Floating-air video display system

Abstract

To provide a more suitable air-floating video display system which, according to the present invention, contributes to sustainable development goals, "3. Good Health and Well-being," and "9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure."SOLUTION: The air-floating video display system comprises a video source 2001, a retroreflective member 2, a diagonally arranged polarization separation member 101, and a control device for controlling video display, the system causing video light from the video source 2001 to be passed through by the polarization separation member 101, recursively reflected by the retroreflective member 2, and reflected in a second direction (y) by the polarization separation member 101, thereby displaying an air-floating video 2003 at a prescribed position. The video source 2001 includes a plurality of display layers (L1, L2, L3) that are arranged at a plurality of positions in a first direction, each display layer having one or more display panels 2010 that are secured at a prescribed position. The air-floating video 2003 is composed of a plurality of air-floating video layers (M1, M2, M3) which are arranged at a plurality of positions in the second direction in correspondence to the plurality of display layers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a floating-in-the-air image display system. [Background technology]

[0002] As a floating information display system, a video display device that displays an image directly to the outside and a display method that displays the image as a spatial screen are already known. In addition, a detection system that reduces false detections of operations on the operation surface of the displayed spatial image is also disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-128722 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the touch operation on the floating image is not performed on a physical button or touch panel. Therefore, the user may not be able to recognize whether or not a touch operation has been performed. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a more suitable floating image display system or floating image display device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, for example, the following configuration may be adopted. The air-floating image display system includes a display device which is an image source, a retroreflective member arranged opposite the display device in a first direction when the direction of the optical axis of image light from the display device is defined as a first direction, a polarization separation member arranged obliquely between the display device and the retroreflective member so as to reflect the direction of the optical axis of the reflected light in a second direction different from the first direction, and a housing for fixing the display device, the polarization separation member, and the retroreflective member, the image light from the display device is transmitted through the polarization separation member, the transmitted image light is retroreflected by the retroreflective member, the retroreflected image light is reflected by the polarization separation member in the second direction, and the air-floating image is displayed at a predetermined position based on the reflected image light, the display device has a plurality of display layers arranged at a plurality of positions in the first direction, and a plurality of image sources arranged on the plurality of display layers, each of the display layers has one or more image sources fixed at a predetermined position, and the air-floating image is composed of a plurality of air-floating image layers arranged at a plurality of positions in the second direction corresponding to the plurality of display layers. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, a more suitable floating-in-the-air image display system or floating-in-the-air image display device can be realized. Other objects, configurations, and effects will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a usage form of a space floating image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a main part configuration and a retroreflection part configuration of a space floating image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3A] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of a method for installing a space floating image display device. [Figure 3B] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing another example of a method for installing the space floating image display device. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a space floating image display device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the main part configuration of the space floating image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the function of a sensing device used in the space floating image display device. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a measurement system for evaluating the characteristics of a reflective polarizing plate. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a characteristic diagram showing the transmittance characteristics of the transmission axis of a reflective polarizing plate versus the light incidence angle. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing transmittance characteristics with respect to the light incidence angle of the reflection axis of a reflective polarizing plate. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a characteristic diagram showing the transmittance characteristics of the transmission axis of a reflective polarizing plate versus the light incidence angle. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing transmittance characteristics with respect to the light incidence angle of the reflection axis of a reflective polarizing plate. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a specific configuration of a light source device. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a specific configuration of a light source device. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a specific configuration of a light source device. [Figure 15] 1 is a layout diagram showing a main part of a space floating image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 16] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a light source diffusion characteristic of a video display device. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the diffusion characteristics of a video display device. [Figure 19] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a floating-in-the-air image display system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 21] 1 is a diagram showing main components of a floating-in-the-air image display device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 22] 2 is a schematic diagram of an image source according to the first embodiment when viewed from above. FIG. [Diagram 23] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an image source according to the first embodiment. [Figure 24] 2 is a schematic diagram of a frame of a video source according to the first embodiment when viewed in a plane. FIG. [Diagram 25] 1 is a schematic diagram of a floating-in-the-air image according to Example 1 when viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a floating image according to the first embodiment. [Figure 27] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing another display example of the floating-in-the-air image according to the first embodiment. [Figure 28] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing another display example of the floating-in-the-air image according to the first embodiment. [Figure 29] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a video processing circuit according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 30] 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a frame and wiring according to the first embodiment; FIG. [Diagram 31] 1 is a perspective view relating to the arrangement conditions of a display panel according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 32] 3 is a plan view relating to the arrangement conditions of the display panel according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 33] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the arrangement conditions of the display panel according to the first embodiment as viewed from above and from the side. [Diagram 34] FIG. 1 is a top view showing main components according to a first modified example of the first embodiment. [Diagram 35] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an image source according to a first modified example of the first embodiment. [Diagram 36] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an image source according to a second modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 37] 11 is a schematic diagram of a frame of a video source according to a second modification of the first embodiment when viewed in a plane. FIG. [Figure 38] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an image source according to a third modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 39] 13 is a schematic diagram of a frame of a video source according to a third modified example of the first embodiment when viewed in a plane. FIG. [Diagram 40]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an image source according to a fourth modified example of the first embodiment. [Diagram 41] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an image source and a floating-in-the-air image according to a fifth modified example of the first embodiment. [Diagram 42] FIG. 13 is a top view showing main components according to a sixth modified example of the first embodiment. [Diagram 43] 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a floating-in-the-air image display system according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 44] 1 is a perspective view of an image source according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 45] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a floating-in-the-air image according to the second embodiment when viewed from above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical ideas disclosed in this specification. In addition, in all the drawings for explaining the present invention, the same reference numerals are given to the parts having the same functions, and the repeated description may be omitted. Note that in the following description of the embodiment, the image floating in space is expressed by the term "space-floating image". Instead of this term, it may be expressed as "floating image", "floating optical image of a displayed image", or "floating optical image of a displayed image". The term "floating image" used in the description of the embodiment is used as a representative example of these terms.

[0009] The following embodiment relates to an image display device that can transmit an image generated by image light from an image light source through a transparent member that separates a space, such as glass, and display the image as a floating image outside the transparent member.

[0010] According to the following embodiment, for example, a suitable image display device can be realized for bank ATMs, station ticket vending machines, digital signage, etc. For example, currently, touch panels are usually used in bank ATMs, station ticket vending machines, etc., but by using a transparent glass surface or a light-transmitting plate material, high-resolution image information can be displayed in a space-floating state on the glass surface or light-transmitting plate material. At this time, by making the divergence angle of the emitted image light small, that is, an acute angle, and further aligning it with a specific polarization, only the normal reflected light is efficiently reflected by the retroreflector, so that the light utilization efficiency is high, and ghost images that occur in addition to the main space-floating image, which was a problem in the conventional retroreflection method, can be suppressed, and a clear space-floating image can be obtained. In addition, a device including the light source of this embodiment can provide a new space-floating image display device (space-floating image display system) that can significantly reduce power consumption. In addition, for example, a space-floating image display device for vehicles that can display a so-called unidirectional space-floating image that can be viewed inside and / or outside the vehicle can be provided.

[0011] <Space-floating image display device 1> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a usage form of a space-floating image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the space-floating image display device according to this embodiment. The specific configuration of the space-floating image display device will be described in detail using Fig. 2, etc., but light with a narrow-angle directional characteristic and specific polarization is emitted from the image display device 1 as an image light beam, once enters the retroreflector 2, is retroreflected and passes through a transparent member 100 (glass, etc.), and forms a real aerial image (space-floating image 3) on the outside of the glass surface.

[0012] In addition, in a store or the like, a space is divided by a show window (also called "window glass") 105, which is a light-transmitting member such as glass. According to the space floating image display device of this embodiment, it is possible to transmit the floating image through such a transparent member and display it in one direction to the outside and / or inside of the store (space).

[0013] 1A, the inside of the window glass 105 (inside the store) is shown in the depth direction, and the outside (for example, the sidewalk) is shown in the foreground. On the other hand, by providing the window glass 105 with a means for reflecting a specific polarized wave, it is possible to form an aerial image at a desired position inside the store.

[0014] FIG. 1(B) is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the above-mentioned image display device 1. The image display device 1 includes an image display unit that displays an original image of an aerial image, an image control unit that converts the input image to match the resolution of the panel, and an image signal receiving unit that receives an image signal. The image signal receiving unit is compatible with wired input signals such as HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) input and wireless input signals such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), and functions independently as an image receiving and display device, and can also display image information from a tablet, smartphone, etc. Furthermore, by connecting a stick PC, etc., it can be equipped with capabilities such as calculation processing and image analysis processing.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a main part configuration and a retroreflection part configuration of a space floating image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the space floating image display device will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2(A), a display device 1 that diverges specific polarized image light at a narrow angle is provided in an oblique direction of a transparent member 100 such as glass. The display device 1 includes a liquid crystal display panel 11 and a light source device 13 that generates specific polarized light having a narrow angle diffusion characteristic.

[0016] The image light of a specific polarization from the display device 1 is reflected by a polarization separation member 101 (in the figure, the polarization separation member 101 is formed into a sheet shape and adhered to the transparent member 100) having a film that selectively reflects the image light of a specific polarization provided on a transparent member 100, and enters the retroreflector 2. A λ / 4 plate 21 is provided on the image light incidence surface of the retroreflector. The image light is polarized and converted from the specific polarization to the other polarization by passing through the λ / 4 plate 21 twice, when it enters the retroreflector and when it leaves the retroreflector. Here, the polarization separation member 101 that selectively reflects the image light of a specific polarization has a property of transmitting the polarized light of the other polarization that has been polarized and converted, so the image light of the specific polarization after polarization conversion passes through the polarization separation member 101. The image light that has passed through the polarization separation member 101 forms a space floating image 3, which is a real image, outside the transparent member 100.

[0017] The light that forms the floating image 3 is a collection of light rays that converge from the retroreflector 2 to the optical image of the floating image 3, and these light rays continue to travel straight even after passing through the optical image of the floating image 3. Therefore, the floating image 3 is an image with high directivity, unlike the diffuse image light formed on a screen by a general projector or the like. Therefore, in the configuration of FIG. 2, when a user views the floating image 3 from the direction of the arrow A, the floating image 3 is viewed as a bright image. However, when another person views the floating image 3 from the direction of the arrow B, the floating image 3 cannot be viewed as an image at all. This characteristic is very suitable for use in a system that displays images that require high security or highly confidential images that should be kept secret from people facing the user.

[0018] Depending on the performance of the retroreflector 2, the polarization axis of the reflected image light may become misaligned. In this case, a part of the image light with the misaligned polarization axis is reflected by the above-mentioned polarization separation member 101 and returns to the display device 1. This light may be reflected again on the image display surface of the liquid crystal display panel 11 constituting the display device 1, generating a ghost image and degrading the image quality of the space-floating image. Therefore, in this embodiment, an absorbing polarizing plate 12 is provided on the image display surface of the display device 1. The image light emitted from the display device 1 is transmitted through the absorbing polarizing plate 12, and the reflected light returning from the polarization separation member 101 is absorbed by the absorbing polarizing plate 12, thereby suppressing the above-mentioned re-reflection. This makes it possible to prevent degradation of image quality due to the ghost image of the space-floating image.

[0019] The above-mentioned polarization separation member 101 may be formed, for example, of a reflective polarizing plate or a metal multilayer film that reflects a specific polarized wave.

[0020] Next, FIG. 2(B) shows the surface shape of a typical retroreflector 2 manufactured by Nippon Carbide Industries Co., Ltd., which was used in this study. A ray of light incident on the interior of regularly arranged hexagonal prisms is reflected by the walls and bottom of the hexagonal prisms and is emitted as retroreflected light in a direction corresponding to the incident light, and a real image, a floating image in space, is displayed based on the image displayed on the display device 1. The resolution of this floating image in space is largely dependent on the outer shape D and pitch P of the retroreflector of the retroreflector 2 shown in FIG. 2(B) as well as the resolution of the liquid crystal display panel 11. For example, when a 7-inch WUXGA (1920×1200 pixels) liquid crystal display panel is used, even if one pixel (one triplet) is about 80 μm, if the diameter D of the retroreflector is 240 μm and the pitch is 300 μm, one pixel of the floating image in space is equivalent to 300 μm. For this reason, the effective resolution of the floating image in space is reduced to about 1 / 3. Therefore, in order to make the resolution of the spatial floating image equal to that of the display device 1, it is desirable to make the diameter and pitch of the retroreflective part close to one pixel of the liquid crystal display panel. On the other hand, in order to suppress the occurrence of moire due to the retroreflective plate and the pixels of the liquid crystal display panel, it is preferable to design the pitch ratio of each to be a different integer multiple of one pixel. In addition, it is preferable to arrange the shape so that none of the sides of the retroreflective part overlaps with any of the sides of one pixel of the liquid crystal display panel.

