JP2000197075A - Stereoscopic video image display device without eyeglasses - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stereoscopic video image display device without eyeglasses, where a means to replace left/right video images is not needed and each person among many persons can properly view a stereoscopic video image, even when many persons view the video image. SOLUTION: This stereoscopic video image display device is provided with a video light source 1, that has a plurality of light emitting regions where lighting or extinguishing of each light-emitting region is switched, image display means 11, 12 with which a right eye video image and a left eye video image are temporarily alternately displayed on each of pixels arranged side by side, a 1st optical means 21, that leads a light from the video image light source 1 to each pixel and that forms a light source incoming light arrival narrow width region, corresponding to each light emitting region that is narrower in width than the width of each pixel in each pixel, a 2nd optical means 22 that leads light from the light source incoming light arrival narrow width region in each pixel to each of the left or right eye of viewers, and a light source control means 9 that controls lighting/extinguishing of each light emitting region of the light source 1, on the basis of an output of a sensor 10 which detects the positions of the viewers.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stereoscopic image display apparatus without glasses, which can observe a stereoscopic image without using special glasses.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method for realizing stereoscopic video display without requiring special glasses, a double lenticular system using two liquid crystal projectors and using a double lenticular screen as a screen has been proposed. In this method, as shown in FIG. 4, one liquid crystal projector 100a displays an image for the left eye, and the other liquid crystal projector 100b displays an image for the right eye,
In this method, the image is projected on a double lenticular screen 200 disposed in front of the image. The double lenticular screen 200 is a diffusion plate 200 for forming an image.
b, the lenticular screens 200a and 200c are arranged on both front and rear sides thereof so that the left and right images are formed by the action of the lenticular screen 200a on the incident side, that is, the liquid crystal projectors 100a and 100b. Is a vertical striped image 20
0bL and 200bR are formed alternately on the diffusion plate 200b. Then, of the vertical stripe-shaped images formed on the diffusion plate 200b by the action of the lenticular screen 200c arranged on the light emission side of the diffusion plate 200b, that is, the observer side, the stripe image for the right eye is the observer. The striped image for the left eye (3R) of the observer 300 is separated and guided to the left eye (3L) of the observer 300. An observer who observes these vertical stripe images for the right and left eyes with the left and right eyes can observe a stereoscopic image without wearing special glasses due to the function of binocular parallax.

In this type of three-dimensional image display apparatus, as shown in FIG. 5, at an optimum observation distance (D in the figure) from the screen 200, regions in which a right-eye image or a left-eye image can be observed alternately. Exists. In FIG. 5, the arrow indicated by R is the right-eye image observation region, and the arrow indicated by L is the left-eye image observation region. Therefore,
When the observer's right eye 3R is in the R region and the left eye 3L is in the L region (position A in the figure), stereoscopic vision is possible, but in the opposite case (B in the figure), , And it becomes impossible to observe a stereoscopic image.

[0006] Conventionally, as a method for preventing a pseudo-viewing state due to a head position shift of an observer, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a sensor 1 for detecting the position of the head of the observer 300 is used.
0, the position of the head of the observer 300 is detected.
It is known that the images of 00a and 100b (not shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) are exchanged, and the displayed left and right images are exchanged. With such a structure, when the observer 300 moves from the state where the observer 300 is located at the regular image observation position to the reverse viewing position as shown in FIG. 6, the displayed left and right images are exchanged as shown in FIG. Can be located at the position of the right eye of R, and the image observation region of L shown at the diamond can be located at the position of the observer's left eye.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, when the observer moves to the reverse viewing position, a means for switching the left and right images in accordance with the movement is required. In the case of a large-screen display, observation is often performed by a plurality of persons. In this case, when only one observer moves, if the left and right images are switched by head tracking, the observer moves to a regular image observation position. There is a disadvantage that some other observers cannot observe a proper image.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention does not require a means for exchanging the left and right images, and allows each person to properly observe a stereoscopic image even when observing by a large number of people. It is an object of the present invention to provide a stereoscopic image display device without glasses.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a three-dimensional image display apparatus without glasses according to the present invention has a plurality of light-emitting areas, and can switch between light emission and light-off in each light-emitting area. Light source, and image display means for displaying the right-eye image and the left-eye image alternately in time in each pixel arranged in the horizontal direction, and guiding the light of the image light source to each pixel, and within each pixel, First optical means for forming a light source light reaching narrow region corresponding to each of the light emitting regions having a narrow width; and light from the light source light reaching narrow region in each pixel to a left eye or a right eye of an observer. A second optical means for guiding the light source and light source control means for controlling light emission and extinguishing of each light emitting area of the light source based on an output of a sensor for detecting a position of an observer.

