JP2006330466A - Image display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image display apparatus where simplifying and size reduction of its constitution are achieved. <P>SOLUTION: The image display apparatus 30 includes a projector 1 having an image forming section 10 for forming an image, and projection lenses 11a and 11b by which the image formed by the image forming section 10 is projected onto a screen; and an image passage area control section 2 disposed near a diaphragm for the projection lenses 11a and 11b of the projector 1 and including a transmission area 25c that allows the transmission of light corresponding to the image, which has been passed through the projection lens 11a, and a light-intercepting area 25d that intercepts this light; and a single Fresnel lens 3 that composes a screen on which the image corresponding to the light passed through the transmission area 25c of the image passage area control section 2 is formed, and that condenses light, corresponding to the image towards at least the left eye 6a or the right eye 6b of an observer 6. The image display apparatus provides the observer 6 with at least a three-dimensional image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display device, and more particularly to an image display device capable of providing a stereoscopic image to a plurality of observers.

  Conventionally, an image display device that displays a three-dimensional stereoscopic image is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional stereoscopic video display device disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the stereoscopic video display device 120 disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a liquid crystal projector 100 and a screen 110. The liquid crystal projector 100 includes a light source 101, an integrator group 102 that makes light from the light source 101 uniform, a shutter unit 103 that can switch between a transmission region and a light shielding region, a liquid crystal display panel 104 that forms an image, a projection And a lens 105. The screen 110 includes three members, that is, an incident side lenticular lens 111, a diffusion plate 112, and an emission side lenticular lens 113.

  In the stereoscopic image display device 120 of Patent Document 1 described above, when images for the left eye are sent to the left eyes 130a and 140a of the viewers 130 and 140, the light from the light source 101 passes through the integrator group 102 and Only part of the light is transmitted through the transmission region of the shutter means 103. The light transmitted by the shutter means 103 reaches the liquid crystal display panel 104 to form a left-eye image, and the left-eye image enters the projection lens 105. In the vicinity of the aperture portion in the projection lens 105, an image area 105a where an image that has passed through the transmission area of the shutter means 103 and the liquid crystal panel 104 is formed is formed. Further, the image for the left eye emitted from the projection lens 105 is formed in a stripe shape on the diffusion plate 112 by the incident side lenticular lens 111. The image for the left eye formed on the diffusion plate 112 is sent to the left eyes 130a and 140a of the viewers 130 and 140 by the lenticular lens 113 on the emission side. Further, by moving the transmission region of the shutter unit 103, it is possible to send the right-eye image formed by the liquid crystal display panel 104 to the right eyes 130b and 140b of the viewers 130 and 140. As described above, in the stereoscopic video display device 120 described in Patent Document 1, the left-eye image and the right-eye image are switched and displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 104 in a time division manner, and the shutter unit 103 is synchronized with the switching. By switching the transmission region, the left-eye image and the right-eye image can be incident on the left eyes 130a and 140a and the right eyes 130b and 140b of the viewers 130 and 140, respectively. As a result, a plurality of viewers 130 and 140 can simultaneously view a stereoscopic image.

JP 2001-13457 A

  However, in the conventional stereoscopic image display device 120 disclosed in Patent Document 1, the screen 110 is configured by three members including the incident side lenticular lens 111, the diffusion plate 112, and the emission side lenticular lens 113. Therefore, there is a problem that the configuration of the screen 110 becomes complicated. In addition, the lenticular lens 111 and the diffusing plate 112 are arranged at a predetermined interval from the relationship between the focal lengths of the incident side lenticular lens 111 and the emitting side lenticular lens 113, and the diffusing plate 112 and the lenticular lens 113 are arranged. Since it is necessary to arrange them at predetermined intervals, there is a disadvantage that the thickness of the screen 110 is increased. For this reason, there exists a problem that the three-dimensional image display apparatus 120 enlarges. Further, in order to dispose the shutter unit 103 between the integrator group 102 and the liquid crystal display panel 104, the shutter unit 103 needs to be formed in a size equal to or larger than that of the liquid crystal display panel 104. For this reason, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since the shutter unit 103 is enlarged, there is a problem that the stereoscopic image display device 120 is also enlarged.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image display apparatus capable of simplifying and downsizing the configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  In order to achieve the above object, an image display apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image, and a projection lens that projects an image formed by the image forming unit onto a screen; An image passing area control means including a transmitting area that transmits light corresponding to an image that has passed through the projection lens and a light blocking area for shielding light, disposed near the position of the aperture of the projection lens of the projector; A single fresnel for forming a screen on which an image corresponding to the light passing through the transmission region of the means is imaged and condensing the light corresponding to the image towards at least one of the left or right eye of the observer A lens, and the image is incident on at least one of the left eye or right eye of the observer by means of image passing area control means and a single Fresnel lens By, providing at least three-dimensional image to the viewer.

  In the image display means according to this one aspect, as described above, the image display area control means including the transmission area that transmits the light corresponding to the image formed by the image forming means and passed through the projection lens is provided. By condensing light corresponding to the image that has passed through the transmission region of the passage region control means toward at least one of the left eye or right eye of the viewer, and providing a single Fresnel lens constituting the screen, If the image that reaches the eyes is an image having binocular parallax, a stereoscopic image (three-dimensional image) can be provided to the observer. In addition, by configuring the screen only from a single Fresnel lens, the configuration of the screen can be simplified and the thickness of the screen can be reduced. Thereby, an image display apparatus can be reduced in size. Further, the image passing area control means can be made smaller than the projection lens by disposing the image passing area control means in the vicinity of the position of the iris of the projection lens that focuses the image. As a result, the image passing area control means can be reduced in size, so that the image display device can also be reduced in size.

  In the image display device according to the one aspect, preferably, the image passage region control unit includes a transmission region for transmitting light corresponding to an image formed by the image forming unit and a light shielding region for shielding light. And a first polarizing plate and a second polarizing plate arranged to face each other with the passage control liquid crystal panel interposed therebetween. With this configuration, it is possible to easily allow the observer to reach only the light corresponding to the image passing through the transmission area of the passage control liquid crystal panel and to pass through the light shielding area of the passage control liquid crystal panel. The light corresponding to can be shielded.

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, preferably, a position detection unit capable of detecting the position of the observer's eyes, and the passage control liquid crystal panel according to the position of the observer's eyes detected by the position detection unit. A control unit for controlling the transmission region and the light shielding region is further provided. With this configuration, the movement of the observer is detected by the position detection means, and the control unit can move the transmission region and the light shielding region of the passage control liquid crystal panel based on the position information. Even when the person moves, an appropriate image can be provided to the observer.

  In the image display device according to the aforementioned aspect, preferably, the passage control liquid crystal panel has a first direction in which electrodes for controlling the transmission region and the light shielding region of the passage control liquid crystal panel connect the left and right eyes of the observer. The control unit changes the length of the transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel in the first direction by controlling driving of the plurality of electrodes of the passage control liquid crystal panel. With this configuration, when the transmissive region is configured by a plurality of electrodes, the length of the transmissive region in the first direction can be easily increased by increasing or decreasing the number of applied electrodes in the first direction. It can be changed. Accordingly, since the length of the arrival area of the image formed by the image forming unit in the first direction can be easily changed by using one passage control liquid crystal panel, the left eye of the observer can be easily changed. Alternatively, it is possible to switch between the case where the image (stereoscopic image) reaches one of the right eyes and the case where the image (planar image) reaches both eyes of the observer. As a result, both a stereoscopic image and a planar image can be easily provided to an observer using one passage control liquid crystal panel.

  In the image display device in which the length of the transmission region in the first direction can be changed by the control unit, the control unit controls the driving of the plurality of electrodes of the passage control liquid crystal panel, thereby transmitting the transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel. By controlling the length in the first direction, the region that the observer can observe is limited. With this configuration, the length in the first direction of the arrival area of the light image corresponding to the image transmitted through the transmission area of the passage control liquid crystal panel can be controlled, so that the observer views the image. Can be made smaller. Thereby, since the observer can limit the viewing angle for observing the image, it is possible to suppress the image viewed by the observer from being seen by other observers.

