Aerial image forming device

Abstract

To provide an aerial image forming device with which it is possible to form a bright aerial image with a high degree of freedom of installation places and without the display content of a display unit being rendered directly visible from observer side.SOLUTION: An aerial image forming device 111 according to the present invention comprises a display unit 120, a reflection unit 150, a first selection unit 140, and a second selection unit 160. A first reflection plane 152 reflects first light L1 forward in a direction y. The first selection unit 140 emits forward in a direction y, as second light L2-1, at least a portion of first light L1-1 that is reflected within an angle range ±θ2 with respect to a floor surface 101. The second selection unit 160 is provided forward of the first selection unit 140 in the direction y and adjacent to the first selection unit 140 in the direction y. The second selection unit 160 emits forward in the direction y, as third light L3, the second light L2-1 emitted from the first selection unit 140 and entering from a prescribed incidence direction that forms an angle within a positive angle range +θ3 with respect to the floor surface 101.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerial image forming device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, aerial images have been used in various applications, including virtual reality. Aerial images are real images formed at any position in space by reflecting and refracting light emitted from a light source using optical elements. There is no screen or display at the position where the aerial image is displayed, so the viewer who sees the aerial image experiences a strange sensation.

[0003] For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses an upright aerial image display that displays an aerial image on a table using reflection from the top surface of the table. In the upright aerial image display described in Non-Patent Document 1, a half mirror for forming an upright aerial image is arranged along the top surface of the table. The upright aerial image display described in Non-Patent Document 1 can be easily installed on various existing tables. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Hiroki Yamamoto, Hajime Kajita, Naoya Koizumi, Takeshi Naemura, EnchanTable: Upright Aerial Image Display Using Reflection on a Table Surface, Transactions of the Virtual Reality Society of Japan, Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 401-410, 2016. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the upright aerial image display described in Non-Patent Document 1, the display that displays the aerial image is placed below the top surface of the table. Therefore, if an attempt is made to form an upright aerial image on an existing floor using the upright aerial image display described in Non-Patent Document 1, the display must be placed under the floor by digging down the floor, which is difficult to realize. Although this form of forming an upright aerial image on the floor is one example, the conventional aerial image forming device has a problem of low freedom of installation location. In addition, there has been a demand for an aerial image forming device that allows the observer to view only the aerial image without directly viewing the original image of the aerial image.

[0006] As described above, various aerial image forming devices in which only the aerial image is visible have been considered. The spatial conditions in which the aerial image forming device is installed vary depending on the location of lighting, the number of lighting installed, performance, etc., and there has been a demand for the formation of bright aerial images that can be clearly viewed even in relatively bright spaces or rooms with a white base.

[0007] The present invention provides an aerial image forming device that has a high degree of freedom in terms of installation location and is capable of forming a bright aerial image without the display content of the display unit being directly visible from the observer's side. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The aerial image forming device of the present invention comprises: Flat Reference plane Away from the reference plane in one direction perpendicular to Placed and inclined with respect to the reference plane and the one direction. a display unit having a display surface and emitting a first light from the display surface toward the reference surface; It is closer to the reference surface than to the display surface in one direction. a first light emitting region that is at least partially disposed within an illumination region of the first light emitted from the display surface, and Greater than 0° and less than 45° The first light is inclined at a first angle and incident on the A side away from the reference surface in one direction a reflecting section having a first reflecting surface on the opposite side to the display section in a direction parallel to the reference surface, the first reflecting surface being configured to reflect light so as to move away from the reference surface as the light moves away from the display section; A member is set up so as to approach the display unit from the reference surface in one direction.a first selection unit having a first entrance surface disposed within an irradiation area of ​​the first light reflected by the first reflecting surface, and configured to emit, as a second light, the first light incident on the first entrance surface at an incident angle equal to or smaller than a second angle toward a forward direction in a traveling direction, and to block the first light incident on the first entrance surface at an incident angle larger than the second angle; A member is set up so as to approach the display unit from the reference surface in one direction. and a second selection section that is arranged adjacent to the first selection section within an irradiation area of ​​the second light emitted from the first selection section, has a second entrance surface, and emits the second light that is incident on the second entrance surface from a predetermined entrance direction as a third light, and blocks the second light that is incident on the second entrance surface from an entrance direction different from the predetermined entrance direction.

[0009] In the aerial image forming device according to the present invention, the first angle may be greater than 0° and equal to or less than 45°.

[0010] In the aerial image forming apparatus of the present invention, the first selection unit Standing along the one direction, The reflector includes a plurality of reflectors, one The reflectors may be spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the reference plane, the reflectors extending in a direction parallel to the reference plane, and a ratio between the spacing and the length of the reflectors in the direction parallel to the reference plane may be determined by the first angle.

[0011] In the aerial image forming apparatus of the present invention, the second selection unit Standing along the one direction, The above one The light absorbing device may have a plurality of light blocking materials spaced apart from one another in a direction, the plurality of light blocking materials being arranged parallel to the direction of incidence. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an aerial image forming device that has a high degree of freedom in terms of installation location and is capable of forming a bright aerial image without the display content of the display unit being directly visible from the observer side. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of an aerial image forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is an enlarged side view of a first selection section and a second selection section of the aerial image forming device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the polarization direction and image direction in each component of the aerial image forming device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining the arrangement conditions of each component of the aerial image forming device shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining the arrangement conditions of each component of the aerial image forming device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining the arrangement conditions of each component of the aerial image forming device shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining the arrangement conditions of each component of the aerial image forming device shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining the arrangement conditions of each component of the aerial image forming device shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining the arrangement conditions of each component of the aerial image forming device shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining the arrangement conditions of each component of the aerial image forming device shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining the arrangement conditions of each component of the aerial image forming device shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining the arrangement conditions of each component of the aerial image forming device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the aerial image forming device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, an aerial image forming device 111 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least a display unit 120, a reflector 150, a first selection unit 140, and a second selection unit 160. The aerial image forming device 111 is provided, for example, above a flat floor surface (reference surface) 101. In the following, the direction perpendicular to the floor surface 101 and moving upward away from the floor surface 101 is referred to as the z direction. (one way) Let us assume that.

[0016] The display unit 120 has a display surface 122 that displays an original image of the aerial image 190 and emits a first light L1. In the following, a direction perpendicular to the z direction and approaching the aerial image 190 and the observer from the display unit 120 along the floor surface 101 is defined as a y direction. A direction perpendicular to the z direction and the y direction is defined as an x ​​direction. The forward direction in each of the x, y, and z directions means the back side in each of the directions. The rear direction in each of the x, y, and z directions means the near side in each of the directions. The display surface 122 is disposed forward of the floor surface 101 in the z direction, and is disposed so as to move forward in the z direction as it moves forward in the y direction, for example, and is inclined with respect to the floor surface 101 when viewed along the x direction. The display unit 120 is, for example, configured with a liquid crystal display.