[0021] The surface shape of the retroreflector according to this embodiment is not limited to the above example. It may have various surface shapes that realize retroreflection. Specifically, a retroreflection element in which triangular pyramid prisms, hexagonal pyramid prisms, other polygonal prisms, or a combination of these are periodically arranged may be provided on the surface of the retroreflector according to this embodiment. Alternatively, a retroreflection element in which these prisms are periodically arranged to form a cube corner may be provided on the surface of the retroreflector according to this embodiment. Alternatively, a capsule lens type retroreflection element in which glass beads are periodically arranged may be provided on the surface of the retroreflector according to this embodiment. The detailed configuration of these retroreflection elements may be achieved by using existing technology, so detailed description will be omitted. Specifically, the techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2001-33609, 2001-264525, 2005-181555, 2008-70898, and 2009-229942 may be used.

[0022] <<How to install the space floating image display device>> Next, a method of installing the space-floating image display device will be described. The installation method of the space-floating image display device can be freely changed depending on the usage form. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of a method of installing the space-floating image display device. The space-floating image display device shown in FIG. 3A is installed horizontally so that the surface on which the space-floating image 3 is formed faces upward. That is, in FIG. 3A, the space-floating image display device is installed so that the transparent member 100 faces upward, and the space-floating image 3 is formed above the space-floating image display device.

[0023] Fig. 3B is a diagram showing another example of a method of installing the space-floating image display device. The space-floating image display device shown in Fig. 3B is installed vertically so that the surface on which the space-floating image 3 is formed faces the side (toward the user 230). That is, in Fig. 3B, the space-floating image display device is installed so that the transparent member 100 faces the side, and the space-floating image 3 is formed on the side of the space-floating image display device (toward the user 230).

[0024] <<Configuration of the space floating image display device>> Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the space-floating image display device 1000. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the space-floating image display device 1000.

[0025] The space floating image display device 1000 includes a retroreflective section 1101, an image display section 1102, a light guide 1104, a light source 1105, a power source 1106, an operation input section 1107, a non-volatile memory 1108, a memory 1109, a control section 1110, an image signal input section 1131, an audio signal input section 1133, a communication section 1132, an aerial operation detection sensor 1351, an aerial operation detection section 1350, an audio output section 1140, an image control section 1160, a storage section 1170, an imaging section 1180, etc.

[0026] Each component of the space floating image display device 1000 is disposed in a housing 1190. Note that the imaging unit 1180 and the mid-air operation detection sensor 1351 shown in FIG.

[0027] The retroreflecting portion 1101 in Fig. 4 corresponds to the retroreflector 2 in Fig. 2. The retroreflecting portion 1101 retroreflects light modulated by the image display portion 1102. Of the light reflected by the retroreflecting portion 1101, the light outputted to the outside of the space-floating image display device 1000 forms the space-floating image 3.

[0028] An image display unit 1102 in Fig. 4 corresponds to the liquid crystal display panel 11 in Fig. 2. A light source 1105 in Fig. 4 corresponds to the light source device 13 in Fig. 2. Moreover, the image display unit 1102, the light guide 1104, and the light source 1105 in Fig. 4 correspond to the display device 1 in Fig. 2.

[0029] The video display unit 1102 is a display unit that generates a video by modulating transmitted light based on a video signal input under the control of a video control unit 1160 described later. The video display unit 1102 corresponds to the liquid crystal display panel 11 in Fig. 2. For example, a transmissive liquid crystal panel is used as the video display unit 1102. Alternatively, for example, a reflective liquid crystal panel that modulates reflected light or a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device: registered trademark) panel may be used as the video display unit 1102.

[0030] The light source 1105 generates light for the image display unit 1102 and is a solid-state light source such as an LED light source or a laser light source. The power source 1106 converts an AC current input from the outside into a DC current and supplies power to the light source 1105. The power source 1106 also supplies the necessary DC current to each unit in the space floating image display device 1000.

[0031] The light guide 1104 guides the light generated by the light source 1105 and irradiates the light to the image display unit 1102. The combination of the light guide 1104 and the light source 1105 can be called a backlight of the image display unit 1102. There are various types of combination of the light guide 1104 and the light source 1105. Specific configuration examples of the combination of the light guide 1104 and the light source 1105 will be described in detail later.

[0032] The aerial operation detection sensor 1351 is a sensor that detects an operation of the floating-in-space image 3 by a finger of the user 230. The aerial operation detection sensor 1351 senses, for example, a range that overlaps with the entire display range of the floating-in-space image 3. Note that the aerial operation detection sensor 1351 may only sense a range that overlaps with at least a portion of the display range of the floating-in-space image 3.

[0033] Specific examples of the aerial operation detection sensor 1351 include a distance sensor using invisible light such as infrared light, an invisible light laser, ultrasonic waves, etc. The aerial operation detection sensor 1351 may be configured to detect coordinates on a two-dimensional plane by combining a plurality of sensors. The aerial operation detection sensor 1351 may be configured with a ToF (Time of Flight) LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) or an image sensor.

[0034] The mid-air operation detection sensor 1351 only needs to be capable of sensing to detect a touch operation or the like performed by a user with a finger on an object displayed as the floating-in-space image 3. Such sensing can be performed using existing technology.

[0035] The aerial operation detection unit 1350 acquires a sensing signal from the aerial operation detection sensor 1351, and performs operations such as determining whether or not the finger of the user 230 has touched an object in the floating in space image 3 and calculating the position (contact position) where the finger of the user 230 has touched the object based on the sensing signal. The aerial operation detection unit 1350 is configured with a circuit such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Some of the functions of the aerial operation detection unit 1350 may be realized by software using a spatial operation detection program executed by the control unit 1110, for example.

[0036] The aerial operation detection sensor 1351 and the aerial operation detection unit 1350 may be configured to be built into the space-floating image display device 1000, or may be provided externally separately from the space-floating image display device 1000. When provided separately from the space-floating image display device 1000, the aerial operation detection sensor 1351 and the aerial operation detection unit 1350 are configured to transmit information and signals to the space-floating image display device 1000 via a wired or wireless communication connection path or image signal transmission path.

[0037] Also, the aerial operation detection sensor 1351 and the aerial operation detection unit 1350 may be provided separately. This makes it possible to build a system in which the air-floating image display device 1000 without the aerial operation detection function is used as the main body, and only the aerial operation detection function can be added as an option. Also, a configuration in which only the aerial operation detection sensor 1351 is provided separately, and the aerial operation detection unit 1350 is built into the air-floating image display device 1000 may be used. In cases in which it is desired to more freely arrange the aerial operation detection sensor 1351 relative to the installation position of the air-floating image display device 1000, a configuration in which only the aerial operation detection sensor 1351 is provided separately is advantageous.

[0038] The imaging unit 1180 is a camera having an image sensor, and captures the space near the floating-in-space image 3 and / or the face, arms, fingers, etc. of the user 230. A plurality of imaging units 1180 may be provided. By using a plurality of imaging units 1180 or an imaging unit with a depth sensor, the mid-air operation detection unit 1350 can be assisted in the detection process of the touch operation of the floating-in-space image 3 by the user 230. The imaging unit 1180 may be provided separately from the floating-in-space image display device 1000. When the imaging unit 1180 is provided separately from the floating-in-space image display device 1000, it is sufficient to configure it so that an imaging signal can be transmitted to the floating-in-space image display device 1000 via a wired or wireless communication connection path or the like.

[0039] For example, if the aerial operation detection sensor 1351 is configured as an object intrusion sensor that detects whether or not an object has intruded into a plane (intrusion detection plane) including the display surface of the floating image 3, the aerial operation detection sensor 1351 may not be able to detect information such as how far an object (e.g., a user's finger) that has not intruded into the intrusion detection plane is from the intrusion detection plane, or how close the object is to the intrusion detection plane.

[0040] In such a case, the distance between the object and the intrusion detection plane can be calculated by using information such as object depth calculation information based on the captured images of the multiple imaging units 1180 and object depth information by the depth sensor. These pieces of information and various pieces of information such as the distance between the object and the intrusion detection plane are used for various display controls for the floating in space image 3.

[0041] Furthermore, without using the aerial operation detection sensor 1351, the aerial operation detection section 1350 may detect a touch operation on the floating-in-space image 3 by the user 230 based on the captured image by the imaging section 1180.

[0042] Also, the imaging unit 1180 may capture an image of the face of the user 230 operating the floating image 3, and the control unit 1110 may perform an identification process for the user 230. Furthermore, in order to determine whether or not a third person is standing around or behind the user 230 operating the floating image 3 and peeking at the operation of the user 230 on the floating image 3, the imaging unit 1180 may capture an image of a range including the user 230 operating the floating image 3 and the surrounding area of ​​the user 230.

[0043] The operation input unit 1107 is, for example, an operation button or a light receiving unit of a remote controller, and inputs a signal for an operation different from the air operation (touch operation) by the user 230. In addition to the above-mentioned user 230 who touches the space floating image 3, the operation input unit 1107 may be used by, for example, an administrator to operate the space floating image display device 1000.

[0044] The video signal input unit 1131 connects to an external video output device and inputs video data. The audio signal input unit 1133 connects to an external audio output device and inputs audio data. The audio output unit 1140 can output audio based on the audio data input to the audio signal input unit 1133. The audio output unit 1140 may also output built-in operation sounds and error warning sounds.

[0045] The non-volatile memory 1108 stores various data used by the space-floating image display device 1000. The data stored in the non-volatile memory 1108 includes, for example, data for various operations to be displayed on the space-floating image 3, display icons, data of objects to be operated by user operations, layout information, etc. The memory 1109 stores image data to be displayed as the space-floating image 3, data for controlling the device, etc.

[0046] The control unit 1110 controls the operation of each connected unit. The control unit 1110 may also perform calculation processing based on information acquired from each unit in the space floating image display device 1000 in cooperation with a program stored in the memory 1109. The communication unit 1132 communicates with external devices, external servers, etc. via a wired or wireless interface. Various data such as video data, image data, and audio data are transmitted and received by communication via the communication unit 1132.

[0047] The storage unit 1170 is a storage device that records various types of data & information such as video data, image data, audio data, etc. In the storage unit 1170, for example, various types of information such as video data, image data, audio data, etc. may be recorded in advance at the time of product shipment. In addition, the storage unit 1170 may record various types of information such as various types of data such as video data, image data, audio data, etc. acquired from an external device, an external server, etc. via the communication unit 1132.

[0048] The video data, image data, etc. recorded in the storage unit 1170 are output as the space floating image 3 via the video display unit 1102 and the retroreflector 1101. The video data, image data, etc. of the display icons and objects for the user to operate, which are displayed as the space floating image 3, are also recorded in the storage unit 1170.

[0049] Layout information of display icons and objects displayed as the space floating image 3, various metadata information related to the objects, and the like are also recorded in the storage unit 1170. The audio data recorded in the storage unit 1170 is output as audio from the audio output unit 1140, for example.

[0050] The video control unit 1160 performs various controls related to the video signal input to the video display unit 1102. The video control unit 1160 performs control of video switching, such as determining which video signal to input to the video display unit 1102, between the video signal to be stored in the memory 1109 and the video signal (video data) input to the video signal input unit 1131, for example.

[0051] In addition, the image control unit 1160 may generate a superimposed image signal by superimposing the image signal to be stored in memory 1109 and the image signal input from the image signal input unit 1131, and input the superimposed image signal to the image display unit 1102, thereby performing control to form a composite image as a floating-in-space image 3.

[0052] Furthermore, the video control unit 1160 may control image processing of the video signal input from the video signal input unit 1131, the video signal to be stored in the memory 1109, etc. Examples of image processing include scaling processing for enlarging, reducing, transforming, etc. an image, brightness adjustment processing for changing the luminance, contrast adjustment processing for changing the contrast curve of the image, and Retinex processing for decomposing an image into light components and changing the weighting of each component.

[0053] Furthermore, the video control unit 1160 may perform special effect video processing or the like for assisting the aerial operation (touch operation) of the user 230 on the video signal input to the video display unit 1102. The special effect video processing is performed, for example, based on the detection result of the touch operation of the user 230 by the aerial operation detection unit 1350 or the captured image of the user 230 by the imaging unit 1180.

[0054] As explained above, the space-floating image display device 1000 is equipped with various functions. However, the space-floating image display device 1000 does not need to have all of these functions, and can have any configuration as long as it has the function of forming the space-floating image 3.

[0055] <Space-floating image display device 2> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the main part configuration of the space floating image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The display device 1 includes a light source device 13 that generates light of a specific polarized wave having a diffusion characteristic that forms a narrow angle with the liquid crystal display panel 11. For example, the display device 1 is composed of a liquid crystal display panel having a screen size ranging from a small one having a screen size of about 5 inches to a large one having a screen size of over 80 inches. The folding mirror 22 has a transparent member 100 as a substrate. A polarization separation member 101 that selectively reflects the image light of a specific polarized wave, such as a reflective polarizing plate, is provided on the surface of the transparent member 100 on the display device 1 side, and reflects the image light from the liquid crystal display panel 11 toward the retroreflector 2. This allows the folding mirror 22 to function as a mirror. The image light of a specific polarized wave from the display device 1 is reflected by the polarization separation member 101 (a sheet-shaped polarization separation member 101 is adhered in the figure) provided on the transparent member 100, and enters the retroreflector 2. Instead of the polarization separation member 101, an optical film having a polarization separation characteristic may be evaporated onto the surface of the transparent member 100.

