JP2017151166A - Spatial image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a spatial image having more presence.SOLUTION: A spatial image display device 100C corresponds to a spatial image generation area 110a which is a predetermined display area in a display surface of the display device 110, and includes an optical element 130 for forming a virtual image of the display image of the spatial image generation area 110a by reflecting an emission light from the spatial image generation area 110 and makes a virtual image formed by the optical element 130 recognized by an observer 1, and includes a reflection member 140 provided so as to nip the optical element 130 with the spatial image generation area 110a corresponding to the optical element 130. The optical element 130 transmits the emission light from the spatial image generation area 110a, forms a virtual image by reflecting the light reflected by the light by the reflection member 140 in the direction to the observer 1, and thereby the space 110b in which the virtual image is formed by the optical element 130 is illumined.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

  The present invention relates to an aerial image display device that displays an aerial image.

  The light emitted from the display surface of a display device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal is reflected on the display surface by an optical element such as a half mirror or a transparent plate provided to be inclined with respect to the display surface. There is an aerial image display device that projects a virtual image of a display image into a space (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1). As one method for displaying a more abundant aerial image with such an aerial image display device, a plurality of virtual images formed by a plurality of optical elements are displayed in a superimposed manner before and after viewing from an observer ( There is a method of multi-surface projection.

“Palm Top Theater”, [online], [Search June 8, 2015], Internet <URL: http://www.palmtoptheater.com/en/device.html>

  FIG. 14 is a side view showing a configuration example of the multi-surface projection type aerial image display device 10. The aerial image display device 10 shown in FIG. 14 observes a virtual image of each of a plurality of display images individually displayed in different display areas on the display surface of the display device 11 from a substantially horizontal direction with respect to the display surface. The aerial image is displayed by superimposing and displaying in front and back.

  In the aerial image display device 10 shown in FIG. 14, the display device 11 faces the one surface (the upper surface of the housing 10 a in FIG. 14) of the aerial image display device 10 and the display surface faces the housing 10 a side. In this way (in FIG. 14, the display surface is faced downward). Of the installation surface of the display device 11 of the housing 10a, an opening is provided in a region corresponding to the display surface of the display device 11 so that light emitted from the display surface enters the housing 10a. . The opening may be closed or covered with a transparent member. In the following, the direction from the surface on the viewer 1 side of the housing 10a to the surface facing the surface on the viewer 1 side of the housing 10a (observation direction of the viewer 1) is defined as the X direction.

  The aerial image display device 10 illustrated in FIG. 14 includes optical elements 12 and 13.

  The optical elements 12 and 13 are provided along the display surface of the display device 11 so as to be inclined by approximately 45 ° in the −X direction when viewed from the display surface, and are sequentially arranged along the observation direction of the observer 1. In FIG. 14, as viewed from the observer 1, the optical element 13 is provided on the front side, and the optical element 12 is provided on the back side.

  The optical element 12 reflects the emitted light emitted from the display area of the display surface corresponding to the optical element 12 in a direction toward the observer 1 (−X direction). The optical element 13 reflects the emitted light from the display area of the display surface corresponding to the optical element 13 in the direction toward the observer 1 (−X direction). The optical element 13 transmits light reflected by the optical element 12 in the direction toward the viewer 1. Specific examples of the optical elements 12 and 13 include a half mirror and a transparent plate.

  The virtual image B1 of the display image A1 displayed in the display area corresponding to the optical element 12 due to reflection of incident light from the corresponding display area by the optical element 12 is viewed from the back of the optical element 12 when viewed from the observer 1. It is formed at the end position. Further, the virtual image B2 of the display image A2 displayed in the display area corresponding to the optical element 13 due to the reflection of the incident light from the corresponding display area by the optical element 13 is viewed from the viewer 1 in the back of the optical element 13. It is formed at the position of the end on the side.

  As described above, the optical elements 12 and 13 are sequentially arranged in the observation direction of the observer 1. The optical element 13 transmits the light reflected by the optical element 12. Therefore, the virtual image B1 and the virtual image B2 are displayed superimposed on the front and rear as viewed from the observer 1, and the observer 1 can visually recognize a spatial image with a presence.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the virtual image B1 and the virtual image B2 are superimposed and displayed in the front-rear direction, a spatial image with a greater presence is displayed by reducing the distance diff between the virtual image B1 and the virtual image B2. be able to. However, the spatial image display device 10 has a problem that the distance diff between the virtual image B1 and the virtual image B2 cannot be set to be equal to or less than the height H of the virtual images B1 and B2. Hereinafter, this problem will be described with reference to FIG.

