WO2021085492A1 - Stereoscopic display - Google Patents

Abstract

This stereoscopic display is provided with a reflection member and a plurality of beam generators. The reflection member has a reflection surface surrounding a reference axis with the reference axis as a center. The reflection surface has a circular shape centered at the reference axis in an arbitrary cross section perpendicular to the reference axis. The plurality of beam generators are disposed so as to surround the reference axis. Each of the beam generators emits a plurality of beams to the reflection surface. Each of the beams emitted from the beam generator is reflected by the reflection surface multiple times. An annular field of view is defined with the reference axis as a center. A control device controls the plurality of beam generators such that a stereoscopic image visually recognizable from the field of view is presented by the plurality of beams emitted from the plurality of beam generators and reflected multiple times by the reflection surface.

Description

Stereoscopic display

The present invention relates to a stereoscopic display that presents a stereoscopic image.

Various stereoscopic displays that present stereoscopic images have been developed. In a stereoscopic display, a stereoscopic image is generally presented in a space such as in front of or above the screen.

The stereoscopic display described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of light ray generators provided so as to be arranged along a circle about a reference axis. In addition, a reflective member provided so as to surround the reference shaft is provided. The reflective member has an inner peripheral surface centered on a reference axis as a reflective surface. In the stereoscopic display, a group of light rays composed of a plurality of light rays is emitted from each of the plurality of light ray generators. The emitted light beam group is reflected by the reflecting surface of the reflecting member. The group of light rays reflected by the reflecting member presents a stereoscopic image visible from a predetermined observation area in a predetermined image presentation space.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-020663

Regarding the stereoscopic display described in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable to increase the number of light beam generators in order to realize further high definition of the stereoscopic image. However, increasing the number of ray generators increases the size of the stereoscopic display. Further, instead of increasing the number of ray generators, it is conceivable to rotate a plurality of ray generators around a reference axis and control the emission of ray groups from each ray generator in a time division manner. However, in this case, the configuration of the stereoscopic display becomes complicated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a stereoscopic display capable of presenting a high-definition stereoscopic image while suppressing an increase in size and complexity of the configuration.

(1) The three-dimensional display according to one aspect of the present invention is a three-dimensional display for presenting a three-dimensional image based on three-dimensional shape data, and is a reflection having a reflecting surface surrounding the reference axis centered on a reference axis extending in the vertical direction. A reference unit provided with a member, a plurality of ray generators configured to be capable of emitting a group of rays composed of a plurality of rays, and arranged so as to surround a reference axis, and a control unit for controlling the plurality of ray generators. An annular viewing area centered on the axis is defined, and the reflective member is configured such that the reflective surface has a substantially circular shape centered on the reference axis in any cross section perpendicular to the reference axis. Each of the ray generators is provided so that each ray of the ray group is reflected multiple times on the reflecting surface, and the control unit is a plurality of rays emitted from the plurality of ray generators and reflected multiple times on the reflecting surface. Controls a plurality of ray generators so as to present a stereoscopic image visible from the annular visual field.

In the stereoscopic display, a group of rays emitted from one of the plurality of ray generators reaches the annular viewing region after being reflected multiple times by the reflecting surface. In this case, in the plan view in the direction of the reference axis, the range in which the ray group can reach in the annular visual range is the annular view in which the ray group emitted from one ray generator is not reflected by the reflection surface. It is larger than when it reaches the area directly. Further, in the plan view, the range in which the ray group can reach in the annular vision area reaches the annular vision area directly after the ray group emitted from one ray generator is reflected once by the reflection surface. It will be larger than when you do.

Thereby, it becomes possible to form a stereoscopic image visually recognized by the observer at each of a plurality of positions in the annular visual field using a larger number of ray generators among the plurality of ray generators. Therefore, it is possible to increase the density of light rays reaching each position in the annular visual field without increasing the number of light ray generators and providing a configuration for moving a plurality of light ray generators. The density of light rays referred to here means the number of light rays per unit angle that reaches the annular visual range in a plan view in the direction of the reference line. As a result, it becomes possible to present a high-definition stereoscopic image while suppressing the increase in size and complexity of the configuration.

(2) The reflecting member and the plurality of light ray generators may be provided so that the light ray group after being emitted from each light ray generator and reflected a plurality of times by the reflecting surface reaches the entire annular visual range.

In this case, the density of the light rays reaching each position in the circular visual field can be increased. As a result, it becomes possible to present a higher-definition stereoscopic image that can be visually recognized at each position in the annular visual field.

(3) The reflecting surface of the reflecting member directly receives and reflects the light group emitted from each light generator, and directly receives and reflects the light group reflected by the first part. Including the reflecting second part, the position of the first part and the position of the second part are different from each other in the direction of the reference axis, and the distance between the reference axis and the second part is the reference axis. The distance between and the first part may be different.

According to the above configuration, the distance between the reference axis and the second part is larger or smaller than the distance between the reference axis and the first part. When the distance between the reference axis and the second part is larger than the distance between the reference axis and the first part, the ray group reflects the size of the first and second parts in the reflective member. It can be set larger in the order of operation. Thereby, it is possible to set a large area for presenting the stereoscopic image inside the second portion of the reflective member. Therefore, in order to present a larger stereoscopic image to the observer, the traveling path of each ray emitted from the plurality of ray generators can be appropriately determined. On the other hand, when the distance between the reference axis and the second portion is smaller than the distance between the reference axis and the first portion, the configuration of the peripheral member of the region where the stereoscopic image should be presented is reduced. Can be transformed into.

(4) The plurality of light beam generators may be located outside the reflecting surface of the reflecting member in a plan view in the direction of the reference axis.

In this case, a plurality of light beam generators can be arranged outside the reflecting surface of the reflecting member in a plan view. Therefore, when a plurality of ray generators are arranged on a circle centered on a reference axis, a plurality of ray generators are arranged inside the reflection surface of the reflection member in a plan view. The radius of the circle in which the ray generator is placed can be made larger. In this case, the circumference of the circle in which the plurality of ray generators are arranged becomes long. Thereby, a larger number of ray generators can be arranged on the circle. Alternatively, if the number of ray generators to be arranged on a circle is predetermined, the size of each ray generator is large so that the two ray generators arranged adjacent to each other do not interfere with each other. Is allowed. As described above, according to the above configuration, it is difficult to limit the installation conditions of the plurality of light beam generators. Therefore, the degree of freedom in arranging the plurality of ray generators and the degree of freedom in selecting the types of the plurality of ray generators are improved.

(5) The group of rays emitted from each of the plurality of ray generators has a row of rays arranged in a plane parallel to the direction of the reference axis and a row of rays arranged in a plane parallel to the direction perpendicular to the reference axis. Including, the number of rays forming a ray row may be larger than the number of rays forming a ray sequence.

In this case, the density in the circumferential direction centered on the reference axis of the ray group can be increased as compared with the case where the number of rays forming the ray sequence is less than or equal to the number of rays forming the ray row. Thereby, the fineness of the stereoscopic image can be further improved. The ray group referred to here is a ray group that constitutes a stereoscopic image that can be visually recognized from the annular viewing region.

