Lateral view of the Teleglass T3-F. The silver leaf spring is driven by a motor.
The dedicated detachable protrusion provided on the eyeglasses
Scalar Corp. had developed Teleglass T3-F, a head mounted display (HMD) wearable in daily situations like commuting on a train. The HMD is mountable on either one of the temples provided on both sides of the eyeglasses and is used by protruding the image display unit in front the eye. The image with a size equivalent to the 28-inch display is projected 2 m ahead of the wearer. Priced at 98,000 yen (including consumption tax), it is available from the company's website or at Tsukumo Co., Ltd's main shop from May 22, 2007.
Thus far, goggle-type HMDs that cover both eyes and project large images have been pervasive. When worn on the streets, this type of HMD is not only dangerous because it limits the user's sight but it also makes the wearer look bizarre. In contrast, the Teleglass T3-F covers only one eye and does not completely cover the other eye on the side provided with the image display unit. Thus, the user is able to see the surroundings sufficiently even when he is watching the images. Moreover, the image display unit is retractable and can be placed into the position parallel to the temple with a touch of a button. Thus, the HMD does not block the wearer's sight at all when he is not watching the images. In addition, since it is mounted on the eyeglasses, it does not make an odd impression when worn on the streets.
"Many Japanese workers spend a long time in 'commuting hell' on a crowded train every day. Our HMD can change the hell into heaven," boasts Taizo Kiyohara, General Manager of Scalar's Technical Development Division. He recommends users to watch videos of their choices, such as music, English conversation lessons, etc. in a commuting train.
The image display unit mounted on the eyeglasses weighs as light as about 35 g. The company explains that users will not be exhausted from the long time use thanks to the lightness. The image display unit is equipped with a 0.24-inch QVGA transmissive LCD panel. The unit uses a newly developed prism lens to project images displayed on the panel. "Improvements in the shape of the prism lens resulted in lightness and thinness," says Scalar Representative Masao Yamamoto. Thus far, Scalar has focused on the development of optical and analytical equipment such as digital microscopes. The company claims that it has utilized the optical technologies accumulated through these experiences.
The image display unit must be driven so as to move in a right-angle path extending from the position parallel to the temple to that parallel to the eyeglass lens. A leaf spring is employed in order to compactly realize this mechanism. The company has adopted a mechanism in which the LCD panel and prism is fixed at the tip of the leaf spring and the spring is driven along a guide whose end portion is bent at a right angle.
The HMD operates on two AA batteries contained in a dedicated controller connected to the image display unit via a cable. It is operated continuously for about four hours with two batteries. "Four hours is not long enough for industrial use. We are currently working on the development of a new model that works continuously for long hours by using a rechargeable battery and the like," adds Yamamoto.
Teleglass T3-F must be used on the dedicated eyeglasses because it requires a special protrusion on the temple to mount this HMD. The HMD kit sold at 98,000 yen comes with the dedicated eyeglasses, along with the image display unit, controller and cable for the connection with a video device (e.g. iPod, NTSC video equipment). If a user has poor eyesight, it is necessary to place the appropriate lens in the eyeglasses included.
Scalar developed the eyeglasses in cooperation with several eyeglass manufacturers based in a region around Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, Japan. Their collaboration resulted in titanium eyeglasses featuring lightness, without sacrificing the strength. Over 90% of the eyeglasses produced in Japan are manufactured in the region around Sabae. Various types of eyeglasses provided with the protrusion are slated for launch from these manufacturers.
The protrusion can be used to mount various kinds of equipment such as MP3 player, digital camera and so on. Although Scalar is not planning to launch other devices, the company predicts that eyeglasses may turn into an IT device with many capabilities if an attachment/detachment mechanism using this protrusion becomes a de facto standard.
Although it can be worn during commuting, Scalar forecasts that Teleglass T3-F will initially be spread widely for industrial applications because of its expensive price. At present, the company is conducting experiments to use the HMD as a surgical monitor with the support from university hospitals. Doctors need to check various kinds of monitors such as ECG during surgery. With the HMD, they can check the monitor screens without greatly moving their sights.
Furthermore, the HMD is applicable in disaster or construction sites where hands-free use is required. It is also used effectively when displaying a thick digitalized manual in images. Scalar expects to sell about 3,000 units in the first year.
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