Thin aerial image display device and non-contact input device using the same

The thin aerial image display device addresses the space and flexibility issues of existing devices by using a compact design with perpendicular light reflecting surfaces, enabling high-quality aerial image formation and flexible installation, and integrates detection for precise input in contactless applications.

JP2025058526AActive Publication Date: 2025-04-09ASUKANET
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023168513
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-09-28
Publication Date
2025-04-09
Estimated Expiration
2043-09-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing optical imaging devices and contactless input devices require a large installation space due to their bulky design, limiting their flexibility and widespread use.

Method used

A thin aerial image display device with a flat plate shape, featuring parallel light incidence and emitting surfaces, and incorporating a plurality of first and second light reflecting surfaces arranged perpendicularly. This device displays an aerial image on an inclined image plane using light emitted from a flat-shaped display, allowing for compact design and flexible installation.

Benefits of technology

The thin aerial image display device achieves a compact and flexible design, enabling the formation of high-quality, clear aerial images with excellent space-saving and installation flexibility, while the contactless input device integrates detection means for precise input detection.

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Abstract

To provide a thin aerial image display device capable of forming a clear aerial image while being thin, and being excellent in space saving and installation freedom, and a non-contact input device using the same.SOLUTION: A non-contact input device 10 comprises: optical image formation means 18 formed in a flat plate state comprising an incidence plane 16 and an emission plane 17 which are arranged in parallel, and having a plurality of first light reflection planes and a plurality of second light reflection planes which are formed at a right angle to the incidence plane 16 and the emission plane 17 and arranged in parallel at prescribed intervals and arranged so as to be orthogonal in plan view; and a flat plate display 20 arranged on the incidence plane 16 side of the optical image formation means 18, and having a light emission plane 19 parallel to the incidence plane 16. The non-contact input device is composed of: a thin aerial image display device 11 for displaying an aerial image 12 on an image formation plane 21 which is inclined at an angle α to the emission plane 17 on the emission plane 17 side of the optical image formation means 18; and detection means 14 attached to the thin aerial image display device 11, for detecting the position of instruction means 13 in contact with the aerial image 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a thin aerial image display device in which a plurality of band-shaped first and second light reflecting surfaces (mirror surfaces), each arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, for example, display an aerial image based on an image on a flat display arranged parallel to the light incident surface of an aerial image forming means arranged orthogonally in a planar view, and a non-contact input device using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a stereoscopic image forming device (optical imaging device) described in Patent Document 1 is known as a device for forming a stereoscopic image (aerial image = real image) of an object in the air using light (scattered light) emitted from the object surface (target object). This imaging device has first and second light control panels formed by arranging a large number of band-shaped metal reflecting surfaces perpendicularly on one side of two transparent flat plates at a constant pitch inside the two transparent flat plates, and the first and second light control panels are closely attached to each other with one side facing each other so that the light reflecting surfaces of the first and second light control panels are orthogonal to each other. In this optical imaging device, as shown in Figures 3, 5, and 6 of Patent Document 1, the object image M' or N' formed in the air is generated at a symmetrical position to the object M or N across the optical imaging device. This is also true when a display device such as a display is installed instead of the object M or N and an aerial image of an image displayed on the display device is formed. Therefore, even in a non-contact input device using this optical imaging device, as shown in FIG. 2 of Patent Document 2, for example, the angle a between the display that displays the image and the optical imaging means is equal to the angle a between the optical imaging means and the spatial image that is imaged in space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2009 / 131128 [Patent Document 2] Utility model registration No. 3219968 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Thus, in both the optical imaging device of Patent Document 1 and the non-contact input device of Patent Document 2, in order to tilt and form (float) an aerial image in the space above the optical imaging device based on an image displayed on the display device, the display device must be installed in an inclined state below the optical imaging device, requiring a large installation space. For this reason, the optical imaging device and the non-contact input device are large and lack flexibility in installation, which has been an obstacle to the widespread use of the optical imaging device and the non-contact input device. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a thin aerial image display device that is thin yet capable of forming a clear aerial image, and has excellent space-saving and installation flexibility, as well as a non-contact input device using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A thin aerial image display device according to a first invention that meets the above-mentioned objective is a thin aerial image display device that is formed in a flat plate shape having a parallel arranged light entrance surface and light exit surface, has a plurality of first light reflecting surfaces that are formed perpendicular to the light entrance surface and the light exit surface and are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, and a plurality of second light reflecting surfaces that are formed perpendicular to the light entrance surface and the light exit surface and are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, and is equipped with an optical imaging means in which the first light reflecting surfaces and the second light reflecting surfaces are arranged orthogonally in a planar view, and displays an aerial image on an imaging surface inclined at an angle α with respect to the light exit surface on the light exit surface side, When an image display means having a display surface that displays an image at a position symmetrical to the imaging surface across from the optical imaging means is virtually positioned on the imaging surface side of the optical imaging means, light irradiated from the display surface toward the imaging surface of the optical imaging means is reproduced on a flat display that is positioned on the imaging surface side of the optical imaging means and has a light emitting surface parallel to the light entrance surface, and an aerial image corresponding to the image is formed on the imaging surface by light that is irradiated from the light emitting surface toward the imaging surface of the optical imaging means and is reflected once by the first light reflecting surface and then once by the second light reflecting surface.

