WO2015097959A1

WO2015097959A1 - Head-mounted display

Info

Publication number: WO2015097959A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/005460
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takaaki Yoshida
Original assignee: Sony Corp
Current assignee: Sony Corp
Priority date: 2013-12-26
Filing date: 2014-10-29
Publication date: 2015-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 2016-06-26
Also published as: JP2015126396A

Abstract

There is provided a head-mounted display including a first display unit including a first display plate and a first coupling portion, the first display plate being configured to be capable of presenting an image to an eye of a user, a second display unit including a second display plate and a second coupling portion, the second display plate being capable of presenting an image to the other eye of the user, the second coupling portion being detachably coupled to the first coupling portion, and a supporting portion that couples the first display unit and the second display unit to each other and is mounted on a head of the user. A method of using a head-mounted device is disclosed in which an attractive force of at least one magnet is used to bring a first and second coupling portion together such that they are in contact, the method further comprising bringing a first engaging portion of the first coupling portion into contact with a second engaging portion of the second coupling portion such that the first coupling portion and second engaging portion are locked.

Description

HEAD-MOUNTED DISPLAY

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2013-269769 filed December 26, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present technology relates to a head-mounted display that is mounted on a user's head for use.

A head-mounted display (hereinafter, referred to also as HMD) that is configured to be mounted on a user's head and to present an image to the user by a display arranged in front of user's eyes has been known. The position of a display surface in the HMD needs to be fixed with respect to the user's eyes to prevent an image from blurring and being defocused. In this regard, as described in Patent Literature 1, a configuration in which two bands that can be mounted on the back of the user's head support a display unit in front of the user's eyes has been known.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2012-186660

Summary

In the HMD having the above-mentioned configuration, however, it needs to adjust the length of the bands every time the HMD is mounted/removed, which is inconvenient. Furthermore, it needs to remove the HMD from the head and carry it when the HMD is not mounted. Therefore, it has a difficulty of ensuring the convenience when it is carried.

In view of the circumstances as described above, it is desirable to provide an HMD that can be easily mounted/removed and has excellent portability.
It should be noted that the effects described above are not necessarily restrictive, and may be any of those described in the present disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the present technology, there is provided a head-mounted display including a first display unit, a second display unit, and a supporting portion.
The first display unit includes a first display plate and a first coupling portion, the first display plate being configured to be capable of presenting an image to an eye of a user.
The second display unit includes a second display plate and a second coupling portion, the second display plate being capable of presenting an image to the other eye of the user, the second coupling portion being detachably coupled to the first coupling portion.
The supporting portion couples the first display unit and the second display unit to each other and is mounted on a head of the user.

According to the head-mounted display, the first and second display units are divided by the first and second coupling portions. Accordingly, it is possible to easily mount/remove the head-mounted display. In addition, because the supporting portion can be worn around the neck during the division, the head-mounted display has excellent portability.

The first coupling portion may have a first surface, and the second coupling portion may have a second surface facing the first surface in a first axial direction and attracting and holding the first surface.
Accordingly, it is possible to cause the first and second surfaces to attract each other during coupling and to define the coupling state of the first and second coupling portions.

The first coupling portion may have a first engaging portion that faces the second coupling portion and may be provided on an end portion of the first coupling portion, and the second coupling portion may have a second engaging portion that is engaged to the first engaging portion at a predetermined coupling position with the first coupling portion.
Accordingly, it is possible to define the coupling state of the first and second coupling portion at a predetermined coupling position. Therefore, it is possible to suppress convergence displacement of a user during mounting.

The second coupling portion may further have a guide portion that is provided on a rim of the second surface and guides the first engaging portion to the second engaging portion along a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction.
Accordingly, it is possible to smoothly couple the first and second coupling portions.

Specifically, the first engaging portion may have an axial portion having a central axis in a third axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction and the second axial direction.
Accordingly, it is possible to separate the first and second engaging portions from each other by the rotation of the first engaging portion around the axial portion.

The second engaging portion may have a regulation portion that faces the second surface in the first axial direction with the axial portion disposed therebetween.
Accordingly, it is possible to easily remove the first and second coupling portions by the ration of the first engaging portion around the axial portion. On the other hand, in the case where such force that rotates the axial portion around another end portion acts, the first and second engaging portions are locked. Therefore, it is possible to give the mounting/removing a directionality and to satisfy conditions of easiness and hardness of mounting/removing

The first coupling portion may include a first permanent magnet, and the second coupling portion may include a second permanent magnet that is arranged eccentrically with respect to the first permanent magnet in the second axial direction.
Accordingly, it is possible to exert attraction force in the first and second axial directions with the first and second permanent magnets.

The first display unit and the second display unit may be arranged side by side in a fourth axial direction that is perpendicular to the third axial direction and is not parallel to the first axil direction and the second axil direction.
Accordingly, it is possible to form the first and second surfaces not in parallel with the fourth axial direction in which the first and second display units are arranged. Therefore, it is possible to make the distance between the axial portion provided on an end portion of the first coupling portion and another end portion longer as compared to the case where the first and second surfaces are in parallel with the fourth axial direction. It is also possible to cause larger rotational moment to act. Therefore, it is possible to easily generate a rotational moment that overcomes the attraction force on the first and second surfaces.

