Aerial image display device and contactless input type aerial display using the same

Abstract

To provide an aerial image display device capable of forming a clear aerial image and having excellent visibility, and a contactless input type aerial display using the same.SOLUTION: A contactless input type aerial display 10 is constituted by: an aerial image display device 11 including optical image forming means 18 composed of a plurality of first light reflection surfaces and a plurality of second light reflection surfaces which are orthogonally arranged in a plan view, which are formed in a planar shape having parallel-arranged light-incoming surface 16 and light-outgoing surface 17, and which are respectively formed at right angles to the light-incoming surface 16 and light-outgoing surface 17 and parallel-arranged at a prescribed interval, image display means 19 located on the light-incoming surface 16 side of the optical image forming means 18 and whose luminance for displaying an image which is the base of an aerial image 12 is 200 cd / m2 or greater, and a light diffusion member 20 which is covered over an image display surface 19a of the image display means 19; and detection means 14 provided to the aerial image display device 11, for detecting the position of indication means 13 that touches the aerial image 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerial image display device that displays an aerial image by an optical imaging means in which a plurality of strip-shaped first and second light reflecting surfaces (mirror surfaces), each arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, are orthogonally arranged in a plan view, and a non-contact input type aerial display using the same.

Background Art

[0002] As an apparatus that forms a three-dimensional image (aerial image = real image) of an object in the air using light (scattered light) emitted from the surface of the object (target), for example, a three-dimensional image forming apparatus (optical imaging apparatus) described in Patent Document 1 is known. This imaging apparatus has first and second light control panels formed by arranging a plurality of strip-shaped light reflecting surfaces made of a large number of metal reflecting surfaces perpendicular to one surface of the transparent flat plate at a constant pitch inside two transparent flat plates, and the first and second light control panels are arranged such that the light reflecting surfaces of the first and second light control panels are orthogonal to each other. The one surface sides of the first and second light control panels are facing each other and adhered closely. In this optical imaging apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 of Patent Document 1, an object image M' or N' formed in the air is generated at a symmetric position with respect to the object M or N across the optical imaging apparatus. This is the same when a display device such as a display is installed instead of the object M or N and an aerial image of the image displayed on the display device is formed. Therefore, by combining a display (display device) that displays an image with such optical imaging means (optical imaging apparatus), an aerial image display device that displays an aerial image (spatial image) of the image can be obtained. Further, by combining a detection means for detecting the position of an instruction means that touches the spatial image (aerial image) with this aerial image display device, a non-contact input device as shown in Patent Document 2 can be obtained.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0004] In the above-mentioned aerial image display device and non-contact input device (non-contact input aerial display), the display device (display device) used to display images is a television or personal computer monitor (display) or a tablet terminal display screen (display). Various forms of light-emitting elements such as LEDs (light-emitting diodes including mini-LEDs and micro-LEDs) or organic EL elements (also called organic light-emitting LEDs or OLEDs) are used as image display means. With the recent improvement in the quality of these light-emitting elements, the brightness of image display means has been increasing. When an aerial image display device is constructed by combining such a high-brightness image display means with an optical imaging means, there is a problem that linear interference fringes (also called flares) occur due to light interference during imaging, causing the aerial image to become unclear and reducing visibility. This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an aerial image display device that can form a clear aerial image and has excellent visibility, and a non-contact input type aerial display using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An aerial image display device according to the first invention in line with the above purpose is formed in the shape of a flat plate having a parallel light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface, and has a plurality of first light-reflecting surfaces formed perpendicular to the light-receiving surface and the light-emitting surface and arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, and a plurality of second light-reflecting surfaces formed perpendicular to the light-receiving surface and the light-emitting surface and arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, wherein the first light-reflecting surface and the second light-reflecting surface are arranged orthogonally in a plan view, and an aerial image display device is used to display an aerial image on the light-emitting surface side of the optical imaging means, The optical imaging means and a device positioned on the light-emitting side of the optical imaging means, with a brightness of 200 cd / m², which displays the image that forms the basis of the aerial image. 2The system comprises the image display means described above, and a light diffusing member built into the image display means or covering the image display surface of the image display means, wherein the aerial image corresponding to the image is formed by light irradiated from the image display means toward the light surface in front of the optical imaging means, which is reflected once by the first light reflection surface and then once by the second light reflection surface. Here, the light diffusing member is preferably made of a white or milky white, semi-transparent material (having light-transmitting properties) or a material with fine irregularities on its surface, and its form may be plate-shaped, sheet-shaped, or film-shaped. The light-diffusing member diffuses light emitted from a light source (light-emitting element) built into the image display means or highly directional light (high-brightness light) emitted from the image display surface of the image display means, thereby suppressing the generation of unwanted interference fringes and bright spots in the aerial image.

