Display medium, display-support medium, processing apparatus and processing program

A display medium displays a predetermined number of contents corresponding to a predetermined number of azimuth angles when viewed from a predetermined elevation angle and azimuth angle. An example display medium includes: a planar member that reflects light; and a plurality of protruding members, each protruding member of the plurality of protruding members has a surface occluding the light, placed vertically on the planar member and parallel to each of the predetermined number of azimuth angles. The planar member is partitioned into a plurality of unit cells, where each unit cell is further partitioned into the predetermined number of sub-cells corresponding to the predetermined number of azimuth angles. The protruding member that has the surface parallel to the predetermined azimuth angle is formed for each sub-cell corresponding to the predetermined azimuth angle.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage filing under 35 U.S.C. § 371 PCT Application No, PCT/JP2018/036798, filed Oct. 2, 2018, which claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2018-017210, filed Feb. 2, 2018, which applications are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety, for any purpose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

This invention is related to a display medium, a display-support medium, a processing apparatus and a processing program that enable to display a predetermined number of contents corresponding to a predetermined number of azimuth angles when viewed from predetermined elevation and azimuth angles.

Background Technology

For displaying information efficiently, there are display media capable of displaying a plurality of pieces of information (see Patent Literature 1). According to the invention described in Patent Literature 1, a plurality of self-luminescent elements are installed on the display surface of the signboard in which some of self-luminescent elements are aligned toward the left oblique direction while others are aligned toward the right oblique direction. A unique display is realized in each direction by the self-luminescent elements. The signboard is configured such that one display cannot be viewed by the other direction. Thus, one signboard can display two types of information. In the patent described in Patent Literature 1, a plurality of holes are provided on the surface of the signboard and the self-luminescent elements are embedded in those holes.

PRIOR ART LITERATURES

Patent Literatures

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Problems to Be Solved by the Invention

According to the invention described in Patent Literature 1, the self-luminescent elements installed in the left oblique direction and the self-luminescent elements installed in the right oblique direction share common emitting windows. Therefore, if different colors are used for each self-luminescent element, the colors may blend. The invention described in Patent Literature 1 can display information using a single color but is not capable of displaying information using a plurality of desired colors.

Thus, the objective of this invention is to provide a display medium, a display-support medium, a processing apparatus and a processing program for properly displaying a predetermined number of contents corresponding to a predetermined number of azimuth angles.

Means for Solving Problems

The first feature of this invention for solving the problems is related to a display medium capable of displaying a predetermined number of contents corresponding to a predetermined number of azimuth angles when viewed from predetermined elevation and azimuth angles. The display medium pertinent to the first feature has a planar member that reflects the light, and a plurality of protruding members that are placed vertically on the planar member such that each protruding member has a surface that occludes the tight and is parallel to each of the predetermined number of azimuth angles on the planar member. The planar member is partitioned into a plurality of unit cells, each of which is further partitioned into a predetermined number of sub-cells corresponding to a predetermined number of azimuth angles. In each sub-cell corresponding to a predetermined azimuth angle, the protruding member is configured in a manner that the protruding member has a surface parallel to the predetermined azimuth angle.

The second feature of this invention is related to a display-support medium that is attachable to the display surface having a flat surface reflecting the light, capable of displaying a predetermined number of contents corresponding to a predetermined number of azimuth angles when viewed from predetermined elevation and azimuth angles. The display-support medium pertinent to the second feature of this invention is in a sheet form and is provided with the sheet member that transmits light and with the plurality of protruding members that are placed vertically on the sheet member such that each protruding member has a surface that is parallel to each of the predetermined number of azimuth angles on the sheet member and occludes the light. The sheet member is partitioned into a plurality of unit cells, and each of the plurality of cells is further partitioned into a predetermined number of sub-cells corresponding to a predetermined number of azimuth angles. In each sub-cell corresponding to a predetermined azimuth angle, the protruding member is formed in a manner that the protruding member has a surface parallel to a predetermined azimuth angle.

At this point, in each sub-cell of the unit cell, the area ratio of each sub-cell and the shape of the protruding member may be configured in a manner that the protruding member occludes a smaller amount of light of a predetermined sub-cell when viewed from a predetermined azimuth angle.

Alternatively, in each sub-cell of the unit cell, the area ratio of each sub-cell and the shape of the protruding member may be configured in a manner that the amount of light from directions other than the predetermined direction or from sub-cells other than the predetermined sub-cell is reduced.

Alternatively, in each sub-cell of the unit cell, the area ratio of each sub-cell and the shape of the protruding member may be configured in a manner that the standard deviation of the reflected luminance of the sub-cells is reduced.

Alternatively, when viewed from an elevation angle other than the predetermined elevation angle, a content other than the predetermined number of contents may be displayed.

The third feature of this invention is related to a processing apparatus used in manufacturing the display medium pertinent to the first feature. The processing apparatus pertaining to the third feature of this invention comprises a storage unit, a shape-determining section and a color value computing section.

The storage unit stores the number of contents to be displayed on the display medium, condition data including elevation angles and azimuth angles, and the input color value data storing a color value for each unit cell with respect to each content corresponding to a predetermined number of azimuth angles.

