JP2003304471A - Display image light guide element and image enlarging display - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image enlarging apparatus which has a thin type rectangular or parallelepiped outline shape on the whole and a simple structure and is capable of displaying on a large screen and can be manufactured at a low cost, and a display image light guide element. <P>SOLUTION: The display image light guide element 10 in which a first optical fiber bundle 1, a second optical fiber bundle 2 and a third optical fiber bundle 3 are combined in a shape fit in a rectangle or parallelepiped circumscribing to the second optical fiber bundle 2. It guides rays of light incident on an image display element 12 facing a small-area section 11 of the first optical fiber bundle 1 to display an enlarged image on a large-area section 32 of the third optical fiber bundle 3. This section 32 is a screen 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display image light guide element and an image enlargement display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A large-screen display device is required to view a large-screen image or video. A projection type liquid crystal display device is the most typical display device for displaying such a large screen. This is to magnify the light of the image displayed on the screen of a small display element such as a small liquid crystal display panel by a magnifying lens system and project it on a large screen arranged at a position away from the magnifying lens system. Then, it is to display a large-screen image or video.

However, in such a projection type liquid crystal display device, since an image or video is projected onto a large screen using a magnifying lens system, it is difficult to correct or improve the distortion or chromatic aberration of the display image or video. In addition, it is difficult to reduce the focal length and size of the magnifying lens system, and to shorten the projection distance, which makes it difficult to reduce the size and thickness of the entire apparatus.

In recent years, it has been demanded to realize a thin display device capable of viewing a large-screen image or video.
It has been difficult for the projection type liquid crystal display device as described above to meet this demand.

Further, as a display element which can be essentially thinned, a so-called flat panel display (FPD;
There is a liquid crystal display panel (LCD; Liquid Crystal Display) and a plasma display panel (PDP; Plasma Display Panel), which are called flat panel displays, and in recent years, display devices with a large screen have a relatively low manufacturing cost to some extent. It has become possible to realize in.

However, in actuality, in such a flat panel display, a huge number of pixels arranged in a matrix over a large area corresponding to the display of a large screen are connected to each of them. Since it is necessary to form the switching elements, the wirings, etc. without defects, the probability of occurrence of defects increases and the manufacturing yield deteriorates. Therefore, in order to increase the screen size of the flat panel display, the manufacturing cost increases with the deterioration of the manufacturing yield, and conversely, it is difficult to increase the screen size in order to reduce the manufacturing cost. Therefore, it is difficult to achieve both a large screen and a low manufacturing cost.

Therefore, a technique of using an optical fiber and a small FPD to enlarge and display an image displayed on the screen of the FPD while guiding the image with the optical fiber is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-17357. It is proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-288222.

In the techniques proposed by these, the shape of each optical fiber is expanded so that the diameter gradually increases from the one end face where light is incident to the other end face where light is emitted. Shape, and bundling it so that the overall shape becomes a divergent shape as it approaches the display surface, or each optical fiber is made into a linear shape, and those optical fibers are The overall shape is displayed by gradually increasing the distance between the one end surface where the light is incident and the other end surface where the light is emitted, and forming a divergent shape as a whole. The image displayed on the screen of the small FPD provided on the back side is enlarged and displayed on the large screen on the front side by making the shape of the end spread as it approaches the surface. .

[0009]

However, in the technique for enlarging and displaying an image by using the above-described conventionally proposed optical fiber, the overall shape is such that the shape becomes wider as it approaches the display surface. The optical system is as if C
There is a problem that it becomes a three-dimensional shape with a deep depth like an RT (Cathode Ray Tube), and in reality, it is difficult or practically impossible to cope with thinning like the CRT.

In addition, forming each optical fiber into a divergent shape such that the diameter gradually increases from the one end surface where light is incident to the other end surface where light is emitted, And it is actually extremely difficult to manufacture it into a precise shape over a very large number and to accurately bundle them into a divergent shape without distortion or defects.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is, for example, in a wall-mounted television.
The overall external shape is a thin rectangular parallelepiped or rhomboid, capable of displaying a large screen, and a simple structure that can be manufactured at low cost. It is to provide a display device.

[0012]

The display image light guide element according to the present invention is bundled so that the linear optical axes are aligned in parallel and the cross section of the cross section in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis is rectangular. A bundle of optical fibers is cut diagonally with respect to the optical axis to form an inclined surface that exposes one of the two end faces of the optical fiber. The other end face of the both end faces of the optical fiber is formed. Is exposed in a cross section having a smaller area than the slope, and the first optical fiber bundle having a wedge-shaped outer shape including the slope and the cross section is aligned with the linear optical axis in parallel with the optical axis. A first slanted surface formed by cutting a bundle of optical fibers bundled so that a cross section of a cross section in a direction orthogonal to each other has a rectangular shape, and a first slanted surface of both end surfaces of the optical fiber. Different from the one end face exposed on the slope 1 A second slope formed by cutting the bundle of optical fibers obliquely with respect to the optical axis so that the other end face of the optical fiber is exposed while being tilted in a twisting direction with respect to the first slope, and The outer shape of the second slope is a rectangular shape that is congruent with the outer shape of the slope exposing the end surface of the optical fiber in the first optical fiber bundle, and the first slope is larger than the second slope. The second optical fiber bundle, which is the area, is aligned with the linear optical axis in parallel, and the bundle of optical fibers is bundled so that the cross-sectional shape of the cut surface in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis is rectangular. A slanted surface is formed by cutting in an oblique direction with respect to the axis so as to expose one of the end surfaces of the optical fiber, and the slanted surface has a second outer shape.
Is a rectangular shape that is congruent to the outer shape of the first inclined surface of the optical fiber bundle, and the other end surface of the both end surfaces of the optical fiber has a larger cross section than the small area cross section of the first optical fiber bundle. And a third optical fiber bundle that is exposed and has a wedge-shaped outer shape including the inclined surface and the cross section. The cross sections of the first optical fiber bundle and the second optical fiber bundle are congruent. The first optical fiber bundle, the second optical fiber bundle, and the third optical fiber bundle such that they face each other and the converging cross sections of the second optical fiber bundle and the third optical fiber bundle face each other. And the outer shape of the aggregate formed by combining the first optical fiber bundle, the second optical fiber bundle, and the third optical fiber bundle is the second optical fiber bundle.
It has a shape that can be accommodated in a rectangular parallelepiped or a rectangular parallelepiped circumscribing the optical fiber bundle.

