JP2012037606A - Display state altering eyeglasses and display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display state altering eyeglasses that can serve to reduce power consumption and manufacturing costs, and a display device compatible with the display state altering eyeglasses.SOLUTION: Image viewing eyeglasses 10 having a left eye lens 14a and a right eye lens 14b that can switch over images displayed on an image display device between a state of being displayed and a state of not being displayed to the viewer, wherein each of the left eye lens 14a and the right eye lens 14b is provided with a transparent substrate and a shutter function layer including a shutter function film arranged over the transparent substrate; the optical constant of the shutter function film varies with whether or not a voltage is applied to the shutter function film; and, according to the variation of the optical constant, the shutter function film is switched over between a state of transmitting light brought to incidence on the shutter function film and a state of intercepting the light.

Description

  The present invention relates to display state changing glasses for viewing a three-dimensional image, and a display device corresponding to display state changing glasses.

  In recent years, technologies that enable three-dimensional (three-dimensional) stereoscopic vision have rapidly advanced, and three-dimensional video technologies in movies and television have begun to spread. Such 3D video technology basically uses binocular parallax caused by the distance between the left and right eyes. For example, right-eye video and left-eye video dedicated to 3D video can be displayed separately and viewed only by the viewer's right eye and left eye respectively, thereby realizing viewing of 3D video. .

  By the way, when the right-eye video and the left-eye video are shown to the viewer as they are, both videos will be reflected in both eyes of the viewer as a matter of course. For this reason, the liquid crystal shutters that are opened and closed by electrical operation in front of the viewer's right eye and left eye so that the viewer can view the right-eye video and the left-eye video separately with different eyes. Liquid crystal shutter glasses disposed in front of the eyes and a three-dimensional video display system using the liquid crystal shutter glasses have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this three-dimensional video display system, the right-eye video and the left-eye video are displayed while being alternately switched on the screen at a constant cycle. The liquid crystal shutter glasses worn by the viewer synchronize with the timing of switching between the right-eye video and the left-eye video, and each of the right-eye and left-eye liquid crystal shutters is in a light transmitting state and a light blocking state. And alternately.

  The viewer can view the right-eye video and the left-eye video separately with different eyes through such liquid crystal shutter glasses, and perform stereoscopic viewing based on these videos.

  For example, the liquid crystal shutter 100 shown in FIG. 12 can be used as the liquid crystal shutter for the right eye and the liquid crystal shutter for the left eye of such liquid crystal shutter glasses. As shown in FIG. 12, in the liquid crystal shutter 100, a polarizing plate 101, a transparent electrode 102, a liquid crystal layer 103, a transparent electrode 104, and a polarizing plate 105 are arranged in this order.

  In this liquid crystal shutter 100, the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 103 is changed by applying a voltage from the power source 107 between the transparent electrode 102 and the transparent electrode 104. For example, when the power switch 106 is turned on (On), the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 103 changes, and the light 111a passes through the polarizing plate 101, the transparent electrode 102, the liquid crystal layer 103, and the transparent electrode 104, It is blocked by the polarizing plate 105. In this case, the light 111 a does not reach the viewer's eyes 112. That is, at this time, the liquid crystal shutter 100 is in a light blocking state.

  On the other hand, when the power switch 106 is turned off, the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 103 does not change, and the light 111b is transmitted through the polarizing plate 101, the transparent electrode 102, the liquid crystal layer 103, the transparent electrode 104, and the polarizing plate 105. Are transmitted in this order and reach the viewer's eyes 112. That is, at this time, the liquid crystal shutter 100 is in a light transmitting state.

  A liquid crystal shutter that is in a light transmitting state when no voltage is applied, such as the liquid crystal shutter 100, is called “normally white”. In contrast to the liquid crystal shutter 100, a liquid crystal shutter that enters a light blocking state when no voltage is applied is called “normally black”.

  Here, the light transmission / blocking operation of the liquid crystal shutter 100 will be described.

  As described above, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 103 change the alignment direction by applying a voltage between the transparent electrode 102 and the transparent electrode 104. The liquid crystal layer 103 can change the polarization direction of light passing through the liquid crystal layer 103 by changing the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules.

  On the other hand, the polarizing plate 101 and the polarizing plate 105 have polarization directions shifted from each other by a right angle (90 degrees). The light passing through the polarizing plate 101 is completely blocked by the polarizing plate 105 as long as the polarization direction does not coincide with the polarization direction of the polarizing plate 105.

  For example, it is assumed that the liquid crystal layer 103 changes the polarization direction of light passing through it when no voltage is applied, and does not change the polarization direction of light passing through it when a voltage is applied.

  In this case, when the power switch 106 is turned on and a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer 103, the light 111a that has passed through the liquid crystal layer 103 reaches the polarizing plate 105 without changing its polarization direction. The polarization direction of the light 111 a that has passed through the polarizing plate 101 matches the polarization direction of the polarizing plate 101. For this reason, the polarization direction of the light 111 a and the polarization direction of the polarizing plate 105 are shifted at right angles, and as a result, the light 111 a is blocked by the polarizing plate 105.

