WO2011082992A2

WO2011082992A2 - Device for three-dimensional representation and method for the production thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2011082992A2
Application number: PCT/EP2010/069639
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ullrich Daehnert; Markus Klippstein; Stephan Otte; Juergen Schwarz; Ferenc Torma; Daniel Fuessel
Original assignee: Secco Gmbh; Visumotion Gmbh
Priority date: 2009-12-15
Filing date: 2010-12-14
Publication date: 2011-07-14
Also published as: DE102009054706A1; WO2011082992A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for three-dimensional representation and to a method for producing such a device. The device comprises an image reproduction unit (1) having image elements x(i,j) disposed in a grid having rows (j) and columns (i). Information from at least two views A(k), where k=2,...,N and N is a natural number, can be displayed on the image elements x(i,j). A lenticular disc (4) having lenticular (5) and separating areas (6) disposed adjacent to each other, alternating and periodic along a main direction, is disposed in the line of sight of an observer (3) in front of the image reproduction unit (1). Light propagation directions for light coming from the image elements x(i,j) are prescribed by means of the lenticular regions (5). The observer (3) thereby sees with one eye at least predominantly a first selection of the views A(k) from a plurality of observation positions in front of the grid of image elements x(i,j), and with the other eye at least predominantly a second selection of the views A(k), so that a spatial visual impression is produced for the observer (3). Another optical barrier structure (7) is also disposed in the line of sight of the observer (3) in front of the image reproduction unit (1), by means of which the three-dimensional visual impression can be improved. The barrier structure (7) for such a device is made of opaque areas disposed adjacent to each other, in front of or behind the lenticular disc (4), having the effect of a lamellar barrier. Each opaque area thereby at least partially covers a separation area.

Description

title

Device for spatial representation and method for its production

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a device for spatial representation. Such a device comprises an image display unit with picture elements x (i, j) arranged in a grid with rows (j) and columns (i) and on which information from at least two views A (k) with k = 2,. .., N and N of a natural number can be represented. In the direction of a viewer in front of this image display unit, a lenticular disk is arranged. This lenticular disk has along a main direction, which is usually the horizontal, but in general may also include all directions that deviate from the vertical, lenticular and separation areas, which are arranged side by side, alternately and periodically. Each lenticular area is thus surrounded by two separation areas and vice versa.

State of the art

Conventionally, lenticular discs made of lenticular lenses or grids are constructed of such lenticular lenses, ie of lenses with the shape of a half-cylinder whose convex surface points outward toward the observer. In this case, the separation areas are very small, substantially line-shaped. For the purposes of the invention, however, the term "lenticular disk" should be understood to mean not only those arrangements of lenticular lenses in the classical sense, but also those arrangements with which substantially the same effect can be achieved, but which does not consist of strictly cylindrical lenses with linear lenses. but from convex-shaped lenticular areas and, for example, concave-shaped and appreciably extended separation areas, with respect to the viewing direction of an observer, Such arrangements can be made, for example, with the German patent Patent Application DE 10 2009 019 762 - the entire disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference - produce processes described very inexpensively. In this case, convex lenticular areas and concave separation areas alternate, the transitions between lenticular areas and separation areas are smooth, ie, a surface descriptive function is continuously differentiable at least once at each location. Due to the distinct separation areas, this is not a typical lenticular disc, but a production-related and function-related significant variation compared to conventional lenticulars. By means of the lenticular areas, light propagation directions are predetermined for light coming from the picture elements x (i, j), whereby the observer from a plurality of viewing positions in front of the grid of picture elements x (i, j) in each case at least predominantly uses a first selection from the Views A (k) and with the other eye at least predominantly sees a second selection from the views A (k), and thus creates a spatial visual impression for the viewer. At least predominantly means that some of the views may appear in both the first and second selections, but the selections are otherwise different. However, at least predominantly means that one part of the views can be found exclusively in the first selection and another part of the views only in the second selection, as is the case, for example, with the stereoscopic presentation based on only two views.

The device also comprises, in addition, an optical barrier structure arranged in front of the image display unit in the viewing direction of the observer in order to improve the spatial visual impression. Such an optical barrier structure is described for example in DE 10 2007 049 238 A1. The barrier structure is referred to there as an optical element and is arranged between the image display unit and the lenticular disk, ie behind it. The barrier structure acts as a filter, it can be designed as a diffuser with randomly arranged optical structures, or as a filter array containing randomly or regularly arranged optical structures in the form of transparent or opaque filter elements with polygonal outlines. The size and the dimensions of the filter elements or of the optical structures of the optical element are determined as a function of the size of the picture elements x (i, j), the optical structures in the case of DE 1 0 2007 049 238 A1 serve to visual beat frequencies - Moire effects - to diminish.

When using lenticular discs which are produced according to one of the methods described in DE 10 2009 019 762, ie where the separation regions are not exact are linear, but have a certain finite extent, the spatial visual impression disturbing effects, as the corresponding concave portions in the separation areas make disturbing noticeable, the collective lens effect of the adjacent lenticular is disturbed in the visualization of spatial images. An obvious possibility would be to reduce the extent of the separation areas. However, this also leads to a reduction of the convex radius of curvature of the lenticular areas and even enhances the effect of the concave separation areas. Even with such lenticular discs, which are composed of real cylindrical lenses, the - never exactly linear - separation areas can cause problems, albeit to a lesser extent.

Description of the invention

The invention is therefore based on the object to eliminate these disadvantages in the prior art and to further improve the spatial visual impression.

