JP2011061255A - Stereoscopic image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stereoscopic image display device enabling a large number of users such as three or more users to simultaneously recognize stereoscopic images while preventing deterioration in image quality. <P>SOLUTION: The stereoscopic image display device includes: a first display unit which displays a left eye image and a right eye image of a first user at first timing in order to enable the first user to recognize a first stereoscopic image, and displays a left eye image and a right eye image of a second user at second timing in order to enable the second user to recognize a second stereoscopic image; and a second display unit which is disposed adjacently to the first display unit, displays a left eye image and a right eye image of the second user at second timing in order to enable the second user to recognize the second stereoscopic image, and displays a left eye image and a right eye image of a third user at third timing in order to enable the third user to recognize a third stereoscopic image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a stereoscopic image display apparatus that displays a stereoscopic image that allows a user to visually recognize a stereoscopic image.

  Conventionally, a CAVE (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment) (registered trademark) system is widely known as a stereoscopic image display device. The CAVE system is a virtual reality system that allows a CG image to be stereoscopically displayed in a space surrounded by a plurality of screens to experience a virtual world.

  The CAVE system has a screen and liquid crystal glasses equipped with a position sensor. The right eye image and the left eye image (stereoscopic image) of the user are projected in a time-sharing manner, and the liquid crystal glasses are synchronized with the projection timing. By controlling the opening and closing of the electronic shutter, an image looking down from the sky or an image on the back side of the object is stereoscopically displayed in real time without distortion according to the viewpoint of the user.

  For example, as a stereoscopic image display device using such a CAVE system, position detection means for detecting a position in a real space in a predetermined body part of an observer who observes a virtual body image, and outputting the spatial coordinates; There has been proposed a stereoscopic image display device including display position determination means for determining a position for allowing an observer to recognize a virtual body image based on the spatial coordinates output by the position detection means (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

Japanese Patent No. 3952319

  Although the stereoscopic image display apparatus using the CAVE system of Patent Document 1 can be played by two people at the same time, there is a problem that operation for a large number of people is difficult due to the mechanism of the CAVE system itself. That is, when the CAVE system is to be implemented for a large number of people, the frame rate of the stereoscopic image is lowered, and therefore, the user cannot view the stereoscopic image by displaying a smooth image. The stereoscopic image display apparatus is not suitable for displaying images for a large number of people simultaneously and smoothly.

  For example, the CAVE system normally displays images at 120 frames / second, and when displaying images for the right eye and left eye, 60 frames / second for one person and 30 frames / second for two persons. The image is displayed to make the user visually recognize the stereoscopic image. However, the CAVE system displays images at 20 frames / second for 3 people, and displays images at 15 frames / second for 4 people, so a smoother image is displayed as the number of people who use them increases simultaneously. Thus, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to visually recognize the stereoscopic image. On the other hand, in the CAVE system, it is difficult to increase the frame rate of images at 120 frames / second at present.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and proposes a stereoscopic image display device that allows three or more people to simultaneously view a stereoscopic image while suppressing image deterioration.

  In order to solve such a problem, the present invention displays a left-eye image corresponding to the left-eye viewpoint and a right-eye image corresponding to the right-eye viewpoint on a predetermined display unit, and the left-eye image and the right-eye image are displayed. A stereoscopic image display apparatus that allows a user to view a stereoscopic image by controlling opening and closing of an electronic shutter of electronic glasses worn by the user in synchronization with the display timing of the first user. The first user's left-eye image and right-eye image for viewing the image are displayed at the first timing, and the second user's left-eye image for viewing the second stereoscopic image is displayed. And a first display unit that displays the right-eye image at a second timing, and a second user's second video image that is arranged adjacent to the first display unit and allows the second user to visually recognize the second stereoscopic image. Left eye image and A second image that displays the eye image at the second timing and displays the third user's left-eye image and right-eye image at the third timing that allows the third user to view the third stereoscopic image. And a display unit.

  In such a stereoscopic image display device, the first display unit has a common visible region for the first user to visually recognize the first stereoscopic image and for the second user to visually recognize the second stereoscopic image. And the second display unit becomes a common visible area for the second user to visually recognize the second stereoscopic image and the third user to visually recognize the third stereoscopic image. It is possible to allow a larger number of users to view a stereoscopic image at the same time. In addition, since each display unit becomes a common visible region in this way, even when the size of each display unit cannot be sufficiently secured due to the installation of the device, etc., a sufficient screen for one user is provided. The device itself can be reduced in size while ensuring the size. In addition to this, since each display unit becomes a common visible area with two adjacent users, each user can get a sense of playing with three people including himself, so at least A sense of unity with two matching users can be enhanced.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the stereoscopic vision image display apparatus which can make a 3 or more people visually recognize a stereoscopic image simultaneously, suppressing deterioration of an image is realizable.

It is a perspective view of the stereoscopic image display apparatus in this embodiment. It is a top view of a stereoscopic vision image display apparatus. It is a side view of the stereoscopic vision image display apparatus when a wall body is cut | disconnected by the III-III line. It is a conceptual diagram with which it uses for description of the projection to a screen from a projector. It is a perspective view of a sheet. It is a conceptual diagram with which it uses for description of a user's visible range. It is a conceptual diagram with which it uses for description of a user's visible range. It is a conceptual diagram with which it uses for description of a user's common visible region. It is a block diagram of a control apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining an image display process and a collision determination process procedure. It is a conceptual diagram with which it uses for description of a shutter timing control process. It is a conceptual diagram with which it uses for description of a stereoscopic vision image display apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram with which image display timing is provided. It is a conceptual diagram with which it uses for description of the stereoscopic vision image display apparatus of other embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram with which it uses for description of the stereoscopic vision image display apparatus of other embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram with which it uses for description of the stereoscopic vision image display apparatus of other embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  A stereoscopic image display device according to the present invention displays a left-eye image corresponding to a user's left-eye viewpoint and a right-eye image (stereoscopic image) corresponding to a right-eye viewpoint on a display unit, and a left-eye image and a right-eye image. It is an apparatus using a CAVE system configured to allow the user to visually recognize a stereoscopic image by controlling opening and closing of an electronic shutter of electronic glasses worn by the user in synchronization with the display timing of the image.