The image enlarging and displaying apparatus according to the present invention aligns the linear optical axes in parallel and guides the bundle of optical fibers bundled so that the cross section of the cross section in the direction orthogonal to the optical axes becomes rectangular. A slanted surface is formed by cutting in an oblique direction with respect to the axis to expose one end surface of both end surfaces of the optical fiber, and the other end surface of the both end surfaces of the optical fiber is a cross section having a smaller area than the slant surface. The first optical fiber bundle that is exposed to the outside and has a wedge-shaped outer shape including the slope and the cross section, and the cross-sectional shape of the cut surface that aligns the linear optical axis in parallel and is orthogonal to the optical axis. A first slanted surface formed by cutting a bundle of optical fibers bundled into a rectangular shape in an oblique direction with respect to the optical axis, and one of both end surfaces of the optical fiber exposed on the first slanted surface. The other end face that is different from the end face is the first slope And a second slanted surface formed by obliquely cutting the bundle of optical fibers with respect to the optical axis so as to be exposed by inclining in the twisted direction, and the outer shape of the second slanted surface is the first. A second optical fiber bundle having a rectangular shape that is congruent with the outer shape of the slope that exposes the end face of the optical fiber in the optical fiber bundle, and the first slope has a larger area than the second slope. Align the linear optical axes in parallel and cut the bundle of optical fibers bundled so that the cross section of the cut surface in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis becomes rectangular in the direction oblique to the optical axis. An inclined surface that exposes one of the two end surfaces of the fiber is formed, and the external shape of the inclined surface is a rectangular shape that is congruent with the external shape of the first inclined surface in the second optical fiber bundle. The other end face of both end faces of the first optical fiber Exposed in a cross section of a larger area than the cross section of a small area in the third optical fiber bundle having a wedge-shaped outer shape including the slope and the cross section, and a cross section of the small area in the first optical fiber bundle. A display element provided so as to face each other, and congruent cross sections of the first optical fiber bundle and the second optical fiber bundle face each other, and the second optical fiber bundle and the third light beam. The first optical fiber bundle, the second optical fiber bundle, and the third optical fiber bundle are arranged so that their converging cross sections with the fiber bundle face each other.
Of the first optical fiber bundle, the second optical fiber bundle, and the third optical fiber bundle, and the outer shape of the aggregate is the second optical fiber bundle. And has a shape that can be accommodated in a rectangular parallelepiped or a rectangular parallelepiped circumscribing to, and that guides light incident from an image display element provided so as to face the cross section of the first optical fiber bundle having a small area. By enlarging and letting out to the cross section of a large area in the third optical fiber bundle,
The image is enlarged and displayed.

In the display image guiding device according to the present invention or the image magnifying display device according to the present invention, the converging cross sections of the first optical fiber bundle and the second optical fiber bundle face each other, and the second optical fiber. The first optical fiber bundle, the second optical fiber bundle, and the third optical fiber bundle are combined so that the converging cross sections of the bundle and the third optical fiber bundle face each other, and The overall outer shape of the assembly formed by combining the optical fiber bundle, the second optical fiber bundle, and the third optical fiber bundle is contained in a rectangular parallelepiped or a rectangular parallelepiped circumscribing the second optical fiber bundle. Shaped and first
The light incident from the image display element provided so as to face the cross section of the small area of the optical fiber bundle is guided and enlarged and displayed on the cross section of the large area of the third optical fiber bundle. Therefore, its outer shape is a rectangular parallelepiped or rhomboidal shape and can be used for large screens.
Moreover, such a structure is manufactured at low cost by a simple process of combining the first optical fiber bundle, the second optical fiber bundle, and the third optical fiber bundle each having a predetermined slope.

Here, the third optical fiber bundle may be omitted, and the first inclined surface of the second optical fiber bundle may be used as a light emitting surface or an image display surface. By doing so, the structure is further simplified by at least the omitted third optical fiber bundle.

The number of the first optical fiber bundles, the number of the second optical fiber bundles, and the number of the third optical fiber bundles are such that the number of the first optical fiber bundles.ltoreq.the second optical fiber bundle. It is desirable to set such that the following condition is satisfied.ltoreq..ltoreq.number of the third optical fiber bundle. This is because the size of the image is enlarged as the light for displaying the image is guided through the first optical fiber bundle → the second optical fiber bundle → the third optical fiber bundle. Therefore, the definition (the number of pixel dots forming one screen) of the image displayed on the cross section of the third optical fiber bundle having a large area is at least incident on the cross section of the small area of the first optical fiber bundle. In order to keep the same as the definition of the image, it is necessary that the number of the first optical fiber bundles ≦ the number of the second optical fiber bundles ≦ the number of the third optical fiber bundles. More preferably, the number of first optical fiber bundles <the number of second optical fiber bundles <the number of third optical fiber bundles.