  On the other hand, when the power switch 106 is turned off and no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer 103, the light 111 b that has passed through the liquid crystal layer 103 changes its polarization direction by the liquid crystal layer 103. For example, it is assumed that the polarization direction of the light 111b changes at right angles along the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 103. At this time, the polarization direction of the light 111 b matches the polarization direction of the polarizing plate 105, and as a result, the light 111 b passes through the polarizing plate 105.

  In addition, an optical shutter that combines the PLZT and the two polarizing plates as described above using the phenomenon that the birefringence of PLZT changes when a voltage is applied to PLZT (lead lanthanum zirconate titanate). It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  This optical shutter uses PLZT instead of the liquid crystal layer 103 of the liquid crystal shutter 100 as described above. PLZT can electrically control optical performance, that is, change in birefringence. In such an optical shutter, similarly to the liquid crystal shutter 100, switching between a light transmitting state and a light blocking state by applying a voltage can be realized.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-95186 (published on April 9, 1999) JP-A-6-250134 (published September 9, 1994)

  The video displayed on the screen viewed by the viewer usually contains light that is polarized in various directions.

  However, the liquid crystal shutter 100 and the optical shutter as described above use a polarizing plate that allows only a specific polarization direction to pass, and out of various directions of light that make up an image displayed on the screen. It is necessary to extract light polarized only in a specific direction.

  For this reason, the light reaching the viewer's eyes is weaker than the light of the entire image displayed on the screen, and the image becomes dark. In this case, it is necessary to increase the illuminance on the screen and increase the intensity of the image, but this has the problem of causing an increase in power consumed by the light source.

  Furthermore, when the light on the screen is strengthened, naturally, heat generation from the light source also increases. In this case, it is necessary to make the light source as expensive as possible with little heat generation, or a cooling device for cooling the heat generation from the light source is required, and the manufacturing cost of the entire three-dimensional video system is increased. There were also challenges.

  Further, the liquid crystal shutter 100 requires a sealing process for encapsulating the liquid crystal layer 103, and the optical shutter requires a process for forming comb-shaped transparent electrodes on both sides of the PLZT. These processes require a great number of manufacturing steps, and there is a problem that the manufacturing cost of liquid crystal shutter glasses and optical shutter glasses using these shutters may increase.

  In particular, in the movie industry, an increase in the manufacturing cost of liquid crystal shutter glasses and optical shutter glasses is a very alarming matter because it increases the price. This is because such glasses are distributed to a large number of spectators, and the higher the price, the greater the need to reliably collect the glasses from the spectators. This may lead to an increase in personnel costs for the theaters that show movies.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide display state change glasses and display state change glasses compatible display devices capable of reducing power consumption and manufacturing cost. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the display state changing glasses according to the present invention are for the left eye that can switch the video displayed on the display device between the display state and the non-display state for the viewer. Display state change glasses having a lens and a right-eye lens, wherein the left-eye lens and the right-eye lens are each a transparent substrate and a shutter function layer including a shutter function film disposed on the transparent substrate, And the optical constant of the shutter functional film varies due to the presence or absence of voltage application to the shutter functional film, and the shutter functional film is formed on the shutter functional film according to the variation of the optical constant. The state is switched between a state of transmitting incident light and a state of blocking the light.

  Each of the shutter functional films of the left-eye lens and the right-eye lens has a characteristic that optical constants such as a light absorption coefficient and a refractive index fluctuate when a voltage is applied. The shutter function film can realize and switch between a state of transmitting the light incident on itself and a state of blocking the incident light by the fluctuation of the optical constant.

  In the display state changing glasses described above, by utilizing such characteristics of the shutter function film, by applying or not applying a voltage, the optical constant of the shutter function film is intentionally changed, and by doing so, Each of the left-eye lens and the right-eye lens can be switched between a light transmitting state and a light blocking state.

  For this reason, the polarizing plate required for switching between the light transmission state and the light blocking state, such as a conventional liquid crystal shutter and optical shutter, can be eliminated. The polarizing plate weakens the light of the image displayed on the display device. When the polarizing plate is used, it is necessary to improve the illuminance of the display device. In the display state changing glasses described above, since such a polarizing plate is not necessary, the illuminance of the display device can be reduced as compared with the conventional case, so that the power consumption of the light source of the display device can be reduced.

  Further, since the cooling device for cooling the light source of the display device can be simplified, the manufacturing cost of the display device can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since the number of parts of the display state changing glasses themselves can be reduced, the manufacturing cost of the display state changing glasses can also be reduced.

  Note that blocking or shielding in this specification not only does not physically transmit light, but also substantially disables recognition of an image.

  It is preferable to provide a plurality of the shutter function layers.

  In this case, by increasing the number of shutter function layers, a larger fluctuation range of light transmittance occurs when voltage is applied and when voltage is not applied.

  For this reason, when the shutter function layer is in the light blocking state, the viewer can substantially not recognize the video.

  The main surface of the transparent substrate on the shutter functional layer side preferably has an uneven shape.

  In this case, the uneven shape of the transparent substrate is reflected on the shutter functional film, and light incident on the shutter functional layer is irregularly reflected by the uneven shape.

  For this reason, it is possible to improve the light shielding rate when the shutter functional film is in the light shielding state.

