Virtual image generation device

Abstract

The present invention provides a virtual image generating device that does not require the light guide plate to be perfectly parallel to the surface, is resistant to dirt on the surface of the light guide plate, does not produce a brightness distribution of light and dark, and can achieve a wide viewing angle. [Solution] The virtual image generation device comprises: an input-side hologram recording medium on which a hologram generated by interfering a first signal light with a reference light having a speckle pattern is recorded, and which emits a reference light having a speckle pattern when the first signal light is irradiated; an output-side hologram recording medium on which a hologram generated by interfering a second signal light with the aforementioned reference light having a speckle pattern is recorded, and which emits a second signal light when the aforementioned reference light having a speckle pattern is irradiated; and a light guide plate that guides the reference light having a speckle pattern emitted from the input-side hologram recording medium to the output-side hologram recording medium by irradiating the input-side hologram recording medium with the first signal light.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a virtual image generation device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a virtual image generation device including a light guide plate that guides signal light.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the virtual image generation device described in Patent Document 1, the position information of pixels is converted into information on the light ray angle and guided inside the light guide plate. Therefore, the light guide plate must be a perfect parallel flat plate so that the light ray angle is maintained during light guiding.

[0005] In addition, since each light ray entering from the incident part is guided to the emission part using total reflection, the surface of the light guide plate must be kept as a clean mirror surface.

[0006] In addition, since the light ray angles in the upper half from the center in the image represented by the signal light completely coincide with and overlap the light ray angles in the lower half during total reflection inside the light guide plate, in order to avoid such image overlap, the image represented by the signal light can only be used for information on one side half, and the viewing angle is limited to a maximum of 90°.

[0007] In addition, since the hologram interaction length is different for each light ray angle, the diffraction efficiency varies, and a brightness distribution of light and darkness occurs within the viewing field.

[0008] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a virtual image generating device that does not require the light guide plate to have a perfectly parallel planar shape, is resistant to dirt on the surface of the light guide plate, does not produce a brightness distribution of light and dark, and can provide a wide viewing angle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The first embodiment of the virtual image generation apparatus includes: an input-side hologram recording medium on which a hologram generated by interfering a first signal light with a reference light having a speckle pattern is recorded, and which emits the reference light having a speckle pattern when the first signal light is irradiated; an output-side hologram recording medium on which a hologram generated by interfering a second signal light with the reference light having a speckle pattern is recorded, and which emits the second signal light when the reference light having a speckle pattern is irradiated; and a light guide plate that guides the reference light having a speckle pattern emitted from the input-side hologram recording medium to the output-side hologram recording medium by irradiating the input-side hologram recording medium with the first signal light.

[0010] The second embodiment of the virtual image generation apparatus is an embodiment of the first embodiment in which the input-side hologram recording medium records multiple holograms generated by interfering each of a plurality of different first signal lights with a reference light having a different speckle pattern corresponding to each of the different first signal lights, and the output-side hologram recording medium records multiple holograms generated by interfering each of a plurality of different second signal lights with a reference light having a different speckle pattern corresponding to each of the different second signal lights, and the input-side hologram recording medium emits a reference light having a corresponding speckle pattern when irradiated with a certain first signal light, and the output-side hologram recording medium emits a corresponding second signal light when irradiated with a reference light having a certain speckle pattern.

[0011] The third embodiment of the virtual image generating apparatus is the virtual image generating apparatus of the second embodiment, wherein each of the plurality of different first signal lights is a signal light corresponding to each of the pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, and each of the plurality of different second signal lights is a signal light corresponding to each of the pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix.

[0012] In the fourth embodiment of the virtual image generating apparatus, the first signal light and the second signal light are the same signal light, as in the first embodiment of the virtual image generating apparatus.

[0013] The fifth embodiment of the virtual image generation apparatus is the virtual image generation apparatus of the first embodiment in which the input-side hologram recording medium, the light guide plate, and the output-side hologram recording medium are integrally formed from the same material.

