Folding aerial image display device

Abstract

Provided is an aerial image display device that can be folded up small and freely carried.　This aerial image display device comprises: a display substrate on which a noncontact interface screen is displayed; an optical panel that is connected to the display substrate by a hinge; and a support structure capable of securing the display substrate and the optical panel at a predetermined angle, and is characterized in that, when the noncontact interface screen is displayed on the display substrate in a state where the display substrate and the optical panel are secured at the predetermined angle, an image of the noncontact interface screen is formed as an aerial image in the air on the side opposite to the optical panel via the optical panel, and the display substrate, the optical panel, and the support structure can be superimposed and folded in a plane shape.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a small-sized foldable aerial video display device capable of displaying an aerial image.

Background Art

[0002] The pandemic caused by the recent novel coronavirus has made people realize how vulnerable the 21st century, which has seen an increase in population density and entered the era of high-speed mass transportation, is to infectious diseases. In such a situation, everything around us seems to be a source of infection, and the living situation becomes extremely cramped. In fact, during the spread of the infection, it is necessary to be suspicious of everything.

[0003] It is important to take measures such as wearing masks, keeping a sufficient distance from others, and avoiding crowds. However, in order to lead a necessary social life, it is inevitable to come into contact with the minimum possible infection routes. Minimizing this risk is crucial for preventing infection.

[0004] For example, at bank ATMs, supermarket self-checkouts, company receptions, hotel check-ins, etc., an unspecified number of users operate the same touch panel. Such a touch panel can be a potential infection route. To avoid this risk, it is necessary to disinfect the touch panel every time the user changes, but such treatment is quite time-consuming and difficult to carry out thoroughly. [[ID=管理]]

[0005] In recent years, in such a situation, technology that can non-contactingly indicate an aerial image formed in the air using special optical elements has attracted attention. By using this technology, a completely non-contact interface can be realized with the same usability as a conventional touch panel.

[0006] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a procedure in which, because touching a computer mouse or other pointing device during surgery poses hygienic problems, the surgeon operates a mouse on a non-contact remote pointer control device displayed using aerial imaging technology. An example of such a special optical element is the optical imaging device described in Patent Document 2. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-147054 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2009 / 131128 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] However, current aerial video display devices are fixed-location types; that is, they are basically installed in a designated location and then not moved. For example, they cannot be carried in a bag and used to make contactless online payments at a client's location.

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a foldable aerial image display device that can be folded into a small size and easily carried. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the above problems, an aerial image display device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a display substrate that displays a non-contact interface screen, The front edge of the display board is rotatable by a hinge. The connected optical panel and The optical panel is provided with an operation detection unit that detects gestures made by the user, a support substrate that is rotatably connected by a hinge to the far edge of the display substrate opposite to the front edge of the display substrate, and locking means that fix the display substrate and the optical panel at a certain angle, and that fix the display and the support substrate at a certain angle, and when the non-contact interface screen is displayed on the display substrate while the display substrate and the optical panel are fixed at the certain angle, the non-contact interface screen is projected as an aerial image into the air on the opposite side of the optical panel via the optical panel, and the display substrate, the optical panel and the support substrate are rotated by the hinge. It is characterized by the ability to overlap them and fold them into a flat surface.

[0011] In one embodiment, The support substrate incorporates an information processing device that transmits control signals to the display substrate for displaying the contactless interface screen. It is characterized by the following:

[0012] Furthermore, in one embodiment, The locking means holds the optical panel and the support substrate horizontally, and makes it possible to fix the angle between the optical panel and the support substrate and the display substrate within a range of 40 to 50 degrees. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The foldable aerial image display device according to the present invention can be folded into a small size for easy portability, and a development environment using the actual device can be set up on-site, making it easy to modify and add to the implementation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the aerial image display device 1 in use according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a side view showing the aerial image display device 1 in use according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side view showing the folded state of the aerial image display device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a front view showing the folded state of the aerial image display device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a rear view showing the folded state of the aerial image display device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a blackout curtain used in the aerial image display device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the aerial image display device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention with the blackout curtain shown in Figure 6 attached. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the aerial image display device 5 in use in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the aerial image display device 6 in use in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a side view showing the folded state of the aerial image display device 6 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a front view showing the folded state of the aerial image display device 6 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a rear view showing the folded state of the aerial video display device 6 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