  The stereoscopic image display apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment displays the first user's left-eye image and right-eye image at the first timing, and the second user's left-eye image and right-eye image are displayed as the second user image. A first display unit that is displayed at a timing of the second display unit, and a second display unit that displays the left-eye image and the right-eye image of the second user at the second timing, and the third display unit. And a second display unit that displays the left-eye image and the right-eye image of the user at the third timing.

  In the following, a plurality of sheets are arranged circumferentially so that each user is seated facing outward, and a plurality of screens are arranged outside the circumferentially arranged sheets inside the annular wall body. A stereoscopic image display apparatus having the above structure will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stereoscopic image display device 1. The housing of the stereoscopic image display device 1 is composed of an annular wall 2. Further, an entrance / exit 3 is arranged at a predetermined position of the annular wall 2 so that the user can move between the inside and the outside of the stereoscopic image display device 1. In addition, although a ceiling may be provided in such an annular wall body 2, in this embodiment, the apparatus without a ceiling is comprised only by the annular wall body 2. FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the stereoscopic image display device 1. FIG. 3 shows a side view of the stereoscopic image display device 1 when the wall body 2 is cut along line III-III. The number of screens 11 and sheets 12 constituting the stereoscopic image display device 1 is not particularly limited. For example, in this embodiment, ten sheets 12 are arranged circumferentially at equal intervals as shown in FIG. At the same time, a maximum of 10 users can play a predetermined game, which will be described later.

  Although the specific shape of the annular wall body 2 constituting the casing of the stereoscopic image display device 1 is not particularly limited, a plurality of screens 11 having the same shape and the same size are arranged on the inner wall of the wall body 2. If it is, it is preferable to be formed so that it may become an inner wall of the same shape and magnitude | size also if it sees from which sheet | seat 12. In the present embodiment, an annular wall body 2 having an inner wall surface that is substantially regular decagonal in plan view is formed corresponding to the ten sheets 12.

  The screen 11 has a projection surface with a predetermined shape for projecting an image projected by the projector 13. The screen 11 may be a curtain or the like, but in the present embodiment, as described above, each inner wall surface of the wall body 2 having an inner wall surface that is substantially regular decagonal in plan view is used as a projection surface. Further, the screen 11 may be composed of only a single plane, but it is preferable that the screen 11 has a plurality of projection planes from the viewpoint of giving depth to the image visually recognized by the user. Is preferably composed of a plurality of flat surfaces combined into a curved shape, a curved spherical surface, or the like. In the present embodiment, the upper projection surface 11H and the lower projection surface 11L having a predetermined inclination are combined to form the screen 11 having a depth closer to the center. The screen 11 corresponding to the position of the doorway 3 can be slid to open and close.

  Moreover, the screen 11 is arrange | positioned so that each user can visually recognize the image of several (for example, two) screen 11 which adjoins simultaneously. For example, in the stereoscopic image display device 1 of the present embodiment, each vertex of the wall body 2 having an inner wall surface that is substantially regular decagonal in plan view is connected to the center point of the substantially regular decagonal inner wall surface. The sheet 12 is arranged at a straight position. In addition, the seat 12 is installed in a direction in which the boundary between two adjacent screens 11 that a user sitting on the seat 12 sees is the front of each user when seated (see FIG. 2). . In addition, the two adjacent screens 11 are arranged at positions where the two adjacent screens 11 become the left and right objects when viewed from the user in a state where the two screens 11 enter the field of view of the user seated on the seat 12. In addition, even if the adjacent screens 11 are not in a physically continuous state, the screens 11 are adjacent if they are arranged so as to be able to project an image that can be visually recognized by the user. There is no problem as a mode of arrangement.

  The projector 13 is a projection device for projecting an image on the screen 11. In the present embodiment, the projector 13 is largely used for an upper projection projector 13H for projecting an image on the upper projection surface 11H of the screen 11 and a lower projection projector 13L for projecting an image on the lower projection surface 11L of the screen 11. Separated.

  The upper projection projector 13H is circumferentially arranged with the lens of the upper projection projector 13H facing the outside of the wall 2, and the lens of the upper projection projector 13H is in front of the upper projection surface 11H of the screen 11. In this way, the upper projection plane 11H is arranged in accordance with the inclination. The upper projection projector 13H projects an image on the upper projection surface 11H of the screen 11 as shown in FIG.

  The lower projection projector 13L is circumferentially arranged with the lens of the lower projection projector 13L facing the inside of the wall body 2, and the lens of the lower projection projector 13L is the lower projection surface of the screen 11. It is arranged to be the back of 11L. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper projection projector 13H projects an image on the lower projection surface 11L by using the reflection mirror 14.

  FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the seat 12. The seat 12 is arranged with a predetermined inclination in a direction in which the user falls backward with respect to the backrest portion, and the seating portion is configured to be substantially perpendicular to the backrest portion. In addition, the seat 12 has a headrest for the user seated on the seat 12, and the user's field of view is limited to a predetermined position on the left and right of the position where the user's head is held on the headrest, for example, by the user. A field-of-view restriction unit 15 configured to be slightly larger than the size of the head is disposed. In this way, the seat 12 has a predetermined inclination in the backrest portion, and the seating portion is configured to be substantially perpendicular to the backrest portion, so that the user's back easily adheres to the backrest portion when the user is seated. It is possible to effectively prevent the user from waking up easily and looking into the two adjacent screens 11, and the visual field limiter 15 can appropriately limit the visual field of the user.

  6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams of the visible range of the user. In this case, the region R1 indicates the user's gaze region, and the region R2 indicates the user's guidance field of view. The guidance visual field refers to a range in which the effect is saturated although the sense of balance is affected and the immersive feeling can be further increased if the image range shown to the user is expanded.

  In the stereoscopic image display device 1, as shown in FIG. 6, when the user seated on the seat 12 faces the front, the two screens 11, the left screen 11 and the right screen 11 of the user, Not only the region R1 that is the gaze region but also the region R2 that is the guidance field of view can be within the visible range of the user.

  On the other hand, in the stereoscopic image display device 1, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, when the user moves the gaze area R1 to the screen 11 on the left side of the user instead of the front, the guidance visual field R2 By restricting the region R3, which is a region in which the user can visually recognize the screen 11 other than the two screens, by the visual field restriction unit 15, it is possible to prevent the user from viewing the screen 11 that is not the target. It is possible to give a high immersive feeling to the user.

  In the stereoscopic image display device 1, even if the user's guidance visual field region R <b> 2 is limited by the visual field restriction unit 15, the user can look around at right and left by 40 degrees as long as the region R <b> 1 is the gaze region. Therefore, a sufficient look-amount for the user is ensured.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view for explaining a common visible region of a plurality of users in the stereoscopic image display device 1. In this embodiment, each screen 11 is set as a common visible region for two adjacent users. In this case, for example, the first user who is a predetermined user is seated on the predetermined seat 12, the second user is seated on the seat 12 adjacent to the right of the first user, and the third user is It is seated on the seat 12 on the right side of the second user.

  In the present embodiment, the first user is a three-dimensional image based on the first user's left screen 11 and the first user's image projected on the first screen (the first user's right screen 11). A predetermined game described later is performed while visually recognizing the image. Similarly, the second user can project the image of the second user projected on the first screen (second user's left screen 11) and the second screen (second user's right screen 11). The third user plays a predetermined game described later while visually recognizing a stereoscopic image based on the image, and the third user is projected onto the second screen (the screen 11 on the left side of the third user) and the screen 11 on the right side of the third user. A predetermined game to be described later is performed while visually recognizing a stereoscopic image based on the image of the third user.

  That is, the first screen serves as a common visible region for the first user and the second user to view the stereoscopic image in common. The second screen is a common visible area for the second user and the third user. Similarly, each screen 11 becomes a common visible region for two users.

  Thus, in the stereoscopic image display apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the 1st screen used as a common visible area of a 1st user and a 2nd user, and the common visible area of a 2nd user and a 3rd user Since each screen becomes a common visible region in this way, even if the size of each screen cannot be sufficiently secured due to the installation of the device or the like, one user In contrast, since a sufficient screen size can be secured, the apparatus itself can be downsized.

  Similarly, the screen 11 of the present embodiment is a common visible area for two users who are adjacent to each other. Therefore, in the stereoscopic image display device 1 of the present embodiment, the tenth screen that becomes a common visible region for the tenth user and the first user to view the stereoscopic image in common from the first screen. The screen 11 having a total of 10 screens and being a common visible region is arranged so as to circulate.

  Here, when the technology described in the present embodiment is upgraded, the stereoscopic image display apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes the first screen and the second screen, and includes the (n−1) th (where n is 3), the left-eye image and the right-eye image of the n-th user are displayed at the n-th timing, and the n-th user can view the n-th stereoscopic image. The first user has an nth screen for displaying the first user's left-eye image and right-eye image at the first timing, and allows the first user to visually recognize the first stereoscopic image. The n-th screen has a total of n screens, and the first to n-th screens are arranged to go around.

  As a result, in the stereoscopic image display device 1, since the visible areas of two adjacent users are shared, each user can obtain a sense of playing with three people including himself, A sense of unity with two matching users can be enhanced. Further, in the stereoscopic image display device 1, since the adjacent visible areas of two users are made common and the users are arranged in a circumferential shape, it is possible to enhance the sense of unity of the entire user without image deterioration. At the same time, a high immersive feeling can be given to the entire user in the apparatus.

  Next, control of the stereoscopic image display device 1 will be described. The stereoscopic image display device 1 is provided with a control device 14 that controls the entire stereoscopic image display device 1.

  The control device 14 controls the projector 13 to project a stereoscopic image on the screen 11. Here, the “stereoscopic image” means a two-dimensional image in which images for the right eye and the left eye are alternately displayed for each vertical synchronization period. The control device 14 controls the glasses GL with a liquid crystal shutter (described later) and switches the stereoscopic image for each vertical synchronization period to alternately present the left and right eyes of the user. The image can be viewed with the left eye for the left eye.

  FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the control device 14. The control device 14 includes a position information transmission / reception unit 21, an image processing unit 22, an image output unit 23, an infrared communication unit 24, an audio processing unit 25, and an audio output unit 26.

  Each user has a built-in sensor and wears first to third communication devices (not shown) that transmit detection signals of the sensor as digital signals. For example, each user wears glasses GL with a liquid crystal shutter incorporating the first communication device on the head (see FIG. 5), and the second and third communication devices on both arms. Any of the first to third communication devices can output detection signals for specifying the six degrees of freedom (front and rear, left and right, up and down, roll, pitch, and yaw movements) of each communication device. Such a configuration may be used.

