Image display device

Abstract

This invention provides an image display device that can display large 3D images with an extremely simple structure and can be implemented at low cost. [Solution] The image display device comprises: a columnar screen section that is rotatable about its central axis and has a plurality of projection surfaces on its outer circumferential surface; a mirror section that is integrated with the screen section and has a plurality of reflective surfaces corresponding to the plurality of projection surfaces; a drive section that rotates the screen section and the mirror section about the central axis; a control section that outputs an image to be reflected by the plurality of reflective surfaces in synchronization with the rotation of the screen section and the mirror section, and controls the drive section; and a projector section that is fixedly provided at a position separate from the screen section and the mirror section, connected to the control section, and projects the image onto the projection surface via the reflective surfaces.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image display device capable of displaying an image in a wide range and three-dimensionally.

Background Art

[0002] A full-surround display device is known. This full-surround display device includes a cylindrical rotating part having slits on its outer peripheral surface, a driving device for rotating the rotating part, a projection device (projector) that rotates integrally with the rotating part, a first reflecting mirror and a second reflecting mirror that rotate integrally with the rotating part, and a reflective screen that rotates integrally with the rotating part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional device described in Patent Document 1 above, since the projection device also needs to be rotated together with the rotating part, the device becomes larger, and a large torque of the motor constituting the driving device is also required. In addition, since a plurality of reflecting mirrors also need to be installed at multiple locations, there is also a problem that the device configuration becomes complicated. As a result, there is a problem of high cost. For this reason, there is a problem that it does not spread in the market. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image display device that can display a large three-dimensional image with a low cost and a simple structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The above problems are solved by the following present invention. That is, the image display device of the present invention (1) a columnar screen part that is rotatable around its central axis and has a plurality of projection surfaces on its outer peripheral surface, A mirror portion which is integrated with the screen portion and has a plurality of reflective surfaces corresponding to the plurality of projection surfaces, A drive unit that rotates the screen portion and the mirror portion around the central axis, A control unit that outputs an image to be reflected on the plurality of reflective surfaces while synchronizing with the rotation of the screen unit and the mirror unit, and controls the drive unit, A projector unit is fixedly provided at a position separate from the screen unit and the mirror unit and connected to the control unit, which projects the image onto the projection surface via the reflective surface. It is equipped with.

[0006] Furthermore, the image display device of the present invention (2) is the image display device described in (1), The reflective surfaces are provided in a one-to-one ratio with respect to the projection surfaces.

[0007] Furthermore, the image display device of the present invention (3) is the image display device described in (1), The projection surface is curved so as to be convex toward the central axis.

[0008] Furthermore, the image display device of the present invention (4) is the image display device described in (1), A cylindrical portion surrounds the screen portion and rotates integrally with the screen portion, and comprises a cylindrical portion provided at a position corresponding to the projection surface and having a plurality of elongated slits in the direction of the central axis.

[0009] Furthermore, the image display device of the present invention (5) is the image display device described in (1), It has multiple partition walls that are integrally provided with the screen section and separate adjacent projection surfaces.

[0010] Furthermore, the image display device of the present invention (6) is an image display device described in any one of (1) to (5), The reflective surface is curved so as to be convex toward the projector section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image display device that can display a large stereoscopic image over a wide range with an extremely simple structure and can be realized at a low cost.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the image display device of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing the screen part and the mirror part of the image display device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing the cylindrical part and the screen part of the image display device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing the image and the individual images displayed on the display part shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing the state after rotating a predetermined angle after a predetermined time has elapsed for the image and the individual images shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is a schematic diagram showing one 3DCG model in the virtual three-dimensional space α and separate viewpoint positions V evenly arranged in an annular shape around it. [Figure 7] It is a schematic diagram showing the projector part, the mirror part, the screen part, the image projected on the screen part, and the virtual image of the screen part formed by reflection in the mirror part of the image display device. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing a modified example of the image display device of the first embodiment.​​​​​​​​​​​​​Referring to the following drawings, embodiments of the image display device of the present invention will be described. The image display device of the present invention can display a stereoscopic image in a wide range around it. [First Embodiment]