This object is achieved in that the barrier structure consists of side by side, in front of or behind the lenticular disc arranged opaque areas with the effect of a strip-shaped barrier, each opaque area each covers a separation area at least partially.

In contrast to the filter-based devices known in the art, i. without lenticulars, in which the arrangement of the filter arrays or barriers always orients itself to the position and size of the picture elements x (i, j), barrier structures are proposed according to the invention, which are based on the position and the size of the separation regions. The opaque areas thus essentially cover the separation areas and in this way prevent the light propagation scattering through the concave separation areas from being disturbingly noticeable and essentially suppressing them. While the opaque areas commonly used in connection with filter structures for constructing 3D stereoscopic screens have a very wide extent and pass only little light, the opaque areas here can be chosen so small that they are imperceptible to the naked eye.

As a rule, each opaque area at least partially covers a separation area. In the simplest case, a uniform width of each strip-shaped opaque area can be selected for differently shaped separation areas, which reduces the manufacturing costs. Preferably, however, the lateral extent of each opaque area, ie the width of each strip, is dependent on the main direction. determined from its position relative to the separation area to be covered by the opaque area. This serves, on the one hand, to better compensate for different concave radii of curvature, but on the other hand, in particular, a higher flexibility of the arrangement of the barrier strips, the opaque areas in relation to the separation areas, can be achieved in this way. So it is quite possible to apply the barrier structure directly on the separation areas, so that they are not irradiated with light or can not be penetrated by the light. However, it is simpler in terms of manufacturing technology to apply the barrier-for example in the form of a photographic film-to a substantially planar substrate, such as the back of the lenticular disk or a separate barrier substrate or a cover, such as a coverslip or a plastic. The dimensions of the barrier structure are then calculated and arranged such that the light coming from the image display unit - transmitted and / or emitted - is incident as exclusively as possible in the convex lenticular areas and correspondingly imaged in the viewing space in the direction of a viewer.

Another effect of applying a barrier structure is that the image contrast is increased. This is due to the fact that the brightness of the screen is reduced by the use of an opaque barrier structure. In contrast to autostereoscopic arrangements, which are not based on the lenticular lens technique, but on the pure filter or barrier technique, the brightness losses are very small, since the proportion of opaque areas on the total area is comparatively smaller. Another positive effect is that displayed images appear smooth compared to a representation without barrier structures. Since lenticular systems image the picture elements x (i, j) in a coarser and enlarged structure, objects and their edges, in particular in the case of jump points and poor channel separation, often appear grid-shaped, these structures are smoothed. Finally, the spatial impression or the depth effect is perceptibly increased for the human eye, since a so-called "zero level" is formed by the integration of this barely perceptible periodic, opaque structure.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the period of the lenticular areas is selected as a function of a lateral extent of the picture elements x (i, j). Additionally or alternatively, the lenticular disk can also be arranged rotated by a predetermined angle to the grid of picture elements x (i, j). The barrier strips are then positioned accordingly. The tuning of the lenticular areas with respect to the lateral extent of the picture elements x (i, j) allows a further improvement of the spatial representation insofar as disturbing moiré patterns can be largely eliminated. The cause of such moire patterns is the superimposition of at least two non-decom- identical or non-identical geometric structures, which leads to visual effects of blowing, similar to interference patterns, for example. While interference patterns can be caused by light with slightly different wavelengths, the cause for the occurrence of moiré patterns lies in different lattice constants or periods for the distance of the picture elements x (i, j) from each other or the lenticular areas from one another. Even with the same lattice constants, a moire pattern can occur if the two structures are twisted against each other. By adapting the lattice constant or the angle of rotation of the periodic structure on the lenticular disk-corresponding to the distance of the lenticular or separation areas from each other and a predetermined angle of rotation-the perceptible moire fringes can be extinguished by making the spacing of the fringes too small or too small too large for the optimum viewing distance. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible to use a second lenticular disk for reducing the moire pattern. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the lenticular disk has an antireflection coating on its side facing the observer. While conventional image display devices for displaying two-dimensional image contents are often provided with an antireflection coating, so far this has not been practiced in the case of lenticular wafers. Devices based on lenticular discs have strong surface reflections that can be annoying to a viewer. The inventive antireflection coating reduces these disturbing effects. For example, the front side of the lenticular disk, that is to say the lenticular structure itself, can be anti-glare-coated and provided with at least one antireflection coating. Also, the flat back of the lenticular disk or the back of a barrier carrier substrate on which the lenticular disk can be applied can be anti-reflective. In this case, the properties of the antireflection coatings are preferably adapted to the differences in the refractive indices of the various media. For example, air has a refractive index of n = 1, so-called float glass has a refractive index of n = 1.52, and the plastic polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) often used for the production of lenticular disks has a refractive index of n = 1.49.

Another possibility is a chemical anti-reflection of the front by this is roughened easily, for example by means of hydrofluoric acid. The surface reflections are then diffused and reduced to a viewer. The surface of the lenticular disk, however, may only be roughened to such an extent that the spatial channel separation is not canceled out or is unduly impaired. Of course, both variants of the anti-reflective coating can also be combined with each other and can also be used Use lenticular imaging systems without the barrier structures of the invention.

