JP2003202518A - Stereoscopic image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem wherein flicker is caused in an observed image by a conventional stereoscopic image display device if a display device of a high response speed (a refresh rate is ≥120 Hz) is not used as an image display device. <P>SOLUTION: In the stereoscopic image display device having light separation systems 6 to 8 for separating left eye image light and right eye image light in accordance with the phase states of the left eye image light and right eye image light generated by an image light generation system, the image light generation system is provided with a left eye image display means 1 for generating left eye image light, a first polarization element 3 oppositely arranged on the display surface of the means 1, a right eye image display means 2 for generating right eye image light, a second polarization element 4 oppositely arranged on the display surface of the means 2, and an image light synthesis means 5 for synthesizing the left eye image light and the right eye image light having respectively different phase states. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

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 device capable of observing a stereoscopic image, and more particularly to a device suitable for stereoscopic image display in a television, a video, a computer monitor, a game machine and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a stereoscopic image display device, there are those disclosed in Japanese Patent Nos. 2778543 and 2882393. As an example of the stereoscopic image display device disclosed in these publications, a display device that alternately displays a right-eye image and a left-eye image that have binocular parallax information temporally, and forward and backward in front of the display device. Arranged first and second parabolts in which light-transmitting regions and light-shielding regions are alternately formed in long stripes in a direction parallel to the vertical direction of the display image displayed on the display device. In order to observe only the image for the right eye from the Lux barrier and the observer's right eye and only the image for the left eye from the left eye, in synchronization with the display switching between the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye. , And a moving mechanism that moves at least one of the first parallax barrier and the second parallax barrier in the left-right direction of the display image.

The stereoscopic image display device disclosed in the above publication, for example, displays a right eye image and left eye image having binocular disparity information alternately in time, and a front surface of the display device. And a parallax barrier in which light-transmitting regions and light-shielding regions are alternately formed in long stripes in a direction parallel to the vertical direction of the display image displayed on the display device. Located on the front of the Lux barrier or between the display and the parallax barrier,
Areas that transmit light and areas that shield light are formed alternately in long stripes in a direction parallel to the vertical direction of the display image displayed on the display device, and these areas can be inverted from each other. And an electronic optical shutter array, in the electronic optical shutter array, so that only the image for the right eye is observed from the right eye of the observer and only the image for the left eye is observed from the left eye, the image for the right eye And a region for transmitting the light and a region for blocking the light are switched in synchronization with the display switching of the image for the left eye.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional stereoscopic image display device, (1) unless a display having a high response speed (refresh rate of 120 Hz or more) is used as the image display device, an observed image is displayed. Flicker occurs. Therefore, T
If a display having a response speed of about 60 Hz, which is widely used as a V monitor or a PC monitor, is used, flicker occurs.

(2) A stereoscopic image with no reduction in resolution is obtained by driving and controlling the parallax barrier, using a shutter that electrically switches between transmission and light shielding, and using a polarization control element that electrically switches the polarization direction. it's shown. For this reason, since a member that constitutes a drive mechanism and a control device of the parallax barrier and a special member such as the shutter and the polarization control element described above are required, the stereoscopic image display device becomes expensive.

Therefore, the present invention has a response speed of 60H, which is widely used as a TV monitor or a PC monitor.
Flicker does not occur even when using a display of about z,
Providing a low-priced stereoscopic image display device that can display stereoscopic images with no reduction in resolution without using the components that make up the drive mechanism and control device of the parallax barrier, or special members such as the shutters and polarizing elements described above. The purpose is to do.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, in the first invention of the present application, the image light for the left eye for entering the left eye of the observer and the right eye for entering the right eye. Stereo having an image light generation system for generating the image light for use and a light separation system for separating the image light for the left eye and the image light for the right eye according to the phase state of the both image lights generated by the image light generation system In the image display device, the image light generation system includes a left-eye image display unit that generates left-eye image light, and a first polarizing element that is arranged to face the display surface of the left-eye image display unit. The light is emitted from the right-eye image display unit that generates right-eye image light, the second polarizing element that is arranged to face the display surface of the right-eye image display unit, and the first and second polarizing elements, respectively. , Combining left-eye image light and right-eye image light in different phase states It has a configuration having an image combining means.

As a result, flicker does not occur even when a display having a response speed of about 60 Hz, which is widely used as a TV monitor or a PC monitor, is used, and
It is not necessary to use a member that constitutes a parallax barrier drive mechanism or a control device as in the related art, or a special member such as a shutter or a polarization control element. Therefore, it is possible to provide a stereoscopic image display device capable of displaying a stereoscopic image with no flicker and no reduction in resolution at a low price.

As the image light synthesizing means, a beam splitter, a polarization preserving screen having a property of preserving the polarization direction of incident light, or the like can be used, and the left eye image light synthesized by the image light synthesizing means can be used. Also, it is preferable that the phase difference between the image light for the right eye is approximately π.

In the light separation system, first and second phases are formed in which two types of regions, which exert different optical effects on the incident light depending on the phase state of the incident light, are alternately formed in the left-right direction. An optical element and a light separation element for separating two types of incident light having different phase states from each other,
Both image lights generated by the image light combining means pass through these phase optical elements in the order of the first phase optical element and the second phase optical element and then enter the light separation element, and at the same time, the second phase optical element. Has two kinds of phase states that can be separated by the light separating element when entering the light separating means after passing through, and both image lights are elliptically polarized light (or circularly polarized light) and It is recommended that the difference be an odd multiple of π.

In the second invention of the present application, an image light generation system for generating the image light for the left eye for entering the left eye of the observer and the image light for the right eye for entering the right eye, and In a stereoscopic image display device having a light separation system that separates the image light for the left eye and the image light for the right eye according to the phase state of both image lights generated by the image light generation system, the light separation systems are respectively incident. First and second phase optical elements in which two types of regions, which exert different optical effects on light according to the phase state of the incident light, are alternately formed in the left-right direction, and two types of incident light having different phase states from each other. A light separating element for separating light is provided, and at least one of the first and second phase optical elements is positionally adjustable in at least one of the left-right direction and the front-rear direction.

Further, in the third invention of the present application, an image light generation system for generating the image light for the left eye to be incident on the left eye of the observer and the image light for the right eye to be incident on the right eye, and In the stereoscopic image display device having a light separation system for separating the image light for the left eye and the image light for the right eye according to the phase state of both image lights generated by the image light generation system, the light separation system,
First and second phase optical elements in which two types of regions, which respectively exert different optical effects on the incident light depending on the phase state of the incident light, are alternately formed in the left-right direction, and the phase states differ from each other. A first and second phase optics based on a detector for detecting the position of an observer and a position of the observer detected by the detector, the detector including a light separating element for separating incident light of various types. Position control means for moving at least one of the elements in at least one of the left-right direction and the front-back direction is provided.

