JPH08334730A - 3D image reproduction device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To obtain a 3D display type stereoscopic image reproducing device without glasses, which has less crosstalk, does not generate reverse stereoscopic vision, and has excellent parallax image separation. An illuminating means illuminates an aperture pattern in which a plurality of apertures are arranged in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of cylindrical lenses provided corresponding to the plurality of apertures are arranged by a cylindrical lens array arranged in a finite distance. A parallax image displayed on a spatial light modulator installed in the vicinity of the cylindrical lens array is illuminated by the light flux from the opening so as to be superimposed to form a first exit pupil, and the parallax image is converted into another parallax image. When changed, the positions of the plurality of apertures are changed in synchronization with this, and the images of the plurality of apertures are changed to the first image.
The parallax image is observed from the positions of the first and second exit pupils by periodically repeating the process of forming the second exit pupil by superimposing it on a position different from that of the exit pupil.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stereoscopic image reproducing device,
In particular, the present invention relates to a stereoscopic image reproducing device that allows an observer to observe a good stereoscopic image without using special glasses.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the following is known as a so-called "glasses-free 3D display" method for reproducing a stereoscopic image without using special glasses.

(1) Method Using Lenticular Lens FIG. 37 is an explanatory view of a lenticular method using a display surface having a strong directivity. This is an image that corresponds to the left and right eyes is divided into vertically elongated strips and arranged alternately on the focal plane of a lenticular lens array in which a large number of semi-cylindrical lenses are arranged in the horizontal direction. When is observed, images are separated into the left eye and the right eye according to the directional characteristics of the lenticular lens plate, and stereoscopic vision is obtained.

(2) Method of using large-diameter convex lens or cylindrical lens In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-252539, a large-diameter convex lens or a cylindrical lens is used instead of a lenticular lens as a display surface having a strong directivity. There is disclosed a stereoscopic image display method capable of observing a parallax image from a plurality of viewpoints.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory view of a stereoscopic image display method using a convex lens among them. FIG. 38 (A) is an explanatory diagram of a method of inputting a plurality of parallax images. In this input method, the three-dimensional object existing in the region of interest from a to b is imaged on the imaging surface by the small convex lens groups m _{1 to} m _n . That is, the three-dimensional object is on the imaging surface by the first lens m ₁ .
An image is formed in the area from a ₁ to b ₁ , an image is formed in the area from a ₂ to b ₂ on the imaging surface by the second lens m ₂ , and so on. lens m _n are imaged independently in the area of the b _n from a _n on the image pickup plane makes it possible to input the plurality of parallax images by recording them.

FIG. 38B shows a method of displaying a stereoscopic image by using the parallax image obtained by the above method. The above n pieces of parallax images are arranged on the same plane on a display such as a CRT and displayed as a plane image.Each parallax image is similarly arranged on the same plane and each parallax image is converted into an optical effect of a large convex lens. Focus on the position.

Further, the focal length of this large convex lens is f
However, since the optical effective position of the large convex lens and the optical effective position of the small convex lens group are set 2f apart,
An image of the pupils of the small convex lens groups, that is, the exit pupils, which are arranged next to each other at a position 2f apart from the small convex lens group in the direction opposite to the small convex lens group, is formed.

Therefore, the observer can observe a parallax image that differs depending on the position of the eyes by observing the large convex lens near the exit pupil group, and stereoscopic vision can be obtained by performing this observation with both eyes. .

(3) Method of Travis et al. As a method of utilizing the directivity of light by using a convex lens as described above, the method disclosed by Travis et al. In US Pat. No. 5,132,839 is known.

39 and 40 are explanatory views of this method.
FIG. 39 shows an example in which a stereoscopic image reproducing device is constructed by using one single lens. In the figure, 101 is a single lens. A spatial light modulator 102 displays a two-dimensional image. 104 is 2
A three-dimensional image display device 103 is a screen of this display device. Reference numeral 105 denotes a spot-like divergent light source formed on the screen 103, which can be present at any position on the screen 103. 5 is an observer's eye. Since the screen 103 is installed at the focal position of the single lens 101, the light diverging from the diverging light source 105 is emitted by the single lens 10
After passing 1, the parallel light flux 106 is formed.

The divergent light source 105 is located on the screen 103.
Since it moves at a high speed above, a parallel light beam 1
The outgoing direction of 06 also changes at high speed. Since the two-dimensional image displayed on the spatial light modulator 102 is illuminated by the parallel light flux 106, the parallel light flux 106
The position at which the two-dimensional image can be observed changes according to the temporal change in the emission direction of the. Therefore, there are cases where the two-dimensional image is observed only by the right eye of the observer and cases where it is observed only by the left eye of the observer. Therefore, the spatial light modulator 102
Spatial light modulator 1 when the above image is observed only by the right eye
When the parallax image for the right eye is displayed on 02 and the parallax image for the left eye is switched and displayed on the spatial light modulator 102 when only the left eye is observed, the observer can recognize a stereoscopic image. it can.

FIG. 40 shows a stereoscopic image reproducing apparatus constructed by using a lenticular lens array 108 instead of the single lens 101 shown in FIG. Although the screen 103 is installed at the focal position of the lenticular lens array 108, it is similar to the configuration of FIG. 39, but there are a plurality of divergent light sources 105 in one-to-one correspondence with each element lens of the lenticular lens array 108. ing. All of them are provided in the same positional relationship with respect to the optical axis of each element lens, and move at a high speed on the screen 103 while maintaining the relationship that the light flux 106 is emitted as a parallel light flux in the same direction. Therefore, when viewed from the observer's side, the configuration is completely equivalent to the configuration using the single lens of FIG. 39, and when the image on the spatial light modulator 102 is observed only by the right eye, the spatial light modulator 102.
When the right-eye parallax image is displayed on the upper side and the left-eye parallax image is displayed on the spatial light modulator 102 when only the left eye is observed, the observer can recognize a stereoscopic image. .

[0013]

The above-mentioned conventional "3D display without glasses" has the following problems, respectively.

(1) Method Using Lenticular Lens In this method, since parallax images are divided and arranged in a vertically long strip shape, the resolution of the image per viewpoint decreases as the number of divisions increases.

Further, since the exit pupil of the parallax image forming light is in the vicinity of the lenticular lens, crosstalk or reverse stereoscopic vision may occur depending on the observation position without separating the images corresponding to the left and right eyes. is there.

For the same reason, since the correspondence between the lens and the parallax image shifts with the movement of the viewpoint, the image “jump” is likely to occur.

(2) Method using a large-diameter convex lens or a cylindrical lens In this case, from the relationship between the observation position and the size of the convex lens,
Since the focal length of the convex lens is relatively long and the distance between the small convex lens group and the convex lens is inevitably long, the depth of the device becomes large.

(3) Method of Travis et al. Since the light beam 106 that illuminates and emits the spatial light modulator 102 is a parallel light beam, a light beam having a width equivalent to the width of the two-dimensional image on the spatial light modulator 102. Has become. For this reason,
When the width of the image is equal to or more than the distance between the eyes of the observer, a situation in which a light flux from the same image is incident on both the right eye and the left eye is likely to occur, separation of parallax images becomes difficult, and the effect of stereoscopic vision is sufficient. I can't get it.

Further, as can be seen from FIGS. 39 and 40, it is generally difficult to observe the peripheral portion of the image on the spatial light modulator 102 illuminated by the parallel light flux. In order to make the peripheral portion of the image appear bright, a field lens or the like is provided near the image display surface, and the light beam 106 is directed toward the observer's eye.
Must be made to converge, but the above-mentioned conventional example does not have such a structure.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a thin stereoscopic image reproducing device which has a small amount of crosstalk in parallax images, does not generate reverse stereoscopic vision, is excellent in parallax image separation, and is capable of a 3D display without glasses. .

