JP3500083B2 - 3D image display without glasses - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stereoscopic image display device without glasses, which enables stereoscopic images to be observed without using special glasses.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the principle of conventional multi-view stereoscopic image display. On the image display surface 50, eight pixels a to h corresponding to one vertical stripe-shaped kamaboko lens portion 51a of the lenticular lens 51 are provided.
Is formed. An image captured by the camera 15a of FIG. 5 is displayed on the pixel a, an image captured by the camera 15b is displayed on the pixel b, and so on, images captured from multiple directions are displayed on each pixel. As a result, it is possible to obtain the sensation that the imaged object turns around and is viewed by moving the viewpoint left and right. The cameras 15a to 15h are arranged at intervals corresponding to the inter-eye distance E.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional multi-view stereoscopic image display technology, each of the eight pixels is in charge of only displaying an image in one direction, and therefore one observer is required to perform the above operation. Only two of the eight pixels a to h contribute to the observation (image recognition). In other words, as the number of viewpoints is increased, the pixel pitch of the image to be observed becomes larger in the horizontal direction, and the horizontal resolution is reduced.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention is capable of multi-view stereoscopic image display without lowering the horizontal resolution, and has a twin-lens configuration for individual observers. An object of the present invention is to provide a stereoscopic image display device without glasses that enables head tracking.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A stereoscopic image display device without glasses according to the present invention comprises a projector for alternately projecting four or more images having parallax with each other in time, and an image projected from the projector on a diffuser plate. And an image forming means for forming an image on and in front of the projection lens of the projector.
The parallax image has a width that is narrower than that of the projection lens in the shutter area where light transmission and light shielding can be switched.
The same number as the number , and in each pixel image area on the diffusion plate ,
A shutter means for forming the same number of narrower areas as the image light reaching each pixel image area than the shutter area, and a predetermined number of images from the narrower areas reaching the image light in each pixel image area from the diffusion plate. Light guiding means for sequentially collecting light at a distance position with an inter-eye distance or an interval having a width smaller than that, and light transmission and light shielding of the shutter area according to the projection timing of each image projected from the projector And shutter control means for controlling.

With the above arrangement, a narrow image light reaching area (image forming point) corresponding to the light transmitting area of the shutter means having a narrower width is formed in each pixel image area on the diffusion plate. It Then, by the shutter control means opening each light-transmitting region in order, for example, the image light reaching narrow region (imaging point) moves in each pixel image region, and at a position at a predetermined distance from the diffusion plate, The observation areas corresponding to the respective narrow areas reaching the image light are sequentially formed with an inter-eye distance or an interval narrower than this. If the image formed on the diffusion plate is a multi-direction image, or a computer image corresponding to the multi-direction image, multi-view stereoscopic image display is performed. Here, since each pixel image region takes charge of displaying an image from each direction in a time-division manner, multi-view stereoscopic image display can be performed without lowering the horizontal resolution. It should be noted that the larger the number of narrow regions for reaching the image light in each pixel image region, the more it is possible to deal with images from multiple directions.

Further, the stereoscopic image display device without glasses according to the present invention includes a projector that temporally alternately projects two images having a parallax, and an image projected from the projector on a diffusion plate. Image means and the professional
The shutter area, which is located close to the front of the projection lens of the Jector and can switch between light transmission and light shielding, is used for the projection.
The width is narrower than that of the lens and four or more are provided in the lateral direction, and the same number of the shutter areas are provided in each pixel image area on the diffusion plate.
A shutter means for forming a narrower area reaching the image light having a width narrower than the pixel image area , and an image from the narrower area reaching the image light in each of the pixel image areas is located at a predetermined distance from the diffuser plate at an interocular distance. Alternatively, a light guide unit that sequentially collects light with an interval of a width smaller than this, and a shutter control unit that controls light transmission and light shielding of the shutter region according to the projection timing of each image projected from the projector. Image control means for switching the two images based on the output of the sensor that detects the position of the observer.

