JP2007264428A - Liquid crystal display - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal display, having a three-dimensional image displayed by a new system and moreover, the three-dimensional image observed even from a direction that is vertically inclined with respect to the direction of observation. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel 1; a display panel drive means that selectively writes the left-eye image data and the right-eye image data for displaying three-dimensional images on a plurality of pixels; an illumination means 7 for emitting the lift-eye light and the right-eye light toward the liquid crystal display panel 1, with the left-eye light having directivity such that the peak of emission light intensity inclines in the left-eye direction of a middle display observer, and the right-eye light having directivity such that the peak of the emission light intensity is inclined in the right-eye direction of the observer; and a vertical diffusing means 16, disposed on the observation side of the liquid crystal display panel 1 and scattering the left-eye light and the right-eye light in the vertical direction of the screen. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device that displays a stereoscopic three-dimensional image.

As a liquid crystal display device that displays a three-dimensional image, conventionally, among the plurality of pixel columns along the vertical direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display panel, an image for the left eye is displayed by each pixel of every other pixel column, An image for the right eye is displayed by each pixel in every other pixel row, and the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye are displayed as the light emitted from the every other pixel row and the other one. A lenticular lens that distributes the emitted light from the pixel row to the left and right eye directions of the display observer, or a plurality of transmission portions and light shielding portions parallel to the pixel row are alternately arranged in a stripe shape There is one in which the left eye and the right eye of an observer are observed through a parallax barrier (see Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 3-19889 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-005455 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-268230

  The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device capable of displaying a three-dimensional image by a novel method different from the conventional one, and allowing the three-dimensional image to be observed from a direction inclined up and down with respect to the observation direction. It is aimed at.

The liquid crystal display device of the present invention is
A liquid crystal display panel that has a screen area in which a plurality of pixels that control light transmission are arranged in a matrix, image data is written to the plurality of pixels, and an image corresponding to the image data is displayed;
Display panel driving means for selectively writing left-eye image data and right-eye image data for displaying a three-dimensional image on a plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal display panel;
The liquid crystal display panel is disposed so as to face the surface opposite to the observation side, and is directed toward the liquid crystal display panel from the central position of the screen of the liquid crystal display panel to the central position between the left and right eyes of the display observer. The left eye light having directivity in which the peak of the emitted light intensity exists in the direction tilted in the direction of the left eye of the observer with respect to the reference direction of observation direction toward the head, and the direction of inclination in the direction of the right eye of the observer. Illumination means for irradiating right eye light with directivity in which a peak of incident light intensity exists,
It is provided on the observation side of the liquid crystal display panel, and includes a vertical direction diffusing unit that scatters the left eye light and the right eye light in a direction along the vertical direction of the screen.

  In this liquid crystal display device, the illuminating means includes a surface light source that emits light, and a condenser lens that condenses the light emitted from the surface light source toward the left eye direction and the left eye direction of the display observer. Are preferably provided.

  The vertical direction diffusing unit is configured to cause the left eye light and right eye light to be parallel to the horizontal direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display panel and the vertical direction of the screen with respect to a horizontal reference plane including the observation direction reference line. An anisotropic diffuser or a lenticular lens that scatters in the direction of a predetermined angle range inclined in the direction is preferred.

  Further, the liquid crystal display device is provided on the observation side of the liquid crystal display panel, and the left eye light is parallel to the vertical direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display panel and on a vertical direction reference plane including the observation direction reference line. In contrast, the right eye light is scattered in the direction of a predetermined angle range inclined in the left eye direction of the display observer, and the right eye light is predetermined in the right eye direction of the observer with respect to the vertical reference plane. It is desirable to have a left-right diffusing means that scatters in the direction of the angular range.

  The liquid crystal display device of the present invention selectively writes left-eye image data and right-eye image data for displaying a three-dimensional image on a plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal display panel, and the observation side of the liquid crystal display panel Direction from the central position of the screen of the liquid crystal display panel toward the central position between the left and right eyes of the pre-display observer from the illumination means arranged to face the opposite surface to the liquid crystal display panel Left eye light having directivity in which a peak of the emitted light intensity exists in a direction inclined in the direction of the left eye of the observer with respect to a reference line, and the intensity of the emitted light in a direction inclined in the direction of the right eye of the observer. The left eye image corresponding to the left eye image data is observed on the left eye of the display observer, and the right eye image data is emitted. Right eye image corresponding to the right of the observer It can be carried out a three-dimensional image display to be observed.

  In addition, since the liquid crystal display device is provided with vertical diffusion means for scattering the left eye light and right eye light in a direction along the vertical direction of the screen on the observation side of the liquid crystal display panel, the three-dimensional image is provided. Can be observed from a direction inclined up and down with respect to the observation direction.

