JP2022109806A - Display device, irradiated member, and display method - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow for displaying an entire image.SOLUTION: A display device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises an irradiated member having a spiral shape in part with a curved cross-section in a plane perpendicular to an axis, a drive unit configured to rotate the irradiated member about the axis, and an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the rotating irradiated member with image light, where a portion of the image light reflected by the irradiated member is used to display an image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present application relates to a display device, an irradiated member, and a display method.

Conventionally, a configuration has been disclosed in which a two-dimensional image is projected onto a member to be irradiated while rotating the member to be irradiated around a rotation axis, and an image is displayed using an afterimage effect (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The member to be irradiated in the configuration of Patent Document 1 includes a shape formed by rotating a straight line perpendicular to the rotation axis around the rotation axis and moving the straight line along the rotation axis.

However, with the configuration of Patent Document 1, there are cases where a part of the image cannot be displayed.

An object of the present invention is to enable display of the entire image.

A display device according to an aspect of the present invention includes an irradiated member including a spiral shape having a curved cross section cut along a plane orthogonal to an axis, a driving unit that rotates the irradiated member around the axis, and a rotating and an irradiating unit that irradiates image light onto the irradiated member, and an image is displayed by light reflected by the irradiated member, out of the image light.

According to the invention, the entire image can be displayed.

1 is a block diagram of an example of the overall configuration of a display device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of the overall configuration of a display device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a configuration example of an information processing section of the display device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a functional configuration example of an information processing section of the display device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of processing by an information processing unit according to the first embodiment; It is a figure which shows the structure of the spiral screen which concerns on a comparative example, Fig.6 (a) is the figure seen from the crossing direction of the rotating shaft, FIG.6(b) is the figure seen from the direction along the rotating shaft. FIG. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 6(a). FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a three-dimensional image displayed by a display device according to a comparative example; It is a figure showing an example of composition of a spiral screen concerning a 1st embodiment, Drawing 9 (a) is a figure seen from the crossing direction of the axis of rotation, and Drawing 9 (b) is a figure seen from the direction along the axis of rotation. . FIG. 9(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 9(a). It is a figure which shows an example of the three-dimensional image which the display apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment displays. Fig. 12(a) is a diagram showing a configuration example of a spiral screen according to a second embodiment, Fig. 12(a) is a diagram viewed from a direction intersecting the rotation axis, and Fig. 12(b) is a diagram viewed from a direction along the rotation axis. . It is a figure which shows the structural example of the spiral screen which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and FIG.13(a) thru|or FIG.13(c) are the figures which looked at the spiral screen from various directions. Fig. 14(a) and Fig. 14(b) are diagrams showing a configuration example of a spiral screen according to a third embodiment, Figs. It is a figure seen from. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the spiral screen which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, and FIG.15(a) thru|or FIG.15(c) are the figures seen from each direction. Fig. 16(a) is a diagram showing a configuration example of a spiral screen according to a fourth embodiment, Fig. 16(a) is a diagram viewed from a direction intersecting the rotation axis, and Fig. 16(b) is a diagram viewed from a direction along the rotation axis. .

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted.

The embodiments shown below are examples of display devices for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below. The dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of the components described below are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified. It is. Also, the sizes and positional relationships of members shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation.

A display device according to an embodiment includes an irradiated member having a spiral shape with a curved cross section cut along a plane orthogonal to an axis, a driving unit that rotates the irradiated member around the axis, and a rotated irradiated member. and an irradiating portion for irradiating image light onto the member, and displays an image with the light reflected by the irradiated member among the image light. The displayed image is, for example, a three-dimensional image.

Since the irradiated member has a spiral shape with a curved cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the axis, for example, the irradiated member is irradiated with image light from a direction along the axis, and visible from a direction intersecting the axis. Even when an image is displayed, there is no portion parallel to the viewpoint in the displayed image. As a result, in the image to be displayed, a portion that cannot be displayed, such as a portion that is parallel to the viewpoint, is eliminated, and the entire image can be displayed. The axis is, for example, the helical axis of the irradiated member including a helical shape, but may be an axis other than the helical axis.

Here, a three-dimensional image in the terminology of the embodiment means a three-dimensional image displayed in a three-dimensional space and having a human-visible volume.

A spiral is a type of three-dimensional curve that rotates and moves in a direction perpendicular to the plane of rotation.

A spiral axis is a central axis of rotation when a three-dimensional curve rotates in a spiral.

A helical shape refers to a shape having a helical outer shape and including a helical surface.

The light reflected by the member to be irradiated includes light that enters from one surface of the member to be irradiated, passes through the interior of the member to be irradiated, and is then reflected by the other surface of the member to be irradiated.
A display device according to an embodiment will be described below.

In the drawings shown below, directions may be indicated by the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. indicates a given direction within. A Y-direction along the Y-axis indicates a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction in the plane. The Z direction along the Z axis indicates the direction along the spiral axis of the spiral screen described above.