(6) The three-dimensional display further includes a ray controller that controls while transmitting each ray of a group of rays emitted from each of the plurality of ray generators and reflected multiple times by the reflecting surface, and the ray controller is a reflection. It may be located between the reflective surface of the member and the annular viewing area.

In this case, each ray traveling from the reflective member toward the annular visual region is controlled by the ray controller. As a result, it becomes possible to present a more appropriate stereoscopic image according to the control of the ray controller. For example, suppose that the ray controller controls to diffuse each ray of a group of rays emitted from each of a plurality of ray generators and reflected a plurality of times by a reflecting surface in a plane including a reference axis. In this case, each light ray traveling from the reflective member toward the annular visual region spreads in the direction of the reference axis. Thereby, the width of the annular visual region in the direction of the reference axis can be set larger than that in the case where the ray controller is not used.

According to the present invention, it is possible to present a high-definition stereoscopic image while suppressing the increase in size and complexity of the configuration.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stereoscopic display according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the stereoscopic display of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view for explaining a traveling path of a group of rays emitted from each of a plurality of ray generators. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a traveling path of a group of rays emitted from each of a plurality of ray generators. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of presenting a stereoscopic image by a stereoscopic display. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of presenting a stereoscopic image by a stereoscopic display. FIG. 7 is a plan view for explaining a range within a visible range in which a group of light rays emitted from one light ray generator can reach in a stereoscopic display. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of a stereoscopic display for explaining a preferred condition setting example for a plurality of components of the stereoscopic display. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a stereoscopic display for explaining other condition setting examples for a plurality of components of the stereoscopic display. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a specific presentation example of a stereoscopic image using a stereoscopic display corresponding to the example of FIG. FIG. 11 is a plan view for explaining a positional relationship peculiar to a stereoscopic display according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the reflective member according to another embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the reflective member according to another embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing still another example of the reflective member according to another embodiment.

Hereinafter, the stereoscopic display according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[1] Configuration of Stereoscopic Display FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stereoscopic display according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the stereoscopic display of FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the stereoscopic display 1 is composed of a plurality of ray generators 2, a control device 3, a storage device 4, two reflecting members 7, 8 and a ray controller 9. The control device 3 includes, for example, a personal computer, a circuit board, an embedded system, or the like. The storage device 4 includes, for example, a hard disk, a memory card, a RAM (random access memory), or the like. The storage device 4 stores stereoscopic shape data for presenting the stereoscopic image 300. In FIGS. 1 and 2 and 8 and 9 described later, the stereoscopic image 300 presented to the plurality of observers 10 by the stereoscopic display 1 is virtually shown.

A part of the stereoscopic display 1 is attached to the table 5. The table 5 includes a circular top plate 51 and a plurality of legs 52. The top plate 51 has a circular hole 51h at the center. In the following description, the axis extending in the vertical direction through the center of the top plate 51 is referred to as a reference axis ra. The center of the hole 51h exists on the reference axis ra.

The light ray controller 9 has a conical shape with an open bottom, and is fitted into the hole 51h so that the bottom opening faces upward. With the ray controller 9 attached to the top plate 51, the central axis of the ray controller 9 coincides with the reference axis ra.

The light ray controller 9 is configured so that the light rays incident on the outer peripheral surface are largely diffused in an arbitrary virtual plane including the reference axis ra, and are diffused while being diffused small in the circumferential direction R centered on the reference axis ra. ing. More specifically, in the light ray controller 9, when a light ray is incident on the outer peripheral surface in an arbitrary virtual surface including the reference axis ra, the light ray passing through the light ray controller 9 on the virtual surface has a viewing area of 500. It is configured to extend over the area including the vertical direction. Further, the light ray controller 9 is configured so that when a light ray is incident on the outer peripheral surface, the light ray incident on the outer peripheral surface of the light ray controller 9 can be regarded as being linearly transmitted in a plan view. The circumferential direction R is a direction orthogonal to the virtual plane including the reference axis ra. The observer 10 around the table 5 can observe the inner peripheral surface of the light ray controller 9 from diagonally above the table 5. A configuration in which light rays are mainly diffused in one direction is realized by, for example, preparing a conical base member made of a transparent sheet-like resin and providing a plurality of annular lenses on the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface of the base member. can do. A configuration in which light rays are diffused mainly in one direction can also be realized by providing a hologram sheet or a diffraction grating having a predetermined diffusion pattern on the above-mentioned sheet-shaped resin.

The reflective member 8 has a cylindrical shape and is provided so as to surround the reference axis ra at a position below the top plate 51. In this example, the upper end of the reflective member 8 is attached to the lower surface of the top plate 51. In this state, the light ray controller 9 is located in the internal space of the reflective member 8. The reflective member 8 has an inner peripheral surface centered on the reference axis ra as the reflective surface 8a. In the plane perpendicular to the reference axis ra (in the horizontal plane), the reflection surface 8a has a circular shape centered on the reference axis ra.

Like the reflective member 8, the reflective member 7 has a cylindrical shape and is provided at a position below the reflective member 8 so as to surround the reference axis ra. In this example, the upper end of the reflective member 7 is attached to the lower end of the reflective member 8. The reflective member 7 has an inner peripheral surface centered on the reference axis ra as the reflective surface 7a. In the plane perpendicular to the reference axis ra (in the horizontal plane), the reflection surface 7a has a circular shape centered on the reference axis ra. The inner diameter of the reflecting surface 8a is larger than the inner diameter of the reflecting surface 7a. That is, the distance between the reference axis ra and an arbitrary portion of the reflection surface 8a is larger than the distance between the reference axis ra and an arbitrary portion of the reflection surface 7a.

The plurality of light beam generators 2 are fixedly provided below the top plate 51 of the table 5 so as to surround the circumference of the reference axis ra. In this example, the plurality of ray generators 2 are arranged on a circle 600 centered on the reference axis ra. The circle 600 is defined on a virtual plane below the reflective members 7 and 8 and perpendicular to the reference axis ra. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the circle 600 is represented by a dashed line.

As shown in FIG. 2, the circle 600 is located outside the reflection surfaces 7a and 8a with respect to the reference axis ra in a plan view of the stereoscopic display 1 in the direction of the reference axis ra. The plurality of ray generators 2 are arranged in an annular shape along the circle 600. In the example of FIG. 2, the number of the plurality of ray generators 2 is 18. The plurality of ray generators 2 are fixedly provided with respect to the table 5, the reflecting members 7, 8 and the ray controller 9. The plurality of ray generators 2 may be integrally provided as a ray generator array.

