JP2006337866A - Picture display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picture display device capable of providing a stereoscopic picture for an observer both when it is arranged long in a vertical direction and when it is arranged long in a horizontal direction. <P>SOLUTION: In the picture display device 1, a retardation plate 8b is provided integrally with the glass base plate 8c of a liquid crystal panel for a vertical arrangement 8a. By providing the liquid crystal panel for the vertical arrangement 8a, the retardation plate 8b and a liquid crystal panel for horizontal arrangement 4, and also making a picture for a left eye L1 and a picture for a right eye R1 incident on a left eye 10a and a right eye 10b with light transmitted through the polarization control area 8f of the retardation plate 8b in such a state that a display panel 5 is arranged long in the vertical direction, the stereoscopic picture is provided for the observer 10, and then by making a picture for a left eye L2 and a picture for a right eye R2 incident on the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b with light transmitted through the polarization control area 4b of the liquid crystal panel for horizontal arrangement 4 in such a state that the display panel 5 is arranged long in the vertical direction, the stereoscopic picture is provided for the observer 10. <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 displaying a stereoscopic image.

  Conventionally, a three-dimensional image display device capable of displaying a three-dimensional stereoscopic image is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In Patent Document 1, an electronic parallax barrier disposed on the observer side of the image display surface is controlled by a control unit such as a microcomputer, so that a predetermined position of the electronic parallax barrier is set at a predetermined position. There has been disclosed a three-dimensional image display device capable of forming a shaped opening and a light-shielding portion in a stripe shape substantially perpendicular to a line segment connecting the left eye and right eye of an observer. In the three-dimensional image display device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a three-dimensional image is provided to an observer, an image for the left eye is incident on the left eye of the observer, and an image for the right eye is incident on the right eye of the observer. The opening of the electronic parallax barrier is formed so that is incident.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed a stereoscopic image display device capable of presenting a stereoscopic image to an observer by disposing a barrier provided with a slit-shaped opening and a light shielding portion on the viewer side of the display panel. FIG. 18 is a plan view for explaining the principle of a conventional stereoscopic image display apparatus. With reference to FIG. 18, a configuration of a conventional stereoscopic image display apparatus 500 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 18, a conventional stereoscopic image display apparatus 500 includes a display panel 501 for displaying an image, a polarizing plate 502 disposed on the viewer 510 side of the display panel 501, and an observer of the polarizing plate 502. And a barrier 503 provided on the 510 side.

  The display panel 501 includes a glass substrate 501a. In addition, the display panel 501 includes a pixel column 501b and pixels extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to a line segment connecting the left eye 510a and the right eye 510b of the observer 510 (perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 18). Rows 501c are provided alternately. The pixel column 501b displays an image L10 for viewing by the left eye 510a of the observer 510, and the pixel column 501c displays an image R10 for viewing by the right eye 510b of the viewer 510.

  In addition, the barrier 503 is provided with a light shielding portion 503 a for shielding light emitted from the display panel 501 and an opening 503 b for transmitting light emitted from the display panel 501. As in the pixel columns 501b and 501c of the display panel 501, the light shielding portion 503a and the opening 503b are substantially orthogonal to the line segment connecting the left eye 510a and the right eye 510b of the observer 510 (see FIG. 18). They are alternately provided so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. Further, the light shielding portion 503a and the opening portion 503b are provided corresponding to each set of the pixel columns 501b and 501c of the display panel 501.

  Next, a stereoscopic image display method by the conventional stereoscopic image display device 500 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the conventional stereoscopic image display apparatus 500, when the observer 510 observes the display panel 501 through the opening 503b of the barrier 503, the left eye 510a of the observer 510 is displayed on the pixel column 501b of the display panel 501. The image R10 displayed on the pixel column 501c of the display panel 501 is incident on the right eye 510b of the viewer 510. Thereby, the observer 510 can observe a stereoscopic image.

Japanese Patent No. 2857429

  However, in the conventional stereoscopic image display device 500 shown in FIG. 18, the stereoscopic image display device 500 is adapted to provide a stereoscopic image to the viewer 510 only when the stereoscopic image display device 500 is arranged vertically, for example. For example, when the image display device 500 is arranged in a horizontal direction, there is a problem that it is difficult to provide a stereoscopic image to the observer 510. Also, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 has the same problem as the case of the above-described conventional stereoscopic image display device 500.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide an observer with a three-dimensional view both in the case of being arranged vertically and in the case of being arranged horizontally. An object of the present invention is to provide an image display device capable of providing an image.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  In order to achieve the above object, an image display device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a display panel for displaying an image, light having a first polarization axis, and light having a second polarization axis. A first polarization axis control means for separating the light into a light having a third polarization axis and a second polarization axis control means for separating the light into a light having a fourth polarization axis; The light having the first polarization axis and the light having the second polarization axis separated by the polarization axis control means are controlled as light having the fifth polarization axis and light having the sixth polarization axis, respectively. Third polarization axis control means, and the first polarization axis control means is provided integrally with the third polarization axis control means, and the display panel is arranged in the first direction and the fifth polarization axis control means. Traveling one of the light having the polarization axis and the light having the sixth polarization axis toward the observer's eyes Thus, the light having the third polarization axis and the light having the fourth polarization axis in a state in which the stereoscopic image is provided to the observer and the display panel is arranged in the second direction intersecting the first direction. One of the images is advanced toward the eyes of the observer, thereby providing a stereoscopic image to the observer.

  In the image display device according to this aspect, as described above, the first polarization axis control means, the second polarization axis control means, and the third polarization axis control means are provided, and the display panel is arranged in the first direction. In the state, the light having the first polarization axis and the light having the second polarization axis separated by the first polarization axis control means are converted into the light having the fifth polarization axis and the light having the fifth polarization axis by the third polarization axis control means. By controlling the light having the polarization axis of 6 and moving one of the light having the fifth polarization axis and the light having the sixth polarization axis toward the eyes of the viewer, the stereoscopic image is displayed to the viewer. Can be provided. The light having the third polarization axis and the light having the fourth polarization axis separated by the second polarization axis control means in a state where the display panel is arranged in the second direction intersecting the first direction. One of the images is advanced toward the eyes of the observer, so that a stereoscopic image can be provided to the observer. Thereby, a stereoscopic image can be provided to the observer both in the case where the display panel is arranged in the first direction (vertical direction) and in the case where the display panel is arranged in the second direction (lateral direction). Further, by providing the first polarization axis control means integrally with the third polarization axis control means, the number of parts can be reduced compared to the case where the first polarization axis control means is configured separately from the third polarization axis control means. Can be prevented from increasing.

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, the first polarization axis control means preferably includes a retardation plate. If the retardation plate is used in this way, the light can be easily separated into light having the first polarization axis and light having the second polarization axis.

