Patent Description:
In a work site, an apparatus to display an attention call to increase safety for a worker or work instructions to inherit a skill of a skilled worker is useful.

For example, an apparatus projects an image for an attention call onto an inattention region within a visual field of a worker and induces the line of sight of the worker to the inattention region.

A configuration of the apparatus to enable the worker to recognize the projected image is, for example, a wearable apparatus worn by the user.

For example, <CIT> discloses a laser scanning projection device incorporated in a wearable apparatus, which scans an object in two-dimensional directions with a laser beam modulated based on an image signal.

For such a type of projection apparatus, a wide angle of view is required to project an image into an inattentive area.

In consideration of the above-described, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a projection apparatus that can achieve a wide angle of view.

<CIT> discloses a scanning device that includes a galvanomirror to scan laser light in two dimensions. <CIT> discloses a scanning optical apparatus for a printer and a digital copying machine that has a light source, a deflector (for deflecting a light beam emitted from the light source to a main scanning direction), first and second imaging units. <CIT> discloses an optical scanning apparatus for scanning a light beam as a spot image on an image-forming plane, or reversely, for optically reading the graphic image of an object. <CIT> discloses a scanning optical system that has a deflector and a scanning lens. <CIT> discloses a light deflector that includes a movable mirror serving as a deflector supported by a rotary shaft and configured to deflect a light beam emitted from a light source and scan an area to be scanned, a rotation part configured to cause the movable mirror to vibrate in a reciprocating manner by periodically applying a rotational torque to the movable mirror, a driving circuit configured to control the rotation part, a circuit board having the driving circuit provided thereon, the circuit board being configured to support the movable mirror as a unit; a contact plane contacting the circuit board in a plane perpendicular to the rotary shaft of the movable mirror, and a positioning part configured to determine the position of the rotary shaft in the contact plane.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a projection apparatus includes: multiple scanning optical systems each including: a light source to emit a light beam; a scanner to deflect the light beam from the light source to form a scanning light beam; a magnifier including: at least one positive lens; and at least one negative lens, to magnify a scanning angle of the scanning light beam from the scanner; and a board having: a mounting surface; and a perpendicular line perpendicular to the mounting surface, the board mounting multiple scanners including the scanner of the multiple scanning optical systems on the mounting surface. Multiple scanning light beams have the scanning light beam from the scanner are arranged in rotational symmetry with respect to the perpendicular line with different angles in a plane of the mounting surface of the board, and the multiple scanning optical systems project the multiple scanning light beams to different regions from each other.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a projection apparatus that achieves a wide angle of view can be provided.

In the following description, a projection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, like reference signs denote like elements, and redundant description is appropriately simplified or omitted.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a wearable device <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The wearable device <NUM> is worn on the body of a worker for use. As an example, the wearable device <NUM> is attached to the worker's chest in a form of being fixed to a shoulder strap, or is hung from the worker's neck to the breast by using a neck strap.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a projection apparatus <NUM> is incorporated in the wearable device <NUM>. The projection apparatus <NUM> projects an image (e.g., a simple graphic for calling attention) on an object (e.g., a structure in a work site or a material placed in a work site) located in an area in which attention is distracted within a range of a visual field of a worker.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the projection apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, the projection apparatus <NUM> includes multiple scanning optical systems <NUM> (four scanning optical systems in the present embodiment) and a board <NUM>.

When each of the scanning optical systems <NUM> is distinguished from each other to describe, the four scanning optical systems <NUM> are represented by the scanning optical system 100A, the scanning optical system 100B, the scanning optical system100C, and the scanning optical system100D, respectively. When each of the optical axes AXs of the scanning optical systems <NUM> (i.e., 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D) is distinguished from each other to describe, the optical axes AXs are represented by the optical axis AXA, the optical axis AXB, the optical axis AXC, and the optical axis AXD, respectively.

A line indicating the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> includes a perpendicular line of the mounting surface of the board <NUM> according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the scanning optical systems 100A to 100D, the optical axes AXA to AXD intersect on the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> and are rotationally arranged with respect to the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM>. The scanning optical systems 100A to 100D are arranged at equal intervals around the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM>, for example. In other words, each of the scanning optical systems 100A to 100D is arranged at a position rotated by <NUM> degrees around the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM>. An intersection point of the optical axes AXA, AXB, AXC, and AXD is represented by the intersection point IP.

