Projection System

Abstract

To provide a projection system capable of projecting a highly visible image on a fog screen.SOLUTION: A projection system of the present invention comprises image projection units configured to project first image light and second image light onto a given region from different directions such that the first image light and the second image light overlap, and a fog screen generation unit for generating a fog screen consisting of multiple particles capable of reflecting the first image light and the second image light dispersed in a screen region including the given region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a projection system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various researches on stereoscopic images and three-dimensional displays have been conducted. As an example, a technology has been proposed in which particles that reflect or scatter light are arranged in a mist in space to generate a three-dimensional screen, and a pseudo-stereoscopic image is displayed on the three-dimensional mist screen (fog screen). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image display device (projection system) that generates a fog screen in the air and projects an image onto the fog screen to display an image with a three-dimensional feel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-033202 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the image display device disclosed in Patent Document 1, many mist emitters are arranged on a mist emitter fixed body, and the amount of particles emitted from these mist emitters is controlled according to the characteristics of the image to be projected on the fog screen, generating, for example, a rod-shaped or film-shaped fog screen that is not excessively thick. However, in the image display device disclosed in Patent Document 1, light containing an image is irradiated from the projector toward the fog screen from one direction, and the entire irradiated light is excessively diffused by the fog screen, appearing as a simple bundle of light rays, which may reduce the visibility of the image. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, a projection system of one embodiment of the present invention includes an image projection unit that projects a first light including a first image light and a second light including a second image light from different directions, and a fog screen generation unit that generates a fog screen in which a plurality of particles capable of reflecting the first light and the second light are dispersed onto a screen area including a predetermined region, and the image projection unit projects the first light and the second light so that the first image light and the second image light overlap in the predetermined first area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a projection system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a plan view for explaining overlapping of a first image light and a second image light in the projection system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic diagram of an image observed in the projection system shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining how an image formed in a predetermined area of ​​the projection system shown in FIG. 1 appears. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining how an image formed in a predetermined area of ​​the projection system shown in FIG. 1 appears. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining how an image formed in a predetermined area of ​​the projection system shown in FIG. 1 appears. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining how an image formed in a predetermined area of ​​the projection system shown in FIG. 1 appears. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a block diagram of a signal processing device of the projection system shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 2 is a flowchart of an example of video signal processing in the projection system shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a projection system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a projection system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a plan view for explaining an outline of the projection system shown in FIG. [Figure 13] 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a third projector in the projection system shown in FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart of an example of video signal processing in the projection system shown in FIG. 12. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a projection system according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 is a perspective view of a projection system 101 according to a first embodiment. In the following drawings, the dimensions of some components may be scaled differently in order to make the components easier to see.

[0008] The projection system 101 is a display device that uses fog as a screen to project image light containing an image onto the screen using a projector, and generates an observable image by diffusing the image light through the fog.It is used, for example, as a signage display device, a display device used at events, or video equipment for producing special effects.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the projection system 101 includes at least an image projection unit 110 and a fog screen generation unit 141, and further includes an installation stand 125 and a signal processing device 131. The image projection unit 110 projects a first light L1 including an image light and a second light L2 including an image light from different directions so that the first light L1 and the second light L2 including the image light overlap each other in predetermined regions P1 and P2. The first light L1 includes at least a first image light L11 and a third image light L12, and the second light L2 includes at least a second image light L21 and a fourth image light L22. In the first embodiment, the image projection unit 110 includes a first projector (first projection unit) 111 that projects the first light L1, and a second projector (second projection unit) 112 that projects the second light L2. The first projector 111 and the second projector 112 are placed on a mounting table 125 on a mounting surface 128 , and are connected to a signal processing device 131 via signal lines 121 and 122 .

[0010] In the following, in the projection system 101, the direction parallel to the reference axis CX along which the image light LM including the first light L1 and the second light L2 is emitted from the image projection unit 110 is defined as the Z direction, one side of the Z direction, i.e., the side relatively closer to the image projection unit 110, is defined as the -Z side, and the other side of the Z direction, i.e., the side relatively farther from the image projection unit 110, is defined as the +Z side. The direction included in the installation surface 128 on which the image projection unit 110 is installed and perpendicular to the Z direction is defined as the X direction, one side relatively in the X direction is defined as the +X side, and the other side relatively in the X direction is defined as the -X side. The direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Z direction is defined as the Y direction, one side relatively in the Y direction is defined as the +Y side, and the other side relatively in the Y direction is defined as the -Y side.

[0011] The fog screen generating unit 141 generates a fog screen M in an area (screen area) U including predetermined areas P1 and P2 where the first light L1 and the second light L2 overlap each other. In the fog screen M, a plurality of particles a are dispersed in a mist. The fog screen generating unit 141 includes a mist generating device 142 capable of spraying particles a such as water droplets toward the area U. The mist generating device 142 is disposed on the installation surface 128 on the -X side or +X side of the area U at a position overlapping with the approximate center position of the area U in the Z direction. In the projection system 101, a video signal is input from the signal processing device 131 to each of the first projector 111 and the second projector 112, and the first light L1 and the second light L2 according to each video signal are projected from the first projector 111 and the second projector 112 toward the fog screen M, and images S and T are formed within the fog screen M. The signal processing device 131 is a control unit that controls the image projection in each of the first projector 111 and the second projector 112, and corresponds to the "control unit" in the claims.

[0012] Fig. 2 is a plan view for explaining the overlap of the first light L1 and the second light L2 of the projection system 101. Fig. 3 is a front view of images S and T projected by the projection system 101. As shown in Fig. 2, the first light L1 and the second light L2 are projected from the image projection unit 110 from different directions so as to overlap with each other in predetermined regions P1 and P2.