[0014] The virtual image generating apparatus of the sixth embodiment further comprises a display device for generating a first signal light to be irradiated onto the input-side hologram recording medium, in addition to the virtual image generating apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0015] The virtual image generating apparatus of the seventh embodiment further comprises, in the virtual image generating apparatus of the sixth embodiment, the input hologram recording medium, the light guide plate, the output hologram recording medium, and the display device, in a orientation such that the light emitted from the output hologram recording medium is emitted toward the object to be mounted, and a mounting member for mounting the input hologram recording medium, the light guide plate, the output hologram recording medium, and the display device onto the object to be mounted.

[0016] The virtual image generating apparatus of the eighth embodiment further comprises the input-side hologram recording medium, the light guide plate, the output-side hologram recording medium, and the mounting member for mounting the display device to the object to be installed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the virtual image generating apparatus of this disclosure, it is not necessary to make the shape of the light guide plate a perfectly parallel plane shape, it is resistant to dirt on the surface of the light guide plate, it does not produce a brightness distribution of light and dark, and it is possible to have a wide viewing angle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a configuration diagram of the virtual image generation device according to the first and second embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is a diagram for explaining the hologram recorded in the virtual image generation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of the virtual image generation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a diagram for explaining the hologram recorded in the virtual image generation device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a table for explaining the hologram recorded in the virtual image generation device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of the virtual image generation device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of the virtual image generation device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of the virtual image generation device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a table for explaining the hologram recorded in the virtual image generation device according to the modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a configuration diagram of the virtual image generation device according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] It is a configuration diagram of the virtual image generation device according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] It is a configuration diagram of the virtual image generation device according to the modified example of the present disclosure.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a form example for implementing the technology of the present disclosure will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the virtual image generation device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the virtual image generation apparatus 1 of this embodiment comprises an input-side hologram recording medium 10, a light guide plate 20, an output-side hologram recording medium 30, and a display device 40.

[0021] The input-side hologram recording medium 10 records a hologram generated by interfering a first signal light with a reference light having a speckle pattern, and emits the reference light having a speckle pattern when the first signal light is irradiated.

[0022] The input-side hologram recording medium 10 is formed from a hologram recording material such as a photorefractory crystal or a photopolymer.

[0023] The light guide plate 20 guides the reference light having a speckle pattern emitted from the input-side hologram recording medium 10 to the output-side hologram recording medium 30 by irradiating the input-side hologram recording medium 10 with a first signal light.

[0024] The light guide plate 20 is formed from a holographic recording material such as a photorefractory crystal or a photopolymer.

[0025] The output-side hologram recording medium 30 records a hologram generated by interfering a second signal light with a reference light having a speckle pattern, and emits the second signal light when the reference light having a speckle pattern is irradiated onto it.

[0026] The output-side hologram recording medium 30 is formed from a hologram recording material such as a photorefractory crystal or a photopolymer.

[0027] The display device 40 generates a first signal light to irradiate the input-side hologram recording medium. The display device 40 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display panel, an LCOS (Liquid crystal on silicon), a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device), or other spatial light modulator.

[0028] Next, we will describe the holograms recorded on the input-side hologram recording medium 10 and the output-side hologram recording medium 30 of the virtual image generation device 1. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating these holograms.

[0029] In this embodiment, as an example, the first signal light SA for recording hologram HI on the input-side hologram recording medium 10 and the second signal light SB for recording hologram HO on the output-side hologram recording medium 30 are the same signal light. Here, as an example, the image represented by the signal light is an image displaying the white letter "A".

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, when reference light L is passed through the diffuser plate 100, it becomes a reference light LSP having a speckle pattern SP, which is an image of light generated by the mutual interference of coherent light corresponding to the fine surface irregularities of the diffuser plate 100. The reference light LSP having the speckle pattern SP is incident on the input-side hologram recording medium 10 and the output-side hologram recording medium 30.

[0031] In the input-side hologram recording medium 10, a hologram HI is recorded by interfering a signal light SA with a reference light LSP having a speckle pattern SP.

[0032] In the output-side hologram recording medium 30, a hologram HO is recorded by interfering a signal light SB with a reference light LSP having a speckle pattern SP.

