WO2016006525A1 - Display device and display method - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a display device equipped with a display panel and element groups which jointly display a specific display pattern, and have reflective elements in a dot shape provided on the surface of the display panel or in the interior thereof as constituent elements, wherein: the element groups are provided for a plurality of pre-set perspectives; the element group provided for each perspective reflects light from a light source without going through an optical element for imparting parallax toward each perspective; and the display pattern to be displayed by the element groups using the reflected light is visually recognized at a set perspective, and not visually recognized at a perspective which has not been set.

Description

Display device and display method

The present invention relates to a display device and a display method.

In recent years, LEDs (light emitting diodes) have been used in various applications as light sources with high efficiency and long life. The LED is a point light source having directivity and is limited to use as a spot illumination alone. For this reason, it is often used as a linear or planar light source in combination with a light guide plate such as a transparent resin plate. Examples of this include a liquid crystal backlight, an advertising light panel, and the like.

In addition, as a display device using LEDs, LED light incident from the side of the light guide plate is made by placing a dot-like notch (hereinafter also simply referred to as a dot) on the surface of a transparent light guide plate such as acrylic or polycarbonate. There is known a display device in which a pattern is reflected on the surface by reflecting the dots with dots. This display device displays a pattern formed by LED light reflected by dots on a transparent light guide plate and is used for a display or the like because it is transparent and excellent in design.

In order to give a stereoscopic effect to such a display device, a method using parallax such as a parallax barrier method or a lenticular lens method can be used (for example, Patent Document 1).
In the parallax barrier method, a mask called a parallax barrier in which light shielding portions and openings are alternately arranged at a predetermined repetition pitch is used. The lenticular lens system uses a lens array in which minute lenses are arranged at a predetermined repetition pitch.

Japanese Patent No. 5205511

When employing the parallax barrier method or the lenticular lens method, it is necessary to dispose an optical element (parallax barrier or lens array) for providing parallax over the entire surface of the display device. As a result, the thickness of the display device is increased, and the installation location is limited. Further, since an optical element is required for the display device, the cost is high.

The present invention has been made with the above circumstances as a background, and provides a display device and a display method for performing stereoscopic viewing or morphing display without providing an optical element for giving parallax toward a viewpoint.

1st aspect of this invention is a display apparatus, Comprising: The element group which displays a specific display pattern as a whole by making a display panel and the dot-shaped reflective element provided in the surface or the inside of the said display panel into a component The element group is provided for each of a plurality of preset viewpoints, and the element group provided for each viewpoint is provided from a light source without an optical element for providing parallax toward the viewpoint. The display pattern that reflects light and is displayed by the element group by the reflected light is visually recognized at the set viewpoint, and is not visually recognized at an unset viewpoint.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the display device of the first aspect may further include the light source.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to the second aspect, the display panel may be made of a transparent material.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to the third aspect, the display panel is a light guide plate, the reflective element is a dot-like depression provided on the surface of the light guide plate, and the light source is disposed on an end surface of the light guide plate. The connected light sources may be point light sources or parallel light sources.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to the third aspect, the light source may be disposed on a front surface side of the display panel, and light from the light source may be incident from the front surface of the display panel.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to the third aspect, the light source may be disposed on a rear surface side of the display panel, and light from the light source may be incident from the rear surface of the display panel.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to any one of the third to sixth aspects, a plurality of the display panels may be provided and these may be stacked on each other.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to the second aspect, the display panel may be made of a non-transparent material.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to the second aspect, the display panel may be made of a transparent material having a non-transparent coating on the surface.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to the eighth or ninth aspect, the light source is disposed on a front surface side of the display panel, and light from the light source is incident from the front surface of the display panel. good.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the display device according to any one of the second to tenth aspects, wherein the light source is a point light source, and a cylindrical lens or a parabolic mirror is disposed between the light source and the light guide plate. By installing the point light source at the focal point of a lens or a parabolic mirror, a component orthogonal to the thickness direction of the display panel of light emitted from the point light source may be made parallel.
In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the element group provided for each viewpoint projects a virtual specific display object stereoscopically viewed from the viewpoint. A projection pattern on the display panel may be displayed as the display pattern.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the light source is in the display panel from a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the plurality of set viewpoints are arranged with respect to the display panel. The light may be incident on.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, a spread angle of light incident on the reflective element is 1 ° or more in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the display panel. It may be 10 ° or less.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the reflective element has a height h along the thickness direction of the display panel and is orthogonal to the thickness direction. The reflection surface has a width of w and h / w of 0.2 or less.
In a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, the reflecting surface of the dot-shaped reflecting element may be a flat surface or a cylindrical surface.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display method comprising: a display panel made of a transparent material; and a dot-like reflective element provided on or inside the display panel as a constituent element, and a specific display pattern as a whole. The element group is provided for each of a plurality of preset viewpoints using a display device including an element group to be displayed, and the element group provided for each viewpoint gives a parallax toward the viewpoint Therefore, the display pattern displayed by the element group by reflecting the light from the light source without passing through the optical element is viewed from the set viewpoint, and is not viewed from the viewpoint that is not set.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display method comprising a display panel made of a non-transparent material and a dot-like reflective element provided on or inside the display panel as a constituent element, and a specific display pattern as a whole. The element group is provided for each of a plurality of preset viewpoints, and the element group provided for each viewpoint has a parallax toward the viewpoint. The display pattern displayed by the element group by reflecting the light from the light source without passing through the optical element for providing and being displayed by the reflected light is viewed from the set viewpoint, and is not viewed from the viewpoint that is not set.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display method comprising: a display panel made of a transparent material having a non-transparent coating on the surface; and a dot-like reflective element provided on or inside the display panel. In addition, using a display device including an element group that displays a specific display pattern as a whole, the element group is provided for each of a plurality of preset viewpoints, and the element group provided for each viewpoint is A viewpoint that reflects light from a light source without passing through an optical element for giving parallax toward the viewpoint, and the display pattern displayed by the element group by the reflected light is viewed at the set viewpoint and is not set. Is not visible.

According to the above aspect of the present invention, the reflected light is emitted in a plurality of directions by changing the direction of the light reflected by the reflecting element for each element group, and different images are recognized by different viewpoints of the observer. Can do.
When a display pattern reflecting parallax is viewed on the right and left eyes of the observer, stereoscopic vision can be realized. In addition, when irradiating light of different display patterns in different directions for each element group, the viewer can visually recognize different display patterns as the relative positional relationship between the observer and the display panel changes. it can.
Accordingly, it is possible to provide a display device and a display method for performing stereoscopic viewing or morphing display without providing an optical element for giving parallax toward the viewpoint.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment. In the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment, it is a conceptual diagram explaining the structure of a display pattern. In the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment, it is a conceptual diagram explaining the structure of a display pattern. In the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment, it is a conceptual diagram explaining the structure of a display pattern. In the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment, it is a conceptual diagram explaining the structure of a display pattern. It is a top view which shows the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is an enlarged view of a partial region in the plan view of FIG. 3A. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which expands and shows the reflective element shown to FIG. 4A with the path | route of light. It is a perspective view which shows a 2nd reflective element among the reflective elements of the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a 3rd reflective element among the reflective elements of the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the display panel of the display device of a 1st embodiment from the light source side of light. It is a perspective view of the reflective element applicable to the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the reflective element applicable to the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the reflective element applicable to the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the reflective element applicable to the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the reflective element applicable to the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the 1st modification of the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the 2nd modification of the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the 3rd modification of the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the 4th modification of the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the display apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the display apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the display apparatus of 4th Embodiment. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the display panel of the display device of a 4th embodiment from the light source side of light. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the display apparatus of 5th Embodiment. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the 1st modification of the display apparatus of 5th Embodiment. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the 2nd modification of the display apparatus of 5th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, an XYZ coordinate system is described as necessary. In this specification, each direction is defined along these coordinate systems, and explanation is given. Note that the drawings used in the following description include portions that are enlarged for the sake of convenience in order to make each component easy to understand, and the dimensional ratios and the like of each component are not necessarily the same as actual.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a display device 1 according to the first embodiment. 2A to 6 are diagrams for explaining a more specific configuration of the display device 1 according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, a schematic configuration and a specific configuration of the display device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the display device 1 includes a display panel 3 made of a transparent material and a point light source (light source) 4 that receives light from an end surface 3 c of the display panel 3.
The display device 1 reflects light incident from the light source 4 in a specific direction on the front surface 3a side of the display panel 3, and is different for both eyes of an observer (for example, an observer O) who observes from the front surface 3a side of the display panel 3. By recognizing an image, it is a device that realizes a stereoscopic view of a specific display pattern.
In the present embodiment, the thickness direction of the display panel 3 is the ± Z direction, and the observer O observes from the + Z direction. In addition, the observer O stands upright facing the display panel 3, and for the observer O, the horizontal direction (the direction in which the viewpoints are arranged) is the ± X direction, and the vertical direction (that is, a straight line connecting the two viewpoints). It is assumed that (the orthogonal direction) is the ± Y direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3A, and 3B, the display device 1 has a light source 4 that is a point light source. This point light source is disposed on the end surface 3c of the display panel 3 formed in a square shape. As the light source 4, an LED (issuing diode) or the like can be employed. The color of the light source 4 is not particularly limited.