As in the second and third inventions, at least one of the first and second phase optical elements enables position adjustment or position control in at least one of the left-right direction and the front-back direction. Therefore, it is possible to always display a stereoscopic image that is easy to see regardless of the position of the observer with respect to the stereoscopic image display device.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Explanation of Principle) First, the principle of the stereoscopic image display device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 10 shows an optical configuration of the stereoscopic image display device as a plan view.

The stereoscopic image display device can be roughly divided into the following three systems. (A) Image light generation system (B) Stripe phase optical system (C) Light separation system The above-mentioned systems have the following properties.

(A) Image Light Generation System In the image light generation system, the image light R for the right eye for entering the right eye of the observer and the image light L for the left eye for entering the left eye of the observer. And are generated, and these are combined to enter the stripe phase optical system of (B). The two image lights form images having parallax with each other, and both have low directivity and enter the stripe phase optical system of (B) at various angles.

Here, the phases of the two image lights are φ
_It is defined as _R and φ _L. However, the phase here is defined as follows.

When light is considered as a transverse wave and the propagation direction of the light is defined as the z-axis direction and arbitrary orthogonal axes in a plane perpendicular to the z-axis direction are defined as the x-axis and the y-axis, the x-component and the y-component of the electric field Functions Ex (x, y, z, t), Ey (x,
y, z, t) is expressed as follows.

Ex (x, y, z, t) = Ax.cos
(Ωt−kz + φx) Ey (x, y, z, t) = Ay · cos (ωt−kz
+ Φy) where t is time, x, y, z are positions in space, and ω is angular frequency of light wave.

At this time, φx and φy represent the phases of these waves, but in the case of light waves, the difference φ between them is generally expressed.
= Φx−φy is called the phase of the light wave. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, the image light R for the right eye according to the above definition.
It is possible to define the phase phi _L of the phase phi _R and the left-eye image light L.

(B) Stripe Phase Optical System The stripe phase optical system is constructed by arranging two stripe phase optical elements so as to overlap each other in the traveling direction of image light.

Each stripe phase optical element is constituted by vertically and vertically (up and down direction: a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 10) two types of elongated areas arranged alternately in the horizontal direction.

The above-mentioned two types of regions are divided according to the magnitude of the optical action with respect to the phase of the incident light, that is, the difference in the phase difference given to the light. In FIG. 10, these 2
The area of the type is shown by a shaded area and a white area.

For example, the region A (the hatched portion in the drawing) of the first stripe phase optical element gives a phase difference a to the incident light. That is, the phase of the light emitted from the area A is the area A
The phase of the light incident on is advanced by a. Similarly, the region B (white portion in the figure) gives a phase difference of b to the incident light.

On the other hand, also in the second stripe phase optical element, similarly, the region C (white portion in the drawing) gives a phase difference of c to the incident light, and the region D (hatched portion in the drawing) A phase difference of d is given to the incident light.

(C) Light separation system The light emitted from the stripe phase optical system of (B) is mixed and incident on the light separation system. At this time, the light separation system includes an optical element having a property of selectively separating a plurality of lights having mutually different phases according to the phase states thereof, for example, a linear polarization plate.

Here, the linear polarizing plate has a property of transmitting only one of p-polarized light and s-polarized light and absorbing the other,
Since the state of polarization such as polarized light or s-polarized light can be uniquely determined by determining the above-mentioned phase value,
In this case, it can be said that the linear polarization plate is a selective separation element according to the phase state of light.

As described above, the light separation system separates two types of light having a phase difference that is an odd multiple of π. The linear polarizing plate also has a separating function of p-polarized light and s-polarized light, but the phase difference between p-polarized light and s-polarized light is an odd multiple of π.

Next, a method for correctly directing the right-eye image light and the left-eye image light to the right eye and the left eye of the observer with the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. For the purpose of assisting the explanation, the phase difference given to the light in each area is written in each area of the two stripe phase optical elements in FIG.

The respective regions of the two striped phase optical elements are arranged so as to alternately overlap each other when viewed from the observer direction. A method for accurately determining the horizontal width of each region and the width between stripe phase optical elements will be described later. Here, the principle that the image light roughly proceeds in the right eye direction and the left eye direction will be described.

The light transmitted through the two striped phase optical elements can be classified into eight lights (1) to (8) depending on the phase state. The expressions on the right side of (1) to (8) in the figure represent the phase of each light.

For example, (1) is the image light for the right eye which passes through the area A of the first stripe phase optical element and the area C of the second stripe phase optical element. The phase of this light before entering the first stripe phase optical element is φ _R.
When this penetrates region A, the phase advances by a and region C
Since the phase further advances by c after passing through, the light (1) after passing through these two regions has a phase of φ _R + a + c.

Similarly, the phases of the other lights (2) to (8) are also represented by the equations shown in the figure.

As can be seen from this figure, the light transmitted through the areas A and C and the areas B and D is directed toward the right eye of the observer,
The light transmitted through the areas A and D and the areas B and C is directed toward the left eye of the observer.

In order to perform stereoscopic display, it is desirable that the image light for the right eye goes in the direction of the right eye and the image light for the left eye goes in the direction of the left eye. Therefore, the light (1), (2), ( 7) and (8) are transmitted through the light separation system (light separation element), and light (3), (4),
(5) and (6) are blocked by the light separation system (light separation element).

Therefore, the light separating element is required to have a separating action corresponding to the phase difference between the former light and the latter light.

As described above, as the light separating element, one that separates two kinds of light having a phase difference of an odd multiple of π is used, so that the light to be transmitted and the light to be blocked are used. The phase difference must be an odd multiple of π. This relationship is shown in FIG.

Further, since the lights of (1) to (8) are all mixed at the time of entering the light separation element, the lights to be transmitted and the lights to be blocked are equal in phase. That is, the phase difference must be an even multiple of π. This relationship is shown in FIG.

When the conditions that satisfy all the relationships of FIGS. 12 and 13 are obtained, the conditional expression as shown in FIG. 14 is obtained.

That is, in the stereoscopic image display apparatus of this embodiment, 1) the phase difference between the right-eye image light and the left-eye image light coincides with the phase difference separated by the light separation element (phase difference = π 2) Phase difference between adjacent regions of the first stripe phase optical element is an odd multiple of π 3) Phase difference between adjacent regions of the second stripe phase optical element is an odd multiple of π 4 ) The light separation element transmits the one of the two types of light having different phases and blocks the other (the phase difference is an odd multiple of π), so that the right-eye image light and the left-eye image light are satisfied. The image light for the eye is guided to the right eye and the left eye, respectively.