[0017] The reflecting unit 150 has a first reflecting surface 152 that forms a predetermined angle +θ1 with respect to the floor surface 101. In the following, an angle formed by a surface or a path of light intersecting from the front in the z direction with respect to the floor surface 101 and a surface parallel to the floor surface 101 when viewed from the front to the rear in the y direction is expressed as a positive angle, and an angle formed by a surface or a path of light intersecting from the rear in the z direction is expressed as a negative angle. The angle +θ1 is an angle formed between the floor surface 101 and the first reflecting surface 152 when the first reflecting surface 152 is arranged in a state in which the first light L1 emitted from the display surface 122 of the display unit 120 can be incident on the first reflecting surface 152. The angle +θ1 is determined by the relative position of the display unit 120 with respect to the reflecting unit 150, the traveling direction and diffusion angle of the first light L1 emitted from the display surface 122, and the like.

[0018] The first reflecting surface 152 is disposed forward of the floor surface 101 in the z direction and rearward of the display surface 122 in the z direction. The first reflecting surface 152 is disposed so as to move rearward in the z direction as it moves forward in the y direction, for example, and is inclined with respect to the floor surface 101 when viewed along the x direction. The first reflecting surface 152 reflects the first light L1 emitted from the display surface 122 forward in the y direction. In this specification, reflection means regular reflection or specular reflection unless otherwise specified. The front and rear ends of the display surface 122 in the y direction are located within the region between the front and rear ends of the first reflecting surface 152 in the y direction.

[0019] The reflecting unit 150 is composed of, for example, an aluminum plane mirror in which aluminum is coated on a glass substrate. In this case, the first reflecting surface 152 is provided on the surface of the glass substrate that is coated with aluminum, and is composed of an aluminum layer. The reflecting unit 150 formed in a plate shape is supported by a support member (not shown) so that the first reflecting surface 152 forms an angle +θ1 with respect to the floor surface 101.

[0020] The first selection unit 140 is provided forward of the first reflection unit 150 in the y direction (the traveling direction of the first light). The first selection unit 140 emits the first light L1 incident within a predetermined angle range (first angle range, hereinafter sometimes referred to as angle range ±θR2) with respect to the floor surface 101 as the second light L2 toward the front in the y direction. The first light L1 incident on the first selection unit 140 within the angle range ±θR2 includes the first light 1-1 reflected by the first reflection surface 152 of the reflection unit 150 and the first light 1-2 arriving directly from the display unit 120 without being irradiated by the first reflection surface 152. In the drawings, the angles within the angle range ±θR2 may be described as +θ2 or -θ2 based on the above definition.

[0021] The angle +θ1 is appropriately set so that the first reflecting surface 152 can receive the first light L1 and cause the first light L1-1 to be incident on the first selection unit 140 within an angle range of ±θR2. The angle +θ1 can be any angle greater than 0° and less than 90°, but is preferably greater than 0° and less than 45° from the viewpoint of ease of determining the relative positions of the display unit 120 and the reflecting unit 150. When the angle +θ1 is greater than 0°, the display surface 122 can be disposed forward of the rear end of the first reflecting surface 152 in the y direction, thereby enabling space saving for the aerial image forming device 111.

[0022] The first selection unit 140 blocks the first light L1 and external light that are incident outside the angle range ±θR2 with respect to the floor surface 101. The first selection unit 140 selectively emits only at least a portion of the first light L1 forward in the y direction depending on the incident angle.

[0023] The first selection unit 140 includes a plurality of reflectors (reflective materials) 142 arranged at intervals Z1 from each other in the z direction, for example. The reflectors 142 are arranged substantially parallel to the floor surface 101 and extend in a direction substantially parallel to the floor surface 101 (the y direction in Figs. 1 and 2). The front surface of the reflector 142 in the z direction constitutes a second reflecting surface 143-1. The rear surface of the reflector 142 in the z direction constitutes a second reflecting surface 143-2. ​​A surface connecting the rear ends of the plurality of reflectors 142 in the y direction constitutes an entrance surface 144 of the first selection unit 140. A surface connecting the front ends of the plurality of reflectors 142 in the y direction constitutes an exit surface 145 of the first selection unit 140. The first selection unit 140 is configured, for example, by a micro-mirror array plate (MMAP) having micro-mirrors (reflective materials) as the reflectors 142.

[0024] If the length (size) of the reflector 142 in the y direction is Z2, the ratio of the interval Z1 to the length Z2 is determined by the angle range ±θR2 as described below. The ratio of the interval Z1 to the length Z2 is appropriately determined so that the light beams L1-1 and L1-2 incident on the reflector 142 within the angle range ±θR2 are reflected forward in the y direction.

[0025] The second selection unit 160 is provided in front of the first selection unit 140 in the y direction and is adjacent to the first selection unit 140. The second selection unit 160 outputs the second light L2-1, L2-2 reflected by the second reflection surfaces 143-2, 143-1 of the first selection unit 140, which is incident from the rear side to the front side in the z direction in an oblique direction (predetermined incident direction), as the third light L3, forward in the y direction. The second light 2-1 has a course that moves forward in the z direction as it advances in the y direction, and is caused by the first light 1-1 of the first light. The second selection unit 160 outputs the third light L3 at a predetermined angle θ3 with respect to the floor surface 101, and forms an image forward in the y direction. The aerial image 190 is formed by the third light L3 formed forward in the y direction.

[0026] The second selection unit 160 has a plurality of light-shielding plates (light-shielding material) 162 arranged at intervals Z3 in the z direction, for example. The plurality of light-shielding plates 162 are arranged substantially parallel to each other. The light-shielding plates 162 are inclined at an angle +θ3 with respect to the floor surface 101 so as to move rearward in the z direction as they move forward in the y direction. The front surface of the light-shielding plate 162 in the z direction constitutes a light-shielding surface 163-1. The rear surface of the light-shielding plate 162 in the z direction constitutes a light-shielding surface 163-2. A surface connecting the rear ends of the plurality of light-shielding plates 162 in the y direction constitutes an entrance surface 164 of the second selection unit 160. A surface connecting the front ends of the plurality of light-shielding plates 162 in the y direction constitutes an exit surface 165 of the second selection unit 160.