The display panel 3 is a light guide plate made of a transparent material such as acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, or other glass.
The thickness of the display panel 3 is not particularly limited, but is preferably a thickness that includes the size of the light source 4. By setting the thickness of the display panel 3 in this way, it is possible to suppress leaked light that is not incident on the end face 3c or escapes from the surface after being incident. When an LED having a diameter of 1 mm to 2 mm is used as the point light source, the thickness of the display panel 3 is preferably about 2 mm to 5 mm.

The display panel 3 has a front surface 3a and a rear surface 3b which are two opposing surfaces, and is formed in a square shape. In the present embodiment, the light source 4 is disposed on the end surface 3c on the short side of the display panel 3 disposed along the X axis. The light L from the light source 4 enters the display panel 3 through the end face 3c. The shape of the display panel 3 is not limited to a rectangular plate shape, and may be an arbitrary shape. Further, the display panel 3 has a typical shape of a flat plate, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a curved shape.

The display panel 3 has four display patterns (first display pattern 10A, second display pattern 10B, third display pattern 10C, and fourth display pattern 10D) represented as drawing “A”. In these first to fourth display patterns 10A to 10D, a first reflective element 2A, a second reflective element 2B, a third reflective element 2C, and a fourth reflective element 2D that reflect the light L from the light source 4 are assembled. Each display pattern is drawn as a set of reflecting elements 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D.

The first to fourth viewpoints E1 to E4 shown in FIGS. 1 to 2D are viewpoints that become the right or left eye of the observer located on the front surface 3a side of the display panel 3. An observer who observes the display panel 3 with any two viewpoints of the first to fourth viewpoints E1 to E4 as the right eye and the left eye recognizes the stereoscopic display pattern (display object) 10V set on the display panel 3. . The stereoscopic display pattern 10 </ b> V is a virtual display pattern set on the display panel 3, and is assumed to be drawn floating at a height H from the display panel 3.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the first display pattern 10A is configured to be a projection drawing in which a virtual stereoscopic display pattern 10V is projected on the display panel 3 from the first viewpoint E1. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 2B to 2C, the second to fourth display patterns 10B to 10D are projection drawings obtained by projecting the stereoscopic display pattern 10V onto the display panel 3 from the second to fourth viewpoints E2 to E4. It is comprised so that it may become.
Each of the display patterns 10A to 10D reflects the light L in a specific viewpoint direction by the reflection elements 2A to 2D having a reflection surface with a specific angle. As a result, each of the display patterns 10A to 10D reflects light only in the directions of the set viewpoints E1 to E4. Thereby, the observer O recognizes the stereoscopic display pattern 10V.
Thus, by configuring the first to fourth display patterns 10A to 10D, the stereoscopic display pattern 10V can be recognized by the observer using parallax.
The same effect can be obtained by using a parallel light source that propagates in parallel instead of a point light source that spreads radially when the display panel 3 is viewed in plan as the light source 4.
In FIG. 1, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3B and subsequent figures, the projected state is not accurately displayed with priority given to the easy-to-understand representation of the drawing formed by each display pattern.

FIG. 3A is a plan view of the display device 1.
The light L emitted from the light source 4 enters the display panel 3 from the end face 3c. The light L passes through the inside of the display panel 3 and reaches the first to fourth display patterns 10A to 10D.
The first to fourth display patterns 10A to 10D are formed at a distance D with respect to the end surface 3c on which the light source 4 is disposed.

FIG. 3B shows an enlarged partial area AR1 in FIG. 3A. The partial area AR1 includes an area where the second and third display patterns 10B and 10C are formed.
As shown in FIG. 3B, a large number of second reflective elements 2B are arranged in the second display pattern 10B. Similarly, a large number of third reflective elements 2C are arranged in the third display pattern 10C. In the overlapping portion 10BC where the second display pattern 10B and the third display pattern 10C overlap, the second reflective element 2B and the third reflective element 2C are formed independently of each other.
Thus, each display pattern is configured as a set (element group) of reflective elements.

The second reflective element 2B and the third reflective element 2C are respectively set at predetermined angles (second angles β _B and β _C described later) with respect to an axis in the thickness direction of the display panel 3 (axis parallel to the Z axis). ). Although not shown, the first reflecting element 2A and the fourth reflecting element 2D are also arranged obliquely at a predetermined angle. By adjusting the angle of the reflection surface from the positional relationship between the light source 4 and the reflection surface of each reflection element and the viewpoint, the reflection light can be set to be emitted from each reflection element in the direction of a specific viewpoint.

Each display pattern needs to be recognized from a set viewpoint, and is not recognized from a viewpoint that is not set.
Recognizing from a viewpoint that is not set is not desirable because different display patterns are recognized simultaneously from one viewpoint.
In addition, the fact that the display pattern is not recognized from a viewpoint slightly deviated from the set viewpoint is also undesirable because the field of view range in which the display pattern can be recognized is limited.
Therefore, it is desirable that the angle distribution of components (X-axis component and Y-axis component) of the light L incident on one reflection element perpendicular to the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) of the display panel 3 is in a certain range. .
More specifically, it is preferable that the spread angle of the light L incident on one reflecting element is 1 ° or more and 10 ° or less in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the display panel.

FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display panel 3.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the first to fourth reflective elements 2A to 2D are notches (dents) formed in the rear surface 3b that is a surface facing the front surface 3a of the display panel 3. A plurality of first to fourth reflective elements 2A to 2D are formed on the rear surface 3b of the display panel 3.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the first to fourth reflecting elements 2A to 2D are arranged so that the reflecting surfaces 2Aa to 2Da face the light source 4. The light L emitted from the light source 4 enters the display panel 3 from the end face 3c and passes through the inside of the display panel. Further, the light L is reflected by the reflecting surfaces 2Aa to 2Da of the first to fourth reflecting elements 2A to 2D, emitted as reflected light LA to LD on the front surface 3a side of the display panel 3, and recognized by the observer. .

In the formation method of the reflection elements 2A to 2D, the shape of each reflection element may be formed by cutting, or a convex shape corresponding to the shape of each reflection element may be formed by heating transfer or UV effect transfer. Moreover, you may form simultaneously with the shaping | molding of the display panel 3, using the metal mold | die in which the fine convex part corresponding to each reflective element was formed.

The display panel 3 is not limited to the case where the reflective elements 2A to 2D are directly formed on the rear surface 3b. For example, the display panel 3 in which the reflective elements 2A to 2D are provided on the rear surface 3b may be configured by attaching a transparent film in which the reflective elements 2A to 2D are formed in advance to one surface of the light guide plate.

FIG. 4B shows an enlarged view of the first reflective element 2A shown in FIG.
The light L passing through the inside of the display panel 3 repeats total reflection on the front surface 3a and the rear surface 3b and reaches the reflection surface 2Aa. This is because an LED is assumed here as a representative point light source, and the LED light usually has a certain spread angle.

Since the light L passes through such an optical path, the traveling direction of the light L reaching the reflecting surface 2Aa has a component in the Z-axis direction and has a spread angle in the thickness direction of the display panel 3. Since the light L has a spread angle in the thickness direction of the display panel 3, the reflected light LA reflected by the reflecting surface 2Aa has a spread angle of the component in the Y-axis direction. Further, when the distance D (FIG. 4A) until the light L incident on the display panel 3 enters the reflecting surface 2Aa of the reflecting element 2A is sufficiently long, the display panel 3 is substantially thin. It can be regarded as light having a continuous distribution in the thickness direction.
Thus, the reflected light LA is emitted to the front surface 3a side of the display panel 3 with a certain spread angle. Therefore, even if the observer located at the viewpoint E shown in FIG. 4A moves in a predetermined range in the Y-axis direction, the reflected light LA can be recognized.
On the other hand, for example, in FIG. 1, when the point light source 4 is arranged in the left-right direction (+ X direction or -X direction) of the display panel and light is incident from the left and right, the light reflected by the reflecting element Will spread in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the light reflected from one reflective element is observed from a plurality of viewpoints, which is not desirable.
By making light incident on the display panel 3 from a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the viewpoints of the observer O are arranged, the light reflected from one reflecting element is not observed from a plurality of viewpoints. In addition, even when the observer O moves in a predetermined range in the vertical direction (± Y-axis direction), the specific reflected light LA can be recognized. Therefore, when the observer O observes the stereoscopic display pattern 10V facing the display panel 3, the light incident direction from the light source 4 to the display panel 3 is the downward direction (−Y axis direction) or the upward direction (+ Y axis direction). ) Is preferably incident.

