JPH11331879A - Stereoscopic image projector and jig for stereoscopic vision of image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stereoscopic image with excellent image quality to eyes of a viewer by projecting an image of stereoscopic vision onto a screen. SOLUTION: The stereoscopic image projector 100A is provided with a liquid crystal display unit 110 consisting of a transparent liquid crystal display plate and a light source section emitting plural colors respectively and lights the rear side of the liquid crystal display plate, an interface circuit 129 that forms a decomposed image consisting of color images decomposed corresponding to plural emitted colors sequentially onto the liquid crystal display plate and makes the light source section blink synchronously with the sequential forming of the decomposed image on the liquid crystal display plate in an emitted color corresponding to the decomposed image formed on the liquid crystal display plate, and a projection lens unit 111 that projects a light emitted from the light source section and transmitted through the liquid crystal display plate onto a screen. Then an image projected on the screen is viewed by left and right eyes through a couple of liquid crystal display shutters 201, 202 switched alternately.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a three-dimensional image projector for projecting a three-dimensional image on a screen, and to a three-dimensional image jig for visually recognizing the image projected on the screen as a three-dimensional image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image is reproduced on a liquid crystal display panel based on image information obtained by digital image processing, and the liquid crystal display panel is irradiated from the back of the liquid crystal display panel onto a screen via a projection lens. A so-called liquid crystal projector for projecting and projecting is known. Here, a liquid crystal display panel widely used for image display is a so-called TFT.
This TFT type liquid crystal display panel is arranged in a matrix and uses a large number of pixels divided into three primary colors of R, G, and B to correspond to each of the three primary colors of R, G, and B. The system is configured so that three images are simultaneously generated and the images can be observed by illumination from the back.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION TFT-type liquid crystal panels include:
Since the R, G, and B pixels are arranged while maintaining an interval from each other, the actual number of pixels is 1/3 of the total number of pixels, which results in a lack of definition and a TFT type liquid crystal panel. There is a drawback that it is difficult to obtain a fine resolution due to the characteristics, and the image displayed there is hardly high-definition, and characters with thin lines are hardly legible. Further, the power consumption of a light source for illuminating the TFT type liquid crystal panel is large, and heat is generated. As described above, the TFT type liquid crystal panel has an advantage that an image can be displayed, but also has the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0004] Conventionally, it has been known that a stereoscopic image can be obtained by reproducing two still images or moving images using parallax between the left and right eyes so as to be observed by the left and right eyes. However, when trying to project a stereoscopically-viewed image on a screen, how to project a stereoscopically-viewed high-quality image becomes a problem.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a stereoscopic image projector capable of projecting a stereoscopic image of good image quality on a screen, and an image projector for visually recognizing the image projected on the screen as a stereoscopic image. An object of the present invention is to provide a jig for image stereoscopic vision.

[0006]

In recent years, instead of a TFT type liquid crystal panel comprising pixels divided into three primary colors of R, G, and B,
The liquid crystal panel itself has no color pigment, and an image is formed using all pixels, and a liquid crystal display unit in which the color of the image is determined by the color of the backlight has entered the practical stage (for example, Kopin C
operation 695 Myles Stan
dish Blvd. Taunton, MA027
80) Trademark SMARTSLIDE etc.).

The present invention was inspired by the appearance of such a liquid crystal display unit. A three-dimensional image projector of the present invention that achieves the above object has a transmissive liquid crystal plate having a large number of two-dimensionally arranged pixels and an image formed on the large number of pixels as a whole, and a plurality of emission colors. A liquid crystal display unit having a light source unit that emits light at the back and illuminates the liquid crystal plate from the back, an image signal representing a left-eye color image and a right-eye color image is input, and a left-eye color image and a right-eye color are input. A plurality of decomposed images obtained by combining a plurality of decomposed images for the left eye and a plurality of decomposed images for the right eye, each of which is decomposed corresponding to a plurality of emission colors of the light source unit, are sequentially formed on the liquid crystal plate. And an interface circuit for causing the light source unit to blink in a luminescent color corresponding to the decomposed image formed on the liquid crystal plate in synchronization with the sequential formation of the decomposed image on the liquid crystal plate. A projection optical system that emits light emitted from the light source unit and transmitted through the liquid crystal plate to the outside, and projects an image displayed on the liquid crystal plate on an external screen, and a left-eye decomposition image on the liquid crystal plate. A timing signal generating circuit is provided for generating a timing signal for identifying a timing at which the liquid crystal panel is formed and a timing at which a separated image for the right eye is formed on the liquid crystal plate.

The three-dimensional image projector according to the present invention emits light transmitted through the liquid crystal plate to the outside and projects an image displayed on the liquid crystal plate onto an external screen. May be provided with a screen in the stereoscopic image projector itself. That is, the stereoscopic image projector of the present invention configured as described above includes a transmissive liquid crystal plate having a large number of pixels arranged two-dimensionally and forming an image on the large number of pixels as a whole, and a plurality of the liquid crystal plates. A liquid crystal display unit having a light source unit that emits light in each of the emission colors and illuminates the liquid crystal plate from the back, an image signal representing a left-eye color image and a right-eye color image is input, and a left-eye color image and a right-eye color image are input. A plurality of separated images obtained by combining a plurality of separated images for the left eye and a plurality of separated images for the right eye, each of which is separated into a plurality of color images corresponding to a plurality of emission colors of the light source unit, are sequentially arranged on the liquid crystal plate. And the light source section is turned on and off with a light emission color corresponding to the decomposed image formed on the liquid crystal plate in synchronization with the sequential formation of the decomposed image on the liquid crystal plate. Base circuit, a screen on which light emitted from the light source unit and transmitted through the liquid crystal plate is projected, a projection optical system for projecting an image formed on the liquid crystal plate onto the screen, and a left-eye disassembly on the liquid crystal plate. A timing signal generation circuit for generating a timing signal for identifying a timing at which an image is formed and a timing at which a right-eye decomposition image is formed on the liquid crystal plate is provided.

Further, the stereoscopic image projector of the present invention combines the above two types, that is, a type which projects an image on an external screen, and a type which has its own screen and projects an image on the screen. It may be. That is, in this case, in the above-mentioned stereoscopic image projector having its own screen, an optical path for projecting the light emitted from the light source unit and passing through the liquid crystal plate onto the screen of its own, And an optical path switching means for switching the light path to an optical path projected onto an external screen.

Here, as one typical configuration example of the stereoscopic image projector of the present invention, the light source section of the liquid crystal display unit emits light in each of the three primary colors of red, green, and blue, and the interface circuit detects the left eye. Color images corresponding to each color of red, green and blue per frame
In addition to decomposing into three separated images, the color image for the right eye is decomposed into three separated images corresponding to red, green, and blue colors for one frame, and a total of six separated images for one frame are sequentially displayed on the liquid crystal panel. Is formed.

[0011] The three-dimensional image projector of the present invention comprises:
As one typical configuration example, a timing signal generated by the timing signal generation circuit is output to the outside so that an observer wearing an image stereoscopic jig, which will be described later, can visually recognize the stereoscopically. Good. In this case, the timing signal generated by the timing signal generation circuit may be directly output to the outside as an electrical signal, but infrared or radio waves carrying the timing signal generated by the timing signal generation circuit may be transmitted. It is also a preferable embodiment to provide a configuration including a timing signal output circuit for generating a signal.

Alternatively, the stereoscopic image projector according to the present invention does not output a timing signal to the outside, but incorporates, for example, a jig for image stereoscopic vision described later inside,
Alternatively, a configuration including a configuration corresponding to the image stereoscopic jig may be referred to as a stereoscopic image projector. That is, in the stereoscopic image projector of the present invention described above, the stereoscopic image projector configured as described above is disposed between the left and right eyes of the observer and the screen, and outputs the timing signal generated by the timing signal generation circuit. At the timing when the left-eye decomposition image is formed on the liquid crystal panel, the image on the screen is guided to the left eye of the observer, and the optical path to the right eye of the observer is cut off. An image transmission control unit is provided to guide the image on the screen to the right eye of the observer and to block the optical path to the left eye of the observer at the timing when the image is formed.

The image transmission control unit includes a pair of liquid crystal shutters for left and right eyes, which are alternately controlled to a light transmitting state and a light blocking state based on a timing signal, and a liquid crystal for left eye. A shutter for holding the pair of liquid crystal shutters, wherein the shutter and the liquid crystal shutter for the right eye have mounting means mounted on the observer so as to be arranged in front of the observer's left and right eyes, respectively. It is preferable to have a configuration.

Further, the jig for image stereoscopic vision when viewed as being separate from the stereoscopic image projector of the present invention is provided with mounting means mounted on the observer so as to be located in front of the observer, A timing signal for identifying a timing of providing an image to the left eye of the observer and a timing of providing an image to the right eye of the observer is received. Image transmission control means for securing the field of view and blocking the area in front of the observer's right eye, and securing the field of view of the observer's right eye and blocking the area in front of the observer's left eye at the timing of providing an image to the right eye. It is characterized by having.