In at least some embodiments, in the projection apparatus, the multiple scanning optical systems are arranged around the perpendicular line at an equal interval.

The optical axis AX of the scanning optical system <NUM> is an axis passing through the center of each optical element of the scanning optical system <NUM>.

In at least some embodiments, the projection apparatus, further includes multiple magnifiers including the magnifier. The multiple magnifiers respectively have multiple optical axes each intersecting the perpendicular line.

In the following description, a direction in which the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> extends is defined as a z-axis direction, and two directions orthogonal to the z-axis direction and orthogonal to each other are defined as an x-axis direction and a y-axis direction, respectively. Examples of the rotationally symmetrical axis AX<NUM> include the perpendicular line. The x-axis direction, the y-axis direction and the z-axis direction orthogonal to each other form a left-handed system.

An x-z plane including the x-axis and the z-axis includes the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> and the optical axes AXA and AXB. A y-z plane including the y-axis and the z-axis includes the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM>, and the optical axes AXC and AXD.

The scanning optical systems 100A to 100D are arranged so that each of the optical axes AXA to AXD form angles different from each other with respect to the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> so that the scanning light is projected onto different regions of the object. By combining the partial images projected onto the different regions, one image is formed. In other words, since one image is projected onto a wide area that cannot be projected by the single scanning optical system <NUM>, a wide angle of view can be achieved.

In at least some embodiments, a projection apparatus includes: multiple scanning optical systems each including: a light sources to emit a light beam; a scanner to deflect the light beam from the light source to form a scanning light beam; a magnifier including: at least one positive lens; and at least one negative lens, to magnify a scanning angle of the scanning light beam from the scanner; and a board having: a mounting surface; and a perpendicular line perpendicular to the mounting surface, the board mounting multiple scanners including the scanner of the multiple scanning optical systems on the mounting surface. Multiple scanning light beams have the scanning light beam from the scanner are arranged in rotational symmetry with respect to the perpendicular line with different angles in a plane of the mounting surface of the board, and the multiple scanning optical systems project the multiple scanning light beams to different regions from each other.

In at least some embodiments, in the projection apparatus, the multiple scanning optical systems respectively include multiple magnifiers including the magnifier, and the multiple scanning optical system are disposed in rotational symmetry with respect to the perpendicular line.

Additionally, each part of the scanning optical systems 100A to 100D is arranged so that the scanning optical systems 100A to 100D are arranged at an equal distance from the intersection point IP and each of the scanning light beams is a light beam directed toward the intersection point IP so that the scanning light beam is projected onto different areas of the object.

The one image includes, for example, at least one calling attention image that is projected onto an inattention area within the visual field of a worker.

<FIG> is a diagram of the scanning optical system <NUM> according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, the scanning optical system <NUM> includes a light source <NUM>, a mirror <NUM>, a scanner <NUM>, and a magnifier <NUM> (magnifying optical system).

The light source <NUM> includes a semiconductor laser <NUM> and a collimator lens <NUM>. The light beam emitted from the semiconductor laser <NUM> is converted into a parallel light beam by the collimator lens <NUM>.

The semiconductor laser <NUM> may be replaced by another type of light-emitting element, such as a light-emitting diode (LED).

The collimator lens <NUM> may convert the light beam incident from the semiconductor laser <NUM> into a gradually converging light beam instead of a parallel light beam. By designing the scanning optical system <NUM> so to handle both a parallel light beam and a gradually converging light beam with respect to the light beam emitted from the collimator lens <NUM>, the position adjustment of the collimator lens <NUM> can be more facilitated.

In at least some embodiments, in the projection apparatus, the light beam incident on the scanner from the light source includes a parallel light beam or a converging light beam.

The mirror <NUM> is disposed on an optical path between the light source <NUM> and the scanner <NUM>. The mirror <NUM> reflects the parallel light beam incident from the collimator lens <NUM> toward the scanner <NUM>. In other words, the mirror <NUM> bends the optical path of the light beam from the light source <NUM> toward the scanner <NUM>.

