Display device, display system, and display method

Abstract

To provide a display device with which it is possible to display stereoscopic images without using a movable unit.SOLUTION: A display device according to one aspect of the present invention displays a stereoscopic image, and comprises a plurality of transparent display panels which are provided side by side overlapping each other in a normal direction in a plan view seen from the normal direction, each capable of displaying an image, and a control unit that controls the operation of each of the plurality of transparent display panels. The control unit causes a plurality of divided images into which the stereoscopic image is divided in the normal direction to be displayed in association with each of the plurality of transparent display panels.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to a display device, a display system, and a display method. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Display devices that display stereoscopic images are known in the art.

[0003] As the above-mentioned display device, a configuration has been disclosed in which multiple curved plates are fixed to a rotation axis arranged directly above an image projection device and perpendicular to the display surface of the device, and images are projected onto these multiple curved plates rotated around the rotation axis, thereby displaying a three-dimensional image using the afterimage effect (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the device in Patent Document 1 has multiple curved plates that are moving parts, which generates noise and makes the device prone to breakdowns. Furthermore, since it utilizes the afterimage effect that occurs as the multiple curved plates move, it requires that the surroundings be dark, and there are cases where a 3D image cannot be displayed in immovable parts, such as near the rotation axis. For these reasons, there is a demand for display devices that can display 3D images without using moving parts.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a display device that can display a stereoscopic image without using any moving parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A display device according to one aspect of the present invention is a display device for displaying a stereoscopic image, the display device including: a plurality of transparent display panels arranged in a normal direction so as to overlap each other in a plan view viewed from the normal direction, each of the transparent display panels being capable of displaying an image; and a plurality of The aforementioned a control unit that controls the operation of each transparent display panel, Based on the stereoscopic image data, a plurality of divided image data for displaying a plurality of divided images obtained by dividing the stereoscopic image in the normal line direction is generated, and data of the stereoscopic image data located between a plurality of transparent display panels in the normal line direction is moved to a position on the transparent display panel located closest in the normal line direction to be complemented, and a plurality of movement-converted image data is generated by adding the moved data to each of the plurality of divided image data, and Multiple The aforementionedThe divided images are displayed in association with the respective transparent display panels. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a display device that can display a stereoscopic image without using any moving parts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the display device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the display device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a transparent display panel according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of a control unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart of an example of processing by a control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an image diagram showing an example of stereoscopic image data. [Figure 10] 10A is a first example, FIG. 10B is a second example, FIG. 10C is a third example, and FIG. 10D is a fourth example of divided image data. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of movement transformation of divided image data. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of displaying 10 divided images on 10 transparent display panels. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a stereoscopic image. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a switching operation for displaying a stereoscopic image. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a display system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a display system according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted as appropriate. The embodiments shown below are examples of display devices that embody the technical concepts of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below. Unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of the components described below are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the sizes and positional relationships of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0010] In the drawings shown below, directions may be indicated by the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The X-direction along the X-axis indicates the normal direction of the transparent display panel included in the display device according to the embodiment. The Y-direction along the Y-axis indicates a predetermined direction in a plane perpendicular to the normal direction of the transparent display panel. The Z-direction along the Z-axis indicates a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction in the plane.

[0011] The direction in which the arrow points in the X direction is denoted as the +X direction, and the direction opposite to the +X direction is denoted as the -X direction, the direction in which the arrow points in the Y direction is denoted as the +Y direction, and the direction opposite to the +Y direction is denoted as the -Y direction, and the direction in which the arrow points in the Z direction is denoted as the +Z direction, and the direction opposite to the +Z direction is denoted as the -Z direction. However, these do not limit the orientation of the display device according to the embodiment when in use, and the orientation of the display device according to the embodiment is arbitrary.

[0012] [Embodiment] <Example of overall configuration of display device 100> The configuration of a display device 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 are views showing the display device 100. Fig. 1 is a perspective view, Fig. 2 is a front view, and Fig. 3 is a side view.

[0013] The display device 100 displays a stereoscopic image based on stereoscopic image data. A user of the display device 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as the user) can view the stereoscopic image displayed by the display device 100 with the naked eye from various directions. A stereoscopic image is a three-dimensional image having volume. Stereoscopic images include still images and moving images.

[0014] The display device 100 has ten transparent display panels 1, a panel housing 2, a control unit 3, and a control housing 4. The control housing 4 has the panel housing 2 placed on top. However, the panel housing 2 may be disposed above the control housing 4 at a distance, below the control housing 4 in contact with or at a distance, or to the side of the control housing 4 in contact with or at a distance.