  In this liquid crystal display device, the illuminating means includes a surface light source that emits light, and a condenser lens that condenses the light emitted from the surface light source toward the left eye direction and the left eye direction of the display observer. In this way, a high-intensity three-dimensional image can be observed both from the observation direction and from a direction inclined up and down with respect to that direction.

  The vertical direction diffusing unit is configured to cause the left eye light and right eye light to be parallel to the horizontal direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display panel and the vertical direction of the screen with respect to a horizontal reference plane including the observation direction reference line. An anisotropic diffuser or a lenticular lens that scatters in the direction of a predetermined angle range inclined to is preferable, and in this way, both from the observation direction and from the direction inclined up and down with respect to that direction, A clear left-eye image and right-eye image can be observed, and a high-quality three-dimensional image can be displayed.

  Further, the liquid crystal display device is provided on the observation side of the liquid crystal display panel, and the left eye light is parallel to the vertical direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display panel and on a vertical direction reference plane including the observation direction reference line. In contrast, the right eye light is scattered in the direction of a predetermined angle range inclined in the left eye direction of the display observer, and the right eye light is predetermined in the right eye direction of the observer with respect to the vertical reference plane. It is desirable to include a left-right diffusing means that scatters in the direction of the angle range, and in this way, the left-eye image and the right-eye are oriented in a direction tilted to the left and right with respect to the viewing direction of the three-dimensional image. Any two-dimensional image of the image for use can be displayed.

(First embodiment)
1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid crystal display device, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the liquid crystal display device.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid crystal display device has a screen area 1a in which a plurality of pixels (not shown) for controlling the transmission of light are arranged in a matrix, and image data is stored in the plurality of pixels. A liquid crystal display panel 1 that is written and displays an image corresponding to the image data; and image data for left eye and image data for right eye for displaying a three-dimensional image on a plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal display panel 1; The display panel driving means 6 for selectively writing and the liquid crystal display panel 1 are arranged so as to face the surface opposite to the observation side, and the screen of the liquid crystal display panel 1 faces the liquid crystal display panel 1. The directivity in which the peak of the emitted light intensity exists in a direction tilted in the direction of the left eye of the observer A with respect to the observation direction reference line O going from the center position to the center position between the left and right eyes of the display observer A. Left eye light L and the right eye of the observer Illuminating means 7 for irradiating right-eye light R having directivity in which a peak of emitted light intensity exists in a direction inclined in the direction, and vertical direction diffusing means 16 provided on the observation side of the liquid crystal display panel 1 I have.

  Note that the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment is designed so that the front direction of the liquid crystal display panel 1 is a normal viewing direction of a three-dimensional image, and the observation direction reference line O is the same as that of the liquid crystal display panel 1. It matches the normal passing through the center of the screen.

  The liquid crystal display panel 1 is an active matrix liquid crystal display panel, which is simplified in the figure, but one of the inner surfaces facing each other of a pair of transparent substrates joined via a frame-shaped sealing material. On the inner surface, a plurality of transparent pixel electrodes formed in a matrix in the row direction (horizontal direction of the screen) and the column direction (vertical direction of the screen), and a plurality of transparent pixel electrodes respectively connected to these pixel electrodes A plurality of TFTs (thin film transistors), a plurality of gate wirings for supplying gate signals to the TFTs in each row, and a plurality of data wirings for supplying image data signals to the TFTs in each column are provided. A liquid crystal cell 2 in which a single transparent electrode facing the pixel electrode is provided and a liquid crystal layer is sealed in a region surrounded by the sealing material between the pair of substrates; and the liquid crystal cell It has from sandwiched therebetween and the observation side opposite the placement by a pair of polarizing plates 3 and 4 Prefecture.

  The liquid crystal display panel 1 includes a TN or STN type in which the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal cell 2 are twist-aligned, a vertical alignment type in which the liquid crystal molecules are aligned substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the substrates 1 and 2, Either a horizontal alignment type in which liquid crystal molecules are aligned substantially parallel to the surfaces of the substrates 1 and 2 without twisting, a bend alignment type in which liquid crystal molecules are bend-aligned, or a ferroelectric or antiferroelectric liquid crystal It is a display element, and the pair of polarizing plates 3 and 4 are arranged by setting the directions of the transmission axes 3a and 4a so as to obtain good contrast.

  The liquid crystal display panel 1 generates a vertical electric field (electric field in the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer) between the electrodes provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates of the liquid crystal cell 2 to change the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules. For example, comb-like first and second electrodes for forming a plurality of pixels are provided on the inner surface of one of the pair of substrates, and a horizontal electric field ( A lateral electric field control type that changes the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules by generating an electric field in a direction along the substrate surface may be used.

