JP2022140232A - Space projection device, space projection system, and space projection method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a space projection device, a space projection system, and a space projection method, which enable space projection with high visual effect.SOLUTION: A space projection system 1 is provided, comprising an optical medium 20 for diffusing projection light P1, and a light guide optical system 30 configured to guide the light diffused by the optical medium 20 to form an image at a space image forming unit 40. The optical medium 20 can be of a tabular shape, film-like shape or three-dimensional shape with protrusions and recesses, or in the form of smoke, fluid or mist.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a spatial projection apparatus, a spatial projection system and a spatial projection method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a spatial projection technique has been disclosed in which an image is projected by forming an image of projection light in a space. For example, in Patent Document 1, a projection target such as a display image or a real object is arranged in a lower chamber, and an image is projected into space by a configuration including a first Fresnel lens, a beam splitter, a surface reflecting mirror, and a second Fresnel lens. A floating image projection device is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-317708

As in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200011, a display image or a real object is used as a projection target, and light is guided by a beam splitter or a surface reflecting mirror. Moreover, when a display image or a real object is used, it may not be possible to respond flexibly to needs such as projecting a spatially projected image in an arbitrary shape.

An object of the present invention is to provide a spatial projection device, a spatial projection system, and a spatial projection method that enable spatial projection with a high visual effect.

A spatial projection apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an optical medium that diffuses projection light, a light guiding optical system that guides the projection light diffused by the optical medium and forms an image on a spatial imaging unit, characterized by comprising

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a spatial projection device, a spatial projection system, and a spatial projection method that enable spatial projection with a high visual effect.

1 is a schematic plan view of a spatial projection device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the projection apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of applying another optical medium to the spatial projection apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a spatial projection device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a spatial projection apparatus using an optical medium for a front-type projector screen in place of the optical medium for the transmissive screen in the spatial projection apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a spatial projection apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which an optical medium of smoke is used instead of an optical medium related to a transmissive screen, and a spotlight is used instead of a projection apparatus; be.

(Embodiment 1)
A mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a spatial projection device 100 in the spatial projection system 1. FIG. The spatial projection device 100 includes a projection device 10 (projector), an optical medium 20 onto which projection light P1 emitted from the projection device 10 is irradiated (projected), imaged and diffused, and projected onto the optical medium 20 and diffused. A light guide optical system 30 that guides the light that has been guided, and a spatial imaging unit 40 that re-images the light guided by the light guide optical system 30 in space. In the spatial projection device 100, the projected image 2a emitted from the projection device 10 and projected and formed on the optical medium 20 is diffused and transmitted (emitted) from the optical medium 20 and enters the light guide optical system 30, The spatial projection image 4a floating in the air can be visually recognized by the viewer 50 by being imaged by the spatial imaging unit 40 by the light guiding optical system 30 .

The configuration of the projection device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The projection device 10 includes a storage unit 11, a processing unit 12, a projection unit 13, an operation unit 14, a communication unit 15, and an audio processing unit 16, all of which are connected by an internal bus. The storage unit 11 is configured by, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). The storage unit 11 stores data such as image data, moving image data, and control programs (not shown). The processing unit 12 is configured by a CPU, a microcomputer, etc., reads out a control program stored in the storage unit 11 , and controls the projection device 10 .

The projection unit 13 forms an image from the image data sent from the processing unit 12 at a frame rate according to a preset image format, and emits the image to the outside as projection light P1. The projection apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is a DLP (Digital Light Processing) type projection apparatus. The projection unit 13 irradiates a DMD (digital micromirror device), which is a display element, with blue wavelength band light, green wavelength band light, and red wavelength band light emitted by an internal light source device, for example. Color image light can be formed by reflecting blue wavelength band light, green wavelength band light, and red wavelength band light in a time division manner for each mirror (or for each pixel). The image light is emitted outside as projection light P<b>1 of the projection device 10 via the projection lens in the projection unit 13 . Projection light P1 (image light) emitted from the projection unit 13 is projected onto the optical medium 20 in FIG.

The operation unit 14 receives an operation signal from an operation key or the like provided on the housing of the projection device 10 and transmits the operation signal to the processing unit 12 via the bus. The processing unit 12 executes various functions such as projection processing according to operation signals from the operation unit 14 .

The communication unit 15 receives an operation signal such as an infrared modulation signal from a remote controller (not shown) and transmits the operation signal to the processing unit 12 . The communication unit 15 may have an external input terminal, and can input image data from an external device.