Some embodiments are directed to a method of using a head-mounted device that includes a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion. The method includes acts of moving the first coupling portion and/or the second coupling portion such that the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are in proximity to each other; using an attractive force of at least one magnetic to bring the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion together such that the first coupling portion is in contact with the second coupling portion; and bringing a first engaging portion of the first coupling portion into contact with a second engaging portion of the second coupling portion such that the first coupling portion and second engaging portion are locked.

As described above, according to the present technology, it is possible to provide an HMD that can be easily mounted/removed and has excellent portability.

Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a head-mounted display according to an embodiment of the present technology. Fig. 2 is a main portion perspective view showing a state where a first display unit and a second display unit in the head-mounted display are divided. Fig. 3 is a main portion perspective view of the first display unit. Fig. 4 is a main portion perspective view of the second display unit. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a first coupling portion of the first display unit. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second coupling portion of the second display unit. Fig. 7 is a main portion cross-sectional view at a coupling portion of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion. Fig. 8 is a perspective view viewed from a back surface showing a state of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion at a coupling portion. Figs. 9 are each a schematic cross-sectional view showing configurations of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion before and after mounting/removing, Fig. 9A shows a state before coupling (during division), and Fig. 9B shows a state at a coupling position. Figs. 10 are each a schematic diagram for explaining an operation of dividing the first display unit and the second display unit, Fig. 10A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the head-mounted display is mounted on a user's head, and Fig. 10B is a main portion cross-sectional view of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion. Figs. 11 are each a schematic diagram for explaining the locking mechanism of the first display unit and the second display unit, Fig. 11A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the head-mounted display is mounted on a user's head, and Fig. 11B is a main portion cross-sectional view of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present technology will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a head-mounted display according to an embodiment of the present technology. In each figure, X, Y, and Z axes are three-axis directions perpendicular to each other, and represent a horizontal direction, a height (vertical) direction, and a longitudinal direction, respectively.

(Configuration of head-mounted display)
A head-mounted display 100 according to this embodiment includes a first display unit 10, a second display unit 20, and a supporting portion 30. The first display unit 10 and the second display unit 20 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction (fourth direction) when the head-mounted display 100 is mounted.

The first display unit 10 includes a first display plate 11, a first coupling portion 12, and a first optical unit 13. The first display plate 11 is capable of presenting an image to one eye of a user. The "one eye" represents a right eye here, but may represent a left eye.

The second display unit 20 includes a second display plate 21, a second coupling portion 22, and a second optical unit 23. The second display plate 21 is capable of presenting an image to the other eye of the user. The "other eye" represents a left eye here, but may represent a right eye.

The image presented by the first display unit 10 and the second display unit 20 may be a two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image.

The first display plate 11 and the second display plate 21 are configured to be arranged in front of the eyes of the user, and to be capable of displaying an image presented to the user. The first display plate 11 displays a right-eye image, and the second display plate 21 displays a left-eye image. In this embodiment, the first display plate 11 and the second display plate 21 include a transmissive light-guiding plate that is capable of outputting, to the right-eye and the left-eye of the user, an image projected from the first optical unit 13 and the second optical unit 23, respectively. In this embodiment, the first display plate 11 and the second display plate 21 are configured to have a substantially rectangular shape of about 25 mm in height and about 70 mm in width.

Moreover, on at least one of an upper edge and a lower edge of the first display plate 11 and the second display plate 21, a frame 11a and a frame 21a that support the first display plate 11 and the second display plate 21 and are connected to the supporting portion 30 may be provided, respectively (see, for example, Fig.2). The frame 11a and the frame 21a may be connected to a right edge portion and a left edge portion of the supporting portion 30 on which the first optical unit 13 and the second optical unit 23 are fixed, respectively.

The first optical unit 13 and the second optical unit 23 are fixed on a right edge portion and a left edge portion of the supporting portion 30 to be described later, respectively, and project a right-eye image and a left-eye image to the first display plate 11 and the second display plate 21, respectively. The configurations of the first optical unit 13 and the second optical unit 23 are not particularly limited as long as an image can be projected to the first display plate 11 and the second display plate 21, respectively. The first optical unit 13 and the second optical unit 23 typically include an image forming element, an optical lens that projects an image formed by the image forming element to the first display plate 11 and the second display plate 21, a cabinet that contains them, and the like. As the image forming element, a liquid crystal panel or a self-light emitting panel such as a light emitting diode (LED) and an electroluminescent (EL) element may be used.

The supporting portion 30 couples the first display unit 10 and the second display unit 20 to each other, and is mounted on a user's head. The supporting portion 30 includes a band member 31 and an ear hooking portion 32, and supports the first display unit 10 and the second display unit 20 when it is mounted. The supporting portion 30 supports the first display unit 10 and the second display unit 20 so that the first display unit 10 and the second display unit 20 are arranged side by side in front of the user in the X-axis direction.

The band member 31 is configured to be coupled to the first display plate 11 and the second display plate 21, and to be capable of being mounted from the vicinity of a temple of a user to a back head of the user. The material of the band member 31 is not particularly limited. For example, it is possible to select a material that is not brittle, is adhesive, is soft, and has a high toughness. Specific examples of such a material include, but not limited to, a synthetic resin material such as polyamide resin. These materials may be combined with an elastomer or the like.

