JP2020064086A - Aerial video output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an aerial image output device in which a range in which a user can appropriately observe an aerial image is expanded.
An aerial image output device includes an image output unit that outputs first light that forms an image, a reflection unit that reflects the first light output from the image output unit, and a reflection unit. The first light reflected by 12 is converted into the second light and emitted, and the AI plate 13 forms an aerial image 30 corresponding to the above image, and the first light incident from the AI plate 13 at an incident angle θ1. And an angle adjusting optical element 14 for emitting the second light at an emission angle θ2 smaller than the incident angle θ1.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an aerial image output device that displays an image in the air.

  Patent Document 1 proposes an optical image forming apparatus capable of forming an image in the air corresponding to a flat image displayed on a liquid crystal display.

Japanese Patent No. 5667729

  When an image is formed in the air using the optical image forming apparatus as described above, the range in which the user can appropriately observe the image formed in the air (hereinafter, also referred to as the aerial image) is limited to some extent.

  The present invention provides an aerial image output device in which a range in which a user can appropriately observe an aerial image is expanded.

  An aerial image output device according to an aspect of the present invention includes an image output unit that outputs a first light forming an image, a reflection unit that reflects the first light output from the image output unit, and An image forming optical element that forms an aerial image corresponding to the image by converting the first light reflected by the reflecting portion into second light and emitting the second light, and an incident angle θ1 from the image forming optical element. And an angle adjusting optical element that emits the second light that has entered at 1 at an exit angle θ2 that is smaller than the incident angle θ1.

  According to the present invention, an aerial image output device in which a range in which a user can appropriately observe an aerial image is widened is realized.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system kitchen including an aerial image output device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal structure of a system kitchen including the aerial image output device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of the aerial image output device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a three-dimensional shape of the angle adjusting optical element. FIG. 5 is a side view of the angle adjusting optical element. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing specific dimensions of the angle adjusting optical element. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an aerial video output device according to Comparative Example 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of an aerial video output device according to Comparative Example 2. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the aerial video output device according to the first modification. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first aerial image output device according to the second modification. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a second aerial image output device according to the second modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that each of the embodiments described below shows a comprehensive or specific example. Numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions of constituent elements, connection forms, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Further, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claim showing the highest concept are described as arbitrary constituent elements.

  It should be noted that each drawing is a schematic view and is not necessarily strictly illustrated. Further, in each drawing, substantially the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping description may be omitted or simplified.

  In addition, coordinate axes may be shown in the drawings used for description in the following embodiments. The Z-axis direction in the coordinate axes is, for example, the vertical direction, the Z-axis + side is expressed as an upper side (upper side), and the Z-axis-side is expressed as a lower side (lower side). The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are directions orthogonal to each other on a plane (horizontal plane) perpendicular to the Z-axis direction.

(Embodiment)
[Schematic configuration]
First, a schematic configuration of an aerial image output device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system kitchen including an aerial image output device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal structure of a system kitchen including the aerial image output device according to the embodiment. Note that FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the system kitchen as viewed from the side.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the aerial image output device 10 can be applied to the system kitchen 20. In this case, a user who uses the system kitchen 20 can use the aerial image output device 10.

  The system kitchen 20 is, for example, equipment for a user to cook or wash dishes. Specifically, the system kitchen 20 includes a kitchen table 21 for performing work such as cooking, and a kitchen wall 22 arranged in a partition shape on the back side of the kitchen table 21.

  The aerial image output device 10 is incorporated in the kitchen table 21. The aerial image output device 10 forms the image output (displayed) by the image output unit 11 as an aerial image 30 in the aerial display area. The aerial image output device 10 displays, for example, an aerial image 30 such as a cooking recipe. This allows the user to cook while watching the aerial image 30 such as the recipe.

[Configuration of aerial image output device]
Next, the configuration of the aerial image output device 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of the aerial image output device 10 (a diagram in which the aerial image output device 10 of FIG. 2 is enlarged). Specifically, the aerial image output device 10 includes an image output unit 11, a reflecting unit 12, an AI (Aerial Imaging) plate 13, an angle adjusting optical element 14, and a housing 15.

  The video output unit 11 displays a video. In other words, the image output unit 11 outputs the first light forming an image. The image output unit 11 is, for example, a flat panel display that displays a two-dimensional image such as a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, or an LED display device. Specifically, the image output unit 11 has a display surface 11a, and an image displayed in the air as an aerial image 30 is displayed on the display surface 11a. The display surface 11a has, for example, a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix. The image output unit 11 is arranged between the AI plate 13 and the reflection unit 12, and outputs the first light toward the reflection unit 12.