[0033] Furthermore, the first signal light SA for recording hologram HI on the input-side hologram recording medium 10 and the second signal light SB for recording hologram HO on the output-side hologram recording medium 30 do not need to be the same signal light; they may be different signal lights. Also, hologram HI recorded on the input-side hologram recording medium 10 and hologram HO recorded on the output-side hologram recording medium 30 may be recorded simultaneously or individually with a time delay.

[0034] Next, we will explain the operation of the virtual image generation device 1.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, the display device 40 displays the same image as the image represented by the signal light SA during hologram recording, and the signal light SA is incident from the display device 40 onto the signal light incident surface 10a of the input-side hologram recording medium 10.

[0036] The input-side hologram recording medium 10 has a hologram HI recorded on it, which is generated by interfering a signal light SA with a reference light LSP having a speckle pattern SP.

[0037] When signal light SA is incident on the signal light incident surface 10a of the input-side hologram recording medium 10, the input-side hologram recording medium 10 emits a reference light LSP having a speckle pattern SP from the speckle pattern emission surface 10b.

[0038] A reference light LSP having a speckle pattern SP emitted from the input-side hologram recording medium 10 is incident on the speckle pattern incident surface 30a of the output-side hologram recording medium 30 via the light guide plate 20.

[0039] The output hologram recording medium 30 has a hologram HO recorded on it, which is generated by interfering a signal light SB with a reference light LSP having a speckle pattern SP.

[0040] When a reference light LSP having a speckle pattern SP is incident on the speckle pattern incident surface 30a of the output-side hologram recording medium 30, the signal light SB is emitted from the signal light emission surface 30b.

[0041] As a result, the observer 50 can perceive the virtual image VI represented by the signal light SB.

[0042] In the virtual image generation apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the signal light SA is converted into a reference light LSP having a speckle pattern SP in the input-side hologram recording medium 10, and the reference light LSP having the speckle pattern SP is guided through the light guide plate 20. That is, the image information represented by the signal light SA is converted into wavefront information (speckle pattern SP) and guided through the light guide plate 20. In this case, the reference light LSP having the speckle pattern SP reaches the output-side hologram recording medium 30, and a hologram HO can be regenerated in the output-side hologram recording medium 30, thereby emitting the signal light SB. Therefore, the shape of the light guide plate 20 in between can be anything. Accordingly, the shape of the light guide plate 20 can be a shape other than a parallel plane shape.

[0043] Furthermore, in the virtual image generation apparatus 1 of this embodiment, even if there is some dirt on the reflective surface of the light guide plate 20, it is sufficient that the reference light LSP having a speckle pattern SP guided through the light guide plate 20 reaches the output-side hologram recording medium 30 and the hologram HO is reproduced in the output-side hologram recording medium 30. Therefore, it is possible to make the apparatus resistant to dirt on the surface of the light guide plate 20.

[0044] Furthermore, if the positional information of the image pixels represented by the signal light SA is converted into angle information using a Fourier transform lens or the like and guided by the light guide plate 20, the ray angle will differ for each pixel, and the interaction volume within the virtual image generation device will change depending on the ray angle, causing fluctuations in the amount of emitted light and resulting in a brightness distribution of light and dark. In contrast, in the virtual image generation device 1 of this embodiment, as described above, the positional information of the image pixels represented by the signal light SA is converted into wavefront information (speckle pattern SP) and guided by the light guide plate 20. In this case, even if the speckle pattern is different, the interaction volume within the virtual image generation device 1 will hardly change, making it possible to prevent the generation of a brightness distribution of light and dark in the emitted light.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the virtual image generation device 1 of this embodiment, as described above, the positional information of the pixels in the image represented by the signal light SA is converted into wavefront information (speckle pattern SP) and guided through the light guide plate 20, so it is not affected by the overlap of light rays. As a result, information from the entire area of ​​the image represented by the signal light SA can be transmitted, making it possible to achieve a field of view angle exceeding 90°.

[0046] [Second Embodiment] Next, the virtual image generation device 2 of the second embodiment will be described. Figure 1 (common to the first embodiment) is a configuration diagram of the virtual image generation device 2 of the second embodiment. In this embodiment of the virtual image generation device 2, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the virtual image generation device 1 of the first embodiment, and explanations are omitted unless particularly necessary.