[0013] In the first embodiment, an optical axis A1 of the first light L1 projected from the first projector 111 and an optical axis A2 of the second light L2 projected from the second projector 112 intersect in an XZ plane including the X direction and the Z direction. The first light L1 is projected from the exit of the first projector 111 within a range of a predetermined radiation angle centered on the optical axis A1 and into a projection area corresponding to the range of the radiation angle. The second light L2 is projected from the exit of the second projector 112 within a range of a predetermined radiation angle centered on the optical axis A2 and into a projection area corresponding to the range of the radiation angle. The optical axis A1 of the first light L1 and the optical axis A2 of the second light L2 projected by each of the first projector 111 and the second projector 112 are inclined to each other on an installation surface 128 parallel to the XZ plane and are also inclined with respect to the Z direction. However, when the same image signal is input from the signal processing device 131 to the first projector 111 and the second projector 112, the size and distortion of the image projected with the first light L1 and the image projected with the second light L2 are corrected by the image signal from the signal processing device 131 so that the images match each other in an area including the predetermined areas P1, P2 and where the first light L1 and the second light L2 overlap each other. Also, the focus of the projection lenses of the first projector 111 and the second projector 112 is adjusted so that the images projected with the first light L1 and the image projected with the second light L2 are well focused in an area including the predetermined areas P1, P2 where the first light L1 and the second light L2 overlap each other.

[0014] In addition, when the first projector 111 and the second projector 112 have a shift function or a rotation function in the XZ plane, the first projector 111 and the second projector 112 may be arranged to be erected with respect to the installation surface 128, the first light L1 and the second light L2 may be shifted obliquely in the Y direction, and may be formed so that they overlap each other in the predetermined regions P1 and P2, and the images S and T may be formed so as to coincide. The predetermined region P2 is located closer to the image projection unit 110 than the predetermined region P1. Therefore, the image T is formed at a position closer to the image projection unit 110 than the image S. That is, the distances of the images S and T from the image projection unit 110 are different. The sizes of the images S and T are different. The predetermined region P1 corresponds to the "first region" in the claims, and the predetermined region P2 corresponds to the "second region" in the claims. Image S corresponds to "an image formed in a first area" in the claims, and image T corresponds to "an image formed in a second area" in the claims.

[0015] In the first embodiment, an image, i.e., a projection image exists only in the first image light L11 within a range sandwiched between light rays LB1 and LB2 and in the third image light L12 within a range sandwiched between light rays LB3 and LB4 within a range of a predetermined radiation angle of the first light L1 emitted from the exit of the first projector 111. Also, an image, i.e., a projection image exists only in the second image light L21 within a range sandwiched between light rays LB11 and LB12 and in the fourth image light L22 within a range sandwiched between light rays LB13 and LB14 within a range of a predetermined radiation angle of the second light L2 emitted from the exit of the second projector 112. In each drawing, the ranges in which the projection images exist of the first light L1 and the second light L2 are indicated by diagonal lines.

[0016] The fog screen M includes predetermined regions P1 and P2 where at least the first light L1 and the second light L2 overlap each other. In the fog screen M, the first image light L11, the third image light L12, the second image light L21, and the fourth image light L22 are each diffused by being reflected in all directions by the particles a, and appear brighter than the surroundings like a bundle of light rays. The approximately diamond-shaped region in the fog screen M where the first image light L11 and the second image light L21 overlap each other appears brighter than each of the first image light L11 and the second image light L21 diffused by the fog screen M. In the approximately diamond-shaped region, an image S in which the image contained in the first image light L11 and the image contained in the second image light L21 match each other is formed brightly and clearly in the predetermined region P1 in the Z direction. Similarly, a substantially diamond-shaped region in which the third image light L12 and the fourth image light L22 overlap each other in the fog screen M appears brighter than each of the third image light L12 and the fourth image light L22 diffused by the fog screen M. In the substantially diamond-shaped region, an image T in which the image contained in the third image light L12 and the image contained in the fourth image light L22 coincide with each other is formed brightly and clearly in a predetermined region P2 in the Z direction.

[0017] 2, there is one substantially diamond-shaped region in which the third image light L12 and the second image light L21 overlap each other in the fog screen M, but the video signals output from the signal processing device 131 to each of the first projector 111 and the second projector 112 are switched in time series, so that no bright image is formed in the substantially diamond-shaped region in which the third image light L12 and the second image light L21 overlap each other. In other words, the light-on states of the first image light L11, the third image light L12, the second image light L21, and the fourth image light L22 are controlled by the signal processing device 131 such that when one combination of the first image light L11 and the second image light L21 and the combination of the first image light L11 and the second image light L21 is in a lighted state, the other combination is in an unlighted state.

[0018] When observing from the +Z side of the predetermined region P1 toward the -Z side along the Z direction, as shown in FIG. 3, a bright image S is visually recognized in the predetermined region P1 in the fog screen M, and a bright image T is visually recognized in the predetermined region P2. The images S and T are visually recognized in approximately the same field of view because they are formed in the region where the predetermined regions P1 and P2 overlap each other in the X direction. As described above, the lighting states of the first image light L11, the third image light L12, the second image light L21, and the fourth image light L22 are controlled by the signal processing device 131 to be switched in time series, so strictly speaking, the images S and T are formed and visually recognized alternately. However, for example, if the speed at which the lighting states of the first image light L11, the third image light L12, the second image light L21, and the fourth image light L22 are switched is less than a so-called video rate, an observer (not shown) visually recognizes the images S and T approximately simultaneously.

[0019] Each of Fig. 4 to Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing how the image S appears in a predetermined region P1. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an example of the images of the first image light L11, the third image light L12, the second image light L21, and the fourth image light L22 projected on the predetermined region P1 or region P2. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an image by the first image light L11 projected on the image S in the predetermined region P1. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an image by the second image light L21 projected on the image S in the predetermined region P1. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a change in brightness of the image S in the predetermined region P1. When the vicinity of the image S is observed along the Z direction from the reference axis CX at a substantially midpoint between the exit of the first projector 111 and the exit of the second projector 112 in the X direction, the image by the first image light L11 from the first projector 111 is expanded in both the ±X side and the ±Y side from the original image "ABC" shown in Fig. 4, as shown in Fig. 5. Similarly, when the vicinity of the image S is observed along the Z direction from the reference axis CX, the image by the second image light L21 from the second projector 112 spreads further to the ±X side than the image by the first image light L11, as shown in Fig. 6, because the second image light L21 is irradiated onto the region where the image S is formed from an oblique direction with respect to the first image light L11. As a result of these phenomena, in the substantially diamond-shaped region in the fog screen M where the first image light L11 and the second image light L21 overlap each other, an image S is formed whose brightness changes stepwise in each of the X direction and the Y direction according to the degree of overlap between the first image light L11 and the second image light L21, as shown in Fig. 7. Also, the portion where the image by the first image light L11 and the image by the second image light L21 overlap the most, i.e., the portion shown in black in Fig. 7, appears the brightest.

