Three-Dimensional Display Apparatus

Abstract

A three-dimensional display apparatus is provided that is suitable for displaying information or instruction relating to the work that the viewer is doing. The three-dimensional display apparatus has a display data generation unit for generating a plurality of display data each expressing a screen at a depth from a viewpoint of a viewer in a three-dimensional space and a lens driving unit for varying the focal length of the variable focal length lenses according to the depth of the display data generated by the display data generation unit. The display data generation unit generates the display data each expressing a different depth and causing a plurality of virtual images of the light emitting points appropriate to the depth to be perceived as being overlapped. The lens driving unit controls the focal length of the variable focal length lenses according to the depth of the display data generated by the display data generation unit in synchronization with displaying the display data on the display unit by the display driving unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a structure of the three-dimensional display apparatus according to the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a structure of a two-dimensional display unit of the three-dimensional display apparatus according to the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3 a is a front view showing a structure of a variable focal length lens panel of the three-dimensional display apparatus according to the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3 b is a cross section showing a structure of the variable focal length lens panel of the three-dimensional display apparatus according to the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of an optical system of the three-dimensional display apparatus according to the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of an optical system of the three-dimensional display apparatus according to the first embodiment of this invention where a virtual image is arranged to be positioned in the further distance than the structure shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a structure of a color display data generation unit of the three-dimensional display apparatus according to the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a structure of a two-dimensional display unit of the three-dimensional display apparatus according to the second embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of an optical system of the three-dimensional display apparatus according to the second embodiment of this invention.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional display apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional image comprising: a display unit formed by arranging a plurality of pixels each having a plurality of light emitting points;a variable focal length lens panel including a plurality of variable focal length lenses arranged to correspond to each of said pixels forming said display unit;a display data generation unit for generating, based on data of an image to be displayed on said display unit, a plurality of display data each expressing a screen at a depth from a viewpoint of a viewer in a three-dimensional space;a lens driving unit for varying the focal length of said variable focal length lenses according to the depth of said display data generated by said display data generation unit; anda display driving unit for driving said light emitting points forming said display unit according to said display data generated by said display data generation unit,wherein said display data generation unit generates said display data each expressing a different depth and causing a plurality of virtual images of said light emitting points appropriate to the depth to be perceived as being overlapped, andwherein said lens driving unit controls the focal length of said variable focal length lenses according to the depth of said display data generated by said display data generation unit in synchronization with displaying said display data on said display unit by display driving unit.

2. The three-dimensional display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display data generation unit generates said display data causing one of said light emitting points to be chosen in each of said plurality of pixels at prescribed positions in a surrounding area of any one of said pixels so that a plurality of virtual images of said selected light emitting points are perceived as being overlapped.

3. The three-dimensional display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said pixels forming the display unit has said light emitting points arranged in three by three grid.

4. The three-dimensional display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said pixels forming the display unit has said light emitting points arranged in five by five grid.

5. The three-dimensional display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said variable focal length lens panel has electrodes sandwiching liquid crystal, and wherein said liquid crystal acts as said variable focal length lenses whose focal length changes according to a driving voltage applied between said electrodes from said lens driving unit.

6. The three-dimensional display apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said lens driving unit applies said driving voltage to said liquid crystal so that said liquid crystal corresponding to a central portion of any one of said variable focal length lenses has larger refractive index than said liquid crystal corresponding to a peripheral portion of the one of said variable focal length lenses.

7. The three-dimensional display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein where a screen perceived as being deep should be displayed on said display unit, said lens driving unit renders the focal length of said variable focal length lenses shorter by applying a high voltage to said liquid crystal, and wherein where a screen perceived as shallow should be displayed on said display unit, said lens driving unit renders the focal length of said variable focal length lenses longer by applying a low voltage to said liquid crystal.