With the above configuration, a narrower light source light reaching area (light emitting point) corresponding to each light emitting area having a narrower width in each pixel is formed. The light source control means controls light emission and extinguishing in each light emitting area, whereby the light source light reaching narrow area (light emitting point) in each pixel moves individually, and head tracking for the observer is performed. Is realized. In addition, as the number of light source light reaching narrow areas formed in each pixel is increased, more observers can be handled.

Further, a diffusion plate may be provided between the second optical unit and the pixel forming surface of the image display unit, and the diffusion plate may have a light source light reaching narrow region. With such a configuration, the light source light reaching narrow area can be brought close to the second optical means, so that the suitable viewing distance can be shortened.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a stereoscopic video display device without glasses according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 shows that the head of the observer 3B in FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a case.

The three-dimensional image display device without glasses according to this embodiment comprises an image light source 1 and an image display means (a liquid crystal display) for displaying a right-eye image and a left-eye image alternately temporally on each pixel arranged in a horizontal direction. The panel 11 and the video signal supply unit 12), and the incident side lenticular lens 21 as the first optical unit
, A light-emitting-side lenticular lens 22 serving as a second optical unit, a light source control unit 9, and a sensor 10.

The image light source 1 has eight light emitting areas, and can switch between light emission and light extinguishing in each light emitting area. Such a light source 1 may be configured by, for example, arranging eight fluorescent tubes vertically long, or a plurality of LEs.
D or EL elements may be arranged in the vertical direction to form one light emitting area, and eight light emitting areas may be provided. Of course, the number is not limited to eight.

The liquid crystal display panel 11 includes a liquid crystal layer, a pair of transparent glass plates provided so as to sandwich the liquid crystal layer, an ITO pixel electrode portion forming one transparent electrode, and an ITO solid electrode forming the other transparent electrode. It is provided with a pattern and an exit side / incident side polarizing plate. The image signal supply unit 12 processes the image signal and supplies the processed image signal to the liquid crystal panel 11. By this processing, the left-eye image and the right-eye image are temporally applied to each pixel arranged in the horizontal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 11. Will be displayed alternately.

The incident-side lenticular lens 21 has lens portions 21a,..., And condenses the light of the image light source 1 to each pixel portion of the liquid crystal display panel 11 where an image is displayed. The light source light reaching narrow width area (light emitting point) corresponding to each light emitting area having a width smaller than the pixel width at
To form In the drawing, ■ and □ drawn on the light emitting surface side of the liquid crystal display panel 11 do not exist as an object, but are collected on a liquid crystal pixel corresponding to a light emitting area of the light source 1 where light is emitted. Light spots (light emission points) are indicated by squares, and portions where light does not reach corresponding to light emission areas of the light source 1 where no light is emitted are indicated only by triangles.

The emission-side lenticular lens 22 has lens portions 22a,... Arranged at a pitch corresponding to the pixel pitch of the liquid crystal display panel 11. This lens part 2
.. Have a half pitch of the lens portion of the exit-side lenticular lens in FIG.

In the state shown in FIG. 1, two light-emitting regions emit light in the light source 1, and the two light-emitting regions emit light.
LCD panel 11 formed corresponding to one light emitting area
The light (left-eye image) from two light source light reaching narrow areas (light-emitting points) of each pixel (in this case, a left-eye image is displayed on each pixel) in the two pixels 3A, 3A, 3B
Is guided to each left eye. When the two light-emitting regions are turned off in the light source 1 and the light-emitting regions on the left side emit light, the respective pixels of the liquid crystal display panel 11 formed corresponding to the two light-emitting regions In this case, the light (right-eye image) from the two light source light reaching narrow areas (light emission points) of each of the two viewers 3A and 3B is displayed on the right of each of the two observers 3A and 3B. Guided to each eye.

The light source control unit 9 controls the light transmission and the light shielding of the shutter area according to the position of the observer 3,... Based on the output of the sensor 10. For example, if two observers (3
A, 3B), the light source 1 shown in FIG.
In synchronization with the display of the left eye image on each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 11, the third and seventh light emitting areas from the left as viewed in the figure emit light, and the right eye image is displayed on each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 11. In synchronization with this, time-division control is performed so that the second and sixth light emitting regions from the left in the drawing emit light. Also,
In FIG. 2 showing a state in which the head of the observer 3B has moved leftward from the state of FIG. 1 by the distance between the eyes, the light source 1 displays a left-eye image on each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 11. Synchronously, light is emitted from the third and sixth light emitting areas from the left as viewed in the figure, and in synchronism with the display of the right-eye image on each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 11, as viewed in the figure. Time division control is performed so as to emit light in the second and fifth light emitting areas from the left.