Here, the image transmission control means includes a liquid crystal shutter for a left eye arranged in front of a left eye and a right eye of the observer when the observer wears the image stereoscopic jig. Equipped with a liquid crystal shutter for the right eye,
Preferably, the liquid crystal shutters for the left eye and the right eye are alternately controlled between a light transmitting state and a light blocking state based on the timing signal.

In the image stereoscopic jig of the present invention, the means for receiving the timing signal may include a means for receiving the timing signal via a signal cable.
It is also a preferable embodiment to include a timing signal receiving circuit for receiving an infrared ray or a radio wave carrying a timing signal. A three-dimensional image projector according to the present invention includes the interface circuit, and the liquid crystal panel is configured to separate a left-eye color image and a right-eye color image corresponding to a plurality of emission colors into a separated image (for a left-eye image or a left-eye color image). Separated images in which each of the right-eye color images is separated into, for example, R, G, and B images) are sequentially formed on the liquid crystal plate, and the backlight of the corresponding emission color is turned on and off in synchronization with the formation. By illuminating the liquid crystal panel, and projecting the light transmitted through the liquid crystal panel onto a screen via a projection optical system, and providing an image on the screen to the human eye, a color utilizing the afterimage of the eye is used. An image is formed. Therefore, it is possible to form an image using all the pixels of the liquid crystal plate for any image of a plurality of colors (for example, R, G, B), and to achieve extremely high definition compared to the case where a conventional TFT type liquid crystal plate is used. Color images can be formed.

Further, the stereoscopic image projector of the present invention comprises:
A timing signal for identifying the timing at which the left-eye decomposition image is formed on the liquid crystal panel and the timing at which the right-eye decomposition image is formed on the liquid crystal panel is generated, and the image transmission control provided in the stereoscopic image projector is generated. Or a timing at which a left-eye decomposition image is formed on the liquid crystal panel based on the timing signal by an image stereoscopic jig separate from the stereoscopic image projector or the stereoscopic image projector (that is, a left-eye decomposition image is displayed on the screen). At the timing when the decomposed image is projected, the image on the screen is guided only to the left eye, and at the timing when the decomposed image for the right eye is formed on the liquid crystal plate (that is, the decomposed image for the right eye is projected on the screen). At the timing), the image on the screen is guided only to the right eye, so the observer can use the afterimage It can be viewed.

That is, the present invention utilizes afterimage development of the eye for both recognition as a color image and recognition as a stereoscopic image. Here, when the timing signal generated by the stereoscopic image projector is output to the outside and the timing signal is received by the image stereoscopic jig, the timing signal is transmitted and received by infrared rays or radio waves. There is no need to route the code, which is convenient for handling.

In the stereoscopic image projector according to the present invention, the interface circuit may include a plurality of separated images forming a left-eye one-frame color image and a plurality of separated images forming a right-eye one-frame color image. When a plurality of decomposed images obtained by combining the two are combined into one group, the decomposed images on the liquid crystal plate are updated at a speed of 1/16 (sec / group) or more, and the decomposed images on the liquid crystal plate are updated. Preferably, in synchronization with the sequential formation, the light source unit is turned on and off so as to emit pulsed light having a light emission time shorter than a time during which one decomposed image is formed on the liquid crystal plate.

According to the characteristics of human eyes, it is known that if image information is sequentially updated at a speed of 1/16 sec or more per frame, the image information is recognized as a moving image. Since each one-frame image (color image) is further decomposed into a plurality of decomposed images, it is necessary to update the image at a higher speed than that. When a plurality of divided images constituting a color image of a frame are grouped into one group, 1/16 (sec / group)
Above. As a result, a moving image with a smooth motion can be formed.

In addition, power consumption can be suppressed by blinking the light source unit so as to emit pulse light having a light emission time shorter than the time during which one decomposed image is formed on the liquid crystal plate. Further, in the stereoscopic image projector of the present invention, the interface circuit receives an image signal for one frame representing a still-color image for the left eye and an image signal for one frame representing a still-color image for the right eye, and A plurality of separated images, which are a combination of a plurality of separated images for the left eye forming a still color image for use with a plurality of separated images for the right eye forming a still color image for the right eye, are cyclically and repeatedly formed on the liquid crystal plate. It may be something.

The present invention is also applicable to a stereoscopic image projector for reproducing a stereoscopic still color image. Further, in the stereoscopic image projector of the present invention, it is preferable that a portable recording medium is removably loaded, and a recording medium drive unit that obtains an image signal from the loaded recording medium and transmits the image signal to the interface circuit is preferable.

If a portable recording medium is loaded to obtain an image signal, an image can be easily taken. In this case, the recording medium drive unit allows only one recording medium to be loaded at the same time, and the recording medium drive unit outputs an image representing a left-eye color image from the loaded one recording medium. A signal and an image signal representing a right-eye color image may both be obtained and transmitted to the interface circuit. Alternatively, the recording medium drive unit may allow two recording media to be loaded at the same time. Thus, an image signal representing a left-eye color image is obtained from one of the two loaded recording media, and an image signal representing a right-eye color image is obtained from the other recording medium. May be transmitted to the interface circuit.

If only one recording medium is loaded and both left and right images are taken in from the loaded recording medium, only one recording medium is required, which is convenient for handling the recording medium. And two left and right images are acquired from each of the two loaded recording media. If each of the two recording media is used as a conventional image capturing device that captures a normal image other than a stereoscopic image, for example, a digital camera Alternatively, the stereoscopic image projector can be shared with a recording medium used for a video photographing device or the like. For example, a stereoscopic image projector of a type in which left and right images are recorded on each recording medium using two digital cameras and two recording media are loaded. , The two recording media are loaded into the camera to reproduce a stereoscopic image.

In a preferred embodiment, the image reproducing apparatus of the present invention further comprises a receiving section for receiving an electric wave or infrared ray carrying image information to obtain an image signal and transmitting the image signal to the interface circuit. As described above, the image signal may be obtained using radio waves or infrared rays as a medium.

Further, in the image reproducing apparatus of the present invention,
An operation in which the interface circuit receives an image signal having a second operating frequency different from the first operating frequency for operating the liquid crystal display unit and converts the image signal into an image signal synchronized with the first operating frequency; It is preferable to have a frequency converter. When handling image signals and other various signals, it is common practice to handle signals in a format synchronized with the clock based on a clock of a certain predetermined operating frequency, and the operating frequency generally employed Is 24.5 MHz, 1
There are several types such as 4 MHz and 12.27 MHz. On the other hand, the optimal operating frequency for the liquid crystal display unit is
There is a possibility that the operating frequency does not match the above-mentioned generally used operating frequency. Therefore, by providing the interface circuit with the operating frequency conversion unit, an image signal synchronized with the generally used operating frequency of, for example, 24.5 Mz is taken in, and is converted into an optimal operating frequency for the liquid crystal display unit. Images can be displayed.

Further, in the image reproducing apparatus of the present invention, an image posture correcting means for correcting the posture of the image so that the image provided by the light emitted from the light source unit and transmitted through the liquid crystal plate is observed as a normal image. It is preferable to provide This image orientation correction means is incorporated in the interface circuit, or disposed before or after the interface circuit, and forms, for example, a horizontally inverted image, a vertically inverted image, etc. on the liquid crystal plate by signal processing. Alternatively, the image posture may be corrected so that the image is finally observed as a normal image to human eyes, or the image posture may be optically corrected by incorporating the image into the above-mentioned imaging optical system.

Examples of cases where the image orientation needs to be corrected include a case where an image on a liquid crystal plate is projected on a screen as a reverse image by a projection optical system, and a case where an image is projected on a screen attached to a housing. There is a case where the light path is switched between an optical path and an optical path for guiding light to the outside, for example, using a wall of a room as a screen and projecting an image on the screen.

Further, it is preferable that the stereoscopic image projector of the present invention further includes an audio output device for outputting audio or an audio signal. By configuring the projector as a stereoscopic image projector that can output not only images but also audio, the usability is further improved and the use is expanded. Further, it is also preferable that the stereoscopic image projector of the present invention includes a pair of left and right photographing lenses and an image receiving element that receives an image grasped by each of the photographing lenses and generates an image signal representing a color image. .

Although it is conceivable to construct a stereoscopic image photographing apparatus separate from the stereoscopic image projector, the stereoscopic image projector is provided with a stereoscopic image photographing function, so that cooperation between photographing and reproduction of a stereoscopic image is easy. It is convenient for handling.