Further, it is desirable to use a plasma display display element which is a self-luminous element which does not require a light source and which is a thin FPD, as the display element installed on the cross section of the small area in the first optical fiber bundle. . However,
It is not limited to this. Besides this, for example, LED
Other self-luminous elements such as (light emitting diode element) may be used, or a non-luminous element such as LCD and a light source may be used in combination.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a display image light guide element and an image display element inside an image enlarging display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Since the display image light guide element according to the embodiment of the present invention is used as a main part in the configuration of the image magnifying display device, they will be described below together.

In this image enlarging display device, the first optical fiber bundle 1, the second optical fiber bundle 2, and the third optical fiber bundle 3 are combined into a flat and thin rectangular parallelepiped shape to form an assembly. Are combined to form a display image light guide element 1
0 is formed, and P is faced with a small-area cross section (lower right portion in FIG. 1) 11 in the first optical fiber bundle 1.
An image display element 12 such as a DP is assembled.

In the combination of the first optical fiber bundle 1, the second optical fiber bundle 2, the third optical fiber bundle 3 and the image display element 12, as shown in FIG. Instead, it is housed in a thin rectangular parallelepiped cabinet (exterior housing) 13 having a flat outer shape.
A large-screen display screen 14 is provided in front of the image enlargement display device.
Is provided, and the image displayed by the image display element 12 is the first optical fiber bundle 1 → the second optical fiber bundle 2
→ As the light is guided to the third optical fiber bundle 3, it is enlarged in a similar shape and displayed on the display screen 14 which is a large screen.

More specifically, the first optical fiber bundle 1
As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of linear optical axes are aligned in parallel, and the cross section of the cross section in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis is rectangular and the external shape is an elongated rod shape. A bundle of a plurality of optical fibers 15 is cut in an oblique direction with respect to the optical axis thereof to form an inclined surface 16 for exposing one end face of both end faces of the optical fiber 15,
The other end face of both end faces of the optical fiber 15 is exposed to the cross section 11 having a smaller area than the sloped face 16. The small-area cross section 11 is a cross section cut perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber 15. Therefore, the overall outer shape of the first optical fiber bundle 1 is a wedge shape, and the widest surface of the first optical fiber bundle 1 is the slope 16 where one end surface of the optical fiber 15 is obliquely exposed, and the narrowest surface. Is a cross section 11 in which the other end surface of the optical fiber 15 is vertically exposed.
Has become. The image display element 12 is arranged on the cross section 11 of a small area cut perpendicularly to the optical axis of the optical fiber 15 in the first optical fiber bundle 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the second optical fiber bundle 2 has straight optical axes aligned in parallel, and has a rectangular cross-section in a cross section in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis. A first slanted surface 21 is formed by cutting a bundle of optical fibers 15 in a direction oblique to the optical axis so that the outer shape is a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape.

Of the two end faces of the optical fiber 15, the other end face (on the opposite side) different from the one end face exposed to the first slope 21 is inclined in the twisting direction with respect to the first slope 21. The bundle of the optical fibers 15 is cut obliquely with respect to the optical axis so as to be exposed, and the second inclined surface 22 is formed. Second
The inclined surface 22 has a rectangular shape that is the same as the outer shape of the inclined surface 16 that exposes the end surface of the optical fiber 15 in the first optical fiber bundle 1 (the shape is the same in the vertical and horizontal dimensions). The first slope 21 has a larger area than the second slope 22.

Here, in the second optical fiber bundle 2,
A first slope 21 is provided on the front side of FIG.
The second slope 22 is provided on the lower surface side of the first slope 21 and faces the front side sandwiched by the front side edge of the first slope 21 and the front side edge of the second slope 22. Plane 23
The outer shape of is a right triangle. This is necessary and sufficient to change the direction of light that displays an image.
It has the most desirable shape in the sense that a redundant volume is expelled from the entire volume of the display image light guide element 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, the third optical fiber bundle 3 has straight optical axes aligned in parallel, and the cross section of the cross section in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis is rectangular and the outer shape thereof. Similar to the second optical fiber bundle 2, a bundle of the optical fibers 15 is cut so as to form a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is cut obliquely with respect to the optical axis thereof. A slope 31 is formed to expose one of the end faces. The outer shape of the slope 31 is the second optical fiber bundle 2
Has a rectangular shape that is congruent with the outer shape of the first slope 21. Of the two end faces of the optical fiber 15, the other end face opposite to the one end face exposed on the inclined surface 31 is on the front side in FIG. It is exposed in the cross section 32 having a large area.
The large-area cross section 32 exposed on the front side serves as the display screen 14 for displaying the enlarged image.

The first optical fiber bundle 1 and the second optical fiber bundle 1 as described above
And the optical fiber bundle 2 of No. 2 are combined so that the surfaces having congruent shapes face each other, and the second optical fiber bundle 2 and the third optical fiber bundle 3 have their surfaces congruent with each other. A display image in which the aggregate of the first optical fiber bundle 1, the second optical fiber bundle 2, and the third optical fiber bundle 3 is combined so as to face each other and the overall outer shape is a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. The main part of the light guide element 10 is configured.