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, the transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel is preferably formed in a spot shape so as to correspond to the position of the left eye or right eye of the observer. With this configuration, since the image arrival area where the image transmitted through the transmission area of the passage control liquid crystal panel reaches can be reduced, an image (stereoscopic image) can be easily applied only to one of the left eye or right eye of the observer. ) Can be reached.

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, preferably, the transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel is a second crossing the first direction so as to correspond to the position of the left eye or the right eye in the first direction. It is formed in a slit shape extending in the direction. With this configuration, it is possible to control the length in the first direction of the image arrival region where the image transmitted through the transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel reaches, so that the observer can see the image. The length of the image arrival area in the first direction can be reduced. Thereby, an image (stereoscopic image) can be easily made to reach only one of the left eye or right eye of the observer. Further, since the transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel is formed in a slit shape extending in the second direction, the image arrival region through which the image reaches through the transmission region is also formed in a slit shape extending in the second direction. Is done. Thereby, even if the observer moves in the second direction within the slit-like image arrival area, the observer can see the image without moving the image arrival area.

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, the transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel is preferably moved every 1 / n frame period (n is a natural number of 2 or more) of the image formed by the image forming means. The image forming means is controlled so that the first image and the second image formed by the image forming means are switched in synchronization with the movement of the transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel. With this configuration, during the 1 / n frame period, the first image (stereoscopic image or flat surface) formed by the image forming unit on one of the left eye and the right eye of the observer, or both eyes of the one observer. The second image (stereoscopic image) formed by the image forming means on the other of the left eye and the right eye of the observer or both eyes of the other observer during the next 1 / n frame period. Or a planar image). Thereby, since the first image and the second image can reach the image arrival area during one frame period, the observer can see an image with little image deterioration.

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, the transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel is preferably configured so that the left eye of the observer is in every 1 / n frame period (n is a natural number of 2 or more) of the image formed by the image forming unit. The image forming means controls the left eye formed by the image forming means in synchronization with the movement of the transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel. The stereoscopic image is provided to the observer by controlling so that the first image for use and the second image for the right eye are interchanged. With this configuration, during the 1 / n frame period, the first image for the left eye formed by the entire region of the image forming unit is made to reach the left eye of the observer, and the first image is made to the right eye of the observer. Can be prevented from reaching. Then, during the next 1 / n frame period, the second image for the right eye formed by the entire area of the image forming unit is made to reach the right eye of the observer, and the image is not made to reach the left eye of the observer. can do. Thereby, during at least one frame period, the left eye of the observer can see the first image for the left eye formed by the entire area of the image forming means, and the right eye of the observer is the entire area of the image forming means. The second image for the right eye formed by can be seen. As a result, the viewer's left eye and right eye recognize that the first image for the left eye and the second image for the right eye formed by the image forming means are continuously observed. A few stereoscopic images can be seen.

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, preferably, the transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel is subjected to the first observation every 1 / n frame period (n is a natural number of 2 or more) of the image formed by the image forming unit. The image forming means is formed to be moved to a position corresponding to the second observer and a position corresponding to the second observer, and the image forming means synchronizes with the movement of the transmission area of the passage control liquid crystal panel. By controlling the first planar image for the first observer and the second planar image for the second observer to be interchanged, the first observer and the first observer located at different observation positions are controlled. Different first and second planar images are provided to the two observers. With this configuration, during the 1 / n frame period, the first observer is caused to reach the first plane image formed by the entire area of the image forming unit, and the second observer is allowed to reach the first plane. It is possible to prevent the image from reaching. Then, during the next 1 / n frame period, the second observer reaches the second planar image formed by the entire area of the image forming unit, and reaches the first observer. You can avoid it. Thus, during at least one frame period, the first observer can view the first planar image formed by the entire area of the image forming unit, and the second observer can view the image forming unit. A second planar image formed by the entire area can be seen. As a result, since the first observer and the second observer recognize that they are observing the first image and the second image formed by the entire area of the image forming unit, respectively, the first observer It is possible to provide different planar images with little image degradation to the second observer.

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, the 1 / n frame period is preferably a 1/2 frame period. With this configuration, the first image (for example, the left-eye image) formed by the image forming unit in the left eye of the observer during one frame period in which the observer recognizes that the image is continuously viewed. And a second image (for example, an image for the right eye) formed by the image forming means on the right eye of the observer can be provided. Also, providing a first image (for example, a planar image for both eyes) to one viewer during one frame period in which it is recognized that the viewer is continuously viewing images. The second image (for example, a planar image for both eyes) formed by the image forming means can be provided to the other observer.

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, the image forming unit preferably includes a liquid crystal display panel. If comprised in this way, an image can be easily formed with a liquid crystal display panel.

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, preferably, two projectors each including an image forming unit and a projection lens and two image passing region control units are provided. If comprised in this way, while being able to provide the 1st image (for example, image for right eyes) formed by one image formation means to an observer's right eye via one image passage area control means, the other Since the second image (for example, the image for the left eye) formed by the image forming means can be provided to the viewer's left eye via the other image passing area control means, the image is displayed every 1 / n frame period. It is not necessary to replace the first image and the second image of the forming unit, and it is not necessary to move the transmission region of the image passing region control unit every 1 / n frame period. Accordingly, a stereoscopic image can be provided to the observer without complicating the control of the image forming unit and the image passing area control unit.

  In the image display device according to the one aspect, preferably, light passing through the center of the Fresnel lens among light transmitted through the image passing area control means of one projector and light passing through the image passing area control means of the other projector. And a half mirror arranged so that the light passing through the center of the Fresnel lens substantially coincides. According to this configuration, the image arrival area where the image corresponding to the light transmitted through the image passing area control means of one projector and the image corresponding to the light transmitted through the image passing area control means of the other projector arrives. Can be matched.

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, preferably, the two image forming units include a first image forming unit and a second image forming unit, and the two image passing area control units are a first passing control liquid crystal panel. And the second passage control liquid crystal panel, and the transmission region of the first passage control liquid crystal panel is controlled to be moved to a position corresponding to the left eye of the observer, and the transmission region of the second passage control liquid crystal panel Is controlled to be moved to a position corresponding to the right eye of the observer, the first image forming means forms the first image for the left eye, and the second image forming means takes the second image for the right eye. By forming, a stereoscopic image is provided to the observer. If comprised in this way, a stereoscopic image can be easily provided to an observer using the 1st passage control liquid crystal panel and the 2nd passage control liquid crystal panel, the 1st image formation means, and the 2nd image formation means. it can.

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, preferably, the two image forming units include a first image forming unit and a second image forming unit, and the two image passing area control units are a first passing control liquid crystal panel. And a second passage control liquid crystal panel. The transmission region of the first passage control liquid crystal panel is controlled to be moved to a position corresponding to both eyes of the first observer, and the second passage control liquid crystal panel. The transmission region is controlled so as to be moved to a position corresponding to both eyes of the second observer, and the first image forming means forms the first planar image for the first observer and the second The image forming means forms a second planar image for the second observer, and thereby the first planar image and the second planar image that are different from each other for the first observer and the second observer located at different observation positions. I will provide a. With this configuration, the first observer and the second observation can be easily performed using the first passage control liquid crystal panel, the second passage control liquid crystal panel, the first image forming means, and the second image forming means. A plane image can be provided to a person.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an image display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a projection lens, an image passing area control unit, and a Fresnel lens (screen) of the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which an observer views an image from the front in the projection lens, the image passing area control unit, and the Fresnel lens shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which an observer looks at the Fresnel lens from the front in the projection lens, the image passing area control unit, and the Fresnel lens shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of the passage control liquid crystal panel of the image passage region control unit. With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the structure of the image display apparatus 30 by 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image display device 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a projector 1, an image passing area control unit 2, a single Fresnel lens 3 constituting a screen, and position detection. A unit 4 and a control unit 5 are provided.