  The illumination means 7 is arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the left-right direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display panel 1 and emits light toward the liquid crystal display panel 1, first and second surface light sources 8 and 9. And a condensing lens that condenses the emitted light from the surface light sources 8 and 9 toward the left and right eye directions of the display observer A in the observation direction, that is, the front direction of the liquid crystal display panel 1. 12.

  In the figure, the first and second surface light sources 8 and 9 are simplified, but each of the surface light sources 8 and 9 is formed with an incident end surface for allowing light to enter one end surface of a plate-like transparent member. An exit surface of light incident from the incident end surface is formed on one of the two opposing plate surfaces of the transparent member, and the light incident from the incident end surface is reflected on the other plate surface toward the exit surface. A light guide plate having a reflecting surface and a plurality of light emitting elements such as LEDs (light emitting diodes) arranged to face the incident end surface of the light guide plate and emitting light toward the incident end surface of the light guide plate ing.

  The condensing lens 12 is composed of a circular Fresnel lens, the center of which is arranged corresponding to the center position between the side edges of the first and second surface light sources 8 and 9 adjacent to each other. Yes.

  The condensing lens 12 emits the first light emitted from the first surface light source 8 disposed on the right side when viewed from the liquid crystal display panel 1 side, among the first and second surface light sources 8 and 9. As shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, the second light emitted from the second surface light source 9 which is condensed in the left eye direction of the display observer A and arranged on the left side when viewed from the liquid crystal display panel 1 side. Is condensed in the direction of the right eye of the observer A as shown by the arrow in FIG.

  Further, the illumination means 7 includes first and second linearly polarizing elements 10 and 11 disposed on the emission sides of the first and second surface light sources 8 and 9, respectively, and the emission side of the condenser lens 12. And the phase difference element 13 disposed in the area.

  The first and second linearly polarizing elements 10 and 11 are composed of polarizing plates, and the first linearly polarizing element 10 has a transmission axis 10a on the opposite side of the liquid crystal display panel 1 from the viewing side. (Hereinafter referred to as the incident-side polarizing plate) 5 is disposed in a direction substantially shifted by 45 ° in one direction with respect to the transmission axis 5a. The direction substantially 45 ° shifted in the direction opposite to the direction of shift of the transmission axis 10a of the first linearly polarizing element 10 with respect to the transmission axis 5a of the incident-side polarizing plate 5 of the liquid crystal display panel 1, that is, the first. The linearly polarizing element 10 is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transmission axis 10a.

  In this embodiment, the direction of the transmission axis 5a of the incident-side polarizing plate 5 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 is substantially 45 ° counterclockwise as viewed from the observation side with respect to the horizontal direction of the screen. The direction of the transmission axis 10a of the first linearly polarizing element 10 is substantially parallel to the vertical direction of the screen, and the direction of the transmission axis 11a of the second linearly polarizing element 11 is set to the left and right of the screen. It is substantially parallel to the direction.

  The phase difference element 13 includes a plurality of first and second λ / 2 phase difference portions 14 and 15 that provide a half-wave phase difference between ordinary light and extraordinary light of transmitted light, and the liquid crystal The first λ / 2 phase difference unit 14 is formed by alternately arranging the screen of the liquid crystal display panel 1 in a predetermined number of pixel rows. Each of the plurality of horizontal row-shaped pixel row regions 3a and 3b divided for each pixel row, for example, corresponding to every other pixel row region, for example, the odd-numbered pixel row region 3a. The λ / 2 phase difference section 15 corresponds to every other pixel row region, that is, an even-numbered pixel row region 3b.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the phase difference element 13. Among the plurality of first and second λ / 2 phase difference portions 14 and 15 of the phase difference element 13, the first λ / 2 phase difference portion 14. Has a slow axis 14a in a direction substantially displaced by 67.5 ° with respect to the transmission axis 5a of the incident-side polarizing plate 5 of the liquid crystal display panel 1, and the second retardation portion 15 includes the liquid crystal display. The slow axis 15a is shifted in the direction substantially 22.5 ° in the same direction as the shift direction of the slow axis 14a of the first retardation portion 14 with respect to the transmission axis 5a of the incident side polarizing plate 5 of the panel 1. have.

  In this embodiment, the direction of the slow axes 14 a and 15 a of the first and second λ / 2 phase difference portions 14 and 15 is set to the transmission axis 5 a of the incident side polarizing plate 5 of the liquid crystal display panel 1. The liquid crystal display panel 1 is set in a direction shifted by the angle clockwise as viewed from the liquid crystal display panel 1 side.