[0015] The panel housing 2 houses multiple transparent display panels 1 inside. In Figures 1 to 3, the ten transparent display panels 1 and the panel housing 2 are shown with the same reference numerals. The panel housing 2 is made of a transparent resin material or glass material. In this specification, "transparent" means having a light transmittance of at least 60% for visible light. Visible light refers to light with a wavelength ranging from approximately 360 nm to approximately 830 nm.

[0016] The control housing 4 houses the control unit 3. In Figs. 1 to 3, the control unit 3 and the control housing 4 are shown with the same reference numerals. The control housing 4 is made of a resin material or a glass material. There are no particular restrictions on the color or transparency of the control housing 4.

[0017] The ten transparent display panels 1 include transparent display panels 10 to 19. Each of the ten transparent display panels 1 is capable of displaying an image. This image includes still images and moving images. When viewed from the front side (+X direction side), each of the ten transparent display panels 1 allows a user to see through the background, which is the scenery on the rear side (-X direction side), and conversely, when viewed from the rear side, allows a user to see through the foreground, which is the scenery on the front side. The ten transparent display panels 1 are arranged side by side in the normal direction (X direction) so as to overlap each other in a plan view when the transparent display panel 1 is viewed from the normal direction.

[0018] In this embodiment, the display device 100 has an air layer 20 between adjacent transparent display panels 1 in the normal direction among the ten transparent display panels 1. The length 20d of the air layer 20 in the normal direction is predetermined. However, the display device 100 may have a transparent member instead of the air layer 20 between at least one pair of adjacent transparent display panels 1 among the ten transparent display panels 1. This transparent member may be solid or liquid. The solid is, for example, a resin. The resin is, for example, an acrylic material. The lengths 20d of the ten transparent display panels 1 may be the same or different from each other. At least one pair of adjacent transparent display panels 1 among the ten transparent display panels 1 may be in contact with each other.

[0019] The control unit 3 controls the operation of each of the ten transparent display panels 1. The control unit 3 has an operation unit that receives operation inputs to the display device 100.

[0020] The display device 100 causes the control unit 3 to display 10 divided images, obtained by dividing a stereoscopic image in the normal direction, in correspondence with the 10 transparent display panels 1. For example, the 10 divided images are generated by slicing (thinly slicing) the stereoscopic image in the normal direction. The control unit 3 causes the 10 divided images to be displayed on the 10 transparent display panels 1 in correspondence with the positions of the 10 transparent display panels 1.

[0021] The display device 100 can display a three-dimensional image by superimposing images displayed on the ten transparent display panels 1. A user can view the three-dimensional image from any direction, including the front and rear sides of the display device 100. Note that, although the present embodiment illustrates an example in which the number of the transparent display panels 1 is ten, there is no limit to the number of the transparent display panels 1, and the number can be determined appropriately depending on the application of the display device 100.

[0022] <Configuration example of transparent display panel 10> 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the transparent display panel 10. Fig. 4 is a plan view, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the VV line in Fig. 4. Note that, although Figs. 4 and 5 describe the transparent display panel 10 as a representative, the transparent display panels 10 to 19 in the plurality of transparent display panels 1 all have the same configuration.

[0023] The transparent display panel 10 includes a first transparent substrate 101, a pixel electrode 102, a second transparent substrate 103, a common electrode 104, a display element 105, nine light-emitting elements 106, and a sealing portion 107.

[0024] The first transparent substrate 101 and the second transparent substrate 103 are arranged to overlap in a plan view. The first transparent substrate 101 and the second transparent substrate 103 are insulating substrates such as glass substrates or plastic substrates. The first transparent substrate 101 and the second transparent substrate 103 have alignment films that have an alignment restriction force substantially parallel to the XY plane. These alignment films are subjected to an alignment treatment in a predetermined direction.

[0025] When transparent members are provided between the ten transparent display panels 1 as described above, it is preferable that the first transparent substrate 101, the second transparent substrate 103, and the transparent members have approximately the same refractive index. This can suppress refraction of light between the transparent display panels 1, thereby simplifying the display control of the stereoscopic image.

[0026] The pixel electrode 102 is provided on the surface of the first transparent substrate 101 on the +Z direction side. The common electrode 104 is provided on the surface of the second transparent substrate 103 on the -Z direction side. The pixel electrode 102 and the common electrode 104 face each other. The pixel electrode 102 is disposed for each pixel. The pixel electrode 102 and the common electrode 104 are transparent electrodes made of a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO).

[0027] The display element 105 is located between the first transparent substrate 101 and the second transparent substrate 103. The display element 105 is, for example, a liquid crystal layer in which the orientation of liquid crystal molecules changes in response to a driving voltage applied to the pixel electrodes 102.