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, preferably, the third polarization axis control means converts the light having the first polarization axis to the fifth polarization axis in a state where the display panel is arranged in the first direction. A first state in which the light having the second polarization axis is controlled to the light having the sixth polarization axis, and the light having the first polarization axis and the light having the second polarization axis. Including a first polarization control liquid crystal panel capable of switching between a second state in which the light is transmitted without controlling the polarization axis, and the first polarization axis control means is formed integrally with the first polarization control liquid crystal panel. Yes. If comprised in this way, according to the case where the display panel is arrange | positioned by the 1st polarization control liquid crystal panel in the 1st direction, and the case where it arrange | positions in a 2nd direction, said 1st state and 1st Since it is possible to switch between the two states, the presence / absence of polarization control can be easily switched according to the arrangement state of the display panel.

  In the image display device including the first polarization control liquid crystal panel, preferably, the first polarization control liquid crystal panel includes a transparent substrate, and the first polarization axis control means is integrated with the transparent substrate of the first polarization control liquid crystal panel. Is formed. This configuration eliminates the need for a dedicated transparent substrate for installing the first polarization axis control means, thereby reducing the number of components and reducing the thickness of the image display device. Can do. As a result, the entire thickness of the image display device can be reduced.

  In the image display device including the first polarization control liquid crystal panel, preferably, the first polarization control liquid crystal panel integrally provided with the first polarization axis control means includes light having a fifth polarization axis or first light. A polarizing plate that absorbs light having six polarization axes is provided. With this configuration, one of the light having the fifth polarization axis and the light having the sixth polarization axis is incident on the left eye and the right eye of the observer, and the light having the fifth polarization axis and the sixth light The other light having the polarization axis can be absorbed without being incident on the left and right eyes of the observer. Thereby, a stereoscopic image can be easily provided to an observer.

  In this case, preferably, the first polarization control liquid crystal panel includes a pair of transparent substrates, and the first polarization axis control unit is integrally provided on one of the transparent substrates, and the polarization is controlled on the other transparent substrate. A board is placed. With this configuration, even when the polarizing plate is disposed on the first polarization control liquid crystal panel, the first polarization axis control means can be easily formed integrally with the first polarization control liquid crystal panel. .

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, preferably, the display panel is controlled by the third polarization axis control unit integrally provided with the first polarization axis control unit in a state where the display panel is arranged in the first direction. Using one of the light having the fifth polarization axis and the light having the sixth polarization axis, the image for the left eye is advanced toward the left eye of the observer, and the image for the right eye is advanced toward the right eye of the observer. To provide the viewer with a stereoscopic image, and with the display panel arranged in the second direction, the light having the third polarization axis and the fourth polarization axis separated by the second polarization axis control means. The stereoscopic image is provided to the observer by causing the left eye image to advance toward the left eye of the observer and the right eye image to advance toward the right eye of the observer with one of the lights. With this configuration, when the display panel is arranged in the first direction (vertical direction) and in the second direction (horizontal direction), a stereoscopic image can be easily provided to the observer. .

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, preferably, the first polarization axis control unit provided integrally with the third polarization axis control unit includes a plurality of units for controlling light to light having the first polarization axis. The first polarization control region and a plurality of second polarization control regions for controlling the light to light having the second polarization axis, and the plurality of first polarization control regions and the plurality of second polarization control regions are In a state where the display panel is disposed in the first direction, the display panel is disposed along a direction intersecting with both the first direction and the second direction. According to this structure, the first polarization control region and the plurality of second polarization control regions arranged along the direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction can provide the first The light having the polarization axis and the light having the second polarization axis are controlled by the third polarization axis control means to be light having the fifth polarization axis and light having the sixth polarization axis, and the fifth polarization. One of the light having the axis and the light having the sixth polarization axis can be made to travel toward the eyes of the observer in a state of being almost uniformly dispersed in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Thereby, since the reduction in the resolution of the image on the display panel can be distributed in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, a stereoscopic image with little image deterioration can be provided to the observer.

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, the display panel preferably includes a plurality of dot regions for color display, and the first polarization axis control means provided integrally with the third polarization axis control means. The one polarization control region and the second polarization control region are respectively arranged for each dot region of the display panel. If comprised in this way, the image of a display panel can be made to inject into an observer's eyes in the state divided by the 1st polarization | polarized-light control area | region and 2nd polarization | polarized-light control area | region provided for every dot area | region. Thereby, a stereoscopic image with less image degradation can be provided to the observer.

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, preferably, the first polarization axis control means and the second polarization axis control means provided integrally with the third polarization axis control means are arranged so as to sandwich the display panel. Is done. If comprised in this way, the space | interval of a display panel and a 1st polarization axis control means will be made small compared with the case where a 2nd polarization axis control means is arrange | positioned between a display panel and a 1st polarization axis control means, for example. Therefore, the appropriate viewing distance from the display panel can be reduced. Accordingly, when the image display device of the present invention is used for a mobile phone having a small display panel, the distance from the display panel to the observer's eyes (appropriate viewing distance) can be reduced. The image can be made easy to see.

  In the image display device according to the above aspect, the second polarization axis control unit preferably advances one of the light having the third polarization axis and the light having the fourth polarization axis toward the eyes of the observer. And a case where both the light having the third polarization axis and the light having the fourth polarization axis travel toward the eyes of the observer, and the third polarization axis control means A case in which one of the light having the fifth polarization axis and the light having the sixth polarization axis travels toward the observer's eyes, and both the light having the fifth polarization axis and the light having the sixth polarization axis And the second polarization axis control means transmits both the light having the third polarization axis and the light having the fourth polarization axis to the observer's eyes. And the third polarization axis control means By advancing toward the viewer's eye of both light having the polarization axis of the light and the sixth having a fifth polarization axis of providing a planar image to the observer. According to this structure, the second polarization axis control unit causes the light having the third polarization axis and the light having the fourth polarization axis to travel toward the eyes of the observer, Switching between the case where both the light having the polarization axis and the light having the fourth polarization axis travel toward the eyes of the observer, and the third polarization axis control means is configured to change the light having the fifth polarization axis and the light having the fifth polarization axis. One of the light beams having the six polarization axes travels toward the viewer's eyes, and the light beam having the fifth polarization axis and the light having the sixth polarization axes travels toward the viewer's eyes. By switching to the case of making it to be performed, it is possible to provide both the stereoscopic image and the planar image to the observer with one image display device.

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

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows from above the state in which the viewer looks at the display panel during stereoscopic image display when the display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is arranged vertically (the state shown in FIG. 1). It is a figure. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the viewer looks at the display panel when displaying a stereoscopic image when the display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is placed sideways (a state where FIG. 1 is rotated by 90 °). It is the figure which showed from above. 4 to 7 are diagrams for explaining in detail the configuration of the image display apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. First, the configuration of an image display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the image display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a backlight 2, a polarizing plate 3 disposed on the light emission side of the backlight 2, and light emission of the polarizing plate 3. A horizontal polarization control liquid crystal panel 4 (hereinafter referred to as “horizontal liquid crystal panel 4”) disposed on the side, and a liquid crystal display panel disposed on the light emitting side of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 and displaying an image Panel 5, polarizing plates 6 and 7 disposed so as to sandwich display panel 5, vertical polarization control member 8 disposed on the light output side of polarizing plate 7, and light from vertical polarization control member 8 And a polarizing plate 9 disposed on the emission side. The horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 is an example of the “second polarization axis control unit” in the present invention.