[0006] In the aerial image display device according to the first invention, the image display means is a liquid crystal display with a backlight, and the light diffusing member is preferably arranged between the liquid crystal panel of the liquid crystal display and the backlight, or on the image display surface of the liquid crystal panel. Here, LEDs are preferably used as the backlight source, and these LEDs include not only ordinary (general-purpose) LEDs, but also mini-LEDs, micro-LEDs, and organic light-emitting LEDs (OLEDs, also called organic EL elements). Organic light-emitting LEDs used as backlights emit white light, just like other LEDs.

[0007] In the aerial image display device according to the first invention, Image display means The OLED display is an organic EL display, and the light-diffusing member may be placed on the image display surface of the organic EL display. Here, the organic EL display may use organic light-emitting LEDs that emit red (R), green (G), and blue (B), or it may be a combination of an organic light-emitting LED that emits white light and RGB color filters.

[0008] In the aerial image display device according to the first invention, Image display means The LED display is an LED display, and the light-diffusing member may be placed on the image display surface of the LED display. Here, the LED display may use mini-LEDs or micro-LEDs that emit light in R (red), G (green), and B (blue), or it may be a combination of a mini-LED or micro-LED that emits white light and RGB color filters.

[0009] A non-contact input aerial display according to the second invention, which is in line with the above objective, is a non-contact input aerial display using an aerial image display device according to the first invention, comprising the aerial image display device and detection means attached to the aerial image display device for detecting the position of an indicator means that touches the aerial image. In this case, it is preferable that the detection means be positioned parallel to the aerial image (imaging plane) on the lower side of the aerial image. Furthermore, as a detection means, a device is preferably used that 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 reflected from the indicator means when the indicator means touches the detection surface at a position that overlaps with the aerial image when viewed from the front, but is not limited to this. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The aerial image display device according to the first invention prevents the occurrence of linear interference fringes (flares) due to light interference during the formation of an aerial image by irradiating light that has been diffused (uniformized) and whose directivity has been weakened by a light-diffusing member toward the light-receiving surface of the optical imaging means, thereby enabling the display of a clear and highly visible aerial image.

[0011] In the aerial image display device according to the first invention, the image display means is a liquid crystal display with a backlight, and the light diffusing member is placed between the liquid crystal panel and the backlight of the liquid crystal display, or on the image display surface of the liquid crystal panel. In this case, the conventional high-brightness, highly directional light is dispersed and irradiated onto the optical imaging means in a uniform state, thereby effectively suppressing the generation of interference fringes during imaging.

[0012] In the aerial image display device according to the first invention, Image display means when it is an organic EL display and the light diffusing member is disposed on the image display surface of the organic EL display, the light of the conventional surface emission is irradiated to the optical imaging means in a state where it is further dispersed, so that the generation of interference fringes during imaging can be effectively suppressed.

[0013] In the aerial image display device according to the first invention, Image display means when it is an LED display and the light diffusing member is disposed on the image display surface of the LED display, the light that was conventionally highly bright and strongly directional is dispersed and irradiated to the optical imaging means in a state of being made uniform, so that the generation of interference fringes during imaging can be effectively suppressed.