  Therefore, the slow axis 14 a of the first λ / 2 phase difference unit 14 is a liquid crystal display with respect to the transmission axis 10 a of the first linearly polarizing element 10 disposed on the emission side of the first surface light source 8. The liquid crystal display with respect to the transmission axis 11a of the second linearly polarizing element 11 disposed substantially on the emission side of the second surface light source 9 and shifted by 22.5 ° clockwise as viewed from the panel 1 side. When viewed from the panel 1 side, it is substantially shifted by 67.5 ° counterclockwise, and the slow axis 15 a of the second λ / 2 phase difference portion 15 is aligned with the transmission axis 10 a of the first linearly polarizing element 10. On the other hand, when viewed from the liquid crystal display panel 1 side, it is substantially shifted by 22.5 ° counterclockwise, and is clockwise when viewed from the liquid crystal display panel 1 side with respect to the transmission axis 11a of the second linearly polarizing element 11. Is substantially offset by 67.5 °.

  That is, the illuminating means 7 uses the first and second light beams emitted from the first and second surface light sources 8 and 9 as the first and second light beams arranged at the emission of the surface light sources 8 and 9, respectively. The second linearly polarized light elements 10 and 11 make the linearly polarized light orthogonal to each other, and the first and second linearly polarized light are condensed in the left eye direction and the right eye direction of the display observer A by the condenser lens 12. Further, the polarization plane is rotated by the first and second λ / 2 phase difference units 14 and 15 of the phase difference element 13, and the left eye light L and the right eye light R composed of two linearly polarized lights orthogonal to each other are obtained. Irradiation toward the liquid crystal display panel 1.

  The left eye light L and right eye light R emitted from the illuminating means 7 will be described. The left eye light L and the right eye light R are emitted from the first surface light source 8, transmitted through the first linearly polarizing element 10, and displayed and observed by the condenser lens 12. The left eye light L collected in the direction of the left eye of the person A is linearly polarized light L1 parallel to the transmission axis 10a of the first linearly polarizing element 10, as shown in FIG.

  The first λ / 2 phase difference portion 14 of the phase difference element 13 is substantially clockwise with respect to the transmission axis 10a of the first linear polarization element 10 when viewed from the liquid crystal display panel 1 side. The slow axis 15a of the second λ / 2 phase difference unit 15 is shifted by 22.5 ° and is counterclockwise as viewed from the liquid crystal display panel 1 side with respect to the transmission axis 10a of the first linearly polarizing element 10. Of the left eye light L composed of the linearly polarized light L1 parallel to the transmission axis 10a of the first linearly polarizing element 10, the first λ / The light incident on the two phase difference portion 14 is rotated 45 ° clockwise by the first λ / 2 phase difference portion 14 when the polarization plane is viewed from the liquid crystal display panel 1 side, and is incident on the liquid crystal display panel 1. The liquid crystal display panel becomes a linearly polarized light L2 substantially orthogonal to the transmission axis 5a of the side polarizing plate 5 The light emitted to the second side and incident on the second λ / 2 phase difference portion 15 of the phase difference element 13 is viewed from the liquid crystal display panel 1 side by the second λ / 2 phase difference portion 15. Then, it is rotated 45 ° counterclockwise, and becomes linearly polarized light L3 substantially parallel to the transmission axis 5a of the incident-side polarizing plate 5 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 and is emitted to the liquid crystal display panel 1 side.

  On the other hand, right eye light R emitted from the second surface light source 9, transmitted through the second linearly polarizing element 11, and condensed in the right eye direction of the display observer A by the condenser lens 12 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the linearly polarized light R1 is parallel to the transmission axis 11a of the second linearly polarizing element 11, that is, is orthogonally polarized with respect to the left eye light L.

  The first λ / 2 phase difference portion 14 of the phase difference element 13 is substantially counterclockwise as viewed from the liquid crystal display panel 1 side with respect to the transmission axis 11a of the second linear polarization element 11. The slow axis 15a of the second λ / 2 phase difference unit 15 is 67.5 ° shifted, and is clockwise with respect to the transmission axis 11a of the second linearly polarizing element 11 when viewed from the liquid crystal display panel 1 side. Of the right eye light R composed of linearly polarized light R1 parallel to the transmission axis 11a of the second linearly polarizing element 11, the first λ / The light incident on the two phase difference portion 14 is rotated 135 ° counterclockwise when the polarization plane is viewed from the liquid crystal display panel 1 side by the first λ / 2 phase difference portion 14, and is incident on the liquid crystal display panel 1. The liquid crystal display panel becomes linearly polarized light R2 substantially parallel to the transmission axis 5a of the side polarizing plate 5 The light emitted to the second side and incident on the second λ / 2 phase difference portion 15 of the phase difference element 13 is viewed from the liquid crystal display panel 1 side by the second λ / 2 phase difference portion 15. Then, it is rotated clockwise by 135 °, and becomes linearly polarized light R3 substantially orthogonal to the transmission axis 5a of the incident-side polarizing plate 5 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 and emitted to the liquid crystal display panel 1 side.