  The shutter function film is preferably made of tungsten oxide or zinc oxide.

  In this case, the above effect can be realized by using tungsten oxide or zinc oxide for the shutter function film.

  The shutter functional layer preferably further includes two transparent electrode films arranged so as to sandwich the shutter functional film.

  In this case, a voltage can be applied to the shutter functional film with a simple configuration.

  The display device according to the present invention provides a viewer's left eye when the left eye lens is in a display state and the right eye lens is in a non-display state for a viewer wearing the display state change glasses. When the left-eye lens is in a non-display state and the right-eye lens is in a display state, the viewer's right-eye image is displayed.

  In the display device described above, by using the display state changing glasses, the illuminance can be lowered as compared with the conventional case, so that the power consumption of the light source can be reduced.

  Further, since the cooling device for cooling the light source can be simplified, the manufacturing cost of the display device can be reduced.

  The display state changing glasses according to the present invention include a left-eye lens and a right-eye lens capable of switching a video displayed on a display device to a viewer between a display state and a non-display state. State change glasses, wherein the left-eye lens and the right-eye lens each include a transparent substrate and a shutter function layer including a shutter function film disposed on the transparent substrate, and the shutter function film The optical constant varies depending on whether or not voltage is applied to the shutter functional film, and the shutter functional film transmits light incident on the shutter functional film according to the variation of the optical constant. And the state of blocking the light.

  Therefore, there is an effect that power consumption and manufacturing cost can be reduced.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the spectacles for video which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the external appearance of the left side flame | frame of the said video spectacles. It is a side view which shows the external appearance of the right side frame of the said video spectacles. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the said video spectacles. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the video display apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the lens structure of the lens for left eyes and the lens for right eyes of the said video spectacles. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the thin film layer part of the said lens structure (light transmissive state). It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the thin film layer part of the said lens structure (light shielding state). It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the one modified example of the said thin film layer part. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the one modified example of the said thin film layer part. It is a graph which shows the transmittance | permeability characteristic of the shutter functional film of the said thin film layer part. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the conventional liquid-crystal shutter.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(Glasses for video 10)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of video glasses (display state changing glasses) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the appearance of the left frame 12. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the appearance of the right frame 13. As shown in FIG. 1, video glasses 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention include a front frame 11, a left frame 12, a right frame 13, a left eye lens 14 a, a right eye lens 14 b, and a communication device. 15, a control device 18, a power supply device 19, and a switching device 20.

  The front frame 11 is connected to the left frame 12 at the left end thereof, and is connected to the right frame 13 at the right end thereof. For example, a hinge structure can be used for the connection between the front frame 11 and the left frame 12 and the connection between the front frame 11 and the right frame 13. By using a hinge structure for each connection, the left frame 12 and the right frame 13 can be folded with respect to the front frame 11.

  The front frame 11, the left frame 12, and the right frame 13 are integrated to form a frame of the video glasses 10. The front frame 11 is disposed on the upper part of the viewer's nose and its position is fixed. The left frame 12 is disposed at the upper part of the viewer's left ear and its position is fixed. The right frame 13 is arranged on the upper part of the viewer's right ear, and its position is fixed.

  As the material of the front frame 11, the left frame 12, and the right frame 13, for example, metal, plastic, or the like suitable for known glasses can be used. From the viewpoint of the comfort of the viewer wearing the video glasses 10, a light material is preferable.

  The left-eye lens 14 a is fitted into the left opening of the front frame 11. Similarly, the right eye lens 14 b is fitted in the right opening of the front frame 11. Both the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b have a lens structure described later. The left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b can transmit or block light incident on the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b depending on whether or not voltage is applied. . That is, the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b block light in two states, that is, a state that transmits light (hereinafter referred to as a “light transmission state (display state)”) and a light depending on the presence or absence of voltage application. It has a shutter function that transitions between a state to be performed (hereinafter referred to as a “light blocking state (non-display state)”). Hereinafter, the voltage applied to the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b is referred to as “lens voltage”.

  The left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b are electrically connected to the switching device 20, and the voltage described above is applied to each via the switching device 20. The metal wiring that electrically connects each of the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b and the switching device 20 is provided inside the front frame 11 if the switching device 20 is provided inside the front frame 11. Just embed it in It is not seen from the outside of the front frame 11, and the aesthetic appearance of the video glasses 10 is not impaired. Of course, such a metal wiring may be provided on the surface of the front frame 11. In this case, the trouble at the time of shaping | molding the front frame 11 can be saved. This is because the metal wiring can be arranged after the front frame 11 is molded.

  The communication device 15 is used for exchanging data, information, and the like with a video display device (display device) that displays a video to be viewed while the viewer wears the video glasses 10. The communication device 15 realizes bidirectional exchange with the video display device by using, for example, wireless communication or wired communication.

  The communication device 15 is provided on the front frame 11 at a position sandwiched between two openings in which the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b are embedded. This position always faces the video display device when the viewer looks at the video displayed on the video display device. For example, if the communication device 15 performs wireless communication with the video display device, the communication device 15 is provided at this position, so that wireless communication between the communication device 15 and the video display device can be performed satisfactorily. it can. This is because, when the line of sight is directed from the viewer to the video display device, it is considered that there is no object that can interfere with wireless communication between the two.

