JP2003337390A - Device and system for image display - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a polarizing plate, etc., needs to mechanically be moved in the conventional image display device for switching between a two-dimensional image and a stereoscopic image. <P>SOLUTION: In an image display device which makes a user observe an image displayed on an image display unit 1 through a 1st polarizing plate 2, a 1st optical member 3, a 2nd optical member 4, and a 2nd polarizing plate 5, the 1st optical member has a 1st area wherein incident linear polarized light is transmitted through the 1st optical member without having its polarized state changed and a 2nd area wherein a state for the transmission with no change of the polarized state and a state wherein the axis of polarization is rotated by 90° are switched. Further, the 2nd optical member is provided with a 1st area which functions as a 1/2 wavelength plate for incident linear polarized light and a 2nd area for rotating the axis of polarization by 90°. Furthermore, provided is a switching means which switches the state of the 2nd area of the 1st optical member between display of an image for plane view and composite display of a plurality of view-point images. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention A stereoscopic image display system having an image information supply device.

[0002] [Detailed Description of the Invention]

[0003]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image display device capable of switching display between a normal two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image, and more particularly to a multi-view stereoscopic display in a television, a video, a computer monitor, a game machine or the like. It is suitable.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art As a stereoscopic image display device capable of displaying normal two-dimensional images and three-dimensional images without using 3D glasses, there is one proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-123461. This device uses the parallax barrier method as a display principle.In this parallax barrier method, a plurality of viewpoint images corresponding to a plurality of observation positions are decomposed into strips and formed into vertical stripes in a predetermined order. The arrayed composite image is displayed on a display device such as an LCD, and a member (parallax barrier) having a slit-shaped opening is arranged immediately in front of the display device.

An observer can observe a stereoscopic image by viewing a pair of viewpoint images with both eyes through the opening of the parallax barrier.

FIG. 20 shows the configuration of a stereoscopic image display device proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-123461. In this apparatus, as the parallax barrier 103, two regions having different crystal axis directions are patterned with a predetermined width, and the portion 103-a corresponding to the opening of the parallax barrier 103 is used as a half-wave plate. Make it work,
A member configured to rotate the polarization axis of the linearly polarized light incident on this portion by 90 degrees and to prevent the polarization axis of the linearly polarized light from being modulated in the other regions 103-b is used.

In this device, when displaying a stereoscopic image, a polarization axis 104-1 orthogonal to the polarization axis 102 of the linearly polarized light incident on the front surface of the parallax barrier 103.
An emission polarizing plate 104 having the above is provided. This gives 1 /
A stereoscopic image can be observed by viewing with the corresponding eye the viewpoint image light 105 that passes through only the portion 103-a corresponding to the opening of the parallax barrier 103 that functions as a two-wave plate.

On the other hand, when viewing a normal two-dimensional image with this apparatus, the emission polarizing plate 104 is removed. That is, as described above, this device has a function of partially rotating the polarization axis of linearly polarized light by 90 degrees, but since the polarization state of light cannot be recognized by the human eye, it is emitted from the entire screen. Image (two-dimensional image that appears from the display device)
Can be seen.

Further, another device configuration is proposed in the above publication. That is, as shown in FIG. 21, by providing a switchable quarter-wave rotator 106 between the emission polarization plate 104 and the parallax barrier 103, the emission polarization plate 104 is mechanically moved. Instead, a normal two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image can be switched and displayed.

The quarter-wave rotator 106 is switchable between a first state that does not affect the transmitted polarized light and a second state that acts as a quarter-wave plate for each polarization state. is there. In the second state, the quarter-wave rotator 106 functions as a quarter-wave plate having an optical axis at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the polarization axis of the patterned half-wave plate. Therefore, the patterned 1 /
Since the linearly polarized light emitted from the region 103-b corresponding to the light-shielding portion and the region 103-a corresponding to the opening in the two-wavelength plate are orthogonal to each other, it is 4 with respect to these polarization axes.
By disposing the quarter-wave rotator 106 so as to function as a quarter-wave plate having an optical axis with an angle of 5 °, 2
Both of the two orthogonally polarized light beams are converted into circularly polarized light beams having mutually opposite rotations.

As a result, 50% of the circularly polarized light is transmitted through the emission polarizing plate 104, so that a normal two-dimensional image transmitted through the entire screen can be seen.

In FIG. 21, 101 is an LCD as a display, and 100 is a backlight.

[0013]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, it is necessary to mechanically move the emission polarizing plate 104 in order to switch between the normal two-dimensional image and the three-dimensional image, and the device configuration is complicated. Becomes

On the other hand, in the device shown in FIG. 21 using the quarter-wave rotator 106, although the full-resolution two-dimensional image of the display can be seen, the display brightness is reduced to 50%. There is.

Further, when a stereoscopic image is displayed by the parallax barrier method or the lenticular method, a plurality of viewpoint images forming the stereoscopic image are decomposed into strips to form a composite image arranged in vertical stripes. This composite image is displayed on a display device such as an LCD and made incident on the corresponding eye by a parallax barrier, a lenticular lens, or the like. Therefore, if the number of viewpoint images is r,
There is also a problem that the horizontal resolution (pixel number) is reduced to 1 / r of the display resolution (pixel number).

Therefore, according to the present invention, in order to switch and display a normal two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image, the components are not mechanically moved, and the resolution and display brightness of the normal two-dimensional image are lowered. An object of the present invention is to provide an image display device that does not deteriorate.

Further, even when performing multi-view stereoscopic display of four or more viewpoints as a viewpoint image, a normal two-dimensional image and a stereoscopic image are switched without deterioration of resolution (pixel number) only in the horizontal direction. An object is to provide an image display device capable of displaying.

[0018]

In order to achieve the above object, in the image display device of the present invention, the image displayed on the image display unit is displayed on the first polarizing plate, the first optical member and the second optical member. In the image display device for observing through the optical member and the second polarizing plate, the first optical member transmits the incident linearly polarized light without changing its polarization state or rotates its polarization axis by 90 °. It has a first region and a second region that can be switched to a state in which the polarization state is transmitted without changing and a state in which the polarization axis is rotated by 90 degrees, and a second optical member is provided. It is assumed to have a first region that functions as a half-wave plate and a second region that rotates its polarization axis by 90 degrees with respect to the incident linearly polarized light. Then, a first image is displayed on the image display unit when a two-dimensional image (normal two-dimensional image) is displayed, and a plurality of viewpoint images having parallax are combined and displayed (a stereoscopic image is displayed). Switching means is provided for switching the state of the second region of the optical member.

As a result, it is not necessary to mechanically move the member in order to switch between the normal two-dimensional image display and the three-dimensional image display. Further, the display brightness does not decrease when a two-dimensional image is displayed, which is a problem in the conventional device.

By distributing the pixel groups for displaying the respective viewpoint images forming the stereoscopic image in the horizontal and vertical directions, it is possible to mitigate the drastic reduction in the horizontal resolution as in the conventional case. It is possible to display a high-quality stereoscopic image.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2
FIG. 8 shows the configuration and operation of the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a main part for explaining the configuration of the image display device and the principle of stereoscopic image display, and FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the principle of two-dimensional image display.

In these figures, 1 is a display (image display unit) such as an LCD having a CRT or a backlight source, and 2 is a first polarized light for aligning the polarization directions of the image light emitted from the display 1. It is a plate. When an LCD is used as the display 1, a polarizing plate corresponding to the first polarizing plate 2 is already provided on the LCD.

At a position apart from the first polarizing plate 2 by a predetermined distance, the members 3, 4, and 5 described later control partial transmission and blocking of the image light emitted from the first polarizing plate 2. The parallax barrier is constructed.

In FIG. 1, the three members 3 to 5 are shown separated from each other for the purpose of explaining the drawing, but in reality, these members 3 to 5 are separated.
5 are closely arranged.

Next, the action of the parallax barrier will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a first optical member, which is a half-wave plate which is composed of a single liquid crystal cell 31 and whose state can be partially switched, and has no effect on incident polarized light. It is possible to switch between the first state in which the polarization state is not exceeded (transmitting light without changing the polarization state) and the second state in which the polarization axis is rotated by 90 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 4, one surface of the liquid crystal cell 31 has an electrode portion 3-b (second region) to which the transparent electrode 32 is attached and a non-electrode to which such an electrode is not attached. The electrode portion 3-a (first region) is patterned with a predetermined width, and the common electrode 33 is attached to the other surface. By switching energization / de-energization to the electrode part 3-b, only the electrode part 3-b of the liquid crystal cell 31 is in a state in which the polarization axis of the incident linearly polarized light is rotated and a state in which the linearly polarized light is transmitted as it is. It can be switched.

In other words, the phase can be partially switched between 0 and π. In this embodiment, the non-electrode part 3-
In a, the phase is fixed at 0, but as described separately with reference to FIG. 5, this non-electrode portion 3-a (first region)
The phase can be set in two states of 0 and π.

Various liquid crystals can be used as the liquid crystal cell 31, and for example, TN liquid crystal or FLC can be used.

Further, the first optical member 3 is constructed by using a single liquid crystal cell, and the transparent electrode is attached to the liquid crystal cell to form the electrode portion 3-b, that is, the second region. Therefore, unlike the case of using the TFT liquid crystal, moire due to the black matrix does not occur, and a high quality image can be displayed.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a second optical member, which is formed by patterning two regions having different crystal axis directions with a predetermined width.
1/2 wavelength plate (that is, a member that delays the phase by π) and the first region 4-a that does not modulate the polarization axis of incident linearly polarized light (that is, the phase is 0)
Area 4-b. These areas 4-a, 4-b
Are patterned to have the same widths as the widths of the non-electrode portion 3-a and the electrode portion 3-b of the first optical member 3, respectively. As a result, the polarization axis of the linearly polarized light incident on the first region 4-a is rotated by 90 degrees, and the second region 4-b is rotated.
Then, the polarization axis of the incident linearly polarized light is not modulated at all.

As the second optical member 4, a uniaxially stretched film such as PVA is patterned, or a crystal or film having optical anisotropy is patterned or partially formed. Can be used.

Reference numeral 5 denotes an emission polarizing plate (second polarizing plate),
The polarization axis is set so that only predetermined linearly polarized light is transmitted. In the present embodiment, the polarization axis of the emission polarization plate 5 is set to be orthogonal to the polarization axis of the polarization plate 2.

By using these three members 3 to 5, it is possible to switch between two states, that is, a state of functioning as a parallax barrier and a state of having no effect on display light.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the case of displaying a stereoscopic image, the non-electrode portion 3-a in the first optical member 3,
Only the image light incident on the portion 34-a of the second optical member 4 which overlaps the first region 4-a functioning as a half-wave plate can be transmitted, and this portion 34-a is a parallax film. Functions as an opening for the barrier.

In FIG. 1, the distance between the eyes of the observer (baseline length) is O, the observation distance is L, and the distance between the display 1 and the three members 3, 4, 5 forming the parallax barrier is D. , B ′ is the width of the non-electrode portion 3-a of the first optical member 3 (width corresponding to the opening of the parallax barrier), and I is the interval between the stripe images displayed on the display 1, the following relationship is obtained. is there.

D = IL / (O + I) (1) B '= I (L-D) / L (2) In addition, since the observation width actually has a finite spread at the observation position, these various The amount is set slightly changed.
For these relationships, see S. H. Kaplan, "T
history of Parallax Barrier
s ", J. SMPTE, Vol. 59, No. 7, p.
p. 11-21 (1952).