The ear hooking portion 32 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the band member 31, and is mounted on an auricle of a user. The configuration of the ear hooking portion 32 is not particularly limited. For example, the ear hooking portion 32 may be configured to be capable of moving on the inner peripheral surface of the band member 31. Accordingly, it is possible to adjust the ear hooking portion 32 depending on the size of the head of the user. In addition, as the material of the ear hooking portion 32, resin, metal, or the like can be appropriately employed alone or in combination. It is more favorable that a portion that is directly in contact with a skin of the user includes resin or an elastomer.

Fig. 2 is a main portion perspective view showing a state where the first display unit 10 and the second display unit 10 are divided. The head-mounted display 100 has features in which the second coupling portion 22 is coupled to the first coupling portion 12 detachably, and the first display unit 10 and the second display unit 20 are divided. With the features, it is possible to easily mount/remove the head-mounted display 100 and to carry the head-mounted display 100 by wearing the band member 31 around the neck during the division. Hereinafter, the configurations of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 will be described.

(Configurations of first coupling portion and second coupling portion)
Fig. 3 is a main portion perspective view of the first display unit 10 having the first coupling portion 12. The first coupling portion 12 is provided on a left end portion of the first display unit 10. The first coupling portion 12 has a first surface 121 and a first frame 120. The shape of the first surface 121 is, for example, a rectangular shape.

The first frame 120 is connected to the first display plate 11 and the frame 11a of the first display plate 11. On the first frame 120, a first engaging portion 126, an edge portion 127, and tapered portions 128 are formed. The first engaging portion 126 is formed on a left end portion of the first frame 120, and the edge portion 127 is formed on an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion of the first frame 120. Moreover, the tapered portions 128 are formed on two slope portions that connect the left end portion to the upper edge portion and the left end portion to the lower edge portion. It should be noted that the first frame 120 may be configured to be integrated with the frame 11a of the first display plate 11.

Fig. 4 is a main portion perspective view of the second display unit 20 having the second coupling portion 22. The second coupling portion 22 has a second surface 221 and a second frame 220. The shape of the second surface 221 is, for example, a rectangular shape having the same size as that of the first surface 121.

The second frame 220 is connected to the second display plate 21. On the second frame 220, a second engaging portion 226 and a guide portion 227 are formed. The second engaging portion 226 is formed on a left end portion of the second frame 220, and the guide portion 227 is formed an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion of the second frame 220. In addition, the guide portion 227 has tapered portions 228 provided along a longitudinal direction. It should be noted that the second frame 220 may be configured to be integrated with the frame 21a of the second display plate 21.

The second surface 221 is configured to attract and hold the first surface 121. The first surface 121 is formed on the first frame 120, and is arranged around a second cover 125 to be described later. Similarly, the second surface 221 is formed on the second frame 220, and is arranged around a second cover 225 to be described later. In this embodiment, the first surface 121 and the second surface 221 are attracted by magnetic force acting between a first magnet 122 and a magnet 222 to be described later. While the embodiments described herein use permanent magnets for magnet 122 and magnet 222, any suitable magnet may be used, such as an electromagnet.

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the first coupling portion 12. The first coupling portion 12 includes the first frame 120, the first permanent magnet 122, a yoke 123, a screw 123a, a first cover 124, and the second cover 125. The yoke 123, the first permanent magnet 122, the first cover 124, and the second cover 125 are laminated in a concave portion of the first frame 120 in the stated order. On the second cover 125, the first surface 121 is formed.

The first frame 120 supports the yoke 123 and the first permanent magnet 122. The first frame 120 has a concave portion in which a screw hole is formed, for example, and the yoke 123 is fixed in the concave portion by the screw 123a. The first frame 120 may include a non-magnetic material, for example.

The first permanent magnet 122 includes a magnet 122a and a magnet 122b, for example. The two

magnets

122a and 122b are arranged on the yoke 123 along the Y-axis direction so that surfaces having different polarities of the magnets are disposed toward an outward direction. The yoke 123 includes a soft iron plate.

The first cover 124 is arranged on the

magnets

122a and 122b, and may include an adhesive paper for bonding the

magnets

122a and 122b to the second cover 125, for example. The second cover 125 functions as a magnet cover including a non-magnetic material such as stainless steel (SUS) or plastic, and is arranged on the first cover 124. With the second cover 125, it is possible to prevent the

magnets

122a and 122b from being damaged. The shape of the second cover 125 may be a shape obtained by bending an edge of a flat surface, for example.

A nose pad 129 is configured to be capable of being mounted on a nose of a user at a coupling position, and is attached to the first frame 120. The method of attaching the nose pad 129 to the first frame 120 is not particularly limited. For example, the nose pad 129 is screwed to the first frame 120 by a screw or the like.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the second coupling portion 22. The second coupling portion 22 includes the second frame 220, the permanent magnet 222, a yoke 223, a screw 223a, a first cover 224, the second cover 225, and a front cover 229, similarly to the first coupling portion 12. The yoke 223, the magnet (second magnetic member) 222, the first cover 224, and the second cover 225 are laminated in a concave portion of the second frame 220 in the stated order. On the second cover 225, the second surface 221 is formed.