  The projector 1 includes an image forming unit 10 for forming an image, and projection lenses 11 a and 11 b for projecting an image formed by the image forming unit 10 onto the Fresnel lens 3.

  The image forming unit 10 includes a light source 12, an integrator 13 that uniformizes light from the light source 12, three liquid crystal display panels 14, 15, and 16 that correspond to RGB that are the three primary colors of light, and the liquid crystal display panel 14. , 15 and 16, three images formed by two dichroic mirrors 17 and 18, total reflection mirrors 19, 20 and 21, and three liquid crystal display panels 14, 15 and 16, respectively, for guiding light from the light source 12. And a dichroic prism 22 for synthesizing the two.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the image passing area control unit 2 makes the emitted light corresponding to the image formed by the three liquid crystal panels 14, 15 and 16 uniform after passing through the projection lens 11a. It is arranged in the vicinity of the position of the diaphragm which is the position to be detected. The image passage area control unit 2 includes a passage control liquid crystal panel 25 and a first polarizing plate 26 and a second polarizing plate 27 arranged so as to face each other with the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 interposed therebetween.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 is arranged in a matrix in the A direction and the B direction, and has a plurality of spot-like unit regions 25a and a plurality of electrodes 25b for driving the unit regions 25a. And. The direction A is an example of the “first direction” in the present invention. In the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 of the first embodiment, the unit region 25a where no voltage is applied to the electrode 25b is light corresponding to the image formed by the image forming unit 10, as shown in FIGS. It becomes a spot-like transmission region 25c for transmitting the light. In addition, the unit region 25a in which a voltage is applied to the electrode 25b serves as a light shielding region 25d for shielding light corresponding to an image formed by the image forming unit 10.

  The first polarizing plate 26 and the second polarizing plate 27 have polarization axes that are orthogonal to each other. The first polarizing plate 26 has a function of transmitting light having a first polarization axis and absorbing light having a polarization axis substantially different from the first polarization axis. The second polarizing plate 27 transmits light having a second polarization axis substantially orthogonal to the first polarization axis and transmits light having a polarization axis substantially different from the second polarization axis. It has a function to absorb.

  That is, since the light corresponding to the image formed by the image forming unit 10 has the first polarization axis, the light having the first polarization axis is transmitted by the first polarizing plate 26 and the passage control liquid crystal panel. 25 is incident. Of the light incident on the passage control liquid crystal panel 25, the light incident on the transmission region 25 c has its polarization axis changed by 90 ° by the liquid crystal molecules and enters the second polarizing plate 27. Since the second polarizing plate 27 has a polarization axis orthogonal to the polarization axis of the first polarizing plate 26, the light incident through the transmission region 25c is transmitted through the second polarizing plate 27, An image corresponding to the light reaches the viewers 6 and 7. On the other hand, the light that has passed through the first polarizing plate 26 and entered the light shielding region 25d of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 is incident on the second polarizing plate 27 without changing the polarization axis by the liquid crystal molecules. The light is shielded by a second polarizing plate 27 having a polarization axis orthogonal to the polarization axis of the plate 26.

  In this pass control liquid crystal panel 25, the width of the transmission region 25c can be changed by controlling the number of electrodes 25b to which the voltage is applied, so the size of the image arrival region where the image reaches can be arbitrarily changed. It is possible. For example, in a stereoscopic image display mode in which stereoscopic images are simultaneously provided to different observers, which will be described later, the left eye 6a (7a) or the right eye 6b of the observer 6 (7) is formed by configuring the transmissive area 25c with one unit area 25a. Only the image for the right eye or the image for the left eye can be reached only in (7b). Further, in the two-screen display mode in which different planar images are provided to different observers, the image arrival area can be expanded in the A direction by configuring the transmissive area 25c with the two unit areas 25a arranged in the A direction. It is possible to simultaneously reach the planar images to the eyes 6a and 6b of the observer 6 (both eyes 7a and 7b of the observer 7). Thus, by controlling the number of electrodes 25b applied to the passage control liquid crystal panel 25, it is possible to easily switch between a stereoscopic image display mode and a two-screen display mode, which will be described later.

  The Fresnel lens 3 constitutes a screen on which an image corresponding to the light that has passed through the transmission region 25c of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 of the image passage region control unit 2 is formed, and the left eye 6a ( 7a) or the right eye 6b (7b) for collecting light corresponding to the image toward at least one of them.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the position detector 4 detects the positions of the left and right eyes 6 a and 6 b of the observer 6 (the left and right eyes 7 a and 7 b of the observer 7), and sends the position information to the controller 5. . Based on the position information of the left and right eyes 6a and 6b (the left and right eyes 7a and 7b of the viewer 7) sent by the position detector 4, the control unit 5 transmits the transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25. 25c and the light shielding area 25d are controlled. That is, in the stereoscopic image display mode, the control unit 5 corresponds to the image of the left eye 6a or the right eye 6b of the observer 6 (the left eye 7a or the right eye 7b of the observer 7) based on the position information from the position detection unit 4. By applying a voltage to the electrode 25b of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 so that the light reaches, a transmission region 25c is formed in the passage control liquid crystal panel 25. In the two-screen display mode, the control unit 5 receives the light corresponding to the image to the eyes 6 a and 6 b of the observer 6 or the eyes 7 a and 7 b of the observer 7 based on the position information from the position detection unit 4. Thus, a voltage is applied to the electrode 25b of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 to form a transmission region 25c in the passage control liquid crystal panel 25.

(3D image display mode)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the image formed by the image forming unit and the passage control liquid crystal panel in the stereoscopic image display mode of the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state where an observer looks at the Fresnel lens from the front in the stereoscopic image display mode of the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. Next, with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7, a stereoscopic image that provides stereoscopic images to observers 6 and 7 that are located at different observation positions by the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The display mode will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the observers 6 and 7 are located at different observation positions separated by a predetermined distance in the A direction (horizontal direction) and the B direction (vertical direction).

  First, referring to FIGS. 3, 5, 6, and 7, the configuration of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 and the image forming unit 10 for providing a stereoscopic image to the viewers 6 and 7 located at different observation positions. explain. In this stereoscopic image display mode, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, two transmissive regions 25 c made up of one unit region 25 a of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 are formed. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the image arrival area can be limited to the vicinity of the left eye 6a (7a) or the right eye 6b (7b) of the observer 6 (7), and thus the transmission area 25c is transmitted. The light corresponding to the captured image is incident only on one of the left eye 6a (7a) or the right eye 6b (7b) of the observer 6 (7), and the left eye 6a (7a) or the right eye 6b (7b) of the observer 6 (7). It is possible to prevent the light from entering the other.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in the stereoscopic image display mode, the controller 5 controls the electrodes of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 every ½ frame period (1/120 seconds) of the image formed by the image forming unit 10. By controlling the driving of 25b, the transmission region 25c is controlled to be moved. In addition, the image forming unit 10 synchronizes with the movement of the transmission region 25c of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25, and the viewer 6 (7) receives the image forming unit 10 every ½ frame period (1/120 seconds). Control is performed so that the left-eye image L1 for incidence on the left eye 6a (7a) and the right-eye image R1 for incidence on the right eye 6b (7b) of the observer 6 (7) are interchanged. The left-eye image L1 is an example of the “first image” in the present invention, and the right-eye image R1 is an example of the “second image” in the present invention.