The operation of the parallax barrier composed of the members 3 to 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3A shows the operation of these members 3 to 5 when displaying a stereoscopic (3D) image and FIG. 3B when displaying a two-dimensional (2D) image.

First, the operation at the time of displaying a 3D image will be described with reference to FIG. At this time, a voltage is applied from the controller (switching means) 7 to the electrode portion 3-b of the first optical member 3. In the present embodiment, since the TN liquid crystal is used for the liquid crystal cell 31 forming the first optical member 3, when a voltage is applied, the electrode portion 3-b acts on the incident polarized light. It is in a state of transmitting the light in the same polarized state without affecting it. That is, the phase acts as 0. Therefore, the linearly polarized light 10 entering the electrode portion 3-b is
The light is transmitted through the first optical member 3 in the same polarization state.

On the other hand, the second optical member 4 does not modulate the polarization axis of the incident linearly polarized light at all (that is, the phase is 0) as a region overlapping the electrode portion 3-b of the first optical member 3. Since the region 4-b is provided, the first optical member 3
The light that has passed through the electrode part 3-b also passes through the region 4-b in the same polarization state and reaches the emission polarizing plate 5.

However, since the polarization axis of the emission polarization plate 5 is orthogonal to the polarization axis of the polarization plate 2, the linearly polarized light transmitted through the optical members 3 and 4 without any modulation of the polarization axis is emitted from the emission polarization plate. 5 cannot be transmitted, and the light shielding portion 34-b is formed.

On the other hand, the non-electrode portion 3-a of the first optical member 3
Then, since the phase is fixed at 0, the incident linearly polarized light is transmitted as it is in the polarized state. At this time, the second optical member 4 is provided with a region 4-a that functions as a ½ wavelength plate (that is, delays the phase by π) so as to overlap the electrode portion 3-a of the first optical member 3. Therefore, the linearly polarized light that has passed through the electrode portion 3-a and is incident on the region 4-a has its polarization axis rotated by 90 degrees, so that the emission polarizing plate 5
Leading to.

Since the polarization axis of the emission polarization plate 5 is orthogonal to the polarization axis of the polarization plate 2, polarized light whose polarization axis is rotated by 90 degrees can pass through the emission polarization plate 5. Therefore, this portion functions as an opening 34-a for emitting the image light 8 from the display 1 as a light flux 9.

Next, the operation during 2D display will be described with reference to FIG. At this time, in the first optical member 3, the voltage application from the controller 7 to the electrode portion 3-b is turned off. Since only the light 10 ′ incident on the electrode portion 3-b is different from that in 3D display, only the operation of the electrode portion 3-b will be described.

Since no voltage is applied to the first optical member 3, the electrode section 3-b has a function of rotating the polarization axis of incident polarized light by 90 degrees. The second optical member 4 does not modulate the polarization axis of the linearly polarized light at all (that is, the phase is 0) so as to overlap the electrode portion 3-b of the first optical member 3.
Since -b is provided, the light transmitted through the electrode portion 3-b is transmitted in the region 4-b in the polarization state as it is, and reaches the emission polarizing plate 5. Since the polarization axis of the emission polarization plate 5 is orthogonal to the polarization axis of the polarization plate 2, the light whose polarization axis is rotated 90 degrees by the first optical member 3 passes through the emission polarization plate 5 and the incident light 10 'Is emitted as a light flux 11. That is, this part does not function as a light shielding part.

In this embodiment, the first optical member 3 is provided on the display 1 side, but the order of the first optical member 3 and the second optical member 4 is related to the operation of the present invention. It does not matter which one is provided on the display 1 side.

Next, returning to FIG. 1, the operation during 3D display will be described. The image generation device 6 divides two viewpoint images (a left-eye image and a right-eye image), alternately combines them in stripes at predetermined image intervals, and displays them on the display 1. Further, a signal is sent from the image generation device 6 to the controller 7, and the controller 7 controls the first optical member 3 in the 3D display mode. That is, in this embodiment, a voltage is applied to the electrode portion 3-b of the liquid crystal cell 31.

The image information for displaying each viewpoint image on the display 1 is supplied to the image generating device 6 from an image information supplying device such as a personal computer, a video, a DVD (not shown).

The linearly polarized light 8-1 emitted from the pixel L for displaying the left eye image of the display 1 is transmitted only through the opening 34-a in the parallax barrier composed of the members 3, 4 and 5 described above. Then, the left-eye image light 9-1 becomes incident on the left-eye EL. Further, the linearly polarized light 8-2 emitted from the pixel R displaying the right eye image of the display 1 is
Similarly, the right eye image light 9-2 is transmitted through only the opening 34-a.
And enters the right eye ER.

On the other hand, the light traveling from the pixel L displaying the left-eye image to the right-eye ER, for example, the light 10-1 is the electrode portion 3-b of the first optical member 3 and the area 4-of the second optical member 4. Since the light is incident on the light-shielding portion 34-b of the parallax barrier overlapping with b, it cannot pass through the emission polarizing plate 5, as described above. Therefore, the light from the pixel L displaying the left eye image does not reach the right eye ER.

That is, the two viewpoint images displayed in stripes form a parallax barrier in which the non-electrode portion 3-a of the first optical member 3 and the region 4-a of the second optical member 4 overlap each other. A stereoscopic image can be observed by transmitting only the openings 34-a and entering the corresponding eyes.

Further, during the 2D display, the image generating device 6 displays a normal two-dimensional image on the display 1, as shown in FIG. In addition, a signal is sent from the image generation device 6 to the controller 7, and the controller 7 controls the first optical member 3 in the 2D display mode. In this embodiment, the voltage application to the electrode portion 3-b of the liquid crystal cell 31 is turned off.

As described with reference to FIG. 3B, the electrode portion 3
In -b, since the polarization axis is rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the incident polarized light, the electrode part 3-b and the region 4 of the second optical member 4 are rotated.
-The part that overlaps with b no longer functions as a light shield,
The two-dimensional image displayed on the display 1 can be viewed in the same way by the right eye and the left eye, and operates in the same manner as a normal 2D display.

(Second to Fourth Embodiments) Here, as other embodiments of the present invention, other forms of the parallax barrier composed of the members 3, 4, and 5 will be described. As described above, the non-electrode portion 3- of the first optical member 3
As the phase of a, it is possible to set a first state that has no effect on the incident polarized light and a second state that rotates the polarization axis by 90 degrees. In other words, the phase can be set to two states of 0 and π. Similarly, the area 4-a in the second optical member 4 is also 1
It can be set to a state of functioning as a / 2 wavelength plate and a state of not functioning. That is, the phase of the second optical member 4 can also be set to two states of 0 and π.
Therefore, four combinations of 2 × 2 can be set as these combinations.

FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG.
It shows 3rd and 4th embodiment, and operation and control of members other than these members 3, 4, and 5 are the same as that of a 1st embodiment.

In FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, (a) shows the case of 3D display, and (b) shows the case of 2D display.

Here, the polarized light 8 incident on the non-electrode portion 3-a of the first optical member 3 and the electrode portion 3 are described.
Three lights, that is, the polarized light 10 incident on -b and the polarized light 10 'incident on the electrode portion 3-b during 2D display will be described.

<Second Embodiment> For simplification of description, the configuration of FIG. 5 and the polarization axes of the polarized light transmitted through each member are summarized in the table below.

[Table 1] As can be seen from this table, in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the non-electrode portion 3-a of the first optical member 3 has a phase of 0, and the electrode portion 3-b of 3D display has a phase of 0. This configuration is different from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the light distribution direction of the liquid crystal cell 31 may be set in the direction orthogonal to the first embodiment.

During 3D display in this embodiment, the electrode portion 3-b functions as a light-shielding portion, and the non-electrode portion 3-a can be used as a parallax barrier opening to observe a stereoscopic image.

On the other hand, at the time of 2D display, the incident light 10 'to the electrode portion 3-b is transmitted through the emission polarizing plate 5, so that the light of the entire screen is seen by both eyes, and a normal 2D image is observed. become.

<< Third Embodiment >> The configuration shown in FIG. 6 and the polarization axes of the polarized light transmitted through the respective members are summarized in the table below.

[Table 2] As can be seen from this table, in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the same liquid crystal cell 31 as that used in the first embodiment may be used, and the region 4-a in the second optical member 4 is reduced to 1 / Area 4-b is halved without functioning as a two-wave plate
The crystal axis may be set so as to function as a wave plate.

In 3D display in this embodiment, the first
The electrode part 3-b of the optical member 3 functions as a light-shielding part, and the non-electrode part 3-a can be used as an opening of the parallax barrier to observe a stereoscopic image.

On the other hand, at the time of 2D display, the incident light 10 'to the electrode portion 3-b is transmitted through the emission polarizing plate 5, so that the light of the entire screen is seen by both eyes, and a normal 2D image is observed. become.

<< Fourth Embodiment >> The configuration shown in FIG. 7 and the polarization axes of polarized light transmitted through the respective members are summarized in the form of a table as follows.

[Table 3] As can be seen from this table, in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the same liquid crystal cell 31 as that used in the second embodiment is used, and the patterned liquid crystal cell 31 similar to that used in the third embodiment is used. The member 4 of 2 may be used.

In the present embodiment, when the 3D display is performed, the first
The electrode part 3-b of the optical member 3 functions as a light-shielding part, and the non-electrode part 3-a can be used as an opening of the parallax barrier to observe a stereoscopic image.

On the other hand, at the time of 2D display, the incident light 10 'to the electrode portion 3-b is transmitted through the emission polarizing plate 5, so that the light of the entire screen is seen by both eyes, and a normal 2D image should be observed. become.

(Fifth Embodiment) In the embodiments described so far, the image display device of the binocular parallax system using two viewpoint images has been described, but the multi-view display system using three or more viewpoint images is described. The present invention can also be applied to an image display device.

The present embodiment relates to a multi-view display type image display device. FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a main part of the image display device when displaying in 3D, and FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a main part when displaying in 2D.

The same members as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. Further, as for the action and form of the parallax barrier composed of the members 3, 4, and 5, all combinations of the first to fourth embodiments can be applied. Here, only parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, an image display device of a multi-view display system having four viewpoint images will be described. Parallax
Opening width of barrier (non-electrode part 3 in the first optical member 3
(Corresponding to the width of a. H. Kaplan, "Theory
of Parallels Barriers ", JS
MPTE, Vol. 59, No. 7, pp. 11-21
It is set appropriately by the method described in (1952). That is, the width of the opening 34-a is set smaller than the width of the light shielding portion 34-b, and the width of the opening 34-a is determined so that only a predetermined pixel can be seen by one eye. To be done.

In 3D display, the image generation device 6 displays 4
A single viewpoint image is divided, combined in stripes in a predetermined order and at a predetermined image interval, and displayed on the display 1. In addition, a signal is sent from the image generation device 6 to the controller 7, and the controller 7 sets the first optical member 3 to 3D.
Control in display mode. In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal cell 31
Voltage is applied to.