[0006] In the thin aerial image display device according to the first invention, the light emitting surface of the flat display is preferably composed of a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a lattice pattern.

[0007] In the thin aerial image display device according to the first invention, it is preferable that a central axis of light emitted from each of the light-emitting elements is perpendicular to the display surface of the image display means.

[0008] In the thin aerial image display device according to the first invention, it is preferable that the directivity angle of light emitted from each of the light emitting elements is within 40 degrees.

[0009] In the thin aerial image display device pertaining to the first invention, the light-emitting element is preferably a micro LED.

[0010] The non-contact input device of the second invention, which meets the above-mentioned objective, is a non-contact input device that uses the thin aerial image display device of the first invention, and comprises the thin aerial image display device and a detection means attached to the thin aerial image display device for detecting the position of an instruction means that touches the aerial image.

[0011] In the non-contact input device according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the detection means is disposed parallel to a lower side of the aerial image.

[0012] In the non-contact input device of the second invention, it is preferable that the detection means has a light-emitting unit that irradiates detection light in a direction parallel to the aerial image to form a detection surface parallel to the aerial image, and a light-receiving unit that receives reflected light from the pointing means when the pointing means touches the detection surface at a position overlapping the aerial image when viewed from the front. Effect of the Invention

[0013] The thin aerial image display device of the first invention is capable of displaying an aerial image on an imaging surface inclined at an angle α with respect to the light exit surface on the light exit surface side of the optical imaging means based on light irradiated toward the light entrance surface from a flat display having an light emitting surface parallel to the light entrance surface of the optical imaging means, and is extremely compact and has excellent installation flexibility.

[0014] In the thin aerial image display device according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the light-emitting surface of the flat display is composed of a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a lattice pattern, a high-quality, clear aerial image can be displayed.

[0015] In the thin aerial image display device of the first invention, when the central axis of the light irradiated from each light-emitting element is perpendicular to the display surface of the image display means, the image displayed on the virtual image display means can be accurately reproduced on a flat display, and the aerial image can be reliably displayed on a specified imaging surface.

[0016] In the thin aerial image display device according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the directivity angle of the light emitted from each light emitting element is within 40 degrees, a bright and clear aerial image can be obtained.

[0017] In the thin aerial image display device according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the light emitting elements are micro LEDs, a high definition aerial image can be obtained, and the device has a long life and excellent energy saving properties.

[0018] The non-contact input device of the second invention uses a thin aerial image display device equipped with a flat display having an emitting surface parallel to the light entrance surface of the optical imaging means, and is therefore extremely thin, space-saving, and easy to install.

[0019] When the detection means is arranged parallel to the lower edge of the aerial image, the non-contact input device of the second invention can simplify the configuration by integrating the thin aerial image display device and the detection means, resulting in excellent space-saving and mass-producibility.