  The communication device 15 is electrically connected to the power supply device 19 and executes processing as described above using the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply device 19. The metal wiring that electrically connects the communication device 15 and the power supply device 19 is embedded in each of the front frame 11 and the left frame 12 if the power supply device 19 is provided inside the left frame 12. Just keep it. The metal wiring is not seen from the outside of the front frame 11 or the left frame 12, and the aesthetic appearance of the video glasses 10 is not impaired. Of course, such metal wiring may be provided on the front frame 11 or the left frame 12. In this case, the trouble of molding the front frame 11 and the left frame 12 can be saved. This is because the metal wiring can be arranged after the front frame 11 and the left frame 12 are molded.

  The control device 18 controls the shutter function described above in each of the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b. Each of the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b has a shutter function that transitions between a light transmission state that transmits light incident on itself and a light blocking state that blocks the light. This shutter function is controlled by the presence / absence of voltage application, and the control device 18 controls the presence / absence of voltage application to each of the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b.

  The control device 18 controls switching of whether to apply voltage to each of the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b in accordance with an instruction from the video display device. For example, when the viewer displays a left-eye video to be viewed by the viewer with his / her left eye, the video display device instructs the control device 18 so that the left-eye lens 14a is in a light-transmitting state and the right-eye lens 14b is in a light-blocking state. Instruct. On the other hand, when the viewer displays a right-eye video to be viewed by the viewer with his / her right eye, the video display device instructs the control device 18 so that the right-eye lens 14b is in a light-transmitting state and the left-eye lens 14a is in a light-blocking state. I will tell you.

  Specifically, the control device 18 uses the communication device 15 to receive a lens state change signal transmitted from the video display device. This lens state change signal is a signal that defines the timing for setting the light transmitting state and the timing for setting the light blocking state for each of the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b. Based on the lens state change signal, the control device 18 switches between the light transmission state and the light blocking state in the left eye lens 14a and the light transmission state and the light blocking state in the right eye lens 14b as described above. Whether or not voltage is applied to each of the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b is controlled.

  The lens state change signal may be composed of, for example, a first signal for the left-eye lens 14a and a second signal for the right-eye lens 14b. In this case, for example, a period during which the first signal is at a high level may be set as a period during which a voltage is applied to the left-eye lens 14a, and a period during which the first signal is at a low level may be set as a period during which no voltage is applied to the left-eye lens 14a. . Then, at the timing when the first signal transitions from the high level to the low level and from the low level to the high level, the presence / absence of voltage application to the left-eye lens 14a may be switched.

  Similarly, a period during which the second signal is at a high level may be a period during which a voltage is applied to the right eye lens 14b, and a period during which the second signal is at a low level may be a period during which no voltage is applied to the right eye lens 14b. Then, at the timing when the second signal transitions from the high level to the low level and from the low level to the high level, the presence / absence of voltage application to the right-eye lens 14b may be switched.

  Of course, the high level period and the low level period of each of the first signal and the second signal are the period in which the video displayed by the video display device is the left-eye video, and the video displayed by the video display device is the right-eye video. Needless to say, it is determined according to a certain period. For example, during the period in which the video display device displays the left-eye video, the first signal and the second signal are set so that the left-eye lens 14a is in a light-transmitting state and the right-eye lens 14b is in a light-blocking state. One of them is a high level period and the other is a low level period.

  In this way, the control device 18 performs the right-eye video and the left-eye video displayed by the video display device so that the viewer can separately view the right-eye video and the left-eye video with different eyes. In synchronization with the switching timing, each of the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b is alternately switched between a light transmitting state and a light blocking state.

  The control device 18 is provided on the right frame 13. As will be described later, the power supply device 19 is provided on the left frame 12, and the control device 18 and the power supply device 19 are provided separately on the left and right sides in a balanced manner. In this case, for the viewer wearing the video glasses 10, the left frame 12 and the right frame 13 are weighted in a balanced manner, and the viewer can stably wear the video glasses 10. Become. In addition, since the weight is not applied to only one of the ears, even if the viewer wears the video glasses 10 for a long time, the ear pain due to the wear is reduced. Of course, the control device 18 and the power supply device 19 may be provided in only one of the left frame 12 and the right frame 13.

  The control device 18 is electrically connected to the power supply device 19, and executes processing as described above using the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply device 19. If the power supply device 19 is provided inside the left frame 12, the metal wiring that electrically connects the control device 18 and the power supply device 19 is provided for each of the left frame 12, the front frame 11, and the right frame 13. Just embed it inside. Metal wiring is not seen from the outside of the left frame 12, the front frame 11, and the right frame 13, and the aesthetic appearance of the video glasses 10 is not impaired. Of course, such metal wiring may be provided on the surface of the left frame 12, the front frame 11, and the right frame 13. In this case, it is possible to save labor when molding the left frame 12, the front frame 11, and the right frame 13. This is because the metal wiring can be arranged after the left frame 12, the front frame 11, and the right frame 13 are molded.