The shape-determining section determines the area ratio of each sub-cell and the shape of the protruding member to reduce: the amount of light of the predetermined sub-cell being occluded by the protruding member when viewed from a predetermined azimuth angle; the amount of light from the directions other than the predetermined direction or from sub-cells other than the predetermined sub-cell; or the standard deviation of the reflected luminance among sub-cells.

The color value computing section computes the color value to be assigned to each sub-cell of the unit cell in a manner that the difference between an observable color value at a predetermined unit cell when the display medium is observed from the predetermined elevation and azimuth angles, and the color value at the corresponding position of the unit cell stored in the input color value data becomes small.

The fourth feature of this invention is related to the processing apparatus used for manufacturing the display-support medium pertinent to the second feature of this invention. The processing apparatus pertaining to the fourth feature of this invention is provided with the storage unit and the shape-determining section. The storage unit stores the number of contents to be supported for displaying by the display-support medium, the condition data including elevation angles and azimuth angles, and the input color value data storing a color value for each unit cell with respect to each content corresponding to a predetermined number of azimuth angles.

The shape-determining section determines the area ratio of each sub-cell and the shape of the protruding member to reduce: the amount of light of the predetermined sub-cell being occluded by the protruding member when viewed from a predetermined azimuth angle; the amount of light from the directions other than the predetermined direction or from sub-cells other than the predetermined sub-cell; or the standard deviation of the reflected luminance among sub-cells.

The fifth feature of this invention is related to the processing apparatus that computes the color value of each position of the display surface corresponding to each sub-cell in order to display a predetermined number of contents on the display surface on which the display-support medium related to the second feature of this invention is attached. The processing apparatus pertaining to the fifth feature of this invention is provided with the storage unit and the color value computing section. The storage unit stores the color value for each unit cell with respect to each content corresponding to a predetermined number of azimuth angles. The color value computing section computes the color values to be assigned to each position of the display surface corresponding to each sub-cell of the unit cell so that the difference between the observable color value at a predetermined unit cell when the display surface on which the display-support medium is attached is observed from the predetermined elevation and azimuth angles, and the color value at the corresponding position of the unit cell with respect to the content at the predetermined azimuth angle is minimized.

The sixth feature of this invention is related to the processing program that is used to operate a computer as the processing apparatus as described in the third through fifth features of this invention.

Effect of the Invention

According to this invention, it is possible to provide the display medium, display-support medium, processing apparatus and processing program for appropriately displaying a predetermined number of contents corresponding to a predetermined number of azimuth angles.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of this invention will hereafter be described with reference to the drawings. In the descriptions of the drawings, the identical or similar items are indicated with the identical or similar reference codes.

Display Medium

The display medium1pertaining to the embodiment of this invention will be described here with reference toFIG. 1. The display medium1pertaining to the embodiment of this invention is configured to be able to display the predetermined number of contents corresponding to the predetermined number of azimuth angles when observed from the predetermined elevation and azimuth angles. The display medium1can display the content when viewed from the predetermined elevation and azimuth angles, and it can display a different content when the azimuth angle is changed. The display medium1can display a plurality of contents for each predetermined azimuth angle. Alternatively, the elevation angle from which the observer views a content may be different for each content. In the embodiment of this invention, the contents are still images.

As shown inFIG. 1 (a), the display medium1provides a planar member2, where the colored part4is arranged on a flat surface of the planer member2. The planar member2has the flat surface that reflects the light. It is sufficient so long as the planar member2can mirror-reflect or diffuse the light. Additionally, from the view point of visibility, it is preferable that the planar member2is made of the metal with high specular components. The colored part4is colored with ink.

As shown inFIG. 1(a), the flat surface of the planar member2is partitioned into a plurality of unit cells C. Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 1(b), each unit cell C is partitioned into the predetermined number of sub-cells B corresponding to the predetermined number of azimuth angles.

Here, a unit cell C and/or a sub-cell B may be a virtual partition. For example, when the same color value is assigned to two adjacent sub-cells B, or depending on positioning of the protruding member3, the border of the sub-cell B or the unit cell C may not be visualized.

In the example shown inFIG. 1, the description is provided for the case in which the planar member2is rectangular. However, it may be in any other form so long as it has a flat surface on which the colored part4is arranged. Additionally, the description is provided for the case in which the unit cell C and sub-cell B are rectangular. However, the unit cell C and the sub-cell B can be in any shape.

The number of sub-cells B in each unit cell C corresponds to the number of contents that can be displayed on the display medium1. For example, in the example shown inFIG. 1, each unit cell C is partitioned into three sub-cells B, therefore at least three contents can be displayed. Furthermore, as shown in the third embodiment variation which is discussed later, depending on the substances of the three contents, four or more contents can be displayed. Of the colored parts4, for each sub-cell B corresponding to a predetermined azimuth angle, color for each portion corresponding to the position of each sub-cell B, which configures the content corresponding to the predetermined azimuth angle is assigned.