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the image display device 10 includes a central axis C (rotation axis), a screen unit 11 and a mirror unit 12 that are rotatably supported around the central axis C, a cylindrical unit 19 attached to the outer edge 12A of the mirror unit 12, a device base 13 that rotatably supports the central axis C, a drive unit 14 housed in the device base 13 that rotationally drives the central axis C to rotate the mirror unit 12 around the central axis C, a power transmission mechanism 24 that transmits the driving force of the drive unit 14 to the central axis C, a control unit 18 that controls the rotation of the drive unit 14 and outputs an image 17 reflected by the mirror unit 12, a motor control device 21 that directly controls the drive unit 14, and a projector unit 22 that projects the image 17 output from the control unit 18.

[0015] The device base 13 is formed in a box shape. The drive unit 14 is, for example, composed of a stepping motor, but is not limited thereto. The drive unit 14 may be composed of other motors such as a DC motor. As shown in FIG. 1, the power transmission mechanism 24 is, for example, a shaft coupling that connects the motor shaft of the drive unit 14 and the rotation axis C. The power transmission mechanism 24 may be composed of a reduction gear train. The rotational speed of the central axis C rotationally driven by the drive unit 14 is preferably, for example, 0.5 to 5 rotations per second.

[0016] The control unit 18 is composed of a general PC (personal computer). This PC has a CPU, various ROMs, RAMs, HDDs, a display, etc. An OS is installed in the PC, and in addition, dedicated software for outputting the image 17 and controlling the drive unit 14 via the motor control device 21 is installed.

[0017] The motor control device 21 can generate pulse signals to rotate the drive unit 14 under the control of the control unit 18. The control unit 18 can set the rotational speed of the central axis C, which is powered and rotated by the drive unit 14, to any rotational speed of 1 / T revolutions per second via the motor control device 21. In other words, the central axis C can be set to rotate once every T seconds. The set rotational speed is preferably, for example, 0.5 to 5 revolutions per second. The motor control device 21 can also detect the rotational position of the central axis C via the encoder and transmit it to the control unit 18 as needed.

[0018] The projector unit 22 consists of a single commercially available projector. The projector unit 22 is installed, for example, on or near the extension line E of the central axis C. This position on or near the extension line E of the central axis C is an example of a position separated from the screen unit 11 and the mirror unit 12. The frame rate of this projector is, for example, 60 to 1000 fps. In this embodiment, the projector unit 22 is positioned on the extension line E. The projector unit 22 may also be positioned near the extension line E of the central axis C. The projector unit 22 may be installed, for example, by being suspended from the ceiling of the venue (live venue). As shown in Figure 7, the mounting position and angle of the projector unit 22 are set so as to project the image 17 onto the virtual image 11B of the screen unit 11 formed by reflection at the mirror unit 12 (reflective surface 12B).

[0019] The central axis C is made up of a typical metal rod. The central axis C is positioned, for example, to extend vertically.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the screen portion 11 is formed in a columnar shape that forms a star when viewed from above (at a predetermined position on the extension of the central axis C). The screen portion 11 is configured to be rotatable about its central axis C. The screen portion 11 has a plurality of projection surfaces 11A (for example, 6) on its outer circumferential surface. Each of the plurality of projection surfaces 11A is curved (forms an arc shape) so as to be convex in the direction approaching the central axis C. The screen portion 11 is connected to the mirror portion 12 at one end in the direction of the central axis (for example, the lower end) and is formed integrally with the mirror portion 12. The number of projection surfaces 11A is arbitrary and may be any number from 3 to 12, for example.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the mirror portion 12 is formed to extend radially outward in a flange shape from the lower end of the screen portion 11. The mirror portion 12 is located on a ring centered on the central axis C. The mirror portion 12 has a plurality of reflective surfaces 12B (for example, 6). The plurality of reflective surfaces 12B are provided in a one-to-one ratio with respect to the plurality of projection surfaces 11A. Each of the plurality of reflective surfaces 12B is formed, for example, by fitting and fixing six flat mirrors to a base provided on the upper surface of the mirror portion 12. The reflective surfaces 12B are installed at an angle to the horizontal plane such that they go downward as they approach the central axis C. The reflective surfaces 12B are installed at an angle of 3 to 20° with respect to the horizontal plane, for example. The cross lines shown on the reflective surface 12B in Figure 2 indicate the edges of the mirrors and show that the reflective surface 12B is flat.