[0056] A λ / 4 plate 21 is provided on the light incidence surface of the retroreflector, and the image light is polarized and converted by passing it twice, converting a specific polarized wave into the other polarized wave with a phase difference of 90°. As a result, the image light after retroreflection is transmitted through the polarization separation member 101, and a space floating image 3, which is a real image, is displayed outside the transparent member 100. Here, the polarization separation member 101 described above reflects a part of the image light back to the display device 1 because the polarization axis becomes uneven due to retroreflection. This light is reflected again on the image display surface of the liquid crystal display panel 11 constituting the display device 1, generating a ghost image and significantly degrading the image quality of the space floating image. Therefore, in this embodiment, an absorbing polarizing plate 12 may be provided on the image display surface of the display device 1. The image light emitted from the display device 1 is transmitted, and the reflected light from the polarization separation member 101 described above is absorbed, thereby preventing degradation of image quality due to the ghost image of the space floating image. In order to reduce degradation of image quality due to sunlight or illumination light outside the set, it is advisable to provide an absorptive polarizing plate 102 on the surface of the transparent member 100 on the image light transmission output side.

[0057] Next, in order to sense the distance and positional relationship between the object and the sensor 44 for the space floating image obtained by the space floating image display device described above, the sensor 44 having the TOF (Time of Fly) function is arranged in multiple layers as shown in FIG. 6, and it becomes possible to sense the coordinates in the depth direction and the moving direction and moving speed of the object in addition to the coordinates in the planar direction of the object. In order to read the two-dimensional distance and position, multiple combinations of infrared light emitting units and light receiving units are arranged in a straight line, light from the light emitting point is irradiated onto the object, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit. The distance to the object becomes clear by the product of the difference between the time of light emission and the time of light reception and the speed of light. In addition, the coordinates on the plane can be read from the coordinates at the part where the difference between the time of light emission and the time of light reception is the smallest with multiple light emitting units and light receiving units. As described above, it is also possible to obtain three-dimensional coordinate information by combining the coordinates of the object on the plane (two dimensions) and multiple sensors described above.

[0058] <Reflective polarizing plate> In the space floating image display device of this embodiment, the polarization separation member 101 is used to improve the contrast performance, which determines the image quality, more than a general half mirror. The characteristics of a reflective polarizer will be described as an example of the polarization separation member 101 of this embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a measurement system for evaluating the characteristics of a reflective polarizer. The transmission characteristics and reflection characteristics of the reflective polarizer in FIG. 7 with respect to the incident angle of light from a direction perpendicular to the polarization axis of the reflective polarizer are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 as V-AOI. Similarly, the transmission characteristics and reflection characteristics of the reflective polarizer with respect to the incident angle of light from a direction horizontal to the polarization axis of the reflective polarizer are shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 as H-AOI.

[0059] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the reflective polarizing plate with a grid structure has poor characteristics for light coming from a direction perpendicular to the polarization axis. For this reason, specifications along the polarization axis are desirable, and the light source of this embodiment capable of emitting the image light from the liquid crystal display panel at a narrow angle is an ideal light source. Similarly, the horizontal characteristics also deteriorate for light coming from an oblique angle. Taking the above characteristics into consideration, a configuration example of this embodiment will be described below in which a light source capable of emitting the image light from the liquid crystal display panel at a narrower angle is used as the backlight for the liquid crystal display panel. This makes it possible to provide a high-contrast floating image.

[0060] <Display device> Next, the display device 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The display device 1 of this embodiment includes an image display element 11 (liquid crystal display panel) and a light source device 13 that constitutes its light source, and in Fig. 12, the light source device 13 is shown as an exploded perspective view together with the liquid crystal display panel.

[0061] As shown by the arrow 30 in FIG. 12, the liquid crystal display panel (image display element 11) receives an illumination light beam having a narrow-angle diffusion characteristic, i.e., a strong directivity (straightness) and a characteristic similar to that of a laser beam with a polarization plane aligned in one direction, from the light source device 13, which is a backlight device. The liquid crystal display panel (image display element 11) modulates the received illumination light beam according to an input video signal. The modulated image light is reflected by the retroreflector 2 and passes through the transparent member 100 to form a real image, a space floating image (see FIG. 1). Also, in FIG. 12, the liquid crystal display panel 11 constituting the display device 1 is further configured to include a light direction conversion panel 54 that controls the directivity of the light beam emitted from the light source device 13, and a narrow-angle diffusion plate (not shown) as necessary. That is, polarizing plates are provided on both sides of the liquid crystal display panel 11, and the image light of a specific polarization is output after modulating the light intensity according to the video signal (see the arrow 30 in FIG. 12). As a result, the desired image is projected as highly directional (straight-line) light of a specific polarization via the light direction conversion panel 54 toward the retroreflector 2, and after being reflected by the retroreflector 2, it is transmitted toward the eyes of a monitor outside the store (space) to form the space floating image 3. Note that a protective cover 50 (see Figures 13 and 14) may be provided on the surface of the light direction conversion panel 54 described above.

[0062] <Display device example 1> FIG. 13 shows an example of a specific configuration of the display device 1. In FIG. 13, a liquid crystal display panel 11 and a light direction conversion panel 54 are arranged on the light source device 13 of FIG. 12. The light source device 13 is formed, for example, of plastic on the case shown in FIG. 12, and is configured by storing an LED element 201 and a light guide 203 inside. As shown in FIG. 12, the end surface of the light guide 203 has a shape in which the cross-sectional area gradually increases toward the opposite side to the light receiving part in order to convert the divergent light from each LED element 201 into a substantially parallel light beam, and is provided with a lens shape that has an effect of gradually decreasing the divergence angle by multiple total reflections during propagation inside. The liquid crystal display panel 11 constituting the display device 1 is attached to the upper surface. In addition, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element 201, which is a semiconductor light source, and an LED board 202 on which a control circuit for the LED element 201 is mounted are attached to one side (the left end surface in this example) of the case of the light source device 13. A heat sink, which is a member for cooling the heat generated by the LED elements and the control circuit, may be attached to the outer surface of the LED substrate 202.

[0063] In addition, the frame (not shown) of the liquid crystal display panel attached to the upper surface of the case of the light source device 13 is configured by attaching the liquid crystal display panel 11 attached to the frame, and further by attaching an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) (not shown) electrically connected to the liquid crystal display panel 11. That is, the liquid crystal display panel 11, which is an image display element, generates a display image by modulating the intensity of transmitted light based on a control signal from a control circuit (image control unit 1160 in FIG. 4) constituting an electronic device together with the LED element 201, which is a solid light source. At this time, the generated image light has a narrow diffusion angle and contains only specific polarization components, so that a new image display device that is similar to a surface-emitting laser image source driven by an image signal can be obtained. Note that, at present, it is technically and safety impossible to obtain a laser light beam of the same size as the image obtained by the above-mentioned display device 1 using a laser device. Therefore, in this embodiment, light similar to the above-mentioned surface-emitting laser image light is obtained from a light beam from a general light source equipped with an LED element, for example.

[0064] Next, the configuration of the optical system housed in the case of the light source device 13 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 13 as well as FIG.

[0065] 13 and 14 are cross-sectional views, and only one of the LED elements 201 constituting the light source is shown, and this is converted into approximately collimated light by the shape of the light-receiving end surface 203a of the light guide 203. For this reason, the light-receiving portion of the end surface of the light guide and the LED element are attached while maintaining a predetermined positional relationship. Each of the light guides 203 is formed of a light-transmitting resin such as acrylic. The LED light-receiving surface at the end of the light guide has an outer peripheral surface of a cone convex shape obtained by rotating a parabolic cross section, and at the top of the LED light-receiving surface, a concave portion having a convex portion (i.e., a convex lens surface) formed in the center is formed, and the center of the flat portion has a convex lens surface protruding outward (or may be a concave lens surface recessed inward) (not shown). The outer shape of the light receiving part of the light guide to which the LED element 201 is attached is a parabolic shape forming a conical outer surface, and is set within an angle range within which the light emitted from the LED element in the peripheral direction can be totally reflected within it, or a reflective surface is formed.

[0066] On the other hand, the LED elements 201 are arranged at predetermined positions on the surface of the circuit board, that is, the LED substrate 202. The LED substrate 202 is arranged and fixed such that the LED elements 201 on the surface are positioned in the center of the recessed portion described above with respect to the LED collimator (light-receiving end surface 203a).

[0067] According to this configuration, the shape of light-receiving end surface 203a of light guide 203 makes it possible to extract the light emitted from LED element 201 as substantially parallel light, thereby improving the efficiency of use of the generated light.

[0068] As described above, the light source device 13 is configured by mounting a light source unit in which a plurality of LED elements 201 serving as light sources are arranged on the light-receiving end surface 203a serving as a light-receiving section provided on the end surface of the light guide 203, and the divergent light beam from the LED elements 201 is converted into substantially parallel light by the lens shape of the light-receiving end surface 203a of the light guide end surface, which is guided inside the light guide 203 (in a direction parallel to the drawing) as shown by the arrow, and is emitted by the light beam direction conversion means 204 toward the liquid crystal display panel 11 arranged substantially parallel to the light guide 203 (in a direction perpendicular to the front side of the drawing). The uniformity of the light beam incident on the liquid crystal display panel 11 can be controlled by optimizing the distribution (density) of the light beam direction conversion means according to the shape inside or on the surface of the light guide. The above-mentioned light beam direction conversion means 204 emits the light beam propagated inside the light guide toward the liquid crystal display panel 11 arranged substantially parallel to the light guide 203 (in a direction perpendicular to the front of the drawing) by changing the shape of the light guide surface or by providing a portion with a different refractive index inside the light guide. At this time, when the brightness of the screen center and the screen periphery are compared while facing the liquid crystal display panel 11 directly at the center of the screen and placing the viewpoint at the same position as the diagonal dimension of the screen, if the relative brightness ratio is 20% or more, there is no practical problem, and if it exceeds 30%, it is an even better characteristic.

[0069] 13 is a cross-sectional layout diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of a light source of this embodiment that performs polarization conversion in light source device 13 including the above-mentioned light guide 203 and LED element 201. In Fig. 13, light source device 13 is composed of light guide 203 formed of, for example, plastic or the like and having light beam direction conversion means 204 on its surface or inside, LED element 201 as a light source, reflective sheet 205, retardation plate 206, lenticular lens, etc., and on the upper surface thereof is attached liquid crystal display panel 11 equipped with polarizing plates on the light source light entrance surface and image light exit surface.

[0070] A film or sheet-like reflective polarizing plate 49 is provided on the light source light incidence surface (lower surface in the figure) of the liquid crystal display panel 11 corresponding to the light source device 13, and selectively reflects one side of the polarized wave (e.g. P wave) 212 of the natural light beam 210 emitted from the LED element 201. The reflected light is reflected again by the reflective sheet 205 provided on one surface (lower surface in the figure) of the light guide 203, and directed toward the liquid crystal display panel 11. Therefore, a retardation plate (λ / 4 plate) is provided between the reflective sheet 205 and the light guide 203 or between the light guide 203 and the reflective polarizing plate 49, and the reflected light beam is reflected by the reflective sheet 205 and passes through it twice, thereby converting the reflected light beam from P polarized light to S polarized light, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the light source light as image light. The image light beam whose light intensity has been modulated by the image signal in the liquid crystal display panel 11 (arrow 213 in FIG. 13) enters the retroreflector 2. After reflection by the retroreflector 2, a real image, a floating image in space, can be obtained.

[0071] Fig. 14, like Fig. 13, is a cross-sectional layout diagram for explaining the configuration and action of a light source of this embodiment that performs polarization conversion in light source device 13 including light guide 203 and LED element 201. Light source device 13 is also similarly composed of light guide 203 formed of, for example, plastic and provided with light beam direction conversion means 204 on its surface or inside, LED element 201 as a light source, reflective sheet 205, retardation plate 206, lenticular lens, etc., and on the upper surface thereof is attached liquid crystal display panel 11 equipped with polarizing plates on the light source light entrance surface and image light exit surface as an image display element.

[0072] A film or sheet-like reflective polarizing plate 49 is provided on the light source light incidence surface (lower surface in the figure) of the liquid crystal display panel 11 corresponding to the light source device 13, and selectively reflects one side of the polarized wave (e.g., S wave) 211 of the natural light beam 210 emitted from the LED light source 201. That is, in the example of FIG. 14, the selective reflection characteristic of the reflective polarizing plate 49 is different from that of FIG. 14. The reflected light is reflected by a reflective sheet 205 provided on one surface (lower surface in the figure) of the light guide 203, and again heads toward the liquid crystal display panel 11. A retardation plate (λ / 4 plate) is provided between the reflective sheet 205 and the light guide 203 or between the light guide 203 and the reflective polarizing plate 49, and the reflected light beam is reflected by the reflective sheet 205 and passes through it twice, thereby converting the reflected light beam from S polarized light to P polarized light, and improving the utilization efficiency of the light source light as image light. The image light beam intensity-modulated by the image signal in the liquid crystal display panel 11 (arrow 214 in FIG. 14) enters the retroreflector 2. After reflection by the retroreflector 2, a real image, a floating image in space, can be obtained.