[0047] The virtual image generation device 2 of this embodiment has the same components as the virtual image generation device 1 of the first embodiment, but the holograms recorded on the input-side hologram recording medium 10 and the output-side hologram recording medium 30 are different.

[0048] The input-side hologram recording medium 10 has multiple holograms recorded on it, each of which is generated by interfering with each of several different first signal lights and each of the different speckle patterns corresponding to each of the different first signal lights. When a certain first signal light is irradiated onto the input-side hologram recording medium 10, it emits the corresponding speckle pattern.

[0049] The output-side hologram recording medium 30 has multiple holograms recorded on it, each generated by interfering with each of several different second signal lights and each of the different speckle patterns corresponding to each of the different second signal lights. When a certain speckle pattern is illuminated, the output-side hologram recording medium 30 emits the corresponding second signal light.

[0050] Next, we will describe the holograms recorded on the input-side hologram recording medium 10 and the output-side hologram recording medium 30 of the virtual image generation device 2. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating these holograms.

[0051] In this embodiment, as an example, each of the multiple different first signal lights SA1, SA2, ... SA28 and each of the multiple different second signal lights SB1, SB2, ... SB28 are the same signal light corresponding to each pixel arranged in a two-dimensional matrix.

[0052] In this embodiment, as an example, the number of pixels in the signal light is set to 7 pixels in the X-axis direction and 4 pixels in the Y-axis direction. However, the number of pixels in the signal light is not limited to the above, and may be any number of pixels, such as 3840 × 2160 pixels or 1920 × 1080 pixels.

[0053] In the following explanation, when indicating the position of a pixel, it will be shown using (X,Y) coordinates with the top-left corner of the two-dimensional matrix as the origin.

[0054] As shown in Figure 4, when reference light L is passed through the diffuser plate 100, it becomes a reference light LSP1 having a speckle pattern SP1, which is an image of light generated by the mutual interference of coherent light corresponding to the fine surface irregularities of the diffuser plate 100. The reference light LSP1 having the speckle pattern SP1 is incident on the input-side hologram recording medium 10 and the output-side hologram recording medium 30.

[0055] In the input-side hologram recording medium 10, a hologram HI1 is recorded by interfering a signal light SA1, which is an image in which only pixels (1,1) are lit, with a reference light LSP1 having a speckle pattern SP1.

[0056] In the output hologram recording medium 30, a hologram HO1 is recorded by interfering a signal light SB1, which is an image in which only pixels (1,1) are lit, with a reference light LSP1 having a speckle pattern SP1.

[0057] Next, by moving the diffuser plate 100, the incident position of the reference light L on the diffuser plate 100 is changed, and when the reference light L passes through the diffuser plate 100, a reference light LSP2 having a speckle pattern SP2 different from speckle pattern SP1 is obtained. The reference light LSP2 having speckle pattern SP2 is incident on the input-side hologram recording medium 10 and the output-side hologram recording medium 30.

[0058] In the input-side hologram recording medium 10, a hologram HI2 is recorded by interfering a signal light SA2, which is an image in which only pixels (2,1) are lit, with a reference light LSP2 having a speckle pattern SP2.

[0059] In the output hologram recording medium 30, a hologram HO2 is recorded by interfering a signal light SB2, which is an image in which only pixels (2,1) are lit, with a reference light LSP2 having a speckle pattern SP2.

[0060] Using the same procedure as described above, different speckle patterns are generated, and the illuminated pixels in the images represented by the signal light SA and signal light SB are changed to record multiple holograms corresponding to pixels (3,1) to (7,4) on the input-side hologram recording medium 10 and the output-side hologram recording medium 30.

[0061] As a result, the holograms recorded on the input-side hologram recording medium 10 and the output-side hologram recording medium 30 are as shown in the table in Figure 5.

[0062] For example, the pixels of the signal light SA1 and signal light SB1 combined with the speckle pattern SP1 are (1,1). In this case, the hologram HI1 recorded on the input-side hologram recording medium 10 is a combination of the speckle pattern SP1 and the signal light SA1. The hologram HO1 recorded on the output-side hologram recording medium 30 is a combination of the speckle pattern SP1 and the signal light SB1.