[0014] The non-contact input type aerial display according to the second invention uses an aerial image display device capable of suppressing the generation of interference fringes and displaying a bright and clear aerial image, so that the user can easily visually recognize the aerial image during input, prevent input errors, and has excellent operability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a non-contact input type aerial display according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a side sectional view of a main part showing the non-contact input type aerial display. [Figure 3] (A) and (B) are a front sectional view and a side sectional view showing the operation of the optical imaging means in the aerial image display device used in the non-contact input type aerial display. [Figure 4] (A) is a schematic side view showing an image display means and a light diffusing member in the aerial image display device used in the non-contact input type aerial display, and (B) is a schematic side view showing a modified example of the image display means and the light diffusing member in the aerial image display device. [Figure 5] (A) is the imaging light displayed on the non-contact input type aerial display, and (B) is the imaging light displayed on the conventional non-contact input type aerial display.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] A non-contact input type airborne display according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a non-contact input type airborne display 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an airborne image display device  and a detection means 14 that is attached to the airborne image display device 11 and detects the position of an instruction means 13 (here, a finger) such as a finger or a touch pen that touches the airborne image 12.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the airborne image display device 11 includes an optical imaging means 18 formed in a flat plate shape having an incident light surface 16 and an exit light surface 17 arranged in parallel, and is arranged on the incident light surface 16 side of the optical imaging means 18. The image display means 19 for displaying an image serving as a basis for the airborne image 12 has a luminance of 200 cd / m 2 The above image display means 19 and a light diffusion member 20 covering the image display surface 19a of the image display means 19. Here, the image display means 19 is arranged to be inclined at an angle α with respect to the incident light surface 16 of the optical imaging means 18, and the airborne image 12 is symmetric with the image display means 19 across the optical imaging means 18, that is, on the exit light surface 17 side of the optical imaging means 18 and inclined at an angle α with respect to the exit light surface 17. The angle α is preferably in the range of about 30 to 60 degrees, but is not limited to this range and is appropriately selected. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3(A) and (B), the optical imaging means 18 has a plurality of first light reflecting surfaces 22 formed perpendicular to the incident light surface 16 and the exit light surface 17 and arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, and a plurality of second light reflecting surfaces 23 formed perpendicular to the incident light surface 16 and the exit light surface 17 and arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval. The first light reflecting surface 22 and the second light reflecting surface 23 are arranged orthogonally in a plan view.

[0018] In the manufacture of this optical imaging means 18, for example, a transparent resin is molded (for example, by injection molding, press molding, or roll molding, etc.) to produce a first molded body 27 on one side (here, the upper side) in which a plurality of trapezoidal grooves 26 are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, with one side being a vertical surface 24 and the other side being an inclined surface 25, and the grooves expanding toward the one side. A second molded body 31 is produced on the other side (here, the lower side) in which a plurality of trapezoidal grooves 30 are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, with one side being a vertical surface 28 and the other side being an inclined surface 29, and the grooves expanding toward the other side. Then, by covering the vertical surfaces 24 and 28 of the grooves 26 and 30 of the first molded body 27 and the second molded body 31 with a metal reflective film 33, a first optical control unit 35 having a plurality of first optical reflective surfaces 22 and a second optical control unit 36 ​​having a plurality of second optical reflective surfaces 23 are formed. The metal reflective film 33 specularly reflects light and is made from a metal such as aluminum. It can cover the vertical surfaces 24 and 28 by methods such as sputtering, metal deposition, spraying of metal microparticles, ion beam irradiation, or plating. Then, transparent adhesive 37 is filled into each groove 26 of the first optical control unit 35 and each groove 30 of the second optical control unit 36, and with the grooves 26 and groove 30 facing each other, the first optical control unit 35 and the second optical control unit 36 ​​are stacked (overlapped) in the thickness direction and joined together and integrated so that the first optical reflective surface 22 and the second optical reflective surface 23 are orthogonal when viewed from above, thereby obtaining the optical imaging means 18.

