment, the observer can observe the target 120 without depending on the laser beam emitted from the RSD 10. Therefore, the size of the target 120 can be set regardless of the size of an image scheduled to be displayed thereafter by the RSD 190 (hereinafter referred to as “scheduled display image”).

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, by setting the target 120 larger than the scheduled display image (rectangular region indicated by the dotted line on the half mirror 26), the observer can set the target 120 on the half mirror 26. The target 120 can be easily identified as compared to the case where the size of the target 120 is not larger than the scheduled display image.

  When the observer operates the power switch 100 while the observer is observing the target 120, image display by the RSD 20 is started, and the observer observes the display image in the observation region 128.

  When image display by the RSD 10 is started, the laser beam emitted from the RSD 10 is also applied to the pattern portion 124 of the half mirror 26. Therefore, the pattern portion 124 has a portion that overlaps the display image area.

  On the other hand, as described above, in the present embodiment, the thickness of the line representing the pattern portion 124 is smaller than the size of the irradiation region where one laser beam is irradiated onto the half mirror 26 at each moment. This means that when the irradiation region is circular, the thickness of the line representing the pattern portion 124 is smaller than the diameter of the irradiation region where one laser beam is irradiated onto the half mirror 26. .

  Therefore, in the area overlapping the display image area in the pattern portion 124, if attention is paid to each pixel, the light intensity of the laser beam is superior to the light intensity emitted from the pattern portion 124. As a result, the observer can observe the display image in the observation region 128 without being disturbed by the pattern portion 124 after the image display by the RSD 10 is started.

  In the present embodiment, the relay optical system 24 and the half mirror 26 cooperate with each other to form the emission portion of the RSD 10, and the laser beam emitted from the scanner 22 is used as a plurality of optical components arranged along the optical axis. A guiding part for guiding to the pupil 14 is configured.

  Of the plurality of optical components, the half mirror 26 is an optical component disposed at a position closest to the pupil 14, and the target display unit 122 is formed on the half mirror 26. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the observer can find the target 120 and direct the line of sight toward the target 120 more easily than when the target display unit 122 is arranged on the upstream side of the half mirror 26.

  As is clear from the above description, in the present embodiment, the RSD 10 constitutes an example of the “image display device” according to the above item (1), and the light source unit 20 and the scanner 22 cooperate with each other in the same item. An example of the “light generation unit” is configured, and the relay optical system 24 and the half mirror 26 cooperate with each other to configure an example of the “emission unit” in the same term, and the target display unit 122 includes the “target display unit” in the same term. "Is an example.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the relay optical system 24 and the half mirror 26 cooperate with each other to form an example of the “guidance part” in the above item (2), and the half mirror 26 in the same term “target displayable optical” As an example of “part”, the pattern portion 124 constitutes an example of the “pattern portion” in the item (3), and the half mirror 26 constitutes an example of the “half mirror” in the item (4). is there.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the relay optical system 24 and the half mirror 26 cooperate with each other to form an example of the “guidance part” in the above item (20), and the relay optical system 24 and the half mirror 26 are mutually connected. Together, it constitutes an example of the “plurality of optical components” in the same section, and the half mirror 26 constitutes an example of the “target display section” in the same section.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the pattern portion 124 constitutes an example of the “pattern portion” in the item (13), and the RSD 10 constitutes an example of the “image display device” in the items (21) and (22). The three laser light sources 40 cooperate with each other to constitute an example of “light source” in the above item (22), and the three intensity modulators 42 cooperate with each other to constitute an example of “intensity modulator” in the same term. The scanner 22 constitutes an example of the “scanner” in the same section.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, since this embodiment has many elements in common with the first embodiment, the common elements are cited by using the same reference numerals or names, thereby omitting redundant descriptions and only different elements. This will be described in detail.

  FIG. 5 conceptually shows the RSD 10 according to the present embodiment in a system diagram.

  In the first embodiment, the target display unit 122 is configured by forming the pattern portion 124 on the half mirror 26. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the target display unit is configured as a display 150 provided between the front lens system 70 and the rear lens system 72 in the relay optical system 24. .

