Spatial presentation device and spatial presentation method

Abstract

A space presentation device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first light source, a second light source, a polarization mirror, and a first physical surface. The first light source emits first light for projecting a first image. The second light source emits second light for projecting a second image. The polarization mirror includes a first surface opposing an observer region where an observer is to be located, and a second surface on the opposite side to the first surface, and is configured to reflect light polarized in a first direction, and allow passage of light polarized in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first physical surface is disposed on the first surface side of the polarization mirror and is configured to reflect light while maintaining polarization characteristics. At least the first image is projected to the first physical surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a spatial presentation device and a spatial presentation method.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, the image of light reflected in a mirror is literally an image formed by specular reflection on the surface of the mirror. Therefore, to the human eye, the image when looking at the real space reflected in the mirror and the image when directly looking at the real space are recognized as the same image as a mirror image. Also, since mirrors are widely used in daily life, it is often easy for people accustomed to seeing mirrors in daily life to predict what kind of image will be reflected in the mirror.

[0003] Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for displaying an image that does not exist in the real space in a mirror. The technique disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 uses a combination of a half mirror and an LED (light-emitting diode) display, and physically installs the LED display behind the half mirror. In the part where the LED does not emit light, the half mirror reflects the light of the real space to form an image, and in the part where the LED emits light, the LED light passes through the half mirror to form an image on the half mirror. Therefore, when seen by a person standing in front of the half mirror, an image that does not exist in the real space is displayed on the half mirror.

[0004] However, the technique disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 requires installing a relatively heavy LED display in the space behind the mirror, so it is difficult to implement in cases where the LED display cannot be placed due to spatial constraints.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a spatial presentation technology that presents different images to the observer in real space and mirrored space (real space reflected in a mirror). [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A spatial presentation device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first light source, a second light source, a polarizing mirror, and a first physical surface. The first light source emits first light for projecting a first image. The second light source emits second light for projecting a second image. The polarizing mirror includes a first surface facing an observer area where an observer is to be positioned and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and is configured to reflect light polarized in a first direction and transmit light polarized in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first physical surface is positioned on the side of the polarizing mirror to the first surface and is configured to reflect light while maintaining polarization properties, on which at least the first image is projected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a spatial presentation technique is provided that presents different images to the observer in real space and mirrored space. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a spatial presentation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 illustrates how light from one side of the polarized light source shown in Figure 1 creates a virtual image in the temple grounds. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an image presented using one of the polarizing light sources shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the image presented using the other polarizing light source shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the image on the screen shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the image on the polarizing mirror shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows another example of the configuration of the spatial presentation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 illustrates how light from one side of the polarized light source shown in Figure 7 creates a virtual image in the temple grounds. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows the image visible to the observer in the spatial presentation device shown in Figure 8. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows a further example of the configuration of the spatial presentation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an example of the configuration of a spatial presentation device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 illustrates that the light from the polarized light source shown in Figure 11 does not create a virtual image in the temple grounds. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows an image presented using one of the polarizing light sources shown in Figure 11. [Figure 14] Figure 14 shows an image presented using the other polarizing light source shown in Figure 11. [Figure 15] Figure 15 shows the image visible to the observer in the spatial presentation device shown in Figure 11. [Figure 16] Figure 16 shows another example of the configuration of the spatial presentation device according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 schematically shows a spatial effect device 10 according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the spatial effect device 10 includes polarized light sources 11 and 12, a screen 13, a polarization mirror 14, and an information processing device 16.

[0012] The information processing device 16 is communicably connected to the polarized light sources 11 and 12 and controls the polarized light sources 11 and 12. The connection between the information processing device 16 and the polarized light sources 11 and 12 may be a wired connection or a wireless connection. For example, the information processing device 16 controls the polarized light sources 11 and 12 to project an image as visual information. Specifically, the information processing device 16 transmits the image data of the first image to be projected to the polarized light source 11 and transmits the image data of the second image to be projected to the polarized light source 12. Visual information refers to information that is recognized by a person through human vision. The image may be a still image or a moving image (video). The information processing device 16 can be a computer such as a personal computer (PC).