As shown inFIG. 1 (b), in the sub-cell B, the plate-like protruding members3are placed vertically on the planar member2. In the example shown inFIG. 1 (b), the case in which two protruding members3are provided in each sub-cell B is illustrated. However, one or a plurality of protruding members3may be provided in each sub-cell B.

The protruding member3has a surface that occludes the light and is parallel to each of the predetermined number of azimuth angles on the planar member2. It is preferable to configure the protruding member3using opaque material that occludes the light. However, it may be configured to transmit some portion of the light as long as the light does not affect the visibility of observers. For each sub-cell B corresponding to the predetermined azimuth angle, the protruding member3that has a surface parallel to the predetermined azimuth angle is configured.

When a plurality of protruding members3are provided in a sub-cell B, all protruding members3are placed parallel to each other. When the protruding members3are provided on a plurality of sub-cells B, the direction of the set of the protruding members3in each sub-cell B is oriented differently from those protruding members3provided in other sub-cells B. The set of the protruding members3provided in each sub-cell B is oriented such that they are not in parallel to other sets of the protruding members3provided in nearby sub-cells B.

The display medium1pertaining to the embodiment of this invention is observed from a predetermined elevation angle. As shown inFIG. 1 (b), the board-shaped protruding members3are placed vertically on the flat surface of the planar member2. Therefore, when the display medium1is observed from the predetermined elevation angle, the portions of the colored part4that is not occluded by the protruding members3is visible.

The shape of the protruding members3and the area ratio of each sub-cell in the unit cell are configured so that at least one or more of the following (1) to (3) is reduced: (1) the amount of light of the predetermined sub-cell being occluded by the protruding member3when viewed from the predetermined azimuth angle; (2) the amount of light from directions other than the predetermined direction or from sub-cells B other than the predetermined sub-cell B; and (3) the standard deviation of the reflected luminance of the sub-cells B. The methods for determining the shape of each sub-cell B and the shape of each protruding member3will be discussed later in detail.

With reference toFIG. 2, the elevation angles and the azimuth angles for observing the display medium1pertaining to the embodiment of this invention will be discussed.FIG. 2(a)illustrates the case in which contents I0, I1and I2are displayed on the display medium1.

When the coordinate x on the display medium1is observed from the predetermined elevation angle ωO and the predetermined azimuth angle φ0, the color value of the content I0corresponding to the coordinate x on the display medium1can be seen. Similarly, when the coordinate x on the display medium1is observed from the predetermined elevation angle ω1and the predetermined azimuth angle φ1, the color value of the content I1corresponding to the coordinate x on the display medium1can be seen. Furthermore, when the coordinate x on the display medium1is observed from the predetermined elevation angle ω2and the predetermined azimuth angle φ2, the color value of the content I2corresponding to the coordinate x on the display medium1can be seen.

The unit cell C of the display medium1shown inFIG. 2(a)is configured as shown inFIG. 2 (b). The unit cell C comprises the sub-cell B0, the sub-cell B1and the sub-cell B2. On the sub-cell B0, three protruding members L0are placed parallel to the azimuth angle φ0. On the sub-cell B1, two protruding members L1are placed parallel to the azimuth angle φ1. On the sub-cell B2, three protruding members L2are placed parallel to the azimuth angle φ2.

Because each protruding member3has a predetermined height, when the display medium1is observed from a certain elevation angle, some areas of the display medium1are occluded by the protruding member3and some are not occluded. The observer viewing the display medium1from a certain elevation angle will see the areas not occluded by the protruding member3.

With reference toFIG. 3, the area where the protruding member3occludes the light is described. InFIG. 3, it is assumed that the observer is viewing from the elevation angle ω and the azimuth angle ψ. The height of the protruding member3is indicated by h.

First, the case in which the incident light is occluded by the protruding member3is discussed. As shown inFIG. 3, among the incident light entering at the predetermined elevation angle ω, the portions D1and D2of the incident light entering at positions higher than the edge S1, which is formed by the top surface of the protruding member3and the surface at the opposite side of the incident light source, hits the flat surface of the planar member2and be reflected forming the reflected light. On the other hand, the portions of the incident light entering at positions lower than the edge S1is occluded by the protruding member3. As a result, the color of the area R1in front of the protruding member3at the opposite side of the incident light source is occluded by the protruding member3. On the flat surface of the planar member2, the area R1extends out by h/tan (ω) from the placed position of the protruding member3in the opposite direction from the light source at the azimuth angle ψ.

The next discussion is for the case in which the incident light is reflected by the flat surface of the planar member2and subsequently the reflected light is occluded by the protruding member3. As shown inFIG. 3, among the reflected light that is reflected at the predetermined elevation angle ω, portions D3and D4of the reflected light illuminating positions higher than the edge S2, which is formed by the top surface of the protruding member3and the surface facing the incident light source is viewed by the observer. On the other hand, the portion of the reflected light that is illuminating positions lower than the edge S2is occluded by the protruding member3. As a result, the color of the area R2extending in the direction toward the incident light source from the protruding member3is occluded by the protruding member3. On the flat surface of the planar member2, the area R2extends out by h/tan (ω) from the placed position of the protruding member3toward the incident light source at the azimuth angle ψ.