  In the above configuration, when a stereoscopic image is displayed, the left-eye image formed by the entire area of the image forming unit 10 is displayed between 0/120 seconds and 1/120 seconds as shown in FIGS. Since the light corresponding to L1 has the first polarization axis, it passes through the projection lens 11a and then passes through the first polarizing plate 26. Of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 26, the light incident on the transmission region 25 c of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 is converted into light having the second polarization axis by changing the polarization axis by 90 °. Further, between 0/120 seconds and 1/120 seconds, the transmission region 25c is disposed at a position corresponding to the left eyes 6a and 7a of the viewers 6 and 7. Accordingly, the light transmitted through the transmission region 25c passes through the projection lens 11b after passing through the second polarizing plate 27 having a second polarizing axis that is 90 ° different from the first polarizing axis of the first polarizing plate 26. . Thereby, the light corresponding to the left eye image L1 formed by the entire region of the image forming unit 10 and condensed by the Fresnel lens 3 is incident on the left eyes 6a and 7a of the viewers 6 and 7. On the other hand, light that has entered the light-shielding region 25d out of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 26 is applied to the second polarizing plate 27 while having the first polarization axis without being changed by the passage control liquid crystal panel 25. Since it is incident, it is shielded by the second polarizing plate 27. Therefore, since the light incident on the light shielding region 25d does not reach the observation position where the viewers 6 and 7 are located, the left eye image L1 does not enter the right eyes 6b and 7b of the viewers 6 and 7. .

  And between 1/120 second and 2/120 seconds when displaying a stereoscopic image, the position of the transmission region 25c of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 shown in FIGS. And as shown in FIG. 7, it moves to the position corresponding to the right eyes 6b and 7b of the observers 6 and 7. FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the right-eye image R <b> 1 is formed by the entire area of the image forming unit 10. Since the light corresponding to the right-eye image R1 formed by the entire area of the image forming unit 10 has the first polarization axis, the light passes through the projection lens 11a and then passes through the first polarizing plate 26. Of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 26, the light incident on the transmission region 25 c of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 is converted into light having the second polarization axis by changing the polarization axis by 90 °. Further, between 1/120 seconds and 2/120 seconds, the transmission region 25c is moved to a position corresponding to the right eyes 6b and 7b of the viewers 6 and 7. Accordingly, the light transmitted through the transmission region 25c passes through the projection lens 11b after passing through the second polarizing plate 27 having a second polarizing axis that is 90 ° different from the first polarizing axis of the first polarizing plate 26. . Thereby, the light corresponding to the right-eye image R <b> 1 formed by the entire region of the image forming unit 10 and condensed by the Fresnel lens 3 is incident on the right eyes 6 b and 7 b of the viewers 6 and 7. On the other hand, light that has entered the light-shielding region 25d out of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 26 is applied to the second polarizing plate 27 while having the first polarization axis without being changed by the passage control liquid crystal panel 25. Since it is incident, it is shielded by the second polarizing plate 27. Therefore, the light incident on the light shielding region 25d does not reach the observation position where the viewers 6 and 7 are located, so that the right-eye image R1 does not enter the left eyes 6a and 7a of the viewers 6 and 7. .

  Also, between 2/120 seconds and 3/120 seconds when displaying a stereoscopic image, the left eyes 6a and 6a of the viewers 6 and 7 are similar to those between 0/120 seconds and 1/120 seconds shown in FIG. The left-eye image L1 is incident on 7a, and the left-eye image L1 is not incident on the right eyes 6b and 7b of the viewers 6 and 7. And between 3/120 seconds and 4/120 seconds at the time of displaying a stereoscopic image, the right eyes 6b of the observers 6 and 7 and the viewers 6 and 7, as in the case of 1/120 seconds to 2/120 seconds shown in FIG. The right-eye image R1 is incident on 7b, and the right-eye image R1 is not incident on the left eyes 6a and 7a of the viewers 6 and 7. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated every 1/60 seconds (2/120 seconds). Thereby, during one frame period (2/120 seconds (1/60 seconds)), the left eyes 6a and 7a of the viewers 6 and 7 can see the left-eye image L1, and the viewers 6 and 7 can The right eyes 6b and 7b can see the right-eye image R1. As a result, the left eye 6a (7a) and the right eye 6b (7b) of the observer 6 (7) are formed by the entire area of the image forming unit 10 and displayed on the Fresnel lens 3 and the left eye image L1 and the right eye image R1. Therefore, the viewers 6 and 7 can see a stereoscopic image with little image degradation.

(Dual screen display mode)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an image formed by the image forming unit and a state of the passage control liquid crystal panel in the two-screen display mode of the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 9 and 11 are plan views showing a state in which an observer views an image from the front in the two-screen display mode of the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 10 and 12 are side views showing a state in which an observer views an image from the front in the two-screen display mode of the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. Next, referring to FIG. 8 to FIG. 12, two screens for providing different planar images to different observers 6 and 7 located at different observation positions using the image display device 30 of the first embodiment of the present invention. The display mode will be described. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the observers 6 and 7 are located at different observation positions separated by a predetermined distance in the A direction (horizontal direction) and the B direction (vertical direction).

  First, referring to FIGS. 5, 8, 9 and 11, the configurations of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 and the image forming unit 10 for providing different planar images to the viewers 6 and 7 located at different observation positions. Will be described. In this two-screen display mode, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, a transmissive region 25c composed of two unit regions 25a arranged in the A direction of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 is formed. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the area where the image reaches can be limited to the vicinity of the eyes 6a and 6b (7a and 7b) of each observer 6 (7), so that the transmission area 25c The light corresponding to the image transmitted through the light reaches only the eyes 6a and 6b (7a and 7b) of one observer 6 (7) and the eyes 7a and 7b (6a and 6b) of the other observer 7 (6). ) Can not be reached.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in the two-screen display mode, the controller 5 controls the electrodes of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 every ½ frame period (1/120 seconds) of the image formed by the image forming unit 10. By controlling the driving of 25b, the transmission region 25c is controlled to be moved. In addition, the image forming unit 10 synchronizes with the movement of the transmission region 25c of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25, and the eyes of one observer 6 are observed every 1/2 frame period (1/120 seconds) of the image forming unit 10. Control is performed so that the first planar image S1 for incidence on 6a and 6b and the second planar image S2 for incidence on both eyes 7a and 7b of the other observer 7 are interchanged.

  In the above configuration, when a two-screen flat image is displayed, first, it is formed by the entire area of the image forming unit 10 between 0/120 seconds and 1/120 seconds as shown in FIGS. Since the light corresponding to the first planar image S1 for the viewer 6 has the first polarization axis, the light passes through the projection lens 11a and then passes through the first polarizing plate 26. Of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 26, the light incident on the transmission region 25 c of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 is converted into light having the second polarization axis by changing the polarization axis by 90 °. Further, between 0/120 seconds and 1/120 seconds, the transmission region 25c is disposed at a position corresponding to both eyes 6a and 6b of the observer 6. Accordingly, the light transmitted through the transmission region 25c passes through the projection lens 11b after passing through the second polarizing plate 27 having a second polarizing axis that is 90 ° different from the first polarizing axis of the first polarizing plate 26. . Accordingly, the first planar image S1 formed by the entire region of the image forming unit 10 and condensed by the Fresnel lens 3 is incident on the eyes 6a and 6b of the observer 6. On the other hand, light that has entered the light-shielding region 25d out of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 26 is applied to the second polarizing plate 27 while having the first polarization axis without being changed by the passage control liquid crystal panel 25. Since it is incident, it is shielded by the second polarizing plate 27. Therefore, the light incident on the light shielding region 25d does not reach the observation position where the observer 7 is located, and therefore the first planar image S1 does not enter the eyes 7a and 7b of the observer 7.