  The backlight 2 has a function of irradiating the polarizing plate 3 with light. Further, since the polarizing plate 3 is set to have a polarization axis of about 135 ° when viewed from the viewer 10 side, the function of transmitting only light having a polarization axis of about 135 ° when viewed from the viewer 10 side. Have Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the angle of the polarizing plate indicates an angle viewed from the observer 10 side. In the present embodiment, the angle of the polarization axis indicates an angle in a state in which the display panel 5 is arranged vertically.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 has polarization control regions 4a and 4b. When the display panel 5 (see FIG. 1) is placed sideways (in the case of FIGS. 3 and 4), the polarization control regions 4a and 4b correspond to the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b of the observer 10 (see FIG. 3). Are arranged so as to extend in a substantially vertical direction (A direction) with respect to the line segment connecting the two. The polarization control regions 4a and 4b are each provided with an electrode 4c extending in the A direction. This makes it possible to apply a voltage to the liquid crystal positioned in the polarization control regions 4a and 4b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 by using the electrode 4c, so that the polarization can be controlled by controlling the voltage application state to the liquid crystal. It becomes possible to easily change the polarization control state of the control regions 4a and 4b. In this embodiment, the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 emits light with the polarization axis of incident light changed in the OFF state and emits light with substantially no change in the polarization axis of incident light in the ON state. (Twisted Nematic) A liquid crystal panel. This makes it possible to perform polarization control by the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 only when the liquid crystal panel is arranged horizontally. The polarization control regions 4a and 4b have a polarization axis in the horizontal direction (about 0 °) when viewed from the viewer 10 side. Further, the polarization control region 4a of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 has a polarization axis that is line-symmetric with respect to the horizontal polarization axis of the polarization control region 4a of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 (about 0 °). It has the function to change to. Specifically, since the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 has a function of imparting a phase difference of λ / 2 to incident light, the horizontal direction liquid crystal panel 4 has a horizontal (about 0 °) polarization axis. For example, the light having the polarization axis of the angle α is changed to the light having the polarization axis of the angle −α and emitted by the horizontal polarization axis (about 0 °) of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a and the phase difference plate 8b of the vertical polarization control member 8 also have the same function. The polarization control regions 4a and 4b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 polarize light having a predetermined polarization axis by disabling the polarization axis in the horizontal direction (about 0 °) by applying a voltage (ON state). It has the function of transmitting without changing the axis, and by making the voltage non-applied state (OFF state), the polarization axis in the horizontal direction (about 0 °) is made effective and the light polarization is symmetrical with respect to the polarization axis. Has the function of changing the axis. When the display panel 5 (see FIG. 1) is disposed horizontally (in the case of FIGS. 3 and 4), the polarization control region 4a is in a voltage application state (ON state), and the polarization control region 4b is The voltage is not applied (OFF state). Further, as shown in FIG. 1, since the polarizing plate 6 is set to have a polarization axis of about 135 °, it has a function of transmitting only light having a polarization axis of about 135 °.

  The display panel 5 is composed of a TN liquid crystal panel that emits light with the polarization axis of incident light changed by about 90 ° in the OFF state and emits light with substantially no change in the polarization axis of incident light in the ON state. . Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the display panel 5 includes a plurality of dot areas 5 a to 5 c for displaying three primary colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) light. It has a pixel area 5d and a plurality of pixel areas 5h composed of three dot areas 5e to 5g for displaying the three primary colors of light.

  Here, in this embodiment, when the display panel 5 is arranged vertically, the left-eye image L1 and the right-eye image R1 displayed in the dot areas 5a to 5c and 5e to 5g are examples of a staircase shape. Arranged in a houndstooth pattern. Specifically, in each of the dot areas 5a to 5c and 5e to 5g shown in FIG. 5, the display area of the left eye image L1 is indicated by a hatched area, and the display area of the right eye image R1 is , A non-hatched area that is not hatched (hatched). As shown in FIG. 5, the image L1 for the left eye located in the hatching area is displayed so that the RGB dot areas 5a to 5c and 5e to 5g are continuous in an oblique direction (C direction in FIG. 5). The right-eye image R1 located in the non-hatched area is also displayed so that the RGB dot areas are continuous in an oblique direction (C direction in FIG. 5). The left-eye image L1 and the right-eye image R1 are alternately displayed in a direction intersecting with an oblique direction (C direction in FIG. 5) in which the RGB dot areas extend so as to be continuous.

  Further, when the display panel 5 is arranged in the horizontal direction, as shown in FIG. 6, the dot regions 5a to 5c and 5e to 5g corresponding to the three primary colors (RGB) of light are respectively observed by the observer 10 (FIG. 3). The left eye 10a and the right eye 10b of the reference) are arranged so as to extend substantially in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) (direction A). Further, the length in the direction (lateral direction) (B direction) along the line segment connecting the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b of the observer 10 (see FIG. 3) of the dot regions 5a to 5c and 5e to 5g is horizontally In the direction (longitudinal direction) (B direction) along the line segment connecting the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b of the observer 10 in the polarization control regions 4a and 4b (see FIG. 4) of the liquid crystal panel 4 (see FIG. 4). It is provided to correspond to the length. In the case of the horizontal arrangement shown in FIG. 6, the left-eye image L2 indicated by the hatched area and the right-eye image R2 indicated by the non-hatched area are respectively RGB in the vertical direction (A direction). The dot areas 5a to 5c and 5e to 5g are displayed so as to extend continuously. In the case of the horizontal arrangement shown in FIG. 6, the left-eye image L2 and the right-eye image R2 extending in the vertical direction (A direction) are alternately displayed in the horizontal direction (B direction). Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the region (hatching region) where the left-eye image L2 is displayed is arranged on a line connecting the polarization control region 4b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 and the left eye 10a of the observer 10. At the same time, it is arranged on a line connecting the polarization control region 4a of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 and the right eye 10b of the observer 10. The area (non-hatched area) where the right-eye image R2 is displayed is arranged on a line connecting the polarization control area 4a of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 and the left eye 10a of the observer 10, and the horizontal liquid crystal panel. 4 on the line connecting the polarization control region 4b and the right eye 10b of the viewer 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, since the polarizing plate 7 is set to have a polarization axis of about 45 °, it has a function of transmitting only light having a polarization axis of about 45 °.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the vertical polarization control member 8 includes a vertical liquid crystal panel 8a and a phase difference plate 8b. The vertically oriented liquid crystal panel 8a is an example of the “third polarization axis control means” and the “first polarization control liquid crystal panel” in the present invention, and the retardation plate 8b is the “first polarization axis control” in the present invention. It is an example of “means”.

  In the present embodiment, the vertically oriented liquid crystal panel 8a has a pair of glass substrates 8c and 8d. The glass substrates 8c and 8d are examples of the “transparent substrate” in the present invention. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a is set to have a polarization axis of about 165 °, and the polarization axis of transmitted light is set to about 165 ° of the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a. It has a function of changing to a polarization axis that is line-symmetric with respect to the polarization axis. Specifically, the polarization control state of light incident on the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a can be easily changed by controlling the voltage application state to the liquid crystal of the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a. In the present embodiment, the horizontal liquid crystal panel 8a emits light with the polarization axis of incident light changed in the OFF state and emits light with substantially no change in the polarization axis of incident light in the ON state. It consists of a liquid crystal panel. The vertical liquid crystal panel 8a has a function of disabling the polarization axis of about 165 ° by being turned on, and a function of enabling the polarization axis of about 165 ° by being turned off. .

  Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the phase difference plate 8 b is integrally formed on a glass substrate 8 c disposed on the display panel 5 side of the vertical liquid crystal panel 8 a. . Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the phase difference plate 8b includes a plurality of polarization control regions 8e and 8f. The polarization control region 8e is an example of the “first polarization control region” in the present invention, and the polarization control region 8f is an example of the “second polarization control region” in the present invention. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the polarization control region 8e includes a region where the left-eye image L1 of the display panel 5 is displayed and the right eye 10b of the observer 10 when the display panel 5 is arranged vertically. In addition to being arranged on the connected line, the display panel 5 is arranged on a line connecting the region where the image R1 for the right eye is displayed and the left eye 10a of the observer 10. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b indicate the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b of the observer 10. The polarization control area 8f is arranged on a line connecting the area where the left eye image L1 of the display panel 5 is displayed and the left eye 10a, and the area where the right eye image R1 of the display panel 5 is displayed and the right eye. It is arranged on a line connecting 10b. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the polarization control regions 8e and 8f are substantially rectangular corresponding to the dot regions 5a to 5c and 5e to 5g of the display panel 5 arranged in the vertical direction shown in FIG. Has a shape. Further, when the display panel 5 (see FIG. 5) is arranged vertically, the longitudinal direction of the polarization control regions 8e and 8f is the observer 10 (as in the dot regions 5a to 5c and 5e to 5g of the display panel 5). 2) (see FIG. 2) is arranged in a substantially vertical direction (B direction) with respect to a line segment connecting the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b (see FIG. 2). In addition, the polarization control regions 8e and 8f of the phase difference plate 8b change the polarization axis of transmitted light to a line-symmetric polarization axis with respect to the polarization axis optimally set to provide a planar image and a stereoscopic image. It has a function to make it.

  In the present embodiment, the polarization control regions 8e and 8f of the phase difference plate 8b are illustrated so as to correspond to the display regions of the left-eye image L1 and the right-eye image R1 of the display panel 5, as shown in FIG. 7 are arranged in a checkered pattern (step shape) along the C direction which is an oblique direction intersecting with both the A direction and the B direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the polarization control region 8e is set to have a polarization axis of about 75 °, and the polarization control region 8f is set to have a polarization axis of about 15 °. Yes.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the polarizing plate 9 is set to have a polarization axis of about 135 °, and therefore can absorb light having a polarization axis of about 45 °. It becomes. Note that the polarizing plate 9 is configured such that incident light is polarized at a polarization axis of about 135 °, where θ is the angle at which the polarization axis of incident light intersects the polarization axis of the polarizing plate 9 and C is the amount of light (light amplitude). And has a function of changing to light having a light amount (amplitude of light) of C × (cos θ) ² and transmitting the light.

(3D image display mode when placed vertically)
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a stereoscopic image display method when the display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the broken lines indicate the angles of the polarization axes of the polarizing plates 3, 6, 7, 10, the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4, the vertical liquid crystal panel 8 a, and the retardation plate 8 b, and the arrows indicate transmitted light. The angle of the polarization axis is shown. Next, with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and FIG. 8, a stereoscopic image display method when the display panel 5 is vertically oriented according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, the light irradiated from the backlight 2 (refer FIG. 2) permeate | transmits only the light which has a polarization axis of about 135 degrees by the polarizing plate 3, as shown in FIG. Then, light having a polarization axis of about 135 ° is transmitted through the polarization control regions 4 a and 4 b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4. At this time, since the polarization control regions 4a and 4b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 are controlled to be in an ON state by applying a voltage to the electrode 4c (see FIG. 4), the polarization control of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 is performed. The polarization axes of the regions 4a and 4b are invalid. Thereby, the light incident on the polarization control regions 4a and 4b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 is transmitted without changing the polarization axis. Thereafter, the light emitted from the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 is transmitted through the polarizing plate 6 having a polarization axis of about 135 °. Further, the light emitted from the polarizing plate 6 is incident on the dot regions 5 a to 5 c and 5 e to 5 g of the display panel 5. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the left-eye image L <b> 1 (see FIG. 2) is displayed in the hatched (hatched) region of the dot regions 5 a to 5 c and 5 e to 5 g, and the dot regions 5 a to 5 a. A right-eye image R1 (see FIG. 2) is displayed in the non-hatched area among 5c and 5e to 5g. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the light incident on the display panel 5 is emitted by the display panel 5 with the polarization axis changed by 90 °. That is, the light transmitted through the display panel 5 is emitted in a state where the polarization axis is changed to about 45 °. And the light radiate | emitted from the display panel 5 permeate | transmits the polarizing plate 7 which has a polarization axis of about 45 degrees. The light transmitted through the polarizing plate 7 enters the polarization control region 8e or 8f of the phase difference plate 8b.

  In the present embodiment, since the light incident on the retardation plate 8b has a polarization axis of about 45 °, the light incident on the polarization control region 8e of the retardation plate 8b is as shown in FIG. Then, the polarization control region 8e of the phase difference plate 8b is changed to a polarization axis that is axisymmetric with respect to the polarization axis of about 75 ° and transmits. That is, the light emitted from the polarization control region 8e has a polarization axis of about 105 °. Then, the light emitted from the polarization control region 8e of the phase difference plate 8b is changed to a linearly symmetric polarization axis with respect to the polarization axis of about 165 ° of the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a and is transmitted. That is, the light emitted from the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a has a polarization axis of about 45 °. Thereafter, the light emitted from the vertically oriented liquid crystal panel 8a is blocked by the polarizing plate 9 having a polarization axis of about 135 °. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the polarization control region 8e of the phase difference plate 8b is arranged on a line connecting the region for displaying the left eye image L1 of the display panel 5 and the right eye 10b. It is possible to suppress the image L1 from entering the right eye 10b. Further, since the polarization control region 8e of the retardation plate 8b is disposed on a line connecting the region where the right-eye image R1 is displayed on the display panel 5 and the left eye 10a, the right-eye image R1 is incident on the left eye 10a. Can be suppressed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the light incident on the polarization control region 8f of the retardation plate 8b changes to a polarization axis that is axisymmetric with respect to the polarization axis of about 15 ° of the polarization control region 8f of the retardation plate 8b. To be transparent. That is, the light emitted from the polarization control region 8f has a polarization axis of about 165 °. The light emitted from the polarization control region 8f of the phase difference plate 8b is changed to a polarization axis that is axisymmetric with respect to the polarization axis of about 165 ° of the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a and is transmitted. In this case, since the angle of the polarization axis of the light emitted from the polarization control region 8f of the phase difference plate 8b is the same as the angle of the polarization axis of the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a, the light incident on the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a Is emitted without changing its polarization axis from about 165 °. Thereafter, the light emitted from the vertically oriented liquid crystal panel 8a is changed to a polarization axis of about 135 ° and, for example, if the light quantity (light amplitude) is D, D × (cos θ1) ² (θ1 = about 165). The light is emitted from the polarizing plate 9 in a state of being changed to light having a light amount (amplitude of light) of about −135 ° = about 30 °. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the polarization control region 8f of the phase difference plate 8b is arranged on a line connecting the region for displaying the left eye image L1 of the display panel 5 and the left eye 10a. The image L1 can be incident on the left eye 10a. Further, since the polarization control region 8f of the phase difference plate 8b is arranged on a line connecting the region for displaying the right eye image R1 of the display panel 5 and the right eye 10b, the right eye image R1 is incident on the right eye 10b. It becomes possible to do.