[0063] Furthermore, the pixels of the signal light SA2 and signal light SB2, which are combined with the speckle pattern SP2, are (2,1). In this case, the hologram HI2 recorded on the input-side hologram recording medium 10 is a combination of the speckle pattern SP2 and the signal light SA2. The hologram HO2 recorded on the output-side hologram recording medium 30 is a combination of the speckle pattern SP2 and the signal light SB2.

[0064] The same applies thereafter. The pixels of the signal light SA28 and signal light SB28 that are combined with the final speckle pattern SP28 are (7,4). At this time, the hologram HI28 recorded on the input-side hologram recording medium 10 is a combination of the speckle pattern SP28 and the signal light SA28. The hologram HO28 recorded on the output-side hologram recording medium 30 is a combination of the speckle pattern SP28 and the signal light SB28.

[0065] Next, we will explain the operation of the virtual image generation device 2.

[0066] First, as shown in Figure 6, we will explain the case where the display device 40 displays the same image as the signal light SA1 during hologram recording (i.e., the image with pixel (1,1) lit), and the signal light SA1 is incident from the display device 40 onto the signal light incident surface 10a of the input-side hologram recording medium 10.

[0067] The input-side hologram recording medium 10 has multiplexed recordings of holograms HI1, HI2, ... HI28, which are generated by interfering signal lights SA1, SA2, ... SA28 with reference lights LSP1, LSP2, ... LSP28 having speckle patterns SP1, SP2, ... SP28.

[0068] When signal light SA1 is incident on the signal light incident surface 10a of the input-side hologram recording medium 10, it emits a reference light LSP1 having a speckle pattern SP1 from the speckle pattern emission surface 10b.

[0069] A reference light LSP1 having a speckle pattern SP1 emitted from the input-side hologram recording medium 10 is incident on the speckle pattern incident surface 30a of the output-side hologram recording medium 30 via the light guide plate 20.

[0070] The output-side hologram recording medium 30 has multiplexed recordings of holograms HO1, HO2, ... HO28, which are generated by interfering signal lights SB1, SB2, ... SB28 with reference lights LSP1, LSP2, ... LSP28 having speckle patterns SP1, SP2, ... SP28.

[0071] When a reference light LSP1 having a speckle pattern SP1 is incident on the speckle pattern incident surface 30a of the output-side hologram recording medium 30, the output-side hologram recording medium 30 emits a signal light SB1 (i.e., an image with pixel (1,1) lit) from the signal light emission surface 30b.

[0072] Next, as shown in Figure 7, we will describe the case where the display device 40 displays the same image as the signal light SA7 during hologram recording (i.e., the image with pixel (7,1) lit), and the signal light SA7 is incident from the display device 40 onto the signal light incident surface 10a of the input-side hologram recording medium 10.

[0073] The input-side hologram recording medium 10 has multiplexed recordings of holograms HI1, HI2, ... HI28, which are generated by interfering signal lights SA1, SA2, ... SA28 with reference lights LSP1, LSP2, ... LSP28 having speckle patterns SP1, SP2, ... SP28.

[0074] When signal light SA7 is incident on the signal light incident surface 10a of the input-side hologram recording medium 10, the input-side hologram recording medium 10 emits a reference light LSP7 having a speckle pattern SP7 from the speckle pattern emission surface 10b.

[0075] The reference light LSP7 having a speckle pattern SP7 emitted from the input-side hologram recording medium 10 is incident on the speckle pattern incident surface 30a of the output-side hologram recording medium 30 via the light guide plate 20.

[0076] The output-side hologram recording medium 30 has multiplexed recordings of holograms HO1, HO2, ... HO28, which are generated by interfering signal lights SB1, SB2, ... SB28 with reference lights LSP1, LSP2, ... LSP28 having speckle patterns SP1, SP2, ... SP28.

[0077] When a reference light LSP7 having a speckle pattern SP7 is incident on the speckle pattern incident surface 30a of the output-side hologram recording medium 30, the output-side hologram recording medium 30 emits a signal light SB7 (i.e., an image with pixel (7,1) lit) from the signal light emission surface 30b.