[0073] In the light source device shown in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, in addition to the action of the polarizing plate provided on the light incident surface of the corresponding liquid crystal display panel 11, the polarized component on one side is reflected by the reflective polarizing plate, so that the theoretically obtainable contrast ratio is the reciprocal of the cross transmittance of the reflective polarizing plate multiplied by the reciprocal of the cross transmittance obtained by the two polarizing plates attached to the liquid crystal display panel. This results in high contrast performance. In fact, it was confirmed by experiments that the contrast performance of the displayed image was improved by more than 10 times. As a result, a high-quality image was obtained that was comparable to that of a self-luminous organic EL.

[0074] <Display device example 2> 15 shows another example of a specific configuration of the display device 1. This light source device 13 is configured by housing LEDs, a collimator, a composite diffusion block, a light guide, etc., in a case made of, for example, plastic, and has a liquid crystal display panel 11 attached to its upper surface. LED (Light Emitting Diode) elements 14a and 14b, which are semiconductor light sources, and an LED board mounting their control circuits are attached to one side of the case of the light source device 13, and a heat sink 103, which is a member for cooling heat generated by the LED elements and the control circuit, is attached to the outer side of the LED board.

[0075] The liquid crystal display panel frame attached to the top surface of the case is configured to have the liquid crystal display panel 11 attached to the frame, and further, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) 403 (see FIG. 7) electrically connected to the liquid crystal display panel 11, etc. That is, the liquid crystal display panel 11, which is a liquid crystal display element, generates a display image by modulating the intensity of transmitted light based on a control signal from a control circuit (not shown here) constituting the electronic device, together with the LED elements 14a and 14b, which are solid-state light sources.

[0076] <Display device example 3> Next, another example of the specific configuration of the display device 1 (Example 3 of the display device) will be described with reference to FIG. 16. The light source device of this display device 1 converts the divergent light flux of the light (mixture of P-polarized light and S-polarized light) from the LED into a substantially parallel light flux by the collimator 18, and reflects it toward the liquid crystal display panel 11 by the reflecting surface of the reflective light guide 304. The reflected light is incident on the reflective polarizing plate 49 arranged between the liquid crystal display panel 11 and the reflective light guide 304. A specific polarized wave (e.g., P-polarized light) is transmitted through the reflective polarizing plate 49 and incident on the liquid crystal display panel 11. The other polarized wave (e.g., S-polarized light) is reflected by the reflective polarizing plate and heads again toward the reflective light guide 304. The reflective polarizing plate 49 is installed at an angle not perpendicular to the main ray of the light from the reflecting surface of the reflective light guide 304, and the main ray of the light reflected by the reflective polarizing plate 49 is incident on the transmitting surface of the reflective light guide 304. The light incident on the transmission surface of the reflective light guide 304 passes through the back surface of the reflective light guide 304, passes through the λ / 4 plate 270, which is a retardation plate, and is reflected by the reflector 271. The light reflected by the reflector 271 passes through the λ / 4 plate 270 again and passes through the transmission surface of the reflective light guide 304. The light that passes through the transmission surface of the reflective light guide 304 enters the reflective polarizing plate 49 again. At this time, the light that enters the reflective polarizing plate 49 again has passed through the λ / 4 plate 270 twice, and therefore the polarization is converted to a polarized wave (for example, P-polarized light) that passes through the reflective polarizing plate 49. Therefore, the light whose polarization has been converted passes through the reflective polarizing plate 49 and enters the liquid crystal display panel 11. Note that, with regard to the polarization design related to the polarization conversion, the polarization may be configured inversely from the above explanation (S-polarized light and P-polarized light may be reversed).

[0077] As a result, the light from the LED is aligned to a specific polarization (e.g., P-polarized light), enters the liquid crystal display panel 11, and is luminance-modulated according to the video signal to display an image on the panel surface. As in the above example, a plurality of LEDs constituting the light source are shown (however, since FIG. 16 shows a vertical section, only one LED is shown), and these are attached at a predetermined position relative to the collimator 18. Each collimator 18 is formed of, for example, a light-transmitting resin such as acrylic or glass. The collimator 18 may have a convex outer circumferential surface obtained by rotating a parabolic section. The apex of the collimator 18 may have a concave surface with a convex portion (i.e., a convex lens surface) formed in the center. The center of the flat portion of the collimator 18 has a convex lens surface protruding outward (or may be a concave lens surface recessed inward). The parabolic surface forming the conical outer circumferential surface of the collimator 18 is set within an angle range that allows the light emitted from the LED in the peripheral direction to be totally reflected therein, or a reflective surface is formed thereon. The LEDs are disposed at predetermined positions on the surface of the LED substrate 102, which is the circuit substrate. The LED substrate 102 is disposed and fixed to the collimator 18 so that the LEDs on the surface are located at the center of the apex of the convex convex shape (or at the concave portion if the apex has a concave portion). With this configuration, the collimator 18 condenses the light emitted from the LEDs, particularly the light emitted from the central portion, into parallel light by the convex lens surface that forms the outer shape of the collimator 18. The light emitted from the other portions toward the periphery is reflected by the parabolic surface that forms the outer peripheral surface of the cone shape of the collimator 18, and is condensed into parallel light in the same manner. In other words, the collimator 18, which has a convex lens formed in the center and a parabolic surface formed in the periphery, makes it possible to extract almost all of the light generated by the LEDs as parallel light, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the generated light.

[0078] Furthermore, the light converted into approximately parallel light by the collimator 18 shown in FIG. 16 is reflected by the reflective light guide 304. Of the light, light of a specific polarized wave is transmitted through the reflective polarizing plate 49 by the action of the reflective polarizing plate 49, and light of the other polarized wave reflected by the action of the reflective polarizing plate 49 is transmitted through the light guide 304 again. The light is reflected by the reflector 271 located opposite the liquid crystal display panel 11 with respect to the reflective light guide 304. At this time, the light is polarized and converted by passing twice through the λ / 4 plate 270, which is a retardation plate. The light reflected by the reflector 271 is transmitted through the light guide 304 again and enters the reflective polarizing plate 49 provided on the opposite surface. Since the incident light has been polarized and converted, it is transmitted through the reflective polarizing plate 49 and enters the liquid crystal display panel 11 with the same polarization direction. As a result, all the light from the light source can be used, and the geometrical optical utilization efficiency of light is doubled. In addition, since the degree of polarization (extinction ratio) of the reflective polarizer is also included in the extinction ratio of the entire system, the use of the light source device of this embodiment significantly improves the contrast ratio of the entire display device. The surface roughness of the reflective surface of the reflective light guide 304 and the surface roughness of the reflector 271 can be adjusted to adjust the reflection diffusion angle of light at each reflective surface. The surface roughness of the reflective surface of the reflective light guide 304 and the surface roughness of the reflector 271 may be adjusted for each design so that the uniformity of the light incident on the liquid crystal display panel 11 is more suitable. The λ / 4 plate 270, which is the retardation plate in FIG. 16, does not necessarily have to have a phase difference of λ / 4 with respect to the polarized light perpendicularly incident on the λ / 4 plate 270. In the configuration of FIG. 16, it is sufficient that the retardation plate changes the phase by 90° (λ / 2) when the polarized light passes through it twice. The thickness of the retardation plate may be adjusted according to the incidence angle distribution of the polarized light.

[0079] <Display device example 4> Further, another example (Example 4 of the display device) of the configuration of the optical system such as the light source device of the display device will be described with reference to FIG. 19. This is a configuration example in which a diffusion sheet is used instead of the reflective light guide 304 in the light source device of Example 3 of the display device. Specifically, two optical sheets (optical sheet 207A and optical sheet 207B) that convert the diffusion characteristics in the vertical direction and horizontal direction (front and back directions in the figure, not shown) of the drawing are used on the light emission side of the collimator 18, and the light from the collimator 18 is made to enter between the two optical sheets (diffusion sheets). This optical sheet may be one sheet instead of two sheets. In the case of a one sheet configuration, the vertical and horizontal diffusion characteristics are adjusted by the fine shapes on the front and back surfaces of the single optical sheet. In addition, a plurality of diffusion sheets may be used to share the functions. Here, in the example of FIG. 19, the reflection diffusion characteristics due to the front and rear shapes of the optical sheets 207A and 207B may be optimally designed with the number of LEDs, the divergence angle from the LED substrate (optical element) 102, and the optical specifications of the collimator 18 as design parameters so that the surface density of the light flux emitted from the liquid crystal display panel 11 is uniform. In other words, the diffusion characteristics are adjusted by the surface shapes of multiple diffusion sheets instead of the light guide. In the example of FIG. 19, the polarization conversion is performed in the same manner as in the above-mentioned display device example 3. That is, in the example of FIG. 19, the reflective polarizing plate 49 may be configured to have a characteristic of reflecting S-polarized light (transmitting P-polarized light). In that case, the reflective polarizing plate 49 transmits P-polarized light out of the light emitted from the LED, which is the light source, and the transmitted light enters the liquid crystal display panel 11. The reflective polarizing plate 49 reflects S-polarized light out of the light emitted from the LED, which is the light source, and the reflected light passes through the retardation plate 270 shown in FIG. 19. The light that passes through the retardation plate 270 is reflected by the reflection surface 271. The light reflected by the reflecting surface 271 passes through the retardation plate 270 again and is converted into P-polarized light. The polarized light is transmitted through the reflective conversion plate 49 and enters the liquid crystal display panel 11. Note that the λ / 4 plate 270, which is the retardation plate in FIG. 19, does not necessarily have to have a phase difference of λ / 4 with respect to polarized light perpendicularly incident on the λ / 4 plate 270. In the configuration of FIG. 19, it is sufficient for the retardation plate to change the phase by 90° (λ / 2) when polarized light passes through it twice. The thickness of the retardation plate may be adjusted according to the incidence angle distribution of the polarized light.In addition, in FIG. 19 as well, in terms of the polarization design related to the polarization conversion, the polarization may be configured inversely from the above explanation (S polarization and P polarization may be reversed).

[0080] In a conventional TV set, the light emitted from the liquid crystal display panel 11 has similar diffusion characteristics in both the horizontal direction of the screen (shown by the X-axis in FIG. 18(a)) and the vertical direction of the screen (shown by the Y-axis in FIG. 18(b)). In contrast, the diffusion characteristics of the light flux emitted from the liquid crystal display panel of this embodiment are 1 / 5 of the conventional 62 degrees when the viewing angle at which the luminance is 50% of that when viewed from the front (angle 0 degrees) is set to 13 degrees, as shown in example 1 of FIG. 18. Similarly, the vertical viewing angle is made uneven from top to bottom, and the reflection angle and the area of ​​the reflection surface of the reflective light guide are optimized to suppress the upper viewing angle to about 1 / 3 of the lower viewing angle. As a result, the amount of image light heading in the monitoring direction is significantly improved compared to conventional liquid crystal TVs, and the luminance is 50 times or more higher.

[0081] Furthermore, if the viewing angle characteristics shown in Example 2 of FIG. 18 are used, the viewing angle at which the luminance is 50% of that when viewed from the front (angle 0 degrees) is set to 5 degrees, which is 1 / 12 of the conventional 62 degrees. Similarly, the vertical viewing angle is equal from top to bottom, and the reflection angle and the area of ​​the reflection surface of the reflective light guide are optimized to suppress the viewing angle to about 1 / 12 of the conventional viewing angle. As a result, the amount of image light directed toward the monitoring direction is significantly improved compared to conventional LCD TVs, and the luminance is more than 100 times higher. As described above, by setting the viewing angle to a narrow angle, the amount of light flux directed toward the monitoring direction can be concentrated, so the efficiency of light use is significantly improved. As a result, even if a conventional LCD display panel for TVs is used, a significant improvement in luminance can be achieved with similar power consumption by controlling the light diffusion characteristics of the light source device, and an image display device compatible with information display systems facing bright outdoors can be obtained.

[0082] When using a large LCD panel, the overall brightness of the screen can be improved by directing the light around the periphery of the screen inwards so that it faces the observer when he or she is facing directly at the center of the screen. Figure 17 shows the convergence angle of the long and short sides of the panel when the observer's distance from the panel L and the panel size (screen ratio 16:10) are used as parameters. When monitoring with the screen vertically long, the convergence angle can be set to match the short side; for example, when a 22" panel is used vertically and the monitoring distance is 0.8m, a convergence angle of 10 degrees will allow the image light from the four corners of the screen to be effectively directed towards the observer.

[0083] Similarly, when monitoring with a 15" panel in portrait orientation and a monitoring distance of 0.8 m, a convergence angle of 7 degrees will allow the image light from the four corners of the screen to be effectively directed towards the observer. As described above, the overall brightness of the screen can be improved by directing the image light from the periphery of the screen towards the observer who is in the optimum position to monitor the center of the screen depending on the size of the LCD panel and whether it is used in portrait or landscape orientation.

[0084] The basic configuration is as shown in Figure 16, in which a light beam with a narrow-angle directional characteristic is incident on a liquid crystal display panel 11 from a light source device, and the brightness is modulated according to a video signal, so that the video information displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display panel 11 is reflected by a retroreflector, and the resulting spatial floating image is displayed outdoors or indoors via a transparent member 100.