The linearly polarized light 8-1 emitted from the pixel 1 displaying the first viewpoint image on the display 1 is
In the parallax barrier including the members 3, 4, and 5 described above, the image light 9-1 is transmitted through only the opening 34-a.
And enters the viewpoint (1). Also, display 1
The linearly polarized light 8-2 emitted from the pixel 2 displaying the second viewpoint image of # 1 similarly passes through only the opening 34-a and becomes the image light 9-2 and enters the viewpoint (2). . Similarly, pixels 3, 3 displaying the 3rd and 4th viewpoint images respectively
The light emitted from 4 enters the viewpoints (3) and (4), respectively. At this time, for example, by setting the distance between the viewpoints (1) and (2) equal to the interocular distance, the image 2
Only the image 1 is observed by the left eye, and the right eye image (the viewpoint image observed at the viewpoint (2)) and the left eye image (the viewpoint image observed at the viewpoint (1)) are respectively viewed. That is, a stereoscopic image can be observed.

On the other hand, the light emitted from the pixel 1 toward the viewpoint (3), for example, the light 10-1, is the electrode portion 3-b of the first optical member 3 and the area 4- of the second optical member 4. Since it is incident on the parallax barrier light-shielding portion 34-b overlapping with b, the light 10-1 cannot pass through the emission polarizing plate 5 as described above, and the light from the pixel 1 reaches the viewpoint (3). Does not reach.

That is, the viewpoint image displayed in stripes is transmitted only through the parallax barrier opening 34-a where the non-electrode portion 3-a and the region 4-a are overlapped, and is incident on the corresponding eye. By doing so, the stereoscopic display can be observed.

Further, during the 2D display, as shown in FIG. 9, the image generating device 6 displays a normal two-dimensional image on the display 1. In addition, a signal is sent from the image generation device 6 to the controller 7, and the controller 7 controls the first optical member 3 in the 2D display mode. In this embodiment, the voltage application to the liquid crystal cell 31 is turned off.

As described with reference to FIG. 3B, the electrode portion 3-
In b, the polarization axis is rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the incident polarized light, so that it does not function as a light-shielding portion.
The two-dimensional image displayed above will be viewed by the right eye and the left eye in the same manner, and operates in the same manner as a normal 2D display.

(Sixth Embodiment) In the above embodiments, a plurality of viewpoint images are decomposed into strips and a composite image arranged in vertical stripes is displayed on a display device 1 such as an LCD in 3D display. The case has been described in which the 3D display and the 2D display are switched and displayed by controlling the opening and the light shield of the parallax barrier including the members 3, 4, and 5.

However, in the multi-view display method using the viewpoint images of three or more viewpoints as in the fifth embodiment, in the conventional method of dividing / combining into vertical stripes (so-called parallax panoramagram method), The number of viewpoint images is r
Then, there is a problem that the horizontal resolution (pixel number) is reduced to 1 / r of the display resolution (pixel number).

In this embodiment, even when performing multi-view stereoscopic display using four or more viewpoint images, a normal two-dimensional image and a stereoscopic image can be displayed without causing deterioration of the resolution (number of pixels) only in the horizontal direction. An image display device capable of switching and displaying will be described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the image display device of this embodiment. Here, p = 3, q = 3, r
Description will be made in the case where a 9-viewpoint stereoscopic image display device of = 9 is configured.

On the front surface of the display 1, the horizontal lenticular lens 12 and the parallax barrier member 345 are arranged in this order from the display device 1 toward the observer.

The parallax barrier member 345 in this embodiment is a general term for the first optical member 3, the second optical member 4 and the emission polarizing plate 5 described in the first embodiment. They may be provided integrally or may be closely attached to each other. Further, since the order of the first optical member 3 and the second optical member 4 is not related to the operation of the present invention, either one may be provided on the display 1 side.

Observation positions E1 to E9 corresponding to nine viewpoints
Are arranged from right to left in this order from E1 to E9, for example.

FIG. 11 shows that each pixel of the display 1 has 9 pixels.
It is a figure which shows how the image information (viewpoint image) of a viewpoint is displayed. The codes from D1 to D9 are E1 to E
9 shows that each pixel displays the viewpoint image corresponding to the viewpoint. The arrangement method of the pixels corresponding to the viewpoints is D1 to D9 corresponding to 9 (= r) viewpoints in each horizontal column of pixels.
Pixels up to are repeatedly arranged in order, and an array in which the pixel order is shifted by 3 (= q) each time the horizontal column is vertically shifted so that the arrangement makes one cycle for each horizontal column of 3 (= p) rows You can do this.

FIG. 10 shows the parallax barrier member 34.
It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action of No. 5. Particularly, the pattern of the parallax barrier opening 34-a in 3D display is shown. Here, the detailed description of the operation is omitted, but all the methods described with reference to FIGS.
A configuration can be adopted.

As the function of the parallax barrier member 345, in the case of 3D display, the electrode portion 3 of the first optical member 3 is used.
-B serves as the light-shielding portion 34-b, and the portion 34-a overlapping the non-electrode portion 3-a acts as a parallax barrier opening, so that a stereoscopic image can be observed.

On the other hand, during 2D display, the electrode section 3-b (3
Light incident on 4-b) also passes through the emission polarizing plate 5, so that the light of the entire screen is seen by both eyes, and a normal 2D image can be observed.

However, in the present embodiment, the electrode portion 3-b of the first optical member 3 (as a result, the parallax.
The arrangement of the barrier openings 34-a) in a pattern as shown in FIG. 12 differs from the previous embodiments. That is, the three openings 34-a are arranged in the horizontal direction, and a plurality of similar horizontal rows of openings are arranged in the vertical direction. However, the openings 34 in the horizontal rows of openings that are adjacent in the vertical direction
-A has different horizontal positions.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view for explaining the principle of nine-viewpoint stereoscopic image display shown in this embodiment.

The cylindrical lens portion constituting the lateral lenticular lens 12 is p (=
3) corresponding to a series of pixel horizontal columns, and in FIG. 13, only the cylindrical lens portion corresponding to the three pixel horizontal columns is displayed.

In the vertical direction, ld1, ld2, l
Three horizontal rows of pixels indicated by d3 are imaged by the horizontal cylindrical lens 2 on the horizontal aperture rows lm1, lm2, lm3 on the parallax barrier member 345.

D1 of pixel horizontal column ld1 of display 1
The display light emitted from the pixels from D9 to D9 is transmitted by the horizontal lenticular lens 12 to the parallax barrier member 3.
Collected in the opening horizontal row lm1 on 45, the opening horizontal row lm1
Only the display light passing through the opening 34-a1 above 1 reaches the observation surface. At this time, the display light emitted from the pixels D1 to D9 reaches the viewpoints E1 to E9 of the viewing surface, and the other viewpoint positions are shielded by the light shielding portion 34-b of the parallax barrier member 345. It is never reached.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the viewpoint image displayed by the pixels on the pixel horizontal column ld2 is 3 (= q) in the horizontal direction with respect to the viewpoint image displayed by the pixels on the pixel horizontal column ld1. The viewpoint is deviated.

The display light emitted from the pixels D1 to D9 on the pixel horizontal column ld2 is collected by the horizontal lenticular lens 12 into the aperture horizontal column lm2 on the parallax barrier member 345, and on the aperture horizontal column lm2. Only the display light that passes through the opening 34-a2 in 1 reaches the observation surface.
The horizontal position of the opening 34-a2 is displaced from the opening 34-a1 by a predetermined amount which will be described in detail later.
The display light emitted from the pixels D1 to D9 on the horizontal pixel line ld2 reaches the viewpoints E1 to E9 on the viewing surface through the openings 34-a2, and the other viewpoints include parallax. Light-shielding portion 34-b of the barrier member 345
It will not be reached by being blocked by.

Similarly, the viewpoint image displayed by the pixels on the pixel horizontal column ld3 is horizontally displaced from the viewpoint image displayed by the pixels on the pixel horizontal column ld2 by 3 (= q) viewpoints.

The display light emitted from the pixels D1 to D9 on the pixel horizontal column ld3 is collected by the horizontal lenticular lens 12 to the aperture horizontal column lm3 on the parallax barrier member 345, and on the aperture horizontal column lm3. Only the display light that passes through the opening 34-a3 in (1) reaches the observation surface.

The horizontal position of the opening 34-a3 is displaced from the opening 34-a2 by a predetermined amount, and the display light emitted from the pixels D1 to D9 on the horizontal pixel line ld3 is opened. Each of the viewpoints E1 to E9 on the observation surface is reached through the portion 34-a3, and the other viewpoint positions are not reached by being blocked by the light shielding portion 34-b of the parallax barrier member 345.

14 to 16 are plan sectional views for explaining in more detail the action on the horizontal luminous flux for displaying a stereoscopic image according to the present embodiment, and FIG.
Pixel horizontal row ld1 and aperture horizontal row lm1, pixel horizontal row ld2 and aperture horizontal row lm2, and horizontal row ld3 shown in FIG.
And the horizontal planes passing through the opening horizontal row lm3, respectively. Further, common members are given common reference numerals. The present embodiment operates in this cut plane in the same manner as a normal nine-viewpoint parallax barrier system.

In FIG. 14, the display light from the pixels D1 to D9 of the series of regions 111 on the display 1 is displayed by the opening 34-a of the parallax barrier member 345.
The corresponding areas 41 on the observation surface 14 passing through 1-1
-1 to the viewpoints E1 to E9, and to the other viewpoints, the light-shielding portion 34 of the parallax barrier member 345-
It cannot be reached because it is blocked by b.

Similarly, a series of areas 11 of the display 1
The display light from the pixels D1 to D9 of 2 passes through the opening 34-a1-2 of the parallax barrier member 345 and E of the corresponding region 41-1 on the observation surface 14 is displayed.
The viewpoints from 1 to E9 are reached, and the other viewpoints cannot be reached because they are blocked by the light shielding portion 34-b of the parallax barrier member 345.

The opening 3 of the parallax barrier member 345 emitted from each pixel of the area 111 of the display 1.
An opening other than 4-a1-1, for example, an opening 34-a1-
The light passing through 2 is a different area on the observation surface,
Area 41 that has the same viewpoint arrangement as the viewpoints E1 to E9 in FIG.
2 viewpoints E1 to E9 are reached and the openings 34-a1-1
The display light that has passed through the openings other than the openings 34-a1-2 also reaches the same viewpoint in different regions on the viewing surface.

Further, the luminous fluxes from the pixels D1 to D9 corresponding to the nine viewpoints on the display 1 respectively reach the corresponding viewpoints E1 to E9 of the observation surface area 41-1 and at the same time the observation surface area is reached. E1 in areas other than 41-1
To the viewpoint of E9 respectively, and as a result, the observation plane 1
Only the luminous fluxes from the pixels D1 to D9 of the display 1 arrive on the display 4, and the viewpoints E1 to E9 are repeatedly formed, so that a stereoscopic image of 9 viewpoints can be displayed.

Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the pixel horizontal columns ld2 and ld3 on the display 1 and the aperture horizontal column l on the parallax barrier member 345 are displayed.
Even on the cut surface passing through m2 and lm3, the display 1
The light fluxes from the pixels D1 to D9 of No. reach only the corresponding viewpoints E1 to E9 on the observation surface 14. As a result, similarly to the state of the cut surface described with reference to FIG. 14, the viewpoints E1 to E9 are repeatedly formed on the observation surface 14, and a stereoscopic image of 9 viewpoints can be displayed.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view in which the cut surfaces of FIGS. 14 to 16 are overlapped and displayed, and the three types of pixel horizontal columns ld1, ld2, ld3 of the display 1 are displayed by being shifted in the horizontal direction. There is.