[0019] Next, the operation of the optical imaging means 18 will be explained. As shown in Figures 3(A) and (B), in the optical imaging means 18, of the light emitted from an object (not shown, for example, the image display means 19 in Figure 1) and incident on the first optical control unit 35 from the light-receiving surface 16, for example, light L1 and L2 are incident on the first optical control unit 35 from positions P11 and P21, respectively, are reflected once each at positions P12 and P22 on the first light-reflecting surface 22 and enter the second optical control unit 36, are reflected once each at positions P13 and P23 on the second light-reflecting surface 23 and are emitted into the air from the second optical control unit 36 ​​at positions P14 and P24 on the light-emitting surface 17. Here, light rays L1 and L2 enter the transparent adhesive 37 from the first molded body 27 in Q1 and Q2 in Figure 3(B), and enter the second molded body 31 from the transparent adhesive 37 in S1 and S2 in Figure 3(A). However, since the refractive indices η1 and η2 of the first molded body 27 and the second molded body 31 are the same and approximate (approximately equivalent) to the refractive index η3 of the transparent adhesive 37, the effect of refraction is extremely small, and phenomena such as total internal reflection and spectral dispersion do not occur. Consequently, of the light irradiated from the object (image display means) toward the light-receiving surface 16 of the optical imaging means 18, countless rays of light are reflected once by the first light-reflecting surface 22 and then once by the second light-reflecting surface 23, and these are imaged in the air. As a result, an aerial image (not shown) which is the real image of the object (corresponding to the image displayed on the image display means) is formed at a position symmetrical to the object with respect to the optical imaging means 18.

[0020] Although the light rays L1 and L2 are refracted at positions P11 and P21 on the light-receiving surface 16 and P14 and P24 on the light-emitting surface 17, respectively, the transparent resin (first molded body 27 and second molded body 31) that forms the base material of the first light control unit 35 and the second light control unit 36 ​​has the same refractive index and is homogeneous. Therefore, all the light involved in forming an aerial image is refracted at a constant (same) angle at the light-receiving surface 16 and the light-emitting surface 17, regardless of the light-receiving and light-emitting positions, just like the light rays L1 and L2. Thus, these refractions do not affect the image formation. Furthermore, in Figures 3(A) and (B), the left side of the metal reflective film 33 is shown as the first light-reflecting surface 22 and the second light-reflecting surface 23. However, both the front and back sides (left and right sides in Figures 3(A) and (B)) of the metal reflective film 33 can function as the first and second light-reflecting surfaces. Depending on the arrangement of the first light-control unit 35 and the second light-control unit 36 ​​(reversal of front and back sides) or the direction of light entry, either the front or back side of the metal reflective film 33 can function as the first and second light-reflecting surfaces.

[0021] This optical imaging means 18 has a brightness of 200 cd / m². 2In a conventional non-contact input aerial display using an aerial image display device that combines the above image display means 19, when the aerial image is formed, linear (radial) interference fringes (flares) are generated in each image light due to light interference, as shown in Figure 5(B), which has the problem of making the aerial image unclear and reducing visibility. In contrast, the aerial image display device 11 used in the non-contact input aerial display 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 includes a light-diffusing member 20 covering the image display surface 19a of the image display means 19, as shown in Figures 1 and 4. Here, the image display means 19 can be a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or an LED display. The light-diffusing member 20 is preferably made of a white or milky white material that is semi-transparent (has light transmission properties) or has fine irregularities formed on its surface, and its form can be plate-shaped, sheet-shaped, or film-shaped. This light-diffusing member 20 diffuses the highly directional light irradiated from the image display surface 19a, and as shown in Figure 5(A), the generation of unwanted interference fringes in the imaging light is suppressed, so that the non-contact input aerial display 10 (aerial image display device 11) can obtain a clear aerial image and realize smooth input work.

