JP2001356299A - Screen display device and lens - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a screen display device and lens which are the screen display device and lens for obtaining three-dimensional images by utilizing the illusion of the human eyes and are simple in their structure and are inexpensive. SOLUTION: This screen display device has a function to display a second order image 30 (virtual image or real image) having an 'inclination' of a first order image (subject) 10 in a position different from the position of the first order image to an observer E. This function is realized through the effect of the lens 20. The observer E can have a higher stereoscopic feel with the second order image 30 by the presence of this 'inclination'. At this time, the 'inclination' is more effective if the upper part of the second order image 30 exists in a position more distant from the observer E than the lower part and its angle θ is >=3 to <=40 deg.. The constitution to enable the observer E to obtain the stereoscopic feel by forming a plurality of the second order images 30 and having these images recognized by the observer E by devising the constitution of the lens 20 is possible as well.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device for an image or a screen having an excellent three-dimensional effect, and more particularly, to a still image or a moving image screen capable of feeling a strong three-dimensional effect by using an illusion of a human eye. The present invention relates to a display device and a lens suitable for use in the display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, devices and methods for displaying images having a three-dimensional appearance have been developed in various fields. For example, an apparatus using holography and an apparatus using binocular stereoscopic parallax are widely known. However,
Each of these devices has a complicated structure and is therefore expensive, so that it is not widely used by general consumers except for a part thereof used in amusement parks and other recreational facilities. Has not been reached.

On the other hand, there has been proposed a method of three-dimensionally displaying other two-dimensional images, such as ordinary photographs and images on a television screen, with a relatively simple mechanism irrespective of the above-mentioned complicated structure. ing. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-59317 discloses an "optical device for generating a natural, visible and optically interacting image in free space".
The “stereoscopic image optical device” disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 98298 can display the two-dimensional image and the like three-dimensionally without requiring a special complicated configuration.

The "optical device" disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-59317 is schematically shown in FIG. 13 and a rectangular convex Fresnel lens is provided between a cathode ray tube monitor 100 and an observer E. The configuration is such that a first convex lens 200 and a second convex lens 201 are provided. A canopy 400 is provided around the periphery. The observer E obtains a three-dimensional effect by seeing the virtual image 300 formed by the image displayed on the monitor 100 passing through the first convex lens 200 and the second convex lens 201.

A "stereoscopic optical device" disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-98298 has a housing 4 as shown in FIG.
Observing the illusion image 301 of the subject 101 placed in the object 01 through the convex Fresnel lens 202 gives a stereoscopic effect.
That is, the principle is the same as in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-59317. However, in this device, the moving means 500
The convex Fresnel lens 202 is movable along the optical axis between the lens 202 itself and the subject 101. According to this publication, the movement of the convex Fresnel lens 202 provides a stronger three-dimensional effect.

[0006] According to these means, it is certainly "looks three-dimensional", but why is it so?
The principle has not been elucidated. In the present circumstances,
"It is due to the illusion of the human eye (psychological explanation)"
It is generally explained. In addition, the theory (physiology of physiology) can be reduced to the structure of the human brain (particularly the visual cortex, etc.), or the method of recognizing the outside world (so-called "brain data processing method"). Description)
There are, however, uncertainties. However, in any case, the reproducibility of giving a three-dimensional effect to a human (eye) of a two-dimensional image or the like is recognized by the means described above, and this is a reliable event. Absent.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. That is, in a device using holography or binocular stereoscopic parallax, as described above, the structure of the device becomes extremely complicated. Further, an apparatus utilizing an illusion, that is, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
In the devices disclosed in 9317 and JP-A-2000-98298, it is necessary to provide two lenses in the former, and it is necessary to install the moving means 500 in the latter, Due to the necessity of installing the canopy 400 or the housing 401,
Inevitably, the size of the apparatus is increased, the structure thereof is complicated, and the apparatus is expensive.

[0008] Above all, JP-A-60-59
There has been a problem that the three-dimensional effect obtained by such a method as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 317, JP-A-2000-98298, and the like has not been sufficient yet.

Although the principle is different from each of the above publications, Japanese Patent No. 3022558 discloses that a two-dimensional image is displayed on each of a plurality of display surfaces having different depth positions, and that an observer observes a plurality of images simultaneously. Thus, a display device that performs three-dimensional display is disclosed. In this case, in order to perform one three-dimensional display, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of two-dimensional images according to the specifications in advance. A three-dimensional effect cannot be obtained from one two-dimensional image.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a three-dimensional object which has a simple structure and is inexpensive, but which allows a viewer to have a strong three-dimensional effect. It is an object of the present invention to provide a screen display device for obtaining an image and a lens suitable for use in the device.

[0011]

The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems. That is, the screen display device according to claim 1 has a function of displaying a virtual image or / and a real image of the subject to an observer at a position different from the position of the subject, and the virtual image or / and the real image is displayed to the observer. And the upper part is located farther from the observer than the lower part.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, based on the first aspect, the angle of the inclination is not less than 3 degrees and not more than 40 degrees with respect to the facing surface. (Claim 2), wherein a part of the virtual image and / or the real image intersects a part of the subject (Claim 3), and the size of the subject and the size of the virtual image and / or the real image Are substantially equal to each other (claim 4), and when the subject is a curved surface,
The virtual image and / or the real image are flattened (claim 5).