As shown in FIG. 1, each ray generator 2 has a ray emitting unit P that emits a group of rays composed of a plurality of rays. The light emitting portion P of each light generator 2 is directed to the reflecting surface 7a of the reflecting member 7. The group of light rays emitted from the light beam emitting unit P is reflected by the reflecting surface 7a toward the reflecting surface 8a of the reflecting member 8, and further reflected by the reflecting surface 8a toward the outer peripheral surface of the light ray controller 9. Further, at least a part of the ray group emitted from the ray emitting portion P passes through the reference axis ra. Here, the light ray means a light represented by a straight line that does not diffuse. As the light beam generator 2, for example, a scanning projector is used. The scanning projector can emit light rays and deflect the light rays in a horizontal plane and a vertical plane. The details of the traveling path of the ray group emitted from each ray generator 2 will be described later.

The color of each ray is set according to the stereoscopic image 300 to be presented. When a scanning projector is used as the light beam generator 2, the color of the light beam is set for each light emission direction. As a result, a group of light rays can be formed in a pseudo manner.

The ray generator 2 may be a general projector including a spatial light modulator and a projection system such as a lens array composed of one or a plurality of lenses. One or more lenses include projection lenses. Here, when the aperture of the projection system is sufficiently small, a group of light rays can be formed in the same manner as in a scanning projector. Spatial light modulators are, for example, DMD (Digital Micromirror Device), LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon).

In the stereoscopic display 1, the region where the observer 10's eyes should be located when the observer 10 observes the stereoscopic image 300 is defined in advance as the viewing area 500. The viewing area 500 has a specific positional relationship with respect to the plurality of light generators 2, the reflecting members 7, 8 and the light controller 9. The viewing area 500 of this example is defined in an annular shape so as to surround the reference axis ra at a position above the top plate 51 of the table 5. Further, the viewing area 500 of this example is located outside the reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a of the reflecting members 7 and 8 and the circle 600 with respect to the reference axis ra in a plan view in the direction of the reference axis ra. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the viewing area 500 is indicated by a chain double-dashed line, but the viewing area 500 may have a constant width in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

The control device 3 controls a plurality of ray generators 2 based on the three-dimensional shape data stored in the storage device 4. As a result, a stereoscopic image 300 that can be visually recognized from an arbitrary position in the viewing area 500 is presented in the space above the light ray controller 9. Here, the spherical space capable of presenting the stereoscopic image 300 over the entire viewing area 500 on the stereoscopic display 1 is referred to as an image presentation space RS. The image presentation space RS is uniquely determined based on, for example, the shape and dimensions of the ray controller 9, the shape and dimensions of the viewing area 500, and the positional relationship between the light ray controller 9 and the viewing area 500.

[2] Travel path of a group of light rays emitted from each of the plurality of ray generators 2 FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view for explaining a path of travel of a group of rays emitted from each of the plurality of ray generators 2. Yes, FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the traveling path of a group of light rays emitted from each of the plurality of light ray generators 2. 3 and 4 show one ray generator 2 arranged on the circle 600, respectively. In addition, in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, some components of the stereoscopic display 1 required for explanation are shown in order to facilitate understanding of the traveling path of the ray group. Further, in FIG. 3, the light ray controller 9 is illustrated by a dotted line.

The ray group emitted from each ray generator 2 includes a plurality of rays L arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows. The columns are arranged vertically and the rows are arranged horizontally. That is, the plurality of rays in each column are arranged on a plane parallel to the vertical direction, and the plurality of rays in each row are arranged on a plane parallel to the horizontal direction. Hereinafter, the arrangement of a plurality of rays L in each column is referred to as a ray column, and the arrangement of a plurality of rays L in each row is referred to as a ray row.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the horizontal direction, the group of light rays emitted from the light ray generator 2 on the circle 600 is reflected by the reflecting surface 7a having a circular horizontal cross section. The plurality of light rays L reflected by the reflecting surface 7a are further reflected by the reflecting surface 8a having a circular horizontal cross section. The plurality of light rays L reflected by the reflecting surface 8a enter the outer peripheral surface of the light ray controller 9, pass through the light ray controller 9, and head toward the plurality of positions within the viewing range 500. As a result, the plurality of light rays L included in the common light ray line travel in different directions in a plan view and are incident over a wide range of the visual range 500.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the vertical direction, the group of light rays emitted from the light ray generator 2 on the circle 600 is reflected by the reflecting surface 7a extending linearly in the vertical direction. Further, the plurality of light rays L reflected by the reflecting surface 7a are reflected by the reflecting surface 8a extending linearly in the vertical direction. Further, the plurality of light rays L reflected by the reflecting surface 8a enter the outer peripheral surface of the light ray controller 9, pass through the light ray controller 9, and head toward the viewing area 500. At this time, each of the plurality of portions of the light ray controller 9 in the ridge line direction T transmits the light ray L so that the light ray L incident from the reflecting member 8 is diffused in the vertical direction. In this case, a part of the light diffused by each of the plurality of light rays L included in the common light ray sequence reaches a substantially common position in the visual range 500. In FIG. 4, the state in which the light beam L passing through the visual range 500 is diffused is indicated by a dotted line, and a part of the diffused light reaching a substantially common position is indicated by a alternate long and short dash line.

Therefore, the observer 10 has a plurality of rays L included in a common ray sequence among the ray groups emitted from one ray generator 2 arranged on the circle 600 at an arbitrary position in the visual range 500. Can be visually recognized.

As shown in FIG. 3, the light rays emitted from each light beam generator 2 are reflected by the reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a, so that the traveling directions are dispersed. Therefore, in the horizontal direction, the distance between the plurality of light rays L that reach the viewing area 500 tends to be large. Therefore, for the ray group emitted from each ray generator 2, the number of rays L forming a ray row is preferably larger than the number of rays L forming a ray sequence. In this case, the number of light rays L incident on the visual range 500 in order to form the stereoscopic image 300 in the horizontal direction is smaller than the number of light rays L forming the ray train. The density can be increased. Thereby, the fineness of the stereoscopic image 300 can be increased.

Further, it is preferable that the density of the ray L in the ray row is higher than the density of the ray L in the ray sequence. The density of the light rays L referred to here means the number of light rays per unit angle at the angle of view projected from each light ray generator 2. Further, the density of the ray train is the number of rays per unit angle among the plurality of rays L spreading in the vertical direction, and the density of the ray rows is the number of rays per unit angle among the plurality of rays L spreading in the horizontal direction. is there. That is, it is preferable that the number of rays per unit angle in the ray row is larger than the number of rays per unit angle in the ray train. In this case, since the distance between the plurality of light rays L reaching the viewing range 500 can be shortened, the definition of the stereoscopic image 300 can be improved.

[3] Method for Presenting a Stereoscopic Image FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining a method for presenting a stereoscopic image 300 on the stereoscopic display 1. In FIGS. 5 and 6, a schematic plan view of the stereoscopic display 1 is shown in the upper row. In the following description, when the 18 ray generators 2 shown in FIG. 2 are distinguished from each other, the plurality of ray generators 2 are referred to as ray generators 2a to 2r, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 5, when a red voxel is presented to the position PR of the image presentation space RS, for example, the light ray generator 2j is reflected twice by the two reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a and passes through the position PR. A red color is given to the light beam Lj0 emitted from the light beam Lj0. Further, the light ray generator 2i imparts red color to the light ray Li0 which is reflected twice by the two reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a and emitted so as to pass through the position PR. Further, the light ray generator 2h imparts red color to the light ray Lh0 which is reflected twice by the two reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a and emitted so as to pass through the position PR.