[0022] In this embodiment, the case in which the light diffusing member 20 is arranged on the image display surface 19a of various image display means 19 has been described. However, if the image display means is a liquid crystal display with a backlight, the light diffusing member 20 may be arranged between the liquid crystal panel 40 and the backlight 41 of the liquid crystal display 39, as shown in Figure 4(B). This allows the light irradiated onto the liquid crystal panel 40 from the light source (not shown) of the backlight 41 of the liquid crystal display 39 (image display means), and the same effects and advantages as described above can be obtained. The light source of the backlight 41 includes, but is not limited to, ordinary (general) LEDs, mini LEDs, micro LEDs, organic light-emitting LEDs (OLEDs, also called organic EL elements), etc.

[0023] Next, the detection means 14 will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the detection means 14 is positioned inside the housing 43 of the aerial image display device 11, parallel to the aerial image 12 (imaging surface 21) on the lower side of the aerial image 12. An opening 44 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the detection means 14 is formed on the upper surface of the housing 43. The detection means 14 includes a light-emitting unit (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 (coinciding with the imaging surface 21 in this embodiment), and a light-receiving unit (not shown) that receives reflected light reflected from the indicator means 13 when the indicator means 13 touches the detection surface 45 at a position that overlaps with the aerial image 12 when viewed from the front. With the above configuration, the aerial image 12 (=imaging surface 21, detection surface 45) can function as a contactless input screen. When a user points to a predetermined position on the aerial image 12 using the instruction means 13 while viewing the aerial image 12, that position is detected by the detection means 14, and character input or a predetermined action (command) is executed in accordance with the indicated position.

[0024] As the detection means 14, a flat bar-shaped (strip-shaped) optical sensor such as a zForce® AIR touch sensor or AIRBAR® is preferably used. By scanning the surface of the aerial image 12 (imaging surface 21) with detection light such as laser light or infrared light emitted from the detection means 14 (light-emitting part), the position of the indicating means 13 that points to the aerial image 12 can be detected. In this embodiment, the detection means 14 is housed inside the housing 43, but the detection means 14 can also be installed on the outer upper surface of the housing 43, and the opening 44 can be omitted. Alternatively, the detection means 14 may be arranged parallel to the aerial image 12 (imaging surface 21) on either the left or right side of the aerial image 12. In this case, the detection means 14 is rotatably held in the housing 43 and, when not in use, is placed on the upper surface of the housing 43, resulting in excellent compactness. The configuration of the detection means is not limited to this embodiment, and any means capable of detecting the position of the indicating means 13 that touches the aerial image 12 is acceptable. For example, as a detection means, a frame-shaped sensor (a type of optical proximity sensor) formed in a frame shape along the outer circumference of the aerial image 12, with multiple light-emitting elements and light-receiving elements arranged around the aerial image 12, may be used, or an infrared motion sensor or the like may be used. In this embodiment, the imaging surface 21 and the detection surface 45 coincide, but the detection surface 45 may be arranged parallel to the imaging surface 21 with a gap on the front or back side of the imaging surface 21.

[0025] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited in any way to the configurations described in the embodiments described above, and includes other embodiments and modifications that can be considered within the scope of the matters described in the claims. As a method for integrating the first and second optical control units, the first and second optical control units may be positioned facing each other such that one side of the first optical control unit and the other side of the second optical control unit, that is, the sides on which the grooves are formed, face each other. A sheet-like transparent resin with a lower melting point than the first and second molded bodies may be sandwiched between them, and the units may be heated and pressurized in a vacuum so that only the transparent resin melts and solidifies. Alternatively, the grooves of the first and second optical control units may be filled separately with molten transparent resin, solidified, and molded into flat plates which are then joined together with a transparent adhesive or the like. In this case, in addition to positioning one side of the first optical control unit and the other side of the second optical control unit facing each other and joining them, one side of the first optical control unit and one side of the second optical control unit may be positioned facing each other and joined, or the other side of the first optical control unit and one side of the second optical control unit may be positioned facing each other and joined. Furthermore, instead of the first and second optical control units being formed separately from two transparent resin molded bodies and then joined together, the first and second optical control units may be formed on both sides of a single transparent resin molded body.