Next, a specific shape of the reflecting element will be described with reference to FIG. 5A.
FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the second reflective element 2B. Hereinafter, the second reflective element 2B will be mainly described. The reflective elements 2A to 2D have the same configuration, and the description of the second reflective element 2B is representative of the reflective elements 2A to 2D.

The second reflective element 2B has a reflective surface 2Ba that reflects the light L emitted from the light source 4 to the front surface 3a side of the display panel 3. The reflection surface 2Ba faces the light source 4 and is formed substantially flat. Moreover, the shape of the cross section along the incident direction of the light from the light source 4 of the second reflective element 2B is a triangle having the reflective surface 2Ba as a hypotenuse.

The ratio h / w of the width w of the reflection surface 2Ba to the height h of the reflection surface 2Ba is preferably 0.2 or less. Due to processing restrictions, it is difficult for the reflecting surface 2Ba to form the edge portion 2Bc accurately. At the time of processing, the reflecting surface 2Ba has an R on the edge portion 2Bc or a rough surface near the edge portion 2Bc, so that the light hitting the edge portion 2Bc reflects and scatters light in directions other than the designed direction. become. By making the width w sufficiently large (more than 5 times) with respect to the height h, the ratio of the edge portion 2Bc to the reflective surface 2Ba can be made relatively small, and the amount of light reflected in an unintended direction. Can be relatively reduced.

Figure 4B, as shown in FIG. 5A, the reflective surface 2Ba, compared rear surface 3b of the display panel 3 is inclined at the first angle alpha _B. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 5A, the reflective element 2B has a second angle with respect to the X axis as if rotated about the axis in the thickness direction of the display panel 3 (axis parallel to the Z axis). Inclined at β _B.

By adjusting the first angle α _B and the second angle β _B , incident light can be reflected in an arbitrary direction on the front side of the display panel (in a range not exceeding the total reflection critical angle).
Since the light incident on the reflecting surface of the reflecting element has an angular distribution in the thickness direction as described above, the combination of the first angle α _B and the second angle β _B that reflects the incident light in a specific direction is Not one type. It is desirable that the first angle α _B can be constant and the second angle β _B can be adjusted so that the first angle α _B can be emitted in a predetermined direction. Alternatively, it may be determined in consideration of the intensity of incident light on the reflecting surface.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the third reflective element 2C.
The third reflecting element 2C has a reflecting surface 2Ca, and the reflecting surface 2Ca is inclined at a first angle α _C with respect to the rear surface 3b. Further, the third reflective element 2C is arranged to be inclined at the second angle β _C with respect to the X axis, as rotated about the axis in the thickness direction of the display panel 3 (axis parallel to the Z axis). Yes.
The second angle β _C of the third reflective element 2C shown in FIG. 5B is an angle opposite to the second angle β _B of the second reflective element 2B shown in FIG. 5A. When the second and third reflective elements 2B and 2C have second angles β _B and β _C in opposite directions, respectively, the reflected light LC from the third reflective element 2C and the second reflective element 2B The reflected light LB is emitted in the opposite direction to the X-axis direction.

The second and third reflective elements 2B and 2C have been described above. The other reflective elements, the first reflective element 2A and the fourth reflective element 2D, have the same configuration as the second and third reflective elements 2B and 2C. However, the first to fourth reflecting elements 2A to 2D have different configurations of the second corners in the respective arrangements and emit reflected light in different directions. The direction (second angle) in which the first to fourth reflecting elements 2A to 2D are arranged is determined according to the direction in which the reflected light is emitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reflective elements 2A to 2D of the display patterns (element groups) 10A to 10D reflect the light L incident on the display panel 3 and emit the reflected light LA to LD from the front surface 3a side. The emission directions of the reflected lights LA to LD are set to be different for each display pattern.

The first reflective element 2A of the first display pattern (first element group) 10A reflects the light L incident on the display panel 3 on the front surface 3a side (+ Z direction) and in the direction inclined toward the + X axis side. Reflect as. The reflected light LA is emitted toward the first viewpoint E1, which is a specific viewpoint.
Similarly, the second reflective element 2B of the second display pattern (second element group) 10B has the light L incident on the display panel 3 on the front surface 3a side (+ Z direction) and in a direction inclined toward the + X axis side. Reflected as reflected light LB. The reflected light LB is emitted toward the second viewpoint E2, which is a specific viewpoint. The reflected light LB is less inclined toward the + X-axis side than the reflected light LA of the first display pattern 10A.

The third reflective element 2C of the third display pattern (third element group) 10C reflects the light L incident on the display panel 3 in the direction inclined toward the -X axis side on the front surface 3a side (+ Z direction). Reflect as LC. The reflected light LC is emitted toward the third viewpoint E3 that is a specific viewpoint.
Similarly, the fourth reflective element 2D of the fourth display pattern (fourth element group) 10D is a direction in which the light L incident on the display panel 3 is inclined to the front 3a side (+ Z direction) and to the −X axis side. Is reflected as reflected light LD. The reflected light LD is emitted toward the fourth viewpoint E4 that is a specific viewpoint. The reflected light LD is less inclined to the −X axis side than the reflected light LC of the third display pattern 10C.

The reflected lights LA to LD emitted from the reflective elements 2A to 2D of the first to fourth display patterns 10A to 10D intersect from the front surface 3a of the display panel 3 at the intersection C having a height h in the + Z direction.
First to fourth viewpoints E1 to E4 shown in FIG. 1 are viewpoints that become the right eye or the left eye of an observer located on the front surface 3a side of the display panel 3. In the present embodiment, the first viewpoint E1 is a viewpoint located on the rightmost side (+ X axis direction) toward the front of the display panel 3, and the second viewpoint E2 and the third viewpoint in the −X direction from the first viewpoint E1. A viewpoint E3 and a fourth viewpoint E4 are arranged in this order.

The first viewpoint E1 is a viewpoint where only the reflected light LA reflected from the first display pattern 10A is visually recognized. Similarly, the second viewpoint E2 is a reflected light LB, the third viewpoint E3 is a reflected light LC, and the fourth viewpoint E4 is a viewpoint where only the reflected light LD is visually recognized.

The observer observes the display panel 3 so that two viewpoints selected from the first to fourth viewpoints E1 to E4 are the right eye and the left eye, respectively.
For example, an observer O who observes the display panel 3 from the front surface 3a side of the display panel 3 with the second viewpoint E2 as the left eye and the third viewpoint E3 as the right eye is assumed (see FIG. 1). The observer O recognizes the second display pattern 10B at the second viewpoint E2 (left eye) and recognizes the third display pattern 10C at the third viewpoint E3 (right eye). The intersection C between the reflected light LB reaching the left eye (second viewpoint E2) from the second display pattern 10B and the reflected light LC reaching the right eye (third viewpoint E3) from the third display pattern 10C is separated from the display panel 3. Height H is set. As a result, the observer recognizes the stereoscopic display pattern 10 </ b> V that rises to the height H from the display panel 3 due to the parallax between both eyes.

The principle by which the observer O shown in FIG. 1 recognizes the stereoscopic display pattern 10V will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the principle when the display panel 3 is viewed from the light source 4 side. In FIG. 6, only the reflective elements related to the second display pattern 10B and the third display pattern 10C are shown. As the plurality of reflective elements 2B of the second display pattern 10B, four second reflective elements 2B1, 2B2, 2B3, 2B4 are shown, and as the plurality of reflective elements of the third display pattern 10C, four third reflective elements 2C1, 2C2 are shown. 2C3 and 2C4 are shown. In the present embodiment, more reflective elements are formed, but here, description will be made assuming that there are four elements included in each of the display patterns 10B and 10C. Further, the reflection elements 2A and 2D of the first and fourth display patterns 10A and 10D are omitted.