[0020] As with the image S described above, the brightness of the image T changes stepwise in both the X and Y directions according to the degree of overlap between the third image light L12 and the fourth image light L22, and the portion where the image based on the third image light L12 and the image based on the fourth image light L22 overlap the most appears to be the brightest. The images S and T are visually recognized as floating within the fog screen M.

[0021] The signal processing device 131 performs distortion correction on the video signals of the second image light L21, the first image light L11, the third image light L12, and the second image light L21, and the fourth image light L22. By performing different corrections in the X direction for each of the first image light L11, the third image light L12, and the second image light L21, and the fourth image light L22, the images S and T can be formed on a curved surface that curves with respect to the X direction, and may further be formed on a flat surface that is approximately parallel to the X direction.

[0022] 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the signal processing device 131 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 8, in the signal processing device 131, an interface 206, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 208, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 222, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 224, and a video card 210 are connected to a common bus BUS. For example, a network 201, a storage 202, and an input device 204 such as a mouse and a keyboard are each connected to the interface 206. A video signal is output from the video card 210 to each of the first projector 111 and the second projector 112. The video signal to each of the first projector 111 and the second projector 112 may be read from the outside via the network 201 or a separate network (not shown), or may be stored in advance in the storage 202.

[0023] As described above, the image projected by the first light L1 and the image projected by the second light L2 are corrected for distortion by the image signal from the signal processing device 131, and the image signal that performs the distortion correction is processed by software written in the HDD 222.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an outline of a process for generating a video signal to be input to the first projector 111 and the second projector 112 of the image projection unit 110. In the first embodiment, n=2, where n is the number of images to be displayed. As shown in FIG. 9, first, image data and depth data of the first image S to be displayed with n=1 are read (steps S312 and S313). The image data represents a light intensity distribution in an XY plane including the X and Y directions. The depth data represents a change in the Z direction, that is, a light intensity distribution showing a curvature in the XY plane. Next, the read image data is processed and combined with the depth data to generate a video signal to be input to the first projector 111 as a right projection signal (step S314), and generate a video signal to be input to the second projector 112 as a left projection signal (step S315). In this way, the generation of each of the right projection signal and the left projection signal is repeated for the number of display image elements n (step S311).

[0025] Note that the positions where the right projection signal and the left projection signal in each display image element n overlap with each other in the X direction can be calculated from the angle that the optical axis A1 of the first light L1 emitted from the first projector 111 makes with respect to the Z direction and the radiation angle distribution of the first light L1, and the angle that the optical axis A2 of the second light L2 emitted from the second projector 112 makes with respect to the Z direction and the radiation angle distribution of the second light L2. Also, the positions where the right projection signal and the left projection signal overlap with each other in the X direction may be calculated directly from the angle that the optical axes of the first image light L11 and the third image light L12 emitted from the first projector 111 make with respect to the Z direction, and the angle that the optical axes of the second image light L21 and the fourth image light L22 emitted from the second projector 112 make with respect to the Z direction.

[0026] Next, the right projection signal generated as described above is emitted toward the fog screen M as a video signal from the first projector 111, i.e., the first light L1 (step S317). Also, the left projection signal generated as described above is emitted toward the fog screen M as a video signal from the second projector 112, i.e., the second light L2 (step S318). When n=1, i.e., when the first image light L11 is emitted in the first light L1, the third image light L12 corresponding to n=2 is not emitted. When n=1, i.e., when the second image light L21 is emitted in the second light L2, the first image light L11 corresponding to n=1 is also emitted, but the fourth image light L22 corresponding to n=2 is not emitted. That is, the lighting state of the first image light L11 and the second image light L21 forming the image S and the lighting state of the third image light L12 and the fourth image light L22 forming the image T are alternately switched at a predetermined time period. By switching the lighting state of each light source at a predetermined time period in this manner, a bright image S is formed in a predetermined region P1 of the fog screen M, and a bright image T is formed in a predetermined region P2 of the fog screen M, but since no image is formed in regions of the fog screen M other than the predetermined regions P1 and P2 where any two of the first image light L11, third image light L12, second image light L21, and fourth image light L22 overlap, it is possible to prevent images from appearing in regions of the fog screen M that do not need to be displayed. As described above, the output of each of the right projection signal and the left projection signal is repeated the number of times equal to the number of display image elements n (step S316).

[0027] The overall process including steps S311 to S315 for generating the right projection signal and the left projection signal and steps S316 to S318 for outputting the right projection signal and the left projection signal is repeated the number of times equal to the number of video signals, that is, the number of images (step S310).

[0028] The projection system 101 of the first embodiment described above includes an image projection unit 110 that projects the first light L1 and the second light L2 from different directions so that they overlap each other in the predetermined regions P1 and P2, and a fog screen generation unit 141 that generates a fog screen M in which a plurality of particles a capable of reflecting the first light L1 and the second light L2 are dispersed in an area U including the predetermined regions P1 and P2. According to the projection system 101 of the first embodiment, the first light L1 and the second light L2 including a video signal are irradiated from the image projection unit 110 toward the fog screen M from different directions, i.e., from two directions, so that images S and T brighter than the surrounding fog screen M or the first light L1 or the second light L2 diffused as a single light by the fog screen M can be formed in the areas P1 and P2 where the first light L1 and the second light L2 overlap. The observer can observe images S and T brighter than conventional images. According to the projection system 101 of the first embodiment, the visibility of the image can be improved.

[0029] In the projection system 101 of the first embodiment, the first light L1 and the second light L2 are irradiated onto the predetermined areas P1 and P2 of the fog screen M from two different directions, so that the images S and T are diffused at a wider angle in the XZ plane than in the conventional case where image light including a video is irradiated from one direction. According to the projection system 101 of the first embodiment, the images S and T can be observed from a wider angle and a wider observation area than in the conventional device. Also, according to the projection system 101 of the first embodiment, the particle size and dispersion amount of the particles a of the fog screen M are adjusted by the fog screen generating unit 141, so that the visibility and observation range of the images S and T can be appropriately controlled, and effective projection can be realized. The projection system 101 of the first embodiment is suitable for use in outdoor projection, wide-area stage production, and the like.