With the above arrangement, two image areas are alternately formed at a predetermined distance from the diffusion plate with an inter-eye distance or an interval having a width smaller than this. If the observer's left eye is located in the image area for the right eye and the observer's right eye is located in the image area for the left eye, the sensor detects the observer's head position at this time, and the observer When the image light reaching narrow area (image forming point) corresponding to the position is formed, by switching the left and right eye images, the observer can appropriately perform stereoscopic viewing. On the other hand, since the switching image at this time is not guided to other observers, it does not give any trouble to the stereoscopic vision of other observers. That is, individual head tracking becomes possible. It should be noted that the larger the number of image light reaching narrow regions formed in each pixel image region on the diffusion plate, the more viewers can be accommodated.

Further, the shutter unit, the Puroji
Instead of being placed close to the front of the projector's projection lens,
It may be arranged in the diaphragm portion of the projection lens . With such a configuration, the image light from the projector is uniformly projected from the projection lens regardless of the shutter area of the shutter means, and the image light in each pixel image area on the diffusion plate corresponds to the light-transmitting area of the shutter means. An image can be reliably formed in the narrow reach area.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a stereoscopic image display device without glasses according to this embodiment.

The stereoscopic image display device without glasses according to this embodiment includes a projector 1, a shutter unit 4 arranged in front of the projection lens 2 of the projector 1, a shutter control unit 5 for controlling the shutter unit 4, and an image. A signal supply unit 6, a diffusion plate 11, an incident side lenticular lens 21 which is an image forming unit, and an emission side lenticular lens 22 which is a light guiding unit are provided.

The projector 1 temporally sequentially projects two or more images having parallax based on the image signal from the image signal supply unit 6. As the projector 1, for example, a liquid crystal projector is used. The video signal supply unit 6 processes each video signal from the eight cameras (see FIG. 5 of the related art) and supplies it to the projector 1. Specifically, the image of the camera 15a → the image of the camera 15b → the image of the camera 15c → the image of the camera 15d → the camera 15e
, The image of the camera 15f, the image of the camera 15g, and the image of the camera 15h.

The shutter means 4 is provided with eight shutter areas which can switch between light transmission and light shielding in a width narrower than the projection lens 2 in the lateral direction. This shutter means 4 is
N liquid crystal layer, a pair of transparent glass plates provided so as to sandwich the TN liquid crystal layer, an ITO stripe pattern portion forming one electrode, an ITO solid pattern forming the other transparent electrode, and an emitting side / incident side And a polarizing plate. I
The TO stripe pattern portion is composed of eight vertical stripe ITO films corresponding to the shutter area. Although the shutter means is composed of the TN type liquid crystal panel in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and another type of liquid crystal panel may be used, and further, a dispersion type liquid crystal panel may be used. .

The shutter control means 5 controls light transmission and light shielding of the shutter area. Specifically, the shutter areas 4a to 4h are controlled to sequentially transmit light one by one. In this example, the moving direction of the translucent position is the right direction in the drawing. The light-transmitting / light-shielding switching cycle corresponds to the projection cycle of each image in the projector 1. That is, when the image of the camera 15a is projected,
In the figure, only the leftmost shutter area 4a is transparent, and when the image of the camera 15b is displayed, only the second shutter area 4b from the left is transparent.

The incident side lenticular lens 21 has a lens portion 21a, and forms an image from the projector 1 on the diffusion plate 11. Due to the action of the shutter means 4 and the incident-side lenticular lens 21, the image forming area on the diffusion plate 11 is narrower in width than the pixel width in each pixel column in the image forming area, and the image light reaching narrow area corresponding to each of the shutter areas 4a to 4h. A width area (imaging point) is formed. It should be noted that the black squares and squares drawn on the diffuser plate 11 in the figure do not exist as objects, but the light condensing points ( The image forming point) is indicated by □, and the portion where the image light does not reach corresponds to the non-open light-shielding area of the shutter means 4.
It is only shown with.

The emission side lenticular lens 22 has lens portions 22a ... Arranged at a pitch corresponding to the pitch of each pixel image area of the diffusion plate 11. Here, when all the shutter regions 4a to 4h of the shutter means 4 are opened (when the whole becomes transparent), the diffusion plate 1
The image light is formed on the entire pixel image region of No. 1 and the image at the observation position by each lens unit 21a of each pixel image region is in a range much larger than the inter-eye distance, Since the same image is observed, the observer cannot recognize the stereoscopic image. On the other hand, when the image light passes with a width corresponding to one shutter area of the shutter unit 4, a part of each pixel image area (image light arrival narrow area) on the diffusion plate 11 becomes an image forming point, An image of this part at the observation position has a size corresponding to the interocular distance in this embodiment. When the position of the part (image light reaching narrow region) is shifted by one position, the image of the part at the observation position moves by a distance corresponding to the interocular distance.