The scanner <NUM> is a device for deflecting the light beam from the light source <NUM> to scan, and is, for example, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) mirror. The scanner <NUM> is mounted on the board <NUM>. The scanner <NUM> oscillates at a high speed in a range of ±n degrees to reflect the parallel light beam or gradually converging light beam from the mirror <NUM> in a direction corresponding to the deflect angle. The deflection angle of the scanner <NUM> is, for example, ±<NUM> degrees.

The magnifier <NUM> is an optical system including at least one positive lens and at least one negative lens, and illustratively includes a positive lens L1 and a negative lens L2.

The magnifier <NUM> magnifies the scanning angle of the scanning light beam by the scanner <NUM>. The magnifier <NUM> deflects, for example, the scanning light beam (deflection angle of ±<NUM> degrees) by the scanner <NUM> in a range of ±<NUM> degrees (i.e., <NUM> degrees at a full angle). In such a way, since the magnifier <NUM> magnifies the scanning angle, an image over a wide range that cannot be scanned by the scanner <NUM> alone can be projected.

In <FIG>, the light beam R<NUM> is the light beam when the deflection angle of the scanner <NUM> is <NUM> degrees. The light beam RP is the light beam when the deflection angle of the scanner <NUM> is +<NUM> degrees. The light beam RM is the light beam when the deflection angle of the scanner <NUM> is -<NUM> degrees.

The mirror <NUM> is disposed at a position further away from the scanner <NUM> than the positive lens L1 in the z-axis direction in which the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> extends. Examples of the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM>include the direction in which the perpendicular line extends. Examples of a lens located close to the scanner <NUM> in the magnifier <NUM> include the positive lens L1. More specifically, examples of a lens located closest to the scanner <NUM> in the magnifier <NUM> includes the positive lens L1. By disposing the mirror <NUM> as described above, elements of the scanning optical system <NUM> can be consolidated and disposed in a limited space. As a result, the size of the projection apparatus <NUM> can be reduced to increase the wearable property of the wearable device <NUM>.

In at least some embodiments, in the projection apparatus, the scanning optical system includes: a mirror in an optical path between the light source and the scanner, and a lens adjacent to the scanner in the magnifier; the mirror bends the light beam from the light source toward the scanner, and the mirror is farther from the scanner than the lens in a direction extending the perpendicular line.

Further, by disposing the mirror <NUM> on the optical path between the light source <NUM> and the scanner <NUM>, the degree of freedom in disposing the light source <NUM> is increased. For example, the light source <NUM> can be arranged in accordance with the overall shape of the projection apparatus <NUM>. As a result, the size of the projection apparatus <NUM> is advantageously reduced.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of the scanning optical system <NUM>. In <FIG>, a pair of scanning optical systems <NUM> (i.e., the scanning optical systems 100A and 100B) arranged opposite each other with respect to the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> interposed between the pair of scanning optical systems <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the scanning optical systems 100A and 100B are disposed so that the optical axes AXA and AXB respectively form different angles with respect to the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> on the x-z plane.

<FIG> is a diagram of the visual field of a human in visual observation with the naked eye.

It is said that the visual field of a human (observer) under the condition of binocular observation is about <NUM> degrees from left to right (i.e., <NUM> degrees in total), <NUM> degrees upward, and <NUM> degrees downward (i.e., <NUM> degrees in total). Within this visual field, a visual field (stable visual field) that can be reasonably captured as visual information by head movement and eye movement is approximately <NUM> degrees from left to right and approximately <NUM> degrees from up to down. In addition, with respect to such a visual field of a human, the region in which the effect of presence at a wide viewing angle is saturated extends approximately <NUM> degrees leftward and approximately <NUM> degrees rightward (i.e., <NUM> degrees in total), which is almost equivalent to the stable visual field, and approximately <NUM> degrees upward and approximately <NUM> degrees downward (i.e., <NUM> degrees in total), that is, an inducing visual field.

As described above, although the visual field of a human is greatly expanded, the visual field that can be observed with the highest resolution is at most a region of the center of the visual field with a diameter of about <NUM> degrees (i.e., discrimination visual field). A visual field in which information can be instantly captured by only eye movement, that is, an effective visual field, extends a total of approximately <NUM> degrees horizontally and a total of approximately <NUM> degrees vertically.