With reference toFIG. 4, the description is provided for the case in which the sub-cell B0and the sub-cell B1are observed from the predetermined elevation and azimuth angles.FIG. 4(a)andFIG. 4(b)has the same configuration of the sub-cells, but observers are viewing it from different azimuth angles (view points).

As shown inFIG. 4(a), since the observer is looking at the mirror-reflected light of the incident light, the viewing direction of the observer is 180 degrees different in azimuth but the same elevation angle with respect to the direction of the incident light. The incident light M1entering the sub-cell B0reaches the flat surface without being occluded by the protruding members. The incident light M1is reflected by the flat surface of the sub-cell B0, and the reflected light M1′ is generated. On the sub-cell B0, the reflected light M1′ is parallel to the protruding member of the subcell B0. In other words, the line, which is the projected image of the reflected light M1′ on the sub-cell B0, is parallel to the protruding members on the sub-cell B0. Thus, the reflected light M1′ is not occluded by the protruding members of the sub-cell B0, and the observer can see the reflected light M1′. The reflected light M1′ has the same color as the color of the sub-cell B0.

The protruding members in the sub-cell B1are configured such that they are not parallel to the protruding members of the sub-cell B0. Thus, the incident light M2entering the sub-cell B1is occluded by a protruding member in the sub-cell B1and does not reach the flat surface of the sub-cell B1. Thus, the observer cannot see any reflected light of the incident light M2. The light M3reaches the flat surface of the sub-cell B1without being occluded by the protruding member, and the reflected light M3is generated. However, the reflected light M3′ is occluded by another protruding member in the sub-cell B1, and the observer cannot see the reflected light M3′.

As shown inFIG. 4 (b), since the observer is looking at the mirror-reflected light of the incident light, the viewing direction of the observer is 180 degrees different in azimuth but the same elevation angle with respect to the direction of the incident light. The incident light M4entering the sub-cell B0is occluded by a protruding member of the sub-cell B0and does not reach the flat surface of the sub-cell B0. Thus, the observer cannot see the reflected light of the incident light M4. The incident light M5reaches the flat surface of the sub-cell B0without being occluded by the protruding member of the sub-cell B0, and the reflected light M5is generated. However, the reflected light M5′ is occluded by another protruding member of the sub-cell B0, and the observer cannot see the reflected light M5′.

On the other hand, the incident light M6entering the sub-cell B1reaches the flat surface of the sub-cell B1without being occluded by the protruding member of the sub-cell B1. The incident light M6is reflected by the flat surface of the sub-cell B1, and the reflected light M6′ is generated. The reflected light M6′ is parallel to the protruding members of the sub-cell B1. In other words, the line that is the projected image of the reflected light M6′ on the sub-cell B1is parallel to the protruding members on the sub-cell B1. Thus, the reflected light M6′ is not occluded by the protruding members of the sub-cell B1, and the observer can see the reflected light M6′. The reflected light M6′ has the same color as the color of the sub-cell B1.

When the display medium1having the sub-cells B0and B1as shown inFIGS. 4(a) and (b)is observed from the set of the elevation angle and the azimuth angle as shown inFIG. 4(a), the reflected light M1′ with the color of the sub cell B0can be seen. When observed from the set of the elevation angle and the azimuth angle as shown inFIG. 4 (b), the reflected light M6′ with the color of the sub-cell B1can be seen. Thus, if the display medium1is observed from different azimuth angles, the observer can see only the color of the specific sub-cell at a given azimuth angle. Additionally, other unit cells are configured in a similar manner. On each sub-cell B of a unit cell C, the protruding members3are configured such that there is a flat surface on the planar member2parallel to a corresponding azimuth angle with respect to each sub-cell B.

Thus, if the display medium1is viewed from a predetermined azimuth angle, the observer sees the color of the sub-cell B0, for example, of each of the plurality of unit cells C. Thus, the observer can see the content composed of sub-cells B0of all unit cells C. When viewed from another different azimuth angle, the observer sees the color of the sub-cell B1, for example, of each of the plurality of unit cells C, and sees the content composed of sub-cells B1of all unit cells C. Thus, the display medium1can display a plurality of contents corresponding to azimuth angles from which the observer views the display medium1.

With reference toFIG. 5, the unit cell C that can display four or more contents is described. The unit cell C shown inFIG. 5(a)is provided with the first sub-cell B1, the second sub-cell B2, the third sub-cell B3and the fourth sub-cell B4. Each sub-cell is colored with the color of the corresponding position of the content.

On the first sub-cell B1, two first protruding members L1are placed parallel to each other in the direction of the azimuth angle φ1. Similarly, on the second sub-cell B2, two second protruding members L2are placed parallel to each other in the direction of the azimuth angle φ2. On the third sub-cell B3, two third protruding members L3are placed parallel to each other in the direction of the azimuth angle φ3. On the fourth sub-cell B4, two fourth protruding members L4are placed parallel to each other in the direction of the azimuth angle φ4. The first protruding members L1, the second protruding members L2, the third protruding members L3and the fourth protruding members L4are so oriented that they are not parallel to any other.