  The control device 18 is connected so as to be able to communicate with the communication device 15 and the switching device 20. Communication lines that connect the control device 18, the communication device 15, and the switching device 20 may be embedded in the front frame 11 and the right frame 13, or the front frame 11 and the right frame 13 may be embedded. It may be provided on the surface. The effect of each provision is the same as that of the metal wiring.

  The control device 18 includes, for example, a CPU (not shown) that processes instructions of various programs, and a ROM (a program that controls whether or not voltage is applied to the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b). A RAM (not shown) for storing temporarily stored data may be used.

  The power supply device 19 is provided on the left frame 12 and supplies power supply voltage to each of the communication device 15, the control device 18, and the switching device 20. The power supply device 19 should just be provided with the DC power supply part 16 and the AC power supply part 17, for example. The DC power supply unit 16 can use a battery such as a small button battery. The AC power supply unit 17 is connected to an AC power supply supplied to a home or the like via a power cable. The power supply device 19 includes the DC power supply unit 16 and the AC power supply unit 17, thereby improving the versatility of power supply in the video glasses 10 and improving the convenience of the viewer who uses the video glasses 10. Of course, the power supply device 19 may include only one of the DC power supply unit 16 and the AC power supply unit 17. By using only one of them, there is an advantage that the video glasses 10 can be reduced in weight.

  As described above, the switching device 20 is electrically connected to the power supply device 19 and is supplied with a power supply voltage. The switching device 20 generates a lens voltage to be applied to each of the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b based on the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply device 19, and applies it to each.

  As described above, the switching device 20 is connected to the control device 18 and receives instructions from the control device 18 regarding whether or not each lens voltage is applied to the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b. For example, when receiving the lens state change signal from the video display device, the control device 18 gives the instruction to the switching device 20 based on the lens state change signal.

  Specifically, the control device 18 applies each lens voltage to each of the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b based on the lens state change signal (hereinafter referred to as “lens voltage application period”). ) And a period during which each lens voltage is not applied (hereinafter referred to as “lens voltage application stop period”), and the lens voltage application signal may be output to the switching device 20.

  Here, the lens voltage application signal may be composed of, for example, a first signal for the left-eye lens 14a and a second signal for the right-eye lens 14b, similarly to the lens state change signal. Good. In this case, for example, a period during which the first signal is at a high level may be set as a period during which a voltage is applied to the left-eye lens 14a, and a period during which the first signal is at a low level may be set as a period during which no voltage is applied to the left-eye lens 14a. . Then, at the timing when the first signal transitions from the high level to the low level and from the low level to the high level, the presence / absence of voltage application to the left-eye lens 14a may be switched.

  Similarly, a period during which the second signal is at a high level may be a period during which a voltage is applied to the right eye lens 14b, and a period during which the second signal is at a low level may be a period during which no voltage is applied to the right eye lens 14b. Then, at the timing when the second signal transitions from the high level to the low level and from the low level to the high level, the presence / absence of voltage application to the right-eye lens 14b may be switched.

  When the switching device 20 receives the lens voltage application signal from the control device 18, the switching device 20 applies the lens voltage to the left eye lens 14a during the lens voltage application period of the left eye lens 14a based on the lens voltage application signal. In the lens voltage application stop period of the lens 14a, it is not necessary to apply a lens voltage to the left-eye lens 14a. Similarly, the switching device 20 applies a lens voltage to the right eye lens 14b during the lens voltage application period of the right eye lens 14b, and applies a lens voltage to the right eye lens 14b during the lens voltage application stop period of the right eye lens 14b. Do not apply.

  The switching device 20 is provided in the front frame 11 above a position sandwiched between two openings in which the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b are embedded. This position is a distance close to both the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b. For this reason, each length of the metal wiring which supplies a lens voltage to the lens 14a for left eyes from the switching apparatus 20 and the metal wiring which supplies a lens voltage to the lens 14b for right eyes from the switching apparatus 20 can be shortened. Since the shortening of the metal wiring improves the lens voltage supply efficiency, the power consumption by the switching device 20 can be reduced.

  The switching device 20 executes such processing using the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply device 19.

  FIG. 4 shows connection relationships among the left-eye lens 14a, the right-eye lens 14b, the communication device 15, the control device 18, the power supply device 19, and the switching device 20 described above. As shown in FIG. 4, the power supply device 19 is connected to each of the communication device 15, the control device 18, and the switching device 20 via the metal wiring 21. The power supply device 19 supplies the power supply voltage from the DC power supply unit 16 and the AC power supply unit 17 to each of the communication device 15, the control device 18, and the switching device 20 via the metal wiring 21.

  Further, the communication device 15, the control device 18 and the switching device 20 are connected to each other via a communication line 22, so that information and data can be exchanged. For example, when the communication device 15 receives the lens state change signal transmitted from the video display device, the communication device 15 may output the lens state change signal to the control device 18 via the communication line 22. Upon receiving the lens state change signal from the communication device 15, the control device 18 generates a lens voltage application signal based on the lens state change signal, and sends the lens voltage application signal to the switching device 20 via the communication line 22. Just output.