[0031]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a main internal structure of a first embodiment of a stereoscopic image projector according to the present invention, and FIG.
It is sectional drawing in alignment with arrow AA shown in FIG. In FIG.
The outline of the housing is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

In the housing 101 of the stereoscopic image projector 100A, a portable recording medium 10 (for example, a floppy disk, CD-ROM, MD, flash memory, M
O, etc.) for loading a recording medium loading chamber cover 102,
A power plug 103 for connecting to a commercial power supply, an external connection terminal 104, a video output terminal 105, a liquid crystal shutter output terminal 106, and a key input button 107 are arranged or connected. A unit 110, a projection lens unit 111, and circuit blocks 120 are shown. The circuit blocks 120 include various circuits shown in FIG. 5 described later. The explanation will be given later.

Although the description of the configuration of the liquid crystal display unit 110 will be given later, light carrying image information is emitted from the liquid crystal display unit 110, and the light is transmitted through the projection lens unit 111 to the casing 101. The light is emitted to the outside, and an enlarged image is projected on the screen, not shown, for example, using a room wall or the like as a screen. Here, in order to project an in-focus image on the screen, the projection lens unit 111 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
The projection lens unit 111 can be moved in the direction of the arrow zz to adjust the focus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a first embodiment of an image stereoscopic jig used when observing an image projected on a screen, and FIG. 4 is a view showing a plurality of images projected on the screen. It is the perspective view which showed the distributor used when observing by the number of people simultaneously. Image stereoscopic jig 2 shown in FIG.
00A is configured to be worn by putting it on the nose and ears of the observer in the same manner as glasses.

The image stereoscopic jig 200A is provided with a liquid crystal shutter 201 for the left eye and a liquid crystal shutter 202 for the right eye which are respectively arranged in front of the left and right eyes of the observer when mounted. Also, a cord 204 having a plug 203 at the tip connected to the liquid crystal shutter output terminal 106 of the stereoscopic image projector 100A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is connected.

The distributor 210 shown in FIG.
The signal input from the plug 213 of the ten
When a plurality of observers simultaneously observe images on the screen, each observer wears an image stereoscopic jig 200A shown in FIG.
The plug 213 of the distributor 210 shown in FIG. 4 is connected to the stereoscopic image projector 100A shown in FIG. 2, and the plug 203 of the image stereoscopic jig 200A worn by each observer.
Are inserted into the terminals 211 of the distributor 210, respectively.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the three-dimensional image projector shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the jig for three-dimensional image viewing shown in FIG. Image information representing a color image corresponding to both the left and right eyes is recorded on the portable recording medium 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the recording medium driving unit 121 outputs the image information from the recording medium 10. The information is read out as an electrical image signal, and the
Is sent to the image processing circuit 123 via the. The system controller 122 controls the stereoscopic image projector 100
This circuit controls the flow of signals transmitted inside A and the operation timing of each unit, and also serves as the timing signal generation circuit according to the present invention.

The image processing circuit 123 combines and edits an image signal obtained from the recording medium 10 and image signals input from several image input means described below to generate a synthesized image. I am carrying it. The decoration data memory 124 stores image information for decorating an image, for example, image information such as various characters and various designs (templates). The decoration data memory 124 stores characters and templates from the decoration data memory 124. It is read out as an electric image signal and
2 to the image processing circuit 123.

The key input button 107 shown in FIG.
Is operated by a button operation.
A is for inputting various commands and data to A.
The key input button 107 is connected to the system controller 122 via an I / O port 125 that mediates various data input from the outside. The operation of the key input button 107 determines where the image information is input. Also, from the key input button 107,
A text message or the like to be superimposed on the image can be input. When a text message is input from the key input button 107, a signal representing the text message is also input to the image processing circuit 123 and synthesized as a part of the image. Is done.
Here, the signal representing the character message is also included in the image signal without being distinguished from other image signals.

The external connection terminal 104 is a terminal for connecting to, for example, a personal computer or the like, and can input various commands and images from the personal computer side. The external connection terminal 104 is also connected to the I / O port 12
5 is connected to the system controller 122. The image signal that has been synthesized and edited as necessary in the image processing circuit 123 is provided as a single path through D
Is converted into an analog image signal by a / A converter 126,
It is output to the outside via the buffer amplifier 127 and the video output terminal 105 also shown in FIGS. The video output terminal 105 is connected to, for example, a video terminal of a television, and can display an image on the television.

As another path of the image signal output from the image processing circuit 123, the image orientation correction circuit 1
The liquid crystal panel 1101 of the liquid crystal display unit 110 (see FIGS.
There is a path unique to the present invention in which an image is formed on an image (see FIG. 10) and a stereoscopic image is provided to a viewer wearing the image stereoscopic jig shown in FIG. In accordance with the timing at which an image is formed on the liquid crystal plate of the liquid crystal display unit 110, the system controller 122 controls the liquid crystal shutters 201 and 202 provided on the jig 200A for image stereoscopic vision.
Is generated, and the timing signal is sent to the image stereoscopic jig 200A via the liquid crystal shutter output terminal 106. In the image stereoscopic jig 200A, the liquid crystal plate 11
At the timing when an image for the left eye is formed on the liquid crystal panel in synchronization with the image formation on the liquid crystal panel 01, the liquid crystal shutter 201 for the left eye is controlled to open and the liquid crystal shutter 202 for the right eye is controlled to be closed. At the timing when the image for the right eye is formed, the liquid crystal shutter 202 for the right eye is controlled to be opened and the liquid crystal shutter 201 for the left eye is controlled to be closed. Details will be described later.

In the first embodiment, the image attitude correction circuit 128 has a function of converting an image signal sent from the image processing circuit 123 into an image signal representing an image converted into an upside down image. Using the stereoscopic image projector 100A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and using, for example, a room wall as a screen, an image formed on a liquid crystal plate 1101 (see FIGS. 7 to 10) constituting the liquid crystal display unit 110 is displayed on the screen. When projected, an image that is upside down compared to the image formed on the liquid crystal plate is projected on the screen by the action of the taking lens 111.

Therefore, the image signal sent from the image processing circuit 123 by the image attitude correction circuit 128 shown in FIG. 5 is converted into an inverted image so that an inverted image is formed on the liquid crystal plate. Is converted into an image signal representing. In this way, a normal image is provided to the observer who observes the image projected on the screen. FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram showing the internal configuration of the interface circuit 129.

The interface circuit 129 comprises an operating frequency conversion circuit 1291, a display control circuit 1292, and a D / A converter 1293. Details will be described later. 7 and 8 are a cross-sectional view and an exploded perspective view, respectively, showing one configuration example of the liquid crystal display unit. However, the housing is not shown in FIG.

This liquid crystal display unit 110
A transmissive matrix-driven liquid crystal panel 1101, a diffusion plate 1102 and a photomultiplier 1103 on the back side are provided, and red (R), green (G), and blue (B) light emission are further provided on the back side. Each LED 11041,1 emitting light in color
Circuit board 110 to which 1042 and 11043 are attached
4 are provided. These are arranged inside a housing 1105, and a transparent protective cover 1106 is fixed to the housing 1105 at a position in front of the liquid crystal plate 1101.

A large number of pixels (for example, 240 pixels vertically × 310 pixels horizontally = 76,800 pixels in total) are two-dimensionally arranged on the liquid crystal plate 1101.
1 itself does not have R, G, and B elements. At one time, one image is formed by using all the pixels constituting the liquid crystal panel 1101, and R, G, and B arranged behind the liquid crystal panel 1101 are formed.
G, B three LEDs 11041, 11042, 110
Depending on which of the 43 LEDs is lit,
The light passes through the liquid crystal plate 1101 and further passes through the protective cover 110.
The light transmitted through 6 becomes an image of that color.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are a sectional view and an exploded perspective view excluding the housing, respectively, showing another example of the structure of the liquid crystal display unit. A liquid crystal panel 1101 of the same type as the liquid crystal panel shown in the liquid crystal display unit shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and a liquid crystal panel behind the liquid crystal panel 1101 inside a housing 1105 having a transparent protective cover 1106 fixed to the front surface. Board 1
107, and three LEDs R, G, B behind it
A circuit board 1104 on which 11041, 11042, and 11043 are mounted is provided. However, the LEDs 11041, 11042, and 1104 on the circuit board 1104
The mounting position 3 is different from the mounting position of the LED on the circuit board constituting the liquid crystal display unit shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and is diffused to a position closer to the upper edge of the circuit board 1104 shown in FIG. The plate 1107 is mounted so as to face the direction of illumination.

The three LEDs 11041, 11042, 1
When any one of the light sources 1043 is turned on, the emitted light once enters the diffusion plate 1107, is uniformly diffused in the diffusion plate 1107, and irradiates the liquid crystal plate 1101 from the back. Figure 1
The liquid crystal display unit 110 shown by one block in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6 may have the configuration shown in FIGS. Although the LED is exemplified here as the light source, the light source is not limited to the LED, and a light source capable of obtaining a larger amount of emitted light may be provided.

