JP2010276710A - Stereoscopic video projection device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stereoscopic video projection device capable of displaying a high-quality stereoscopic video, while having a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: An image signal applying means 20 applies an image signal, where the left half of an image is for an image for the left eye and the right half of an image is for an image for the right eye to a projection means 22. The projection means 22 projects projection light having projection light for the left eye 24a for the left half and projection light for the right eye 24b for the right half. A refraction means 26 refracts the projection light for the left eye 24a and the projection light for the right eye 24b in the left and right directions, respectively so that the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye are superimposed and displayed in a target surface 4. The image for the left eye having first polarization characteristics and the image for the right eye having second polarization characteristics are superimposed and displayed by the polarizing filters 28a and 28b of a polarizing means 28. By having a user wears eyeglasses 10 have a polarizing filter 10a having the first polarization characteristics for the left eye and a polarizing filter 10b have the second polarization characteristics for the right eye, viewing a pseudo-stereoscopic image becomes available. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for displaying a stereoscopic image.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is known an apparatus that projects an image that can be stereoscopically viewed using a projector such as a projector. The principle is that when an object is viewed with the left eye and an image viewed with the right eye are recorded, when the image is reproduced, the left eye image and right eye image are displayed to the user. The image for the right eye is provided, and the effect is as if a pseudo three-dimensional object exists.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a stereoscopic video projector as shown in FIG. A projector 2L that projects an image for the left eye and a projector 2R that projects an image for the right eye are provided.

  A polarizing filter 6L is provided in front of the projector 2L for the image for the left eye, and projection is performed with projection light having only a vertical polarization component. A polarizing filter 6R is provided in front of the projector 2R for the image for the right eye, and projection is performed with projection light having only a horizontal polarization component. The projection directions of the two projectors 2L and 2R are determined so that the projection lights of the two projectors 2L and 2R are displayed in an overlapping manner on the target surface 5.

  The user 8 wears the stereoscopic glasses 10 and observes the image projected on the target surface 5. The left eye of the stereoscopic glasses 10 is provided with a polarizing filter that passes only the vertical polarization component. Accordingly, the left eye of the user who observes the image of the target surface 5 is given only the left-eye image composed only of the vertical polarization component.

  On the other hand, the right eye of the stereoscopic glasses 10 is provided with a polarizing filter that passes only the horizontal polarization component. Therefore, only the right-eye image composed only of the horizontal polarization component is given to the right eye of the user who observes the image of the target surface 5.

  Therefore, the left eye image and the right eye image are given to the left eye and the right eye of the user, and an effect as if a pseudo three-dimensional object exists can be brought about.

  In addition, a method is also known in which a left-eye image and a right-eye image are alternately switched and projected for each frame of an image, and the polarization direction is rotated by a liquid crystal shutter in synchronization with the switching. FIG. 2 shows the principle of a stereoscopic video display apparatus according to this method disclosed in Patent Document 2. From the projector 2, a left-eye image and a right-eye image are projected alternately every frame.

  A liquid crystal shutter 12 composed of a liquid crystal panel 12a and a polarizing plate 12b is disposed between the target surface 5 and the projector 2. The polarization direction is aligned by the polarizing plate 12b. The polarization direction of the projection light having the same polarization direction is rotated by the liquid crystal panel 12 a controlled by the shutter drive circuit 14.

  The shutter drive circuit 14 is interlocked with the projector 2 and rotates the polarization direction of the projection light leftward by the liquid crystal panel 12a when the left-eye image is projected, and when the right-eye image is projected, the liquid crystal panel. The polarization direction of the projection light is rotated to the right by 12a.

  The user 8 wears the stereoscopic glasses 10 and observes the image projected on the target surface 5. The left eye of the stereoscopic glasses 10 is provided with a polarization filter that passes only the left-direction rotational polarization component. Accordingly, the left eye of the user who observes the image of the target surface 5 is given only the left-eye image composed only of the left direction rotation component.

  On the other hand, the right eye of the stereoscopic glasses 10 is provided with a polarizing filter that passes only the right-direction rotational polarization component. Therefore, only the right-eye image composed only of the right-direction rotational polarization component is given to the right eye of the user who observes the image of the target surface 5.

  Therefore, the left eye image and the right eye image are given to the left eye and the right eye of the user, and an effect as if a pseudo three-dimensional object exists can be brought about.

JP-A-8-182085 JP2000-4454

  However, the conventional techniques as described above have the following problems. In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, two projectors are required, which leads to an increase in the size of the apparatus. Furthermore, a system for synchronizing the images projected by the two projectors is necessary, and the configuration has been complicated.

  On the other hand, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 2, one projector is sufficient, and the above problem does not occur. However, since the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye are switched for each frame of the image, the image is likely to flicker. In addition, it is necessary to control the direction of polarization rotation by the liquid crystal shutter 12 in synchronization with the frame of the image accurately, and high-precision synchronization processing is required. Furthermore, an image in which the left-eye image and the right-eye image are switched for each frame has to be prepared, and a special imaging device or editing device is required.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and to provide a stereoscopic video projection apparatus capable of displaying a high-quality stereoscopic video with a simple configuration.

(1) The stereoscopic image projection device according to the present invention is such that an image displayed on the target surface is viewed with a left eye through a filter having a first polarization characteristic, and is viewed with a right eye through a filter with a second polarization characteristic. A stereoscopic image display device for displaying the image on a target surface for stereoscopic viewing, and based on a given image signal, left-eye projection light in a first region and right-eye projection light in a second region Projecting means for irradiating projection light having a left eye image displayed on the target surface by the left eye projection light irradiated from the projection means, and right eye projection light irradiated from the projection means displayed on the target surface The refraction means for refracting at least one of the left-eye projection light and the right-eye projection light, and the left-eye projection light emitted from the projection means so that the right-eye image is displayed in an overlapping manner on the target surface. 1 bias Have the characteristics, the right-eye projection light is to have the second polarization characteristic, and a polarizing means for changing at least one of the polarization characteristics of the left-eye projection light or right-eye projection light.