[0020] In the non-contact input device of the second invention, when the detection means has a light-emitting unit that irradiates detection light in a direction parallel to the aerial image to form a detection surface parallel to the aerial image, and a light-receiving unit that receives reflected light from the pointing means when the pointing means touches the detection surface at a position overlapping with the aerial image when viewed from the front, there is no need to install a separate light-emitting unit for irradiating detection light externally, thereby improving space saving and installation flexibility. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a non-contact input device using a thin aerial image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional side view showing a main part of the non-contact input device. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are a front sectional view and a side sectional view showing the operation of an optical imaging means in a thin aerial image display device used in the non-contact input device. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic side view illustrating an image displayed on a flat display of the non-contact input device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] A non-contact input device using a thin aerial image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a non-contact input device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a thin aerial image display device 11 and a detection means 14 attached to the thin aerial image display device 11 for detecting the position of a pointing means 13 (here, a finger) such as a finger or a touch pen touching the aerial image 12.

[0023] 2, the thin aerial image display device 11 includes an optical imaging means 18 formed in a flat plate shape having a light entrance surface 16 and a light exit surface 17 arranged in parallel, and a flat display 20 arranged on the light entrance surface 16 side of the optical imaging means 18 and having a light emitting surface 19 parallel to the light entrance surface 16, and displays an aerial image 12 on an imaging surface 21 inclined at an angle α with respect to the light exit surface 17 on the light exit surface 17 side. Here, the angle α is preferably in the range of about 30 to 60 degrees, but is not limited to this range and may be selected as appropriate. As shown in Figures 3(A) and (B), the optical imaging means 18 has a plurality of first light reflecting surfaces 22 formed perpendicular to the light entering surface 16 and the light exiting surface 17 and arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, and a plurality of second light reflecting surfaces 23 formed perpendicular to the light entering surface 16 and the light exiting surface 17 and arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, the first light reflecting surfaces 22 and the second light reflecting surfaces 23 being arranged orthogonal to each other when viewed in a plane.

[0024] In manufacturing this optical imaging means 18, for example, a transparent resin is molded (e.g., by injection molding, press molding, roll molding, etc.) to produce a first molded body 27 having a plurality of grooves 26, each having a trapezoidal cross section and one side of which is a vertical surface 24 and the other side of which is an inclined surface 25, arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, and a second molded body 31 having a plurality of grooves 30, each having a trapezoidal cross section and one side of which is a vertical surface 28 and the other side of which is an inclined surface 29, arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, as shown in Figures 3(A) and (B). Then, the vertical surfaces 24, 28 of the grooves 26, 30 of the first molded body 27 and the second molded body 31, respectively, are covered with a metal reflective film 33, thereby forming a first light control section 35 having a plurality of first light reflecting surfaces 22 and a second light control section 36 having a plurality of second light reflecting surfaces 23. The metal reflective film 33 reflects light specularly (mirror-like) and is made from a metal such as aluminum, and can cover the vertical surfaces 24, 28 by methods such as sputtering, metal vapor deposition, spraying of metal microparticles, ion beam irradiation, or plating. Then, each groove 26 of the first light control unit 35 and each groove 30 of the second light control unit 36 ​​are filled with transparent adhesive 37, and with grooves 26 and 30 facing each other, the first light control unit 35 and the second light control unit 36 ​​are stacked (overlapped) in the thickness direction, joined, and integrated so that the first light reflecting surface 22 and the second light reflecting surface 23 are perpendicular in a planar view, thereby obtaining the optical imaging means 18.

[0025] Next, the operation of the optical imaging means 18 will be described. As shown in Figures 3(A) and (B), in the optical imaging means 18, of the light emitted from an object not shown and incident on the first light control unit 35 from the light entrance surface 16, for example, light L1 and L2 enter the first light control unit 35 from positions P11 and P21, respectively, are reflected once at positions P12 and P22 on the first light reflecting surface 22, enter the second light control unit 36, are reflected once at positions P13 and P23 on the second light reflecting surface 23, and are emitted into the air from the second light control unit 36 ​​at positions P14 and P24 on the light exit surface 17. Here, the light L1 and L2 enter the transparent adhesive 37 from the first molded body 27 at Q1 and Q2 in Fig. 3(B) and enter the second molded body 31 from the transparent adhesive 37 at S1 and S2 in Fig. 3(A), but since the refractive indexes η1 and η2 of the first molded body 27 and the second molded body 31 are the same and are close to (substantially equal to) the refractive index η3 of the transparent adhesive 37, the effect of refraction is extremely small and phenomena such as total reflection and spectroscopic analysis do not occur. Therefore, an innumerable amount of light emitted from the object, reflected once by the first light reflecting surface 22 of the optical imaging means 18, and then reflected once by the second light reflecting surface 23, forms an image in the air, forming an aerial image (not shown) that is a real image of the object at a position symmetrical to the object across the optical imaging means 18.