For example, danger can be recognized within the range of the effective visual field by a human, and if there is an object to be aware of in the region outside the effective visual field, the object cannot be often aware of by a human. In consideration of such circumstances, the projection apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment has a configuration that can project an image for calling attention to an area above the stable visual field.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating the projection range of an image by the projection apparatus <NUM>. In <FIG>, a circle indicated by a broken line indicates a projection range of a partial image by each scanning optical system <NUM>. A circle A indicates a projection range of a partial image by the scanning optical system 100A. A circle B indicates a projection range of a partial image by the scanning optical system 100B. A circle C indicates a projection range of a partial image by the scanning optical system 100C. A circle D indicates a projection range of a partial image by the scanning optical system 100D.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the projection apparatus <NUM> uses the four scanning optical systems 100A to 100D to project four partial images onto regions different from each other to form one image. As a result, a wide angle of view is achieved. Additionally, the projection areas of the partial images have different projection centers. Further, the projection areas of the partial images may partially overlap each other.

As found from <FIG>, a wide angle of view can be achieved by keeping no gap between the projection ranges of partial images projected by the scanning optical systems 100A to 100D and reducing the overlapping portion of the projection ranges to be small. The scanning optical system <NUM> projects an image in a range of <NUM> degrees at a full angle. In such a case, by changing the direction of each of the opposing optical systems by <NUM> degrees, there is no gap between the projection ranges of the partial images by the scanning optical systems <NUM>, and the overlapping portion of the projection ranges is reduced to be small.

Thus, in order not to generate a gap between projection ranges of partial images by the respective scanning optical systems <NUM>, the entire scanning angle (e.g., <NUM> degrees) of the scanning light beam that passes through the magnifier <NUM> is assigned to an angle that is twice or more than the angle (e.g., <NUM> degrees) between the optical axis AX and the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the scanning optical system 100A is arranged in a direction of -<NUM> degrees with respect to the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> in the x-z plane. The scanning optical system 100B is arranged in a direction of +<NUM> degrees with respect to the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> in the x-z plane. Similarly, the scanning optical system 100C is arranged in the y-z plane at an angle of +<NUM> degrees with respect to the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM>. The scanning optical system 100D is arranged in a direction of -<NUM> degrees with respect to the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> in the y-z plane.

As a result, the projection apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment can project an image onto an area larger than the effective visual field of a worker. As an example, the projection apparatus <NUM> can project an image in a range of <NUM> degrees at a full angle at the maximum and <NUM> degrees at a full angle at the minimum, that is, in a region above the stable visual field.

Additionally, in the present embodiment, since the scanning optical systems 100A to 100D are rotationally symmetrically arranged around the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> and have a configuration in which the optical axes AX of the magnifiers <NUM> intersect one another on the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> in the back parts of the magnifiers <NUM>, the projection range of the partial image by each scanning optical system <NUM> is formed at a position around the intersection point IP' including the intersection point IP' (the intersection point between the object to be projected and the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM>). Since the four circular projection areas overlap with each other at the position including the intersection point IP', the projection areas are arranged with no gap (or approximately no gap).

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a projection apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in <FIG>, a microprocessor unit (MPU) <NUM> is mounted on the board <NUM> in addition to the scanner <NUM> of each scanning optical system <NUM>. The semiconductor laser <NUM>, the scanner <NUM>, and the MPU <NUM> are operated by power supplied from the battery <NUM>.

The MPU <NUM> is connected to the terminal device <NUM> by, for example, wire or wireless. The terminal device <NUM> is, for example, a personal computer (PC), a tablet terminal, or a smartphone.

The MPU <NUM> receives projection image data from the terminal device <NUM>. The MPU <NUM> converts the received projection image data into a drive control signal for the semiconductor laser <NUM> and a drive control signal for the scanner <NUM>, and outputs these drive control signals to the semiconductor laser <NUM> and the scanner <NUM> of each scanning optical system <NUM>. Each scanning optical system <NUM> (i.e., the semiconductor laser <NUM> and the scanner <NUM>) operates independently according to a partial image to be projected based on an input drive control signal. By combining partial images obtained by the scanning optical systems <NUM>, one image with a wide angle of view is projected onto an object.