[0027] The second selection unit 160 emits the second light L2 incident within a positive angle range (second angle range, hereinafter sometimes referred to as angle range +θR3) based on the interval Z3 and the angle +θ3 as the third light L3 toward the front in the y direction. The angle range +θR3 is appropriately set so that at least a part of the second light L2-1 is emitted as the third light L3. The second selection unit 160 is configured, for example, of a louver film (LF) having a black silicone rubber member as the light shielding plate 162. From the viewpoint of suppressing the generation of stray light, it is preferable that the LF configured as described above is used for the second selection unit 160. The black silicone rubber member is provided on at least the rear surface of the light shielding plate 162 in the z direction, and is preferably provided on both sides of the light shielding plate 162.

[0028] The floor surface 101 in front of the second selection unit 160 in the y direction reflects the third light L3. Here, reflecting the third light L3 is not limited to reflecting the third light with approximately 100% reflectance, but means reflecting at least a portion of the third light L3 to such an extent that an aerial image 190 visible to the observer can be formed. The floor surface 101 at least in front of the second selection unit 160 in the y direction is composed of, for example, a marble floor surface or a floor surface coated to give it a glossy appearance.

[0029] In the aerial image forming device 111 equipped with the above-mentioned configurations, when first light L1 is emitted from the display surface 122 of the display unit 120, at least a part of the first light L1 is reflected by the first reflecting surface 152 of the reflecting unit 150. The first light L1 reflected by the first reflecting surface 152 behaves as light L4 emitted from a virtual image 180 of the display unit 120. The virtual image 180 is formed at a position obtained by inverting the image displayed on the display surface 122 in the z direction and x direction around the first reflecting surface 152.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, both the first light L1-1 and the first light L1-2 including the light L4 may be incident on the incident surface 144 of the first selection unit 140. However, among the first lights L1-1 and L1-2, the first light L1-3 incident at an angle of approximately 90° to the incident surface 144 and the first light L1-4 incident approximately horizontally to the incident surface 144 are unlikely to travel forward in the y direction from the incident surface 144. For example, the first lights L1-3 and L1-4 are widely diffused by the rear ends of the second reflection surfaces 143-1 and 143-2 in the y direction, and hardly travel forward in the y direction from the incident surface 144. Of the external light that does not contribute to the formation of the aerial image 190, the light that is incident on the incident surface 144 at an angle outside the angle range ±θR2 with respect to the floor surface 101 is substantially blocked by the first selection unit 140 at the incident surface 144.

[0031] The shallowest angle of incidence of the first light L1-1 with respect to the floor surface 101 and the reflector 142 is −θ2 S The deepest angle is -θ2 D The ratio (Z1 / Z2) of the distance Z1 to the length Z2 is |-θ2 S |≦tan(Z1 / Z2)≦|-θ2 D | and the angle range -θ2 S ~-θ2 D At least a part of the first light L1-1 is emitted forward in the y direction as the second light L2-1. S ~-θ2 D It is preferable that the majority of the first light L1-1 is emitted forward in the y direction as the second light L2-1.

[0032] The first light L1-1, L1-2 is reflected by the second reflecting surfaces 143-2, 143-1, and travels forward in the y direction as second light L2-1, L2-2. The second light L2-1, L2-2 travels along directions that form angles +θ2, −θ2 with respect to the floor surface 101, and travels from the exit surface 145 of the first selection unit 140 and enters the second selection unit 160 from the entrance surface 164.

[0033] The second light L2-1, which is incident on the incident surface 164 of the second selection unit 160 from the rear in the z direction within the angle range +θR3 when viewed from the rear in the y direction, moves rearward in the z direction as it travels forward in the y direction, approaching the floor surface 101. The second light L2-1 travels through the space 166 between two light blocking plates 162 adjacent to each other in the z direction. The shallowest angle within the angle range +θR3 with respect to the floor surface 101 is the angle +θ3 S If the length (size) of the light blocking plate 162 in the y direction is Z4, the deepest angle with respect to the floor surface 101 within the angle range +θR3 is the angle +θ3 D =+tan{(Z3+Z4×tan(+θ3)) / Z4}. The second light L2-1 incident on the incident surface 164 from the rear in the z direction outside the angle range +θR3 when viewed from the rear in the y direction is irradiated to one of the light-shielding surfaces 163-1 and 163-2, where it is diffused or absorbed, and almost no second light 2-2 incident on the incident surface 164 from the front in the z direction when viewed from the rear in the y direction is irradiated to one of the light-shielding surfaces 163-1 and 163-2, where it is diffused or absorbed, and almost no second light 2-2 is emitted from the exit surface 165.

[0034] As described above, by combining the first selection unit 140 and the second selection unit 160, the first light L1-2, the light resulting from the first light L1-2, and the external light that does not contribute to the formation of the aerial image 190 do not travel forward in the y direction from the exit surface 165 as the third light L3, but are blocked behind the exit surface 165 in the y direction. The interval Z4 and the angle +θ3 are set based on the above-mentioned relative relationship with the angle +θ1 and the intervals Z1 and Z2 so that the angle range +θR3 includes the angle range |±θR2|.

[0035] The aerial image forming device 111 described above includes the display unit 120, the reflector 150, the first selection unit 140, and the second selection unit 160. The display unit 120 has a display surface 122, and emits the first light L1 from the display surface 122. The reflector 150 has a first reflecting surface 152. The first reflecting surface 152 reflects the first light L1, which forms an angle θ2-1 with respect to the floor surface 101, forward in the y direction. The first selection unit 140 emits at least a part of the first light L1-1, which is incident on the floor surface 101 within the angle range ±θR2, as the second light L2-1 forward in the y direction. On the other hand, the first selection unit 140 blocks the first light L-1, L1-2, which is incident on the floor surface 101 outside the angle range ±θR2. The angle range +θR2 is based on the angle +θ1, and the angle |-θ2 S |to angle |-θ2 D |. The second selection unit 160 is provided forward of the first selection unit 140 in the y direction and adjacent to the first selection unit 140 in the y direction. The second selection unit 160 emits the second light L2-1 emitted from the first selection unit 140 and incident from an incident direction (predetermined incident direction) that forms an angle within the positive angle range +θR3 with respect to the floor surface 101 as the third light, forward in the y direction. The second selection unit 160 blocks the second light L2-1 emitted from the first selection unit 140 and incident from an incident direction (incident direction different from the predetermined incident direction) that forms an angle outside the positive angle range +θR3 with respect to the floor surface 101. The display unit 120, the reflector 150, the first selection unit 140, and the second selection unit 160 are disposed forward of the floor surface 101 in the z direction.