  The position of the transmissive region 25c of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 is between 1/120 seconds and 2/120 seconds when displaying a two-screen flat image. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the controller 5 moves the observer 7 to a position corresponding to the positions of the eyes 7a and 7b of the observer 7 and observes the entire area of the image forming unit 10 as shown in FIG. A second plane image S2 for the person 7 is formed. Since the light corresponding to the second planar image S2 formed by the image forming unit 10 has the first polarization axis, it passes through the projection lens 11a and then passes through the first polarizing plate 26. Of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 26, the light incident on the transmission region 25 c of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 is converted into light having the second polarization axis by changing the polarization axis by 90 °. In addition, the transmission region 25c is moved to a position corresponding to the positions of both eyes 7a and 7b of the observer 7 between 1/120 seconds and 2/120 seconds. Accordingly, the light transmitted through the transmission region 25c passes through the projection lens 11b after passing through the second polarizing plate 27 having a second polarizing axis that is 90 ° different from the first polarizing axis of the first polarizing plate 26. . As a result, the second planar image S2 formed by the entire region of the image forming unit 10 and condensed by the Fresnel lens 3 enters the eyes 7a and 7b of the observer 7. On the other hand, light that has entered the light-shielding region 25d out of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 26 is applied to the second polarizing plate 27 while having the first polarization axis without being changed by the passage control liquid crystal panel 25. Since it is incident, it is shielded by the second polarizing plate 27. Therefore, since the light incident on the light shielding region 25d does not reach the observation position where the observer 6 is located, the second planar image S2 does not enter the eyes 6a and 6b of the observer 6.

  In addition, in the case of 2/120 seconds to 3/120 seconds when displaying a two-screen flat image, the observer 6 is similar to the case of 0/120 seconds to 1/120 seconds shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The first planar image S1 formed by the entire region of the image forming unit 10 is incident on both eyes 6a and 6b, and the first planar image S1 is not incident on the eyes 7a and 7b of the observer 7. In the case of displaying a two-screen flat image between 3/120 seconds and 4/120 seconds, similarly to 1/120 seconds to 2/120 seconds shown in FIGS. The second planar image S2 formed by the entire region of the image forming unit 10 is incident on both eyes 7a and 7b, and the second planar image S2 is not incident on the eyes 6a and 6b of the observer 6. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated every 1/60 seconds (2/120 seconds). Thus, during one frame period (2/120 seconds (1/60 seconds)), the observer 6 can see the first planar image S1 formed by the entire area of the image forming unit 10, and The observer 7 can see the second planar image S <b> 2 formed by the entire area of the image forming unit 10. As a result, during one frame period (2/120 seconds (1/60 seconds)), the viewers 6 and 7 are formed by the entire area of the image forming unit 10 and displayed on the Fresnel lens 3. Since it is recognized that the first planar image S1 and the second planar image S2 are being observed, it is possible to provide the viewers 6 and 7 with different planar images with little image degradation.

(Viewing angle only mode)
FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state in which an observer views an image from the front in the viewing angle limited mode of the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. Next, with reference to FIG. 13, a viewing angle limiting method when displaying a planar image of the image display device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, the configuration of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 for providing an image only to a region where the observer 6 is located will be described with reference to FIG. In this viewing angle limited mode, as shown in FIG. 13, a passage region 25c composed of two unit regions 25a (see FIG. 5) arranged in the A direction of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 is formed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the region where the image reaches can be limited to the vicinity of both eyes 6a and 6b of the viewer 6, so that the light corresponding to the image transmitted through the transmission region 25c is observed by the viewer. It is possible to reach only the 6 eyes 6a and 6b and not reach the other areas.

  In the above configuration, when the viewing angle is limited, the light corresponding to the planar image for the observer 6 formed by the entire region of the image forming unit 10 has the first polarization axis, and thus the projection lens 11a. Then, the light passes through the first polarizing plate 26. Of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 26, the light incident on the transmission region 25 c of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 is converted into light having the second polarization axis by changing the polarization axis by 90 °. In this viewing angle limited mode, the transmission region 25c is disposed at a position corresponding to both eyes 6a and 6b of the observer 6. Accordingly, the light transmitted through the transmission region 25c passes through the projection lens 11b after passing through the second polarizing plate 27 having a second polarizing axis that is 90 ° different from the first polarizing axis of the first polarizing plate 26. . Thereby, the planar images formed by the image forming unit 10 and condensed by the Fresnel lens 3 are incident on the eyes 6 a and 6 b of the observer 6. On the other hand, light that has entered the light-shielding region 25d out of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 26 is applied to the second polarizing plate 27 while having the first polarization axis without being changed by the passage control liquid crystal panel 25. Since it is incident, it is shielded by the second polarizing plate 27. Accordingly, since the viewing angle at which the observer 6 observes the image can be limited, it is possible to prevent other observers from seeing the planar image observed by the observer 6.

(Effect of 1st Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, as described above, the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 including the transmission region 25c that transmits the light corresponding to the image formed by the image forming unit 10 and passed through the projection lens 11a is provided, and the passage control is performed. The light corresponding to the image that has passed through the transmission region 25c of the liquid crystal panel 25 is condensed toward at least one of the left eye 6a (7a) or the right eye 6b (7b) of the observer 6 (7), and a single screen is formed. By providing one Fresnel lens 3, if the images reaching the eyes 6a and 6b (7a and 7b) of the observer 6 (7) are changed to the left-eye image L1 and the right-eye image R1 having both-eye parallax, the observation is performed. The person 6 (7) can be provided with a stereoscopic image (three-dimensional image). Further, by configuring the screen only from the single Fresnel lens 3, the configuration of the screen can be simplified and the thickness of the screen can be reduced. Thereby, the image display apparatus 30 can be reduced in size. Further, the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 is arranged in the vicinity of the position of the diaphragm, which is a position where the emitted light corresponding to the image formed by the three liquid crystal panels 14, 15 and 16 is made uniform after passing through the projection lens 11a. By arranging, the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 can be made smaller than the projection lens. Thereby, since the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 can be reduced in size, the image display device 30 can also be reduced in size.

  Further, by arranging the two polarizing plates 26 and 27 so as to sandwich the passage control liquid crystal panel 25, only the light corresponding to the image passing through the transmission region 25c of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 can be easily observed by the observer 6. 7 and 7, and the light corresponding to the image that is about to pass through the light shielding region 25 d of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 can be shielded.

  Further, by providing the position detection unit 4 and the control unit 5, the movement of the observers 6 and 7 is detected by the position detection unit 4, and based on the position information, the control unit 5 detects the passage control liquid crystal panel 25. Since the transmission region 25c and the light shielding region 25d can be moved, an appropriate image can be provided to the viewers 6 and 7 even when the viewers 6 and 7 move.

  In addition, a plurality of electrodes 25b are provided in a matrix on the passage control liquid crystal panel 25, and the control unit 5 controls the driving of the plurality of electrodes 25b, whereby the A direction of the transmission region 25c of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 is controlled. The length of can be changed. Therefore, when the transmissive region 25c is constituted by a plurality of electrodes 25b, the length of the transmissive region 25c in the A direction can be easily changed by increasing or decreasing the number of applied electrodes 25b in the A direction. Can do. Thereby, the length in the A direction of the arrival area of the image formed by the image forming unit 10 can be easily changed by using one passage control liquid crystal panel 25, so that the viewer 6 ( 7) a stereoscopic image display mode in which the left-eye image L1 or the right-eye image R1 of the stereoscopic image reaches one of the left eye 6a (7a) or the right eye 6b (7b), and both eyes 6a and 6b of the observer 6 and the observer 7 It is possible to switch to the two-screen display mode in which the first planar image S1 and the second planar image S2 that reach the eyes 7a and 7b are made different. As a result, it is possible to easily provide both the stereoscopic image and the planar image to the viewers 6 and 7 by using one passage control liquid crystal panel 25. In addition, since the length of the image arrival area in the A direction can be changed, the area that can be seen by the observer 6 can be reduced. Accordingly, the viewing angle at which the observer 6 views the image can be limited, and thus it is possible to suppress the image viewed by the observer from being seen by other observers.

  In addition, by forming the transmission region 25c of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 in a spot shape, an image arrival region where an image transmitted through the transmission region 25c of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 can be reduced can be easily achieved. The left-eye image L1 or the right-eye image R1 can reach only one of the left eye 6a (7a) and the right eye 6b (7b) of the observer 6 (7).

