JPH0396913A - Image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make nearly parallel luminous flux incident on the pupil of an observer and to display an image by providing >=1 light source which can be intensity- modulated, a wavefront curvature modulating means, a luminous flux deflecting means, an optical path element, and >=1 lens. CONSTITUTION:A data processing and control part 10 calculates display image data from position and shape information, lighting conditions, and view point position information on a display object in a virtual space to generate intensity modulating signals for light sources 11 - 13 of the primary colors, a control signal for a wavefront curvature modulating means 19, and a synchronizing signal for a luminous flux deflecting means 20. Projection light beams from the light sources are collimated by a collimator lens 14 into pieces of parallel luminous flux, which are multiplexed by wavelength selective mirrors 15 - 17 and made incident on an optical fiber through a focusing lens 14. The projection light is collimated by a collimator lens 14e into parallel luminous flux, the wavefront curvature modulating means 19 modulates the luminous flux wavefront curvature by utilizing the deformation of the convex surface shape of a piezoelectric plate, and a luminous flux deflecting means makes the luminous flux incident while varying the angle of incidence on the pupil of the observer through the three lenses and polygon mirror. At this time, the observer is given an optional natural feeling of stereoscopy.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application 1] The present invention relates to an image display device that has a wide field of view and can also provide natural stereoscopic vision.

[Prior art] High-definition CR is usually used as a high-quality image display device.
It is used for computer graphics, CAD, and display of various simulation results. Thanks to advances in image data processing technology, the quality of displayed images has become extremely high. Realistic display is possible. Furthermore, various means have been proposed to enable stereoscopic display by providing binocular parallax. For example, it is possible to alternately display images for the left and right bags on a CRT, and open and close a liquid crystal screen in front of the observer's eyes in synchronization with the images to provide parallax for both clothes.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the above-mentioned technique has a drawback in that it is not possible to display the actual size of many display objects. In designing furniture, automobiles, etc., checking urban landscapes, etc.,
Along with the color and texture of the display, display dimensions are also essentially important. Normally, the dimensions of a CRT are several 10c+n, making it impossible to display the actual size of the object. If a projection screen or the like is used, it is possible to display the actual size of the object within several τ0, but the device is large and extremely expensive.

On the other hand, there are also problems with three-dimensional stereoscopic display.

Since the N-elephant position determined by binocular parallax is different from the target position (= C R T tube surface) determined by binocular adjustment, there is an unnatural feeling, and the viewer is also greatly fatigued. In addition, the wide field of view required for natural stereoscopic parallax was insufficient, and there was a limit to the performance as a three-dimensional stereoscopic display device.

The present invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it combines the same light flux that would enter the viewer's pupil if the display object actually existed, and irradiates the viewer's eyeballs. The purpose is to provide a compact image display device that provides a wide field of view and a natural three-dimensional effect.

Means for Solving Problem F To achieve this objective, the image display device of the present invention includes one or more light sources capable of intensity modulation, and a substantially parallel light source obtained by controlling the output of the light source. a wavefront curvature modulation means for changing the wavefront curvature of the light beam; a light beam deflection means for changing the propagation direction of the light beam; an optical path element that allows the light beam to propagate through the optical beam; equipped with one or more lenses for obtaining a beam shape,
A substantially parallel light beam whose incident angle, wavefront curvature, and intensity are each modulated is allowed to enter the viewer's pupil.

1 Effect] The double-image display device of the present invention, which achieves the above-mentioned features, transforms intensity-modulated output light from a light source into a substantially parallel light beam, and modulates the wavefront curvature of the light beam by a wavefront curvature modulation means. is set to a desired value, and the beam enters the observer's pupil. At this time, the observer perceives as if there is a bright spot at a distance equal to the radius of wavefront curvature on the extension line of the direction of incidence of the light beam. By sweeping the angle of incidence of the light beam onto the pupil using the light beam deflection means and simultaneously modulating the light intensity and wavefront curvature, any natural stereoscopic vision can be provided to the viewer.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example in which the present invention is integrated will be described with reference to the drawings.

14. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the image display device of this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the wavefront curvature modulation means, and FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the light beam deflection means. The configuration and operation will be explained according to the drawings.