  The switching device 20 is connected to each of the left-eye lens 14 a and the right-eye lens 14 b through the metal wiring 21. Based on the lens voltage application signal received from the control device 18, the switching device 20 switches between the presence / absence of the lens voltage applied to the left-eye lens 14a and the presence / absence of the lens voltage applied to the right-eye lens 14b. be able to.

(Video display device 50)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the video display device (display device) 50. The video display device 50 is a video display device that displays a video that a viewer views while wearing the video glasses 10. The video display device 50 displays the right-eye video and the left-eye video, which are dedicated to the three-dimensional video, separately, and allows the viewer wearing the video glasses 10 to watch only with each of the right and left eyes. It is intended to realize viewing of 3D video.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the video display device 50 includes a CPU 51 that processes instructions of various programs, a ROM 52 that stores a control program of the video display device 50, and operations performed by the CPU 51. A RAM 53 capable of temporarily storing intermediate results and the like, capable of writing and reading at high speed, an I / F device 54 for communicating with the recording / reproducing device 61, and a communication device 55 for communicating with the video glasses 10. An input device 56 for inputting various instructions from the viewer wearing the video glasses 10, an HDD 57, a display condition DB 58, a display device 59, and a bus 60 that connects these components to each other. Yes.

  The CPU 51 performs various processes in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 52, a program stored in the HDD 57, or a program stored in the RAM 53. The CPU 51 temporarily stores data necessary for each process by the RAM 53. The CPU 51 controls the entire video display device 50.

  The I / F device 54 is an I / F for connecting to the recording / reproducing device 61. The I / F device 54 is controlled by the CPU 51. For example, the recording / reproducing apparatus 61 is for reproducing information recorded on an information recording medium inserted therein. A plurality of right-eye video information and left-eye video information are recorded on the information recording medium, and the recording / reproducing device 61 reproduces the right-eye video information and the left-eye video information, The left-eye video is output to the video display device 50. The I / F device 54 may receive the right-eye video and the left-eye video output from the recording / reproducing device 61 and store them in the HDD 57, for example.

  The communication device 55 is for exchanging data and information with the video glasses 10 worn by the viewer. The communication device 55 realizes bidirectional exchange with the video glasses 10 by using, for example, wireless communication or wired communication.

  The input device 56 includes, for example, a numeric keypad, a keyboard, and the like, and receives various instructions and data from the viewer. The input device 56 stores each instruction and data input by the viewer in the RAM 53 and the HDD 57.

  The HDD 57 is configured by a magnetic memory or the like and stores, for example, software that is a program group necessary for various processes by the CPU 51. Note that the programs constituting the software for various processes performed by the CPU 51 may be incorporated in advance in a computer with dedicated hardware, or may be provided in advance in the ROM 52 or the HDD 57. The HDD 57 can store the right-eye video and the left-eye video output from the recording / reproducing device 61.

  The display condition DB stores in advance display conditions when the video display device 50 displays the right-eye video and the left-eye video received from the recording / playback device 61 on the display device 59. Examples of the display condition include illuminance when the right-eye video and the left-eye video are displayed on the display device 59. For example, when the video display device 50 requires different illuminance settings depending on the type of the video glasses 10, the illuminance for each type so that the illuminance of the display device 59 can be adjusted according to the type of the video glasses 10. May be stored as a display condition. By doing so, the illuminance is not increased unnecessarily, and the power consumption of the light source of the display device 59 can be reduced.

  Similarly, when a viewer views a two-dimensional image without wearing the image glasses 10, the illuminance of the display device 59 can be reduced as compared with a case where a viewer views a three-dimensional image. By storing the illuminance at the time of displaying the 2D video as a display condition, the illuminance does not become unnecessarily high when the viewer views the 2D video. Therefore, the power consumption of the light source of the display device 59 can be reduced.

  The display device 59 outputs various information (data). For example, an LCD (liquid crystal display), a PDP (plasma display panel), a CRT (cathode-ray tube) display, or the like can be used. The display device 59 displays the right-eye video and the left-eye video stored in the HDD 57.

  Next, the operation of the video display device 50 will be described. When a 3D video display instruction is input via the input device 56, the CPU 51 displays the right-eye video and the left-eye video stored in the HDD 57 on the display device 59. The CPU 51 generates the lens state change signal described above that is synchronized with the switching timing of the right-eye video and the left-eye video by the display device 59. The CPU 51 transmits the lens state change signal to the video glasses 10 via the communication device 55.

  When the type of the image glasses 10 is input via the input device 56, the CPU 51 sets the illuminance corresponding to the type in the display device 59. When setting the illuminance, the CPU 51 refers to the display condition DB, and determines the illuminance suitable for the type of the video glasses 10 based on the display conditions stored in advance in the display condition DB.

  The type of the video glasses 10 may be input by the viewer using the input device 56, or the type of the video glasses 10 may be specified using the communication device 55. For example, the CPU 51 may request the sign representing its own type from the video glasses 10. When receiving the request from the video display device 50, the video glasses 10 may transmit the above-mentioned code given in advance to the video display device 50. By doing so, the viewer's trouble can be saved.

(Left-eye lens 14a and right-eye lens 14b)
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a lens structure 70 constituting the left-eye lens 14a and the right-eye lens 14b. As shown in FIG. 6, the lens structure 10 includes a transparent substrate 71, a thin film layer portion (shutter function layer) 72, and a protection, which are arranged in order from the side on which the image light displayed by the image display device 50 is incident. And a resin layer 73.