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 14 is a side view showing a state in which an observer looks at the Fresnel lens from the front in the image display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged view of the passage control liquid crystal panel of the image passage region control unit. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating images formed by the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit, and states of the first passage control liquid crystal panel and the second passage control liquid crystal panel in the stereoscopic image display mode of the second embodiment. It is. FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are plan views showing a state where an observer views an image from the front in the stereoscopic image display mode of the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating images formed by the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit, and states of the first passage control liquid crystal panel and the second passage control liquid crystal panel in the two-screen display mode of the second embodiment. It is. 20 and 21 are plan views showing a state in which one or the other viewer views an image from the front in the two-screen display mode of the second embodiment. First, with reference to FIG. 14, in the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, an image display device 60 including two projectors and two image passage area control units will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the image display device 60 according to the second embodiment includes two first projectors 31 and second projectors 32, two first image passage region control units 33, and second image passage region control. A unit 34, a half mirror 35, a Fresnel lens 36 constituting a screen, a position detection unit 37, and a control unit 38 are provided.

  The first projector 31 includes a first image forming unit 40 and first projection lenses 42a and 42b. The second projector 32 includes a second image forming unit 41 and second projection lenses 43a and 43b. The first image forming unit 40 and the second image forming unit 41, and the first projection lens 42a (42b) and the second projection lens 43a (43b) are respectively the image forming unit 10 and the projection lens 11a of the first embodiment. (11b) It has the same configuration as (see FIG. 1). The first projector 31 is arranged so that an image is emitted toward the C direction in FIG. 14, and the second projector 32 emits an image toward the D direction orthogonal to the C direction in FIG. 14. Are arranged as follows. In the stereoscopic image display mode, as shown in FIG. 16, the first image forming unit 40 of the first projector 31 forms the left eye image L2, and the second image forming unit 41 of the second projector 32 is used for the right eye. A working image R2 is formed. On the other hand, in the two-screen display mode, as shown in FIG. 19, the first image forming unit 40 of the first projector 31 forms the first flat image S3 for the observer 6 and the second image of the second projector 32. The forming unit 41 forms the second planar image S4 for the observer 7.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the first image passing area control unit 33 includes a first passing control liquid crystal panel 45, a first polarizing plate 46, and a second polarizing plate 47. The second image passage area control unit 34 includes a second passage control liquid crystal panel 48, a first polarizing plate 49, and a second polarizing plate 50. The first polarizing plates 46 and 49 have the same configuration as the first polarizing plate 26 (see FIG. 1) of the first embodiment, and the second polarizing plates 47 and 50 are the second polarizing plate of the first embodiment. It has the same configuration as the plate 27 (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 15, the first passage control liquid crystal panel 45 (second passage control liquid crystal panel 48) extends in the E direction (G direction) and includes a plurality of slit-shaped unit regions including liquid crystals adjacent to the F direction. 45a (48a) and a plurality of electrodes 45b (48b) for driving each unit region 45a (48a). The E direction is an example of the “second direction” in the present invention. In the first passage control liquid crystal panel 45 (second passage control liquid crystal panel 48) of the second embodiment, the unit region 45a (48a) in which no voltage is applied to the electrode 45b (48b) is shown in FIGS. As shown in the figure, a slit-shaped transmission region 45c (48c) for transmitting light corresponding to the image formed by the image forming unit 40 (41) is formed. The unit region 45a (48a) in which a voltage is applied to the electrode 45b (48b) serves as a light shielding region 45d (48d) for shielding light corresponding to an image formed by the image forming unit 40 (41). . That is, when the light corresponding to the image passes through the transmission region 45c (48c) and reaches the observation position where the viewers 6 and 7 are located, as shown in FIG. It is formed in a slit shape extending to Therefore, without moving the transmission region 45c (48c), the viewers 6 and 7 can freely move in the E direction and observe the image within the slit-shaped image arrival region 70. .

  Further, in the stereoscopic image display mode, each transmission region 45c (48c) corresponds to one slit-like unit region 45a (corresponding to the width of the left eye 6a (7a) or the right eye 6b (7b) of the observer 6 (7). 48a). On the other hand, in the two-screen display mode, each transmission region 45c (48c) has two slit-shaped unit regions 45a (48a) corresponding to the widths of the eyes 6a and 6b (7a and 7b) of the observer 6 (7). Consists of.

  In the stereoscopic image display mode, the position detection unit 37 detects the position of the left eye 6a (7a) or the right eye 6b (7b) of the observer 6 (7) and sends the position information to the control unit 38. Then, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the control unit 38 forms a transmission region 45c corresponding to the position of the left eye 6a (7a) of the observer 6 (7) in the first passage control liquid crystal panel 45, and 16 and 18, a transmissive region 48 c corresponding to the position of the right eye 6 b (7 b) of the observer 6 (7) is formed in the second passage control liquid crystal panel 48. On the other hand, in the two-screen display mode, the position detection unit 37 detects the positions of the eyes 6 a and 6 b of the observer 6 and the eyes 7 a and 7 b of the observer 7 and sends the position information to the control unit 38. Then, based on the position information, the control unit 38 forms a transmission region 45c corresponding to the eyes 6a and 6b of the observer 6 in the first passage control liquid crystal panel 45 as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, a transmission region 48 c corresponding to the eyes 7 a and 7 b of the observer 7 is formed in the second passage control liquid crystal panel 48.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the half mirror 35 is disposed in a state inclined by 45 ° with respect to the C direction and the D direction, transmits the light emitted from the first projector 31, and is emitted from the second projector 32. Reflects light. Of the light emitted from the first projector 31, the light passing through the center of the Fresnel lens 36 and the light emitted from the second projector 32 and reflected by the half mirror 35 are transmitted through the center of the Fresnel lens 36. The half mirror 35 is disposed so as to substantially match.

(3D image display mode)
Next, with reference to FIG. 14 and FIGS. 16 to 18, a stereoscopic image display mode for providing stereoscopic images to observers 6 and 7 located at different observation positions by the image display device of the second embodiment of the present invention. explain.

  In the above configuration, when displaying a stereoscopic image, the light corresponding to the left-eye image L2 formed by the first image forming unit 40 of the first projector 31 is displayed as shown in FIGS. Since it has the first polarization axis, after passing through the first projection lens 42a, it passes through the first polarizing plate 46 of the first image passing area control unit 33. Of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 46 of the first image passing area control unit 33, the light incident on the transmitting area 45 c of the first passing control liquid crystal panel 45 is changed in polarization axis by 90 ° to be second polarized light. It is converted into light having an axis. The transmission region 45c of the first passage control liquid crystal panel 45 is disposed at a position corresponding to the left eyes 6a and 7a of the viewers 6 and 7. Accordingly, the light transmitted through the transmission region 45c of the first passage control liquid crystal panel 45 is transmitted through the second polarizing plate 47 having a second polarizing axis that is 90 ° different from the first polarizing axis of the first polarizing plate 46. Thereafter, the light passes through the first projection lens 42b. Thereby, the light corresponding to the image L2 for the left eye collected by the Fresnel lens 36 enters the left eyes 6a and 7a of the viewers 6 and 7. On the other hand, the light that has entered the light shielding region 45d out of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 46 has the first polarization axis without being changed by the first passage control liquid crystal panel 45, and the second polarizing plate. 47, the light is shielded by the second polarizing plate 47. Therefore, since the light incident on the light shielding region 45d does not reach the observation position where the viewers 6 and 7 are located, the left-eye image L2 does not enter the right eyes 6b and 7b of the viewers 6 and 7. .