In order to correctly guide the above two types of image light to the right eye position and the left eye position of the observer, the structure and arrangement of the first stripe phase optical element and the second stripe phase optical element are geometrically arranged. It is necessary to decide according to the proper design. Such a design will be described in detail in the next embodiment.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a plan view for explaining the structure of a stereoscopic image display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

This stereoscopic image display device has the above-mentioned (A).
The display 1 that is the first image display element that constitutes the image light generation system of 1 and the display 2 that is the second image display element that is arranged at a position orthogonal to the display 1. The image input device 9 for the left eye is connected to the display 1, and the image input device 10 for the right eye is connected to the display 2.
Are connected.

In the image light generation system (A), the first polarizing plate 3 is provided on the display surface side of the display 1, and the second polarizing plate 4 is provided on the display surface side of the display 2. Has been.

A beam splitter 5 as an image synthesizing system is provided on the front surfaces of the polarizing plates 3 and 4 so as to form an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the display surfaces of the displays 1 and 2.

The displays 1 and 2 to the beam splitter 5 are unitized as an image light generation unit G.

On the front surface of the beam splitter 5,
Two striped phase optical elements 6 and 7 forming the striped phase optical system of (B) are provided, and the first striped phase optical element 6 is arranged in order from the beam splitter 5 side.
And the second stripe phase optical element 7 are arranged.

Further, on the front surface of the second stripe phase optical element 7, there is provided a third polarizing plate 8 as a light separating element constituting the light separating system of (C).

The stripe phase optical elements 6 and 7 and the polarizing plate 8 are unitized as an image separation unit F.

Next, details and functions of each of the above-mentioned constituent members will be described.

(Regarding Displays 1 and 2) An image for left eye having binocular disparity information is displayed on the display 1 by the image input device for left eye 9, and a right eye is displayed on the display 2 by the image input device for right eye 10. Image is displayed.

In the above-mentioned conventional example, the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye are displayed on one display in a time division manner, and the response speed is fast in order to prevent flicker during stereoscopic display. (Refresh rate 120Hz or more)
Had to use the display. Therefore, in the conventional example, there is a problem that the usable display is limited, but in the present embodiment, the response speed is 60H.
Since flicker does not occur even if a display of about z is used, the displays 1 and 2 can be CRTs, liquid crystal displays, plasma displays, projectors or the like which are widely spread as TV monitors and PC monitors. .

As the left-eye image input device 9 and the right-eye image input device 10, a VTR, a TV camera, a PC (personal computer) or the like can be used.

In the present embodiment, the display 1,
For No. 2, the liquid crystal display of the same display size is used, and the brightness and the contrast are adjusted equally.

However, even when the display size of the display is different, a magnification changing optical system may be added to correct the display size.

In the present embodiment, the left eye image input device 9 and the right eye image input device 10 use PCs.

Since the image displayed on the display 2 is mirror-inverted by the beam splitter 5 later, a mirror-inverted original image is displayed by the right-eye image input device 10 as a right-eye image to be displayed on the display 2. I am trying.

When a general VTR or the like is used, VT
A mirror inversion circuit may be provided between R and the display.

(Regarding Polarizing Plates 3 and 4) First Polarizing Plate 3
Is attached to the surface of the display 1 on the observation side and has a polarization axis in the angle direction of 45 ° to 225 ° of the XY coordinate system as shown in FIG.

The light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 3 is linearly polarized light in the direction of 45 ° -225 ° in the XY coordinate system,
This linearly polarized light is retained even after passing through the beam splitter 5.

The second polarizing plate 4 is attached to the surface of the display 2 on the observation side, and has a polarization axis in the angle direction of 45 ° to 225 ° of the ZY coordinate system as shown in FIG. There is.

The light transmitted through the second polarizing plate 4 is linearly polarized light in the direction of 45 ° -225 ° in the ZY coordinate system,
After being reflected by the beam splitter 5, the polarized light is mirror-inverted and becomes linearly polarized light in the directions of 135 ° to 315 ° in the XY coordinate system.

The linearly polarized light from the display 1 transmitted through the beam splitter 5 and the linearly polarized light from the display 2 reflected from the beam splitter 5 are orthogonal to each other.

In the present embodiment, the polarization axes of the first polarizing plate 3 and the second polarizing plate 4 are in the angular direction of 45 ° to 225 °, but the linear polarization by the display 1 transmitted through the beam splitter 5 is As long as the condition that the linearly polarized light from the display 2 reflected by the beam splitter 5 is orthogonal to each other, another combination of polarization axes may be used.

(Regarding Beam Splitter 5) The beam splitter 5 combines lights from two different directions into light in one direction. In this embodiment, the beam splitter 5
A semi-transmissive mirror having a reflectance of 50% and a transmittance of 50%, which is manufactured by depositing a dielectric film or a metal film on a glass substrate, is used.

In addition to this, it is also possible to use a polarization beam splitter or the like which combines light from two directions having different polarization directions into light in one direction.

(Regarding Stripe Phase Optical Elements 6 and 7) The first and second stripe phase optical elements 6 and 7 are incident light in stripes parallel to the vertical direction of the parallax images displayed on the displays 1 and 2, respectively. The polarization direction of 9
Areas that change 0 degree and areas that do not change the polarization direction are alternately formed.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, in the first stripe phase optical element 6, the regions 6a for changing the polarization direction by 90 degrees and the regions 6b for not changing the polarization direction are alternately arranged with the width H1. Has been formed.

A second stripe phase optical element 7 is provided at a distance L1 from the first stripe phase optical element 6 toward the observer.

In the second stripe phase optical element 7, regions 7a for changing the polarization direction by 90 degrees and regions 7b for not changing the polarization direction are alternately formed with a width H2.

(Regarding Polarizing Plate 8) The third polarizing plate 8 is
It is attached to the surface of the second stripe phase optical element 7 on the observer side and has a polarization axis in the angle direction of 45 ° -225 ° of the XY coordinate system as shown in FIG.

Next, the principle that the parallax images are separately observed by the left and right eyes of the observer will be described.

The image light for the left eye from the display 1 is linearly polarized in the direction of 45 ° -225 ° of the XY coordinate system in FIG. 2 by the first polarizing plate 3 and transmitted through the beam splitter 5. After that, this linearly polarized light is retained.

Here, since the third polarizing plate 8 has a polarization axis in the angle direction of 45 ° to 225 ° of the XY coordinate system in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. The image light for the left eye reaches the eye EL in the area 6a of the first stripe phase optical element 6 and the second stripe phase optical element 7.
7a and the left eye EL are arranged in the same straight line, and the area 6b of the first stripe phase optical element 6 and the region 7b of the second stripe phase optical element 7 are arranged in the same straight line with the left eye EL. This is the case.