The display medium1pertaining to the embodiment of this invention is configured to display contents corresponding to a predetermined azimuth angle when observed from the predetermined elevation angle at a plurality of azimuth angels. More specifically, when the display medium1is viewed from the first azimuth angle φ1, the color of the sub-cell B1can be observed, but the most of colors of other sub-cells are occluded by respective protruding members. The color of the second sub-cell B2is occluded by the protruding members L2, the color of the sub-cell B3is occluded by the protruding members L3, and the color of the sub-cell4is occluded by the protruding members L4. Similarly, when the display medium1is viewed from the second azimuth angle φ2, the color of the sub-cell B2can be observed. When the display medium1is viewed from the third azimuth angle φ3, the color of the sub-cell B3can be observed. When the display medium1is viewed from the fourth azimuth angle φ4, the color of the sub-cell B4can be observed.

The viewing azimuth angles described inFIG. 5(a)are shown inFIG. 5 (b). When the First azimuth angle is φ1set as 0 degrees, the second azimuth angle φ2, the third azimuth angle φ3and the fourth azimuth angle φ4are set counterclockwise to be 90 degrees, 45 degrees, and 135 degrees respectively. When sub-cells are configured as shown inFIG. 5(a), four types of contents can be observed if viewed at 0 degrees azimuth, 45 degrees azimuth, 90 degrees azimuth, and 135 degrees azimuth, and all at a predetermined elevation angle.

More specifically, as shown inFIG. 6, four types of contents (images) can be observed; one content (image) at each respective viewing angle. At the viewing angle of 0 degrees azimuth, the colors of the first sub-cells B1of each unit cell C can be observed, and the image of the painting “The Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer as shown inFIG. 6(a)can be seen. At the viewing angle of 90 degrees azimuth, the colors of the second sub-cells B2of each unit cell C can be observed, and the image of the painting “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci as shown inFIG. 6 (b)can be seen. At the viewing angle of 45 degrees azimuth, the colors of the third sub-cells B3of each unit cell C can be observed, and the image of the painting “The Scream” by Edvard Munch as shown inFIG. 6(c)can be seen. At the viewing angle of 135 degrees azimuth, the colors of the fourth sub-cells B4of each unit cell C can be observed, and the image of the painting “The Procuress” by Johannes Vermeer as shown inFIG. 6(d)can be seen. In the examples shownFIG. 6, the heights, spacing, etc. of protruding members are optimized so that the contents can be best observed at the elevation angle of 30 degrees.

As described above, the display medium1is partitioned into a plurality of unit cells C, each unit cell C is further partitioned into a plurality of sub-cells B, and the protruding members3are configured on each sub-cell B such that toe protruding members on one sub-cell B are not parallel to protruding members3on any other sub-cells B. As a result, the display medium1pertaining to the embodiment of this inversion can display a predetermined number of contents corresponding to a predetermined number of azimuth angles at a predetermined elevation angle.

The display medium1pertaining to the embodiment of this invention can be applied to any size. For example, if the size is relatively small such as the A4 size or a few centimeter square, the display medium1can be configured by printing the protruding members3and colors of the colored parts4on the planar member2. For example, the UV (ultraviolet) printer can be used to color the colored parts4, and the fine concave-convex patterns of the protruding members3can be configured by hardening the UV resin. On the other hand, if the display medium1is relatively large such as a signboard, the display medium1may be configured by providing a board composed of the painted planar member2and arranging boards as the protruding members on the planar member2.

The factors such as the amount of content that the display medium1can display, the size of the unit cell C, the size of the sub-cell B, the shapes of the protruding members3, and the number of the protruding members to be provided on one sub-cell B are appropriately adjusted depending on the size of the display medium1, the desired resolution, etc. For example, if the size of the display medium1is approximately the A4 size, the size of the unit cell C is approximately 1 mm and about three to five protruding members3are configured on one sub-cell B.

Processing Apparatus

With reference toFIG. 7, the processing apparatus100that is used to configure the display medium1pertaining to the embodiment of this invention will be discussed. The processing apparatus100is a general computer comprising the storage unit110, the processing control unit120and the input/output interface130. A general computer becomes the processing apparatus100having functions as shown inFIG. 7by executing the processing program to execute the predetermined processes.

The storage unit110comprises ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random access memory), hard disk, etc., and stores various data such as the input data, output data, intermediate data that are needed by the processing control unit120for executing various processes. The processing control unit120is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executes processes on the processing apparatus100such as read/write data stored in the storage unit110, and input/output data in conjunction with the input/output interface130. The input/output interface130provides the interface between the processing control unit120and the external apparatus (not shown in the diagrams). In the embodiment of this invention, the input/output interface130interfaces with the manufacturing apparatus of the display medium1or the readable memory device of the manufacturing apparatus of the display medium1.

The storage unit110stores the condition data111, the shape data112, the input color value data113, and the output color value data114.

The condition data111are necessary data for the processing control unit120to execute processes. More specifically, the condition data111contains data such as the amount of content to be displayed on the display medium1, elevation angles and azimuth angles. The colors of the protruding members3may be included in the condition data111.