[0085] By using the display device and light source device according to one embodiment of the present invention described above, it is possible to realize a space floating image display device with higher light utilization efficiency.

[0086] <Example 1> The floating-in-the-air image display system of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings from FIG. 20 onwards. The floating-in-the-air image display system of the first embodiment is a system configured using a space floating image display device having a plurality of image sources. In the system of the first embodiment, the image source is configured in a plurality of layers, and the floating image is configured three-dimensionally in a plurality of layers corresponding to the image source. The image source generates image light, and there are surface light sources and point light sources. The image source of the first embodiment uses a display panel which is a surface light source.

[0087] [Floating-air video display system] FIG. 20 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the floating-in-the-air image display system of the first embodiment as viewed from above in the vertical direction. The alphabet (x, y, z) may be used as a coordinate system and directions for the purpose of explanation. The x-axis is the left-right direction (first direction) as viewed from the user, the y-axis is the depth, front-back direction (second direction) as viewed from the user, and the z-axis is the vertical direction, the up-down direction as viewed from the user. The drawing shows a user's viewpoint 2005 in a schematic manner. In FIG. 20, the floating-in-the-air image 2003 is viewed in the y direction (second direction) from the user's viewpoint 2005 as indicated by the arrow. The floating-in-the-air image 2003 can be viewed most favorably when viewed from the front in the y direction from the user's viewpoint 2005.

[0088] This floating-in-the-air image display system has image sources 2001 on multiple layers in a first direction (x direction), and has a structure in which image light from the image sources 2001 is received by a single retroreflective sheet (retroreflector or retroreflective member) 2 via a beam splitter (polarized light separation member) 101. A floating-in-the-air image 2003 is formed on multiple layers in a second direction (y direction) by the image light reflected by the beam splitter 101. In the first embodiment, the multiple layers are three layers. Note that in the drawings, the multiple display layers (image source groups) are also indicated as L1, L2, and L3.

[0089] In the image source 2001, the display devices 1 provided in each layer as a plurality of display panels 2010 are arranged in positions that do not overlap within the plane (yz plane) of the image area (FIGS. 22 and 23, etc., described later).

[0090] According to the floating-in-the-air image display system of the first embodiment, the basic effect is that the floating-in-the-air image 2003 can be displayed three-dimensionally in the depth direction (y direction), which can provide new uses in digital signage products, for example.

[0091] The floating-in-the-air video display system in Fig. 20 is configured to include a housing 2110, a control device 31 (in other words, a control circuit, a controller), a video processing circuit (in other words, a drive circuit) 33, a video source 2001, a beam splitter (polarized light separating member) 101, a retroreflective member 2, etc. Within the housing 2110, components such as the video source 2001, the beam splitter 101, and the retroreflective member 2 are fixed with a predetermined positional relationship. The housing 2110 is provided with an opening 2111. The opening 2111 is configured, for example, from a transparent member, etc.

[0092] Also housed within the housing 2110 are a control device 31, a video processing circuit 33, and the like. The video source of each layer is connected to the control device 31 via the video processing circuit 33 of the corresponding layer. The control device 31 controls the video processing circuit 33 to control the display of each display panel (display device 1) of the video source 2001. The video processing circuit 33 processes video signals and supplies them to each display panel 2010 of the video source 2001 through wiring.

[0093] 4 can be applied to the control device 31. The control device 31 includes at least a processor and a memory, and has a function of controlling the display of the video source 2001 based on the video source and content data. The control device 31 controls the display of the floating-in-the-air video 2003 based on the input and settings from the operator.

[0094] The control device 31 and the video processing circuit 33 may be implemented integrally. The video processing circuit 33 may be implemented in a frame or the like (described later) of the video source 2001. In the example of FIG. 20, the control device 31 is installed on the rear side in the y direction of the housing 2110, but this is not limited thereto and the control device 31 may be installed at any location within the housing 2110, such as the bottom surface. The control device 31 and the like may be disposed outside the housing 2110. The control device 31 may be configured to include a management PC or the like.

[0095] The image source 2001, which is a three-layer image source (in other words, an image display device), has a first display layer L1, a second display layer L2, and a third display layer L3 as display layers at predetermined positions in order from the negative side (rear side) to the positive side (image light output side) in the x direction (first direction, incident direction to the beam splitter 101). The first display layer L1, the second display layer L2, and the third display layer L3 are, in other words, a first image source group, a second image source group, and a third image source group. Each display layer is composed of one or more display panels 2010 (display device 1) mounted on a frame, which will be described later. As shown in an enlarged view, one display panel 2010 (display device 1) is composed of, for example, the above-mentioned light source device 13 and liquid crystal display panel 11. Not limited to the liquid crystal display panel 11, an organic EL display panel or the like may be used.

[0096] Corresponding to the three-layer image source 2001, the floating-in-the-air image 2003 formed at a predetermined position outside the housing 2110 is formed as a three-layer floating-in-the-air image. The three-layer floating-in-the-air image 2003 has a first floating-in-the-air image layer M1, a second floating-in-the-air image layer M2, and a third floating-in-the-air image layer M3 as image layers, in order from the front (negative side) to the back (positive side) as seen from the user in the y direction (second direction). The first floating-in-the-air image layer M1, the second floating-in-the-air image layer M2, and the third floating-in-the-air image layer M3 are, in other words, a first floating-in-the-air image group, a second floating-in-the-air image group, and a third floating-in-the-air image group. As will be described later, each image layer includes one or more floating-in-the-air image areas within a plane (xz plane) seen from the user. The names of the layers in the image source 2001 and the floating-in-the-air image 2003 are for convenience of explanation.

[0097] The optical axis of the image light from the display panel 2010 (display device 1) of each of the three layers of image sources 2001 is illustrated by an arrow. The optical axis of the image light from the display panel 2010 of the first display layer L1 (e.g., one on the front side in the y direction) is illustrated by a dotted arrow. The optical axis of the image light from the display panel 2010 of the second display layer L2 (e.g., one on the back side in the y direction) is illustrated by a dashed arrow. The optical axis of the image light from the display panel 2010 of the third display layer L3 (e.g., one in the center in the y direction) is illustrated by a dashed arrow. As illustrated, the image light from the image source of each layer is separated within the plane of the image area. In response to these image lights, the floating-in-the-air image 2003 is formed as an image of each floating-in-the-air image layer (M1, M2, M3) separately within the plane of the image area. Schematically, the floating-in-the-air images of each layer are arranged symmetrically with respect to the position of the display panel 2010 of the image source 2001 with respect to the plane of the beam splitter 101. The three-layer floating image 2003 is visually recognized by the user as a three-dimensional floating image.

[0098] The retroreflective member 2 is disposed at a position facing the image source 2001 in the first direction (x direction). The beam splitter 101 is disposed obliquely between the image source 2001 and the retroreflective member 2 so as to reflect the direction of the optical axis of the reflected light in the second direction (y direction). The image light emitted from each display panel 2010 of the image source 2001 travels in the x direction toward the beam splitter 101. The image light passes through the beam splitter 101 (polarization separation) and is retroreflected by the retroreflective member 2. The retroreflected light is reflected by the beam splitter 101 toward the near side in the second direction (y direction). The reflected light passes through the opening 2111 and forms a floating-in-the-air image 2003 at a predetermined position outside the housing 2110. The floating-in-the-air image 2003 is composed of a plurality of floating-in-the-air image layers (M1, M2, M3) arranged at a plurality of positions in the second direction (y direction) in correspondence with the plurality of image sources 2001.

[0099] 20 in the first embodiment shows a case where the floating-in-the-air image 2003 is viewed in the horizontal direction (y direction) from the user's viewpoint 2005, but of course the present invention is not limited to this. By changing the overall orientation while maintaining the relative positions of the components fixed to the housing 2110, it is possible to change the direction in which the floating-in-the-air image 2003 is viewed from the viewpoint 2005 to another direction (for example, a diagonally downward direction as in FIG. 3A).

[0100] [Floating image display device] Fig. 21 shows the main components of the floating-in-the-air image display device which is a part of the floating-in-the-air image display system of Example 1, and shows a schematic cross-sectional view similar to that of Fig. 20. The image source 2001 has, as a plurality of display panels 2010 (display device 1), display panels 405a, 405b, 405c, and 405d in the first display layer L1, display panels 404a, 404b, 404c, and 404d in the second display layer L2, and display panel 403a in the third display layer L3. Details are as shown in Fig. 23 described later.

[0101] In the first embodiment, the screen sizes of the multiple display panels 2010 (liquid crystal display panels 11) of the image source 2001 are the same. However, as a modified example, the multiple display panels may have display panels of different sizes. For example, display panels of different sizes may be provided in the front layer and the rear layer (described later).

[0102] The display layers (L1, L2, L3) are arranged with a predetermined distance (distance D in FIG. 23) between each layer, and the distance between each layer is the same in the first embodiment. However, as a modified example, the distance between each layer may be different.

[0103] The floating-in-the-air image 2003 has multiple floating-in-the-air images, including floating-in-the-air images 505a, 505b, 505c, and 505d on a first floating-in-the-air image layer M1, floating-in-the-air images 504a, 504b, 504c, and 504d on a second floating-in-the-air image layer M2, and floating-in-the-air image 503a on a third floating-in-the-air image layer M3.

[0104] In the first embodiment, as shown in the figure, when the image source 2001 is viewed from the positive to negative direction in the x direction, a total of nine display panels (FIG. 22) as the multiple display panels 2010 (display device 1) are arranged in a convex shape so that the central display panel 403a is located on the third display layer L3 at the front. Correspondingly, the floating-in-the-air image 2003 viewed from the user's viewpoint 2005 is arranged in a concave shape so that a total of nine floating-in-the-air image layers (FIG. 25) as the multiple floating-in-the-air image layers are arranged so that the central floating-in-the-air image 503a is located on the third floating-in-the-air image layer M3 at the back. When viewed from the user, the floating-in-the-air image 2003 appears to have peripheral images that are raised toward the front from the center. Not limited to this, by changing the arrangement of each display panel of the image source 2001, the floating-in-the-air image 2003 can be formed in a different shape when viewed from the user (described later).

[0105] [Video Source] Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram of the image source 2001 when viewed in a plane in the x direction (first direction) as a yz plane. Fig. 23 is a schematic diagram of the image source 2001 when viewed obliquely from above and in front of the image source 2001 in Fig. 22.

[0106] In FIG. 22, a plurality of display panels 2010 in a plurality of layers (L1, L2, L3) are shown overlapping on the same plane. In order to make it easier to distinguish between layers, the display panel 405a etc. of the first display layer L1 on the rear side is shown in white, the display panel 404a etc. of the second display layer L2 in the middle is shown in gray, and the display panel 403a of the third display layer L3 on the front side is shown in black. As shown in the figure, in a plan view of the image source 2001, the areas (corresponding screens) of the plurality of display panels 2010 do not overlap each other, but are separated by a certain interval. This separation interval is designed according to the conditions described below.

[0107] In FIG. 23, in the three-layer image source 2001, the multiple (total of nine) display panels are arranged so that the image light emitted from each display panel in the x direction does not overlap with the image light from the other display panels, in other words, is not blocked by the display panel 2010. As in FIG. 21, various arrows indicate the optical axis of the image light from the display panel 2010 of each layer. For example, arrow 420 indicates the optical axis of the image light from the upper left display panel 405a of the first display layer L1. This image light travels in the x direction through the space in the frame 404f of the second display layer L2 and the space in the frame 403f of the third display layer L3, and reaches a part of the front side in the y direction of the beam splitter 101 as shown in FIG. 21. For example, arrow 423 indicates the optical axis of the image light from the right display panel 404d of the second display layer L2. This image light travels in the x direction through the space in the frame 404f of the third display layer L3, and reaches a part of the beam splitter 101 on the far side in the y direction as shown in Fig. 21. For example, arrow 424 indicates the optical axis of the image light from the central display panel 403a of the third display layer L3. This image light travels in the x direction and reaches a part of the center of the beam splitter 101 as shown in Fig. 21.

[0108] The display panels 2010 (403a, etc.) of each layer are fixed to a rectangular frame (in other words, a support member). The display panels 2010 (403a, etc.) of each layer are supplied with power, image signals, control signals, etc. from the video processing circuit 33 in Fig. 20, etc., through wiring in the frame. The area within the frame of each layer (area other than the display panels 2010 and the connection frame) is a space, allowing the video light to pass through as is.

[0109] In the first display layer L1, the display panels 405a, 405b, 405c, and 405d are fixed in the frame 405f at positions near the four diagonal corners via the connection frames 405af, 405bf, 405cf, and 405df. For example, the connection frames 405af and 405cf are parts that protrude downward from the upper side of the frame 405f, and the connection frames 405bf and 405df are parts that protrude upward from the lower side of the frame 405f. The connection frames 405af and the like may be regarded as integral parts of the frame 405f, or as parts fixed to the frame 405f. The configuration of the connection frames is not limited to this, and various configurations are possible as described below.

