JP2007264084A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress a double image at a position right in front of a display panel by a display device which provides a first image in a first observation area and a second image in a second observation area. <P>SOLUTION: On the display panel 10, first pixel columns 10A displaying the first image and second pixel columns 10B displaying the second image are alternately arranged across a black matrix 11. A refraction control part 30 which has a refracting optical element 31P and a liquid crystal layer LC and refracts incident light when necessary is arranged above them. A light shield plate 40 which has light shield parts 41 and opening parts 42 extending alternately in parallel to the first pixel columns 10A and second pixel columns 10B is arranged above the refraction control part 30. The incident light is refracted by controlling the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LC of the refraction control part 30 to move the first observation area A and second observation area B. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device that provides a first image in a first observation region and a second image in a second observation region.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a display device mounted on a television receiver, an information device, or the like, a liquid crystal display device using a display liquid crystal panel (LCD; Liquid Crystal Display, hereinafter abbreviated as “LCD”) is known. Yes. As for a display device such as a liquid crystal display device, a two-screen display is known in which a first image is provided in a first observation region and a second image is provided in a second observation region.

  Next, a conventional display device that performs two-screen display will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to a conventional example. As shown in FIG. 7, in the display device 100, a display panel in which first pixel columns 10A for displaying a first image and second pixel columns 10B for displaying a second image are alternately arranged. 10 is arranged. Here, the first and second pixel columns 10A and 10B are composed of pixels including a liquid crystal layer, for example. Also, a so-called black matrix 11 is formed between the pixels of the first and second pixel columns 10A and 10B. A light shielding plate 50 made of metal or resin having a light shielding function is disposed above the display panel 10 via a transparent substrate such as a glass substrate (not shown). The light shielding plate 50 includes light shielding portions 51 and openings 52 that alternately extend in parallel to the first pixel row 10A and the second pixel row 10B.

  Next, a mechanism for realizing two-screen display with the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the first image is provided from the first pixel row 10 </ b> A through the opening 52 of the light shielding plate 50 to the first observation region A existing on the left side of the position C in front of the display panel 10. Is done. At this time, the second image of the second pixel row 10B is not provided to the first observation region A because it is blocked by the light blocking portion 51 of the light blocking plate 50.

  On the other hand, a second image is provided from the second pixel row 10 </ b> B through the opening 52 of the light shielding plate 50 to the second observation region B present on the right side of the position C in front of the display panel 10. At this time, the first image of the first pixel row 10 </ b> A is not provided to the second observation region B because it is blocked by the light blocking portion 51 of the light blocking plate 50. In this way, a two-screen display is performed in which the first image is provided in the first observation area A and the second image is provided in the second observation area B.

In addition, the following patent documents are mentioned as technical documents relevant to the present application.
JP 2005-258016 A

  However, in the two-screen display by the above-described display device, when the display panel 10 is observed from the position C in front of the display panel 10, a double image in which the first and second images are superimposed is generated. That is, the first image and the second image cannot be distinguished from each other, and the display quality of the two-screen display is lowered.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a display device that provides a first image in a first observation area and provides a second image in a second observation area, and suppresses a double image at a position directly in front of the display panel. It is.

  The display device of the present invention is a display device that provides a first image in a first observation region and provides a second image in a second observation region, the first device displaying a first image. A display panel in which pixel columns and second pixel columns for displaying a second image are alternately arranged, and a refraction state of incident light which is disposed above the display panel and has a refractive optical element and a liquid crystal layer And a light-shielding plate that is disposed above the refraction-control part and has a light-shielding part and a transmission part that alternately extend in parallel to the first pixel row and the second pixel row. And In addition to the above configuration, the display device of the present invention includes a detector that detects the orientation of the display panel, and the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer of the refraction control unit changes according to the detection result of the detector. Features.

  According to the display device of the present invention, in the display device that provides the first image in the first observation region and provides the second image in the second observation region, the first and the first images at the position in front of the display panel are provided. The double image consisting of the second image can be suppressed and the display quality of the two-screen display can be improved as compared with the conventional example. Furthermore, the positions of the first observation region and the second observation region can be moved according to the orientation of the display panel.