The audio processing unit 16 includes a sound source circuit such as a PCM sound source, and drives the speaker 17 to diffuse and emit sound. When the image data to be projected includes an audio signal, the audio processing unit 16 converts the audio signal into an analog signal and outputs sound through the speaker 17 during the projection operation.

The optical medium 20 has any shape and size that covers the projection range of the projection light P1. Alternatively, the optical medium 20 is placed at any position that includes the projection range of the projection light P1. The optical medium 20 in FIG. 1 is configured as a plate-like or film-like transmissive screen provided flat. When the projection light P1 (including the light L1) emitted from the projection device 10 is projected onto the first surface 21 side of the projection device 10 and an image is formed on the optical medium 20, the projection light P1 (including the light L1) emitted from the projection device 10 is formed on the surface opposite to the first surface 21. It is a transmissive member that diffuses and emits the spatial projection light P2 (including the light L2) toward the light guide optical system 30 from the second surface 22 side.

The light guiding optical system 30 is provided on the second surface 22 side of the optical medium 20 and includes a beam splitter 31 and a retroreflective member 32 (retroreflective mirror). The retroreflective member 32 is arranged so as to be perpendicular to the arrangement plane S of the optical medium 20 (the plane including the Y direction (front-rear direction) and the Z direction (vertical direction) in FIG. 1). Also, the beam splitter 31 is formed in a flat plate shape and arranged at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the placement surface S of the optical medium 20 and the retroreflective member 32 . The beam splitter 31 of this embodiment is a half mirror that reflects part of the incident light and transmits the other part. The retroreflective member 32 has a mirror surface that reflects incident light in a direction opposite to the incident direction (opposite direction).

The spatial imaging unit 40 projects the diffused projection image 2a onto the optical medium 20, and after the diffused projection image 2a is diffused and emitted from the optical medium 20 as the spatial projection light P2 (P3), the light guiding optical system 30 This is the spatial region in which the spatial projection image 4a is displayed by being re-imaged by .

Next, a spatial projection method in the spatial projection apparatus 100 (spatial projection system 1) will be described. Light L1 emitted from a point light source (arbitrary point on a micromirror in a DMD (display device)) in the projection device 10 (inside the projection unit 13) through the projection lens reaches an image point F1 on the optical medium 20. to form an image. The optical medium 20 is irradiated with the imaged light emitted from the point light source in the projection device 10 along the optical path illustrated by the light L1 over the irradiation range of the projection light P1. Thereby, the projection image 2 a is projected onto the optical medium 20 . Although only one image forming point F1 is shown in FIG. 1, there are actually many image forming points F1 in the Z direction and the Y direction (that is, the irradiation range of the projection light P1).

Light at an arbitrary point forming the projection image 2a projected and imaged on the first surface 21 of the optical medium 20 is transmitted through the second surface 22, diffused at a predetermined diffusion angle from the second surface 22, and emitted. be done. For example, the light L1 imaged at the image forming point F1 is diffused at a predetermined diffusion angle and enters the beam splitter 31 as light L2. Part of the light L2 is reflected by the beam splitter 31 toward the retroreflective member 32 . That is, the light L2 emitted from the point light source of the projected image 2a is guided as diffused light in the optical path from the optical medium 20 to the retroreflective member 32. FIG. Since the retroreflective member 32 reflects incident light in a direction opposite to the incident direction (opposite direction), the light L2 incident on the retroreflective member 32 is condensed at the same angle as the diffusion angle. It is reflected toward the beam splitter 31 as light. A portion of the light L3 reflected by the retroreflecting member 32 is transmitted by the beam splitter 31 and guided to the spatial imaging section 40 side. Then, in the spatial imaging unit 40, the light L3 forms an image again at the imaging point F2. Note that the optical path length of the light L2 and the optical path length of the light L3 are substantially the same.

Then, the light L3 imaged at the image forming point F2 of the spatial imaging unit 40 is guided as light L4 having the same diffusion angle as the condensing angle of the light L3 and the diffusion angle of the light L2.

