# US 2021/0173218 A1 · Image display system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0173218 A1 - Document ID: US20210173218A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/759,082 - Filed: 2018-10-04 - Published: 2021-06-10 - Earliest claimed: 2017-11-01 - Assignees: Murakami Corporation - Applicants: Murakami Corporation - Inventors: Masataka HAMANO - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210173218A1 ## CPC - G02F 1/133536: {Reflective polarizers (G02F1/13362 takes precedence)} - B60K 35/22: Display screens - B60K 35/29: Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions - G02B 27/0093: {with means for monitoring data relating to the user, e.g. head-tracking, eye-tracking} - G02B 27/0179: {Display position adjusting means not related to the information to be displayed} - G02F 1/13338: {Input devices, e.g. touch panels} - G02F 1/13471: {in which all the liquid crystal cells or layers remain transparent, e.g. FLC, ECB, DAP, HAN, TN, STN, SBE-LC cells (G02F1/13475 takes precedence)} - G06F 3/0425: {using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected (tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386)} - H04N 13/128: Adjusting depth or disparity - H04N 13/346: using prisms or semi-transparent mirrors - H04N 13/363: using image projection screens (volumetric display H04N13/388) - H04N 13/395: with depth sampling, i.e. the volume being constructed from a stack or sequence of two-dimensional [2D] image planes - B60K 35/65: Instruments specially adapted for specific vehicle types or users, e.g. for left- or right-hand drive - B60K 2360/741: Instruments adapted for user detection - G02B 27/01: Head-up displays - G02B 27/0101: {characterised by optical features (G02B27/0172 takes precedence)} - G02B 2027/0138: {comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera} - G02B 2027/0154: {with movable elements} - G02B 2027/0159: {with mechanical means other than scaning means for positioning the whole image} - G02B 2027/0181: {Adaptation to the pilot/driver} - G02B 2027/0185: {Displaying image at variable distance} - G02B 2027/0187: {slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye} - G06F 3/0304: {Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means (constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042)} - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract An image display system includes a first display device and a second display device, each of which displays an image. The image display system further includes an optical imaging member that forms an aerial image displayed in each of the first display device and the second display device in respective positions different from each other. Light of an image displayed in the first display device passes through the first reflectance switching element and is then made incident on the optical imaging member, to thereby form the image of interest in the air. Light of an image displayed in the second display device is reflected by the first reflectance switching element and is then made incident on the optical imaging member, to thereby form the image of interest in the air. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image display system, comprising: a first display device and a second display device, each of which displays an image: an optical imaging member that is disposed spaced apart from each of the first display device and the second display device and that forms an image displayed in the first display device or the second display device, in respective positions different from each other in the air; and a reflectance switching element that is switchable between a transmission state and a reflection state, wherein light of the image displayed in the first display device passes through the reflectance switching element and is then made incident on the optical imaging member, to thereby form the image of interest in the air, and wherein light of the image displayed in the second display device is reflected by the reflectance switching element and is then made incident on the optical imaging member, to thereby form the image of interest in the air. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image display system according to claim 1, wherein the image displayed in the first display device is formed at a first distance from the optical imaging member, wherein the image displayed in the second display device is formed at a second distance which is different from the first distance, from the optical imaging member, wherein the first distance is a distance between the first display device and the optical imaging member, and wherein the second distance is a distance obtained by summing up a distance between the second display device and the reflectance switching element and a distance between the reflectance switching element and the optical imaging member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image display system according to claim 1, further comprising a controller that provides control over the first display device, the second display device, and the reflectance switching element, wherein, in a state in which the image is displayed in the first display device, the controller: makes the reflectance switching element take the transmission state; thereby lets light of the image displayed in the first display device pass through the reflectance switching element; makes the passing-through light incident on the optical imaging member; and makes the optical imaging member form the image of interest, and wherein, in a state in which the image is displayed in the second display device, the controller: makes the reflectance switching element take the reflection state; makes light displayed in the second display device reflect by reflectance switching element; makes the reflected light incident on the optical imaging member; and makes the optical imaging member form the image of interest. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The image display system according to claim 3, further comprising an operation position detector that detects a position of an operation by a user in a position in which the image is formed, wherein the controller controls the first display device and the second display device, based on a result detected by the operation position detector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image display system according to claim 1, wherein the image formed by the optical imaging member is composed of light oscillating in a longitudinal direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image display system according to claim 1, wherein the image display system is installed in a vehicle and the image is formed in a compartment of the vehicle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The image display system according to claim 2, further comprising a controller that provides control over the first display device, the second display device, and the reflectance switching element, wherein, in a state in which the image is displayed in the first display device, the controller: makes the reflectance switching element take the transmission state; thereby lets light of the image displayed in the first display device pass through the reflectance switching element; makes the passing-through light incident on the optical imaging member; and makes the optical imaging member form the image of interest, and wherein, in a state in which the image is displayed in the second display device, the controller: makes the reflectance switching element take the reflection state; makes light displayed in the second display device reflect by the reflectance switching element; makes the reflected light incident on the optical imaging member; and makes the optical imaging member form the image of interest. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The image display system according to claim 7, further comprising an operation position detector that detects a position of an operation by a user in a position in which the image is formed, wherein the controller controls the first display device and the second display device, based on a result detected by the operation position detector. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The image display system according to claim 2, wherein the image formed by the optical imaging member is composed of light oscillating in a longitudinal direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The image display system according to claim 3, wherein the image formed by the optical imaging member is composed of light oscillating in a longitudinal direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) The image display system according to claim 4, wherein the image formed by the optical imaging member is composed of light oscillating in a longitudinal direction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The image display system according to claim 7, wherein the image formed by the optical imaging member is composed of light oscillating in a longitudinal direction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The image display system according to claim 8, wherein the image formed by the optical imaging member is composed of light oscillating in a longitudinal direction. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) The image display system according to claim 2, wherein the image display system is installed in a vehicle and the image is formed in a compartment of the vehicle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 3) The image display system according to claim 3, wherein the image display system is installed in a vehicle and the image is formed in a compartment of the vehicle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 4) The image display system according to claim 4, wherein the image display system is installed in a vehicle and the image is formed in a compartment of the vehicle.