  The display 150 is a device that can transmit an incident laser beam and display an arbitrary pattern. The display 150 is configured as a transmissive liquid crystal panel that displays an image by spatially modulating the intensity of incident light and emitting the light.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the same light source as the RSD 10 is used to display the target, and the target is displayed using the light of the laser beam generated by the RSD 10.

  In the present embodiment, this target is displayed as a dark color (for example, black) figure under the condition that the laser beam from the RSD 10 is irradiated and the background is brightened by the laser beam.

  The display device 150 is disposed at a position substantially coincident with the intermediate image plane existing between the front lens system 70 and the rear lens system 72. Therefore, it becomes easy for the observer to perceive the target 120 without blurring it.

  In this embodiment, the indicator 150 is used to display the target 160 as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). In the present embodiment, the target 160 is a rectangular figure displayed in the central area of the observation area 128 (not shown in FIG. 6).

  Specifically, the target 160 is a figure in which a circular figure (hereinafter referred to as “center figure”) is arranged in the center of a rectangular area. FIG. 6A shows a case where the target 160 is displayed in the daytime mode described later, the central figure 162 is dark, and the background 164 is brightly displayed. On the other hand, FIG. 6B shows a case where the target 160 is displayed in the night mode to be described later, the central figure 162 is bright and the background 164 is dark.

  The display device 150 displays different contents depending on whether the image is displayed by the RSD 10 or not. Specifically, the display device 150 automatically displays the target 160 during non-image display, and automatically cancels the display of the target 160 in response to the start of image display by the RSD 10.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, in addition to the case where the central graphic 162 is displayed brightly in order to visually assist the observer to adjust the position of the pupil 14 prior to the image display by the RSD 10, the background is not limited. If attention is paid to the fact that 164 may be displayed brightly, it is considered that the combination of the central graphic 162 and the background 164 constitutes the target 160.

  However, if the focus is on the fact that the central figure 162 of the central figure 162 and the background 164 directly determines the position of the pupil 14, it may be considered that only the central figure 162 constitutes the target 160. Is possible.

  The display device 150 selectively changes the display pattern of the target 160 during image display. Specifically, the display 150 changes the display pattern of the target 160 according to a change in an external entity located in front of the observer.

  More specifically, the display device 150 changes the display pattern of the target 160 in accordance with a change in illuminance of an external entity located in front of the observer. More specifically, when the RSD 10 is used in the daytime, the display unit 150 displays the target 160 in the daytime mode in which the central figure 162 is dark while the background 164 is bright as shown in FIG. indicate. On the other hand, when the RSD 10 is used at night, the display unit 150 displays the target 160 in the night mode in which the central figure 162 is bright while the background 164 is dark, as shown in FIG. 6B.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the RSD 10 is used in the daytime, and the central figure 162 is displayed darkly at the center position of the target 160 in an environment where the half mirror 26 is generally bright. Therefore, the central figure 162 is clearly distinguished from the surroundings and visually recognized by the observer, so that the observer can easily determine the central position (scheduled display position of the image) of the target 160 during daytime use of the RSD 10. Can be found.

  On the other hand, in the environment where the RSD 10 is used at night and the half mirror 26 is totally dark, the central figure 162 is displayed brightly in the central region of the target 160. Therefore, the central figure 162 is clearly distinguished from the surroundings and visually recognized by the observer, so that the observer can easily determine the central position (scheduled display position of the image) of the target 160 during the night use of the RSD 10. Can be found.

  FIG. 7 conceptually shows a flowchart of a display control program executed by the CPU 84 to control the display of the target 160. This display control program is stored in the ROM 86 in advance.

  When this display control program is executed, first, in step S1 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “S1”, the same applies to other steps), whether the power switch 100 is operated from OFF to ON by the observer. It is determined whether or not. If it is assumed that the power switch 100 is off this time, the determination is NO, and one execution of this display control program is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is assumed that the power switch 100 is operated from OFF to ON by the observer, the determination in S1 is YES, and the process proceeds to S2. In S <b> 2, it is determined by the photo sensor 166 as an illuminance sensor whether the RSD 10 is used during the day or at night.