Thereby, a red voxel is presented as if there is a red point light source at the intersection of the red rays Lj0, Li0, Lh0. Specifically, when the eyes of the observer 10 are at positions ej0, ei0, eh0 within the visual range 500, the observer 10 can see red voxels at the position PR. The positions ej0, ei0, and eh0 are different positions within the viewing range 500.

In FIG. 5, the portions of the rays Lj0, Li0, Lh0 from the ray generators 2j, 2i, 2h to the reflection by the reflection surface 7a are dotted lines so that the traveling paths of the rays Lj0, Li0, Lh0 can be easily understood. Indicated by. Further, the portions of the light rays Lj0, Li0, and Lh0 from being reflected by the reflecting surface 7a to being reflected by the reflecting surface 8a are indicated by a alternate long and short dash line. Further, the portions of the light rays Lj0, Li0, and Lh0 that are reflected by the reflecting surface 8a and reach the viewing area 500 are shown by thick solid lines.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6, when a green voxel is presented at the position PG of the image presentation space RS, for example, the light beam generator 2j is reflected twice by the two reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a and is positioned. A green color is given to the light ray Lj1 emitted so as to pass through the PG. Further, the light ray generator 2i imparts green color to the light ray Li1 which is reflected twice by the two reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a and emitted so as to pass through the position PG. Further, the light ray generator 2h imparts green color to the light ray Lh1 which is reflected twice by the two reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a and emitted so as to pass through the position PG.

Thereby, a green voxel is presented as if there is a green point light source at the intersection of the green rays Lj1, Li1, Lh1. Specifically, when the eyes of the observer 10 are at positions ej1, ei1, eh1 within the visual range 500, the observer 10 can see a green voxel at the position PG. The positions ej1, ei1, and eh1 are different positions within the viewing range 500.

Also in FIG. 6, similarly to the example of FIG. 5, the portion of the light rays Lj1, Li1, Lh1 from the light beam generators 2j, 2i, 2h to the reflection by the reflection surface 7a is shown by a dotted line. Further, the portion of the light rays Lj1, Li1 and Lh1 from being reflected by the reflecting surface 7a to being reflected by the reflecting surface 8a is indicated by a dashed line. Further, the portions of the light rays Lj1, Li1 and Lh1 that are reflected by the reflecting surface 8a and reach the viewing area 500 are shown by thick solid lines.

As described above, the light rays L of the colors to be presented are emitted from each of the plurality of light ray generators 2a to 2r in the direction of passing through each position of the stereoscopic image 300. It is assumed that the image presentation space RS is sufficiently densely filled with the intersection group by the plurality of light rays L emitted from the plurality of light ray generators 2a to 2r and reflected twice by the two reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a. In this case, when observing the image presentation space RS from any position within the visual range 500, an appropriate light ray L passing through the positions PR and PG is incident on the eyes of the observer 10. Thereby, the observer 10 recognizes that there is a point light source there.

Since a person recognizes the light reflected or diffused on the surface of a real object as an object, the surface of the object can be regarded as a set of point light sources. That is, by appropriately reproducing the colors of the plurality of positions where the surface of the object should exist by the plurality of light rays L emitted from the plurality of light beam generators 2a to 2r, it is possible to observe at any position within the visual range 500. 3D image 300 can be presented.

In the lower part of FIG. 5, the stereoscopic image 300 visually recognized from the positions ej0, ei0, and eh0 in the visual range 500 is shown. As shown in FIG. 5, the appearance of the stereoscopic image 300 visually recognized from the different positions ej0, ei0, and eh0 in the viewing area 500 is different from each other depending on the type of the shape to be represented by the stereoscopic shape data. The red voxels presented at the intersections of the red rays Lj0, Li0, and Lh0 are visually recognized as existing at a common position PR in the image presentation space RS from the plurality of positions ej0, ei0, and eh0.

In FIG. 6, similarly to the example of FIG. 5, the stereoscopic image 300 visually recognized from the positions ej1, ei1, and eh1 in the visual range 500 is further shown. As shown in FIG. 6, the appearance of the stereoscopic image 300 visually recognized from the different positions ej1, ei1, eh1 in the viewing area 500 is different from each other depending on the type of the shape to be represented by the stereoscopic shape data. The green voxels presented at the intersections of the green rays Lj1, Li1, and Lh1 are visually recognized from the plurality of positions ej1, ei1, eh1 as if they exist at a common position PG in the image presentation space RS.

By the way, in the field of view 500, the position of the right eye and the position of the left eye of the observer 10 are different from each other. When the observer 10 sees one point light source, among the plurality of light rays L forming the point light source, light rays L in different directions are incident on the right eye and the left eye, respectively. Therefore, the observer 10 can see each point light source in different line-of-sight directions for the right eye and the left eye. That is, there is a convergence angle between the line-of-sight direction of the right eye and the line-of-sight direction of the left eye. Further, the positional relationship of the plurality of point light sources viewed by the right eye is different from the positional relationship of the plurality of point light sources viewed by the left eye. That is, parallax occurs. As a result, the observer 10 can stereoscopically view the image formed by the group of light rays.

In the vertical direction, a plurality of light rays L included in a common light beam sequence are incident on substantially a common position in the viewing area 500. For example, a plurality of light rays L included in a light ray sequence common to the light ray Lj0 among the light ray group emitted from the light ray generator 2j reach the position ej0 in FIG. This makes it possible to reproduce a plurality of colors representing the surface of an object in the vertical direction.

In the above description, it is assumed that the voxel is a point light source in the image presentation space RS that emits light with the same intensity in all directions. Therefore, a common color is given to the plurality of light rays L used for presenting one voxel to a plurality of positions in the visual range 500 regardless of the direction. However, the colors given to each of the plurality of rays for presenting one voxel to the plurality of positions in the field of view 500 may be modified based on various rendering techniques used in computer graphics. For example, when the light ray L passes through a plurality of positions corresponding to the plurality of voxels set by the stereoscopic image data, the voxel at the position closest to the viewing range 500 among the positions of the plurality of voxels through which the light ray passes. A process of selecting a color as a color to be given to the light beam may be performed (hidden surface process). Alternatively, the plurality of light rays L for presenting the voxels may be given a color to which a white component is added in consideration of, for example, specular reflection.

[4] Range within the reachable range 500 of the ray group emitted from the one ray generator FIG. 7 shows the view range 500 within the reachable range of the ray group emitted from the one ray generator in the stereoscopic display 1. It is a top view for demonstrating the range in. In the following description, attention will be paid to a group of light rays emitted from one light ray generator 2j. The group of light rays emitted from the light ray generator 2j of this example is emitted so as to spread from the light ray emitting portion P at a horizontal angle of view (for example, 30 °) peculiar to the light ray generator 2j in a plan view. And.