The shape data112is related to the shapes of the unit cells C, the sub-cells B and the protruding members3that are provided on the display medium1. For example, the shape data112includes items such as the area ratio of each sub-cell B in the unit cell C of the display medium1, the height of the protruding member3, the position and the spacing between protruding members3. The shape data112is generated by the shape-determining section121.

The output color value data114makes each position on the display medium1correspond with the color value to be given for the position. The output color value data114is generated by the color value computing section123.

The processing control unit120comprises the shape-determining section121, the shape output section122, the color value computing section123, and the color-value output section124.

Based on the conditions specified in the condition data111, the shape-determining section121determines the shape of the display medium1and generates the shape data112. The shape-determining section121determines the shape of the protruding members3and the area ratio for each sub-cell B on the unit cell C to reduce: the amount of light being occluded by the protruding members3of the predetermined sub-cell B when viewed from the predetermined azimuth angle; the amount of light from directions other than the predetermined direction or from sub-cells B other than the predetermined sub-cell B; and the standard deviation of the reflected luminance of the sub-cells B. More specifically, the shapes of the protruding members3are determined in terms of the height, spacing, position, etc.

The shape output section122outputs, via the input/output interface130, the shape data112generated by the shape-determining section121.

For example, when the display medium1is configured using a UV printer, the processing apparatus100outputs the shape data112and the output color value data114to the UV printer.

The sequence and procedure of creating the display medium1is set appropriately. For example, if the display medium1is configured using a UV printer by injecting ink, the ink or the UV resin is injected along the nozzle's direction of movement. More specifically, the ink with the color defined by the output color value data114is injected at the position of the sub-cell B on the planar member2, and the UV resin is injected at the position of the protruding member3. Alternatively, after injecting the ink with the color defined by the output color value data114at the position of the sub-cell B on the planar member2, the protruding member3is formed.

Processes Performed by the Shape-Determining Section

The next discussion is how the shape-determining section121performs the processing to generate the shape data112. In the embodiment of this invention, the planar member2is made of the metal with high contents of mirror reflecting elements and can produce very high mirror reflection. Therefore, it can be said that the direction of viewing and the direction of the incident light are mirror-reflection. Thus, the incident direction and the emitting direction can be uniquely obtained.

In here, the desired reflection function f for a certain direction wois defined by the objective function of equation (1).

In here, the color value is expressed in RGB. For the 8-bit case, there are 256 gradations. More specifically, an individual RBG value is [0, 1] and is set in 1/255 gradations.

Next, when N amount of content is displayed by the display medium1, the emission direction for viewing the kth content and the color value at position x are defined by equation (2).

The reflection function corresponding to a predetermined direction can be expressed by the sum of functions of the reflection of each content with respect to the predetermined direction. It is defined by the equation (3).

The reflection function corresponding to a predetermined direction can be decomposed into a function that indicates reflection intensity with respect to the direction and a function that indicates the color, defined by equation (4). The function that indicates the reflection intensity with respect to a direction is guided by the blocking of light by the protruding member3. The function that indicates the color is guided by the mixing of colors. The range of both functions is [0,1].
[Mathematical Expression 4]
fk=Dk(ωok)Sk(x)  Equation (4)

Dk: Function indicating reflection intensity with respect to a direction

Sk: Function indicating color

As shown inFIG. 4, it is ideal that when observed from a predetermined angle, only the color of the predetermined sub-cell is visible while colors of all other sub-cells are not visible. However, it is often difficult to attain an ideal objective. Therefore, it is preferable to compute the function that indicates the reflection intensity in order to satisfy the following conditions: as much light as possible can be reflected; the color of the predetermined direction is shown preferentially; and the same luminance is seen from any angle. Here, the evaluation function is defined by equation (5).
[Mathematical Expression 5]
E(G)=woEo(G)+wgEg(G)+wsEs(G)  Equation (5)

G: Vector whose variables are the proportion of the sub-cell within a unit cell, height, spacing, and position of parallel protruding members.

Eo: Amount of light occluded in the sub-cell corresponding to the specified direction

Eg: Amount of light from sub-cells other than the sub-cell corresponding to the specified direction

Es: Standard deviation of reflected luminance of all sub-cells

The amount of light occluded in the sub-cell corresponding to the specified direction is defined by equation (6). When the amount of light occluded in the sub-cell corresponding to the specified direction is low, it means that the amount of light of the sub-cell corresponding to the specified direction is high. In other words, the color of the specified direction is preferentially seen.

The amount of light from sub-cells other than the sub-cell of the specified direction is defined by equation (7). When the amount of light tom sub-cells other than the sub-cell of the specified direction is low, it indicates that the amount of light interfering with the light of the sub-cell of the specified direction is low.

For example, as shown inFIG. 8(a), the first protruding member L1is formed on the first sub-cell B1and the second protruding member L2is formed on the second sub-cell B2. When they are viewed from the predetermined azimuth angle ω as shown inFIG. 8 (b), the light reflected by the first sub-cell B1can be observed. However, there are cases in which the light is occluded by the first protruding member L1on the first sub-cell B1. Additionally, on the second sub-cell B2, the occluded part B2aby having the second protruding member L2occluding the light and the exposed part B2bwhere the light is not occluded may be formed. Therefore, it is necessary for the shape-determining section121to generate the shape data112so that the light of the desired sub-cell can be observed easily.