[0028] For example, when no drive voltage is applied to the display element 105, the optical axes of the liquid crystal molecules are parallel to each other, and light incident on the liquid crystal layer passes through the liquid crystal layer with almost no scattering within the liquid crystal layer. When a drive voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer, the optical axes of the liquid crystal molecules intersect with each other, and light incident on the liquid crystal layer is scattered within the liquid crystal layer. The transparent display panel 10 can display images by changing the optical characteristics according to the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules for each pixel. However, the display element 105 is not limited to a liquid crystal layer, and may be an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) element, etc.

[0029] The nine light-emitting elements 106 are provided to face the side surface of the second transparent substrate 103 on the -Y direction side. Each of the nine light-emitting elements 106 is, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED). Each of the nine light-emitting elements 106 emits red, green, and blue light. The light emitted from each of the nine light-emitting elements 106 enters the second transparent substrate 103 and functions as a backlight that illuminates the display element 105. The number of light-emitting elements 106 is not limited to nine and can be determined appropriately depending on the specifications and use of the display device 100.

[0030] The sealing portion 107 bonds the first transparent substrate 101 and the second transparent substrate 103. The sealing portion 107 is provided in a rectangular frame shape in a plan view on the first transparent substrate 101 and the second transparent substrate 103. The display element 105 held between the first transparent substrate 101 and the second transparent substrate 103 is sealed by the sealing portion 107.

[0031] The sealing portion 107 is formed by, for example, mixing a colored filler into an ultraviolet curable resin. As the colored filler, for example, a black filler containing carbon black or titanium black, or a colored filler colored yellow or red, etc. can be used.

[0032] <Configuration example of control unit 3> (Hardware configuration) 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit 3. The control unit 3 is constructed by, for example, a computer. The control unit 3 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 34, an external device connection IF (Interface) 35, and a network IF 36.

[0033] The CPU 31 executes control processing including various types of arithmetic processing. The ROM 32 stores programs used to drive the CPU 31, such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader). The RAM 33 is used as a work area for the CPU 31. The HDD 34 stores various types of data such as programs.

[0034] The external device connection IF 35 is an interface for connecting various external devices, such as a plurality of transparent display panels 1.

[0035] The network IF is an interface for performing data communication with other devices via a communication network, etc. For example, the control unit 3 receives stereoscopic image data via the network IF .

[0036] (Functional configuration) 7 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 3. The control unit 3 has a transmission / reception unit 301, a divided image generation unit 302, a movement conversion unit 303, a color image generation unit 304, a display control unit 305, and a storage unit 306. The control unit 3 can realize the functions of the divided image generation unit 302, the movement conversion unit 303, the color image generation unit 304, and the display control unit 305 by the CPU 31 executing a program stored in the ROM 32. The control unit 3 can realize the function of the transmission / reception unit 301 by at least one of the external device connection IF 35 and the network IF 36. The control unit 3 can realize the function of the storage unit 306 by the HDD 34.

[0037] The control unit 3 receives stereoscopic image data Di from an external device via the transmission / reception unit 301. The external device is, for example, an external PC (Personal Computer).

[0038] The divided image generating unit 302 generates, based on the stereoscopic image data Di, ten pieces of divided image data Dd for displaying divided images obtained by dividing the stereoscopic image displayed by the display device 100 in the normal direction.

[0039] The movement conversion unit 303 performs movement conversion on data of the stereoscopic image data Di that is located between ten transparent display panels 1 in the X direction to a position on the transparent display panel 1 that is closest in the X direction. The movement conversion refers to a process of converting position data so that the data moves to a different position. The movement conversion unit 303 generates ten pieces of movement-converted image data Dc by adding the data after the movement conversion to each of the ten pieces of divided image data Dd.

[0040] The color image generation unit 304 generates ten pieces of color image data Do by assigning color information acquired based on the three-dimensional image data Di to each of the ten pieces of movement-converted image data Dc. Note that processing by the color image generation unit 304 is not performed when a monochrome three-dimensional image is displayed. In this case, the movement-converted image data Dc and the color image data Do are the same.

[0041] The display control unit 305 outputs the 10 color image data Do in association with the 10 transparent display panels 1. The display control unit 305 also outputs the 10 color image data Do to the 10 transparent display panels 1 so that the display of the 3D image is switched at a predetermined timing. The display control unit 305 displays divided images corresponding to the 10 color image data Do in association with the 10 transparent display panels 1. The display device 100 can display a 3D image by superimposing and displaying the 10 divided images.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the functional configuration in which the divided image generation unit 302 generates 10 pieces of divided image data Dd from stereoscopic image data Di input from an external device has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 3 stores the stereoscopic image data Di input from the external device in the storage unit 306. The divided image generation unit 302 may read the stereoscopic image data Di stored in the storage unit 306 and generate 10 pieces of divided image data Dd.