In this case, assuming that the stereoscopic display 1 is not provided with the two reflecting members 7 and 8 (FIG. 1), the ray group emitted from the ray generator 2j is a ray generator as shown in the upper part of FIG. The field of view 500 is reached directly from 2j. At this time, the range that the ray group of the ray generator 2j in the visual range 500 can reach is called the direct reach range cr0. In the plan view shown in the upper part of FIG. 7, assuming that the stereoscopic display 1 is not provided with the reflecting members 7 and 8, the region in which the light ray group emitted from one light ray generator 2j can travel is widened. Shown by thin hatching.

Next, assuming that the stereoscopic display 1 is not provided with the reflective member 8 (FIG. 1), the light beam group emitted from the light beam generator 2j is the reflective member 7 (FIG. 1) as shown in the middle stage of FIG. The rear viewing area 500 is reached after being reflected by the reflecting surface 7a of the above. At this time, the range that the light ray group of the light ray generator 2j in the visual range 500 can reach is called the first reflection reachable range cr1. When a group of light rays is reflected by the reflecting surface 7a, the group of light rays reflected by the reflecting surface 7a has an angle of view of the light beam generator 2j because the reflecting surface 7a has a constant curvature in the circumferential direction in the horizontal plane. Spread beyond. As a result, the ratio occupied by the first reflection reachable range cr1 in the visual range 500 is larger than the ratio occupied by the direct reachable range cr0 in the visual range 500. In this example, about half of the viewing area 500 is the first reflection reach range cr1. In the plan view shown in the middle of FIG. 7, when it is assumed that the stereoscopic display 1 is not provided with the reflecting member 7, the hatching in which the traveling region of the ray group emitted from one ray generator 2j is dark. Indicated by.

Next, in the stereoscopic display 1 of FIG. 1, the group of light rays emitted from the light beam generator 2j is generated twice by the reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a of the reflecting members 7 and 8 (FIG. 1) as shown in the lower part of FIG. After being reflected, it reaches the viewing range of 500. At this time, the range that the light ray group of the light ray generator 2j in the visual range 500 can reach is called the second reflection reachable range cr2. When a group of light rays is reflected by the reflecting surface 8a, the light rays reflected from the reflecting surface 8a are reflected by the reflecting surface 7a because the reflecting surface 8a has a constant curvature in the circumferential direction in the horizontal plane. It spreads beyond the spread of the group. As a result, the ratio occupied by the second reflection reachable range cr2 in the visual range 500 is larger than the ratio occupied by the first reflection reachable range cr1 in the visual range 500. In this example, the entire area of the viewing area 500 is the second reflection reach range cr2. More specifically, the group of light rays emitted from the light ray generator 2j is 360 ° in the circumferential direction of the visual range 500 centered on the reference axis ra in a plan view.
It has reached a range exceeding (in this example, a range of about 430 °). In the plan view shown in the lower part of FIG. 7, the progressive region of the ray group emitted from one ray generator 2j in the stereoscopic display 1 of FIG. 1 is shown by a dot pattern.

As described above, in the stereoscopic display 1 according to the present embodiment, the group of light rays emitted from one light ray generator 2j is reflected twice by the reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a and reaches the viewing area 500. As a result, the range in which the ray group can reach the viewing area 500 from the ray generator 2j is larger than that in the case where the ray group emitted from one ray generator 2j directly reaches the viewing area 500. can do. Further, as compared with the case where the ray group emitted from one ray generator 2j is reflected only once by the reflecting surface 7a to reach the viewing area 500, the ray group reaches the viewing area 500 from the ray generator 2j. The range that can be made can be increased.

Thereby, the light rays L emitted from each of the plurality of light ray generators 2a to 2r can reach a wider range in the visual range 500. Therefore, it is possible to form the stereoscopic image 300 presented to the observer 10 at each of the plurality of positions within the visual range 500 by using a larger number of ray generators among the plurality of ray generators 2a to 2r. Become.

[5] Example of Condition Setting for Multiple Components of Stereo Display 1 FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of the stereo display 1 for explaining a preferred example of setting conditions for a plurality of components of the stereo display 1. As shown in FIG. 8, in this example, the first virtual straight line bl1 is a straight line passing through the light emitting portion P of the light ray generator 2j of one of the plurality of light ray generators 2a to 2r and the reference axis ra in a plan view. Is defined as. Further, the position in the visual range 500 that intersects the first virtual straight line bl1 in the plan view is referred to as a representative position rp as a representative of the positions in the visual range 500.

The conditions of the plurality of components of the stereoscopic display 1 are set so that the stereoscopic image 300 visibly presented from the representative position rp is formed by a plurality of light rays emitted from all the light ray generators 2a to 2r. Is preferable. In FIG. 8, all the ray generators 2a to 2r are hatched as a plurality of ray generators that contribute to the formation of the stereoscopic image 300 visually recognized from the representative position rp.

Specifically, the conditions to be set include the shape and size of the reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a, the angles of view of the respective ray generators 2a to 2r, and the plurality of ray generators 2a to 2r, the reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a and Includes the positional relationship of the field of view 500.

As described above, the fact that the stereoscopic image 300 corresponding to the representative position rp is formed by a plurality of light rays emitted from all the light ray generators 2a to 2r is that the reflection surfaces 7a and 8a are emitted from each light ray generator. It means that the group of light rays after being reflected twice by the light beam reaches the entire area of the viewing area 500. Thereby, the density of the light ray L reaching an arbitrary position in the visual range 500 can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to present a higher-definition stereoscopic image 300 that can be visually recognized at an arbitrary position within the viewing range 500.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the stereoscopic display 1 for explaining other condition setting examples for the plurality of components of the stereoscopic display 1. As shown in FIG. 9, in this example as well, as in the example of FIG. 8, the straight line passing through the ray emitting portion P of the ray generator 2j and the reference axis ra in a plan view is defined as the first virtual straight line bl1. The position in the viewing area 500 that intersects the first virtual straight line bl1 in a plan view is called a representative position rp. Further, in this example, a straight line perpendicular to the first virtual straight line bl1 in the plan view and passing through the reference axis ra is defined as the second virtual straight line bl2, and is divided by the second virtual straight line bl2 in the plan view. The two spaces are called the first space sp1 and the second space sp2. The first space sp1 is a space in which the light ray generator 2j is not arranged, and the second space sp2 is a space in which the light ray generator 2j is arranged.

The condition of the plurality of components of the stereoscopic display 1 is that all the ray generators 2a to 2e, 2o to 2r and the second space sp2 in which the stereoscopic image 300 corresponding to the representative position rp is arranged in the first space sp1. It may be set to be formed by a plurality of rays L emitted from some of the arranged ray generators. In FIG. 9, as a plurality of ray generators that contribute to the formation of the stereoscopic image 300 visually recognized from the representative position rp, some of the ray generators 2a to 2f and 2n to 2r among the plurality of ray generators 2a to 2r are used. Shown by hatching. Even in this case, the viewing range is within 500 as compared with the case where the stereoscopic image 300 is formed without using the reflective members 7 and 8 and the case where the stereoscopic image 300 is formed by using one of the reflective members 7 and 8. It is possible to increase the density of the light beam L that reaches an arbitrary position of. Therefore, it is possible to present a high-definition stereoscopic image 300 that can be visually recognized at an arbitrary position within the viewing range 500.