[0021]

In the stereoscopic image reproducing apparatus of the present invention, (1-1) an illuminating means is used to illuminate an aperture pattern in which a plurality of apertures are arranged in the horizontal direction, and the aperture pattern is provided corresponding to the plurality of apertures. A plurality of cylindrical lenses are arranged with an opaque partition wall between them to form a first exit pupil by superimposing the plurality of openings at a finite distance, and a light flux from the openings causes the cylindrical lens array to move. When the parallax image displayed on the display spatial light modulator installed in the vicinity is illuminated and the parallax image is changed to another parallax image, the positions of the plurality of apertures are changed in synchronization with this and the plurality of parallax images are changed. The image of the aperture is overlapped at a position different from that of the first exit pupil to form the second exit pupil, which is periodically repeated, and the parallax image is displayed to the observer by the first,
The feature is that it is observed from the second exit pupil position.

In particular, (1-1-1) the aperture pattern is formed by a spatial light modulator. (1-1-2) The display surface on which the parallax image is displayed coincides with the optical principal plane of the cylindrical lens array. It is characterized by such things.

Further, in the stereoscopic image reproducing apparatus of the present invention, (1-2) the illumination means illuminates an aperture pattern in which a plurality of apertures are arranged in the horizontal direction, and a plurality of cylindrical lenses provided corresponding to the plurality of apertures. A plurality of apertures are overlapped at a finite distance by a projection optical system having a cylindrical lens array formed by arranging lenses through an opaque partition wall and a cylindrical convex lens having a refractive power only in the horizontal direction to form a first exit pupil. At the same time, the parallax image displayed on the spatial light modulator for display installed in the vicinity of the cylindrical lens array is illuminated by the light flux from the opening, and when the parallax image is replaced with another parallax image, The positions of the plurality of apertures are changed synchronously, and the images of the plurality of apertures are superimposed on a position different from the first exit pupil to form a second exit pupil. Bet the periodically repeated,
It is characterized in that the observer can observe the parallax image from the first and second exit pupil positions.

In particular, (1-2-1) the aperture pattern is formed by a spatial light modulator. (1-2-2) The projection optical system has, in order from the opening pattern side, the cylindrical lens array and the cylindrical convex lens in this order, and the opening pattern is on the focal plane of the cylindrical lens array. The apertures corresponding to the lenses are located at the same position relative to the individual cylindrical lenses. (1-2-3) The display surface on which the parallax image is displayed matches the optical principal plane of the cylindrical lens array or the cylindrical convex lens. It is characterized by such things.

Further, according to the three-dimensional image reproducing apparatus of the present invention, (1-3) the illumination means illuminates an aperture pattern in which a plurality of apertures are two-dimensionally arranged, and a plurality of apertures are provided corresponding to the plurality of apertures. The fly's eye lens array formed by arranging element lenses through an opaque partition wall forms the first exit pupil by superimposing the plurality of apertures at a finite distance, and the light flux from the apertures forms the fly's eye lens array. Illuminates the parallax image displayed on the spatial light modulator for display installed near the
When the parallax image is replaced with another parallax image, the positions of the plurality of apertures are changed in synchronization with the parallax image, and the images of the plurality of apertures are superimposed on a position different from the first exit pupil to form a second image. It is characterized in that the parallax image is observed from the first and second exit pupil positions by periodically repeating the process of forming it as the exit pupil.

In particular, (1-3-1) the aperture pattern is formed by a spatial light modulator. (1-3-2) The width of the image of the opening in the horizontal direction is 50 mm or less. (1-3-3) It takes less than 1/30 second to change the positions of the plurality of openings periodically and form the openings at the original positions again. It is characterized by such things.

Further, in the stereoscopic image reproducing apparatus of the present invention, (1-4) the illuminating means illuminates the aperture formed in the spatial light modulating means for the aperture whose position is variable, and the plurality of cylindrical lenses are arranged in the horizontal direction. A spatial light for display having a plurality of display areas corresponding to the plurality of cylindrical lenses in the vicinity of the cylindrical lens array while forming an image of the aperture as a first exit pupil by a cylindrical lens array arranged in parallel. Install modulation means,
A part of the first parallax image displayed in one of the display areas is illuminated with a light flux from the opening through a cylindrical lens corresponding to the display area, and the position of the opening is changed and the first parallax image is displayed. A part of the second parallax image is displayed in a display area displaying a part of the second parallax image, and a part of the second parallax image is illuminated with a light flux from the opening through a cylindrical lens corresponding to the display area. , The aperture is imaged by the cylindrical lens as a second exit pupil at a position different from the first exit pupil, and the first and second parallax images are projected to the observer as the first and second exit pupils. The first parallax image and the second parallax image are displayed by performing observation at the pupil position on the plurality of display regions by sequentially changing the display region. (1-5) Illuminating means illuminates the aperture formed in the spatial light modulating means for the aperture whose position is variable, and the aperture is limited by a fly-eye lens array formed by arranging a plurality of element lenses two-dimensionally. An image is formed as a first exit pupil at a distance, and a display spatial light modulator having a plurality of display areas corresponding to the plurality of element lenses is installed in the vicinity of the fly's eye lens array, and the display area is provided. Part of the first parallax image by illuminating a part of the first parallax image displayed on one of the first parallax images with a light flux from the opening through an element lens corresponding to the display area. A part of the second parallax image is displayed in the display area where is displayed, and a part of the second parallax image is illuminated by the light flux from the opening through the element lens corresponding to the display area, and the opening is displayed. To a second position different from the first exit pupil by the element lens. Of the plurality of display areas by sequentially changing the display area so that the viewer can observe the first and second parallax images at the first and second exit pupil positions. Then, the first parallax image and the second parallax image are displayed. It is characterized by such things.

In particular, (1-5-1) the image of the opening has a width in the horizontal direction of 50 mm or less. (1-5-2) The time required to display all of the first parallax image and the second parallax image is within 1/30 second. It is characterized by such things.

[0029]

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the essential portions of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Further, FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a main part of the present embodiment, which is a view of the present embodiment as viewed from vertically above.

In the figure, SLM1 is a first spatial light modulator (a spatial light modulator for display, hereinafter the spatial light modulator is referred to as SLM). In this embodiment, a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as SLM)
LCD) is used. Reference numeral 2 denotes a cylindrical lens array, in which cylindrical cylindrical lenses are arranged in a horizontal direction on the entire surface with an opaque partition plate (partition wall) 9 interposed therebetween. The SLM2 is a second spatial light modulator (a spatial light modulator for an aperture), which is composed of an LCD and forms an aperture pattern on its display surface. 4 is a backlight for SLM (illumination means).

The first and second spatial light modulators SLM1 and SLM2 do not have to be LCDs in particular, but it is preferable that they have a two-dimensional wide range of light modulation action and are of a transmission type. In this embodiment, both SLM1 and SLM2 are transmissive LCDs.

The SLM 1 has a general dot matrix LCD for image display and a color filter, and can reproduce a color moving image. The SLM2 controls the illumination range of the illumination light, so it does not need to be an LCD that reproduces a color image. In this embodiment, in order to simplify the device, the SLM 2 is not an LCD having electrodes having a matrix structure but a monochrome type in which a large number of vertically elongated segment electrodes 11 shown in FIG. 2 are arranged in parallel.
LCD is used. In this embodiment, a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) having a fast response speed is used as the SLM2. In the present embodiment, this is because SL (large-scale image information) is processed (displayed).
This is because the fast time response of M2 is required.