  An image including a left-eye image in the first area and an image including the right-eye image in the second area is displayed by being superimposed on the target surface by the refracting means, and the polarizing means is provided so that the left-eye image and the right-eye image have different polarization characteristics. Provided. Therefore, the left-eye image and the right-eye image can be projected by one projection unit, and a high-quality stereoscopic image can be displayed with a simple configuration.

(2) In the stereoscopic image projection device according to the present invention, the first region and the second region are formed by dividing the projection light into left and right, and the refracting means includes a first portion corresponding to the left eye projection light, A second portion corresponding to the right-eye projection light, and configured to be thinner as the distance from the boundary surface becomes smaller than the thickness of the first portion and the second portion in the vicinity of the boundary surface. It is characterized by comprising a light body.

  Therefore, the refracting means refracts the left image to the right and refracts the right image to the left, so that the left-eye image and the right-eye image can be displayed in an overlapping manner on the target surface.

(3) In the three-dimensional image projector according to the present invention, the polarizing means is provided with a first polarizing filter that provides a first polarization characteristic on a surface or an inner surface of the first portion of the light transmitting body, and the light transmitting body is provided. A second polarizing filter that provides a second polarization characteristic is provided on the surface or the inner surface of the second portion.

  Therefore, since the polarizing means is provided integrally with the refracting means, it is not necessary to adjust the arrangement position of the both.

(4) In the three-dimensional image projector according to the present invention, the translucent body is configured such that the degree of refraction can be adjusted.

  Therefore, by changing the degree of refraction according to the distance from the target surface, the left-eye image and the right-eye image can be appropriately superimposed and displayed on the target surface.

(5) In the stereoscopic image projection device according to the present invention, the translucent body is configured to rotate around one end of the boundary surface so that the angle formed by the surfaces of the first portion and the second portion can be adjusted. It is characterized by that.

  Therefore, the degree of refraction can be changed by changing the physical angle.

(6) The stereoscopic image projection device according to the present invention includes a distance measuring unit that measures a distance from the stereoscopic image display device to the target surface, and the refraction of the light transmitting body according to the distance measured by the distance measuring unit. Control means for changing the degree and controlling so that the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye are overlapped and displayed on the target surface is further provided.

  Therefore, the degree of refraction can be automatically adjusted so that the left-eye image and the right-eye image are appropriately superimposed and displayed according to the distance from the target surface.

(7) The stereoscopic video projection device according to the present invention includes a specific image shift detection unit that detects a shift between the position of the specific image included in the image of the first area and the position of the specific image included in the image of the second area. Control means for changing the refraction degree of the translucent body based on the detected deviation of the specific image and controlling the left-eye image and the right-eye image to overlap and display on the target surface. I have.

  Therefore, the degree of refraction can be automatically adjusted so that the left-eye image and the right-eye image are appropriately superimposed and displayed according to the distance from the target surface.

(8) The stereoscopic video projection apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that an expansion unit that expands the projection light emitted from the projection unit in the left-right direction is provided between the projection unit and the target surface.

  Therefore, even when a normal-size screen is divided into left and right images to form a left-eye image and a right-eye image, and projection means for displaying the image is used, the image displayed on the target surface is expanded in the horizontal direction. The aspect ratio of the display screen can be brought close to the normal size.

(9) The stereoscopic image projection apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the refraction means also has a function as an enlargement means.

  Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an enlargement means separately, and the apparatus can be made compact.

(18) In the stereoscopic video recording apparatus according to the present invention, the left-eye image and the right-eye image displayed on the target surface are viewed with the left eye through the filter having the first polarization property, and the second polarization property is obtained. A stereoscopic video recording apparatus that captures an image of an object and records the left-eye image and the right-eye image for stereoscopic viewing by viewing with the right eye through a filter having the left-eye image of the object in a first area. Refracting means for refracting light from the object so as to obtain an image for the right eye of the object in a second area adjacent to the first area, and an image for the left eye in the first area obtained by the refracting means Recording means for recording the right-eye image in the two areas as a stereoscopic image.

  Therefore, an image for stereoscopic video projection including a left-eye image and a right-eye image can be recorded.

(19) The stereoscopic video recording apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by comprising a reduction means for reducing the light from the object in the left-right direction.

  Therefore, when projecting a stereoscopic video, it is possible to record an image having an appropriate aspect ratio when enlarged and displayed in the left-right direction.

  In the present invention, “projection means” means means for irradiating at least a target surface with projection light based on an image signal. In the embodiment, the light source 70, the liquid crystal panels 51B, 51R, 51G, and the projection in FIG. The lens 86 corresponds to this.

  “Refractive means” means means for refracting at least one of left eye projection light and right eye projection light. In the embodiment, the refraction lens 46 of FIG. 5 corresponds to this.

  The “polarization means” means means for changing the polarization characteristics of at least one of the left-eye projection light and the right-eye projection light. In the embodiment, the polarization filter 48 in FIG. 6 corresponds to this.

  In the embodiment, the “distance measuring means” corresponds to the distance measuring device 116 in FIG.

  In the embodiment, “control means” corresponds to, for example, steps S2 and S3 in FIG.

  In the embodiment, the “specific image deviation detection means” corresponds to the process in which the CPU 126 “determines whether or not the mark in the center of the captured image overlaps” in the second embodiment and the modification, for example. To do.