The second frame 220 supports the yoke 223 and the permanent magnet 222. The second frame 220 has a concave portion in which a screw hole is formed, and the yoke 223 is fixed in the concave portion by the screw 223a. The second frame 220 may include a non-magnetic material, for example.

The permanent magnet 222 includes a magnet 222a and a magnet 222b. The magnet 222a and the magnet 222b are arranged on the yoke 223 along the Y-axis direction. The two magnets 222a and 222b are arranged so that their polarities are adjusted to be capable of being attracted by the two

magnets

122a and 122b of the first permanent magnet 122. The first permanent magnet 122 and the second permanent magnet 222 each have two magnets. Therefore, it is possible to increase the attraction force between the first surface 121 and the second surface 221. The yoke 223 include a soft iron plate.

The first cover 224 is arranged on the magnets 222a and 222b, and may include an adhesive paper for bonding the magnets 222a and 222b to the second cover 225, for example. The second cover 225 functions as a magnet cover including a non-magnetic material such as SUS or plastic, and is arranged on the first cover 224. With the second cover 225, it is possible to prevent the magnets 222a and 222b from being damaged. The shape of the second cover 225 may be a shape obtained by bending an edge of a flat surface, for example. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an end surface of the second cover 225 from being brought in contact with the first engaging portion 126 during a coupling operation to be described later, and to perform a smooth coupling operation.

The front cover 229 is attached to a surface of the second frame 220, which is opposite to the surface on which the magnets 222a and 222b are arranged. The method of attaching the front cover 229 to the second frame 220 is not particularly limited. For example, the front cover 229 may be attached to the second frame 220 by bonding an adhesive paper to a back surface of the front cover 229. The front cover 229 is arranged between the first display plate 11 and the second display plate 21 at a coupling position (see Fig. 1).

The first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 configured as described above are attracted to each other by the first permanent magnet 122 and the second permanent magnet 222, and are coupled to each other. It should be noted that in the following description, respective positions of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 in a connected state are referred to as "a predetermined coupling position" or simply as "coupling position." Hereinafter, the configuration related to the coupling of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 will be described.

Fig. 7 is a main portion cross-sectional view at a coupling portion of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22. The second surface 221 faces the first surface 121 in the Z-axis direction at the predetermined coupling position, and is closely arranged. Between the

second covers

125 and 225, about 0.2 mm of space may be formed, for example. The first surface 121 and the second surface 221 are configured as surfaces not in parallel with the XY plane. In the following, the assumption is made that the normal line direction of the first surface 121 and the second surface 221 is the z-axis direction (second axial direction), a direction parallel to the Y-axis direction is the y-axis direction (third axial direction), and a direction perpendicular to the z-axis direction and the y-axis direction is the x-axis direction (third axial direction). Specifically, the X-axis direction is a direction that is perpendicular to the y-axis direction and is not in parallel with the x-axis direction and the z-axis direction.

Between the first surface 121 and the second surface 221, attraction force in the z-axis direction acts. Accordingly, it is possible to define the positions of the first coupling position 12 and the second coupling position 22 in the z-axis direction. In addition, because the first surface 121 and the second surface 221 are attracted, it is possible to prevent the rotation of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 around the x-axis and the y-axis from occurring. In this embodiment, if the length of each side of the first surface 121 and the second surface 221 is not less than about 10 mm, it is possible to ensure an area enough to maintain the coupling state.

As shown in Fig. 7, the permanent magnet 222 is arranged eccentrically with respect to the first permanent magnet 122 in the x-axis direction at the coupling position. Accordingly, the permanent magnet 222 exerts attraction force having not only a component in the z-axis direction but also a component in the x-axis direction on the first permanent magnet 122 (see arrows shown in Fig. 7). Specifically, it is possible to cause attraction force having about 10N of component in the z-axis direction and about 4N of component in the x-axis direction to act between the first permanent magnet 122 and the second permanent magnet 222. Therefore, it is possible to increase the positional accuracy of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 in the x-axis direction.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view viewed from a back surface showing a state of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 at a coupling portion. The first coupling portion 12 has the first engaging portion 126 and the upper edge portion 127. The second coupling portion 22 has the second engaging portion 226 and the guide portion 227. The first engaging portion 126 and the engaging portion 226 are engaged to each other and the upper edge portion 127 is and the guide portion 227 are engaged to each other, thereby maintaining the coupling state of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22.

As shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the first engaging portion 126 is provided on an end portion (left end portion) facing the second coupling portion 22 in the x-axis direction. In addition, the first engaging portion 126 has an axial portion 126a having a central axis in the y-axis direction. The axial portion 126a may have two axial portions arranged along the y-axis direction, and each of the two axial portions may be engaged to the second engaging portion 226 (which is not shown). Accordingly, it is possible to position the first engaging portion 126 based on two positions on the second engaging portion 226, and to maintain the coupling state more accurately.

As shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the second engaging portion 226 is engaged to the first engaging portion 126 at a predetermined coupling position. The second engaging portion 226 has a tip portion 226a and a regulation portion 226b. The tip portion 226a is formed to be connected to the second surface 221, and faces the axial portion 126a in the x-axis direction.

