JP2005024669A - Picture display device and picture display method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picture display device which enables switching of display contents by changing the vertical visual field direction when a user looks at a display part, and a picture display method. <P>SOLUTION: The picture display device is constituted in such a manner that a plurality of pixels 2 are divided into at least a plurality of first groups GP1 which are extended in the horizontal direction respectively and display a picture A and a plurality of second groups GP2 which are extended in the horizontal direction respectively and display a picture B having the display contents different from the picture A. The first groups GP1 and the second groups GP2 are alternately disposed in the vertical direction. A lens array 7 is disposed near the surface of the display part 1 and is constituted by a plurality of lens cells 7a which are extended in the horizontal direction respectively. Each lens cell 7a emits incident light from the first groups GP1 in a first vertical visual field direction and, at the same time, emits incident light from the second groups GP2 in a second vertical field direction different from the first vertical visual field direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image display device and an image display method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image display device that displays a stereoscopic image by combining a liquid crystal display panel and a lenticular land. The display panel is divided into a pixel group for the right eye and a pixel group for the left eye, and the image for the right eye is displayed in the former, and the image for the left eye is displayed in the latter. These images basically have the same display content except that there is a horizontal shift according to the parallax. The lenticular land provided near the surface of the display panel separates the incident light from the display panel in the horizontal direction, emits the incident light from the right eye pixel group to the right eye side, and from the left eye pixel group. Incident light is emitted to the left eye side.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-304740
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to enable switching of display contents by changing a vertical visual field direction in which a user views a display unit.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve such a problem, the first invention provides an image display device having a display unit, a drive unit, and a lens array. The display unit includes a plurality of pixels arranged two-dimensionally. The plurality of pixels are at least divided into a plurality of first groups each extending in the horizontal direction and a plurality of second groups each extending in the horizontal direction. The first group and the second group are alternately provided in the vertical direction. The driving unit controls the display unit to display the first image in the plurality of first groups, and displays the second image having a different display content from the first image in the plurality of second groups. Let The lens array is provided in the vicinity of the surface of the display unit, and is composed of a plurality of lens cells each extending in the horizontal direction. Each lens cell emits incident light from the first group in a first vertical visual field direction and emits incident light from the second group in a second vertical visual field direction different from the first vertical visual field direction. To exit.
[0006]
Here, in the first invention, the drive unit performs line sequential scanning for sequentially selecting pixel rows extending in the horizontal direction. The driving unit supplies image data defining the first image to the pixel rows when the pixel rows belonging to the first group are selected, and the pixels when selecting the pixel rows belonging to the second group. Preferably, image data defining a second image is supplied to the row.
[0007]
The second invention is composed of a plurality of pixels arranged two-dimensionally. The plurality of pixels includes a plurality of first groups each extending in the horizontal direction and a plurality of pixels each extending in the horizontal direction. There is provided an image display method for displaying an image on a display unit which is divided into at least a second group and the first group and the second group are alternately provided in the vertical direction. In this image display method, a second step of displaying a first image in a plurality of first groups and a second image having different display contents from the first image are displayed in a plurality of second groups. A second step and a lens array provided in the vicinity of the surface of the display unit are configured, and a plurality of lens cells each extending in the horizontal direction are used to transmit incident light from the first group in the first vertical viewing direction. And a third step of emitting incident light from the second group in a second vertical visual field direction different from the first vertical visual field direction.
[0008]
Here, in the second invention, the second step includes a step of performing line-sequential scanning for sequentially selecting pixel rows extending in the horizontal direction, and a selection of pixel rows belonging to the first group. On the other hand, supplying image data defining the first image and supplying image data defining the second image to the pixel row when selecting a pixel row belonging to the second group. It is preferable to include.
[0009]
In the first or second invention, each lens cell constituting the lens array is preferably provided corresponding to a set of the first group and the second group adjacent to each other. .
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image display apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a small terminal device excellent in portability, such as a mobile phone or a PDA, is assumed as the image display device.