[0110] In the second display layer L2, the display panels 404a, 404b, 404c, and 404d are fixed to the frame 404f at positions near the four sides (top, bottom, left, and right) via the connecting frames 404af, 404bf, 404cf, and 404df. For example, the connecting frame 404af is the part extending from the left side of the frame 404f to the right.

[0111] In the third display layer L3, the display panel 403a is fixed in the frame 403f at the center position via a connecting frame 403af. For example, the connecting frame 403af is a portion that extends downward from the upper side of the frame 403f, turns right, and is connected to the left side of the display panel 403a.

[0112] The frames of each display layer (405f, 404f, 403f) are fixed to the housing 2110 of the system in Fig. 20. This allows each component of the floating-in-the-air image display device to be arranged with a predetermined positional relationship. The frames and connection frames of each display layer have the rigidity to fix the display panel 2010, and some of the frames and connection frames are equipped with wiring from the image processing circuit 33 to the display panel 2010, as described later (Fig. 30).

[0113] Fig. 24 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the frame and connection frames of the image source 2001 in Fig. 23 when viewed in a plan view overlapping on the yz plane. As shown in the figure, on the yz plane, all the connection frames are formed and arranged so as not to block the image light from the display panel 2010. In other words, all the connection frames are arranged at positions so as not to overlap the area of ​​the display panel 2010. For example, the connection frame 403af of the display panel 403a is arranged at a position passing between the display panel 404b and the display panel 405a so as not to overlap the display panel 404b, etc.

[0114] [Levitating footage] Fig. 25 shows a schematic configuration diagram when floating-in-the-air image 2003 is viewed in plan as a yz plane in front in the y direction (second direction) from user's viewpoint 2005, and also shows an example of image display (content). The example in Fig. 25 is an image diagram when actually used in digital signage or the like. Fig. 26 shows a perspective view of floating-in-the-air image 2003 in Fig. 25. As shown in the figure, floating-in-the-air image 2003 can display images of contents or the like in each area (floating-in-the-air image 505a, etc.) in each floating-in-the-air image layer.

[0115] In Fig. 25 and other figures, in order to make it easier to understand the sense of depth, the image area of ​​the third floating in the air image layer M3, which is the innermost surface in the y direction as seen from the user, is shown in black, the image area of ​​the second floating in the air image layer M2, which is the middle surface, is shown in gray, and the image area of ​​the first floating in the air image layer M1, which is the foreground, is shown in white, in correspondence with the configuration of the image source 2001 in Fig. 23 and other figures. In addition, in order to show the sense of perspective, the image areas of the first floating in the air image layer M1, which is the foreground in the y direction, the second floating in the air image layer M2 in the center, and the third floating in the air image layer M3, which is the innermost surface, are drawn in order of decreasing size. As the content of the image display in this example, on the third floating in the air image layer M3, one floating in the air image 503a in the center displays white characters on a black background. On the second floating image layer M2, four floating images (504a, 504b, 504c, 504d) on the top, bottom, left, and right display plants on a gray background. On the third floating image layer M3, four diagonal floating images (505a, 505b, 505c, 505d) display animals on a white background.

[0116] 26, from the user's viewpoint, floating-in-the-air image 503a of third floating-in-the-air image layer M3 appears to be at the back, while floating-in-the-air image 504a etc. of second floating-in-the-air image layer M2 appears to be in the foreground, while floating-in-the-air image 505a etc. of first floating-in-the-air image layer M1 appears to be in the foreground. In this way, floating-in-the-air image 2003 in Example 1 has multiple floating-in-the-air images (each content) three-dimensionally arranged in the depth direction, and the user can experience the floating-in-the-air image 2003 three-dimensionally.

[0117] In the configuration example of floating-in-the-air image 2003 in Fig. 25, corresponding to the configuration of image source 2001, gaps are provided between the total of nine floating-in-the-air images when viewed from the front from the user. From the user's perspective, the background is visible as is in the gap areas between the nine floating-in-the-air images. Note that, because gaps are provided in this example, even if the user's viewpoint 2005 is shifted a certain distance up, down, left, or right from the ideal position for viewing from the front, the multiple images of floating-in-the-air image 2003 can be viewed.

[0118] Also, in the above example, in order to further enhance the overall three-dimensional effect and perspective of the floating-in-the-air image 2003, a gradation of black, gray, and white is provided to the image of each layer in the depth direction as display control from the control device 31. Not limited to this, the color and brightness of the image of each layer can be controlled in various ways, and even if the color and brightness of each layer are made approximately the same, a three-dimensional effect and perspective are produced in the depth direction.

[0119] Fig. 27 shows an example of changing the content of the floating-in-the-air image 2003, and is an example of switching the content displayed on the second floating-in-the-air image layer M2 and the first floating-in-the-air image layer M1 in Fig. 26. The content of the floating-in-the-air image 2003 can be changed by controlling the display of the image source 2001 from the control device 31 in Fig. 20. In Fig. 27, plants are displayed on the forefront first floating-in-the-air image layer M1, and animals are displayed on the second floating-in-the-air image layer M2, one layer behind.

[0120] Each piece of content displayed as the floating image 2003 can be composed of a message, a still image, a video, etc. Furthermore, if an audio output device such as a speaker is provided in the floating image display system of Fig. 20, audio can be output in synchronization with the display of the floating image 2003. Such floating image 2003 can be provided as, for example, a new way of using digital signage or advertising media.

[0121] When display panels 11 of the same screen size are used in multiple display panels 2010 (display device 1) of image source 2001 as in Example 1, floating-in-the-air image 2003 is seen from user's viewpoint 2005 as shown in Fig. 25 or 26. That is, compared to the image of first floating-in-the-air image layer M1 at the forefront in floating-in-the-air image 2003, the image of second floating-in-the-air image layer M2 in the middle, and the image of third floating-in-the-air image layer M3 at the back appear smaller in order as they become farther away, so the sense of perspective becomes even more pronounced.

[0122] As another display example of the floating-in-the-air image 2003, it is also possible to display content only on a selected display layer among the multiple display layers of the image source 2001. For example, by turning off the display of the second display layer L2, it is possible to make the second floating-in-the-air image layer M2 in FIG. 25 display nothing.

[0123] As another display example, it is also possible to control the display layers for displaying the same content or related content on a time axis so as to switch between them.

[0124] FIG. 28 shows a display example of such floating-in-the-air image 2003. For example, at a first time point, content (e.g., an animal) 2801 is displayed on display panel 403a of third display layer L3, and an image corresponding to the content 2801 is displayed in the corresponding area (floating-in-the-air image 503a) of third floating-in-the-air image layer M3. Next, at a second time point, content 2802 (which may be content with a different background, movement, etc. from content 2801) is displayed on display panel 404d of second display layer L2, and an image corresponding to the content 2802 is displayed in the corresponding area (floating-in-the-air image 504d) of second floating-in-the-air image layer M2. Next, at a third time point, content 2803 (which may be content with a different background, movement, etc. from content 2802) is displayed on display panel 405d of first display layer L1, and an image corresponding to the content 2803 is displayed in the corresponding area (floating-in-the-air image 505d) of first floating-in-the-air image layer M1.

[0125] This realizes a visual effect in which a floating image of a certain content (for example, an animal) appears to the user as if it is moving from the back to the front. In this way, it is possible to make use of the three-dimensional floating image 2003 for expression.

[0126] [Video display control] Fig. 29 shows a configuration example of video display control from the control device 31 and the video processing circuit 33 for the multiple display panels 403a, 404a-404d, 405a-405d of the multiple display layers (L1, L2, L3) of the video source 2001 in Fig. 23. In Fig. 29, the video processing circuit 33 is provided with one video processing circuit for each display layer (corresponding frame), and is shown as the video processing circuit 33A for the first display layer L1, the video processing circuit 33B for the second display layer L2, and the video processing circuit 33C for the third display layer L3. The control device 31 controls the video processing circuit 33A, the video processing circuit 33B, and the video processing circuit 33C, respectively. For example, the video processing circuit 33B of the second display layer L2 supplies image signals for display on each of the display panels 404a, 404b, 404c, and 404d to each of the display panels through wiring (FIG. 30 described below) of the frame 404f. The timing of video display is determined by a control signal from the control device 31. Depending on the method of control from the control device 31, it is possible to control multiple display panels on a frame-by-frame basis in the display layer, or to control the display panels within a frame separately, which are selectable.

[0127] FIG. 30 shows an example of the wiring configuration from the video processing circuit 33B to each display panel 404a, 404b, 404c, and 404d through the frame 404f, taking the second display layer L2 of FIG. 29 as an example. In FIG. 30, the frame 404f and each connection frame are shown in black, and the wiring on the frame is shown in white. The video processing circuit 33B and the frame 404f are connected by wiring 3001. The number of output lines (wiring 3001) from the video processing circuit 33B is the same as the number of display panels arranged in the frame of the display layer. The wiring 3001 is a combination of four wirings up to the four display panels 2010. The wiring 3001 can be implemented, for example, by a flexible printed circuit board or the like. Wirings up to each display panel 404a, 404b, 404c, and 404d are implemented on the frame 404f. The wiring 3001 may also be configured by a frame.

[0128] Wiring to the display panels 404a, 404b, 404c, and 404d is also implemented in the frame 404f and the connection frame 404bf, etc. For example, wiring 3002 to the display panel 404b is implemented on the right side and top side of the frame 404f and the connection frame 404bf.

[0129] 29, a video processing circuit 33 is provided for each display layer of the video source 2001, and video display control can be easily realized independently and in parallel for each display layer. It is not limited to this, and it is also possible to collectively implement one video processing circuit 33 for multiple display layers.

[0130] [conditions] 31 to 33 are explanatory diagrams of the conditions for arranging the multiple display panels 2010 (display device 1) in the multiple display layers (L1, L2, L3) of the image source 2001 in the first embodiment. This condition basically requires that the image light from the display panel 2010 in the display layer at the back in the x direction is not blocked by the display panel 2010 in the display layer at the front. In other words, this condition requires that when the image source 2001 is viewed in a plane in the first direction (x direction), the multiple display panels 2010 are arranged at different positions without overlapping, particularly when the multiple display layers are viewed overlapping on one yz plane.

[0131] FIG. 31 is a perspective view focusing on the components of the first display layer L1 and the second display layer L2, where the first display layer L1 is considered as the back display layer and the second display layer L2 is considered as the front display layer. Consider the conditions for the image light (arrow) 421 from the display panel 405d at the lower right position of the first display layer L1, for example. As a condition, consider the positional relationship between the display panel 405d of the first display layer L1 and each display panel of the second display layer L2 (particularly the lower display panel 404c and the right display panel 404d). In the x direction, the frame 405f of the first display layer L1 and the frame 404f of the second display layer L2 are arranged in parallel at a predetermined distance D.

[0132] Fig. 32 focuses on the second display layer L2 in Fig. 31 and shows the configuration when each layer is superimposed and viewed in a plane as the yz plane, and in particular shows the positional relationship between the rear display panel 405d (corresponding area 1405) and the front display panels 404c and 404d. Area 1405 is the area when the area of ​​the rear display panel 405d is projected onto the second display layer L2 at the same size. Area 2405 indicated by a dashed line frame shows the area when the image light from the rear display panel 405d is projected onto and transmitted through the second display layer L2 with the angle (divergence angle) θ in Fig. 33.

[0133] Distance d1 is the distance in the y direction (horizontal direction, cross direction on the screen) between area 1405 of display panel 405d and adjacent display panel 404c to the left (the same distance d1 is also shown on the right side of area 1405). Distance d2 is the distance in the z direction (vertical direction, lengthwise direction on the screen) between area 1405 of display panel 405d and adjacent display panel 404d above (the same distance d2 is also shown below area 1405). In this example, distances d1 and d2 indicate the range in which area 2405 of display panel 405d does not overlap with the areas of the adjacent display panels (404c, 404d).

[0134] FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship in FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 when viewed in the x direction. FIG. 33(A) is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship with the left adjacent display panel 404c when viewed from above in the xz plane. FIG. 33(B) is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship with the upper adjacent display panel 404d when viewed from the side in the yz plane. In FIG. 33(A), the divergence angle θ of the image light from the display panel 405d in the horizontal direction (y direction) of the screen is θ1. In FIG. 33(B), the divergence angle θ of the image light from the display panel 405d in the vertical direction (z direction) of the screen is θ2. The size of the display panel 405d in the horizontal direction (y direction) of the screen is SH, and the size of the display panel 405d in the vertical direction (z direction) of the screen is SV, where SH>SV in this example.

[0135] The condition for the arrangement of the display panels 405d, 404c, and 404d is that the area 2405 of the image light of the display panel 405d (shown in FIG. 32) does not overlap with the areas of the display panels 404c and 404d, in other words, that the area 2405 of the image light is not blocked by the display panels 404c and 404d.