In the data processing and control unit 10, three
Display image data is calculated from the position and shape information of the dimensional display target, illumination conditions, and viewpoint position information, and R light source 11 and G light source 1
2. Generates an intensity modulation signal for the B light source, a control signal for the wavefront curvature modulation means, a synchronization signal for the beam deflection means, etc. The algorithms for the various calculations are commonly used in the computer graphics field, and will not be described here. The light emitted from each of the R, G, and B light sources 11, 12, and 1.3 is shaped into a substantially parallel light beam by collimating lenses 14a to 14c, and then to wavelength selective mirrors 15, 1.
6.17, and enters the optical fiber 18 through the 7 focus lens 14d. The light 7 Aiba 18
The light emitted from the other end is converted into a substantially parallel light beam by the collimating lens 14e, and is incident on one wavefront curvature modulation means. The wavefront curvature modulation means 19 modulates the wavefront curvature (H parallelism) of the incident light beam in accordance with the control signal from the data processing and control section 10. The wavefront curvature modulating means 19 includes a piezoelectric plate 51 attached to the retainer 50 and electrodes 52a and 52b (multiplied by the reflective film 53 and N). When a control signal voltage is applied to the electrodes 52a and 52b, the appropriately polarized piezoelectric plate 51 is deformed into a convex shape. As a result, the wavefront curvature of the light beam changes before and after reflection at the reflective film 53.

The light beam emitted from the wavefront curvature modulation means is transmitted to the light beam deflection means 2.
0. In the light beam deflecting means 20, a light beam is irradiated onto the viewer's pupil by changing the angle of incidence using lenses 101a to 101c of 3 m and a polygonal mirror 102.

Another set of light beam deflecting means (not shown) is installed to sweep the light beam two-dimensionally.

Two lines of the above optical system are installed to supply light beams to both eyes of the observer.

Note that various modifications can be made to each structure 1 & element of the above embodiment. If the light sources are arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array, the light beam deflecting means can be made one-dimensional or omitted. As the wavefront curvature modulation means, a movable lens can be used if low speed is allowed. Furthermore, if higher speed is required, it is also possible to adopt a method in which a refractive index distribution type waveguide is made of a material with an electro-optic effect, and the shape of the refractive index distribution is modulated by electrical means. On the other hand, as the light beam deflecting means, an acousto-optic effect deflector can also be used.

[Effects of the Invention 1] As is clear from the detailed description above, according to the present invention, the wavefront curvature modulation means 19 and the light beam deflection means 20 are provided in the optical path from the intensity modulated light source to the observer. Because of this, the viewer's pupil can be irradiated with a beam of light that has the same intensity, incident direction, and wavefront curvature as if the displayed object were actually there. It can give the observer a visual impression.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 3 show embodiments embodying the present invention; Figure 1 is a diagram of the overall configuration of the device, and Figure 2 is a diagram of the configuration of the wavefront curvature modulation means. 3 is a composition diagram of the light beam deflecting means. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Data processing and control part, 11... R light source, 12... G light source, 13... B light source, 14... Lens, 15-17... Wavelength selective mirror 18...・
Optical fiber, 19... Wavefront curvature modulation means, 20...
Light beam deflection means. -8-

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. One or more light sources capable of intensity modulation, wavefront curvature modulation means for modulating the wavefront curvature of a substantially parallel light beam obtained by shaping the output of the light source, and the propagation direction of the light beam. an optical path element that allows the light beam to propagate between the components; and one or more lenses for obtaining a desired light beam shape, the angle of incidence, the wavefront curvature, An image display device characterized in that substantially parallel light beams whose respective intensities are modulated can enter the pupil of an observer. 2. The image display device according to item 1, wherein the light beam deflecting means is two-dimensionally deflectable. 3. The image display device according to item 1, wherein the light sources are arranged in a one-dimensional array, and the light beam deflecting means is capable of deflecting the light beam in one dimension substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the light sources are arranged. 4. The image display device according to item 1, wherein the light sources are arranged in a two-dimensional array, and the light beam deflecting means is omitted. 5. The image display device according to item 1 or 2, characterized in that the wavefront curvature modulation means and the light beam deflection means are integrated and connected to the light source by an optical fiber. 6. The image display device according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the wavefront curvature modulation means is a variable focus mirror using a piezoelectric material.