  As described above, the left eye image L1 and the right eye image R1 are incident on the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b, respectively, in the vertical orientation, so that the observer 10 can view a stereoscopic image. .

(3D image display mode when placed in landscape orientation)
FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a stereoscopic image display method when the display panel shown in FIG. 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is disposed horizontally. Next, with reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 9, a stereoscopic image display method when the display panel 5 is vertically oriented according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, the light irradiated from the backlight 2 (refer FIG. 3) permeate | transmits only the light which has a polarization axis of about 135 degrees by the polarizing plate 3, as shown in FIG. In the horizontal orientation, the polarization axis is rotated by 90 ° compared to the vertical orientation. However, in the present embodiment, the angle of the polarization axis in the vertical orientation is used as it is in the horizontal orientation for simplification. I will explain. Then, light having a polarization axis of about 135 ° is transmitted through the polarization control regions 4 a and 4 b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4.

  Further, in the case of the horizontal arrangement, the polarization control region 4a of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 is controlled to be in an OFF state in which no voltage is applied to the electrode 4c (see FIG. 4). The polarization axis in the horizontal direction (about 0 °) of the region 4a becomes effective. Thereby, the light incident on the polarization control region 4a of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 changes to a polarization axis that is line-symmetric with respect to the horizontal (about 0 °) polarization axis of the polarization control region 4a of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4. To be transparent. That is, the light emitted from the polarization control region 4a has a polarization axis of about 45 °. The light emitted from the polarization control region 4a of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 is shielded by the polarizing plate 6 having a polarization axis of about 135 °. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the area where the right-eye image R2 of the display panel 5 is displayed is arranged on the line connecting the polarization control area 4a and the left eye 10a of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4, so It is possible to suppress the use image R2 from entering the left eye 10a. Further, since the region for displaying the left-eye image L2 of the display panel 5 is arranged on the line connecting the polarization control region 4a and the right eye 10b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4, the left-eye image L2 is incident on the right eye 10b. It is possible to suppress this.

  On the other hand, since the polarization control region 4b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 is controlled to be in an ON state in which a voltage is applied to the electrode 4c (see FIG. 4) in the horizontal arrangement, the polarization control region 4b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 is controlled. The polarization axis becomes invalid. Therefore, the light incident on the polarization control region 4b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 is emitted without changing the polarization axis, as shown in FIG. That is, the light emitted from the polarization control region 4b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 has a polarization axis of about 135 °.

  The light emitted from the polarization control region 4b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 passes through the polarizing plate 6 having a polarization axis of about 135 °. Further, the light emitted from the polarizing plate 6 is incident on the dot regions 5 a to 5 c and 5 e to 5 g of the display panel 5. Further, the light incident on the display panel 5 is emitted by the display panel 5 with the polarization axis changed by 90 °. That is, the light transmitted through the display panel 5 is emitted in a state where the polarization axis is changed to about 45 °. And the light radiate | emitted from the display panel 5 permeate | transmits the polarizing plate 7 which has a polarization axis of about 45 degrees. The light transmitted through the polarizing plate 7 enters the polarization control region 8e or 8f of the phase difference plate 8b.

In the present embodiment, the light incident on the phase difference plate 8b has a polarization axis of about 45 °, so that the light incident on the polarization control region 8e of the phase difference plate 8b is polarized by the phase difference plate 8b. The control region 8e is changed to a linearly symmetric polarization axis with respect to the polarization axis of about 75 ° and transmits. That is, the light emitted from the polarization control region 8e has a polarization axis of about 105 °. Further, since the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a is controlled to be in the ON state, the polarization axis of the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a becomes invalid. Thus, the light incident on the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a is emitted from the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a without changing the polarization axis. That is, the light emitted from the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a has a polarization axis of about 105 °. Thereafter, the light emitted from the vertically oriented liquid crystal panel 8a is changed to a polarization axis of about 135 °, and, for example, if the light quantity (light amplitude) is E, E × (cos θ2) ² (θ2 = about 135). The light is emitted from the polarizing plate 9 in a state of being changed to light having a light amount (amplitude of light) of about −105 ° = about 30 °. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, since the region for displaying the left-eye image L2 of the display panel 5 is arranged on the line connecting the polarization control region 4b and the left eye 10a of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4, the left eye The work image L2 can be incident on the left eye 10a. Further, since the region for displaying the right-eye image R2 of the display panel 5 is arranged on the line connecting the polarization control region 4b and the right-eye 10b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4, the right-eye image R2 is incident on the right-eye 10b. It becomes possible to do.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the light incident on the polarization control region 8f of the retardation plate 8b changes to a polarization axis that is axisymmetric with respect to the polarization axis of about 15 ° of the polarization control region 8f of the retardation plate 8b. To be transparent. That is, the light emitted from the polarization control region 8f has a polarization axis of about 165 °. Further, since the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a is controlled to be in the ON state, the polarization axis of the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a becomes invalid. Thereby, the light emitted from the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a is emitted from the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a without changing the polarization axis. That is, the light emitted from the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a has a polarization axis of about 165 °. Thereafter, the light emitted from the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a is changed to a polarization axis of about 135 °, and, for example, if the light quantity (light amplitude) is F, F × (cos θ3) ² (θ3 = about 165). The light is emitted from the polarizing plate 9 in a state of being changed to light having a light amount (amplitude of light) of about −135 ° = about 30 °. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, since the region for displaying the left-eye image L2 of the display panel 5 is arranged on the line connecting the polarization control region 4b and the left eye 10a of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4, the left eye The work image L2 can be incident on the left eye 10a. Further, since the region for displaying the right-eye image R2 of the display panel 5 is arranged on the line connecting the polarization control region 4b and the right-eye 10b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4, the right-eye image R2 is incident on the right-eye 10b. It becomes possible to do.

  As described above, the left-eye image L2 and the right-eye image R2 are incident on the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b, respectively, so that the observer 10 can view a three-dimensional image.