FIG. 11 shows a liquid crystal display unit 11.
9 is a timing chart showing an example of a sequence for forming an image on the liquid crystal plate 1101 constituting the pixel 0. FIG.
11A shows the timing of image formation on the liquid crystal plate 1101, and FIGS. 11B and 11C show the liquid crystal shutters 201 and 201 for the left eye provided in the jig 200A for stereoscopic vision, respectively. A timing signal for controlling the opening / closing timing of the liquid crystal shutter 202 for the right eye is shown. still,
The display control circuit 1292 of the interface circuit 129 shown in FIG. 6 plays a role in forming an image on the liquid crystal plate 1101, and the timing for controlling the opening and closing of the liquid crystal shutters 201 and 202 is shown in FIG. The system controller 122 shown in FIG.

Here, the color images for the left eye and the right eye are decomposed into frame images corresponding to the respective colors of R, G, and B. As shown in FIG.
In time division, first, a frame image corresponding to R for the left eye is formed, then a frame image corresponding to G for the left eye is formed, and then a frame image corresponding to B for the left eye is formed. Moves to the right eye, a frame image corresponding to R for the right eye is formed, a frame image corresponding to G for the right eye is formed, a frame image corresponding to B for the right eye is formed, and further a frame image corresponding to B for the left eye is formed. Then, a frame image corresponding to R for the left eye is formed, and so on, and R, G, and B frame images are alternately formed for the left eye and for the right eye, and cyclically formed.

Although not shown in FIG. 11, in synchronization with the formation of each frame image on the liquid crystal plate, a frame image corresponding to R is formed regardless of whether it is for the left eye or the right eye. The LED 11041 of R lights up with a pulse at the timing of the operation, the LED 1102 of G lights up at the time of forming a frame image corresponding to G, and the LE of B lights at the time when a frame image corresponding to B is formed.
D11043 is pulsed. Then, light of R, G, B, R, G,... Carrying image information is sequentially emitted from the liquid crystal display unit 110 in a time division manner.

On the other hand, the liquid crystal shutter 201 for the left eye and the liquid crystal shutter 202 for the right eye are shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, the left-eye liquid crystal shutter 201 is opened at the timing when the left-eye frame image is formed on the liquid crystal plate 1101, regardless of which color of the frame image corresponds to R, G, or B. The liquid crystal shutter is controlled to a state (a state in which light passes through the liquid crystal shutter) and a liquid crystal shutter 202 for the right eye is controlled to a closed state (a state in which the liquid crystal shutter blocks light). At the timing when the frame image is formed, the liquid crystal shutter 202 for the right eye is controlled to be open and the liquid crystal shutter 201 for left eye is controlled to be closed.

Thus, the R, G, and B images are sequentially incident on the right eye and the left eye alternately and for each of the right eye and the left eye. Is formed, and the image that enters the left eye and the image that enters the right eye are independent. By preparing images that differ by the parallax between the left eye and the right eye, the observer can obtain a stereoscopic color image. The image will be recognized.

Here, three R, G, and B frame images forming one frame of a left-eye color image, and three R, G, and B frames forming a right-eye color image of one frame. When a total of six frame images including the frame images are grouped into one group, a period T (see FIG. 11) in which the six frame images forming the one group are formed on the liquid crystal plate 1101 is 1/16 sec or less. Is set to This is because if the period T is longer than this, intermittent light and intermittent changes in the image are recognized by the human eye and flicker is recognized, and in the case of a moving image, smooth movement of the image is hindered.

Each of the R, G, and B LEDs 11041,
The pulse width of the light emission pulse of 11042 and 11043 is
Although the pulse width of each of the R, G, and B frame images is shorter than the time t during which they are formed on the liquid crystal plate 1101, it is allowable in view of the brightness of the image reaching the human eyes. It is preferable to emit light with a shorter pulse width in the range. By doing so, power consumption can be reduced, and in particular, it is more suitable for a stereoscopic image projector driven by incorporating a battery.

FIG. 12 shows the liquid crystal display unit 11.
9 is a timing chart showing another example of a sequence for forming an image on the liquid crystal plate 1101 constituting the pixel 0.
As in the case of FIG. 11, FIG. 16A shows the timing of image formation on the liquid crystal plate 1101, and FIGS. 12B and 12C show opening and closing of the liquid crystal shutter 201 for the left eye and the liquid crystal shutter 202 for the right eye, respectively. 4 shows a timing signal for controlling timing.

Here, a right-eye R frame image is formed following the left-eye R-compatible frame image.
The G-compatible frame image for the left eye, the G-compatible frame image for the right eye, the B-compatible frame image for the left eye, and the B-compatible frame image for the right eye are formed on the liquid crystal plate 1101 in this order. The liquid crystal shutters 201 and 202 also open and close alternately in synchronization with the formation of one frame image.

Images are formed on the liquid crystal plate 1101 in the order shown in FIG. 12A, and the liquid crystal shutter is opened and closed as shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C in synchronization with the image formation. Good. Although the above description has been made with a moving image in mind, the same applies to the case of forming a still image. In the case of a still image, for each of the left eye and the right eye, only one frame of color image exists, so to speak.
The color image for the frame is decomposed into three frame images corresponding to the respective colors of R, G, and B, and a total of 6
One frame image is cyclically formed on the liquid crystal plate 1101. In this way, a stereoscopic still color image can be provided to the observer.

Here, R, G, B, R, G,...
, The frame image is formed and the LED is turned on and off. However, it is needless to say that R, G, and B need not be arranged in this order, but may be arranged in any order. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a timing signal for controlling the opening and closing of the liquid crystal shutter 201 for the left eye and a timing signal for controlling the opening and closing of the liquid crystal shutter 202 for the right eye are shown as separate signals. There is an image stereoscopic jig 20
Only one of the two types of timing signals may be sent to 0A, and the opening and closing of both the liquid crystal shutter 201 for the left eye and the liquid crystal shutter 202 for the right eye may be controlled by one of the two signals.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of operating frequency conversion circuit 1291 constituting interface circuit 129 shown in FIG. Here, two frame memories 1
2911, 12912, a controller 12913, and four switch circuits 12914, 12915, 12916, 1
2917 are provided.

From the image processing circuit 123 shown in FIG. 5, a digital image signal SGNL1 representing a color image is transmitted to the interface circuit 129 in synchronization with the clock CLK1 of the first operating frequency, and constitutes the interface circuit 129. Are input to the operating frequency conversion circuit 1291 shown in FIG. The image signal SGNL1 is basically synchronized with the clock CLK1. When an image signal of a certain frame is stored in the frame memory 12911, the next frame is stored in the frame memory 12912, and further the next frame is stored in the frame memory 12912. Frame memory 1291
1 is stored alternately in the two frame memories 12911 and 12912 for each frame. The control unit 12913 monitors the clock CLK1, and switches the two switches 1291 each time the image signal SGNL1 for one frame is stored in one frame memory.
4, 12915 are interlocked and switched.

On the other hand, these frame memories 1291
The same applies to the reading side of the image signal from the first and second 12912. Next, when one frame of the image signal is read out from one of the frame memories in synchronization with the clock CLK2 of the second operating frequency, the output side becomes 2nd. One switch 1291
6, 12917 is switched, and the image signal is read from the other frame memory in synchronization with the clock CLK2. The switches 12916 and 12917 are switched by the control unit 1 that monitors the clock CLK2.
2913.

Here, the image signal read out in synchronization with clock CLK2 is referred to as image signal SGNL2.
When the frequencies of the two clocks CLK1 and CLK2 are equal, for example, the image signal S is already stored in the frame memory 12911.
GNL1 is stored in the frame memory 12912
In the situation where the image signal SGNL1 of the next frame is stored in the frame memory 12912, the image signal SGNL2 is read from the frame memory 12911 while the image signal is stored in the frame memory 12912, and the image signal SGNL1 is stored in the frame memory 12912. At the end, reading of the image signal SGNL2 from the frame memory 12912 may be started at the timing when the image signal SGNL1 of the next frame starts to be stored in the frame memory 12911. However, when the frequencies of the two clocks CLK1 and CLK2 are different, the above-described operation is performed. It cannot operate at such a 1: 1 timing. In this case, the image signal SGNL1 synchronized with the clock CLK1 is converted into the image signal SGNL2 synchronized with the clock CLK2 by storing and reading the image signal as follows.

When the frequency of the clock CLK1 on the input side is high, the two frame memories 12911 and 12912
, The image signal SGNL1 is stored one frame at a time, and even at the timing when the image signal SGNL1 of the next frame is sent, neither of the two frame memories 12911 and 12912 has completed reading. Can occur. The control unit 12913 monitors both the clock CLK1 and the clock CLK2, and can know that such a state has been reached. Here, the two switches 12914, 1212 on the input side
Reference numeral 915 denotes two frame memories 12911, 1291
The control unit 12913 switches the input side switches 12914 and 12915 to the neutral point when the above state is reached.
Until one of the two frame memories 12911 and 12912 becomes empty upon completion of reading, the image signal SGNL1 on the input side is not stored in any of the frame memories 12911 and 12912 in frame units.
When one of the two frame memories 12911 and 12912 becomes empty, the switches 12914 and 12915 are switched to the empty frame memory, and the empty frame memory is transferred from the head of the next frame to the empty frame memory. Start storing.