[0030] In the projection system 101 of the first embodiment, the image projection unit 110 has a first projector 111 that projects the first light L1 and a second projector 112 that projects the second light L2. According to the projection system 101 of the first embodiment, the first light L1 and the second light L2 are projected from separate projectors (projection units), so that the total amount of light irradiated to the predetermined regions P1 and P2 can be increased, and brighter images S and T can be formed. Furthermore, according to the projection system 101 of the first embodiment, the first light L1 and the second light L2 can be individually controlled. For example, the radiation angle distribution of each of the first image light L11 and the third image light L12 in the first light L1, and the radiation angle distribution of each of the second image light L21 and the fourth image light L22 in the second light L2 can be finely controlled and set.

[0031] [Second embodiment] Next, a projection system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the projection system 102 of the second embodiment, components common to the projection system 101 of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those in the projection system 101, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0032] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a projection system 102 of a second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the projection system 102 includes an image projection unit 110 having a first projector 111 and a second projector 112, a fog screen generating unit 141, a transparent box 144, an installation stand 125, and a signal processing device 131. The projection system 102 includes a transparent box 144 that surrounds an area U including predetermined areas P1 and P2 (not shown in FIG. 10, see FIG. 2). The transparent box 144 is formed of a material that is capable of transmitting at least a part of the first light L1 and the second light L2 and has transparency in the visible wavelength range. The total light transmittance of the transparent box 144 for the first light L1 and the second light L2 is, for example, 70% or more, and preferably 90% or more. Such a transparent box 144 is formed of, for example, optical glass or transparent resin.

[0033] A mist injection port 146 is formed in the transparent box 144. A mist injection port (not shown) of the mist generation device 142 of the fog screen generation unit 141 is connected to the mist injection port 146. A plurality of particles a injected from the mist generation device 142 are dispersed inside the transparent box 144, filling the inside of the transparent box 144 with mist. That is, in the projection system 102, a fog screen M having the same three-dimensional shape as the transparent box 144 is formed. Images S and T are formed on the fog screen M that fills the inside of the transparent box 144.

[0034] In the projection system 102 of the second embodiment described above, the first light L1 and the second light L2 including a video signal are irradiated from the image projection unit 110 toward the fog screen M from two different directions, similar to the projection system 101 of the first embodiment. Therefore, according to the projection system 102 of the second embodiment, in the areas P1 and P2 where the first light L1 and the second light L2 overlap, images S and T brighter than the surrounding fog screen M or the first light L1 or the second light L2 diffused as a single light by the fog screen M are formed, and the visibility of the image can be improved. In addition, according to the projection system 102 of the second embodiment, the first light L1 and the second light L2 are projected individually from the first projector 111 and the second projector 112, and therefore each of the first image light L11, the third image light L12, the second image light L21, and the fourth image light L22 can be controlled with high precision to adjust the appearance and visibility of the images S and T.

[0035] Moreover, in the projection system 102 of the second embodiment, a transparent box 144 is provided, and the inside of the transparent box 144 is filled with mist generated from the mist generating device 142, and images S, T are formed in predetermined areas P1, P2 of the fog screen M that fills the inside of the transparent box 144. According to the projection system 102 of the second embodiment, the amount of fog generated can be suppressed to about the same as the capacity of the transparent box 144, and the efficiency of using the generated mist can be improved. Furthermore, according to the projection system 102 of the second embodiment, the fog screen M is surrounded by the transparent box 144, and fluctuations of the fog screen M and its effects on the images S, T due to wind, environmental factors, etc. can be avoided, and a decrease in visibility of the images S, T can be suppressed.

[0036] 10 illustrates a rectangular parallelepiped transparent box 144 for the projection system 102 of the second embodiment, but the shape of the transparent box 144 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped and may be, for example, a sphere, an ellipsoid, a cylinder, or a polygonal prism. In other words, the shape of the transparent box 144 can be appropriately set according to how the images S and T are presented and the relative position of the observer with respect to the fog screen M.

[0037] [Third embodiment] Next, a projection system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the projection system 103 of the third embodiment, components common to the projection system 101 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the projection system 101, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0038] Fig. 11 is a plan view of a projection system 103 of a third embodiment. The projection system 103 includes an image projection unit 110 having a third projector 123, a fog screen generation unit 141, an installation stand 125, and a signal processing device 131. Note that the fog screen generation unit 141, the installation stand 125, the installation surface 128, and the signal processing device 131 are omitted in Fig. 11. As shown in Fig. 11, in the projection system 103, the image projection unit 110 includes one third projector (projection unit) 123 and a division unit 160. In the projection system 103, a reference axis DX passes through the center of the third projector 123 in the X direction and is parallel to the Z direction.

[0039] The third projector 123 emits the third light (projection light) L3, and projects the third light L3 toward a predetermined region P1. The splitting unit 160 is disposed on the +Z side of the exit of the third light L3 in the third projector 123, that is, disposed forward of the third projector 123 in the traveling direction of the third light L3. The splitting unit 160 is configured by mirrors 161, 162, 163, and 164. The mirror 161 is disposed with an inclination so as to move toward the +Z side as it proceeds toward the -X side from a base point position on the reference axis DX on the +Z side of the exit of the third light L3 in the third projector 123. The mirror 162 is disposed with an inclination so as to move toward the +Z side as it proceeds toward the +X side from a base point position on the reference axis DX on the +Z side of the exit of the third light L3 in the third projector 123, and is connected to the mirror 161 at the base point position and is configured integrally with the mirror 161.

[0040] Of the third light L3 emitted from the third projector 123, the third light L3 on the +X side of the reference axis DX is reflected by the mirror 162 and travels as first light L31 on the +X side and -Z side of the mirror 162. Of the third light L3 emitted from the third projector 123, the third light L3 on the -X side of the reference axis DX is reflected by the mirror 161 and travels as second light L32 on the -X side and -Z side of the mirror 161. That is, the mirrors 161 and 162 of the splitting unit 160 split the third light L3 into the first light L31 and the second light L32.

[0041] The mirror (first reflecting section) 164 is disposed on the +X side and the -Z side of the mirror 162, and is disposed with an inclination so as to move toward the +X side as it advances toward the -Z side. The first light L31 reflected by the mirror 162 is reflected by the mirror 164 toward a predetermined area P3 on the -Z side of the third projector 123. The mirror (second reflecting section) 163 is disposed on the -X side and the -Z side of the mirror 161, and is disposed with an inclination so as to move toward the -X side as it advances toward the -Z side. The mirrors 161, 163 and the mirrors 162, 164 are disposed symmetrically with respect to each other with the reference axis DX as the center. The second light L32 reflected by the mirror 162 is reflected by the mirror 164 toward the predetermined area P3, and overlaps with the first light L31 in an area (screen area) U including the predetermined area P3.