The four second reflective elements 2B1, 2B2, 2B3, 2B4 of the second display pattern 10B correspond to the four third reflective elements 2C1, 2C2, 2C3, 2C4 of the third display pattern, respectively. For example, the second reflective element 2B1 is a dot that is positioned closest to the + X axis in the second display pattern 10B, and the third reflective element 2C1 that corresponds to the second reflective element 2B1 is positioned closest to the + X axis in the third display pattern 10C. It is a dot. Here, for the sake of explanation, the second and third display patterns 10B and 10C will be described as having one-to-one corresponding reflective elements, but each reflective element is necessarily provided with a corresponding reflective element. There is no. That is, as long as the entire element group (display pattern) is projected and drawn with the stereoscopic display pattern 10V as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, the arrangement of the reflective elements is not limited.

The second reflecting elements 2B1 to 2B4 reflect the light from the light source 4 and emit the reflected lights LB1, LB2, LB3, and LB4 to the front surface 3a side of the display panel 3, respectively. The reflection surfaces 2Ba of the second reflection elements 2B1 to 2B4 are arranged so that the respective reflected lights LB1 to LB4 are emitted to the second viewpoint E2 that is the left eye of the observer O (the second angle β in FIG. 5A). _B ) is set.
Similarly, the third reflecting elements 2C1 to 2C4 emit the reflected lights LC1, LC2, LC3, and LC4 to the front surface 3a side of the display panel 3. The reflecting surfaces 2Ca of the third reflecting elements 2C1 to 2C4 have their angles (the second angle β in FIG. 5B) so that the respective reflected lights LC1 to LC4 are emitted to the third viewpoint E3 that is the right eye of the observer O. _C ) is set.

The second reflecting element 2B1 and the third reflecting element 2C1, which are corresponding reflecting elements, connect the intersection C1 at a height H in the + Z direction from the display panel 3. Similarly, the corresponding reflective element 2B2 and reflective element 2C2, reflective element 2B3 and reflective element 2C3, reflective element 2B4 and reflective element 2C4 connect intersections C2, C3, and C4 at height H, respectively.
Each of the intersections C1, C2, C3, and C4 is arranged on a plane having a height H from the display panel 3.

The reflected lights LB1 to LB4 from the reflecting elements 2B1 to 2B4 of the second display pattern 10B are emitted toward the second viewpoint E2 and are viewed with the left eye of the observer O, but are not viewed with the right eye. In addition, the reflected lights LC1 to LC4 from the reflecting elements 2C1 to 2C4 of the third display pattern 10C are emitted toward the third viewpoint E3 and viewed with the right eye of the observer O, but not with the left eye.

Therefore, the observer O recognizes that the reflected lights LB1 and LC1 emitted from the corresponding reflecting elements 2B1 and 2C1 are emitted from the intersection C1 in space. Similarly, the observer recognizes that the corresponding reflected light LB2 and reflected light LC2, the reflected light LB3 and reflected light LC3, and the reflected light LB4 and reflected light LC4 are emitted from the intersections C2, C3, and C4, respectively. . The observer O will feel as if there is a light emitting source at the intersections C1 to C4 in the space, and will recognize the stereoscopic display pattern 10V displayed stereoscopically.
The display device 1 can realize stereoscopic viewing in this way.

In the above, the stereoscopic view in the case of assuming the observer O who has the second viewpoint E2 as the left eye and the third viewpoint E3 as the right eye has been described. However, the display device 1 is capable of stereoscopic viewing even when an observer who assumes any two viewpoints among the first to fourth viewpoints E1 to E4 shown in FIG. 1 as the right eye and the left eye is assumed.
For example, stereoscopic viewing is also possible from an observer who uses the first viewpoint E1 and the second viewpoint E2 as the left eye and the right eye. That is, stereoscopic viewing is possible from an observer at various angles on the right and left with respect to the display panel 3.
In addition, stereoscopic viewing is also possible from an observer who uses the first viewpoint E1 and the fourth viewpoint E4 as the left eye and the right eye. In this case, an observer who is closer to the display panel 3 than the observer O in FIG. 1 is assumed. That is, stereoscopic viewing is possible even when the observer approaches the display panel 3 or moves away.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the principle, and the second display pattern 10B and the third display pattern 10C each have a one-to-one reflection element. However, it is not always necessary to have reflective elements corresponding one-to-one. If the display pattern as a collection of reflective elements is configured as a projected drawing of the stereoscopic display pattern 10V, the stereoscopic display pattern 10V can be viewed by an observer using parallax.

Next, the spread angle γ in the traveling direction of the light L incident on the reflecting surfaces 2Aa to 2Da of the reflecting elements 2A to 2D will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the light L has a spread angle γ in the XY plane. When the spread angle γ is large, the X-axis component (spread angle in the XZ plane) of the reflected light LB reflected by the reflecting surface 2Ba increases. If the X-axis component of the reflected light LB becomes too large, the recognizable range of the reflected light LB reflected from the second reflective element 2B becomes wide. As a result, the reflected light LB is recognized from both eyes, and stereoscopic display using parallax cannot be performed. If the spread angle γ is too small, the emission range of the reflected light LB becomes narrow. As a result, the region where the reflected light LB can be recognized becomes too narrow, and the image cannot be observed depending on the position of the observer. Therefore, the spread angle γ of the light L incident on the reflecting surface 2Ba in the XY plane is preferably 1 ° or more and 10 ° or less, and more preferably 1 ° or more and 6 ° or less.

When the observer O shown in FIG. 6 is a person having general physical characteristics, the distance De between the eyes of the observer O is about 60 mm. Further, it is assumed that the distance Do between the viewpoints E2 and E3 of the observer O and the display panel 3 is 600 mm or less.
Under such conditions, the reflected light LA to LD is the X-axis component and the divergence angle in the XZ plane is 6 ° or less, so that the reflected light LA to LD is only on one eye of the observer. It can be configured to be recognized. In order to set the spread angle of the reflected lights LA to LD to 6 ° or less, the spread angle γ in the XY plane of the light incident on the reflecting surfaces 2Aa to 2Da of the reflecting elements 2A to 2D shown in FIG. (See FIG. 5B) is preferably 6 ° or less.

When the distance Do between the viewpoints E2 and E3 of the observer O and the display panel 3 is assumed to be 350 mm or less, it is an X-axis component of the reflected light LA to LD and is in the XZ plane. By setting the divergence angle at 10 ° or less, the reflected light LA to LD can be recognized only by one eye of the observer. In order to set the spread angle of the reflected lights LA to LD in the XZ plane to 10 ° or less, the light in the XY plane incident on the reflecting surfaces 2Aa to 2Da of the reflecting elements 2A to 2D shown in FIG. 5A is shown. The spread angle γ (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) is preferably 10 ° or less.

Note that the spread angle γ in the XY plane of the light L described above relates to the light incident on the reflection surface of each individual reflection element. Therefore, for example, even if the reflection elements are included in the same display pattern (element group), light incident on different reflection elements may have different angular distributions. However, when attention is paid to light incident on a specific reflecting element, the spread angle γ of the light in the XY plane is 1 ° or more and 10 ° or less, or 1 ° or more and 6 ° or less.

In this embodiment, the reflected lights LB1 to LB4 and the corresponding reflected lights LC1 to LC4 connect the intersections C1 to C4 on the front surface 3a side of the display panel 3 to form a three-dimensional display pattern 10V that floats on the front surface 3a side. However, the reflected lights LB1 to LB4 and the corresponding reflected lights LC1 to LC4 may not intersect directly, and their extension lines may intersect on the rear surface 3b side of the display panel 3. In this case, it is visually recognized by the observer O as if the stereoscopic display pattern 10V was sunk with respect to the display panel 3.

The reflective elements 2A to 2D are physically formed in a transparent material as a hollow shape, and reflect light to the front surface 3a side of the display panel 3 using total reflection. However, when using total reflection, an angle direction in which reflected light becomes weak may be formed due to the critical angle relationship. Therefore, for the purpose of widening the angle region where reflection is possible, the mirror surface treatment by silver deposition may be performed on the reflection surfaces 2Aa to 2Da of the reflection elements 2A to 2D.

The reflection elements 2A to 2D may have a structure having reflection surfaces 2Aa to 2Da for reflecting light from the light source 4 to the front surface 3a side of the display panel 3, and may have other shapes.
7A to 7E show reflective elements 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 as examples applicable to the first embodiment.

The reflective element 21 shown in FIG. 7A has a triangular pyramid shape with one surface as the reflective surface 21a. The reflecting element 22 shown in FIG. 7B has a shape obtained by obliquely cutting a cylinder, and the cut surface is configured as a reflecting surface 22a.