[0022] Alternatively, the mirror portion 12 may be integrally formed, for example, by applying a mirror coating to the surface of a resin material formed three-dimensionally using a 3D printer or the like. Furthermore, the mirror portion 12 may also be formed, for example, by bonding a flexible mirror sheet to the surface of a resin material formed three-dimensionally using a 3D printer or the like.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, the cylindrical portion 19 surrounds the screen portion 11. The cylindrical portion 19 rests on an outer edge portion 12A that protrudes radially outward from the lower end of the mirror portion 12, and can rotate integrally with the screen portion 11 and the mirror portion 12. The cylindrical portion 19 is cylindrical in shape and has a plurality of slits 19A. The slits 19A are provided at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 19. The slits 19A are configured as through holes that penetrate the cylindrical portion 19, but may also be formed as windows covered with a light-transmitting resin. The cylindrical portion 19 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may also be a polygonal (square, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, etc.) cylindrical shape.

[0024] In this embodiment, the plurality of slits 19A are composed of 6, corresponding to the number of projection surfaces 11A of the screen portion 11 (6 in this embodiment). The slits 19A of the cylindrical portion 19 are positioned in front of the projection surfaces 11A of the screen portion 11. If the number of projection surfaces 11A is increased, the number of slits 19A is also increased accordingly. Each of the plurality of slits 19A is formed to be elongated in the direction of the central axis C (vertical direction). The length of the slit 19A in the direction of the central axis C is, for example, approximately equal to the height of the projection surface 11A of the screen portion 11. The cylindrical portion 19 is formed of, for example, a black synthetic resin material.

[0025] Image 17 is an image output from the control unit 18, projected from the projector unit 22, reflected by the reflective surface 12B of the rotating mirror unit 12, and projected onto the projection surface 11A. As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 18 can display image 17 on its display unit 18A (display). Therefore, the operator can recognize the state of image 17 via the display unit 18A.

[0026] Image 17 includes multiple individual images 17A (for example, six in Figure 4), which are arranged evenly on the circumference. Preferably, the number of individual images 17A is the same as the number of reflective surfaces 12B of the mirror section 12 and projection surfaces 11A of the screen section 11.

[0027] Each of the individual images 17A consists of images of a single 3DCG model X placed in the virtual three-dimensional space α shown in Figure 6, viewed from separate viewpoint positions V arranged evenly in a circular pattern around it. The 3DCG model X may be stationary or in motion. In this embodiment, the 3DCG model X is stationary. As shown in Figure 4, the individual images 17A correspond to the front, left front side, left rear side, back, right rear side, and right front side of the character's 3DCG model X, respectively.

[0028] Furthermore, each of the individual images 17A is corrected (curved) so that when the light of the individual image 17A is emitted from the projector unit 22, reflected by the reflective surface 12B, and projected onto the projection surface 11A, the individual image 17A is displayed on the projection surface 11A without distortion.