[0042] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the third projector 123, and is a plan view showing the third light L3 when the mirrors 161 to 164 are omitted. As can be seen from FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, in the third projector 123, the image projection unit 110 is composed of one projector, and the first light L31 distributed on the +X side of the reference axis DX in the X direction and the second light L32 distributed on the -X side of the reference axis DX are once split by the mirrors 161 and 162 and are composed as one image at least in a predetermined area P3. In the third projector 123, one video signal is projected by the first light L31 and the second light L32 that are combined with each other in the predetermined area P3. In an area U including the predetermined area P3, a fog screen M (not shown) is generated.

[0043] In the projection system 103, an image, i.e., a projected image exists only in the first image light L35 within a range sandwiched between the light rays LB31 and LB32 within a range of a predetermined radiation angle of the first light L31. Also, an image, i.e., a projected image exists only in the second image light L36 within a range sandwiched between the light rays LB33 and LB34 within a range of a predetermined radiation angle of the second light L32. In Figs. 11 and 12, the ranges in which the projected images exist of the first light L31 and the second light L32 are indicated by diagonal lines. Also, in the projection system 103, the radiation angle distributions of the first light L31 and the second light L32 are symmetrical with respect to the reference axis DX, but the relative range of the radiation angle in which the first image light L35 exists in the first light L31 and the relative range of the radiation angle in which the second image light L36 exists in the second light L32 are asymmetrical. 11, the center position in the X direction where the first image light L35 and the second image light L36 overlap in the predetermined region P3 to form the image S does not overlap with the reference axis DX. Specifically, the image S is formed on the +X side of the reference axis DX in the predetermined region P3.

[0044] In the projection system 103, the first image light L35 is reflected by mirrors 162, 164 as described above, and the second image light L36 is reflected by mirrors 161, 163 as described above, so that an image S is formed in a predetermined area P3 within the area U on the -Z side of the third projector 123.

[0045] In the projection system 103, both the first image light L35 and the second image light L36 are irradiated at an oblique angle on the XZ plane onto a predetermined region P3. Therefore, the image S is formed on a curved surface that is curved with respect to the X direction. Note that, like the projection system 101 of the first embodiment, the video signals of the first image light L35 and the second image light L36 are subjected to distortion correction by the signal processing device 131, but by performing different corrections in the X direction, the image S can be formed on a curved surface that is curved with respect to the X direction, and further, the image S may be formed on a flat surface that is approximately parallel to the X direction without being curved with respect to the X direction.

[0046] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the third projector 123. As shown in FIG. 13, the third projector 123 includes a light source device 11, a color separation optical system 3, a light modulation device 4R, a light modulation device 4G, and a light modulation device 4B, a light synthesis optical system 5, and a projection optical system 6. The light source device 11 includes a light source 15, lens arrays 17 and 19, and a mirror 18. The light source 15 is, for example, a white lamp that emits white light, but is not particularly limited as long as it can emit white light. In each of the lens arrays 17 and 19, a fly-eye lens (not shown) is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis AX of the white light emitted from the light source 15. The mirror 18 is disposed between the lens array 17 and the lens array 19 on the optical axis AX. The white light emitted from the light source 15 is emitted from the light source device 11 as white light LW in which the illuminance distribution is uniformed by an integrator configured by the lens array 17 and the lens array 19.

[0047] The color separation optical system 3 separates the white light LW emitted from the light source device 11 along the optical axis AX into red light LR, green light LG, and blue light LB. The light modulation device 4R, the light modulation device 4G, and the light modulation device 4B modulate the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB, respectively, according to image information to form image light of each color. The light combining optical system 5 combines the image light of each color emitted from the light modulation device 4R, the light modulation device 4G, and the light modulation device 4B to generate a third light L3. The projection optical system 6 projects the third light L3 generated by the light combining optical system 5.

[0048] The color separation optical system 3 includes a first dichroic mirror 7, a second dichroic mirror 8b, a first reflecting mirror 8a, a second reflecting mirror 8c, and a third reflecting mirror 8d. The first dichroic mirror 7 separates the white light LW emitted from the light source device 11 into red light LR and a mixture of green light LG and blue light LB, specifically, transmits the red light LR and reflects the green light LG and the blue light LB. The second dichroic mirror 8b separates the mixture of green light LG and blue light LB into green light LG and blue light LB, specifically, reflects the green light LG and transmits the blue light LB. The green light LG reflected by the second dichroic mirror 8b is reflected toward the light modulation device 4G. The first reflecting mirror 8a is disposed in the optical path of the red light LR, and reflects the red light LR transmitted through the first dichroic mirror 7 toward the light modulation device 4R. The second reflecting mirror 8c and the third reflecting mirror 8d are disposed in the optical path of the blue light LB, reflect the blue light LB transmitted through the second dichroic mirror 8b, and guide the blue light LB to the light modulation device 4B.

[0049] The light modulation device 4R modulates the red light LR according to image information while passing the red light LR, forming a red image light. Similarly, the light modulation device 4G modulates the green light LG according to image information while passing the green light LG, forming a green image light. The light modulation device 4B modulates the blue light LB according to image information while passing the blue light LB, forming a blue image light. Each of the light modulation device 4R, the light modulation device 4G, and the light modulation device 4B is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel. A polarizing plate (not shown) is disposed on the light incident side and the light exit side of each of the light modulation device 4R, the light modulation device 4G, and the light modulation device 4B. A field lens 10R that collimates the red light LR that is incident on the light modulation device 4R is provided on the incident side of the red light LR of the light modulation device 4R. A field lens 10G that collimates the green light LG that is incident on the light modulation device 4G is provided on the incident side of the green light LG of the light modulation device 4G. A field lens 10B that collimates the blue light LB incident on the optical modulation device 4B is provided on the incident side of the blue light LB of the optical modulation device 4B.

[0050] The light combining optical system 5 is configured by, for example, a cross dichroic prism. The light combining optical system 5 combines the image lights of the respective colors emitted from the light modulation device 4R, the light modulation device 4G, and the light modulation device 4B to generate a third light L3, and emits the third light L3 to the +Z side.