In addition, the direction in which the arrow points in the X direction is indicated as +X direction, the direction opposite to +X direction is indicated as -X direction, the direction in which the arrow points in Y direction is indicated as +Y direction, and the direction opposite to +Y direction is indicated as -Y direction. , the direction in which the arrow points in the Z direction is denoted as the +Z direction, and the direction opposite to the +Z direction is denoted as the -Z direction. It is assumed that the display device emits image light in the +Z direction. However, these do not limit the orientation of the display device, and the display device can be arranged in any orientation.

[First embodiment]
<Overall Configuration Example of Display Device 1>
First, the overall configuration of the display device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a display device 1. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the display device 1 has an information processing section 10 , a projector 20 , a spiral screen 30 , a motor 40 and a motor control section 41 .

The display device 1 receives the three-dimensional model data 901 and allows the user of the display device 1 to view the three-dimensional image. The 3D model data 901 is data indicating a 3D model for allowing the user to visually recognize a 3D image, and is, for example, data indicating pixel values for each 3D voxel. Specifically, the three-dimensional model data 901 is input to the information processing section 10 .

The information processing section 10 generates image information 903 based on the input three-dimensional model data 901 . Specifically, the information processing section 10 transmits a rotation instruction signal 201 to the motor control section 41 to instruct the start of rotation. The motor control unit 41 that has received the instruction transmits a rotation control signal 202 to drive the motor 40 so as to rotate the spiral screen 30 at a prescribed substantially constant speed, for example.

The spiral screen 30 is an example of an irradiated member having a spiral shape in which a cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the spiral axis is curved. This spiral screen 30 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 separately.

The motor 40 is an example of a driving section that rotates the spiral screen 30 around the spiral axis. A stepping motor, a DC (Direct Current) motor, an AC (Alternating Current) motor, or the like can be applied to the motor 40 .

A rotary encoder is attached to the motor 40 . The rotary encoder transmits an encoder signal 203 indicating the rotation angle of the rotating shaft of the motor 40 to the motor control section 41 . The motor control unit 41 generates rotation angle information 904 indicating the rotation angle of the spiral screen 30 based on the received encoder signal 203 and transmits the rotation angle information 904 to the information processing unit 10 .

The information processing section 10 generates image information 903 corresponding to the rotation angle of the spiral screen 30 based on the received rotation angle information 904 and transmits the image information 903 to the projector 20 . The image information 903 is information indicating a two-dimensional image.

The projector 20 is an example of an irradiation unit that irradiates the image light L onto the rotating spiral screen 30 . The projector 20 can irradiate the spiral screen 30 with the image light L based on the image information 903 output from the information processing section 10 . In other words, the projector 20 can emit the image light L generated based on the position of the rotated spiral screen 30 .

The display device 1 allows the user to visually recognize a color three-dimensional image by using the afterimage effect of the light reflected by the spiral screen 30 out of the image light L irradiated to the spiral screen 30 rotating at high speed. be able to.

Next, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the display device 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2 , the display device 1 includes an information processing section 10 , a projector 20 , a motor 40 , a motor control section 41 and a rotary table 70 inside a housing 50 . The display device 1 also has the spiral screen 30 and the screen case 60 on the +Z direction side of the housing 50 .

The housing 50 is a box-shaped member configured by combining panel plates including sheet metal or the like. The housing 50 has a top panel 51 provided with a through hole 52 that communicates with the inside of the housing 50 .

The screen case 60 is a cylindrical member and an example of a support that supports the spiral screen 30 . The screen case 60 fixes and supports the spiral screen 30 inside the cylinder with an adhesive or the like. The screen case 60 is made of a material such as transparent resin or glass. The spiral screen 30 supported inside the screen case 60 is visible from the outside.

The screen case 60 is not limited to a cylindrical member, and may be a tubular member having an elliptical cross section or a polygonal cross section. Further, the end portion on the side opposite to the side on which the image light L is incident in the direction along the central axis of the cylinder may be open, or may be closed with a flat plate, a hollow hemispherical member, or the like.

A portion of the screen case 60 is inserted into the housing 50 through the through hole 52 of the housing 50, and the −Z direction of the screen case 60 is attached to the +Z direction side of the rotary table 70 housed inside the housing 50. The ends on the direction side come into contact and are fixed with an adhesive or the like.

The rotary table 70 is formed in an annular shape having a central axis along the rotation axis A of the spiral screen 30 and is an example of a rotation mechanism that rotates the screen case 60 around the rotation axis A of the spiral screen 30 . The spiral axis of the spiral screen 30 and the rotation axis A are substantially coincident.

The rotary table 70 is housed inside the housing 50 and rotatably fixed on the bottom panel of the housing 50 via a support. Although there is no particular limitation on the material of the rotary table 70, for example, a resin material, a metal material, or the like can be applied.

The rotary table 70 has a tooth profile G2 formed or attached to its outer peripheral portion, and the gear G1 attached to the shaft center 40a of the motor 40 and the tooth profile G2 are meshed with each other. The gear G<b>1 is an example of a transmission member that transmits the driving force of the motor 40 to the rotary table 70 .

The rotary table 70 rotates around the Z-axis by transmitting driving force through the gear G1 and the tooth profile G2. The rotation of the rotary table 70 causes the screen case 60 to rotate, and the spiral screen 30 can rotate together with the screen case 60 around the rotation axis A along the Z axis. The rotation axis A of the spiral screen 30 is arranged along the central axis of the image light L emitted by the projector 20 .