Further, the screen display device according to claim 6 is
The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the virtual image and / or the real image is formed through the action of a microlens array or a lenticular lens constituted by a plurality of small lenses. is there.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a screen display device according to the sixth aspect, wherein a pitch of the plurality of small lenses is equal to or less than 300 μm. The tilt is generated by changing the focal length of the plurality of small lenses (Claim 8). The micro lens array or the lenticular lens is characterized in that the plurality of small lenses are a convex lens and a concave lens. And these are arranged alternately (claim 9),
In a case where the subject is an image displayed on a CRT or a liquid crystal display device, a pixel pitch on the CRT or the liquid crystal display device is equal to a pitch of the plurality of small lenses (Claim 10). is there.

The screen display device according to the eleventh aspect is characterized in that:
10. The screen display device according to claim 1, wherein the subject is a two-dimensional image.

The screen display device according to claim 12 is
At a position different from the subject position, a virtual image of the subject or / and
And a function of displaying a real image to an observer through the action of a microlens array or a lenticular lens composed of a plurality of small lenses, and the microlens array or the lenticular lens is configured such that the plurality of small lenses are composed of a convex lens and a concave lens. And these are alternately arranged.

A lens according to a thirteenth aspect is a microlens array or a lenticular lens in which a plurality of small lenses are composed of a convex lens and a concave lens, and these are alternately arranged. Through the action of the small lens, a virtual image and / or a real image of the subject can be displayed to the observer at a position different from the subject position, the upper part of which is inclined so as to be farther from the observer than the lower part. It is characterized by having.

Further, in the lens according to claim 14, the plurality of small lenses are constituted by a convex lens and a concave lens, and
These are a micro lens array or a lenticular lens having a configuration arranged alternately, through the action of the plurality of small lenses, with respect to the depth direction viewed from the observer,
At a position different from the position where the two-dimensional image as the subject is located, a plurality of secondary images formed based on the subject are
A lens which can be displayed so that the observer can recognize it as one image. In particular, the lens according to claim 15 is the lens according to claim 14, wherein The image is characterized by comprising a secondary image formed at a depth position closer to the observer than the subject and a secondary image formed at a depth position far from the observer.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a screen display device according to the present embodiment and how it is used. In FIG. 1, the screen display device includes an image rendering medium (not shown) for rendering a primary image 10 as a subject according to the present invention, and a lens 20.

The primary image 10 corresponds to, for example, a picture (≒ photograph itself) copied on a photographic paper (cabinet) if the image rendering medium is a photograph, and the image rendering medium is a CRT or the like. In the case of another display device such as a liquid crystal screen, an image displayed on the display device, a projected image obtained by projecting the image on a screen or the like corresponds to the display device.

In the case where the primary image 10 does not have the property of emitting light,
It is preferable to provide equipment for illuminating the primary image 10 separately from the configuration shown in FIG. In the above example,
In general, it can be said that a photograph has no light emission and an image on a display device has light emission.
It is preferable that the light is dropped by the lighting equipment and the light is reflected on the image surface.

On the other hand, the lens 20 is installed between the image rendering medium for rendering the primary image and the observer E, and
Based on the next image, a virtual image and / or a real image that reaches the eyes of the observer E is formed. Here, the virtual image and / or the real image can be said to correspond to the “secondary image” 30 in relation to the primary image 10. As a specific configuration of the lens 20, for example, a lenticular lens
ens) or micro-lens array
Etc. can be adopted.

As conceptually shown in FIG. 2, a lenticular lens is a corrugated or semi-cylindrical corrugated lens (small lens) 21 whose section is continuously arranged at a constant interval of wavelength λ, for example. It has the form shown.
Therefore, in the lens 20, the appearance of the image projected on the eyes of the observer E differs depending on the position where the light flux passes through the lens 20 or the angle thereof.
By the way, such a lenticular lens generally attaches a piece of paper or the like on which a plurality of different patterns are drawn to the bottom surface of the lens, and the observer himself changes the viewing direction of the lens. Accordingly, it is widely known to be used for toys or the like in which one of the plurality of patterns is observed.

A microlens array is a small circular lens (small lens) 2 as conceptually shown in FIG.
It has a form in which a plurality of two are spread in a two-dimensional array. Here, as the circular lens 22, either a convex lens or a concave lens can be adopted, and its curvature and the like can be basically freely selected. The term "circular" of the "circular lens" 22 as used herein means "circular" as seen from the upper surface, as is apparent from FIG. 3, but the present invention is not limited to such a form. is not. That is, it is needless to say that a lens corresponding to the circular lens 22 in FIG. 3 may be a “square” or a “hexagon” in the meaning just described.

As the microlens array or the lenticular lens, a so-called "refractive index distribution type" in which the shape is substantially flat and the refractive index is locally changed may be used. It is also possible to use various other known lenses such as a planar lens using a diffraction grating or a hologram.

In any case, according to these configurations, the secondary image 30 can be tilted vertically with respect to the observer E as shown in FIG. That is, the focal length of each of the lenses 21 and 22 depends on the specific shape (curvature and the like) of the waveform lens 21 or the circular lens 22 and the refractive index thereof, and what is selected as a material forming these. By changing it, the secondary image 30 can be inclined.

In particular, according to the lenticular lens, the "wave height" of the waveform lens 21 and the wavelength λ are changed on one lens 20, and in the micro lens array, the circular lens 22 is changed to a convex lens. Alternatively, by changing which of the concave lenses is used on one lens 20, it is possible to better realize the “tilt” of the secondary image 30 described above.