  In the embodiment, the video (image) may be either a still image or a moving image. For example, a content video stored in the aerial video output device 10, a video being broadcast or a recorded video of a television program. , BD, DVD or the like, or Internet video or the like. The video may be a predetermined fixed video.

  The reflector 12 reflects the first light output from the video output unit 11. The reflecting portion 12 is a flat optical mirror, and is arranged on the bottom of the housing 15 with the reflecting surface 12a facing upward. The reflecting surface 12a is a plane parallel to the XY plane.

  The AI plate 13 is an example of an imaging optical element and is displayed on the display surface of the video output unit 11 by converting the first light reflected by the reflection unit 12 into second light and emitting the second light. It is an optical device for forming an aerial image 30 corresponding to an image. The AI plate 13 is a so-called reflection-type plane-symmetrical imaging element, and transmits and reflects incident light to form a real image in the air at a ratio of 1: 1 with the AI plate 13 as a symmetry axis.

  The AI plate 13 is arranged between the reflecting section 12 and the angle adjusting optical element 14. The light incident surface of the AI plate 13 faces the reflecting surface 12a of the reflecting portion 12, and the light emitting surface of the AI plate 13 faces the angle adjusting optical element 14. The entrance surface and the exit surface of the AI plate are planes parallel to the XY plane.

  The AI plate 13 is, for example, a light-transmitting substrate such as a glass substrate or a transparent resin substrate, partition walls formed of a resin material or the like on the substrate and having a lattice shape in a plan view, and two-dimensionally partitioned by the partition walls. And a reflective film formed on the inner surfaces of the plurality of openings formed in the flat plate.

  Each of the plurality of openings is a rectangular parallelepiped, and has, for example, a square shape having a side of about 100 μm in plan view and a depth of about 100 μm. The reflective film formed on the inner surface of the partition wall of each opening is, for example, a metal film such as silver or aluminum. That is, the surface of the reflective film is a mirror surface (micromirror).

  In the aerial image output device 10, the first light forming the image output by the image output unit 11 spreads in a conical shape and enters the incident surface of the AI plate 13, and forms the inner surface of the opening of the AI plate 13. The two adjacent reflecting surfaces (two orthogonal reflecting surfaces) of the surface of the reflecting film are sequentially reflected and emitted from the emitting surface as second light. The aerial image 30 is projected in the air by the second light thus emitted.

  The AI plate 13 forms the same image as the image displayed on the display surface 11a of the image output unit 11 as an aerial image 30 at a position optically symmetrical to the display surface 11a of the image output unit 11. In other words, the optical distance (optical path length) from the AI plate 13 to the image output unit 11 and the distance from the AI plate 13 to the aerial image 30 are substantially equal to each other, and the image displayed on the display surface 11a of the image output unit 11 is The size and the size of the aerial image 30 are also substantially equal.

  The angle adjusting optical element 14 emits the second light incident from the AI plate 13 at the incident angle θ1 at the emission angle θ2 smaller than the incident angle θ1. The angle adjusting optical element 14 is specifically a prism (prism sheet) formed of a resin such as an acrylic resin or a translucent material (transparent material) such as glass. The refractive index of the translucent material is higher than that of air.

  The specific shape of the angle adjusting optical element 14 is shown in FIGS. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a three-dimensional shape of the angle adjusting optical element 14. FIG. 5 is a view of the angle adjusting optical element 14 viewed from the side. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing specific dimensions of the angle adjusting optical element 14.

  The angle adjusting optical element 14 is arranged on the upper surface of the AI plate 13. As shown in FIG. 4, in the angle adjusting optical element 14, a plurality of triangular prism-shaped prism units whose height direction is in the X-axis direction are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction. The entrance surface 14a of each of the plurality of prism units is a long rectangular shape having the X-axis direction as the longitudinal direction, and is a plane parallel to the XY plane. The incident surface 14a of each of the plurality of prisms faces the exit surface of the AI plate 13. The entrance surface 14a of each of the plurality of prisms is in contact with the exit surface of the AI plate 13. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the length (width) w of the incident surface 14a of one prism unit in the Y-axis direction is about 0.01 mm or more and 0.2 mm or less.

  The exit surface 14b of the angle adjusting optical element 14 is a long rectangular shape whose longitudinal direction is in the X-axis direction, and is a plane that intersects the entrance surface 14a at an angle α. The angle α is, for example, 40 °, but may be appropriately changed in order to achieve a desired emission angle θ2. The angle β shown in FIG. 5 is 90 °, for example.