  As shown in FIGS. 14, 16 and 18, the light corresponding to the right-eye image R2 formed by the second image forming unit 41 of the second projector 32 has the first polarization axis. After passing through the two projection lenses 43a, the light passes through the first polarizing plate 49 of the second image passage area control unit. Of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 49 of the second image passage region control unit 34, the light incident on the transmission region 48c of the second passage control liquid crystal panel 48 has its polarization axis changed by 90 °, and the second polarization It is converted into light having an axis. Further, the transmission region 48c of the second passage control liquid crystal panel 48 is disposed at a position corresponding to the right eyes 6b and 7b of the viewers 6 and 7. Therefore, the light transmitted through the transmission region 48c of the second passage control liquid crystal panel 48 is transmitted through the second polarizing plate 50 having a second polarizing axis that is 90 ° different from the first polarizing axis of the first polarizing plate 49. Thereafter, the light passes through the second projection lens 43b. Thereafter, the transmitted light is reflected by the half mirror 35 toward the Fresnel lens 36. Then, light corresponding to the right-eye image R2 collected by the Fresnel lens 36 enters the right eyes 6b and 7b of the viewers 6 and 7. On the other hand, the light that has entered the light shielding region 48d out of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 49 remains unchanged in the second polarizing plate while having the first polarizing axis without being changed by the second passage control liquid crystal panel 48. 50, the light is shielded by the second polarizing plate 50. Therefore, since the light incident on the light shielding region 48d does not reach the observation position where the viewers 6 and 7 are positioned, the right-eye image R2 does not enter the left eyes 6a and 7a of the viewers 6 and 7. .

(Dual screen display mode)
Next, referring to FIG. 14 and FIGS. 19 to 21, the two-screen display mode for providing different planar images to different observers located at different observation positions by the image display device 60 of the second embodiment of the present invention. Will be described.

  In the above configuration, when displaying a two-plane flat image, the first flat image S3 formed by the first image forming unit 40 of the first projector 31 is displayed on the first flat image S3 as shown in FIGS. Since the corresponding light has the first polarization axis, after passing through the first projection lens 42 a, it passes through the first polarizing plate 46 of the first image passing area control unit 33. Of the light that has passed through the first polarizing plate 46 of the first image passage region control unit 33, the light that has entered the transmission region 45c of the first passage control liquid crystal panel 45 has its polarization axis changed by 90 degrees, It is converted into light having a polarization axis. The transmission region 45c of the first passage control liquid crystal panel 45 is disposed at a position corresponding to the positions of the eyes 6a and 6b of the observer 6. Therefore, the light transmitted through the transmission region 45c of the first passage control liquid crystal panel 45 is transmitted through the second polarizing plate 47 that is 90 ° different from the first polarizing axis of the first polarizing plate 46, and then the first projection lens 42b. Transparent. As a result, light corresponding to the first planar image S3 collected by the Fresnel lens 36 enters the eyes 6a and 6b of the observer 6. On the other hand, the light that has entered the light shielding region 45d out of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 46 has the first polarization axis without being changed by the first passage control liquid crystal panel 45, and the second polarizing plate. 47, the light is shielded by the second polarizing plate 47. Therefore, the light incident on the light shielding region 45d does not reach the observation position where the observer 7 is located, and therefore the first planar image S3 does not enter the eyes 7a and 7b of the observer 7.

  Further, when displaying a two-screen flat image, it corresponds to the second flat image S4 formed by the second image forming unit 41 of the second projector 32, as shown in FIGS. Since the light has the first polarization axis, the light passes through the second projection lens 43a and then passes through the first polarizing plate 49 of the second image passage region control unit 34. Of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 49 of the second image passage region control unit 34, the light incident on the transmission region 48c of the second passage control liquid crystal panel 48 has its polarization axis changed by 90 °, It is converted into light having a polarization axis. The transmission region 48c of the second passage control liquid crystal panel 48 is disposed at a position corresponding to the positions of the eyes 7a and 7b of the observer 7. Therefore, the light transmitted through the transmission region 48c of the second passage control liquid crystal panel 48 is transmitted through the second polarizing plate 50 that is 90 ° different from the first polarization axis of the first polarizing plate 49, and then the second projection lens 43b. Transparent. Thereafter, the transmitted light is reflected by the half mirror 35 to the Fresnel lens 36 side. Then, light corresponding to the second planar image S4 collected by the Fresnel lens 36 enters the eyes 7a and 7b of the observer 7. On the other hand, the light that has entered the light shielding region 48d out of the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 49 remains unchanged in the second polarizing plate while having the first polarizing axis without being changed by the second passage control liquid crystal panel 48. 50, the light is shielded by the second polarizing plate 50. Therefore, since the light incident on the light shielding region 48d does not reach the observation position where the observer 6 is located, the second planar image S4 does not enter the eyes 6a and 6b of the observer 6.

(Effect of 2nd Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, as described above, the image display device 60 includes the first projector 31 and the second projector 32, and the first image passage region control unit 33 and the second image passage region control unit 34. By configuring, in the stereoscopic image display mode, the left-eye image L2 formed by the first image forming unit 40 is provided to the left eyes 6a and 7a of the viewers 6 and 7 via the first image passing area control unit 33. In addition, the right-eye image R2 formed by the second image forming unit 41 can be provided to the right eyes 6b and 7b of the viewers 6 and 7 via the second image passing region control unit 34. Thus, unlike the first embodiment described above, it is not necessary to replace the left-eye image L2 and the right-eye image R2 of the first image forming unit 40 and the second image forming unit 41 every 1/60 frame period. It is not necessary to move the transmission regions 45c and 48c of the first image passage region control unit 33 and the second image passage region control unit 34 every 1/60 frame period. Thereby, the observers 6 and 7 do not complicate the control of the first image forming unit 40 and the second image forming unit 41, and the first image passing region control unit 33 and the second image passing region control unit 34. A stereoscopic image can be provided.

  In the second embodiment, in the two-screen display mode, the first planar image S3 formed by the first image forming unit 40 is sent to the eyes 6a and 6b of the observer 6 via the first image passing area control unit 33. Since the second planar image S4 formed by the second image forming unit 41 can be provided to the eyes 7a and 7b of the observer 7 via the second image passing region control unit 34, the second planar image S4 can be provided. It is not necessary to replace the first plane image S3 and the second plane image S4 of the first image forming unit 40 and the second image forming unit 41 every 1/60 frame period, and the first plane image S3 and the second plane image S4 are not changed every 1/60 frame period. There is no need to move the transmission regions 45c and 48c of the image passage region control unit 33 and the second image passage region control unit 34. Thereby, the observers 6 and 7 do not complicate the control of the first image forming unit 40 and the second image forming unit 41, and the first image passing region control unit 33 and the second image passing region control unit 34. The first plane image S3 and the second plane image S4 different from each other can be provided.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in the first and second embodiments, an example of a projector having three liquid crystal display panels 14, 15 and 16 has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a projector including one liquid crystal display panel or other The present invention can also be applied to a projector having a display panel that displays an image by display means.

  In the first embodiment, the transmission region 25c of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 is formed in a spot shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in the configuration of the first embodiment, the transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel is set to B. You may form in the slit shape extended in a direction. When the slit is formed in this way, the unit region and the electrode may also be formed in the slit shape. The shape of the transmissive region is not limited and can be changed as appropriate.

  In the second embodiment, the transmission regions 45c and 48c of the passage control liquid crystal panels 45 and 48 are formed in a slit shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Similarly, the passage control liquid crystal panel may be configured so that the transmission region can be formed in a spot shape.