  In order to reduce the distance diff between the virtual image B1 and the virtual image B2, it is conceivable to reduce the distance between the optical element 12 and the optical element 13 as shown in FIG. When the distance between the optical element 12 and the optical element 13 is shortened, the distance diff between the virtual image B1 and the virtual image B2 can be reduced. However, when the distance between the optical element 12 and the optical element 13 is reduced to a height H or less of the virtual image B1, a part of the display area of the display image A1 and the optical element 13 overlap as shown in FIG. The virtual element B1 ′, which is a part of the display image A1, is formed by the optical element 13. As a result, the aerial image cannot be properly displayed. Therefore, in the aerial image display device 10, the distance diff between the virtual image B1 and the virtual image B2 cannot be equal to or less than the height H of the virtual images B1 and B2, and it is difficult to display a spatial image with a greater presence. .

  In addition, in order to display a spatial image with a greater presence, it is also important to perform illumination control on a space (real space) in which a virtual image is formed. In the aerial image display device 10 shown in FIG. 14, virtual images B <b> 1 and B <b> 2 are formed at the positions of the end portions on the back side of the optical elements 12 and 13 when viewed from the observer 1. That is, since a virtual image is formed in the immediate vicinity of the optical elements 12 and 13, it is difficult to perform illumination control on the real space in which the virtual image is formed, and it is difficult to display a spatial image with a greater presence.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and provide a spatial image display device capable of displaying a spatial image with a greater presence.

  In order to solve the above problems, an aerial image display device according to the present invention corresponds to an aerial image generation region, which is a predetermined display region on a display surface of a display device, and reflects emitted light from the aerial image generation region. A spatial image display device that includes an optical element that forms a virtual image of a display image in the aerial image generation region, and that allows a viewer to visually recognize a virtual image formed by the optical element. A reflection member provided so as to be sandwiched between the aerial image generation region corresponding to the element, and the optical element transmits light emitted from the aerial image generation region, and the transmitted light is reflected by the reflection member. A virtual image is formed by reflecting the emitted light in a direction toward the observer, and a space in which the virtual image is formed is illuminated by the optical element.

  The aerial image display device according to the present invention can display a more aerial image.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the aerial image display apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows permeation | transmission and reflection of the light by the optical element 130 shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the display of the aerial image by the aerial image display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the aerial image display apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the aerial image display apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the aerial image display apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows another structural example of the aerial image display apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating formation of the virtual image in the aerial image display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the reflection member which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows another structural example of the aerial image display apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the aerial image display apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the display surface of the display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the aerial image display apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the related aerial image display apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the subject of the aerial image display apparatus shown in FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a configuration example of an aerial image display device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The aerial image display device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an observer 1 who observes virtual images of a plurality of display images individually displayed in different display areas of the display surface of the display device 110 from a substantially horizontal direction with respect to the display surface. The aerial image is displayed by superimposing and displaying the image.

  In the aerial image display device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, the display device 110 faces one surface of the housing 100 a of the aerial image display device 100 (upper surface of the housing 100 a in FIG. 1), and the display surface faces the housing 100 a side. In this way (in FIG. 1, the display surface is faced down), it is installed. Of the installation surface of the display device 110 of the housing 100a, an area corresponding to the display surface of the display device 110 is provided with an opening so that light emitted from the display surface enters the housing 100a. . The opening may be closed or covered with a transparent member. In addition, although the display apparatus 110 is a smart phone, a tablet terminal, etc., for example, it is not restricted to these, The display apparatus which has a larger size display surface may be sufficient. The display device 110 may be provided integrally with the aerial image display device 100. Further, in FIG. 1, for convenience, the display device 110 and the upper surface of the housing 100a are shown to be provided at a predetermined interval. However, in actuality, the upper surface of the display device 110 and the housing 100a is shown. Is almost closely related. In the following, the direction from the surface on the viewer 1 side of the housing 100a toward the surface facing the surface (observation direction of the viewer 1) is defined as the X direction. In the following, the direction in which the display surface of the display device 110 faces is the Y direction.

  The aerial image display device 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes optical elements 120 and 130 and a reflection member 140.

  The optical elements 120 and 130 are provided corresponding to different display areas on the display surface of the display device 110, and are sequentially arranged along the display surface along the observation direction of the observer 1. In FIG. 1, as viewed from the observer 1, an optical element 130 is provided on the front side, and an optical element 120 is provided on the back side.

  The optical element 120 is provided with an inclination of approximately 45 ° in the −X direction when viewed from the display surface of the display device 110, and the emitted light from the display area of the display surface corresponding to the optical element 120 is directed to the observer 1. Reflect in the direction.

  The optical element 130 is provided with an inclination of approximately 45 ° in the X direction when viewed from the display surface of the display device 110. Therefore, the optical element 120 and the optical element 130 are inclined in opposite directions. The optical element 130 transmits light emitted from the display area of the display surface corresponding to the optical element 130 (light 201 shown in FIG. 2), and the transmitted light is reflected by a reflection member 140 described later (in FIG. 2). The light 202 shown in FIG. 2 is reflected, and the light (light 203 shown in FIG. 2) is emitted in a direction toward the observer 1. Further, the optical element 130 transmits the light (light 204 shown in FIG. 2) emitted from the optical element 120 toward the observer 1. Specific examples of the optical elements 120 and 130 include a half mirror and a transparent plate.