Reference numeral 5 denotes both eyes of an observer, who observes the apparatus from a direction facing SLM1. 10 is a drive device, SL
It generates images to be displayed on M1 and SLM2, drives SLM and backlight, and supplies current.

The operation of reproducing a stereoscopic image with the above configuration will be described. FIG. 3 shows a state at a certain moment during reproduction of a stereoscopic image. In the figure, 6 _R is the parallax image (display image) on the right of the stereo pair displayed on SLM1 at this moment, and 7 is SL.
It is an opening pattern displayed on M2. As shown in FIG. 4, when viewed from the front, the opening pattern 7 is composed of a vertically long opening 8 _i that transmits light and the other light blocking portions.

Although the position of the opening 8 _i changes with time, the position that can exist is predetermined. Therefore, the segment electrodes are formed according to the shape and size of the opening 8 _{i and} the position where the opening 8 _i is formed.

The light emitted from the backlight 4 illuminates the aperture pattern 7 on the SLM _{2, and} the aperture 8 _{R, i} of the aperture pattern 7 is emitted.
Only the light that has passed through illuminates the display image 6 _R on the SLM 1 via the cylindrical lens array 2. Then, at this time, the illumination light flux becomes a light flux having directivity within the plane of the paper of FIG. 3 due to the optical power of the cylindrical lens array 2. In the case of the present embodiment, the surface P ₁ on which the aperture pattern 7 is displayed is configured to form an image on the surface P ₂ near the observing position at a finite distance by each cylindrical lens. All the openings 8 _{R, i} are configured so as to form an image 8 _R ′ that is superimposed at the same position on the plane P ₂ with the same size. That is, 8 _R 'is the exit pupil (first exit pupil) of each cylindrical lens at this time.

All the light fluxes passing through the aperture 8 _{R, i} pass through the exit pupil 8 _R ', but all the light fluxes passing through the aperture 8 _{R, i} are
Since the SLM1 is illuminated, if the SLM1 is observed through the exit pupil 8 _R ′, the entire area of the display image (right image) 6 _R can be observed. However, the horizontal size of the exit pupil 8 _R 'is smaller than the distance between both eyes of the observer, for example because it is set to 50 mm, right eye 5 _R of the observer, as shown in FIG. In this moment
The displayed image 6 _R can only be observed.

In this embodiment, since the partition plate 9 is provided at the boundary between the adjacent cylindrical lenses, each cylindrical lens and the opening 8 _{R, i} have a one-to-one correspondence, and at this moment, the exit pupil. There can be no multiple 8 _R's .

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the essential portions of the first embodiment after a lapse of time t from the state of FIG. At this time, the display image to be displayed on the SLM1 is changed to the left parallax image of the stereo pair, it is displayed as a display image 6 _L. At the same time each opening 8 _i in the opening pattern 7 is changed to the position of the opening 8 _{L, i,} each opening 8 _{L, i} is the exit pupil 8 _R 'on all surfaces P ₂
An image 8 _L ′ having the same size and overlapping is formed at a position different from. That is, the image 8 _L 'is the exit pupil (second exit pupil) of each cylindrical lens at this time. Left eye 5 _L of the observer this time is located in the range of the exit pupil 8 _L ', the observer can not observe a display image 6 _L only the left eye 5 _L.
The opening 8 _{L, i} is formed at a position adjacent to the opening 8 _{R, i} .

In the present embodiment, the state shown in FIG. 3 and the state shown in FIG. 5 are switched at high speed at a cycle of the afterimage permissible time t _e (about 1/30 seconds) of the human eye. As a result, the observer cannot recognize the movement of the exit pupil 8 _R '← → 8 _L '. Therefore, the observer feels as if he or she is observing the display images 6 _R and 6 _L (stereo pair) through the large exit pupil (8 _R '+8 _L ') having a width equal to or greater than the distance between the eyes, and the stereoscopic image is obtained. Can be recognized.

Now, the conditions for constructing the light fluxes emitted from all the cylindrical lenses in the cylindrical lens array 2 so as to pass through one exit pupil will be described. This condition is determined by the relative positional relationship between each cylindrical lens and the corresponding aperture 8 _i .

FIG. 6 shows the position where the exit pupil 8 _k ′ is formed when the relative positions of the openings 8 _i with respect to the optical axis of each cylindrical lens are all the same (however, the cylindrical lens array 2 and the openings). In order to clarify the relationship between 8 _i and the exit pupil 8 _k ', irrelevant parts constituting the device are omitted.)

The respective apertures 8 ₁ to 8 ₄ in the figure are imaged as separate exit pupils 8 ₁ ′ to 8 ₄ ′. At this time, if the optical axis distance (lens pitch) between a certain cylindrical lens in the cylindrical lens array 2 and the cylindrical lens next to it is Δ ′, the center distance between the respective exit pupils is also Δ ′. If, when you want to match 'the exit pupil ₈₂ is an image of the opening _82' exit pupil 8 ₁ which is an image of the aperture _81, the be moved 'a delta' exit pupil ₈₁ downward in the figure by I have to. 'When the imaging magnification of the beta, the exit pupil 8 _1' opening 8 _i → exit pupil 8 _k by the cylindrical lens array 2 in order to match the exit pupil ₈₂ 'is opening 8
_As shown in FIG. 7, ₁ may be moved upward from the original position 8 _1a by Δ = Δ ′ / β to form an opening at 8 _1b . If such a correction is performed for all the apertures, it is possible to configure the light fluxes emitted from all the cylindrical lenses to pass through one exit pupil.

Furthermore, when the exit pupil is moved from the first exit pupil to the second exit pupil, if all the apertures 8 _i are corrected by the above-mentioned procedure, the exit light flux from all the cylindrical lenses is also changed. It can be configured to pass through one exit pupil, the second exit pupil.

In the first embodiment, it is desirable that the display surface on which the display image 6 is displayed substantially coincides with the main plane of the cylindrical lens array 2. When the two surfaces are greatly separated, the display image 6 is independently enlarged or reduced for each region corresponding to each cylindrical lens by the optical power of the cylindrical lens array 2, and the display image 6 which should be originally one image is displayed. Is displayed separately, so that the above two surfaces are made to substantially coincide with each other so as not to be affected by the optical power of the cylindrical lens array 2.

Next, a method for obtaining the above stereo pair will be described with reference to FIG.
Will be explained. FIG. 8 shows a three-dimensional object X with two cameras C _R ,
Represents a state in which the imaging at C _L. In the figure, the positional relationship between the display image 6 and the exit pupils 8 _R ′ and 8 _L ′ at the time of reproduction is superimposed and shown. O _R and O _L are the center O _{C of the} display image 6 and the exit pupil 8 respectively.
_R ', 8 _L' is an axis passing through the center of. The entrance pupil centers C _PR and C _PL of the cameras C _R and C _L are always on the axes O _R and O _L , respectively, and are equidistant from the center O _{C of the} three-dimensional object.

Originally, it would be most natural to set the two cameras in the state of FIG. 8 (B) according to the positions of the exit pupils 8 _R 'and 8 _L ' during observation. There is no problem if the above conditions are satisfied even if the conditions are slightly changed as in the cases of A) and (C). However, when viewing the three-dimensional object X with both eyes at the positions of the exit pupils 8 _R 'and 8 _L ', the image magnification (visual size) when viewing the display image 6 under the same conditions is remarkable. If there is a difference, the binocular parallax amount may be unnatural and a stereoscopic image may be difficult to see. Therefore, the focal length of the camera is appropriately selected so that the stereoscopic image looks natural.