  In the embodiment, the “magnifying means” corresponds to the convex lens 47 and the concave lens 49 in FIG.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional stereoscopic video projector. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional stereoscopic video projector. It is a figure which shows the principle of the stereo image projector by 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the three-dimensional image projector 30 by 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the three-dimensional-image projector 30 by 1st embodiment. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refractive polarizer 34. FIG. It is a figure which shows the image 60 for a stereo image projection. This is a modification of the refractive lens 46. It is a figure which shows the structure of the refractive polarizer 34 in the three-dimensional image projector 30 by 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the three-dimensional image projector 30 by 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the control part of the three-dimensional-image projector 30 by 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the adjustment program. It is a figure which shows the principle of the stereo image projector 30 by 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other example of the refractive lens 46 in 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the principle of the three-dimensional video recording device 160 by 4th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the three-dimensional video recording device 160 by 4th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the stereoscopic video recording device 160 by 4th embodiment.

1. Principle FIG. 3 shows the principle of a stereoscopic image projection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The projection unit 22 irradiates the given image signal as projection light 24. The image signal providing unit 20 provides the projection unit 22 with an image signal in which the left half of the image is the left-eye image and the right half is the right-eye image. Therefore, the projection means 22 irradiates the first region (left half) with projection light 24a for left eye and the second region (right half) with projection light 24b for right eye. The irradiated left-eye projection light 24 a is displayed as a left-eye image on the target surface 5, and the right-eye projection light 24 b is displayed on the target surface 5 as a right-eye image.

  Between the projection means 22 and the target surface 5, a refraction means 26 and a polarization means 28 are provided. The refraction means 26 refracts the left eye projection light 24a and the right eye projection light 24b in the left-right direction so that the left eye image and the right eye image on the target surface 5 are displayed in an overlapping manner.

  The polarizing means 28 includes a polarizing filter 28a that adjusts the left-eye projection light 24a to have the first polarization characteristic, and a polarizing filter 28b that adjusts the right-eye projection light 24b to have the second polarization characteristic. ing.

  Therefore, on the target surface 5, the left-eye image having the first polarization characteristic and the right-eye image having the second polarization characteristic are displayed in an overlapping manner.

The user views the image of the target surface 5 with the polarizing filter 10a having the first polarization characteristic in the left eye and the polarizing filter 10b having the second polarization characteristic in the right eye (for example, wearing glasses 10). Thereby, the left eye image and the right eye image are given to the left eye and the right eye to the user, and an effect as if a pseudo three-dimensional object exists can be brought about.

2. First embodiment
(1) Configuration and Operation FIG. 4 shows the external appearance of the stereoscopic video projector 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention. A refractive polarizer 34 is provided in front of a projection lens (not shown) of the projector main body 32 (for example, XJ-57 manufactured by Casio). The refractive polarizer 34 is configured by attaching a polarizing filter 48 to the front surface of the refractive lens 46. In this embodiment, the refractive polarizer 34 is inserted into the pocket 3 of the projector body 32 and is configured to be detachable. Therefore, by removing the refracting polarizer 34, it can be used even when a normal image is projected without projecting a stereoscopic image.

  The configuration of the stereoscopic video projector 30 will be described with reference to FIG. A light source 70 such as a mercury lamp emits white light. This white light is made uniform by the optical system 72. The uniformed white light is reflected by the dichroic mirror 74, and only the blue light component is reflected, and the red and green components are transmitted. The blue light reflected by the dichroic mirror 74 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 78 and guided to the liquid crystal panel 51B. Since the liquid crystal panel 51B is controlled by a blue image signal, blue component light for displaying an image is generated. The blue component image light is applied to the cross dichroic prism 84.

  On the other hand, the red component / green component light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 74 is reflected only by the next dichroic mirror 76 and the green component is transmitted. The reflected red light is guided to the liquid crystal panel 51R. Since the liquid crystal panel 51R is controlled by a red image signal, red component light for displaying an image is generated. The red component image light is applied to the cross dichroic prism 84.

  The green light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 76 is reflected by the reflection mirrors 80 and 82 and guided to the liquid crystal panel 51G. Since the liquid crystal panel 51G is controlled by a green image signal, green component light for displaying an image is generated. The green component image light is applied to the cross dichroic prism 84.

  The cross dichroic prism 84 optically combines the blue, red, and green component image light to generate projection light for image display. The generated projection light is guided to the refractive polarizer 34 via the projection lens 86.

  FIG. 6A shows a cross-sectional view of the refractive polarizer 34. FIG. 6B is a view as seen from an arrow α in FIG. 6A. As is clear from FIGS. 6A and 6B, the refractive polarizer 34 is generally formed in a pentagonal prism.

  As described above, the refractive polarizer 34 includes the refractive lens 46 and the polarizing filter 48. The refractive lens 46 is made of a transparent material such as glass or plastic. Further, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 6A, the left front surface 50a and the right front surface 50b are provided with an inclination of an angle θ with respect to the rear surface 52, and the center portion is thickest and becomes thinner toward the end portion. Has been. That is, the boundary line 149 between the left front surface 50a and the right front surface 50b shown in FIG. 6B is thick, and both end portions 151a and 151b are thin.