[0078] Next, as shown in Figure 8, the display device 40 is made to display the same image as the image represented by the signal lights SA1, SA7, and SA23 during hologram recording (i.e., the image with pixels (1,1), (7,1), and (2,4) lit), and the signal lights SA1, SA7, and SA23 are incident from the display device 40 onto the signal light incident surface 10a of the input-side hologram recording medium 10.

[0079] The input-side hologram recording medium 10 has multiplexed recordings of holograms HI1, HI2, ... HI28, which are generated by interfering signal lights SA1, SA2, ... SA28 with reference lights LSP1, LSP2, ... LSP28 having speckle patterns SP1, SP2, ... SP28.

[0080] When signal light SA1, SA7, and SA23 are incident on the signal light incident surface 10a of the input-side hologram recording medium 10, reference light LSP1, LSP7, and LSP23 having speckle pattern SP1, SP7, and SP23 are emitted from the speckle pattern emission surface 10b.

[0081] Reference light LSP1, LSP7, and LSP23, each having a speckle pattern SP1, SP7, and SP23, is emitted from the input-side hologram recording medium 10 and is incident on the speckle pattern incident surface 30a of the output-side hologram recording medium 30 via the light guide plate 20.

[0082] The output-side hologram recording medium 30 has multiplexed recordings of holograms HO1, HO2, ... HO28, which are generated by interfering signal lights SB1, SB2, ... SB28 with reference lights LSP1, LSP2, ... LSP28 having speckle patterns SP1, SP2, ... SP28.

[0083] When reference lights LSP1, LSP7, and LSP23, which have speckle patterns SP1, SP7, and SP23, are incident on the speckle pattern incident surface 30a of the output-side hologram recording medium 30, signal lights SB1, SB7, and SB23 (i.e., images in which pixels (1,1), (7,1), and (2,4) are lit) are emitted from the signal light emission surface 30b.

[0084] In other words, the virtual image generation device 2 can display any single pixel or any multiple pixels simultaneously, so it can display a virtual image VI of any image composed of pixels in a two-dimensional matrix.

[0085] In this embodiment, the virtual image generation device 2 may use different signal lights for the first signal light SA recorded on the input-side hologram recording medium 10 and the second signal light SB recorded on the output-side hologram recording medium 30.

[0086] Furthermore, if the first signal light SA recorded on the input-side hologram recording medium 10 and the second signal light SB recorded on the output-side hologram recording medium 30 are different signal lights, for example, the pixel positions between the first signal light SA and the second signal light SB may be symmetrical. In this case, the holograms multiplexed on the input-side hologram recording medium 10 and the output-side hologram recording medium 30 will be as shown in the table in Figure 9.

[0087] For example, the pixels of signal light SA1 combined with speckle pattern SP1 are (1,1) and the pixels of signal light SB1 are (7,1). Similarly, the pixels of signal light SA2 combined with speckle pattern SP2 are (2,1) and the pixels of signal light SB2 are (6,1). Furthermore, the pixels of signal light SA3 combined with speckle pattern SP3 are (3,1) and the pixels of signal light SB3 are (5,1). Also, the pixels of signal light SA4 combined with speckle pattern SP4 are (4,1) and the pixels of signal light SB4 are (4,1). The same applies to subsequent patterns.

[0088] The pixels of signal light SA27 that are combined with the second-to-last speckle pattern SP27 are (6,4), and the pixels of signal light SB27 are (2,4). Also, the pixels of signal light SA28 that are combined with the last speckle pattern SP28 are (7,4), and the pixels of signal light SB28 are (1,4).

[0089] In addition to the above, the pixel positions between the first signal light SA and the second signal light SB may be arranged to be vertically symmetrical, or to be both horizontally and vertically symmetrical.

[0090] [Third Embodiment] The third embodiment of the virtual image generation apparatus 3 shown in Figure 10 is an example that has a mounting member 60. The mounting member 60 comprises a frame 61 and a pair of arms 62. The frame 61 comprises a holding frame 63 that integrally holds the input-side hologram recording medium 10, the light guide plate 20, the output-side hologram recording medium 30, and the display device 40.