More specifically, the slope 16 in which the end face of the optical fiber 15 in the first optical fiber bundle 1 is obliquely exposed, and the optical fiber 15 in the second optical fiber bundle 2
A slanted surface 31 in which the end surface of the optical fiber 15 in the third optical fiber bundle 3 is obliquely exposed, and a second slanted surface 22 whose end surface is obliquely exposed are combined so as to exactly overlap each other. The main part of the display image light guide element 10 is configured by combining the end faces of the optical fibers 15 in the second optical fiber bundle 2 with the first sloped faces 21 that are obliquely exposed so as to exactly overlap each other. There is.

The first optical fiber bundle 1 and the second optical fiber bundle 2 face each other, and the second optical fiber bundle 2 and the third optical fiber bundle 3 face each other. The surfaces to be joined may be joined together by a highly transparent adhesive or the like made of a material having the same refractive index as that of the optical fiber 15, or the surfaces facing each other may have a predetermined roughness. Light scattering surface, without using an adhesive between the surfaces,
For example, in a state where the display image light guide element 10 formed by combining the first optical fiber bundle 1, the second optical fiber bundle 2 and the third optical fiber bundle 3 is housed in the cabinet 13, Alternatively, the combined state may be firmly maintained.

The optical fiber 15 used for the display image light guide element 10 is a general optical fiber whose main part is composed of a core made of a light guide such as glass fiber and a clad covering the core. Fiber 15 can be used.

The outer shape of the assembly formed by combining the first optical fiber bundle 1, the second optical fiber bundle 2 and the third optical fiber bundle 3 fits within a rhomboid. It is also possible to have such a shape (not shown).

Further, the third optical fiber bundle 3 is omitted,
The first inclined surface 21 of the second optical fiber bundle 2 can be used as the display screen 14 for the enlarged image. However,
In this case, the overall outer shape of the display image light guide element 10 does not have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the display screen 14 is inclined as shown in FIG. In this case, the light for displaying the screen is emitted from the end face 140 of the obliquely cut optical fiber 15 as shown in FIG. 14, so that the optical axis of the light emitted from the end face (here Then, the central axis of light diffused at a predetermined half-value angle is regarded as the optical axis.) 15
As shown in FIG. 15, 0 is perpendicular to the end face of the optical fiber 15 or slightly inclined due to refraction of light.

The characteristics of the display screen 14 due to the inclination are rather positively utilized, and as shown in FIG. 7, the display screen 1 such as the destination guidance information display device 70 is used.
The image magnifying display device including the display image light guide element 10 in which the third optical fiber bundle 3 is omitted can be applied to a display device which is often used by looking down at 4 obliquely from above. . Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, a display device such as a large image display device 80 for passengers mounted on a passenger plane is often used by looking up the display screen 14 from diagonally below.
Display image light guide element 10 in which the optical fiber bundle 3 is omitted.
It is also possible to apply an image enlarging display device provided with.

As the small-sized image display element 12,
In addition to the above PDP, it is possible to use, for example, a combination of an LCD and a light source. in this case,
As shown in an example in FIG. 9, since the light source 40 generally requires a certain volume, the light source 40 has a shape protruding to the side surface of the image enlarging display device, and the volume of that portion becomes redundant. There is a risk.

Therefore, in such a case, as shown in FIG. 10, in order to output the sound accompanying the image to the space created in the cabinet 13 due to the projection of the light source 40 for the LCD 41. Printed wiring board 43 having a drive circuit system for driving the speaker 42 and the image display element 12
You may make it accommodate such as.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, one corner of the first optical fiber bundle 1 is obliquely cut to provide a wedge-shaped notch, and the wedge-shaped notch has the same outer shape. As shown in FIG. 12, a light source 44 formed so as to complement a corner lacked by a notch in the overall rectangular parallelepiped of the image guide element 10 is incorporated in the corner notch of the first optical fiber bundle 1. By using
As shown in FIG. 3, a redundant portion such as a space in the cabinet 13 that does not contribute to large-screen display and light guiding may be almost completely eliminated.

Further, the number of the first optical fiber bundles 1, the number of the second optical fiber bundles 2 and the number of the third optical fiber bundles 3 are defined as the number of the first optical fiber bundles 1 ≤ It is desirable to set such that the number of the second optical fiber bundles 2 ≦ the number of the third optical fiber bundles 3 is satisfied.

If it is considered that each optical fiber 15 constituting the display screen 14 corresponds to each pixel on the display screen 14, the optical fiber 1
Small image display element 12 before the number of 5 is enlarged and displayed
If it is smaller than the number of pixels of the screen (in other words, the definition), the definition of the large-screen image displayed is inferior to the definition of the image displayed on the screen of the small-sized image display element 12. There is a risk that it will become a thing. Therefore, in order to enlarge the image displayed on the screen of the small-sized image display element 12 while maintaining the definition, the number of the first optical fiber bundles 1 is equal to This means that it is desirable to set such that the number of the two optical fiber bundles 2 = the number of the third optical fiber bundles 3 is set. More preferably, the number of the first optical fiber bundle 1 <the second
By setting such that the number of the optical fiber bundles 2 <the number of the third optical fiber bundles 3 is set, the definition of the image displayed on the screen of the small image display element 12 can be more reliably maintained. You can

Next, the operation of the image enlargement display device will be described in detail.

Here, in order to simplify the description and understanding of the drawings, an isosceles triangle whose lower half is solid black and whose upper half is white as shown in FIG. 16 is a square (horizontal X0 × vertical Y0). A case will be described in which a pattern made up of figures inscribed with (= 1 × 1) is magnified and displayed by this image magnifying display device.