The stereo pair does not necessarily have to be a real image captured by a camera. Use a computer to set an arbitrary 3D object as if
It is also possible to obtain a stereo pair by generating an image captured by a single camera and reproduce the stereo pair.

The effects of the first embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, unlike the conventional lenticular method, the exit pupils of the light flux for observing the left and right parallax images are divided near the observer, so that the respective light fluxes are efficiently separated, and crosstalk, reverse stereoscopic vision, and image "Skip" is less likely to occur. Moreover, since the area division display of the image unlike the conventional method using the lenticular lens is not performed at the time of displaying the parallax image, the resolution of the image per viewpoint does not decrease.

Further, unlike the method of Travis or the like, since the image forming light (illumination light) is converged in the direction of the observer's eye, the left and right images are surely separated and the peripheral portion is bright. You can observe the image.

Further, in this embodiment, unlike the large convex lens system, the focal length of the cylindrical lens can be shortened, so that the device can be made thin. This effect is proportional to the number of cylindrical lenses forming the lens array.
The reason will be described with reference to FIG.

The configuration shown in FIG. 9 (A) corresponds to a so-called large convex lens system, and one convex lens L is placed instead of the cylindrical lens array. In this case, the diameter of the convex lens L is about the same as the size of the SLM 1, and the focal length is inevitably long, which requires the depth of the display device.

However, if two lens arrays L2 are used as shown in FIG. 9 (B), the focal length per lens becomes short, so that the depth of the apparatus is large to form an exit pupil under the same conditions. It takes about half. Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
When the lens array L4 is used, the depth of the device is about half that of FIG. 9 (B) and about one quarter of that of FIG. 9 (A).
Will be enough.

As described above, assuming that the lens array is composed of n lenses, the depth of the device is about n as compared with the case where one large convex lens is used instead of the lens array.
It can be reduced to one part.

10 to 15 are schematic views of the essential parts of a derivative of the first embodiment. This derived example is the exit pupil forming range 8 of the first embodiment.
_R 'and 8 _L' narrow exit pupil range of the width of each of the three pieces form,
By inputting more parallax images, it is possible to observe parallax images from multiple viewpoints.

These figures show the main parts of this derivative according to the passage of time. FIG. 10 shows the first state. In the first state, the display image is the first
The parallax image 6 ₁ is displayed, and at this time, the first exit pupil 8 ₁ ′ is formed at the position in the figure. This corresponds to, for example, the outermost region obtained by dividing the exit pupil 8 _R ′ in Example 1 into three equal parts in the horizontal direction (hereinafter, the case where the exit pupil 8 ′ is divided into three parts will be described. It is not limited.)

FIG. 11 shows the second state. In the second state, the second parallax image 6 ₂ is displayed as a display image, and at this time, the second exit pupil 8 ₂ ′ is formed at the position in the figure. This corresponds to the center area obtained by dividing the exit pupil 8 _R ′ of Example 1 into three equal parts in the horizontal direction.

FIG. 12 shows the third state. In the third state, the third parallax image 6 ₃ is displayed as a display image, and at this time, the third exit pupil 8 ₃ ′ is formed at the position in the figure. This corresponds to the leftmost region obtained by horizontally dividing the exit pupil 8 _R 'of the first embodiment into three equal parts. FIG. 13 shows the fourth state. In the fourth state, the display image is the fourth
The parallax image 6 ₄ is displayed, and at this time, the fourth exit pupil 8 ₄ ′ is formed at the position in the figure. This corresponds to the rightmost region obtained by horizontally dividing the exit pupil 8 _L 'of the first embodiment into three equal parts.

FIG. 14 shows the fifth state. In the fifth state, the fifth parallax image 6 ₅ is displayed as a display image, and at this time, the fifth exit pupil 8 ₅ ′ is formed at the position in the figure. This corresponds to the center area obtained by dividing the exit pupil 8 _L 'of Example 1 into three equal parts in the horizontal direction.

FIG. 15 shows the sixth state. In the sixth state, the sixth parallax image 6 ₆ is displayed as a display image, and at this time, the sixth exit pupil 8 ₆ ′ is formed at the position shown in the figure. This corresponds to the outermost region obtained by horizontally dividing the exit pupil 8 _L 'of the first embodiment into three equal parts.

The size of each aperture 8 _{i, j in} the aperture pattern on the SLM 2 in each state is also 1/3 of that in the first embodiment due to the optical image formation relationship. The opening 8 _{i + 1, j} is formed at a position adjacent to the opening 8 _{i, j} .

The first state to the sixth state are switched at high speed in a cycle of the afterimage permissible time t _e of the human eye (about 1/30 second) or less, and the observer moves the exit pupil 8 _k '. I can't recognize. Therefore, the observer feels as if he or she is observing the display image 6 through a large pupil having a width equal to or greater than the distance between the eyes.

In this embodiment, parallax images 6 _{1 to} 6 ₆ corresponding to the positions of the exit pupils 8 ₁ ′ to 8 ₆ ′ are prepared as described above, and the display images on the SLM 1 are displayed according to each state. The images are switched and displayed at high speed. This allows the observer to exit the exit pupil 8
It means to observe different images with parallax in both eyes in each of the ₁ '8 _6', it is possible to recognize a stereoscopic image.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a method for obtaining those parallax images 6 _{1 to} 6 ₆ . Imaging as in the case of the three-dimensional object X by a plurality of cameras of Figure 8, but the number of cameras has increased to six C ₁ -C _6. In the figure, the positional relationship between the display image 6 _i and the exit pupil 8 _k ′ at the time of reproduction is superimposed and shown. O ₁ ~ O ₆ is an axis respectively passing through the center of the center O _C of the display image 6 _i exit pupil 8 _k '. The entrance pupil centers C _{p1 to} C _p6 of the cameras C _{1 to} C ₆ are
Always on the axes O _{1 to} O ₆ respectively, and at the center O _{C of the} three-dimensional object X
It is equidistant from. For the camera placement and focal length that do not impair the naturalness of the stereoscopic image during observation,
Same as for a stand. The six parallax images captured by the cameras C _{1 to} C ₆ become the display images 6 _{1 to} 6 ₆ , respectively. Thus, in the present embodiment in which six parallax images are used to display images corresponding to six exit pupil positions, two parallax images are used to reproduce a stereoscopic image corresponding to two exit pupil positions. It becomes possible to reproduce a stereoscopic image having a higher sense of reality than the first embodiment.

For example, when the exit pupil exists only in two positions of 8 _R 'and 8 _L ', even if the right eye of the observer moves horizontally within the range of 8 _R'in the horizontal direction. The observed display image 6 did not change. However, in the case of a configuration in which there are six exit pupil positions as in this derivation example, the exit pupil 8
_{While the} eye is moving in the horizontal direction within the range of ₁ ′ to 8 ₃ ′, three parallax images are sequentially switched and observed. Exit pupil 8
Even in the range of ₄ '8 _6', likewise three parallax images are switched in sequence. Originally, when moving the viewpoint while observing a three-dimensional object, the image changes according to the amount of movement (monocular parallax).
Therefore, the present embodiment can create a situation closer to the actual three-dimensional object observation than the former case.

As described above, a situation in which the number of exit pupils existing (total number of exit pupils) is closer to that of an actual three-dimensional object can be produced, but the number of images to be displayed per unit time in SLM1 increases, and SLM2 Since the number of segment electrodes for the SLM also increases, select a realistic total number of exit pupils according to the performance and cost of the SLM.