[0013] The polarization light sources 11 and 12 are light sources that emit linearly polarized light. Each of the polarization light sources 11 and 12 can be realized, for example, by a combination of an unpolarized light source and a linear polarizer. The unpolarized light source is a light source that emits unpolarized light. As the unpolarized light source, for example, a projector such as a projector can be used. The projector is an optical device that projects an image onto a surface such as a screen. The linear polarizer is an optical filter that allows light of a specific polarization to pass through but blocks light of other polarizations. As the linear polarizer, for example, a linear polarizing film can be used. By passing the light from the unpolarized light source through the linear polarizer, linearly polarized light is obtained. The polarization light source 11 emits light polarized in the first direction (for example, vertical) toward the screen 13, and the polarization light source 12 emits light polarized in the second direction (for example, horizontal) orthogonal to the first direction toward the screen 13. The light from the polarization light sources 11 and 12 is directly incident on the screen 13. Hereinafter, the light emitted from the polarization light sources 11 and 12 may also be referred to as visual information light.

[0014] The polarization light source 11 receives the image data of the first image from the information processing device 16 and emits a linearly polarized light beam corresponding to the received image data. The polarization light source 12 receives the image data of the second image from the information processing device 16 and emits a linearly polarized light beam corresponding to the received image data. The first image and the second image are projected onto the screen 13.

[0015] Note that the information processing device 16 may be deleted from the spatial effect device 10. For example, the function of the information processing device 16 may be realized by a computer incorporated in each of the polarization light sources 11 and 12, such as a microcomputer. In this case, the image data may be provided to the polarization light sources 11 and 12 in a state stored in a recording medium such as a USB memory.

[0016] The screen 13 is a physical surface (e.g., a physical plane) that diffusely reflects incident light while maintaining its polarization characteristics, and corresponds to a physical surface on which projector light can be projected. A screen that diffusely reflects incident light while maintaining its polarization characteristics is used for stereoscopic viewing with a polarizing filter type 3D (three-dimensional) projector. A silver screen or the like can be used as the screen 13. The screen 13 is propped against a wall facing the observer area 19 where the observer 18 is expected to be positioned.

[0017] The polarizing mirror 14 selectively transmits light linearly polarized in one direction (vertical or horizontal) and reflects light linearly polarized in the other direction (vertical or horizontal). Reflective polarizers such as wire grid polarizers are known as mirrors with optical properties corresponding to the polarizing mirror 14. For example, a beam splitter plate made of a reflective polarizer can be used as the polarizing mirror 14. Most of the light present in our living spaces is unpolarized and consists of light with both vertical and horizontal polarization components. The polarizing mirror transmits one of the two vertical and horizontal components contained in unpolarized light and reflects the other. For this reason, a polarizing mirror placed in a living space can also be considered a half-mirror and can reflect the surrounding environment like a mirror.

[0018] The screen 13 and the polarizing mirror 14 may be arranged such that an observer 18 located in the observer area 19 can view the screen 13 through the polarizing mirror 14. The polarizing mirror 14 is placed upright facing the observer area 19. The screen 13 and the polarizing mirror 14 are positioned facing each other across the observer area 19. The polarizing mirror 14 includes a surface 141 facing the observer area 19 and a surface 142 opposite to surface 141, and each of surfaces 141 and 142 reflects light polarized in a first direction and transmits light polarized in a second direction.

[0019] In the following explanation, for the sake of brevity, when space is divided into two by the polarizing mirror 14, the space on the side where the observer 18 is located will be called the real space, and the space behind the polarizing mirror 14 from the observer 18's perspective will be called the mirrored space.

[0020] In the spatial presentation device 10 having the structure described above, the polarized light sources 11 and 12 irradiate linearly polarized visual information light toward the screen 13, thereby creating a real image on the screen 13. The polarized light source 11 emits linearly polarized visual information light in the polarization direction reflected by the polarizing mirror 14. As shown in Figure 2, the visual information light from the polarized light source 11 is diffusely reflected by the screen 13 while maintaining its polarization characteristics, and then reflected again by the polarizing mirror 14 before reaching the observer 18. For this reason, the visual information light from the polarized light source 11 is observed by the observer 18 as a virtual image in the temple grounds space. On the other hand, the polarized light source 12 emits linearly polarized visual information light in the polarization direction transmitted by the polarizing mirror 14. The visual information light from the polarized light source 12 is diffusely reflected by the screen 13 while maintaining its polarization characteristics, and then passes through the polarizing mirror 14 and diffuses in the temple grounds space. Therefore, although the light from the polarized light source 12 appears as a real image on the screen 13, it does not form a virtual image in the mirror space that is perceived by the observer 18.