[0036] In the aerial image forming device 111, for example, it is not necessary to arrange a polarizing plate or the like between the first selection unit 140 and the second selection unit 160 in the y direction, and it is not necessary to arrange a polarizing member in front of the reflecting unit 150 in the y direction. According to the aerial image forming device 111, only the first light L1-1 is emitted forward in the y direction from the second selection unit 160 by filtering the angle of incidence by the first selection unit 140 and filtering the direction of incidence by the second selection unit 160 from the first lights L1-1, L1-2 and external light other than these first lights, thereby forming an aerial image 190. Therefore, according to the aerial image forming device 111, the attenuation of the first light L1-1 that contributes to the formation of the aerial image 190 is suppressed to form the aerial image 190, and the first light L1-2, which is direct light that is emitted from the display surface 122 of the display unit 120 and is not reflected by the first reflecting surface 152 of the reflecting unit 150, can be blocked. As a result, the aerial image forming device 111 can form a bright aerial image 190 without the viewer directly viewing the display content of the display unit 120 from the viewer's side.

[0037] In the aerial image forming device 111, the display unit 120, the reflecting unit 150, the first selecting unit 140, and the second selecting unit 160 are provided in front of the floor surface 101 in the z direction (on the same side with respect to the reference plane). This allows the aerial image forming device 111 to be easily formed in a portable form, for example, by disposing it in a housing. For example, the aerial image 190 can be displayed by simply placing the aerial image forming device 111 on the floor surface 101, with the floor surface 101 formed of glossy marble or the like serving as a reflective surface. Even if the floor surface 101 is not formed of glossy marble or the like, the floor surface 101 in front of the second selecting unit 160 in the y direction can reflect the third light L3, so that the aerial image 190 can be easily displayed. This allows the aerial image forming device 111 to increase the degree of freedom in the installation location.

[0038] In the aerial image forming device 111, the angle +θ1 is greater than 0° and equal to or less than 45°. This makes it easier to arrange the display unit 120 in front of the reflector 150 in the y direction, thereby enabling overall space saving.

[0039] In the aerial image forming device 111, the first selection section 140 is disposed in front of the reflecting section 150 in the y direction, and has a plurality of reflecting plates 142. The plurality of reflecting plates 142 are disposed at an interval Z2 from each other in the y direction. Each of the reflecting plates 142 extends in the y direction. The ratio of the interval Z1 between the reflecting plates 142 in the z direction to the length Z2 of the reflecting plate 142 in the y direction is determined by an angle range ±θR2. The ratio of the interval Z1 to the length Z2 is determined by the angle -θ2 with respect to the floor surface 101 toward the entrance surface 144 of the first selection section 140. S ~-θ2 D The aerial image forming device 111 is appropriately set so as to emit the first light L1-1 incident at an angle +θ1 forward in the y direction. The aerial image forming device 111 calculates the ratio of the interval Z1 to the length Z2 according to the angle +θ1 and the angle range ±θR2, and can select the first light L1-1, L1-2 that form an angle range ±θR2 with respect to the floor surface 101 from the light incident on the first selection unit 140 and emit it forward in the y direction.

[0040] In the aerial image forming device 111, the second selection section 160 is disposed forward of the reflecting section 150 in the y direction and adjacent to the first selection section in the y direction. The second selection section 160 has a plurality of light shielding plates 162. The plurality of light shielding plates 162 are disposed at intervals Z3 from one another in the y direction. Each light shielding plate 162 is disposed inclined in a direction (a predetermined incident direction) in which it moves backward in the z direction as it advances forward in the y direction relative to the floor surface 101. According to the aerial image forming device 111, the second light L2-1 can be selected by the plurality of light shielding plates 162 inclined in the same direction as the incident direction of the second light 2-1 resulting from the first light 1-1 to the second selection section with respect to the floor surface 101, and can be emitted forward in the y direction.

[0041] (Conditions for placement of display unit, reflective unit, first selection unit, and second selection unit) Below, based on the configuration of the aerial image forming device 111 of the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention, preferred conditions for the arrangement of the display unit 120, the reflecting unit 150, the first selection unit 140, and the second selection unit 160, as well as modified examples will be described. In the following description, components common to the aerial image forming device 111 are given the same reference numerals as in the aerial image forming device 111, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0042] In the above-described aerial image forming device 111, the second selection section 160 is disposed ahead of the first selection section 140 in the y direction, but may be disposed, for example, behind the first selection section 140 in the y direction. In such a case, the second selection section 160 is angled at an angle -θ2 S ~-θ2 D The second selection unit 160 is configured to allow at least a portion of the first light L1-1 incident at the first light source 161 to enter the space 163-1, pass through the space 166, and exit forward in the y direction. When the second selection unit 160 has a plurality of light shielding plates 162 arranged at intervals Z3 in the z direction, for example, the light shielding plates 162 are inclined at an angle +θ3 with respect to the floor surface 101 and move forward in the z direction as they proceed forward in the y direction. The first light 1-2 is shielded by a light shielding surface 163-1 of the light shielding plate 162.

[0043] As described above, when the second selection unit 160 is positioned behind the first selection unit 140 in the y direction, the first selection unit 140 receives the light L1-1 emitted from the second selection unit 160, reflects it, thereby reversing the inclination direction relative to the floor surface 101 and the reflector 142, and emits it forward in the y direction and toward the floor surface 101.

[0044] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, it means the angle and relative position when viewed from the x direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the rear end of the first reflecting surface 152 of the reflecting unit 150 in the y direction is Q1, and a virtual line that passes through the rear end Q1 and is perpendicular to the floor surface 101 is V1. The inclination a122 of the image 170 displayed on the display surface 122 of the display unit 120 with respect to the floor surface 101 is expressed by tan(θ'). The inclination c152 of the first reflecting surface 152 with respect to the virtual line V1 is expressed by tan(θ).

[0045] The length (i.e., size) of the image 170 is D. If the front end of the first reflecting surface 152 in the y direction is Q2, the front end Q2 is in contact with the floor surface 101. If the rear end of the first selection unit 140 in the z direction is taken as the origin OR and the x direction, y direction, and z direction are respectively assigned to the x axis, y axis, and z axis, the coordinate of the front end P0 in the z direction of the aerial image 190 is (y P0 ,z P0), and the coordinate of the rear end P1 of the aerial image 190 in the z direction is expressed as (y P1 ,z P1 If the first light L1-2 emitted from the display surface 122 and incident on the first selection unit 140 is not blocked and is emitted forward in the y direction from the first selection unit 140 to form an image, an aerial image 195 is directly formed. The coordinates of the front end P2 of the aerial image 195 in the z direction are (y P2 ,z P2 ), and the coordinate of the rear end P3 of the aerial image 195 in the z direction is expressed as (y P3 ,z P3 The coordinate of the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 in the z direction is expressed as (y P5 ,z P5 ), and the coordinate of the rear end P4 of the virtual image 180 in the z direction is (y P4 ,z P4 The front end P5 of the virtual image 180 is in contact with the floor surface 101. The coordinates of the front end P7 of the image 170 in the z direction are expressed as (y P7 ,z P7 ), and the coordinate of the rear end P6 of the image 170 in the z direction is (y P6 ,z P6 The coordinates of the front end P8 of the virtual image 185 in the z direction with respect to the floor surface 101 in the image 170 are expressed as (y P8 ,z P8 ), and the coordinate of the rear end P9 of the virtual image 185 in the z direction is (y P9 ,z P9 )

