JP7044237B2 - Aerial screen forming device, image projection system - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act ▲ 1 ▼ Published on the website of the international conference “SIGGRAPH ASIA 2017 BANGKOK CONFERENCE” on October 14, 2017 (https://sa2017.siggraf.org/attendes/posters? view = type & type = posters & patents = true) ▲ 2 ▼ Lecture "Where is Yoichi Ochiai heading?" At the rally "Digital Content Expo" held at the Japan Science Miraikan on October 29, 2017. Published at "Art Academic Research CREST Startup"

The present invention relates to an aerial screen forming apparatus and an image projection system.

In recent years, a technique for projecting a three-dimensional image on an aerial screen has attracted attention. Unlike a flat screen, an aerial screen is suitable for displaying a three-dimensional image because the presence of the screen is not perceived.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for forming an aerial screen by ejecting mist into the air.

JP-A-2015-121655

However, since the mass of mist is light, it easily floats in the air. Therefore, the shape of the aerial screen becomes unstable, and the density of the aerial screen may decrease. The decrease in density leads to a decrease in the resolution of the aerial screen.

That is, it is difficult to improve the resolution of the aerial screen with the prior art.

An object of the present invention is to improve the resolution of an aerial screen.

One aspect of the present invention is
Equipped with a housing for accommodating multiple retroreflective particles
The retroreflective particles have a refracting surface that refracts the incident light of the projector, and a reflecting surface that reflects the light refracted by the refracting surface in a direction opposite to the incident direction of the incident light.
A controller is provided that forms an aerial screen capable of projecting a three-dimensional image by dropping a plurality of retroreflective particles housed in the housing.
It is an aerial screen forming device.

According to the present invention, the resolution of the aerial screen can be improved.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the image projection system of this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the aerial screen forming apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the accommodation part of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the operation of the accommodation part of FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the retroreflection type particle. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a user view provided by the aerial screen forming apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the aerial screen forming apparatus 10 of the modification 1. FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional image projected on the aerial screen formed by the aerial screen forming apparatus of FIG. 7. It is a schematic diagram which shows the 1st example of the structure of the aerial screen forming apparatus 10 of the modification 2. FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional image projected on the aerial screen formed by the aerial screen forming apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the 2nd example of the structure of the aerial screen forming apparatus 10 of the modification 2. It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional image projected on the aerial screen formed by the aerial screen forming apparatus of FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings for explaining the embodiments, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals in principle, and the repeated description thereof will be omitted.

(1) Image projection system The image projection system of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image projection system of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image projection system 1 includes an aerial screen forming device 10 and a projector 20.

The aerial screen forming device 10 is arranged so that a space is formed downward (LO direction). For example, the aerial screen forming device 10 is suspended from the ceiling (not shown).
The aerial screen forming apparatus 10 is configured to form an aerial screen SC along the YZ plane in the space below (LO direction) of the aerial screen forming apparatus 10 by dropping the retroreflective particle RP.

The projector 20 is arranged on the observer OBS side with respect to the aerial screen SC. The projector 20 emits light OP in a direction (X− direction) orthogonal to the YZ plane of the aerial screen SC toward the aerial screen SC.

A three-dimensional image IMG corresponding to the optical OP is projected on the aerial screen SC.
The reflected light (light in the X + direction) of the physical object OBJ located on the opposite side of the projector 20 with respect to the aerial screen SC reaches the observer OBS through the gaps of the retroreflective particle RP constituting the aerial screen SC.

As a result, the observer OBS can simultaneously observe the three-dimensional image IMG projected on the aerial screen SC and the image of the physical object OBJ.

(1-1) Aerial Screen Forming Device The aerial screen forming device 10 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the aerial screen forming apparatus of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the aerial screen forming device 10 includes a storage device 11, a processor (an example of a “controller”) 12, an input / output interface 13, a communication interface 14, a driver 15, and an accommodating unit 16. Be prepared.

The storage device 11 is configured to store programs and data. The storage device 11 is, for example, a combination of a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a storage (for example, a flash memory or a hard disk).

The program includes, for example, a program for controlling the driver 15.

The processor 12 is configured to realize the function of the aerial screen forming device 10 by activating the program stored in the storage device 11. The processor 12 is an example of a computer.