In a further preferred embodiment, the barrier structure is formed as a strip-shaped filter structure, preferably as a photographic film. Thicker barriers are not necessary, rather thinner ones are advantageous for reasons of accuracy. The barrier structure may, for example, be applied to a barrier carrier substrate, onto which the lenticular disk is then applied in order to make the construction as compact as possible. The application of the barrier structure to the barrier support substrate can be done, for example, by cold or warm lamination, digital reproduction, etc. If the barrier structure is in the form of a photographic film, it is possible, for example, to apply the application methods described in German patent application DE 10 2009 019 761, which is not prepublished. The barrier structure is preferably applied to a barrier carrier substrate, particularly preferably between the image display unit and the lenticular pane. In this case, as mentioned, the lenticular disk can be applied directly to the barrier carrier substrate, whereby the barrier structure is still located between the lenticular disk and the barrier carrier substrate.

The barrier structure does not necessarily have to be applied to the surface of the barrier carrier substrate pointing toward the lenticular disk; an arrangement on the back side of the barrier carrier substrate is also possible, in which case the width of the stripes must be slightly adjusted in order to cover the separation areas as completely as possible.

The lenticular disc may also be applied to a lenticular carrier substrate, but the lenticular carrier substrate may also be part of the lenticular disc, in which case the unit of lenticular carrier substrate and lenticular disc is made in one piece. The lenticular support substrate can also be a very thin layer, which only has to be so thick that it prevents a breakup of the lenticular disk at the thinnest points, the low points of the valleys of the separation areas, under normal mechanical stress such as transport, measurement or assembly.

In another preferred embodiment, the barrier carrier substrate and the lenticular carrier substrate are provided with alignment markings for aligning the lenticular disk and the barrier structure relative to one another. For this purpose, the two substrates are expediently made in their geometry slightly larger than the actually optically active structures. On the margins of both substrates, on which there are no optically active structures, markings are applied, such as points, crosses or lines. These marks are brought as exactly as possible to the overlay, as a result lenticular disk and barrier structure are aligned with each other. This alignment can be done by hand, semi or fully automated, for example with the help of control cameras, the naked eye or even a microscope. After the adjustment, both substrates can be permanently fixed and bonded to one another, for example by means of adhesives, UV curing monomers, etc. The excess substrate with the markings can be separated mechanically from the actual structures, for example by sawing or cutting. In this way, a high accuracy in the channel separation is achieved. In addition, it is also possible to attach the barrier structures on the front side of the lenticular disk from the viewpoint of a viewer. The simplest possibility is to provide the separation areas on the lenticular disk accordingly with an opaque cover layer, which can be done for example by applying a black color or liquid and subsequent washing out of this material, while the color or liquid remains and hardens in the separation areas. Another possibility is to arrange a transparent cover from the direction of a viewer in front of the lenticular disk. The barrier structure can then be applied to these, both on the side facing the observer, and on the side facing away from the observer. In this case, the latter option is to be preferred, since this promises greater protection of the barrier structure from mechanical damage or contamination.

The cover may be, for example, a conventional cover glass of a few millimeters thickness of glass or plastic, but even a tensioned film can be used as such a cover. The cover can of course be provided on one or both sides with a reflection-reducing layer.

In a further embodiment, an optically active fluid whose optical properties can be manipulated by introducing energy is located between the cover and the lenticular disk. The optically active liquid may, for example, contain liquid crystals in which the refractive index can be varied by introducing energy into the liquid. For example, by applying a voltage, irradiating the liquid with light of a UV wavelength which is not radiated from the image display unit but which manipulates the corresponding optical property in the liquid, or by refracting the liquid so changes the refractive index of the liquid be that switching between spatial representation and two-dimensional representation is possible when the refractive index corresponds to the refractive index of the material used for the lenticular disk. In this way it can be ensured that of the Separation areas radiated light is also perceived by a viewer, which - especially in the presence of barrier structures - cancels the channel separation and thereby forcing a two-dimensional vision. In a corresponding design of the liquid, it is also possible, the barrier structure, which may be, for example, but not exclusively, arranged on the inside of the cover, to enhance their effect, or to produce the barrier effect only. In this case, a separate barrier structure can even be dispensed with. The switching between spatial and two-dimensional representation can of course also be used in lenticular systems without barrier structures.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a device for spatial representation, as has been described above. Such a method comprises, among other things, the following steps: First, a lenticular disk is provided, which is arranged on a lenticular carrier substrate, whereby the lenticular disk and the lenticular carrier substrate can be made in one piece - as a rule, the lenticular disk is produced from the substrate. In particular, the provision also includes the production of the lenticular discs. In addition, a barrier structure is provided on a barrier substrate. Again, the provision again comprises the production, in particular the application of the barrier structure on the barrier carrier substrate. Finally, a picture display unit is provided.

Subsequently, the barrier structure is positioned relative to the lenticular disk. In this case, the barrier structure and the lenticular disk are aligned with one another by marking the lenticular and the barrier substrate at predetermined positions and aligning the markings with one another during the positioning of the barrier structures relative to the lenticular disk. After alignment, the barrier structure and the lenticular disk are first fixed to each other and then this assembly is first positioned on the image display unit and then fixed, whereby possibly before a trimming of the substrates must be made to the dimensions of the image display unit. The fixation of barrier structures and lenticular disk on each other can be done by adhesive techniques, if they are arranged without air distance from each other. Between the image display unit and the assembly of barrier support substrate, barrier structure and lenticular disk is often an air gap, so that these elements must be fixed to each other at a distance.