[0046] Here, the maximum reflection angle of the third line L3 forming the aerial image 190 with respect to the floor surface 101 is defined as φ MAX , the minimum reflection angle is φ MIN The second selection unit 160 (not shown) is disposed behind the first selection unit 140 in the y direction as described in the above modification, and the angle of the light blocking plate 162 with respect to the floor surface 101 is set to φ L The maximum incident angle of the first light L1-2 to be blocked in the y direction by the second selection unit 160 is set as φ VCF Each angle is considered to be expressed as an absolute value, and the sign may be appropriately determined. The coordinate value of the rear end in the z direction of the MMAP constituting the first selection unit 140 is R MIN Let the z-coordinate value of the front end of the MMAP be R MAXLet us assume that.

[0047] z P7 <x P7 ×tan(θ MAX ), the aerial image 195 is blocked by the first selection unit 140. VCF is the angle φ L and the maximum reflection angle φ of the first selection unit 140 MAX and the minimum reflection angle φ MIN Using φ MIN -φ L ≦φ VCF ≦90deg.-φ L At this time, the maximum reflection angle φ MAX is a narrow angle formed by a line connecting (the front end P2 of the aerial image 195) → (the origin OR) → (the rear end in the z direction of the MMAP) in the order of the arrows. The required length LL of LF as the second selection unit 160, that is, the size in the z direction, is represented by a straight line P20 connecting the origin OR and point P2.

[0048] z P7 <(x P7 / tan(θ MAX )), the aerial image 195 is not formed. Let L be the coordinate value of the front end in the z direction of the LF constituting the second selection unit 160, and (φ MIN -φ L ) is the narrow angle represented by φ LLy Then, the incident angle of the first light L1-2 is 90 deg.-φ LLy <φ VCF <(90deg.-φ L ) The intersection point of the line connecting the rear end P6 and the front end P7 of the image 170 with the z-axis is L. MAX Then, the required length of LF is the distance between the origin OR and the intersection point L MAX It is represented by a straight line connecting

[0049] R MIN >z P7 In this case, the formation of the aerial image 195 can be prevented by limiting the range of the MMAP to the area in front of the MMAP in the z direction. MIN <z P7In this case, the first light L1-2 emitted from the display unit 120 forms an aerial image 195. In order to prevent the aerial image 195 from being formed by the first light L1-1, the maximum reflection angle φ MAX From the above, the narrow angle φ formed by the line connecting point P7 and the origin OR and the line passing through point P7 and perpendicular to the z-axis is LLz In the above manner, the angle (φ LLz +90deg.-φ MAX It is preferable to block up to the first light L1-2.

[0050] The coordinates of the rear end Q1 of the first reflecting surface 152 are (y Q1 ,z Q1 ), then for a straight line S1 along image 170, z Q1 =ay Q1 With respect to the straight line S2 along the first reflecting surface 152, z Q1 =-cy Q1 +d holds true. a, b, c, and d are each a predetermined coefficient. From the above two equations, the coordinates of the rear end Q1 of the first reflecting surface 152 are ((db) / (a+c), (ad+bc) / (a+c)).

[0051] The front end P5 of the virtual image 180 is located at the intersection of an imaginary line that passes through the rear end Q1 of the first reflecting surface 152 and is parallel to the z-axis and the floor surface 101, i.e., the y-axis. The coordinates of the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 are expressed as ((db) / (a+c),0). The rear end P6 of the image 170 is located symmetrically to the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 with respect to the straight line S2. The coordinates of the midpoint between the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 and the rear end P6 of the image 170 are expressed as ((y P6 +y P5 ) / 2,(z P6 +z P5 ) / 2). A straight line S3 passing through the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 and the rear end P6 of the image 170 is perpendicular to the straight line S2. The product of the slopes of the two mutually perpendicular straight lines S2 and S3 is -1, and the following formula (1) is satisfied.

[0052]

number

[0053] The coordinates of the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 (y P5 ,z P5 ) is expressed as the following equation (2).

[0054]

number

[0055] The rear end P4 of the virtual image 180 is located at a position shifted from the front end P5 in the negative direction along the z axis (i.e., backward in the z direction) by the length D of the image 170. P4 ,z P4 ) can be expressed as ((db) / (a+c),-D).

[0056] The rear end P6 of the image 170 is located at a position that is moved in the positive direction along the z axis from the rear end Q1 of the first reflecting surface 152 along a straight line S1 by the distance between the rear end Q1 of the first reflecting surface 152 and the front end P5 of the virtual image 180. If a=tan θ', the distance on the y axis between the rear end P6 of the image 170 and the rear end Q1 of the first reflecting surface 152 is z Q1 The coordinates of the rear end P6 of the image 170 (y P6 ,z P6 ) is expressed as shown in the following equation (3).

[0057]

number

[0058] The front end P7 of the image 170 is located at a position moved in the positive direction along the z-axis from the rear end P6 of the image 170 along a straight line S1 by the length D of the image 170. The distance between the front end P7 and the rear end P6 of the image 170 on the y-axis is represented as Dcosθ′. The coordinates (y P7 ,z P7 ) is expressed as the following equation (4).

[0059]

number

[0060] The rear end P1 of the aerial image 190 is located symmetrically with the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 with respect to the center line in the y direction of the first selection unit 140, i.e., the z axis. P1 =-y P5 and the coordinates of the rear end P1 of the aerial image 190 (y P1 ,z P1 ) is expressed as (-(db) / (a+c),0). The front end P0 of the aerial image 190 is located at a position moved in the positive direction along the z axis from the rear end P1 by the length D of the image 170. The coordinates (y P0 ,z P0 ) can be expressed as (-(db) / (a+c),D).

[0061] The front end P2 of the aerial image 195 is located symmetrically with the front end P7 of the image 170 about the z-axis. P2 =-y P7 and z P2 =z P7 The coordinates of the front end P2 of the aerial image 195 (y P2 ,z P2 ) is expressed as the following equation (5).

[0062]

number

[0063] The rear end P3 of the aerial image 195 is located symmetrically with the rear end P6 of the image 170 with respect to the z-axis. P3 =-y P6 and z P3 =z P6 The coordinates of the rear end P3 of the aerial image 195 are (y P3 ,z P3 ) is expressed as the following equation (6).