The projector 20 is provided on the opposite side of the spiral screen 30 across the turntable 70, and irradiates the image light L in the direction along the rotation axis A so as to pass through the annular area 71 formed on the turntable 70. do. The annular region 71 refers to an inner hollow portion of the rotary table 70 formed in an annular shape.

The image light L emitted by the projector 20 passes through the annular area 71 from the -Z direction side of the rotary table 70 and is applied to the spiral screen 30 provided on the +Z direction side of the rotary table 70 .

The information processing section 10 specifies the position of the spiral screen 30 by three-dimensional coordinates including the Z-axis along the irradiation direction of the image light L. FIG. Specifically, the information processing section 10 calculates the +Z direction height z(x, y) of the spiral screen 30 at each xy coordinate (x, y).

The calculated height z(x, y) is the height along the rotation axis A of the spiral screen 30 and corresponds to the position where the surface of the spiral screen 30 is irradiated with the image light L. The information processing unit 10 calculates in real time the height z(x, y) that changes according to the rotation of the spiral screen 30, and generates image information 903 corresponding to the height z(x, y).

In this embodiment, the configuration in which the information processing section 10, the projector 20, the motor 40, the motor control section 41, and the rotary table 70 are provided inside the housing 50 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. , a part or all of these may be provided outside the housing 50 .

<Hardware Configuration Example of Information Processing Unit 10>
Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing section 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing section 10. As shown in FIG.

The information processing unit 10 is constructed by a computer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 104, and an external It has a device connection I/F (Interface) 105 and a network I/F 106 .

The CPU 101 executes control processing including various arithmetic processing. The ROM 102 stores programs used to drive the CPU 101, such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader). A RAM 103 is used as a work area for the CPU 101 . The HDD 104 stores various data such as programs.

The external device connection I/F 105 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The external devices in this case are devices such as the projector 20 and the motor control unit 41, for example.

A network I/F 106 is an interface for data communication with other devices via a communication network or the like. For example, the information processing section 10 receives the 3D model data 901 via the network I/F 106 .

<Functional Configuration Example of Information Processing Unit 10>
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the functional configuration of the information processing section 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing section 10. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the information processing section 10 has a storage section 11 , a rotation angle acquisition section 12 , a calculation section 13 , an image generation section 14 and an output section 15 .

The storage unit 11 stores various information. Specifically, the storage unit 11 stores 3D model data 901 , 3D voxel data 902 and image information 903 . Among these, the three-dimensional model data 901 is point cloud data input from the outside. Three-dimensional voxel data 902 is image data obtained by converting the three-dimensional model data 901 into luminance for each voxel. The image information 903 is information generated by the image generator 14 .

The storage unit 11 is implemented by the CPU 101 executing a process defined by a program stored in the ROM 102 or the like and controlling the RAM 103 or the HDD 104 or the like.

The rotation angle acquisition unit 12 acquires information indicating the rotation angle of the spiral screen 30 . Specifically, the rotation angle acquisition unit 12 periodically receives the rotation angle information 904 from the motor control unit 41, for example, every second. Further, the rotation angle acquisition unit 12 utilizes the fact that the rotation speed of the spiral screen 30 is substantially constant, and calculates the rotation angle based on the time that has elapsed since the rotation of the spiral screen 30 was started. Information indicating the rotation angle of the spiral screen 30 may be obtained.

Note that the rotation angle acquisition unit 12 may acquire information indicating the rotation angle of the spiral screen 30 by combining the rotation angle information 904 received from the motor control unit 41 and the calculation of the rotation angle based on the elapsed time. good. For example, the rotation angle obtaining unit 12 corrects the calculation result of the rotation angle based on the time that has elapsed since the spiral screen 30 started rotating, based on the rotation angle information 904 received periodically. As a result, even if there is an error between the actual rotation speed of the motor 40 and the specified speed, the rotation angle acquisition unit 12 corrects the rotation angle to the actual rotation angle based on the rotation angle information 904 received periodically. can do.

The rotation angle information 904 is information indicating the rotation angle of the spiral screen 30 .

The rotation angle acquisition unit 12 is implemented by the CPU 101 executing processing specified by a program stored in the ROM 102 or the like and controlling the external device connection IF 105 or the like.

Based on the rotation angle of the spiral screen 30 , the calculator 13 calculates the height in the Z-axis direction at each xy coordinate for each rotation angle of the spiral screen 30 .

The image generator 14 converts the 3D model data 901 into 3D voxel data 902 . Specifically, for example, the calculation unit 13 copies the brightness value of each coordinate for each point of the point cloud to the corresponding voxel of each coordinate. The image generation unit 14 also reduces the color of the three-dimensional voxel data 902 by dithering.

The image generation unit 14 also generates image information 903 having luminance corresponding to the height calculated by the calculation unit 13 . Specifically, the image generation unit 14 determines the brightness corresponding to each xy coordinate and generates two-dimensional image information 903 so that a person can visually recognize the three-dimensional image shown in the three-dimensional model data 901 . .

The calculation unit 13 and the image generation unit 14 are implemented by the CPU 101 executing processing specified in a program stored in the ROM 102 or the like.

