Head or face mounted image display apparatus

Claim 2

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading the image to an observer's eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said first, second and third surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, a first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, a second surface serving as a reflecting surface of positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and a third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least three surfaces having a finite curvature radius; wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is a decentered aspherical surface; wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is an anamorphic surface; wherein said optical apparatus satisfies the following condition in a case where a vertical plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as a YZ-plane, and a horizontal plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as an XZ-plane:

Claim 3

5<R y2 /R x2 <5 where R y2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in the YZ-plane, and R x2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in the XZ-plane.

Claim 4

5<R y2 /R x2 <5 where R y2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in the YZ-plane, and R x2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in the XZ-plane.

Claim 5

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading the image to an observers eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said at least first, second and third surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, a first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, a second surface serving as a reflecting surface of positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and a third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least first, second and third surfaces having a finite curvature radius; wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is a decentered aspherical surface; wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is an anamorphic surface; wherein said optical apparatus satisfies the following condition in a case where a vertical plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as a YZ-plane, and a horizontal plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as an XZ-plane:

Claim 6

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading the image to an observers eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said at least first, second and third surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, a first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, a second surface serving as a reflecting surface of positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and a third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least first, second and third surfaces having a finite curvature radius; wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is a decentered aspherical surface; wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is an anamorphic surface; wherein said optical apparatus satisfies the following condition in a case where a vertical plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as a YZ-plane, and a horizontal plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as an XZ-plane:

Claim 7

5<R y2 /R x2 <5 where R y2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in the YZ-plane, and R x2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in the XZ-plane, wherein internal reflection that is performed by said first surface is total reflection.

Claim 8

5<R y2 /R x2 <5 where R y2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in the YZ-plane, and R x2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in the XZ-plane, wherein internal reflection that is performed by said first surface is total reflection.

Claim 9

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading the image to an observer's eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said at least first, second and third surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, a first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, a second surface serving as a reflecting surface of positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and a third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least three surfaces having a finite curvature radius; wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is a decentered aspherical surface; wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is an anamorphic surface; wherein said optical apparatus satisfies the following condition in a case where a vertical plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as a YZ-plane, and a horizontal plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as an XZ-plane:

Claim 10

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading the image to an observer's eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said at least first, second and third surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, a first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, a second surface serving as a reflecting surface of positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and a third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least three surfaces having a finite curvature radius; wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is a decentered aspherical surface; wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is an anamorphic surface; wherein said optical apparatus satisfies the following condition in a case where a vertical plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as a YZ-plane, and a horizontal plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as an XZ-plane:

Claim 11

5<R y2 /R x2 <5 where R y2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in the YZ-plane, and R x2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in the XZ-plane, wherein internal reflection that is performed by said first surface is total reflection, wherein said first surface has an internally reflecting region which has been mirror-coated.

Claim 12

5<R y2 /R x2 <5 where R y2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in the YZ-plane, and R x2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in the XZ-plane, wherein internal reflection that is performed by said first surface is total reflection, wherein said first surface has an internally reflecting region which has been mirror-coated.

Claim 13

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading the image to an observer's eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said at least first, second and third surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, a first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, a second surface serving as a reflecting surface of positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and a third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least first, second and third surfaces having a finite curvature radius; and wherein said first surface is a reflecting surface having a convex surface directed toward said second surface.

Claim 14

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading the image to an observer's eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said at least first, second and third surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, a first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, a second surface serving as a reflecting surface of positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and a third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least first, second and third surfaces having a finite curvature radius; and wherein said first surface is a reflecting surface having a convex surface directed toward said second surface.

Claim 15

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading the image to an observer's eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said at least first, second and third surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, a first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, a second surface serving as a reflecting surface of positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and a third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least first, second and third surfaces having a finite curvature radius; wherein internal reflection that is performed by said first surface is total reflection, and wherein said first surface is a reflecting surface having a convex surface directed toward said second surface.

Claim 16

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading the image to an observer's eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said at least first, second and third surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, a first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, a second surface serving as a reflecting surface of positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and a third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least first, second and third surfaces having a finite curvature radius; wherein internal reflection that is performed by said first surface is total reflection, and wherein said first surface is a reflecting surface having a convex surface directed toward said second surface.