Here, when the entire light emitting area of the light source 1 emits light, the light from the light source reaches the whole of each pixel, and the image at the observation position of each pixel is much longer than the interocular distance. The range is so large that the observer cannot recognize the stereoscopic image. On the other hand, when one light emitting region of the light source 1 emits light, a part of each pixel (a narrow light source light reaching area) becomes a light emitting point, and an image of this part at an observation position corresponds to an interocular distance. It will be large. If the position of the above-mentioned part (the light source light reaching narrow area) is shifted by one, the image of the above-mentioned part at the observation position moves by a distance corresponding to the interocular distance.

Suppose that only the observer 3B moves from the state of FIG. 1 to the left as viewed in the drawing, as shown in FIG. The movement of the observer 3B is detected by the sensor 10, and this detection information is given to the light source control unit 9. The light source control unit 9 controls the light source 1 to turn on / off the light source area.
Give the F signal. The light source signal O for the light source 1 in this case
The N / OFF signal is a signal indicating that when a right-eye image is displayed on each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 11, the seventh light emitting region from the left as viewed in the drawing is turned off and the sixth light emitting region emits light. Thus, when a left-eye image is displayed on each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 11, the signal is such that the sixth light-emitting region from the left as viewed in the drawing is turned off and the fifth light-emitting region emits light. By moving the light emitting area in this manner, the position of a part of each pixel of the liquid crystal display panel 11 (the narrow light source light reaching area) is moved to the right by one position, and the position of each of the moved part The image at the observation position by the lens unit 22a is located on the left side by a distance corresponding to the interocular distance, and the observer 3B can appropriately perform stereoscopic vision even at the moved position. (Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a stereoscopic image display device without glasses according to the second embodiment. For convenience of description, members having the same functions as those in the configuration of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that the liquid crystal display panel 11
The diffusing plate 1 is located between the
3 and the arrangement of the incident-side lenticular lens 21 and the light source 1 are set so as to form an image on the diffusion plate 13. A part of each pixel of the liquid crystal display panel 11 (the light source light reaching narrow area) in which the diffusion plate 13 is disposed.
When the light passing through is formed on the diffusion plate 11, an image (light emission point) is formed at a position closer to the emission-side lenticular lens 22 than in the first embodiment.

That is, when the diffusion plate 13 is not provided, light is condensed on the liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal display panel, and this portion becomes a light emitting point, and the thickness of the emission side glass plate (not shown) in the liquid crystal display panel. The light-emitting point becomes farther from the emission-side lenticular lens 22 by the distance. However, the light-emission point is set to the light-emission-side lenticular lens 22 by providing the diffusion plate 13 and condensing (imaging) the light.
Distance (the distance between the exit-side lenticular lens and the observer who can properly view stereoscopically)
Can be shortened.

It should be noted that the description of the above embodiments is for describing the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing the scope thereof. Also, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment,
It goes without saying that various modifications are possible within the technical scope described in the claims.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, a lenticular lens is used as the first optical means and the second optical means, but a parallax barrier may be used instead. In addition, a so-called multi-view three-dimensional image display device without glasses can be configured by changing a display image according to the position of the observer (switching and displaying images captured from multiple directions as appropriate).

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the observer moves to the reverse viewing position, there is no need for a means for switching the left and right images accordingly.
Even when observing with a large number of people, there is an effect that each person can properly observe a stereoscopic image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a stereoscopic video display device without glasses according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state when one observer has moved between eyes from the state shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a stereoscopic video display device without glasses according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a conventional stereoscopic video display device without glasses.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining that regions in which a right-eye image and a left-eye image can be observed alternately exist in the configuration of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing how the left and right display images are switched in accordance with the position of the observer in the configuration of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which left and right display images are switched according to the position of an observer in the configuration of FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image light source 9 Light source control part 10 Sensor 11 Liquid crystal display panel 12 Video signal supply part 13 Diffusion plate 21 Incident side lenticular lens 22 Exit side lenticular lens

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Goro Hamegishi 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka F-term in Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 2H059 AA33 5C061 AA06 AB12 AB14 AB16 AB17 AB24

Claims (2)

[Claims] An image light source having a plurality of light-emitting regions and capable of switching between light emission and light-off in each light-emitting region, and a right-eye image and a left-eye image alternately temporally alternately in each pixel arranged in a horizontal direction. Image display means for displaying, and first optics for guiding the light of the image light source to each pixel and forming a light source light reaching narrow area corresponding to each light emitting area having a narrower width within each pixel. Means, and second optical means for guiding light from the light source light reaching narrow area in each pixel to the left or right eye of the observer,
A stereoscopic image display device without glasses, comprising: light source control means for controlling light emission and extinguishing of each light emitting area of the light source based on an output of a sensor for detecting a position of a viewer. 2. A light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein a diffusion plate is provided between said second optical means and a pixel forming surface of said image display means, and a narrow light source light reaching area is formed on said diffusion plate. The stereoscopic image display device without glasses according to claim 1.