Examples

[0015] Hereinafter, Example 1 of the foldable aerial video display device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the aerial video display device 1 in the use state according to Example 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the aerial video display device 1 in the use state according to Example 1 of the present invention. FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are side view, front view, and rear view showing the folded state of the aerial video display device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0016] As shown in these figures, the aerial video display device 1 includes a support substrate 10 on which an information processing device for performing overall signal processing is mounted, a liquid crystal display 20 connected to the support substrate 10 via a hinge portion 12, and an optical plate 30 connected to the liquid crystal display 20 via a hinge portion 22.

[0017] The information processing device mounted on the support substrate 10 is substantially a small computer and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage device for storing various programs and data, an input / output interface, and the like. As the input / output interface, for example, a USB port 14 and a wireless LAN such as WIFI are mounted.

[0018] The liquid crystal display 20 has a display surface 24 on the surface facing the optical plate 30. That is, in the operable state of the aerial video display device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display surface 24 is obliquely upward. Then, a non-contact interface described later is displayed on the display surface 24 based on the display data transmitted from the support substrate 10.

[0019] The optical plate 30 has its incident surface 31 facing downwards towards the display surface 24 of the liquid crystal display 20, and its exit surface 33 facing directly upwards. The image on the display surface 24 of the liquid crystal display 20 is then focused again as an aerial image 4 at the same distance on the opposite side of the optical plate 30, forming the same image as before.

[0020] As such an optical plate 30, for example, an optical imaging element described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-175297 can be used. This optical imaging element is realized by arranging a large number of mutually orthogonal planar light reflectors at a constant pitch. In addition to this, other structures such as a two-sided corner reflector, in which a reflective surface is formed on the side of a square-shaped hole, as described in Japanese Patent No. 4900618, may also be used as the optical imaging element.

[0021] Furthermore, an infrared LED 32 and a pair of infrared cameras 34 are provided on the optical plate 30 near the hinge portion 22. These infrared LED 32 and infrared cameras 34 constitute an operation detection unit that detects user actions on the aerial image 4. The detection range of the operation detection unit is defined by the emission angle of the infrared LED 32 and the field of view of the infrared cameras 34.

[0022] The support substrate 10, the liquid crystal display 20, and the optical plate 30 are connected by hinge portions 12 and 22, respectively, but are fixed in the operational state of the aerial image display device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 by a pair of left and right locking rods 40.

[0023] In other words, the locking rod 40 is pivotally supported by a shaft 42 located in the center of the side surface of the liquid crystal display 20, and is capable of engaging with the engaging recess 16 of the support substrate 10 and the engaging recess 36 of the optical plate 30. When both ends of the locking rod 40 are engaged with the engaging recess 16 of the support substrate 10 and the engaging recess 36 of the optical plate 30, the optical plate 30 is supported horizontally, and the liquid crystal display 20 is fixed at an angle of approximately 45 degrees downward relative to the optical plate 30. In this operating state, the liquid crystal display 20 and the support substrate 10 are also fixed at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.

[0024] It is important that the angle between the liquid crystal display 20 and the optical plate 30, and the angle between the liquid crystal display 20 and the support substrate 10, are approximately 45 degrees. At this angle, the optical plate 30 is horizontal, and the light from the liquid crystal display 20 is optimally projected onto the aerial image 4, which is angled at approximately 45 degrees. More specifically, it is desirable that the angle be roughly in the range of 40 to 50 degrees.

[0025] In this state, when an operation interface is displayed on the liquid crystal display 20, it is projected onto the opposite side of the optical plate 30 as a non-contact interface screen 4. When a gesture is made to this non-contact interface screen 4, such as by touching it with a finger, the operation is detected by an operation detection unit consisting of an infrared LED 32 and an infrared camera 34, and a corresponding operation signal is sent to the information processing device on the support substrate 10, where predetermined processing is performed. The operation interface may include controls such as buttons, checkboxes, and drop-down menus.