  A left-eye polarizing filter 48a is attached to the left front surface 50a of the refractive lens 46, and a right-eye polarizing filter 48b is attached to the right front surface 50b. The left-eye polarizing filter 48a has a structure in which a polarizing plate and a quarter-wave plate are overlapped. By appropriately selecting the angle of the slow axis of the quarter-wave plate with respect to the polarizing plate, the projection light incident from the rear surface 52 is made to be left circularly polarized light. The polarizing filter 48b for the right eye also has a structure in which a polarizing plate and a quarter wavelength plate are overlapped, and enters from the rear surface 52 by appropriately selecting the angle of the slow axis of the quarter wavelength plate with respect to the polarizing plate. The projected light is made to be right circularly polarized light.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the details of the stereoscopic video projection will be described. An image input terminal (not shown) of the main body of the projector 32 is supplied with an image signal for stereoscopic video projection generated for the stereoscopic video projection device 30 from a PC (not shown) or the like.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a stereoscopic image projection image 60 (only the blue component). The image 60 as a whole has a standard size with an aspect ratio of 3: 4 (or 9:16). However, one image 60 is formed by the left-half left-eye image 60a and the right-half right-eye image 60b. A method for generating such an image for stereoscopic video projection will be described later.

  FIG. 7 shows only the blue component in the image 60 for stereoscopic video projection. Although not shown, for the red component and the green component, one image 60 is formed by the left-half left-eye image 60a and the right-half right-eye image 60b as in FIG.

  When an image 60 as shown in FIG. 7 is given to the stereoscopic video projector 30 in FIG. 5, projection light 24 for displaying the image 60 is emitted from the projection lens 86. The left half of the projection light 24 becomes the left eye projection light 24a corresponding to the left eye image 60a in FIG. 7, and the right half becomes the right eye projection light 24b corresponding to the right eye image 60b in FIG.

  This projection light 24 is guided to a refractive polarizer 34. The refractive polarizer so that the boundary line (corresponding to the boundary line 61 in FIG. 7) of the left eye projection light 24a and the right eye projection light 24b and the boundary line 149 of the refractive polarizer 34 (refractive lens 46) coincide. 34 (refractive lens 46) is arranged.

  The left-eye projection light 24 a is incident on the left half of the refractive lens 46. Since the refractive lens 46 is formed so that the central portion (boundary line 149) is thick, the left-eye projection light 24a is refracted rightward and projected onto the screen 4 that is the target surface. In FIG. 5, lines 90 and 91 indicate ends of the left eye projection light refracted by the refractive lens 46.

  In addition, a left-eye polarizing filter 48 a that performs left-handed rotation polarization is provided on the left half of the front surface of the refractive lens 46. Therefore, the left-eye image 92a displayed on the screen 4 by the left-eye projection light 24a is left-rotated and polarized. The screen 4 is made of a metal material such as aluminum, and the polarization state is maintained even in the reflected light.

  On the other hand, the right eye projection light 24 b of the projection light 24 is incident on the right half of the refractive lens 46. Since the refractive lens 46 is formed so that the central portion (boundary line 149) is thick, the right eye projection light 24a is refracted to the left and projected onto the screen 4. In FIG. 5, lines 94 and 95 indicate the ends of the right eye projection light refracted by the refractive lens 46.

  In addition, a right-eye polarizing filter 48 b that performs right-handed rotation polarization is provided on the right half of the front surface of the refractive lens 46. Therefore, the right-eye image 92b displayed on the screen 4 by the right-eye projection light 24b is right-rotated polarized light.

  As described above, the left-eye projection light 24a on the left side is refracted to the right, and the right-eye projection light 24b on the right side is refracted to the left. Therefore, by adjusting the distance between the screen 4 and the stereoscopic image projection device 30, The image 92b and the left-eye image 92a can be displayed so as to overlap each other on the screen 4.

  The user can see a pseudo stereoscopic image by wearing glasses having a filter that transmits left-rotation polarized light to the left eye and a filter that transmits right-rotation polarized light to the right eye and viewing the image on the screen 4.

(2) Modification In the above embodiment, the left-eye polarizing filter 48a and the right-eye polarizing filter 48b are provided on the front surfaces 50a and 50b of the refractive lens 46, respectively. However, the left eye polarizing filter 48 a may be provided on the left half of the rear surface 52, and the right eye polarizing filter 48 b may be provided on the right half of the rear surface 52. Further, a left-eye polarizing filter 48 a and a right-eye polarizing filter 48 b may be provided inside the refractive lens 46.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the polarizing filter 48 is attached to the refractive lens 46. However, both may be provided separately. For example, the left-eye polarizing filter 48a may be provided on the left half of the projection lens 86 in FIG. 5, and the right-eye polarizing filter 48b may be provided on the right half. Further, as schematically shown in FIG. 3, the two may be provided so as to be separable.

  In the above-described embodiment, the left-eye projection light is converted to left rotation polarization by the left-eye polarization filter 48a, and the right-eye projection light is converted to right rotation polarization by the right-eye polarization filter 48b. However, any polarization may be used as long as the polarization of the projection light for the left eye and that for the right eye are different from each other. For example, the left-eye projection light may be vertical polarization, and the right-eye projection light may be horizontal polarization.

  In the above-described embodiment, an image signal that gives left-eye projection light to the left half and right-eye projection light to the right half is given. However, right eye projection light may be provided in the left half, and left eye projection light may be provided in the right half. This is because they are displayed on the screen 4 in an overlapping manner. Further, the upper half (lower half) may be the right eye projection light, and the lower half (upper half) may be the left eye projection light.

  In the above embodiment, the refractive polarizer 34 is detachably provided. However, the refractive polarizer 34 may be incorporated as a dedicated device for projecting only a stereoscopic image. Note that a stereoscopic image and a normal image may be projected by incorporating the refractive polarizer 34 and optically switching the optical path.

  The refractive lens 46 may have a shape as shown in the upper part of FIG. As shown in the lower part of FIG. 7a, the front surface of the left-eye refractive lens 46a has a shape in which right-angled triangles having oblique sides with an angle θ are arranged. The front surface of the right-eye refractive lens 46b has a shape in which right-angled triangles having a shape opposite to that of the left-eye refractive lens 46a are arranged.