  The reflecting member 140 corresponds to the optical element 130, is provided substantially parallel to the display surface of the display device 110, and is provided so as to sandwich the optical element 130 with a display area corresponding to the optical element 130. That is, the display area corresponding to the optical element 130, the optical element 130, and the reflecting member 140 are provided on a substantially straight line. Therefore, the light emitted from the display area corresponding to the optical element 130 and transmitted through the optical element 130 enters the reflecting member 140. The reflection member 140 reflects incident light toward the optical element 130. A specific example of the reflecting member 140 includes a full mirror that totally reflects incident light.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the display of the aerial image by the aerial image display device 100. In the following, it is assumed that the thickness of the optical elements 120 and 130 in the Y direction is D.

  The emitted light from the display area corresponding to the optical element 120 is reflected toward the viewer 1 by the optical element 120, whereby the virtual image B1 of the display image A1 displayed in the display area corresponding to the optical element 120 is observed. From the viewpoint of the person 1, the optical element 120 is formed at the end position on the back side. Thus, the optical element 120 forms the virtual image B1 by directly reflecting the incident light from the corresponding display area.

  Further, the emitted light from the display area corresponding to the optical element 130 passes through the optical element 130 and enters the reflecting member 140, so that the virtual image B2 ′ of the display image A2 displayed in the display area corresponding to the optical element 130. Is formed at a position away from the reflecting member 140 by D in the Y direction. Further, the light transmitted through the optical element 130 and reflected by the reflecting member 140 toward the optical element 130 is reflected by the optical element 130 toward the viewer 1, whereby the virtual image B2 of the virtual image B2 ′ is observed by the viewer. When viewed from 1, D is formed at the far side in the X direction by D from the far end of the optical element 130. Thus, the optical element 130 forms the virtual image B2 by indirectly reflecting the outgoing light from the corresponding display area (after the outgoing light from the corresponding display area is reflected by the reflecting member 140). .

  As described above, the optical elements 120 and 130 are sequentially arranged in the observation direction of the observer 1. The optical element 130 transmits the light reflected by the optical element 120. Therefore, the virtual image B1 and the virtual image B2 are displayed superimposed on the front and rear as viewed from the observer 1, and the observer 1 can visually recognize a three-dimensional spatial image.

  Here, in the aerial image display device 100 shown in FIG. 1, when viewed from the observer 1, the virtual image B <b> 2 may be formed at a position on the far side in the X direction by D from the far end of the optical element 130. it can. Therefore, by adjusting the distance between the optical element 120 and the optical element 130, it is possible to display a spatial image with a greater presence in which the distance between the virtual image B1 and the virtual image B2 is smaller than the height of the virtual image. Further, as is clear from FIG. 3, even if the distance between the optical element 120 and the optical element 130 is reduced (when viewed from the observer 1, the end on the near side of the optical element 120 and the back side of the optical element 130). Since the one optical element and the display area corresponding to the other optical element do not overlap each other, the virtual image B1 and the virtual image B2 do not interfere with each other.

  Note that since the virtual image B1 is formed by the light emitted from the display region being reflected once by the optical element 120, the display image A1 is obtained by inverting the actual display target image left and right. Further, since the virtual image B2 is formed by the light emitted from the display area reflected twice by the reflecting member 140 and the optical element 130, the display image A2 is obtained by inverting the actual display target image up and down. .

  So far, the example in which the number of optical elements 130 is one has been described, but the number of optical elements 130 may be two or more. FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a configuration example of the aerial image display device 100 including a plurality of optical elements 130.

  4 includes a plurality of optical elements 130 (optical elements 130-1 and 130-2) and reflecting members 140 (140-1 and 140-2) corresponding to the optical elements 130. Is provided.

  The optical elements 130-1 and 130-2 are sequentially arranged along the observation direction of the observer 1. In FIG. 4, as viewed from the observer 1, the optical element 130-2 is provided on the front side, and the optical element 130-1 is provided on the back side.

  The reflecting member 140-1 corresponds to the optical element 130-1, and is provided at a position separated by D in the Y direction from the upper surface of the housing 101a (display surface of the display device 110). The reflecting member 140-2 corresponds to the optical element 130-2 and is provided at a position separated by E in the Y direction from the end of the optical element 130-2 on the far side in the X direction.

  The optical element 130-1 transmits the emitted light from the corresponding display area, and reflects the reflected light reflected by the reflecting member 140-1 toward the observer 1. The optical element 130-1 transmits the light reflected toward the observer 1 by the optical element 120.

  The optical element 130-2 transmits the emitted light from the corresponding display area, and reflects the reflected light reflected by the reflecting member 140-2 toward the observer 1. The optical element 130-2 transmits the light reflected toward the observer 1 by the optical element 120 and the optical element 130-1.