[0026] This aerial image display device 1 is highly portable. Specifically, when transporting it, both ends of the locking rod 40 are detached from the engaging recess 16 of the support substrate 10 and the engaging recess 36 of the optical plate 30, and the support substrate 10, liquid crystal display 20, and optical plate 30 are rotated at the hinge portion 12 and hinge portion 22, and stacked horizontally to form a compact structure as shown in the side view of Figure 3, the front view of Figure 4, and the rear view of Figure 5.

[0027] Therefore, the foldable aerial image display device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is portable and can be folded into a small size for easy transport. For example, this aerial image display device can be carried in a bag and used to perform contactless online payments at a destination.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, a speaker 18 can also be provided on the support substrate 10. For example, if some operation is performed on the non-contact interface screen 4 and detected, the user can be notified with a click sound or other means. Alternatively, guidance audio can be played for unfamiliar users.

[0029] Furthermore, in order to achieve a clearer aerial image 4, it is desirable that external light is not added to the light from the liquid crystal display 20. For this purpose, it is advisable to use a blackout curtain 44 as shown in Figure 6. This blackout curtain 44 is intended to cover the space between the liquid crystal display 20 and the optical plate 30, and consists of a left shielding portion 44L, a central shielding portion 44C, and a right shielding portion 44R.

[0030] The left shielding portion 44L covers the left open area between the liquid crystal display 20 and the optical plate 30, the central shielding portion 44C covers the central open area, i.e., the back area, between the liquid crystal display 20 and the optical plate 30, and the right shielding portion 44R covers the right open area between the liquid crystal display 20 and the optical plate 30.

[0031] A hook-and-loop fastener 46 is provided on the edge of the blackout curtain 44. Although not directly shown in the figure, a hook-and-loop fastener is also provided on the corresponding surface of the aerial image display device 1. The hook-and-loop fasteners on the blackout curtain 44 and the aerial image display device 1 are female fasteners on one side and male fasteners on the other, and as shown in Figure 7, they can be bonded together to completely cover the space between the liquid crystal display 20 and the optical plate 30. As a result, external light is not added to the light from the liquid crystal display 20, and a clearer aerial image 4 can be realized.

[0032] Although the blackout curtain 44 is shown here to be attached when in use, it may also be permanently fixed to the liquid crystal display 20 and optical plate 30 without being attached or removed. In this case, when folding the aerial image display device 1, it should be folded between the liquid crystal display 20 and optical plate 30. One way to fold it is, for example, by folding it in a zigzag pattern like a fan. [Examples]

[0033] Next, Embodiment 2 of the aerial image display device according to the present invention will be described. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the aerial image display device 5 in use according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Elements common to the aerial image display device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention are given the same numbers and their descriptions are omitted.

[0034] Furthermore, Figure 2 is a side view showing the aerial image display device 1 in use according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and Figures 3, 4, and 5 are a side view, front view, and rear view showing the aerial image display device 1 in the folded state according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. These can also be viewed as a side view showing the aerial image display device 5 in use according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and a side view, front view, and rear view showing the aerial image display device 5 in the folded state according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. However, the support substrate 10 needs to be replaced with the main body 50 of the notebook computer.

[0035] In other words, the aerial image display device 5 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is obtained by replacing the support board 10 of the aerial image display device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention with the main body 50 of a notebook computer. The main body 50 of the notebook computer is equipped with elements that are commonly found in a notebook computer, such as a keyboard 52 and a touchpad 54, and this aerial image display device 5 can be used as a notebook computer with the aerial image 4 as a monitor.

[0036] Furthermore, similar to Example 1, it can be folded into a small size for easy portability, allowing the contactless interface to be easily installed in any location. In particular, the ease of use of a laptop computer enables efficient on-site development, maintenance, and modification of the contactless interface of the aerial image display device 5. Here as well, similar to Example 1, it is desirable to achieve a clearer aerial image 4 by using a dark curtain 44 as shown in Figure 6. [Examples]

[0037] Next, Embodiment 3 of the aerial image display device according to the present invention will be described. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the aerial image display device 6 in use according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Elements common to the aerial image display device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention are given the same numbers and their descriptions are omitted.