The reflective elements 23 and 24 shown in FIG. 7C and FIG. The reflective element 25 shown in FIG. 7E has a shape similar to a triangular pyramid, and one surface that is a reflective surface has a curved surface shape. The reflection surfaces 23a, 24a, and 25a of these reflection elements 23, 24, and 25 are formed as cylindrical outer peripheral surfaces.

As in the reflective elements 21 and 22 in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the reflective surfaces 21a and 22a are preferably formed in a plane. In addition, when the reflecting surfaces 23a, 24a, 25a are curved like the reflecting elements 23, 24, 25 of FIGS. 7C to 7E, the surfaces parallel to the reflecting surfaces 23a, 24a, 25a and the display panel 3 (that is, It is preferable that the lines intersecting the plane (XY plane parallel to the XY plane) are straight lines and the straight lines are parallel to each other. Even if a surface of any height is assumed as a surface parallel to the display panel 3, the reflected light can be reflected in the X-axis direction as long as they are straight lines and are parallel to each other. Does not spread to. Specifically, a shape in which the cylindrical surface is laid as shown in FIG. 7C to FIG. 7E can be mentioned.
When such a curved surface is used as a reflecting surface, options for each method for forming the reflecting elements 21 and 22 can be expanded.

In the reflecting elements 21 to 25 shown in FIGS. 7A to 7E, the ratio h / w of the width w to the height h of the reflecting surfaces 21a to 25a is preferably 0.2 or less. By making the width w sufficiently large (more than 5 times) with respect to the height h, the ratio of the edge portions 2Bc formed at the peripheral edges of the reflecting surfaces 21a to 25a can be made relatively small, which is not intended. The amount of light reflected in the direction can be relatively reduced.

<First Modification>
The display device 1 of the first embodiment uses a point light source typified by an LED as the light source 4. As a result, the angular distribution (that is, the spread angle γ) of the light incident on the reflecting surface of the single reflecting element is narrowed. In such a case, a region where light does not reach near both end portions in the vicinity of the light incident portion is generated, and thus a display pattern cannot be arranged in such a region.
On the other hand, light in which components in the XY plane are made close to parallel in advance (specifically, light having a spread angle in the XY plane of 1 ° to 10 °, preferably 6 ° or less) is displayed. You may make it inject into the whole region of the end surface 3c of the panel 3. FIG. Such an example will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 as a first modification and a second modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a display device 41 of a first modification. In the display device 41, a plate-shaped cylindrical lens 42 having a thickness substantially the same as that of the display panel 3 is disposed between the light source 4 and the display panel 3.
The cylindrical lens 42 is formed in a fan shape. A lens surface 42 a that is a fan-shaped curved portion of the cylindrical lens 42 is disposed so as to face the end surface 3 c of the display panel 3. The cylindrical lens 42 is a surface opposite to the lens surface 42a, and a flat surface 42b is formed on the focal side of the lens surface 42a. The light source 4 is disposed at a position facing the flat surface 42b so as to coincide with the focal point of the lens surface 42a.

The light L emitted from the light source 4 enters the cylindrical lens 42 from the flat surface 42b of the cylindrical lens 42. Since the light source 4 radiates light radially, the light L spreads radially inside the cylindrical lens 42. The light L that has reached the lens surface 42 a of the cylindrical lens 42 is refracted into parallel light and is emitted toward the display panel 3. Further, the light L is incident on the display panel 3 from the end face 3c of the display panel 3 while maintaining parallelism.

According to the display device 41 of the first modification, the component orthogonal to the thickness direction of the light incident on the display panel 3 can be made parallel in advance. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the distance D from the end surface 3c of the display panel 3 to each of the display patterns 10A to 10D, and the display device 41 applicable to various uses can be provided.
In addition, the light L emitted from the light source 4 can be distributed and incident on the entire end surface 3 c of the display panel 3 by the cylindrical lens 42. Therefore, the light L can be reliably incident on the display elements of the display pattern formed in the vicinity of both ends of the display panel 3.
In the display device 41 shown in FIG. 8, the cylindrical lens 42 is configured separately from the display panel 3, but these are partially connected as long as the light L does not interfere with the parallel light. May be.
Further, in the display device 41, the cylindrical lens 42 is not limited to a single lens, and a plurality of cylindrical lenses 42 may be arranged.

<Second Modification>
FIG. 9 shows a display device 44 of a second modification. The display device 44 includes a reflector 45 that reflects the light L emitted from the light source 5, which is a point light source, into parallel light.
The reflector 45 is made of a transparent material. The reflector 45 is a plate-like member having a parabolic shape formed on its outer shape. The thickness of the reflector 45 is substantially the same as that of the display panel 3. The reflector 45 has a parabolic reflection curved surface 45a and a flat surface 45b which is a surface opposite to the reflection curved surface 45a. A mirror surface is formed on the reflection curved surface 45a so that light incident from the inside of the reflector 45 is reflected.

The reflector 45 is arranged so that the flat surface 45b and the end surface 3c of the display panel 3 face each other in parallel. Further, the light source 5 is disposed at a portion corresponding to the focal point of the parabola of the reflector 45. The light source 5 is provided with a shielding portion 5a on the flat surface 45b side. The light emitted from the light source 5 is not directly incident on the flat surface 45b side by the shielding portion 5a.

When the light L emitted from the light source 5 reaches the reflection curved surface 45a, it is reflected to the display panel 3 side. Since the reflection curved surface 45a is formed in a parabolic shape, and the light source 5 is disposed at the focal point of the parabola, the reflected light L becomes parallel light having no X-axis component. The light L is incident on the display panel 3 through the flat surface 45b and the end surface 3c.

According to the display device 44 of the second modified example, the same effect as that of the display device 41 of the first modified example described above can be obtained. That is, there is no need to increase the distance D from the end face 3c of the display panel 3 to each of the display patterns 10A to 10D, and the display device 44 applicable to various uses can be provided. Further, the light L emitted from the light source 4 is distributed and made incident on the entire area of the end surface 3c of the display panel 3 by the reflector 45, so that the display element of the display pattern formed near both ends of the display panel 3 Also, the light L can be reliably incident.
In addition, the light L emitted from the flat surface 45 b of the reflector 45 enters the display panel 3 through a gap of the same distance at any position on the end surface 3 c of the display panel 3. Therefore, the light L is unlikely to have a light intensity distribution. That is, the display patterns 10A to 10D can be irradiated with light having the same luminous intensity. As a result, the display patterns 10A to 10D can make the stereoscopic display pattern 10V visible more clearly with the light intensity being constant.
In the display device 44 shown in FIG. 9, the reflector 45 is configured separately from the display panel 3, but the reflector 45 is a part of the display panel 3, and a reflection curved surface 45 a is formed on a part of the display panel 3. May be formed.
In the display device 44, the number of the reflectors 45 is not limited to one, and a plurality of reflectors 45 may be arranged.

<Third Modification>
In the display device 1 of the first embodiment, the light source 4 is disposed on the end surface 3c side of the display panel 3, and the light L emitted from the point light source is incident on the display panel 3 from the end surface 3c.
On the other hand, the light source 4 may be disposed on the front or rear side of the display panel, and the light L from the light source 4 may be incident on the display panel from the front or rear surface. Such an example will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 as third and fourth modifications.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device 71 according to a third modification of the first embodiment. The display device 71 includes a display panel 73 and a light source 4 arranged on the front surface 73a side. A plurality of reflective elements 72 are formed on the front, rear, or inside of the display panel 73, and these reflective elements 72 constitute a plurality of display patterns.
A reflective surface 72 a is formed on the reflective element 72. The reflective surface 72 a is formed on the surface of the reflective element 72 that faces the light source 4. The reflective element 72 is formed with a mirror surface so as to reflect light toward the front surface 73 a of the display panel 73.
The light L emitted from the light source 4 enters the display panel 73 from the front surface 73 a and reaches the reflection surface 72 a of the reflection element 72. The light L is reflected by the reflecting surface 72 a and is emitted to the front surface 73 a side of the display panel 73. Further, the light L is visually recognized by the viewpoint E on the front surface 73 a side of the display panel 73.
The reflection surface 72a of each reflection element 72 may have a different inclination angle (first angle α) along the direction (Y-axis direction) from the light source 4 to the display panel 73. The reflecting surface 72a of each reflecting element 72 has a first angle α (not shown) and a second angle β (not shown, β _{B in} FIG. 3B) so as to reflect the light incident from the light source 4 toward the viewpoint E. , Corresponding to β _C ).
In such a case, the reflecting surface 72a of the reflecting element 72 always deviates from the total reflection critical angle, and therefore the reflecting surface 72a of the reflecting element 72 needs to be subjected to a mirror surface treatment.