Instead of providing both substrates with markings and aligning them to an orientation based on moiré effects is possible. For this purpose, both substrates are positioned one above the other and from the side of the barrier carrier substrate, which opposite, with light shining through. They are then shifted against each other and / or twisted until a pattern to be observed is displayed correctly or disappears. The light does not necessarily have to come from the image display unit, but can also come from another light source. If a bright, especially a white light source is used, brightness modulations appear, so-called light / dark Moire stripes. Based on these moiré strips, the two structures can be adjusted to each other. Correct alignment is achieved when, over the entire surface, either a completely white or transparent surface or a substantially black or opaque surface is visible. In this way, it is also possible to check whether the period of the lenticular areas coincides with that of the barrier structure: In the case of deviating periods or even if the viewing distance is wrong, several moiré strips are constantly visible.

In a particular embodiment of this method, both substrates are positioned on the image display unit and transilluminated by light emitted by the image display unit. For this purpose, however, a matched with respect to the lenticular disk test image is generated. This is preferably combined from two views, one of which is an image held in light of a single wavelength, such as red, blue or green, and the other view is black only. This test image is displayed on the image display device or, equivalently, on another suitable imager used in manufacturing. The light which is emitted by the image display unit when the test image is displayed is used to transilluminate the lenticular disk and the barrier structure. Again, an alignment is done using moire patterns. Correct alignment is achieved when there are only whole, continuous color moire streaks. A non-congruent alignment of the two structures results in double moiré pattern stripes, i. intensity fluctuations within a moiré strip. In contrast to the method described above, the adjustment does not have to take place at the optimum viewing distance to the lenticular screen.

In all three methods, the alignment can be done by hand and with the naked eye. However, a more precise adjustment can be achieved with the help of a microscopically imaging optics, whereby here too the images can again be evaluated by an observer and correspondingly made by these twists or displacements. It is particularly preferred, however, to use image processing and control algorithms in combination with a camera which records the observed image, for example a CCD or CMOS camera, so that, with a corresponding configuration of the production Anläge the alignment of lenticular disk and barrier structure can be done automatically to each other.

As already described, lenticular disks can be produced, for example, from a light-curing, optically transparent plastic, wherein the light is structured locally and / or temporally, for example by means of an exposure mask, into the plastic. This is described, for example, in the unpublished German patent application DE 10 2009 019 762. Very good results can be achieved with this method, in particular it is also suitable for the production of small series. However, the production is still comparatively complex, which is why in a particular embodiment of the invention, the lenticular discs are not directly produced as a so-called positive mold, but first a negative mold is produced. This takes place by applying a still liquid plastic layer of a transparent plastic which hardens upon introduction of energy to a substrate, and introducing energy into the plastic, the quantity of energy to be input per unit of time being given different spatial and / or temporal differentiation that after completion of the energy input at different locations of the surface of the plastic layer different amounts of cured and not yet cured plastic are present, wherein the not yet cured plastic - for example, by washing - is removed. Thus, the negative mold has correspondingly shaped wide concave areas at the locations where the lenticular areas can be found in the positive form, and correspondingly shaped narrow convex areas at the locations where the separation areas are to be found.

This negative mold can then be used for producing positive forms in medium to large numbers. One simple way is to use it as a mold insert for casting or spraying appropriate plastic or glass lenticular discs. Another possibility, in turn, is the use of light-curing plastic. For this purpose, the negative mold is in turn filled with a transparent, still liquid material, this material is brought to complete curing and then separated from the negative mold, wherein the resulting positive shape corresponds to the lenticular disk.

In the context of this so-called "digital reproduction", therefore, the production of positive forms or of lenticular disks is considerably simplified, since the time-consuming and / or spatially differentiated exposure through masks has to be carried out only once in order to produce the negative mold In order to produce the positive impressions, and if a similar light-curing material is used, there is no need to resort to local or temporal differentiation. View be taken. The energy input can then be large-scale and with higher energy (and thus faster), the production is accelerated.

As the material for the positive mold, for example, liquid plastic, for example, in the form of monomers may be used, or another material which does not bond with the plastic used for the negative mold. In principle, it is also possible to use the same plastic or other material which would possibly combine with the plastic of the negative mold before or during the curing process, if no additional measures are taken. In order to prevent such a connection, the negative mold is therefore expediently coated with a separating layer before. This release layer is ideally thinner than 0.1 mm in order not to impair the subtleties of the surface profile, which is necessary for the lenticular effect or spatial vision, too much by distortion, distortion or occlusion.

The separating layer can be applied or deposited on the surface of the negative mold, for example, by vapor deposition or sputtering from a metal in the appropriate layer thickness. The separation of a separating layer from a chemical solution is also possible, this can also be done for example by means of appropriate immersion baths, from which then a corresponding separation layer remains as a residue from the immersion bath on the surface of the negative mold. Finally, it is also possible to use foils of small thickness, for example of metal or of a plastic which meets the requirements. The amount of energy to be input per unit time can be specified by means of one or more exposure masks. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method, the barrier structure itself is used as the exposure mask. This simplifies the production considerably. On the one hand, the effort is reduced, since no separate exposure masks must be maintained. On the other hand, care is taken at the same time that the separation regions which form behind the opaque regions of the barrier structure are automatically aligned optimally with respect to the barrier structure.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the specified combinations but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail for example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which also disclose characteristics essential to the invention. Show it:

1 shows a possible embodiment of a device for spatial representation, Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of such a device,

3 shows a third embodiment of such a device,

4 shows a fourth embodiment of such a device,

5 shows markings on substrates for aligning the components with one another,

6 and 7 show two possible illumination settings that can be used in the production of negative molds for producing convex and concave areas, and

Fig. 8 is a negative mold for the production of a lenticular disk.