  Comparing the optical element 130-1 and the optical element 130-2, the optical path length until the incident light emitted from the corresponding display area and incident on each optical element is reflected toward the observer 1 is the optical element 130. -2 is longer. Further, when the optical element 130-1 and the optical element 120 are compared, the optical element 130-1 has a longer optical path length until the incident light from the corresponding display area is reflected toward the viewer 1 (optical). In the case of the element 120, substantially zero). As described above, in the aerial image display device 100 shown in FIG. 4, the optical path length until the incident light from the corresponding display region is reflected toward the viewer 1 as the optical element closer to the viewer 1 is viewed. Is provided with a reflecting member 140 corresponding to each optical element 130. In the aerial image display device 100 shown in FIG. 1 as well, the optical element on the near side as viewed from the observer 1, that is, the optical element 130 is incident from the corresponding display area more than the optical element 120 on the back side. A reflecting member 140 corresponding to each optical element 130 is provided so that the optical path length until the light is reflected toward the observer 1 is increased.

  The emitted light from the display area corresponding to the optical element 120 is reflected toward the viewer 1 by the optical element 120, whereby the virtual image B1 of the display image A1 displayed in the display area corresponding to the optical element 120 is observed. From the viewpoint of the person 1, the optical element 120 is formed at the end position on the back side.

  In addition, light emitted from the display area corresponding to the optical element 130-1 passes through the optical element 130-1 and enters the reflecting member 140-1, so that the light is displayed in the display area corresponding to the optical element 130-1. A virtual image B2 ′ of the displayed image A2 is formed at a position separated from the reflecting member 140-1 by D in the Y direction. Further, the light reflected toward the optical element 130-1 by the reflecting member 140-1 is reflected toward the observer 1 by the optical element 130-1, so that the virtual image B2 of the virtual image B2 ′ becomes the observer 1 When viewed from the side, only D is formed on the back side from the end on the back side of the optical element 130-1. Similarly, a virtual image B3 'of the display image A3 displayed in the display area corresponding to the optical element 130-2 is formed at a position away from the reflecting member 140-2 by D + E in the Y direction. Furthermore, when viewed from the observer 1, the virtual image B3 of the virtual image B3 'is formed at a position on the back side by D + E from the end on the back side of the optical element 130-2.

  The optical element 130-1 transmits the light reflected toward the viewer 1 by the optical element 120. The optical element 130-2 transmits the light reflected toward the observer 1 by the optical element 120 and the optical element 130-1. Therefore, when viewed from the observer 1, the virtual image B1, the virtual image B2, and the virtual image B3 are displayed superimposed on each other. As described above, the aerial image display device 100 shown in FIG. 4 can display an aerial image by superimposing an arbitrary number of virtual images. Furthermore, in the aerial image display device 100 shown in FIG. 4, the optical path length until the incident light from the corresponding display area is reflected in a predetermined direction becomes longer for the optical element 130 on the near side as viewed from the observer 1. In addition, a corresponding reflecting member 140 is provided. Therefore, a virtual image by the optical element 130 on the near side as viewed from the observer 1 is formed by being greatly shifted to the position on the back side in the X direction. Therefore, the distance between the virtual images is reduced, and a spatial image with a greater presence. Can be displayed.

  In the aerial image display device 100 illustrated in FIG. 4, the distance between the virtual image B2 and the virtual image B3 is small by adjusting the distance E between the optical element 130-2 and the reflecting member 140-2. A spatial image with a greater presence can be displayed. Therefore, in the aerial image display device 100 shown in FIG. 4, the optical element 120 is not an essential configuration.

  In short, in the present invention, the reflecting member 140 has an optical path length until the corresponding optical element 130 reflects the incident light from the corresponding display area as viewed from the observer 1 rather than the corresponding optical element 130. The optical length (until the optical element 120 or the optical element 130) provided on the side until the incident light from the corresponding display area is reflected (in the case of the optical element 120, approximately) It is only necessary to be longer than zero). With such a configuration, the virtual image formed by the optical element 130 is closer to the virtual image formed by another optical element provided on the back side as viewed from the observer 1 than the optical element 130. It is possible to reduce the distance between them and display a spatial image with a greater presence.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the aerial image display device 100 corresponds to different display regions on the display surface of the display device 110, and reflects incident light from the corresponding display region to reflect the corresponding display region. A plurality of optical elements that form a virtual image of the display image are provided, and a plurality of optical elements are sequentially arranged along the observation direction of the observer 1, and virtual images formed by the plurality of optical elements are superimposed on the observer 1. Make it visible. In addition, the aerial image display device 100 corresponds to at least one optical element 130 among the plurality of optical elements, and the reflecting member 140 is provided so as to sandwich the corresponding optical element 130 with the display area corresponding to the optical element 130. Is provided. The optical element 130 provided with the reflecting member 140 transmits the incident light from the corresponding display area to the reflecting member 140, and the transmitted light reflects the light reflected by the reflecting member 140, thereby forming a virtual image. Form. In addition, the reflecting member 140 is provided such that the optical path length until the corresponding optical element 130 reflects incident light from the corresponding display area is provided behind the corresponding optical element 130 as viewed from the observer 1. These optical elements are provided so as to be longer than the optical path length until the incident light from the corresponding display area is reflected.