  In the stereoscopic image display apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a case will be described as an example in which each sensor includes a plurality of coils and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the strength of the electromagnetic field. Each sensor detects the magnetic field generated by the reference magnetic field antenna and converts it into a current corresponding to the detected magnetic field strength. The first to third communication devices convert the magnitude of the current into a digital signal as a parameter indicating the strength of the magnetic field, and then transmit the digital signal to the position information transmission / reception unit 21. Since the current detected by each sensor is weak and susceptible to noise, the first to third communicators receive the position information with the correct detection value by converting the detection signal into a digital signal immediately after detection. The unit 21 can be supplied. Although there are no restrictions on the frequency and modulation method to be transmitted, the first to third communication devices take measures such as changing the communication frequency so that the detection signals of the sensors do not compete with each other.

  Note that it is possible to detect the position and orientation of each user's viewpoint with only the first communication device of the glasses GL with a liquid crystal shutter worn by each user. The other second and third communication devices are necessary for grasping the posture of the user and the position of each part of the body for the collision determination described later.

  The position information transmitting / receiving unit 21 includes a reference magnetic field generator that generates a reference magnetic field in the reference magnetic field antenna, a receiver that receives digital signals transmitted from the first to third communication devices via the antenna, and a receiver. A serial buffer for storing digital signals is provided.

  The reference magnetic field generator outputs a signal having a constant current value under the control of the image processing unit 22, for example, a signal that outputs a pulse at a predetermined cycle. The reference magnetic field antenna is formed by shaping an electric wire having a certain length on each side into, for example, a rectangular frame. Since adjacent sides intersect with each other at right angles, the strength of the magnetic field detected when the distance from the reference magnetic field antenna exceeds a certain distance has a correlation with the relative distance from the reference magnetic field antenna. . The reference magnetic field generator generates a reference magnetic field having a constant strength by flowing a signal having a constant current value through the reference magnetic field antenna. In the present embodiment, distance detection using a magnetic field is performed, but distance detection based on an electric field or distance detection using an ultrasonic wave or the like may be performed. The receiver transfers the digital signal transmitted from the first to third communication devices to the serial buffer as serial data. The serial buffer stores serial data transferred from the receiver.

  The image processing unit 22 performs main calculation operations of image processing at an ultra-high speed and in real time, and performs pixel-by-pixel calculations for a stereoscopic image to generate image data. The image processing unit 22 generates image data of 120 frames per second for each screen 11 and performs image processing. In the present embodiment, each screen 11 has a common visible region for two users and displays an image with a shorter vertical synchronization period, so that the frequency of the basic synchronization signal is the frequency of a normal television system. The higher vertical synchronization frequency is set to 120 [Hz]. Thereby, in this embodiment, even if an image display period for the left and right eyes of two users is provided, an image is displayed with a cycle of 30 [Hz] on one eye, thus preventing flicker and flicker. High image quality can be maintained. The image processing unit 22 transmits the generated image data to the corresponding projector 13 via the image output unit 23.

  Each projector 13 includes image data of one user among the image data supplied from the image output unit 23, image data of the right eye of the user, and image of the left eye of another user (for example, the user on the right). The data and the image data of the other user's right eye are stored in the corresponding frame buffer. Each projector 13 projects the image data stored in the frame buffer onto the corresponding screen 11 in an appropriate order.

  The infrared communication unit 24 modulates the open / close signal of the glasses GL with a liquid crystal shutter supplied from the image processing unit 22 at a predetermined frequency, and causes an infrared diode or the like to emit light. The glasses GL with a liquid crystal shutter worn by each user detect an opening / closing signal modulated by infrared rays by a light receiving element such as a photosensor, and demodulate the original opening / closing signal. Since the open / close signal includes information regarding the timing for instructing the opening period of the right eye and the opening period of the left eye, the glasses GL with a liquid crystal shutter open and close the liquid crystal shutter in synchronization with the timing of the information. The infrared communication may be configured according to a normal remote controller. Further, the communication method is not limited to infrared communication, and any other communication method may be used as long as it can indicate an accurate left / right opening / closing timing.

  The sound processing unit 25 performs predetermined sound processing to generate sound data in order to output sound in accordance with the image projected on each projector. Then, the voice processing unit 25 transmits the generated voice data to the voice output unit 26. The audio output unit 26 performs a predetermined conversion process, and outputs audio from a speaker or headphones worn by the user in accordance with an image projected on each projector.

  In addition, each component of the control apparatus 14 can be arrange | positioned in various positions other than the position of illustration. For example, a plurality of position information transmission / reception units 11 may be arranged at various positions on the stereoscopic image display device 1 so that digital signals from the first to third communication devices can be easily received.

  Next, the image display process and the collision determination process of the control device 14 will be described along the flowchart of FIG. Note that the control device 14 executes the flowchart of FIG. 10 for each set, with one screen 11, one projector 13, and two users who use the screen 11 as a common visible area as one set. The control device 14 can simplify the control of the image display process and the collision determination process by controlling each group. In the present embodiment, the control device 14 causes the user to play a predetermined game in which, for example, the user fights a dinosaur with a weapon using an image display process and a collision determination process.

  As a premise, the control device 14 reads out and executes a game program for game play from a large-capacity memory, and reads out and uses the game program and original image data corresponding to the game program as needed. The user enters the stereoscopic image display device 1 through the doorway 3 and sits on the seat 12. When it is confirmed that the user has entered and the doorway 3 is closed, the control device 14 executes the game program.