  For example, glass or the like can be used for the transparent substrate 71. The transparent substrate 71 transmits the light of the image displayed by the image display device 50 as it is and enters the thin film layer portion 72. In addition, the transparent substrate 71 reinforces the strength of the thin film layer portion 72 and prevents the thin film layer portion 72 from being distorted or broken. The left-eye lens 14 a and the right-eye lens 14 b can maintain their lens shapes depending on the strength of the transparent substrate 71.

  As described above, the thin film layer portion 72 transitions between the light transmitting state and the light blocking state depending on whether or not the lens voltage is applied. As will be described later, the thin film layer portion 72 has a laminated structure of a large number of thin film layers. Each thin film layer is fragile in strength, and therefore, it is necessary to reinforce the strength by the transparent substrate 71 as described above.

  The protective resin layer 73 is a layer facing the viewer's eyes. The protective resin layer 73 prevents the thin film layer portion 72 from peeling off from the transparent substrate 71 and prevents impurities contained in the thin film layer portion 72 from entering the viewer's eyes. For example, a resin or the like can be used for the protective resin layer 73. The transparent substrate 71 may have a structure facing the eyes.

(Thin film layer portion 72)
7 and 8 are cross-sectional views showing a schematic configuration of the thin film layer portion 72. FIG. In particular, FIG. 7 shows a case where the thin film layer portion 72 is in a light transmitting state, and FIG. 8 shows a case where the thin film layer portion 72 is in a light blocking state.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the thin film layer portion 72 includes a transparent electrode film 72 a, an electrolyte film 72 b, and a shutter function, which are arranged in order from the side on which the image light displayed by the image display device 50 is incident. It has a film 72c and a transparent electrode film 72d.

  For example, an ITO film can be used for each of the transparent electrode film 72a and the transparent electrode film 72d. The lens voltage described above can be applied between the transparent electrode film 72a and the transparent electrode film 72d.

  7 and 8, in order to explain the function of the switching device 20, a lens voltage power supply 81 that supplies a lens voltage is connected between the transparent electrode film 72 a and the transparent electrode film 72 d via the power switch 82. Connected between. Here, when the power switch 82 is turned on (On) or off (Off) based on the lens voltage application signal output from the control device 18, the lens voltage is changed to the transparent electrode film 72a and the transparent electrode film 72d. It shall be applied between. It can be said that the switching device 20 has the functions of the lens voltage power supply 81 and the power switch 82 as described above.

For example, a Ta ₂ O ₅ film can be used as the electrolyte film 72b.

As the shutter function film 72c, for example, a WO ₃ (tungsten oxide) film can be used. In the WO ₃ film, when a lens voltage is applied between the transparent electrode film 72a and the transparent electrode film 72d, the absorption coefficient (optical constant) in the visible light region (400 to 800 nm) increases, in other words, visible light. The transmittance in the region is reduced. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the lens voltage is 5 V, a transmittance of about 80% is obtained when no lens voltage is applied (voltage zero), and 40% when a lens voltage is applied (voltage application). %.

The shutter function film 72c can realize and switch between the light transmitting state and the light blocking state described above by utilizing such characteristics of the WO ₃ film. Specifically, the absorption coefficient of the shutter function film 72c is increased or decreased depending on whether or not the lens voltage is applied. The light transmission state is realized by reducing the absorption coefficient without applying the lens voltage, while the light blocking state is realized by applying the lens voltage and increasing the absorption coefficient.

  For example, in FIG. 7, the power switch 82 is turned off, and no lens voltage is applied between the transparent electrode film 72a and the transparent electrode film 72d. In this case, the shutter function film 72c is in a light transmission state, and image light passes through the shutter function film 72c and reaches the viewer's eyes 91.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 8, the power switch 82 is turned on, and a lens voltage is applied between the transparent electrode film 72a and the transparent electrode film 72d. In this case, the shutter function film 72c is in a light blocking state, and image light cannot pass through the shutter function film 72c and does not reach the viewer's eyes 91.

  In this way, the shutter function film 72c can create a light transmission state and a light blocking state by changing its own absorption coefficient. Therefore, unlike the conventional liquid crystal shutter 100 and the optical shutter, a polarizing plate for polarizing light is not necessary, and the conventional problem that the light reaching the viewer's eyes becomes dark is solved.

As the shutter function film 72c, a metal oxide such as a ZnO (zinc oxide) film (transmittance T = 80% or more) may be used in addition to the above-described WO ₃ film (transmittance T = 80% or more) having a high transmittance. it can.

(Modification 1 of thin film layer portion 72)
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of Modification 1 of the thin film layer portion 72. As shown in FIG. 9, in the first modification, the same layer as the thin film layer portion 72 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is laminated in order from the first layer to the n-th layer.

  In the first modification, a separation layer 83 for electrically insulating and separating each layer is disposed between the layers. This is to prevent electrical contact between the transparent electrode film 72a and the transparent electrode film 72d of two adjacent layers. For example, this is to prevent electrical contact between the first transparent electrode film 72d and the second transparent electrode film 72a.