(Plane image display mode when placed vertically)
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which an observer looks at the display panel from above when displaying a planar image when the display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is arranged vertically. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a planar image display method when the display panel shown in FIG. 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is vertically arranged and horizontally arranged. Next, with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11, a planar image display method when the display panel 5 is vertically disposed according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, the light irradiated from the backlight 2 (refer FIG. 10) permeate | transmits only the light which has a polarization axis of about 135 degrees by the polarizing plate 3, as shown in FIG. Then, light having a polarization axis of about 135 ° is transmitted through the polarization control regions 4 a and 4 b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4. At this time, since the polarization control regions 4a and 4b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 are controlled to be in an ON state by applying a voltage to the electrode 4c (see FIG. 4), the polarization control of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 is performed. The polarization axes of the regions 4a and 4b are invalid. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the light incident on the polarization control regions 4a and 4b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 is transmitted without changing the polarization axis. Thereafter, the light emitted from the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 is transmitted through the polarizing plate 6 having a polarization axis of about 135 °. Further, the light emitted from the polarizing plate 6 is incident on the dot regions 5 a to 5 c and 5 e to 5 g of the display panel 5. In this case, the planar image S1 (see FIG. 10) is displayed in all the dot areas 5a to 5c and 5e to 5g (see FIG. 10). Further, the light incident on the display panel 5 is emitted by the display panel 5 with the polarization axis changed by 90 °. That is, the light transmitted through the display panel 5 is emitted in a state where the polarization axis is changed to about 45 °. And the light radiate | emitted from the display panel 5 permeate | transmits the polarizing plate 7 which has a polarization axis of about 45 degrees. The light transmitted through the polarizing plate 7 enters the polarization control region 8e or 8f of the phase difference plate 8b.

In the present embodiment, the light incident on the phase difference plate 8b has a polarization axis of about 45 °, so that the light incident on the polarization control region 8e of the phase difference plate 8b is polarized by the phase difference plate 8b. The control region 8e is changed to a linearly symmetric polarization axis with respect to the polarization axis of about 75 ° and transmits. That is, the light emitted from the polarization control region 8e has a polarization axis of about 105 °. Further, since the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a is controlled to be in the ON state, the polarization axis of the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a becomes invalid. Thus, the light incident on the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a is emitted from the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a without changing the polarization axis. That is, the light emitted from the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a has a polarization axis of about 105 °. Thereafter, the light emitted from the vertically oriented liquid crystal panel 8a is changed to a polarization axis of about 135 °. For example, if the light amount (light amplitude) is H, H × (cos θ4) ² (θ4 = about 135). The light is emitted from the polarizing plate 9 in a state of being changed to light having a light amount (amplitude of light) of about −105 ° = about 30 °. By the light emitted from the polarizing plate 9 through the polarization control region 8e, the planar image S1 of the display panel 5 corresponding to the polarization control region 8e is incident on the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the light incident on the polarization control region 8f of the retardation plate 8b changes to a polarization axis that is line-symmetric with respect to the polarization axis of about 15 ° of the polarization control region 8f of the retardation plate 8b. To be transparent. That is, the light emitted from the polarization control region 8f has a polarization axis of about 165 °. Further, since the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a is controlled to be in the ON state, the polarization axis of the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a becomes invalid. Thereby, the light emitted from the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a is emitted from the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a without changing the polarization axis. That is, the light emitted from the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a has a polarization axis of about 165 °. Thereafter, the light emitted from the vertically oriented liquid crystal panel 8a is changed to a polarization axis of about 135 °. For example, if the light amount (light amplitude) is I, I × (cos θ5) ² (θ5 = about 165). The light is emitted from the polarizing plate 9 in a state of being changed to light having a light amount (amplitude of light) of about −135 ° = about 30 °. By the light emitted from the polarizing plate 9 through the polarization control region 8f, the planar image S1 of the display panel 5 corresponding to the polarization control region 8f is incident on the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b.

  As described above, when the planar image S1 is incident on the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b, the observer 10 can view the planar image.

(Plane image display mode when placed in landscape orientation)
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which an observer looks at the display panel from above when displaying a planar image when the display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is arranged horizontally. Next, with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12, a planar image display method when the display panel 5 is horizontally disposed according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, the light irradiated from the backlight 2 (refer FIG. 12) permeate | transmits only the light which has a polarization axis of about 135 degrees by the polarizing plate 3, as shown in FIG. Then, light having a polarization axis of about 135 ° is transmitted through the polarization control regions 4 a and 4 b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4. At this time, since the polarization control regions 4a and 4b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 are controlled to be in an ON state by applying a voltage to the electrode 4c (see FIG. 4), the polarization control of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 is performed. The polarization axes of the regions 4a and 4b are invalid. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the light incident on the polarization control regions 4a and 4b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 is transmitted without changing the polarization axis. Thereafter, the light emitted from the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 is transmitted through the polarizing plate 6 having a polarization axis of about 135 °. Further, the light emitted from the polarizing plate 6 is incident on the dot regions 5 a to 5 c and 5 e to 5 g of the display panel 5. In this case, the planar image S2 (see FIG. 12) is displayed in all the dot areas 5a to 5c and 5e to 5g (see FIG. 12). Further, the light incident on the display panel 5 is emitted by the display panel 5 with the polarization axis changed by 90 °. That is, the light transmitted through the display panel 5 is emitted in a state where the polarization axis is changed to about 45 °. And the light radiate | emitted from the display panel 5 permeate | transmits the polarizing plate 7 which has a polarization axis of about 45 degrees. The light transmitted through the polarizing plate 7 enters the polarization control region 8e or 8f of the phase difference plate 8b.

In the present embodiment, the light incident on the phase difference plate 8b has a polarization axis of about 45 °, so that the light incident on the polarization control region 8e of the phase difference plate 8b is polarized by the phase difference plate 8b. The control region 8e is changed to a linearly symmetric polarization axis with respect to the polarization axis of about 75 ° and transmits. That is, the light emitted from the polarization control region 8e has a polarization axis of about 105 °. Further, since the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a is controlled to be in the ON state, the polarization axis of the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a becomes invalid. Thus, the light incident on the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a is emitted from the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a without changing the polarization axis. That is, the light emitted from the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a has a polarization axis of about 105 °. Thereafter, the light emitted from the vertically oriented liquid crystal panel 8a is changed to a polarization axis of about 135 °, and H × (cos θ4) ² (θ4 = about 135 °), for example, where the light amount (light amplitude) is H. The light is emitted from the polarizing plate 9 in a state of being changed to light having a light amount (amplitude of light) of about 105 ° = about 30 °. By the light emitted from the polarizing plate 9 through the polarization control region 8e, the planar image S2 of the display panel 5 corresponding to the polarization control region 8e is incident on the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the light incident on the polarization control region 8f of the retardation plate 8b changes to a polarization axis that is line-symmetric with respect to the polarization axis of about 15 ° of the polarization control region 8f of the retardation plate 8b. To be transparent. That is, the light emitted from the polarization control region 8f has a polarization axis of about 165 °. Further, since the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a is controlled to be in the ON state, the polarization axis of the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a becomes invalid. Thereby, the light emitted from the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a is emitted from the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a without changing the polarization axis. That is, the light emitted from the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a has a polarization axis of about 165 °. Thereafter, the light emitted from the vertically oriented liquid crystal panel 8a is changed to a polarization axis of about 135 °. For example, if the light amount (light amplitude) is I, I × (cos θ5) ² (θ5 = about 165). The light is emitted from the polarizing plate 9 in a state of being changed to light having a light amount (amplitude of light) of about −135 ° = about 30 °. By the light emitted from the polarizing plate 9 through the polarization control region 8f, the planar image S2 of the display panel 5 corresponding to the polarization control region 8f is incident on the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b.