In general, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a configuration in which the focal length f is large in the upper part of the lens 20 and small in the lower part thereof makes it possible to obtain an inclined secondary image. Becomes The lens 20 described above will be described again later.

The operation and effect of the screen display device having the above configuration example will be described below. In the screen display device according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the observer E does not directly look at the primary image, but looks at the secondary image 30 through the lens 20. Will "see." Then, the secondary image 30 is displayed at a position different from that of the primary image 10.
It is displayed as having a tilt in the vertical direction (in FIG. 1, synonymous with “tilt”; the same applies hereinafter).

In the display mode of the secondary image 30, in particular, in the direction or degree of the inclination, the upper portion of the secondary image 30 is located farther from the viewer E than the lower portion. That is, as shown in FIG.
Assuming that a line segment or distance connecting the lower end and the upper end of the secondary image 30 is L1 and L2, respectively, L1 <L2. The display mode of the secondary image 30 or the degree of inclination thereof is determined by the lens 20 as described above.
It can be easily realized by adjusting the focal length f with respect to. The difference in length between L1 and L2 is the primary image 10
The inclination angle θ is preferably about 5 to 20% based on L1 depending on the positional relationship between the object and the observer E.
(Preferred inclination angles will be described later).

In the present embodiment, the secondary image 3
With the “slope” of 0, an image (secondary image 30) having a more three-dimensional effect can be obtained as compared with the related art. In other words, a stronger stereoscopic effect can be given to the viewer E. However, the present inventors have not confirmed the detailed principle of why this is so. This, as explained in the section of the prior art described above,
In the first place, the reason why acquisition of a “stereoscopic image” by such a method is achieved has not been clarified in principle. First of all, it can be said that the presence of the above-mentioned inclination is to increase the degree of "illusion" by generating "parallax" in the vertical direction.

The inclination angle θ of the secondary image 30 (FIG. 1)
3) on the face-to-face basis as 3-4
It is preferably 0 degrees, particularly preferably 5 to 30 degrees. This is because the viewer E hardly perceives an increase in the three-dimensional effect below the lower limit of this range, and the distortion of the secondary image 30 increases when the upper limit of the range is exceeded. This is because it is difficult to remove. In addition, the above-mentioned “facing surface” refers to a surface that directly faces the observer E. In this regard, FIG. 1 illustrates a case where the surface of the primary image 10 is parallel to the facing surface, and a straight line parallel to the “vertical direction” is placed on the facing surface.

The degree of the inclination is directly related to the adjustment of the focal length f of the lens 20 (see FIG. 4).
The longest focal length f _max determined in the above may be in the range of 1 cm or more and 100 cm or less, preferably 2 cm or more and 50 cm or less. If the ratio is less than the lower limit of the range, the three-dimensional effect is insufficient. If the ratio exceeds the upper limit of the range, the natural three-dimensional effect is spoiled.

Further, the difference between L1 and L2 is determined by the distance L0 from the observer E to the primary image, the height DH of the primary image, and the inclination angle θ of the secondary image 30 (FIG. 1). Therefore, at the stage where the lens 20 is actually installed, in order to determine an arrangement that gives the best three-dimensional effect, what values should be used for these numbers?
Alternatively, the determination may be performed in consideration of the above-described circumstances regarding θ and the like.

In the following, a more detailed description of the lens 20 described in the above embodiment, in particular,
The manufacturing method of the lens 20 and a suitable structure of the lens 20 will be described.

(Manufacturing method) First, as described above, a lenticular lens or a microlens array can be used as the lens 20, but the manufacturing method of these lenses is already widely known. Have been proposed. And the "lens" referred to in the present invention is, among such many manufacturing methods,
Basically, it may be manufactured by any method. That is, the present invention is not particularly limited in this regard.

For example, as a method suitable for manufacturing a microlens array, a circular lens 2 is formed by photolithography.
A method in which a resist pattern reflecting the two shapes is created, a mold is formed on the resist pattern by electroforming, and a resin is compression-molded on the mold (hereinafter, referred to as a “compression molding method”). It can be manufactured by a method of molding individual circular lenses 22 by spraying a resin by an ink-jet printing method (hereinafter, referred to as “ink-jet printing method”). Note that these methods are basically applicable to a lenticular lens.

By such a manufacturing method, the change of the focal length f as shown in FIG.
In order to realize the above, for example, in addition to a simple method of processing a manufactured lens by some means, the following method can be adopted.

That is, the lens 2 is formed by the above compression molding method.
If 0 is to be manufactured, the shape of each circular lens 22 (= curvature, etc.) should be used when creating a resist pattern in the first place.
Can be adopted, or a method of changing the concentration of a resin to be pressed against a mold reflecting the shape of each circular lens 22 can be adopted. Also, if the lens 20 is manufactured by the inkjet printer method,
A method of changing the injection amount for each circular lens 22 or the like can be adopted.

Further, a method of applying heat treatment to a microlens array made of a resin once molded to melt a part or all of the circular lens 22 and to change the shape thereof can be adopted. In this case, the change in the shape of the circular lens 22 can be caused by the action of surface tension or the like accompanying the melting. The adjustment may be made by adjusting the heating temperature, the heating time, and the like for each of the circular lenses 22. The use of such “surface tension” is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-70944 and the like.

In any case, the "lens" according to the present invention
By carrying out the above-mentioned various methods alone or in combination, it is possible to manufacture a lens having different focal lengths f on one lens.