FPD type image display device 1 such as PDP
The image displayed on the screen of No. 2 and having the vertical and horizontal dimensions of 1 × 1 is incident on a small cross section of the first optical fiber bundle 1. Here, the external dimensions of the cross-section 11 of this small area are
Horizontal c × vertical b. The width (length in the same direction as the optical axis) on the front side of the first optical fiber bundle 1 is a. The light of the image incident from the cross section 11 having the small area is guided by the first optical fiber bundle 1 along the optical axis direction from right to left in FIG. 17, and the end face of the optical fiber 15 is The obliquely exposed slope 16 is emitted to the outside. At this time, assuming a vertically upward projection image of the light emitted from the slope 16 of the first optical fiber bundle 1, the external dimensions of the image are the vertical length Y1 by referring to the schematic view of FIG.
Is Y as it is the size displayed on the screen of the image display element 12.
1 = 1, and the horizontal length X1 is a / b times X1 = a / b. Here, since the area of the slope 16 is larger than the area of the small cross section 11 in the first optical fiber bundle 1 and the dimension in the depth direction is the same (= c),
It becomes a> b. Therefore, in the image pattern at this time, the horizontal length X1 is enlarged by a / b times the horizontal length X0 = 1 of the original pattern (X1 = a / b), and compared with the original pattern. It has a wide shape with only the width widened. At this time, the lateral width of the pattern itself connected to the slope 16 of the first optical fiber bundle 1 is a / b.
It goes without saying that the length is obtained by adding 1 to the square of.

The light thus guided by the first optical fiber bundle 1 and emitted from the inclined surface 16 is as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, the second optical fiber bundle 2
Of the second optical fiber bundle 2, and is emitted from the first slope 21 to the outside. Here, the outer dimensions of the first inclined surface 21 in the second optical fiber bundle 2 are defined as horizontal a × vertical d, and the horizontal direction of the light emitted from the first inclined surface 21 in the second optical fiber bundle 2 at this time. Assuming a forward projected image, the external dimensions of the image are as shown in FIG.
Is the size emitted from the first optical fiber bundle 1 and X
2 = X1 = a / b, and the vertical length Y2 is Y1 (= 1)
When d / c times, Y2 = d / c. Here, since d> c, Y2 is enlarged by d / c times Y1 at this time. At this time, the first of the second optical fiber bundle 2
The vertical length of the pattern itself tied to the slope 21 is d / c
It goes without saying that the length is obtained by adding 1 to the square of.

In this way, the light guided by the second optical fiber bundle 2 and emitted forward from the first sloped surface 21 thereof is, as shown in FIG. 21, further the third optical fiber. The light is guided by the bundle 3 and is enlarged and displayed on the display screen 14 (the cross section 32 on the front side of the third optical fiber bundle 3) provided on the front side of the image enlargement display device. As for the outer dimensions of the image of the pattern displayed at this time, the vertical length is Y3 = d / c and the horizontal length is X3 = a / b, as schematically shown in FIG. This is an image in which the vertical dimension is enlarged by d / c times and the horizontal dimension is a / b times as compared with the external dimension of the pattern displayed on the screen of the image display element 12, which is vertical × horizontal = 1 × 1. It has become.

Therefore, in order to enlarge the image of the pattern finally displayed on the display screen 14 while keeping the similar shape to the image of the original pattern displayed on the screen of the small image display device 12, , D / c = a / b. In other words, by setting the outer dimensions of the first optical fiber bundle 1, the second optical fiber bundle 2, and the third optical fiber bundle 3 to satisfy d / c = a / b, the image The image of the original pattern displayed on the screen of the display element 12 can be enlarged and displayed on a large screen while keeping a similar shape.

When the aspect ratio (horizontal / longitudinal ratio) of the cross section 32 (display screen 14) in the third optical fiber bundle 3 is AR, a / d = 1 / AR. When it is deformed, AR = d / a. Also, in order to satisfy the condition that the images are kept similar, d /
Since it is necessary that c = a / b, this can be transformed into c = b · d / a. Then, from d / a = AR and c = bd / a, c = bAR, which is further modified to obtain the equation c / b = AR. The left side of this equation is the image display element 12 in the first optical fiber bundle 1.
Is an aspect ratio of the cross section 11 having a small area in which is arranged.

Therefore, by setting the dimensions a, b, c and d so as to satisfy the relationship of d / a = c / b = AR, a small screen of the image display element 12 such as a small PDP or LCD. It is possible to enlarge the small image displayed on the screen while keeping its similar shape and display it on the large display screen 14.

Since the magnification of the image at that time is d / c times or a / b times, the smaller the external dimensions (horizontal b × vertical c) of the small-sized image display element 12, the vertical width c. The size of the image can be reduced and the image enlargement display device can be made thinner, and the enlargement ratio of the image displayed on the display screen 14 can be increased. Further, the larger the outer dimensions (horizontal a × vertical d) of the third optical fiber bundle 3, the larger the screen can be achieved, and the enlargement ratio of the image displayed on the display screen 14 can be increased.

As described above, in the image enlarging display device according to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize both thinning and large screen of the entire device, without impairing each other, rather as a single step and a double bird. There is.

Here, as a variation of the image enlarging display device described above, as shown in FIG. 23 as an example, the second slope 22 in the second optical fiber bundle 2 is
By changing the cross section perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber 15, the outer shape of the second optical fiber bundle 2 is made wedge-shaped, and the end face of the optical fiber bundle in the first optical fiber bundle 1 is changed. The exposed slope is the second optical fiber bundle 2
The main part of the display image light guide element 10 may be formed by forming an outer shape that is congruent to the vertically cut cross section of the above and combining them so that their congruent surfaces face each other. The arrow in FIG. 23 indicates the optical axis direction of the light guided through each optical fiber (the same applies hereinafter).

