Sony Patent | Display Apparatus And Optical Apparatus

Patent: Display Apparatus And Optical Apparatus

Publication Number: 10642040

Publication Date: 20200505

Applicants: Sony

Abstract

A display apparatus includes a frame, an image display device, and a dimming device. The frame is mounted onto a head of an observer. The image display device is attached to the frame. The dimming device is configured to adjust the amount of outside light that comes from the outside. Light transmittance of a partial area of the dimming device is changed based on a signal for displaying an image on the image display device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2014-053191 filed Mar. 17, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a display apparatus. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a display apparatus including a dimming device and being used as a head mounted display (HMD), for example, or to an optical apparatus including a dimming device.

A display apparatus used as a head mounted display is publicly known based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2006-209144, for example. This display apparatus in the form of eyeglasses includes, on temples thereof, a reception unit configured to receive an image signal transmitted from an image information transmission source, a drive unit configured to decode the image signal received in the reception unit, a display unit configured to display an image obtained by decoding in the drive unit, and a power supply unit configured to supply power to the reception unit, the drive unit, and the display unit. The display unit includes a display including an image output device, an optical member, and a Lippman-Bragg volume hologram sheet.

Additionally, an imaging device is well known, which images the outside using a compact imaging device attached to eyeglasses.

SUMMARY

In general, an area where an image is displayed on the display apparatus described above is set beyond the viewing field of an observer. So, depending on the environment where the display apparatus is provided, it may be difficult for the observer to immediately recognize that an image is displayed or to immediately recognize that an image is to be displayed. Further, it may be difficult for the observer to easily, reliably, and immediately recognize which part of the outside is imaged by the compact imaging device attached to the eyeglasses.

So, firstly, it is desirable to provide a display apparatus having a configuration or a structure that allows an observer to immediately recognize that an image is displayed or allows the observer to recognize that an image is to be displayed. Secondly, it is desirable to provide an optical apparatus having a configuration or a structure that allows the observer to easily, reliably, and immediately recognize which part of the outside is imaged by an imaging device attached to eyeglasses or the like. Thirdly, it is desirable to provide an optical apparatus having a configuration or a structure that allows the observer to easily, reliably, and immediately recognize that a receiving device receives a signal.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a display apparatus including: a frame mounted onto a head of an observer; an image display device attached to the frame; and a dimming device configured to adjust the amount of outside light that comes from the outside, light transmittance of a partial area of the dimming device being changed based on a signal for displaying an image on the image display device.

According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an optical apparatus including: a frame mounted onto a head of an observer; an imaging device attached to the frame; and a dimming device attached to the frame and configured to adjust the amount of outside light that comes from the outside, a spatial area imaged by the imaging device being displayed on the dimming device.

According to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an optical apparatus including: a frame mounted onto a head of an observer; a receiving device; and a dimming device attached to the frame and configured to adjust the amount of outside light that comes from the outside, light transmittance of the dimming device being changed based on a signal received by the receiving device.

The display apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and the optical apparatuses according to the first and second embodiments of the present disclosure each include the dimming device configured to adjust the amount of outside light that comes from the outside, so that the amount of outside light that comes from the outside can be adequately controlled (can be reduced, for example) by the dimming device. So, for example, in the display apparatus according to the embodiment of present disclosure, an image may be recognized well in the image display device without being disturbed by outside light. In the display apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the light transmittance of the partial area of the dimming device is changed based on a signal for displaying an image on the image display device. This allows an observer to easily, reliably, and immediately recognize that an image is displayed. Alternatively, this allows the observer to easily and reliably recognize that an image is to be displayed. Additionally, in the optical apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, a spatial area imaged by the imaging device is displayed on the dimming device. This allows the observer to easily, reliably, and immediately recognize which part of the outside is imaged by the imaging device. Furthermore, in the optical apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, light transmittance of the dimming device is changed based on a signal received by the receiving device. This allows the observer to easily, reliably, and immediately recognize that the receiving device receives a signal. It should be noted that the effects described herein are merely exemplary ones and are not limited. Further, additional effects may be produced.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of best mode embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an image display device in a display apparatus of Embodiment 1;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the display apparatus of Embodiment 1 and the like when viewed from above;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a schematic diagram of the display device of Embodiment 1 when viewed from a lateral direction and a schematic diagram of a part including a light guide unit and a dimming device in the display apparatus of Embodiment 1 when viewed from the front, respectively;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are each a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the dimming device, schematically showing the behavior of the dimming device in the display apparatus of Embodiment 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing light propagation in a light guide plate that forms an image display device;

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of an image display device in a display apparatus of Embodiment 2;

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of an image display device in a display apparatus of Embodiment 3;

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a reflective volume holographic diffraction grating in a partially enlarged form in the display apparatus of Embodiment 3;

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of an image display device in a display apparatus of Embodiment 4;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a display apparatus of Embodiment 5 when viewed from the front;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the display apparatus of Embodiment 5 when viewed from above;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are a schematic diagram of a display apparatus of Embodiment 6 when viewed from above and a schematic diagram of a circuit for controlling an illumination sensor, respectively;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are a schematic diagram of a display apparatus of Embodiment 7 when viewed from above and a schematic diagram of a circuit for controlling an illumination sensor, respectively;

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram of an image display device in a display apparatus of Embodiment 8;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the display apparatus of Embodiment 8 when viewed from above;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are a schematic diagram of the display apparatus of Embodiment 8 when viewed from a lateral direction and a schematic diagram of a part including a light guide unit and a dimming device in the display apparatus of Embodiment 8 when viewed from the front, respectively;

FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram of a modification of the display apparatus of Embodiment 8;

FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram of an image display device in a display apparatus of Embodiment 9;

FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram of an image display device in a display apparatus of Embodiment 10;

FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram of a modification of the image display device in the display apparatus of Embodiment 10;

FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram of an image display device in a display apparatus of Embodiment 11;

FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram of an image display device in a display apparatus of Embodiment 12;

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a display apparatus of Embodiment 13 when viewed from the front;

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of the display apparatus of Embodiment 13 (in a state assuming that a frame is removed) when viewed from the front;

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of the display apparatus of Embodiment 13 when viewed from above;

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a state where the display device of Embodiment 13 is mounted onto the head of an observer when viewed from above (showing only the image display devices and omitting the illustration of the frame);

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram of a display apparatus of Embodiment 14 when viewed from the front;

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram of the display apparatus of Embodiment 14 (in a state assuming that a frame is removed) when viewed from the front;

FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram of the display apparatus of Embodiment 14 when viewed from above;

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram of an optical apparatus and the like of Embodiment 15 when viewed from the front;

FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram of the optical apparatus and the like of Embodiment 15 when viewed from the front;

FIG. 32 is a conceptual diagram of a modification of an image forming unit;

FIG. 33 is a conceptual diagram of another modification of the image forming unit;

FIG. 34 is a conceptual diagram of still another modification of the image forming unit;

FIG. 35 is a conceptual diagram of still another modification of the image forming unit;* and*

FIG. 36 is a conceptual diagram of still another modification of the image forming unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described based on embodiments with reference to the drawings but is not limited to the embodiments. Various numerical values and materials in the embodiments are merely exemplary ones. It should be noted that the description is given in the following order.

1. Display Apparatus According to Embodiment of Present Disclosure, Optical Apparatuses According to First and Second Embodiments of Present Disclosure,* and Overall Description*

2. Embodiment 1 (Display Apparatus According to Embodiment of Present Disclosure and Optical Apparatus According to Second Embodiment of Present Disclosure)

3. Embodiment 2 (Display Apparatus in Modification of Embodiment 1)

4. Embodiment 3 (Display Apparatus in Another Modification of Embodiment 1)

5. Embodiment 4 (Display Apparatus in Still Another Modification of Embodiment 1)

6. Embodiment 5 (Modification of Embodiments 1 to 4)

7. Embodiment 6 (Another Modification of Embodiments 1 to 4)

8. Embodiment 7 (Still Another Modification of Embodiments 1 to 4)

9. Embodiment 8 (Modification of Embodiments 1 to 7)

10. Embodiment 9 (Modification of Embodiment 8)

11. Embodiment 10 (Another Modification of Embodiment 8)

12. Embodiment 11 (Modification of Embodiments 8 to 10)

13. Embodiment 12 (Modification of Embodiment 11)

14. Embodiment 13 (Modification of Embodiments 1 to 12)

15. Embodiment 14 (Modification of Embodiment 13)

16. Embodiment 15 (Optical Apparatus According to First Embodiment of Present Disclosure)* and Others*

[Display Apparatus According to Embodiment of Present Disclosure, Optical Apparatuses According to First and Second Embodiments of Present Disclosure, and Overall Description]

In a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,* an image display device may include*

(A) an image forming unit,* and*

(B) a light guide unit configured to input, guide, and output light that is output from the image forming unit. In this case,* the light guide unit may include*

(a) a light guide plate configured to output light after input light is propagated inside the light guide plate by total reflection,

(b) a first deflection unit configured to deflect at least part of the light input to the light guide plate, to totally reflect the light input to the light guide plate inside the light guide plate,* and*

(c) a second deflection unit configured to deflect the light propagated inside the light guide plate by total reflection, to output, from the light guide plate, the light propagated inside the light guide plate by total reflection. Herein, the term “total reflection” means internal total reflection or total reflection caused inside the light guide plate. The same holds true for the following description.

The light guide unit may be transmissive or semi-transmissive (see-through). Specifically, a portion of the light guide unit, which is opposed to at least the pupil of an observer, can be made transmissive or semi-transmissive (see-through), and a landscape can be viewed through the part of the light guide unit. The display apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include one image display device (monocular type) or two image display devices (binocular type). In the binocular type, based on a signal for displaying an image, light transmittance of a partial area of a dimming device may be changed in the both of the image display devices, or light transmittance of a partial area of the dimming device may be changed in one of the image display devices.

In this specification, the term “semi-transmissive” is used in some cases. This term is used in not a meaning that 1/2 (50%) of incident light is transmitted or reflected, but a meaning that part of incident light is transmitted and the rest is reflected.

In the display apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure including the desirable form described above, the signal for displaying an image on the image display device may be received from the outside. In such a form, information or data on an image displayed on the image display device may be recorded, stored, and saved in a so-called cloud computer or server, for example. When the display apparatus includes a communication unit, for example, a mobile telephone or a smartphone, or when the display apparatus is combined with the communication unit, various types of information or data may be transmitted and received or exchanged between the cloud computer or server and the display apparatus. Further, a signal based on various types of information or data, that is, a signal for displaying an image on the image display device may be received. Alternatively, a signal for displaying an image on the image display device may be stored in the image display device. It should be noted that an image displayed on the image display device includes various types of information or data.

Further, the display apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure including the various desirable forms described above may further include a sensor configured to measure the brightness in the outside environment, and light transmittance of a partial area of the dimming device may be changed based on a measurement result of the brightness in the outside environment obtained by the sensor. The sensor may be formed of a well-known illumination sensor, and the control of the sensor may be performed based on a well-known control circuit provided to the image display device. Each of the optical apparatuses according to the first and second embodiments of the present disclosure may also include a sensor configured to measure the brightness in the outside environment, and light transmittance of a partial area of the dimming device may be changed based on a measurement result of the brightness in the outside environment obtained by the sensor.