(Lens Pitch) The pitch of the waveform lens 21 or the circular lens 22 in the lenticular lens or microlens array obtained by performing the above-described manufacturing method is 300 μm or less, preferably 100 μm or less. Particularly preferably, the thickness is 50 μm or less. This is because if the pitch is too coarse, the secondary image 3
This is because 0 loses naturalness. The present invention does not specifically find a reason for limiting the lower limit,
In order to obtain the above-mentioned preferred focal length f _max , it is preferable that the lens pitch be about 10 μm or more, and this is considered to be the limit of the current technology.

When the image rendering medium is a CRT or a liquid crystal display, the pitch of the waveform lens 21 or the circular lens 22 is an integral multiple of the pixel pitch or a fraction of an integer, particularly preferably. By making the pixel pitch equal to the pitch of the lens 21 or 22, it is possible to minimize the moire pattern generated in the secondary image 30. Note that the primary image 10 is a color image,
For example, when three color pixels of R, G, and B form one collective pixel, the pitch of each collective pixel can be the pixel pitch.

(Lens Configuration—Micro Lens Array (1)) In particular, regarding the micro lens array, as shown in FIG. It is particularly preferable to adopt a configuration of a concave lens. By doing so, the secondary image 30 as shown in FIG.
The relationship with the next image 10, that is, a part of the secondary image 30 is 1
A relationship that intersects a part of the next screen 10 can be realized.
When the position of the secondary image 30 is in such a state, the sense of discomfort of the observer E with respect to the secondary image 30 can be reduced, and the fatigue caused by viewing the secondary image 30 for a relatively long time can be reduced. Can be reduced.

Incidentally, in relation to the position of the secondary image 30 just described, the present invention necessarily requires that the secondary image 30 and the primary image be in an "intersecting" relationship. is not. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a state in which the secondary image 31 is located on the back side of the primary image 10 with respect to the observer E may be employed. Even in this case, a stronger three-dimensional effect can be given to the viewer E than in the conventional example. However, in consideration of the above-mentioned factors of discomfort and fatigue, it can be said that the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is more preferable than the configuration shown in FIG.

(Lens Configuration—Micro Lens Array (2)) In relation to the micro lens array, furthermore, regarding the arrangement of the circular lens 22 composed of a convex lens and a concave lens, as shown conceptually in FIG. When a structure in which the convex lens 22a and the concave lens 22b are combined in a place close to each other, a more preferable effect can be obtained from the viewpoint of “obtaining a strong three-dimensional effect”. FIG. 7 particularly shows a configuration in which the convex lenses 22a and the concave lenses 22b are arranged “alternately”. Incidentally, "alternating" as used in the present invention means that the convex lens 22 as shown in FIG.
a or each small lens of the concave lens 22b is convex, concave,
Of course, it includes a structure arranged as convex,.
There is also included a structure in which a group of convex lenses 22a and a group of concave lenses 22b composed of about small lenses are arranged “alternately”.

When such a lens is used, FIG.
As shown in (a), the observer E observes one secondary image 32. However, this is because the observer E observes two different secondary images (a secondary image with a convex lens and a secondary image with a concave lens) simultaneously and recognizes them as one image.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8B, a virtual image 32a (behind the primary image 10) by the convex lens 22a and a virtual image 32b (before the primary image 10) by the concave lens 22b.
Are integrated, and one secondary image 32 ′ is provided at the intermediate position.
Can be seen (the secondary images 32 and 32 'are the same). in this case,
The individual pixels forming the virtual image 32a are slightly enlarged pixels, and the pixels of the virtual image 32b are slightly reduced pixels. As a result, the pixels constituting the secondary image 32 'are configured such that slightly larger pixels and slightly smaller pixels are adjacent to each other.
The secondary image 32 'is smooth and easy to see (less tired)
It will be.

Alternatively, according to the use of a lens as shown in FIG. 7, the "virtual image" of the convex lens 22a and the concave lens 2
It can be considered that the “real image” according to 2b is located at the same position, that is, the virtual image and the real image are integrated, and one secondary image 32 can be seen. That is, the convex lens 22
a and the real image of the concave lens 22b, or the convex lens 2
It can be considered that the real image of 2a and the virtual image of the concave lens 22b are seen at the same position (however, in the case of this concept, the following description of why a stronger three-dimensional effect is obtained is cited. Can not do it).

FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b)
In the state shown in (2), the observer E can obtain a stronger stereoscopic effect by the secondary image 32 or 32 'as compared with FIGS. 1 and 6 described above. Particularly in this case, the secondary image 3
Even when the inclination angle of 2 or 32 'is smaller than that in the case of FIGS. 1 and 6 (extremely, the inclination angle is "0"), a three-dimensional effect can be felt.

According to the former concept (virtual images 32a and 32b), such an effect can be obtained, in particular, according to the former concept (virtual images 32a and 32b), the images at two different positions (virtual images 32a and 32b) are interposed between It is considered that a major factor is that the function of sensing the perspective of the eye does not work in the process of recognizing that the eye is in the position.

That is, in the case as shown in FIG. 8B, one image (= secondary image 32
') Appears, but there are two true distances to the image (distances L3 and L4). Therefore, it is impossible for the observer E to recognize the distance to the image with the binocular parallax, the convergence of the eyes, and the accommodation function of the crystalline lens. The only way of recognizing whether the object is a three-dimensional object or a two-dimensional object is to match the size, overlap, brightness, shading, etc. of the object, or the three-dimensional effect of "experience". For this reason, it is considered that, for example, a distant mountain that looks small is distant, and a tree that looks large is close (three-dimensionally) (by the “brain” of the observer E).

