Aerial Image Display Device with Observer-Triggered Light Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
When an aerial image is projected onto a space along a traffic line, observers passing through the image formation position often view unnecessary light before the image is formed, detracting from the display quality.
Innovation Solution
An aerial image display device is designed with an image display unit, an aerial image formation optical system, a viewpoint position information acquisition unit, and a display control processing unit. The device blocks light from the image display unit when an observer is detected in a specific region between the optical system and the point where the image is formed, preventing the observer from viewing light before image formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the aerial image is projected onto a space along a traffic line, then the image can be displayed in the air where there is no display element, but the observer views unnecessary light before the image is formed, deteriorating display quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the observer's position using a viewpoint position information acquisition unit (camera or sensor). Based on this detected position, the display control processing unit determines in advance whether the observer is in the harmful light viewing region and adjusts the image display unit accordingly before the observer actually views the unwanted light, preventing the harmful effect from occurring.
Solution Approach 2:
The display control processing unit acts as an intermediary between the image display unit and the observer. It receives position information from the viewpoint position information acquisition unit, processes this information to determine whether the observer is in the harmful light region, and then controls the image display unit to block or adjust light output. This intermediary control mechanism resolves the contradiction by mediating the light emission based on real-time observer position.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If light blocking is performed on the diffuse light from the image display unit, then the observer does not view unnecessary light, but the display quality is improved by preventing light before image formation from entering the observer's visual field
Solution Approach 1:
The display control processing unit performs multiple functions: it acquires viewpoint position information, determines whether the observer is in the harmful light viewing region, and controls the image display unit to block or adjust light output. By consolidating these functions into a single control unit, the system achieves the light blocking capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the viewpoint position information acquisition unit continuously monitors observer position, feeds this information to the display control processing unit, which then adjusts the image display unit's light output accordingly. This closed-loop feedback control enables automatic adaptation to observer position, reducing the need for complex manual control mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution ensures that observers perceive the aerial image with appropriate display quality without viewing unnecessary light, even when positioned just after passing through the image formation area.
Implementation Method 1
an aerial image formation optical system to cause diffuse light emitted from the image display unit to form an image again in a different space by reflecting the light multiple times and allowing the light to pass through
Data Source
AI summary
An aerial image display device includes an image display unit to display an image; an aerial image formation optical system to cause diffuse light emitted from the image display unit to form an image again in a different space by reflecting the light multiple times and allowing the light to pass through; and processing circuitry to acquire viewpoint position information on an observer viewing a point where the diffuse light is caused to form the image again by the aerial image formation optical system, and to control the image from the image display unit depending on an angle formed by a straight line connecting an end point of a retroreflective sheet and an eye of the observer and a straight line extending from the eye of the observer and reaching the retroreflective sheet right in front.