[0026] Although the light L1 and L2 are refracted at positions P11 and P21 on the light entrance surface 16 and positions P14 and P24 on the light exit surface 17, the transparent resin (first molded body 27 and second molded body 31) that serves as the base material for the first light control unit 35 and the second light control unit 36 ​​has the same refractive index and is homogeneous, and all light involved in the formation of the aerial image is refracted at a constant (same) angle at the light entrance surface 16 and the light exit surface 17, similar to the light L1 and L2, regardless of the light entrance position and the light exit position, so that these refractions do not affect the image formation. In addition, in Figures 3(A) and (B), the left side surface of the metal reflective film 33 is the first light reflecting surface 22 and the second light reflecting surface 23, but either the front or back surface (left or right in Figures 3(A) and (B)) of the metal reflective film 33 can function as the first light reflecting surface and the second light reflecting surface, and either the front or back surface of the metal reflective film 33 functions as the first light reflecting surface and the second light reflecting surface depending on the arrangement (front / back inversion) of the first light control unit 35 and the second light control unit 36 ​​or the direction in which light enters.

[0027] In conventional aerial image display devices that combine this optical imaging means 18 with a display device such as a display, and in non-contact input devices that utilize this aerial image display device, in order to tilt the aerial image and form it (make it float) in the space above the optical imaging means 18, the display device must be installed in an inclined state below the optical imaging means 18, which increases the height (thickness) of the aerial image display device and non-contact input device, resulting in problems such as a lack of flexibility in installation and ease of handling. In contrast, in the thin aerial image display device 11 shown in Figures 1 and 2, when an image display means 40 having a display surface 39 that displays an image at a position symmetrical to the imaging surface 21 across the optical imaging means 18 (the position of the display in a conventional aerial image display device) is virtually positioned on the light entrance surface 16 side of the optical imaging means 18, the light irradiated from the display surface 39 toward the light entrance surface 16 of the optical imaging means 18 is reproduced on a flat display 20 arranged on the light entrance surface 16 side of the optical imaging means 18 and having a light emitting surface 19 parallel to the light entrance surface 16. That is, as shown in Fig. 4, the flat display 20 can reproduce an image to be displayed on the display surface 39 by irradiating from the light emitting surface 19 toward the light incident surface 16 of the optical imaging means 18 each light contained in a bundle of light irradiated from a plurality of pixels 42 (four pixels are shown here as representatives) constituting an image to be displayed on the display surface 39 of the virtually arranged image display means 40, and collecting the light from each pixel 41 in a pseudo manner. In other words, the image to be displayed on the display surface 39 of the image display means 40 can be projected onto the light emitting surface 19 of the flat display 20, and the image projected on the light emitting surface 19 can be reconstructed and displayed by a plurality of light emitting elements (not shown) arranged on the light emitting surface 19.

[0028] In FIG. 2, the light-emitting surface 19 of the flat display 20 is composed of a plurality of light-emitting elements 42 arranged in a grid pattern (vertical and horizontal). As the light-emitting elements 42, micro LEDs are preferably used, but are not limited thereto, and elements that combine three colors of light, R, G, and B, to display a color image are appropriately used. The central axis of the light irradiated from each light-emitting element 42 (light rays indicated by arrows in FIG. 2) is perpendicular to the display surface 39 of the image display means 40, so that the angle θ between the central axis of the light irradiated from each light-emitting element 42 and the light-emitting surface 19 is 90-α. The directional angle of the light irradiated from each light-emitting element 42 is preferably within 40 degrees, but is not limited thereto and may be appropriately selected. In this way, instead of the conventional image display means 40 that was inclined at an angle α on the light entrance surface 16 side of the optical imaging means 18, the flat display 20 is arranged parallel to the light entrance surface 16, thereby obtaining a thin aerial image display device 11. The thin aerial image display device 11 can form an aerial image 12 corresponding to the image on the image display means 40 on the imaging surface 21 by light that is irradiated from the light emitting surface 19 toward the light entrance surface 16 of the optical imaging means 18, reflected once by the first light reflecting surface 22 (see FIG. 3(B)) and then reflected once by the second light reflecting surface 23 (see FIG. 3(A)).