According to the display device 71, the light source 4 can be arranged on the front surface 73 a side of the display panel 73. Therefore, it is not necessary to arrange any device on the periphery of the display panel 73, and the display device 71 with high design can be provided.
In addition, the display panel 73 may be mirror-finished not only on the reflective surface 72a but also on the entire rear surface 73b. That is, the display panel 73 may be restricted from transmitting light (transmitting visible light) from the front surface 73a side to the rear surface 73b side.

<Fourth Modification>
FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device 81 according to a fourth modified example of the first embodiment. The display device 81 includes a display panel 83 and a light source 4 disposed on the rear surface 83b side. A plurality of reflective elements 82 are formed on the front, rear, or inside of the display panel 83, and these reflective elements 82 constitute a plurality of display patterns.
A reflective surface 82 a is formed on the reflective element 82. The reflection surface 82 a is formed on the surface of the reflection element 82 that faces the light source 4. The reflecting element 82 is formed with a mirror surface so as to reflect light toward the front surface 83 a of the display panel 83.
The light L emitted from the light source 4 enters the display panel 83 from the rear surface 83b and reaches the reflection surface 82a of the reflection element 82. The light L is reflected by the reflecting surface 82 a and is emitted to the front surface 83 a side of the display panel 83. Further, the light L is visually recognized from the viewpoint E on the front surface 83 a side of the display panel 83.
The reflection surface 82 a of each reflection element 82 may have a different inclination angle (first angle α) along the direction (Y-axis direction) from the light source 4 to the display panel 83. The reflecting surface 82a of each reflecting element 82 has a first angle α (not shown) and a second angle β (not shown, β _{B in} FIG. 3B) so as to reflect the light incident from the light source 4 toward the viewpoint E. , Corresponding to β _C ).
When the reflective element is a depression formed on the rear surface of the display panel 83, the reflective surface 82a of the reflective element 82 is always within the total reflection critical angle, and therefore it is not necessary to mirror the reflective surface 82a.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
In the first embodiment described above, the intersection of the corresponding reflective elements is configured at a certain height H from the front surface 3 a of the display panel 3. Therefore, although the stereoscopic display pattern 10V appears to float from the front surface 3a of the display panel 3, the lifted stereoscopic display pattern 10V itself is visually recognized in a plane.
On the other hand, you may arrange | position the intersection of the reflected light from a corresponding reflective element shifting in the height direction. In this case, the stereoscopic display pattern not only appears to float, but also the pattern itself is expressed in three dimensions. A display device 31 that enables such stereoscopic viewing will be described as a second embodiment with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram of the display device 31 of the second embodiment. Constituent elements that are the same as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
As shown in FIG. 12, the display device 31 is schematically configured by a display panel 33 made of a transparent material, and a point light source (light source) 4 that receives light from an end surface 33 c of the display panel 33.
The display device 31 reflects the light incident from the light source 4 to the front surface 33a side of the display panel 33 and observes the left eye (first viewpoint E1) and right eye (second viewpoint E2) of the viewer from the front surface 33a side of the display panel 33. ) To cause the observer O to stereoscopically recognize the sphere (stereoscopic display pattern, display object) 30V.

The display panel 33 has two display patterns (a first display pattern 30A and a second display pattern 30B) corresponding to the first viewpoint E1 and the second viewpoint E2 in order to make the observer recognize the sphere 30V.
The first display pattern 30 </ b> A is a projection drawing drawn on the surface of the display panel 33 from the first viewpoint E <b> 1 with respect to the virtual sphere 30 </ b> V floating from the display panel 33. Similarly, the second display pattern 30B is a projected drawing drawn on the surface of the display panel 33 from the second viewpoint E2 with respect to the sphere 30V. By recognizing the first viewpoint E1 and the second viewpoint E2 from the left eye (first viewpoint E1) and right eye (second viewpoint E2) of the observer, the sphere 30V can be recognized using parallax.
The first display pattern (first element group) 30A is configured by assembling first reflective elements 32A. The plurality of first reflecting elements 32A reflect the light L from the light source 4 and make it incident on the first viewpoint E1.
Similarly, the second display pattern (second element group) 30B includes a plurality of second reflective elements 32B that reflect the light L and enter the second viewpoint E2.
The first reflective element 32A and the second reflective element 32B are formed on the rear surface 33b of the display panel 33 and have the same shape as in the first embodiment.

Any one of the plurality of first reflective elements 32A included in the first display pattern 30A is defined as a reflective element 32A1. The reflective element of the second display pattern 30B corresponding to the reflective element 32A1 is referred to as a reflective element 32B1.
The reflective element 32A1 of the first display pattern 30A emits the reflected light LA1 toward the first viewpoint E1. The reflective element 32B1 of the second display pattern 30B emits the reflected light LB1 toward the second viewpoint E2. These reflected lights LA1 and LB1 are not recognized from the other viewpoint. Accordingly, the observer O recognizes as if there is a light emitting point at the intersection C1 between the reflected light LA1 and the reflected light LB1. This intersection C1 is configured at a height H1 on the front surface 33a side of the display panel 33.

In addition, among the first reflective elements 32A of the first display pattern 30A, a reflective element 32A2 different from the previous reflective element 32A1 and the reflective element 32B2 of the second display pattern 30B corresponding to the reflective element 32A2 will be described.
The reflected lights LA2 and LB2 reflected from the reflecting element 32A2 and the reflecting element 32B2 respectively constitute the intersection C2 at the height H2 on the front surface 33a side of the display panel 33. Therefore, the observer O recognizes as if there is a light emitting point at the position of the height H2.

The intersection C1 and the intersection C2 are recognized as different heights H1 and H2, respectively. In this way, the sphere 30V can be recognized in a three-dimensional manner by setting the reflection directions of the reflective elements 32A and 32B of the display patterns 30A and 30B so as to constitute the surface of the sphere 30V.

Note that the first display pattern 30A and the second display pattern 30B do not necessarily have to have reflective elements corresponding to each other one to one. If the display pattern as a collection of reflective elements is configured as a projected drawing of a virtual sphere 30V, the sphere 30V can be viewed three-dimensionally by an observer using parallax.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a display device 51 according to a third embodiment having two display panels will be described.
FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of the display device 51 of the third embodiment. Constituent elements that are the same as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

The display device 51 includes a first display panel 53, a second display panel 54 stacked on the rear surface 53b of the first display panel 53, a light source 4A provided on an end surface 53c of the first display panel 53, and a second display panel 53. And a light source 4B provided on an end surface 54c of the display panel 54. The light source 4A irradiates the inside of the display panel 35 with the light L1 from the end surface 53c, and the light source 4B irradiates the inside of the display panel 54 with the light L2 from 54c.

The first display panel 53 and the second display panel 54 are stacked without being in close contact with each other. When the first display panel 53 and the second display panel 54 are brought into close contact with each other, light may enter from one panel to the other panel, which may hinder stereoscopic visibility.

A first display pattern 55A and a second display pattern 55B are formed on the rear surface 53b of the first display panel 53. The first display pattern 55A is configured as an aggregate (element group) of a plurality of first reflective elements 57A, and the second display pattern 55B is configured as an aggregate (element group) of a plurality of second reflective elements 57B. Yes. The first display pattern 55A and the second display pattern 55B together form a drawing “A”.

The light L1 irradiated to the first display panel 53 is reflected by the reflective elements 57A and 57B of the first and second display patterns 55A and 55B, and reflected on the front surface 53a side of the first display panel 53 as reflected light LA1 and LB2, respectively. It is injected. The reflected light LA1 and the reflected light LB2 intersect in the space on the front surface 53a side of the first display panel 53, and head toward the first viewpoint E1 and the second viewpoint E2, respectively. The reflected light LA toward the first viewpoint E1 is not visually recognized from the second viewpoint E2, and the reflected light LB toward the second viewpoint E2 is not visually recognized from the first viewpoint E1. An observer who observes the first and second display panels 53 and 54 from the front surface 53a side of the first display panel 53, with the first and second viewpoints E1 and E2 as the left eye and the right eye, respectively, The drawing “A” is recognized as the pattern (display object) 55V.

A first display pattern 56A and a second display pattern 56B are formed on the rear surface 54b of the second display panel 54. The first display pattern 56A is configured as an aggregate (element group) of a plurality of first reflective elements 58A, and the second display pattern 56B is configured as an aggregate (element group) of a plurality of second reflective elements 58B. Yes. The first display pattern 56A and the second display pattern 56B together form a drawing “B”.