At this time, the image light for the left eye from the display 1 does not reach the right eye ER of the observer because the area 6a of the first stripe phase optical element 6 and the area 7b of the second stripe phase optical element 7 are present. And the right eye ER are aligned in the same straight line, and the region 6b of the first stripe phase optical element 6
And the area 7a of the second stripe phase optical element 7 and the right eye E
This is the case where R and R are aligned in the same straight line.

That is, in FIG. 3, the first stripe phase optical element 6 and the second stripe phase optical element 7 are shown.
Is a straight line connecting the center of the region 6a and the center of the region 7a and a straight line connecting the center of the region 6b and the center of the region 7b.
A straight line connecting the center of the region 6a and the center of the region 7b so as to intersect at the position of
Are arranged so that the straight line connecting the centers of the two intersects at the position of the right eye ER.

On the other hand, the image light for the right eye from the display 2 is linearly polarized in the direction of 45 ° -225 ° of the ZY coordinate system in FIG. After being reflected, it becomes linearly polarized light in the directions of 135 ° to 315 ° of the XY coordinate system in FIG.

Since the third polarizing plate 8 has a polarization axis in the angular direction of 45 ° -225 ° of the XY coordinate system in FIG. 2, the right eye image is displayed on the right eye ER of the observer. Light reaches when the region 6a, the region 7b, and the right eye ER are aligned in the same straight line, and when the region 6b, the region 7a, and the right eye ER are aligned in the same straight line.

Further, at this time, the image light for the right eye of the display 2 does not reach the left eye EL of the observer in the area 6a.
The area 7a and the left eye EL are aligned in the same straight line, and the area 6b, the area 7b, and the left eye EL are aligned in the same straight line. This is the same condition as when the image for the left eye of the display 1 reaches only the left eye EL of the observer.

That is, when the image for the left eye of the display 1 is observed only by the observer's left eye EL, the display 2
The image for the right eye is observed only by the right eye ER of the observer. Thereby, the observer can observe a good binocular stereoscopic image without crosstalk.

Here, assuming that the distance between the eyes of the observer is E and the observation distance is L0, the following relational expression holds from the geometrical relation of FIG.

H1: E = L1: L0 H1: H2 = L1 + L0: L0 From this relational expression, when the average inter-eye distance E is set to 65 mm, the desired observation distance L0 and the stripe width H1 of the manufacturable stripe phase optical element are set. Is set, H2 and L1 are determined.

Further, the stereoscopic image display device of this embodiment is
It is also compatible with conventional stereoscopic display devices of the polarized glasses type.

That is, the first stripe phase optical element 6 and the second stripe phase optical element 7 shown in FIG.
The unit F including the third polarizing plate 8 is integrated,
Remove. In this state, the observer uses a polarizing plate having a polarization axis in the direction of 45 degrees to 225 degrees of the XY coordinate system shown in FIG. 2 for the left eye, and 135 degrees of the XY coordinate system shown in FIG. 2 for the right eye.
When observing with polarizing glasses provided with polarizing plates each having a polarization axis in the direction of 315 degrees, the observer can observe a stereoscopic image according to the same principle as that of the conventional stereoscopic image display device of the polarization spectacles type.

Furthermore, the stereoscopic image display device of this embodiment can see a normal 2D image. To view the 2D image, the normal 2D image is displayed on the display 1, and the 2D image displayed on the display 1 is displayed on the display 2.
It suffices to display an image obtained by mirror-reversing the image.

At this time, the display 1, the first polarizing plate 2, the display 2, the second polarizing plate 4, and the beam splitter 5 are integrated into a unit G, and the unit F is changed from the stereoscopic image display device. If the unit G is removed and only the unit G is removed, a 2D image brighter than the 2D image described above can be seen.

In each of the unit F and the unit G, highly accurate alignment of the constituent members is required. However, when combining the unit F and the unit G, highly accurate alignment is not required. The structure can be easily attached and detached.

In this embodiment, the display 1,
Image display light from the first polarizing plate 3 and the second polarizing plate 4
Although the third polarizing plate 8 is used to make linearly polarized light, it may be converted to circularly polarized light (or elliptically polarized light) by further using a λ / 4 plate.

FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are diagrams showing the configuration when circularly polarized light is used. In the figure, the components designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have the same functions. In this embodiment, the λ / 4 plate 24 and the λ / 4 plate 2 are added to the components of FIG.
5 is added. Specifically, in FIG.
/ 4 plate 24 and λ / 4 plate 25 to beam splitter 5
16 and the first stripe phase optical element 6, and in FIG. 16, the λ / 4 plate 24 is arranged between the beam splitter 5 and the first stripe phase optical element 6.
And the λ / 4 plate 25 are arranged between the second stripe phase optical element 7 and the third polarizing plate 8.

The λ / 4 plate 24 and the λ / 4 plate 25 convert linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light when linearly polarized light enters,
When circularly polarized light enters, it has the property of changing circularly polarized light to linearly polarized light.

In such a configuration, the lights that have been linearly polarized by the first polarizing plate 3 and the second polarizing plate 4 are combined by the beam splitter 5, and then linearly polarized light (= phase difference is π linearly polarized light).

These linearly polarized lights enter the λ / 4 plate 24 and are converted by the λ / 4 plate 24 into right-handed circularly polarized light and left-handed circularly polarized light (= circularly polarized light having a phase difference of π). .

Further, the circularly polarized light is converted into the third polarizing plate 8
Before entering, the light enters the λ / 4 plate 25 and is again converted into linearly polarized light (= linearly polarized light having a phase difference of π) orthogonal to each other.

Further, these linearly polarized lights are incident on the third polarizing plate 8, and the image for the left eye of the display 1 is observed only by the left eye of the observer, and the image for the right eye of the display 2 is observed by the observer. Block unwanted light so that it can be seen only by the right eye.

As a result, the observer can observe a good binocular stereoscopic image without crosstalk.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the display shown in FIG. When circularly polarized light is used, the images for the left and right eyes can be well separated even when the unit F is rotated with respect to the unit G on the XY plane in the drawing.

On the other hand, when linearly polarized light is used, for example, as shown in FIG.
In this case, if the polarization axes of the first polarizing plate 3 and the third polarizing plate 8 do not match, the images for the left and right eyes cannot be well separated, and crosstalk may occur. .

When circularly polarized light is used as described above, when the unit F and the unit G are aligned, the tolerance in the rotation direction on the XY plane in FIG. 17 is large. Therefore, when the linearly polarized light described in FIG. 1 is used. Compared with, there is an effect that it is not necessary to perform highly accurate alignment.

As described above, in the stereoscopic image display apparatus of this embodiment, a display having a response speed of about 60 Hz, which is generally widely used as a TV monitor or a PC monitor, is used as the left and right eye image generating means. No flicker occurs. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a display having a high response speed (refresh rate of 120 Hz or more) for time-divisionally switching and displaying the images for the left and right eyes unlike the conventional case.