As described above, it is generally difficult to obtain a three-dimensional effect with a simple geometric pattern or a primary image including only ordinary characters.
On the other hand, an image (scenery, portrait, etc.) which a human normally sees in daily life tends to obtain a stronger stereoscopic effect. Incidentally, this is not limited to the case of FIG. 8 but generally applies to the present invention.

In the above description, depending on the positions of the observer E, the lens 20 and the primary image 10, the distance to the secondary image 32 or 32 'viewed by the right eye and the secondary image 32 viewed by the left eye are determined. Or the distance to 32 'may be different. That is, if the secondary image 32 or 32 'viewed with the right eye appears behind the primary image 10 and the secondary image 32 or 32' viewed with the left eye appears before the primary image 10, or conversely, The secondary image 32 or 32 ′ seen by the right eye is seen before the primary image 10, and the secondary image 32 or 3 seen by the left eye
2 ′ may be seen behind the primary image 10. Also, in these cases, a portion of the same primary image 10 may look as just described.

Further, in FIG.
The position of the next image 32 'changes depending on the brightness of the virtual image 32a or 32b. For example, the virtual image 32a is the virtual image 32b
In the case where the secondary image 32 ′ is brighter than the above, it is observed that the secondary image 32 ′ is located closer to the virtual image 32 a than the middle between the virtual images 32 a and 32 b.

Further, in FIG. 8B, the virtual images 32a and 32b, which are the secondary images, are shown as one plane, but this is not always necessary. That is, for example, in the individual pixels forming the virtual image 32a, a certain pixel may be closer to the observer E and another pixel may be farther away. In other words, virtual image 3
It is possible that 2a itself is distributed in a deep space. Such a state may occur when the focal lengths of the individual circular lenses 22 are not completely uniform or due to a positional relationship from the observer E.

Further, by actively using a lens composed of four circular lens groups 22 (two convex lens groups 22a and two concave lens group groups) in which the focal length of the circular lens 22 is changed as a set, The virtual images 32a and 32b themselves are replaced with virtual images 32a-1 and 32a-2 and virtual image 32b.
Four images are formed like -1 and 32b-2 (both are not shown), and the observer E recognizes one secondary image 32 'by observing these four images simultaneously. It is also possible. In such a case, the present invention does not intend to limit the number of groups of the circular lenses 22, that is, the number of virtual images to be formed. For example, separately from the above, six virtual images (32a
-1 to 3b and 32b-1 to 3b), and in general, the formation of "plurality" of virtual images are also within the scope of the present invention.

Incidentally, the secondary images 32a and 32b
L3 and L4 from the observer E to the primary image 1
For a distance L0 from 0 to the observer E, (L4−L
3) <L0 × 0.5 is preferable, and (L4−L3) <L0
× 0.25 is particularly preferred. Both lenses 22a and 22b
When the two images deviate from the range, the images do not become an integrated image but appear double, or an unnatural feeling becomes strong. Also, (L4−L3)> L0 × 0.0
5, particularly preferably (L4−L3)> L0 × 0.1, a particularly strong stereoscopic effect is obtained.

The above-mentioned real image relating to the secondary image 32 or 32 'is "inverted". Even if an inverted image is referred to as an "inverted image", individual pixels formed by individual microlenses (circular lenses 22) are used. It is needless to say that the entire screen (= secondary image 32 or 32 ′) formed by the pixels remains upright.

In the above case, the primary image 10 is enlarged or reduced in units of the individual circular lenses 22 constituting the microlens array. For this reason, the primary image 10 is a light emitting portion (screen forming portion) such as a liquid crystal screen.
And the surrounding wiring pattern (portion where the screen is not formed), by appropriately expanding only the light emitting portion,
In the secondary image 32 or 32 ', it is possible to provide a smooth screen without a wiring pattern portion. The enlargement ratio in this case differs depending on the primary image 10,
About 0% is preferable, and particularly preferably 105 to 200%.
It is. When the reduction ratio of the pixel to be reduced is large, it is preferable to increase the magnification of the pixel to be enlarged in inverse proportion thereto. Of course, the enlargement / reduction ratio of these pixels changes depending on the focal length of the circular lens 22 and the distance from the primary image 10. For example, when the primary image 10 is located far away from the focal length, the image of the primary image 10 is greatly enlarged or reduced.

By the way, from the above, FIG.
In the cases shown in (a) and (b), the size of the primary image 10 and the size of the secondary image 32 or 32 'are almost the same. It is generally preferable to satisfy the condition of "substantially the same" to obtain the effects of the present invention, that is, it is preferable to include the configurations shown in FIGS. This is because if the secondary image is too small with respect to the primary image 10, the stereoscopic effect is increased, but the secondary image becomes small, making it difficult to observe the image. This is because the secondary image tends to look coarse because the details can be observed. Note that quantitatively speaking that the size of the secondary image and that of the primary image are “substantially the same”,
For example, it means that the former is about 50 to 150% of the latter.