The input / output interface 13 is configured to acquire a user's instruction from an input device connected to the aerial screen forming apparatus 10 and output information to an output device connected to the aerial screen forming apparatus 10.
The input device is, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, a touch panel, or a combination thereof.
The output device is a display.

The communication interface 14 is configured to control communication between the aerial screen forming device 10 and the projector 20.

The driver 15 is configured to generate a drive signal for driving the movable mechanism of the accommodating portion 16 under the control of the processor 12.

A plurality of retroreflective particle RPs are accommodated in the accommodating portion 16.

(1-2) Accommodating section The accommodating section 16 of the present embodiment will be described.

(1-2-1) Configuration of the accommodating portion The configuration of the accommodating portion 16 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the accommodating portion of FIG.

FIG. 3A shows the bottom portion 16h of the accommodating portion 16. FIG. 3B is an enlarged perspective view of the chain line region I of FIG. 3A.

As shown in FIG. 3, the accommodating portion 16 includes a pair of movable members 16a and 16b, a pair of fixing members 16c and 16d, a pair of pulleys 16f, and a belt 16e.

As shown in FIG. 3B, a pulley 16f is rotatably attached to the side surface 16g of the accommodating portion 16.
A belt 16e is wound around the pair of pulleys 16f.
Fixing members 16c and 16d are attached to the belt 16e.
Movable members 16a and 16b are attached to the fixing members 16c and 16d, respectively.
That is, the movable members 16a and 16b are fixed to the belt 16e via the fixing members 16c and 16d, respectively.

The pulley 16f rotates according to the drive signal generated by the driver 15.
When the pulley 16f rotates counterclockwise (FIG. 3B), the fixing member 16c moves in the X− direction, and the fixing member 16d moves in the X + direction. As a result, the movable member 16a moves in the X- direction, and the movable member 16b moves in the X + direction.
When the pulley 16f rotates clockwise (FIG. 3B), the fixing member 16c moves in the X + direction, and the fixing member 16d moves in the X− direction. As a result, the movable member 16a moves in the X + direction, and the movable member 16b moves in the X− direction.
In this way, the movable members 16a and 16b move according to the rotation direction of the pulley 16f. The moving directions of the movable members 16a and 16b are directions perpendicular to the YZ plane of the screen SC (X direction).

(1-2-2) Operation of the accommodating portion The operation of the accommodating portion 16 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the accommodating portion of FIG.

FIG. 4A shows the movable members 16a and 16b located in the closed position.
The movable members 16a and 16b located in the closed position come into contact with each other. In this case, the accommodating portion 16 holds the retroreflective particle RP.

When the pulley 16f rotates counterclockwise (FIG. 3B) when the movable members 16a and 16b are in the closed position, the movable member 16a moves in the X + direction, and the movable member 16b moves in the X− direction. As a result, the movable members 16a and 16b move to the open position.

FIG. 4B shows the movable members 16a and 16b located in the open position.
The movable members 16a and 16b located in the open position are separated from each other. As a result, a drop port SL is formed at the bottom 16h. The drop port SL has a line segment shape when viewed from above. The retroreflective particle RP housed in the housing portion 16 falls downward (Y-direction) through the drop port SL.

(1-3) Retroreflective Particle The retroreflective particle RP of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of retroreflective particles.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the retroreflective particle RP is a transparent sphere. The retroreflective particle RP is, for example, a glass sphere.

FIG. 5B shows a cross section when the retroreflective particle RP is cut along the chain line II of FIG. 5A.
As shown in FIG. 5B, the retroreflective particle RP has a refracting surface RPa and a reflecting surface RPb. A reflective film is coated on the inner surface of the reflective surface RPb.
When the refracting surface RPa is located on the X− side and the reflecting surface RPb is located on the X + side, the incident light OPa incident on the X + direction from the X− direction is refracted by the refracting surface RPa and the reflecting surface RPb. It hits.
The reflecting surface RPb reflects the incident light OPa in the X- direction.
As a result, the incident light OPa incident from the X− direction to the X + direction generates reflected light OPb reflected from the X + direction to the X− direction (that is, the direction opposite to the incident direction of the incident light OPa). The reflected light OPb is refracted by the refracting surface RPa and radiated in the X- direction from the outer surface of the retroreflective particle RP.

