JP2012079243A - Rotary display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rotary display device in which an electrical configuration is not complicated and further, an image or the like can be displayed with high quality.SOLUTION: A spherical screen 4 ensuring a light diffusion property diffusing light from the inside to the outside is accommodated inside a freely rotatable, transparent and hollow ball body 3 on a base 2. An opening 4a is provided at a part of the spherical screen 4, and a state of turning the opening 4a right down is maintained by a dead weight of a bearing 5 provided on a peripheral edge of the opening 4a. An image G is projected on an inner circumferential surface of the spherical screen 4 via a lower end of the ball body 3 and the opening 4a that the spherical screen 4 has, by a projector 6 provided below the base 2. It is not necessary to supply a power source of a projector or image data (display data) from the outside of the ball body to the inside, and an image observed from the outside of the ball body 3 is prevented from being blurred or double observed. Furthermore, sufficient lightness can be ensured for the image.

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotary display device that displays an image inside a sphere that can be rotated.

  Conventionally, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, an image is projected onto the inner peripheral surface of a semitransparent ball body rotatably supported by a rear projection type projector, while depending on the rotation angle when the ball body is operated. A rotary display device for controlling the projected image is described. In such a rotary display device, an intuitive and sensation of operational feeling can be provided to the user by controlling the projection image according to the operation of the ball body.

  In Patent Document 1 below, as a configuration for projecting an image on the inner peripheral surface of a semi-transparent ball body, a projector is provided inside the ball body, and projection light is directly irradiated onto the inner peripheral surface of the ball body. A configuration and a configuration in which a projector is provided outside the ball body, the projection light is transmitted from the outside to the inside of the ball body, and then irradiated to the inner peripheral surface of the ball body are described.

JP 2000-207093 A

  However, the rotary display device described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems. In other words, in the case where the projector is provided inside the ball body, it is difficult to reduce the size of the ball body, and it is necessary to supply power, display data, etc. to the projector from the outside of the ball body. There is a problem that the electrical configuration of the system becomes complicated.

  On the other hand, in the case where the projector is provided outside the ball body, the projection light is transmitted through the ball body twice including the projection portion, so that the image quality is deteriorated. That is, there is a problem that the image is blurred or the image is observed twice or the brightness of the image is inevitably lowered when the angle between the direction of observing the image and the optical axis of the projection light is increased. there were.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rotary display device capable of displaying an image or the like with high quality without complicating an electrical configuration. And

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the rotary display device according to the first aspect of the present invention, a base, a transparent hollow ball body rotatably provided on the base, and the ball body The hollow sphere having a smaller diameter than the hollow body has a shape in which an opening is provided, and light diffusibility for diffusing light from the inside to the outside is ensured. A spherical screen that is allowed to roll relative to the ball body in a fixed orientation, and an image is projected from the outside of the ball body onto the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen through the opening. It is characterized by comprising projection means and detection means for detecting the rotation of the ball as input information used for controlling the image projected on the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen by the projection means.

  In the rotary display device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the projection means corresponds to the entire peripheral surface of the spherical screen visible from the outside through the ball on the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen. An image is projected onto a region to be operated.

  Further, in the rotary display device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the control of the image in which the projection means projects the pressing operation toward the base on the ball body onto the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen. The apparatus further comprises second detecting means for detecting input information used in the above.

  In the rotary display device according to the invention described in claim 4, the image projected by the projection unit on the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen is based on the rotation of the ball detected by the detection unit. Control means for controlling is provided.

  Further, in the rotary display device according to the invention described in claim 5, the projection means is based on a pressing operation toward the base with respect to the ball body detected by the second detection means. Control means for controlling an image projected on the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rotary display device that can display an image or the like with high quality without complicating the electrical configuration.

It is sectional drawing of the rotation display apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. 1 at the time of rotation operation of a ball body. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. 1 at the time of pressing operation of a ball body. It is a block diagram which shows a rotation operation | movement detection mechanism. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a rotation display apparatus. It is a transition diagram which shows an example of the control content of the image in a display control part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a rotary display device 1 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the rotary display device 1 includes a base 2 and a ball body 3 provided on an upper portion of the base 2 and capable of rotating operation.

  The ball body 3 is a hollow body formed of a transparent material such as glass or synthetic resin. More specifically, the hemispherical member is made transparent by using a transparent adhesive or the like so that the joint is not seen as much as possible. It is formed by joining. It should be noted that the transparency of the ball body 3 is arbitrary, and it is sufficient that at least transparency that allows the inside to be seen through is ensured.

  A spherical screen 4 having the following configuration is accommodated inside the ball body 3. That is, the spherical screen 4 has a shape in which a part of a hollow sphere whose diameter is slightly smaller than that of the ball body 3 is cut out, and a circular opening 4a is provided at the lower end as shown in FIG. It has been.