The output unit 15 outputs image information 903 generated by the image generation unit 14 . Specifically, the output unit 15 transmits the image information 903 to the projector 20 .

The output unit 15 is implemented by the CPU 101 executing processing specified by a program stored in the ROM 102 or the like and controlling the external device connection IF 105 or the like.

<Example of Operation of Display Device 1>
Next, operation of the display device 1 will be described.

The information processing unit 10 receives the three-dimensional model data 901, receives an operation from a user, etc., and starts control processing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the information processing section 10. As shown in FIG.

First, in step S11, the image generator 14 voxels the three-dimensional model data 901. FIG. The three-dimensional model data 901 includes, for example, point group information (point cloud) and mesh information. The point group information (point cloud) is a set of point data of xyz coordinates and RGB brightness. The mesh information is information indicating the xyz coordinates of the vertices of the triangles or quadrangles that make up the solid, the colors or textures of the faces of the triangles or quadrilaterals, and the like.

The image generation unit 14 generates three-dimensional voxel data 902 by copying the luminance value of each coordinate for each point of the point cloud to the corresponding voxel of each coordinate.

Subsequently, in step S<b>12 , the image generator 14 dithers the three-dimensional voxel data 902 . Specifically, the image generator 14 converts voxels having a color depth of 8 bits for each of RGB into voxels having 1 bit for RGB. For example, the image generator 14 performs dithering by error diffusion for each RGB channel. At that time, it is desirable that the image generator 14 performs highly accurate three-dimensional error diffusion instead of general two-dimensional error diffusion.

Error diffusion is one of the dithering methods that simulate intermediate colors when reducing the number of colors or gradations in an image. This is a method of adding to the color information of In the case of a two-dimensional image, the image generation unit 14 adds the error to pixels in the two-dimensional direction of the xy coordinates near the plane. do. However, if the computational load becomes a problem, the image generator 14 may perform two-dimensional error diffusion independently for each XY plane in the Z-axis direction instead of three-dimensional error diffusion.

Subsequently, in step S<b>13 , the information processing section 10 instructs the motor control section 41 to start rotating the motor 40 . The motor control unit 41 controls the motor 40 so as to rotate the spiral screen 30 at a predetermined substantially constant speed.

Thereafter, the information processing section 10 repeatedly executes the processing from step S14 to step S19 until the display is finished. In the case of displaying a moving image, the displayed content of the generated image information changes for each time. Therefore, in each process, image information to be displayed at time t is generated and transmitted. Time t is the time when the projector 20 emits image light based on the generated image information.

Subsequently, in step S14, the rotation angle acquisition unit 12 acquires the rotation angle information 904 at time t. Specifically, the rotation angle acquisition unit 12 acquires information indicating the rotation angle of the spiral screen 30 from the motor control unit 41 . Note that the rotation angle acquisition unit 12 may calculate the rotation angle based on a predetermined speed, and thereby acquire information indicating the rotation angle. If there is a difference between the measurement time and time t, the rotation angle acquisition unit 12 predicts and calculates the rotation angle of the spiral screen 30 at time t based on the difference between the measurement time and time t.

Subsequently, in step S15, the calculator 13 calculates the height z(x, y) at each xy coordinate. Specifically, the calculator 13 calculates the height z(x, y) by calculation based on the rotation angle of the spiral screen 30 .

Subsequently, in step S<b>16 , the image generator 14 generates image information 903 . Specifically, the image generation unit 14 generates image information 903 having luminance corresponding to the calculated height z(x, y, t) as image information 903 to be displayed at time t.

For example, when the three-dimensional voxel data 902 is a still image, the image generator 14 converts Voxel (x, y, z) into Pixel (x, y, t). Voxel (x, y, z) is a value indicating luminance, color, transmittance, or the like for each voxel. Pixel (x, y, t) is a pixel value included in the image information 903 that is the basis of the image light emitted at time t.

On the other hand, when the three-dimensional voxel data 902 is a moving image, Voxel (x, y, z, t), which is a value indicating luminance, color, transmittance, or the like for each voxel including time t, is replaced by Pixel (x, y, t ).

Regardless of whether the three-dimensional voxel data 902 is a still image or a moving image, the image generator 14 generates the height z (x, y, t) and the color Color of the spiral screen 30 at each xy coordinate at time t. A pixel value Pixel (x, y, t) at time t is calculated based on (x, y, t). The image generation unit 14 stores the generated image information 903 in the storage unit 11 .

Subsequently, in step S<b>17 , the output unit 15 transmits the image information 903 generated by the image generation unit 14 to the projector 20 .

Subsequently, in step S18, the information processing section 10 determines whether or not to end the display. The information processing unit 10 determines to end the display when receiving an operation indicating the end of the display by the user or when the transmission of all the image information 903 based on the moving image is completed when the three-dimensional model data 901 is a moving image. do.

If it is determined not to end the display in step S18 (step S18, No), the information processing unit 10 returns the process to step S14, and the image displayed at the next time t, for example, time t after one second. Processing related to the information 903 is executed.

On the other hand, when it is determined to end the display in step S18 (step S18, Yes), the information processing section 10 ends the process.

Through such processing by the information processing unit 10, the display device 1 can display a three-dimensional image.