In this case, as shown in FIG.
A printed wiring board 43 of a drive circuit system for driving, for example, a speaker 42 for outputting a sound together with image display and an image display element 12 in a portion of a narrow wedge-shaped space formed beside the first optical fiber bundle 1. You may make it accommodate such as.

The cross section 11 having a small area in the first optical fiber bundle 1 on which the image display elements 12 such as small PDPs and LCDs are arranged so as to face each other is the light of the optical fiber 15 as described above. Instead of a surface cut perpendicular to the axis, a surface cut obliquely as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 may be used. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 25 as an example, the cross section 11 having a small area in which the image display element 12 is arranged so as to face each other is made a plane cut perpendicularly to the optical axis of the optical fiber 15, and thereby The light source 40 of the image display element 12 such as an LCD may be arranged in a wedge-shaped space formed in a corner on the right side at 25.

Another variation is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the third optical fiber bundle 3 may be omitted and the first inclined surface 21 of the wedge-shaped second optical fiber bundle 2 may be used as the display screen 14. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 27, the first inclined surface 21 of the second optical fiber bundle 2 may be in a state of standing upright in front of the front surface of the image magnifying display device. However, in this case, both end surfaces of each optical fiber 15 in the first optical fiber bundle 1 and each optical fiber 15 in the first optical fiber bundle 1
All of the end faces of are cut obliquely with respect to the optical axis.

As yet another variation, as shown in FIG. 28 as an example, a horizontally long display image light guide element 10 formed by combining a second optical fiber bundle 2 and a third optical fiber bundle 3. It is also possible to adopt a structure in which the first optical fiber bundle 1 is incorporated on either the left or right side of the. By using the display image light guide element 28 having such a structure,
For example, a vertically long display screen 14 as shown in FIG.
It is possible to manufacture the image enlarging display device 290 which is applied to the information processing device 29 or the like having the.

Alternatively, a plurality of display image light guide elements 28 having a structure as shown in FIG. 28 are used, for example, four pieces, and at least one piece for each of them is provided with an FPD type image display element 12 such as a PDP. It is possible to provide an image display device that can be arranged to display a larger screen as shown in FIG. In addition,
As a method of realizing a display device having a larger screen by using such a plurality of display image light guide elements 28, other methods such as the display image light guide element 10 shown in FIG.
A large screen as shown in FIG. 31 is configured by using four sheets, etc., and such a large screen has a high-quality connection in which no screen seam as shown in the example in FIG. 32 is visually recognized. It is also possible to display a large image.

Here, in the case of realizing a large screen as described above by combining a plurality of display elements, in the conventional technique, a large screen is constructed by combining a plurality of FPDs 330 such as LCDs and PDPs. Even if you try to display a large connected image directly on the combined large screen,
The joint 331 between the panels of the individual FPD 330
Appears in the displayed image. That is, each F
Since the sealing region, the side wall, and the like exist around the PD 330, it is impossible to form a pixel in that portion. Therefore, the seam 331 where the pixel is not formed is formed.
33 is inevitably visually recognized as a linear display defect in which pixels are missing as shown in FIG. 33 as an example, and there is a fatal defect as an image display device that the image display quality is significantly impaired.

However, in the display image light guide elements 10 and 28 according to the present embodiment or the image magnifying display device using the same, the optical fibers 15 are seamlessly and linearly missing from one corner of the display screen to another. They can be arranged at a uniform density without any parts. The joining of the seam portions can be performed at the same density as other portions with the same density by using, for example, the adhesive or binder agent used for bundling the optical fibers one by one when forming each optical fiber bundle. Can be bonded to bond strength. Therefore, a plurality of display image light guide elements 1
No line defects such as white streaks or black streaks are generated at the joints of No. 0, 28 or the image enlargement / display devices, unlike the conventional FPD. As a result, when a large-screen display device is created by joining together a plurality of image enlarging display devices according to the present embodiment, the seams become screens that are virtually invisible, and by extension a large screen with high display quality. Can be displayed.

[0057]

As described above, according to the first to fourth aspects.
According to the display image light guide element of any one of claims 1 to 5 or the image enlargement display device of any one of claims 5 to 8,
The first optical fiber bundle and the second optical fiber bundle have congruent cross sections facing each other, and the second optical fiber bundle and the third optical fiber bundle have congruent cross sections facing each other. The first optical fiber bundle, the second optical fiber bundle, and the third optical fiber bundle are combined, and the first optical fiber bundle, the second optical fiber bundle, and the third optical fiber bundle are combined. The outer shape of the aggregate formed is a shape that can be accommodated in a rectangular parallelepiped or a rhomboid that circumscribes the second optical fiber bundle, and faces the cross section of the small area in the first optical fiber bundle. Since the light incident from the provided image display element is guided and enlarged so as to be displayed on the cross section of a large area in the third optical fiber bundle, the outer shape thereof is a rectangular parallelepiped or rhombohedral thin shape. With the one that can correspond to large screen with Rukoto can. Moreover, since the display image light guide element is manufactured by combining the first optical fiber bundle, the second optical fiber bundle, and the third optical fiber bundle, each having a predetermined slope, It is possible to make the conventional structure simple and to manufacture at low cost.