The scanning method by the scanner <NUM> may be vector scanning or raster scanning. In the case of the vector scanning, for example, a simple graphic can be projected with high brightness. In the case of the raster scanning, a low-luminance image can be projected over a wide area. In the case of calling attention at a work site, for example, the vector scanning may be employed giving priority to luminance.

In the present embodiment, since the multiple scanning optical systems <NUM> are rotationally symmetrically arranged with respect to the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM>, the scanners <NUM> of the scanning optical systems <NUM> are concentrated on and disposed in the vicinity of the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM>. Thus, the scanner <NUM> of each scanning optical system <NUM> can be mounted on the board <NUM> which is a single control board, and the size of the projection apparatus <NUM> can be reduced.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a scanning optical system <NUM> according to a first modification of the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of the scanning optical system <NUM> according to the first modification of the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure. The scanning optical system <NUM> according to the first modification has the same configuration as that of the scanning optical system <NUM> according to the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure described above except that an intermediate image I is formed on the optical path.

In the first modification, the collimator lens <NUM> converges the light beam incident from the semiconductor laser <NUM> to form an intermediate image I on the optical path between the mirror <NUM> and the scanner <NUM>. As described above, the collimator lens <NUM> forms the intermediate image I on the optical path between the light source <NUM> and the scanner <NUM>. Examples of the intermediate image former include the collimator lens <NUM>.

In at least some embodiments, in the projection apparatus, the scanning optical system includes an intermediate image former in an optical path between the light source and the scanner to form an intermediate image.

It is preferable that the power of the magnifier <NUM> be closer to zero. Thus, it is preferable that the distance between the intermediate image I and the magnifier <NUM> on the optical path be larger. In the first modification, the intermediate image I is formed on the optical path closer to the light source <NUM> than to the scanner <NUM>.

By adopting a configuration in which the intermediate image I is formed on the optical path between the light source <NUM> and the scanner <NUM>, the position adjustment of the collimator lens <NUM> can be further facilitated.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a projection apparatus <NUM> according to a second modification of the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of the scanning optical system <NUM> according to the second modification of the present disclosure. The scanning optical system <NUM> according to the second modification has the same configuration as the scanning optical system <NUM> according to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above (see <FIG>) except that the optical path is different from the optical path of the scanning optical system <NUM> according to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the second modification, the scanning optical systems 100A to 100D are rotationally symmetrically arranged around the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM>, and the optical paths of the light beams from the light sources <NUM> intersect one another at the front parts of the magnifiers <NUM>.

In at least some embodiments, the projection apparatus, further includes multiple magnifiers including the magnifier, multiple light sources including the light source. The multiple magnifiers respectively emit multiple light beams from the multiple light sources, and the multiple light beams from the multiple light sources to the multiple magnifiers intersect with each other.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the magnifier <NUM> of the scanning optical system 100A is arranged in a direction of +<NUM> degrees with respect to the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> in the x-z plane. The magnifier <NUM> of the scanning optical system 100B is arranged in a direction of -<NUM> degrees with respect to the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> in the x-z plane. Similarly, the magnifier <NUM> of the scanning optical system 100C is arranged in the y-z plane at an angle of -<NUM> degrees with respect to the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM>. The magnifier <NUM> of the scanning optical system 100D is arranged in a direction of +<NUM> degrees with respect to the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> in the y-z plane.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating the projection range of an image by the projection apparatus <NUM> according to the second modification.

As illustrated in <FIG>, also in the second modification, the projection apparatus <NUM> uses four scanning optical systems 100A to 100D to project four partial images onto regions different from each other to form one image. As a result, a wide angle of view is achieved.

In the second modification, since the scanning optical systems 100A to 100D are rotationally symmetric arranged around the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> and have a configuration in which the optical paths of light beams from the light sources <NUM> intersect at the front parts of the magnifiers <NUM>, an image can be projected over a wider range (<FIG>) than in the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure described above (<FIG>).

Additionally, the total scanning angle (e.g., <NUM> degrees) of the scanning light that has passed through the magnifier <NUM> is assigned to an angle twice or more of the angle between the optical axis AX and the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> (e.g., <NUM> degrees) so that a gap is less likely to occur between the projection ranges of the partial images by the scanning optical systems <NUM>.