[0064]

number

[0065] The front end Q2 of the first reflecting surface 152 is the intersection of the straight line S2 and z=0, i.e., the y-axis. Q2 +d, the coordinates of the front end Q2 of the first reflecting surface 152 (y Q2 ,z Q2 ) can be expressed as (d / c,0).

[0066] The front end P8 of the virtual image 185 is located symmetrically with the rear end P6 of the image 170 with respect to the y axis. P8 =y P6 and z P8 =-z P6 The coordinates of the front end P8 of the virtual image 185 (y P8 ,z P8 ) is expressed as the following equation (7).

[0067]

number

[0068] Next, the conditions for adjusting the relative positions of the display unit 120, the reflecting unit 150, the first selecting unit 140, and the second selecting unit 160 by moving the above-mentioned points and positions will be described. First, when the rear end Q1 of the first reflecting surface 152 is moved, the positions of the virtual image 180 and the image 170 on the display surface 122 are uniquely determined, and the coefficients a, b, c, and d change. At this time, the coefficients c, d, and the angle θ are expressed as in the following equation (8).

[0069]

number

[0070] Even when the front end Q2 of the first reflecting surface 152 is moved along the y-axis, the positions of the virtual image 180 and the image 170 are uniquely determined, and the coefficients a, b, c, and d change. In this case, the above-mentioned formula (8) holds for the coefficients c and d and the angle θ. A straight line having a slope of -tan(2θ) is perpendicular to the straight line S1. The coefficients a and b are expressed as in the following (9).

[0071]

number

[0072] When it is desired to move the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 along the y-axis, the positions of the first reflecting surface 152 and the image 170 are not uniquely determined, and it is possible to fix either the first reflecting surface 152 or the image 170 and consider the position of the other. When the position of the first reflecting surface 152 is fixed and the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 is moved along the y-axis, the position of the image 170 is uniquely determined. At this time, among the coefficients a, b, c, and d, the coefficient b changes, and b=z Q1 -ay Q1 =-cy P5 +d-ay P5 This is expressed as:

[0073] When the position of image 170 is fixed and the front end P5 of virtual image 180 is moved along the y-axis, the position of first reflecting surface 152 is uniquely determined and the coefficients a, b, c, and d change. As described above, since line S3 is perpendicular to line S2, the following formula (10) holds. In addition, since line S2 passes through the midpoint between the front end P5 of virtual image 180 and the rear end P6 of image 170, the coefficients are expressed as in the following formula (11).

[0074]

number

[0075]

number

[0076] The coefficient a is expressed in the same way as in the above-mentioned formula (9). Moreover, the straight line S1 passes through the rear end P6 of the image 170, and the coefficient b is expressed as in the following formula (12).

[0077]

number

[0078] When the position of image 170 is moved, the positions of first reflecting surface 152 and virtual image 180 are uniquely determined, and the coefficients a, b, c, and d change. The coefficients a, b, c and angle θ′ are expressed by the following equation (13).

[0079]

number

[0080] The y coordinate value of the rear end P6 of the image 170 P6 ,z P6 The coordinates of the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 (y P5 ,z P5 ), the following equation (14) holds:

[0081]

number

[0082] Coordinate value y P5 Since is always 0, the coefficient d and the length D of the image 170 are expressed as shown in the following equation (15).

[0083]

number

[0084] When the rear end P4 of the virtual image 180 is moved parallel to the z-axis, the length D of the image 170 changes, and D=z P4 It is.

[0085] Next, the field of view of the aerial image forming device 111 will be considered. As shown in Fig. 4, the first selection unit 140 stands perpendicular to the y axis along the z axis. The range of the incidence angle φ on the first selection unit 140 based on the z axis of the light rays (i.e., the first light L1-1, the second light L2-1, and the third light L3) that are emitted forward in the y direction by the first selection unit 140 and form an image is defined as φ MIN <φ<φ MAX The light ray LR11 is incident on the first selection unit 140 from the rear end P4 of the virtual image 180 to the floor surface 101, i.e., the y-axis, at the largest incident angle φMAX After being incident, it is reflected by the first selection unit 140 and the floor surface 101. The light ray LR12 has the smallest incident angle φ with respect to the floor surface 101 from the rear end P4 of the virtual image 180 to the first selection unit 140 MIN After being incident, it is reflected by the first selection unit 140 and the floor surface 101. The light ray LR13 has the largest incident angle φ with respect to the floor surface 101 from the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 to the first selection unit 140 MAX After being incident, it is reflected by the first selection unit 140 and the floor surface 101. The light ray LR14 has the smallest φ with respect to the floor surface 101 from the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 to the first selection unit 140 MIN After being incident at the incident angle, it is reflected by the first selection unit 140 and the floor surface 101.

[0086] The visible range of the front end P0 of the aerial image 190 is y P1 <The range surrounded by the light rays LR11 and LR12 where y < y. The visible range of the rear end P1 of the aerial image 190 is y P1 <The range surrounded by the light rays LR13 and LR14 where y < y. Therefore, the aerial image 190 can be seen in the range that satisfies the above two ranges and overlaps with each other, and is the range surrounded by the light rays LR12, LR13 and the intersection point Q3 of the light rays LR12, LR13. The light ray LR12 passing through the front end P0 of the aerial image 190 and the intersection point Q3 (y Q3 , z Q3 ) is represented as z = arctan(φ MAX )y + const. Substituting the coordinates (y P0 , z P0 ) of the front end P0 of the aerial image 190 into the above formula representing the slope to rewrite the constant const., we get z = arctan(φ MAX )y + z P0 -(y P0 )arctan(φ MAX ). Similarly, the slope of the light ray LR13 passing through the rear end P1 of the aerial image 190 and the intersection point Q3 is z = arctan(φ MIN )y + z P0 -(y P0 )arctan(φ MIN ). Based on the fact that the light rays LR12 and LR13 intersect at the intersection point Q3, the following formula (16) holds.