Here, the relational expression between the parameters in the horizontal direction regarding the stereoscopic image display will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16 and FIG. In this relational expression, the number of viewpoints is generalized to r = p · q.

The horizontal pixel pitch of the display 1 is Hd,
The distance between the opening 34-a of the parallax barrier member 345 and the opening 34-a in the same horizontal row as this is Hm, the horizontal width of the opening 34-a is Hm_open, and the opening position is the upper and lower horizontal rows. Hm_dis is the amount of horizontal shift for each difference, L1 is the air conversion distance between the display 1 and the parallax barrier member 345, and L0 is the air conversion distance between the parallax barrier member 345 and the observation surface 14.
The separation width on the viewing surface corresponding to the pixels D1 to Dr is E,
When the horizontal width of the viewpoints E1 to Er (r = 9 in the drawing) corresponding to the pixels D1 to Dr is He, the following relational expression is established using the basic geometrical relation.

(R-1) .Hd: (r-1) .He = L1: L0 (h1) r.Hd: Hm = L1 + L0: L0 (h2) He. (R-1) = E ... ( h3) Hm_dis: Hd · q = L0: L1 + L0 (h4) Further, the display light from the pixels D1 to Dr is changed to the observation surface 1
4, in order to fit within the corresponding viewpoint width from E1 to Er and not leak to the adjacent viewpoint, in addition to (h1) to (h4), kd · Hd: He = L11: L12 + L0 (h5) kd -Hd: Hm_open = L11: L12 ... (h6) L11 + L12 = L1 ... (h7) is satisfied.

Here, L11 and L12 are one viewpoint width (width He) on both ends of the pixel effective portion (width kd · Hd where the horizontal aperture ratio of the pixel is kd) on the display 1 and the observation surface 14. Is the optical equivalent distance from the display 1 and the optical equivalent distance from the parallax barrier member 345 to the point where the straight line connecting the both ends of the.

In this relational expression, the independent variables L0, Hd,
Solving as E, kd and p, q, r (= p · q), L1 = Hd · L0 · (r−1) / E He = E / (r−1) Hm = r · Hd · E / ( (R-1) .Hd + E) Hm_dis = E.Hd.q / ((r-1) .Hd +
E) Hm_open = (1-kd) * Hd * E / ((r-
1) .Hd + E).

For example, Hd = 0.3 mm, kd = 0.
7, L0 = 600 mm, p = 3, q = 3, r = 9, E =
If it is 200 mm, L1 = 7.2 mm, He = 25 m
m, Hm = 2.668 mm, Hm_dis = 0.889
mm, Hm_open = 0.0889 mm.

Next, the function of the horizontal lenticular lens 12 in this embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, the display light from each horizontal column of pixels of the display 1 is transmitted to the parallax barrier member 34.
5, the light from the pixels arranged in a matrix by the horizontal horizontal rows of the parallax barrier member 345, which are arranged in a matrix by the horizontal horizontal rows of the parallax barrier members 345, is horizontally aligned as vertical stripes on the observation surface. It leads to each viewpoint arranged in.

Therefore, when the display light emitted from each pixel horizontal column leaks into the corresponding horizontal column on the parallax barrier member 345, crosstalk occurs. The lateral lenticular lens 12 functions to prevent this.

FIG. 18 is a vertical sectional view of this embodiment, in which members common to those in the other drawings of this embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

Each of the cylindrical lens portions which form the horizontal lenticular lens 12 and have optical power only in the vertical direction and no power in the horizontal direction corresponds to one set of 3 (= p) pixels in the vertical direction. Therefore, the light from this one pixel set serves to form an image in the vertical direction on the corresponding three horizontal rows of apertures on the parallax barrier member 345.

As a result, the display light emitted from each pixel horizontal column on the display 1 is guided to the corresponding aperture horizontal column on the parallax barrier member 345. FIG.
The luminous fluxes emitted from the pixel rows 121, 122, 123 shown in FIG. 1 and incident on the corresponding cylindrical lens portion 201 of the horizontal lenticular lens 12 are the horizontal aperture rows 301, 302, 303 corresponding to the parallax barrier member 345.
Imaged above. The light rays emitted from the other pixel horizontal columns are similarly imaged on the corresponding horizontal aperture columns on the parallax barrier member 345, respectively. Further, if the condition between the distance between the display 1, the horizontal lenticular lens 12 and the parallax barrier member 345 and the horizontal pitch of these three members, which will be described later, is satisfied, for example,
The horizontal lenticular lens 12 emitted from the pixel 111
Originally not compatible with the cylindrical lens 203
The light flux incident on is originally not corresponded on the parallax barrier member 345, but is condensed to 311 in the aperture horizontal row on the parallax barrier member 345 corresponding to the pixel horizontal row having the same pixel arrangement order, and the stereoscopic image is obtained. There is no problem with the display. For example, the display light emitted from the pixel column 111 upon entering the openings 312 and 313 does not reach any viewpoint other than the predetermined viewpoint.

Next, the relational expression between the parameters in the vertical direction regarding the stereoscopic image display will be described with reference to FIG.
In this relational expression, the number of viewpoints is generalized to r = p · q.

Let Lv1 be the air-equivalent distance between the display 1 and the horizontal lenticular lens 12, and Lv2 be the air-equivalent distance between the horizontal lenticular lens 12 and the parallax barrier member 345. Vd: Vm = Lv1: Lv2 ( v1) 2 · p · Vm: VL = Lv1 + Lv2: Lv1 (v2) 1 / fv = 1 / Lv1 + 1 / Lv2 (v3) holds.

Further, as the relational expression connecting the parameters in the horizontal direction and the parameters in the vertical direction concerning the stereoscopic image display, which has already been described, regarding the positions of the display 1 and the parallax barrier member 345, the relation of Lv1 + Lv2 = L1 (hv1) There is.

Since the cylindrical lens portion forming the horizontal lenticular lens 12 normally has aberration, the light from each pixel horizontal row causes the light to be emitted from the horizontal row of the openings 34-a of the parallax barrier member 345. Image may be blurred and may leak into the horizontal rows of the upper and lower openings 34-a to cause crosstalk. On the other hand, the vertical aperture ratio of the opening 34-a is made slightly smaller (that is, the vertical width of the electrode portion 3-b of the first optical member 3 is increased), and the upper and lower openings are formed. It is possible to prevent leakage from the horizontal row of the parts 34-a.

(Seventh Embodiment) In the sixth embodiment,
Although the display 1 has been described as a monochrome display, if this method is directly applied to the color LCD having the rgb vertical stripe arrangement, color breakup (color separation) on the observation surface may occur.

In order to prevent color breakup, the configuration may be modified as follows. That is, the number of rows p of the number of viewpoints r = p · q is changed to the number of color divisions c (in many cases, 3 corresponding to RGB).
, And the number of columns q is set so as not to be an integral multiple of the number of color divisions c. Viewpoints are assigned not on a pixel basis, but on a subpixel basis including division of color display.

In FIG. 19, when performing stereoscopic image display of 12 viewpoints with p = 6, q = 2, and r = 12 on a color display with a rgb vertical stripe arrangement, 1 is set for each sub-pixel.
It is a figure which shows how the image information of 2 viewpoints is displayed.

In the present embodiment, viewpoints are assigned not in pixel units but in sub-pixel units including color display division, and the number of viewpoints is set to 6.2 = 12. The corresponding opening position on the parallax barrier member 345 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

That is, the viewpoint images corresponding to 12 (= r) viewpoints E1 to E12 are repeatedly displayed in the sub-pixel unit in each pixel horizontal column of the display 1, and each time the pixel horizontal column shifts by one. Two (= q) sub-pixels are displaced in the horizontal direction, and the array makes one cycle in 6 (= p) rows.

Further, the cylindrical lens portion constituting the horizontal lenticular lens is 6 (= p) of the display.
Corresponding to the column, the parallax
Imaging is performed on the corresponding horizontal row of six apertures on the barrier member.

With respect to the relational expressions shown in the sixth embodiment, p = 6, q = 2, and r = 12 are all satisfied in this embodiment.

As shown by sub-pixels A, A, and C in FIG. 19, sub-pixels D1r, D1b, and D1 corresponding to the viewpoint E1.
g are arranged close to each other. The sub-pixels a, a, and u are sub-pixels that display R, G, and B colors, respectively, and the display light from these sub-pixels reaches the same viewpoint E1 on the viewing surface, so that color separation is achieved. It can be seen that it does not occur on the observation side. The same applies to other viewpoints.

In the sixth embodiment and this embodiment, for each pixel horizontal column of the display 1,
Parallax barrier member 34 with different opening patterns
5, the display light is guided to different viewpoints on the observation surface if the horizontal positions of the pixels in each pixel horizontal column are the same but the columns are different. That is, by dispersing the pixel groups displaying each viewpoint image on the display 1 in both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, it is possible to mitigate that the resolution in one of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction is significantly deteriorated with respect to the other. It is a thing.

Therefore, the distribution of each pixel to each viewpoint is
It can be done in several different ways.

For example, the first row and the second row are shifted by 2 pixels, the second row and the third row are shifted by 4 pixels, and the third row and the first row are shifted by 3 pixels, and this pattern is repeated thereafter. Even with such shifting, the display light from each pixel can be guided to the corresponding viewpoint by changing the pattern of the opening 34-a of the parallax barrier member 345.

[0133]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since it is not necessary to mechanically move the member in order to switch between the normal two-dimensional image display and the three-dimensional image display,
The structure of the device can be simplified. Further, the display brightness does not decrease when a two-dimensional image is displayed, which is a problem in the conventional device.

By distributing the pixel groups displaying the respective viewpoint images forming the stereoscopic image in the horizontal and vertical directions, it is possible to mitigate the drastic reduction in the horizontal resolution as in the conventional case. It is possible to display a high-quality stereoscopic image.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of 3D display in an image display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a 2D view of the image display device according to the first embodiment.
Illustration of the principle of display.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an optical action in the image display device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a first diagram of the image display device according to the first embodiment.
Of the optical member of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an optical action in the image display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an optical action in the image display device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an optical action in the image display device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the principle of multi-view 3D display in the image display device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a 2D view of the image display device according to the fifth embodiment.
Illustration of the principle of display.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an image display device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of pixel arrangement of a display in the image display device of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an opening arrangement of a parallax barrier member in the image display device of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the relationship between pixels and parallax barrier openings in the image display device of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a horizontal sectional view of the image display device according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a horizontal sectional view of the image display device of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a horizontal sectional view of the image display device according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a horizontal sectional view of the image display device according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a vertical sectional view of the image display device according to the sixth embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the principle of the display in the image display apparatus of 5th Embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a pixel arrangement of a display in the image display device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional image display device.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a conventional image display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 display 2,5 Polarizer 3 First optical member 4 Second optical member 6 Image generation device 7 controller 12 Horizontal lenticular lens 345 Parallax Barrier Material

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] July 12, 2002 (2002.7.1)
2)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Detailed explanation of the invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention A stereoscopic image display system having an image information supply device.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image display device capable of switching display between a normal two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image, and more particularly to a multi-view stereoscopic display in a television, a video, a computer monitor, a game machine or the like. It is suitable.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art As a stereoscopic image display device capable of displaying normal two-dimensional images and three-dimensional images without using 3D glasses, there is one proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-123461. This device uses the parallax barrier method as a display principle.In this parallax barrier method, a plurality of viewpoint images corresponding to a plurality of observation positions are decomposed into strips and formed into vertical stripes in a predetermined order. The arrayed composite image is displayed on a display device such as an LCD, and a member (parallax barrier) having a slit-shaped opening is arranged immediately in front of the display device.