The light beams L1 to L4 from the point light sources in the display elements in the projection device 10 as described above are guided over the effective area of the optical path of the optical medium 20 and the light guide optical system 30. FIG. That is, the projection light P1, which is a collection of light L1 from the point light source emitted from the projection device 10, is irradiated onto the first surface 21 of the optical medium 20 from the first surface 21 side, and the first surface of the optical medium 20 21 is imaged. The projection light P1 irradiated onto the first surface 21 of the optical medium 20 is diffused and emitted from the second surface 22 toward the beam splitter 31 as spatial projection light P2, which is a collection of light L2. A part of the spatial projection light P2 irradiated to the beam splitter 31 is reflected toward the retroreflecting member 32 side. The retroreflective member 32 reflects the spatial projection light P2 guided from the beam splitter 31 side as spatial projection light P3 (aggregation of light L3). Part of the spatial projection light P3 reflected by the retroreflective member 32 is transmitted through the beam splitter 31 and guided to the spatial imaging unit 40 side.

In this way, the light (collection of point light sources) forming the projected image 2a formed on the optical medium 20 is re-formed on the spatial imaging unit 40, which is the spatial projection plane, and is projected onto the viewer 50 side. emitted. Therefore, the viewer 50 can visually recognize the spatially projected image 4a imaged in the air on the spatial imaging unit 40 . Further, the viewer 50 can visually recognize the spatial projection image 4a even if the observation point is moved. For example, the light L4 emitted from the imaging point F2 can be visually recognized at a position within the diffusion angle range (within the emission angle range) of the light L4 shown in FIG.

In addition, the vertical direction (Z direction) and horizontal direction (X direction) of the spatial projection image 4a viewed from the direction A, which is the direction from the viewer 50 side to the spatial imaging unit 40 side, are the projection directions viewed from the B direction. It is substantially the same as the vertical direction (Z direction) and the front-back direction (Y direction) of the image 2a. On the other hand, since the optical path lengths of the light L2 and the light L3 are substantially the same, the depth position of the spatially projected image 4a viewed from direction A is inversely related to the depth position of the projected image 2a viewed from direction B. (described later in FIG. 3). When the flat optical medium 20 of FIG. 1 is used, the spatially projected image 4a is also displayed as a flat planar image.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, a configuration in which an optical medium 20A including curved surfaces is used instead of the optical medium 20 will be described. The optical medium 20A has a shape different from that of the optical medium 20, but has other functions such as emitting the projection light P1 (or light L1) irradiated from the first surface 21 side to the second surface 22 side. is configured in the same way as

The optical medium 20A is formed in a three-dimensional plate-like or film-like shape that protrudes toward the first surface 21 and is curved around an axis in the vertical direction (Z direction) so that the second surface 22 side is recessed. The degree of unevenness of the optical medium 20</b>A is configured to be within the depth of field of the projection light P<b>1 (light L<b>1 ) emitted from the projection device 10 . Therefore, a focused projected image 2a (or a projected image 2a formed to such an extent that it can be regarded as being focused) is displayed on the optical medium 20A. The imaging point F1 by the light L1 imaged on the optical medium 20A is located on the far side when the second surface 22 is viewed from the B direction.

As described above, the optical path lengths of the light L2 and the light L3 guided by the light guide optical system 30 are substantially the same, and the depth position of the spatial projection image 4a viewed from the direction A is the projection image 2a viewed from the direction B. This is the inverse relationship with the depth position of . That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the imaging point F1 located on the far side of the curved projection image 2a seen from the B direction is the imaging point F2 located on the front side of the spatial projection image 4a seen from the A direction. corresponds to Therefore, by forming the optical medium 20A into a three-dimensional surface including unevenness, a three-dimensional spatial projection image 4a can be projected onto the spatial imaging unit 40. FIG.

For example, when a large number of viewers 50 line up side by side (in the X direction) to view the optical medium 20A, the optical medium 20A is projected toward the projection device 10 in a convex shape along the Y direction. Therefore, the spatial projection image 4a can be visually recognized in substantially the same manner by any viewer 50 among the viewers 50 arranged side by side. Similarly, when a large number of viewers 50 line up in the height direction (Z direction) to view, the optical medium 20A is formed in a convex shape along the Z direction, and the large number of viewers 50 can be viewed horizontally and vertically. For viewing side-by-side (for example, in a theater), the optical medium 20A can be spherical.