[0029] Next, the detection means 14 will be described. 1 and 2, the detection means 14 is disposed parallel to the bottom side of the aerial image 12 inside a housing 43 of the thin aerial image display device 11. An opening 44 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the detection means 14 is formed in the upper surface of the housing 43, and the detection means 14 has a light-emitting section (not shown) that irradiates detection light through the opening 44 in a direction parallel to the aerial image 12 to form a detection surface 45 parallel to the aerial image 12 (in this embodiment, coincident with the imaging surface 21), and a light-receiving section (not shown) that receives reflected light reflected from the pointing means 13 when the pointing means 13 touches the detection surface 45 at a position overlapping with the aerial image 12 in a front view. With the above configuration, the aerial image 12 (=imaging surface 21, detection surface 45) can function as a non-contact input screen, and when a user looks at the aerial image 12 and indicates a specific position on the aerial image 12 with the pointing means 13, that position is detected by the detection means 14, and characters are input or a specific operation (command) is executed corresponding to the indicated position.

[0030] As the detection means 13, a zForce (registered trademark) AIR touch sensor or an optical sensor formed in a flat bar shape (striped shape), such as AIRBAR (registered trademark), is preferably used. The position of the pointing means 13 pointing to the aerial image 12 can be detected by scanning the surface of the aerial image 12 (imaging surface 21) with detection light, such as laser light or infrared light, irradiated from the detection means 13 (light emitting unit). In this embodiment, the detection means 14 is accommodated inside the housing 43, but the detection means 14 can be installed on the outer upper surface of the housing 43 and the opening 44 can be omitted. The detection means 14 may be disposed parallel to the aerial image 12 on either the left or right side of the aerial image 12. In this case, the detection means 14 is rotatably held by the housing 43, and is configured to be placed on the upper surface of the housing 43 except when in use, thereby achieving excellent compactness. The configuration of the detection means is not limited to that of this embodiment, and may be any configuration that can detect the position of the pointing means 13 touching the aerial image 12. For example, the detection means may be a frame-type sensor (a type of optical proximity sensor) formed in a frame shape along the outer periphery of the aerial image 12 and having a plurality of light-emitting elements and light-receiving elements arranged around the aerial image 12, or an infrared motion sensor or the like. Note that, in this embodiment, the imaging surface 21 and the detection surface 45 coincide with each other, but the detection surface 45 may be arranged parallel to the imaging surface 21 with a gap provided in front of or behind the imaging surface 21.

[0031] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments, and also includes other embodiments and variations that can be considered within the scope of the matters described in the claims. As a method of integrating the first light control unit and the second light control unit, the first light control unit and the second light control unit are arranged facing each other so that one side of the first light control unit and the other side of the second light control unit, that is, the sides on which the grooves are formed, face each other, and a sheet-like transparent resin having a lower melting point than the first molded body and the second molded body is sandwiched between them, and heated and pressurized in a vacuum state to melt and solidify only the transparent resin. Alternatively, the grooves of the first light control unit and the second light control unit may be filled with molten transparent resin separately, solidified, and molded into a flat plate shape, and then bonded with a transparent adhesive or the like. At this time, the one side of the first light control unit and the other side of the second light control unit may be arranged facing each other and bonded, or the one side of the first light control unit and the one side of the second light control unit may be arranged facing each other and bonded, or the other side of the first light control unit and one side of the second light control unit may be arranged facing each other and bonded. Furthermore, instead of the first and second light control sections being formed separately from two transparent resin molded bodies and then joined together, the first and second light control sections may be formed on both sides of a single transparent resin molded body.