  As described above, when the planar image S2 is incident on the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b, the observer 10 can view the planar image.

(Effect of this embodiment)
In the present embodiment, as described above, the vertical polarization control member 8 including the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a and the phase difference plate 8b and the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 are provided, and the display panel 5 is disposed in the vertical direction. In this state, the left-eye image L1 and the right-eye image R1 are incident on the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b, respectively, by the light transmitted through the polarization control region 8f of the phase difference plate 8b. In addition, the left-eye image L2 and the right-eye image R2 are incident on the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b, respectively, by light transmitted through the polarization control region 4b of the horizontal liquid crystal 4 in a state where the display panel 5 is disposed horizontally. By providing a stereoscopic image to the observer 10, the display panel 5 can be viewed both in the vertical orientation and in the horizontal orientation. It can provide stereoscopic images to the user 10.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a plurality of polarization control regions 8e and 8f are provided on the retardation plate 8b, and the plurality of polarization control regions 8e and 8f are arranged in a state in which the display panel 5 is arranged vertically. Arranged in a checkered shape (stepped shape) extending in the C direction (diagonal direction) by arranging in a checkered shape (stepped shape) along the C direction which is an oblique direction intersecting with both the A direction and the B direction By the plurality of polarization control regions 8e and 8f thus formed, the light transmitted through the polarization control region 8f can be made to travel toward the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b in a state of being evenly dispersed in the vertical and horizontal directions. The decrease in resolution of the left-eye image L1 and the right-eye image R1 on the panel 5 can be dispersed in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Thereby, a three-dimensional image with little image degradation can be provided to the observer 10.

  In the present embodiment, the polarization control regions 8e and 8f of the retardation plate 8b are arranged for each of the dot regions 5a to 5c and 5e to 5g of the display panel 5, respectively, so that the dot regions 5a to 5c and By the polarization control regions 8e and 8f provided for each of 5e to 5g, the left eye image L1 and the right eye image R1 of the display panel 5 can be incident on the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b in a state of being subdivided. Thereby, a stereoscopic image with less image deterioration can be provided to the observer 10.

  In the present embodiment, the phase difference plate 8b and the horizontally oriented liquid crystal panel 4 are arranged so as to sandwich the display panel 5, whereby the interval W1 (see FIG. 13) between the display panel 5 and the phase difference plate 8b is set. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the display panel 5 and the phase difference plate 8b may be made smaller than the interval W2 between the display panel 5 and the phase difference plate 8b when the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 is sandwiched therebetween. Therefore, an appropriate viewing distance W3 (see FIG. 13) from the display panel 5 is set to an appropriate viewing distance W4 from the display panel 5 when the display panel 5 and the phase difference plate 8b are disposed so as to sandwich the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4. (See FIG. 14). Thereby, for example, when the image display device 1 is used for a mobile phone having a small display panel 5, the distance from the display panel 5 to the left eye 10a and the right eye 10b can be reduced. Can make it easier to see.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the retardation plate 8b is integrally provided on the glass substrate 8c of the vertically oriented liquid crystal panel 8a, whereby the number of components can be reduced and the size can be reduced. This effect will be described in detail below. FIG. 15 is a view showing an image display device using a general retardation plate according to a comparative example of the present invention. In the image display device 100 using a general retardation plate according to this comparative example, as shown in FIG. 15, the retardation plate 106 disposed on the light emission side of the polarizing plate 7 is placed on a dedicated glass substrate 107. It is integrally formed. Further, on the light output side of the phase difference plate 106, a vertically oriented liquid crystal panel 108 and a polarizing plate 9 formed separately from the phase difference plate 106 and the dedicated glass substrate 107 are arranged. On the other hand, in the image display device 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the retardation plate 8b is integrally provided on the glass substrate 8c of the vertically oriented liquid crystal panel 8a, so that the comparative example shown in FIG. As compared with the image display device 100 using the general retardation plate 106 according to the above, the dedicated glass substrate 107 for forming the retardation plate 106 becomes unnecessary, and accordingly, the number of parts can be reduced. The thickness of the image display device 1 can be reduced. As a result, the image display device 1 can be downsized as compared with the image display device 100.

  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 above embodiment, the polarization control regions 8e and 8f of the phase difference plate 8b are provided corresponding to each dot region, and the width of the polarization control regions 4a and 4b of the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 corresponds to the width of the dot region. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the polarization control regions 8e and 8f of the phase difference plate 8b may be provided corresponding to each pixel region, for example, or a horizontally oriented liquid crystal panel Four polarization control regions 4a and 4b may be provided corresponding to the widths of the plurality of dot regions.

  In the above embodiment, the polarization control regions 8e and 8f of the retardation plate 8b are checkered (stepped) along the C direction which is an oblique direction intersecting both the A direction and the B direction in FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the polarization control regions 8e and 8f of the phase difference plate 8b may be arranged to extend in a predetermined direction (the B direction in FIG. 7).

  Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the dot areas of the display panel are linearly arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. As in the modification, the dot areas 15a to 15c of the display panel 15 are arranged linearly in the horizontal direction, the dot areas 15d to 15f are arranged linearly in the horizontal direction, and the dot areas 15a to 15c and the dot areas are arranged. You may arrange | position 15d-15f to a vertical direction, respectively, zigzag. In this case, as shown in FIG. 17, the polarization control regions 18e and 18f of the phase difference plate 18b may be arranged so as to correspond to the dot regions 15a to 15f of the display panel 15. For example, when a stereoscopic image is displayed in a vertically arranged state, the left-eye image L3 is displayed in the hatched (hatched) area in FIG. 16, and the right-eye image R3 is displayed in the non-hatched area in FIG. Good. In this case, the polarization control regions 18e and 18f in FIG. 17 may be arranged so as to correspond to the left-eye image L3 and the right-eye image R3 in FIG. 16, respectively.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the display panel 5 used the 90 degree TN system, and showed the example in which the polarizing plates 6 and 7 arrange | positioned so that it may oppose on both sides of the display panel 5 may have a mutually orthogonal polarization axis. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other methods such as a VA (Vertical Alignment) method and an ECB (Electrically Controlled Birefringence) method may be used. In this case, for example, when the VA method is used, the polarizing plates 6 and 7 arranged so as to sandwich the display panel 5 are configured by polarizing plates having the same polarization axis, and the display panel 5 and the polarizing plates 6 and 7 The polarization axis of light corresponding to the image formed by the image display device may be set so as to correspond to the polarization axis.

  In the above embodiment, the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4 and the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a emit in the OFF state while changing the polarization axis of the incident light, and in the ON state, the polarization of the incident light. Although an example using the TN method for emitting light without changing the axis is shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and other methods such as the VA method and the ECB method described above may be used.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the example which provides a three-dimensional image to an observer by using the display panel which consists of a liquid crystal display panel irradiated with the light from a backlight (light source), this invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to an image display device having a self-luminous display panel such as an organic EL or PDP (plasma display panel).