The regulation portion 226b faces the second surface 221 in the z-axis direction with the axial portion 126a disposed therebetween. In this embodiment, the regulation portion 226b is formed as a tapered surface, i.e., the distance between the regulation portion 226b and the second surface 221 increases as the distance between the regulation portion 226b and the tip portion 226a in the x-axis direction increases. The regulation portion 226b is configured to be capable of being brought into contact with the first engaging portion 126 at the coupling position. Accordingly, the positions of the first engaging portion 126 and the second engaging portion 226 in the x-axis direction are defined.

As shown in Fig. 3, the upper edge portion 127 is provided on the rim of the first surface 121. The upper edge portion 127 has an upper edge portion 127a and an lower edge portion 127b. The upper edge portion 127a is formed on the upper edge of the first frame 120, and the lower edge portion 127b is formed along the lower edge of the first frame 120. The upper edge portion 127a and the lower edge portion 127b face to each other in the Y-axis direction, and are formed along the x-axis direction. The width between the upper edge portion 127a and the lower edge portion 127b is set to, for example, about 17 mm.

As shown in Fig. 4, the guide portion 227 is provided on the rim of the second surface 221. The guide portion 227 is configured to be capable of being engaged to the upper edge portion 127, and leads the first engaging portion 126 to the second engaging portion 226 along the x-axis direction.

The guide portion 227 has an upper guide portion 227a and a lower guide portion 227b. The upper guide portion 227a is formed on the upper rim of the second frame 220, and the lower guide portion 227b is formed on the lower rim of the second frame 220. The upper guide portion 227a and the lower guide portion 227b face to each other in the Y-axis direction, and are formed along the x-axis direction. The upper guide portion 227a is engaged to the upper edge portion 127a, and the lower guide portion 227b is engaged to the lower edge portion 127b. The configurations of the upper guide portion 227a and the lower guide portion 227b are not particularly limited. For example, the upper guide portion 227a and the lower guide portion 227b are configured to be stepwise to be capable of being engaged to the upper edge portion 127a and the lower edge portion 127b, respectively.

The first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 configures as described above are coupled to each other, and therefore, the coupling state of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 is maintained with high accuracy. Specifically, the first engaging portion 126 and the second engaging portion 226 define the coupling position in the x-axis direction, and suppress the rotation of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 around the z-axis direction. The guide portion 227 and the upper edge portion 127 are engaged to each other, thereby defining the coupling position in the y-axis direction. Furthermore, the first surface 121 and the second surface 221 are attracted in the z-axis direction, thereby defining the coupling position in the z-axis direction and suppressing the rotation of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 around the x-axis and the y-axis.

As described above, because the coupling portion of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 can be defined in the x-axis direction, the y-axis direction, and the z-axis direction, the coupling position can be defined in the X-axis direction, the y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction similarly. Specifically, rotation around the X-axis, rotation around the Y-axis, and rotation around the Z-axis can be suppressed at the angle of not more than about 3 minutes, not more than about 4.6 minutes, and not more than about 17 minutes, respectively.

Here, because the first display plate 11 and the second display plate 21 each emit desired image light to a user's eye, convergence displacement is caused if the coupling position is displaced or rotated. According to this embodiment, because the coupling state is maintained with high accuracy, it is possible to prevent a problem such as convergence displacement from occurring.

Moreover, the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 can be easily mounted/removed. Hereinafter, the operation of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 with mounting/removing will be described.

Figs. 9 are each a schematic cross-sectional view showing configurations of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 before and after mounting/removing. Fig. 9A shows a state before coupling (during division), and Fig. 9B shows a state at the coupling position.

When the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 are moved closer to each other from the state before coupling shown in Fig. 9A, attraction force caused between the first permanent magnet 122 and the second permanent magnet 222 attracts the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22. Furthermore, the first frame 120 has the tapered portion 128 as shown in Fig. 3, and the guide portion 227 has the tapered portion 228 as shown in Fig. 4. Accordingly, even in the case where a user manually draws the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22, it is possible to easily cause the upper edge portion 127 to be engaged to the guide portion 227.

The guide portion 227 and the upper edge portion 127 are formed along the x-axis direction as described above. Accordingly, the guide portion 227 causes the upper edge portion 127 to slide along the x-axis direction, and leads the first engaging portion 126 to the second engaging portion 226 (see Fig. 8). Then, the first engaging portion 126 is engaged to the second engaging portion 226, thereby coupling the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 to each other at the coupling position as shown in Fig. 9B. With the guide portion 227, it is possible to lead the first coupling portion 12 to the coupling position smoothly and reliably.

Furthermore, the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 are configured to easily release the engagement when force is applied backward of the Z-axis direction, and to maintain the coupling state even in the case where force is applied in another direction such as forward of the Z-axis direction. Hereinafter, the dividing operation of releasing engagement and a locking mechanism that maintains a coupling state will be described.

Figs. 10 are each a schematic diagram for explaining an operation of dividing the first display unit 10 and the second display unit 20. Fig. 10A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the head-mounted display is mounted on a user's head, and Fig. 10B is a main portion cross-sectional view of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22. It should be noted that in Fig. 10A and Fig. 11A mentioned below, the configurations of the ear hooking portion 32, the nose pad 129, and the like are omitted, and the configurations of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 are exaggeratingly shown.