However, in both SLM1 and SLM2, if the spatial light modulation area is divided and driven in parallel, the spatial light modulation can be speeded up in accordance with the number of divisions. For example, STN type LCD and FLC
When used as a matrix type display element, etc., the number of pixels to be displayed (the number of scanning lines) and the image display speed of one screen are substantially proportional to each other. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, the pixel data in the x-direction and the pixel data in the y-direction are controlled for one screen 1
If it takes s seconds per screen when driving with a pair of drivers x ₀ and y ₀ , the screen is divided into two areas as shown in FIG.
When divided into D ₁ and D ₂ , the region D ₁ is driven in parallel by the drivers x ₁ and y ₁ , and the region D ₂ is driven in parallel by the drivers x ₂ and y ₂ , the image display speed per screen is s / 2 seconds.

Also in the present derivative example, the SLM 1 and the SLM 1 are provided for each region of the cylindrical lens array 2 which is divided by the individual lenses.
Since the SLM2 is configured to be driven in parallel, it is possible to display images and move the apertures at a higher speed, and to create a situation with a large number of exit pupils, that is, a situation closer to actual three-dimensional object observation.

The aperture 8 _i , the exit pupil 8 _k ′, and the lens pitch of the cylindrical lens array 2 do not all need to be constant. For one exit pupil 8 _k ', the corresponding aperture 8
There are a plurality of _i and cylindrical lens arrays 2 and their relative positions are different. Furthermore, since the exit pupil 8 _k 'changes with time, it is necessary to follow it. Therefore, the same exit pupil 8 _k 'depending on the location to be in the corresponding openings 8 _i, by changing the lens pitch of the cylindrical lens array 2, the exit pupil 8 _k is an image of a plurality of openings 8 _i' a The image can be easily set at the position of. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the widths of the individual cylindrical lenses of the cylindrical lens array 2 are made unequal, or as shown in FIG. 20, the exit pupil 8 _k 'is set by changing the width for each existing position. It is also possible to achieve the above object.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of the essential parts of a derivative of the first embodiment. In this derived example, the positional relationship between the cylindrical lens array 2 and the SLM 1 of Example 1 is exchanged. In this derived example, the cylindrical lens array 2 is arranged on the front surface of the SLM1 while the partition plate 9 of the first embodiment is left on the back side of the SLM1, but the directivity of the emitted light beam is the same as that of the first embodiment. From the observer's point of view, even with this configuration, the device is completely equivalent to that of the first embodiment.

At this time, however, if the main plane of the cylindrical lens array 2 and the display image 6 are greatly separated from each other, the display image 6 is enlarged or reduced independently for each divided area by the optical power of the cylindrical lens array 2. Since the display image 6 which should originally be one image is divided into pieces, the position of the display surface on which the display image 6 is displayed is substantially aligned with the main plane of the cylindrical lens array 2 in order to prevent this. Therefore, it is desirable that the cylindrical lens array 2 is not affected by the optical power of the cylindrical lens array 2.

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of the essential portions of a derivative of the first embodiment. This derived example is a derived example of Example 1 in which the position of the plane P ₂ forming the exit pupil 8 _k 'is changed by changing the distance between the cylindrical lens array 2 and the SLM 2 according to the observation position of the observer. is there.

Specifically, as shown in FIG.
And the cylindrical lens array 2 are divided, and a stage 12 capable of uniaxial movement is attached to either side, and the spacing between the cylindrical lens array 2 and the SLM 2 is changed according to the position of the observer. At this time, the observation position of the observer is automatically detected by the camera system (observation distance detection means).
The position is automatically detected by 13, and the stage is appropriately driven in accordance with the position to move the plane P ₂ on which the exit pupil is formed. As a result, the exit pupil is always formed at the position where the observer is located, so that the best separated parallax image can be observed. As described above, in the first embodiment and its derivatives, the formation position of the exit pupil 8 _k ′ is changed in synchronization with the switching of the display image 6 which is a parallax image, thereby enabling observation of a stereoscopic image.

It should be noted that there is no problem in using this apparatus as a two-dimensional image display apparatus like a conventional display, depending on the case. In this case, if the size of the opening 8 _i formed on the SLM2 is maximized (that is, the SLM2 is in the “total transmission” state) and the conventional two-dimensional image is displayed on the SLM1, the present embodiment is possible. You can also display a two-dimensional image. At this time, since the utilization efficiency of the backlight illumination is significantly increased compared to when reproducing a stereoscopic image, the backlight is dimmed or the transmittance of the SLM2 is adjusted so that the observer does not feel the difference. Then, "brightness adjustment" may be performed.

Further, as described above, the SLM2 has the vertically long segment electrodes as shown in FIG. 2. However, if the SLM2 having the electrode structure of the matrix structure is used, as shown in FIG. Area of 2D image reproduction area (2D
Area) and a 3D image reproduction area (3D area).
It is possible to display a three-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image in a mixed manner, but it is not possible to vertically divide each region. ).

FIG. 24 is a schematic view of the essential portions of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the first embodiment, it was necessary to adjust the positions of the openings 8 _i so that the light fluxes emitted from all the cylindrical lenses in the cylindrical lens array 2 pass through one exit pupil. The present embodiment has a configuration that simplifies the positional condition that each opening should exist. This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment.
A cylindrical convex lens is installed between the SLM1 and the cylindrical lens array 2.

In the figure, 14 is a cylindrical convex lens having a refractive power of the focal length f only in the horizontal direction, and is installed between the SLM1 and the cylindrical lens array 2 to cover the entire area of the SLM1. The focal length f is the distance from the cylindrical convex lens 14 to the exit pupil forming plane P ₂ . The present embodiment is further characterized in that the display surface of the SLM 2, that is, the aperture pattern 7 is installed at the focal position of the cylindrical lens array 2. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. The cylindrical lens array 2 and the cylindrical convex lens 14 constitute one element of the projection optical system.

The relationship between the projection optical system of this embodiment and the aperture 8 _i and exit pupil 8 ′ will be described with reference to FIG. 25. It should be noted that components not related to the optical system are omitted in this figure. In FIG. 25, each opening 8 _i is located at the focal point on the optical axis of the corresponding cylindrical lens. Therefore, if the cylindrical convex lens 14 is not provided, the luminous flux from the center of each aperture will be the collimated light emitted from all the lenses as shown by the solid line in the figure.

Since the projection optical system of this embodiment is equivalent to inserting the cylindrical convex lens 14 in the above-mentioned state, it is actually located at a position separated by the focal length f of the cylindrical convex lens 14 as shown by the dotted line in the figure. The exit pupil 8'is formed at.

This image formation relationship is not limited to the case where each aperture 8 _i is located on the optical axis of the corresponding lens. As shown in FIG. 26, when each aperture 8 _i is moved while maintaining the same relative positional relationship with the optical axis of the corresponding lens, if there is no cylindrical convex lens 14, as shown by the solid line in the figure, The light emitted from all the lenses is emitted as parallel light in an oblique direction, but in reality, due to the action of the cylindrical convex lens 14, as shown by the dotted line in the figure, the focal length f of the cylindrical convex lens 14 is separated and The exit pupil 8'is formed at a position closer to the bottom of the paper than the case of No. 25.

As described above, this embodiment is arranged near the projection optical system.
By providing the SLM1 and providing the aperture pattern on the focal plane of the cylindrical lens array 2, it is possible to shift the position as a whole while keeping the intervals of the apertures 8 _i equal.
The formation of a common exit pupil 8'and its movement can be achieved.