  A bearing 5 in which a plurality of freely rotatable balls 5 a are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction is provided integrally with the spherical screen 4 on the periphery of the opening 4 a. By being supported by the body 3, relative rolling with respect to the ball body 3 is allowed. The spherical screen 4 is ensured to have the same posture in which the opening 4a faces directly below by the weight of the bearing 5. Thereby, the spherical screen 4 is always maintained in a state in which the orientation of the opening 4a is fixed regardless of whether or not the ball body 3 is rotated.

  Further, the spherical screen 4 is formed of a light-transmitting member and has a light diffusibility that diffuses light from the inside toward the outside. For example, a material for diffusing light is applied to the spherical screen 4 on one or both of the inner and outer surfaces of the translucent member, or a process for diffusing the light is performed. As a result, light diffusibility is ensured. The spherical screen 4 may be formed using any material that diffuses light.

  On the other hand, the upper part of the base 2 is formed with a recess 2 a that accommodates almost half of the lower end side of the ball body 3. The inner peripheral surface of the recess 2a is a spherical surface, and the projector 6 is attached to the bottom thereof. The projector 6 is a so-called data projector that converts arbitrary image data supplied from the outside into projection light by a light modulation element (DMD, transmissive liquid crystal device, reflective liquid crystal device, etc.).

  The projection light L emitted from the projector 6 is irradiated from the lower side of the ball body 3 to the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen 4 through the lower end portion of the ball body 3 and further through the opening 4 a of the spherical screen 4. Thereby, an arbitrary image G is projected on the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen 4. The image G projected on the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen 4 has an image G projected on the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen 4 because the spherical screen 4 has light diffusibility and the ball 3 is transparent. It can be observed from the outside through the ball body 3.

  Further, in the projector 6, the projection optical system is such that the image projection range is an area corresponding to the entire peripheral surface of the spherical screen 4 that can be visually recognized from the outside via the ball body 3 on the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen 4. The focal length has been adjusted. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the focal length of the projector 6 is adjusted so that the outer peripheral edge of the projection image G is positioned below the opening edge of the recess 2a as shown in FIG. Yes.

  On the other hand, the base 2 is provided with ball rollers 7 that protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the recess 2a and rotatably support the ball body 3 at a plurality of locations (four locations in the present embodiment) in the circumferential direction of the recess 2a. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of ball rollers 7 are rotatably provided at the plunger 7b loosely inserted into the mounting hole 2b opened on the inner peripheral surface of the recess 2a and at the tip of the plunger 7b. And a freely rotatable ball 7a. The ball roller 7 is movable in the axial direction in the mounting hole 2b, and is urged in a direction protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the recess 2a by a chord spring 8 externally inserted into the plunger 7b.

  The plunger 7b has a maximum protrusion amount from the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion 2a so that a uniform gap is secured between the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion 2a and the outer peripheral surface of the ball body 3 by a stopper (not shown). It is regulated.

  Thereby, the ball body 3 is maintained in a state slightly separated from the inner peripheral surface of the recess 2a, and is rotated in an arbitrary direction (see FIG. 2) and in a direction in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the recess 2a. Movement (see FIG. 3) is allowed.

  A pressing switch 9 is provided at the bottom of each mounting hole 2b in which the ball roller 7 is loosely inserted. Each pressing switch 9 functions as a second detecting means for detecting, as input information, a pressing operation toward the base 2 with respect to the ball body 3. In other words, it is in an off state during normal times, and when the ball body 3 moves beyond a certain amount in a direction in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the recess 2a against the bias of the string spring 8, it is pressed by the plunger 7b of the ball roller 7. This is a switch that is turned on.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the recess 2 a of the base 2 has a y-axis extending in the y-axis direction when the vertical direction is the z-axis and having a peripheral surface abutting against the bottom of the ball body 3. A side roll 12 is provided. The y-axis side roll 12 constitutes a rotational motion detection mechanism 11 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, and is in a state of being in contact with the ball body 3 with a force smaller than the plurality of ball rollers 7 by a spring (not shown). Maintained.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the rotational motion detection mechanism 11 including the y-axis side roll 12, and is a plan view showing a state in which the ball body 3 is cut along a plane in contact with the y-axis side roll 12.

  The rotational motion detection mechanism 11 functions as detection means for detecting the rotational motion of the ball body 3 as input information, and is configured as follows. That is, the rotational motion detection mechanism 11 includes a y-axis side roll 12 extending in the y-axis direction and contacting the ball body 3, and a y-axis including a rotor (not shown) connected to the y-axis side roll 12 via the shaft 13. Side rotary encoder 14, x axis side roll 15 that extends in the x axis direction and abuts against ball body 3, and x axis side rotary that includes a rotor (not shown) connected to x axis side roll 15 via shaft 16. And an encoder 17.