  Therefore, among the left eye light L and right eye light R emitted from the illumination means 7, left eye light L composed of linearly polarized light L2 emitted from the first λ / 2 phase difference portion 14 of the phase difference element 13, The right eye light R composed of the linearly polarized light R3 emitted from the second λ / 2 phase difference portion 15 of the phase difference element 13 is absorbed by the incident-side polarizing plate 5 of the liquid crystal display panel 1, and the phase difference element 13 Left eye light L composed of linearly polarized light L3 emitted from the second λ / 2 phase difference portion 15 and right eye light R composed of linearly polarized light R2 emitted from the first λ / 2 phase difference portion 14 of the phase difference element 13. Is transmitted through the incident-side polarizing plate 5 and enters the liquid crystal display panel 1.

  The first λ / 2 phase difference portion 14 of the phase difference element 13 corresponds to the odd-numbered pixel row region 3a of the liquid crystal display panel 1, and the second λ / 2 phase difference portion 15 corresponds to the liquid crystal. Since it corresponds to the even-numbered pixel row region 3 b of the display panel 1, the odd-numbered pixel row region 3 a of the liquid crystal display panel 1 has a first λ / 2 phase difference portion of the retardation element 13. 14 enters the even-numbered pixel row region 3b of the liquid crystal display panel 1 from the second λ / 2 phase difference unit 15 of the phase difference element 13. The left eye light L composed of the linearly polarized light L3 enters.

  On the other hand, the display panel driving means 6 writes left-eye image data to each pixel of the even-numbered pixel row region 3b among the plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal display panel 1, and the odd-numbered pixel row region 3a. The right-eye image data is written in each of the pixels.

  In other words, this liquid crystal display device allows the left eye of the display observer A to observe the left eye light L and write the image data for the left eye in the even-numbered pixel row region 3b of the liquid crystal display panel 1. A right eye that displays an eye image and causes the right eye of the observer A to observe the odd-numbered pixel row region 3a of the liquid crystal display panel 1 by irradiating the right eye light R and writing image data for the right eye. An image for display is displayed, and a three-dimensional image obtained by synthesizing the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye is displayed.

  The liquid crystal display device may be a field sequential liquid crystal display device or a liquid crystal display device in which the liquid crystal display panel 1 is provided with three color filters of red, green, and blue. In the case of a field sequential liquid crystal display device, The display panel driving means 6 is configured to use one unit color of three unit colors of red, green and blue for each of three fields obtained by dividing one frame for displaying one three-dimensional color image into three fields. The left-eye image data and the right-eye image data are written into the odd-numbered and even-numbered pixel row regions 3a and 3b of the liquid crystal display panel 1, and the left-eye unit for these red, green and blue unit colors is used. The left eye light L and the right eye light R of the color of the write image data out of the three colors of red, green and blue are emitted from the illumination means 7 in synchronization with the writing of the image data for the right eye and the right eye. To do.

  Further, in the case of a liquid crystal display device in which the liquid crystal display panel 1 is provided with three color filters of red, green and blue, the display panel driving means 6 is used for displaying one three-dimensional color image. For each frame, the image data for the left eye and the image data for the right eye composed of color data of three colors of red, green, and blue are written in the odd-numbered and even-numbered pixel row regions of the liquid crystal display panel 1, The illumination means 7 is configured to always emit white left eye light L and right eye light R.

  Next, the vertical diffusion means 16 provided on the observation side of the liquid crystal display panel 1 will be described. The vertical diffusion means 16 transmits the left eye light L and the right eye light R to the upper and lower sides of the screen of the liquid crystal display panel 1. It consists of the light-diffusion member which has the characteristic to scatter in the direction along a direction.

  The light diffusing member having such characteristics includes a directional diffuser plate in which fine irregularities are formed with directivity in the light diffusion direction, a lenticular lens in which a plurality of elongated lens portions are formed in parallel to each other, or Sumitomo Chemical. It is made of a film with an optically anisotropic layer inside, such as Lumisty (trade name) made by the company, and exhibits a light scattering effect within a certain angle range in a predetermined direction. There is an anisotropic diffusion plate that can be set arbitrarily.