  First, the image processing unit 22 sets a counter for counting the number of users to an initial value (n ← 1) (step S1). In response to each user playing a game inside the stereoscopic image display device 1, the position information transmission / reception unit 11 receives a digital signal from the first to third communication devices of each user. Are stored in sequence.

  Subsequently, the image processing unit 22 selects a predetermined user from the two users, and reads a digital signal from the serial buffer for the user in the position information transmitting / receiving unit 11 (step S2). At this time, the image processing unit 22 recognizes a digital signal from the first communication device of the glasses GL with a liquid crystal shutter as a detection signal for viewpoint detection. In addition, the image processing unit 22 holds the digital signals from the second and third communication devices for later collision determination (step S6).

  Subsequently, the image processing unit 22 calculates the viewpoint and line of sight of the selected user (hereinafter referred to as the selected user) based on the digital signal from the first communication device (step S3). The image processing unit 22 calculates relative coordinates from the center of gravity by, for example, adding and subtracting an offset value to the position of the center of gravity of the shape of the stereoscopic image display device 1 and the digital signal from the first communication device, and then The distance between the point serving as the viewpoint and the corresponding screen and the coordinates when projected onto the corresponding screen are calculated. In addition, the image processing unit 22 determines, for example, the position information with respect to the reference magnetic field based on the digital signal transmitted from the position sensor or the angle sensor of the first communicator of the glasses GL with the liquid crystal shutter, based on the direction of the line of sight of the player. It is calculated by calculating the angle information.

  Based on the selected user's viewpoint and line-of-sight information, the image processing unit 22 converts coordinates so that each pixel of the original image data corresponds to the selected user's viewpoint and line of sight while referring to the graphic library. Perform the operation. As will be described later, the image processing unit 22 performs calculation in the order from the image for the left eye to the image for the right eye.

  Then, the image processing unit 22 causes the corresponding projector 13 via the image output unit 23 to project a stereoscopic image obtained by converting coordinates based on the viewpoint and line-of-sight information of the selected user onto the corresponding screen 11 in real time. For example, when displaying a dinosaur as a character that is an object to be attacked by the user, the image processing unit 22 performs a matrix operation by applying the above-described CAVE system technique, thereby generating a stereoscopic image of the dinosaur at a predetermined spatial position. A stereoscopic image is generated so as to be visually recognized by the user.

  In addition, the image processing unit 22 performs a matrix operation on the basis of digital signals from the second and third communication devices attached to the user's hand, for example, by applying the above-described CAVE system technique. The stereoscopic image is generated so that the stereoscopic image of the weapon exists at the position of the right hand as viewed from the viewpoint of the selected user. As a result, the selected user can visually recognize the presence of a weapon that does not actually exist in his / her right hand.

  Subsequently, the image processing unit 22 sets, for example, a first collision area for collision determination centered on the coordinates of a predetermined position of the dinosaur stereoscopic image (step S4). Subsequently, the image processing unit 22 sets, for example, a second collision area for collision determination around the coordinates of a predetermined position of the weapon stereoscopic image (step S5). Note that the first and second collision areas are concepts for calculation, and the image processing unit 22 does not display the first and second collision areas so that the user can visually recognize the first and second collision areas. The first collision area is for easily calculating the collision determination, and the image processing unit 22 first covers the shape of the image according to the size of the stereoscopic image that is the attack target object. 1 collision area is set.

  Subsequently, the image processing unit 22 recognizes the radii r1 and r2 and the center coordinates o1 and o2 of the first and second collision areas as parameters for specifying the first and second collision areas. Subsequently, the image processing unit 22 recognizes the distance d from the center coordinate o1 of the first collision area to the center coordinate o2 of the second collision area, and the distance d and the radius r1 of the first collision area and The sum of the radius r2 of the second collision area is compared. Then, the image processing unit 22 determines whether or not the first collision area and the second collision area collide based on the comparison result, that is, the dinosaur stereoscopic image and the weapon stereoscopic image collide. It is determined whether or not (step S7).

  Note that the image processing unit 22 not only determines whether the stereoscopic image of the dinosaur and the stereoscopic image of the weapon collide, but, for example, a laser beam emitted from the stereoscopic image of the light gun and the stereoscopic image of the dinosaur are generated. It can also be determined whether or not there is a collision, and it can also be determined whether or not the user and the stereoscopic image of the dinosaur have collided. In the stereoscopic image display device 1, a stereoscopic image may be generated by the image processing unit 22 so that the user can visually recognize the light gun as a stereoscopic image. You may make it have. For example, the image processing unit 22 includes a communication device similar to the second and third communication devices at the muzzle of an actual light gun, thereby generating a stereoscopic image so that a stereoscopic image of the weapon exists. Similarly, a stereoscopic image can be generated so that a laser beam is emitted from the muzzle portion of an actual light gun. Further, the image processing unit 22 can generate various other stereoscopic images.

  Subsequently, when the distance d is larger than the sum of the radius r1 of the first collision area and the radius r2 of the second collision area (d> r1 + r2) (step S7: YES), that is, the weapon When it is determined that the stereoscopic image does not collide with the dinosaur stereoscopic image, the normal original image data is read out, coordinate conversion processing is performed based on the user's viewpoint and line-of-sight information, and a normal left-eye image is generated. (Step S8) A normal right-eye image is generated (Step S9). On the other hand, when the distance d is equal to or smaller than the sum of the radius r1 of the first collision area and the radius r2 of the second collision area (d ≦ r1 + r2) (step S7: NO), that is, the weapon solid When it is determined that the image collided with the dinosaur stereoscopic image, the normal original image data and the collision image data are read out and synthesized, and then coordinate transformation processing is performed based on the user's viewpoint and line-of-sight information, and the weapon stereoscopic An image for the left eye when the image collides with the stereoscopic image of the dinosaur is generated (step S10), and an image for the right eye when the image collides similarly is generated (step S11).