<Configuration example of spiral screen 30X according to comparative example>
Next, before describing the detailed configuration of the spiral screen 30, the configuration of the spiral screen 30X included in the display device 1X according to the comparative example will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the spiral screen 30X. FIG. 6(a) is a view of the spiral screen 30X viewed from the direction intersecting the rotation axis AX, and FIG. 6(b) is a view of the spiral screen 30X viewed from the direction along the rotation axis AX.

As shown in FIG. 6, the spiral screen 30X moves along the rotation axis AX while rotating a straight line 31X perpendicular to the rotation axis AX counterclockwise around the rotation axis AX (for example, moving from the +Z direction to the −Z direction). ), it includes a shape formed by a trajectory along which the straight line 31X passes. In other words, the helical screen 30X includes a helical shape in which a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis A is linear.

Since the spiral screen 30X is a member having a thickness, the shape of the spiral screen 30X is such that a round bar-shaped member having a diameter equal to the thickness of the spiral screen 30X and a central axis coinciding with the straight line 31X is rotated counterclockwise around the rotation axis AX. It can also be said that the shape is formed by the trajectory of the round bar-shaped member when it is moved along the rotation axis AX while being rotated to .

The angle ρX formed by the rotation axis AX and the straight line 31X is approximately 90 [deg].

Let x be the position in the X direction, y be the position in the Y direction, and z be the position in the Z direction.
x=aX×rX×cos (bX×θX)
y=aX×rX×sin(bX×θX)
z=cX×θX

However, in the above formula, θX and rX represent variables of 0 or more and 1 or less. aX to cX represent constants. More specifically, aX is the maximum length of the straight line 31X in the direction intersecting the rotation axis AX (X direction), bX is the maximum rotation angle of the straight line 31X, and cX is the spiral in the direction along the rotation axis AX (Z direction). Each represents the maximum length of the screen 30X in the rotation axis direction. In FIG. 6, the maximum rotation angle bX is 180 [deg].

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the spiral screen 30X taken along the line BB in FIG. 6(a). In other words, FIG. 7 is a diagram of a cross section of the spiral screen 30X cut along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis AX (spiral axis) viewed from the +Z direction side.

As shown in FIG. 7, the cross-sectional shape 32X of the spiral screen 30X is linear. Note that the cross-sectional shape 32X corresponds to the surface shape of one surface of the spiral screen 30X having a thickness or the shape along the central axis of the spiral screen 30X in the thickness direction.

The display device 1X rotates the spiral screen 30X around the rotation axis AX and irradiates the image light L along the rotation axis AX from the -Z direction side, for example, so that the image light L is reflected by the spiral screen 30X. A three-dimensional image can be displayed with the emitted light.

However, in the display device 1X, since the cross-sectional shape 32X of the spiral screen 30X is linear, for example, when the user views the image from the +Y direction side that intersects with the rotation axis AX, the spiral screen 30X is in the vicinity of the rotation axis AX. The shape does not change with rotation. As a result, the light reflected by the spiral screen 30X is not visible in the vicinity of the rotation axis AX, and the display device 1X cannot display the portion of the three-dimensional image in the vicinity of the rotation axis AX.

In other words, in the display device 1X, since the cross-sectional shape 32X of the spiral screen 30X is linear, there is a portion where the straight line 31X is parallel to the user's viewpoint on the rotation axis AX. As a result, light reflected by the spiral screen 30X is not visually recognized near the rotation axis AX, and the display device 1X cannot display a portion of the three-dimensional image near the rotation axis AX.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a three-dimensional image 33X displayed by the display device 1X. FIG. 8 shows a three-dimensional image 33X viewed from the +Y direction side while the spiral screen 30X is rotating around the rotation axis AX. As shown in FIG. 8, in the vicinity of the rotation axis AX, the light reflected by the spiral screen 30X is no longer visible, and a streak-like non-displayable portion 34X occurs in the three-dimensional image 33X.

<Configuration example of the spiral screen 30 according to the embodiment>
Next, FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the spiral screen 30 included in the display device 1 according to the first embodiment. 9A is a view of the spiral screen 30 viewed from the direction intersecting the rotation axis A, and FIG. 9B is a view of the spiral screen 30 viewed from the direction along the rotation axis A. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the spiral screen 30 moves along the rotation axis A while rotating a straight line 31 non-orthogonal to the rotation axis A counterclockwise around the rotation axis A (for example, from the +Z direction to the −Z direction). It includes a shape formed by a trajectory along which a straight line 31 passes when it is moved). In other words, the helical screen 30 has a helical shape in which a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis A is curved.

Since the spiral screen 30 is a member having a thickness, the shape of the spiral screen 30 is such that a round bar-shaped member having a diameter equal to the thickness of the spiral screen 30 and a central axis coinciding with the straight line 31 is rotated counterclockwise around the rotation axis A. It can also be said that the shape is formed by the trajectory of the round bar-shaped member when it is moved along the rotation axis A while being rotated around.

The angle ρ between the rotation axis A and the straight line 31 is smaller than 90 [deg]. However, the angle ρ may be larger than 90 [deg].