[0091] The arms 62 extend from both ends of the frame 61 in the width direction and are part of the wearer's body, for example, they rest on the ears. The wearer is also the viewer who sees the virtual image generated by the virtual image generating device 3.

[0092] By attaching the arm 62 to a part of the wearer's body in this way, the wearer can wear the virtual image generating device 3. When worn, the structure of the frame 61 and arm 62 is determined so that the second signal light emitted from the output-side hologram recording medium 30 reaches the wearer's pupil.

[0093] Since the second signal light emitted from the output-side hologram recording medium 30 is oriented so as to be emitted towards the wearer who is the viewer, the viewer can maintain the state in which the output-side hologram recording medium 30 is in a predetermined position by wearing the virtual image generating device 3.

[0094] [Fourth Embodiment] The virtual image generating apparatus 4 of the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 11 is an example that has a mounting member 70. The mounting member 70 has a table 71, a stand 72, and a base 73.

[0095] Table 71 integrally holds the input-side hologram recording medium 10, the light guide plate 20, the output-side hologram recording medium 30, and the display device 40. One end (upper end) of the stand 72 is fixed to the table 71. A base 73 is attached to the other end (lower end) of the stand 72, and the virtual image generation device 4 can be installed in a predetermined position using this base 73.

[0096] The base 73 may be fixed to the installation position in a detachable manner using bolts, clips, etc., or it may be made movable by providing casters, for example. In a configuration that allows movement with casters, it is possible to prevent the virtual image generating device 4 from moving unintentionally from the installation position by using stoppers, etc.

[0097] In this way, by providing the mounting member 70, the virtual image generating device 4 can be installed on a predetermined mounting surface. The mounting surface may be the floor of a room or the ground outdoors. Alternatively, the virtual image generating device 4 may be fixed inside the vehicle by attaching the base 73 to a component such as a panel that makes up the vehicle's interior.

[0098] In the fourth embodiment, the mounting member 70 may have a structure that does not include a base 73. That is, the stand 72 may be directly fixed to the object to be installed.

[0099] Furthermore, the mounting member 70 may be structured to include links or hinges, for example, so that the table 71 can rotate relative to the stand 72. In addition, for example, the stand 72 may be extendable, so that the distance between the table 71 and the base 73 can be expanded or contracted.

[0100] Furthermore, in the virtual image generation device 4 of the fourth embodiment, the positions of the input-side hologram recording medium 10, the light guide plate 20, the output-side hologram recording medium 30, and the display device 40 with respect to the installation target are determined, so that the viewer can see the virtual image generated by the virtual image generation device 4 by taking an appropriate viewing position.

[0101] [Differentiation] While preferred embodiments of the virtual image generation apparatus of this disclosure have been described above, the technology of this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate.

[0102] For example, as shown in the virtual image generation apparatus 5 in Figure 12, the input-side hologram recording medium 10, the light guide plate 20, and the output-side hologram recording medium 30 may be integrally formed from the same optical member 80. As the optical member 80, for example, a hologram recording material such as a photorefractive crystal or a photopolymer can be used.

[0103] In this case, one end of the optical element 80 functions as the input-side hologram recording medium 10, the central part functions as the light guide plate 20, and the other end functions as the output-side hologram recording medium 30.

[0104] [Note] With regard to the embodiments described above, the following additional information is disclosed.

[0105] (Note 1) An input-side hologram recording medium records a hologram generated by interfering a first signal light with a reference light having a speckle pattern, and emits the reference light having a speckle pattern when the first signal light is irradiated. A hologram generated by interfering a second signal light with a reference light having a speckle pattern is recorded, and an output-side hologram recording medium emits the second signal light when the reference light having a speckle pattern is irradiated, The system includes a light guide plate that guides the reference light having the speckle pattern emitted from the input-side holographic recording medium, which is irradiated with the first signal light, to the output-side holographic recording medium. A virtual image generating device.