[0011]
The display unit 1 incorporated in the image display device is an active matrix type high resolution panel in which a liquid crystal element is driven by a switching element such as a TFT (thin film transistor). In the display unit 1, pixels 2 for m dots × n lines are arranged two-dimensionally (in a matrix). The display unit 1 also includes n scanning lines Y1 to Yn each extending in the horizontal direction (row direction) and m data each extending in the vertical direction (column direction). Lines X1 to Xm are provided, and the pixels 2 are arranged corresponding to these intersections.
[0012]
FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the pixel 2. One pixel 2 includes a TFT 21 that is a switching element, a liquid crystal capacitor 22, and a storage capacitor 23. The source of the TFT 21 is connected to one data line X, and its gate is connected to one scanning line Y. Regarding the pixels 2 arranged in the same column, the sources of the respective TFTs 21 are connected to the same data line X. For the pixels 2 arranged in the same row, the gates of the respective TFTs 21 are connected to the same scanning line Y. The drain of the TFT 21 is commonly connected to a liquid crystal capacitor 22 and a storage capacitor 23 provided in parallel. The liquid crystal capacitor 22 includes a pixel electrode 22a, a counter electrode 22b, and a liquid crystal (liquid crystal layer) sandwiched between the electrodes 22a and 22b. The storage capacitor 23 is formed between the pixel electrode 22a and a common capacitor electrode (not shown), and is supplied with a predetermined voltage Vcs. The storage capacitor 23 suppresses leakage of charges accumulated in the liquid crystal. A voltage corresponding to data is applied to the pixel electrode 22a side via the TFT 21. When data is supplied from the data line X to the pixel 2 in the data writing period, the liquid crystal capacitor 22 and the storage capacitor 23 are charged and discharged. Thereby, the transmittance of the liquid crystal layer is set according to the potential difference between the pixel electrode 22a and the counter electrode 22b, and the gradation of the pixel 2 is set.
[0013]
The control circuit 5 includes a scanning line driving circuit 3 and a data line driving circuit 4 based on external signals such as a vertical synchronizing signal Vs, a horizontal synchronizing signal Hs, and a dot clock signal DCLK input from a host device (not shown). Control the drive. Under this control, the scanning line driving circuit 3 and the data line driving circuit 4 as driving units perform display control of the display unit 1 in cooperation with each other.
[0014]
Specifically, the scanning line drive circuit 3 performs line sequential scanning of the scanning lines Y1 to Yn by outputting scanning signals to the scanning lines Y1 to Yn. The scanning signal takes a binary signal level of a high potential level (hereinafter referred to as “H level”) or a low potential level (hereinafter referred to as “L level”), and scan corresponding to a pixel row to which data is to be written. The line Y is set to the H level, and all other scanning lines Y are set to the L level. Thereby, in a predetermined period (for example, one frame (1/60 [sec])), line sequential scanning is performed in which pixel rows to which data is to be written are sequentially selected from the top to the bottom. .
[0015]
On the other hand, in one horizontal scanning period (1H) in which one scanning line Y is selected, the data line driving circuit 4 simultaneously outputs data for the pixel row to which data is written this time and the pixel row to which writing is performed at the next 1H. And point-sequential latching of data is performed simultaneously. In a certain 1H, m pieces of data corresponding to the number of data lines X serially supplied from the frame memory 6 are sequentially latched. In the next 1H, the latched m pieces of data are output in parallel and supplied to the data lines X1 to Xm all at once.
[0016]
The control unit 5 performs write control for writing image data input from a host device (not shown) to the frame memory 6 and read control for reading data stored in the frame memory 6. The frame memory 6 provided in the previous stage of the data line driving circuit 4 has a memory capacity capable of storing image data for a plurality of frames. The frame memory 6 stores a plurality of image data A and B having different display contents.