  The incident angle θ1 and the outgoing angle θ2 of the light to the angle adjusting optical element 14 are angles with respect to the direction perpendicular to the plane parallel to the incident surface 14a. As shown in FIG. 6, when the incident angle θ1 changes in the range of 60 ° to 80 °, the output angle θ2 changes in the range of 33.3 ° to 42.1 °. In this way, the angle adjusting optical element 14 emits the second light incident from the AI plate 13 at the incident angle θ1 at the emission angle θ2 smaller than the incident angle θ1.

  The housing 15 houses the video output unit 11, the reflecting unit 12, the AI plate 13, and the angle adjusting optical element 14. The housing 15 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape having an opening at the top, and is formed of, for example, a metal material or a resin material. The shape of the housing 15 is not particularly limited. The AI plate 13 and the angle adjusting optical element 14 are arranged in the opening of the housing 15 so as to close the opening. A protective cover made of a translucent material (transparent material) may be disposed on the angle adjusting optical element 14.

[Effects Obtained by Angle Adjustment Optical Element]
Next, the effect obtained by the angle adjusting optical element 14 will be described in comparison with the aerial image output device according to Comparative Example 1 and the aerial image output device according to Comparative Example 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an aerial image output device according to Comparative Example 1, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of an aerial image output device according to Comparative Example 2.

  As described above, the distance (optical path length) from the aerial image 30 to the AI plate 13 is equal to the distance (optical path length) from the image output unit 11 to the AI plate 13. Therefore, in order to form the aerial image 30 at a position apart from the AI plate 13, it is necessary to separate the image output unit 11 and the AI plate 13 from each other. Then, it becomes a problem that the case 15 becomes large.

  Therefore, in the aerial image output device 10, the housing 15 is made thin by disposing the reflection unit 12 and reflecting the first light output from the image output unit 11.

  Here, in the aerial image output device 10a according to Comparative Example 1 shown in FIG. 7, the image output unit 11 is arranged such that the incident angle θ3 of the first light on the reflecting surface 12a is relatively small. . In other words, the video output unit 11 is arranged so that the display surface 11a approaches the reflection surface 12a of the reflection unit 12 in parallel. As a result, the housing 15 can be made thinner.

  In the aerial image output device 10a, part of the first light reflected by the reflecting surface 12a may be blocked by the image output unit 11, and part of the first light may not enter the AI plate 13. That is, the aerial image 30 may be interrupted. In the aerial image output device 10a, the incident angle of the first light on the AI plate 13 and the emitting angle of the second light from the AI plate 13 are both the first light on the reflecting surface 12a. It becomes equal to the incident angle θ3.

  In this way, in order to prevent the aerial image 30 from being interrupted, in the aerial image output device 10b according to Comparative Example 2 shown in FIG. 8, the image output unit 11 uses the first light to the reflecting surface 12a. Is arranged so that the incident angle θ4 thereof is relatively large. In this case, the incident angle of the first light on the AI plate 13 and the outgoing angle of the second light from the AI plate 13 are both the incident angle θ4 of the first light on the reflecting surface 12a. Will be equal.

  Then, the apparent size (area) of the AI plate 13 when viewed from the user's viewpoint is reduced. Therefore, the problem is that the range in which the user can appropriately observe the aerial image 30 is narrowed. For example, the aerial image 30 output by the aerial image output device 10b cannot be properly observed unless the user bends the position, and it is difficult to properly observe the aerial image 30 from above. The apparent size of the AI plate 13 is determined by the angle θ5 in FIG.

  Therefore, in the aerial image output device 10, the angle adjusting optical element 14 adjusts the emission angle of the second light to θ2 which is smaller than the incident angle θ1. Even when the incident angle θ1 is large, the apparent size (area) of the AI plate 13 when viewed from the user's viewpoint becomes small (angle θ6 in FIG. 3> angle θ5 in FIG. 8). Therefore, the range in which the user can appropriately observe the aerial image 30 can be widened. Therefore, the size of the aerial image 30 can be increased. In the aerial image output device 10, the emission angle θ2 may satisfy the relationship of 0 <θ2 <60 °.

[Modification 1]
The AI plate 13 is an example of an image-forming optical element, and the specific aspect of the image-forming optical element is not particularly limited. The imaging optical element may be configured to include, for example, a half mirror and a retroreflector. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of an aerial image output device including an imaging optical element including a half mirror and a retroreflector.