  Therefore, the virtual image formed by the optical element 130 can be brought closer to a virtual image formed by another optical element provided on the back side as viewed from the observer 1 than the optical element 130, so that the presence of the virtual image is further increased. A certain aerial image can be displayed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the reflecting member 140 is provided corresponding to two or more optical elements 130, and the incident light from the corresponding display region is as much as the optical element 130 provided on the front side as viewed from the observer 1. Corresponding reflecting members 140 are provided so that the optical path length until the light is reflected becomes longer. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the distance between the virtual images while superimposing an arbitrary number of virtual images, and display a spatial image with a greater presence.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, in the virtual image B2 by the optical element 130, the light emitted from the display area is transmitted through the optical element 130, the transmitted light is reflected by the reflecting member 140, and the reflected light is reflected by the optical element 130. It is formed by being reflected. Therefore, the brightness of the virtual image B2 is attenuated as compared with the display image displayed in the display area. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, since the virtual image B2 by the optical element 130 is formed on the near side as viewed from the observer 1 with respect to the virtual image B1 by the optical element 120, the displayed spatial image is dark as a whole. turn into.

  In order to increase the brightness of the virtual image, for example, in the spatial image display device 10 shown in FIG. 14, it is conceivable to use a mirror having a high reflectance (for example, totally reflecting incident light) as the optical element 12. By increasing the reflectance of the optical element 12, the brightness of the virtual image B1 can be increased.

  However, in the aerial image display device 10, the optical element 13 needs to transmit light emitted from the optical element 12. Therefore, the reflectance of the optical element 13 cannot be increased. Further, the virtual image B2 is formed on the near side as viewed from the observer 1 than the virtual image B1. Therefore, it is difficult for the aerial image display device 10 to display a bright aerial image. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a configuration for increasing the brightness of the displayed aerial image will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a side view showing a configuration example of an aerial image display device 100A according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The aerial image display device 100A shown in FIG. 5 differs from the aerial image display device 100 shown in FIG. 1 in that the optical element 120 is changed to the optical element 120a and the position of the reflecting member 140 is changed. .

  The optical element 120a has a higher reflectance than the other optical elements (the optical element 130), and reflects (for example, totally reflects) the emitted light from the corresponding display area in the direction toward the viewer 1. A specific example of the optical element 120a is a full mirror, for example. The incident light from the display area corresponding to the optical element 120a is reflected toward the observer 1 by the optical element 120a, so that the virtual image B1 of the display image A1 displayed in the display area corresponding to the optical element 120a is observed. From the viewpoint of the person 1, it is formed at the position of the end on the back side of the optical element 120a. Here, since an optical element having a high reflectance is used as the optical element 120a, the virtual image B1 formed by the optical element 120a becomes brighter than the virtual image B1 formed in the first embodiment.

  The reflection member 140 is provided at a position separated by E in the Y direction from the back end of the optical element 130 when viewed from the viewer 1. That is, the reflecting member 140 is provided away from the upper surface of the housing 100a (the display surface of the display device 110) by D + E. Therefore, the virtual image B2 'of the display image A2 displayed in the display area corresponding to the optical element 130 is formed at a position away from the reflecting member 140 by D + E in the Y direction. Further, when viewed from the observer 1, the virtual image B <b> 2 of the virtual image B <b> 2 ′ is formed at a position on the back side by D + E from the end on the back side of the optical element 130.

  In the spatial image display device 100A, the reflection member 140 is provided (the value of E is adjusted) so that the virtual image B2 is formed behind the virtual image B1 when viewed from the observer 1. With such a configuration, a brighter virtual image B1 is formed on the nearer side than the virtual image B2 when viewed from the observer 1, so that a brighter spatial image can be displayed.

  In the aerial image display device 100A shown in FIG. 5, the virtual image B2 is deeper than the virtual image B1 when viewed from the observer 1 by increasing the distance in the Y direction between the reflecting member 140 and the optical element 130. It is formed on the side. In this case, the device size in the Y direction of the aerial image display device 100A increases. Accordingly, FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the aerial image display device 100A in which an increase in device size is suppressed.

  The aerial image display device 100A shown in FIG. 6 differs from the aerial image display device 100A shown in FIG. 5 in that the reflecting member 140 is changed to a reflecting member 140a. The reflecting member 140a includes mirrors 141 and 142.

  The mirror 141 is provided so as to be substantially parallel to the optical element 130. When viewed from the observer 1, the position in the Y direction of the end on the back side of the optical element 130 and the end (upper end) on the near side of the mirror 141 are substantially the same.