On the other hand, when the frequency of the clock CLK2 on the read side is higher than the frequency of the clock CLK1 on the input side, the read operation from one of the two frame memories 12911 and 12912 is completed when the read operation is completed. Image signal SGNL1 to one frame memory
May not be stored yet. The occurrence of this situation is detected by the control unit 12913 monitoring both clocks CLK1 and CLK2, and when this situation occurs, the control unit 12913 switches the switch 1291
6,12917 is not switched. That is, on the reading side, the image signal of the same frame is read again from the same frame memory. If the storage of the image signal SGNL1 of the next frame in the other frame memory is completed when the image signal of the same frame is read out again from the same frame memory, the switches 12916 and 12917 are switched. The image signal of the new frame is read.

The operating frequency conversion circuit 1291 of the interface circuit 129 shown in FIG.
The operating frequency is converted from the frequency of CLK1 to the frequency of CLK2. The image signal SGNL whose operating frequency has been converted by the operating frequency conversion circuit 1291 as described above.
2 is input to the display control circuit 1292 shown in the interface circuit 129 of FIG. Display control circuit 1292
Separates each frame of a color image into three frames of three primary colors of R, G, and B for each of the right and left frames as described above, and sequentially outputs the three frames.

An image signal representing a frame for each color sequentially output from the display control circuit 1292 is applied to the D / A converter 1.
At 293, it is converted into an analog image signal and input to the liquid crystal plate 1101 of the liquid crystal display unit 110 (see FIGS. 7 to 10). In addition, the display control circuit 1291 outputs each LED 110 of the liquid crystal display unit 110.
Each LED 11 is directed toward 41, 11042, 11043.
Control signals for controlling the blinking of 041, 11042, and 11043 are also sent. The operation of the liquid crystal display unit 110 when the image signal and the control signal are input is as described with reference to FIG. 11 or FIG.

The recording medium 10 loaded in the stereoscopic image projector 100A shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 is a recording medium on which an image obtained by photographing using a dedicated stereoscopic photographing device (not shown) is recorded. It may be a medium, but is not limited to this, and performs photographing using a stereoscopic image photographing apparatus of a type that projects an image using left and right parallax on a normal silver halide type photographic film, or Photographing is performed by arranging two cameras, the image formed on the silver halide photograph is read by a scanner or the like, and the image information is stored in a recording medium. Image reproduction may be performed.

Further, for example, a monocular ordinary camera which performs photographing using a monocular video photographing apparatus or a still photographing apparatus and records the image on a recording medium, or mounts a silver halide type film and photographs. A photograph is taken on a silver halide film by using a camera, the photograph is read, an image is recorded on a recording medium, and the recording medium on which the image is recorded is loaded into the stereoscopic image projector 100A shown in FIGS. Then, the image may be reproduced. However, in this case, the stereoscopic image is not reproduced, and the stereoscopic image projector 100A shown in FIGS. It is controlled so that the same image is provided to the eyes.

In the above-described embodiment, the jig 200A for stereoscopic image viewing is described as being different from the stereoscopic image projector 100A, but a combination thereof may be referred to as a stereoscopic image projector. The jig 200 </ b> A for stereoscopic vision may be directly connected to the jig 200 </ b> A with the cord 204 without using the plug 203 in the jig 200 </ b> A for stereoscopic vision. Instead of the image stereoscopic jig of the type worn by the observer as shown in FIG. 3, a stationary type that allows the observer to look at the screen may be provided. .

Note that these points are the same in various embodiments described below. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a main internal configuration of a stereoscopic image projector according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view along the arrow AA shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the stereoscopic image projector shown in FIGS. Differences from the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 2 and FIG. 5 will be described.

The stereoscopic image projector 100B shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 is provided with a configuration for loading two recording media 10 and accessing them. Specifically, FIG.
As shown in the figure, two recording medium loading chamber covers 102a, 1
The recording medium drive unit 121 in the circuit block diagram shown in FIG. 16 drives the two loaded recording media 10 and 10.

One of the two recording media 10 loaded has color image information for the right eye recorded thereon, and the other recording medium has color image information for the left eye recorded thereon. The image information is read out by the recording medium drive unit 121 as an image signal.
In the liquid crystal display unit 110, a separation image formed by separating a color image represented by an image signal obtained by reading from the two recording media 10 and 10 is formed in time series (see FIGS. 11 and 12).

When the configuration in which two recording media 10 are loaded is provided in this way, two monocular video camera photographing devices or still photographing devices are used and arranged at a distance corresponding to the parallax of human eyes. Is performed, and the obtained images are recorded on respective recording media.
To the stereoscopic image projector 100B shown in FIG. 16 to reproduce a stereoscopic image. That is, FIG.
16A and 16B, the recording format of the recording medium 10 loaded in the stereoscopic image projector 100B and the format of the recording medium loaded in a normal monocular video photographing apparatus or a still photographing apparatus are shared, and stereoscopic image photographing is performed. Without using a special device for shooting, it is possible to shoot using two ordinary video shooting devices or still shooting devices, and to reproduce a stereoscopic image using two recording media on which images are recorded by the shooting. .

The other components in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 are the same as those in the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a third embodiment of the stereoscopic image projector according to the present invention, FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the arrow AA shown in FIG. 17, and FIG. 19 is shown in FIGS. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the stereoscopic image projector. For the sake of simplicity, even though the appearance and the like are different from those of the above-described first and second embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components in the first and second embodiments. Shown.

FIG. 17 shows this stereoscopic image projector 1
The housing 101 and a support member 151 for supporting the housing 101 on a desk are shown as members constituting the appearance of 00C. The support member 151 supports the housing 101 so that the support angle thereof can be adjusted freely. That is, the elevation angle of the front surface 101a of the housing 101 can be arbitrarily adjusted by loosening the screw portion 152.

On the front surface 101a of the housing 101, a screen 153 on which an image is displayed, a portable recording medium 1
0, a slot 154 into which a user can freely insert and remove, a key input button 107, a power switch 155, and a speaker 14.
2 are arranged, and an antenna 132 is attached to the rear part of the housing 101. As shown in FIG. 18, circuit blocks 120,
A liquid crystal display unit 110, a projection lens unit 111, and a battery 156 are arranged, and an external connection terminal 104, a telephone connection terminal 135, an audio output terminal 143, and a video output terminal 1
05 is provided. The circuit blocks 120 are shown in FIG.
9 comprises various circuits.

The liquid crystal display unit 110 is the same as that shown in FIG.
8 or 9 to 10, the light carrying the image information emitted from the liquid crystal display unit 110 passes through the projection lens unit 111 to the screen 153 on the rear side. Irradiation is performed from the side, and a focused image is displayed on the screen 153. As described above, in the present embodiment, since the projection lens unit 111 and the rear projection screen 153 are used, the image projected on the screen 153 is displayed on the liquid crystal plate 1101 (see FIGS.
), The image is observed as an image that is upside down, left and right, and upside down. For this reason, the image posture correction circuit 128 in the circuit block according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 19 converts the image signal sent from the image processing circuit 123 into an inverted image in both the left, right, up, and down directions. It has the function of converting it into an image signal to be represented.

The circuit block diagram shown in FIG.
The first and second embodiments described above (FIGS. 5, 1
6), an ISDN receiving circuit 134 for receiving an image signal input via a telephone line, and a telephone connection terminal 135 also shown in FIG. Is provided. Correspondingly, the key input button 107 in the third embodiment shown in FIG.
Also serves as a telephone number input button when making a telephone call via 35.

The ISDN receiving circuit 134 receives an image signal input via a telephone line, and
The image signal received by the N receiving circuit 134 is sent to the image processing circuit 123 via the I / O port 125 and the system controller 122.
It is handled in the same way as an image signal input from another image input means.

The present embodiment has a function of acquiring an audio signal through the same route as that of acquiring an image signal. That is, for example, an audio signal sent from an external personal computer is input from the external connection terminal 104, or audio information recorded therein is fetched from the recording medium 10 as an audio signal. It can also receive audio signals sent over the line.

The present embodiment is provided with an audio output circuit 141, a speaker 142, and an audio output terminal 143 as shown in FIG. 19, and the audio signal acquired as described above is transmitted to the system controller 122. The audio signal is input to the audio output circuit 141 via the input terminal, is converted into an analog audio signal, is generated by the speaker 142, or is output from the audio output terminal 143 to the outside. Audio output terminal 1
The audio signal output from the outside to the outside is connected to, for example, an external large amplifier and a speaker (not shown), and is output as a high-volume audio.