As described above, in the spatial projection device 100 of the present embodiment, the projection device 10 forms the projection image 2a to be projected as the spatial projection image 4a. Therefore, the projected image 2a can be displayed with higher brightness than when a display image or a real object is used as the projection target, and the spatially projected image 4a can also be displayed with high brightness and sharpness. In addition, the projection image 2a projected by the projection device 10 can be easily projected by spatial projection image 4a by enlarging the shape of the optical media 20 and 20A and appropriately spacing the projection device 10 and the optical media 20 and 20A. can also be made as large as Therefore, the spatial projection apparatus 100 can project a large spatial projection image 4a without significantly changing the overall configuration. As described above, the spatial projection method using the spatial projection apparatus 100 (spatial projection system 1) enables spatial projection with a high visual effect with a simple configuration.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. A spatial projection apparatus 100A in the spatial projection system 1A shown in FIG. 4 includes a light guiding optical system 30A including a light reflecting member 33 instead of the light guiding optical system 30 in the spatial projection apparatus 100 of the first embodiment. The light reflecting member 33 is an optical member that causes each point light source imaged on the optical medium 20 (for example, light from the imaging point F1) to image again on the spatial image forming section 40 which is a plane-symmetrical position.

Although any configuration can be applied to the light reflecting member 33, for example, as shown in the enlarged view of section C, the light reflecting member 33 includes a first mirror layer 331 including a plurality of first mirrors 331a and a plurality of second mirrors 332a. It is configured adjacent to the second mirror layer 332 . The first mirror 331a is arranged so that the mirror surface is parallel to the XY plane. Also, the plurality of first mirrors 331a are arranged at equal intervals in the Z direction so as to be parallel to each other (see also IV-IV sectional view). The second mirror 332a is arranged so that its mirror surface is perpendicular to the mirror surface of the first mirror 331a. Also, the plurality of second mirrors 332a are arranged at regular intervals in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the first mirrors 331a are arranged so as to be parallel to each other. The light reflecting member 33 is arranged such that the second mirror 332a is inclined by 45 degrees with respect to the arrangement surface S of the optical medium 20 (with respect to the YZ plane and the ZX plane in this embodiment).

Further, the enlarged view of part C shows the optical paths when the lights L21 and L22, which are emitted from the imaging point F1 and are parallel to the XY plane, are incident on the light reflecting member 33. As shown in FIG. The light L21 and the light L22 enter the mirror surface of the second mirror 332a without irradiating the mirror surface of the first mirror 331a arranged parallel to the XY plane. The light L21 and the light L22 are each reflected at the same angle of incidence as the angle of incidence when entering the second mirror 332a. Since the light L21 is incident on the second mirror 332a (the light reflecting member 33) at a larger incident angle than the light L22, the light L21 is reflected at a larger reflection angle than the light L22. Therefore, the light L2 emitted from the imaging point F1 and having a predetermined diffusion angle is reflected by the light reflecting member 33 as light L3 having the same condensing angle as the diffusion angle of the light L2. An image is formed again at the image forming point F2, which is the position. Note that the light L2 emitted from the imaging point F1 is also reflected by the first mirror 331a with respect to the diffuse component in the Z direction, so that it is imaged again at the imaging point F2.

Note that the configuration of the light reflecting member 33 is not limited to the configuration shown in the enlarged view of the C section, and there are other configurations that allow each point light source imaged on the optical medium 20 to be imaged again on the spatial imaging section 40 which is a plane-symmetrical position. A light reflecting member may also be used. For example, the light reflecting member is provided with a plurality of fine prisms, and reflects incident light at a predetermined diffusion angle as light collected at a collection angle substantially equal to the diffusion angle. A configuration may be adopted in which the light is emitted so as to form an image at a plane-symmetrical position.

As described above, in the spatial projection system 1A of the second embodiment, the number of parts can be reduced and the configuration can be simplified as compared with the light guiding optical system 30 of the first embodiment, so that the overall size can be reduced. Therefore, spatial projection with a high visual effect can be achieved with a simple configuration.

Note that the spatial projection apparatuses 100 and 100A described in each embodiment may be configured by arranging the projection apparatus 10, the optical medium 20, the light guiding optical systems 30 and 30A, and the spatial imaging unit 40 in one apparatus. Alternatively, it may be configured by being distributed to a plurality of devices. For example, the projection device 10 may include the functions of the optical medium 20, the light guiding optical systems 30 and 30A, and the spatial image forming section 40 to form one spatial projection device.