(1-4) User View A user view that can be observed by the observer OBS of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the user view provided by the aerial screen forming apparatus of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4B, when the retroreflective particle RP is dropped in the Y- direction from the drop port SL formed by the movable members 16a and 16b located at the open position, the lower side of the aerial screen forming device 10 of FIG. An aerial screen SC is formed in the space (Y-direction).

When the projector 20 emits the light OP in the X-direction toward the aerial screen SC, the incident light OPa for the retroreflective particle RP is changed to the reflected light OPb in the X + direction by being reflected by the reflecting surface RPb. The reflected light OPb is incident on the eyeball of the observer OBS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reflected light of the physical object OBJ located on the opposite side of the projector 20 with respect to the aerial screen SC travels toward the observer OBS through the gaps of the retroreflective particle RPs constituting the aerial screen SC. Then, it is incident on the eyeball of the observer OBS.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the observer OBS can simultaneously observe the three-dimensional image IMG projected on the aerial screen SC and the image of the physical object OBJ.

According to this embodiment, an aerial screen SC is formed by dropping a retroreflective particle RP having a constant mass. This makes it possible to improve the resolution of the aerial screen SC.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the retroreflective particle RP falls due to its own weight, the structure of the accommodating portion 16 can be simplified.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the retroreflective particle RP has a uniform falling direction (Y-direction), the size of the aerial screen SC in the vertical direction (Y-direction) is determined by the height of the accommodating portion 16. .. This makes it possible to easily increase the size of the aerial screen SC.

(2) Modification example A modification of the present embodiment will be described.

(2-1) Modification 1
A modification 1 of the present embodiment will be described. Modification 1 is an example of an aerial screen forming device 10 that forms a plurality of aerial screens. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the aerial screen forming apparatus 10 of the modified example 1. FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a three-dimensional image projected on an aerial screen formed by the aerial screen forming apparatus of FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of drop ports Sl1 and SL12 are formed in the bottom portion 16h. Both the drop ports Sl1 and SL12 have a line segment shape when viewed from above. The retroreflective particle RP housed in the housing unit 16 falls downward (Y-direction) through the drop ports Sl1 and SL12.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of aerial screens SC1a and SC1b are formed below the aerial screen forming apparatus 10 (in the Y-direction).
The projector 20 is arranged on the observer OBS side (X + side) with respect to the aerial screens SC1a and SC1b. When the projector 20 emits the light OP1 in the X-direction, the three-dimensional images IMG1a and IMG1b corresponding to the light OP1 are projected on the aerial screens SC1a and SC1b.

According to the first modification, the three-dimensional images IMG1a and IMG1b projected on the plurality of aerial screens SC1a and SC1b can be observed.

(2-2) Modification 2
Modification 2 of this embodiment will be described. Modification 2 is a modification of the shape of the aerial screen formed by the aerial screen forming apparatus.

(2-2-1) First Example of Modified Example 2 The first example of Modified Example 2 will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a first example of the configuration of the aerial screen forming apparatus 10 of the modification 2. FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a three-dimensional image projected on an aerial screen formed by the aerial screen forming apparatus of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, a drop port SL21 is formed at the bottom 16h. The drop port SL21 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The retroreflective particle RP housed in the housing portion 16 falls downward (Y-direction) through the dropping port S21.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, a rectangular parallelepiped aerial screen SC21 is formed below the aerial screen forming apparatus 10 (in the Y-direction).

The projector 20a is arranged on the X + side with respect to the aerial screen SC21. When the projector 20a emits the light OP21a in the X-direction, the three-dimensional image IMG21a corresponding to the light OP21a is projected on the surface SC21a on the X + side of the aerial screen SC21.

The projector 20b is arranged on the Z- side with respect to the aerial screen SC21. When the projector 20b emits the light OP21b in the Z + direction, the three-dimensional image IMG21b corresponding to the light OP21b is projected on the surface SC21b on the Z- side of the aerial screen SC21.