  The mirror 142 is provided substantially perpendicular to the display surface of the display device 110 on the back side as viewed from the observer 1 with respect to the mirror 141.

  In the reflecting member 140a, the mirror 141 reflects the light transmitted through the optical element 130 toward the mirror 142. The mirror 142 reflects the reflected light of the mirror 141 toward the mirror 141. The mirror 141 reflects the reflected light of the mirror 142 to the optical element 130.

  Therefore, if the thickness of the mirror 141 in the Y direction is E1, and the distance between the end on the back side of the mirror 141 and the mirror 142 is E2 when viewed from the viewer 1, the display area corresponding to the optical element 130 is displayed. A virtual image B2 of the displayed display image A2 is formed at a position on the back side by D + E1 + E2 from the end on the back side of the optical element 130. That is, by adjusting the values of E1 and E2, the virtual image B2 can be formed behind the virtual image B1 as in the spatial image display device 100A shown in FIG.

  Here, in the aerial image display device 100A shown in FIG. 6, the light transmitted through the optical element 130 is reflected a plurality of times by the reflecting member 140a and emitted to the optical element 130, so that the display area corresponding to the optical element 130 is displayed. A certain length is secured as the optical path length until the incident light from the light beam is reflected toward the viewer 1. Therefore, the optical path length until the optical element 130 reflects the incident light from the corresponding display area toward the viewer 1 without providing a large gap in the Y direction between the optical element 130 and the reflecting member 140. Since a certain length can be secured, an increase in the device size in the Y direction can be suppressed.

  Note that the configuration of the reflecting member 140a is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. If the light emitted from the display region and transmitted through the optical element 130 is reflected a plurality of times and then emitted to the optical element 130, the reflecting member 140a can have any configuration.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the optical element 120a farthest as viewed from the observer 1 has a higher reflectance than the other optical elements. Further, the reflecting member 140 is provided such that the virtual image formed by the corresponding optical element 130 is formed on the back side as viewed from the observer 1 than the virtual image formed by the optical element 120a. Therefore, since the virtual image B1 by the optical element 120a having a high reflectance is formed on the near side as viewed from the observer 1 than the virtual image B2 by the optical element 130, the displayed spatial image can be brightened.

  In the present embodiment, the reflecting member 140 a reflects the light transmitted through the corresponding optical element 130 a plurality of times and emits the light to the corresponding optical element 130. Therefore, an increase in device size can be suppressed.

  In the first and second embodiments, an example in which the optical element 130 is inclined by approximately 45 ° with respect to the display surface and the reflecting member 140 is provided substantially parallel to the display surface is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, as in the aerial image display device 100B shown in FIG. 7, the angle formed by the optical element 130 and the reflecting member 140 is approximately 45 °, and the angle formed by the optical element 130 and the display surface is greater than 0 and 90. If it is less than 0 °, even if the optical element 130 is tilted back and forth when viewed from the viewer 1, a virtual image B2 having no tilt in the X direction when viewed from the viewer 1 can be formed. Hereinafter, the reason will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the optical element 130 and the configuration corresponding to the optical element 130 in the aerial image display device 100B shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, a contact point between the optical element 130 and the reflecting member 140 is a point B. Further, a point E is defined as an intersection point between the perpendicular line L1 dropped from the display surface of the display device 110 and the lower surface of the housing 100a. Further, an intersection of the perpendicular line L1 and the reflecting member 140 is a point D. A perpendicular drawn from the display surface of the display device 110 corresponds to light emitted from the display surface of the display device 110. A point A is an intersection of a straight line L2 corresponding to the light reflected from the display surface of the display device 110 at the point D and the lower surface of the housing 100a. Further, an intersection of the straight line L2 and the optical element 130 is a point C. Further, an intersection point between the perpendicular line L3 passing through the point D and orthogonal to the reflecting member 140 and the lower surface of the housing 100a is defined as a point F. Also, ∠ACB = ∠a, ∠CBE = ∠b, ∠DAF = ∠c, ∠BDE = ∠d, and ∠DBE = x.

  In this case, ∠EDF = ∠90 ° −∠EFD. Here, in the triangle DFB, since EFD = 90 ° -x, EDF = x. Since the incident angle and the reflection angle are equal, ∠EDF = ∠FDA = x.

Since ∠DBC = 45 °,
∠b = 45 ° −x Expression (1)
It becomes. Further, in triangle DEB, from ∠DEB = 90 °,
∠d = 90 ° −x Expression (2)
It is.

In the triangle ABC, the outer angle ∠c is equal to the sum of the inner angles,
∠c = ∠a + ∠b Formula (3)
It is. In addition, since the sum of the inner angles is 180 ° in the triangle DAB,
∠c = 180 ° − (2x + d) −x = 180−3x−d
= 180 ° -3x- (90 ° -x) = 90 ° -2x Equation (4)
It is.

  From equation (3) = equation (4), ∠a = 90 ° −2x−∠b = 45 ° −x = ∠b, and ∠a = ∠b = 45 ° −x.