[0087] [Number]

[0088] Here, let the z - coordinate value of the front end of the first selection part 140 in the z - direction be M H , and let the z - coordinate value of the rear end of the first selection part 140 in the z - direction be M L . Let the light ray reflected by the first selection part 140 and the floor surface 101 passing through the rear end P4 of the virtual image 180 and the front end (0, M H ) of the first selection part 140 be LR15. Let the light ray reflected by the first selection part 140 and the floor surface 101 passing through the rear end P4 of the virtual image 180 and the rear end (0, M L ) of the first selection part 140 be LR16. Let the light ray reflected by the first selection part 140 and the floor surface 101 passing through the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 and the front end (0, M H ) of the first selection part 140 be LR17. Let the light ray reflected by the first selection part 140 and the floor surface 101 passing through the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 and the rear end (0, M L ) of the first selection part 140 be LR18. When assuming the z - coordinate values M H , M L , the visible range of the front end P0 of the aerial image 190 is the range surrounded by the light rays LR15 and LR16 where y P1 < y. The visible range of the rear end P1 of the aerial image 190 is the range surrounded by the light rays LR17 and LR18 where y P1 < y. Therefore, the aerial image 190 can be seen in the range that satisfies the above - mentioned two ranges and overlaps with each other, which is the range surrounded by the intersection point Q4(y Q4 , z Q4 ) of the light rays LR16, LR17 and the light rays LR16, LR17. The light ray LR16 passing through the front end P0 of the aerial image 190 and the intersection point Q4 can be expressed as z = ((M L - z P4 ) / y P4 )y + const. Substituting the coordinates (y P0 , z P0 ) of the front end P0 of the aerial image 190 into the formula representing the above - mentioned slope to rewrite the constant const., the following formula (17) holds.

[0089]

number

[0090] Since the y coordinate value of the rear end P4 of the virtual image 180 is symmetrical with the y coordinate value of the front end P0 of the aerial image 190 with respect to the origin OR, y P0 =-y P4 Therefore, the following equation (18) holds.

[0091]

number

[0092] The inclination of the ray LR17 passing through the rear end P1 of the aerial image 190 and the intersection point Q4 is (M L -z P5 ) / y P5 and the ray LR17 is z=((M L -z P5 ) / y P5 )y+const. The coordinates (y P0 ,z P0 ) and rewrite the constant const., the following equation (19) holds.

[0093]

number

[0094] Since the y coordinate value of the rear end P4 of the virtual image 180 is symmetrical with the y coordinate value of the front end P0 of the aerial image 190 with respect to the origin OR, y P0 =-y P5 Therefore, the following equation (20) holds.

[0095]

number

[0096] Here, the z coordinate value of the intersection of the light ray LR11 and the z axis is R H Let the z-coordinate value of the intersection of the ray LR12 and the z-axis be RMIN Let the z-coordinate value of the intersection of the ray LR13 and the z-axis be R MAX Let the z-coordinate value of the intersection of the ray LR14 and the z-axis be R L Let us assume that H <R L In this case, the light rays LR13, LR14, LR17, and LR18 emitted from the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 cannot be retrotransmitted by the first selection unit 140. H >R L must hold. Similarly, M L >R H In this case, the light rays LR11, LR12, LR15, and LR16 emitted from the front end P4 of the virtual image 180 cannot be retrotransmitted by the first selection unit 140. L <R H must hold. Therefore, M L <R L <M H And M L <R H ≦M H It is.

[0097] The size required for the first selection unit 140 to function effectively is classified into the following cases, taking into account the field of view. [1] M L <R MIN If The light ray LR12 is incident on the first selection unit 140 from the rear end P4 of the virtual image 180 at the largest incident angle. z = arctan(φ MIN )y+z P0 -(y P0 )arctan(φ MIN ), is used. For the light ray LR14, an equation relating to the light ray that enters the first selection unit 140 from the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 at the largest incident angle is used. [2] R MIN ≦M L <R L If The above-mentioned formula (20) is used for the light ray LR12 under the condition that it is incident on the first selection unit 140 from the rear end P4 of the virtual image 180 at the largest incident angle. For the light ray LR14, an equation relating to the light ray that enters the first selection unit 140 from the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 at the largest incident angle is used. [3] R L ≦M L <R H If The light ray LR12 is incident on the first selection unit 140 from the rear end P4 of the virtual image 180 at a z-coordinate value R L The above-mentioned equation (20) is used under the condition that the beam is incident at The light ray LR14 is incident on the first selection unit 140 from the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 at a z-coordinate value R L We use the equation for light rays incident at [4]R MAX <M H If For the light ray LR11, an equation relating to the light ray that enters the first selection unit 140 from the rear end P4 of the virtual image 180 at the smallest angle of incidence is used. The light ray LR13 is incident on the first selection unit 140 from the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 at the smallest incident angle. z = arctan(φ MAX )y+z P0 -(y P0 )arctan(φ MAX ), is used. [5]R H <M H ≦R MAX If For the light ray LR11, an equation relating to the light ray that enters the first selection unit 140 from the rear end P4 of the virtual image 180 at the smallest angle of incidence is used. The light ray LR13 is incident on the first selection unit 140 from the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 at a z-coordinate value R H The above-mentioned equation (18) is used under the condition that the beam is incident at [6]R L <M H ≦R H If The light ray LR11 is incident on the first selection unit 140 from the rear end P4 of the virtual image 180 at a z-coordinate value R H We use the equation for light rays incident at The light ray LR13 is incident on the first selection unit 140 from the front end P5 of the virtual image 180 at a z-coordinate value R HThe above-mentioned equation (18) is used under the condition that the beam is incident at

[0098] Next, if another light ray enters the range where the aerial image 190 is visible from the observer (i.e., from behind in the y direction), the image due to the light ray will be visible. For example, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, the hatched area VR is the range where the aerial image 190 is visible from the viewpoint 200, but the rear part of the virtual image 185 in the z direction overlaps with the area VR. Therefore, the observer looking from the viewpoint 200 can see the virtual image 185. In order to allow the observer to view only the aerial image 190, it is necessary to block the light ray emitted from the virtual image 185 included in the area VR including the rear end P9 and passing through the first selection unit 140 behind the position where the aerial image 190 is formed in the y direction. The ratio of the intervals Z1, Z2 of the MMAPs and the like constituting the first selection unit 140 and the interval Z3 and angle ±θ3 of the second selection unit 160 (not shown) are appropriately adjusted so as to be able to block the above-mentioned light ray.

[0099] When the LF constituting the second selection unit 160 is disposed behind the first selection unit 140 in the y direction, the role of the second selection unit 160 is to prevent the light rays from the virtual image 180 from reaching the viewpoint directly without being reflected, and to prevent the formation of an aerial image 195. As shown in FIG. 6, the angle θ3 (absolute value) of the light shielding plate 162 of the LF with respect to the floor surface 101 depends on the coordinate value of the front end P2 of the aerial image 195. If the rear end in the z direction is fixed to the origin OR as shown in FIG. 6 and the LF is tilted forward in the y direction, it is possible to suppress the attenuation of the amount of light rays generating the aerial image 190 by the LF. The maximum tilt angle Φ at which the LF can be tilted as described above L (Front end P2 of the aerial image 195) → (Origin OR) → Coordinates (0,R MAX ) in the order of the arrows. Methods for preventing the virtual image 180 from being directly viewed from the vicinity of the observer's viewpoint (see FIG. 6) include, for example, attaching a light-shielding cover or the like to the LF to prevent light rays from the front end P2 of the aerial image 195 from passing through the viewing area, and extending the length Z3 in the y direction of the light-shielding plate 162 of the LF.