In the state shown in FIG. 1, the second shutter area 4b from the left is opened in the shutter means 4, and on the diffusion plate 11 formed corresponding to this one transparent area 4b. The image light from one image light arrival narrow area (image forming point) in each pixel image area is guided to the right eye (the area b in FIG. 1) of the observer 3. At this time, the image of the camera 15b is projected from the projector 1. Then, when the shutter area 4c is opened next time, the image of the camera 15c is projected by the projector 1 and this image is guided to the left eye of the observer 3 (area c in FIG. 1).
Further, thereafter, the images of the camera 15d are sequentially led to the area d, the images of the camera 15e to the area e, and so on. The observer 3 can see the image corresponding to the position according to the movement in the left-right direction.
Of course, observation by multiple people is also possible.

Further, in such a structure, the diffusion plate 1
Since each pixel image area on 1 is in charge of displaying an image from one direction, each pixel image area is in charge of displaying each image in a time-division manner, there is no reduction in horizontal resolution. It enables multi-view stereoscopic image display. It should be noted that the larger the number of narrow regions for reaching the image light formed in each pixel image region, the more images can be handled. Further, the width of the image at the observation position of each lens portion 22a of the narrow imaging point should be smaller than the inter-eye distance. The narrower the width, the smoother the image changes with the movement of the observer. (Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a stereoscopic image display device without glasses according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
The same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described below.

The video signal supply unit 6'uses only two videos obtained from two cameras, for example, the cameras 15b and 15c (see FIG. 5), and outputs the video (R) and the video (L) from the projector 1 in time. The two images (R) and (L) are switched when the switching instruction is received from the image control means 7. The image control means 7 is a sensor 1 for detecting the head position of the observer 3.
Based on the output of 0, the switching instruction is given to the video signal supply unit 6 '.

With the above arrangement, two image areas (a right eye image area and a left eye image area) are alternately formed at a predetermined distance from the diffusion plate 11 with an interval corresponding to the interocular distance, for example. To be done. Here, assuming that the left eye of the observer 3B is located in the image area for the right eye and the right eye of the observer 3B is located in the image area for the left eye as shown in FIG. 2, the sensor 10 detects this. When the image light reaching narrow area (image forming point) corresponding to the position of the observer 3B is formed (when the shutter areas 4e and 4f transmit light), the left and right eye images are switched. It is possible for the observer 3B to properly perform stereoscopic vision. On the other hand, at this time, that is, when the shutter regions 4e and 4f transmit light, the observer 3A
Since the image is not guided to (3), there is no problem in the observation of the observer 3A. That is, individual head tracking becomes possible. In addition, based on the output of the sensor 10,
It is also possible to perform control such as stopping the light transmission of the shutter area to the image area where the observer is not located,
Further, the distance between the left and right image areas may correspond to the interocular distance, and the width of each image area does not have to be equal to the interocular distance. (Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a stereoscopic image display device without glasses according to the third embodiment. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as the members in the configuration of the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that the shutter means 4 arranged in front of the projection lens 2 of the projector 1
Is arranged in the diaphragm portion of the projection lens 2.

That is, as in the configuration of the first embodiment, the shutter means 4 is provided in front of the projection lens 2 of the projector 1.
, The pixels that should be formed corresponding to the light-transmitting regions of the shutter means 4 at both ends on the diffusion plate 11 depending on the arrangement relationship of the constituent members such as the projector 1 and the diffusion plate 11. Image light arrival in the image area There is a possibility that the image light does not reach the narrow area and the image is not formed. On the other hand, the shutter means 4 ′ is provided at the aperture of the projection lens 2.
By arranging, the image light from the projector 1 is uniformly projected from the projection lens 2 irrespective of the shutter area of the shutter means 4, and on the diffusion plate 11 corresponding to the transparent area of the shutter means 4. 1 in each pixel image area
It is possible to surely form an image in a narrow area where one image light reaches.

Of course, the structure including the shutter means 4 can be applied to the second embodiment described above. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the observable region is not one, but a plurality of observable regions are formed (similarly in the first and second embodiments).