(2-2-2) Second Example of Modification Example 2 The second example of Modification 2 will be described. FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a second example of the configuration of the aerial screen forming apparatus 10 of the modification 2. FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a three-dimensional image projected on an aerial screen formed by the aerial screen forming apparatus of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, a drop port SL22 is formed at the bottom 16h. The drop port SL22 has a circular shape when viewed from above. The retroreflective particle RP housed in the housing portion 16 falls downward (Y-direction) through the dropping port S22.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, a cylindrical aerial screen SC22 is formed below the aerial screen forming apparatus 10 (in the Y-direction).

When a plurality of projectors 20a and 20b radiate light OP22a and OP22b to the aerial screen SC22, the aerial screen SC22 has three-dimensional images IMG22a and IMG22b corresponding to the light OP22a and OP22b emitted from the respective projectors 20a and 20b. It is projected.

(3) Summary of the present embodiment The following is a summary of the present embodiment.

The first aspect of this embodiment is
A housing unit 16 for accommodating a plurality of retroreflective particle RPs is provided.
The retroreflective particle RP has a refracting surface RPa that refracts the incident light OPa of the projector 20, and a reflection that reflects the light refracted by the refracting surface RPa in the direction opposite to the incident direction (X + direction) (X− direction) of the incident light. With a surface RPb,
A controller (for example, a processor 12) for forming an aerial screen SC capable of projecting a three-dimensional image by dropping a plurality of retroreflective particle RPs housed in the housing unit 16 is provided.
The aerial screen forming device 10.

According to the first aspect, the aerial screen SC is formed by dropping the retroreflective particle RP having a constant mass. This makes it possible to improve the resolution of the aerial screen SC.

The second aspect of this embodiment is
The reflective surface RPb is covered with a reflective film.
The aerial screen forming device 10.

The third aspect of this embodiment is
A drop port SL that can be opened and closed is arranged at the bottom of the accommodating portion 16.
The controller drops the retroreflective particle RP housed in the accommodating portion 16 by opening the drop port SL.
The aerial screen forming device 10.

According to the third aspect, the retroreflective particle RP falls due to its own weight. Thereby, the structure of the accommodating portion 16 can be simplified.

The fourth aspect of this embodiment is
The drop port SL has a line segment shape, a polygonal shape, or a circular shape when viewed from above.
The aerial screen forming device 10.

According to the fourth aspect, various shapes of aerial screen SC can be formed.

The fifth aspect of this embodiment is
Equipped with an aerial screen forming device 10
A projector 20 arranged on the observer OBS side with respect to the aerial screen SC formed by the aerial screen forming apparatus 10 is provided.
The projector 20 projects a three-dimensional image IMG corresponding to the light OP on the aerial screen SC by irradiating the light OP toward the aerial screen SC.
Image projection system 1.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Further, the above-described embodiment can be variously improved or modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. Further, the above embodiments and modifications can be combined.

1: Image projection system 10: Aerial screen forming device 11: Storage device 12: Processor 13: Input / output interface 14: Communication interface 15: Driver 16: Accommodating parts 16a, 16b: Movable member 16c, 16d: Fixing member 16e: Belt 16f : Pulley 16g: Side surface 16h: Bottom surface 20, 20a, 20b: Projector

Claims (5)

Equipped with a housing for accommodating multiple retroreflective particles
The retroreflective particles have a refracting surface that refracts the incident light of the projector, and a reflecting surface that reflects the light refracted by the refracting surface in a direction opposite to the incident direction of the incident light.
A three-dimensional image can be projected by dropping the plurality of retroreflective particles so that the plurality of retroreflective particles housed in the accommodating portion fall in a uniform direction in the space below the accommodating portion. It comprises a controller that forms an aerial screen in the space whose vertical size is determined by the height of the accommodating portion .
Aerial screen forming device. The reflective surface is coated with a reflective film.
The aerial screen forming apparatus according to claim 1. A drop port that can be opened and closed is arranged at the bottom of the accommodating portion.
The controller drops the retroreflective particles housed in the accommodating portion by opening the dropping port.
The aerial screen forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The drop port has a line segment shape, a polygonal shape, or a circular shape when viewed from above.
The aerial screen forming apparatus according to claim 3. The aerial screen forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is provided.
A projector arranged on the observer side with respect to the aerial screen formed by the aerial screen forming apparatus is provided.
The projector projects a three-dimensional image corresponding to the light onto the aerial screen by irradiating the aerial screen with light.
Image projection system.

Images