It should be noted that although the band member 31 of the supporting portion 30 is directly mounted on the head in Fig. 10, it is not limited thereto. The size of the band member 31 of the supporting portion 30 may be increased to be larger than the head, and the band member 31 may be arranged around the head and mounted on the head with the ear hooking portion 32. Thus, it does not need to adjust the length of the band member 31. Moreover, the ear hooking portion 32 may have a shape extending to the back of the ear to improve the fit. At this time, lateral pressure of the ear hooking portion 32 on the head may be reduced. In addition, the position of the ear hooking portion 32 may be adjustable to the position of the band member 31. Accordingly, it is possible to further improve the fit.

As shown by arrows a in Fig. 10A, a user operates an area in the vicinity of the front cover 229 to open forward of the Z-axis direction, for example (see the arrows a in Fig. 10A).

Accordingly, force forward of the Z-axis direction is applied to the left end portion of the second coupling portion 22 at the coupling portion, and conflicting rotational moment around the Y-axis centered on the axial portion 126a acts on the coupling portion 12 and the coupling portion 22. Specifically, the left end portion of the second coupling portion 22 tries to rotate forward of the Z-axis direction (see the arrow a in Fig. 10B), and the left end portion of the first coupling portion 12 tries to rotate backward of the Z-axis direction (see an arrow b in Fig. 10B). When the rotational moment overcomes the attraction force between the first permanent magnet 122 and the second permanent magnet 222, the first surface 121 is separated from the second surface 221. As a result, the first engaging portion 126 formed on the right end portion of the first coupling portion 12 rotates around the axial portion 126a forward of the Z-axis direction, the engagement of the first engaging portion 126 to the second engaging portion 226 is released, and the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 12 are separated from each other.

On the other hand, Figs. 11 are each a schematic diagram for explaining the locking mechanism of the first display unit 10 and the second display unit 20. Fig. 11A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the head-mounted display is mounted on a user's head, and Fig. 11B is a main portion cross-sectional view of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22. As shown by an arrow c in Fig. 11A, corresponding to the shape of the user's head, force toward right and left directions is applied to the band member 31 during mounting. Alternatively, even when the user tries to adjust the position of the ear hooking portion 32 or the like, force toward right and left directions, which is shown by the arrow c in Fig. 11A, acts similarly. Accordingly, the first display plate 11 and the second display plate 21 are opened toward right and left, and force forward of the Z-axis direction acts. Force forward of the Z-axis direction acts on the right end portion of the first coupling portion 12 and the left end portion of the second coupling portion 22 on which the second engaging portion 226 is formed (see arrows d in Figs. 11A and 11B).

At the coupling position, when force forward of the Z-axis direction acts on the right end portion of the first coupling portion 12 or the left end portion of the second coupling portion 22, rotational moment around the Y-axis centered on an axial portion 226a acts on the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22. Specifically, the left end portion of the first coupling portion 12 tries to rotate forward of the Z-axis direction (see an arrow e in Fig. 11B), and the right end portion of the second coupling portion 22 also tries to rotate forward of the Z-axis direction (see an arrow f in Fig. 11B). Accordingly, with the rotational moment, the first engaging portion 126 formed on the right end portion tries to rotate backward of the Z-axis direction. However, the first engaging portion 126 is brought into contact with the regulation portion 226b of the second engaging portion 226, and the rotation is regulated. As a result, the movement of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 is locked, and the coupling state is maintained.

Furthermore, not only the force toward right and left directions but also various types of force act on the band member 31 or the ear hooking portion 32 during mounting. Because the band member 31 and the ear hooking portion 32 are located at a position relatively distant from the axial portion 226a being a supporting point, large rotational moment may act on the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 with these being operating points. According to this embodiment, the first permanent magnet 122 and the second permanent magnet 222 are arranged on the left end portion distant from the axial portion 226a on the right end portion, and permanent magnets having large attraction force are used as the first permanent magnet 122 and the second permanent magnet 222. Accordingly, even in the case where such large rotational moment acts, it is possible to counteract the rotational moment with the attraction force and to maintain the coupling state.

In addition, because the first surface 121 and the second surface 221 are each arranged in a direction not in parallel with the X-axis direction, it is possible to make the distances between the axial portion 126a and the first and second

permanent magnets

122 and 222 longer as compared to the case where the first surface 121 and the second surface 221 are each arranged in a direction in parallel with the X-axis direction. Accordingly, it is possible to counteract the rotational moment more effectively.

As described above, the regulation portion 226b of the second engaging portion 226 permits the first engaging portion 126 to rotate around the axial portion 126a forward of the Z-axis direction, and regulates the rotation of the first engaging portion 126 around the axial portion 126a backward of the Z-axis direction (see Fig. 10B and Fig. 11B). Specifically, the regulation portion 226b counteracts force that is likely to act during user's mounting such as force that moves the band member 31 toward right and left directions, and thus, it is possible to reliably lock the movement of the first engaging portion 126 and the second engaging portion 226. On the other hand, locking is easily released by such an operation that the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 are opened forward of the Z-axis direction, for example. Thus, it is possible to separate the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 from each other.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide the head-mounted display 100 that can be easily mounted/removed, which is easily removed with a predetermined operation and is unlikely to be removed during ordinal mounting or with another operation.