  The photosensor 166 is electrically connected to the controller 80 as shown in FIG. The photo sensor 166 is used by being installed in the same optical environment as the RSD 10.

  Subsequently, in S3 of FIG. 7, a corresponding one of the daytime mode and the nighttime mode is selected based on the output signal of the photosensor 166. Thereafter, in S4, it is determined whether or not the selected mode is a daytime mode.

  If the mode selected this time is the daytime mode, the determination is YES, and in S5, a drive signal that needs to be supplied to the display unit 150 to display the target 160 in the daytime mode is displayed on the display unit 150. To be supplied. As a result, the target 160 is displayed as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the mode selected in S3 of FIG. 7 is the night mode, the determination in S4 is NO, and then in S6, it is determined whether or not the selected mode is the night mode.

  Since the mode selected this time is the night mode, the determination in S6 is YES, and the process proceeds to S7. In S <b> 7, a drive signal that is required to be supplied to the display 150 in order to display the target 160 in the night mode is supplied to the display 150. As a result, the target 160 is displayed as shown in FIG.

  In any case, thereafter, in S8 of FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the RSD 10 has started a series of image display based on the image signal.

  Even if the power switch 100 of the RSD 10 is turned on, it takes time to start a series of image displays. This is because, for example, the light source unit 20 and the scanner 22 require time from the activation to the transition to the steady state.

  Further, after the light source unit 20 and the scanner 22 shift to the steady state, the above-described image signal can be supplied to the light source unit 20. Therefore, if it is determined whether or not the supply of the image signal from the controller 80 to the light source unit 20 is started, it is determined whether or not a series of image display by the RSD 10 has been started.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the process proceeds to S8 even in the case of an abnormality in which the determination in S4 and the determination in S5 are both NO.

  If it is assumed that a series of image display has not yet started this time, the determination in S8 is NO and the process returns to S2. The execution of S2 to S8 is repeated until a series of image display is started. When a series of image display is started, the determination in S8 becomes YES, and the process proceeds to S9.

  In S9, the display of the target 160 by the display 150 is canceled. This completes one execution of the display control program.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, since the display device 150 is configured as a transmissive liquid crystal panel, the light source unit 20 and the scanner 22 are activated prior to a series of image display, and as shown in FIG. White light uniformly enters the display 150 over the same area as the target 160 (area where an image is to be displayed by the RSD 10).

  As a result, the display device 150 can display the target 160 using the same light source as the RSD 10 prior to a series of image display.

  As is apparent from the above description, in the present embodiment, the display 150 has the “1”, (8), (9), (14), (15), (16) and (18) It constitutes an example of the “target display section”.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the display device 150 is configured as a transmissive liquid crystal panel, but may be configured as an EL or an LED panel in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged in a plane. It is also possible. Since these EL and LED panels emit light by themselves, it is not indispensable to use the same light source as the RSD 10 for displaying the target 160.

  When the display 150 is configured as a self-luminous type, such as an EL or LED panel, the target 160 has a bright color (for example, white) in a dark background without irradiation of the laser beam from the RSD 10. Displayed as a graphic.

  However, when the display 150 is configured as a self-luminous type, when the display 150 is disposed on the optical path of the laser beam, the optical path is a light emitting element (component that does not transmit light) in the display 150. May be at least partially blocked by presence.

  Therefore, when the display 150 is configured as a self-luminous type, it is desirable to dispose the display 150 at a position that does not block the optical path of the laser beam.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, since this embodiment has many elements that are common to the second embodiment, the common elements are cited using the same reference numerals or names, thereby omitting redundant descriptions and only different elements. This will be described in detail.

  FIG. 8 conceptually shows the RSD 10 according to the present embodiment in a system diagram.

  In the second embodiment, the display mode of the target 160 is automatically switched according to the illuminance of the ambient light. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the display mode of the target is switched according to the request of the observer.