  Note that, similarly to the y-axis side roll 12, the x-axis side roll 15 is also kept in contact with the ball body 3 with a smaller force than the plurality of ball rollers 7 by a spring (not shown).

  When the ball body 3 is rotated in an arbitrary direction, the y-axis side rotary encoder 14 generates a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation of the y-axis side roll 12 (the lateral rotation component of the ball body 3), and x The shaft-side rotary encoder 17 generates a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation of the x-axis side roll 15 (the vertical rotation component of the ball body 3) when the ball body 3 is rotated in an arbitrary direction.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an outline of the electrical configuration of the rotary display device 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the projector 6, the plurality of press switches 9, the y-axis side rotary encoder 14, and the x-axis side rotary encoder 17 are connected to the display control unit 21. The display control unit 21 is connected to an image memory 22 in which image data representing various images and other data are stored.

  The display control unit 21 is for causing the projector 6 to project various images stored as image data in the image memory 22 and images generated based on various data stored in the image memory 22. . The display control unit 21 is, for example, an electronic circuit incorporated in the base 2 or an electronic circuit that is provided separately from the rotary display device 1 and electrically connected to each unit on the rotary display device 1 side via a cable. Realized by a circuit.

  The electronic circuit includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), peripheral circuits thereof, a working memory for the CPU, and the like. The display control unit 21 and the image memory 22 can also be realized by a general-purpose personal computer connected to the rotary display device 1 by a cable.

  The display control unit 21 generates display image data (video signal) based on the image data stored in the image memory 22, and supplies the generated image data to the projector 6. G is projected onto the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen 4. When generating the display image data, the display control unit 21 corrects the apparent distortion that occurs when a two-dimensional image is projected onto the inner peripheral surface (spherical surface) of the spherical screen 4 with respect to the original image data. Predetermined image processing is performed.

  Further, the display control unit 21 determines that the ball body 3 has been pressed when any of the plurality of pressing switches 9 is turned on while the projector 6 is projecting an arbitrary image G. Further, the display control unit 21 sequentially calculates the rotation direction when the ball body 3 is rotated based on the pulse signals supplied from the y-axis side rotary encoder 14 and the x-axis side rotary encoder 17. Then, the display control unit 21 responds to the pressing operation and the rotation operation of the ball body 3 while projecting the arbitrary image G on the projector 6, and the image displayed on the rotation display device 1 is determined in advance. By controlling with, it functions as the control means in this embodiment.

  In the rotary display device 1 having the above configuration, the spherical screen 4 has the opening 4a, and the orientation of the opening 4a is always fixed regardless of whether or not the ball 3 is rotated. Yes. The projection light L emitted from the projector 6 is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen 4 from the lower side of the ball body 3 through the lower end of the ball body 3 and further through the opening 4a.

  Therefore, in the rotary display device 1, unlike the conventional projector 6 provided inside the spherical screen 4, the ball body 3 can be downsized. Further, since it is not necessary to supply image data (display data) representing the image to be displayed or the power source of the projector from the outside to the inside of the ball body, the electrical configuration can be simplified.

  Further, the projection light L emitted from the projector 6 passes through the transparent ball body 3 and is directly irradiated onto the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen 4. Therefore, the image G projected on the spherical screen 4 is not blurred or double observed when observed from the outside of the ball body 3, and is further observed from the outside of the ball body 3. Sufficient brightness can be ensured in the image. Therefore, a high quality image can be displayed.

  In the rotary display device 1 of the present embodiment, the projection range of the image in the projector 6 corresponds to the entire peripheral surface of the spherical screen 4 that is visible from the outside through the ball body 3 on the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen 4. Therefore, the image can be observed even when the ball body 3 is observed from any direction.

  Further, in the rotary display device 1 of the present embodiment, the pressing operation of the ball body 3 is detected by the plurality of pressing switches 9, the rotational operation of the ball body 3 is detected by the rotational motion detection mechanism 11, and the display control unit 21. However, while an arbitrary image is projected on the projector 6, the image displayed on the rotation display device 1 is controlled according to a predetermined procedure in response to a pressing operation or a rotation operation of the ball body 3.

  Therefore, a user observing the image displayed on the rotation display device 1 can not only change the image displayed by the rotation operation of the ball body 3 but also by the pressing operation of the ball body 3. The displayed image can be changed. As a result, the user can change the displayed image in various ways.

  Here, the specific control content of the image in the display control part 21 is demonstrated. For example, map data that can generate an image (hereinafter referred to as a globe image) indicating a state when the globe is viewed from an arbitrary direction in the image memory 22 and images of photographic images such as landmarks taken in various parts of the world. When data is stored, the display control unit 21 controls the image displayed by the rotary display device 1 as follows. FIG. 6 is a transition diagram showing an example of an image displayed by the rotary display device 1 in that case.