For the observer to easily see the light of the first sub-cell B1in the specified direction of the first sub-cell B1, it is preferable to increase the amount of light of the first sub-cell B1in the specified direction of the first sub-cell B1and to reduce the amount of light being occluded in the first sub-cell B1in the specified direction of the first sub-cell B1. Similarly, it is preferable to increase the amount of light of the first sub-cell B1in the specified direction of the second sub-cell B2and to reduce the amount of light being occluded in the first sub-cell B1in the specified direction of the first sub-cell B1.

Equation (6) computes the sum of the amount of the occluded light of the first sub-cell B1in the specified direction of the first sub-cell B1and the amount of the occluded light of the second sub-cell B2in the specified direction of the second sub-cell B2.

In order for the observer to easily see the light of the first sub-cell B1in the specified direction of the first sub-cell B1, it is preferable, when viewed from the specified direction of the first sub-cell B1, to reduce the amount of light from the second sub-cell B2that is one of sub-cells other than the first sub-cell. Similarly, when viewed from the specified direction of the second sub-cell B2, it is preferable to reduce the amount of light from the first sub-cell B1.

Equation (7) computes the sum of the amount of light from the second sub-cell B2when viewed from the specified direction of the first sub-cell B1and the amount of light from the first sub-cell B1when viewed from the specified direction of the second sub-cell B2.

The standard deviation of reflected luminance of all sub-cells is defined by equation (8). When the standard deviation of reflected luminance of all sub-cells is low, it indicates that the overall display medium1is displayed in similar luminance and is easier to see.

Equation (5) computes the vector G so as to minimize the sum of predetermined weighted values of elements determined by equations (6) through (8). The predetermined weighting may be assigned by a user in advance. The variables of the vector G are the area ratio of a sub-cell within a unit cell, the height, spacing and position of the parallel protruding members. In other words, equation (5) computes the optimum area ratio of a sub-cell B and the optimum shape of the protruding member3, which will result in reduced occluding of the light of the desired sub-cell in the desired direction, a smaller amount of light from sub-cells other than the desired sub-cell and in any direction other than the desired direction, and reduced differences among the reflected luminance of all sub-cells.

As is evident from the above mathematical equations, the sizes of sub-cells B in a unit cell C are not uniform and are appropriately adjusted. In the embodiment of this invention, the discussion was given for the case in which the vector G is computed using equations (6) through (8). However, only one of equations (6) through (8) may be used. Additionally, any other equations may be used.

In the embodiment of this invention, the vector G is computed to minimize the sum of predetermined weighted values of elements such as (1) the amount of light occluded by the protruding member in the predetermined sub-cell viewed from the predetermined direction, (2) the amount of light from directions other than the predetermined direction or from sub-cells other than the predetermined sub-cell, and (3) the standard deviation of reflected luminance of all sub-cells. However, the method of computing the vector G is not limited to the foregoing descriptions. For example, the vector G may be computed so as to reduce the value of the evaluation function that contains one or two elements from elements (1), (2) and (3) described above. Additionally, the vector G may be computed so as to reduce the value of the evaluation function that has predetermined weighting factors for elements.

Processes Performed by the Color Value Computing Section

Next, the processes performed by the color value computing section123to determine color of each sub-cell are described. The color value computing section123determines the color of each sub-cell B on the planar member2corresponding to the predetermined azimuth angle so that the sub-cell B, which is partitioned on the unit cell corresponding to specific content among the predetermined number of contents, will have the color (of the specific position) of the specific content (sub-cell B). In here, the color of the sub-cell B is compensated by considering the colors of peripheral sub-cells that are visible via the predetermined azimuth angle.

More specifically, the color of each sub-cell is solved using equation (2). In here, it is assumed that the color of the protruding member3is black. Equation (2) can be expanded into equation (9). Equation (9) determines the color of each sub-cell by considering the colors of all other sub-cells that are visible via the predetermined azimuth angle but not corresponding to the predetermined azimuth angle. As a result, the observer can see the high-quality content.

When the display medium1is observed, there is a possibility that a desired luminance may not be obtained. Therefore, it is preferable to make adjustments by applying a coefficient a to the color value of the input image. By using a coefficient a, equation (9) is expanded as shown in equation (10). The color of each sub-cell is determined by equation (10).

The display medium1pertaining to the embodiment of this invention is suitable for displaying different contents depending on different azimuth viewing angels. For example, the display medium1can display unique information corresponding to each position of observers when there are a plurality of observers viewing from different viewing angles.

First Embodiment Variation

The embodiment of this invention is described using the configuration in which the display medium1is configured by providing the colored part4and the protruding member3on to the planar member2. The principles of this invention described using the embodiment of this invention can be realized in other embodiments.

In a first embodiment variation as shown inFIG. 9, the display-support medium11is configured with the protruding members3as described in the embodiment of this invention formed on the sheet member having a sheet form that transmits light. Then, the display-support medium11is attached to the display surface13of the generic display unit12that reflects the light. In conjunction with the unit cells C, sub-cells B and the shapes of the protruding members3configured on the display-support medium11, the display unit12displays the image determined by the colors of sub-cells. In other words, the display unit12realizes the colored parts4pertaining to the embodiment of this invention through the electrical means.