Further, the members constituting the drive mechanism and the control device of the parallax barrier (the stripe phase optical elements 6 and 7 in this embodiment) as shown in the conventional example, and the special members such as the shutter and the polarization control element. Need not be used.

Therefore, it is possible to display a stereoscopic image with no flicker and no reduction in resolution with an inexpensive structure.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
It is a top view explaining the composition of the stereoscopic image display device which is an embodiment. The components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same functions as those in the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the projector 11 as the first image display means is provided and the projector 12 as the second image display means is provided.

The projector 11 is provided with a first polarizing plate 13 as a first polarizing element, and the projector 12 is similarly provided with a second polarizing plate 14 as a second polarizing element.

Further, a polarization preserving screen 15 which does not change the polarization direction is provided as an image synthesizing means.

On the surface of the screen 15 on the viewing side, the same two stripe phase optical elements as in the first embodiment are provided. On the surface of the second stripe phase optical element 7 on the observation side, a polarizing plate 18 as a third polarizing element is provided.

A left eye image input device 9 is connected to the projector 11, and a right eye image input device 10 is connected to the projector 12.

Next, details and functions of the above-mentioned respective constituent members will be described.

(Regarding the projectors 11 and 12) The left eye image input device 9 displays a left eye image having binocular disparity information on the projector 11, and the right eye image input device 10 displays a right eye image on the projector 12. Image is displayed.

Also in this embodiment, the response speed is 60 Hz.
Since flicker does not occur even if a projector of a similar size is used, the projector 11 and the projector 12
Can use a projector that is widely used as a TV monitor or a PC monitor.

As the left-eye image input device 9 and the right-eye image input device 10, a VTR, TV camera, PC (personal computer) or the like can be used.

In this embodiment, the projector 1
1 and the projector 12 use projectors having the same display size, and the brightness and the contrast are adjusted to be equal.

However, when the display size of the display is different, a magnification changing optical system may be added to correct the display size.

In the first embodiment described above,
As the image for the right eye to be displayed on the display 2, an image obtained by performing the mirror inversion processing on the original image by the right eye image input device 10 is displayed, but in the present embodiment, the mirror inversion processing is unnecessary.

(Regarding Polarizing Plates 13 and 14) The first polarizing plate 13 provided in the projector 11 has a polarization axis in the angle direction of 45 ° to 225 ° of the XY coordinate system as shown in FIG. .

The light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 13 is linearly polarized light in the directions of 45 ° to 225 ° in the XY coordinate system, and this linearly polarized light is retained even after being projected on the screen 15. .

The second polarizing plate 14 provided on the projector 12 has a XY coordinate system of 135 ° -31 as shown in FIG.
It has a polarization axis in the angle direction of 5 degrees.

The light transmitted through the second polarizing plate 14 is linearly polarized light in the direction of 135 ° -315 ° in the XY coordinate system, and this linearly polarized light is retained even after being projected on the screen 15. .

The linearly polarized light projected by the projector 11 on the screen 15 and the linearly polarized light by the projector 12 are orthogonal to each other.

In this embodiment, the first polarizing plate 13
Polarization axis is 45 degrees-225 in the XY coordinate system in FIG.
The polarization axis of the second polarizing plate 14 is set to an angle direction of 135 degrees to 315 degrees of the XY coordinate system in FIG. 5, but the linearly polarized light by the projector 11 projected on the screen 15 and the linearly polarized light by the projector 12 are orthogonal to each other. Other polarization axes may be combined as long as the condition of being satisfied is satisfied.

(Regarding Screen 15) Screen 1
Reference numeral 5 is a transmissive screen that does not disturb the polarization direction of the projected light. In the case of the reflection type, a silver screen or the like using a metal reflection surface can be used.

In the three-dimensional image display device of this embodiment, in a commonly used diffusion type screen, the projection light is diffused in the diffusion layer of the screen and the polarization direction is disturbed. It is unsuitable as a means.

(Regarding Polarizing Plate 18) Third Polarizing Plate 18
Is affixed to the surface of the second stripe phase optical element 7 on the observation side, and has an XY coordinate system of 45 as shown in FIG.
It has a polarization axis in the angle direction of -225 degrees.

Next, the principle that the parallax images are separately observed by the left and right eyes of the observer will be described. Projector 1
The image for the left eye displayed in No. 1 is linearly polarized in the direction of 45 degrees to 225 degrees of the XY coordinate system in FIG. 5 by the first polarizing plate 13, and even after being projected on the screen 15. , This linearly polarized light is retained.

Since the third polarizing plate 18 has a polarization axis in the angle direction of 45 ° -225 ° of the XY coordinate system in FIG. 5, only the left eye EL of the observer for the left eye is used. In order for the image to arrive, the image shown in FIG.
It suffices to satisfy the condition of.

On the other hand, at this time, the image light for the right eye from the projector 12 is linearly polarized in the direction of 135 ° -315 ° of the XY coordinate system in FIG. This linearly polarized light is retained even after being projected on.

Since the third polarizing plate 18 has a polarization axis in the angle direction of 45 ° -225 ° of the XY coordinate system in FIG. 5, only the right eye ER of the observer for the right eye is used. In order for the image to arrive, the image shown in FIG.
It suffices to satisfy the condition of.

That is, the same relationship as in the first embodiment is established also in this embodiment, and when the image for the left eye of the projector 11 is observed only by the left eye EL of the observer, the image for the right eye of the projector 12 becomes It will be observed only by the observer's right eye ER.

As a result, the observer can observe a good binocular stereoscopic image without crosstalk.

FIG. 6 shows an application example of the stereoscopic image display device of this embodiment. The first stripe phase optical element 6, the second stripe phase optical element 7 and the third polarizing plate 18 shown in FIG. 4 are integrated into a unit H, and the projector 11 and the first polarizing plate 12 shown in FIG. The projector 12, the second polarizing plate 14, and the screen 15 are integrated into a unit I.

Similar to the first embodiment, in each of the unit H and the unit I, highly accurate alignment of the constituent members is required, but when combining the unit H and the unit I, highly accurate alignment is required. do not need.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, if a plurality of units H are provided, a plurality of observers M1 to M3 can see a stereoscopic image.

Further, the stereoscopic image display device of this embodiment is also compatible with the conventional stereoscopic display device of the polarized glasses type.

Specifically, the unit H shown in FIG. 4 is removed from the unit I. In this state, the observer uses a polarizing plate having a polarization axis in the direction of 45 degrees to 225 degrees of the XY coordinate system shown in FIG. 5 for the left eye and 135 of the XY coordinate system shown in FIG. 5 for the right eye. When observing using polarizing glasses provided with polarizing plates each having a polarization axis in the direction of −315 degrees, the observer can observe a stereoscopic image according to the same principle as that of a conventional stereoscopic image display device of the polarization spectacles type.