[0043] <Example of processing by control unit 3> Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for displaying a stereoscopic image by the control unit 3. The control unit 3 starts the operation of Fig. 8 when it receives stereoscopic image data Di from an external device. However, the control unit 3 may also start the operation of Fig. 8 when it receives a user's operation input instructing the start of displaying a stereoscopic image via an operation unit of the display device 100 or the like.

[0044] First, in step S81, the control unit 3 generates 10 pieces of split image data Dd based on the received stereoscopic image data Di using the split image generation unit 302 to display split images obtained by dividing the stereoscopic image displayed by the display device 100 in the normal direction.

[0045] Subsequently, in step S82, the control unit 3 assigns 1 to a counter n used to display divided images on each of the ten transparent display panels 1.

[0046] Next, in step S83, the control unit 3 causes the movement conversion unit 303 to move and convert data of the stereoscopic image data Di that is located between the ten transparent display panels 1 in the X direction to a position on the transparent display panel 1 that is closest in the X direction. The movement conversion unit 303 generates ten pieces of movement-converted image data Dc by adding the moved data to each of the ten pieces of divided image data Dd.

[0047] Next, in step S84, the control unit 3 causes the color image generation unit 304 to obtain color information of the divided image to be displayed on the n-th transparent display panel 1 based on the stereoscopic image data Di.

[0048] Next, in step S85, the control unit 3 generates ten pieces of color image data Do by allocating the color information acquired by the color image generation unit 304 to the ten pieces of movement-transformed image data Dc, respectively.

[0049] Next, in step S86, the control unit 3 causes the display control unit 305 to output the 10 color image data Do in association with the 10 transparent display panels 1. Furthermore, the display control unit 305 outputs the 10 color image data Do to the 10 transparent display panels 1 so that the display of the 3D image is switched at a predetermined timing. As a result, the display control unit 305 displays divided images corresponding to the 10 color image data Do in association with the 10 transparent display panels 1.

[0050] Subsequently, in step S87, the control unit 3 performs a process of setting the counter n to n=n+1.

[0051] Next, in step S88, the control unit 3 determines whether the counter n is greater than 10. If it is determined in step S88 that it is greater (step S88, YES), the control unit 3 ends the process. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not greater (step S88, NO), the control unit 3 performs the processes from step S83 onwards again.

[0052] In this way, based on the received stereoscopic image data Di, the control unit 3 can display the ten color image data Do in association with the ten transparent display panels 1. The display device 100 can display a stereoscopic image by superimposing and displaying the divided images corresponding to the ten color image data Do.

[0053] <Examples of data processing and display> 9 to 14, examples of data processing and display by the display device 100 will be described. FIG. 9 is an image diagram showing an example of stereoscopic image data Di. FIG. 10 is an image diagram showing divided image data Dd. FIG. 10(a) shows a first example, FIG. 10(b) shows a second example, FIG. 10(c) shows a third example, and FIG. 10(d) shows a fourth example. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of movement transformation of the divided image data Dd. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which ten divided images To are displayed on ten transparent display panels 1. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation for switching the display of color image data Do. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of display of a stereoscopic image T by the display device 100.

[0054] 9, the stereoscopic image data Di is data for displaying a stereoscopic image of a cube. The stereoscopic image data Di includes three-dimensional coordinates indicating coordinates in the X, Y, and Z directions, and numerical data indicating color information for each coordinate.

[0055] 10 shows four pieces of divided image data Dd1, Dd2, Dd3, and Dd4 out of the divided image data Dd obtained by dividing the stereoscopic image data Di of FIG. 9 into ten pieces along the X direction corresponding to the normal direction of the transparent display panel 1. The size of the figure corresponding to the sliced ​​stereoscopic image data Di varies depending on the position in the X direction. The shape of the figure corresponds to the surface shape of the sliced ​​stereoscopic image data Di. In FIG. 10, the inside of the figure is not filled in, but the divided image generation unit 302 can also generate divided image data Dd with the inside filled in.

[0056] An air gap 20 having a length of 20d in the X direction exists between the transparent display panels 1. Fig. 11 shows points P1, P2, P3, and P4 located between the nth transparent display panel 1n and the (n+1)th transparent display panel 1n+1 of the ten transparent display panels 1. The points P1, P2, P3, and P4 are data included in the stereoscopic image data Di.