In this manner, a different content can be observed from each azimuth angle as in the embodiment of this invention. The sheet member used for the display-support medium11is preferably made of a transparent material that transmits light, but it may be made of a partially transparent material so long as the visibility of the observer is not affected. The display unit12in here is a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence display (organic EL display), etc. It is preferable to utilize bright backlighting or bright light emitting elements.

Since the display unit12can display any image, an appropriate image can be displayed in accordance with any conditions. Additionally, by having the display unit12change the image successively, a different movie content can be observed from each azimuth viewing angle.

Since the image displayed by the display unit12corresponds to the sub-cells configured on the display-support medium11, an appropriate alignment is performed to properly attach the display-support medium11on to the display surface13.

In the first embodiment variation, the processing apparatus100aas shown inFIG. 10is used for creating the appropriate display-support medium11and for displaying an appropriate image on the display unit12. The processing apparatus100apertaining to the first embodiment variation is similar to the processing apparatus100described inFIG. 7but has different data output destinations. The shape output section122outputs the shape data112, via the input/output interface130, to the manufacturing apparatus of the display-support medium11or to the readable memory device of the manufacturing apparatus of the display-support medium11. The color-value output section124outputs the output color value data114to the display unit12on which the display-support medium11is attached or to the readable memory device of the display unit12.

The display-support medium11pertaining to the first embodiment variation is suitable for displaying different image depending on different azimuth viewing angels. For example, the display-support medium11attached on the display unit12can display unique information corresponding to each position of observers and other conditions when there are a plurality of observers viewing from different viewing angles.

Second Embodiment Variation

In the embodiment of this invention, the protruding member3is described for the case in which it is a board-shaped member as shown inFIG. 11(a), but it is not limited to this configuration. It can be configured into a U-shaped member, as shown inFIG. 11(b), by linking board-shaped members. When linking, the portion linking the board-shaped members is placed on the border of the sub-cells B or the unit cells C.

Third Embodiment Variation

In the embodiment of this invention, the description is provided for the case in which a predetermined content can be observed from the predetermined elevation and azimuth angles. In a third embodiment variation, the case will be discussed in which an extra content, beyond the predetermined number of contents observable at the predetermined elevation angle, can be seen at an elevation angle different from the predetermined elevation angle.

FIGS. 12(a) and (b)are examples of contents observable at the predetermined elevation angle and the predetermined azimuth angles. When the image I11ofFIG. 1 (a)is observable at the predetermined elevation angle and a predetermined azimuth angle and the image I12ofFIG. 12(b)is observable at the predetermined elevation angle and another predetermined azimuth angle, the image I13as shown inFIG. 12(c)can be observed if the elevation viewing angle is changed to 90 degrees (viewing the display medium1from the top).

Thus, each sub-cell can be colored so that a new content can be displayed when observed at an elevation angle different from the predetermined elevation angle.

Fourth Embodiment Variation

In equations (1) through (10) described in the embodiment of this invention, the color of the protruding member3is assumed to be black that can easily occlude the light. However, it is possible to set any color.

For example, inFIG. 3, when the color of the protruding member3is other than black and occludes some wavelengths of the light but transmits other wavelengths of the light, the portion of the light that passes through the protruding member3at the area R1and reflects at the area R2will have the blending of the color of the protruding member3and the color of the colored part4of the planar member2. For example, as far as for the areas R1and R2, the observer recognizes the content displayed by the display medium1as the color going through the colored filter of the protruding member3.

Thus, when the protruding member3is set to any color other than black, a portion of the light is occluded and other portion passes through impacting the reflected color with the color of the protruding member3. In this case, the color of each sub-cell is determined by equation (11). The final resultant color of the light that passes through the protruding member3is defined by considering not just one transmission or refraction but the color after being reflected at the planar member2. The color of the protruding member3may be changed for each sub-cell where it is placed.

In the above-described equation, the color of the sub-cell is set by considering not only the amount of light reflecting at the sub-cell corresponding to the predetermined azimuth angle but also the amount of the observable light reflecting at the peripheral sub-cells.

Thus, it is possible to display a sharper image by setting the color of the protruding member3in accordance with the color of the content to be shown at each sub-cell.

Other Embodiment

This invention has been described with reference to the embodiment and the embodiment variations (1) through (4) of the embodiment. The description and the accompanying drawings are part of this disclosure and should not be regarded as limiting the invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion that various alternative embodiments, examples and methods can be made.

For example, the processing apparatus described inFIGS. 7 and 10may be configured with a plurality of hardware devices and may be implemented with another computer that can perform processing.

This invention, of course, includes various embodiments that are not described here. Thus, the technical scope of this invention is defined only by the matters used to specify this invention pertaining to the scope of claims of this invention that are valid and reasonable, based on the descriptions provided above.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE CODES

113Input color value data

114Output color value data

120Processing control unit

122Shape output section

123Color value computing section

124Color-value output section