[0029] Image 17 rotates at a rate of 1 / T rotations per second, synchronized with the rotation of the screen section 11 and the mirror section 12. The viewpoint position V, set to compose the individual images 17A, also rotates at a rate of 1 / T rotations per second around the 3DCG model X. Figure 5 shows the state of Image 17 after a predetermined time has elapsed (T / 12 seconds) from the point in Figure 4. Image 17 in Figure 5 rotates 30 degrees around the center point of the circumference set to arrange the individual images 17A, from the state in Figure 4. At this time, the viewpoint position V, set to compose the individual images 17A, also rotates 30 degrees around the 3DCG model X.

[0030] Next, the operation of the image display device 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. The image display device 10 of this embodiment can, for example, display three-dimensional images (three-dimensional videos) of popular characters to the audience in places such as shopping malls and live music venues.

[0031] The operator sets the rotation speed of the central axis C and the rotation speed and rotation position of the image 17 via dedicated software installed in the control unit 18. At this time, the rotation speed of the image 17 is set to be the same as the rotation speed of the central axis C. In addition, the rotation position of the individual images 17A of the image 17 is set to correspond to the positions of the reflective surface 12B of the mirror unit 12 and the projection surface 11A of the screen unit 11. As shown in Figure 7, when the individual images 17A of the image 17 are projected from the projector unit 22 onto the reflective surface 12B of the mirror unit 12, the light from the individual images 17A is reflected off the reflective surface 12B and projected onto the projection surface 11A. The individual images 17A projected onto the projection surface 11A are delivered to the eyes of the audience through the slit 19A.

[0032] When the image 17 is shown without passing through the slit 19A, the image 17 and the projection surface 11A rotate in sync with the rotation of the screen unit 11. As a result, each time the projection surface 11A passes over the image 17, it is perceived by the viewer as a blurred image. However, by showing the image through the slit 19A, which scans the cylindrical unit 19 in sync with the rotation of the screen unit 11, each time the projection surface 11A (and the slit 19A) passes over the image, it is possible to perceive a blur-free image (afterimage) in the viewer's mind.

[0033] At this time, the right and left eyes of the audience will perceive different individual images 17A corresponding to their respective positions. This allows the audience to perceive the individual images 17A as three-dimensional images. For example, when the audience is in front of the image display device 10, they will perceive the front side of the 3DCG model X as individual image 17A, and when they are behind the image display device 10, they will perceive the back side of the 3DCG model X. In this way, by showing the audience an image of the 3DCG model X corresponding to their position, it is possible to create the illusion that the 3DCG model X is inside the image display device 10.

[0034] In this embodiment, the projector unit 22 is configured as a single unit, but the number of projector units 22 is not limited to one. For example, as shown in the modified example in Figure 8, it is certainly possible to provide two or more projector units 22 to project onto the mirror unit 12 and the screen unit 11. In that case, the projector units 22 are positioned near the extension line E of the central axis C. This allows for the delivery of even higher resolution images to the audience.

[0035] In this embodiment, the projector unit 22 is positioned on the extension line E of the central axis C, but this is not the only possible configuration. For example, in the second modified configuration shown in Figure 9, the projector unit 22 is fixedly mounted in a position separate from the screen unit 11 and the mirror unit 12. The projector unit 22 is housed inside the device base 13. In other words, in this modified configuration, the screen unit 11, the mirror unit 12, and the cylindrical unit 19 are mounted upside down. The cylindrical unit 19 is suspended from the mirror unit 12 via an inwardly protruding edge. Below it, a second mirror unit 25 is fixedly mounted with a hole through which the central axis C passes, and the projector unit 22 is provided to the side of the second mirror unit 25. In this modified configuration, light emitted from the projector unit 22 (Image 17) is reflected by the second mirror unit 25 and projected onto the mirror unit 12 and the screen unit 11. In this modified version, the projector unit 22 and the device base 13 can be manufactured as a single unit, simplifying the installation process and giving the device a simpler appearance.