[0057] Because no transparent display panel 1 exists at the positions of points P1, P2, P3, and P4, data for points P1, P2, P3, and P4 will be missing from the display of the 3D image if left as is. The fewer the number of transparent display panels 1, the larger the space where no transparent display panel 1 exists, and therefore the more missing data there will be. The missing data will make the displayed 3D image spatially coarse. For this reason, in this embodiment, the movement conversion unit 303 moves and converts data located between 10 transparent display panels 1 in the X direction to a position on the transparent display panel 1 that is closest in the X direction. This reduces data loss due to the absence of a transparent display panel 1.

[0058] For example, the size of the movement-converted image data Dc, i.e., the display position up to the data edge, is adjusted according to the number of transparent display panels 1 and the distance between the transparent display panels 1. Because point P1 is closer to transparent display panel 1n than transparent display panel 1n+1, the movement conversion unit 303 performs movement conversion on point P1 to point P1' on transparent display panel 1n. In other words, point P1 in the stereoscopic image data Di is displayed at the position of point P1'. Point P1' is the point where point P1 intersects with transparent display panel 1n when point P1 is moved along the X direction in the direction toward which transparent display panel 1n is located.

[0059] Similarly, because point P2 is closer to transparent display panel 1n than transparent display panel 1n+1, the movement conversion unit 303 performs movement conversion on point P2 to point P2' on transparent display panel 1n. Because point P3 is closer to transparent display panel 1n+1 than transparent display panel 1n, the movement conversion unit 303 performs movement conversion on point P3 to point P3' on transparent display panel 1n+1. Because point P4 is closer to transparent display panel 1n than transparent display panel 1n+1, the movement conversion unit 303 performs movement conversion on point P4 to point P4' on transparent display panel 1n+1. By performing such movement conversion processing, the display device 100 can reduce data loss due to the absence of transparent display panel 1 and reduce spatial roughness in the displayed three-dimensional image.

[0060] The control unit 3 generates ten color image data Do by adding color information to the ten pieces of movement-converted image data Dc generated by the movement conversion unit 303 using the color image generation unit 304. Thereafter, the control unit 3 displays ten divided images To corresponding to the ten pieces of color image data Do on ten transparent display panels 1, as shown in FIG.

[0061] When the ten divided images To displayed as in FIG. 12 are viewed from the +X direction, the user can visually recognize a three-dimensional image T shown in FIG. 13. The three-dimensional image T is a three-dimensional image including depth information along the X direction. The user can visually recognize the three-dimensional image T from various directions, not limited to the +X direction, such as the -X direction or an oblique direction. The three-dimensional image T will differ depending on the viewing direction. The control unit 3 may change the movement transformation position in FIG. 11 depending on the user's viewing position. This allows the user to view a smooth three-dimensional image regardless of the user's position.

[0062] In this embodiment, an example has been shown in which a stereoscopic image T, which is a single still image, is displayed, but the display device 100 can also switch and display the stereoscopic image T at predetermined timings. In Fig. 14, switching timings t1, t2, t3, and t4 indicate the timings at which the display of the stereoscopic image T is switched.

[0063] The display device 100 displays divided image To1 at switching timing t1, divided image To2 at switching timing t2, divided image To3 at switching timing t3, and divided image To4 at switching timing t4. In this way, the display device 100 can switch between the three-dimensional image T. By matching the switching timing with the frame rate of a video, the display device 100 can display a three-dimensional image T of the video. When the display device 100 is used for signage or the like, the display device 100 can automatically update the three-dimensional image T for signage at predetermined time intervals, such as every 10 minutes, by setting the switching timing to a predetermined time interval.

[0064] <Effects of the display device 100> Conventionally, there is known a display device that displays a three-dimensional image that can be seen with the naked eye based on three-dimensional image data. One such display device has a configuration in which a plurality of curved plates are fixed to a rotation axis that is arranged directly above an image projection device and perpendicular to the display surface of the device, and images are projected onto the curved plates that are rotated around the rotation axis, thereby displaying a three-dimensional image by utilizing the afterimage effect (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0065] However, the configuration of Patent Document 1 requires the use of an expensive image projection device capable of high-speed projection, which can increase the cost of the display device. Furthermore, since the curved plate is rotated, noise is likely to be generated as the plate rotates, and the device configuration and control are complex, making it more susceptible to malfunctions. Furthermore, since the 3D image is displayed using the afterimage effect, a clear 3D image cannot be seen unless the surroundings are dark. Furthermore, the afterimage effect does not occur near the rotation axis, which does not move even when rotated, so the 3D image may not be visible.