The light L2 applied to the second display panel 54 is reflected by the reflective elements 58A and 58B of the first and second display patterns 56A and 56B, and is reflected on the front surface 53a side of the first display panel 53 as reflected light LA2 and LB2, respectively. It is injected. The reflected light LA2 and the reflected light LB2 travel to the first viewpoint E1 and the second viewpoint E2, respectively, after intersecting. An observer who observes the first and second display panels 53 and 54 from the front surface 53a side of the first display panel 53, with the first and second viewpoints E1 and E2 as the left eye and the right eye, respectively, The drawing “B” is recognized as the pattern (display object) 55V.

The display device 51 of the third embodiment can cause the observer to simultaneously recognize the drawing “A” and the drawing “B” that are three-dimensionally raised by simultaneously turning on the light source 4A and the light source 4B.
When the light source 4A and the light source 4B are alternately turned on, a three-dimensional drawing “A” and a drawing “B” that are switched at a predetermined timing can be displayed. In this way, animation can be displayed by a method of switching display.

Further, since one display panel displays only one type of color, multi-color expression can be achieved by stacking the display panels.
In the present embodiment, by using the light source A and the light source B as light sources that emit different colors of light, two-color three-dimensional representation is possible.
Further, by using a third display panel in addition to the first and second display panels 53 and 54, the color of the light source irradiated to each may be red, green, and blue which are the three primary colors of light. In this case, the same drawing (for example, drawing “A”) is formed on the first, second, and third display panels, and the three-dimensional drawing that develops various colors can be displayed by switching the light source. .

In addition, the display device 51 of the third embodiment has a structure in which the display panels 53 and 54 are stacked, so that the focus of the observer's eyes is less likely to concentrate on the front surface of the display panel. Therefore, according to this display device 51, it becomes easy for the observer to make a three-dimensional visual recognition.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.
FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram of a display device 61 according to the fourth embodiment. Constituent elements that are the same as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
As shown in FIG. 14, the display device 61 is generally configured by a display panel 63 made of a transparent material and a point light source (light source) 4 that receives light from an end face 63 c of the display panel 63.
The display device 61 reflects light incident from the light source 4 to the front surface 63a side of the display panel 63, and transmits the light to the first observer O1 and the second observer O2 positioned in different directions on the front surface 63a side of the display panel 63. On the other hand, this is a device for visually recognizing different display patterns (drawing “A” and drawing “B”, respectively).

The display panel 63 has two display patterns (a first display pattern 60A and a second display pattern 60B) corresponding to the first viewpoint E1 and the second viewpoint E2.
The first display pattern 60A displays the drawing “A” as an aggregate (element group) of the first reflective elements 62A. The first reflecting element 62A reflects the light L from the light source 4 and makes it incident on the first viewpoint E1.
The second display pattern 60B displays the drawing “B” as an aggregate (element group) of the second reflective elements 62B. The second reflecting element 62B reflects the light L from the light source 4 and makes it incident on the second viewpoint E2.
The first and second reflecting elements 62A and 62B are notches (dents) formed in the rear surface 63b of the display panel 63, and have the same shape as the reflecting elements 2A to 2D of the first embodiment.
In addition, the 1st reflective element 62A and the 2nd reflective element 62B are formed in the rear surface 63b of the display panel 63 similarly to 1st Embodiment, and have the same shape.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram when the display panel 63 is viewed from the light source 4 side.
The reflection surfaces 62Aa of the plurality of first reflection elements 62A included in the first display pattern 60A and the reflection surfaces 62Ba of the plurality of second reflection elements 62B included in the second display pattern 60B are different from each other (first The reflected lights LA and LB are emitted in a direction toward the observer O1 and a direction toward the second observer O2.
The first reflective element 62A of the first display pattern 60A reflects the light from the light source 4 and emits the reflected light LA toward the first observer O1. The reflection surfaces 62Aa of the plurality of first reflection elements 62A are visually recognized from the right eye E1R and the left eye E1L of the first observer O1. Further, since the diffusion of the reflected light LA is within a certain range, the reflected light LA is not visually recognized by the second observer O2.
Similarly, the reflective element of the second display pattern 60B is visually recognized by the second observer O2 using the light from the light source 4 as reflected light LB. Further, the reflected light LB is not visually recognized by the first observer O1.

According to the display device 61 configured in this manner, the first observer O1 can visually recognize the drawing “A” of the first display pattern 60A and visually recognize the drawing “B” of the second display pattern 60B. Can not. Similarly, the drawing “B” of the second display pattern 60B can be visually recognized from the second observer O2, and the drawing “A” of the first display pattern 60A cannot be visually recognized. That is, the display device 61 can change the drawing pattern from different viewpoints. For example, when the first observer O1 moves to the position of the second observer O2, morphing in which the visually recognized display pattern is gradually switched from the drawing “A” to the drawing “B” can be realized. By making the drawing corresponding to the first and second display patterns 60A and 60B correspond to the movement of the person, it is also possible to perform animation expression that operates by changing the viewpoint of the observer. Moreover, the display panel 63 itself may be moved or rotated to change the relative positional relationship between the observer and the display panel, thereby switching the drawing to be recognized by the observer.

<Fifth Embodiment>
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described.
FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device 91 according to the fifth embodiment. Constituent elements that are the same as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
As shown in FIG. 16, the display device 91 includes a display panel 93 and the light source 4 disposed on the front surface 93a side. The display device 91 of the present embodiment is similar to the display device 71 of the third modification example of the first embodiment in that the light source 4 is disposed on the front surface 93a side of the display panel 93.

The surface 93d of the display panel 93 includes a front surface 93a and a rear surface 93b. The display panel 93 of the present embodiment is made of, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel or an aluminum alloy, or a non-transparent resin material. That is, the display panel 93 of the present embodiment is made of a non-transparent material and does not transmit the light L incident on the front surface 93a to the rear surface 93b side.
The display panel 93 may be translucent as long as the background cannot be seen through.

A plurality of reflective elements 92 are formed on the front surface 93 a of the display panel 93. The reflective element 92 is a notch (dent) formed in the front surface 93 a of the display panel 93. The reflective element 92 has a reflective surface 92 a that faces the light source 4. The reflecting surface 92a is preferably subjected to a mirror surface treatment. Thereby, even if the incident angle of the light L irradiated from the light source 4 and incident on the reflecting surface 92a deviates from the total reflection critical angle, the light L can be reliably reflected to the front surface 93a side.

The reflective element 92 can be formed by machining the front surface 93a of the display panel 93. As an example, the reflective element 92 can be formed by cutting the front surface 93a of the display panel 93 using a diamond tool. In this case, the reflecting surface 92a having excellent surface properties can be formed. The reflective element 92 may be formed by pressing the processing tool against the front surface 93a of the display panel 93 and deforming the front surface 93a. Furthermore, when the display panel 93 is made of a resin material, the reflective element 92 may be formed by heat transfer or UV effect transfer of a convex shape corresponding to the shape of the reflective element 92. When the display panel 93 is made of a resin material, the reflective element 92 may be formed at the same time as the display panel 93 is molded.

The reflective element 92 constitutes a plurality of display patterns (corresponding to the display patterns 10A to 10D of the first embodiment) in the same manner as the reflective elements 2A to 2D of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1). Similarly to the first embodiment, each display pattern reflects the light L in a specific viewpoint direction by the reflective element 92 having the reflective surface 92a at a specific angle, and displays the stereoscopic display pattern to the viewer on the front surface 93a side. Recognize

The light L emitted from the light source 4 enters the reflection surface 92a of the reflection element 92 provided on the front surface 93a of the display panel 93. The light L is reflected to the front surface 93a side by the reflecting surface 92a and is visually recognized at the viewpoint E on the front surface 93a side of the display panel 93.
The reflection surface 92 a of each reflection element 92 may have a different inclination angle (first angle α) along the direction (Y-axis direction) from the light source 4 to the display panel 93. The reflecting surface 92a of each reflecting element 92 has a first angle α (not shown) and a second angle β (not shown, β in FIG. 3B) so as to reflect the light L incident from the light source 4 toward the viewpoint E. _B , corresponding to β _C ) are adjusted.

According to the display device 91 of this embodiment, stereoscopic display or morphing display can be performed using the display panel 93 made of a non-transparent material as in the above-described embodiments.
In the display device 91 of this embodiment, the light source 4 does not necessarily have to be arranged on the front side. For example, the light source 4 may be disposed on the rear surface 93b side, and light may be applied to the display panel 93 from the front surface 93a side through a reflector such as a mirror.
In the present embodiment, a point light source may be used as the light source 4, and the cylindrical lens 42 (see FIG. 8) or the reflector 45 (see FIG. 9) may be disposed in the optical path from the light source 4 to the display panel 93. Thereby, the light which made the component orthogonal to the thickness direction of the display panel 93 near parallel can be entered.