Further, the projection device 10 is not limited to the DLP method, and may be of another method. As the projection device 10, an LCP (liquid crystal panel) type projection device may be used. In the LCP type projection device, the transmittance of blue wavelength band light, green wavelength band light, and red wavelength band light is controlled for each pixel by a liquid crystal filter (liquid crystal plate), and the blue wavelength band of each pixel transmitted through the liquid crystal filter is The light, the green wavelength band light and the red wavelength band light are synthesized and emitted as projection light.

Further, as the projection device 10, a LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) type projection device may be used. In the LCoS-type projection apparatus, instead of the DMD in the DLP-type projection apparatus 10, a liquid crystal filter (liquid crystal layer) capable of varying light transmittance (including light blocking) corresponding to each pixel is provided on the reflective layer. A display element having a structure is arranged. Therefore, the projection device reflects the light source light emitted to the display element while controlling the light quantity for each pixel to form image light, and emits this image light to the outside as projection light and projects it onto the optical media 20 and 20A. Image 2a can be projected.

Further, in the example of using the above-described LCP system or LCoS system projection device as the projection device 10, each light (blue wavelength band light, green wavelength band light, red wavelength band light) transmitted through the liquid crystal filter is polarized in a predetermined polarized light. It is directional polarized light. Therefore, for example, in Embodiment 1, a polarizing mirror that reflects one of the S-polarized light and the P-polarized light and transmits the other is arranged as the beam splitter 31, and on the optical path between the beam splitter 31 and the retroreflective member 32 A quarter-wave plate may be placed at . As a result, the beam splitter 31 reflects the light in the first polarization direction, which is one of the S-polarized light and the P-polarized light, out of the light emitted from the optical media 20 and 20A toward the retroreflecting member 32 side, and 1/4 After being transmitted through the wave plate and converted into circularly polarized light, it is reflected by the retroreflective member 32 . The circularly polarized light reflected by the retroreflective member 32 passes through the quarter-wave plate again, is converted into light in the second polarization direction orthogonal to the first polarization direction, and passes through the beam splitter 31. . As described above, when a polarizing mirror is used as the beam splitter 31, most of the light once reflected by the beam splitter can be transmitted through the beam splitter 31 after being reflected by the retroreflective member 32. Therefore, a half mirror is used. Light utilization efficiency can be improved as compared with the case of using them.

A laser scan type projection device may be used as the projection device 10 . In a laser scanning projection device, a display element is irradiated with a laser beam obtained by synthesizing a desired color from blue wavelength band light, green wavelength band light, and red wavelength band light, and the display element reflects the laser light in a time division manner. The light is reflected while controlling the angle to irradiate the optical media 20 and 20A, which are the objects to be projected. At that time, the display element can irradiate the optical media 20 and 20A with a laser beam so as to scan the optical media 20 and 20A two-dimensionally in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and project the projection image 2a onto the optical media 20 and 20A. . In a laser scan type projection apparatus, since a projection lens for condensing light emitted from a display element can be omitted, the overall size of the projection apparatus can be reduced. Further, since this projection device can form an image with a laser beam, it is possible to project an intended clear projection image 2a even when a three-dimensional optical medium with large unevenness is used.

Further, as the optical media 20 and 20A shown in the present embodiment, an optical medium having a three-dimensional surface configuration including arbitrarily flat portions, concave portions, and convex portions may be used.

Further, although the optical media 20 and 20A have been exemplified as having a plate-like or film-like structure, fluids such as smoke, mist, and water may also be used.

Also, the optical media 20 and 20A may be colored. As a result, the color of the spatial projection image 4a can be changed, and the color tone can be arbitrarily adjusted. If a fluid is used as the optical media 20, 20A, the fluid may be colored. The coloring of the optical media 20, 20A may be changed over time in a time series. As a result, various effects can be expressed.

Further, the light guiding optical system 30 may be configured to re-image the light emitted from the optical media 20 and 20A on the spatial imaging section 40 using a Fresnel lens.

Further, in the present embodiment, the projection light P1 projected onto the optical media 20, 20A is incident from the first surface 21 side of the optical media 20, 20A and is projected onto the second surface 22 side opposite to the first surface 21. and is guided to the light guide optical system 30 as the spatial projection light P2. A reflective optical medium with the same surface (projection target medium such as a projector screen or a wall surface) may be used. For example, the spatial projection system 1B (spatial projection apparatus 100B) shown in FIG. 5 projects light L1, which is projection light from the projection apparatus 10, onto the projection plane 21B of the optical medium 20B, which is a projector screen. Then, the image projected and formed on the projection plane 21B is reflected by the projection plane 21B, and diffused and emitted from the projection plane 21B as light L2. The light L2 enters the light guide optical system 30 (the beam splitter 31 and the retroreflective member 32) and is imaged again by the spatial image forming section 40 as light L3.