Detailed description of the drawings

1, the general structure of a device for spatial representation is shown, wherein only the most important components that are essential for the spatial representation are shown. The device comprises an image display unit 1 with pixels x (i, j) arranged in a grid with rows j and columns i. Information from at least two views A (k) with k = 2,..., N and N of a natural number can be represented on the picture elements x (i, j). The image display unit 1 is provided with a cover glass 2, which is arranged in the direction of a viewer 3 in front of the image display unit 1. The use of the cover glass 2 is optional. The individual picture elements x (i, j) can be designed, for example, as full-color pixels or as red, green and blue subpixels of a raster-shaped liquid crystal display. For example, an LCD panel is an option here, other possible display forms include displays based on OLED, LED, plasma, VFD, SED, or FED technology, to name just a few examples. You can either be designed to be self-luminous or illuminated by a further light source, not shown from the back.

In the direction of viewing 3 in front of the image display unit 1, a lenticular disk 4 is arranged. This lenticular disk 4 has side by side, alternately and periodically arranged lenticular areas 5 and separation areas 6 along the main direction. The main direction may be, for example, the vertical, but also a tilted direction unless it is horizontal. By means of the lenticular areas 5, light propagation directions for light coming from the picture elements x (i, j) are present given by the observer 3 from a plurality of viewing positions in front of the grid of picture elements x (i, j) with one eye at least predominantly a first selection from the views A (k) and with the other eye at least predominantly a second selection of the Views A (k) sees. Thus, the observer 3 is given a more spatial visual impression.

Finally, the device also comprises an optical barrier structure 7 arranged in front of the image display unit 1 in the viewing direction of the viewer 3 in order to improve the spatial visual impression. The barrier structure 7 consists of juxtaposed opaque areas with the effect of a strip-shaped barrier or aperture. The opaque areas may be arranged in front of or behind the lenticular disk 4, in the case of the embodiment according to FIG. 1 they are arranged behind the lenticular disk 4 with respect to the viewing direction of the observer 3. The effect of a strip-shaped barrier is most easily achieved if the opaque areas are physically physically designed as strips, but devices are also conceivable in which the effect is achieved only by external action, for example by a switchable barrier in the form of filters or a Liquid. Each opaque area at least partially covers a separation area 6, thus achieving the best results in improving the spatial visual impression.

By using the optical barrier structure 7 prevents disturbing light is emitted from the separation areas 6 of the lenticular disk 4. Whereas in the case of lenticular discs which are produced directly from half-cylindrical lenses or are cut out of a correspondingly large substrate, the concave-shaped separation regions 6 are expanded only very slightly in comparison with the lenticular segments 5 having a convex half-cylinder shape, so that the Disturbances of the spatial visual impression tend to be low, if no optical barrier structure 7 is used, then the improvement in lenticular wafers, in which the separation regions 6 have a larger expansion due to the production, is clearly perceptible when using the optical barrier structures. This is the case, for example, in the case of such lenticular disks 4, which are produced by means of special exposure techniques from liquid, plastic-curing plastic, either directly as a positive mold, or via the intermediate step of a negative mold. In both cases, the expansion of the concave separation regions 6 is not negligible, the optical barrier structure 7 brings here a noticeable improvement.

The barrier structure 7 is applied to a barrier carrier substrate 8 in the case of the device shown in FIG. This is for example advantageous if it is in the optical barrier structure is a thin film, for example, an exposed film. This can be applied by appropriate lamination techniques, for example on the barrier substrate 8 or alternatively also printed. Between the barrier substrate 8 and the cover glass 2 of the image display unit 1 is also still an air layer 9, this is also optional. In principle, the cover glass 2 can also assume the function of the barrier carrier substrate 8, ie the film with the barrier structure 7 can be applied directly to the cover glass 2, in which way space can possibly be saved. In addition, since the opaque areas of the barrier structure 7 are very narrow compared to such opaque areas as are used for filter structures in the context of spatial representation when no lenticular disk 4 is used, their presence makes little sense, positive even by some contrast enhancement.

The opaque areas of the barrier structure 7 can therefore be kept very narrow. The improvement is optimal when the lateral extent of each opaque area with respect to the principal direction is determined as a function of its position relative to the separation area 6 to be covered by the opaque area. It plays a role, whether the opaque areas are arranged in front of or behind the lenticular disk 4, also their distance to a reference point, for example the lowest point in a valley of a separation area 6 is important. The extension of the separation regions 6 in the lateral direction also plays a role in determining the width of the opaque stripes. The effect is best when the opaque areas, indicated by the black rectangles in FIG. 1, cover the entire concave separation area, possibly even slightly more, in order to effectively block light incident obliquely from the image display unit 1 as well.

The lenticular disk 4 may have an antireflection coating (not shown) on its side facing the observer 3. In this way, the otherwise occurring surface reflections, which may prove to be disturbing to the viewer, can be suppressed. The lenticular disk 4 can be antireflective, for example, on its front side for this purpose. Also on its back, the generally flat surface, such an anti-reflection layer can be applied. Preferably, an adaptation of the optical properties of the anti-reflection layer with respect to the refractive indices of the immediately adjacent media in order to achieve the best effect. Another possibility for anti-reflection consists in a chemical antireflection, for example by hydrofluoric acid or a similar acting substance. The anti-reflection layer is in this case intrinsically contained in the lenticular disk 4, it is formed on its surface, for example by means of a roughening by the hydrofluoric acid. However, care must be taken be that the channel separation is not reduced too much or even canceled. The roughening of the surface causes a diffuse scattering of surface reflections, which thus appear reduced for the viewer 3. Of course, both can be combined with each other, so for example, a roughened surface can also be provided with an anti-interference optical layer, whereby the effect is further improved.