In the above-described first and second embodiments, the liquid crystal shutter which outputs a timing signal for controlling the opening and closing of the liquid crystal shutters 201 and 202 (see FIG. 3) provided in the jig for stereoscopic image viewing is provided. An output terminal 106 (see FIGS. 5 and 16) is provided.
In the embodiment, the liquid crystal shutter output terminal is not provided, and instead, a transmitting circuit 131 and an antenna 132 are provided here.

The transmission circuit 131 is connected to the I / O port 125 and the antenna 132. The timing signal for controlling the opening and closing of the liquid crystal shutter generated by the system controller 122 is transmitted to the I / O port 125. The signal is input to the transmission circuit 131 via the transmission circuit 131, and the transmission circuit 131 transmits the input timing signal as a radio wave from the antenna 132.

Alternatively, instead of the antenna 132, FIG.
9 includes an infrared light emitting unit 133 as indicated by a dashed block, and a transmitting circuit 131 adapted to the infrared light emitting unit 133 as a transmitting circuit 131.
DA), an infrared light carrying a timing signal may be transmitted. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of the image stereoscopic jig of the present invention, and FIG. 21 is a circuit block diagram of the image stereoscopic jig. The differences from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

The jig 200B shown in FIG. 20 has an antenna 232 and a receiving circuit 231 connected to the antenna 232 and receiving a radio wave carrying a timing signal, in addition to the two liquid crystal shutters 201 and 202. , And a button battery 256 for driving the receiving circuit 231
Is provided. In the image stereoscopic jig 200B, as shown in FIG. 21, the two liquid crystal shutters 20 are driven by the timing signal obtained by the reception by the reception circuit 231.
1, 202 is controlled to open and close. The timing of opening and closing the liquid crystal shutters 201 and 202 is as described with reference to FIG. 11 or FIG.

As described above, the image stereoscopic jig 200B shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 is used in a pair with the stereoscopic image projector 100C shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, and the timing transmitted from the stereoscopic image projector 100C. It is configured to control the opening and closing of the liquid crystal shutters 201 and 202 by receiving a radio wave carrying a signal. 17 to FIG.
The stereoscopic image projector 100C shown in FIG.
In the case where an infrared light emitting section 133 is provided in place of 32 and a configuration for transmitting a timing signal by an infrared signal is provided, the jig 200B for image stereoscopic vision shown in FIGS. An infrared sensor 233 is provided in place of the antenna 232, and a receiving circuit 231 is provided with an infrared sensor 233 that is adapted to the infrared sensor 233.
A configuration is adopted in which the infrared signal transmitted by DA) is caught to obtain a timing signal.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a stereoscopic image projector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the stereoscopic image projector shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. The differences from the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 to 19 will be described. The stereoscopic image projector 100D according to the fourth embodiment includes a power plug 103 for connecting to a commercial power supply, and a power supply unit 160 for converting the commercial power to DC power supplied to each unit. That is, the third embodiment described above is driven by the battery 156 (see FIG. 18), but the stereoscopic image projector 100D of the fourth embodiment is driven by commercial power. Alternatively, they may be used in combination or switched and used.

In the third embodiment, the housing 101
Screen 153 is attached to the
Although the image is projected on the screen 153 attached to the camera 01, the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.
In place of the screen 153 in the third embodiment, a transparent glass 163 is attached, and light carrying image information emitted from the liquid crystal display unit is:
The light is emitted to the outside of the three-dimensional image projector 100D via the photographing lens unit 111 and further through the transparent glass 163, and an image is projected on the screen using, for example, a room wall as a screen.

In the fourth embodiment, the projection lens unit 111 is provided with a focus adjustment knob 111a. When the focus adjustment knob 111a is turned, the projection lens moves in the direction of the optical axis, and the screen (for example, the wall of a room) A focused image can be formed on the screen regardless of the distance to the screen. In the fourth embodiment, like the first and second embodiments described above (see FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIGS. 14 to 15), a liquid crystal plate 1101 is placed on a screen such as a room wall. (See FIGS. 7 to 10.) Compared to the image formed on the upper side, the left and right sides are normal images, and only the upper and lower sides are formed as inverted images. Therefore, in the present embodiment, FIG.
The image orientation correction circuit 128 shown in FIG. 7 converts the image into an image of only the upper and lower sides, and forms an image of only the upper and lower sides on the liquid crystal plate 1101. Further, in the fourth embodiment, FIG.
3, a liquid crystal shutter output terminal 106 is provided as shown in FIG. 24, and an image stereoscopic jig 200A of the type shown in FIG. 3 is used in combination with the stereoscopic image projector 100D of the fourth embodiment. .

The stereoscopic image projector 100D of the fourth embodiment is provided with an antenna 132 similarly to the third embodiment (FIGS. 17 to 19). Has a reception circuit 137 as shown in FIG. 24 instead of the transmission circuit (see FIG. 19) in the third embodiment. That is, the antenna 132 is for receiving image signals and audio signals transmitted as radio waves. The image signal and the audio signal received by the receiving circuit 137 are
System controller 12 via the / O port 125
2, the image signal is sent to the image processing circuit 123, and the audio signal is sent to the audio output circuit 141.

Alternatively, instead of the antenna 132, FIG.
4 is provided with an infrared sensor 136 as indicated by a dashed block, and a receiving circuit suitable for the infrared sensor 136 is provided as a receiving circuit 134.
An image signal or an audio signal may be obtained by catching infrared rays carrying image information or audio information by DA). This fourth
Other components in the embodiment are the same as those in the third embodiment shown in FIGS.

FIG. 25 is an external perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a stereoscopic image projector according to the present invention, and FIG. 26 is a sectional view taken along the arrow BB shown in FIG. FIG. 25 shows the case 101
And a support base 171 for supporting the housing 101 on a desk. The housing 101 can adjust its elevation angle with respect to the support base 171.

A large screen 172 for displaying an image is fixed to the front surface of the housing 101, and an opening / closing lid 173 is provided. This opening / closing lid 173
26 is openable and closable about a hinge 174 as shown in FIG. 26, and its opening / closing lid 173 can be opened by operating a knob 175 shown in FIG. A mirror 176 is fixed to the inner surface of the opening / closing cover 173. When the opening / closing cover 173 is closed, light emitted from the liquid crystal display unit 110 passes through the projection lens unit 111 and is reflected by the mirror 176. Then, the light is reflected by another mirror 177 to irradiate the screen 172, and an image is projected on the screen 172.

On the other hand, when the opening / closing lid 173 is opened, the light passing through the projection lens unit 111 is emitted to the outside through the opening due to the opening of the opening / closing lid 173, and the light is transmitted to the wall of the room or the like.
An external screen is illuminated, and an image is projected on the external screen. Here, in the stereoscopic image projector 100E of the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26, the projection lens unit 111 is provided with a focus adjustment knob 111a, and when the focus adjustment knob 111a is turned, the imaging lens is rotated. Moving in the direction of the optical axis to form an image that is in focus both when displaying an image on a screen 172 fixed to the housing 101 and when displaying an image on an external screen such as a room wall. Can be.

Here, when displaying an image on the screen 172 fixed to the housing 101 and when displaying the image on an external screen such as a wall of a room, the left and right sides are reversed images. In the stereoscopic image projector 100E according to the fifth embodiment, the image orientation correction circuit 12
8 (see FIG. 24) includes an image posture correction function for correcting an image left and right when the open / close lid 173 is opened and closed. In this embodiment, when the open / close lid 173 is closed, the liquid crystal plate 1101 is displayed on the screen 172.
(See FIG. 7 to FIG. 10), images that are upside down and left and right are formed in reverse. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, in consideration of this point, neither the image projected on the screen 172 when the cover 173 is closed, nor the image projected on the external screen when the cover 173 is opened, In each case, the image orientation is corrected so as to be observed as a normal image.

In FIGS. 25 and 26, the open / close lid 1
Image posture correction circuit 1 when closing and opening 73
Although it has been described that the image posture is corrected in 28, the image posture is corrected using an optical system for correcting the image posture, which enters and exits the optical path with the opening and closing of the opening / closing lid, instead of performing the correction on the image signal. You may. FIG. 27 is an external perspective view of a stereoscopic image projector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing a main internal configuration of the stereoscopic image projector whose external appearance is shown in FIG. 27, and FIGS. FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the stereoscopic image projector illustrated in FIG. 28.