Further, the projection image 2a formed on the optical media 20, 20A by the projection light P1 is not limited to the image by the projection light emitted from the projection device 10, but is an arbitrary light source emitted as the projection light from another light source device. A light image by light, illumination light, LED light, or laser light may be used. The projected image 2a may be formed with visible light or non-visible light (for example, for electronic watermarking) by using an arbitrary light source.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a spatial projection system 1 (spatial projection device 100C) can be configured. In this case, the light L1 emitted from the spotlight 10A enters the light guiding optical system 30 (the beam splitter 31 and the retroreflective member 32) as diffused light L2 without forming an image on the optical medium 20C. Light L3, which is emitted light from the light guiding optical system 30, is imaged at the image forming point F2 of the spatial image forming unit 40. FIG. Although the spotlight 10A is used here instead of the projection device 10, the projection device 10 may of course be used as it is.

As described above, the spatial projection systems 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C and the spatial projection apparatuses 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C described in the respective embodiments have optical media 20, 20A, 20B, and 20C in which projection light is diffused. and light guiding optical systems 30 , 30 A, 30 B, 30 C that guide the light diffused by the optical media 20 , 20 A, 20 B, 20 C and form an image on the spatial imaging unit 40 . As a result, the projection image 2a can be displayed with high brightness, and the spatial projection image 4a can also be displayed with high brightness and sharpness. Further, in the configuration in which the projection image 2a is formed by the projection light P1, the size and shape of the spatial projection image 4a can be easily changed. In this way, spatial projection with a high visual effect can be achieved with a simple configuration.

The optical media 20 and 20A are transmissive screens, and the optical medium 20B is a reflective projector screen, so that projected light can be imaged on the optical media 20, 20A, and 20B and visually recognized. .

In the optical medium 20, 20A, the projection light P1 is imaged on the first surface 21 side, and the light is projected toward the light guide optical system 30, 30A from the second surface 22 side opposite to the first surface 21 side. is a transparent member that diffuses and emits Thereby, the configuration including the optical media 20, 20A and the light guiding optical systems 30, 30A can be miniaturized.

Further, by forming the optical medium 20A into a three-dimensional surface including unevenness, it is possible to display a three-dimensional spatial projection image 4a. In addition, depending on the application, the optical medium can be plate-like, film-like, smoke, fluid or mist.

Further, the light guide optical system 30 has a beam splitter 31 and a retroreflecting member 32, and the beam splitter 31 reflects the light diffused and emitted from the optical medium 20 toward the retroreflecting member 32 side. The configuration for transmitting the light reflected by 32 to the spatial imaging unit 40 side has been described. This makes it possible to easily form wide-angle light emitted from each point light source on the projection image 2a.

The light guiding optical system 30A has a light reflecting member 33, which reflects the light L2 diffused by the optical media 20, 20A, 20B, and 20C at plane-symmetrical positions with respect to the light reflecting member 33. The configuration for image formation by a certain spatial image formation unit 40 has been described. As a result, the light guide optical system 30A can be configured with a small number of members.

Spatial projection apparatuses 100, 100A, and 100B having the projection device 10 that irradiates the projection light P1 are configured compact as a whole by including the light source of the projection image 2a (4a) in the spatial projection apparatuses 100, 100A, and 100B. be able to.

Also, the projection light P1 is imaged on the optical media 20, 20A, 20B, and the light imaged and diffused by the optical media 20, 20A, 20B is guided by the light guiding optical systems 30, 30A to form a spatial image forming section. The projection method for re-imaging on 40 has been described. As a result, the projection image 2a can be displayed with high brightness, and the spatial projection image 4a can also be displayed with high brightness and sharpness. Further, in the configuration in which the projection image 2a is formed by the projection light P1, the size and shape of the spatial projection image 4a can be easily changed. In this way, spatial projection with a high visual effect can be achieved with a simple configuration.