[0032] In the above embodiment, the optical imaging means is described as having a first light control section in which a plurality of light reflecting surfaces of the first and second light control sections are arranged linearly (parallel), but a first light control section in which a plurality of light reflecting surfaces are arranged radially and a second light control section in which a plurality of light reflecting surfaces are arranged concentrically may be used. In this case, the radial light reflecting surface of the first light control section is arranged linearly with the reference point X as the center, whereas the concentric light reflecting surface of the second light control section is curved along a concentric circle with the reference point Y as the center, which overlaps with the reference point X in a plan view, but at the point where the light reflecting surfaces intersect each other in a plan view, the two are perpendicular to each other. Thus, an aerial image can be formed in the same manner as in the above embodiment. Furthermore, as an optical imaging means, for example, as described in Japanese Patent No. 5437436, first and second light control units having a number of strip-shaped reflective surfaces arranged vertically (e.g., at the same pitch) on one side surface may be used, which are superimposed so that the strip-shaped reflective surfaces are orthogonal to each other in a planar view. In the above embodiment, the grooves of the first and second molded bodies (first and second optical control units) are formed to have a trapezoidal cross section, but since the bottom portion of the groove is not an essential component of the optical imaging means, the dimensions (width) of the bottom portion do not need to be strictly controlled, and the groove may be formed to have a triangular cross section that opens out to one side or the other side, with one side being a vertical surface and the other side being an inclined surface. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 10: non-contact input device, 11: thin aerial image display device, 12: aerial image, 13: indication means, 14: detection means, 16: light entrance surface, 17: light exit surface, 18: optical imaging means, 19: light emitting surface, 20: flat display, 21: imaging surface, 22: first light reflecting surface, 23: second light reflecting surface, 24: vertical surface, 25: inclined surface, 26: groove, 27: first molded body, 28: vertical surface, 29: inclined surface, 30: groove, 31: second molded body, 33: metal reflective film, 35: first light control unit, 36: second light control unit, 37: transparent adhesive, 39: display surface, 40: image display means, 41: pixel, 42: light emitting element, 43: housing, 44: opening, 45: detection surface

Claims

1. a thin aerial image display device that is formed in a flat plate shape having parallel arranged light entrance and exit surfaces, a plurality of first light reflecting surfaces formed perpendicular to the light entrance and light exit surfaces and arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, and a plurality of second light reflecting surfaces formed perpendicular to the light entrance and light exit surfaces and arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, the first light reflecting surfaces and the second light reflecting surfaces being arranged orthogonal to each other in a planar view, the thin aerial image display device comprising: an optical imaging means that displays an aerial image on an imaging surface inclined at an angle α with respect to the light exit surface on the light exit surface side, When an image display means having a display surface that displays an image at a position symmetrical to the imaging surface across from the optical imaging means is virtually positioned on the imaging surface side of the optical imaging means, light irradiated from the display surface toward the imaging surface of the optical imaging means is reproduced on a flat display arranged on the imaging surface side of the optical imaging means and having a light emitting surface parallel to the light entrance surface, and an aerial image corresponding to the image is formed on the imaging surface by light irradiated from the light emitting surface toward the imaging surface of the optical imaging means, which is reflected once by the first light reflecting surface and then once by the second light reflecting surface.

2. 2. The thin aerial image display device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting surface of the flat display is composed of a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a lattice pattern.

3. 3. The thin aerial image display device according to claim 2, wherein a central axis of light emitted from each of said light emitting elements is perpendicular to said display surface of said image display means.

4. 3. The thin aerial image display device according to claim 2, wherein a directivity angle of light emitted from each of said light emitting elements is within 40 degrees.

5. 3. The thin aerial image display device according to claim 2, wherein the light emitting element is a micro LED.

6. A non-contact input device using a thin aerial image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: the thin aerial image display device; and a detection means attached to the thin aerial image display device for detecting a position of a pointing means touching the aerial image.

7. 7. The non-contact input device according to claim 6, wherein said detection means is disposed parallel to a lower side of said aerial image.

8. 8. The non-contact input device according to claim 7, wherein the detection means includes a light-emitting unit that irradiates detection light in a direction parallel to the aerial image to form a detection surface parallel to the aerial image, and a light-receiving unit that receives reflected light from the pointing means when the pointing means touches the detection surface at a position overlapping the aerial image when viewed from the front.

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