  Specifically, when the observer selects the standard mode, as shown in FIG. 9A, the display device 150 displays the target 180 and the center position in the scheduled image display area 182 where the image is to be displayed by the RSD 10. (It is also the central position of the observation area 128), and is displayed as a central graphic 184 in which a cross line is arranged in a circle. On the other hand, when the observer selects the auxiliary mode, as shown in FIG. 9B, the display 150 displays the target 180 in the planned image display area 182, the central graphic 184, and auxiliary information 186 regarding the RSD 10. Displayed as a combination of

  The auxiliary information 186 includes, for example, information related to the operating state of the RSD 10. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9B, information related to the remaining battery level of the RSD 10 is displayed to the observer as auxiliary information 186. As another example of the auxiliary information 186, it is also possible to employ information relating to the content of an image (video) to be displayed from now on by the RSD 10.

  The auxiliary information 186 is represented by characters in the example shown in FIG. 9B, but can be represented by symbols, graphics, or colors.

  FIG. 10 conceptually shows a flowchart of a display control program executed by the CPU 84 in order to control the display of the target 180. This display control program is stored in the ROM 86 in advance.

  Hereinafter, this display control program will be described. Since there are many steps common to the display control program shown in FIG. 7, the common steps will be briefly described.

  When the display control program shown in FIG. 10 is executed, first, in S101, it is determined whether or not the power switch 100 is operated from OFF to ON by the observer. If it is assumed that the power switch 100 is operated from OFF to ON by the observer this time, the determination in S101 is YES, and the process proceeds to S102.

  In S102, the operation state of the mode selector 188 by the observer is detected. The mode selector 188 is electrically connected to the controller 80 as shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, in S103 of FIG. 10, based on the detection result of the operation state of the mode selector 188, one selected by the observer from the standard mode and the auxiliary mode is selected as the current mode. Thereafter, in S104, it is determined whether or not the selected mode is the standard mode.

  When the mode selected this time is the standard mode, the determination is YES, and in S105, a drive signal that needs to be supplied to the display unit 150 to display the target 160 in the standard mode is displayed on the display unit 150. To be supplied. As a result, the target 180 is displayed as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the mode selected in S103 of FIG. 10 is the auxiliary mode, the determination in S104 is NO, and then in S106, it is determined whether or not the selected mode is the auxiliary mode.

  Since the mode selected this time is the auxiliary mode, the determination in S106 is YES, and the process proceeds to S107. In S107, a drive signal that is required to be supplied to the display 150 in order to display the target 180 in the auxiliary mode is supplied to the display 150. As a result, the target 160 is displayed as shown in FIG.

  In any case, it is then determined in S108 of FIG. 10 whether or not the RSD 10 has started a series of image display. If it is assumed that a series of image display has not started this time, the determination in S108 is NO and the process returns to S102. The execution of S102 to S108 is repeated until a series of image display is started. When a series of image display is started, the determination in S108 is YES, and the process proceeds to S109.

  In S109, the display of the target 160 by the display 150 is canceled. This completes one execution of the display control program.

  As is apparent from the above description, in the present embodiment, the display 150 has the “1”, (8), (9), (12), (14), (16) and (18) It constitutes an example of the “target display section”.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, since this embodiment has many elements that are common to the second embodiment, the common elements are cited using the same reference numerals or names, thereby omitting redundant descriptions and only different elements. This will be described in detail.

  In the second embodiment, the target 160 is displayed before the image display by the RSD 10, but the target 160 is automatically extinguished in response to the start of the image display by the RSD 10.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, before the image display by the RSD 10, as shown in FIG. 11A, the target 190 (imitation in which a cross line is arranged in a circle) is placed at the center of the scheduled image display area 192. Although displayed at the position (which is also the central position of the observation area 128), in response to the start of image display by the RSD 10, the target 190 is reduced to a position outside the central position of the scheduled image display area 192. Displayed.

  That is, in this embodiment, when image display by the RSD 10 is started, in response to this, the target 190 that is already displayed is automatically moved to a position that does not interfere with the observation of the display image by the observer. At the same time, it is automatically deformed to a size that does not interfere with the observation of the display image by the observer.

  FIG. 12 conceptually shows a display control program executed by the CPU 84 to control the display of the target 190 in a flowchart. This display control program is stored in the ROM 86 in advance.

  Hereinafter, this display control program will be described. Since there are many steps common to the display control program shown in FIG. 7, the common steps will be briefly described.