  First, at the beginning of control, the display control unit 21 causes the projector 6 to project a globe image G1 representing a globe in a state where a predetermined area is the center. Next, the display control unit 21 calculates the rotation direction of the ball body 3 every time the ball body 3 is rotated, and changes to a new globe image G2 representing a state in which the globe is rotated in the calculated rotation direction. Thereafter, the display control unit 21 rotates the globe represented by the globe image by sequentially changing the globe image every time the ball body 3 is rotated.

  Thereafter, when the ball body 3 is pressed, the display control unit 21 determines that an area located at the center of the terrestrial globe image being displayed at that time is designated by the user, and a landmark or the like photographed in the area The image data of the photographic image is read from the image memory. Then, the display control unit 21 causes the projector 6 to project a photographic image G3 based on the read image data instead of the terrestrial globe image being displayed.

  Further, the display control unit 21 calculates the rotation direction of the ball body 3 every time the ball body 3 is rotated even while the photographic image of the designated area is being displayed. Then, the display control unit 21 reads out the image data of other photographic images taken in the same area as the photographic image being displayed from the image memory 22 in a predetermined order corresponding to the calculated rotation direction, and reads the read image. A new photographic image based on the data is projected on the projector 6.

  Then, when the ball body 3 is pressed while displaying the photographic image, the display control unit 21 causes the projector 6 to project the globe image again.

  The globe image G2 illustrated in FIG. 6 is an image when the area located in the center is a pail, and the photographic image G3 illustrated in FIG. 6 is a photographic image obtained by photographing Machu Picchu ruins.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the projection range of the image in the projector 6 is an area corresponding to the entire peripheral surface of the spherical screen 4 that is visible from the outside via the ball body 3 on the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen 4. . However, in carrying out the present invention, the image projection range of the projector 6 is an area corresponding to a part of the peripheral surface of the spherical screen 4 that is visible from the outside through the ball body 3 on the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen 4. It is good.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the spherical screen 4 is maintained in the same posture in which the opening 4a is directed downward by the weight of the bearing 5 regardless of whether or not the ball body 3 is rotated. However, when carrying out the present invention, the attitude of the spherical screen 4 may be maintained by another method. For example, magnets that attract each other may be provided on both the base 2 and the spherical screen 4, and the posture of the spherical screen 4 may be maintained by a magnetic force.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the structure which detects the rotational motion of the ball | bowl 3 as input information was demonstrated by the rotational motion detection mechanism 11 (FIG. 4) provided in the inside of the base 2. As shown in FIG. However, a specific configuration for detecting the rotation operation of the ball body 3 as input information can be changed as appropriate.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the structure which detects the pressing operation toward the base 2 with respect to the ball body 3 as input information with the some press switch 9 provided in the inside of the base 2 was demonstrated. However, when the present invention is implemented, the plurality of push switches 9 may be eliminated. Moreover, if the several press switch 9 can detect the press operation toward the base 2 with respect to the ball body 3 as input information, about a specific structure, it can change suitably. For example, the plurality of push switches 9 can be changed to other switches such as piezoelectric switches.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rotation display apparatus 2 Base 2a Recessed part 2b Mounting hole 3 Ball body 4 Spherical screen 4a Opening 5 Bearing 5a Ball 6 Projector 7 Ball roller 7a Ball 7b Plunger 8 String winding spring 9 Press switch 11 Rotation motion detection mechanism 12 Y-axis side roll 13 axis 14 y axis side rotary encoder 15 x axis side roll 16 axis 17 x axis side rotary encoder 21 Display control unit 22 Image memory

Claims (5)

The base,
A transparent hollow ball body rotatably provided on the base;
It has a shape in which an opening is provided in a part of a hollow sphere having a smaller diameter than the ball, ensuring light diffusibility for diffusing light from the inside to the outside, and in the inside of the ball, A spherical screen allowed to roll relative to the ball body in a state where the orientation of the opening is fixed;
Projecting means for projecting an image from the outside of the ball body onto the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen through the opening;
A rotation display device comprising: a detecting unit that detects a rotation operation of the ball as input information used for controlling an image projected by the projection unit onto an inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen.   2. The rotation according to claim 1, wherein the projecting unit projects an image on an inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen, and projects an image on a region corresponding to the entire peripheral surface of the spherical screen that is visible from the outside through the ball body. Display device.   Second detection means for detecting a pressing operation toward the base on the ball body as input information used for controlling an image projected by the projection means on the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen is further provided. The rotary display device according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The control unit according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to control an image projected on the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen by the projection unit based on the rotation operation of the ball detected by the detection unit. The rotation display apparatus of any one of them.   Control means for controlling an image projected on the inner peripheral surface of the spherical screen by the projection means based on a pressing operation toward the base with respect to the ball body detected by the second detection means. The rotary display device according to claim 3.

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