The lenticular disk 4 may be applied to a lenticular substrate. This lenticular carrier substrate can also be antireflected on its side facing the image display unit 1 as described above, ie have an antireflection coating. Typically, the lenticular disk 4 and lenticular support substrate will form an integral unit, since the lenticular disk 4 is made from the lenticular support substrate. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show further embodiments of a device for spatial representation. In the device according to FIGS. 2 and 3, the lenticular disk 4 is applied directly to the barrier carrier substrate 8 with the barrier structure 7. The dimensions are shown here exaggerated, so the barrier structure 7 is usually only a photographic film of extremely small thickness, or else another structure with a printed surface. The relationships of the lenticular areas 5 to the separation areas 6 are also not reproduced to scale. They serve only to illustrate the mode of action. Compared with the embodiment in Figure 1, there is the advantage here that the opaque strips of the barrier structure are arranged closer to the valleys of the separation areas 6, so that they can be made narrower overall. The width of the opaque strip is approximately on the order of a few 10 μm, for example 50 μm.

A similar device is shown in Fig. 3, here is a barrier structure 10 on the back, i. the side of the barrier carrier substrate 8 facing away from the observer 3. Since the opaque areas in this case are located somewhat further away from the valleys of the separation areas 6, they must be kept wider than in the two previously described embodiments.

Another arrangement is shown in Figure 4, here from the direction of a viewer 3 in front of the lenticular disk 4, a transparent cover 1 1 is arranged, on whose side facing away from the observer 3, a barrier structure 12 is applied. As a cover 1 1, for example, glass, transparent plastic or a stable, stretched film can be used; on the underside of the cover 1 1, the barrier structure 12 is attached. Again, the opaque strips of the barrier can be kept relatively narrow in the range of about 50 μιη, since they can be positioned relatively close to the separation areas 6, whose disturbing light scattering they are to suppress. In any case, they are barely visible to the naked eye. The cover 1 1 also offers the advantage that the structure at any time is easy to clean, since the externa ßere, the viewer 3 facing surface of the cover 1 1 can be made smooth. It can also be provided on one or both sides with a corresponding anti-reflection layer. For such a protective function, the use of a cover 1 1 is also possible without the barrier structure 12 is disposed on the underside, but is also a combination of pure cover 1 1 with barrier structures 7 and 10, as in connection with the figures 1 to 3 described possible.

Regardless of whether a barrier structure 12 is arranged on the side facing away from the viewer of the cover 1 1 or not, the use of such a cover 1 1 also makes it possible, between the lenticular 4 and the cover 1 1 an optical to include effective liquid. The optical properties of this liquid, for example the refractive index, can then be manipulated by external action, such as the application of voltage, heating or irradiation with light of specific wavelengths, for example UV light. For example, when the refractive index of the liquid under external action corresponds to that of the material used for the lenticular disk 4, the action of the lenticular disk 4 is canceled and a viewer can perceive a two-dimensional image. To switch for a spatially perceptible representation of the externa ßere action is turned off and the calculation index then changed accordingly, preferably reduced, so that the spatially imaging properties of the lenticular disk 4 come into play again.

For an improvement of the channel separation or an effective functioning of the barrier structure 7, it is important that these and the lenticular disk 4 are correctly positioned and fixed to each other, so that the barrier structure 7 can develop its optimum effect with respect to the separation areas 6. In the production of a device for spatial representation, as described above, this step is therefore essential. In the manufacture, a lenticular disk 4 is first provided on a lenticular substrate 13, as well as a barrier structure 7 on a barrier substrate 8. Further, an image display unit 1 is provided. The image display unit 1 may already be provided with a cover glass 2. The positioning of the barrier structure 7 and the lenticular disk 4 to each other can be done in various ways. One possibility is to provide the lenticular support substrate 13 with markings 14 and the barrier support substrate 8 with markings 15. For this purpose, both substrates 13 and 8 are dimensioned slightly larger than the optically active structures located on them. This is shown by way of example in FIG. Barrier carrier substrate 8 and lenticular carrier substrate 13 are then aligned by moving or twisting each other, so that the markings are congruent to come.

Another possibility is to position the barrier structure 7 and the lenticular disk one above the other - whereby the positioning should take place in accordance with the later installation, with respect to the arrangement of the barrier structure 7 in front of or behind the lenticular disk 4 with respect to the viewing direction of the observer 3. From the side of the barrier carrier substrate 8, which lies opposite the image display unit 1 - or from the corresponding side of the lenticular carrier substrate 13 or the lenticular disk 4 - both components are transilluminated with light, then the barrier structure 7 and lenticular disk 4 are displaced and / or rotated relative to each other, until a moire pattern to be observed is displayed correctly or disappears. As the structures almost exactly match each other, brightness modulations become visible, so-called light or dark moire stripes. Based on these strips both structures can be adjusted to each other. The adjustment is correct if, over the entire structure surface, either essentially a completely white or transparent surface, or else a substantially completely black or opaque surface appears. However, this only applies if the periods of the barrier structure 7 and the separation regions 6 coincide and the viewing distance is correct. Moreover, it is also possible to position the two substrates 8 and 13 or the barrier structure 7 and the lenticular disk 4 on the image display unit 1 and to display a test image correspondingly matched to the lenticular disk 4, which preferably consists of two views. One of the two views is in a single color, for example, red, blue or green held and the other view only in black. Both substrates 13 and 8 are then transilluminated with light, which is emitted by the image display unit 1 when the test image is displayed. In this case, no light or dark Moire stripes are generated, but whole, continuous Farbmoire stripes. The alignment is correct if there are only whole, continuous Farbmoirestreifen. A non-congruent orientation of the two structures would lead within a Moirestreifens to a splitting into two strips, which may be parallel or twisted to each other depending on the angle of rotation. If this is the case, an alignment, ie a shift or rotation must be done until both structures are aligned correctly to each other, ie only uniform Farbmoirestreifen are aligned correctly to each other, ie only uniform Farbmoirestreifen can be seen.