An observer can observe a stereoscopic image by seeing a pair of viewpoint images with both eyes through the opening of the parallax barrier.

FIG. 20 shows the structure of a stereoscopic image display device proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-123461. In this apparatus, as the parallax barrier 103, two regions having different crystal axis directions are patterned with a predetermined width, and the portion 103-a corresponding to the opening of the parallax barrier 103 is used as a half-wave plate. Make it work,
A member configured to rotate the polarization axis of the linearly polarized light incident on this portion by 90 degrees and to prevent the polarization axis of the linearly polarized light from being modulated in the other regions 103-b is used.

In this device, when displaying a stereoscopic image, a polarization axis 104-1 orthogonal to the polarization axis 102 of the linearly polarized light incident on the front surface of the parallax barrier 103.
An emission polarizing plate 104 having the above is provided. This gives 1 /
A stereoscopic image can be observed by viewing with the corresponding eye the viewpoint image light 105 that passes through only the portion 103-a corresponding to the opening of the parallax barrier 103 that functions as a two-wave plate.

On the other hand, when viewing a normal two-dimensional image with this apparatus, the emission polarizing plate 104 is removed. That is, as described above, this device has a function of partially rotating the polarization axis of linearly polarized light by 90 degrees, but since the polarization state of light cannot be recognized by the human eye, it is emitted from the entire screen. Image (two-dimensional image that appears from the display device)
Can be seen.

Further, another device configuration is proposed in the above publication. That is, as shown in FIG. 21, by providing a switchable quarter-wave rotator 106 between the emission polarization plate 104 and the parallax barrier 103, the emission polarization plate 104 is mechanically moved. Instead, a normal two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image can be switched and displayed.

The quarter-wave rotator 106 is switchable between a first state in which the transmitted polarization is not affected and a second state in which each polarization state acts as a quarter-wave plate. is there. In the second state, the quarter-wave rotator 106 functions as a quarter-wave plate having an optical axis at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the polarization axis of the patterned half-wave plate. Therefore, the patterned 1 /
Since the linearly polarized light emitted from the region 103-b corresponding to the light-shielding portion and the region 103-a corresponding to the opening in the two-wavelength plate are orthogonal to each other, it is 4 with respect to these polarization axes.
By disposing the quarter-wave rotator 106 so as to function as a quarter-wave plate having an optical axis with an angle of 5 °, 2
Both of the two orthogonally polarized light beams are converted into circularly polarized light beams having mutually opposite rotations.

As a result, 50% of the circularly polarized light is transmitted through the emission polarizing plate 104, so that a normal two-dimensional image transmitted through the entire screen can be seen.

In FIG. 21, 101 is an LCD as a display and 100 is a backlight.

[0012]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, it is necessary to mechanically move the emission polarizing plate 104 in order to switch between the normal two-dimensional image and the three-dimensional image, and the device configuration is complicated. Becomes

On the other hand, in the device shown in FIG. 21 using the quarter-wave rotator 106, although the full-resolution two-dimensional image of the display can be viewed, the display brightness is reduced to 50%. There is.

Further, when a stereoscopic image is displayed by the parallax barrier system or the lenticular system, a plurality of viewpoint images forming the stereoscopic image are decomposed into strips to form a composite image in which vertical stripes are arranged. This composite image is displayed on a display device such as an LCD and made incident on the corresponding eye by a parallax barrier, a lenticular lens, or the like. Therefore, if the number of viewpoint images is r,
There is also a problem that the horizontal resolution (pixel number) is reduced to 1 / r of the display resolution (pixel number).

Therefore, according to the present invention, in order to switch and display a normal two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image, the components are not mechanically moved, and the resolution and display brightness of the normal two-dimensional image are lowered. An object of the present invention is to provide an image display device that does not deteriorate.

Further, even when performing multi-view stereoscopic display of four or more viewpoints as a viewpoint image, a normal two-dimensional image and a stereoscopic image are switched without causing deterioration of resolution (number of pixels) only in the horizontal direction. An object is to provide an image display device capable of displaying.

[0017]

In order to achieve the above object, in the image display device of the present invention, the image displayed on the image display unit is displayed on the first polarizing plate, the first optical member and the second optical member. In the image display device for observing through the optical member and the second polarizing plate, the first optical member transmits the incident linearly polarized light without changing its polarization state or rotates its polarization axis by 90 °. It has a first region and a second region that can be switched to a state in which the polarization state is transmitted without changing and a state in which the polarization axis is rotated by 90 degrees, and a second optical member is provided. It is assumed to have a first region that functions as a half-wave plate and a second region that rotates its polarization axis by 90 degrees with respect to the incident linearly polarized light. Then, a first image is displayed on the image display unit when a two-dimensional image (normal two-dimensional image) is displayed, and a plurality of viewpoint images having parallax are combined and displayed (a stereoscopic image is displayed). Switching means is provided for switching the state of the second region of the optical member.

As a result, there is no need to mechanically move the member in order to switch between the normal two-dimensional image display and the three-dimensional image display. Further, the display brightness does not decrease when a two-dimensional image is displayed, which is a problem in the conventional device.

By distributing the pixel groups for displaying the respective viewpoint images forming the stereoscopic image in the horizontal and vertical directions, it is possible to mitigate the drastic reduction in the horizontal resolution as in the conventional case. It is possible to display a high-quality stereoscopic image.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2
FIG. 8 shows the configuration and operation of the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a main part for explaining the configuration of the image display device and the principle of stereoscopic image display, and FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the principle of two-dimensional image display.

In these figures, 1 is a display (image display unit) such as an LCD having a CRT or a backlight source, and 2 is a first polarized light for aligning the polarization directions of image light emitted from the display 1. It is a plate. When an LCD is used as the display 1, a polarizing plate corresponding to the first polarizing plate 2 is already provided on the LCD.

Partial transmission and blocking of the image light emitted from the first polarizing plate 2 are controlled by respective members 3, 4 and 5 described later at positions separated from the first polarizing plate 2 by a predetermined distance. The parallax barrier is constructed.

In FIG. 1, the three members 3 to 5 are shown separated from each other for the sake of explanation of the drawing, but in reality, these members 3 to 5 are separated.
5 are closely arranged.

Next, the action of the parallax barrier will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a first optical member, which is a half-wave plate which is composed of a single liquid crystal cell 31 and whose state can be partially switched, and has no effect on the incident polarized light. It is possible to switch between the first state in which the polarization state is not exceeded (transmitting light without changing the polarization state) and the second state in which the polarization axis is rotated by 90 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 4, one surface of the liquid crystal cell 31 has an electrode portion 3-b (second region) to which the transparent electrode 32 is attached and a non-electrode to which such an electrode is not attached. The electrode portion 3-a (first region) is patterned with a predetermined width, and the common electrode 33 is attached to the other surface. By switching energization / de-energization to the electrode part 3-b, only the electrode part 3-b of the liquid crystal cell 31 is in a state in which the polarization axis of the incident linearly polarized light is rotated and a state in which the linearly polarized light is transmitted as it is. It can be switched.

In other words, the phase can be partially switched between 0 and π. In this embodiment, the non-electrode part 3-
In a, the phase is fixed at 0, but as described separately with reference to FIG. 5, this non-electrode portion 3-a (first region)
The phase can be set in two states of 0 and π.

Various liquid crystals can be used as the liquid crystal cell 31, and for example, TN liquid crystal or FLC can be used.

Further, the first optical member 3 is constructed by using a single liquid crystal cell, and the transparent electrode is attached to the liquid crystal cell to form the electrode portion 3-b, that is, the second region. Therefore, unlike the case of using the TFT liquid crystal, moire due to the black matrix does not occur, and a high quality image can be displayed.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a second optical member, which is formed by patterning two regions having different crystal axis directions with a predetermined width.
1/2 wavelength plate (that is, a member that delays the phase by π) and the first region 4-a that does not modulate the polarization axis of incident linearly polarized light (that is, the phase is 0)
Area 4-b. These areas 4-a, 4-b
Are patterned to have the same widths as the widths of the non-electrode portion 3-a and the electrode portion 3-b of the first optical member 3, respectively. As a result, the polarization axis of the linearly polarized light incident on the first region 4-a is rotated by 90 degrees, and the second region 4-b is rotated.
Then, the polarization axis of the incident linearly polarized light is not modulated at all.

As the second optical member 4, a uniaxially stretched film such as PVA is patterned, or a crystal or film having optical anisotropy is patterned or partially formed. Can be used.

Reference numeral 5 is an emission polarizing plate (second polarizing plate),
The polarization axis is set so that only predetermined linearly polarized light is transmitted. In the present embodiment, the polarization axis of the emission polarization plate 5 is set to be orthogonal to the polarization axis of the polarization plate 2.

By using these three members 3 to 5, it is possible to switch between two states, that is, a state of functioning as a parallax barrier and a state of having no effect on display light.

As shown in FIG. 1, when a stereoscopic image is displayed, the non-electrode portion 3-a of the first optical member 3,
Only the image light incident on the portion 34-a of the second optical member 4 which overlaps the first region 4-a functioning as a half-wave plate can be transmitted, and this portion 34-a is a parallax film. Functions as an opening for the barrier.

In FIG. 1, the distance between the eyes of the observer (base line length) is O, the observation distance is L, and the distance between the display 1 and the three members 3, 4, 5 forming the parallax barrier is D. , B ′ is the width of the non-electrode portion 3-a of the first optical member 3 (width corresponding to the opening of the parallax barrier), and I is the interval between the stripe images displayed on the display 1, the following relationship is obtained. is there.

D = IL / (O + I) (1) B '= I (L-D) / L (2) Since the observation width actually has a finite width at the observation position, The various quantities are set with slight changes.
For these relationships, see S. H. Kaplan, "Theory of P
arallax Barriers ", J. SMPTE, Vol. 59, No. 7, pp. 1
1-21 (1952).

The action of the parallax barrier composed of the members 3 to 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3A shows the operation of these members 3 to 5 when displaying a three-dimensional (3D) image and FIG. 3B when displaying a two-dimensional (2D) image.

First, the operation at the time of displaying a 3D image will be described with reference to FIG. At this time, a voltage is applied from the controller (switching means) 7 to the electrode portion 3-b of the first optical member 3. In the present embodiment, since the TN liquid crystal is used for the liquid crystal cell 31 forming the first optical member 3, when a voltage is applied, the electrode portion 3-b acts on the incident polarized light. It is in a state of transmitting the light in the same polarized state without affecting it. That is, the phase acts as 0. Therefore, the linearly polarized light 10 entering the electrode portion 3-b is
The light is transmitted through the first optical member 3 in the same polarization state.

On the other hand, the second optical member 4 does not modulate the polarization axis of the incident linearly polarized light at all (that is, the phase is 0) as a region overlapping the electrode portion 3-b of the first optical member 3. Since the region 4-b is provided, the first optical member 3
The light that has passed through the electrode part 3-b also passes through the region 4-b in the same polarization state and reaches the emission polarizing plate 5.

However, since the polarization axis of the emission polarization plate 5 is orthogonal to the polarization axis of the polarization plate 2, the linearly polarized light transmitted through the optical members 3 and 4 without any modulation of the polarization axis is emitted from the emission polarization plate. 5 cannot be transmitted, and the light shielding portion 34-b is formed.

