Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Image superposition by optical means – Operator body-mounted heads-up display
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-28
2001-04-10
Saras, Steven J. (Department: 2775)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Image superposition by optical means
Operator body-mounted heads-up display
C348S039000, C348S053000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06215461
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to an image viewing system that comprises an image display device that displays an image in front of a viewer's eyes while the device is either mounted on the viewer's head or held in front of the viewer's eyes, as well as a device that supplies the image to the image display device, and more particularly to an image viewing system that displays an image corresponding to the direction in which the viewer is looking.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an image viewing system, a system has been proposed that permits by means of a three-dimensional viewing device comprising, for example , a pair of left and right display units, viewing of an image shot by a three-dimensional camera system comprising a pair of left and right cameras. For example, in Japanese Laid Open Patent No. SHO 57-121487, an image display device mounted on the head (head mounted display, abbreviated as “HMD” below) changes the direction of image shooting of a three-dimensional camera system in accordance with the direction in which the viewer is looking. In these devices, because the direction of image shooting of the three-dimensional camera system is set in accordance with the detected direction of viewing, images may be viewed that are as realistic as if the viewer were present where the cameras are located.
However, where the direction of image shooting is set simply based on the viewing direction, if the object desired to be shot is located behind the viewer, for example, in order to look at it, the viewer must turn completely around. If the object is above the viewer, the viewer must look overhead, which, where the viewer desires to view the object for a long time, is uncomfortable and causes eyestrain and disorientation in the viewer.
Where the object is viewed in enlargement, because the focal length of the cameras' lens systems used for image shooting is set to a long focal length, the displayed image changes considerably in response to a slight change in the direction of image shooting that results from a change in the direction of viewing, which makes it difficult to set the direction of viewing. In addition, because even a slight change in the direction of viewing results in a substantial change in the displayed image, the problem occurs that the target object is lost from view.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention was made in order to resolve the problems described above. An object is to provide an image viewing system and image display device that reduce eyestrain on the part of the viewer and permit easy image viewing regardless of whether wide-angle or enlarged viewing is performed.
In order to attain said object, the image viewing system of the present invention is an image viewing system that displays an image that corresponds to the direction in which a viewer is looking, and comprises a display device that displays the image to be viewed; a viewing direction detector that detects the direction in which the viewer is looking; a display direction setting device that sets the display direction in accordance with the direction detected by said viewing direction detector; an image generator that outputs the image for the set direction to the display device; and a changing device that changes sensitivity when the display direction is set by said display direction setting device.
Another image viewing system of the present invention is an image viewing system that displays an image that corresponds to the direction in which a viewer is looking, and comprises a display device that displays the image to be viewed; a viewing direction detector that detects the direction in which a viewer is looking; a display direction setting device that sets information about the image display direction so that the image pertaining to an image shooting direction corresponding to said detected direction is displayed on the display device; and a changing device that changes the sensitivity when the display direction is set by said display direction setting device.
An image display method of the present invention comprises following steps of: a step of detecting the direction in which the viewer is looking; a step of setting sensitivity of the detection based on a predetermined information; and a step of displaying the image for the detected direction.
With the construction and the method described above, the viewing direction in which the viewer is looking is detected, an image shooting direction corresponding to said direction is set, and the image for that direction is displayed, and the sensitivity, when the image shooting direction is set with reference to the direction of viewing, may be changed by a changing device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5200827 (1993-04-01), Hanson et al.
patent: 5388990 (1995-02-01), Beckman
patent: 5491510 (1996-02-01), Gove
patent: 57-121487 (1982-07-01), None
patent: 3-56923 (1991-03-01), None
Ishibashi Kenji
Kobayashi Yasushi
Nagata Hideki
Sugihara Yasumasa
Tanijiri Yasushi
Kumar Srilakshmi K.
Minolta Co. , Ltd.
Saras Steven J.
Sidley & Austin
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