  If the refraction lens 46 having such a shape is used, there is a possibility that image blurring or color separation may occur due to the influence of diffraction. However, the refraction lens 46 can be formed thin, and the apparatus can be made compact. Can do. In order to reduce the influence of diffraction, it is necessary to increase the dimension d in the lower part of FIG. 7a according to the distance from the screen 4. In general, the thickness is preferably several mm or more.

In addition, the modification shown above is applicable also in other each embodiment.

3. Second embodiment
(1) Configuration and Operation In the first embodiment, the angle θ (see FIG. 6A) of the refractive lens 46 in the refractive polarizer 34 is fixed. Therefore, an appropriate arrangement distance between the screen 4 and the stereoscopic video projector 30 is also fixed.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the angle θ of the refractive polarizer 34 can be changed. FIG. 8A is a top view of the refractive polarizer 34 with adjustable angle. In this embodiment, the refractive lens 46 is separated into a left-half left-eye refractive lens 46a and a right-half right-eye refractive lens 46b. The left-eye refractive lens 46a is fixed on the base member 98a, and the right-eye refractive lens 46b is fixed on the base member 98b. The base members 98a and 98b are fixed so as to be rotatable about the starting point 100.

  A left-eye polarizing filter 48a is attached to the front surface of the left-eye refractive lens 46a, and a right-eye polarizing filter 48b is attached to the front surface of the right-eye refractive lens 46b.

  FIG. 8B shows a mechanism for rotating the base member 98a. The base member 98a is urged in the direction of the arrow 104 by an elastic member 102 such as a spring. An operation screw 108 is provided so as to contact the rear end surface 106 of the base member 98a. The operation screw 108 is screwed into a bracket 110 provided with a female screw, and the bracket 110 is fixed to the casing of the stereoscopic image projector 30. The operation screw 108 is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor 114 via the gear portion 112. Therefore, the rotation position of the base member 98a can be controlled by rotating the motor 114. The base member 98b is also provided with a similar mechanism and connected to the rotating shaft of the motor 114. Therefore, by rotating the motor 114, the rotation positions of the base members 98a and 98b can be controlled simultaneously.

  FIG. 9 shows an external appearance of the stereoscopic video projector 30 according to this embodiment. The angle-adjustable refractive polarizer 34 shown in FIG. 8 is provided, and a distance measuring device 116 such as an infrared laser distance meter or an ultrasonic distance meter is provided. If the three-dimensional image projector 30 is set in front of the screen 4, the distance measuring device 116 can measure the distance to the screen 4.

  FIG. 10 shows a configuration of a control unit for automatically performing angle adjustment. A memory 120, a distance measuring device 116, a motor 114, and a flash memory 128 are connected to the CPU 126. The memory 120 is used as a work area for the CPU 126. The motor 114 is for rotating the base members 98a and 98b (see FIG. 8B). In the flash memory 128, an adjustment program 130 for angle adjustment and a distance / angle table 132 are recorded.

  FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the adjustment program 130. First, the CPU 126 acquires measured distance data from the distance measuring device 116 (step S1). Next, the distance / angle table 132 is read. In the distance / angle table 132, an angle θ suitable for displaying the left-eye image and the right-eye image at the same position in accordance with the distance to the screen 4 is recorded in advance. The CPU 126 reads the angle θ corresponding to the measured distance from the distance / angle table 132 (step S2).

  Subsequently, the CPU 126 controls the motor 114 to rotate in a predetermined direction so that the angle θ is reached (step S3). Although not shown, a sensor for detecting the position (corresponding to the angle θ) of the base members 98a and 98b is provided, and the CPU 126 observes the output of the sensor and performs feedback control to perform the base member 98a, 98b is controlled to a desired position (angle θ).

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, the angle θ can be automatically adjusted according to the distance to the screen 4, and the left-eye image and the right-eye image are overlapped at the same position regardless of the distance to the screen 4. Can be displayed.

(2) Modification In the above embodiment, the substantial refraction degree of the refractive lenses 46a and 46b is changed by a mechanism as shown in FIG. However, the refractive lens 46 may be configured as shown in FIG. 6, and the refractive index of the refractive lens 46 itself may be changed by irradiating laser light from the upper surface or the lower surface and changing the intensity or wavelength of the laser light. .

  Alternatively, electrodes may be provided on the upper and lower surfaces, the left and right surfaces, or the front and rear surfaces of the refractive lens 46, and the degree of refraction may be changed by adjusting the voltage applied between the electrodes. In addition, when providing an electrode in the front surface and a back surface, it is preferable to use a transparent electrode. Further, as the refractive lens, KTN (potassium niobate tantalate), which is a kind of electro-optic crystal whose refractive index changes depending on the applied voltage, can be used.

  In the above embodiment, the refraction degree is automatically changed by measuring the distance. However, the distance measuring device 116 may not be provided, and the user may manually change the degree of refraction.

  In the above-described embodiment, the distance to the screen 4 is measured, and control is performed so that the angle θ is predetermined according to the distance. However, this may be performed by displaying a test image for adjusting the distance (such as an image having a mark at the corresponding center of each of the left-eye image and the right-eye image). In this case, the stereoscopic video projector 30 is provided with a CCD camera for imaging the screen 4. The CPU 126 captures an image of the screen 4 picked up by the CCD camera. The CPU 126 determines whether or not the mark at the center of the captured image overlaps. If they do not overlap, the motor 114 is driven to change the degree of refraction. As a result, if the mark deviation increases, the rotation direction of the motor 114 is reversed. If the mark shift becomes small, the CPU 126 maintains the rotation direction. If the marks overlap, the CPU 126 stops the rotation of the motor 114. In this way, it is possible to automatically control so that the left-eye image and the right-eye image are overlapped and displayed at the same position on the screen 4.