The secondary image 32 or 32 'described above
In such a case, as described above, it is possible to obtain a three-dimensional effect without necessarily inclining it. However, in order to obtain a stronger three-dimensional effect, “tilt” as shown in FIG. It's still basically what we do. As described above, this inclination is caused by the convex lens 22a and the concave lens 22b in the upper and lower portions of the microlens array.
Can be realized by changing the focal length of the image. Regarding this point, there is no change whether the lens 20 has the configuration shown in FIG. 7 or the configuration shown in FIG. 3 (see FIG. 4). Also, of course,
The same applies to the case where the microlens array has a configuration as shown in FIG. 5 described above.

(Lens Configuration—Lenticular Lens) The above-described matters relating to the microlens array can be similarly applied to the case of a lenticular lens. In addition, a normal lenticular lens (for example, one used for a three-dimensional display using binocular parallax)
Is a convex lens lenticular lens in which a semi-cylindrical convex lens is juxtaposed on a flat plate, or a concave lens lenticular lens in which a concave lens in which a part of the flat plate is concavely arranged in a row is preferably used in the present invention. A lenticular lens in which convex lenses and concave lenses are alternately arranged is a concave / convex lens lenticular lens, which is different from the known lenticular lens as shown in FIG. That is, the portion corresponding to the ridge between the convex portions acts as a concave lens.

However, in order to obtain a more beautiful secondary image, it can be said that a mode using a microlens array is more preferable than a lenticular lens. This is because a lenticular lens converts a primary image into a secondary image on a line-by-line basis (so-called one-dimensional) (see FIG. 2), whereas a micro-lens array has one pixel (so-called two-dimensional). ) To perform the conversion (see FIG. 3).

(Lens Configuration-Others) Other, Lens 2
The following can be said about 0. First, lens 2
0 is preferably a “laminated lens structure” in which two or more materials having different refractive indexes are laminated, rather than a single lens structure. This corresponds to 2 shown in FIG.
Considering that a relatively long focal length f is required to obtain the inclination of the next image 30 as described above, this is a particularly effective method for realizing this. In particular, if the lenticular lens is particularly referred to, two lenticular lenses may be arranged in their respective concave and convex directions (FIG. 2).
(See FIG. 2) may be used such that the lenses are bonded to each other so that the reference lenses are perpendicular to each other or a predetermined angle is maintained. Further, in some cases, a “laminated lens” combining a lenticular lens and a microlens array may be used. Furthermore, the number of lenses need not be one, and a lens obtained by combining two or more lenses that are separately installed can also be used. In addition, two lenses consisting of a convex lens group and a concave lens group may be combined or bonded. In any case, the present invention
Such forms are also included in the range.

Hereinafter, modifications and the like based on the above embodiment will be described. First, in the above-described embodiment, the inclined secondary image 3 having a strong three-dimensional effect is used.
In order to obtain 0, 31, or 32, the inclination is realized only by the action of the lens 20, but in the present invention, instead of this, as shown in FIG. Instead, the form in which the primary image 10 is inclined to realize the inclination of the secondary image 33 may be adopted.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG.
By tilting the lens 20, the distance between the lens 20 and the primary image 10 may be different vertically. In this case, in particular, even if the focal length of the lens 20 is the same in the vertical direction, the relative position with respect to the focal position is different between the upper and lower parts of the primary image 10, so the secondary image 33
Is changed, and as a result, the secondary image can be tilted.

In any case, depending on these modes,
The above-mentioned effects aimed at by the present invention are similarly achieved. However, according to these techniques, the space occupied by the entire screen display device is increased. Therefore, if the user wants to minimize the space, it is better to follow the above-described embodiment. That's good.

Second, in the above description, no particular attention has been paid to whether the primary image 10 is a “plane” or a “curved surface”, but the image rendering medium for displaying the primary image 10 Is a known CRT or the like,
The next image 11 is still a “two-dimensional image”, but is not strictly a “plane” as shown in FIG. The present invention can be practiced even with such a primary image having a “curved surface” simply by taking into account the above-described matters. However, in such a case, at least the secondary image 34 It is preferable to “planarize” this (see FIG. 10). This is because the secondary image 34 that is a “plane” has a stronger three-dimensional effect than the secondary image 34 that is not, and the fatigue of the observer E is better when the secondary image 34 that is a “plane” is viewed. Because it is small. Note that such “flattening” of the secondary image 34 is performed by appropriately adjusting the configuration and the like of the lens 20 in accordance with the above items (for example, the circular lens 22).
By adjusting the focal length for each of them, it is possible to easily realize them.

The term “planarization” of the virtual image refers not only to the vertical cross-sectional shape in the figure, but also to
It is more preferable that the secondary image 34 be "flattened" also in the "horizontal direction" (in the drawing, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface). Further, it is preferable that there is no “tilt” or “tilt” in the “lateral direction” so that a large parallax does not occur (for the observer E).

The above-mentioned “plane” may be any shape that can be recognized by the observer E in such a manner. Therefore, “flattening” in the present invention means “plane” in this sense. It is interpreted below. In addition, depending on the position of the observer E, a slight change in “tilt” may occur in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction, but such a slight change does not significantly affect the effect of the present invention.

Thirdly, the form of the secondary image is generally not limited to the above-mentioned "flattening", and for example, the forms shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are also possible. FIG.
1 is a secondary image 35 having a “step”, and FIG. 12 is a secondary image 36 that has been “curved” so as to protrude downward in the figure. These two
If the next images 35 and 36 are used, for example, the primary image 10
It is possible to suitably adjust the three-dimensional effect obtained depending on the contents of the above. More specifically, the primary image 10
An image in which a mountain is displayed in the upper part and a person is displayed in the lower part, and when the mountain is to be adjusted to a distant view and a person is adjusted to a close view, the secondary image “35” is used. do it. Needless to say, acquisition of these secondary images 35 and 36 can also be achieved by adjusting the focal length of the lens 20 or the like.