  Next, a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view for explaining a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A, 1B, and 1C, a display panel 10, which will be described later, a refraction control unit 30 that overlaps the display panel 10, and a light shielding plate 40 are separately shown. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. That is, FIG. 2 shows a cross section in a direction orthogonal to a first pixel column 10A and a second pixel column 10B described later. Note that FIG. 2 shows a case where the refraction control unit 30 described later is in a first state in which incident light is not refracted. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the same components as those shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display device 1 has alternately arranged first pixel columns 10 </ b> A for displaying a first image and second pixel columns 10 </ b> B for displaying a second image. A display panel 10 is arranged. A so-called black matrix 11 is arranged between the pixels of the first and second pixel columns 10A and 10B. Here, the first and second pixel columns 10A and 10B are composed of pixels including a liquid crystal layer, for example. Alternatively, the first and second pixel rows 10A and 10B are not limited to pixels having a liquid crystal layer, and may be composed of other pixels, for example, pixels having an organic electroluminescence element as a light emitting element. Good.

  In addition, a first observation area A where the first image is provided exists on the left side of the position C1 directly in front of the display panel 10, and a second image is provided on the right side of the position C1 in front of the display panel 10. The second observation region B to be displayed exists. The position C1 directly in front of the display panel 10 means a position on or near a vertical line on a line that divides the display panel 10 into two substantially in a direction orthogonal to the first and second pixel columns 10A and 10B.

  Further, between the display panel 10 and the first observation region A and the second observation region B, the refraction control unit 30 is disposed above the display panel 10 via a transparent substrate such as a glass substrate (not shown). ing. As will be described later, the refraction control unit 30 includes a refractive optical element 31P and a liquid crystal layer LC, and can switch between a first state in which incident light is not refracted and a second state in which incident light is refracted. By switching the refraction state of the refraction control unit 30, the first observation area A and the second observation area B can be moved. In FIG. 2, the refraction control unit 30 is schematically shown in a simplified manner, and the detailed configuration thereof will be described later.

  A light shielding plate 40 made of metal or resin having a light shielding function is disposed above the refraction control unit 30 via a transparent substrate such as a glass substrate (not shown). The light shielding plate 40 includes light shielding portions 41 and openings 42 that alternately extend in parallel to the first pixel row 10A and the second pixel row 10B.

  Next, details of the refraction control unit 30 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged view of the refraction control unit 30 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the refraction control unit 30 includes a transparent sheet 31 on which a refractive optical element 31P is formed. Here, the refractive optical element 31P is configured as a triangular prism that extends parallel to the first pixel column 10A and the second pixel column 10B. One surface other than the bottom surface of the refractive optical element 31 </ b> P is perpendicular to the display panel 10, and the other surface is an inclined surface 31 </ b> S with respect to the display panel 10. The refractive optical element 31P is formed so that the width of the bottom surface is equal to or smaller than the widths of the first pixel column 10A and the second pixel column 10B. The refractive optical element 31P is integrally formed of the same material as that of the transparent sheet 31, or is separately formed of a material having the same or substantially the same refractive index as that of the transparent sheet 31. The refractive optical element 31P and the transparent sheet 31 are made of a transparent resin material such as a polymer, or a glass material.

  The transparent sheet 31 is provided with a first transparent electrode 32 that covers the surface of the refractive optical element 31P. The first transparent electrode 32 is made of, for example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). Further, the first transparent electrode 32 is formed with a first alignment film (not shown) that aligns the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer LC.

  Further, a transparent substrate 33 is disposed so as to face the transparent sheet 31 and sandwich the liquid crystal layer LC through a spacer (not shown). The transparent substrate 33 is made of a material having the same or substantially the same refractive index as the transparent sheet 31 and the refractive optical element 31P, and is made of, for example, a transparent resin or a glass material. A second transparent electrode 34 covering the surface of the transparent substrate 33 is disposed. The second transparent electrode 34 is made of, for example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). In addition, a second alignment film (not shown) that aligns the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer LC is formed on the second transparent electrode 34.

  Further, a control circuit CNT that controls an applied voltage to the first transparent electrode 32 and the second transparent electrode 34 of the refraction control unit 30 is connected. This control circuit CNT is either in a first state where the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LC is equal to the refractive index of the transparent sheet 31, or in a second state where the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LC is different from the refractive index of the transparent sheet 31. The voltage applied to the first transparent electrode 32 and the second transparent electrode 34 is controlled so that the state becomes.

  Here, the state where the refractive index is equal includes the state where the refractive index is substantially equal to the extent that refraction of incident light does not occur at the interface between the liquid crystal layer LC and the transparent sheet 31. Moreover, the state where the refractive index is different means a state where the refractive index is different to such an extent that incident light is refracted at the interface between the liquid crystal layer LC and the transparent sheet 31. These definitions of the difference in refractive index shall be applied to the following description.