  In addition, the mark is not displayed as the specific image as described above, and the same alignment as described above is performed using the left end (right end) of the left-eye image on the screen 4 and the left end (right end) of the right-eye image. Also good.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the base members 98a and 98b are opened, a portion where the refractive lenses 46a and 46b do not function is generated in the central portion. Therefore, if a thin lens having a shape shown in FIG.

In addition, the modification shown above is applicable also in other each embodiment.

4). Third embodiment
(1) Structure and operation In the first and second embodiments described above, an image of a normal size is divided into a left half and a right half, and these are superimposed and displayed. Therefore, compared to a normal size image, a vertically long screen with a reduced size in the horizontal direction is obtained. In the third embodiment, in consideration of this point, the horizontal size is enlarged and displayed so that a screen having a desired vertical / horizontal size ratio (for example, a normal size screen) is displayed.

  FIG. 12 shows the configuration of a stereoscopic video projector 30 according to the third embodiment. The process from the projection lens 86 to the point where the left eye projection light 24a and the right eye projection light 24b are irradiated is the same as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a convex lens 47 is bonded to the rear surface of the refractive polarizer 34. Further, a concave lens 49 is provided at a predetermined distance.

  Both the convex lens 47 and the concave lens 49 are deformed lenses having the same cross-sectional shape at any position. Therefore, the left-eye projection light 24a and the right-eye projection light 24b projected from the projection lens 86 are not enlarged in the vertical direction but only in the horizontal direction. Therefore, it can be displayed on the screen 4 as a normal size screen. In FIG. 12, for the sake of explanation, the refractive polarizer 34, the convex lens 47, and the concave lens 49 are drawn much larger.

  In this embodiment, it is preferable to use an image 60 for stereoscopic image projection to be given to the stereoscopic image projection device 30 that has a horizontal size reduced to ½. For example, if an image is displayed on the screen 4 with an aspect ratio of 3: 4, the left-eye image 60a of the left half of the stereoscopic image projection image 60 (see FIG. 7) has an aspect ratio of 3: 4. What is necessary is just to set it as the image which compressed the image imaged in (4) into the horizontal direction (a horizontal image is set to 1/2). The same applies to the right-half right-eye image 60b.

(2) Modified Example In the above embodiment, the lateral expansion is performed by the convex lens 47 and the concave lens 49. However, as shown in FIG. 13A, the refractive lens 46 itself of the refractive polarizer 34 may have a magnifying action. The refractive lens 46 is constituted by a combination of a left refractive lens 46a and a right refractive lens 46b.

  Details of the left refractive lens 46a are shown in FIG. 13B. A recess 55a is provided on the rear surface. The surface 53a of the recess 55a has a predetermined radius of curvature. A normal line 59a at a curved point 57a drawn by the surface 53a is parallel to the surface 63a.

  A convex portion 65a is provided on the front surface of the left refractive lens 46a. The curvature radius of the surface 67a of the convex portion 65a is formed to be larger than the curvature radius 53a of the surface 53a. A normal line 71a at a curved point 69a drawn by the surface 67a is not parallel to the surface 63a but inclined to the left.

  The right refractive lens 46b has a shape symmetrical to the left refractive lens 46a.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, the left-eye projection light 24a is incident on the left-eye refraction lens 46a of the concave portion 55 of the refraction lens 46, and the right-eye projection light 24b is incident on the right-eye refraction lens 46b. The left-eye projection light 24a and the right-eye projection light 24b are refracted in the expanding direction by the recess 55, respectively. As shown in FIG. 13B, the normal line 71a of the convex portion 65a is tilted to the left, so that the left-eye projection light 24a refracted in the expanding direction is refracted to the right by the convex portion 65. On the contrary, the right-eye projection light 24b refracted in the expanding direction is refracted to the left by the convex portion 65.

  Therefore, the left-eye image and the right-eye image can be displayed in the same position on the screen 4 without providing a magnifying lens separately from the refractive lens 46.

  In the above description, the refractive lens 46 is configured by two members, ie, the left-eye refractive lens 46a and the right-eye refractive lens 46b. However, the refractive lens 46 may be configured by a single member.

In addition, the modification shown above is applicable also in other each embodiment.

5). Fourth embodiment
(1) Structure and Operation In the above embodiment, the stereoscopic video projector 30 has been described. An apparatus for generating an image as shown in FIG. 7 to be given to such a stereoscopic video projection apparatus 30 will be described below.

  FIG. 14 shows a configuration diagram of the stereoscopic video recording apparatus 160. It is assumed that an image for projecting a stereoscopic video of the imaging target 150 is recorded. The recording means 154 records a given image by any method such as electrical, optical and magnetic methods. A refraction device 152 is provided between the imaging object 150 and the recording unit 154.

  The refracting device 152 captures the left eye image light 156a when the imaging object 150 is viewed with the left eye and the right eye image light 156b when the imaging object 150 is viewed with the right eye. The light from the object 150 is refracted. The refracting device 152 may have the same structure as the refractive lens 46 of FIG.

  The recording unit 154 receives the left-eye image light 156a and the right-eye image light 156b from the refraction device 152, and records the left-eye image 60a and the right-eye image 60b as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 15 shows the appearance of the stereoscopic video recording device 160. A refraction lens 164 as a refraction device 152 is provided on the front surface of the lens system 162 for imaging. In this embodiment, the refractive lens 164 is detachably attached to the video camera 166 main body in the same manner as the refractive polarizer 34. Therefore, it is possible to remove the refractive lens 164 and perform normal photographing.