  Subsequently, the image processing unit 22 determines whether or not the next user exists (step S12). If the next user exists (step S12: YES), the user counter is incremented (step S13). Return to step S2. On the other hand, if there is no next user (step S12: NO), the image processing unit 22 resets the user counter and returns to step S2.

  The image processing unit 22 generates a stereoscopic image of the laser beam emitted from the attack target object, the dinosaur, the weapon, and the light gun. However, as long as the original image data is prepared, various other stereoscopic images are generated. An image may be generated. For example, if the original image data of the vehicle on which the player rides is prepared, the image processing unit 22 provides space to the user even though the user is simply standing (sitting on the seat). It is also possible to generate a stereoscopic image as if boarding a flying object that freely navigates, and to allow the user to visually recognize a stereoscopic image that is boarding the flying object.

  In this flowchart, only the image processing by the image processing unit 22 has been described, but it goes without saying that the sound processing unit 15 outputs sound from a speaker or a headphone worn by the user corresponding to the progress of the image.

  Next, the liquid crystal shutter timing control process of the control device 14 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the control device 14 executes a shutter timing control process for each set of two users who use each screen 11 as a common visible region.

  First, an image display period that is a display period of an image displayed on the screen 11 is divided by the number of users as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, since there are two users who perform the shutter timing control process, the image display period is divided into two and divided into an image display period V1 for user A and an image display period V2 for user B. Further, the image display period is further divided into two parts in order to display the left-eye image and the right-eye image for one user. That is, one stereoscopic image is composed of frame images of the number of users n × 2 (both eyes).

  The image processing unit 22 transfers image data to the corresponding projector 13 via the image output unit 23 with one frame as one unit. The image processing unit 22 transfers images in the order of left eye to right eye for each user. For example, each projector 13 transmits the left eye image data of one user A among the image data supplied from the image output unit 23 to the first block of the frame buffer, and then transmitted to the right eye of the user A. The image data is sent to the second block of the frame buffer, and then the left-eye image data of another user B (for example, the user on the right) to be transmitted is transmitted to the third block of the frame buffer, and then the other user is transmitted. The image data for the right eye of B is stored in the fourth block of the frame buffer.

  Each projector 13 projects an image based on the image data on the corresponding screen 11 for each frame in the block order in the frame buffer. At this time, in synchronization with the projection timing, the image processing unit 22 sends an open / close signal for driving the liquid crystal shutter of the glasses GL with a liquid crystal shutter to be worn by each user via the infrared communication device 24. Supply to glasses GL. For example, for the glasses GL with a liquid crystal shutter of the user A, when an image based on the image data of the first block of the frame buffer is projected, the left eye is in an open state, and an image based on the image data of the second block is displayed. An open signal is output that causes the right eye to be open when projected. Similarly, when the image based on the image data of the third block of the frame buffer is projected to the user B's glasses GL with a liquid crystal shutter, the left eye is in an open state and the image based on the image data of the fourth block When the image is projected, an open signal for opening the right eye is output.

  Each user opens only the left-eye shutter when the left-eye image based on his / her viewpoint is displayed on the screen 11 and recognizes the image only with the left-eye, and when the right-eye image is displayed, only the right-eye shutter is displayed. Open and recognize the image only with the right eye. When an image for another user is displayed, both the shutters for both eyes are closed. With the above operation, each user visually recognizes a stereoscopic image from which a complete virtual reality can be obtained from their own viewpoint.

  Further, on one screen 11, images for the left and right eyes are sequentially switched and displayed for each user based on the same original image data. If the lowest frequency at which the user can observe a moving image without a sense of incompatibility is 30 [Hz], the frequency of the synchronization signal for transferring the frame image needs to be n × 2 (both eyes). However, in this embodiment, since the frequency is 30 [Hz], the user can observe a moving image without a sense of incongruity.

  FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the stereoscopic image display apparatus 1 in the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the timing at which the projector 13 corresponding to each screen 11 projects and displays an image. Note that the numbers of the screens 11 in FIGS. 12 and 13 are numbers given for convenience in order to identify the screen 11, and the symbols in FIGS. 12 and 13 are for convenience in order to identify the user. It is the code | symbol attached | subjected. Moreover, the straight line (dotted line) which connects between each user and the screen 11 has shown the above-mentioned guidance visual field (FIG. 7) of each user.

  In this case, the projector 13 corresponding to the screen 11 (number 1) on the left side of the user B has the left eye image (AL) for the user A at the timing t1, and the left eye image (AL) for the user B at the timing t2. BL), the right eye image (AR) of the user A at the timing of t3, and the right eye image (BR) of the user B at the timing of t4 are projected on the screen 11 (number 1). A similar image is projected onto the screen 11 (number 1). That is, the screen 11 (number 1) becomes a common visible region of the user A and the user B, the image of the user A is displayed at the first timing (t1 or t3), and the user at the second timing (t2 or t4). B image is displayed.

  At this time, the image processing unit 22 displays only the left-eye liquid crystal shutter of the user A at the timing t1, only the left-eye liquid crystal shutter of the user B at the timing t2, and the user A's at the timing t3. Only the right-eye liquid crystal shutter, only the right-eye liquid crystal shutter of the user B is opened at the timing of t4, and the corresponding user's liquid crystal shutter is then opened at the same timing.