[0136] The image light emitted from the display panel 405d diverges forward at divergence angles θ1 and θ2. In the plane corresponding to the frame 404f of the second display layer L2, the image light extends from the display panel 405d at the back to the range of the region 2405. If the range of this region 2405 does not overlap with the region of the display panel 404c arranged in the frame 404f, the image light from the display panel 405d reaches the front without loss. Therefore, as a condition, the distance d1 (shown in FIG. 32) between the display panel 405d arranged in the frame 405f of the first display layer L1 and the display panel 404c arranged in the frame 404f of the second display layer L2, which is adjacent to the display panel 405d in the plan view and is located to the left of the display panel 405d, is set to be equal to or greater than the distance D1 (shown in FIG. 33). As a result, the display panel 404c does not block the image light from the display panel 405d, and there is no loss of brightness.

[0137] Similarly, as a condition, the distance d2 (shown in FIG. 32) between the display panel 405d of the first display layer L1 and the display panel 404d of the second display layer L2, which is adjacent to it in a plan view, is set to be equal to or greater than the distance D2 (shown in FIG. 33). As a result, the display panel 405d does not block the image light from the display panel 405d, and there is no loss of brightness. Therefore, by adopting an arrangement that satisfies the condition, it is possible to obtain a floating-in-the-air image 2003 with high light utilization efficiency.

[0138] As can be seen from FIG. 33 etc., the above condition can be expressed as the following equation using the distance D, the angle θ (θ1, θ2), the distances D1, D2 etc. D1=D× Tanθ1 D2=D× Tanθ2

[0139] The relationship between the distance d1 and the distance D1 between the display panel 405d arranged in the frame 405f of the first display layer L1 shown in Figure 32 and the display panel 404c arranged in the frame 404f of the second display layer L2, which is adjacent to it in a planar view and to the left of it in a planar view, and the relationship between the distance d2 and the distance D2 between the display panel 405d of the first display layer L1 and the display panel 404d of the second display layer L2, which is adjacent to it above it in a planar view, are as follows. d1 ≧ D1 d2 ≧ D2

[0140] By arranging the multiple display panels 2010 of the image source 2001 so as to satisfy the above conditions, it is possible to effectively utilize the image display areas and image light of the multiple display panels 2010. The above example shows the case where the distance d1>d2, but the present invention is not limited to this. Note that, if the display panel 2010 (display device 1) is configured to emit image light with a narrow divergence angle (high directivity) as described above, the divergence angle θ becomes smaller, and the image display areas can be brought closer together.

[0141] [Effects, etc.] According to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a three-dimensional floating image as seen from the user's viewpoint, for example, a floating image with a three-dimensional effect in which the periphery is raised toward the front compared to the center.

[0142] [Variation 1] FIG. 34 shows the configuration of the floating-in-the-air image display device of the first modification example related to the first embodiment in a schematic cross-sectional view of the xy plane, similar to FIG. 21. FIG. 35 shows a perspective view of the image source 2001 of FIG. 34. This first modification example corresponds to another arrangement example of the multiple display panels 2010 in the multiple display layers (L1, L2, L3) of the image source 2001, and as shown in the figure, the multiple display panels 2010 are arranged in a concave shape in the x direction. In the first display layer L1 on the back side, one display panel 3401 is arranged in the center. In the second display layer L2, four display panels 3402 are arranged above, below, left and right. In the third display layer L3 on the front side, four display panels 3403 are arranged at the four diagonal corners.

[0143] Corresponding to the concave arrangement of this image source 2001, the multiple layers (M1, M2, M3) of the floating image 2003 are formed as a convex shape in the y direction. On the first floating image layer M1 at the front, one floating image 3411 is formed in the center. On the second layer, four floating images are formed on the top, bottom, left and right. On the third layer at the back, four floating images are formed at the four diagonal corners.

[0144] According to the first modification, it is possible to provide a floating-in-the-air image 2003 that has a three-dimensional effect in which the center appears raised toward the front compared to the periphery when viewed from the user's viewpoint 2005.

[0145] [Variation 2] FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the image source 2001 in the second modification. The second modification corresponds to a variation of the connection frame. In the second modification, a connection frame 404bcf is additionally provided between the upper display panel 404b and the lower display panel 404c in the second display layer L2. The connection frame 404bcf connects and fixes the display panel 404b and the display panel 404c. This makes it possible to more firmly fix the display panels 404b and 404c to the frame 404f and stabilize their positions. Wiring may also be implemented in the connection frame 404bcf.

[0146] Fig. 37 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the image source 2001 in Fig. 36 when viewed in plan in the yz plane. A connection frame 404bcf of the second display layer L2 is arranged to overlap the central display panel 403a of the third display layer L3. Furthermore, no display panel 2010 is arranged further behind the connection frame 404bcf. The connection frame 404bcf does not block the image light of the display panel 403a of the third display layer L3 on the front side, and does not block the image light of the display panels (405a to 405d) of the first display layer L1 on the back side.

[0147] In this way, in the second modification, in a plurality of display layers (L1, L2, L3), a connecting frame of a rear display layer may be disposed behind a display panel 2010 of a front display layer. However, a necessary condition is that the connecting frame of the rear display layer (e.g., connecting frame 404bcf) does not have a display panel 2010 behind it, in other words, it does not block the image light from the display panel 2010 on the back side.

[0148] As another modification, a connecting frame may be provided between the left display panel 404a and the right display panel 404d in the second display layer L2. Both the connecting frame and the connecting frame 404bcf may be provided.

[0149] As another modification, in the first display layer L1, a connection frame may be provided between each of the display panels 405a to 405d, for example, between the display panel 405a and the display panel 405c.

[0150] [Variation 3] FIG. 38 shows a perspective view of a configuration example of the image source 2001 in the third modification. FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the image source 2001 in FIG. 38 when viewed in a plane on the yz plane. In the third modification, a support member (also described as an interlayer frame) for connecting between the layers is provided between the display layers (L1, L2, L3). In the third modification, the rectangular frame (frame 405f in FIG. 23, etc.) of each layer in the first embodiment is not provided. In FIG. 38, the rectangular area of ​​each layer is illustrated by a dashed frame for easy understanding. In the third modification, a support member (connection frame) that is connected to the interlayer frame and connects between the display panels 2010 is also provided in each display layer (L1, L2, L3). Each display panel 2010 of each layer is fixed in a predetermined positional relationship by the support member (interlayer frame and connection frame).

[0151] A support member (interlayer frame) 3801 extending in the x direction is provided between the first display layer L1 and the second display layer L2. The support member 3801 is connected between a joining member (fulcrum) 3811 at the center of the first display layer L1 and a joining member (fulcrum) 3812 at the center of the second display layer L2. A support member (interlayer frame) 3802 extending in the x direction is provided between the second display layer L2 and the third display layer L3. The support member 3802 is connected between the fulcrum 3812 at the center of the second display layer L2 and the display panel 403a at the center of the third display layer L2. The support member 3801 and the connection frame 3821 are connected and fixed by the connection member 3811. The support member 3801, the support member 3802, and the connection frame 3822 are connected and fixed by the connection member 3812.

[0152] In the first display layer L1, an H-shaped (two horizontal lines and one vertical line connecting them) connection frame 3821 is connected to the connection member 3811, as shown by a dashed line frame. Four diagonal display panels (405a, 405b, 405c, 405d) are fixed to the connection member 3811 in a predetermined positional relationship by the connection frame 3821. In the second display layer L2, a cross-shaped (one horizontal line and one vertical line) connection frame 3822 is connected to the connection member 3812, as shown by a dashed line frame. Four top, bottom, left, and right display panels (404a, 404b, 404c, 404d) are fixed to the connection member 3812 in a predetermined positional relationship by the connection frame 3822.

[0153] These interlayer frames and connection frames are equipped with wiring from the video processing circuit 33 in FIG. 20, and each display panel 2010 receives power, image signals, control signals, and the like through the wiring. At least a part of these interlayer frames and connection frames is fixed to the housing 2110 in FIG. 20. For example, the connection frame 3811 arranged on the first display layer L1 is fixed to the housing 2110. This makes it possible to maintain strength. Also, these support members (interlayer frames and connection frames) are arranged so as not to obstruct the image light of each display panel 2010 in the multiple display layers (L1, L2, L3) as in Example 1 and the like. In other words, these support members are not arranged on the emission side of the image light of each display panel 2010.

[0154] According to the third modification, the image source 2001 does not need to have a rectangular frame, and can be mounted in a space-saving manner within the housing. Note that the strength of the third modification may be increased by further providing a rectangular frame.

[0155] [Variation 4] FIG. 40 shows a perspective view of a configuration example of the image source 2001 in the fourth modification. The fourth modification is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the first display layer L1, which is the innermost in the x direction. This first display layer L1 is composed of one image display device 425, not the above-mentioned configuration of the frame and four display panels 2010. The second display layer L2 and the third display layer L3, which are the two layers on the front side, have display panels 2010 fixedly arranged with respect to the frame, as described above, and these display panels 2010 are arranged so that the images do not overlap in the depth direction (x direction). In addition, the innermost first display layer L1 is composed of one large image display device 425, not the four display panels 2010 fixed with respect to the frame. This one image display device 425 is an image source having an image display surface larger in size than the above-mentioned display panel 2010.

[0156] In the fourth modification, four display areas (425a, 425b, 425c, 425d) are provided in the video display area of ​​one video display device 25 at the same diagonal positions as described above so as not to overlap with the display panel 2010 of the other layer. The video display device 425 receives power, image signals, control signals, and the like through wiring from the video processing circuit 33 of FIG. 20. The control device 31 of FIG. 20 controls the video display in each display area (425a, 425b, 425c, 425d) in the video display surface of the video display device 425 through the video processing circuit 33.

[0157] Furthermore, within the image display surface of image display device 425, outside the four display areas (425a, 425b, 425c, 425d), background display area 4001 around the area can be displayed in any way.

[0158] A three-dimensional floating image can also be formed by Variation 4. In Variation 4, the positions and sizes of the four display regions (425a, 425b, 425c, 425d) on the first display layer L1 can be variably controlled rather than being fixed.

[0159] [Variation 5] FIG. 41 shows a perspective view of a configuration example of the image source 2001 and the corresponding floating-in-the-air image 2003 in the fifth modification. The fifth modification shows an example in which the image source 2001 and the floating-in-the-air image 2003 are configured in two layers, and display panels 2010 of different sizes are provided. The upper part of FIG. 41 shows a perspective view of the configuration example of the image source 2001, and the lower part of FIG. 41 shows a perspective view of the configuration example of the floating-in-the-air image 2003. This image source 2001 is configured of a first display layer L1 on the back side and a second display layer L2 on the front side. In the first display layer L1, a first-size display panel 4101 is disposed in the lower area within a rectangular area indicated by a dashed line frame. The display panel 4101 is fixed to the aforementioned housing by a connection frame (for example, a support member protruding from the bottom surface of the housing). In the second display layer L2, a second-size display panel 4102 is disposed in the upper area within a rectangular area indicated by a dashed line frame. The display panel 4102 is fixed to the aforementioned housing by a connection frame (for example, a support member protruding from the ceiling surface of the housing). The second size is different from the first size, and for example, is smaller in width and larger in height than the first size.

[0160] The floating-in-the-air image 2003 is composed of a first floating-in-the-air image layer M1 on the front side and a second floating-in-the-air image layer M2 on the back side. In the first floating-in-the-air image layer M1, a first size floating-in-the-air image 4111 is formed in the lower area within the rectangular area shown in the dashed frame. In the second floating-in-the-air image layer M2, a second size floating-in-the-air image 4112 is formed in the upper area within the rectangular area shown in the dashed frame. Thus, according to the fifth modification, the floating-in-the-air image 2003 is capable of a three-dimensional expression by displaying the floating-in-the-air image 4112 in the center on the back side as viewed from the user, and the floating-in-the-air image 4111 in front of and below that image.

[0161] In the first embodiment and the like, an example in which the image source 2001 and the floating image 2003 are configured in three layers has been described, but this is not limiting, and they may be configured in two layers as in the modified example 5, or a form with four or more layers is also possible. Furthermore, the configuration of the three-dimensional effect and perspective in multiple layers is not limited to the example of a concave or convex shape in plan view, and it is also possible to form the image by dividing it into an upper part and a lower part, as in the modified example 5.

[0162] [Variation 6] FIG. 42 shows a configuration example in which the multiple-layer configuration as shown in FIG. 20 is applied to the basic configuration as shown in FIG. 2 described above as a sixth modification. In the sixth modification, a polarization separation member 101 is disposed obliquely in a first direction (x direction) relative to a multiple-layer image source 2001 (similar to the first embodiment), and a retroreflection member 2 is disposed in a second direction (y direction) relative to the polarization separation member 101. In FIG. 42, the control device 31 and the like are omitted. Image light from the image source 2001 travels in the first direction and is reflected by the polarization separation member 101 in the second direction toward the retroreflection member 2. The reflected image light is retroreflected by the retroreflection member 2 and returns in the second direction toward the polarization separation member 101. The retroreflected image light is transmitted through the polarization separation member 101 in the second direction. The transmitted image light travels in the second direction through the opening 2111 of the housing 2110, and forms a multi-layered floating image 2003 (similar to the first embodiment) at a predetermined external position.

[0163] In this manner, according to the sixth modification, it is possible to provide a three-dimensional floating image 2003 made up of multiple layers, similar to the first embodiment.