[6] Specific Presentation Example of Stereoscopic Image 300 FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a specific presentation example of the stereoscopic image 300 using the stereoscopic display 1 corresponding to the example of FIG. Here, how the stereoscopic image 300 visible from the representative position rp (FIG. 8) is presented in the stereoscopic display 1 corresponding to the example of FIG. 8 will be described.

When presenting a stereoscopic image 300 visually recognized from a plurality of positions in the viewing area 500 to the image presentation space RS of FIG. 8, a plurality of ray groups 2a to a plurality of ray groups for forming the stereoscopic image 300 are presented. It is emitted from each of 2r. An image formed by a group of light rays emitted from each of the light beam generators 2a to 2r is called an emitted image. In this case, the portion of the emitted image including the light ray L used to form the stereoscopic image 300 that can be visually recognized at an arbitrary position within the visual range 500 is determined according to the position of the light ray generator in the circle 600. Be done.

Here, at the representative position rp, a part of a ray group of light rays emitted from each of the plurality of light ray generators 2a to 2r is incident. As a result, a plurality of ray sequences emitted from the plurality of ray generators 2a to 2r and incident on the representative position rp are used to form the stereoscopic image 300 corresponding to the representative position rp. In the upper part of FIG. 10, the outlines of the emitted images i2a to i2r of the plurality of light beam generators 2a to 2r are shown by dotted lines. In each of the emitted images i2a to i2r of FIG. 10, the image portion of the ray sequence reaching the representative position rp of the emitted images i2a to i2r is shown in the solid line frame.

The image portions of a plurality of ray trains emitted from the plurality of ray generators 2a to 2r and reaching the representative position rp are presented so as to be continuously arranged in the horizontal direction in the image presentation space RS. As a result, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 10, the stereoscopic image 300 corresponding to the representative position rp is formed. In each of the emitted images i2a to i2r of FIG. 10, the portion other than the solid line frame reaches another position in the visual range 500 for each ray sequence. Therefore, even at each position other than the representative position rp in the visual range 500, the image portions of the plurality of ray trains emitted from the plurality of ray generators 2a to 2r and reaching the positions are continuous in the horizontal direction in the image presentation space RS. It is presented to line up. As a result, the stereoscopic image 300 corresponding to the position is formed.

[7] Effect (1) In the stereoscopic display 1 described above, a group of light rays emitted from one of the plurality of light ray generators 2 is reflected twice by the two reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a. After that, it passes through the light ray controller 9 and reaches the annular viewing area 500. In this case, the reachable range of the ray group in the visibility range 500 is the case where the ray group emitted from one ray generator directly reaches the visibility range 500 without being reflected by the reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a. It will be larger than. Further, in the range 500, the range in which the light group can reach is the range 500 after the light group emitted from one light generator is reflected once by any one of the reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a. It will be larger than when it reaches directly.

Thereby, it becomes possible to form the stereoscopic image 300 visually recognized by the observer 10 at each of the plurality of positions in the visual range 500 by using a larger number of light beam generators 2. Therefore, it is possible to increase the density of the light rays L reaching each position in the visual range 500 without increasing the number of light ray generators 2 and providing a configuration for moving the plurality of light ray generators 2. As a result, it becomes possible to present a high-definition stereoscopic image 300 while suppressing the increase in size and complexity of the configuration.

(2) In the stereoscopic display 1 described above, the inner diameter of the reflecting surface 8a is larger than the inner diameter of the reflecting surface 7a. In this case, the reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a can be set larger in the order in which the light rays emitted from each of the plurality of light beam generators 2 are reflected. As a result, the image presentation space RS can be set to be larger than when the inner diameter of the reflecting surface 8a is smaller than the inner diameter of the reflecting surface 7a. Therefore, in order to present the larger stereoscopic image 300 to the observer 10, the traveling paths of various light rays in the stereoscopic display 1 can be appropriately determined.

(3) The plurality of light beam generators 2 are located outside the reflection surface 8a in a plan view in the direction of the reference axis ra. In this case, the installation space is less likely to be limited as compared with the case where a plurality of light beam generators 2 are arranged inside the reflection member 8 in a plan view. Therefore, the degree of freedom in arranging the plurality of light beam generators 2 is improved.

(4) In the stereoscopic display 1, the light ray controller 9 is provided between the reflecting surface 8a and the viewing area 500, and each light ray L of the light ray group incident on the outer peripheral surface is in-plane including the reference axis ra. Make it transparent while diffusing with. In this case, each light ray L traveling from the reflecting surface 8a toward the viewing area 500 spreads in the direction of the reference axis ra. As a result, the width of the viewing area 500 in the direction of the reference axis ra can be set larger than that in the case where the light ray controller 9 is not used.

[8] Positional Relationship Unique to Stereo Display 1 FIG. 11 is a plan view for explaining a positional relationship peculiar to the stereoscopic display 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that a blue voxel is presented at the position PB of the image presentation space RS by one ray generator 2j in a plan view of the stereoscopic display 1. In this case, the light ray generator 2j emits a blue light ray LB so as to be reflected twice by the two reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a and pass through the position PB. At this time, the light ray LB is a straight line portion LB1 incident on the reflection surface 7a from the light ray generator 2j, a straight line portion LB2 incident on the reflection surface 8a from the reflection surface 7a, and a straight line portion incident on the viewing area 500 from the reflection surface 8a. It is composed of LB3.

Here, in the above-mentioned stereoscopic display 1, the reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a have a circular shape centered on the reference axis ra in a plane perpendicular to the reference axis ra. Further, the plurality of light beam generators 2a to 2r are arranged on a circle 600 centered on the reference axis ra. Further, the ray controller 9 has a conical shape, and the central axis of the ray controller 9 coincides with the reference axis ra.

According to this configuration, the center of the inscribed sphere IB of the three linear portions LB1, LB2, LB3 of the above-mentioned ray LB is located on the reference axis ra. When this positional relationship is satisfied, the density distributions of the plurality of ray lines arriving from the plurality of ray generators 2a to 2r over the entire viewing area 500 become equal. Therefore, it is possible to present a homogeneous stereoscopic image 300 over the entire viewing area 500 defined in the stereoscopic display 1. The position of the voxel to be presented as a part of the stereoscopic image 300 needs to be set in the image presentation space RS.