[0051] The signal processing device 131 of the projection system 103 has a configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 8. However, in the signal processing device 131 of the projection system 103, a video signal to the third projector 123 is output from the video card 210. The video signal to the third projector 123 may be read from the outside via the network 201 or a separate network (not shown), or may be stored in advance in the storage 202. The video projected by the first light L31 and the first image light L35 and the video projected by the second light L32 and the second image light L36 are subjected to distortion correction by the video signal from the signal processing device 131. The video signal for performing the distortion correction is processed by software written in the HDD 222.

[0052] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an outline of a process for generating a video signal to be input to the third projector 123 of the image projection unit 110. As described in the first embodiment, if the number of images to be displayed is the display image element n, then in the third embodiment, n=1. As shown in FIG. 14, first, image data and depth data of the first image S to be displayed with n=1 are read (steps S322, S323). Next, the read image data is processed and combined with the depth data to generate a right projection signal, i.e., a video signal to be input to the third projector 123 as the first light L31 (step S324), and a left projection signal, i.e., a video signal to be input to the third projector 123 as the second light L32 (step S325). If n is 2 or more, the generation of each of the right projection signal and the left projection signal is repeated for the display image element n (step S321).

[0053] Note that the positions where the right projection signal and the left projection signal in the display image element n starting with n=1 overlap with each other in the X direction can be calculated from the angle that the optical axis of the first light L31 emitted from the third projector 123 makes with respect to the Z direction and the radiation angle distribution of the first light L31, and the angle that the optical axis of the second light L32 makes with respect to the Z direction and the radiation angle distribution of the second light L32. Also, the positions where the right projection signal and the left projection signal overlap with each other in the X direction may be calculated directly from the angle that the optical axis of the first image light L35 emitted from the third projector 123 makes with respect to the Z direction and the angle that the optical axis of the second image light L36 makes with respect to the Z direction.

[0054] Next, the right projection signal and the left projection signal generated as described above are synthesized to generate a left-right synthesized signal (step S326). Subsequently, the left-right synthesized signal of n=1 is output to the third projector 123, and is emitted from the third projector 123 as a video signal, i.e., the third light L3, toward the fog screen M (step S328). If n is 2 or more, the output of the left-right synthesized signal described above is repeated for the number of display image elements n (step S327).

[0055] The overall process including steps S321 to S325 for generating the right projection signal and the left projection signal, and steps S326 to S328 for generating and outputting a left-right composite signal is repeated the number of times equal to the number of video signals, that is, the number of images (step S320).

[0056] In the projection system 103 of the third embodiment described above, similarly to the projection system 101 of the first embodiment, the first light L31, the first image light L35, and the second light L32, the second image light L36 containing a video signal are irradiated from two different directions from the image projection unit 110 toward the fog screen M. Therefore, according to the projection system 103 of the third embodiment, an image S brighter than the surrounding fog screen M or the first light L31 or the second light L32 diffused as a single light by the fog screen M is formed in the area P3 where the first light L31, the first image light L35 and the second light L32, the second image light L36 overlap, and the visibility of the image can be improved.

[0057] In the projection system 103 of the third embodiment, the image projection unit 110 includes a third projector 123 that projects the third light L3, and a splitting unit 160 that splits the third light L3 into a first light L31 and a second light L32. According to the projection system 103 of the third embodiment, the third light L3 is a combination of the first light L31 on the +X side of the reference axis DX and the second light L32 on the -X side, but by splitting the third light L3 into the ±X sides by the mirrors 161 and 162 of the splitting unit 160, the first light L31, the first image light L35, the second light L32, and the second image light L36 are each projected in the same manner as when they are projected from individual projectors, and an image S can be generated on a fog screen M in the air in the same manner as in the first embodiment. That is, according to the projection system 103 of the third embodiment, a bright image S is formed on the fog screen M by one third projector 123, thereby improving visibility and saving space of the entire device.

[0058] Moreover, the projection system 103 of the third embodiment has a mirror 164 that reflects the first light L31 and the first image light L35 split by the splitting unit 160, and has a mirror 163 that reflects the second light L32 and the second image light L36 split by the splitting unit 160. According to the projection system 103 of the third embodiment, the bands of rays of the first light L31, the first image light L35, the second light L32, and the second image light L36 split by the mirrors 161 and 162 of the splitting unit 160 on each of the ±X sides are overlapped with each other in a predetermined region P3 as shown in Fig. 11, and an image S can be generated in a predetermined region P3 of a fog screen M in the air, as in the first embodiment. Note that, while the projection system 103 of the third embodiment includes a mirror 164 that reflects the first light L31 and the first image light L35, and a mirror 163 that reflects the second light L32 and the second image light L36, the present invention is not limited to this, and the projection system 103 may include only one of the mirrors that reflect the first light L31 and the first image light L35 and the mirrors that reflect the second light L32 and the second image light L36. Furthermore, the first light L31 and the first image light L35 may be reflected by multiple mirrors, and the second light L32 and the second image light L36 may be reflected by multiple mirrors.

[0059] In the above-mentioned projection system 103, if it is acceptable for the image S and the third projector 123 to overlap in the X direction, the relative range of the radiation angle in which the first image light L35 exists in the first light L31 and the relative range of the radiation angle in which the second image light L36 exists in the second light L32 may be symmetrical to each other. In addition, in the above-mentioned projection system 103, the projection image exists only in the first image light L35 within the radiation angle range of the first light L31, but the projection image may exist in two ranges within the radiation angle range as in the first embodiment. In that case, the projection image may exist in two ranges within the radiation angle range of the second light L32 corresponding to the radiation angle range in which the projection image exists in the first light L31. By configuring in this way, another image can be formed on the fog screen M in addition to the image S. In this case, it is preferable that each of the two image lights included in the first light L31 and each of the second lights L32 corresponding to each of them are alternately switched and projected at a predetermined time period as described in the first embodiment. This avoids the unexpected formation of images other than the desired image S and one other image.

[0060] Although not shown, the projection system 103 of the third embodiment may include a transparent box 144, similar to the projection system 102 of the second embodiment. By including the transparent box 144, the projection system 103 also forms an image S in a predetermined area P3 of the fog screen M that fills the inside of the transparent box 144. In the projection system 103 including the transparent box 144, the amount of fog generated is suppressed to the same extent as the capacity of the transparent box 144, and the efficiency of using the fog generated is increased, and the influence of wind, environmental factors, and the like on the image S is avoided, and the decrease in visibility of the image S can be suppressed. Note that, even when the projection system 103 includes the transparent box 144, the shape of the transparent box 144 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped, and can be appropriately set to a sphere or the like according to how the image S is presented and the relative position of the observer with respect to the fog screen M.