In at least some embodiments, in the projection apparatus, a total scanning angle of the scanning light beam via the magnifier has twice or more of an angle between an optical axis of the scanning optical system and the perpendicular line.

In the second modification, when one mirror <NUM> of one scanning optical system <NUM> and another mirror <NUM> of another scanning optical system <NUM>, which are a pair of the scanning optical systems and arranged at opposite positions interposing the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM>, are arranged at the same height, vignetting occurs at the mirrors <NUM> and a proper light beam does not enter the scanner <NUM>. In order to avoid such vignetting, in the second modification, as illustrated in <FIG>, in a pair of scanning optical systems <NUM> arranged to face each other, the light sources <NUM> and the mirrors <NUM> are arranged such that the height positions of the light source <NUM> and the mirror <NUM> are displaced between the pair of scanning optical systems <NUM>.

In at least some embodiments, in the projection apparatus, a scanning optical system pair, includes a pair of the scanning optical system disposed across the perpendicular line, the pair of the scanning optical system includes a pair of mirrors to bend the light beam from the light source toward the scanner in an optical path between the light source and the scanner, and the pair of mirrors are arranged at a height different from each other from the mounting surface of the board.

By displacing the height positions of the light source <NUM> and the mirror <NUM>, elements of the scanning optical system <NUM> can be disposed in a reduced space as compared with the embodiments of the present disclosure described above (see <FIG>). Thus, the projection apparatus <NUM> can be further reduced in size.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a projection apparatus <NUM> according to a third modification of the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure. The scanning optical system <NUM> according to the third modification has the same configuration as the scanning optical system <NUM> according to the second modification except that the intermediate image I is formed on the optical path.

By adopting the configuration in which the intermediate image I is formed on the optical path between the light source <NUM> and the scanner <NUM>, the position adjustment of the collimator lens <NUM> can be further facilitated as compared with the second modification.

The number of the scanning optical system <NUM> is not limited to four. <FIG> is a perspective view of a projection apparatus <NUM> according to a fourth modification of the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> is the schematic diagram illustrating the projection range of an image by the projection apparatus according to the fourth modification of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the projection apparatus <NUM> according to the fourth modification includes a pair of the scanning optical systems 100A and 100B arranged to face each other with the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> interposed between the pair of scanning optical systems <NUM>. In the fourth modification, as illustrated in <FIG>, the projection apparatus <NUM> uses a pair of scanning optical systems 100A and 100B to project two partial images forming one image onto regions different from each other. As a result, a wide angle of view is achieved.

In order to achieve a projection range of <NUM> degrees at a full angle for the projection apparatus <NUM>, each of the scanning optical systems <NUM> can project an image in a range of approximately <NUM> degrees at a full angle horizontally and approximately <NUM> degrees at a full angle vertically. Thus, in the fourth modification, the magnifying power of the magnifier <NUM> is assigned to a value larger than that in the configuration including four scanning optical systems <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a projection apparatus <NUM> according to a fifth modification of the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> is the schematic diagram illustrating the projection range of an image by a projection apparatus according to the fifth modification of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the projection apparatus <NUM> according to the fifth modification includes the three scanning optical systems 100A to 100C rotationally symmetrically arranged around the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> at <NUM>-degree intervals. In the fifth modification, as illustrated in <FIG>, the projection apparatus <NUM> uses the three scanning optical systems 100A to 100C to project three partial images to from one image onto regions different from each other. As a result, a wide angle of view is achieved.

In order to achieve a projection range of <NUM> degrees at a full angle for the projection apparatus <NUM>, each of the scanning optical systems <NUM> can project an image in a range of approximately <NUM> degrees at a full angle horizontally and approximately <NUM> degrees at a full angle vertically. Thus, in the fifth modification, the magnifying power of the magnifier <NUM> is assigned to a value larger than that in the configuration including four scanning optical systems <NUM>.

The number of the scanning optical system <NUM> is not limited to four. The number of the scanning optical system <NUM> may be five or more.

The above is a description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure. For example, the embodiments of the present disclosure also include contents obtained by appropriately combining the embodiments of the present disclosure explicitly described in the specification or the obvious embodiments.