On the other hand, the non-electrode portion 3-a of the first optical member 3
Then, since the phase is fixed at 0, the incident linearly polarized light is transmitted as it is in the polarized state. At this time, the second optical member 4 is provided with a region 4-a that functions as a ½ wavelength plate (that is, delays the phase by π) so as to overlap the electrode portion 3-a of the first optical member 3. Therefore, the linearly polarized light that has passed through the electrode portion 3-a and is incident on the region 4-a has its polarization axis rotated by 90 degrees, so that the emission polarizing plate 5
Leading to.

Since the polarization axis of the emission polarization plate 5 is orthogonal to the polarization axis of the polarization plate 2, polarized light whose polarization axis is rotated by 90 degrees can pass through the emission polarization plate 5. Therefore, this portion functions as an opening 34-a for emitting the image light 8 from the display 1 as a light flux 9.

Next, the operation during 2D display will be described with reference to FIG. At this time, in the first optical member 3, the voltage application from the controller 7 to the electrode portion 3-b is turned off. Since only the light 10 ′ incident on the electrode portion 3-b is different from that in 3D display, only the operation of the electrode portion 3-b will be described.

Since no voltage is applied to the first optical member 3, the electrode section 3-b has a function of rotating the polarization axis of incident polarized light by 90 degrees. The second optical member 4 does not modulate the polarization axis of the linearly polarized light at all (that is, the phase is 0) so as to overlap the electrode portion 3-b of the first optical member 3.
Since -b is provided, the light transmitted through the electrode portion 3-b is transmitted in the region 4-b in the polarization state as it is, and reaches the emission polarizing plate 5. Since the polarization axis of the emission polarization plate 5 is orthogonal to the polarization axis of the polarization plate 2, the light whose polarization axis is rotated 90 degrees by the first optical member 3 passes through the emission polarization plate 5 and the incident light 10 'Is emitted as a light flux 11. That is, this part does not function as a light shielding part.

In this embodiment, the first optical member 3 is provided on the display 1 side, but the order of the first optical member 3 and the second optical member 4 is related to the operation of the present invention. It does not matter which one is provided on the display 1 side.

Next, returning to FIG. 1, the operation during 3D display will be described. The image generation device 6 divides two viewpoint images (a left-eye image and a right-eye image), alternately combines them in stripes at predetermined image intervals, and displays them on the display 1. Further, a signal is sent from the image generation device 6 to the controller 7, and the controller 7 controls the first optical member 3 in the 3D display mode. That is, in this embodiment, a voltage is applied to the electrode portion 3-b of the liquid crystal cell 31.

The image information for displaying each viewpoint image on the display 1 is supplied to the image generating device 6 from an image information supplying device such as a personal computer, a video, a DVD (not shown).

The linearly polarized light 8-1 emitted from the pixel L for displaying the left eye image of the display 1 is transmitted only through the opening 34-a in the parallax barrier composed of the members 3, 4 and 5 described above. Then, the left-eye image light 9-1 becomes incident on the left-eye EL. Further, the linearly polarized light 8-2 emitted from the pixel R displaying the right eye image of the display 1 is
Similarly, the right eye image light 9-2 is transmitted through only the opening 34-a.
And enters the right eye ER.

On the other hand, the light traveling from the pixel L displaying the left-eye image to the right-eye ER, for example, light 10-1 is the electrode portion 3-b of the first optical member 3 and the area 4-of the second optical member 4. Since the light is incident on the light-shielding portion 34-b of the parallax barrier overlapping with b, it cannot pass through the emission polarizing plate 5, as described above. Therefore, the light from the pixel L displaying the left eye image does not reach the right eye ER.

That is, the two viewpoint images displayed in stripes form a parallax barrier in which the non-electrode portion 3-a of the first optical member 3 and the region 4-a of the second optical member 4 overlap each other. A stereoscopic image can be observed by transmitting only the openings 34-a and entering the corresponding eyes.

Further, during the 2D display, the image generating device 6 displays a normal two-dimensional image on the display 1, as shown in FIG. In addition, a signal is sent from the image generation device 6 to the controller 7, and the controller 7 controls the first optical member 3 in the 2D display mode. In this embodiment, the voltage application to the electrode portion 3-b of the liquid crystal cell 31 is turned off.

As described with reference to FIG. 3B, the electrode portion 3
In -b, since the polarization axis is rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the incident polarized light, the electrode part 3-b and the region 4 of the second optical member 4 are rotated.
-The part that overlaps with b no longer functions as a light shield,
The two-dimensional image displayed on the display 1 can be viewed in the same way by the right eye and the left eye, and operates in the same manner as a normal 2D display.

(Second to Fourth Embodiments) Here, other embodiments of the parallax barrier including the members 3, 4, and 5 will be described as other embodiments of the present invention. As described above, the non-electrode portion 3- of the first optical member 3
As the phase of a, it is possible to set a first state that has no effect on the incident polarized light and a second state that rotates the polarization axis by 90 degrees. In other words, the phase can be set to two states of 0 and π. Similarly, the area 4-a in the second optical member 4 is also 1
It can be set to a state of functioning as a / 2 wavelength plate and a state of not functioning. That is, the phase of the second optical member 4 can also be set to two states of 0 and π.
Therefore, four combinations of 2 × 2 can be set as these combinations.

FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG.
It shows 3rd and 4th embodiment, and operation and control of members other than these members 3, 4, and 5 are the same as that of a 1st embodiment.

In FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, (a) shows the case of 3D display, and (b) shows the case of 2D display.

Here, the polarized light 8 incident on the non-electrode part 3-a of the first optical member 3 and the electrode part 3 are described.
Three lights, that is, the polarized light 10 incident on -b and the polarized light 10 'incident on the electrode portion 3-b during 2D display will be described.

<Second Embodiment> To simplify the description, the configuration of FIG. 5 and the polarization axes of the polarized light transmitted through each member are summarized in the table below.

[Table 1] As can be seen from this table, in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the non-electrode portion 3-a of the first optical member 3 has a phase of 0, and the electrode portion 3-b of 3D display has a phase of 0. This configuration is different from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the light distribution direction of the liquid crystal cell 31 may be set in the direction orthogonal to the first embodiment.

During 3D display in this embodiment, the electrode portion 3-b functions as a light-shielding portion, and the non-electrode portion 3-a can be used as a parallax barrier opening to observe a stereoscopic image.

On the other hand, at the time of 2D display, the incident light 10 'to the electrode portion 3-b is transmitted through the emission polarizing plate 5, so that the light of the entire screen is seen by both eyes, and a normal 2D image is observed. become.

<< Third Embodiment >> The configuration shown in FIG. 6 and the polarization axes of the polarized light transmitted through the respective members are summarized in the table below.

[Table 2] As can be seen from this table, in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the same liquid crystal cell 31 as that used in the first embodiment may be used, and the region 4-a in the second optical member 4 is reduced to 1 / Area 4-b is halved without functioning as a two-wave plate
The crystal axis may be set so as to function as a wave plate.

In 3D display in this embodiment, the first
The electrode part 3-b of the optical member 3 functions as a light-shielding part, and the non-electrode part 3-a can be used as an opening of the parallax barrier to observe a stereoscopic image.

On the other hand, at the time of 2D display, the incident light 10 'to the electrode portion 3-b is transmitted through the emission polarizing plate 5, so that the light of the entire screen is seen by both eyes, and a normal 2D image is observed. become.

<< Fourth Embodiment >> The configuration shown in FIG. 7 and the polarization axes of polarized light transmitted through the respective members are summarized in the following table.

[Table 3] As can be seen from this table, in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the same liquid crystal cell 31 as that used in the second embodiment is used, and the patterned liquid crystal cell 31 similar to that used in the third embodiment is used. The member 4 of 2 may be used.

In the present embodiment, when the 3D display is performed, the first
The electrode part 3-b of the optical member 3 functions as a light-shielding part, and the non-electrode part 3-a can be used as an opening of the parallax barrier to observe a stereoscopic image.

On the other hand, at the time of 2D display, the incident light 10 'to the electrode portion 3-b is transmitted through the emission polarizing plate 5, so that the light of the entire screen is seen by both eyes, and a normal 2D image is observed. become.

(Fifth Embodiment) In the embodiments described so far, the image display device of the binocular parallax system using two viewpoint images has been described, but the multi-view display system using three or more viewpoint images is used. The present invention can also be applied to an image display device.

The present embodiment relates to a multi-view display type image display device. FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a main part of the image display device when displaying in 3D, and FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a main part when displaying in 2D.

The same members as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. Further, as for the action and form of the parallax barrier composed of the members 3, 4, and 5, all combinations of the first to fourth embodiments can be applied. Here, only parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, an image display device of a multi-view display system having four viewpoint images will be described. Parallax
Opening width of barrier (non-electrode part 3 in the first optical member 3
-Corresponding to the width of a)) and the observation distance and other device configuration parameters are described in SH Kaplan, "Theory of Parallax Barri
ers ", J. SMPTE, Vol.59, No.7, pp.11-21 (1952).
The width of 4-a is set smaller than the width of the light shielding portion 34-b, and the width of the opening portion 34-a is determined so that only a predetermined pixel can be seen by one eye.

In 3D display, the image generation device 6 displays 4
A single viewpoint image is divided, combined in stripes in a predetermined order and at a predetermined image interval, and displayed on the display 1. In addition, a signal is sent from the image generation device 6 to the controller 7, and the controller 7 sets the first optical member 3 to 3D.
Control in display mode. In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal cell 31
Voltage is applied to.

The linearly polarized light 8-1 emitted from the pixel 1 displaying the first viewpoint image on the display 1 is
In the parallax barrier including the members 3, 4, and 5 described above, the image light 9-1 is transmitted through only the opening 34-a.
And enters the viewpoint (1). Also, display 1
The linearly polarized light 8-2 emitted from the pixel 2 displaying the second viewpoint image of # 1 similarly passes through only the opening 34-a and becomes the image light 9-2 and enters the viewpoint (2). . Similarly, pixels 3, 3 displaying the 3rd and 4th viewpoint images respectively
The light emitted from 4 enters the viewpoints (3) and (4), respectively. At this time, for example, by setting the distance between the viewpoints (1) and (2) equal to the interocular distance, the image 2
Only the image 1 is observed by the left eye, and the right eye image (the viewpoint image observed at the viewpoint (2)) and the left eye image (the viewpoint image observed at the viewpoint (1)) are respectively viewed. That is, a stereoscopic image can be observed.

On the other hand, the light emitted from the pixel 1 toward the viewpoint (3), for example, the light 10-1 is the electrode portion 3-b of the first optical member 3 and the area 4- of the second optical member 4. Since it is incident on the parallax barrier light-shielding portion 34-b overlapping with b, the light 10-1 cannot pass through the emission polarizing plate 5 as described above, and the light from the pixel 1 reaches the viewpoint (3). Does not reach.

That is, the viewpoint image displayed in stripes is transmitted only through the parallax barrier opening 34-a where the non-electrode portion 3-a and the region 4-a are overlapped, and is incident on the corresponding eye. By doing so, the stereoscopic display can be observed.

Further, during the 2D display, as shown in FIG. 9, the image generating device 6 displays a normal two-dimensional image on the display 1. In addition, a signal is sent from the image generation device 6 to the controller 7, and the controller 7 controls the first optical member 3 in the 2D display mode. In this embodiment, the voltage application to the liquid crystal cell 31 is turned off.