  The aerial image output device 10c shown in FIG. 9 includes a half mirror 13a and a retroreflector 13b as an imaging optical element.

  The half mirror 13a is a beam splitter that reflects the first light reflected by the reflector 12 and transmits the second light emitted by the retroreflector 13b.

  The half mirror 13 a is arranged in the opening of the housing 15, like the AI plate 13 of the aerial image output device 10. In the aerial image output device 10c, the half mirror 13a and the reflecting portion 12 are arranged to face each other. The image output unit 11 is arranged between the half mirror 13a and the reflection unit 12, and outputs the first light forming an image toward the reflection unit 12.

  The half mirror 13a reflects the first light reflected by the reflecting section 12 toward the retroreflecting section 13b and transmits the second light emitted by the retroreflecting section 13b. The second light in this case is light obtained by retroreflecting the first light. The transmitted second light is imaged in the space above the aerial image output device 10. As a result, the aerial image 30 corresponding to the image displayed on the display surface 11a is displayed in the air.

  The retroreflective portion 13b is a member that reflects (retroreflects) the incident light without changing the substantial direction of the incident light again. In other words, the retroreflective part 13b is a retroreflective optical member or a retroreflective mirror. The retroreflector 13b retroreflects the first light reflected by the half mirror 13a to convert the first light into second light and emit the second light. The retroreflective part 13b is specifically a sheet-shaped member in which a plurality of spherical glass beads are spread over the surface of a plate-shaped base material, or a plate material provided with microprisms.

  The retroreflective portion 13b is arranged on the bottom of the housing 15 with the reflective surface thereof facing upward, similarly to the reflective portion 12. The retroreflector 13b is arranged side by side with the reflector 12 in the Y-axis direction. The retroreflective section 13b is arranged farther from the video output section 11 than the reflective section 12.

  Like the aerial image output device 10, the aerial image output device 10c can widen the range in which the user can appropriately observe the aerial image 30.

[Modification 2]
In the above-described embodiment, the angle adjusting optical element 14 is arranged on the AI plate 13 or the half mirror 13a, but the angle adjusting optical element 14 reflects the first light output from the image output unit 11. The angle of the first light may be adjusted before being reflected by 12. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first aerial image output device according to the second modification.

  The angle adjusting optical element 14d included in the aerial image output device 10d illustrated in FIG. 10 emits the second light incident from the image output unit 11 at θ1 = 0 ° at an emission angle θ2> 0. The emitted first light is reflected by the reflector 12 and then enters the AI plate 13. The angle adjusting optical element 14d is, for example, a prism or the like having an exit angle larger than an incident angle.

  Such an aerial image output device 10d can widen the range in which the user can appropriately observe the aerial image 30 similarly to the aerial image output device 10.

  The angle adjusting optical element 14 adjusts the angle of the first light output from the image output unit 11 after the first light is reflected by the reflecting unit 12 and before entering the AI plate 13. Good. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a second aerial image output device according to the second modification.

  The angle adjusting optical element 14e included in the aerial image output device 10e shown in FIG. 11 emits the first light incident from the reflecting section 12 at the incident angle θ1 at the outgoing angle θ2 smaller than the incident angle θ1. The emitted first light enters the AI plate 13. The angle adjusting optical element 14e is, for example, a prism having the same configuration as the angle adjusting optical element 14.

  Such an aerial video output device 10e, like the aerial video output device 10, can widen the range in which the user can appropriately observe the aerial video 30.

[Summary]
As described above, the aerial image output device 10 includes the image output unit 11 that outputs the first light forming an image, the reflection unit 12 that reflects the first light output from the image output unit 11, and An image forming optical element that forms the aerial image 30 corresponding to the image by converting the first light reflected by the reflecting section 12 into the second light and emitting the second light, and an incident angle θ1 from the image forming optical element. The angle adjusting optical element 14 that emits the second light that has entered at 1 at an exit angle θ2 that is smaller than the incident angle θ1.

  Thereby, the aerial image output device 10 can widen the range in which the user can appropriately observe the aerial image 30. That is, the aerial image output device 10 in which the range in which the user can appropriately observe the aerial image 30 is widened is realized.

  Further, the emission angle θ2 may satisfy the relationship of 0 <θ2 <60 °.

  Accordingly, when the user observes the aerial image 30 from the upper side, it is possible to widen the range in which the user can appropriately observe the aerial image 30.

  Further, the imaging optical element may be the AI plate 13.

  As a result, the aerial image output device 10 including the AI plate 13 is realized, in which the range in which the user can appropriately observe the aerial image 30 is widened.