In the present embodiment, if the principal plane of the cylindrical convex lens 14 and the display image 6 are too far apart, the display image 6 will be enlarged or reduced by the optical power of the lens, resulting in an unnatural image. In order to prevent this, the position of the display image 6 is made to substantially coincide with the main plane of the cylindrical convex lens 14 so that it is not affected by the optical power of the cylindrical convex lens 14.

FIG. 27 is a schematic view of the essential portions of a derivative of the second embodiment. It is desirable to arrange the cylindrical convex lens 14 at the position of the second embodiment, but if it is difficult to insert it between the SLM1 and the lens array 2, as shown in the figure, it is arranged on the front side of the SLM1, that is, SLM1. May be arranged in the projection optical system. For the same reason as in the second embodiment, the main plane of the cylindrical convex lens 14 and the position of the display image 6 are made to substantially coincide with each other in the present derivative example so that the optical power of the cylindrical convex lens 14 is not affected.

Further, as long as the aperture 8 _i and the optical action on the display image 6 are kept in the same states as those in FIGS. 25 and 27, the respective components of the projection optical system and the SLM1 are observed as shown in FIG. Cylindrical lens array 2, SL from the person side
Place M1 and cylindrical convex lens 14 in this order,
As shown in FIG. 29, the SLM 1, the cylindrical lens array 2, and the cylindrical convex lens 14 may be arranged in this order from the viewer side.

Further, as shown in FIG. 30, it is possible to replace the cylindrical lens array 2 and the cylindrical convex lens 14 with one deformed cylindrical lens array 15 having an equivalent image forming action. The structure can be simplified without impairing the effect of.

FIG. 31 is a schematic view of the essential portions of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the case of the first and second embodiments, the stereoscopic image reproduction is performed only with the horizontal parallax, but the present embodiment is an example of the stereoscopic image reproducing device including the vertical parallax information. In this embodiment, the cylindrical lens array 2 of the first and second embodiments is used.
Is replaced by a fly's eye lens array 22, and the SLM2 (spatial light modulator for aperture) is made into an electrode structure of a matrix structure. The configuration of the other parts is the same.

As shown in FIG. 32, the fly's eye lens array is an opaque partition plate (partition wall) formed of a plurality (m × n) of axially symmetric element lenses (including Fresnel lenses, aspherical lenses and decentering lenses). Are arranged side by side on one plane without gaps. The purpose of replacing the cylindrical lens array with the fly's eye lens array 22 is the first embodiment,
This is because the exit pupil 8 _k 'is formed separately in the horizontal direction in the case of No. 2 but is also formed in the vertical direction.

That is, the point is the same as in Examples 1 and ₂ in that the surface P ₁ displaying the aperture pattern 7 is imaged on the surface P ₂ near the observation position, but the power of the fly-eye lens array 22 is vertical. _Therefore, if each aperture 8 _{i, j} moves upward, the exit pupil 8 _{i
p, q} 'is downward, and if each aperture 8 _{i, j} moves downward, exit pupil 8
_{p, q} 'moves up. And the aperture 8 _{i, j} and the exit pupil 8 _p,
The shape of _q 'is not a vertically long rectangle, but a rectangle with the same vertical and horizontal lengths.

Therefore, the openings 8 _{i, j} are the fly's eye lens array 2
There are the same number of element lenses that make up two, that is, m × n. However, all the images of the openings 8 _{i, j} formed on the plane P ₂ via the display image 6 displayed on the SLM 1 are formed so as to be superimposed on the same position at the same size 8 _{p, q} ′. Similar to the first and second embodiments _, the position and size of each opening 8 _{i, j} are set.

Further, in this embodiment, the exit pupils 8 _{1, 1} to 8 _{3 and 3} ′ shown in FIG.
It moves up, down, left and right within _e (about 1/30 second) and scans the two-dimensional constant area 8 '. Therefore, the observer sees the display image 6 through the wide exit pupil 8 ′ as if vertically and horizontally.
Recognize as you are observing.

According to the above configuration, as shown in the first and second embodiments, not only the stereoscopic image reproduction using the parallax image having the horizontal parallax but also the stereoscopic image using the parallax image having the vertical parallax are performed. Image reproduction becomes possible. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31, there are nine positions 8 _1,1 ′ to 8 _3,3 ′ that form the exit pupil, and these constitute the exit pupil 8 ′ as a whole. In this case, it prepared 9 parallax images in advance 6 _1,1 6 _3,3 as a display image, sequentially displaying is switched to a high speed on the SLM1 in accordance with the respective states. As a result, since both eyes of the observer observe different display images with parallax even if they move vertically and horizontally in the exit pupil 8 ′, it is possible to recognize a stereoscopic image with a more stereoscopic effect.

FIG. 33 shows those display images 6 _{1, 1 to} 6 _{3, 3.}
It is explanatory drawing of the method of obtaining. In this case, as in FIGS.
The three-dimensional object X is imaged by a plurality of cameras, but nine cameras are arranged two-dimensionally. In the figure, the positional relationship between the display image 6 and the exit pupil 8 _{p, q} 'during reproduction is shown in a superimposed manner. O _1,1 ~ O _3,3
Exit pupil 8 and the center O _C of the display image 6 respectively _1,1 '-
It is an axis passing through the center of 8 _3,3 '. The entrance pupil centers C _{P1,1 to} C _p3,3 of the cameras C _{1,1 to} C _3,3 are always the axes O _{1,1 to} O _3,3 respectively.
It is above and equidistant from the center O _C of the three-dimensional object X. The parallax images captured by the cameras C _{1,1 to} C _3,3 become the display images 6 _{1, 1} to 63, ₃ respectively, and are synchronized with changing the display image 6 _{p, q} displayed on the SLM1 during playback. All the positions of the openings 8 _{p, q} on the opening pattern 7 are changed at the same time, whereby the position of the exit pupil 8 _{p, q} is changed.

When the parallax image is displayed corresponding to the two-dimensional movement of the exit pupil in this way, motion parallax can be expressed when the eyes of the observer move vertically, and the observer tilts his face. Since it can also be used for observation when a stereoscopic object is viewed, it is possible to reproduce a stereoscopic image that more closely resembles the state of actually viewing a stereoscopic object.

FIG. 34 is a schematic view of the essential portions of Embodiment 4 of the present invention. This example is an example in which the observable range of Examples 1 and 2 is further expanded. This embodiment is different from Embodiments 1 and 2 in that there is no partition plate in the cylindrical lens array and that the display surface of SLM1 (spatial light modulator for display) is an individual cylindrical lens that constitutes the cylindrical lens array 2. It is divided into a plurality of corresponding display areas 16 _i , and the display of an image can be controlled for each display area 16 _i . Therefore, assuming that the number of cylindrical lenses is m, there are also m display areas.

Cylindrical lens array 2 of this embodiment
Since there is no partition plate, this not only allows the light flux passing through one aperture 8 _i to form an exit pupil through the cylindrical lens in front of that aperture, but also to enter the adjacent cylindrical lens and cause another Form an exit pupil at the position. Since such a system is similar to the optical system of a lenticular lens, the area where the light flux passing through the front lens of one aperture 8 _i is observed is the main lobe, and the light flux passing through lenses other than the front lens is observed. The area to be filled is called a side lobe.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of the main lobe and the sub lobe. When there is a partition between the respective lenses of the cylindrical lens array 2, the set of apertures 8 within the range A in the drawing shows the exit pupil 8 ′ by the cylindrical lens 2 _{A in} front of it.
An image is formed in the inner area A ′. The area A ′ at this time is the main lobe area of the set of the openings 8 within the range of A. The main lobe region is confined to the very narrow region A '.