[0061] In addition, the schematic configuration described with reference to FIG. 13 for the third projector 123 provided in the projection system 103 of the third embodiment may be applied to the configuration of each of the first projector 111 and the second projector 112 of the projection system 101 of the first embodiment and the projection system 102 of the second embodiment.

[0062] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a projection system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the projection system 104 of the fourth embodiment, components common to the projection system 101 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the projection system 101, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0063] FIG. 15 is a plan view of a projection system 104 of a fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the projection system 104 includes an image projection unit 110 having a fourth projector 124, a sub-screen 171, an image generation unit 180, a fog screen generation unit 141, an installation stand 125, and a signal processing device 131. Note that the fog screen generation unit 141, the installation stand 125, the installation surface 128, and the signal processing device 131 are omitted in FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 15, in the projection system 104, the image projection unit 110 has one fourth projector 124. The fourth projector 124 projects a fourth image light (image light) L4. The configuration of the fourth projector 124 is similar to the configuration of the third projector 123 described in the third embodiment, for example, but is not particularly limited as long as it can project the fourth image light L4. In the projection system 104, the reference axis DX passes through the center of the fourth projector 124 in the X direction and is parallel to the Z direction.

[0064] The sub-screen 171 is disposed on the +Z side of the exit of the fourth projector 124 from which the fourth image light L4 is emitted, and extends along the X direction intersecting the reference axis DX. The optical axis of the fourth image light L4 overlaps with the reference axis DX. In the projection system 104, within the range of the radiation angle of the fourth image light L4, an image, i.e., a projection image exists only in the fourth image light L41 within a range sandwiched between a light ray LB401 connecting the exit of the fourth projector 124 and an end point e1 on the sub-screen 171 and a light ray LB402 connecting the exit of the fourth projector 124 and an end point e2 on the sub-screen 171. As a result, a video signal that generates an image v1 by the fourth image light (image light) L41 is projected in the range between the end points e1 and e2 of the sub-screen 171, and an image (first image) v1 is formed between the end points e1 and e2 of the sub-screen 171. In an area U including the predetermined area P4, a fog screen M is generated by a fog generating device 142 of a fog screen generating unit 141 (not shown).

[0065] The image generating section 180 is disposed on the optical axis of the fourth image light L4, i.e., on the reference axis DX, on the +Z side of the sub-screen 171. The image generating section 180 collects the fifth image light L5 (image light emitted from the first image) emitted from the image v1 in an area PP between end points e3 and e4 of a predetermined area P4 in the Z direction. The sub-screen 171 has a diffusion characteristic such that the fifth image light L5 is incident on the position of the image generating section 180 disposed on the +Z side. The image generating section 180 is constituted by, for example, a Fresnel lens 181 that functions similarly to a refractive convex lens.

[0066] If the focal length of the Fresnel lens 181 is f and the distance in the Z direction from the sub-screen 171 to the Fresnel lens 181 is S1, the image v1 projected between the end points e1 and e2 on the sub-screen 171 is formed at a size (S2 / S1) times in a space at a distance S2=1 / {(1 / f)-(1 / S1)} on the +Z side in the Z direction from the Fresnel lens 181, that is, in a predetermined area P4. At this time, each of the diffused light rays LB41, LB42, and LB43 emitted from the end point e1 of the image v1 passes through the end point e11 on the +X side of the Fresnel lens 181, the center c of the Fresnel lens 181, and the end point e12 on the -X side of the Fresnel lens 181, and is condensed at the end point e4 of the area PP as each of the converging light rays LB51, LB52, and LB53. Further, each of the diffused rays LB45, LB46, and LB47 emitted from the end point e2 of the image v1 passes through the end point e11 on the +X side of the Fresnel lens 181, the center c of the Fresnel lens 181, and the end point e12 on the -X side of the Fresnel lens 181, and is condensed at the end point e3 of the region PP as each of the converging rays LB55, LB56, and LB57. An image v2 is formed as a second image in the region PP by the fifth image light L5 emitted from the image v1 having the fifth image light L5 including the diffused rays LB41 to LB43 and the fifth image light L5 including the diffused rays LB45 to LB47.

[0067] The signal processing device 131 of the projection system 104 has a configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 8. However, in the signal processing device 131 of the projection system 104, a video signal is output from the video card 210 to the fourth projector 124. The video signal to the fourth projector 124 may be read from the outside via the network 201 or a separate network (not shown), or may be stored in advance in the storage 202. The image projected with the fourth image light L4, L41 is subjected to distortion correction as necessary by the video signal from the signal processing device 131. The video signal to be subjected to the distortion correction is processed by software written in the HDD 222.

[0068] In the projection system 104, since the sub-screen 171 is formed parallel to the X direction and flat as illustrated in Fig. 15, the image v2 is formed parallel to the X direction and flat. However, the sub-screen 171 may have an uneven shape or a curved shape with respect to the X direction, in which case the image v2 has an uneven shape or a curved shape with respect to the X direction. As described above, distortion correction that takes into account the shape of the sub-screen 171 may be applied to the image signal output from the signal processing device 131 to the fourth projector 124.

[0069] The process of generating a video signal to be input to the fourth projector 124 of the image projection unit 110 in the projection system 104 is basically the same as the process described in the third embodiment with reference to Fig. 14. However, in the process in the projection system 104, image data and depth data of the first image S to be displayed with n=1 are read (steps S322, S323), the read image data is processed, and combined with the depth data to generate a video signal to be input to the fourth projector 124 as the fourth image light L4. That is, in the process in the projection system 104, each of the right projection signal, the left projection signal, and the left and right composite signal thereof in the process of generating a video signal in the projection system 103 may be replaced with the video signal of the fourth image light L4.