  Further, the AI plate 13 and the reflecting section 12 may be arranged to face each other, and the video output section 11 may be arranged between the AI plate 13 and the reflecting section 12 to output the first light toward the reflecting section 12. .

  As a result, the optical path is folded back by the reflecting section 12, so that an increase in the thickness of the aerial image output device 10 in the arrangement direction (the vertical direction) of the AI plate 13 and the reflecting section 12 is suppressed.

  Further, like the aerial image output device 10c, the imaging optical element may include a half mirror 13a and a retroreflector 13b. The half mirror 13a reflects the first light reflected by the reflector 12, and the retroreflector 13b retroreflects the first light reflected by the half mirror 13a, so that the first light is reflected by the second light. It is converted into light and emitted. The half mirror 13a transmits the second light emitted by the retroreflecting portion 13b.

  As a result, the aerial image output device 10c including the half mirror 13a and the retroreflective unit 13b, and the aerial image output device 10 in which the range in which the user can appropriately observe the aerial image 30 is expanded is realized.

  Further, the half mirror 13a and the reflecting section 12 may be arranged to face each other, and the video output section 11 may be arranged between the half mirror 13a and the reflecting section 12 to output the first light toward the reflecting section 12. .

  As a result, the optical path is folded back by the reflecting section 12, so that an increase in the thickness of the aerial image output device 10c in the arrangement direction (vertical direction) of the half mirror 13a and the reflecting section 12 is suppressed.

  The aerial image output device 10 may further include a housing 15 that houses the image output unit 11, the reflection unit 12, the imaging optical element, and the angle adjusting optical element 14.

  As a result, the aerial image output device 10 is unitized, so that the aerial image output device 10 can be easily incorporated into the system kitchen 20 or the like.

(Other embodiments)
Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

  In the above-described embodiment, the angle adjusting optical element emits the incident light at the emission angle smaller than the incident angle, but may also emit the incident light at the emission angle larger than the incident angle. The angle adjusting optical element may emit incident light at an emission angle different from the incident angle.

  In the above embodiment, the angle adjusting optical element is a prism that uses refraction of light, but it may be a prism that uses total reflection. Further, the angle adjusting optical element may be another optical member such as a lens. The angle adjusting optical element may be an optical member that emits incident light at an emission angle different from the incident angle.

  Further, the optical configurations shown in the above embodiments are examples, and the present invention is not limited to the above optical configurations. That is, like the above optical configuration, the present invention includes an optical configuration capable of realizing the characteristic function of the present invention. For example, a part of the optical components used in the above optical configuration may be omitted, or an optical component may be added to the above optical configuration, as long as the same function as that of the above optical configuration can be realized.

  In addition, it is realized by making various modifications to those skilled in the art by those skilled in the art, or by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention also includes a form.

10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e Aerial image output device 11 Image output unit 12 Reflection unit 13 AI plate (imaging optical element)
13a Half mirror (imaging optical element)
13b Retroreflector (imaging optical element)
14, 14d, 14e Angle adjustment optical element 15 Housing 30 Aerial image

Claims (7)

A video output unit that outputs a first light that forms a video;
A reflector that reflects the first light output from the video output unit,
An image forming optical element that forms an aerial image corresponding to the image by converting the first light reflected by the reflecting section into second light and emitting the second light,
An aerial image output device, comprising: an angle adjustment optical element that emits the second light incident from the imaging optical element at an incident angle θ1 at an emission angle θ2 smaller than the incident angle θ1. The aerial image output device according to claim 1, wherein the emission angle θ2 satisfies a relationship of 0 <θ2 <60 °. The aerial image output device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging optical element is an AI (Aerial Imaging) plate. The AI plate and the reflecting portion are arranged to face each other,
The aerial image output device according to claim 3, wherein the image output unit is disposed between the AI plate and the reflection unit, and outputs the first light toward the reflection unit. The imaging optical element includes a half mirror and a retroreflector,
The half mirror reflects the first light reflected by the reflector,
The retroreflector retroreflects the first light reflected by the half mirror to convert the first light into the second light and emit the second light,
The aerial image output device according to claim 1, wherein the half mirror transmits the second light emitted by the retroreflective unit. The half mirror and the reflection unit are arranged to face each other,
The aerial image output device according to claim 5, wherein the image output unit is disposed between the half mirror and the reflection unit and outputs the first light toward the reflection unit. The aerial image output device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing that houses the image output unit, the reflection unit, the imaging optical element, and the angle adjusting optical element.

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