Furthermore, it is possible to carry the head-mounted display 100 by wearing the band member 31 around the neck during the division of the first display unit 10 and the second display unit 20. Accordingly, it is possible to make the head-mounted display 100 have excellent portability.

In addition, in the head-mounted display 100, it is possible to maintain the coupling state of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22, and to define the position of the first display unit 10 and the second display unit 20 with high accuracy, as described above. Therefore, even in the case where optically-high positional accuracy is demanded for the head-mounted display 100, it is possible to achieve a configuration that can be easily mounted/removed while satisfying the demand.

Although an embodiment of the present technology has been described, the present technology is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present technology.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the coupling state of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion is maintained with the attraction force between the first surface 121 and the second surface 221 or the like. However, it is not limited thereto. For example, the coupling state of the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 may be maintained using a biasing means such as a plate spring to press the first and second surfaces.

In addition, it does not necessarily need to have the first and second surfaces. For example, the first coupling portion has a concave portion, the second coupling portion has a convex portion, and the concave portion and the convex portion may be engaged to each other.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, as the configuration that applies attraction force between the first and second surfaces, the first and second permanent magnets have been described. However, it is not limited thereto. For example, one may be a permanent magnet, and the other may include a soft magnetic material such as iron. Alternatively, it is possible to apply attraction force using a configuration such as an electrostatic chuck.

Furthermore, the angle of the first and second surfaces is not limited to the above. In addition, the angle of the surface of the first and second permanent magnets is also not limited to the angle in parallel with the first and second surfaces.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the guide portion 227 has the upper guide portion 227a and the lower guide portion 227b, which are engaged to the upper edge portion 127a and the lower edge portion 127b, respectively. However, it is not limited thereto. For example, the guide portion may have only one of the upper guide portion and the lower guide portion.

Alternatively, the first engaging portion does not necessarily need to include an axial portion. For example, the first engaging portion may have a convex portion that can be engaged to the concave portion formed on the second engaging portion, or the like.

In addition, although the first frame 120 has been described to have the tapered portion 128, and the guide portion 227 has been described to have the tapered portion 228. However, it is not limited thereto. It does not necessarily need to have the tapered

portions

128 and 228. Alternatively, it may have only one of the tapered

portions

128 and 228. Also in this case, in the case where the first coupling portion 12 and the second coupling portion 22 are manually drawn, it is possible to easily cause the upper edge portion 127 to be engaged to the guide portion 227.

It should be noted that the present technology may also take the following configurations.
(1) A head-mounted display, including:
a first display unit including a first display plate and a first coupling portion, the first display plate being configured to be capable of presenting an image to an eye of a user;
a second display unit including a second display plate and a second coupling portion, the second display plate being capable of presenting an image to the other eye of the user, the second coupling portion being detachably coupled to the first coupling portion; and
a supporting portion that couples the first display unit and the second display unit to each other and is mounted on a head of the user.
(2) The head-mounted display according to (1) above, in which
the first coupling portion has a first surface, and
the second coupling portion has a second surface facing the first surface in a first axial direction and attracting and holding the first surface.
(3) The head-mounted display according to (2) above, in which
the first coupling portion has a first engaging portion that faces the second coupling portion and is provided on an end portion of the first coupling portion, and
the second coupling portion has a second engaging portion that is engaged to the first engaging portion at a predetermined coupling position with the first coupling portion.
(4) The head-mounted display according to (3) above, in which
the second coupling portion further has a guide portion that is provided on a rim of the second surface and guides the first engaging portion to the second engaging portion along a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction.
(5) The head-mounted display according to (4) above, in which
the first engaging portion has an axial portion having a central axis in a third axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction and the second axial direction.
(6) The head-mounted display according to (5) above, in which
the second engaging portion has a regulation portion that faces the second surface in the first axial direction with the axial portion disposed therebetween.
(7) The head-mounted display according to any one of (4) to (6) above, in which
the first coupling portion includes a first magnet, and
the second coupling portion includes a second magnet that is arranged eccentrically with respect to the first permanent magnet in the second axial direction.
(8) The head-mounted display according to (7) above, in which the second magnet is arranged eccentrically with respect to the first magnet in the second axial direction.
(9) The head-mounted display according to any one of (5) to (8) above, in which
the first display unit and the second display unit are arranged side by side in a fourth axial direction that is perpendicular to the third axial direction and is not parallel to the first axil direction and the second axil direction.
(10) The head-mounted display according to (1) above, in which the supporting portion comprises an ear hooking portion.
(11) The head-mounted display according to (10) above, in which the supporting portion further comprises a band member and the ear hooking portion is attached to an inner peripheral surface of the band member.
(12) The head-mounted display according to (11) above, in which the ear hooking portion is movably attached to the inner peripheral surface of the band member.
(13) The head-mounted display according to (7) above, in which the first coupling portion further includes a first cover for the first magnet, and the second coupling portion further includes a second cover for the second magnet.
(14)The head-mounted display according to (13) above, in which the first cover comprises plastic, and the second cover comprises plastic.
(15) A method of using a head-mounted device comprising a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion, the method including acts of:
moving the first coupling portion and/or the second coupling portion such that the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are in proximity to each other;
using an attractive force of at least one magnetic to bring the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion together such that the first coupling portion is in contact with the second coupling portion; and
bringing a first engaging portion of the first coupling portion into contact with a second engaging portion of the second coupling portion such that the first coupling portion and second engaging portion are locked.
(16) The method of using a head-mounted device according to (15) above, further comprising an act of rotating the first coupling portion in a first direction and rotating the second coupling portion in a second direction to overcome the attractive force of the at least one magnet and separate that first coupling portion and the second coupling portion.
(17) The method of using a head-mounted device according to (16) above, further including an act of separating the first coupling portion from the second coupling portion.
(18) The method of using a head-mounted device according to (15) above, in which the head-mounted device is a head-mounted display comprising a first display unit and a second display unit.
(19) The method of using a head-mounted device according to (18), in which the first coupling portion is a part of the first display unit and the second coupling portion is a part of the second display unit.
(20) The method of using a head-mounted device according to (17), further comprising an act of wearing the head-mounted display around a neck of a user of the head-mounted display using a band member of the head-mounted display.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