  FIG. 16 shows a detailed structure of the stereoscopic video recording apparatus 160. The light from the imaging target 150 is separated by the refractive lens 164 into left-eye image light 156a and right-eye image light 156b. The left-eye image light 156a and the right-eye image light 156b are given to an image sensor (for example, a CMOS image sensor) 168 via a lens system 162. Therefore, the image sensor 168 converts the left-eye image light 156a and the right-eye image light 156b into electrical signals, and a stereoscopic video projection having the left-eye image 60a on the left side and the right-eye image 60b on the right eye as shown in FIG. An image 60 for use is generated.

  The video image conversion circuit 170 converts the image 60 into a video image format. The compression / decompression circuit 172 compresses the image 60 converted into the video format and records it on the recording medium 174. As described above, the stereoscopic image projection image 60 can be recorded.

  When playing back the recorded image, the compression / expansion circuit 172 reads the image data recorded on the recording medium 174, decompresses the data by the compression / expansion circuit 172, and outputs it as a video image signal. By projecting this video image signal by the stereoscopic video projection device 30 shown in the first to third embodiments, a stereoscopic video can be projected.

  Note that the refractive lens 164 used in the stereoscopic video recording device 160 and the refractive lens 46 of the refractive polarizer 34 used in the stereoscopic video projection device 30 have the same characteristics in order to accurately reproduce an image and to appropriately function stereoscopic vision. It is preferable that it has. Furthermore, it is preferable that the refractive lens 164 used in the stereoscopic video recording device 160 is removed after imaging and used as the refractive lens 46 of the stereoscopic video projection device 30 that reproduces the captured image. In this case, it is preferable not to have a structure in which the refractive lens 46 and the polarizing filter 48 are integrated as shown in FIG. 4, but to have a structure capable of separating them (for example, a structure schematically shown in FIG. 3).

(2) Modification In the above embodiment, a stereoscopic video projection image suitable for use in the stereoscopic video projection device 30 according to the first embodiment to the second embodiment is recorded. When recording an image suitable for use in the stereoscopic image projection apparatus 30 according to the third embodiment, the refractive lens 46 shown in FIG. 12 is used as the refractive lens 164, and the convex lens 47 and the concave lens 49 are used as light from the object. As a reduction means for reducing in the left-right direction, the lens system 162 is provided on the front surface. As a result, an image whose horizontal size is reduced to ½ can be obtained, and is displayed on the screen 4 as an appropriate image when the image is magnified twice in the horizontal direction by the stereoscopic video projector 30. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the captured image for stereoscopic video projection 60 is generated, then recorded on a recording medium, read during reproduction, and projected as a stereoscopic video. However, the generated stereoscopic image projection image 60 may be provided to the stereoscopic image projection device 30 as it is or transmitted to display the stereoscopic image.

In addition, the modification shown above is applicable also in other each embodiment.

6). Other Embodiments In each of the above embodiments, the case where a moving image is viewed stereoscopically has been described. However, each of the above configurations can also be applied to stereoscopic viewing of a still image.

  In each of the above embodiments, both the left-eye projection light (left-eye image light) and the right-eye projection light (right-eye image light) are refracted by the refracting means. However, a refracting means may be provided so that only one of them is refracted.

  In each of the above embodiments, a transparent material is used as the refracting means. However, a material having translucency may be used even if it is not completely transparent.

  As a material of the refractive lens 46, optical glass such as BK7 or synthetic quartz can be used. However, the refractive lens 46 can be made thin by using a transparent material having a high refractive index.

Claims (21)