Let x be the position in the X direction, y be the position in the Y direction, and z be the position in the Z direction.
x=a×r×cos(b×θ) (1)
y=a×r×sin(b×θ) (2)
z=c×θ+d×r (3)
0≦θ≦1 (4)
0≦r≦1 (5)

However, in formulas (1) to (5), θ and r represent variables from 0 to 1 inclusive. a to d represent constants. The maximum values are defined by constants a to d, and the 0 to maximum values are filled in by variables θ and r. More specifically, a is the maximum length of the straight line 31 in the direction crossing the rotation axis A (X direction), b is the maximum rotation angle of the straight line 31, and c is the spiral in the direction along the rotation axis A (Z direction). The maximum length of the screen 30 in the rotation axis direction and d represent the length component of the straight line 31 in the Z direction. When the value of the length component d is positive, the shape is convex toward the −Z direction, and when it is negative, the shape is convex toward the +Z direction. In addition, the convex means that the area of the spiral screen 30 on the rotation axis A side is higher along the rotation axis A than the area on the outer peripheral side of the spiral screen 30 .

Although the maximum rotation angle b is 180 [deg] in FIG. 9, the maximum rotation angle b may be larger than 180 [deg] or smaller than 180 [deg]. However, it is desirable that the maximum rotation angle b is 360 [deg] or less so that the spiral screens 30 do not overlap each other (non-overlapping) when the spiral screen 30 is viewed from the direction along the rotation axis A.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the spiral screen 30 taken along line CC in FIG. 9(a). In other words, FIG. 10 is a view of the cross section of the spiral screen 30 taken along a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis A (spiral axis), viewed from the +Z direction side.

As shown in FIG. 10, the cross-sectional shape 32 of the spiral screen 30 is curved. The cross-sectional shape 32 corresponds to the surface shape of one side of the spiral screen 30 having thickness or the shape along the central axis of the spiral screen 30 in the thickness direction.

The display device 1 irradiates the image light L along the rotation axis A from the -Z direction side, for example, while rotating the spiral screen 30 around the rotation axis A, so that the image light L is reflected by the spiral screen 30. A three-dimensional image can be displayed by the reflected light and the light transmitted through the spiral screen 30 .

In the display device 1, since the cross-sectional shape 32 of the spiral screen 30 is curved, for example, when the user views the image from the +Y direction side that intersects with the rotation axis A, the shape of the spiral screen 30 also appears on the rotation axis A. changes with rotation. As a result, the light reflected by the spiral screen 30 can be visually recognized even in the vicinity of the rotation axis A, and the display device 1 can display the entire three-dimensional image.

In other words, in the display device 1, since the cross-sectional shape 32 of the spiral screen 30 is curved, there is no portion on the rotation axis A where the straight line 31 is parallel to the user's viewpoint. As a result, the light reflected by the spiral screen 30 can be visually recognized even in the vicinity of the rotation axis A, and the display device 1 can display the entire three-dimensional image.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a three-dimensional image 33 displayed by the display device 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 11 shows how the spiral screen 30 rotates around the rotation axis A and the three-dimensional image 33 is viewed from the +Y direction side. As shown in FIG. 11, the non-displayable portion 34X in FIG. 8 disappears and the entire three-dimensional image 33 is displayed.

<Action and effect of the display device 1>
As described above, the display device 1 according to the present embodiment includes the spiral screen 30 including the cross-sectional shape 32 (helical shape) having a curved cross-section cut along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis A (spiral axis), and a motor 40 (driving unit) that rotates the spiral screen 30 around the rotation axis A. It also has a projector 20 (irradiation unit) that irradiates image light L onto the rotating spiral screen 30 . A three-dimensional image 33 (image) is displayed by the light reflected by the spiral screen 30 out of the image light L. FIG.

Since the spiral screen 30 includes the cross-sectional shape 32, for example, the spiral screen 30 is irradiated with the image light L from the direction along the rotation axis A, and a three-dimensional image 33 visible from the direction intersecting the rotation axis A is displayed. Also in this case, there is no part in the three-dimensional image 33 that is parallel to the viewpoint. As a result, in the three-dimensional image 33, the entire three-dimensional image 33 can be displayed by eliminating a portion that cannot be displayed, such as a portion that is parallel to the viewpoint.

In this embodiment, the configuration in which the spiral screen 30 is irradiated with the image light L from the -Z direction side was exemplified, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to irradiate the spiral screen 30 with the image light L from other directions such as the +Z direction side.

[Second embodiment]
Next, the display device 1a according to the second embodiment will be described. The same component numbers as those described in the first embodiment are given the same part numbers, and overlapping descriptions are omitted as appropriate. This point also applies to embodiments described later.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the spiral screen 30a included in the display device 1a. 12(a) is a view of the spiral screen 30a viewed from the direction intersecting the rotation axis A, and FIG. 12(b) is a view of the spiral screen 30a viewed from the direction along the rotation axis A. FIG. 13(a) to 13(c) are views of the spiral screen 30a viewed from various directions.

As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the spiral screen 30a has three vane members 30aa, 30ab and 30ac. Each of the three blade members 30aa, 30ab, and 30ac has a spiral shape and is arranged at a non-overlapping position when the spiral screen 30a is viewed along the rotation axis A direction. For example, the maximum rotation angles b of the three blade members 30aa, 30ab and 30ac are each 120 [deg].