[0021] For example, if the polarizing light source 11 projects a circular image 30 with a human-shaped cutout as shown in Figure 3, and the polarizing light source 12 projects a human-shaped image 40 as shown in Figure 4, then, as shown in Figure 5, an image combining images 30 and 40 is formed on the screen 13. For example, if the colors of image 30 and image 40 are the same, the observer 18 will perceive a circular image on the screen 13. As shown in Figure 6, the image 60 projected onto the polarizing mirror 14 will be an image with the component corresponding to image 40 missing.

[0022] As described above, in the spatial presentation device 10, the polarizing light source 11 emits linearly polarized light in the polarization direction reflected by the polarizing mirror 14 toward the screen 13, and the polarizing light source 12 emits linearly polarized light in the polarization direction transmitted by the polarizing mirror 14 toward the screen 13. The light from the polarizing light source 11 is diffusely reflected by the screen 13 while maintaining its polarization characteristics, and then reflected by the polarizing mirror 14. As a result, the polarizing light source 11 creates a real image on the screen 13 and a virtual image on the polarizing mirror 14. On the other hand, the light from the polarizing light source 12 is diffusely reflected by the screen 13 while maintaining its polarization characteristics, and then passes through the polarizing mirror 14 and diffuses in the temple grounds space. As a result, the light from the polarizing light source 12 creates a real image on the screen 13, but does not create a virtual image on the polarizing mirror 14. Therefore, the spatial presentation device 10 can create a state in which images originating from polarized light sources 11 and 12 can be seen in real space (specifically, the screen 13), but images originating from polarized light source 12 reflected in the mirror (specifically, the polarizing mirror 14) cannot be seen. In other words, the spatial presentation device 10 can present different images to the observer 18 in real space and in mirror space (real space reflected in the mirror). For example, if the image originating from polarized light source 11 is A and the image originating from polarized light source 12 is B, then the image A+B can be seen in real space, while only the image A can be seen in the mirror space, thus making the image formed by the light illuminating real space different from the image reflected in the mirror. As a result, the observer 18 can be given an unexpected surprise.

[0023] In the example described above, the screen 13 is placed facing the polarizing mirror 14. The screen 13 may also be placed in a different location in real space, such as at the feet of the observer 18, as shown in Figure 7. In this case as well, the polarizing light sources 11 and 12 emit linearly polarized visual information light toward the screen 13, thereby creating real images 91 and 92 on the screen 13 as shown in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 8, the visual information light from the polarizing light source 11 is diffusely reflected by the screen 13 while maintaining its polarization characteristics, and then reflected again by the polarizing mirror 14 to reach the observer 18. The visual information light from the polarizing light source 12 is diffusely reflected by the screen 13 while maintaining its polarization characteristics, then passes through the polarizing mirror 14 and diffuses in the surrounding space. Therefore, the visual information light from the polarizing light source 11 can be observed as a virtual image 93 in the mirror space as shown in Figure 9, but the visual information light from the polarizing light source 12 does not create a virtual image, so the real image on the screen 13 and the virtual image in the mirror space reflected in the polarizing mirror 14 are different images.

[0024] Furthermore, it is not necessary to install both polarizing light sources 11 and 12 in real space; as shown in Figure 10, the polarizing light source 12 may be installed in the temple grounds. In this case, the polarizing light source 12 emits visual information light toward the screen 13 via the polarizing mirror 14. Since the polarizing light source 12 emits visual information light that is linearly polarized in the polarization direction transmitted by the polarizing mirror 14, the visual information light from the polarizing light source 12 passes through the polarizing mirror 14 and reaches the screen 13.