  In this embodiment, the left-eye light L and the right-eye light R emitted from the illuminating means 7 and transmitted through the liquid crystal display panel 1 and emitted to the observation side are used as the vertical direction diffusing means 16 as the liquid crystal display panel 1. In parallel with the left-right direction of the screen, and tilted in the vertical direction of the screen with respect to a lateral reference plane (not shown) including the observation direction reference line (normal line of the liquid crystal display panel 1) O An anisotropic diffusion plate that diffuses in the direction of the angle range θ is provided.

  In this liquid crystal display device, the vertical diffusion means 16 made of the anisotropic diffusion plate is disposed between the liquid crystal cell 2 and the observation side polarizing plate 4 of the liquid crystal display panel 1. The vertical diffusion means 16 may be disposed on the emission side of the observation side polarizing plate 4 of the liquid crystal display panel 1.

  The liquid crystal display device selectively writes left-eye image data and right-eye image data for displaying a three-dimensional image on a plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal display panel 1, and the observation side of the liquid crystal display panel 1. From the central position of the screen of the liquid crystal display panel 1 to the central position between the left and right eyes of the display observer A from the illumination means 7 arranged to face the opposite surface to the liquid crystal display panel 1 The left eye light L having directivity in which the peak of the emitted light intensity exists in the direction inclined to the left eye direction of the observer A with respect to the observation direction reference line O which is directed, and the right eye direction of the observer A is inclined. Since the right eye light R having directivity in which the peak of the emitted light intensity exists in the selected direction is irradiated, the left eye image corresponding to the left eye image data is applied to the left eye of the display observer A. Right eye image corresponding to the right eye image data It can be carried out a three-dimensional image display to be observed by the right eye of the observer A.

  Moreover, since this liquid crystal display device is provided with the vertical diffusion means 16 that scatters the left eye light L and right eye light R in the direction along the vertical direction of the screen on the observation side of the liquid crystal display panel 1. The three-dimensional image can be observed from a direction inclined up and down with respect to the observation direction.

  4 to 7 are intensity distribution diagrams of light emitted from the liquid crystal display device (light emitted from the liquid crystal display panel 1). FIG. 4 includes the directional diffusion plate as the vertical diffusion means 16. FIG. FIG. 5 shows the intensity distribution of the emitted light of the liquid crystal display device, FIG. 5 shows the intensity distribution of the emitted light of the liquid crystal display device provided with the lenticular lens, and FIG. Intensity distribution of emitted light from a liquid crystal display device including an anisotropic diffusion plate in which a light scattering angle range θ is set to an angle range inclined at substantially the same angle in the vertical direction of the screen with respect to the lateral reference plane FIG. 7 shows that the vertical scattering means 16 has a light scattering angle range θ set to an angular range in which the upward diffusion angle of the screen with respect to the lateral reference plane is larger than the downward diffusion angle. With anisotropic diffuser The intensity distribution of the emitted light of a liquid crystal display device is shown.

  4 to 7, (a) shows the combined intensity distribution of the left eye light L and the right eye light R in the vertical direction of the screen, and the positive angle is the inclination to the right with respect to the observation direction reference line O. The angle and the negative angle are tilt angles to the left with respect to the observation direction reference line O.

  4 to 7, (b) shows the intensity distribution of the left eye light L and the right eye light R in the horizontal direction of the screen, and the positive angle is the observation direction reference line (of the liquid crystal display panel 1). An inclination angle in the upward direction with respect to the normal line O and a negative angle are an inclination angle in the downward direction with respect to the observation direction reference line O.

  In this liquid crystal display device, the left eye light L and the right eye light R are scattered in a direction along the vertical direction of the screen by the vertical diffusion means 16 provided on the observation side of the liquid crystal display panel 1 and emitted to the observation side. Therefore, the emission angle range of the high-intensity light in the vertical direction is widened as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7A, and the three-dimensional image is tilted up and down with respect to the observation direction. It can be observed from the other direction.

  In addition, the liquid crystal display device uses the illumination means 7 to transmit the first and second surface light sources 8 and 9 that emit light and the light emitted from the surface light sources 8 and 9 to the left of the display observer A. The condensing lens 12 condenses in the eye direction and the left eye direction, and the left-eye light L and the right-eye light R collected by the condensing lens 12 are converted into the vertical diffusion means 16. Is scattered in a direction along the vertical direction of the screen, so that a high-luminance three-dimensional image can be observed both from the observation direction and from the direction tilted up and down with respect to that direction. .