The image displayed on the target plane is viewed on the left side through a filter having a first polarization characteristic and is viewed on the right eye through a filter having a second polarization characteristic, so that the image is displayed on the target plane. A stereoscopic image display device for
Projection means for irradiating projection light having left eye projection light on the first region and projection light having right eye projection light on the second region based on the given image signal;
The left-eye image displayed on the target surface by the left-eye projection light emitted from the projection unit and the right-eye image displayed on the target surface by the right-eye projection light emitted from the projection unit overlap on the target surface. Refracting means for refracting at least one of left-eye projection light and right-eye projection light to be displayed;
Polarization of at least one of the left-eye projection light and the right-eye projection light so that the left-eye projection light emitted from the projection unit has the first polarization characteristic and the right-eye projection light has the second polarization characteristic. Polarization means to change the characteristics;
3D image projection apparatus. The stereoscopic image projection apparatus according to claim 1,
The first region and the second region are formed by dividing projection light into left and right,
The refraction means includes a first portion corresponding to the left-eye projection light and a second portion corresponding to the right-eye projection light, and in the vicinity of a boundary surface between the first portion and the second portion. A stereoscopic image projection apparatus comprising: a translucent body configured to be thinner as it is farther from the boundary surface than the thickness of the boundary. The stereoscopic image projection apparatus according to claim 2,
The polarizing means is provided with a first polarizing filter that provides a first polarization characteristic on a surface or an inner surface of the first portion of the light transmitting body, and a second surface on the surface or the inner surface of the second portion of the light transmitting body. A three-dimensional image projector characterized in that a second polarizing filter for providing polarization characteristics is provided. The three-dimensional image projector according to claim 2 or 3,
The translucent body is configured so that the degree of refraction can be adjusted. The three-dimensional image projector of Claim 4 WHEREIN:
The three-dimensional image projector according to claim 1, wherein the translucent body is configured to rotate around one end of the boundary surface and to adjust an angle formed by the surfaces of the first portion and the second portion. The stereoscopic image projection apparatus according to claim 4 or 5,
Distance measuring means for measuring the distance from the stereoscopic image display device to the target surface;
Control means for changing the degree of refraction of the translucent body according to the distance measured by the distance measuring means and controlling the left-eye image and the right-eye image to overlap and display on the target surface. 3D image projection device provided. The stereoscopic image projection apparatus according to claim 4 or 5,
Specific image deviation detection means for detecting a deviation of the position of the specific image included in the image of the first area and the position of the specific image included in the image of the second area;
Control means for changing the degree of refraction of the translucent body based on the detected deviation of the specific image and controlling the left-eye image and the right-eye image to overlap and display on the target surface. 3D image projection device. In the three-dimensional image projector in any one of Claims 1-7,
A stereoscopic image projection apparatus comprising: an enlargement unit that enlarges the projection light emitted from the projection unit in a left-right direction between the projection unit and the target surface. In the three-dimensional image projector of Claim 7,
The stereoscopic image photographing apparatus, wherein the refraction means also has a function as an enlargement means. The image displayed on the target plane is viewed on the left side through a filter having a first polarization characteristic and is viewed on the right eye through a filter having a second polarization characteristic, so that the image is displayed on the target plane. Refractive polarization device for stereoscopic image display device for
The projection light is divided into a first area and a second area, and the left eye irradiated from the projection means that projects the projection light for the left eye on the first area and the projection light having the projection light for the right eye on the second area toward the target surface Left-eye image displayed on the target surface by the projection light for the left eye and the right-eye image displayed on the target surface by the projection light for the right eye emitted from the projection unit are displayed so as to overlap each other on the target surface. Refracting means for refracting at least one of the projection light for the right eye and the projection light for the right eye;
Polarization of at least one of left-eye projection light and right-eye projection light so that left-eye projection light emitted from the projection unit has first polarization characteristics and right-eye projection light has second polarization characteristics. Polarization means to change the characteristics;
Refractive polarization device comprising: The refractive polarizing device of claim 10,
The first region and the second region are formed by dividing projection light into left and right,
The refraction means includes a first portion corresponding to the left-eye projection light and a second portion corresponding to the right-eye projection light, and in the vicinity of a boundary surface between the first portion and the second portion. A refractive polarization device characterized in that the refractive polarization device is configured to be thinner than the thickness of the light-transmitting member as the distance from the boundary surface decreases. The refractive polarization device of claim 11,
The polarizing means is provided with a first polarizing filter that provides a first polarization characteristic on a surface or an inner surface of the first portion of the light transmitting body, and a second surface on the surface or the inner surface of the second portion of the light transmitting body. A refractive polarizing device, characterized in that a second polarizing filter that provides polarization characteristics is provided. The refractive polarizing device according to claim 11 or 12,
The light-transmitting body is configured so that the degree of refraction can be adjusted. The refractive polarization device of claim 13,
The translucent body is configured to rotate around one end of the boundary surface and to adjust an angle formed by the surfaces of the first portion and the second portion. The refractive polarization device according to any one of claims 8 to 14,
A refracting polarization apparatus comprising: an enlarging unit for enlarging the projection light emitted from the projecting unit in the left-right direction between the projecting unit and the target surface. A stereoscopic image display method for stereoscopically viewing an image displayed on a target surface with a left eye through a filter having a first polarization characteristic and a right eye through a filter with a second polarization characteristic,
Dividing the projection light into a first region and a second region, irradiating a target surface with projection light for left eye in the first region and projection light for right eye in the second region;
The left-eye image displayed on the target surface by the irradiated left-eye projection light and the right-eye image displayed on the target surface by the irradiated right-eye projection light are displayed so as to overlap each other on the target surface. Refract at least one of left eye projection light and right eye projection light,
The polarization characteristic of at least one of the left-eye projection light and the right-eye projection light is changed so that the irradiated left-eye projection light has the first polarization characteristic and the right-eye projection light has the second polarization characteristic. 3D image projection method characterized by this. In order to stereoscopically view the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye displayed on the target surface by being viewed with the left eye through the filter having the first polarization characteristic and with the right eye through the filter having the second polarization characteristic, A stereoscopic video recording apparatus that images a target and records the left-eye image and the right-eye image,
Refracting means for refracting light from the object so that an image for the left eye of the object is obtained in the first area and an image for the right eye of the object is obtained in the second area adjacent to the first area;
Recording means for recording the left-eye image in the first area and the right-eye image in the second area obtained by the refraction means as a stereoscopic image;
3D video recording apparatus. The stereoscopic video recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
A stereoscopic video recording apparatus comprising: a reduction unit that reduces the light from the object in the left-right direction. In order to stereoscopically view the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye displayed on the target surface by being viewed with the left eye through the filter having the first polarization characteristic and with the right eye through the filter having the second polarization characteristic, A refraction apparatus for a stereoscopic video generation apparatus that images a target and generates the left-eye image and the right-eye image,
Refracting means for refracting light from the object so that an image for the left eye of the object is obtained in the first area and an image for the right eye of the object is obtained in the second area adjacent to the first area;
A refraction device for a stereoscopic image generation device comprising: The refraction apparatus for a stereoscopic image generation apparatus according to claim 19,
A refraction apparatus for a stereoscopic image generation apparatus, comprising: a reduction unit that reduces light from the object in a horizontal direction. In order to stereoscopically view the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye displayed on the target surface by being viewed with the left eye through the filter having the first polarization characteristic and with the right eye through the filter having the second polarization characteristic, A stereoscopic video recording method for capturing an image of an object and recording the left-eye image and the right-eye image,
Refracting the light from the object so that the image for the left eye of the object is obtained in the first area and the image for the right eye of the object is obtained in the second area adjacent to the first area;
A stereoscopic video recording method, wherein the obtained left-eye image in the first area and right-eye image in the second area are recorded as a stereoscopic video.

Images