[0017]
The m × n pixels 2 constituting the display unit 1 are grouped for each predetermined unit. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of grouping of the pixels 2. The pixels 2 in the display unit 1 are divided in units of groups extending in the horizontal direction of the display unit 1. The groups defined in this way are further classified into a first group GP1 and a second group GP2 according to the type of image to be displayed. The first group GP1 is an area where the first image specified by the image data A is displayed, and the second group GP2 is an area where the second image specified by the image data B is displayed. is there. The first group GP1 and the second group GP2 are alternately arranged in the vertical direction of the display unit 1. In the present embodiment, by performing grouping of the pixels 2 in units of one pixel row, n groups are defined in the entire display unit 1, and a single group corresponds to m scanning lines Y. The pixel 2 is configured. Further, the pixel rows corresponding to the odd-numbered scanning lines Y1, Y3,..., Yn-1 become the first group GP1, and the pixel rows corresponding to the even-numbered scanning lines Y2, Y4,. Becomes the second group GP2.
[0018]
Display of a plurality of images on the display unit 1 can be realized by either non-interlaced driving or interlaced driving by controlling the reading order of data from the frame memory 6 by the control circuit 4. Here, it is assumed that each of the image data A and B is composed of data for m dots × 1 / 2n lines (low-resolution data whose resolution is lower than that of the display unit 1). The pixel row data (m dots) is Ak, and the kth pixel row data (m dots) in the image data B is Bk (k = 1 to 1 / 2n).
[0019]
First, when displaying a plurality of images by non-interlaced driving, the order of data Ak and Bk read from the frame memory 6 in one frame period is A1, B1, A2, B2,..., A1 / 2n, The order is B1 / 2n. That is, the image data A and B are alternately read out in units of pixel rows, and these are supplied to the data line driving circuit 4 as serial data. In this case, the scanning line driving circuit 3 performs one line sequential scanning in one frame period, and sequentially selects the scanning lines Y1 to Yn one by one from the top to the bottom. The data line driving circuit 4 converts the serial data A1, B1, A2, B2,..., A1 / 2n, B1 / 2n supplied from the frame memory 6 into pixel rows corresponding to the selected scanning line Y. To supply sequentially. Thereby, data A1, B1, A2, B2,..., A1 / 2n, B1 / 2n are supplied in units of pixel rows in order from the top to the bottom of the display unit 1, and the display state of the display unit 1 is displayed. Is an interlaced display in which two images are mixed in stripes.
[0020]
When displaying a plurality of images by interlaced driving, the order of data Ak and Bk read from the frame memory 6 in one frame period is A1, A2,..., A1 / 2n, B1, B2,. .., B1 / 2n order. That is, after the image data A is read, the image data B is read and supplied to the data line driving circuit 4 as serial data. In this case, the scanning line driving circuit 3 performs the line sequential scanning twice in one frame period, and in the period (odd field period) in which the first line sequential scanning is performed, the odd-numbered scanning lines Y1, Y3,. .., Yn−1 are sequentially selected, and even-numbered scanning lines Y2, Y4,..., Yn are sequentially selected in a period during which the second line sequential scanning is performed (even field period). In the odd field period, the data line driving circuit 4 converts the serial data A1, A2,..., A1 / 2n to pixel rows corresponding to the odd-numbered scanning lines Y1, Y3,. Supply sequentially. At the same time, in the even field period, the data line driving circuit 4 converts the serial data B1, B2,..., B1 / 2n to the pixel rows corresponding to the even-numbered scanning lines Y2, Y4,. To supply sequentially. In one frame period, data A1, B1, A2, B2,..., A1 / 2n, B1 / 2n are supplied in units of pixel rows in order from the top to the bottom of the display unit 1, and the display unit The display state 1 is an interlaced display in which two images are mixed in a stripe shape.
[0021]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, a lens array 7 is provided in the vicinity of the surface of the display unit 1. The lens array 7 is composed of a plurality of lens cells 7a extending in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, a lenticular lens in which a plurality of cylindrical lenses (corresponding to the lens cells 7 a) extending in the horizontal direction are arranged is formed by screen printing or the like, and this is used as the lens array 7. However, the lens array 7 is not limited to a lenticular lens. For example, a prism array in which a plurality of prisms extending in the horizontal direction (corresponding to the lens cell 7a) are arranged is formed by an injection mold, a transfer mold, or the like. This may be used as the lens array 7. Here, each lens cell 7a is provided corresponding to a set of the first group GP1 and the second group GP2 adjacent to each other. Further, the pitch p in the vertical direction is the same for all the lens cells 7a, and each lens cell 7a is arranged so as to cover the upper part of the set of the first group GP1 and the second group GP2.