Also, a normal 2D image can be viewed in the stereoscopic image display device of this embodiment. In this case, a normal two-dimensional image may be displayed on the projectors 11 and 12. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, if the unit H is removed from the stereoscopic image display apparatus of the present embodiment and only the unit I is provided, a 2D image brighter than the 2D image described above can be viewed.

Also in this embodiment, the image display light from the projectors 11 and 12 is supplied to the first polarizing plate 13 as well.
The second polarizing plate 14 and the third polarizing plate 18 are used to form linearly polarized light, respectively, which are further converted into circularly polarized light (or elliptically polarized light) by using a λ / 4 plate. You may do it.

18 and 19 show an example of the structure when circularly polarized light is used. In the figure, constituent elements designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 4 have the same functions.

In this embodiment, in comparison with the constituent elements of FIG.
/ 4 plate 24 and λ / 4 plate 25 are added.
Circularly polarized light can also be used in this embodiment based on the same principle as that described in the embodiment with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the stereoscopic image display device shown in FIG. Similar to the first embodiment,
When circularly polarized light is used, the images for the left and right eyes can be satisfactorily separated even if the unit H is rotated with respect to the unit I on the XY plane in the drawing.

On the other hand, when linearly polarized light is used, for example, in the case of FIG. 5, if the polarization axes of the first polarizing plate 13 and the third polarizing plate 18 do not match, images for the left and right eyes are good. However, crosstalk may occur.

When the circularly polarized light is used as described above, the rotational directions on the XY plane in FIG. 20 can be allowed when aligning the unit H and the unit I, and therefore, compared with the case where the linearly polarized light described in FIG. 4 is used. Further, there is an effect that it is not necessary to perform highly accurate alignment.

FIG. 21 shows a case where circularly polarized light is applied to the application example described with reference to FIG. The positional relationship between the first stripe phase optical element 6 or the second stripe phase optical element 7 in the unit H and the left and right eyes of the observers M1 to M3 using the unit H is the same as the positional relationship described in FIG. If satisfied, the rotation directions on the XY plane of FIG. 20 are allowed, and thus the observers M1 to M3 can satisfactorily separate the images for the left and right eyes even if their heads are tilted to the left and right.

That is, when linearly polarized light is used,
It is necessary for all observers to hold the same posture for observation, but when circularly polarized light is used, there is no need for this and there is an effect that the degree of freedom in the installation space of the display increases.

As described above, in the stereoscopic image display apparatus of this embodiment, a display having a response speed of about 60 Hz, which is widely used as a TV monitor or a PC monitor, is used as the left and right eye image generating means. No flicker occurs. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a display having a high response speed (refresh rate of 120 Hz or more) for time-divisionally switching and displaying the images for the left and right eyes unlike the conventional case.

Further, the members constituting the drive mechanism and the control device of the parallax barrier (the stripe phase optical elements 6 and 7 in this embodiment) as shown in the conventional example, and the special members such as the shutter and the polarization control element. Need not be used.

Therefore, it is possible to display a stereoscopic image with no flicker and no reduction in resolution with an inexpensive structure.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a plan view for explaining the structure of a stereoscopic image display apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The components with the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are
It has the same function as that of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, an observer position detector 20 for detecting a position where an observer is observing the stereoscopic image display device as a spatial coordinate value is added to the stereoscopic image display device described in the first embodiment. A first drive mechanism 21 for moving the first stripe phase optical element 6 and a second drive mechanism 22 for moving the second stripe phase optical element 7.
A control circuit (position control means) 23 for controlling the operations of these drive mechanisms 21 and 22 is added.

In the stereoscopic image display devices of the first and second embodiments, the area where the stereoscopic image can be satisfactorily observed is fixed to a specific narrow area. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the position of the observer is detected by the observer position detector 20, the movement of the observer M is followed, and the first and second stripe phase optical elements 6 and 7 are relatively moved. By letting
This is to change the area in which a stereoscopic image can be satisfactorily observed.

First, the principle of changing the stereoscopically observable region in accordance with the position of the observer M will be described. FIG. 8 illustrates a case where the observer M moves in the left-right direction.

Here, consider a case where the observer's left eye EL has moved by the distance X in the direction of the arrow. In order for the image light for the left eye from the display 1 to reach only the left eye EL,
It suffices to satisfy the condition of FIG. 3 described in the first embodiment.

That is, the center of the region 6a of the first stripe phase optical element 6 and the second stripe phase optical element 7 are arranged.
The line connecting the center of the area 7a of the first stripe phase optical element 6 and the line connecting the center of the area 6b of the first stripe phase optical element 6 and the center of the area 7b of the second stripe phase optical element 7 are the left eye EL.
So that they intersect at the position of and the center of the area 6a and the area 7
A straight line connecting the center of b and the center of the region 6b and the region 7a
The first stripe phase optical element 6 and the second stripe phase optical element 7 may be arranged so that the straight line connecting to the center of is intersected at the position of the right eye ER.

In the case of FIG. 8A, the above condition can be satisfied by moving the first stripe phase optical element 6 by a distance x'in the direction opposite to the direction in which the observer has moved.

At this time, the distance x ′ for moving the first stripe phase optical element 6 can be obtained from the following relational expression from the geometrical relation in FIG. 8A.

X: L0 = x ': L1 When the observer moves the distance X in the horizontal direction in this way, the first stripe phase optical element 6 is moved by the distance x'in the direction opposite to the direction in which the observer moves. By doing so, it is possible to change the region in which stereoscopic observation is possible by following the position of the observer.

In the case of FIG. 8B, the above condition can be satisfied by moving the second stripe phase optical element 7 by the distance x ″ in the same direction as the observer moves.

At this time, the distance x ″ for moving the second stripe phase optical element 7 can be obtained from the following relational expression from the geometrical relation in FIG. 8B.

X: (L0 + L1) = x ″: L1 When the observer moves the distance X in the left-right direction in this way, the distance x ″ in the same direction as the observer moves the second stripe phase optical element 7. By just moving
It is possible to change the area in which stereoscopic observation is possible by following the position of the observer.

FIG. 9 illustrates the case where the observer M moves in the front-back direction. Here, consider a case where the observer's left eye EL has moved a distance Z in the direction of the arrow.

In order for the image light for the left eye from the display 1 to reach only the left eye EL, it is sufficient to satisfy the condition of FIG. 3 as in the case of left and right movement.

That is, the straight line connecting the center of the region 6a and the center of the region 7a and the straight line connecting the center of the region 6b and the center of the region 7b intersect at the position of the left eye EL and the center of the region 6a. The straight line connecting the center of the region 7b and the straight line connecting the center of the region 6b and the center of the region 7a are the right eye ER.
The first stripe phase optical element 6 and the second stripe phase optical element 7 may be arranged so as to intersect at the position.