  When the display control program shown in FIG. 12 is executed, first, in S201, it is determined whether or not the power switch 100 is operated from OFF to ON by the observer. If it is assumed that the power switch 100 is operated from OFF to ON by the observer this time, the determination in S201 is YES, and the process proceeds to S202.

  In this S202, the drive signal that needs to be supplied to the display 150 in order to display the target 190 in the standard mode, that is, to have a standard size at the center position of the scheduled image display area 192, It is supplied to the display device 150. As a result, the target 180 is displayed as shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, in S203 of FIG. 12, it is determined whether or not the RSD 10 has started a series of image display. If it is assumed that a series of image display has not started this time, the determination in S203 is NO and the process returns to S202. The execution of S202 and S203 is repeated until a series of image display is started. When a series of image display is started, the determination in S203 becomes YES, and the process proceeds to S204.

  In S204, the target 190 is supplied to the display 150 in the standby mode, that is, in a position outside the center position of the scheduled image display area 192 so as to have a size smaller than the standard size. The necessary driving signal is supplied to the display 150. As a result, the target 180 is displayed as shown in FIG.

  This completes one execution of the display control program.

  As is clear from the above description, in the present embodiment, the display 150 has the “1”, (6), (8), (10), (14), (16) and (18) It constitutes an example of the “target display section”.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, since this embodiment has many elements in common with the first embodiment, the common elements are cited by using the same reference numerals or names, thereby omitting redundant descriptions and only different elements. This will be described in detail.

  FIG. 13 shows a plan view of the scanner 22, the relay optical system 24, and the half mirror 26 of the RSD 10 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 14 shows a perspective view thereof.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the RSD 10 includes a protective cap 200 as a protective component that is detachably attached to the half mirror 26 in order to protect the half mirror 26 in a non-use state of the RSD 10. . The protective cap 200 is attached to the half mirror 26 so as to cover the back surface opposite to the front surface facing the eye 12.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the protective cap 200 is configured to include a transparent plate portion 202 and side portions 204 that extend at right angles to the plate portion 202 and along the outer periphery thereof. A concave portion 206 is formed by joining the plate portion 202 and the side portion 204 to each other. The protective mirror 200 is attached to the half mirror 26 by fitting the half mirror 26 into the recess 206 in the thickness direction thereof.

  In the first embodiment, the target display unit 122 is configured by forming the pattern portion 124 on the half mirror 26. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the target display unit 210 is configured by forming a pattern portion 208 on the plate unit 202 of the protective cap 200. The pattern portion 208 is formed on the plate portion 202 in the same manner as the pattern portion 122 shown in FIG.

  13 and 14 show the RSD 10 in a state where the protective cap 200 is separated from the half mirror 26. Normally, image display by the RSD 10 is performed in this state.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, the observer can observe the image displayed by the RSD 10 by the see-through method and without the target 120 shown in FIG.

  FIGS. 15 and 16 respectively show the RSD 10 in a plan view and a perspective view in a state where the protective cap 200 is attached to the half mirror 26. In this state, light from the outside world is incident on the pattern portion 208, whereby the target 120 is displayed using the light from the outside world.

  In this state, if the observer gazes at the target 120, the target relative position of the pupil 14 with respect to the half mirror 26 is realized. In this state, if the observer activates the RSD 10 and starts image display, the display image can be observed without exception from the beginning.

  Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, since this embodiment has many elements in common with the first embodiment, the common elements are cited by using the same reference numerals or names, thereby omitting redundant descriptions and only different elements. This will be described in detail.

  FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the RSD 10 according to the present embodiment. The RSD 10 is used together with the mounting unit 228. The wearing unit 228 is a glasses type, and is held on the observer's head using the observer's nose and both ears in the same manner as normal glasses.

  Therefore, the mounting portion 228 includes a frame 230 that is supported by the nose in front of both eyes 12 and 12 of the observer, and left and right arms 232 and 32 that are respectively supported by both ears on both sides of the head. . The frame 230 and the arms 232 are connected to each other so as to be foldable.