The three-dimensional image projector 100F has a three-dimensional image photographing function, and can be used as a video (moving image) photographing device or a still (still image) photographing device by operating keys. As shown in FIG. 27, a pair of left and right photographing lens units 301a and 301b and an AF (Au) for measuring a distance to a subject (not shown) are provided on the front surface of the stereoscopic image projector 100F.
to Focus) light emitting window 302a and AF light receiving window 3
02b, AE window 30 for measuring the brightness of the subject
3. Strobe light emitting unit 304, opening 305 for picking up sound with built-in microphone, speaker 142 for outputting sound, portable recording medium 10 (FIG. 28)
And a projection lens unit 111 for projecting an image on an external screen. On the upper surface, a shutter button 306, a power switch 307, a key input button 107, a shooting mode selection button 308, a reproduction mode selection button 309, an antenna 132, and a liquid crystal display 310 are arranged.

The liquid crystal display 310 is a conventional TFT type liquid crystal display, and displays an image of a subject to be photographed although the image quality is not good. The liquid crystal display 310 also displays various information such as, for example, the remaining recordable time (in the case of video shooting), the number of shootable images (in the case of still shooting), and the degree of battery consumption.

Further, this stereoscopic image projector 100F
The external output terminal 104 and the telephone connection terminal 13
5, audio output terminal 143, liquid crystal shutter output terminal 106
Is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 28, inside the three-dimensional image projector 100F, an AF light projecting window 302a, an AF light receiving window 302b, and an A light receiving window 302b shown in FIG.
AF / AE for distance measurement and photometry is provided inside the E window 303.
The unit 311 is arranged, and the microphone 114 is arranged inside the opening 305. Further, CCD image receiving elements 312a, 31 for receiving images captured by the respective photographing lens units 301a, 301b are provided at the rear portions of the pair of photographing lens units 301a, 301b, respectively.
2b are arranged. Further, inside the three-dimensional image projector 100F, a liquid crystal display unit 110, which is an element for reproducing an image, and the above-described projection lens unit 111 are also arranged. Further, inside the three-dimensional image projector 100F, circuit blocks 120 and a battery 156 for operating the three-dimensional image projector 100F are arranged. Power switch 3
When 07 is turned on, the circuit blocks 12
Power is supplied to 0 or the like. This battery 156 is replaceable. The circuit blocks 120 include various circuits shown in FIG.

A shooting mode selection button 308 shown in FIG.
When is pressed, the three-dimensional image projector 100F functions as a three-dimensional image photographing device, and operates as follows. Two CCD image receiving elements 312a and 312b are driven by respective CCD drivers 321a and 321b shown in FIG.
Images captured by the respective photographing lenses 301a and 301b are received to generate image signals. Each CCD image receiving element 312a, 3
The image signal generated by the amplifier 12b is supplied to the amplifiers 322a and 32a.
The signal is amplified by 2b, converted into a digital image signal by each of the A / D converters 323a and 323b, and input to the image processing circuit 123. In the image processing circuit 123, in addition to the same processing as the processing in the image processing circuits in the above-described various embodiments (that is, the processing at the time of image reproduction), as the processing at the time of image capturing, for example, gradation processing and filtering processing are performed. Will be applied. One of the image signals that have been subjected to the image processing by the image processing circuit 123 is a D / A converter 324.
Is converted to an analog signal by the buffer amplifier 32
5 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 310.

Further, as another transmission path of the image signal output from the image processing circuit 123, the image signal is transmitted to the system controller 122, further transmitted to the recording medium driving unit 121, and transmitted to the recording medium Image information corresponding to the image signal is stored. As described above, this three-dimensional image projector 100F is
07, it is configured to be able to switch between video shooting and still shooting in response to the button operation. During video shooting, recording of image information on the recording medium 10 is continued while the shutter button 306 is pressed, During still photography, each time the shutter button 306 is pressed, image information of a total of two frames, one frame each for left and right, received by the left and right CCD image receiving elements 312a and 312b at that time is written to the recording medium 10. At the time of video shooting, one frame as a stereoscopic image (each image obtained by receiving with the left and right CCD image receiving elements 312a and 312b was counted as one frame in order to obtain a moving image with smooth movement. An image is received at a speed faster than 1/16 sec per 2 frames) and recorded on the recording medium 10.

When recording image information on the recording medium 10, the audio signal picked up by the microphone 145 is converted into a digital audio signal by the audio input / output circuit 144 and transmitted to the system controller 122.
Audio information can be stored together with image information. Further, as another transmission path of the image signal output from the image processing circuit 123, the image signal is transmitted to the system controller 122, and further via the I / O port 125 which mediates information exchange with the outside. There is a path that is output from the external connection terminal 104 to the outside. The external connection terminal 104 is connected to, for example, a personal computer (not shown) and can send an image to the personal computer. The same applies to the audio signal picked up by the microphone 145, and the audio signal can be sent to the outside together with the image signal from the external connection terminal 104.

Further, an image signal and an audio signal can be taken in from the external connection terminal 104. For example, an image signal and an audio signal sent from a personal computer connected to the external connection terminal 104 are received and I / O signals are received.
The image is recorded on the recording medium 10 via the O port 125, the system controller 122, and the recording medium driving unit 121, the image signal at that time is sent to the image processing circuit 123, and the image based on the image signal is displayed on the liquid crystal display 310. You can also.

Further, this stereoscopic image projector 100
F can transmit an image signal or an audio signal as a radio wave via the transmission / reception circuit 138 and the antenna 132, or can receive an image signal or an audio signal transmitted by an electric wave,
Sending an image signal or an audio signal to a telephone line via the ISDN transmitting / receiving circuit 137 and the telephone connection terminal 135,
It can also receive image signals and audio signals sent via a telephone line.

The above-described flow of the image signal and the audio signal is controlled by the system controller 122 which has received an instruction by operating the key input button 107. FIG.
Is pressed, the three-dimensional image projector 100F functions as an original three-dimensional image projector that projects a three-dimensional image on an external screen. The operation in the reproduction mode is the same as in the above-described various embodiments, and the detailed description is omitted here.

[0107]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A stereoscopic image can be projected onto the screen to provide a stereoscopic image with good image quality to the eyes of the observer. Also,
According to the present invention, since an image is projected on a screen, for example, by preparing a plurality of jigs for image stereoscopic vision according to the present invention, a plurality of persons can simultaneously observe a stereoscopic image. Further, according to the present invention, a liquid crystal display unit employing a transmissive matrix-driven liquid crystal plate having a small size, low power consumption, high resolution, which has recently reached a practical range, and a high response and a high transmittance, and By providing an interface circuit that drives appropriately, a very clear and bright image can be obtained. Further, a high-resolution image can be realized by this combination, so that not only images but also thin character information can be clearly identified and observed. Further, power saving can be achieved, and a stereoscopic image projector using a battery as a main power source can be used for a long time without replacing the battery.

Further, according to the present invention, the configuration options are wide, and the degree of freedom for selecting a form suitable for the purpose is large.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main internal structure of a first embodiment of a stereoscopic image projector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along arrows AA shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a first embodiment of an image stereoscopic jig used when observing an image projected on a screen.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a distributor used when a plurality of people simultaneously observe an image projected on a screen.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the stereoscopic image projector shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the jig for image stereoscopic vision shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an interface circuit.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a liquid crystal display unit.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing one configuration example of a liquid crystal display unit.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the liquid crystal display unit.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another configuration example of the liquid crystal display unit excluding a housing.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing an example of a sequence for forming an image on a liquid crystal plate constituting a liquid crystal display unit.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing another example of a sequence for forming an image on a liquid crystal plate constituting a liquid crystal display unit.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an operating frequency conversion circuit constituting the interface circuit shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a main internal configuration of a stereoscopic image projector according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along arrows AA shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the stereoscopic image projector shown in FIGS. 14 and 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a stereoscopic image projector according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along arrows AA shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the stereoscopic image projector shown in FIGS. 17 and 18.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of the image stereoscopic jig of the present invention.

21 is a circuit block diagram of the image stereoscopic jig shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a stereoscopic image projector according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along arrows AA shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the stereoscopic image projector shown in FIGS. 22 and 23.

FIG. 25 is an external perspective view of a stereoscopic image projector according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 26 is a sectional view taken along arrows BB shown in FIG.