In the case of FIG. 9A, the above condition can be satisfied by moving the first stripe phase optical element 6 by a distance z'in the direction opposite to the direction in which the observer has moved.

At this time, the distance z ′ for moving the first stripe phase optical element 6 can be obtained from the following relational expression from the geometrical relation in FIG. 9A.

Z ′: Z = L1: L0 When the observer moves the distance Z in the front-back direction in this way, the first stripe phase optical element 6 is moved by the distance z ′ in the direction opposite to the direction in which the observer moves. By doing so, it is possible to change the region in which stereoscopic observation is possible by following the position of the observer.

In the case of FIG. 9B, the above condition can be satisfied by moving the second stripe phase optical element 7 by the distance z ″ in the same direction as the direction in which the observer has moved.

At this time, the distance z ″ for moving the second stripe phase optical element 7 can be obtained from the following relational expression from the geometrical relation in FIG. 9B.

Z ″: Z = L1: L0 + L1 In this way, when the observer moves the distance Z in the front-back direction, the second stripe phase optical element 7 is moved by the distance z ″ in the same direction as the observer moves. By doing so, it is possible to change the region in which stereoscopic observation is possible by following the position of the observer.

Next, details and functions of each of the above-mentioned components will be described.

(Regarding Observer Position Detector 20) The observer position detector 20 can use various methods capable of detecting the position of the observer in the horizontal direction and the front-back direction.

For example, a method in which an image of an observer is photographed by a TV camera and the center position of the face of the observer is obtained by image processing can be used.

In order to detect the position of the observer in the front-back direction,
A so-called camera or other known autofocus method or a stereo camera distance measurement method may be used.

(Regarding Driving Mechanisms 21 and 22) The first driving mechanism 21 moves the first stripe phase optical element 6 in the horizontal direction, and the second driving mechanism 22 moves the second stripe phase optical element 7. It is moved in the anteroposterior direction of the observer.

(Regarding Control Circuit 23) The control circuit 23 is composed of a PC (personal computer) or the like, and moves the observer M in the left-right direction from the coordinate value of the position of the observer M detected by the observer position detector 20. The direction and the moving distance and the moving direction and the moving distance in the front-back direction are calculated.
Then, based on the calculation result, the first drive mechanism 21
The first stripe phase optical element 6 is driven in the left-right direction to control the position, and the second drive mechanism 22 drives the second stripe phase optical element 7 in the front-rear direction to control the position.

Explaining in more detail, the control circuit 23
Calculates the coordinate value of the position of the observer M detected by the observer position detector 20 in advance, and when the observer M moves, calculates the horizontal movement distance X and the front-back movement distance Z. Then, at this time, the lateral movement amount x ′ of the first stripe phase optical element 6 and the longitudinal movement amount z ″ of the second stripe phase optical element 6 are calculated.

Further, the control circuit 23 includes the drive mechanism 21,
22 is controlled to move the first stripe phase optical element 6 in the left-right direction by the distance x ′ and move the second stripe phase optical element 7 in the front-rear direction by the distance z ″.

This makes it possible to change the area in which the stereoscopic image can be satisfactorily observed by following the movement of the observer.

In this embodiment, the case where the first stripe phase optical element 6 is moved in the left-right direction and the second stripe phase optical element 7 is moved in the front-rear direction has been described. Only the element 6 may be moved in both the left-right direction and the front-back direction, or only the second stripe phase optical element 7 may be moved in both the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. Also,
The first stripe phase optical element 6 may be moved in the front-back direction and the second stripe phase optical element 7 may be moved in the left-right direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the observer position detector 20 and the control circuit 23 are provided so as to follow and control the observation region corresponding to the position of the observer M.
Instead of the observer position detector 20, an operating device for an observer to set an arbitrary observation position may be provided.

FIG. 22 shows a stereoscopic image display device provided with an operating device 26 for setting an observation position instead of the observer position detector 20. 23 shows an example of the operating device 26.

The operating device 26 includes an infrared light projecting portion 27a.
Infrared wireless switch 2 including an infrared ray receiving section 27b
7 is used.

Reference numeral 28 denotes an input key for setting an observation position provided on the operating device 26. When the input key 28 is operated, the infrared light emitting section 27a emits light, and this light (signal) is received by the infrared light receiving section 27b. Is received by.

28a, 28b, 28c and 28d are setting switches for changing the observation position to left, right, front and rear, respectively.

The optical signal output from the infrared projector 27a in response to the switch input operation on the operating device 26 is transmitted to the control circuit 23 via the infrared receiver 27b, and the control circuit 23 receives the input optical signal. In the direction corresponding to the first stripe phase optical element 6 and the second stripe phase optical element 7 via the first and second drive mechanisms 21 and 22.
Is moved so that the stereoscopically observable region substantially coincides with the position selected by the observer M by the switch input operation.

As described above, the stereoscopic image display apparatus of this embodiment uses a TV monitor or a P monitor as the displays 1 and 2 for time-divisionally switching and displaying the left and right eye images.
Flicker does not occur even if a projector having a response speed of about 60 Hz, which is generally widely used for C monitors, is used. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a display having a high response speed (refresh rate of 120 Hz or more) as in the conventional case.

Further, it is not necessary to use a special shutter device or polarization control element driven in synchronization with the switching of the images for the left and right eyes as in the conventional case.

Therefore, it is possible to display a stereoscopic image with no flicker and no reduction in resolution with an inexpensive structure.

Moreover, since the area in which the stereoscopic image can be satisfactorily observed can be changed in accordance with the movement of the observer M with respect to the stereoscopic image display device, the stereoscopic image can be displayed at the observation position and the observation posture that the observer M prefers. Can be observed.

[0188]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Flicker does not occur even if a display having a response speed of about 60 Hz, which is widely used as a TV monitor or a PC monitor, is used. Further, it is not necessary to use a member that constitutes a drive mechanism and a control device for a parallax barrier as in the related art or a special member such as a shutter and a polarization control element. Therefore, it is possible to realize a stereoscopic image display device that can display a stereoscopic image that does not cause flicker and has no reduction in resolution with an inexpensive configuration.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration of a stereoscopic image display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stereoscopic image display device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a geometrical explanatory view showing a state of image light in the stereoscopic image display device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a configuration of a stereoscopic image display device which is a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the stereoscopic image display device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an application example of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a configuration of a stereoscopic image display device which is a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the principle of changing the stereoscopically observable region in accordance with the movement of the observer in the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the principle of changing the region in which stereoscopic observation is possible by following the movement of the observer in the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the stereoscopic image display device according to each of the above embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a principle explanatory diagram showing a state of image light in the stereoscopic image display device of each of the above-described embodiments.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a phase state of image light in the stereoscopic image display device of each of the embodiments.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a phase state of image light in the stereoscopic image display device of each of the embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a relational expression that should be satisfied in the stereoscopic image display device according to each of the embodiments.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a configuration when circularly polarized light is used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a configuration when circularly polarized light is used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a configuration when circularly polarized light is used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing the configuration when circularly polarized light is used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a configuration when circularly polarized light is used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a configuration when circularly polarized light is used in the second embodiment.