Here, as in the other cases, after the adjustment, both substrates 8 and 13 can be permanently fixed to one another and bonded to one another, for example, by means of adhesives or monomers curing under the action of light.

The alignment can already be done with the naked eye, or even for example with the help of a microscope. If the alignment is carried out with the aid of a microscope, the two substrates are preferably illuminated in transmitted light by a white light source. The separation regions 6 and the barrier strips of the barrier structure 7 are usually already visible at about fifty times magnification. In order to achieve a cover-like overlay, at least two full periods should be visible. If the alignment is successful, the opaque strips of the barrier structure 7 must cover exactly the separation regions 6, ie not be twisted or parallel next to it.

However, it is also possible to align with markers and moire patterns with microscopic help. Particularly preferred is the use of a microscopically imaging optics together with a digital camera with sufficiently high resolution. If the image is displayed on a screen, an operator may be able to make the alignment easier than if he had to look through the eyepiece all the time. The camera or the corresponding sensor chip-for example a CCD or a CMOS chip-can also be connected directly to an evaluation unit, on which image processing and control algorithms are implemented, with the aid of which the image is evaluated and corresponding control commands for automatic positioning of the two Substrates 8 and 13 are offset from each other, which can be implemented by robotic arms or other positioning tools.

While the production of lenticular discs using classical methods based on diamond tools and nickel molds for replication is only worthwhile in very large numbers, the production of lenticular discs based on curing under the action of light plastics forms with appropriate exposure in small and medium quantities in the range of a few 10 bis to some 100 lenticular discs an alternative. In this case, a still liquid plastic layer of a curable upon energy input, transparent plastic is uniformly applied to a substrate in a correspondingly sufficient thickness of, for example, 100 μιη on a substrate such as glass or a thick film. Subsequently, an energy input into the plastic, for example, an exposure with UV light, wherein the amount of energy to be registered per unit time locally and / or temporally differentiated, for example with the aid of one or more exposure masks and illumination with different wavelengths. After completion of the energy input different amounts of cured and not yet cured plastic are available at different locations of the surface of the plastic layer. At the exposed areas, the photosensitive material becomes solid on the substrate, for example, a photosensitive monomer is polymerized, it hardens. On the other hand, the monomer remains viscous and flexible at the unexposed areas, where it is removed by washing, for example. By controlling the exposure, the structure to be formed may be applied to assume a desired surface texture, such as a lenticular shape. This is shown by way of example in FIGS. 6 and 7. Here, a plastic layer 17 located on a substrate 16 is irradiated with light by an exposure mask 18 spaced apart from the plastic layer 17. While the plastic layer 17 in Figure 6 is irradiated with parallel light, it is irradiated with divergent light in the regime shown in Figure 7. The corresponding curing areas are shown within the plastic layer 17 by the bars. As the exposure mask 18, for example, a photographic film of appropriate size can be used, as it is used for example in a laser exposure system for the production of high-precision printed circuit boards. It is quite possible during the exposure process to replace the masks, to lock some locations on the masks, to switch others transparent, as well as to change the illumination properties in order to produce the desired lenticular disk 4 with lenticular areas 5 and separation areas 6. The amount of energy to be input per unit time can be specified by means of one or more exposure masks 18. In this case, the barrier structure 7 itself is preferably used directly as the exposure mask 18. In this way, in particular the lenticular disk arrangements shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be produced in a simple manner: Since the barrier structure 7 serves as an exposure mask 18 for the plastic exposure during the production process, no separate exposure masks have to be provided, the outlay is reduced , After completion, the exposure mask 18 or the barrier structure 7 acts as an optical barrier, as was explained in detail above. Finally, this approach simultaneously ensures that the separation regions 6, which form in the production behind the opaque areas of the barrier structure 7, by itself, ie without the need for special measures for alignment, optimally aligned with respect to the barrier structure 7 are. This method is still relatively expensive and is only suitable for small series. For series of medium quantities, it is therefore advantageous if a positive form, ie the lenticular disk 4 itself, is not generated directly by means of the exposure technique, but first a negative mold 19, as shown by way of example in FIG. On the basis of this negative mold can then be any number of positive forms, ie produce lenticular discs 4 by this negative mold is simply used for the molding of lenticulars.

The female mold can then be used as a mold insert, so that the corresponding lenticular disk 4 is only cast; but it is also possible to generate the lenticular disks 4 again based on curing curing under the action of plastics. If material is used which would connect to the negative mold during the production of the lenticular disk or the positive mold, in particular before or during the curing process, the negative mold is preferably provided with a thin separating layer, not shown. This must be so thin, usually less than 0.1 mm, that the optical properties of the lenticular structure are not impaired.

By means of the methods described above, the devices for spatial representation also described above can be inexpensively manufactured, which are particularly suitable for medium-sized quantities, since their production does not cause too high costs, and also provide a very good quality of spatial visual impression.