[0066] In this embodiment, the display device 100 includes ten transparent display panels 1 (plural transparent display panels) that are arranged side by side in the X direction (normal direction) so as to overlap one another in a plan view seen from the X direction, and each of which can display an image, and a control unit 3. The control unit 3 displays ten divided images, obtained by dividing a three-dimensional image T in the X direction, on the ten transparent display panels 1, each corresponding to one of the ten images. In this embodiment, the three-dimensional image T can be displayed by displaying the divided images To on the ten transparent display panels 1. This makes it possible to provide a display device 100 that can display a three-dimensional image T without using any moving parts such as a rotating body or a vibrating body.

[0067] In this embodiment, the transparent display panel 1 includes a first transparent substrate 101, a pixel electrode 102, a second transparent substrate 103, a common electrode 104, a display element 105, and a light-emitting element 106. With this configuration, the transparent display panel 1 can display an image.

[0068] In this embodiment, the control unit 3 also includes a divided image generation unit 302 and a color image generation unit 304. This allows the display device 100 to display a three-dimensional image T in color.

[0069] In addition, in this embodiment, an air layer 20 is provided between adjacent transparent display panels 1 among the ten transparent display panels 1. If the display device 100 is configured to include a large number of transparent display panels 1, the cost of the display device 100 may increase. However, by providing the air layer 20, the number of transparent display panels 1 can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of the display device 100.

[0070] Reducing the number of transparent display panels 1 may result in spatially coarse displayed stereoscopic image T. In this embodiment, by using the movement conversion unit 203 to compensate for missing stereoscopic image data Di in the X direction, it is possible to display a spatially smooth stereoscopic image T while reducing the cost of the display device 100. Note that the display device 100 may have a transparent member between adjacent transparent display panels 1 among the ten transparent display panels 1. If a transparent member containing an acrylic material is used, the cost of the display device 100 can be further reduced because acrylic material is inexpensive.

[0071] Furthermore, in the display device 100, at least one pair of adjacent transparent display panels 1 among the ten transparent display panels 1 may be in contact with each other. By bringing the transparent display panels 1 into contact with each other, it is possible to reduce loss of stereoscopic image data between the transparent display panels 1, thereby making it possible to display a spatially smooth stereoscopic image T.

[0072] [Second embodiment] A display system 500 according to a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate. This also applies to the other embodiments described below.

[0073] 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a display system 500. The display system 500 includes a display device 100a and an information processing device 200. The display device 100a includes a control unit 3a. The control unit 3a includes a transmission / reception unit 301, a display control unit 305, and a storage unit 306.

[0074] The information processing device 200 is communicably connected to the display device 100a. The information processing device 200 includes a transmitter / receiver 201, a divided image generator 202, a movement transformer 203, a color image generator 204, and a storage unit 205. The information processing device 200 is constructed by, for example, a computer. The hardware configuration of the information processing device 200 can be that shown in FIG. 6.

[0075] The information processing device 200 can realize the functions of the divided image generation unit 202, the movement conversion unit 203, and the color image generation unit 204 by the CPU 31 executing programs stored in the ROM 32. The information processing device 200 can realize the function of the transmission / reception unit 201 by at least one of the external device connection I / F 35 and the network I / F 36. The information processing device 200 can realize the function of the storage unit 205 by the HDD 34.

[0076] The information processing device 200 receives stereoscopic image data Di from an external device via the transmission / reception unit 201. The divided image generation unit 202 generates, based on the input stereoscopic image data Di, ten divided image data Dd for displaying divided images obtained by dividing the stereoscopic image displayed by the display device 100 in the normal direction.

[0077] The movement conversion unit 203 performs movement conversion on data of the stereoscopic image data Di that is located between ten transparent display panels 1 in the X direction to a position on the transparent display panel 1 that is closest in the X direction. The movement conversion unit 203 generates ten pieces of movement-converted image data Dc by adding the moved data to each of the ten pieces of divided image data Dd.

[0078] The color image generation unit 204 generates ten pieces of color image data Do by assigning color information acquired based on the three-dimensional image data Di to each of the ten pieces of movement-transformed image data Dc.

[0079] The information processing device 200 transmits ten pieces of color image data Do and format data Fd including format information for the ten pieces of color image data Do to the display device 100a via the transmitter / receiver 201. The format data Fd includes information defining the shape, pattern, movement, etc. of an object (three-dimensional object) in three-dimensional space. FBX (Filmbox), a file format widely used in the computer graphics industry, etc., can be used as the format data Fd. The information processing device 200 can generate the format data Fd based on information used to generate the ten pieces of color image data Do or information obtained during the generation process.