21 is a plan view showing a configuration when circularly polarized light is used in the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 22 is a plan view showing a modified example of the third embodiment.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of an operating device used in the modified example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,2 display 3,13 First polarizing plate 4,14 Second polarizing plate 5 Beam splitter 6 First stripe phase optical element 7 Second stripe phase optical element 8,18 Third polarizing plate 9 Left eye image input device 10 Right eye image input device 11,12 projector 15 Polarization preserving screen 20 Observer position detector 21 First Drive Mechanism 22 Second drive mechanism 23 Control circuit 24,25 λ / 4 plate 26 Operating device 27 infrared wireless switch 28 Input key

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yoshihiro Saito             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation (72) Inventor Hideki Morishima             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation (72) Inventor Tsutomu Osaka             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation (72) Inventor Akinari Takagi             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation F-term (reference) 5C061 AA08 AB12 AB18

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An image light generation system that generates image light for the left eye to enter the left eye of an observer and image light for the right eye to enter the right eye, and an image light generation system that generates the image light. A stereoscopic image display device having a light separation system that separates image light for the left eye and image light for the right eye according to the phase state of both of the image lights, wherein the image light generation system generates the image light for the left eye. A left-eye image display means to be generated, and a first surface arranged to face the display surface of the left-eye image display means
Polarizing element, a right-eye image display means for generating right-eye image light, and a second face arranged to face the display surface of the right-eye image display means.
Of the polarizing element, and emitted from the first and second polarizing elements,
A stereoscopic image display device comprising: an image light combining means for combining left-eye image light and right-eye image light in different phase states. 2. The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image light combining means is a beam splitter. 3. The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image light combining means is a polarization preserving screen having a property of not changing a polarization direction of incident light. 4. The three-dimensional body according to claim 1, wherein the phase difference between the left-eye image light and the right-eye image light combined by the image-light combining means is approximately π. Image display device. 5. The first and second regions, in which two types of regions, each of which has a different optical action on the incident light depending on the phase state of the incident light, are alternately formed in the left-right direction. A phase optical element and a light separating element for separating two types of incident light having different phase states from each other, and the both image lights generated by the image light combining means are:
The first phase optical element and the second phase optical element pass through these phase optical elements in this order and then enter the light separation element, and also pass through the second phase optical element and the light separation means. The three-dimensional structure according to claim 1, which has two kinds of phase states that can be separated by the light separation element when entering the optical system, and the phase difference between the two image lights is an odd multiple of π. Image display device. 6. The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 5, wherein the two image lights are elliptically polarized light, and the phase difference between the image lights is an odd multiple of π. 7. The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 6, wherein the two image lights are elliptically polarized lights having different rotation directions. 8. The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 6, wherein both of the image lights are circularly polarized light. 9. The above-mentioned 2 in the above-mentioned first phase optical element.
Light passing through the first region of the first phase optical element and the first region of the two types of regions of the second phase optical element, and the second area and the second region of the first phase optical element. The light passing through the second region of the second phase optical element is directed to one of the left eye direction and the right eye direction of the observer and exits from the light separation element, and the first phase optical element Light passing through the second region of the element and the first region of the second phase optical element, and the first region of the first phase optical element and the first region of the second phase optical element 6. The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 5, wherein the light passing through is emitted to the other of the left eye direction and the right eye direction of the observer and emitted from the light separation element. 10. An image light generation system that generates image light for the left eye to enter the left eye of an observer and image light for the right eye to enter the right eye, and an image light generation system that generates the image light for the right eye. A stereoscopic image display device having a light separation system that separates the image light for the left eye and the image light for the right eye according to the phase state of both of the image lights, wherein the light separation system, respectively, with respect to the incident light. First and second phase optical elements in which two types of regions, which exert different optical effects depending on the phase state of incident light, are alternately formed in the left-right direction, and two types of incident light having different phase states are separated from each other. A stereoscopic image display, comprising a light separating element, wherein at least one of the first and second phase optical elements is positionally adjustable in at least one of a left-right direction and a front-back direction. apparatus. 11. An image light generation system for generating image light for the left eye to be incident on the left eye of an observer and image light for the right eye to be incident on the right eye, and an image light generation system generated by this image light generation system. A stereoscopic image display device having a light separation system that separates the image light for the left eye and the image light for the right eye according to the phase state of both of the image lights, wherein the light separation system, respectively, with respect to the incident light. First and second phase optical elements in which two types of regions that exert different optical effects depending on the phase state of the incident light are alternately formed in the left-right direction, and two types of incident light having different phase states are separated from each other. At least one of the first and second phase optical elements based on the position of the observer detected by the detecting unit and the position of the observer that is configured to include a light separation element One side to the left and right A stereoscopic image display device, comprising: a position control means for moving to at least one of them. 12. The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 10, wherein the phase difference between the left-eye image light and the right-eye image light combined by the image-light combining means is approximately π. . 13. The first and second regions, in which two types of regions, which have different optical effects on the incident light depending on the phase state of the incident light, are alternately formed in the left and right directions, respectively. A phase optical element and a light separating element for separating two types of incident light having different phase states from each other, and the both image lights generated by the image light combining means are:
The first phase optical element and the second phase optical element pass through these phase optical elements in this order and then enter the light separation element, and also pass through the second phase optical element and the light separation means. 12. There are two types of phase states that can be separated by the light separating element when entering the optical system, and the phase difference between the two image lights is an odd multiple of π. Stereoscopic image display device. 14. The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 13, wherein the two image lights are elliptically polarized light, and the phase difference between the image lights is an odd multiple of π. 15. The elliptically polarized light having different rotation directions from each other, respectively.
The stereoscopic image display device according to item 4. 16. The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 14, wherein both of the image lights are circularly polarized light. 17. Light passing through a first region of the two types of regions of the first phase optical element and a first region of the two types of regions of the second phase optical element, Light passing through the second region of the first phase optical element and the second region of the second phase optical element is directed to one of a left eye direction and a right eye direction of an observer. Emitted from the light separating element and passing through the second region of the first phase optical element and the first region of the second phase optical element, and the first light of the first phase optical element. Of the light passing through the first area of the second phase optical element and the area of the second phase optical element is directed to the other of the left eye direction and the right eye direction of the observer and exits from the light separation element. 14. The method according to claim 13, The three-dimensional image display device according.