For example, in <FIG>, in the optical axes AXA to AXD, the scanning optical systems 100A to 100D intersect on the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM>, but the configuration of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As an example, the optical axes AXA to AXD may intersect at a position in the vicinity of the rotational symmetrical axis AX<NUM> (a position displaced from the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM>). The amount of displacement between the rotationally symmetric axis AX<NUM> and the intersection point IP may be acceptable as long as the amount of displacement does not affect the projection.

Aspects of the present disclosure are as follows.

In a first aspect, a projection apparatus includes: multiple scanning optical systems each including: a light source to emit a light beam; a scanner to deflect the light beam from the light source to form a scanning light beam; a magnifier including: at least one positive lens; and at least one negative lens, to magnify a scanning angle of the scanning light beam from the scanner; and a board having: a mounting surface; and a perpendicular line perpendicular to the mounting surface, the board mounting multiple scanners including the scanner of the multiple scanning optical systems on the mounting surface. Multiple scanning light beams have the scanning light beam from the scanner are arranged in rotational symmetry with respect to the perpendicular line with different angles in a plane of the mounting surface of the board, and the multiple scanning optical systems project the multiple scanning light beams to different regions from each other.

In a second aspect, the projection apparatus according to the first aspect, further includes multiple magnifiers including the magnifier, and the multiple magnifiers respectively have multiple optical axes each intersecting the perpendicular line.

In a third aspect, the projection apparatus according to the first aspect, further includes multiple magnifiers including the magnifier, multiple light sources including the light source. The multiple magnifiers respectively emit multiple light beams from the multiple light sources, and the multiple light beams from the multiple light sources to the multiple magnifiers intersect with each other.

In a fourth aspect, in the projection apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, the light beam incident on the scanner from the light source includes a parallel light beam or a converging light beam.

In a fifth aspect, in the projection apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth, the scanning optical system includes an intermediate image former in an optical path between the light source and the scanner to form an intermediate image.

In a sixth aspect, in the projection apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, the scanning optical system includes: a mirror in an optical path between the light source and the scanner; and a lens adjacent to the scanner in the magnifier. The mirror bends the light beam from the light source toward the scanner, and the mirror is farther from the scanner than the lens in a direction extending the perpendicular line.

In a seventh aspect, in the projection apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, a scanning optical system pair including a pair of scanning optical systems including the scanning optical system disposed across the perpendicular line. The pair of the scanning optical systems include a pair of mirrors to bend the light beam from the light source toward the scanner in an optical path between the light source and the scanner, and the pair of mirrors are arranged at a height different from each other from the mounting surface of the board.

In an eighth aspect, in the projection apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect, a total scanning angle of the scanning light beam via the magnifier has twice or more of an angle between an optical axis of the scanning optical system and the perpendicular line.

In a ninth aspect, in the projection apparatus according to the first aspect to the eighth aspect, the multiple scanning optical systems are arranged around the perpendicular line at an equal interval.

In a tenth aspect, in the projection apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the ninth aspect, the multiple scanning optical systems respectively include multiple magnifiers including the magnifier, and the multiple scanning optical system are disposed rotational symmetry with respect to the perpendicular line.

The above-described embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present disclosure. Thus, numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
A projection apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
multiple scanning optical systems (<NUM>) each including:
a light source (<NUM>) to emit a light beam;
a scanner (<NUM>) to deflect the light beam from the light source (<NUM>) to form a scanning light beam;
a magnifier (<NUM>) including:
at least one positive (L1) lens; and
at least one negative lens (L2),
to magnify a scanning angle of the scanning light beam from the scanner (<NUM>); and
a board (<NUM>) having:
a mounting surface; and
a perpendicular line perpendicular (AX<NUM>) to the mounting surface,
the board mounting multiple scanners including the scanner (<NUM>) of the multiple scanning optical systems (<NUM>) on the mounting surface,
wherein multiple scanning light beams having the scanning light beam from the scanner (<NUM>) are arranged in rotational symmetry with respect to the perpendicular line (AX<NUM>) with different angles in a plane of the mounting surface of the board (<NUM>), and
the multiple scanning optical systems (<NUM>) project the multiple scanning light beams to different regions from each other.