Claim 17

An optical apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein either one of said first and third surfaces of said ocular optical system is tilted or decentered with respect to said observer's visual axis.

Claim 18

An optical apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for positioning both said device for displaying an image and said ocular optical system with respect to an observer's head.

Claim 19

An optical apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for supporting both said device for displaying an image and said ocular optical system with respect to an observer's head so that said optical apparatus can be fitted to said observer's head.

Claim 20

An optical apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for supporting at least a pair of said optical apparatuses at a predetermined spacing.

Claim 21

An optical apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said ocular optical system is used as an imaging optical system.

Claim 22

An optical apparatus according to claim 6, which satisfies the following condition: 10°≦α≦40° (3) where α is an angle between said visual axis and a line normal to said second surface of said ocular optical system in the vicinity of an intersection between said observer's visual axis and said second surface.

Claim 23

An optical apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising means for positioning both said device for displaying an image and said ocular optical system with respect to an observer's head.

Claim 24

An optical apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising means for supporting both said device for displaying an image and said ocular optical system with respect to an observer's head so that said optical apparatus can be fitted to said observer's head.

Claim 25

An optical apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising means for supporting at least a pair of said optical apparatuses at a predetermined spacing.

Claim 26

An optical apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said ocular optical system is used as an imaging optical system.

Claim 27

An optical apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said device for displaying an image has a display surface which is tilted with respect to said observer's visual axis.

Claim 28

An optical apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising means for positioning both said device for displaying an image and said ocular optical system with respect to an observer's head.

Claim 29

An optical apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising means for supporting both said device for displaying an image and said ocular optical system with respect to an observer's head so that said optical apparatus can be fitted to said observer's head.

Claim 30

An optical apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising means for supporting at least a pair of said optical apparatuses at a predetermined spacing.

Claim 31

An optical apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said ocular optical system is used as an imaging optical system.

Claim 32

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading said image to an observer's eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising at least first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said device for displaying an image being disposed at a position facing said third surface, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, said first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, said second surface serving as a reflecting surface of a positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and said third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least first, second and third surfaces having a finite curvature radius, wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is a decentered aspherical surface, wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is an anamorphic surface, and said optical apparatus satisfies the following condition in a case where a vertical plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as a YZ-plane, and a horizontal plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as an XZ-plane: 0.5<R.sub.y2 /R.sub.x2 <5 where R y2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in said YZ-plane, and R x2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in said XZ-plane.

Claim 33

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading said image to an observer's eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising at least first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said device for displaying an image being disposed at a position facing said third surface, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, said first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, said second surface serving as a reflecting surface of a positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and said third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least first, second and third surfaces having a finite curvature radius, wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is a decentered aspherical surface, wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is an anamorphic surface, and said optical apparatus satisfies the following condition in a case where a vertical plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as a YZ-plane, and a horizontal plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as an XZ-plane: 0.5<R.sub.y2 /R.sub.x2 <5 where R y2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in said YZ-plane, and R x2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in said XZ-plane.

Claim 34

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading said image to an observer's eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising at least first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said device for displaying an image being disposed at a position facing said third surface, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, said first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, said second surface serving as a reflecting surface of a positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and said third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least first, second and third surfaces having a finite curvature radius, wherein internal reflection that is performed by said first surface is total reflection, wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is a decentered aspherical surface, wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is an anamorphic surface, and said optical apparatus satisfies the following condition in a case where a vertical plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as a YZ-plane, and a horizontal plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as an XZ-plane:

Claim 35

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading said image to an observer's eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising at least first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said device for displaying an image being disposed at a position facing said third surface, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, said first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, said second surface serving as a reflecting surface of a positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and said third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least first, second and third surfaces having a finite curvature radius, wherein internal reflection that is performed by said first surface is total reflection, wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is a decentered aspherical surface, wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is an anamorphic surface, and said optical apparatus satisfies the following condition in a case where a vertical plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as a YZ-plane, and a horizontal plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as an XZ-plane:

Claim 36

5<R y2 /R x2 <5 where R y2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in said YZ-plane, and R x2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in said XZ-plane.

Claim 37

5<R y2 /R x2 <5 where R y2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in said YZ-plane, and R x2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in said XZ-plane.