Further, particularly according to the display image light guide element of claim 3 or the image magnifying display device of claim 6, the third optical fiber bundle is omitted, and the first optical fiber of the second optical fiber bundle is omitted. By using the inclined surface as the light emitting surface, the structure corresponding to at least the omitted third optical fiber bundle can be further simplified.

Further, particularly according to the display image light guide element of claim 4 or the image magnifying display device of claim 7, the number of the first optical fiber bundles, the number of the second optical fiber bundles, and the third number of the optical fiber bundles. Since the number of the optical fiber bundles is set to satisfy the following condition: the number of the first optical fiber bundles ≦ the number of the second optical fiber bundles ≦ the number of the third optical fiber bundles,
The light for displaying an image is the first optical fiber bundle → the second
Optical fiber bundle → The size of the image increases as it is guided to the third optical fiber bundle. At that time, the image displayed on the cross section of the large area of the third optical fiber bundle. It is possible to keep the definition of at least as high as the definition of the image incident on the cross section of the small area in the first optical fiber bundle. Alternatively, it is more desirable to set the number of the first optical fiber bundle <the number of the second optical fiber bundle <the number of the third optical fiber bundle to satisfy the following condition: The number of the second optical fiber bundles = the number of the third optical fiber bundles = the number of the third optical fiber bundles, it is possible to more effectively suppress the decrease in the definition (the number of pixel dots in one screen) of the display image. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a display image light guide element and an image display element inside an image enlargement display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an appearance of an image enlargement display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first optical fiber bundle.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second optical fiber bundle.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a third optical fiber bundle.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a display image light guide element in which a third optical fiber bundle is omitted.

FIG. 7 is an example of a case where the image enlarging display device in which the third optical fiber bundle is omitted is applied to a display device such as a destination guidance information display device which is often used by looking down the display screen from diagonally above. It is a figure showing.

FIG. 8 is a display device in which an image magnifying display device without the third optical fiber bundle is often used by looking up a display screen diagonally from below, such as a large image display device for passengers mounted on a passenger aircraft. It is a figure showing an example at the time of applying to.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the light source of the LCD has a shape protruding to the side surface of the image enlarging display device.

FIG. 10 is a view showing that a speaker for outputting sound together with an image and a printed wiring board having a drive circuit for driving an image display element are housed in a space generated in a cabinet due to protrusion of a light source. It is a figure showing an example when it is set.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a case where a corner of the first optical fiber bundle is obliquely cut to provide a wedge-shaped notch.

12 is a diagram showing an example of a structure in which a light source is incorporated in the wedge-shaped notch of the first optical fiber bundle in the display image light guide element shown in FIG.

13 is a diagram showing an example of an image enlarged display device using the display image light guide element shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which image light is emitted from an end face of an optical fiber that is obliquely cut.

FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing a phenomenon in which an optical axis of light emitted from an end face of an optical fiber is perpendicular to the end face of the optical fiber or slightly inclined due to refraction of light. is there.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a simple pattern enlarged and displayed by the image enlargement display device.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the action of light guide in the first optical fiber bundle.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the action of image enlargement in the first optical fiber bundle.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the action of light guide in the second optical fiber bundle.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the action of image enlargement in the second optical fiber bundle.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the action of light guide in the third optical fiber bundle.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the action of image enlargement in the third optical fiber bundle.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing one of variations of the display image light guide element used in the image enlargement display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing one of variations of the image enlargement display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing another variation of the enlarged image display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing still another variation of the image enlarged display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing still another variation of the image enlargement display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing still another variation of the image enlarged display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

29 is a diagram showing an example of the case where the image enlarged display device shown in FIG. 28 is applied to an information processing device having a vertically long display screen.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a case where a larger screen is configured by using a plurality of the display image light guide elements shown in FIG. 28 in combination.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where a plurality of display image light guide elements shown in FIG. 1 are used in combination to configure an image display device having a larger screen.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of a case where an image is displayed on the large-screen image display device shown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which an image is displayed on a large screen configured by combining a plurality of conventional FPD panels.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... 1st optical fiber bundle, 2 ... 2nd optical fiber bundle, 3
... third optical fiber bundle, 10, 28 ... display image light guide element, 11, 32 ... cross section, 12 ... image display element, 13 ... cabinet ..., 14 ... display screen, 15 ... optical fiber, 1
6, 31 ... Slope, 21 ... First slope, 22 ... Second slope, 23 ... Plane, 40 ... Light source, 41 ... LCD

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 2H046 AA02 AA32 AA68 AB04 AD13                       AD16                 5C058 AB06 AB07 AB08 BA21 BA23                       EA04 EA26 EA27                 5C096 AA07 AA22 AA27 BA04 BB12                       BB15 CA06 CA12 CA22 CA32                       CB02 CC11 CD07 CD09 CD12                       CD22 CD53 DA01 FA01 FA12