[0036] According to this embodiment, the following can be said: The image display device 10 comprises a columnar screen section 11 that is rotatable about its central axis C and has a plurality of projection surfaces 11A on its outer circumferential surface; a mirror section 12 that is integrated with the screen section 11 and has a plurality of reflective surfaces 12B corresponding to the plurality of projection surfaces 11A; a drive section 14 that rotates the screen section 11 and the mirror section 12 about its central axis C; a control section 18 that outputs an image 17 to be reflected by the plurality of reflective surfaces 12B in synchronization with the rotation of the screen section 11 and the mirror section 12, and controls the drive section 14; and a projector section 22 that is fixedly provided at a position separate from the screen section 11 and the mirror section 12 and connected to the control section 18, and projects the image 17 onto the projection surface 11A via the reflective surfaces 12B.

[0037] With this configuration, the mirror section 12 is integrated with the screen section 11, making the structure of the screen section 11 and the mirror section 12 extremely simple. Because the projector section 22 is fixedly provided separately from the part that is rotated by the drive unit 14, the drive unit 14 can be made small and low torque. Also, because the projector section 22 is not rotated by the drive unit 14, the structure around the screen section 11 can be simplified. Furthermore, by adjusting the angle of the mirror section 12, the size of the image 17 projected onto the projection surface 11A can be appropriately enlarged, so a large image 17 can be shown to the audience with a simple and lightweight configuration.

[0038] In this case, the reflective surface 12B is provided in a one-to-one ratio with respect to the projection surface 11A. With this configuration, the screen section 11 and the mirror section 12 can be realized with an extremely simple structure.

[0039] In this case, the projection surface 11A is curved so as to be convex toward the central axis C. With this configuration, the projection surface 11A does not protrude outward in the radial direction of the screen section 11, and the light sent from the projector section 22 is not blocked by the screen section 11. As a result, sufficient light can be sent from the projector section 22 to the reflective surface 12B.

[0040] The image display device 10 includes a cylindrical portion 19 that surrounds the screen portion 11 and rotates integrally with the screen portion 11, and is provided at a position corresponding to the projection surface 11A and has a plurality of elongated slits 19A in the direction of the central axis C.

[0041] With this configuration, the image 17A projected onto the projection surface 11A is shown to the audience as a high-quality image with minimal blurring by passing it through a slit 19A that scans the cylindrical portion 19.

[0042] In the following embodiments, the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the parts common to the first embodiment will not be described. [Second Embodiment]

[0043] Referring to Figure 10, the image display device 10 of the second embodiment will be described. The image display device 10 includes a plurality of partition walls 23 (for example, six) integrated with the screen portion 11. Each of the plurality of partition walls 23 protrudes in a flat plate shape radially outward from the boundary position where the projection surfaces 11A of the screen portion 11 are adjacent to each other. Furthermore, the projection surface 11A and the partition walls 23 are formed continuously and integrally without any breaks. In this embodiment, a large, impressive image spanning both the projection surface 11A and the partition walls 23 can be displayed. The outer ends of the partition walls 23 extend to a position equivalent to the outer circumference of the mirror portion 12. Therefore, the partition walls 23 can partition not only between adjacent projection surfaces 11A but also between adjacent reflective surfaces 12B.

[0044] In this embodiment, six partition walls 23 are provided corresponding to the six projection surfaces 11A and the six reflection surfaces 12B, but the number of partition walls 23 is not limited to this. For example, if the number of projection surfaces 11A and reflection surfaces 12B is increased to, for example, 7 to 12, the number of partition walls 23 can also be appropriately increased to, for example, 7 to 12.

[0045] The image display device 10 is equipped with multiple convex mirrors as reflective surfaces 12B. Therefore, in this embodiment, the image 17 (individual image 17A) projected from the projector unit can be enlarged and projected onto the projection surface 11A and the partition wall 23. The cross-shaped lines shown on the reflective surface 12B in Figure 10 indicate the edges of the mirrors, showing that the reflective surface 12B is a convex mirror that is convex toward the projector unit 22.