On the other hand, when there is no partition between the cylindrical lenses of the cylindrical lens array 2 as in the present embodiment, the set of apertures 8 within the range of B and C in the figure is formed by the adjacent cylindrical lens 2 _A. Exit pupil group (B '
, C ′). These exit pupil groups (B ',
C ') is the exit pupil group in the side lobe region. When these sub-lobe area and main lobe area are combined, the existence range of the exit pupil becomes extremely wide.

In this embodiment, two SLM driving methods are devised, and the observable region is enlarged by effectively utilizing the above-mentioned sublobe. FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram of the specific method. This will be described. The SLM driving method according to this embodiment includes three steps A to C.

FIG. 36 (A) shows the state of "step A". In step A, SLM2 (spatial light modulator for aperture)
The opening 8 _{A, 1} is formed in the range _A, and a part of the display image 6 _{A, 1} (first parallax image) is displayed only in the display area 16 _A corresponding to the cylindrical lens 2 _{A of the} SLM1.
All other parts of SLM1 and SLM2 are in a state of “opaque” to light. Then, the cylindrical lens 2 _A forms an image of the aperture 8 _{A, 1} at a finite distance as an exit pupil 8 _{A, 1} ′ (first exit pupil). If the observer's right eye is here,
The right eye visually recognizes a part of the display image 6 _{A, 1} .

Then, the aperture is repositioned to 8 _{A, 2 of} SLM2,
At the same time, a part of the display images 6 _{A, 2} (second parallax image) is displayed only on the display area 16 _{A of the} SLM 1. All other parts of SLM1 and SLM2 are in a state of “opaque” to light. Then, the cylindrical lens 2 _A forms an image of the aperture 8 _{A, 2} at a finite distance as an exit pupil 8 _{A, 2} ′ (second exit pupil). If the observer's left eye is here, the left eye will display image 6
Visualize a part of _{A, 2} .

The above-described position change of the aperture and switching of the display image are repeated in the range A, and the formation of the exit pupil in the range A'is completed.

FIG. 36 (B) shows the state of "step B". In step B, first open 8 in the area B of SLM2.
_{B, 1} is formed, and displaying a portion of the display image 6 _{B, 1} only in the display region 16 _A corresponding to the cylindrical lens 2 _A of SLM 1. All other parts of SLM1 and SLM2 are in a state of “opaque” to light. Then, the cylindrical lens 2 _A has an exit pupil 8 at a finite distance through the aperture 8 _{B, 1.}
Image as _{B, 1} '.

Then, the opening is repositioned to 8 _{B, 2 of} SLM2,
To show only part of the display image 6 _{B, 2} simultaneously SLM1 display area 16 _A. All other parts of SLM1 and SLM2 are in a state of “opaque” to light. Then, the cylindrical lens 2 _A has an exit pupil 8 at a finite distance through the aperture 8 _{B, 2.}
Image as _{B, 2} '.

The above-described position change of the aperture and switching of the display image are repeated in the range B to complete the formation of the exit pupil in the range B '.

FIG. 36C shows the state of "step C". In step C, first open 8 in the area C of SLM2.
_{C, 1} is formed, and displaying a portion of the display image 6 _{C, 1} only in the display region 16 _A corresponding to the cylindrical lens 2 _A of SLM 1. All other parts of SLM1 and SLM2 are in a state of “opaque” to light. Then, the cylindrical lens 2 _A has an exit pupil 8 at a finite distance through the aperture 8 _{C, 1.}
Image as _{C, 1} '.

Then, the opening is repositioned to 8 _{C, 2 of} SLM2,
To show only part of the display image 6 _{C, 2} simultaneously SLM1 display area 16 _A. All other parts of SLM1 and SLM2 are in a state of “opaque” to light. And the cylindrical lens 2 _A has an exit pupil 8 A at a finite distance through the aperture 8 _{C, 2.}
Image as _{C, 2} '.

The above-described position change of the aperture and switching of the display image are repeated in the range of C, and the formation of the exit pupil in the range of C'is completed.

Then, the above three steps are executed while displaying a part of the display image only in the display area 16 _B corresponding to the next cylindrical lens 2 _B. This is executed for each of the m display areas, and all the parallax images corresponding to each exit pupil are displayed.

The above steps A to C are executed within an extremely short time. The above three steps are the total number of SLM1 m
This is a driving method of one display area 16 _{i in} each display area. Step A above for all display areas of SLM1
The reproduction of the entire display image 6 having the number of exit pupils can be achieved by repeating steps C to C.

Since the present embodiment uses the side lobe,
As compared with the reproducing method using only the main lobe as in the other embodiments, the entire image of the display image 6 can be observed from a much wider area in the horizontal direction. It should be noted that the driving of steps A to C for all the display areas of the SLM1 is all performed and repeated within the afterimage permissible time of the human eye (about 1/30 second). This makes it possible to reproduce a stereoscopic image without flicker.

The steps for reproducing the sub-lobe are not limited to three steps as described above. In the above example, for one display area 16 _i of the SLM1, the corresponding range of the opening 8 _i is made to exist over three display areas, so three steps are required, but one display of the SLM1 is displayed. If the corresponding range of the openings 8 _i is present over k (k is a natural number) display regions, the above steps become k steps, and the observable region can be further expanded.

Further, the expansion of the observable area using the side lobe can be applied to the third embodiment. Also in this case, if the partition plate partitioning the lenses forming the fly-eye lens 22 is eliminated, the surface of the SLM1 is divided into a plurality of display areas corresponding to the respective element lenses, and the same driving as in Example 4 is performed. It is possible to increase the observable area using the side lobes for all of the two-dimensional upper, lower, left and right display areas.

[0113]

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a thin stereoscopic image reproducing apparatus having the above structure, which has a small amount of crosstalk in parallax images, does not generate reverse stereoscopic vision, is excellent in parallax image separation, and enables a 3D display without glasses. To achieve.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a segment electrode of SLM2 of Example 1.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram at a certain moment of reproducing a stereoscopic image according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 Example of opening pattern 7

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view at a certain moment of reproducing a stereoscopic image according to the first embodiment (elapsed time t from FIG. 3).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of movement of an aperture for overlapping the exit pupil. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an exit pupil formed when the relative position of the aperture with respect to the optical axis of the cylindrical lens is the same.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram 2 of movement of an aperture for overlapping exit pupils.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a method for obtaining a stereo pair according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the number of cylindrical lens arrays and the thickness of the display device in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a main part of a derived example of the first embodiment (first state).

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a main part of a derived example of the first embodiment (second state).

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a main part of a derivative of the first embodiment (third state).

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a main part of a derived example of the first embodiment (fourth state).

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a main part of a derived example of the first embodiment (fifth state).

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a main part of a derivative of Embodiment 1 (sixth state).

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a method of obtaining a parallax image displayed in a derivative example of the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a liquid crystal element in which one screen is matrix-driven by one set of drivers.

FIG. 18 is a liquid crystal element in which one screen is matrix-driven by two sets of drivers.

FIG. 19 shows an example in which the individual lens widths of the cylindrical lens array are unequal intervals.

FIG. 20 shows an example in which the widths of the exit pupils 8 _k 'are not equal.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of a main part of a derivative of Example 1; an example in which a cylindrical lens array is arranged in front of SLM1.