  Therefore, the light reflected at the point D is incident on the point C at an angle of 45 ° −x with the optical element 130. Since the reflection angle and the emission angle are equal, the angle formed between the light reflected by the optical element 130 and the optical element 130 is 45 ° −x = ∠a = ∠b. Therefore, the light reflected at the point C is emitted in a direction parallel to the lower surface of the housing 100a indicated by the alternate long and short dash line, so that a virtual image without inclination can be formed.

  Instead of tilting both the optical element 130 and the reflecting member 140, a mirror plate in which tilted micromirrors 143 are arranged as shown in FIG. 9 is used as the reflecting member 140, and the reflecting member 140 and the display device 110 are used. Only the optical element 130 may be tilted back and forth from 45 ° while being parallel to the display surface. In the reflecting member 140 shown in FIG. 9, incident light from the vertical direction is reflected by a minute mirror 143 at a predetermined angle. Therefore, a virtual image without inclination can be formed by adjusting the inclination of the inclined surface of the micromirror 143. When the reflecting member 140 shown in FIG. 9 is used, the angle formed between the light reflected by the reflecting member 140 (micromirror 143) and the optical element 130 needs to be 45 ° or more.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, only the optical element 130 may be tilted back and forth from 45 ° while the reflecting member 140 is parallel to the display surface of the display device 110. When only the optical element 130 is tilted from 45 °, the virtual image B1 formed by the optical element 130 is also tilted forward and backward as viewed from the observer 1 by the amount that the angle between the optical element 130 and the display surface is deviated from 45 °. . In this case, a correction that compensates for the inclination of the virtual image B1 with respect to the display image displayed on the display device 110 according to an angle deviated from the case where the angle formed with the display surface is 45 ° (for example, trapezoid correction). By performing the above, it is possible to form a virtual image B1 having no inclination. Also in this case, the angle formed by the optical element 130 and the display surface needs to be greater than 0 and less than 90 °.

  By tilting the optical element 130 and the reflecting member 140, it is possible to suppress an increase in device size.

(Third embodiment)
In the first and second embodiments described above, a plurality of optical elements 120 and 130 are provided, the virtual images formed by the optical elements 120 and 130 are superimposed, and the distance between the virtual images is reduced, thereby providing a greater presence. The viewer 1 is allowed to visually recognize a certain spatial image. Here, as a method for causing the observer 1 to visually recognize a spatial image having a greater presence, in addition to a method of superimposing a plurality of virtual images, a space image displaying space (real space) or a real space may be used. There is a method for illuminating a placed real object.

  FIG. 11 is a side view showing a configuration example of an aerial image display device 100C according to the third embodiment of the present invention that displays a more aerial image by a method of illuminating a real space. In FIG. 11, the same components as those in FIG.

  The aerial image display device 100C shown in FIG. 11 differs from the aerial image display device 100 shown in FIG. 1 in that the optical element 120 is deleted.

  As described above, the optical element 130 forms the virtual image B2 of the display image in the display area corresponding to the optical element 130 at a position separated from the end on the back side of the optical element 130 by D. Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the display surface of the display device 110 is divided into two areas, an aerial image generation area 110a and an illumination control area 110b.

  The aerial image generation region 110a is a display region corresponding to the optical element 130, and is a region for displaying the display image A2 corresponding to the virtual image B2 formed by the optical element 130.

  The illumination control area 110b is an area different from the aerial image generation area 110a on the display surface of the display device 110, and is a real space 100b in which a virtual image B2 is formed by the optical element 130 (in the casing 100a, the observer 1 This is a region corresponding to the back space of the optical element 130 as viewed from the back. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the illumination control area 110b is provided on the far side of the aerial image generation area 110a when viewed from the observer 1 (viewed from the X direction). In the illumination control area 110b, display for illuminating the real space 100b (illuminating the inside of the real space 100b) is performed in cooperation with the virtual image B2.

  For example, a virtual image B2 representing a fish image is formed, and the lighting control area 110b is displayed in such a manner that a lighting effect expressing wave fluctuations can be obtained in the real space 100b, thereby providing a space with a greater presence. An image can be displayed. Further, for example, a virtual image B2 indicating a flame image is formed, and in the illumination control region 110b, a display that provides an illumination effect that expresses light illuminated by the flame in the real space 100b is performed. A spatial image with a presence can be displayed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the optical element 130 transmits the light emitted from the aerial image generation region 110a corresponding to the optical element 130, and the light transmitted through the optical element 130 is reflected by the reflecting member 140. The virtual image B2 is formed by reflecting light in the direction toward the viewer 1 by the optical element 130. Therefore, the virtual image B <b> 2 is formed at a position away from the optical element 130 (position away from the end on the back side of the optical element 130 by D). By forming the virtual image B2 away from the optical element 130, it is possible to illuminate the real space in which the virtual image B2 is formed, and it is possible to display a spatial image with a greater presence.