[0022]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the optical characteristics of the lens array 7. Here, a backlight (not shown) is provided on the back side of the pixel 2 constituting the display unit 1, and light emitted from the backlight passes through the liquid crystal layer of the pixel 2, and The light is emitted to the front side. Each lens array 7 constituting the lens array 7 uses the emitted light from the pixels 2 belonging to the first group GP1 as incident light, and emits the incident light in the first vertical visual field direction (diagonal downward direction in the figure). . At the same time, each lens array 7 uses the emitted light from the pixels 2 belonging to the second group as incident light, which is used as a second vertical visual field direction (an obliquely upward direction in the figure) different from the first vertical visual field direction. ).
[0023]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the image display apparatus according to the present embodiment. Two images A and B having different display contents are alternately displayed in units of horizontal lines. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to grasp the display contents of the images A and B even by directly viewing the display image. The emitted light from the first group GP1 displaying the image A is emitted in the first vertical visual field direction by the lens array 7, but the emitted light from the second group GP2 displaying the image B is this It is not emitted in the direction. Therefore, when the display unit 1 is viewed from the first vertical visual field range below the boundary angle θth (when the display unit 1 is looked up), the display content recognized by the user is only the image A. On the other hand, the emitted light from the second group GP2 displaying the image B is emitted in the second vertical visual field direction by the lens array 7, but the emitted light from the first group GP1 displaying the image A is It is not emitted in this direction. Therefore, when the user looks at the display unit 1 from the second vertical visual field range above the boundary angle θth (when looking down at the display unit 1), the display content recognized by the user is only the image B. Thus, since the emitted light from the display unit 1 is optically separated by the lens array 7, the display content recognized by the user is switched according to the vertical visual field direction.
[0024]
According to the present embodiment, by changing the vertical visual field direction, it is possible to easily and instantaneously switch the display content, and it is possible to realize an image display device that is convenient for the user. In order to refer to the image A, the image display device may be tilted upward from the line of sight and the display surface may be viewed while looking up at the display unit 1. On the other hand, when it is desired to refer to an image B having a display content different from that of the image A, the image display device may be tilted below the line of sight and the display surface may be viewed while looking down at the display unit 1. As a specific usage example, when the display unit 1 is viewed from a certain direction, an address (for example, URL) on the network can be referred to as the image A, and when the display unit 1 is viewed from another direction. The image B can be used such that actual content can be referred to.
[0025]
Further, according to the present embodiment, by using the display unit 1 having a high resolution, sufficient display quality can be ensured even for an image optically separated by the lens array 7. In recent years, the amount of information to be displayed on a mobile terminal has increased. For example, when browsing the Internet, it is necessary to display an address on a network, status information, operation buttons, and the like in addition to actual content. As a conventional method corresponding to such an increase in the amount of information, for example, there is a method of subdividing these display areas into different regions (separate windows), or a method of selecting a mode with a keypad. It was taken. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the entire display unit 1 is used to display images A and B in an interlaced manner, and these are optically separated by the lens array 7. Therefore, even if the display unit 1 itself is relatively small, a large amount of information can be provided to the user without subdividing the display. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a plurality of display units 1, an increase in power consumption can be suppressed.
[0026]
Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the display content can be clearly switched by switching the image according to the vertical visual field direction instead of the horizontal visual field direction. Here, as a comparative example, considering the case where the horizontal viewing direction is switched to the base, the horizontal position of both eyes with respect to the display unit 1 is shifted, so that a plurality of images can be seen simultaneously near the point where the images are switched. Occurs. In contrast, when the vertical visual field direction is switched to the base, the vertical positions of both eyes with respect to the display unit 1 are the same, unlike the case of the horizontal direction base. Therefore, in the switching of the vertical viewing direction base, a phenomenon in which a plurality of images can be seen at the same time is less likely to occur than in the switching of the horizontal viewing angle base, and as a result, the user convenience can be improved.