Fourth, it is preferable that the primary image 10 and the lens 20 in the above embodiment are fixed and used by an appropriate method. For example, an appropriate spacer may be provided between the primary image 10 and the lens 20 so that an appropriate distance between them can be maintained. More preferably, the observer E is placed between the primary image 10 and the lens 20 provided with an appropriate interval as described above.
In order to prevent light other than the primary image 10 from entering the
A suitable cover or the like may be provided.

Hereinafter, supplementary items relating to the present invention will be described. First, according to the screen display device of the present invention, in addition to stereoscopically observing a planar (two-dimensional) primary image,
Even in a conventionally known three-dimensional display or the like using binocular stereoscopic parallax, it is possible to observe a screen with a more stereoscopic effect. For the device utilizing the “binocular stereoscopic parallax”, refer to, for example, “Display Device” in JP-A-5-103352.

It is also possible to move the lens 20 back and forth by using a conventionally known method, or to change the focal length of the lens 20 by using a micro piezo actuator or the like to make it variable and to change it periodically. By doing so, it is possible to obtain an image with a more three-dimensional effect. Regarding this point, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
See, for example, JP-A-98298.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the screen display device of the present invention comprises a primary image 10 and a secondary image 30
It is basically composed of a microlens array composed of a plurality of small lenses or a lens 20 such as a lenticular lens, which is converted into -36. Among these, the mode of the primary image 10 is as described above. Photos and CRT
The present invention is not intended to be particularly limited in this regard, as can be seen from the statement that the images and the like displayed above may be applicable. This means that any "primary" primary image 10 can basically provide a three-dimensional effect if the lens 20 is provided on the front surface. In this sense, it may be said that the focus of the present invention is on the lens 20. For example, primary image 1
Even if 0 is already owned by some people, if only the lens 20 is provided to the owner, the 1
The three-dimensional effect of the next image 10 can be obtained in the same manner as described above. At this time, the configuration of the lens 20 is, for example, a case where the primary image 10 related to the possession is a photograph or a CRT.
It goes without saying that the image can be appropriately configured and provided according to the case of the image displayed above.

[0077]

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, more specific examples based on the above embodiment will be described. This embodiment is applicable to the screen display devices having the various configurations shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 8 and 9 described above, and to the case where the inclination angle θ of the secondary image 30 is variously changed. The evaluation evaluates how the “three-dimensional feeling” of the obtained image, the “discomfort” with respect to the secondary image felt by the observer E, and the “fatigue” caused by continuing viewing / listening change.

First, as a precondition for the description of the evaluation, in this embodiment, a 14-inch flat liquid crystal display was used as the image rendering medium. Therefore, the primary image 10 in FIGS. 1, 6, 8, and 9 is an image displayed on the liquid crystal display. The primary image 10 targets a “moving image” in a normal TV broadcast. As the lens 20, a 14-inch micro lens array having the same size as the liquid crystal display is used, and the positional relationship between the secondary images 30, 31, 32, and 33 shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 8, and 9 described above. Was arranged and arranged to satisfy Note that the maximum focal length f _max in Example 1 was 4 cm, and in Example 5, L3 =
The condition of 0.9 · L0, L4 = 1.1 · L0 was satisfied.

As a comparative example, a case where the lens 20 is not provided in front of the liquid crystal display, and the liquid crystal display is simply viewed as usual is referred to as “Comparative Example 1”. (<5 degrees) or 45 degrees (> 3)
0 degree) was taken as "Comparative Example 2" or "Comparative Example 3", and the three-dimensional feeling, uncomfortable feeling and fatigue feeling were evaluated.

Further, regarding a three-dimensional display screen using an “optical device” disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-59317, the same evaluation as described above was performed using this as a “conventional example”. The structure of the "optical device" disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-59317 is as shown in FIG. Note that in FIG. 13, the relationship L1 = L2 holds for L1 and L2 introduced in the description of FIG. That is, the image 300 is in a state of “not tilted” with respect to the observer E at all.

Under the above conditions, primary image 1 by observer E
Table 1 below shows the evaluation results such as the three-dimensional effect of 0.

[0082]

[Table 1] According to Table 1, Examples 1 to 5 and Conventional Example or Comparative Example 1
This clearly demonstrates the effect of the present invention. In particular, according to the fifth embodiment, even when the lens 20 shown in FIG. 7 is used and the secondary image 32 or 32 ′ does not have an inclination angle, a certain three-dimensional image is used. It has been demonstrated that a feeling ("medium") can be obtained. Further, by comparing Example 1 with Comparative Examples 2 and 3, the secondary image 30
It is confirmed that the preferable range of the inclination angle θ is certainly as described above (5 degrees ≦ θ ≦ 30 degrees). The reason can be read from Table 1. Further, Examples 1 to 4
Paying attention to only the most suitable device configuration,
Through comparison with the second embodiment (FIG. 6) and the third embodiment (FIG. 9), it can be seen that the first embodiment (FIG. 1) and the fourth embodiment (FIG. 8) are used.