  In the present embodiment, the illumination control area 110b is provided on a part of the display surface of the display device 110, and the real space 100b is illuminated by the display of the illumination control area 110b. In addition to the display device 110, a configuration for illuminating the real space 100b may be provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, a real object 151 such as a figure or a relief may be arranged in the real space 100b so that the observer 1 can visually recognize it together with the virtual image B2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, an optical element 152 such as a lens, a light guide plate, a prism, or a mirror that diffuses or converges the light from the illumination control region 110b is disposed in a range where the light from the illumination control region 110b reaches. May be. By arranging such an optical element 152, the illumination effect can be further enhanced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the aerial image display device 100C has been described using an example including one optical element 130, but is not limited thereto. The aerial image display device 100C includes a plurality of optical elements 120 and 130, superimposes virtual images formed by the optical elements 120 and 130, and sets a part of the display surface of the display device 110 as an illumination control region 110b. You may make it illuminate the real space where a virtual image is formed by each optical element 120 and 130 by the display of the area | region 110b for illumination control.

  In the present embodiment, the display surface of the display device 110 has been described using an example in which the display surface is divided into two regions. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two display devices are prepared and the display of one display device is displayed. The surface may be the aerial image generation region 110a, and the display surface of the other display device may be the illumination control region 110b.

  Also in this embodiment, the angle formed by the reflecting member 140 and the optical element 130 may be approximately 45 °, and the angle formed by the optical element 130 and the display surface may be greater than 0 ° and less than 90 °. Further, the reflecting member 140 is provided substantially parallel to the display surface, and the angle formed by the reflecting member 140 and the optical element 130 is deviated by a predetermined angle from 45 °, and the angle formed by the optical element 130 and the display surface is 0. It may be greater than ° and less than 90 °. In this case, as described above, the inclination of the virtual image B2 is compensated for the display image displayed on the display device 110 in accordance with a predetermined angle where the angle formed by the reflecting member 140 and the optical element 130 is deviated from 45 °. By performing such correction (for example, trapezoid correction), a virtual image B2 having no inclination can be formed.

  In the present embodiment, instead of the reflecting member 140, a reflecting member 140a shown in FIG. 6 that reflects the light transmitted through the optical element 130 a plurality of times and then emits the light toward the optical element 130 may be used.

  It is also conceivable to display a spatial image with a presence by forming a virtual image corresponding to the illumination effect by superimposing it on a real object (projection mapping). However, with this method, the light itself that illuminates the real object cannot be directly adjusted, and the observer 1 may feel uncomfortable.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, by controlling the display of the illumination control region 110b, the light itself that illuminates the real space 100b can be directly adjusted, so that the uncomfortable feeling due to the illumination effect can be reduced.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various variations or modifications based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these variations or modifications are included in the scope of the present invention.

100, 100A, 100B, 100C Space image display device 100a Housing 100b Real space 110 Display device 120, 130, 130-1, 130-2, 120a Optical element 140, 140-1, 140-2, 140a Reflective member 141, 142 Mirror 143 Micromirror 151 Real Object 152 Optical Element

Claims (6)

A virtual image of the display image of the aerial image generation area is formed by reflecting the emitted light from the aerial image generation area corresponding to the aerial image generation area which is a predetermined display area on the display surface of the display device. An aerial image display device comprising an optical element, allowing a viewer to visually recognize a virtual image formed by the optical element,
A reflection member provided so as to sandwich the optical element with an aerial image generation region corresponding to the optical element;
The optical element transmits light emitted from the aerial image generation region, and the transmitted light reflects light reflected by the reflecting member in a direction toward the observer, thereby forming a virtual image.
A space image display apparatus, wherein a space in which a virtual image is formed is illuminated by the optical element. The aerial image display device according to claim 1,
The display surface of the display device is provided with an illumination control area corresponding to an area where a virtual image is formed by the optical element, which is a display area different from the aerial image generation area,
A space image display device, wherein a space in which the virtual image is formed is illuminated by display of the illumination control area. The aerial image display device according to claim 1 or 2,
An aerial image display device, further comprising an optical element that is provided in a range in which light from the illumination control region reaches and diffuses or converges light from the illumination control region. The aerial image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The aerial image display device, wherein the reflection member reflects the light transmitted through the corresponding optical element a plurality of times and emits the light to the corresponding optical element. In the aerial image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The angle formed between the reflecting member and the optical element corresponding to the reflecting member is approximately 45 °, and the angle formed between the optical element and the display surface is greater than 0 ° and less than 90 °. Aerial image display device. In the aerial image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The reflecting member is provided substantially parallel to the display surface, and an angle formed by the reflecting member and the optical element corresponding to the reflecting member is shifted from 45 ° by a predetermined angle, and the optical element and the display surface are The angle formed is greater than 0 ° and less than 90 °,
The aerial image display device, wherein the display image on the display surface is corrected according to the predetermined angle.

Images