Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Image superposition by optical means – Operator body-mounted heads-up display
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-30
2002-05-14
Mengistu, Amare (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Image superposition by optical means
Operator body-mounted heads-up display
C359S013000, C349S011000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06388640
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a head mount display having a visual apparatus to be mounted on the head of a user to allow him/her to see video.
2. Related Background Art
A visual apparatus called a head mount display that is mounted on the head of a user to allow him/her to see the video displayed on a display unit is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 7-84210, 7-181422, and 7-333547. This head mount display is used to enjoy video or the like with a sense of reality in an arbitrary place without influencing the surroundings, and hence is required to be lightweight, comfortable to wear, and excellent in portability.
(1) The head mount display in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-84210 is a mount apparatus having a mount portion whose rear portion is cut. According to this apparatus, a press support member using an elastic member made of a metal, synthetic resin, or the like is pressed against the head of the user. With this operation, the user can wear the apparatus comfortably without any restraint felt at the back of the head. In addition, the apparatus can be easily attached/detached on/from the head of the user from the front.
(2) The head mount display in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-181422 is designed such that the mount unit surrounds the head of the observer. This mount unit is biased to the sides of the head to fix it on the head.
(3) The video display apparatus in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-333547 has a display unit mounted on a mount frame, and a movable frame mounted on the mount frame. With this structure, this movable frame is biased to fix the apparatus on the head of the user.
FIG. 15
is a side view of another conventional head mount display. An image display unit
101
is coupled to a mount member
103
through a support member
102
having two hinges
102
a
and
102
b
. A forehead pad
104
is mounted on the mount member
103
. The forehead pad
104
is comprised of a pad
105
a
, a pad base
105
b
, and a base
106
.
When this apparatus is to be used, the mount member
103
is mounted on an observer S, and the pad
105
a
of the forehead pad
104
is brought into contact with the forehead of the observer. In this case, visual axis adjustment between the image display unit
101
and an eyeball of the observer is performed by using the two hinges
102
a
and
102
b.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the conventional head mount display (1), although easy mounting and elimination of discomfort from the head can be realized, the pressing force adjustment mechanism attached to the press support member increases the weight of the apparatus and hampers comfort in wearing the apparatus. In addition, owing to the frame partly cut and shaped to surround the head, the apparatus becomes large in size. This interferes with portability that allows the user to enjoy video in an arbitrary place.
In addition, since the press support member made of an elastic member such as a metal or synthetic resin member is pressed against the head to fix the apparatus on the head, if a synthetic resin or the like is used, the press support member creeps after a long period of use, and the biasing force needs to be sequentially adjusted. Eventually, the necessary biasing force may not be obtained. Assume that a metal is used for the press support member. In this case, since no caution is exercised in selecting the material and cross-sectional shape, if the press support member is spread when the user wears the apparatus on his or her head, the internal stress exceeds the elastic limit, resulting in a loss of biasing force. Likewise, adjustment for spring force is sequentially required, and the necessary biasing force may not be obtained eventually.
According to the head mount display (2), since the display unit is fixed on the head of the observer with the headband-like mount unit, it is troublesome to properly wear the apparatus. In addition, the display unit is relatively heavy, and the display unit must be fixed on the head with a strong force. This gives the observer a sense of restraint, and the observer's hair curls in a wrong way when he/she wears the apparatus.
The video display apparatus (3) can be mounted on the head of the user from the front of the face and hence has good portability. Since this apparatus does not compress the entire perimeter of the head, no sense of restraint is locally produced. However, the movable frame is biased against the head, and the mount frame receives the repulsion of the basing force. For this reason, the mount frame must have high rigidity. As a result, the frame becomes heavy, impairing the comfort upon wearing the apparatus.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight head mount display which solves the above problems, can be easily mounted on the head of a user, and has high portability.
In order to achieve the above object, a head mount display comprising a display unit having a display element and optical means for enlarging/displaying an image on the display element, a first frame extending substantially conforming to a forehead of a user, first support portion mounted on the first frame at a predetermined angle, and support means for supporting the display unit on the first frame, wherein the first frame is formed by bending a metal rod, metal pipe, or metal plate, first and second hinges are mounted on two end portions of the first frame, the other end of each of the first and second hinges supports a corresponding one of first and second side frames, which respectively have second and third support portions, have shapes bent inwardly, and have elasticity in a direction in which the first and second side frames bend, to allow each of the side frames to rotate in a direction of the head, and the first, second, and third support portions are biased with biasing forces produced by spreading the first and second side frames, thereby producing a force that allows the pads to be worn on the head.
According to the present invention, there is provided a head mount display comprising a display unit having a display element and optical means for enlarging/displaying an image on the display element, a first frame extending substantially conforming to a forehead of a user, first support portion mounted on the first frame at a predetermined angle, and support means for supporting the display unit on the first frame, wherein the first frame is formed by coating a core member obtained by bending a metal rod, metal pipe, or metal plate with a resin film, first and second hinges are mounted on two end portions of the first frame, the other end of each of the first and second hinges supports a corresponding one of first and second side frames, which respectively have second and third support portions, have shapes bent inwardly, and have elasticity in a direction in which the first and second side frames bend, to allow each of the side frames to rotate in a direction of the head, and the first, second, and third support portions are biased with biasing forces produced by spreading the first and second side frames, thereby producing a force that allows the pads to be worn on the head.
According to the present invention, there is provided a head mount display comprising a display unit having a display element and optical means for enlarging/displaying an image on the display element, a first frame extending substantially conforming to a forehead of a user, first support portion mounted on the first frame at a predetermined angle, and support means for supporting the display unit on the first frame, wherein the first frame is formed by bending a metal rod, metal pipe, or metal plate, first and second hinges are mounted on two end portions of the first frame, the other end of each of the first and second hinges supports a corresponding one of first and second side frames, which have shapes bent inwardly and have elasticity in a direction in which the first and second side frames bend, to allow each of the side
Chigira Tatsuo
Miyauchi Kenji
Takano Hironori
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Mengistu Amare
LandOfFree
Head mount display does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Head mount display, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Head mount display will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2824889