  In this liquid crystal display device, the vertical diffusing unit 16 is preferably the lenticular lens or the anisotropic diffusing plate, and the lenticular lens or the anisotropic diffusing plate is provided so that the directional diffusing plate is provided. In addition, it is possible to widen the emission angle range of high-intensity light in the vertical direction and to eliminate display blur due to the diffusibility of the directional diffusion plate, and to display a high-quality image.

  The vertical diffusion means 16 is preferably the anisotropic diffusion plate rather than the lenticular lens. By using this anisotropic diffusion plate, the emission angle range of high intensity light in the vertical direction is further widened. By providing an anisotropic diffusion plate in which the diffusion angle in the upward direction and the diffusion angle in the downward direction with respect to the lateral reference plane are different, the emission angle range of the high-intensity light in the vertical direction can be It can be made wider in one direction, for example, the upward direction as shown in FIG.

(Second Embodiment)
8 is a perspective view of a liquid crystal display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an intensity distribution diagram of the left eye light L and right eye light R in the horizontal direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display device. The positive angle is the upward tilt angle with respect to the observation direction reference line (normal line of the liquid crystal display panel 1) O, and the negative angle is the downward tilt angle with respect to the observation direction reference line O.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment scatters the left eye light L and the right eye light R in the direction along the vertical direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display panel 1 on the observation side of the liquid crystal display panel 1. And a vertical reference plane (in this embodiment, including the observation direction reference line (normal line of the liquid crystal display panel 1) O), and the left eye light L is parallel to the vertical direction of the screen. (Not shown) is scattered in the direction of a predetermined angle range φ1 tilted toward the left eye direction of the display observer A, and the right eye light R is scattered by the observer A with respect to the vertical reference plane. The left-right direction diffusing means 18 that scatters in the direction of a predetermined angle range φ2 tilted in the right eye direction is arranged, and the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In this liquid crystal display device, the vertical diffusion means 17 is a lenticular lens, and the horizontal diffusion means 18 is an anisotropic diffusion plate in which a scattering angle range can be arbitrarily set. The diffusing unit 18 is disposed between the liquid crystal cell 2 and the observation side polarizing plate 4 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 so as to face each other.

  In this embodiment, the vertical diffusion means 17 is arranged on the liquid crystal cell 2 side, and the horizontal diffusion means 18 is arranged on the observation side polarizing plate 4 side. The direction diffusing unit 18 may be disposed in a reverse positional relationship, and the vertical direction diffusing unit 17 and the horizontal direction diffusing unit 18 are disposed on the emission side of the observation side polarizing plate 4 of the liquid crystal display panel 1. Also good.

  In this liquid crystal display device, the vertical diffusing unit 17 and the horizontal diffusing unit 18 are arranged on the viewing side of the liquid crystal display panel 1, so that the three-dimensional image is vertically aligned with respect to the viewing direction. It is possible to observe from a tilted direction, and in a direction tilted to the left and right relative to the viewing direction of the three-dimensional image (the viewing direction and the viewing direction tilted to the left and right than the direction tilted up and down with respect to that direction). The two-dimensional image of either the left eye image or the right eye image can be displayed.

  That is, in the liquid crystal display device according to the first embodiment, since the emission angle ranges of the high-intensity left eye light L and right eye light R are narrow as shown in FIGS. The display on the liquid crystal display panel 1 is almost invisible from the direction tilted to the left and right of the viewing direction.

  On the other hand, since the liquid crystal display device of the second embodiment further includes the left-right direction diffusing means 18, the emission angles of the high-intensity left eye light L and right eye light R as shown in FIG. The range can be made wider than that of the liquid crystal display device of the first embodiment, and therefore, the two-dimensional image composed of the left-eye image in a direction inclined to the left from the observation direction of the three-dimensional image. And a two-dimensional image composed of the right-eye image can be displayed in a direction tilted to the right of the viewing direction of the three-dimensional image.

  The liquid crystal display device of this embodiment is provided with a lenticular lens as the vertical direction diffusing unit 17, but the vertical direction diffusing unit 17 may be the above-described directional diffusion plate or anisotropic diffusion plate. Good.

  However, the vertical direction diffusing means 17 is preferably a lenticular lens or an anisotropic diffusing plate. By doing so, a clear left-hand side can be obtained both from the observation direction and from the direction inclined up and down with respect to that direction. The image for the eye and the image for the right eye can be observed, and a high-quality three-dimensional image can be displayed.

(Other embodiments)
In the liquid crystal display devices of the first and second embodiments, the front direction of the liquid crystal display panel 1 is the normal observation direction of the three-dimensional image, but the normal observation direction of the three-dimensional image is May be set in a direction tilted up or down and left or right with respect to the front direction.