<First Modification of Fifth Embodiment>
Next, a first modification of the fifth embodiment will be described.
FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device 91A of the first modification. Constituent elements in the same mode as the above-described fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 17, it has the display panel 93A and the light source 4 arrange | positioned at the front surface 93Aa side. The display device 91A has a configuration substantially similar to that of the display device 91 of the fifth embodiment, but the configuration of the display panel 93A is different.

The display panel 93A of the display device 91A is made of a transparent material 95 having a non-transparent coating 96 on the front surface 93Aa side. Therefore, in the display panel 93A, transmission of visible light (transmission) from the front surface 93Aa side to the rear surface 93Ab side (or from the rear surface 93Ab side to the front surface 93Aa side) is limited. Therefore, the display panel 93A has a configuration in which the background from the front surface 93Aa side to the rear surface 93Ab side (or from the rear surface 93Ab side to the front surface 93Aa side) cannot be seen through.
In this modification, the display panel 93A is exemplified by the non-transparent coating 96 on the front surface 93Aa side, but the display panel 93A may be provided with the non-transparent coating 96 on the rear surface 93Ab side. In addition, the display panel 93A may be a transparent material that is partially coated with a non-transparent coating.

In this modification, the non-transparent coating 96 is a mirror surface coating (mirror surface treatment). In the display device 91A of the present modification, a reflective element 92 is formed on the front surface 93Aa of the display panel 93A, as with the display device 91 of the fifth embodiment. The reflective element 92 has a reflective surface 92 a that faces the light source 4. The non-transparent coating (mirror coating) 96 covers the reflective surface 92a on the front surface 93Aa of the display panel 93A. That is, the reflective surface 92a is mirror-coated. Thereby, even if the incident angle of the light L irradiated from the light source 4 and incident on the reflecting surface 92a deviates from the total reflection critical angle, the light L can be reliably reflected toward the front surface 93Aa.

According to the display device 91A of the present modification, stereoscopic display or morphing display can be performed using the display panel 93A made of the transparent material 95 provided with the non-transparent coating 96, as in the above-described embodiments.
In the display device 91A of this modification, the display panel 93A may constitute a display panel 93A provided with the reflective element 92 by pasting a non-transparent film in which the reflective element 92 is previously formed on the front surface of the plate material. .

<Second Modification of Fifth Embodiment>
Next, a second modification of the fifth embodiment will be described.
FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device 91B according to a second modification. Constituent elements in the same mode as the above-described fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 18, it has the display panel 93B which consists of a non-transparent resin material (non-transparent material), and the light source 4 arrange | positioned at the front surface 93Ba side. The display device 91B has substantially the same configuration as the display device 91 of the fifth embodiment, but the configuration of the reflective element 92B is different.

A plurality of reflective elements 92B are formed on the front surface 93Ba of the display panel 93B. The reflective element 92B is a convex portion protruding from the front surface 93Ba of the display panel 93B. The reflective element 92B can be formed at the same time when the display panel 93B made of a resin material is injection-molded. The reflective element 92 </ b> B has a reflective surface 92 </ b> Ba that faces the light source 4. The reflecting surface 92Ba is preferably subjected to a mirror surface treatment. Similar to the embodiment described above, the reflective element 92B constitutes a plurality of display patterns. Each display pattern reflects the light L in a specific viewpoint direction by a reflection element 92B having a reflection surface 92Ba of a specific angle, and allows the observer on the front surface 93Ba side to recognize the stereoscopic display pattern.
According to the display device 91B of the present modification, the same effects as those of the fifth embodiment described above can be achieved.

Although various embodiments have been described above, the configurations and combinations of the configurations in the embodiments are examples, and addition, omission, replacement, and other configurations of the configurations are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. It can be changed. Further, the present invention is not limited by the embodiment.

1, 31, 41, 44, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91, 91A, 91B Display device 2A, 2B, 2B1, 2B2, 2B3, 2B4 Reflective element 2Aa, 2Ba, 2Ca, 21a, 22a, 23a Reflecting surface 3 33, 53, 54, 63, 73, 83 Display panel 3a, 33a, 53a, 54a, 63a, 73a, 83a Front (front surface)
3b, 33b, 53b, 54b, 63b, 73b, 83b Rear surface (front surface)
3c, 33c, 53c, 54c, 63c End face 4, 5 Light source 5a Shielding part 10A, 30A, 55A, 56A, 60A First display pattern (element group)
10B, 30B, 55B, 56B, 60B Second display pattern (element group)
10C Third display pattern (element group)
10D 4th display pattern (element group)
10V, 55V, 56V 3D display pattern (display object)
30V sphere (3D display pattern, display object)
42 Cylindrical lens 44 Display device 45 Reflector 45a Reflective curved surface 45b Flat surface C, C1, C2, C3, C4 Intersection

Claims (19)

1. A display panel;
   A dot-shaped reflective element provided on the surface or inside of the display panel as a constituent element, and an element group that displays a specific display pattern as a whole,
   The element group is provided for each of a plurality of preset viewpoints, and the element group provided for each viewpoint reflects light from a light source without using an optical element for giving parallax toward the viewpoint. The display pattern displayed by the element group by the reflected light is visually recognized from the set viewpoint, and is not visible from an unset viewpoint.
2. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising the light source.
3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the display panel is made of a transparent material.
4. The display panel is a light guide plate, the reflection element is a dot-like depression provided on the surface of the light guide plate, the light source is connected to an end surface of the light guide plate, and the connected light source is a point light source or a parallel light source. The display device according to claim 3.
5. The display device according to claim 3, wherein the light source is disposed on a front side of the display panel, and light from the light source is incident from a front side of the display panel.
6. The display device according to claim 3, wherein the light source is disposed on a rear surface side of the display panel, and light from the light source is incident from a rear surface of the display panel.
7. The display device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein a plurality of the display panels are provided, and the display panels are stacked on each other.
8. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the display panel is made of a non-transparent material.
9. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the display panel is made of a transparent material having a non-transparent coating on the surface.
10. The display device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the light source is disposed on a front surface side of the display panel, and light from the light source is incident from a front surface of the display panel.
11. The point light source is a point light source, a cylindrical lens or a parabolic mirror is disposed between the light source and a light guide plate, and the point light source is installed at a focal point of the lens or the parabolic mirror, The display device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein a component perpendicular to a thickness direction of the display panel of light emitted from a light source is made parallel.
12. The element group provided for each viewpoint displays, as the display pattern, a projection pattern on the display panel on which a virtual specific display object stereoscopically viewed from the viewpoint is projected. The display device according to one item.
13. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the light source causes the light to be incident on the display panel from a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the plurality of set viewpoints are arranged.
14. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a spread angle of light incident on the reflection element is 1 ° or more and 10 ° or less in a direction orthogonal to a thickness direction of the display panel.
15. The reflective element has a reflective surface in which the height along the thickness direction of the display panel is h, the width orthogonal to the thickness direction is w, and h / w is 0.2 or less. The display device according to any one of 1 to 6.
16. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a reflective surface of the dot-shaped reflective element is a flat surface or a cylindrical surface.
17. A display panel made of a transparent material;
    Using a display device comprising a dot-like reflective element provided on the surface or inside of the display panel as a constituent element and an element group that displays a specific display pattern as a whole,
    The element group is provided for each of a plurality of preset viewpoints, and the element group provided for each viewpoint reflects light from a light source without using an optical element for giving parallax toward the viewpoint. The display method in which the element group is displayed by the reflected light is visually recognized from the set viewpoint and is not visually recognized from an unset viewpoint.
18. A display panel made of a non-transparent material;
    Using a display device comprising a dot-like reflective element provided on the surface or inside of the display panel as a constituent element and an element group that displays a specific display pattern as a whole,
    The element group is provided for each of a plurality of preset viewpoints, and the element group provided for each viewpoint reflects light from a light source without using an optical element for giving parallax toward the viewpoint. The display method in which the element group is displayed by the reflected light is visually recognized from the set viewpoint and is not visually recognized from an unset viewpoint.
19. A display panel made of a transparent material with a non-transparent coating on the surface;
    Using a display device comprising a dot-like reflective element provided on the surface or inside of the display panel as a constituent element and an element group that displays a specific display pattern as a whole,
    The element group is provided for each of a plurality of preset viewpoints, and the element group provided for each viewpoint reflects light from a light source without using an optical element for giving parallax toward the viewpoint. The display method in which the element group is displayed by the reflected light is visually recognized from the set viewpoint and is not visually recognized from an unset viewpoint.

Images