Patent EA-003175-B1 (EA)
Title: Three-dimensional image display
Inventor: HORIMAI HIDEYOSHI
IPC: G02B30/27
Filed: 1999-03-24
Abstract: 1. A three-dimensional image display comprising: two-dimensional image forming means formed by arranging a plurality of pixels, capable of forming a two-dimensional image by driving each of the pixels; and three-dimensional image forming means for forming a three-dimensional image in a space based on the two-dimensional image formed by the two-dimensional image forming means. wherein the two-dimensional image forming means include: a plurality of two-dimensional image forming elements each of which is formed by arranging a plurality of pixels and is capable of forming a two-dimensional image, and wherein the three-dimensional image forming mean include: a light diffusing element provided in a face-to-face relationship with each of the plurality of two-dimensional image forming elements, the light diffusing element allowing light which has exited the respective two-dimensional image forming elements and has impinged thereupon to exit to the space in a diffused state; and display control means for controlling the two-dimensional image forming elements such that the light which has exited the light diffusing element forms a multiplicity of point light source images that form a three-dimensional image in the space. 2. A display according to claim 1, wherein the display control means has a function of controlling the two-dimensional image forming elements by supplying data of two-dimensional images two-dimensionally representing a three-dimensional image to be displayed as a whole or in part from view points different from each other to the respective two-dimensional image forming elements, thereby forming the multiplicity of point light source images in the space with the light which has exited the light diffusing elements. 3. A display according to claim 1, wherein the light-diffusing element is formed with a converging portion capable of converging incident light at one point and a planer exit surface located at the converging point defined by the converging portion. 4. A display according to claim 3, wherein an entrance surface of the converging portion of the light diffusing element includes an a spherical surface having a convex configuration on the entrance side thereof. 5. A display according to claim 3, wherein the entrance surface of the converging portion of the light diffusing element includes a spherical surface whose center of curvature is located at the converging point. 6. A display according to claim 3, wherein the converging portion of the light-diffusing element includes a Frenel lens. 7. A display according to claim 3, wherein the converging portion of the light-diffusing element converges light with an interference fringe formed on the entrance surface thereof. 8. A display according to claim 1, wherein the light diffusing element is formed as a plate-like body or film with an interference fringe in a predetermined pattern formed thereon and is capable of converging incident light at one point or diverging incident light as if it were diffused from one point. 9. A three-dimensional image display comprising: two-dimensional image forming means formed by arranging a plurality of pixels, capable of forming a two-dimensional image by driving each of the pixels; and three-dimensional image forming means for forming a three-dimensional image in a space based on the two-dimensional image formed by the two-dimensional image forming means. wherein the two-dimensional image forming means include: a plurality of two-dimensional image forming elements each of which is formed by arranging a plurality of pixels and is capable of forming a two-dimensional image, and the three-dimensional image forming means include: a microscopic opening provided in a face-to-face relationship with each of the plurality of two-dimensional image forming elements, the microscopic opening allowing light which has exited the respective two-dimensional image forming elements and has impinged thereupon to pass through as it is; and display control means for controlling the two-dimensional image forming elements such that the light which has exited the microscopic opening forms a multiplicity of point light source images that form a three-dimensional image in the space. 10. A three-dimensional image display according to claim 9, wherein the display control means has a function of controlling the two-dimensional image forming elements by supplying data of two-dimensional images two-dimensionally representing a three-dimensional image to be displayed as a whole or in part from view points different from each other to the respective two-dimensional image forming elements, thereby forming the multiplicity of point light source images in the space with the light which has exited the microscopic opening. 11. A three-dimensional image display comprising: two-dimensional image forming means formed by arranging a plurality of pixels, capable of forming a two-dimensional image by driving each of the pixels; and three-dimensional image forming means for forming a three-dimensional image in a space based on the two-dimensional image formed by the two-dimensional image forming means. wherein the two-dimensional image forming means include: a two-dimensional image forming panel formed by arranging a plurality of pixels, capable of forming a two-dimensional image by driving each of the pixels, and wherein the three-dimensional image forming means include: an optically opening/closing cell, array formed by arranging a plurality of optically opening/closing cells, the optically opening/closing cell array being provided in a face-to-face relationship with the two dimensional image forming panel and allowing light which has exited the pixels of the two-dimensional image forming panel and has impinged thereupon to pass through as it is or blocking the same; optically opening/closing cell control means for scanning the optically opening/closing cell array to control the optically opening/closing cells such that they sequentially enter an open state; and display control means for controlling the two-dimensional image forming panel such that an image forming range of the two-dimensional image forming panel is sequentially shifted in synchronism with the scan of the optically opening/closing cell array by the optically opening/closing cell control means and such that light which has exited pixels in the image forming range and has passed through the optically opening/closing cells in the open state of the optically opening/closing cell array forms a multiplicity of point light source images that form a three-dimensional image in the space. 12. A three-dimensional image display according to claim 11, wherein the display control means has a function of controlling the two-dimensional image forming panel by supplying data of two-dimensional images two-dimensionally representing a three-dimensional image to be displayed as a whole or in part from view points different from each other to the respective pixels in the image forming range of the two-dimensional image forming panel, thereby forming the multiplicity of point light source images in the space with the light which has passed through the optically opening/closing cells in the open state. 13. A three-dimensional image display according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of basic units including a pair of the two-dimensional image forming panel and the optically opening/closing cell array are arranged and wherein the optically opening/closing cell control means is provided for the optically opening/closing cell array of each of the basic units, the optically opening/closing cell control means controlling scan of the optically opening/closing cell array such that the optically opening/closing cells of the optically opening/closing cell arrays in positions associated with each other enter the open state in synchronism with each other, the display control means controlling the two-dimensional image forming panel such that the image forming ranges of the two-dimensional image forming panels of the plurality of basic units are shifted in synchronism with the scan of the optically opening/closing cell array by the optically opening/closing cell control means and such that light which has exited pixels in the image forming ranges and has passed through the optically opening/closing cells in the open state of the optically opening cell arrays associated with each other forms a multiplicity of point light source images that form a three-dimensional image in the space. 14. A three-dimensional image display according to Claim 13, wherein the display control means has a function of controlling the two-dimensional image forming panel by supplying data of two-dimensional images two-dimensionally representing a three-dimensional image to be displayed as a whole or in part from view points different from each other to the respective pixels in the image forming ranges of the two-dimensional image forming panels of the plurality of basic units, thereby forming the multiplicity of point light source images in the space with the light which has passed through the optically opening/closing cells in the open state. 15. A three-dimensional image display comprising: two-dimensional image forming means formed by arranging a plurality of pixels, capable of forming a two-dimensional image by driving each of the pixels; and three-dimensional image forming means for forming a three-dimensional image in a space based on the two-dimensional image formed by the two-dimensional image forming means. wherein the two-dimensional image forming means include: image formation control means for controlling an image forming operation such that a two-dimensional image formed thereby changes with time, and wherein the three-dimensional image forming means includes deflecting means for deflecting the projecting direction of the two-dimensional image such that the projecting direction of the two-dimensional image formed by the two-dimensional image f