  In addition, the illumination means 7 of the above embodiment includes the first and second surface light sources 8 and 9, but includes one surface light source, the light emitted from the right half region and the left light. The emitted light from the half area may be condensed by the condenser lens 12 toward the left eye direction and the left eye direction of the display observer A.

  Further, the illuminating means 7 includes left eye light having directivity in which a peak of emitted light intensity exists in a direction inclined to the left eye direction of the observer A with respect to the observation direction reference line, and the observer's As long as it emits the right eye light having directivity in which the peak of the emitted light intensity exists in the direction inclined to the right eye direction, the light collecting lens 12 may not be provided.

  Furthermore, the liquid crystal display device of the above embodiment displays the left eye image in the even-numbered pixel row region 3b of the liquid crystal display panel 1 and displays the right eye image in the odd-numbered pixel row region 3a. However, the left-eye image and the right-eye image are alternately displayed on the entire screen of the liquid crystal display panel 1, and are synchronized with the display from the illumination means 7 toward the entire screen of the liquid crystal display panel 1. The left eye light and the right eye light may be alternately irradiated.

1 is a perspective view of a liquid crystal display device showing a first embodiment of the present invention. The top view of the said liquid crystal display device. The enlarged view of the phase difference element with which the illumination means of the said liquid crystal display device was equipped. The intensity distribution diagram of the emitted light in the up-down direction and the left-right direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display device provided with a directional diffusion plate as the up-down direction diffusing means. The intensity distribution diagram of the emitted light in the up-down direction and the left-right direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display device provided with a lenticular lens as the up-down direction diffusing means. The intensity distribution diagram of the emitted light in the up-down direction and the left-right direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display device provided with the anisotropic diffusion plate as the up-down direction diffusing means. The intensity distribution diagram of the emitted light in the up-down direction and the left-right direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display device provided with another anisotropic diffusion plate as the up-down direction diffusing means. The perspective view of the liquid crystal display device which shows 2nd Example of this invention. The intensity distribution diagram of the emitted light in the left-right direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display device of a 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid crystal display panel, 1a ... Screen area, 2 ... Liquid crystal cell, 3a, 3b ... Pixel row area | region, 4, 5 ... Polarizing plate, 4a, 5a ... Transmission axis, 6 ... Driving means, 7 ... Illuminating means, 8, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Surface light source, 10, 11 ... Linearly polarizing element, 10a, 11a ... Transmission axis, 12 ... Condensing lens (circular Fresnel lens), 13 ... Phase difference element, 14, 15 ... λ / 2 phase difference part, 14a, 15a ... slow axis, 16 ... vertical diffusion means (anisotropic diffusion plate), 17 ... vertical diffusion means (anisotropic diffusion plate), 18 ... horizontal diffusion means (anisotropic diffusion plate), L ... Left eye light, R ... right eye light.

Claims (4)

A liquid crystal display panel that has a screen area in which a plurality of pixels that control light transmission are arranged in a matrix, image data is written to the plurality of pixels, and an image corresponding to the image data is displayed;
Display panel driving means for selectively writing left-eye image data and right-eye image data for displaying a three-dimensional image on a plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal display panel;
The liquid crystal display panel is disposed so as to face the surface opposite to the observation side, and is directed toward the liquid crystal display panel from the central position of the screen of the liquid crystal display panel to the central position between the left and right eyes of the display observer. The left eye light having directivity in which the peak of the emitted light intensity exists in the direction tilted in the direction of the left eye of the observer with respect to the reference direction of observation direction toward the head, and the direction of inclination in the direction of the right eye of the observer. Illumination means for irradiating right eye light with directivity in which a peak of incident light intensity exists,
A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a vertical diffusing unit that is provided on the viewing side of the liquid crystal display panel and scatters the left eye light and right eye light in a direction along the vertical direction of the screen.   The illumination means includes a surface light source that emits light, and a condensing lens that condenses the light emitted from the surface light source toward a left eye direction and a left eye direction of a display observer. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1.   The vertical direction diffusing means is a predetermined method in which the left eye light and the right eye light are inclined in the vertical direction of the screen with respect to a horizontal reference plane parallel to the horizontal direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display panel and including the observation direction reference line 2. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, comprising an anisotropic diffusion plate or a lenticular lens that scatters in the direction of the angle range.   Further, provided on the observation side of the liquid crystal display panel, the left eye light is parallel to the vertical direction of the screen of the liquid crystal display panel and the left eye direction of the display observer with respect to the vertical direction reference plane including the observation direction reference line A right-and-left diffusing unit that scatters in the direction of a predetermined angle range tilted in the direction and scatters the right eye light in the direction of a predetermined angle range tilted in the right-eye direction of the observer with respect to the vertical reference plane The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, further comprising:

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