[0070] The projection system 104 of the fourth embodiment described above includes a fourth projector 124 that projects the fourth image light L4, L41, a sub-screen 171 on which an image v1 is projected by the fourth image light L4, L41, an image generating unit 180 that collects the fifth image light L5 emitted from the image v1 in a predetermined area PP, and a fog screen generating unit 141 that generates a fog screen M in which a plurality of particles a capable of reflecting the fifth image light L5 emitted from the image v1 are dispersed in an area (screen area) U including the predetermined area PP. In the projection system 104 of the fourth embodiment, an image formed in the air, i.e., in the predetermined area PP in the fog screen M, is visible only from the traveling direction of each light ray of the fifth image light L5 in the absence of fog, but is diffused by the presence of fog, and can be observed from any direction. 15, the area indicated by the cross-hatched lines is diffused by the fog screen M due to the presence of light rays constituting the fifth image light L5, but since the light rays constituting the fifth image light L5 are concentrated in a predetermined area PP, the image v2 in the predetermined area PP appears brighter than the surrounding fog screen M or the fifth image light L5 diffused as a single unit by the fog screen M. Therefore, according to the projection system 104 of the fourth embodiment, an image v2 brighter than the surrounding fog screen M or the fifth image light L5 diffused as a single unit by the fog screen M can be formed in the area PP where the fifth image light L5 is concentrated. Also, according to the projection system 104 of the fourth embodiment, the fifth image light L5 is not formed on the ±Z side of the predetermined area P4 in the Z direction, and the image v2 is blurred or cannot be seen, but the fifth image light L5 is formed with high accuracy in the predetermined area P4, so that the resolution of the image v2 is the highest, and the visibility of the image by the image v2 can be improved.

[0071] In the projection system 104 of the fourth embodiment, since the Fresnel lens 181 is used as the image generating section 180, it is possible to reduce the size of the image generating section 180 and the entire device in the Z direction. The image generating section 180 may use a multilevel zone plate that functions in the same way as the Fresnel lens 181 and has a refractive index profile that approximates the refractive index profile of the Fresnel lens 181 with a stepped shape.

[0072] In the above-mentioned projection system 104, the projection image exists only in the fourth image light L41 within the range of the radiation angle of the fourth image light L4, but the projection image may exist only in two ranges within the radiation angle range as in the first embodiment. With this configuration, another image can be formed on the fog screen M in addition to the image v2. In this case, it is preferable that each of the two image lights included in the fourth image light L4 is alternately switched and projected at a predetermined time period as described in the first embodiment. This prevents an image other than the desired image v2 and the other image from being unexpectedly formed.

[0073] Although not shown, the projection system 104 of the fourth embodiment may include a transparent box 144, similar to the projection system 102 of the second embodiment. By including the transparent box 144, the projection system 104 also forms the image v2 in a predetermined region PP of the fog screen M that fills the inside of the transparent box 144. In the projection system 104 including the transparent box 144, the amount of fog generated is suppressed to the same extent as the capacity of the transparent box 144, and the efficiency of using the fog generated is increased, and the influence of wind, environmental factors, etc. on the image v2 is avoided, and the decrease in visibility of the image v2 can be suppressed. Note that, even when the projection system 104 includes the transparent box 144, the shape of the transparent box 144 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped, and can be appropriately set to a sphere or the like according to how the image v2 is presented and the relative position of the observer with respect to the fog screen M.

[0074] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Also, the components of multiple embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

[0075] For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the number of images to be displayed, i.e., the display image elements n, is 1 or 2. However, the display image elements n may be 3 or more. In the projection system of each of the embodiments, a video signal corresponding to the display image elements n is output from the signal processing device 131 to an image projection unit that projects a predetermined image light.

[0076] Furthermore, the configuration of the projection system of the present invention can also be applied as an aerial image forming device that forms an aerial image in the air where the fog screen M is generated.

[0077] The projection system according to an aspect of the present invention may have the following configuration. A projection system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an image projection unit that projects a first light including a first image light and a second light including a second image light from different directions, and a fog screen generation unit that generates a fog screen in which a plurality of particles capable of reflecting the first light and the second light are dispersed onto a screen area including a predetermined region, and the image projection unit projects the first light and the second light so that the first image light and the second image light overlap in the predetermined first area.

[0078] In the projection system according to one aspect of the present invention, the image projection section may have a first projection section that projects the first image light, and a second projection section that projects the second image light.

[0079] In the projection system according to one aspect of the present invention, the image projection section may include a projection section that projects projection light, and a division section that divides the projection light into the first image light and the second image light.

[0080] The projection system according to one aspect of the present invention may further include a first reflecting section that reflects the first image light split by the splitting section.

[0081] The projection system according to one aspect of the present invention may further include a second reflecting section that reflects the second image light split by the splitting section.

[0082] In one embodiment of a projection system of the present invention, the first light includes a third image light, and the second light includes a fourth image light, and the image projection unit projects the first light and the second light so that the third image light and the fourth image light overlap in a predetermined second region, and the position of the first region and the position of the second region may be different.

[0083] In a projection system according to one aspect of the present invention, the image projection section may project the first light and the second light so that the size of the image formed in the first area differs from the size of the image formed in the second area.

[0084] In one embodiment of the projection system of the present invention, the image projection unit may project the first light and the second light so that the distance between the first area and the image projection unit and the distance between the second area and the image projection unit are different.

[0085] In one embodiment of the projection system of the present invention, the projection system may include a control unit that controls the image projection unit, and the control unit may control the image projection unit to turn off the third image light and the fourth image light when the first image light and the second image light are on, and to turn off the first image light and the second image light when the third image light and the fourth image light are on.

[0086] Moreover, a projection system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an image projection unit that projects image light, a sub-screen onto which a first image is projected using the image light, an image generation unit that concentrates the image light emitted from the first image into a predetermined area, and a fog screen generation unit that generates a fog screen in which a plurality of particles capable of reflecting the image light emitted from the first image are dispersed in a screen area including the predetermined area. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 101, 102, 103, 104...projection system, 110...image projection unit, 111...first projector (first projection unit), 112...second projector (second projection unit), 141...fog screen generation unit, L1, L31...first light, L11, L35...first image light, L21, L36...second image light, L2, L32...second light, L12...third image light, L22...fourth image light, M...fog screen, P1, P2, P3, P4...predetermined area, U...area (screen area).

Claims

1. an image projection unit that projects image light; a sub-screen onto which a first image is projected by the image light; an image generating unit that collects image light emitted from the first image in a predetermined area; The image light emitted from the first image can be reflected onto a screen area including the predetermined area. a fog screen generator for generating a fog screen having a plurality of dispersed particles; Equipped with Projection system.

2. The image generating section is constituted by a Fresnel lens. The projection system according to claim 1 .

Images