[0164] <Example 2> 43 to 45 show an example of the configuration of the floating-in-the-air image display device in the floating-in-the-air image display system of the second embodiment. FIG. 43 shows the configuration of the floating-in-the-air image display device in the xy plane as viewed from above. FIG. 44 shows a perspective view of the image source 2001. FIG. 45 shows the configuration when the image source 2001 is viewed in a plane in the x direction. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment (FIG. 20, etc.) in that the display panel 2010 (display device 1) in the image source 2001 is replaced with a point light source from the surface light source, which is the display panel 2010 made of liquid crystal or the like, described above. The point light source is, for example, an LED light source device. This floating-in-the-air image display system is installed outdoors or indoors at an event, for example, and can provide a representation of, for example, fireflies or fireworks as a three-dimensional floating image 2003.

[0165] In FIG. 43, the image source 2001 has a plurality of point light sources 2020 in a plurality of layers (L1, L2, L3) arranged by LED light source devices or the like instead of the above-mentioned display panel 2010. FIG. 43 and FIG. 44 show a configuration example in which a total of 3×3, or 9, point light sources 2020 are arranged in a rectangular plane of three layers of the image source 2001, as in the first embodiment. In the first display layer L1, four point light sources (415a, 415b, 415c, 415d) are arranged in a diagonal position in a frame 405f via a connecting frame. In the second display layer L2, four point light sources (414a, 414b, 414c, 414d) are arranged in a top, bottom, left and right position in a frame 404f via a connecting frame. In the third display layer L3, one point light source 413a is arranged in a central position in a frame 403f via a connecting frame.

[0166] For example, the on / off and brightness of each point light source 2020 can be controlled by the above-mentioned control device 31. The conditions for arranging the multiple point light sources 2020 in multiple layers are the same as those described above, that is, they do not overlap when viewed in a plan view.

[0167] The multiple point light sources 2020 of the image source 2001 may be provided as a larger number of point light sources in practice. FIG. 45 shows a configuration example of a planar view of the floating-in-the-air image 2003 on the xz plane corresponding to a case where, for example, 64×64 point light sources are arranged in a rectangular plane of the image source 2001. In the floating-in-the-air image 2003 viewed in the y direction, for example, lights p1, p2, . . . , p64 are formed in the first row from the upper left to the upper right, and similarly, 64 lights p65 to p128 are formed in the second row, and 64 lights p4033 to p4096 are formed in the 64th row. These multiple lights (p1 to p4096) are formed in multiple regions three-dimensionally in the depth direction in the xz plane in correspondence with the configuration of the multiple display layers of the image source 2001. If the multiple layers in the depth direction are made larger, a curved floating-in-the-air image 2003 can also be configured.

[0168] According to the second embodiment, the image source 2001 made up of a plurality of point light sources 2020 can provide a three-dimensional floating image 2003 as seen from the user's viewpoint, similarly to the first embodiment.

[0169] Although the present invention has been specifically described based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0170] The technology according to this embodiment displays high-resolution, high-brightness image information in a floating state in the air, allowing users to operate the system without worrying about contact infection. If the technology according to this embodiment is used in a system used by an unspecified number of users, it is possible to provide a contactless user interface that can be used without worrying, reducing the risk of contact infection. This contributes to the achievement of "Good health and well-being for all," one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocated by the United Nations.

[0171] In addition, the technology according to this embodiment makes it possible to efficiently reflect only the normal reflected light from the retroreflective material by reducing the divergence angle of the emitted image light and aligning it to a specific polarization, which makes it possible to obtain a bright and clear floating image with high light utilization efficiency. The technology according to this embodiment makes it possible to provide a highly usable non-contact user interface that can significantly reduce power consumption. This contributes to the "9th Sustainable Development Goal: Build resilient infrastructure and promote inclusive and sustainable development" of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0172] 1...display device (image display device), 2...retroreflector (retroreflector member), 11...liquid crystal display panel, 13...light source device, 31...control device, 33...image processing circuit, 101...polarized light separation member (beam splitter), 2001...image source, 2003 (505a-505d, 504a-504d, 503a)...floating image, 2005...viewpoint, 2010 (405a-405d, 404a-404d, 403a)...display panel, L1, L2, L3...display layer, M1, M2, M3...floating image layer.

Claims

1. A floating-in-the-air image display system for displaying a floating-in-the-air image, a display device having a video source; A retroreflective member disposed opposite the display device in a first direction, where the direction of an optical axis of image light from the display device is a first direction; A polarization separation member is disposed obliquely between the display device and the retroreflective member so as to reflect the direction of the optical axis of the reflected light in a second direction different from the first direction; A housing that fixes the display device, the polarization separation member, and the retroreflective member; Equipped with transmitting image light from the display device through the polarization separation member, retroreflecting the transmitted image light by the retroreflective member, reflecting the retroreflected image light in the second direction by the polarization separation member, and displaying the floating image at a predetermined position based on the reflected image light; the display device has a plurality of display layers arranged at a plurality of positions in the first direction, and a plurality of image sources arranged on the plurality of display layers; each display layer in the plurality of display layers has one or more image sources fixed at a predetermined position; the floating-in-the-air image is configured by a plurality of floating-in-the-air image layers arranged at a plurality of positions in the second direction corresponding to the plurality of display layers; the image source is a display panel; the plurality of display panels in the plurality of display layers are disposed at positions determined such that when image light having a divergence angle from a rear display panel is projected onto a plane of a front display layer, the projected area does not overlap with the display panel of the front display layer; In the first direction, a distance between two adjacent display layers is determined by a divergence angle of image light emitted from a display panel disposed on the display layer. A floating video display system.

2. 2. The floating-in-the-air image display system according to claim 1, Each of the display layers has one or more display panels fixed at a predetermined position via a support member. A floating video display system.

3. 2. The floating-in-the-air image display system according to claim 1, The innermost display layer of the plurality of display layers is composed of one display panel, Each display layer except for the innermost display layer is composed of one or more display panels fixed by a support member, and each display panel is surrounded by a space except for the support member. A floating video display system.

4. 2. The floating-in-the-air image display system according to claim 1, the plurality of display layers include a front display layer in which the display panel is disposed at a center position of a display plane, and a back display layer in which the display panel is disposed at a position outside the center position of the display plane, The plurality of floating-in-the-air image layers include a rear floating-in-the-air image layer in which a floating-in-the-air image is arranged at a center position of an image plane, and a front floating-in-the-air image layer in which a floating-in-the-air image is arranged at an outer position with respect to the center position of the image plane. A floating video display system.

5. 2. The floating-in-the-air image display system according to claim 1, the plurality of display layers include a back display layer in which the display panel is disposed at a center position of a display plane, and a front display layer in which the display panel is disposed at a position outside the center position of the display plane, The plurality of floating-in-the-air image layers include a front floating-in-the-air image layer in which a floating-in-the-air image is arranged at a center position of an image plane, and a back floating-in-the-air image layer in which a floating-in-the-air image is arranged at a position outside the center position of the image plane. A floating video display system.

6. 2. The floating-in-the-air image display system according to claim 1, Each of the display layers has one or more display panels fixed at a predetermined position via a support member, The support member includes a support member disposed in a rear position in the first direction in a display layer on a rear side relative to a display panel of a display layer on a front side. A floating video display system.

7. 2. The floating-in-the-air image display system according to claim 1, Each of the display layers has one or more display panels fixed at a predetermined position via a support member, The support member includes a support member connecting between each of the display layers. A floating video display system.

8. A floating-in-the-air image display system for displaying a floating-in-the-air image, a display device having a video source; a polarization separation member that is obliquely arranged so as to reflect the optical axis of the image light from the display device in a second direction different from the first direction, when the optical axis of the image light from the display device is in a first direction; A retroreflective member disposed in the second direction with respect to the polarization separation member; A housing that fixes the display device, the polarization separation member, and the retroreflective member; Equipped with Reflecting image light from the display device in the second direction by the polarization separation member, retroreflecting the reflected image light by the retroreflective member, transmitting the retroreflected image light through the polarization separation member, and displaying the floating image at a predetermined position based on the transmitted image light; the display device has a plurality of display layers arranged at a plurality of positions in the first direction, and a plurality of image sources arranged on the plurality of display layers; each display layer in the plurality of display layers has one or more image sources fixed at a predetermined position; the floating-in-the-air image is configured by a plurality of floating-in-the-air image layers arranged at a plurality of positions in the second direction corresponding to the plurality of display layers; the image source is a display panel; the plurality of display panels in the plurality of display layers are disposed at positions determined such that when image light having a divergence angle from a rear display panel is projected onto a plane of a front display layer, the projected area does not overlap with the display panel of the front display layer; In the first direction, a distance between two adjacent display layers is determined by a divergence angle of image light emitted from a display panel disposed on the display layer. A floating video display system.

9. A floating-in-the-air image display system for displaying a floating-in-the-air image, A light source device having a plurality of point light sources as an image source; When the direction of the optical axis of the light from the light source device is a first direction, a retroreflective member is arranged facing the light source device in the first direction; A polarization separation member is disposed obliquely between the light source device and the retroreflective member so as to reflect the direction of the optical axis of the reflected light in a second direction different from the first direction; A housing that fixes the light source device, the polarization separation member, and the retroreflective member; Equipped with The light from the light source device is transmitted through the polarization separation member, the transmitted light is retroreflected by the retroreflective member, the retroreflected light is reflected in the second direction by the polarization separation member, and the floating image is displayed at a predetermined position based on the reflected light; the light source device has a plurality of display layers arranged at a plurality of positions in the first direction, and a plurality of point light sources arranged on the plurality of display layers; Each of the display layers has one or more point light sources fixed at a predetermined position, the floating-in-the-air image is configured by a plurality of floating-in-the-air image layers arranged at a plurality of positions in the second direction corresponding to the plurality of display layers; the plurality of point light sources in the plurality of display layers are disposed at positions determined such that when image light having a divergence angle from the back point light source is projected onto a plane of the front display layer, the projected area does not overlap with the point light source of the front display layer; In the first direction, a distance between two adjacent display layers is determined by a divergence angle of image light emitted from an image source disposed on the display layer. A floating video display system.

10. 9. The floating-in-the-air image display system according to claim 1, The distance between the display layers is D, and the divergence angle of the image light from the display layers is θ. Of the two display layers adjacent to each other in the first direction, the front display layer is disposed at a position that is away from the position of the rear display layer by D×tanθ or more in a surface direction of the display surface. A floating video display system.

11. A floating-in-the-air image display system for displaying a floating-in-the-air image, comprising: a display device having a video source; a polarization separation member that is obliquely arranged so as to reflect the optical axis of the image light from the display device in a second direction different from the first direction, when the optical axis of the image light from the display device is in a first direction; A retroreflective member disposed in the second direction with respect to the polarization separation member; A housing that fixes the display device, the polarization separation member, and the retroreflective member; Equipped with Reflecting image light from the display device in the second direction by the polarization separation member, retroreflecting the reflected image light by the retroreflective member, transmitting the retroreflected image light through the polarization separation member, and displaying the floating image at a predetermined position based on the transmitted image light; the display device has a plurality of display layers arranged at a plurality of positions in the first direction, and a plurality of image sources arranged on the plurality of display layers; each display layer in the plurality of display layers has one or more image sources fixed at a predetermined position; the floating-in-the-air image is configured by a plurality of floating-in-the-air image layers arranged at a plurality of positions in the second direction corresponding to the plurality of display layers; a distance between two adjacent display layers in the first direction is determined by a divergence angle of image light emitted from an image source disposed on the display layers; The distance between the display layers is D, and the divergence angle of the image light from the display layers is θ. Of the two display layers adjacent to each other in the first direction, the front display layer is disposed at a position that is away from the position of the rear display layer by D×tanθ or more in a surface direction of the display surface. A floating video display system.

12. A floating-in-the-air image display system for displaying a floating-in-the-air image, comprising: A light source device having a plurality of point light sources as an image source; When the direction of the optical axis of the light from the light source device is a first direction, a retroreflective member is arranged facing the light source device in the first direction; A polarization separation member is disposed obliquely between the light source device and the retroreflective member so as to reflect the direction of the optical axis of the reflected light in a second direction different from the first direction; A housing that fixes the light source device, the polarization separation member, and the retroreflective member; Equipped with The light from the light source device is transmitted through the polarization separation member, the transmitted light is retroreflected by the retroreflective member, the retroreflected light is reflected in the second direction by the polarization separation member, and the floating image is displayed at a predetermined position based on the reflected light; the light source device has a plurality of display layers arranged at a plurality of positions in the first direction, A plurality of point light sources are arranged on the plurality of display layers, Each of the display layers has one or more point light sources fixed at a predetermined position, the floating-in-the-air image is configured by a plurality of floating-in-the-air image layers arranged at a plurality of positions in the second direction corresponding to the plurality of display layers; a distance between two adjacent display layers in the first direction is determined by a divergence angle of image light emitted from an image source disposed on the display layers; The distance between the display layers is D, and the divergence angle of the image light from the display layers is θ. Of the two display layers adjacent to each other in the first direction, the front display layer is disposed at a position that is away from the position of the rear display layer by D×tanθ or more in a surface direction of the display surface. A floating video display system.

Images