[0038] The aerial image display device of Example 3 is the same as the aerial image display device 1 of Example 1, but without the support substrate 10. Therefore, this aerial image display device 6 is supported in its operating state by a liquid crystal display 64 and a pair of left and right locking rods 40. In the operating state shown in Figure 9, the optical plate 30 is supported horizontally, and the liquid crystal display 64 is fixed at a 45-degree downward angle to the optical plate 30.

[0039] The LCD display 64 is simply an external display device and is equipped with video input terminals 66 such as HDMI® and DISPLAY PORT. By connecting the video output terminal of a typical laptop computer to the video input terminal 66 of the LCD display 64, the LCD display 64 becomes an external display for the laptop computer.

[0040] In this case, an aerial image display device can be realized simply by connecting an existing LCD display and an optical plate with a hinge, making it possible to develop the system at a very low cost. Furthermore, a development environment using actual hardware can be realized simply by connecting it to a laptop computer via an HDMI® terminal, significantly shortening the development period.

[0041] Therefore, the foldable aerial image display device 6 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention can also be folded into a small size by overlapping the liquid crystal display 64 and the optical plate 30, making it portable and easily carried. Figures 10, 11, and 12 are side, front, and rear views, respectively, showing the folded state of the aerial image display device 6 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. For example, this aerial image display device can be folded and carried in a bag, and used to perform contactless online payments at a destination.

[0042] In addition, as in Example 1, it is desirable to install a dark curtain 44, as shown in Figure 6, between the liquid crystal display 64 and the optical plate 30 to achieve a clearer aerial image 4. [Industrial applicability]

[0043] The aerial image display device according to the present invention can be folded into a small size and easily carried. Furthermore, a development environment using the actual device can be set up on-site, making it easy to modify and add to the implementation.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to examples, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the examples described herein. The apparatus of the present invention can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be restrictive in any way to the present invention.

[0045] For example, while a liquid crystal display is used in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto, and organic EL displays, electronic paper, etc., may also be used. Furthermore, while a locking rod is used as a support structure for fixing the display and optical panel, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a locking mechanism may be implemented in the hinge part itself, or a shielding plate may be used instead of a blackout curtain, and this shielding plate may be used as a support structure for fixing the display and optical panel. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1, 5, 6 Aerial Image Display Device 4 Aerial Images 10 Support substrate 12. Hinge section 14 ports 16 Engaging recess 18 speakers 20 LCD displays 22 Hinge section 24 Display surface 30 Optical Plates 31 Incidence plane 32 Infrared LEDs 33. Ejection surface 34 Infrared Cameras 36 Engaging recess 40 Locking Rod 42 axes 44 Blackout Curtain 44C Central shielding part 44L Left side shielding part 44R Right side shielding part 46 hook-and-loop fasteners 50 PC main unit 52-key keyboard 54 Touchpad 64 LCD displays 66 Video input terminals

Claims

1. A display board that displays a contactless interface screen, An optical panel is rotatably connected to the front edge of the display substrate by a hinge, The optical panel includes an operation detection unit that detects gestures made by the user, A support substrate is rotatably connected by a hinge to the front edge of the display substrate and the opposite edge of the display substrate. The system includes locking means for fixing the display substrate and the optical panel at a certain angle, and for fixing the display and the support substrate at a certain angle, When the non-contact interface screen is displayed on the display substrate while the display substrate and the optical panel are fixed at the specified angle, the non-contact interface screen is projected as an aerial image into the air on the opposite side of the optical panel via the optical panel. A foldable aerial image display device characterized in that the display substrate, the optical panel, and the support substrate can be stacked on top of each other and folded into a plane by rotating the hinge.

2. The foldable aerial image display device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the support substrate incorporates an information processing device that transmits control signals for displaying the non-contact interface screen on the display substrate.

3. The foldable aerial image display device according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking means holds the optical panel and the support substrate horizontally, and the angle between the optical panel and the support substrate and the display substrate can be fixed in the range of 40 to 50 degrees.