[0027]
In the above-described embodiment, the pixels 2 constituting the display unit 1 are grouped in units of one pixel row, but may be grouped in units of two or more pixel rows. Further, the pixels 2 may be divided into three or more groups, and three or more images may be displayed on the display unit 1 (the number of images is preferably about 6 to 7 at the maximum). In this case, the lens array 7 optically separates and emits incident light from the pixels 2 belonging to each group in three or more vertical visual field directions. Thereby, a larger number of different display contents can be provided to the user.
[0028]
In addition, the user may be able to select the first mode in which the display content can be switched as described above and the second mode in which only a single display content is displayed regardless of the vertical visual field direction. . For example, when only the image A is displayed when the second mode is selected, the image A may be displayed instead of the image B for the pixel row on which the image B is displayed when the first mode is selected. .
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present embodiment, by changing the vertical viewing direction in which the user looks at the display unit, the display content can be easily and instantaneously switched, and an image display apparatus that is easy to use for the user can be realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image display device. FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit of pixels. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of pixel grouping. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a display unit and a lens array. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the optical characteristics of the lens array. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the image display apparatus according to the present embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display part 2 Pixel 3 Scan line drive circuit 4 Data line drive circuit 5 Control circuit 6 Frame memory 7 Lens array 7a Lens cell 21 TFT
22 liquid crystal capacitor 22a pixel electrode 22b counter electrode 23 storage capacitor GP1 first group GP2 second group

Claims (6)

In an image display device,
The display unit includes a plurality of pixels arranged two-dimensionally, and each of the plurality of pixels includes a plurality of first groups extending in the horizontal direction and each extending in the horizontal direction. A display unit that is at least divided into a plurality of second groups, wherein the first group and the second group are alternately provided in the vertical direction;
By controlling the display unit, a first image is displayed in the plurality of first groups, and a second image having a display content different from that of the first image is displayed in the plurality of second groups. A drive unit
A lens array provided in the vicinity of the surface of the display unit, each of which is composed of a plurality of lens cells extending in a horizontal direction, each of the lens cells being incident light from the first group And a lens array that emits incident light from the second group in a second vertical visual field direction different from the first vertical visual field direction. An image display device. The drive unit is
Perform line-sequential scanning to sequentially select pixel rows extending in the horizontal direction,
When selecting a pixel row belonging to the first group, image data defining the first image is supplied to the pixel row, and when selecting a pixel row belonging to the second group, the pixel The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image data defining the second image is supplied to a row. 3. The image according to claim 1, wherein each of the lens cells is provided corresponding to a set of the first group and the second group adjacent to each other. Display device. The plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, and each of the plurality of pixels includes a plurality of first groups extending in the horizontal direction and a plurality of second groups extending in the horizontal direction. In an image display method for displaying an image on a display unit in which the first group and the second group are alternately provided in a vertical direction.
A second step of displaying a first image on the plurality of first groups;
A second step of causing the plurality of second groups to display a second image having a display content different from that of the first image;
A lens array provided in the vicinity of the surface of the display unit is configured, and incident light from the first group is emitted in a first vertical viewing direction by a plurality of lens cells each extending in the horizontal direction. And a third step of emitting incident light from the second group in a second vertical visual field direction different from the first vertical visual field direction. The second step includes
Performing line sequential scanning for sequentially selecting pixel rows extending in the horizontal direction;
When selecting a pixel row belonging to the first group, supplying the image data defining the first image to the pixel row and when selecting a pixel row belonging to the second group The method according to claim 4, further comprising: supplying image data defining the second image to a row. 6. The image according to claim 4, wherein each of the lens cells is provided corresponding to a set of the first group and the second group adjacent to each other. Display method.

Images