LIST OF REFERENCES

1 image playback unit

2 coverslips

3 observers

4 lenticular disc

5 lenticular area

6 separation area

7 barrier structure

8 Barrier carrier substrate

9 air layer

10 barrier structure

1 1 cover

12 barrier structure

13 lenticular carrier substrate

14, 15 marks

16 substrate

17 plastic layer

18 exposure mask

19 negative form

Claims

claims

Device for spatial representation, comprising

a picture display unit (1) with picture elements x (i, j) arranged in a grid with rows (j) and columns (i) and on which information from at least two views A (k) with k = 2, .. ., N and N of a natural number can be represented,

a lenticular panel (4) arranged in front of it in the viewing direction (3) with lenticular (5) and separation areas (6) alternately and intermittently arranged along a main direction, whereby light propagation directions for the pixels are generated by means of the lenticular areas (5) x (i, j) are given, whereby the viewer (3) from a plurality of viewing positions in front of the grid of picture elements x (i, j) each with an eye at least predominantly a first selection from the views A (k) and sees with the other eye at least predominantly a second selection from the views A (k) and thus creates a spatial visual impression for the viewer (3),

a viewing direction of the viewer (3) in front of the image display unit (1) arranged optical barrier structure (7) for improving the spatial visual impression, characterized in that

the barrier structure (7) consists of side by side, in front of or behind the lenticular disk (4) arranged opaque areas with the effect of a strip-shaped barrier, each opaque area each covering a separation area (6) at least partially.

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral extent of each opaque area, relative to the main direction, is fixed as a function of its position relative to the separation area (6) to be covered by the opaque area.

Device according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the period of the lenticular areas (5) is selected as a function of a lateral extent of the picture elements x (i, j) and / or the lenticular disk (4) is inclined by a predetermined angle to the grid from picture elements x (i, j) is arranged twisted.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lenticular disk (4) on its side facing the viewer (3) side has a leaching layer.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the barrier structure as a strip-shaped filter structure, preferably as a photographic film, is formed, wherein the barrier structure (7) preferably on a barrier carrier substrate (8), preferably between the image display unit ( 1) and the lenticular disc (4).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lenticular disk (4) on a lenticular carrier substrate (13) is applied, preferably on a lenticular carrier substrate (13), which on its the image display unit (1) side facing a Has anti-reflection layer.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, when dependent on claim 5, characterized in that the barrier carrier substrate (8) and lenticular carrier substrate (13) with alignment markings (14, 15) for aligning the lenticular disc (4) and the

Barrier structure (7) are provided to each other.

8. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the lenticular disk (4) is applied to the barrier carrier substrate (8).

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that from the direction of a viewer (3) in front of the lenticular disk (4) a transparent cover kung (1 1) is arranged on the side facing away from the observer (3) Barrier structure (12) is applied.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that between cover (1 1) and lenticular disk (4) is an optically active liquid whose optical properties, preferably the refractive index, manipulated by energy input, whereby the device between two-dimensional and spatial representation is switchable.

1 1. Method for producing a device for spatial representation according to one of Claims 1 to 10, comprising the following steps:

Providing a lenticular disk (4) on a lenticular support substrate (13), - providing a barrier structure (7) on a barrier support substrate (8),

Providing an image display unit (1),

Positioning the barrier structure (7) relative to the lenticular disk (4), Positioning and fixing the barrier structure (7) and the lenticular disk (4) on the image display unit (1),

characterized in that

in positioning the barrier structure (7) relative to the lenticular panel (4), they are aligned with one another by providing the lenticular (13) and barrier support substrate (8) with markings (14, 15) at predetermined positions and positioning the barrier structure (7) relative to the lenticular disk (4) the markings (14, 15) are aligned with each other.

12. The method according to the preamble of claim 1 1, characterized in that in the positioning of the barrier structure (7) relative to the lenticular disk (4) they are aligned with each other by being positioned one above the other and from the side of the barrier carrier substrate (8), which The image display unit (1) is opposite, are illuminated by light and both substrates against each other and / or rotated until a pattern to be observed is displayed correctly or disappears.

Method according to Claim 12, characterized in that both substrates (8, 13) are positioned on the image display unit (1), a test image matched with respect to the lenticular disk (4), preferably from two views, one of which is exclusively red, blue or is green and the other is exclusively black, is displayed on the image display unit (1), and the two substrates (8, 13) with light, which is emitted in the representation of the test image from the image display unit (1), are transilluminated.

Method according to one of Claims 1 1 to 13, characterized in that the alignment takes place automatically with the aid of microscopically imaging optics, preferably by means of image processing and control algorithms. 15. The method according to any one of claims 1 1 to 14, characterized in that for producing the lenticular disk (4) a negative mold (19) is generated by a still liquid plastic layer (17) of a curable upon energy input, transparent plastic on a substrate (16) is applied, and energy is entered into the plastic, wherein the amount of energy to be entered per unit time is given locally and / or temporally differentiated, so that after completion ß of

Energy input at different locations of the surface of the plastic layer (17) different amounts of cured and not yet cured plastic are present and the not yet cured plastic is removed, and the negative mold (19) is filled with a transparent, still liquid material, this material is brought to complete curing and then separated from the negative mold (19), wherein the resulting positive shape of the lenticular disc (4).

A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the negative mold (19) is covered with a release layer if material is used which would otherwise bond to the negative mold (19) before or during the curing process.

Method according to Claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the quantity of energy to be introduced per unit of time is predetermined by means of an exposure mask (18) and the barrier structure (7) is used as the exposure mask (18).