[0100] 7, the angle required for the second selection unit 160 to prevent the formation of the aerial image 195 is larger than the angle required for blocking the virtual image 185. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the second selection unit 160 (not shown) is arranged parallel to the y direction as indicated by the dashed line, the blocking angle φ required for the second selection unit 160 to prevent the formation of the aerial image 195 is VCF is the maximum inclination angle Φ L and the imaging ray range φ of the MMAP (not shown) constituting the first selection unit 140. MIN2 From φ MAX2 Using the above, (φ MIN2 -φ L )≦φ VCF ≦(90deg.-φ L )

[0101] A light ray emitted from a front end P7 of the image 170 is reflected by a front end Q2 of the first reflecting surface 152 and then enters the first selection unit 140. A light ray inclined toward the z-axis leaves a rear end P6 of the image 170 and enters the front end (coordinates (0,R MAX As shown in FIG. 9, the coordinates of the front end of the second selection unit 160 in the z direction are (0, L L LF's (the rear end P4 of the virtual image 180) → coordinates (0,L L ) → coordinates (0,L y ) in the order of the arrows. L Then, the shielding angle φ VCF About (90deg.-A L )≦φ VCF ≦(90deg.-φ L ) is established. The intersection point of the extension line of the z-direction along the LF and the extension line of the straight line connecting the front end P7 and the rear end P6 of the image 170 is X C Then, the length in the z direction required for LF is the distance between the origin OR and the intersection point X. C is the length of the straight line connecting

[0102] A viewing control film (VCF) (not shown) may be provided forward of the display unit 120 in the y direction. As shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, a region 220 enclosed by the paths of the rays is a region showing a light ray LR20 that can be emitted from a front end P7 of the image 170, pass through the origin OR, and form an aerial image 190. As shown in Fig. 12, from the congruence conditions of a triangle 251 connecting the rear end P4 of the virtual image 180 in the z direction and two points M1 and M2 separated from each other on the first reflecting surface 152 and a triangle 252 connecting the front end P7 of the image 170 and each of the two points M1 and M2, and the relationship between the parallel straight lines, a triangle 252 that is φ MAX2 It is preferable to allow light rays incident at the following incidence angles to pass forward in the y direction. It is also preferable to block light rays that are larger than the narrow angle formed by the line connecting (rear end P6 of image 170) → (front end P7 of image 170) → origin OR in the order shown by the arrows and that intersect with the incidence surface 144 of the first selection unit 140 at 90 degrees.

[0103] Furthermore, if the z coordinate value of the rear end of the first selection unit 140 is made the same as the z coordinate value of the front end P7 of the image 170, the first selection unit 140 will be disposed above the image 170 in the z direction, preventing the formation of the aerial image 195. When the second selection unit 160 is disposed forward of the first selection unit 140 in the y direction as shown in Fig. 1, the conditions required for the LF can be applied to the MMAP, and the placement conditions of the aerial image formation device 111 can be determined.

[0104] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to a specific embodiment. The present invention can be modified and changed in various ways within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

[0105] For example, the display unit 120 is not limited to the liquid crystal display 21, and may be composed of a light source or a display member capable of emitting the first light L1 from the display surface 122. The reflecting unit 150 is not limited to a mirror, and may be composed of a member capable of reflecting at least a part of the first light L1 as the first light 1-1. The display unit 120 and the reflecting unit 150 are not limited to being formed in a plate shape. As long as the display unit 120 has the display surface 122, the shape of the display unit 120 can be freely set or changed, and the display unit 120 can be formed integrally with a part of another device outside the aerial image forming device. Similarly, as long as the reflecting unit 150 has the first reflecting surface 152, the shape of the reflecting unit 150 can be freely set or changed, and the reflecting unit 150 can be formed integrally with a part of another device outside the aerial image forming device.

[0106] For example, the first selection unit 140 is not limited to an MMAP having micromirrors as the multiple reflectors 142, and may be composed of a retrotransmissive member capable of emitting at least a portion of the first light L1-1 incident within an angle range ±θR2 with respect to the floor surface 101, i.e., the reference surface, as the second light L2-1 toward the front in the y direction. For example, the first selection unit 140 may be composed of an Aerial Imaging Plate (AIP), a Dihedral Corner Reflector Array (DCRA), or a parity mirror. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 101 Floor surface (reference surface) 111 Aerial image forming device 120 Display section 122 Display surface 140 First Selection Section 150 Reflector 152 1st reflective surface 160 Second Selection Section z direction (direction of first light)

Claims

1. A display unit having a display surface disposed away from a flat reference surface in a direction perpendicular to the reference surface and tilted with respect to the reference surface and the direction, the display unit emitting a first light from the display surface toward the reference surface; a reflecting section having a first reflecting surface that is disposed closer to the reference surface than the display surface in the one direction, at least a portion of which is disposed within an irradiation area of ​​a first light emitted from the display surface, and is inclined at a first angle greater than 0° and equal to or less than 45° with respect to the reference surface, and that reflects the incident first light toward a side away from the reference surface in the one direction and toward an opposite side to the display section in a direction parallel to the reference surface, so as to move away from the reference surface as the first light moves away from the display section; a first selection unit that is erected so as to approach the display unit from the reference surface in the one direction and has a first entrance surface that is located within an irradiation area of ​​the first light reflected by the first reflection surface, and that emits the first light that is incident on the first entrance surface at an incident angle that is equal to or smaller than a second angle as a second light toward a front in a traveling direction, and blocks the first light that is incident on the first entrance surface at an incident angle that is larger than the second angle; a second selection unit that is erected so as to approach the display unit from the reference surface in the one direction and has a second entrance surface that is arranged adjacent to the first selection unit within an irradiation area of ​​the second light emitted from the first selection unit, and that emits the second light that is incident on the second entrance surface from a predetermined entrance direction as a third light and blocks the second light that is incident on the second entrance surface from an entrance direction different from the predetermined entrance direction; Equipped with Aerial image forming device.

2. The first selection unit is erected along the one direction and has a plurality of reflectors, The plurality of reflectors are arranged at intervals from one another in the one direction, The reflector extends in a direction parallel to the reference plane, a ratio between the interval and a length of the reflector in a direction parallel to the reference plane is determined by the first angle; 2. The aerial image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. the second selection unit has a plurality of light blocking materials that are erected along the one direction and arranged at intervals from each other in the one direction, The plurality of light blocking materials are arranged parallel to the incident direction.

3. The aerial image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

Images