[0026] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the optical imaging means described was one in which the multiple light-reflecting surfaces of the first and second optical control units are arranged in a straight line (parallel). However, as described in Japanese Patent No. 7038267, a configuration may be used that includes a first optical control unit in which the multiple light-reflecting surfaces are arranged radially around a reference point X, and a second optical control unit in which the multiple light-reflecting surfaces are arranged concentrically around a reference point Y that coincides with the reference point X in a plan view. In this case, the radial light-reflecting surfaces of the first optical control unit are provided in a straight line around the reference point X, while the concentric light-reflecting surfaces of the second optical control unit are curved along concentric circles centered on the reference point Y. However, in a plan view, the light-reflecting surfaces of the first optical control unit and the second optical control unit intersect at points where they are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, 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 Publication No. 5437436 (Figures 4 to 6), a first and second optical control unit having a number of strip-shaped reflective surfaces formed perpendicularly (for example, at the same pitch) on one side surface of a transparent flat plate may be used, in which the respective strip-shaped reflective surfaces are superimposed so as to be orthogonal when viewed from above. In the above embodiment, the grooves of the first and second molded bodies (first and second optical control units) are formed in a trapezoidal cross-section. However, since the bottom surface of the groove is not an essential component for the optical imaging means, the dimensions (width) of the bottom surface do not need to be strictly controlled. It may be formed in a triangular cross-section with one side being a vertical surface and the other side being an inclined surface, expanding outwards on one or the other side. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0027] 10: Non-contact input aerial display, 11: Aerial image display device, 12: Aerial image, 13: Indicating means, 14: Detection means, 16: Light-receiving surface, 17: Light-emitting surface, 18: Optical imaging means, 19: Image display means, 19a: Image display surface, 20: Light-diffusing member, 21: Image-forming 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: Liquid crystal display, 40: Liquid crystal panel, 41: Backlight, 43: Housing, 44: Aperture, 45: Detection surface

Claims

1. An aerial image display device formed in the shape of a flat plate having parallel-arranged light-receiving surface and light-emitting surface, having a plurality of first light-reflecting surfaces formed perpendicular to the light-receiving surface and the light-emitting surface and arranged parallel at predetermined intervals, and a plurality of second light-reflecting surfaces formed perpendicular to the light-receiving surface and the light-emitting surface and arranged parallel at predetermined intervals, wherein the first light-reflecting surface and the second light-reflecting surface are arranged orthogonally in a plan view, and an aerial image display device is used to display an aerial image on the light-emitting surface side of the optical imaging means, The optical imaging means and a device positioned on the light-emitting side of the optical imaging means, with a brightness of 200 cd / m², which displays the image that forms the basis of the aerial image. ２ An aerial image display device comprising the above-described image display means and a light diffusing member built into the image display means or covering the image display surface of the image display means, characterized in that an aerial image corresponding to the image is formed by light irradiated from the image display means toward the pre-printed light surface of the optical imaging means, which is reflected once by the first light reflecting surface and then reflected once by the second light reflecting surface.

2. An aerial image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image display means is a liquid crystal display with a backlight, and the light diffusing member is disposed between the liquid crystal panel of the liquid crystal display and the backlight, or on the image display surface of the liquid crystal panel.

3. An aerial image display device according to claim 1, characterized in that the image display means is an organic EL display, and the light diffusing member is arranged on the image display surface of the organic EL display.

4. An aerial image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image display means is an LED display, and the light diffusing member is arranged on the image display surface of the LED display.

5. A non-contact input aerial display using an aerial image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises the aerial image display device and a detection means attached to the aerial image display device for detecting the position of an indicator means that touches the aerial image.

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