10 First display unit
11 First display plate
12 First coupling portion
20 Second display unit
21 Second display plate
22 Second coupling portion
30 Supporting portion
121 First surface
221 Second surface
122 First permanent magnet
222 Second permanent magnet
126 First engaging portion
126a Axial portion
226 Second engaging portion
226b Regulation portion
227 Guide portion

Claims

A head-mounted display, comprising:
a first display unit including a first display plate and a first coupling portion, the first display plate being configured to be capable of presenting an image to an eye of a user;
a second display unit including a second display plate and a second coupling portion, the second display plate being capable of presenting an image to the other eye of the user, the second coupling portion being detachably coupled to the first coupling portion; and
a supporting portion that couples the first display unit and the second display unit to each other and is mounted on a head of the user.
The head-mounted display according to claim 1, wherein
the first coupling portion has a first surface, and
the second coupling portion has a second surface facing the first surface in a first axial direction and attracting and holding the first surface.
The head-mounted display according to claim 2, wherein
the first coupling portion has a first engaging portion that faces the second coupling portion and is provided on an end portion of the first coupling portion, and
the second coupling portion has a second engaging portion that is engaged to the first engaging portion at a predetermined coupling position with the first coupling portion.
The head-mounted display according to claim 3, wherein
the second coupling portion further has a guide portion that is provided on a rim of the second surface and guides the first engaging portion to the second engaging portion along a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction.
The head-mounted display according to claim 4, wherein
the first engaging portion has an axial portion having a central axis in a third axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction and the second axial direction.
The head-mounted display according to claim 5, wherein
the second engaging portion has a regulation portion that faces the second surface in the first axial direction with the axial portion disposed therebetween.
The head-mounted display according to claim 4, wherein
the first coupling portion includes a first magnet, and
the second coupling portion includes a second magnet.
The head-mounted display according to claim 7, wherein
the second magnet is arranged eccentrically with respect to the first magnet in the second axial direction.
The head-mounted display according to claim 5, wherein
the first display unit and the second display unit are arranged side by side in a fourth axial direction that is perpendicular to the third axial direction and is not parallel to the first axil direction and the second axil direction.
The head-mounted display according to claim 1 wherein
the supporting portion comprises an ear hooking portion.
The head-mounted display according to claim 10 wherein
the supporting portion further comprises a band member and the ear hooking portion is attached to an inner peripheral surface of the band member.
The head-mounted display according to claim 11 wherein
the ear hooking portion is movably attached to the inner peripheral surface of the band member.
The head-mounted display according to claim 7 wherein
the first coupling portion further includes a first cover for the first magnet, and
the second coupling portion further includes a second cover for the second magnet.
The head-mounted display according to claim 13 wherein
the first cover comprises plastic, and
the second cover comprises plastic.
A method of using a head-mounted device comprising a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion, the method comprising:
moving the first coupling portion and/or the second coupling portion such that the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are in proximity to each other;
using an attractive force of at least one magnetic to bring the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion together such that the first coupling portion is in contact with the second coupling portion; and
bringing a first engaging portion of the first coupling portion into contact with a second engaging portion of the second coupling portion such that the first coupling portion and second engaging portion are locked.
The method of using a head-mounted device according to claim 15, further comprising:
rotating the first coupling portion in a first direction and rotating the second coupling portion in a second direction to overcome the attractive force of the at least one magnet and separate that first coupling portion and the second coupling portion.
The method of using a head-mounted device according to claim 16 further comprising:
separating the first coupling portion from the second coupling portion.
The method of using a head-mounted device according to claim 15, wherein the head-mounted device is a head-mounted display comprising a first display unit and a second display unit.
The method of using a head-mounted device according to claim 18, wherein the first coupling portion is a part of the first display unit and the second coupling portion is a part of the second display unit.
The method of using a head-mounted device according to claim 17, further comprising:
wearing the head-mounted display around a neck of a user of the head-mounted display using a band member of the head-mounted display.