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a main part of a derivative of the first embodiment. The cylindrical lens array and the SL are arranged according to the position of the observer.
Example of changing the interval of M2

FIG. 23 is an electrode configuration example in the case where one screen is divided into a three-dimensional image reproduction area and a two-dimensional image reproduction area.

FIG. 24 is a schematic view of the essential portions of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is an operation explanatory view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 26 is an operation explanatory view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram of a main part of a derivative example of the second embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram of a main part of a derivative of the second embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram of a main part of a derivative example of the second embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram of a main part of a derivative example of the second embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a schematic view of the essential portions of Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a fly-eye lens array.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of a method of obtaining a parallax image used in Example 3.

FIG. 34 is a schematic view of the essential portions of Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of a main lobe and a sub lobe.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram of SLM drive according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 37: Method for displaying stereoscopic image by lenticular method

FIG. 38: Stereoscopic image display method using large convex lens

FIG. 39 is a stereoscopic image reproducing device using a single lens.

FIG. 40: Stereoscopic image reproducing device using lenticular lens array

[Explanation of symbols]

SLM1 First spatial light modulator (display spatial light modulator) SLM2 Second spatial light modulator (aperture spatial light modulator) 2 Cylindrical lens array 4 Backlight 5 _R Observer's right eye 5 _L Left eye of observer 6 Display image 7 Aperture pattern displayed on SLM2 8 Aperture 8'Exit pupil 9 Partition plate 10 Drive means 11 Segment electrode 12 Stage 13 Automatic detection camera system 14 Cylindrical convex lens 15 Deformed cylindrical lens array 16 Display area 22 Fly Eye lens array

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI Technical display location H04N 13/04 H04N 13/04

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A cylindrical lens array in which an illuminating means illuminates an aperture pattern in which a plurality of apertures are arranged in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of cylindrical lenses provided corresponding to the plurality of apertures are arranged via opaque partition walls. The plurality of apertures are overlapped with each other at a finite distance to form a first exit pupil, and the parallax image displayed on the spatial light modulator for display installed near the cylindrical lens array is illuminated by the light flux from the apertures. Then, when the parallax image is replaced with another parallax image, the positions of the plurality of apertures are changed in synchronization with this, and the images of the plurality of apertures are superimposed at a position different from that of the first exit pupil. A stereoscopic image reproducing apparatus, characterized in that the formation of the second exit pupil is periodically repeated to allow an observer to observe the parallax image from the first and second exit pupil positions. 2. The stereoscopic image reproducing device according to claim 1, wherein the aperture pattern is formed by a spatial light modulator. 3. The stereoscopic image reproducing device according to claim 1, wherein a display surface for displaying the parallax image is aligned with an optical principal plane of the cylindrical lens array. 4. A cylindrical lens array in which an illuminating means illuminates an opening pattern in which a plurality of openings are arranged in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of cylindrical lenses provided corresponding to the plurality of openings are arranged with an opaque partition between them. The projection optical system having one cylindrical convex lens having a refracting power only in the horizontal direction forms the first exit pupil by superimposing the plurality of apertures at a finite distance, and the light flux from the apertures causes the cylindrical lens array to move. When the parallax image displayed on the display spatial light modulator installed in the vicinity is illuminated and the parallax image is changed to another parallax image, the positions of the plurality of apertures are changed in synchronization with this and the plurality of parallax images are changed. The image of the aperture of is formed as a second exit pupil by being superimposed at a position different from that of the first exit pupil, and this is repeated cyclically to the observer. The first, a stereoscopic image reproducing apparatus characterized by allowed to observe from the second exit pupil position. 5. The stereoscopic image reproducing device according to claim 4, wherein the aperture pattern is formed by a spatial light modulator. 6. The projection optical system has, in order from the opening pattern side, the cylindrical lens array and the cylindrical convex lens in order, and the opening pattern is on the focal plane of the cylindrical lens array, and 6. The stereoscopic image reproducing device according to claim 4, wherein the corresponding apertures are located at the same position relative to the individual cylindrical lenses. 7. The stereoscopic image reproducing device according to claim 4, wherein a display surface for displaying the parallax image is aligned with an optical principal plane of the cylindrical lens array or the cylindrical convex lens. 8. A fly's eye formed by illuminating an aperture pattern in which a plurality of apertures are two-dimensionally arranged by an illumination means, and arranging a plurality of element lenses provided corresponding to the plurality of apertures through an opaque partition wall. A plurality of apertures are superposed at a finite distance by a lens array to form a first exit pupil, and a light beam from the apertures is displayed on a spatial light modulator for display installed near the fly's eye lens array. When the parallax image is illuminated and the parallax image is changed to another parallax image, the positions of the plurality of apertures are changed in synchronization with this and the images of the plurality of apertures are different from the first exit pupil. Stereoscopically characterized in that the parallax image is observed from the first and second exit pupil positions by periodically repeating the process of forming the second exit pupil by superimposing it on the position. Image reproduction device. 9. The stereoscopic image reproducing device according to claim 8, wherein the aperture pattern is formed by a spatial light modulator. 10. The stereoscopic image reproducing device according to claim 1, wherein the image of the opening has a horizontal width of 50 mm or less. 11. The stereoscopic image reproducing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the positions of the plurality of openings are periodically changed and the time until the openings are formed again at the original positions is within 1/30 seconds. . 12. An illumination means illuminates the aperture formed in the spatial light modulating means for the aperture whose position is variable, and a cylindrical lens array formed by arranging a plurality of cylindrical lenses in the horizontal direction makes the aperture a finite distance. An image is formed as one exit pupil, and a spatial light modulator for display having a plurality of display areas corresponding to the plurality of cylindrical lenses is installed in the vicinity of the cylindrical lens array, and display is performed in one of the display areas. A part of the first parallax image is illuminated with a light beam from the aperture through a cylindrical lens corresponding to the display region, the position of the aperture is changed, and a part of the first parallax image is displayed. A part of the second parallax image is displayed on the screen, and a part of the second parallax image is illuminated by a light flux from the opening through a cylindrical lens corresponding to the display area. , The aperture is imaged by the cylindrical lens as a second exit pupil at a position different from the first exit pupil, and the first and second parallax images are projected to the observer as the first and second exit pupils. A stereoscopic image reproducing apparatus characterized in that observing at a pupil position is performed for a plurality of display areas by sequentially changing the display areas to display the first parallax image and the second parallax image. 13. An illuminating means illuminates the aperture formed in the spatial light modulating means for the aperture whose position is variable, and the fly's eye lens array formed by arranging a plurality of element lenses two-dimensionally limits the aperture. An image is formed as a first exit pupil at a distance, and a display spatial light modulator having a plurality of display areas corresponding to the plurality of element lenses is installed in the vicinity of the fly's eye lens array, and the display area is provided. Part of the first parallax image by illuminating a part of the first parallax image displayed on one of the first parallax images with a luminous flux from the opening through an element lens corresponding to the display area. A part of the second parallax image is displayed in the display area where is displayed, and a part of the second parallax image is illuminated by the light flux from the opening through the element lens corresponding to the display area, and the opening is displayed. A position different from that of the first exit pupil by the element lens Forming a second exit pupil so that an observer can observe the first and second parallax images at the first and second exit pupil positions by sequentially changing the display area. Go to the area and
The stereoscopic image reproducing device displaying the parallax image and the second parallax image. 14. The stereoscopic image reproducing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the image of the opening has a width in the horizontal direction of 50 mm or less. 15. The stereoscopic image reproducing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the time required to display all of the first parallax image and the second parallax image is within 1/30 seconds.