IP Library Granted Patent US 9,726,894
Granted Patent B2
US 9,726,894 · App. 15/075,473 · Granted Aug 8, 2017

Head-mounted display

Inventor: Noriaki Hiraide (Azumino, JP)
Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
G02B27/0176G02B5/005G02B6/0011G02B27/0172G02B2027/013G02B2027/0159G02B2027/0161G02B2027/0163G02B2027/0169G02B2027/0178G02B2027/0194
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,726,894
App. No.
15/075,473
Granted
Aug 8, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

By rotating each optical member including an image display apparatus by a rotation unit, it is possible to change an aspect ratio and display an image. At this time, the rotation unit rotates a stop having an opening with a shape corresponding to the shape of an emission surface of image light in a video display element which is a video element of the image display apparatus along with the image display apparatus. Accordingly, even when an image with a horizontally long aspect ratio is shown and even when an image with a vertically long aspect ratio is shown, occurrence of stray light can be suppressed. Thus, guiding of the image light by a light-guiding optical system can be maintained in a good state, and thus good image display can be realized.

Claims (32)

1. A head-mounted display comprising:

a video element that generates image light;

a light-guiding optical system that guides the image light from the video element;

a stop that has an opening with a shape corresponding to a shape of an emission surface of the image light in the video element; and

a rotation unit that rotates the stop along with the video element.

2. The head-mounted display according to claim 1 ,

wherein the video element forms an image of a rectangular region and is able to switch between vertical and horizontal postures in regard to a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction of the rectangular region with a rotation operation performed by the rotation unit.

3. The head-mounted display according to claim 2 ,

wherein the light-guiding optical system has an effective region in which the image light is guided both vertically and horizontally in the vertical and horizontal switch by the rotation of the video element.

4. The head-mounted display according to claim 1 ,

wherein the light-guiding optical system includes a symmetric curved surface and an asymmetric curved surface as optical surfaces passing the image light from the video element, and

wherein the rotation unit rotates an optical member having the symmetric curved surface among optical members included in the light-guiding optical system.

5. The head-mounted display according to claim 4 ,

wherein the light-guiding optical system includes a symmetric lens having the symmetric curved surface as an optical surface and an asymmetric lens having the asymmetric curved surface as an optical surface, and

wherein the rotation unit rotates the video element to the symmetric lens.

6. The head-mounted display according to claim 1 ,

wherein the rotation unit performs a rotation operation around an optical axis of the light-guiding optical system.

7. The head-mounted display according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a column that fixes a plurality of optical members included in the light-guiding optical system,

wherein the column is connected to the video element and is configured to include a first column member accommodating the optical member configured with only a symmetric curved surface in the light-guiding optical system and a second column member accommodating the optical member having an asymmetric curved surface in the light-guiding optical system, and

wherein the rotation unit rotates the first column member in the column.

8. The head-mounted display according to claim 7 ,

wherein the stop is provided on a side of the first column member in a connection portion between the first and second column members and is rotated along with the first column member by the rotation unit.

9. The head-mounted display according to claim 7 ,

wherein the light-guiding optical system includes a light-guiding device including a light-guiding member that guides the image light by reflecting the image light from an internal surface and a light transmission member that is bonded to the light-guiding member so that outside light and the image light are viewed to overlap, and

wherein the second column member positions the light-guiding device.

10. The head-mounted display according to claim 7 ,

wherein the rotation unit includes a stopper mechanism related to the rotation in a connection portion between the first and second column members.

11. The head-mounted display according to claim 1 ,

wherein a rotation range of the rotation unit is 90°.

12. The head-mounted display according to claim 1 ,

wherein the rotation unit includes an actuator performing a rotation operation.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 21, 2016
From: HIRAIDE, NORIAKI
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 038048/0149 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2015-062195 · Mar 25, 2015 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160282627A1 · Sep 29, 2016