[0025] Figure 11 schematically shows a spatial presentation device 110 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, the spatial presentation device 110 comprises polarizing light sources 111 and 112, screens 113 and 115, a polarizing mirror 114, and an information processing device 116. Each of the polarizing light sources 111 and 112, screens 113 and 115, the polarizing mirror 114, and the information processing device 116 have the same configuration as the polarizing light sources 11 and 12, screen 13, polarizing mirror 14, and information processing device 16 described in the first embodiment. Therefore, redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0026] The polarizing mirror 114 is positioned upright facing the observer area 119 where the observer 118 is expected to be located. The polarizing mirror 114 includes a surface 1141 facing the observer area 119 and a surface 1142 opposite to surface 1141. Each of surfaces 1141 and 1142 transmits linearly polarized light in a first direction and reflects linearly polarized light in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Hereafter, for the sake of brevity, when space is divided into two by the polarizing mirror 114, the space on the side where the observer 118 is located will be called the real space, and the space behind the polarizing mirror 114 as seen from the observer 118 will be called the mirrored space. Screen 113 is placed on the floor of the real space, and screen 115 is placed on the floor of the temple grounds space.

[0027] Polarized light sources 111 and 112 are placed in the temple grounds and emit linearly polarized visual information light in a first direction. Polarized light source 111 emits visual information light toward the screen 113 via the polarizing mirror 114. The visual information light from polarized light source 111 passes through the polarizing mirror 114 and reaches the screen 113, thereby creating a real image on the screen 113. The visual information light from polarized light source 111 is diffusely reflected by the screen 113 while maintaining its polarization characteristics. The portion of the diffusely reflected visual information light toward the polarizing mirror 14 passes through the polarizing mirror 14 and diffuses in the temple grounds. Therefore, the visual information light from polarized light source 11 does not create a virtual image in the temple grounds. Referring again to Figure 11, polarized light source 112 emits visual information light toward the screen 115 via the polarizing mirror 114, thereby creating a real image on the screen 115. The visual information light from polarized light source 112 is diffusely reflected by the screen 115 while maintaining its polarization characteristics. Of the diffusely reflected visual information light, the portion directed toward the polarizing mirror 14 passes through the polarizing mirror 14 and reaches the observer region 119. Therefore, the real image on screen 113 and the real image on screen 115 are observed by the observer 118 as separate real images. If the image from the polarizing light source 111 is A and the image from the polarizing light source 112 is B, then the image A is visible in real space, and only the image B is visible in the mirror space, thus making the image formed by the light illuminating real space different from the image reflected in the mirror. For example, if the polarizing light source 111 projects the image 130 shown in Figure 13 and the polarizing light source 112 projects the image 140 shown in Figure 14, then, as shown in Figure 15, the observer 118 will see the image 130 on screen 113 and the image 140 on polarizing mirror 114.

[0028] As described above, in the spatial presentation device 110, polarized light sources 111 and 112 and screen 115 are placed in the temple grounds, while screen 113 is placed in the real world. Polarized light sources 111 and 112 emit light that is linearly polarized in the polarization direction transmitted by the polarizing mirror 114. Light from polarized light source 111 enters screen 113 via the polarizing mirror 114 and creates a real image on screen 113. Light emitted from polarized light source 111 and diffusely reflected by screen 113 has a polarization that is transmitted by the polarizing mirror 114, and therefore is not reflected by the polarizing mirror 114. For this reason, no virtual image is created in the mirror space. Light from polarized light source 112 enters screen 115 directly and creates a real image on screen 115. Light emitted from polarized light source 112 and diffusely reflected by screen 115 has a polarization that is transmitted by the polarizing mirror 114, and therefore passes through the polarizing mirror 114. Therefore, the spatial presentation device 110 can generate a state in which the observer 118 can see an image originating from the polarized light source 111 in real space (specifically, the screen 113) and an image originating from the polarized light source 112 reflected in the mirror (specifically, the polarized mirror 114). In other words, the spatial presentation device 110 can present different images to the observer 118 in real space and mirror space (real space reflected in the mirror).