  By making the thin film layer portion 72 multilayer, a larger fluctuation range of the transmittance occurs when the lens voltage is applied and when it is not applied. In this case, the viewer cannot substantially recognize the video when the thin film layer portion 72 is in the light blocking state.

In the first modification, for example, compared with the conventional liquid crystal shutter 100, a polarizing plate with low transmission performance, liquid crystal injection, sealing treatment, and the like are unnecessary, and the transmittance in a light transmission state is high (conventional: 15% → Modification 1: 33% (when WO ₃ film has 5 layers)). Therefore, low-cost optical shutter glasses can be provided.

  Further, the separation layer 83 is not necessarily required, and the shutter function film 72c and the electrolyte film 72b may be laminated instead of the separation layer 83, and in that case, the cost can be further reduced.

  The above structure is specifically expressed by layer numbers “... 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d, 72c, 72b, 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d.

(Modification 2 of thin film layer portion 72)
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of Modification 2 of the thin film layer portion 72. As shown in FIG. 10, in the second modification, irregularities are formed in advance on the transparent substrate 71 shown in FIG. 6, and the irregularities are reflected in the thin film layer portion 72 by doing so. In order to form the unevenness of the transparent substrate 71, for example, a texture may be provided on the transparent substrate 71.

  The shutter function film 72c increases or decreases its refractive index (optical constant) simultaneously with its absorption coefficient depending on whether or not a lens voltage is applied between the transparent electrode film 72a and the transparent electrode film 72d.

  Therefore, in the second modification, the shutter function film 72c and other films (the transparent electrode film 72a, the electrolyte film 72b, and the transparent electrode film 72d) are used by utilizing such a characteristic that the refractive index of the shutter function film 72c changes. The refractive index difference is increased to cause irregular reflection of light. By doing so, the light shielding rate when the thin film layer portion 72 is in the light shielding state can be improved.

In Modification 2, the shutter function film 72c may not be a WO ₃ film. For example, a conductive ZnO (= AZO) (zinc oxide) film can be used. Since the refractive index of the conductive ZnO film changes due to heat generated when a lens voltage is applied, the shutter function based on the irregular reflection described above can be realized as in the case of the WO ₃ film.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can also be expressed as follows. That is, the display state change glasses according to the present invention include a right-eye shutter and a left-eye shutter that can change the image displayed on the display device to a display / non-display state for the viewer. The display state change glasses are provided with a lens with a shutter function having a shutter function for non-displaying the image. The lens with the shutter function includes a transparent substrate, And a shutter layer including a shutter function film that is provided on a transparent substrate and whose optical constant is changed by voltage application.

  It is preferable that two or more shutter layers are provided.

  It is preferable that unevenness is provided on the surface of the transparent substrate on the side where the shutter layer is provided.

  The shutter function film is preferably tungsten oxide or zinc oxide.

  It is preferable to have means for transmitting a signal for setting the illuminance of the displayed image to the display device.

  The display device according to the present invention is a display device capable of changing a video displayed using the display change glasses to a state of display / non-display for the viewer, and the display change glasses used by the viewer. Therefore, the illuminance of the video can be changed.

  The present invention is a video for realizing viewing of a 3D video by displaying a video for right eye and a video for left eye separately and allowing only the viewer's right eye and left eye to view the video, which is dedicated to the 3D video. This is suitable for eyeglasses, a video display device, and a video display system using them.

10 Visual glasses (glasses for changing display status)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Front frame 12 Left frame 13 Right frame 14a Left eye lens 14b Right eye lens 15 Communication apparatus 18 Control apparatus 19 Power supply apparatus 20 Switching apparatus 50 Video display apparatus (display apparatus)
70 Lens structure 71 Transparent substrate 72 Thin film layer part (shutter functional layer)
72a, 72d Transparent electrode film 72b Electrolyte film 72c Shutter function film 73 Protective resin layer

Claims (6)

Display state change glasses having a left-eye lens and a right-eye lens capable of switching a video displayed on a display device to a viewer between a display state and a non-display state.
The left-eye lens and the right-eye lens are respectively
A transparent substrate, and a shutter functional layer including a shutter functional film disposed on the transparent substrate,
The optical constant of the shutter functional film varies due to the presence or absence of voltage application to the shutter functional film, and the shutter functional film emits light incident on the shutter functional film according to the variation of the optical constant. The display state changing glasses are switched between a state of transmitting light and a state of blocking the light.   The display state changing glasses according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of the shutter function layers.   3. The display state changing glasses according to claim 1, wherein a main surface of the transparent substrate on the shutter functional layer side has an uneven shape.   The display shutter glasses according to claim 1, wherein the shutter functional film is made of tungsten oxide or zinc oxide.   5. The display state change glasses according to claim 1, wherein the shutter functional layer further includes two transparent electrode films arranged so as to sandwich the shutter functional film. 6.   When the left eye lens is in a display state and the right eye lens is in a non-display state for a viewer wearing the display state change glasses according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A display for displaying a viewer's left-eye image, and displaying a viewer's right-eye image when the left-eye lens is in a non-display state and the right-eye lens is in a display state. apparatus.

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