[0080] The control unit 3a uses the 10 color image data Do received from the information processing device 200 to display divided images corresponding to the 10 color image data Do on the 10 transparent display panels 1. The display device 100 can display a three-dimensional image by overlapping and displaying the 10 divided images.

[0081] In this embodiment, the information processing device 200 has the function of generating 10 pieces of color image data Do. This reduces the processing load on the control unit 3a and shortens the processing time. Note that other effects are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0082] [Third embodiment] A display system 500a according to the third embodiment will be described.

[0083] 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a display system 500a. The display system 500a includes an information processing device 200a and a server 250.

[0084] The information processing device 200a is connected to the display device 100a so as to be able to communicate with the display device 100a. The information processing device 200a includes a transmitting / receiving unit 201, a divided image generating unit 202, and a storage unit 205.

[0085] The information processing device 200a receives stereoscopic image data Di from an external device via the transmission / reception unit 201. The divided image generation unit 202 generates, based on the stereoscopic image data Di, ten divided image data Dd for displaying divided images obtained by dividing the stereoscopic image displayed by the display device 100 in the normal direction.

[0086] The information processing device 200a transmits, via the transmitting / receiving unit 201, to the server 250, ten pieces of divided image data Dd and format data Fd including format information of the ten pieces of divided image data Dd.

[0087] The server 250 is communicably connected to the information processing device 200a. The server 250 includes a transmission / reception unit 251, a movement conversion unit 252, and a color image generation unit 253. The server 250 is constructed by, for example, a computer. The hardware configuration of the server 250 can be that shown in FIG. 6.

[0088] The server 250 can realize the functions of the movement conversion unit 252 and the color image generation unit 253 by the CPU 31 executing a program stored in the ROM 32. The server 250 can realize the function of the transmission / reception unit 251 by at least one of the external device connection I / F 35 and the network I / F 36.

[0089] The movement conversion unit 252 moves and converts data located between ten transparent display panels 1 in the X direction, among the divided image data Dd received via the transmission / reception unit 251, to positions on the transparent display panel 1 that are closest in the X direction. The movement conversion unit 252 generates ten pieces of movement-converted image data Dc by adding the moved data to each of the ten pieces of divided image data Dd.

[0090] The color image generation unit 253 generates ten pieces of color image data Do by assigning color information acquired based on the three-dimensional image data Di to each of the ten pieces of movement-transformed image data Dc.

[0091] The server 250 transmits the ten pieces of color image data Do and the format data Fd to the information processing device 200a via the transmitter / receiver 251. The information processing device 200a transmits the ten pieces of color image data Do and the format data Fd received from the server 250 to the display device 100a.

[0092] The control unit 3a uses the 10 pieces of color image data Do received from the information processing device 200a to display divided images corresponding to the 10 pieces of color image data Do on the 10 transparent display panels 1. The display device 100a displays the 10 divided images in an overlapping manner, thereby enabling the display device 100a to display a 3D image.

[0093] In this embodiment, the information processing device 200a has a divided image generation unit 202. The server 250 also has a movement conversion unit 252 and a color image generation unit 253. This reduces the processing load on the control unit 3a and the information processing device 200a and shortens the processing time. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0094] Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0095] The embodiments also include a display method. For example, the display method may be a display method using a display device that displays a stereoscopic image based on stereoscopic image data, in which the display device is capable of displaying images using each of a plurality of transparent display panels arranged in a normal direction so as to overlap each other in a planar view viewed from the normal direction, and a control unit controls the operation of each of the transparent display panels, each of which has a first transparent substrate, a pixel electrode, a second transparent substrate, a common electrode facing the pixel electrode, a display element positioned between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, and a light-emitting element, and the control unit displays a plurality of divided images obtained by dividing the stereoscopic image in the normal direction, each of which corresponds to one of the plurality of transparent display panels. Such a display method can achieve the same effect as the display device described above.

[0096] The ordinal numbers, quantities, and other figures used in the description of the embodiments are all provided as examples to specifically explain the technology of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the illustrated figures. Furthermore, the connection relationships between the components are provided as examples to specifically explain the technology of the present invention, and do not limit the connection relationships that realize the functions of the present invention.