  The RSD 10 is a format for projecting images on the retinas 16 of both eyes 12 and 12 respectively. Therefore, the mounting unit 228 includes optical systems that are independent of each other for each of the eyes 12 and 12. Specifically, each eye 12 is provided with a scanning unit 240 that scans the luminous flux and a half mirror 26 that causes the scanned laser beam to enter the corresponding eye 12 and project it onto the retina 16. .

  The scanning unit 240 is configured to include both the scanner 22 and the relay optical system 24 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the optical transmission medium 56 is attached to the attachment portion 228 so as to extend along each arm 232. The input end of the optical transmission medium 56 is connected to the output end of the light source unit 20, while the output end of the optical transmission medium 56 is connected to the input end of the scanning unit 240. That is, in the present embodiment, the scanning unit 240 and the light source unit 20 shown in FIG. 1 are optically connected to each other by the optical transmission medium 56.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the half mirror 26 is of a reflective type that reflects the laser beam scanned by the scanning unit 240 and enters the retina 16. Specifically, the half mirror 26 is configured to have a shape similar to each lens in normal glasses. In the half mirror 26, the surface facing the observer is a reflection surface, and the laser beam incident on the reflection surface from the scanning unit 240 is reflected by the reflection surface and enters the eye 12.

  In addition to the above-described reflection function, the half mirror 26 also has a transmission function that allows light incident from the front of the half mirror 26 to pass through and enter the eye 12. Therefore, the observer can visually recognize the image transmitted from the RSD 10 by superimposing it on the actual scene in front of the eye that has passed through the half mirror 26. That is, the RSD 10 is a see-through method.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the RSD 10 has a protective cap as a protective component that is detachably attached to a portion of the frame 230 that holds each half mirror 26 in order to protect each half mirror 26 in the non-use state. 246. The protective cap 246 is attached to the half mirror 26 so as to cover the front surface of the half mirror 26 (the surface opposite to the surface facing the eye 12).

  The protective cap 246 is configured in the same manner as the protective cap 200 shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, and is configured by forming a pattern portion 248 for displaying a target on the transparent main body 250.

  In FIG. 17, the RSD 10 is shown with the protective cap 246 separated from the frame 230. If the RSD 10 is activated in this state, the observer can visually recognize the display image by the RSD 10 superimposed on the actual scene in front of the eyes.

  On the other hand, FIG. 18 shows the RSD 10 with the protective cap 246 attached to the frame 230. In this state, if the observer wears the frame 230 on the head, the observer can observe the target, and as long as the target is watched, the RSD 10 is activated and a series of image display is started. If so, the display image can be observed without fail from the beginning.

  Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, since this embodiment has many elements that are common to the second embodiment, the common elements are cited using the same reference numerals or names, thereby omitting redundant descriptions and only different elements. This will be described in detail.

  FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the target display member 270 in the RSD 10 according to the present embodiment. The target display member 270 has a rectangular plate-shaped frame 272. The frame 272 is made of a transparent body such as glass or a transparent synthetic resin film. As shown in FIG. 5, the target display member 270 is arranged and used so as to coincide with the position of the intermediate image plane between the front lens system 70 and the rear lens system 72.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the frame 272 has a rectangular through hole 274 in the center. The through hole 274 is formed in the frame 272 at a position that does not block the image light passage region 276 through which the image light generated by the RSD 10 passes in order for the RSD 10 to display an image. The image light passage region 276 is a region where an image is scheduled to be displayed by the RSD 10 for the observer, that is, a planned image display region.

  In the present embodiment, the image light passage region 276 has a rectangular shape, and the through hole 274 has a rectangular shape accordingly. As a result of the formation of the through hole 274 in the frame 272, the surface of the frame 272 is configured as a rectangular plane through which the rectangular hole passes in the center. An observation region 278 that can be observed by an observer is set inside the outline of the frame 272.

  A rectangular frame line surrounding the image light passage region 276 is assumed on the surface of the frame 272 at a position close to the through hole 274. On the surface of the frame 272, four light emitting elements 280 are respectively arranged at positions corresponding to the four vertices of the assumed rectangular frame line. Each light emitting element 280 can be configured as an LED, for example.