[0046] Next, the operation of the image display device 10 of this embodiment will be described. The image display device 10 of this embodiment can, for example, display three-dimensional images (three-dimensional videos) of popular characters to the audience in places such as shopping malls and live music venues.

[0047] The operator sets the rotation speed of the central axis C and the rotation speed and rotation position of the image 17 via dedicated software installed in the control unit 18. At this time, the rotation speed of the image 17 is set to be the same as the rotation speed of the central axis C. In addition, the rotation position of the individual images 17A of the image 17 is set to correspond to the position of the reflective surface 12B of the mirror unit 12 and the projection surface 11A of the screen unit 11. As shown in Figure 7, when the individual images 17A of the image 17 are projected from the projector unit 22 onto the reflective surface 12B of the mirror unit 12, the light of the individual images 17A is reflected by the reflective surface 12B. At this time, because the reflective surface 12B is a convex mirror, the image 17 (individual images 17A) is projected onto the projection surface 11A and the partition wall 23 as an enlarged image. The individual images 17A projected onto the projection surface 11A and the partition wall 23 are delivered to the eyes of the audience.

[0048] In this embodiment, since the cylindrical portion 19 and the slit 19A are omitted, the image 17 projected onto the projection surface 11A is perceived by the viewer as a blurred image each time the projection surface 11A passes over it. However, the presence of the partition wall 23 means that the projection surface 11A is only visible when it is directly in front of the viewer, thereby allowing the viewer to perceive the image 17 as an image with relatively little blur.

[0049] According to this embodiment, the following can be said: The image display device 10 is provided integrally with the screen section 11 and has a plurality of partition walls 23 that separate adjacent projection surfaces 11A from each other.

[0050] This configuration makes it possible to prevent the audience from seeing the image 17 projected on the adjacent projection surface 11A. This improves the quality of the image 17 shown to the audience. Furthermore, since the partition wall 23 is formed seamlessly and integrally with the projection surface 11A, the projection surface can be enlarged. This allows the audience to see a larger, more impressive image.

[0051] In this case, the reflective surface 12B is curved so as to be convex toward the projector unit 22. Therefore, the reflective surface 12B can be made into a so-called convex mirror, and the individual images 17A that are reflected by the reflective surface 12B and projected onto the projection surface 11A can be enlarged. This makes it possible to display the individual images 17A as a large image that spans not only the screen unit 11 but also the partition wall 23. This makes it possible to show the audience an impressive image.

[0052] The embodiments described above can be implemented with various further substitutions and modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10 Image display device 11 Screen section 11A Projection surface 12 Mirror section 12B Reflective surface C center axis 14 Drive Unit 17 images 18 Control Unit 19. Cylindrical part 22 Projector Section 23 Partition wall

Claims

1. A columnar screen section that is rotatable around its central axis and has multiple projection surfaces on its outer surface, A mirror portion which is integrated with the screen portion and has a plurality of reflective surfaces corresponding to the plurality of projection surfaces, A drive unit that rotates the screen portion and the mirror portion around the central axis, A control unit that outputs an image to be reflected on the plurality of reflective surfaces while synchronizing with the rotation of the screen unit and the mirror unit, and controls the drive unit, A projector unit is fixedly provided at a position separate from the screen unit and the mirror unit and connected to the control unit, which projects the image onto the projection surface via the reflective surface. An image display device equipped with the following features.

2. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the reflective surface is provided in a one-to-one ratio with respect to the projection surface.

3. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the projection surface is curved so as to be convex toward the central axis.

4. The image display device according to claim 1, comprising a cylindrical portion that surrounds the screen portion and rotates integrally with the screen portion, the cylindrical portion being provided at a position corresponding to the projection surface and having a plurality of elongated slits in the direction of the central axis.

5. The image display device according to claim 1, having a plurality of partition walls provided integrally with the screen portion and separating adjacent projection surfaces.

6. The image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reflective surface is curved so as to be convex toward the projector portion.

Images