In addition to the above examples, the same experiment as described above was conducted using a 28-inch CRT having a curved surface. In this experiment, in order to flatten the obtained virtual image in consideration of the curved surface of the CRT, a lenticular lens in which the focal length of each location was calculated and created as the lens 20 was used and a case where it was not used. . As a result, it was confirmed that a stronger three-dimensional effect was obtained and the feeling of fatigue was smaller when the surface was flattened than when the surface was not flattened. Further, it was confirmed that when the lens pitch was set to the same size as the pixel pitch of the CRT, the moire pattern disappeared.

[0084]

As described above, according to the screen display device and the lens of the present invention, an image with a stronger three-dimensional effect can be presented by tilting the virtual image or the real image in the vertical direction with respect to the observer. Can be. Also, as is apparent from the above description, it is clear that the structure of this device is extremely simple and inexpensive.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of a screen display device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a display position of a secondary image formed by the device.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a configuration example of a lenticular lens.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a configuration example of a microlens array.

FIG. 4 shows a tilted secondary image 30 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating performance relating to a focal length to be provided by the lens 20 illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a microlens array different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 as a graph in which a horizontal axis indicates a lens position and a vertical axis indicates a lens mode (a convex lens or a concave lens).

6 is a configuration example of a screen display device different from that of FIG. 1 and a display position of a secondary image formed by the device (= primary image 1)
0 (behind 0).

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view conceptually showing a configuration example of a microlens array different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;

8A is a conceptual diagram showing a display position of a secondary image formed by the microlens array shown in FIG. 7, and FIG.
If the secondary image is composed of a virtual image and a real image,
(B) shows the case where each is constituted by two virtual images.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a screen display device different from those shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 8, and a display position of a secondary image formed by the device. Next image 1
(B) shows a case where the lens 20 is tilted, and (b) shows a case where the lens 20 is tilted.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a configuration of a screen display device (= primary image 10 is a curved surface) different from the configurations shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 8, and 9, and a display position of a secondary image formed by the device. FIG.

FIG. 11 shows a configuration example of a screen display device different from those shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 8, 9 and 10, and a display position of a secondary image (= with a step) formed by the device. It is a conceptual diagram.

FIG. 12, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG.
5 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a screen display device different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and a display position of a secondary image (= curved surface convex downward) formed by the device.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional device configuration example capable of acquiring a stereoscopic image and a display position of a secondary image formed by the device.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a device configuration that enables acquisition of a stereoscopic image different from that shown in FIG. 13, and a display position of a secondary image formed by the device.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 primary image (subject) 20 lens 21 waveform lens (small lens) 22 circular lens (small lens) 22a convex lens 22b concave lens 31, 32 or 32 '(32a, 32b), 33, 33
', 34 Secondary image E Observer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G09F 19/12 G09F 19/12 F H04N 13/04 H04N 13/04

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A function of displaying a virtual image or / and a real image of the subject to an observer at a position different from the position of the subject, wherein the virtual image or / and the real image are vertically inclined with respect to the observer, A screen display device, wherein the upper part is located farther from the observer than the lower part. 2. The screen display device according to claim 1, wherein the angle of the inclination is not less than 3 degrees and not more than 40 degrees with respect to the facing surface. 3. The screen display device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the virtual image and / or the real image intersects a part of the subject. 4. The screen display device according to claim 1, wherein the size of the subject and the size of the virtual image and / or the real image are substantially the same. 5. When the object is a curved surface,
The screen display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the virtual image and / or the real image are planarized. 6. The screen according to claim 1, wherein the virtual image and / or the real image is formed through the action of a microlens array or a lenticular lens constituted by a plurality of small lenses. Display device. 7. A pitch for the plurality of small lenses,
7. The screen display device according to claim 6, wherein the thickness is 300 μm or less. 8. The screen display device according to claim 6, wherein the inclination is generated by changing focal lengths of the plurality of small lenses. 9. The microlens array or lenticular lens according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of small lenses are constituted by convex lenses and concave lenses, and these are arranged alternately. The screen display device according to any one of the above. 10. When the subject is an image displayed on a CRT or a liquid crystal display device, the CRT
10. The screen display device according to claim 6, wherein a pixel pitch in the liquid crystal display device and a pitch related to the plurality of small lenses have an integer multiple or a fraction of an integer. 11. The screen display device according to claim 1, wherein the subject is a two-dimensional image. 12. A function of displaying a virtual image and / or a real image of the subject to an observer at a position different from the position of the subject through the action of a microlens array or a lenticular lens constituted by a plurality of small lenses, The microlens array or the lenticular lens is characterized in that the plurality of small lenses are constituted by convex lenses and concave lenses, and these are arranged alternately. 13. A microlens array or a lenticular lens in which a plurality of small lenses are composed of a convex lens and a concave lens, and these are alternately arranged. A lens that is capable of displaying to the observer a virtual image and / or a real image of the subject, which is tilted so that the upper part thereof is farther from the observer than the lower part at a position different from that of the lower part. 14. A microlens array or a lenticular lens in which a plurality of small lenses are constituted by convex lenses and concave lenses, and these are alternately arranged. A plurality of secondary images formed based on the subject are displayed at a position different from the position where the two-dimensional image as the subject is located in the depth direction viewed from the camera so that the observer can recognize the image as one image. A lens characterized by being possible. 15. The method according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of secondary images include a secondary image formed at a depth position closer to the observer than the subject and a secondary image formed at a distant depth position. The lens according to claim 14, wherein