  The light emitting elements 280 are continuously or intermittently turned on at least during a period prior to the start of image display by the RSD 10 after the RSD 10 is powered on. When the observer looks into the half mirror 26, the four light emitting elements 280 that are emitting light are visible. Since the four light emitting elements 280 are positioned at a position coincident with the intermediate image plane, the observer can observe the light emitted from the four light emitting elements 280 without being out of focus.

  When the observer moves the direction of the line of sight so that the light emitted from the light emitting elements 280 can be seen, the exit pupil of the RSD 10 coincides with the pupil 14. As long as the observer maintains the direction of the line of sight, the image light generated by the RSD 10 is irradiated to the retina 16 through the pupil 14, and as a result, the observer perceives a desired image.

  In the present embodiment, when the image light passes through the target display member 270, it passes through the central through hole (air through hole) 274 of the target display member 270, so it must pass through the substantial frame 272. Compared to the case where it does not occur, the possibility of noise being mixed into the image light does not increase.

  As is apparent from the above description, in the present embodiment, the four light emitting elements 280 cooperate with each other to form a self-luminous target 284.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the target display member 270 constitutes an example of the “target display section” in the items (1) and (19), and the four light emitting elements 280 each have the “light emission” in the item (19). It constitutes an example of “element”.

  As described above, some of the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, these are exemplifications, and are based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art including the aspects described in the section of [Disclosure of the Invention]. The present invention can be implemented in other forms with various modifications and improvements.

1 is a system diagram showing a retinal scanning display according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the assembly of a scanner, a relay optical system, and a half mirror among the retinal scanning display in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the assembly shown in FIG. 2. It is a top view which shows the target which an observer visually recognizes in the retinal scanning type display before the image display by the retinal scanning type display shown in FIG. It is a systematic diagram showing a retinal scanning display according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows two types of targets which an observer selectively visually recognizes in the retinal scanning display shown in FIG. 7 is a flowchart conceptually showing a display control program executed by a computer shown in FIG. 5 in order to select and display two types of targets shown in FIG. 6. It is a systematic diagram showing a retinal scanning display according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows two types of targets which an observer selectively visually recognizes in the retinal scanning display shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart conceptually showing a display control program executed by the computer shown in FIG. 8 in order to select and display the two types of targets shown in FIG. 9. It is a top view which shows two types of targets selectively displayed in the retinal scanning display according to 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 12 is a flowchart conceptually showing a display control program executed by the computer shown in FIG. 5 in order to select and display the two types of targets shown in FIG. 11. It is a top view which shows the assembly of a scanner, a relay optical system, and a half mirror among the retinal scanning display according to 5th Embodiment of this invention with the protective cap in the state isolate | separated from the assembly. It is a perspective view which shows the assembly shown in FIG. 13 with the protective cap in the state isolate | separated from the assembly. It is a top view which shows the assembly shown in FIG. 13 with the protective cap in the state with which the assembly was mounted | worn. It is a perspective view which shows the assembly shown in FIG. 13 with the protective cap in the state with which the assembly was mounted | worn. It is a perspective view which shows the retinal scanning display according to 6th Embodiment of this invention with the protective cap in the state isolate | separated from the retinal scanning display. It is a perspective view which shows the retinal scanning display shown in FIG. 17 with the protective cap in the state with which the retinal scanning display was mounted | worn. It is a perspective view which shows the target display member in the retinal scanning display according to 7th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Retina scanning display 12 Eye 14 Pupil 16 Retina 20 Light source unit 22 Scanner 24 Relay optical system 26 Half mirror 40 Laser light source 42 Intensity modulator 120 Target 122 Target display part 124 Pattern part 128 Observation area 150 Display 160 Target 180 Target 190 Target 200 Protective cap 208 Pattern portion 210 Target display portion 246 Protective cap 248 Pattern portion 270 Target display member

Claims (22)