As described with reference to FIG. 3B, the electrode section 3-
In b, the polarization axis is rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the incident polarized light, so that it does not function as a light-shielding portion.
The two-dimensional image displayed above will be viewed by the right eye and the left eye in the same manner, and operates in the same manner as a normal 2D display.

(Sixth Embodiment) In the above embodiments, a plurality of viewpoint images are decomposed into strips and a composite image arranged in vertical stripes is displayed on a display device 1 such as an LCD in 3D display. The case has been described in which the 3D display and the 2D display are switched and displayed by controlling the opening and the light shield of the parallax barrier including the members 3, 4, and 5.

However, in the multi-view display method using the viewpoint images of three or more viewpoints as in the fifth embodiment, in the conventional method of dividing / combining into vertical stripes (so-called parallax panoramagram method), The number of viewpoint images is r
Then, there is a problem that the horizontal resolution (pixel number) is reduced to 1 / r of the display resolution (pixel number).

In this embodiment, even when performing multi-view stereoscopic display using four or more viewpoint images, a normal two-dimensional image and a stereoscopic image can be displayed without deterioration of resolution (pixel number) only in the horizontal direction. An image display device capable of switching and displaying will be described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the image display device of this embodiment. Here, p = 3, q = 3, r
Description will be made in the case where a 9-viewpoint stereoscopic image display device of = 9 is configured.

On the front surface of the display 1, the lateral lenticular lens 12 and the parallax barrier member 345 are arranged in this order from the display device 1 toward the observer.

The parallax barrier member 345 in this embodiment is a general term for the first optical member 3, the second optical member 4 and the emission polarizing plate 5 described in the first embodiment. They may be provided integrally or may be closely attached to each other. Further, since the order of the first optical member 3 and the second optical member 4 is not related to the operation of the present invention, either one may be provided on the display 1 side.

Observation positions E1 to E9 corresponding to nine viewpoints
Are arranged from right to left in this order from E1 to E9, for example.

FIG. 11 shows that each pixel of the display 1 has 9 pixels.
It is a figure which shows how the image information (viewpoint image) of a viewpoint is displayed. The codes from D1 to D9 are E1 to E
9 shows that each pixel displays the viewpoint image corresponding to the viewpoint. The arrangement method of the pixels corresponding to the viewpoints is D1 to D9 corresponding to 9 (= r) viewpoints in each horizontal column of pixels.
Pixels up to are repeatedly arranged in order, and an array in which the pixel order is shifted by 3 (= q) each time the horizontal column is vertically shifted so that the arrangement makes one cycle for each horizontal column of 3 (= p) rows You can do this.

FIG. 10 shows the parallax barrier member 34.
It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action of No. 5. Particularly, the pattern of the parallax barrier opening 34-a in 3D display is shown. Here, the detailed description of the operation is omitted, but all the methods described with reference to FIGS.
A configuration can be adopted.

As the function of the parallax barrier member 345, in the case of 3D display, the electrode portion 3 of the first optical member 3 is used.
-B serves as the light-shielding portion 34-b, and the portion 34-a overlapping the non-electrode portion 3-a acts as a parallax barrier opening, so that a stereoscopic image can be observed.

On the other hand, during 2D display, the electrode section 3-b (3
Light incident on 4-b) also passes through the emission polarizing plate 5, so that the light of the entire screen is seen by both eyes, and a normal 2D image can be observed.

However, in the present embodiment, the electrode portion 3-b of the first optical member 3 (as a result, the parallax.
The arrangement of the barrier openings 34-a) in a pattern as shown in FIG. 12 differs from the previous embodiments. That is, the three openings 34-a are arranged in the horizontal direction, and a plurality of similar horizontal rows of openings are arranged in the vertical direction. However, the openings 34 in the horizontal rows of openings that are adjacent in the vertical direction
-A has different horizontal positions.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view for explaining the principle of nine-viewpoint stereoscopic image display shown in this embodiment.

The cylindrical lens portion constituting the lateral lenticular lens 12 is p (=
3) corresponding to a series of pixel horizontal columns, and in FIG. 13, only the cylindrical lens portion corresponding to the three pixel horizontal columns is displayed.

In the vertical direction, ld1, ld2, l
Three horizontal rows of pixels indicated by d3 are imaged by the horizontal cylindrical lens 2 on the horizontal aperture rows lm1, lm2, lm3 on the parallax barrier member 345.

D1 of horizontal pixel line ld1 of display 1
The display light emitted from the pixels from D9 to D9 is transmitted by the horizontal lenticular lens 12 to the parallax barrier member 3.
Collected in the opening horizontal row lm1 on 45, the opening horizontal row lm1
Only the display light passing through the opening 34-a1 above 1 reaches the observation surface. At this time, the display light emitted from the pixels D1 to D9 reaches the viewpoints E1 to E9 of the viewing surface, and the other viewpoint positions are shielded by the light shielding portion 34-b of the parallax barrier member 345. It is never reached.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the viewpoint image displayed by the pixels on the pixel horizontal column ld2 is 3 (= q) in the horizontal direction with respect to the viewpoint image displayed by the pixels on the pixel horizontal column ld1. The viewpoint is deviated.

The display light emitted from the pixels D1 to D9 on the pixel horizontal column ld2 is collected by the horizontal lenticular lens 12 into the aperture horizontal column lm2 on the parallax barrier member 345, and on the aperture horizontal column lm2. Only the display light that passes through the opening 34-a2 in 1 reaches the observation surface.
The horizontal position of the opening 34-a2 is displaced from the opening 34-a1 by a predetermined amount which will be described in detail later.
The display light emitted from the pixels D1 to D9 on the horizontal pixel line ld2 reaches the viewpoints E1 to E9 on the viewing surface through the openings 34-a2, and the other viewpoints include parallax. Light-shielding portion 34-b of the barrier member 345
It will not be reached by being blocked by.

Similarly, the viewpoint image displayed by the pixels on the pixel horizontal column ld3 is horizontally displaced from the viewpoint image displayed by the pixels on the pixel horizontal column ld2 by 3 (= q) viewpoints.

The display light emitted from the pixels D1 to D9 on the pixel horizontal column ld3 is collected by the horizontal lenticular lens 12 into the aperture horizontal column lm3 on the parallax barrier member 345, and on the aperture horizontal column lm3. Only the display light that passes through the opening 34-a3 in (1) reaches the observation surface.

The horizontal position of the opening 34-a3 is displaced from the opening 34-a2 by a predetermined amount, and the display light emitted from the pixels D1 to D9 on the horizontal pixel line ld3 is opened. Each of the viewpoints E1 to E9 on the observation surface is reached through the portion 34-a3, and the other viewpoint positions are not reached by being blocked by the light shielding portion 34-b of the parallax barrier member 345.

FIGS. 14 to 16 are plan sectional views for explaining in more detail the action on the horizontal luminous flux for displaying a stereoscopic image according to the present embodiment.
Pixel horizontal row ld1 and aperture horizontal row lm1, pixel horizontal row ld2 and aperture horizontal row lm2, and horizontal row ld3 shown in FIG.
And the horizontal planes passing through the opening horizontal row lm3, respectively. Further, common members are given common reference numerals. The present embodiment operates in this cut plane in the same manner as a normal nine-viewpoint parallax barrier system.

In FIG. 14, the display light from the pixels D1 to D9 of the series of regions 111 on the display 1 is the opening 34-a of the parallax barrier member 345.
The corresponding areas 41 on the observation surface 14 passing through 1-1
-The light-shielding portion 34 of the parallax barrier member 345 reaches the viewpoints E1 to E9 of 1-, and the other viewpoints-
It cannot be reached because it is blocked by b.

Similarly, a series of areas 11 of the display 1
The display light from the pixels D1 to D9 of 2 passes through the opening 34-a1-2 of the parallax barrier member 345, and E of the corresponding region 41-1 on the observation surface 14 is displayed.
The viewpoints from 1 to E9 are reached, and the other viewpoints cannot be reached because they are blocked by the light shielding portion 34-b of the parallax barrier member 345.

The opening 3 of the parallax barrier member 345 is emitted from each pixel of the area 111 of the display 1.
An opening other than 4-a1-1, for example, an opening 34-a1-
The light passing through 2 is a different area on the observation surface, and the area 41-
Area 41 that has the same viewpoint arrangement as the viewpoints E1 to E9 in FIG.
2 viewpoints E1 to E9 are reached, and the openings 34-a1-1
The display light that has passed through the openings other than the openings 34-a1-2 also reaches the same viewpoint in different regions on the viewing surface.

Further, the light fluxes from the pixels D1 to D9 corresponding to the nine viewpoints on the display 1 reach the corresponding viewpoints E1 to E9 of the observation surface area 41-1 and at the same time, the observation surface area is reached. E1 in areas other than 41-1
To the viewpoint of E9 respectively, and as a result, the observation plane 1
Only the luminous fluxes from the pixels D1 to D9 of the display 1 arrive on the display 4, and the viewpoints E1 to E9 are repeatedly formed, so that a stereoscopic image of 9 viewpoints can be displayed.

Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the pixel horizontal columns ld2 and ld3 on the display 1 and the aperture horizontal column l on the parallax barrier member 345 are displayed.
Even on the cut surface passing through m2 and lm3, the display 1
The light fluxes from the pixels D1 to D9 of No. reach only the corresponding viewpoints E1 to E9 on the observation surface 14. As a result, similarly to the state of the cut surface described with reference to FIG. 14, the viewpoints E1 to E9 are repeatedly formed on the observation surface 14, and a stereoscopic image of 9 viewpoints can be displayed.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view in which the cut surfaces of FIGS. 14 to 16 are overlapped and displayed, and the three types of pixel horizontal columns ld1, ld2, ld3 of the display 1 are displayed by being shifted in the horizontal direction. There is.

Here, the relational expressions between the parameters in the horizontal direction regarding the stereoscopic image display will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16 and FIG. In this relational expression, the number of viewpoints is generalized to r = p · q.

The horizontal pixel pitch of the display 1 is Hd,
The distance between the opening 34-a of the parallax barrier member 345 and the opening 34-a in the same horizontal row as this is Hm, the horizontal width of the opening 34-a is Hm_open, and the opening position is the upper and lower horizontal rows. Hm_dis is the amount of horizontal shift for each difference, L1 is the air conversion distance between the display 1 and the parallax barrier member 345, and L0 is the air conversion distance between the parallax barrier member 345 and the observation surface 14.
The separation width on the viewing surface corresponding to the pixels D1 to Dr is E,
When the horizontal width of the viewpoints E1 to Er (r = 9 in the drawing) corresponding to the pixels D1 to Dr is He, the following relational expression is established using the basic geometrical relation.

(R-1) .Hd: (r-1) .He = L1: L0 (h1) r.Hd: Hm = L1 + L0: L0 (h2) He. (R-1) = E ... ( h3) Hm_dis: Hd · q = L0: L1 + L0 (h4) Further, the display light from the pixels D1 to Dr is changed to the observation surface 1
4, in order to fit within the corresponding viewpoint width from E1 to Er and not leak to the adjacent viewpoint, in addition to (h1) to (h4), kd · Hd: He = L11: L12 + L0 (h5) kd -Hd: Hm_open = L11: L12 ... (h6) L11 + L12 = L1 ... (h7) is satisfied.