  Note that the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer LC are not particularly limited, but are, for example, nematic liquid crystal molecules. Although not shown, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer LC have a refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LC and a refractive index of the transparent sheet 31 in a state where no voltage is applied to the first transparent electrode 32 and the second transparent electrode 34. It is assumed that the first alignment film and the second alignment film (not shown) are aligned so as to be equal.

  In the above configuration, in the first state, no voltage is applied to the first transparent electrode 32 and the second transparent electrode 34 by the control circuit CNT. At this time, since the refractive index of the refractive optical element 31P of the transparent sheet 31 is equal to the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LC, the incident light to the refraction control unit 30 is refracted at the interface between the refractive optical element 31P and the liquid crystal layer LC. Never happen. That is, the refraction control unit 30 simply functions as a transparent substrate that transmits the first image and the second image.

  On the other hand, in the second state, the first transparent electrode 32 is controlled by the control circuit CNT so that the refractive index of the refractive optical element 31P of the transparent sheet 31 and the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LC are different from those in the first state. A voltage is applied to the second transparent electrode 34. At this time, since the refractive index of the refractive optical element 31P of the transparent sheet 31 is different from the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LC, the incident light to the refraction control unit 30 is refracted at the interface between the refractive optical element 31P and the liquid crystal layer LC. Is done. That is, the refraction control unit 30 has a function of refracting the first image and the second image in either the left or right direction. In FIG. 3, since the inclined surface 31S of the refractive optical element 31P is formed on the right side, the first image and the second image are refracted on the right side.

  Next, a mechanism for realizing the two-screen display with the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line XX in FIG. 1 as in FIG. 2, but shows a case where the refraction control unit 30 enters a second state in which incident light is refracted.

  First, the first state will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the refraction control unit 30 in the first state simply functions as a transparent substrate that transmits the first image and the second image. Then, the first image is provided from the first pixel row 10 </ b> A to the first observation region A through the opening 42 of the light shielding plate 40. At this time, the second image of the second pixel row 10B is not provided to the first observation area A because it is blocked by the light blocking portion 41 of the light blocking plate 40.

  On the other hand, in the second observation region B, the second image is provided from the second pixel row 10B through the opening 42 of the light shielding plate 40. At this time, the first image of the first pixel row 10 </ b> A is not provided to the second observation region B because it is blocked by the light blocking portion 41 of the light blocking plate 40. In this way, a two-screen display is performed in which the first image is provided in the first observation area A and the second image is provided in the second observation area B. However, at the position C1 directly in front of the display panel 10, a double image composed of the first image and the second image is observed.

  Next, the second state will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the incident light on the refraction control unit 30 in the second state is refracted toward the inclined surface 31S side of the refractive optical element 31P. Therefore, the first image and the second image passing through the opening 42 of the light shielding plate 40 are provided on the right side as compared with the first state, and the first observation region A and the second observation region B are It moves to the right side from the position C1 in front of the display panel 10. That is, the position C1 directly in front of the display panel 10 is the first observation area A where the first image is provided, and a double image as seen in the first state is not observed. In other words, the first observation region A and the second observation region B can be moved by switching between the first state and the second state.

  Switching between the first state and the second state can be arbitrarily performed, but may be automatically switched according to the orientation of the display panel 10 as described below. FIG. 5 is a top view for explaining the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows the arrangement relationship between the display device 1 and the first observation region A and the second observation region B from above. FIG. 5A corresponds to the first state, and FIG. 5B corresponds to the second state.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the display device 1 is connected to a detector DTC that detects the horizontal direction. In the first state, neither the first observer OB1 nor the second observer OB2 exists at the position C1 in front of the display panel 10. The first observer OB1 is present in the first observation area A and observes the first image. The second observer OB2 is present in the second observation region B and observes the second image.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the orientation of the display panel 10 is changed so that the first observer OB1 exists on the position C1 in front of the display panel 10, the first observer OB1. Will observe a double image composed of the first image and the second image.

  Therefore, the detector DTC detects the angle θ corresponding to the change in the orientation of the display panel 10 in order to switch to the second state. Then, according to the detection result of the detector DTC, the state of the refraction control unit 30 is switched from the first state to the second state by the control circuit CNT. That is, the control circuit CNT controls the voltage applied to the first transparent electrode 32 and the second transparent electrode 34 so that the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LC is different from the refractive index of the transparent sheet 31 as described above. To do. Thus, the first observer OB1 is present in the moved first observation region A even at the position C1 in front of the display panel 10, and can observe the first image.