[0106] (Note 2) The input-side hologram recording medium records multiple holograms generated by interfering each of a plurality of different first signal lights with a reference light having a different speckle pattern corresponding to each of the respective different first signal lights. The output-side hologram recording medium records multiple holograms generated by interfering each of a plurality of different second signal lights with a reference light having a different speckle pattern corresponding to each of the different second signal lights. The input-side hologram recording medium emits a reference light having a corresponding speckle pattern when irradiated with a first signal light. The output-side hologram recording medium emits a corresponding second signal light when irradiated with a reference light having a certain speckle pattern. The virtual image generating device described in Appendix 1.

[0107] (Note 3) Each of the aforementioned multiple different first signal lights is a signal light corresponding to each pixel arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, Each of the aforementioned multiple different second signal lights is a signal light corresponding to each pixel arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. The virtual image generating device described in Appendix 2.

[0108] (Note 4) The first signal light and the second signal light are the same signal light. A virtual image generating device as described in any one of the items 1 to 3 of the appendix.

[0109] (Note 5) The input-side hologram recording medium, the light guide plate, and the output-side hologram recording medium are integrally formed from the same material. A virtual image generating device as described in any one of the items 1 to 4 of the appendix.

[0110] (Note 6) The system further comprises a display device that generates a first signal light to be irradiated onto the input-side hologram recording medium. A virtual image generating device as described in any one of the items 1 to 5 of the appendix.

[0111] (Note 7) The system further comprises the input-side hologram recording medium, the light guide plate, the output-side hologram recording medium, and the display device, with the light emitted from the output-side hologram recording medium directed toward the object to be mounted, and includes a mounting member for mounting the display device to the object to be mounted. The virtual image generating device described in Appendix 6.

[0112] (Note 8) The system further comprises the input-side hologram recording medium, the light guide plate, the output-side hologram recording medium, and mounting members for installing the display device on an object. The virtual image generating device described in Appendix 6. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0113] 1-5 Virtual Image Generator 10. Input side hologram recording medium 20 Light guide plate 30 Output side hologram recording medium 40 Display device 50 sighted people 60 Mounting component 61 frames 62 Arms 63 Holding slots 70 Installation components 71 Tables 72 Stands 73 Bass 80 Optical components 100 Diffuser

Claims

1. A hologram generated by interfering a first signal light with a reference light having a speckle pattern is recorded on an input-side hologram recording medium that emits the reference light having a speckle pattern when the first signal light is irradiated, A hologram generated by interfering a second signal light with a reference light having a speckle pattern is recorded, and an output-side hologram recording medium emits the second signal light when the reference light having a speckle pattern is irradiated. The system includes a light guide plate that guides the reference light having the speckle pattern emitted from the input-side holographic recording medium, which is emitted by irradiating the input-side holographic recording medium with the first signal light, to the output-side holographic recording medium. A virtual image generating device.

2. The input-side hologram recording medium records multiple holograms generated by interfering each of a plurality of different first signal lights with a reference light having a different speckle pattern corresponding to each of the respective different first signal lights. The output-side hologram recording medium records multiple holograms generated by interfering each of a plurality of different second signal lights with a reference light having a different speckle pattern corresponding to each of the different second signal lights. The input-side hologram recording medium emits a reference light having a corresponding speckle pattern when irradiated with a first signal light. The output-side hologram recording medium emits a corresponding second signal light when irradiated with a reference light having a certain speckle pattern. The virtual image generating apparatus according to claim 1.

3. Each of the aforementioned multiple different first signal lights is a signal light corresponding to each pixel arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, Each of the aforementioned multiple different second signal lights is a signal light corresponding to each pixel arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. The virtual image generating apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The first signal light and the second signal light are the same signal light. The virtual image generating apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The input-side hologram recording medium, the light guide plate, and the output-side hologram recording medium are integrally formed from the same material. The virtual image generating apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The system further comprises a display device that generates a first signal light to be irradiated onto the input-side hologram recording medium. The virtual image generating apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The system further comprises the input-side hologram recording medium, the light guide plate, the output-side hologram recording medium, and the display device, with the light emitted from the output-side hologram recording medium directed toward the object to be mounted, and includes a mounting member for mounting the display device to the object to be mounted. The virtual image generating apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The system further comprises the input-side hologram recording medium, the light guide plate, the output-side hologram recording medium, and mounting members for installing the display device on an object. The virtual image generating apparatus according to claim 6.

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