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A bundle of optical fibers bundled in such a manner that linear optical axes are aligned parallel to each other and a cross section of a cross section in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis is rectangular, in a direction oblique to the optical axis. An inclined surface is formed by cutting the optical fiber to expose one end surface of both end surfaces of the optical fiber, and the other end surface of the both end surfaces of the optical fiber is exposed in a cross section having a smaller area than the inclined surface. And a first optical fiber bundle having a wedge-shaped outer shape including the inclined surface and the cross section, a straight optical axis is aligned in parallel, and a sectional shape of a cut surface in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis is rectangular. A first slanted surface obtained by cutting a bundle of optical fibers bundled so that the slanting direction with respect to the optical axis, and one of both end surfaces of the optical fiber exposed on the first slanted surface. The other end face different from the end face of A second slanted surface formed by obliquely cutting the bundle of optical fibers with respect to the optical axis so as to be exposed in an inclined direction with respect to the second slanted surface, and the outer shape of the second slanted surface. A shape having a rectangular shape congruent with an outer shape of an inclined surface exposing an end surface of the optical fiber in the first optical fiber bundle, and the first inclined surface having a larger area than the second inclined surface; The optical fiber bundle of No. 2 and the linear optical axis are aligned parallel to each other, and the bundle of optical fibers bundled so that the cross-sectional shape of the cut surface in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis becomes rectangular with respect to the optical axis. A slanted surface is formed by cutting in an oblique direction to expose one of the two end surfaces of the optical fiber, and the outer shape of the slanted surface is the outer shape of the first slanted surface in the second optical fiber bundle. The optical fiber has a rectangular shape congruent with The other end face of the both end faces is exposed in a cross section of a larger area than the cross section of the small area in the first optical fiber bundle, and the outer shape including the slope and the cross section is a wedge shape. And a second optical fiber bundle, the second optical fiber bundle and the third optical fiber, the converging cross sections of the first optical fiber bundle and the second optical fiber bundle face each other. The first optical fiber bundle, the second optical fiber bundle, and the third optical fiber bundle are combined so that the converging cross sections of the bundle face each other, and the first optical fiber The outer shape of the assembly formed by combining the bundle, the second optical fiber bundle, and the third optical fiber bundle is such that the bundle can fit within a rectangular parallelepiped or a rectangular parallelepiped circumscribing the second optical fiber bundle. Display image characterized by The light-guiding element. 2. The incident light is defined by using a cross section of the small area of the first optical fiber bundle as a light incident surface and a cross section of the third optical fiber bundle of the large area as a light emitting surface. The display image light guide element according to claim 2, which guides light and expands and emits the light. 3. The display image guide according to claim 2, wherein the third optical fiber bundle is omitted, and the first inclined surface of the second optical fiber bundle is used as an emission surface of the light. Optical element. 4. The number of the first optical fiber bundles, the number of the second optical fiber bundles, and the number of the third optical fiber bundles are such that the number of the first optical fiber bundles ≦ the second number of the first optical fiber bundles. The display image light guide element according to claim 2, wherein the number of optical fiber bundles ≦ the number of third optical fiber bundles is set. 5. A bundle of optical fibers bundled in such a manner that linear optical axes are aligned parallel to each other and a cross-sectional shape of a cut surface in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis is rectangular. An inclined surface is formed by cutting the optical fiber to expose one end surface of both end surfaces of the optical fiber, and the other end surface of the both end surfaces of the optical fiber is exposed in a cross section having a smaller area than the inclined surface. And a first optical fiber bundle having a wedge-shaped outer shape including the inclined surface and the cross section, a straight optical axis is aligned in parallel, and a sectional shape of a cut surface in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis is rectangular. A first slanted surface obtained by cutting a bundle of optical fibers bundled so that the slanting direction with respect to the optical axis, and one of both end surfaces of the optical fiber exposed on the first slanted surface. The other end face different from the end face of A second slanted surface formed by obliquely cutting the bundle of optical fibers with respect to the optical axis so as to be exposed in an inclined direction with respect to the second slanted surface, and the outer shape of the second slanted surface. A shape having a rectangular shape congruent with an outer shape of an inclined surface exposing an end surface of the optical fiber in the first optical fiber bundle, and the first inclined surface having a larger area than the second inclined surface; The optical fiber bundle of No. 2 and the linear optical axis are aligned parallel to each other, and the bundle of optical fibers bundled so that the cross-sectional shape of the cut surface in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis becomes rectangular with respect to the optical axis. A slanted surface is formed by cutting in an oblique direction to expose one of the two end surfaces of the optical fiber, and the outer shape of the slanted surface is the outer shape of the first slanted surface in the second optical fiber bundle. The optical fiber has a rectangular shape congruent with The other end face of the both end faces is exposed in a cross section of a larger area than the cross section of the small area in the first optical fiber bundle, and the outer shape including the slope and the cross section is a wedge shape. Optical fiber bundle, and a display element provided so as to face the cross section of the small area in the first optical fiber bundle, the first optical fiber bundle and the second optical fiber bundle The first optical fiber bundle and the second optical fiber bundle so that their congruent cross sections face each other and the congruent cross sections of the second optical fiber bundle and the third optical fiber bundle face each other. An optical fiber bundle and the third optical fiber bundle are combined, and an assembly formed by combining the first optical fiber bundle, the second optical fiber bundle, and the third optical fiber bundle The outer shape is The second optical fiber bundle has a shape that can be accommodated in a rectangular parallelepiped or a rectangular parallelepiped that is circumscribed, and is incident from an image display element provided so as to face the cross section of the small area in the first optical fiber bundle. By guiding the expanded light and expanding it to emit it to the cross section of the large area in the third optical fiber bundle,
An image enlarging display device for enlarging and displaying the image. 6. The enlarged image display according to claim 5, wherein the third optical fiber bundle is omitted, and the first inclined surface of the second optical fiber bundle is used as the display surface of the image. apparatus. 7. The number of the first optical fiber bundles, the number of the second optical fiber bundles, and the number of the third optical fiber bundles are such that the number of the first optical fiber bundles ≦ the second number of the first optical fiber bundles. The image magnifying display device according to claim 5, wherein the number of optical fiber bundles ≦ the number of third optical fiber bundles is set. 8. The image enlarging display device according to claim 5, wherein the display element is a plasma display display element for displaying an image.