Claim 38

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading said image to an observer's eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising at least first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said device for displaying an image being disposed at a position facing said third surface, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, said first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, said second surface serving as a reflecting surface of a positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and said third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least first, second and third surfaces having a finite curvature radius, wherein said first surface has an internally reflecting region which has been mirror-coated, wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is a decentered aspherical surface, wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is an anamorphic surface, and said optical apparatus satisfies the following condition in a case where a vertical plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as a YZ-plane, and a horizontal plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as an XZ-plane:

Claim 39

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading said image to an observer's eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising at least first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said device for displaying an image being disposed at a position facing said third surface, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, said first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, said second surface serving as a reflecting surface of a positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and said third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least first, second and third surfaces having a finite curvature radius, wherein said first surface has an internally reflecting region which has been mirror-coated, wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is a decentered aspherical surface, wherein any one of said first, second and third surfaces is an anamorphic surface, and said optical apparatus satisfies the following condition in a case where a vertical plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as a YZ-plane, and a horizontal plane containing said observer's visual axis is defined as an XZ-plane:

Claim 40

5<R y2 /R x2 <5 where R y2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in said YZ-plane, and R x2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in said XZ-plane.

Claim 41

5<R y2 /R x2 <5 where R y2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in said YZ-plane, and R x2 is a curvature radius of said second surface in said XZ-plane.

Claim 42

An optical apparatus according to claim 21, 22 or 23, further comprising means for positioning both said device for displaying an image and said ocular optical system with respect to an observer's head.

Claim 43

An optical apparatus according to claim 21, 22 or 23, further comprising means for supporting both said device for displaying an image and said ocular optical system with respect to an observer's head so that said optical apparatus can be fitted to said observer's head.

Claim 44

An optical apparatus according to claim 21, 22 or 23, further comprising means for supporting at least a pair of said optical apparatuses at a predetermined spacing.

Claim 45

An optical apparatus according to claim 21, 22 or 23, wherein said ocular optical system is used as an imaging optical system.

Claim 46

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading said image to an observer's eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising at least first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said device for displaying an image being disposed at a position facing said third surface, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, said first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, said second surface serving as a reflecting surface of a positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and said third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least first, second and third surfaces having a finite curvature radius, wherein said first surface is a reflecting surface having a convex surface directed toward said second surface.

Claim 47

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading said image to an observer's eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising at least first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said device for displaying an image being disposed at a position facing said third surface, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, said first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, said second surface serving as a reflecting surface of a positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and said third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least first, second and third surfaces having a finite curvature radius, wherein said first surface is a reflecting surface having a convex surface directed toward said second surface.

Claim 48

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading said image to an observer's eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising at least first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said device for displaying an image being disposed at a position facing said third surface, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, said first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, said second surface serving as a reflecting surface of a positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and said third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least first, second and third surfaces having a finite curvature radius, wherein internal reflection that is performed by said first surface is total reflection, and wherein said first surface is a reflecting surface having a convex surface directed toward said second surface.

Claim 49

An optical apparatus comprising: a device for displaying an image; and an ocular optical system for projecting an image formed by said device for displaying an image and for leading said image to an observer's eyeball, said ocular optical system comprising at least first, second and third surfaces, in which a space defined by said surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1, said device for displaying an image being disposed at a position facing said third surface, said first, second and third surfaces including, in order from an observer's eyeball side toward said device for displaying an image, said first surface serving as both a refracting surface and an internally reflecting surface, said second surface serving as a reflecting surface of a positive power which faces said first surface and is decentered or tilted with respect to an observer's visual axis, and said third surface serving as a refracting surface closest to said device for displaying an image, at least two of said at least first, second and third surfaces having a finite curvature radius, wherein internal reflection that is performed by said first surface is total reflection, and wherein said first surface is a reflecting surface having a convex surface directed toward said second surface.

Claim 50

An optical apparatus according to claim 28 or 29, further comprising means for positioning both said device for displaying an image and said ocular optical system with respect to an observer's head.

Claim 51

An optical apparatus according to claim 28 or 29, further comprising means for supporting both said device for displaying an image and said ocular optical system with respect to an observer's head so that said optical apparatus can be fitted to said observer's head.

Claim 52

An optical apparatus according to claim 28 or 29, further comprising means for supporting at least a pair of said optical apparatuses at a predetermined spacing.

Claim 53

An optical apparatus according to claim 28 or 29, wherein said ocular optical system is used as an imaging optical system.