FIG. 27 is an external perspective view of a stereoscopic image projector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing a main internal configuration of a stereoscopic image projector whose external appearance is shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the stereoscopic image projector shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Portable recording media 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E,
100F stereoscopic image projector 101 housing 102, 102a, 102b recording medium loading chamber cover 103 power plug 104 external connection terminal 105 video output terminal 106 liquid crystal shutter output terminal 107 key input button 110 liquid crystal display unit 111 projection lens unit 120 circuit blocks 121 Recording medium drive unit 122 System controller 123 Image processing circuit 124 Decoration data memory 125 I / O port 126 D / A converter 127 Buffer amplifier 128 Image attitude correction circuit 129 Interface circuit 131 Transmission circuit 132 Antenna 133 Infrared light emitting unit 134 ISDN receiving circuit 135 Telephone connection terminal 136 Infrared sensor 137 Receiving circuit 141 Audio output circuit 142 Speaker 143 Audio output terminal 144 Audio Input / output circuit 145 Microphone 151 Support member 152 Screw section 153 Screen 154 Slot 155 Power switch 156 Battery 160 Power supply section 163 Clear glass 172 Large screen 173 Opening / closing lid 176,177 Mirror 200A, 200B Image stereoscopic jig 201, 202 Liquid crystal shutter 203 Plug 204 Code 210 Distributor 211 Terminal 213 Plug 231 Receiving circuit 232 Antenna 256 Button battery 301a, 301b Photo-taking lens unit 302a Projecting window 302b AF receiving window 303 AE window 304 Strobe light emitting section 305 Opening section 306 Shutter button 307 Power supply Switch 308 Shooting mode selection button 309 Playback mode selection button 310 Liquid crystal display 311 AF / AE unit 312a, 3 2b CCD image receiving device 1101 Liquid crystal plate 1102 Diffusion plate 1103 Photomultiplier plate 1104 Circuit board 1105 Case 1106 Protective cover 1107 Diffusion plate 1291 Operating frequency conversion circuit 1292 Display control circuit 1293 D / A converter 11041, 11042, 11043 LED 129111, 12912 Frame memory 12913 Control unit 12914, 12915, 12916, 12917
Switch circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI G09G 3/36 G09G 3/36 (72) Inventor Hiroshi Omura 3-11-46 Izumi, Asaka-shi, Saitama Prefecture Fujisha Shin Film Co., Ltd. Inside

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A transmissive liquid crystal plate having a large number of pixels arranged two-dimensionally and forming an image on the large number of pixels as a whole; A liquid crystal display unit having a light source unit for irradiating from the back, an image signal representing a left-eye color image and a right-eye color image is input, and the left-eye color image and the right-eye color image are output from the light source unit, respectively. A plurality of separated images obtained by combining a plurality of separated images for the left eye and a plurality of separated images for the right eye, which are separated in correspondence with a plurality of emission colors, are sequentially formed on the liquid crystal plate. An interface circuit for causing the light source unit to blink in a luminescent color corresponding to the decomposed image formed on the liquid crystal plate in synchronization with the sequential formation of the decomposed image; A projection optical system for projecting the image displayed on the liquid crystal plate onto an external screen, a timing at which a left-eye decomposition image is formed on the liquid crystal plate, and a right eye on the liquid crystal plate. A three-dimensional image projector comprising a timing signal generation circuit for generating a timing signal for identifying a timing at which a separated image for use is formed. 2. A transmissive liquid crystal plate having a large number of pixels arranged two-dimensionally and forming an image on the large number of pixels as a whole; A liquid crystal display unit having a light source unit for irradiating from the back, an image signal representing a left-eye color image and a right-eye color image is input, and the left-eye color image and the right-eye color image are output from the light source unit, respectively. A plurality of separated images obtained by combining a plurality of separated images for the left eye and a plurality of separated images for the right eye, which are separated in correspondence with a plurality of emission colors, are sequentially formed on the liquid crystal plate. An interface circuit for causing the light source unit to blink in a luminescent color corresponding to the decomposed image formed on the liquid crystal plate in synchronization with the sequential formation of the decomposed image; A screen on which the projected light is projected, a projection optical system for projecting an image formed on the liquid crystal plate onto the screen, and a timing at which a decomposed image for the left eye is formed on the liquid crystal plate and a right eye on the liquid crystal plate. And a timing signal generation circuit for generating a timing signal for identifying a timing at which the separated image is formed. 3. An optical path switching means for switching light emitted from the light source unit and transmitted through the liquid crystal plate to an optical path projected on the screen and an optical path emitted outside and projected on an external screen. The stereoscopic image projector according to claim 2, wherein: 4. A light source unit of the liquid crystal display unit emits light in each of three primary colors of red, green and blue, and the interface circuit converts a left-eye color image into one.
Each frame is decomposed into three separated images corresponding to red, green, and blue colors, and the right eye color image is separated into three separated images corresponding to red, green, and blue colors per frame. 3. The three-dimensional image projector according to claim 1, wherein a total of six separated images are sequentially formed on the liquid crystal plate for each frame. 5. The stereoscopic image projector according to claim 1, further comprising a timing signal output circuit that emits infrared rays or radio waves that carry the timing signal generated by the timing signal generation circuit. 6. A left-eye disassembled image is formed on the liquid crystal plate based on a timing signal generated by the timing signal generation circuit and arranged between the left and right eyes of an observer and the screen. At the timing, the image on the screen is guided to the left eye of the observer and the optical path to the right eye of the observer is blocked, and the image on the screen is observed at the timing when the separated image for the right eye is formed on the liquid crystal plate. The stereoscopic image projector according to claim 1, further comprising an image transmission control unit that guides an observer's right eye and blocks an optical path reaching the observer's left eye. 7. A pair of liquid crystal shutters for left eye and right eye, wherein the image transmission control unit is alternately controlled to a light transmitting state and a light blocking state based on the timing signal, and a liquid crystal for left eye. The shutter and the liquid crystal shutter for the right eye
Holding means for holding the pair of liquid crystal shutters, the mounting means having mounting means mounted on the observer so as to be arranged in front of the left eye and the right eye, respectively. The stereoscopic image projector according to claim 6. 8. The interface circuit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of separated images forming a one-frame color image for the left eye and a plurality of separated images forming a one-frame color image for the right eye are combined. When one group is formed, the decomposed image on the liquid crystal plate is updated at a speed of 1/16 (sec / group) or more, and the light source is synchronized with the sequential formation of the decomposed image on the liquid crystal plate. The stereoscopic image projector according to claim 1, wherein the unit blinks such that a pulse light having a light emission time shorter than a time during which one decomposed image is formed on the liquid crystal plate is emitted. . 9. The interface circuit receives an image signal for one frame representing a still-color image for the left eye and an image signal for one frame representing a still-color image for the right eye, and receives the still-color image for the left eye. And a plurality of separated images obtained by combining a plurality of separated images for the left eye and a plurality of separated images for the right eye forming the still color image for the right eye are repeatedly formed on the liquid crystal plate. 3. The three-dimensional image projector according to claim 1, wherein: 10. A recording medium drive unit, wherein a portable recording medium is removably loaded, and a recording medium drive unit for obtaining an image signal from the loaded recording medium and transmitting the image signal to the interface circuit. Or the stereoscopic image projector according to 2. 11. The recording medium driving unit is configured to allow only one recording medium to be loaded at the same time, and the recording medium driving unit converts a left-eye color image from one loaded recording medium. 11. The three-dimensional image projector according to claim 10, wherein both the image signal representing the image signal and the image signal representing the color image for the right eye are obtained and transmitted to the interface circuit. 12. The recording medium drive unit allows two recording media to be loaded at the same time.
Obtaining an image signal representing a color image for the left eye from one of the recording media and obtaining an image signal representing a color image for the right eye from the other recording medium,
11. The three-dimensional image projector according to claim 10, wherein said two image signals are transmitted to said interface circuit. 13. The three-dimensional object according to claim 1, further comprising a receiving unit that receives an electric wave or infrared light carrying image information to obtain an image signal, and transmits the image signal to the interface circuit. Image projector. 14. An image in which the interface circuit receives an image signal of a second operating frequency different from the first operating frequency for operating the liquid crystal display unit and synchronizes the image signal with the first operating frequency. The stereoscopic image projector according to claim 1, further comprising an operating frequency conversion unit that converts the signal into a signal. 15. An image posture correcting means for correcting a posture of an image so that an image provided by light emitted from the light source unit and transmitted through the liquid crystal plate is observed as a normal image. The stereoscopic image projector according to claim 1. 16. The stereoscopic image projector according to claim 1, further comprising an audio output device for outputting audio or an audio signal. 17. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of left and right photographing lenses, and an image receiving element for receiving an image grasped by each of said photographing lenses and generating an image signal representing a color image. 3D image projector. 18. A mounting means mounted on the observer so as to be located in front of the observer, a timing for providing an image to the left eye of the observer, and a timing for providing an image to the right eye of the observer. Upon receiving the identifying timing signal, based on the timing signal, at the timing of providing an image to the left eye, secure the field of view of the left eye of the observer, block the area in front of the right eye of the observer, and provide the image to the right eye An image transmission control means for securing the field of view of the right eye of the observer and shutting off the area in front of the left eye of the observer. 19. The liquid crystal shutter for the left eye and the right eye arranged respectively in front of the left eye and right eye of the observer when the observer wears the jig for stereoscopic vision of the observer. 19. The liquid crystal shutter for a left eye and a liquid crystal shutter for a right eye are alternately controlled to a light transmitting state and a light blocking state based on the timing signal. Jig for stereoscopic image. 20. The jig for image stereoscopic vision according to claim 18, further comprising a timing signal receiving circuit for receiving an infrared ray or a radio wave carrying the timing signal.