Here, like the spiral screen 30 in the first embodiment, in the spiral screen including one blade member, after the image light L is reflected and transmitted at one position in the spiral screen 30, the image light L is then reflected at the same position. It is after one revolution of the spiral screen 30 that the light L is reflected and transmitted. Since the reflected light and transmitted light of the image light L are not visually recognized at that position until the spiral screen 30 rotates once and returns to its original state, the displayed three-dimensional image 33 may flicker. be.

On the other hand, in the spiral screen 30a, the three blade members 30aa, 30ab, and 30ac each reflect and transmit the image light L at one position in the spiral screen 30 while the spiral screen 30 rotates once. The period during which the reflected light and the transmitted light of the image light L are not visually recognized at this position can be shortened. As a result, flickering of the displayed three-dimensional image 33 can be reduced.

Effects other than the above are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

Moreover, although FIG.12 and FIG.13 illustrated the structure which the spiral screen 30a has three blade members 30aa, 30ab, and 30ac, it is not limited to this. The spiral screen 30a may include four or more blade members so as to be arranged at non-overlapping positions when the spiral screen 30a is viewed along the direction of the rotation axis A (spiral axis direction).

[Third embodiment]
Next, a display device 1b according to the third embodiment will be described.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the spiral screen 30b included in the display device 1b. FIG. 14(a) is a view of the spiral screen 30b that satisfies the condition −d/c≦θ≦1 viewed from a direction intersecting the rotation axis A, and FIG. FIG. 14(c) is a view of the spiral screen 30b viewed from the direction intersecting the rotation axis A, showing only the range of ≦z≦c, and FIG. 15(a) to 15(c) are views of the spiral screen 30b viewed from various directions.

Let x be the position in the X direction, y be the position in the Y direction, and z be the position in the Z direction.
x=a×r×cos(b×θ) (6)
y=a×r×sin(b×θ) (7)
z=c×θ+d×r (8)
When d≧0, −d/c≦θ≦1 and 0≦Z≦c (9)
When d<0, 0≦θ≦1−d/c and 0≦Z≦c (10)

However, a to d, θ and r in formulas (6) to (10) are the same as a to d, θ and r in formulas (1) to (5).

In this embodiment, the variable θ defines the rotation angle of the straight line 31ab and the height of the straight line 31ab in the Z direction. By changing the minimum or maximum value of the variable θ, the height of the straight line 31ab in the Z direction and the rotation angle of the straight line 31ab are changed.

In this embodiment, the range of the spiral screen 30b in the Z direction is limited to the maximum values determined by the constants b and c while eliminating oblique portions on the spiral screen 30b. Thereby, when the spiral screen 30b is cut along the XY plane, it is possible to eliminate depressions at the upper and lower ends of the spiral screen 30b. The dent means that the region of the spiral screen 30 on the side of the rotation axis A is lower along the rotation axis A than the region of the spiral screen 30 on the outer peripheral side.

Since the spiral screen 30b satisfies the expressions (6) to (10), even when the spiral screen 30b is viewed from the direction intersecting the rotation axis A, there are no vertical depressions in the Z direction, and the three-dimensional image 33 display range can be widened.

Effects other than the above are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a display device 1c according to a fourth embodiment will be described.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the spiral screen 30c included in the display device 1c. 16(a) is a view of the spiral screen 30c viewed from the direction intersecting the rotation axis A, and FIG. 16(b) is a view of the spiral screen 30c viewed from the direction along the rotation axis A. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 16, the spiral screen 30c moves along the rotation axis A while rotating the arc 31c intersecting the rotation axis A counterclockwise around the rotation axis A (for example, moving from the +Z direction to the −Z direction). ), it has a shape formed by a trajectory along which the arc 31c passes.

Since the spiral screen 30c is a member having a thickness, the shape of the spiral screen 30c is such that a round bar-shaped member having a diameter equal to the thickness of the spiral screen 30c and a central axis coinciding with the arc 31c is rotated counterclockwise around the rotation axis A. It can also be said that the shape is formed by the trajectory of the round bar-shaped member when it is moved along the rotation axis A while being rotated around.

Let x be the position in the X direction, y be the position in the Y direction, and z be the position in the Z direction.
x=a _c ×[cos(b _c ×θ)×{1−cos(d _c ×φ)}−sin(b _c ×θ)×sin(d _c ×φ)] (11)
y=a _c ×[sin(b _c ×θ)×{1−cos(d _c ×φ)}+cos(b _c ×θ)×sin(d _c ×φ)] (12)
z=c _c ×θ (13)
0≦θ≦1 (14)
0≦φ≦1 (15)

However, in the formulas (11) to (15), θ and φ represent variables of 0 or more and 1 or less. a _c to d _c represent constants. A constant dc _defines the maximum value, and variables θ and φ are variables for filling the interval between 0 and _dc . More specifically, a _c × {1-cos (d _c )} is the maximum length of the arc 31c in the direction (X direction) intersecting the rotation axis A, b _c is the maximum rotation angle of the arc 31c, and c _c is the maximum length of the spiral screen 30c in the direction along the rotation axis A (Z direction), and dc is the angle of the sector including the arc _31c .