  In the first embodiment, an example in which a planar image is viewed in the viewing angle limited mode has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a stereoscopic image may be viewed in the viewing angle limited mode. Good. In this case, only the observer 6 is provided with a stereoscopic image by forming only the transmissive area 25c corresponding to the observer 6 in the transmissive area 25c of the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 shown in FIG. What is necessary is just to comprise so that it can do.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 uses a 90 ° TN (Twisted Nematic) method, and the first polarizing plate 26 and the second polarizer disposed so as to face each other with the passage control liquid crystal panel 25 interposed therebetween. Although the example in which the polarizing plate 27 has polarization axes orthogonal to each other has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, using other methods such as a VA (Vertical Alignment) method and an ECB (Electrically Controlled Birefringence) method. Also good. In this case, for example, when the VA method is used, the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate arranged so as to face each other with the passage control liquid crystal panel interposed therebetween are configured by polarizing plates having the same polarization axis, and the passage control is performed. The polarization axis of the light corresponding to the image formed by the image forming apparatus may be set so as to correspond to the polarization axes of the liquid crystal panel, the first polarizing plate, and the second polarizing plate. Such a configuration may be applied to the second embodiment.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which showed the projection lens, the image passage area control part, and Fresnel lens (screen) of the image display apparatus by 1st Embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. It is the top view which showed the state which the observer looked at the image from the front in the projection lens, the image passage area control part, and Fresnel lens which were shown in FIG. It is the side view which showed the state which the observer looked at the Fresnel lens from the front in the projection lens, the image passage area | region control part, and Fresnel lens which were shown in FIG. It is the elements on larger scale of the passage control liquid crystal panel of an image passage area control part. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an image formed by an image forming unit and a passage control liquid crystal panel in a stereoscopic image display mode of the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state where an observer looks at the Fresnel lens from the front in the stereoscopic image display mode of the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image formed by an image forming unit and a state of a passage control liquid crystal panel in the two-screen display mode of the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which one observer views an image from the front in the two-screen display mode of the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which the other viewer views an image from the front in the two-screen display mode of the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which one observer views an image from the front in the two-screen display mode of the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which the other viewer views an image from the front in the two-screen display mode of the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which an observer views an image from the front in the viewing angle limited mode of the image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. In the image display device by a 2nd embodiment of the present invention, it is the side view showing the state where the observer looked at the Fresnel lens from the front. It is the elements on larger scale of the passage control liquid crystal panel of an image passage area control part. It is the figure which showed the image which a 1st image formation part and a 2nd image formation part form in the three-dimensional image display mode of 2nd Embodiment, and the state of a 1st passage control liquid crystal panel and a 2nd passage control liquid crystal panel. It is the top view which showed the state which the observer looked at the image from the front in the three-dimensional image display mode of 2nd Embodiment. It is the top view which showed the state which the observer looked at the image from the front in the three-dimensional image display mode of 2nd Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the image which a 1st image formation part and a 2nd image formation part form in the 2 screen display mode of 2nd Embodiment, and the state of a 1st passage control liquid crystal panel and a 2nd passage control liquid crystal panel. It is the top view which showed the state which one observer looked at the image from the front in the 2 screen display mode of 2nd Embodiment. It is the top view which showed the state which the other observer looked at the image from the front in 2 screen display mode of 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which showed the structure of the conventional stereoscopic video display apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Projector 2 Image passage area control part 3 Fresnel lens 10 Image formation part 11a, 11b Projection lens 25c Transmission area 25d Light-shielding area 30 Image display apparatus

Claims (16)

A projector including an image forming unit that forms an image, and a projection lens that projects an image formed by the image forming unit onto a screen;
An image passing area control means that is disposed in the vicinity of the aperture position of the projection lens of the projector and includes a transmission area that transmits light corresponding to an image that has passed through the projection lens, and a light shielding area for shielding light;
The screen on which an image corresponding to the light that has passed through the transmission region of the image passage region control means is formed, and the light corresponding to the image is condensed toward at least one of the left eye or right eye of the observer With a single Fresnel lens to
An image display device that provides at least a stereoscopic image to an observer by causing the image to enter at least one of the left eye or right eye of the observer by the image passing area control unit and the single Fresnel lens.   The image passage area control means includes a passage control liquid crystal panel in which a transmission area for transmitting light corresponding to an image formed by the image forming means and a light shielding area for shielding light are formed, and the passage control liquid crystal The pixel display device according to claim 1, comprising a first polarizing plate and a second polarizing plate arranged to face each other with the panel interposed therebetween.   Position detecting means capable of detecting the position of the observer's eyes, and controlling the transmission area and the light shielding area of the passage control liquid crystal panel according to the position of the eyes of the observer detected by the position detection means. The image display device according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit. In the passage control liquid crystal panel, a plurality of electrodes for controlling the transmission region and the light shielding region of the passage control liquid crystal panel are provided so as to be adjacent to each other in a first direction connecting the left and right eyes of the observer,
The said control part changes the length of the 1st direction of the transmissive area | region of the said passage control liquid crystal panel by controlling the drive of the several electrode of the said passage control liquid crystal panel. Image display device.   The control unit is observable by an observer by controlling the length of the transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel in the first direction by controlling driving of the plurality of electrodes of the passage control liquid crystal panel. The image display apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the area is limited.   6. The image display device according to claim 2, wherein a transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel is formed in a spot shape so as to correspond to a position of a left eye or a right eye of an observer.   The transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel is formed in a slit shape extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction so as to correspond to the position of the left eye or right eye of the observer in the first direction. The image display device according to any one of claims 2 to 5. The transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel is controlled to be moved every 1 / n frame period (n is a natural number of 2 or more) of the image formed by the image forming unit,
The image forming means is controlled so that a first image and a second image formed by the image forming means are switched in synchronization with movement of a transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel. The image display device according to any one of 2 to 7. The transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel includes a position corresponding to the left eye of the observer and a position corresponding to the right eye for each 1 / n frame period (n is a natural number of 2 or more) of the image formed by the image forming unit. Controlled to be moved to
The image forming unit is configured such that the first image for the left eye and the second image for the right eye formed by the image forming unit are interchanged in synchronization with the transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel being moved. The image display apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a stereoscopic image is provided to an observer by controlling. The transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel has a position corresponding to the first observer and a second observer every 1 / n frame period (n is a natural number of 2 or more) of the image formed by the image forming means. To be moved to a position corresponding to
The image forming means synchronizes with the movement of the transmission region of the passage control liquid crystal panel, and the first planar image for the first observer formed by the image forming means and the second observation are formed. By providing control so that the second plane image for the user is switched, the first and second plane images different from each other are provided to the first observer and the second observer located at different observation positions, respectively. The image display device according to claim 8.   The image display device according to claim 8, wherein the 1 / n frame period is a ½ frame period.   The image display device according to claim 8, wherein the image forming unit includes a liquid crystal display panel.   The image display device according to claim 1, wherein two projectors each including the image forming unit and the projection lens and two image passing region control units are provided.   Of the light transmitted through the image passing area control means of one of the projectors, the light passing through the center of the Fresnel lens, and of the light transmitted through the image passing area control means of the other projector, passed through the center of the Fresnel lens. The image display device according to claim 13, further comprising a half mirror disposed so that the light substantially coincides with the light. The two image forming units include a first image forming unit and a second image forming unit,
The two image passage area control means includes a first passage control liquid crystal panel and a second passage control liquid crystal panel,
The transmission region of the first passage control liquid crystal panel is controlled to move to a position corresponding to the left eye of the observer, and the transmission region of the second passage control liquid crystal panel corresponds to the right eye of the viewer. Controlled to be moved to a position,
The first image forming unit forms a first image for the left eye, and the second image forming unit forms a second image for the right eye, thereby providing a stereoscopic image to the observer. Or the image display apparatus of 14. The two image forming units include a first image forming unit and a second image forming unit,
The two image passage area control means includes a first passage control liquid crystal panel and a second passage control liquid crystal panel,
The transmission region of the first passage control liquid crystal panel is controlled to be moved to a position corresponding to both eyes of the first observer, and the transmission region of the second passage control liquid crystal panel is the second observation. Controlled to move to a position corresponding to both eyes of the person,
The first image forming means forms a first planar image for the first observer, and the second image forming means forms a second planar image for the second observer, thereby different observations. The image display device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the first planar image and the second planar image that are different from each other are provided to a first observer and a second observer located at a position, respectively.

Images