  In the above embodiment, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer LC of the refraction control unit 30 have the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LC and the transparent sheet in a state where no voltage is applied to the first transparent electrode 32 and the second transparent electrode 34. Although the alignment is made so that the refractive index of 31 is equal, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, on the contrary to the above, in the liquid crystal molecules, the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LC and the refractive index of the transparent sheet 31 are different in the state where no voltage is applied to the first transparent electrode 32 and the second transparent electrode 34. May be oriented. In this case, in the first state, the applied voltage is controlled so that the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LC is equal to the refractive index of the transparent sheet 31 with respect to the first transparent electrode 32 and the second transparent electrode 34. The On the other hand, in the second state, the applied voltage is controlled with respect to the first transparent electrode 32 and the second transparent electrode 34 so that the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer LC and the refractive index of the transparent sheet 31 are different.

  In the above embodiment, the refraction control unit 30 is configured to move the first image and the second image in the second state to the right side of the first state. It is not limited to this. That is, the refraction control unit 30 may be configured to move the first image and the second image in the second state to the left side of the first state. In this case, the refractive optical element 31P is formed such that the inclined surface 31S and a surface perpendicular to the inclined surface 31S are interchanged.

  In the above embodiment, the refractive optical element 31P is a triangular prism formed on the transparent sheet 31, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the refractive optical element 31P does not necessarily have to be formed on the transparent sheet 31 as long as the same effect as described above can be obtained, and is formed directly on a transparent substrate (not shown) constituting the display panel 10. There may be. In addition, the refractive optical element 31P may have a shape other than the triangular prism, as long as the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  In addition, the display panel 10 and the light shielding plate 40 of the above embodiment are not limited to the above-described configuration, and may be arranged as follows as long as at least the same effect as described above can be obtained. FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6A and 6B respectively show the display panel 10 and the light shielding plate 40G overlapping therewith.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the first pixel column 10A and the second pixel column 10B may be further divided into a plurality of row units, and may be alternately arranged in each row. Further, corresponding to the first pixel column 10A and the second pixel column 10B at this time, as shown in FIG. 6B, the light shielding part 31 and the opening part 32 of the light shielding plate 40G are divided into rows. And may be arranged alternately in each row. Thereby, since the observed first and second images are alternately present not only in the column unit but also in the row unit, the visibility during the two-screen display can be further improved.

It is a top view explaining the display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a top view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view explaining the display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the display apparatus which concerns on a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Display panel 10A 1st pixel row 10B 2nd pixel row 11 Black matrix 30 Refraction control part 31 Transparent sheet 31S Inclined surface 31P Refractive optical element 32 1st transparent electrode 33 Transparent substrate 34 2nd transparent electrode 40 Light-shielding plate 41 light-shielding part 42 opening A first observation area B second observation area C, C1 position in front of display panel CNT control circuit DTC detector LC liquid crystal layer

Claims (6)

A display device that provides a first image to a first observation region and provides a second image to a second observation region,
A display panel in which first pixel columns for displaying the first image and second pixel columns for displaying the second image are alternately arranged;
A refraction control unit disposed above the display panel and having a refractive optical element and a liquid crystal layer to switch a refraction state of incident light;
A display device comprising: a light-shielding plate disposed above the refraction control unit and having a light-shielding unit and a transmission unit that alternately extend in parallel to the first pixel column and the second pixel column. . A detector for detecting the orientation of the display panel;
The display device according to claim 1, wherein a refractive index of the liquid crystal layer of the refraction control unit changes according to a detection result of the detector. The refraction control unit
A transparent sheet on which the refractive optical element is formed;
A transparent substrate sandwiching the liquid crystal layer facing the transparent sheet;
A first transparent electrode covering the transparent sheet;
A second transparent electrode covering the transparent substrate;
The state in which the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer is substantially equal to the refractive index of the transparent sheet, or the state in which the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer is substantially different from the refractive index of the transparent sheet, The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a control circuit that controls an applied voltage to the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode. A detector for detecting the orientation of the display panel;
The control circuit controls a voltage applied to the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode so that a refractive index of the liquid crystal layer changes according to a detection result of the detector. The display device according to claim 3. 5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the refractive optical element is a prism extending in parallel with the first pixel column and the second pixel column. The first pixel column and the second pixel column are each divided into a plurality of rows, and are alternately arranged in each row,
The light-shielding portion and the opening of the light-shielding plate are each divided into a plurality of rows and are alternately arranged in each row. The display device described in 1.

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