In the present embodiment, since the spiral screen 30c satisfies the formulas (11) to (15), the spiral screen 30c does not have a spiral shape formed by rotating a straight line around the spiral axis, but a circular arc around the spiral axis. has a helical shape formed by rotating the This makes it possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment.

Although FIG. 16 exemplifies the case of b _c =180 [deg] and d _c =30 [deg], the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of blade members may be combined to form the spiral screen 30c. Also, the maximum rotation angle _bc may be larger than or smaller than 180 [deg]. The angle _dc may be larger than or smaller than 30 [deg]. However, when the spiral screen 30c is viewed from the direction along the rotation axis A, it is desirable to arrange the plurality of blade members at positions where the plurality of blade members do not overlap.

Effects other than the above are the same as those described in the above-described embodiment.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. be.

Embodiments also include display methods. For example, the display method includes the steps of: rotating an irradiated member having a curved helical shape in a cross section cut along a plane orthogonal to the helical axis; and displaying an image with the light reflected by the member to be irradiated among the image light. Such a display method can provide the same effect as the display device described above.

Numerals such as ordinal numbers and numbers used in the description of the embodiments are all exemplified to specifically describe the technology of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the exemplified numbers. Moreover, the connection relationship between the components is an example for specifically describing the technology of the present invention, and the connection relationship for realizing the function of the present invention is not limited to this.

Also, the division of blocks in the functional block diagram is an example, and a plurality of blocks may be implemented as one block, one block may be divided into a plurality of blocks, and/or some functions may be moved to other blocks. good. Also, a single piece of hardware or software may process functions of multiple blocks having similar functions in parallel or in a time division manner.

1 display device 10 information processing unit 11 storage unit 12 rotation angle acquisition unit 13 calculation unit 14 image generation unit 15 output unit 20 projector (an example of an irradiation unit)
30 Spiral screen (an example of irradiated member)
31 straight line 31c arc 32 cross-sectional shape 33 three-dimensional image 40 motor (an example of a drive unit)
41 motor control unit 50 housing 51 top panel 52 through hole 60 screen case 70 rotary table (an example of a rotary mechanism)
71 annular region 901 three-dimensional model data 902 three-dimensional voxel data 903 image information A rotation axis (an example of a spiral axis)
a, a _c , b, b _c , c, c _c , d, d _c constant θ, r, φ variable ρ angle L image light G1 gear (an example of transmission member)
G2 tooth profile

US2002/0140631A1

Claims (11)

an irradiated member including a helical shape having a curved cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the axis;
a driving unit that rotates the member to be irradiated around the axis;
an irradiating unit that irradiates the rotated irradiated member with image light,
A display device for displaying an image with light reflected by the member to be irradiated, among the image light. 2. A display device according to claim 1, wherein said image is a three-dimensional image. 3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said image light includes a two-dimensional image. The irradiation unit irradiates the member to be irradiated with the image light from a direction along the axis,
4. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image visible from at least a direction intersecting the axis is displayed. 5. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the irradiation unit irradiates the image light generated based on the position of the irradiated member being rotated. In the member to be irradiated, x is the position in a predetermined direction within a plane intersecting the spiral axis, y is the position in the plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction, and y is the position in the direction along the spiral axis. 6. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein z has a shape that satisfies the following expressions (1) to (5).
x=a×r×cos(b×θ) (1)
y=a×r×sin(b×θ) (2)
z=c×θ+d×r (3)
0≦θ≦1 (4)
0≦r≦1 (5)
(a, b, c, and d represent constants, and r and θ represent variables.) The member to be irradiated has a position x in a plane intersecting the axis in a predetermined direction, a position y in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction in the plane, and a position along the axis z. 6. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a shape that satisfies the following formulas (6) to (10) when
x=a×r×cos(b×θ) (6)
y=a×r×sin(b×θ) (7)
z=c×θ+d×r (8)
When d≧0, −d/c≦θ≦1 and 0≦Z≦c (9)
When d<0, 0≦θ≦1−d/c and 0≦Z≦c (10)
(a, b, c, and d represent constants, and r and θ represent variables.) The member to be irradiated has a position x in a plane intersecting the axis in a predetermined direction, a position y in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction in the plane, and a position along the axis z. 6. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a shape that satisfies the following formulas (11) to (15) when
x=a _c ×[cos(b _c ×θ)×{1−cos(d _c ×φ)}−sin(b _c ×θ)×sin(d×φ)] (11)
y=a×[sin(b _c ×θ)×{1−cos(d _c ×φ)}+cos(b _c ×θ)×sin(d _c ×φ)] (12)
z=c _c ×θ (13)
0≦θ≦1 (14)
0≦φ≦1 (15)
(a _c , b _c , c _c and d _c represent constants, and θ and φ represent variables.) The irradiated member includes a plurality of blade members,
9. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each of the plurality of blade members includes the helical shape and is arranged at a non-overlapping position when viewed along the axial direction. . An irradiated member included in the display device according to claim 1 . a step of rotating an irradiated member including a helical shape having a curved cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the axis around the axis;
irradiating the rotated irradiated member with image light;
A display method for displaying an image with light reflected by the member to be irradiated, out of the image light.

Images