  In addition, the projector 13 corresponding to the screen 11 (number 2) on the right side of the user B displays the image for the left eye of the user C (CL) at the timing of t1, and the image for the left eye of the user B (BL at the timing of t2. ), The right-eye image (CR) of the user C at the timing of t3, and the right-eye image (BR) of the user B at the timing of t4 are projected on the screen 11 (number 1). Are projected onto the screen 11 (number 1). That is, the screen 11 (number 2) is a common visible region for the user B and the user C, the image of the user C is displayed at the first timing, and the image of the user B is displayed at the second timing.

  At this time, the image processing unit 22 displays only the liquid crystal shutter for the left eye of the user C at the timing of t1, only the liquid crystal shutter for the left eye of the user B at the timing of t2, and the user C's at the timing of t3. Only the right-eye liquid crystal shutter, only the right-eye liquid crystal shutter of the user B is opened at the timing of t4, and the corresponding user's liquid crystal shutter is then opened at the same timing.

  Thereby, the user B is based on the stereoscopic image projected at the timings t2, t4, t6, t8,... On the left screen 11 (number 1) and the right screen 11 (number 2) of the user B. A smooth stereoscopic image can be visually recognized.

  Similarly, the other screens 11 (numbers 3 to 10) are the common visible areas of two adjacent users, and the other users A and C to J can view a stereoscopic image similarly. it can.

  In this way, in the stereoscopic image display apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the wall body 2 is disposed on the outer side of the sheet 12 that is circumferentially arranged so that the plurality of sheets 12 are seated with each user facing outward. A plurality of screens 11 are arranged with the respective inner wall surfaces as projection surfaces, and each projector 13 projects a stereoscopic image onto the corresponding screen 11. At this time, in the stereoscopic image display apparatus 1, the first screen is set as a common visible region for the first user and the second user to visually recognize the stereoscopic image, and the second screen is set as the second screen. Common user and third user's visible region.

  Therefore, in the stereoscopic image display device 1, the device itself can be reduced in size while ensuring a sufficient screen size for one user, and a smooth image with a high frame rate for two people can be displayed. While maintaining, it is possible to provide each user with a sense of playing with three users including himself / herself on both sides, so that a sense of unity and play by multiple users playing together Immersive feeling can be enhanced.

  Further, in the stereoscopic image display device 1, each projector 13 is responsible for displaying images for two people, and each screen 11 is set as a common visible area for two users, and the stereoscopic images or the stereoscopic images are actually displayed. By determining the presence or absence of a collision with an object or a part of the user's body, it is possible to double the attractiveness of the game play for the user, and a 3D attraction that can be played by a large number of people and is highly interactive Can be realized.

  Further, in the stereoscopic image display device 1, a plurality of screens 11 each having the inner wall surface of the wall body 2 as projection surfaces are arranged, and a plurality of sheets 12 are circumferentially arranged so that each user is seated facing outward. By arranging them, it is possible to allow many users to use the attractions per unit time in the operation of the attractions using the stereoscopic image display device 1, so that the waiting time of the user until using the attractions is markedly increased. Can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the case where each inner wall surface of the wall body 2 having a regular decagonal shape in plan view is used as the screen 11 because the apparatus is easily set up and the projector 13 is installed is described. The invention is not limited to this, and each inner wall surface of the wall body having a regular polygonal shape (regular n-corner shape) in a plan view may be used as a screen, and as shown in FIG. A cylindrical wall body may be used, and the inner wall surface of the cylindrical wall body may be applied as a screen. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a screen using various inner wall surfaces of the annular wall body 2. For example, when the present invention is applied to a screen using a cylindrical wall body as the wall body 2, a screen having a depth near the center of each screen can be formed. When a continuous curved surface such as the inner wall surface of a cylindrical wall body is applied as a screen, an area for projecting an image for two (or three or more) users by a certain projector 13 is one. Can act as two screens.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although the case where each inner wall surface of the cyclic | annular wall body 2 was used as the screen 11 was described, this invention is not restricted to this, For example, as shown in FIG. The present invention may be applied to a plurality of screens, and can be applied to screens arranged in various other states.

  Here, when it is upgraded so as to include a case where the screens are arranged in a ring shape or a case where the screens are arranged in a straight line, the stereoscopic image display device includes a first screen and a second screen (see FIG. 8). A left-eye image and a right-eye image of the n-th user arranged adjacent to the (n-1) -th screen (where n is an integer of 3 or more) and allowing the n-th user to visually recognize the n-th stereoscopic image. It has an nth screen for displaying an image at an nth timing, and has a total of n display units from the first display unit to the nth display unit.

  For example, when applied to a plurality of screens arranged in a straight line as shown in FIG. 15, in the stereoscopic image display device, the nth user and the (n + 1) th user are common from the first screen. By having a total of n screens of the nth screen that is a common visible area for visually recognizing a stereoscopic image, since the adjacent user and the visible area are common, the sense of unity between two adjacent users can be obtained. Can be increased.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the case where each user was able to visually recognize the image of the two adjacent screens 11 was described, this invention is not restricted to this, as shown in FIG. Each user may be configured to be able to visually recognize the images on the three adjacent screens 11, and the stereoscopic image display device may be configured so that three or more users can simultaneously view the stereoscopic image. Also good.

  When each user is configured to be able to visually recognize the images on the three adjacent screens 11, each screen is a common visible area for three adjacent users. Further, in the stereoscopic image display device, each screen is arranged to be in front of each user when seated. Further, the stereoscopic image display device corresponds to a screen corresponding to the first user image at the first timing, the second user image at the second timing, and the third user image at the third timing. To display. As a result, the stereoscopic image display apparatus can ensure a sufficiently large screen size for one user and allow the user to visually recognize a powerful stereoscopic image. The same applies to the case where the stereoscopic image display device is configured so that three or more users can simultaneously view the stereoscopic image.