Here, L11 and L12 are the widths of one viewpoint (width He) on both ends of the pixel effective portion (width kd · Hd where the horizontal aperture ratio of the pixel is kd) on the display 1 and the observation surface 14. Is the optical equivalent distance from the display 1 and the optical equivalent distance from the parallax barrier member 345 to the point where the straight line connecting the both ends of the.

In this relational expression, the independent variables L0, Hd,
Solving as E, kd and p, q, r (= p · q), L1 = Hd · L0 · (r−1) / E He = E / (r−1) Hm = r · Hd · E / ( (R-1) .Hd + E) Hm_dis = E.Hd.q / ((r-1) .Hd +
E) Hm_open = (1-kd) * Hd * E / ((r-
1) .Hd + E).

For example, Hd = 0.3 mm, kd = 0.
7, L0 = 600 mm, p = 3, q = 3, r = 9, E =
If it is 200 mm, L1 = 7.2 mm, He = 25 m
m, Hm = 2.668 mm, Hm_dis = 0.889
mm, Hm_open = 0.0889 mm.

Next, the function of the horizontal lenticular lens 12 in this embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, the display light from each horizontal column of pixels of the display 1 is transmitted to the parallax barrier member 34.
5, the light from the pixels arranged in a matrix by the horizontal horizontal rows of the parallax barrier member 345, which are arranged in a matrix by the horizontal horizontal rows of the parallax barrier members 345, is horizontally aligned as vertical stripes on the observation surface. It leads to each viewpoint arranged in.

Therefore, when the display light emitted from each pixel horizontal column leaks into the corresponding horizontal column on the parallax barrier member 345, crosstalk occurs. The lateral lenticular lens 12 functions to prevent this.

FIG. 18 is a vertical sectional view of this embodiment, in which members common to those in other drawings of this embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

Each of the cylindrical lens portions forming the horizontal lenticular lens 12 having optical power only in the vertical direction and having no optical power in the horizontal direction corresponds to one set of 3 (= p) pixels in the vertical direction. Therefore, the light from this one pixel set serves to form an image in the vertical direction on the corresponding three horizontal rows of apertures on the parallax barrier member 345.

As a result, the display light emitted from each pixel horizontal column on the display 1 is guided to the corresponding aperture horizontal column on the parallax barrier member 345. FIG.
The luminous fluxes emitted from the pixel rows 121, 122, 123 shown in FIG. 1 and incident on the corresponding cylindrical lens portion 201 of the horizontal lenticular lens 12 are the horizontal aperture rows 301, 302, 303 corresponding to the parallax barrier member 345.
Imaged above. The light rays emitted from the other pixel horizontal columns are similarly imaged on the corresponding horizontal aperture columns on the parallax barrier member 345, respectively. Further, if the condition between the distance between the display 1, the horizontal lenticular lens 12 and the parallax barrier member 345 and the horizontal pitch of these three members, which will be described later, is satisfied, for example,
The horizontal lenticular lens 12 emitted from the pixel 111
Originally not compatible with the cylindrical lens 203
The light flux incident on is originally not corresponded on the parallax barrier member 345, but is condensed to 311 in the aperture horizontal row on the parallax barrier member 345 corresponding to the pixel horizontal row having the same pixel arrangement order, and the stereoscopic image is obtained. There is no problem with the display. For example, the display light emitted from the pixel column 111 upon entering the openings 312 and 313 does not reach any viewpoint other than the predetermined viewpoint.

Next, referring to FIG. 18, a relational expression between parameters in the vertical direction relating to stereoscopic image display will be described.
In this relational expression, the number of viewpoints is generalized to r = p · q.

Let Lv1 be the air-equivalent distance between the display 1 and the horizontal lenticular lens 12, and Lv2 be the air-equivalent distance between the horizontal lenticular lens 12 and the parallax barrier member 345. v1) 2 · p · Vm: VL = Lv1 + Lv2: Lv1 (v2) 1 / fv = 1 / Lv1 + 1 / Lv2 (v3) holds.

Further, as the relational expression connecting the horizontal parameter and the vertical parameter regarding the stereoscopic image display, which is already described, regarding the positions of the display 1 and the parallax barrier member 345, the relation of Lv1 + Lv2 = L1 (hv1) There is.

Since the cylindrical lens portion which constitutes the horizontal lenticular lens 12 usually has aberration, the light from each pixel horizontal column causes the above-mentioned horizontal row of the openings 34-a of the parallax barrier member 345 to be aligned. Image may be blurred and may leak into the horizontal rows of the upper and lower openings 34-a to cause crosstalk. On the other hand, the vertical aperture ratio of the opening 34-a is made slightly smaller (that is, the vertical width of the electrode portion 3-b of the first optical member 3 is increased), and the upper and lower openings are formed. It is possible to prevent leakage from the horizontal row of the parts 34-a.

(Seventh Embodiment) In the sixth embodiment,
Although the display 1 has been described as a monochrome display, if this method is directly applied to the color LCD having the rgb vertical stripe arrangement, color breakup (color separation) on the observation surface may occur.

In order to prevent color breakup, the configuration may be modified as follows. That is, the number of rows p of the number of viewpoints r = p · q is changed to the number of color divisions c (in many cases, 3 corresponding to RGB).
, And the number of columns q is set so as not to be an integral multiple of the number of color divisions c. Viewpoints are assigned not on a pixel basis, but on a subpixel basis including division of color display.

In FIG. 19, when performing stereoscopic image display of 12 viewpoints with p = 6, q = 2, and r = 12 on a color display having an rgb vertical stripe arrangement, 1 is set for each sub-pixel.
It is a figure which shows how the image information of 2 viewpoints is displayed.

In this embodiment, viewpoints are assigned not in pixel units but in subpixel units including color display division, and the number of viewpoints is set to 6.2 = 12. The corresponding opening position on the parallax barrier member 345 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In other words, 12 (= r) viewpoint images corresponding to 12 (= r) viewpoints E1 to E12 are repeatedly displayed in the sub-pixel unit in each pixel horizontal column of the display 1, and each time the pixel horizontal column shifts by one. Two (= q) sub-pixels are displaced in the horizontal direction, and the array makes one cycle in 6 (= p) rows.

Further, the cylindrical lens portion constituting the horizontal lenticular lens is 6 (= p) of the display.
Corresponding to the column, the parallax
Imaging is performed on the corresponding horizontal row of six apertures on the barrier member.

With regard to the relational expressions shown in the sixth embodiment, p = 6, q = 2, and r = 12 are all satisfied in this embodiment.

As shown by sub-pixels A, A, and C in FIG. 19, sub-pixels D1r, D1b, and D1 corresponding to the viewpoint E1.
g are arranged close to each other. The sub-pixels a, a, and u are sub-pixels that display R, G, and B colors, respectively, and the display light from these sub-pixels reaches the same viewpoint E1 on the viewing surface, so that color separation is achieved. It can be seen that it does not occur on the observation side. The same applies to other viewpoints.

In the sixth embodiment and this embodiment, for each pixel horizontal column of the display 1,
Parallax barrier member 34 with different opening patterns
5, the display light is guided to different viewpoints on the observation surface if the horizontal positions of the pixels in each pixel horizontal column are the same but the columns are different. That is, by dispersing the pixel groups displaying each viewpoint image on the display 1 in both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, it is possible to mitigate that the resolution in one of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction is significantly deteriorated with respect to the other. It is a thing.

Therefore, the distribution of each pixel to each viewpoint is
It can be done in several different ways.

For example, the first and second rows are shifted by 2 pixels, the second and third rows are shifted by 4 pixels, and the third and first rows are shifted by 3 pixels, and this pattern is repeated thereafter. Even with such shifting, the display light from each pixel can be guided to the corresponding viewpoint by changing the pattern of the opening 34-a of the parallax barrier member 345.

[0132]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since it is not necessary to mechanically move the member in order to switch between the normal two-dimensional image display and the three-dimensional image display,
The structure of the device can be simplified. Further, the display brightness does not decrease when a two-dimensional image is displayed, which is a problem in the conventional device.

By distributing the pixel groups for displaying the respective viewpoint images forming the stereoscopic image in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, it is possible to mitigate a large reduction in the horizontal resolution as in the conventional case. It is possible to display a high-quality stereoscopic image.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yu Nishihara             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Sudo             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation F-term (reference) 2H059 AA26 AA38                 5C061 AA08 AA27 AB17 AB18

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image displayed on an image display unit,
An image display device for observing through a first polarizing plate, a first optical member, a second optical member and a second polarizing plate, wherein the first optical member is a polarized light for an incident linearly polarized light. A first region for transmitting light without changing its state, a second region for transmitting light without changing its polarization state, and a second region capable of switching to a state of rotating its polarization axis by 90 degrees, The second optical member has a ratio of 1 /
The first region that functions as a two-wave plate and its polarization axis are set to 9
A second region that is rotated by 0 degrees, and when the image display unit displays an image for planar view and when a plurality of viewpoint images having parallax are combined and displayed, the second region is displayed. An image display device comprising a switching means for switching the state of the second region in the first optical member. 2. The image displayed on the image display unit,
An image display device for observing through a first polarizing plate, a first optical member, a second optical member and a second polarizing plate, wherein the first optical member is a polarized light for an incident linearly polarized light. The first region in which the axis is rotated by 90 °, the state of transmitting light without changing its polarization state, and its polarization axis are
And a second region that can be switched to a state in which the second optical member is rotated by 1 degree with respect to the incident linearly polarized light.
The first region that functions as a two-wave plate and its polarization axis are set to 9
A second region that is rotated by 0 degrees, and when the image display unit displays an image for planar view and when a plurality of viewpoint images having parallax are combined and displayed, the second region is displayed. An image display device comprising a switching means for switching the state of the second region in the first optical member. 3. The polarized light passing through the first region of the first optical member is incident on the first region or the second region of the second optical member. Or the image display device according to item 2. 4. The first optical member according to claim 1, wherein the stripe-shaped first regions extending in the vertical direction are provided in a plurality of rows in the horizontal direction.
The image display device according to. 5. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein in the first optical member, a plurality of rectangular first regions are arranged in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, respectively. . 6. The light from the image display unit is provided between the image display unit and the first or second optical member in a predetermined number in a horizontal row of the first region of the first optical member. 6. The image display device according to claim 5, further comprising: a limiting member that guides the light to the first region and limits the light from entering the other first region. 7. The image display unit is r = p · q, where r is the number of viewpoint images.
(However, p and q are integers of 2 or more), a plurality of pixel blocks including p × q pixels are arranged in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and at least in each of the plurality of pixel blocks. The image display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each viewpoint image is displayed using one pixel. 8. The image display unit is configured such that when the number of the observation positions is r, the first to rth pixels which display the first to rth images in each of the plurality of pixel horizontal columns are The first to r-th pixels are arranged cyclically in a predetermined order, and the first to r-th pixels are horizontally displaced by a predetermined number of pixels each time the horizontal pixel row differs by one vertical column. 8. The image display device according to claim 7, wherein the first to r-th pixels are arranged in the same order in the horizontal direction for each different p (integer) column in the vertical direction. 9. The first optical member is composed of a single liquid crystal cell, and a transparent electrode is provided in the second region of the liquid crystal cell, and energization to the transparent electrode is turned on. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the state of the second region is switched by turning off. 10. A stereoscopic image, comprising: the image display device according to claim 1 or 2; and an image information supply device that supplies image information displayed on the image display unit to the image display device. Display system.