  In the above embodiment, the polarization axes of the polarizing plates 3, 6, 7, 9, the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4, the polarization control regions 8 e and 8 f of the phase difference plate 8 b, and the vertical liquid crystal panel 8 a are about 135 respectively. An example in which the angle is set to about 135 °, about 45 °, about 135 °, horizontal (about 0 °), about 75 °, about 15 °, and about 165 ° is shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto, The polarization axes of the polarizing plates 3, 6, 7, 9, the horizontal liquid crystal panel 4, the polarization control regions 8e and 8f of the retardation plate 8b, and the vertical liquid crystal panel 8a may be set to values other than the above values. .

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the example which forms the phase difference plate 8b integrally in the glass substrate 8c was shown as an example of the transparent substrate of the liquid crystal panel 8a for vertical orientation, this invention is not limited to this, For vertical orientation As the transparent substrate of the liquid crystal panel 8a, a transparent substrate such as a plastic substrate other than the glass substrate may be used, and the retardation film 8b may be integrally formed on the transparent substrate.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the state which the observer looked at the display panel at the time of the stereoscopic image display at the time of arrange | positioning the display panel by one Embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 1 vertically. It is the figure which showed the state which the observer looked at the display panel at the time of the three-dimensional image display at the time of arranging the display panel by one Embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 1 horizontally. It is the elements on larger scale of the liquid crystal panel for horizontal orientation by one Embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. It is the elements on larger scale of the display panel at the time of arrange | positioning the display panel of the image display apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 1 vertically. It is the elements on larger scale of the display panel at the time of arrange | positioning the display panel of the image display apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 1 horizontally. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a retardation plate of the image display device according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a stereoscopic image display method when the display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is vertically arranged. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a stereoscopic image display method when the display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the state which the observer looked at the display panel at the time of the planar image display at the time of arrange | positioning the display panel by one Embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 1 vertically. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a planar image display method when the display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is arranged vertically and horizontally. It is the figure which showed the state which the observer looked at the display panel at the time of the plane image display at the time of arranging the display panel by one Embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 1 horizontally. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect of the image display apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect of the image display apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the image display apparatus using the general phase difference plate by the comparative example of this invention shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the display panel of the image display apparatus by the modification of one Embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the phase difference plate of the image display apparatus by the modification of one Embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. It is a top view for demonstrating the principle of the stereo image display apparatus by an example of the past.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image display device 2 Backlight (light source)
4 Horizontally oriented liquid crystal panel (second polarization axis control means)
5 Display panels 5a to 5c, 5e to 5g Dot region 8a Liquid crystal panel for vertical orientation (third polarization axis control means, first polarization control liquid crystal panel)
8b Phase difference plate (first polarization axis control means)
8c, 8d Glass substrate (transparent substrate)
8e Polarization control region (first polarization control region)
8f Polarization control region (second polarization control region)
9 Polarizing plate

Claims (11)

A display panel for displaying images;
First polarization axis control means for separating light into light having a first polarization axis and light having a second polarization axis;
Second polarization axis control means for separating light into light having a third polarization axis and light having a fourth polarization axis;
The light having the first polarization axis and the light having the second polarization axis separated from each other by the first polarization axis control means, and the light having the fifth polarization axis and the sixth polarization axis, respectively. A third polarization axis control means for controlling the light to have,
The first polarization axis control means is provided integrally with the third polarization axis control means,
In a state where the display panel is arranged in the first direction, by causing one of the light having the fifth polarization axis and the light having the sixth polarization axis to travel toward the eyes of the observer, While providing stereoscopic images to the observer,
With the display panel arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction, one of the light having the third polarization axis and the light having the fourth polarization axis is viewed by the observer. An image display device that provides a stereoscopic image to the observer by advancing toward the viewer.   The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first polarization axis control unit includes a retardation plate. The third polarization axis control means controls the light having the first polarization axis to the light having the fifth polarization axis in a state where the display panel is disposed in the first direction, and A first state in which light having a second polarization axis is controlled to light having the sixth polarization axis; and light having the first polarization axis and light having the second polarization axis are Including a first polarization control liquid crystal panel capable of switching between a second state in which light is transmitted without being controlled,
The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first polarization axis control unit is formed integrally with the first polarization control liquid crystal panel. The first polarization control liquid crystal panel includes a transparent substrate,
The image display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first polarization axis control unit is integrally formed on a transparent substrate of the first polarization control liquid crystal panel.   The first polarization control liquid crystal panel in which the first polarization axis control means is integrally provided is provided with a polarizing plate that absorbs light having the fifth polarization axis or light having the sixth polarization axis. The image display device according to claim 4. The first polarization control liquid crystal panel includes a pair of transparent substrates,
The image display device according to claim 5, wherein the first polarization axis control unit is integrally provided on one of the transparent substrates, and the polarizing plate is disposed on the other transparent substrate. Light having the fifth polarization axis controlled by the third polarization axis control means integrally provided with the first polarization axis control means in a state where the display panel is arranged in the first direction. And the one of the light having the sixth polarization axis causes the left-eye image to advance toward the left eye of the observer and the right-eye image to advance toward the observer's right eye. Provide stereoscopic images,
With the display panel disposed in the second direction, one of the light having the third polarization axis and the light having the fourth polarization axis separated by the second polarization axis control means, The stereoscopic image is provided to the observer by causing the left-eye image to advance toward the left eye of the observer and the right-eye image to advance toward the right eye of the observer. The image display device according to claim 1. The first polarization axis control means provided integrally with the third polarization axis control means includes a plurality of first polarization control regions for controlling light to light having the first polarization axis, and the light. A plurality of second polarization control regions for controlling light having the second polarization axis,
The plurality of first polarization control regions and the plurality of second polarization control regions are arranged in both the first direction and the second direction in a state where the display panel is disposed in the first direction. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image display device is disposed along a crossing direction. The display panel includes a plurality of dot areas for color display,
The first polarization control area and the second polarization control area of the first polarization axis control means provided integrally with the third polarization axis control means are respectively provided for each dot area of the display panel. The image display device according to claim 8, which is arranged.   The first polarization axis control means and the second polarization axis control means provided integrally with the third polarization axis control means are arranged so as to sandwich the display panel. The image display device according to any one of the above. The second polarization axis control means is configured to cause one of the light having the third polarization axis and the light having the fourth polarization axis to travel toward the eyes of the observer, and the third polarization axis. And can be switched between a case in which both the light having λ and the light having the fourth polarization axis travel toward the eyes of the observer,
The third polarization axis control means is configured to cause one of the light having the fifth polarization axis and the light having the sixth polarization axis to travel toward the eyes of the observer, and the fifth polarization axis. And when traveling both the light having the sixth polarization axis and the light having the sixth polarization axis to the observer's eyes,
The second polarization axis control means advances both the light having the third polarization axis and the light having the fourth polarization axis toward the eyes of the observer, and the third polarization axis control means. Providing a planar image to the viewer by traveling both light having the fifth polarization axis and light having the sixth polarization axis toward the viewer's eyes. The image display apparatus of any one of 10-10.

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