[0097] The division of blocks in the functional block diagram is an example, and multiple blocks may be realized as a single block, one block may be divided into multiple blocks, and / or some functions may be moved to another block.Furthermore, the functions of multiple blocks having similar functions may be processed in parallel or in time-sharing by a single piece of hardware or software. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1. 10 transparent display panels (multiple transparent display panels) 10~19 Transparent display panel 2-panel enclosure 3, 3a Control section 4 Control cabinet 20 Air Layer 20d length 31 CPU 32 ROM 33 RAM 34 HDD 35 External device connection interface 36 Network Interface 100, 100a display device 101 First transparent substrate 102 pixel electrode 103 Second transparent substrate 104 Common electrode 105 Display element 106 9 light emitting elements 107 Sealing part 200, 200a Information processing device 250 servers 301, 201, 251 Transmitting and receiving units 302, 202 Divided image generation unit 303, 203, 252 Movement conversion section 304, 204, 253 color image generation unit 305 Display control unit 306, 206 storage area 500, 500a Display System Di Stereoscopic image data Dd 10 divided image data (multiple divided image data) Dd1, Dd2, Dd3, Dd4 divided image data Dc 10 pieces of moving transformed image data (multiple moving transformed image data) Do 10 color image data (multiple color image data) P1, P2, P3, P4 points To, To1, To2, To3, To4 10 divided images (multiple divided images) T 3D image t1, t2, t3, t4 switching timing Fd format data [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0099] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4605507

Claims

1. A display device for displaying a stereoscopic image, a plurality of transparent display panels arranged side by side in the normal direction so as to overlap each other in a plan view seen from the normal direction, each of which is capable of displaying an image; a control unit that controls the operation of each of the plurality of transparent display panels, The control unit generating a plurality of divided image data for displaying a plurality of divided images obtained by dividing the stereoscopic image in the normal direction based on the stereoscopic image data; Among the stereoscopic image data, data located between a plurality of transparent display panels in the normal direction is moved to a position on the transparent display panel located closest in the normal direction to complement the data, and a plurality of pieces of movement-transformed image data are generated by adding the moved data to each of the plurality of pieces of divided image data; a display device that displays a plurality of the divided images corresponding to a plurality of the movement transformed image data on the plurality of transparent display panels, respectively, in association with the divided images;

2. 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the transparent display panel comprises a first transparent substrate, a pixel electrode, a second transparent substrate, a common electrode facing the pixel electrode, a display element positioned between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, and a light-emitting element.

3. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit assigns color information acquired based on the stereoscopic image data to each of the plurality of pieces of movement-transformed image data.

4. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of an air layer and a transparent member is provided between at least one pair of adjacent transparent display panels among the plurality of transparent display panels.

5. a transparent member is provided between at least one pair of adjacent transparent display panels among the plurality of transparent display panels; The display device according to claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the transparent display panel has the same refractive index as the transparent member.

6. The display device according to claim 5 , wherein the transparent member includes an acrylic material.

7. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one pair of adjacent transparent display panels of the plurality of transparent display panels are in contact with each other.

8. A display method for displaying a stereoscopic image by a display device, the display device comprising: an image can be displayed by each of a plurality of transparent display panels arranged side by side in the normal direction so as to overlap each other in a plan view when viewed from the normal direction; a control unit for controlling the operation of each of the plurality of transparent display panels; The control unit generating a plurality of divided image data for displaying a plurality of divided images obtained by dividing the stereoscopic image in the normal direction based on the stereoscopic image data; Among the stereoscopic image data, data located between a plurality of transparent display panels in the normal direction is moved to a position on the transparent display panel located closest in the normal direction, and the data is interpolated, and a plurality of pieces of movement-transformed image data are generated by adding the moved data to each of the plurality of pieces of divided image data; A display method for displaying a plurality of divided images corresponding to the plurality of pieces of movement-converted image data on the plurality of transparent display panels, respectively.

9. A display system having a display device that displays a stereoscopic image and an information processing device that is communicably connected to the display device, The display device includes: a plurality of transparent display panels arranged side by side in a normal direction so as to overlap one another in a plan view viewed from the normal direction, each of which is capable of displaying an image; a control unit that controls the operation of each of the plurality of transparent display panels, The control unit generating a plurality of divided image data for displaying a plurality of divided images obtained by dividing the stereoscopic image in the normal direction based on the stereoscopic image data; Among the stereoscopic image data, data located between a plurality of transparent display panels in the normal direction is moved to a position on the transparent display panel located closest in the normal direction to complement the data, and a plurality of pieces of movement-transformed image data are generated by adding the moved data to each of the plurality of pieces of divided image data; A display system that displays a plurality of divided images corresponding to the plurality of pieces of movement-converted image data on the plurality of transparent display panels, respectively.

10. A display system as described in Claim 9, wherein the control unit assigns color information obtained based on the stereoscopic image data to each of the multiple pieces of movement-transformed image data.

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