[0029] The configuration shown in Figure 11 is merely an example. For instance, as shown in Figure 16, normal light sources (unpolarized light sources) 161 and 162 can be used instead of polarized light sources 111 and 112. In the example shown in Figure 16, the light from each of the normal light sources 161 and 162 includes not only a component that passes through the polarizing mirror 114, but also a component that is reflected by the polarizing mirror 114. The reflected component of the light from the normal light source 161 is reflected by the polarizing mirror 114 and may be diffusely reflected again in the space inside the mirror. The reflected component of the light from the normal light source 162 is reflected by the screen 115, then reflected by the polarizing mirror 114, and may be diffusely reflected again in the space inside the mirror. Since the diffusely reflected light has a component that passes through the polarizing mirror 114 as unpolarized light, the reflected components of the light from the normal light sources 161 and 162 may be observed by the observer 118 as stray light in the space inside the mirror, as an image not intended by the designer.

[0030] Alternatively, instead of screen 115, a physical surface that diffusely reflects light, such as a typical screen, can be used. In this case, the reflected light of the real image on the physical surface will include not only a transmitted component but also a reflected component. In this case as well, for the same reasons as described above, an image unintended by the designer may be observed by observer 118.

[0031] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways during implementation without departing from its essence. Furthermore, each embodiment may be combined as appropriate, and in that case, the combined effects can be obtained. Moreover, the above embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by selecting combinations from the multiple components disclosed. For example, if the problem can be solved and effects can be obtained even if some components are deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment, then the configuration with these components deleted can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 10…Spatial presentation device 11, 12...Polarized light source 13…Screen 14…Polarized mirror 16…Information Processing Devices 110... Spatial presentation device 111, 112...Polarized light source 113, 115… screen 114…Polarizing mirror 116… Information Processing Device 161, 162…Normal light source

Claims

1. A spatial presentation device for presenting visual information to an observer, A first light source that emits a first light for projecting a first image, A second light source that emits a second light for projecting a second image, A polarizing mirror comprising a first surface facing an observer region where an observer is expected to be positioned and a second surface opposite to the first surface, configured to reflect light polarized in a first direction and transmit light polarized in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, A first physical surface disposed on the side of the first surface of the polarizing mirror and configured to diffusely reflect light while maintaining polarization characteristics, the first physical surface on which at least the first image is projected to form at least the real image of the first image, Equipped with, The first physical surface and the polarizing mirror are arranged such that an observer located in the observer area can view the first physical surface through the polarizing mirror. Spatial design device.

2. The first light source emits the first light polarized in the first direction, The second light source emits the second light polarized in the second direction, The first image and the second image are projected onto the first physical plane. The spatial presentation device according to claim 1.

3. The first light source emits the first light toward the first physical surface, The second light source emits the second light toward the first physical surface. The spatial presentation device according to claim 2.

4. The first light source emits the first light toward the first physical surface, The second light source emits the second light toward the second surface of the polarizing mirror such that the second light is incident on the first physical surface via the polarizing mirror. The spatial presentation device according to claim 2.

5. A second physical surface positioned on the side of the second surface of the polarizing mirror and configured to reflect light while maintaining polarization properties, further comprising a second physical surface on which the second image is projected, The first light source emits the first light polarized in the second direction, The second light source emits the second light polarized in the second direction. The spatial presentation device according to claim 1.

6. The polarizing mirror further comprises a second physical surface positioned on the side of the second surface, onto which the second image is projected, The first light source emits the first light toward the second surface of the polarizing mirror such that the first light is incident on the first physical surface via the polarizing mirror. The second light source emits the second light toward the second physical surface. The spatial presentation device according to claim 1.

7. A spatial presentation method for presenting visual information to an observer, Controlling a first light source that emits first light for projecting a first image, Controlling a second light source that emits a second light for projecting a second image, A polarizing mirror is provided, which includes a first surface facing the observer area where the observer is expected to be positioned and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and is configured to reflect light polarized in a first direction and transmit light polarized in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A first physical surface is provided which is positioned on the side of the first surface of the polarizing mirror and configured to diffusely reflect light while maintaining polarization characteristics, and on which at least the first image is projected to form at least a real image of the first image. Equipped with, The first physical surface and the polarizing mirror are arranged such that an observer located in the observer area can view the first physical surface through the polarizing mirror. Space production method.

Images