It should be noted that the embodiments described above are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

Below, the invention described in the first claim of the present application is added.
[1] an optical medium that diffuses projected light;
a light guide optical system that guides the projection light diffused by the optical medium and forms an image on a spatial imaging unit;
A spatial projection device comprising:
[2] the optical medium diffuses the projection light imaged on the optical medium;
The spatial projection apparatus according to [1], wherein the light guiding optical system re-images the projection light diffused by the optical medium on the spatial imaging section.
[3] The optical medium forms an image of the projection light on the first surface side, and diffuses and emits the light toward the light guide optical system from the second surface side opposite to the first surface. The spatial projection device according to [1] or [2], characterized in that the spatial projection device is a transmissive member that allows the light to pass through.
[4] Any one of [1] to [3], wherein the optical medium is any one of a plate, a film, a three-dimensional surface including unevenness, smoke, fluid, and mist. A spatial projection device as described.
[5] The light guiding optical system has a beam splitter and a retroreflective member,
The beam splitter reflects the light diffused and emitted from the optical medium toward the retroreflecting member, and transmits the light reflected by the retroreflecting member toward the spatial imaging unit.
The spatial projection apparatus according to any one of [1] to [4], characterized by:
[6] The light guiding optical system has a light reflecting member,
[1] to [4] above, wherein the light reflecting member causes the light diffused by the optical medium to form an image at the spatial image forming unit that is plane-symmetrical with respect to the light reflecting member. A spatial projection device according to any one of the preceding claims.
[7] Having a projection device that emits the projection light,
The spatial projection apparatus according to any one of [1] to [6], characterized by:
[8] an optical medium in which the projected light is diffused;
a light guiding optical system that guides the light diffused by the optical medium and forms an image on a spatial imaging unit;
A spatial projection system comprising:
[9] diffusing the projected light with an optical medium;
The light diffused by the optical medium is guided by a light guiding optical system to form an image in a spatial imaging unit.
A spatial projection method characterized by:

1, 1A, 1B, 1C spatial projection system 2a projection image 4a spatial projection image 10 projection device 10A spotlight 11 storage unit 12 processing unit 13 projection unit 14 operation unit 15 communication unit 16 audio processing unit 17 speaker 20, 20A, 20B, 20C optical medium 21 first surface 22 second surfaces 30, 30A light guiding optical system 31 beam splitter 32 retroreflecting member 33 light reflecting member 40 spatial imaging unit 50 viewers 100, 100A, 100B, 100C spatial projection device 331 One mirror layer 331a First mirror 332 Second mirror layer 332a Second mirrors F1, F2 Image formation points L1 to L4, L21, L22 Light P1 Projection light P2, P3 Spatial projection light S Arrangement surface

A spatial projection apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an optical medium that diffuses projection light, a light guiding optical system that guides the projection light diffused by the optical medium and forms an image on a spatial imaging unit, wherein the optical medium diffuses the projection light imaged on the optical medium, and the light guiding optical system re-images the projection light diffused by the optical medium on the spatial imaging unit It is characterized by

Claims (9)

an optical medium that diffuses the projected light;
a light guide optical system that guides the projection light diffused by the optical medium and forms an image on a spatial imaging unit;
A spatial projection device comprising: the optical medium diffuses the projection light imaged on the optical medium;
2. The spatial projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light guide optical system re-images the projection light diffused by the optical medium on the spatial imaging unit. The optical medium is a transmissive member on which the projection light is imaged on a first surface side, and diffuses and emits the light toward the light guide optical system from a second surface side opposite to the first surface. 3. A spatial projection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: 4. The spatial projection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the optical medium is any one of a plate shape, a film shape, a three-dimensional surface including unevenness, smoke, fluid, and mist. . The light guiding optical system has a beam splitter and a retroreflective member,
The beam splitter reflects the light diffused and emitted from the optical medium toward the retroreflecting member, and transmits the light reflected by the retroreflecting member toward the spatial imaging unit.
5. The spatial projection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by: The light guiding optical system has a light reflecting member,
5. The light reflecting member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light diffused by the optical medium is imaged by the spatial image forming portion which is plane-symmetrical with respect to the light reflecting member. Spatial projection device according to any one of the preceding claims. Having a projection device that emits the projection light,
7. The spatial projection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by: an optical medium in which the projected light is diffused;
a light guiding optical system that guides the light diffused by the optical medium and forms an image on a spatial imaging unit;
A spatial projection system comprising: diffusing the projected light with an optical medium,
The light diffused by the optical medium is guided by a light guiding optical system to form an image in a spatial imaging unit.
A spatial projection method characterized by:

Images