[9] Other Embodiments (1) In the stereoscopic display 1 according to the above embodiment, the stereoscopic image 300 is presented in the image presentation space RS by a plurality of light rays reflected twice by the two reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The stereoscopic image 300 may be presented in the image presentation space RS by a plurality of light rays reflected three or more times by at least one of the two reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a. The stereoscopic display that presents the stereoscopic image 300 by the plurality of light rays reflected three times or more may include three or more individually produced reflecting members. For example, in a stereoscopic display that presents a stereoscopic image 300 by a plurality of light rays reflected three times, instead of the above-mentioned reflecting members 7 and 8, three separately produced reflective members are first and first. It may be provided as the second and third reflective members. In this case, the first reflecting member has a cylindrical shape surrounding the reference axis ra, and is provided so as to directly receive and reflect a group of light rays emitted from each light ray generator 2 on its inner peripheral surface. Further, the second reflecting member has a cylindrical shape surrounding the reference axis ra, and is provided so as to directly receive and reflect a group of light rays reflected by the first reflecting member on the inner peripheral surface thereof. Further, the third reflecting member has a cylindrical shape surrounding the reference axis ra, and is provided so as to directly receive and reflect the light rays group reflected by the second reflecting member on the inner peripheral surface thereof.

The range within the range 500 that can be reached by the group of light rays emitted from one light beam generator and reflected three or more times is within the range 500 within the range 500 that the group of light rays reflected twice by the reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a can reach. Larger than the range of. Thereby, the stereoscopic image 300 visually recognized by the observer 10 at each of the plurality of positions in the visual range 500 can be formed by a larger number of light rays by using a larger number of light ray generators. As a result, the stereoscopic image 300 can be further improved in definition.

(2) As a configuration for reflecting each of the plurality of light rays emitted from the plurality of light beam generators 2a to 2r twice, the following reflecting members are used instead of the reflecting members 7 and 8 according to the above embodiment. You may.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the reflective member according to another embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the reflective member according to another embodiment. FIG. Is a schematic cross-sectional view showing still another example of the reflective member according to another embodiment.

In the example of FIG. 12, the reflecting surface 8a of the reflecting member 8 is inclined with respect to the direction of the reference axis ra in the side view. In this way, by inclining at least one of the reflecting members 7 and 8 with respect to the direction of the reference axis ra, a group of light rays reflected from each light generator 2 toward the viewing area 500. The direction of travel can be adjusted. Thereby, the height of the viewing range 500 can be adjusted without changing the size of the reflective member 8 in the vertical direction.

In the example of FIG. 13, the reflecting member 71 that reflects the group of light rays emitted from the light ray generator 2 twice is composed of a single cylindrical member. The reflecting member 71 has an inner peripheral surface centered on the reference axis ra as the reflecting surface 71a. The inner diameter of the reflective member 71 is constant. According to the reflection member 71 of FIG. 13, the configuration for reflecting the light ray group generated from each light ray generator 2 is simplified.

In the example of FIG. 14, the reflection member 72 that reflects the light beam group emitted from the light beam generator 2 twice is composed of a single cylindrical member, as in the example of FIG. The reflective member 72 has a configuration in which a large diameter portion 72a, an intermediate portion 72b, and a small diameter portion 72c are arranged downward from the lower surface of the top plate 51 in this order, and is provided so as to surround the reference axis ra. There is. Further, the reflective member 72 has an inner peripheral surface centered on the reference axis ra as the reflective surface 72s.

The large diameter portion 72a and the small diameter portion 72c each have a substantially constant inner diameter. The inner diameter of the large diameter portion 72a is larger than the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 72c. The intermediate portion 72b is formed so as to connect the large diameter portion 72a and the small diameter portion 72c. Therefore, the inner diameter of the intermediate portion 72b changes so as to transition from the small diameter portion 72c to the large diameter portion 72a. Specifically, the inner diameter of the intermediate portion 72b is gradually increased from the lower side to the upper side. According to the reflection member 72 of FIG. 14, the number of parts for reflecting the light ray group generated from each light ray generator 2 is reduced, and the configuration is simplified. Further, by appropriately setting the portion where the inner diameter changes in the direction of the reference axis ra, the traveling direction of the ray group reflected from each ray generator 2 toward the viewing area 500 can be determined regardless of the ray controller 9. Can be adjusted.

The reflecting surface 72s of at least one of the large diameter portion 72a and the small diameter portion 72c may be formed so as to be concavely curved from the lower side to the upper side in the virtual surface including the reference axis ra. That is, the vertical cross section of at least one of the large-diameter portion 72a and the small-diameter portion 72s of the reflecting surface 72s may have a concave shape. In this case, a part of the light ray group emitted from each light ray generator 2 is reflected by at least one reflecting surface 72s of the large diameter portion 72a and the small diameter portion 72c, so that each light ray generator is reflected in the vertical direction. It is also possible to collect the ray trains emitted from No. 2 at each position in the viewing area 500.

(3) The stereoscopic display 1 according to the above embodiment is provided with the light ray controller 9, but the light ray controller 9 may not be provided. In this case, the image presentation space RS is, for example, the shape and size of the reflecting surface 8a of the reflecting member 8, the size of the hole 51h of the top plate 51, the shape and size of the viewing area 500, and the reflecting member 8 and the viewing area 500. It can be uniquely determined based on the positional relationship between them.

(4) In the stereoscopic display 1 according to the above embodiment, the light ray controller 9 having a conical shape is attached to the table 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. The light ray controller 9 may have a truncated cone shape or a cylindrical shape. Further, the light ray controller 9 may be provided so as to be in contact with any of the reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a.

(5) In the stereoscopic display 1 according to the above embodiment, the viewing area 500 is defined at a position above the top plate 51 of the table 5, and the reflecting members 7 and 8 and the plurality of light beam generators 2 are the top plate 51. Although provided below, the invention is not limited to this. The stereoscopic display 1 may have a configuration that is inverted in the vertical direction with respect to the top plate 51 of the table 5. In this case, the observer 10 can visually recognize the stereoscopic image 300 by looking at the light ray controller 9 obliquely upward from below at an arbitrary position within the viewing range 500.

(6) In the stereoscopic display 1 according to the above embodiment, the image presentation space RS is set above the inner peripheral surface of the light ray controller 9, but the present invention is not limited to this. The image presentation space RS may be set below the inner peripheral surface of the light ray controller 9. In this case, the light ray controller 9 is fitted into the hole 51h so that the bottom opening faces downward. More specifically, the bottom of the light ray controller 9 is fitted into the hole 51h so that its apex and most of its outer peripheral surface are located above the top plate 51. In this state, the stereoscopic image 300 is presented below the light ray controller 9. The ray controller 9 is made of a translucent material. As a result, the observer 10 can visually recognize the stereoscopic image 300 through the light ray controller 9 by looking at the light ray controller 9 from the visual range 500.

(7) Each of the reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a of the reflecting members 7 and 8 according to the above embodiment has a circular shape centered on the reference axis ra in a plane perpendicular to the reference axis ra. Not limited to. Each of the reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a may have a substantially circular shape centered on the reference axis ra in a plane perpendicular to the reference axis ra. That is, each of the reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a may have a horizontal cross section having a polygonal shape that can be regarded as a substantially circular shape. Further, the horizontal cross section of each of the reflecting surfaces 7a and 8a may have a circular shape (elliptical shape) including a distortion that can be regarded as a substantially circular shape. Alternatively, the horizontal cross sections of the reflecting surfaces 7a, 8a may have seams or breaks (chips) to the extent that they can be regarded as substantially circular.