  14 to 16 are conceptual diagrams of plan views of the stereoscopic image display device 1 according to another embodiment, and the screen numbers and symbols in the drawings are the same as those in FIG.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where an image is projected onto the corresponding screen 11 by the projector 13 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a liquid crystal television or a plasma display is used as a display unit. An image may be displayed on the unit, and any device capable of displaying an image that allows the user to visually recognize a stereoscopic image can be applied to the display unit.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the case where the sheet 12 is arranged inside the screen 11 to save the space of the apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each user has a plurality of sheets. It is good also as a structure arrange | positioned circumferentially so that it may sit in the state which faced the inner side, and arrange | positioned the some screen inside the cyclic | annular sheet | seat arrange | positioned outside the cyclic | annular wall body.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the case where it was set as the structure which arrange | positions the headrest 15 to the sheet | seat 12 and set it as the structure which restrict | limits a user's visible range, this invention can restrict | limit a user's view physically not only in this. Any aspect can be applied as long as it is a structure. For example, a structure in which a wall for blocking the field of view is provided between the sheets or a structure in which the rotation of the user's head is physically restricted can be applied.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which restrict | limits a user's visual field by control of spectacles with a liquid-crystal shutter, without restrict | limiting physically a user's visual field as mentioned above. For example, when it is determined that the user is gazing at a region R3 (see FIG. 7), which is a region where the screen 11 other than the two screens corresponding to the user is viewed, the liquid crystal of the electronic glasses It is possible to apply a configuration that limits the visible range of the user by controlling to close the shutter.

  The present invention can be applied to an image display device that displays various stereoscopic images other than the stereoscopic image display device using the CAVE system.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Stereoscopic image display apparatus, 2 ... Wall (annular wall), 3 ... Doorway, 11 ... Screen (display part), 11H ... Upper projection surface, 11L ... Lower projection surface, 12 ... Seat, 13 ... Projector, 13H ... Upper projection projector, 13L ... Lower projection projector, 14, 15 ... Headrest, 21 ... Position information transmission / reception unit, 22 ... Image processing unit, 23 ... Image output unit, 24 ... Infrared communication unit, 25 ... Audio processing unit, 26 ... Audio output unit

Claims (7)

A left-eye image corresponding to the user's left-eye viewpoint and a right-eye image corresponding to the right-eye viewpoint are displayed on a predetermined display unit, and the user wears them in synchronization with the display timing of the left-eye image and the right-eye image. A stereoscopic image display device that allows the user to visually recognize a stereoscopic image by controlling opening and closing of an electronic shutter of the electronic glasses,
The first user's left-eye image and right-eye image are displayed at a first timing, and the second user visually recognizes the second stereoscopic image. A first display unit that displays the left-eye image and the right-eye image of the second user at a second timing;
The second user's left-eye image and right-eye image are displayed at the second timing, arranged adjacent to the first display unit, and allowing the second user to visually recognize the second stereoscopic image. And a second display unit that displays the third user's left-eye image and right-eye image at a third timing that allows the third user to visually recognize the third stereoscopic image. A stereoscopic image display device. The second display unit includes:
The stereoscopic vision according to claim 1, wherein the third user's left eye image and right eye image are displayed at the first timing to allow the third user to visually recognize the third stereoscopic image. Image display device. The nth user's (n-1) (where n is an integer greater than or equal to 3) display unit is arranged adjacent to the display unit, and allows the nth user to visually recognize the nth stereoscopic image. An n-th display unit for displaying the left-eye image and the right-eye image at the n-th timing;
3. The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 1, further comprising a total of n display units from the first display unit to the n-th display unit. 4. The nth user's (n-1) (where n is an integer greater than or equal to 3) display unit is arranged adjacent to the display unit, and allows the nth user to visually recognize the nth stereoscopic image. The left-eye image and the right-eye image are displayed at the n-th timing, and the first user's left-eye image and right-eye image are displayed at the first timing, which allows the first user to visually recognize the first stereoscopic image. An n-th display unit for displaying,
A total of n display units from the first display unit to the nth display unit;
The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 1, wherein the first to n-th display units are arranged so as to go around.   The stereoscopic image display apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the display unit is arranged in a substantially regular n-square shape in plan view. A plurality of seating portions arranged circumferentially inside the display unit arranged in a substantially regular n-square shape in plan view so that the user is seated in a state facing the display unit;
The seating portion is
Located on a straight line connecting the apex and center point of a substantially regular n-gon formed by the display unit, the user is arranged in a direction facing the boundary between the display units when seated,
The stereoscopic image display apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a visual field restriction unit that restricts the visual field of the user at a predetermined position on the left and right of the position where the user holds the head. The second user's left-eye image and right-eye image are displayed at the second timing, arranged adjacent to the first display unit, and allowing the second user to visually recognize the second stereoscopic image. And displaying the third user's left-eye image and right-eye image at the third timing, which allows the third user to visually recognize the third stereoscopic image, and the fourth user to A third display unit for displaying a left-eye image and a right-eye image of the fourth user for visually recognizing the stereoscopic image at a fourth timing;
The first display unit includes:
Displaying the third user's left-eye image and right-eye image at the third timing, which allows the third user to visually recognize the third stereoscopic image;
The second display unit includes:
The stereoscopic vision according to claim 1, wherein the first user's left-eye image and right-eye image that cause the first user to visually recognize the first stereoscopic image are displayed at the first timing. Image display device.

Images