An image display device that displays an image to the observer by projecting light onto the retina of the eye through the pupil of the eye of the observer,
A light generation unit that generates light in a state that can be modulated according to an image to be displayed;
Used in a state of being looked into by the observer, and a light emitting portion from which the generated light is emitted toward the eye;
An image display device comprising: a target display unit that displays a target to be watched by the observer at a position where a target relative position of the pupil is realized with respect to the emitting unit when the target is watched by the observer. further,
A guidance unit that is disposed between the light generation unit and the pupil and guides the generated light to the pupil;
The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the guide unit includes a target-displayable optical component that also functions as the target display unit.   3. The target-displayable optical component has a pattern portion in which a pattern for displaying the target is formed using ambient light incident on the image display device from a surrounding environment of the image display device. Image display device. The image display device is a see-through type that allows the observer to observe the displayed image superimposed on a real image of an external entity located in front of the observer,
The target displayable optical component reflects the generated light and guides it to the pupil, and transmits a light incident from the external entity and guides it to the pupil as the target displayable optical component. Including
The image display device according to claim 3, wherein the half mirror transmits light incident on the half mirror from the external entity and guides the light to the pattern portion. further,
Including a protective component that is used by being attached to the emitting portion to cover and protect the emitting portion during non-use of the image display device;
The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protective component also functions as the target display unit.   5. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the target display unit displays the target at a position outside a central region of an observation region observed by the observer.   5. The target display unit according to claim 1, wherein the target display unit displays the target at a position outside an image light passage region through which the generated light passes among observation regions observed by the observer. The image display device described.   5. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the target display unit changes a display content between an image display by the image display device and a non-image display.   The image display device according to claim 8, wherein the target display unit displays the target during the non-image display, and automatically cancels the display of the target in response to the start of the image display.   The target display unit displays the target in the central region of the observation region observed by the observer during the non-image display, and displays the target in the observation region in response to the start of the image display. The image display device according to claim 8, wherein the display is automatically performed at a position out of the central region. The target display unit has a pattern portion on which a pattern for displaying the target is formed,
The pattern portion is selectively displaced to a position on an optical path formed between the light generation section and the emission section and a position off the optical path. Image display device.   The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the target display unit changes a display content according to a type of a command from the observer. The image display device is a see-through type that allows the observer to observe the displayed image superimposed on a real image of an external entity located in front of the observer,
The image display device further includes:
A half mirror that reflects the generated light and guides it to the pupil, and transmits the light incident from the external entity to guide the pupil;
The target display unit includes a pattern portion in which a pattern for displaying the target is formed using ambient light that is transmitted through the half mirror and incident on the image display device from a peripheral boundary of the image display device. As part of the half mirror,
The pattern portion is represented by at least one line, and the thickness of the line is a light beam generated as light generated by the light generation unit to display one pixel in the image. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image display device is narrower than the size of the region projected onto the portion.   The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the target display unit selectively changes a display pattern of the target. The image display device is a see-through type that allows the observer to observe the displayed image superimposed on a real image of an external entity located in front of the observer,
The image display device according to claim 14, wherein the target display unit changes a display pattern of the target according to a change in the external entity.   The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the target display unit includes a display that variably displays an image.   The indicator is disposed on an optical path formed between the light generation unit and the emission unit, and transmits light incident from the light generation unit and spatially modulates the intensity of the light. The image display device according to claim 16, which displays an image. further,
A guidance unit that is disposed between the light generation unit and the pupil and guides the generated light to the pupil, and forms an intermediate image plane;
The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the target display unit is disposed at a position substantially coinciding with the intermediate image plane. The target display unit
A frame that is arranged outside the image light passage area through which the generated light passes and does not extend inside;
The image display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a light emitting element disposed in the frame and emitting light to display the target. further,
A guidance unit that is disposed between the light generation unit and the pupil and guides the generated light to the pupil;
The guiding portion includes a plurality of optical components arranged along the optical axis,
The image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein among the plurality of optical components, one disposed at a position closest to the pupil functions also as the target display unit.   21. The see-through image display device is a see-through type that enables the observer to observe the displayed image superimposed on a real image of an external entity located in front of the observer. An image display device according to any one of the above.   The light generation unit two-dimensionally scans the light source that generates a light beam, an intensity modulator that modulates the intensity of the light beam for each of a plurality of pixels into which the image is divided, and the generated light beam. The image display device according to claim 1, comprising a scanner.

Images