(8) In the stereoscopic display 1 according to the above embodiment, the plurality of light beam generators 2 are arranged on a circle 600 centered on the reference axis ra in a plan view, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The plurality of ray generators 2 may be provided so as to surround the reference axis ra in a plan view. Therefore, a part of the plurality of ray generators 2 does not have to be arranged on the circle 600.

(9) The stereoscopic display 1 according to the above embodiment includes 18 ray generators 2 as a plurality of ray generators 2, but the number of ray generators 2 included in the stereoscopic display 1 may be a plurality. It may be 10 pieces or 30 pieces. Alternatively, the number of light beam generators 2 may be about 200 to 300. It is preferable that the plurality of light beam generators 2 are provided at equiangular intervals or substantially equiangular intervals with reference to the reference axis ra in a plan view.

(10) In the stereoscopic display 1 according to the above embodiment, an electrically controllable projector or the like is used as the light beam generator 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the stereoscopic display 1, the light beam generator 2 may have a configuration in which a point light source or a laser pointer and a slide film are combined (a configuration corresponding to a so-called projector). In this case, the storage device 4 becomes unnecessary by preparing in advance a slide film representing an image for presenting the stereoscopic image 300.

(11) In the stereoscopic display 1 described above, the inner diameter of the reflecting surface 8a is larger than the inner diameter of the reflecting surface 7a, but the inner diameters of the reflecting surfaces 7 and 8 are smaller than the inner diameter of the reflecting surface 7a. It may be configured in. In this case, the configuration of the peripheral members of the image presentation space RS can be miniaturized. Further, since the large configuration can be arranged at a lower position on the stereoscopic display 1, the installation state of the stereoscopic display 1 is stable.

(12) The light ray controller 9 provided in the stereoscopic display 1 according to the above embodiment is such that the light rays incident on the outer peripheral surface are diffused while being largely diffused in the ridgeline direction T and smallly diffused in the circumferential direction R. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The light ray controller 9 may have the following functions in addition to the function of diffusing the transmitted light beam L in one direction or in addition to the function of diffusing the transmitted light ray L in one direction.

The ray controller 9 may have a function of changing or limiting the traveling direction of the transmitted ray L. In this case, by changing or limiting the traveling direction of the transmitted light beam L, the light ray sequence transmitted through the light ray controller 9 can be focused on the viewing range 500 at a desired height.

The ray controller 9 that changes or limits the traveling direction of the transmitted ray L can be realized by using, for example, a prism, a member having a parallax barrier structure, a diffraction grating, a hologram, or the like. When a prism is used, the configuration for changing the traveling direction of the transmitted light beam L is, for example, to prepare a conical base member formed of a transparent sheet-like resin, and to prepare a plurality of conical base members on the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface of the base member. This can be achieved by providing an annular prism.

When a member having a variable parallax barrier structure is used as a configuration for changing or limiting the traveling direction of the light ray L transmitted through the light ray controller 9, a plurality of parallax barrier structures are controlled. It is also possible to appropriately change the focusing position of the light beam L.

Further, the light ray controller 9 may have a function of changing the characteristics of the light ray L to be transmitted. In this case, the amount of light and the hue of the presented stereoscopic image 300 can be adjusted by changing the characteristics of the transmitted light beam L.

The ray controller 9 that changes the characteristics of the transmitted ray L can be realized by using, for example, an ND (neutral density) filter, a color filter, or the like.

(13) The number of light ray controllers 9 provided in the stereoscopic display 1 according to the above embodiment is one, but the present invention is not limited to this. The number of light ray controllers 9 provided in the stereoscopic display 1 may be 2 or more. By using two or more ray controllers 9, the image quality of the stereoscopic image 300 can be easily adjusted. A circular diffusion plate may be provided so as to close the hole 51h of the top plate 51. In this case, the uneven brightness of the stereoscopic image 300 is reduced, and the image quality of the stereoscopic image 300 is further improved.

[10] Correspondence relationship between each part of the embodiment and each component of the claim Hereinafter, an example of correspondence between each component of the claim and each component of the embodiment will be described.

In the above embodiment, the three-dimensional display 1 is an example of a three-dimensional display, the reference axis ra is an example of a reference axis, the reflection surfaces 7a and 8a are examples of reflection surfaces, and the reflection members 7 and 8 are reflections. Examples of members, light generators 2, 2a to 2r are examples of light generators, control device 3 is an example of a control unit, viewing area 500 is an example of annular viewing area, and reflecting surface 7a is an example. The first portion of the reflective surface is an example, the reflective surface 8a is an example of the second portion of the reflective surface, and the ray controller 9 is an example of a ray controller.

As each component of the claim, various other components having the configuration or function described in the claim can also be used.

Claims (6)

1. A stereoscopic display for presenting a stereoscopic image based on stereoscopic shape data.
   A reflective member having a reflective surface that surrounds the reference axis with a reference axis extending in the vertical direction as a center.
   A plurality of ray generators configured to be capable of emitting a group of rays composed of a plurality of rays and arranged so as to surround the reference axis.
   It is provided with a control unit that controls the plurality of ray generators.
   An annular circular vision centered on the reference axis is defined.
   The reflective member is configured such that the reflective surface has a substantially circular shape centered on the reference axis in any cross section perpendicular to the reference axis.
   Each of the plurality of ray generators is provided so that each ray of the ray group is reflected a plurality of times by the reflecting surface.
   The control unit is the plurality of ray generators so that a stereoscopic image visible from the annular visual region is presented by the plurality of rays emitted from the plurality of ray generators and reflected a plurality of times by the reflecting surface. A stereoscopic display that controls.
2. The reflecting member and the plurality of ray generators are provided so that a group of rays emitted from each ray generator and reflected a plurality of times by the reflecting surface reaches the entire area of the annular visual region. The stereoscopic display according to 1.
3. The reflective surface of the reflective member is
   The first part that directly receives and reflects the group of rays emitted from each ray generator,
   Includes a second portion that directly receives and reflects the light beam group reflected by the first portion.
   In the direction of the reference axis, the position of the first portion and the position of the second portion are different from each other.
   The stereoscopic display according to claim 2, wherein the distance between the reference axis and the second portion is different from the distance between the reference axis and the first portion.
4. The stereoscopic display according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of light ray generators are located outside the reflection surface of the reflection member in a plan view in the direction of the reference axis.
5. The group of rays emitted from each of the plurality of ray generators has a row of rays arranged in a plane parallel to the direction of the reference axis and a row of rays arranged in a plane parallel to the direction perpendicular to the reference axis. Including
   The three-dimensional display according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the number of rays forming the row of rays is larger than the number of rays forming the row of rays.
6. Further including a ray controller that controls while transmitting each ray of a group of rays emitted from each of the plurality of ray generators and reflected a plurality of times by the reflecting surface.
   The stereoscopic display according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the light ray controller is located between the reflecting surface of the reflecting member and the annular viewing area.

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