The above description of the embodiments is for explaining the present invention, and should not be construed to limit the invention described in the claims or to reduce the scope. Further, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
It goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.

For example, although the lenticular lenses are used as the image forming means and the light guiding means in the above-described embodiments, the parallax barrier may be used instead of the lenticular lens. It is possible.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to display a multi-view type stereoscopic image without lowering the horizontal resolution. Further, since the configuration is of a twin-lens type, individual head tracking can be performed even when there are a plurality of observers.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a stereoscopic image display device without glasses according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a stereoscopic image display device without glasses according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a stereoscopic image display device without glasses according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a principle diagram of a conventional multi-view stereoscopic image display device without glasses.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a plurality of cameras for obtaining a multi-view image.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 projector 3 observer 4 Shutter means 5 Shutter control means 6 Video signal supply section 7 Video control means 10 sensors 11 Diffuser 21 Lenticular lens on incident side (imaging means) 22 Outgoing side lenticular lens (light guiding means)

Front page continuation (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 13/04 G02B 27/22 G03B 35/18

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A projector for alternately projecting four or more images having parallax with respect to each other in time, an image forming means for forming an image projected from the projector on a diffusion plate, and a projection lens for the projector. Placed close to the front
The width of the shutter area, which can switch between light transmission and light shielding, is narrower than that of the projection lens in the horizontal direction.
And the shutter area in each pixel image area on the diffusion plate.
A shutter means for forming the same number of the narrow region image light reaches the narrower width than the respective pixel image areas, the position of a predetermined distance image from the diffusion plate from the narrow width region image light reaching each pixel image region A light guide means for sequentially collecting light with an inter-eye distance or an interval having a width smaller than that, and controlling light transmission and light shielding of the shutter area according to the projection timing of each image projected from the projector. A stereoscopic image display device without glasses, comprising: shutter control means. 2. A projector for alternately projecting two images having parallax with respect to each other in time, an image forming unit for forming an image projected from the projector on a diffusion plate, and a front of a projection lens of the projector. Placed close to
Is provided with laterally 4 or more shutter region capable of switching the light-transmitting and light-shielding width narrower than the projection lens, each pixel image region on the diffusion plate, the said shutter region
A plurality of shutter means for forming image light reaching narrow areas having a width narrower than each of the pixel image areas, and an image from the image light reaching narrow areas in each of the pixel image areas at a predetermined distance from the diffusion plate. A light guide means for sequentially collecting light with an inter-eye distance or an interval having a width smaller than that, and controlling light transmission and light shielding of the shutter area according to the projection timing of each image projected from the projector. A stereoscopic image display device without glasses, comprising: shutter control means; and image control means for switching the two images based on an output of a sensor that detects the position of the observer. 3. Four or more images having parallax with each other
A projector that alternately alternately projects and forms an image projected from the projector on a diffusion plate.
And the image forming means and the diaphragm part of the projection lens of the projector.
The shutter area can switch between light transmission and light shielding.
The number of parallax images in the lateral direction is narrower than the projection lens.
The same number as that of the shutter area in each pixel image area on the diffusion plate.
Narrow area of image light reaching a narrower width than the same number of each pixel image area
A shutter means for forming an area and an image from the narrow area of the image light reaching in each pixel image area.
Distance between eyes or a certain distance from the diffuser
Light guide means for sequentially collecting light with a small width, and a projection target for each image projected from the projector.
Controls light transmission and light blocking in the shutter area according to the iming
A stereoscopic image display device without glasses , comprising: 4. Two images having parallax with each other are temporally displayed.
And the image projected from the projector is formed on the diffusion plate.
And the image forming means and the diaphragm part of the projection lens of the projector.
The shutter area can switch between light transmission and light shielding.
With 4 or more in the lateral direction with a width narrower than the projection lens,
The shutter area is the same as each pixel image area on the diffusion plate.
Image light reaching narrower area having a width narrower than each of the pixel image areas
And a shutter means for forming an image, and an image from the image light reaching narrow area in each of the pixel image areas.
Distance between eyes or a certain distance from the diffuser
Light guide means for sequentially collecting light with a small width, and a projection target for each image projected from the projector.
Controls light transmission and light blocking in the shutter area according to the iming
Based on the output of the shutter control means and a sensor that detects the position of the observer.
A stereoscopic image display device without an eyepiece , comprising: an image control means for switching between two images .