JP2011090305A - Active lens, and stereoscopic video display device adopting the active lens - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an active lens, and a stereoscopic video display device employing the active lens. <P>SOLUTION: In the active lens including a first nano electrode, a second nano electrode facing the first nano electrode, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the first nano electrode and the second nano electrode, liquid crystal molecules forming the liquid crystal layer are arrayed by an electric field formed of voltages applied to the first and second nano electrodes, to thereby generate refractive power. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an active lens and a stereoscopic image display apparatus employing the active lens.

  Recently, there is an increasing interest in a technique for electrically adjusting the operation of liquid crystal and applying it to an optical lens.

  Liquid crystal molecules have the property of aligning along the direction of the electric field, but generally the refractive index in the major axis direction and the refractive index in the minor axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules are different from each other. Has a refractive index distribution. In particular, when the boundary where the refractive index changes depending on the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules has a curvature, the liquid crystal molecules refract the transmitted light, and thus serve as a lens.

  A carbon nanotube is a cylindrical crystal having a nano-sized diameter made of carbon atoms. Carbon nanotubes are classified into single-walled carbon nanotubes and multi-walled carbon nanotubes according to the number of cylindrical surfaces. Carbon nanotubes are attracting attention as a next-generation new material because their electrical properties represent various properties such as conductors and semiconductors, depending on the diameter and structure of the cylindrical surface, and they have superior properties compared to existing materials. Therefore, active applications to semiconductor devices, secondary battery electrodes, sensors, electron-emitting devices, supercapacitors, and the like are expected.

  Such carbon nanotubes are particularly expected to be applied to liquid crystal optical lenses controlled by an electric field in that the electric field effect can be maximized.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an active lens in which optical characteristics such as refractive power are adjusted and a stereoscopic image display apparatus using the active lens.

  An active device comprising: a first nanoelectrode portion; a second nanoelectrode portion facing the first nanoelectrode portion; and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first nanoelectrode portion and the second nanoelectrode portion. An active lens is provided, in which liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer are aligned by an electric field formed by a voltage applied to the first and second nanoelectrode portions, thereby forming refractive power. The

  The first nanoelectrode part includes one or more nanostructures, and the second nanoelectrode part includes one or more nanostructures.

  Each of the nanostructures of the first nanoelectrode part and the nanostructures of the second nanoelectrode part may correspond to each other to form one or more lens cells.

  The plurality of nanostructures of the first nanoelectrode part and the plurality of nanostructures of the second nanoelectrode part may be arranged to face each other.

  The first nanoelectrode unit includes a plurality of nanostructures, the second nanoelectrode unit includes a plurality of nanoelectrode groups each formed of a plurality of nanostructures, and the first nanoelectrode unit includes: The plurality of nanostructures and the plurality of nanoelectrode groups of the second nanoelectrode portion are configured to correspond to each other to form a plurality of lens cells.

  A voltage is selectively applied to the plurality of nanostructures forming each of the plurality of nanoelectrode groups so that the directivity of the corresponding lens cell is adjusted.

  A control unit is further provided for controlling the directivity of the corresponding lens cell to change over time by applying a voltage to the nanostructures constituting each of the plurality of nanoelectrode groups.

  Each of the plurality of nanoelectrode groups includes a central nanostructure disposed to be collinear with one of the nanostructures of the first nanoelectrode portion, and a plurality of surrounding nanostructures surrounding the central nanostructure. Of nanostructures.

  The nanostructure constituting the first and second nanoelectrode parts includes any one of carbon nanotubes, Au nanowires, ZnO nanowires, and Si nanowires.

  The nanostructures constituting the first and second nanoelectrode parts have nanowalls or fins.

  In addition, the display panel on which a plurality of images of different viewpoints are displayed over time, the active lens, and the directivity of the active lens are controlled to change in synchronization with the time-lapse driving of the display panel. And a stereoscopic video display device comprising a control unit.

  Each of the first and second nanoelectrode portions includes a plurality of nanostructures, and each of the plurality of nanostructures of the first nanoelectrode portion and the plurality of nanostructures of the second nanoelectrode portion is one. A plurality of lens cells may be formed corresponding to each other.

  The plurality of nanostructures of the first nanoelectrode part and the plurality of nanostructures of the second nanoelectrode part may be arranged to face each other.

  The first nanoelectrode unit includes a plurality of nanostructures, the second nanoelectrode unit includes a plurality of nanoelectrode groups each formed of a plurality of nanostructures, and the first nanoelectrode unit includes: Some nanostructures among the plurality of nanostructures and the plurality of nanoelectrode groups of the second nanoelectrode portion can form a plurality of directional lens cells corresponding to each other.

  Each of the plurality of nanoelectrode groups includes a central nanostructure disposed to be collinear with one of the nanostructures of the first nanoelectrode portion, and a plurality of surrounding nanostructures surrounding the central nanostructure. Of nanostructures.

  The plurality of nanostructures constituting the first and second nanoelectrode portions include any one of carbon nanotubes, Au nanowires, ZnO nanowires, and Si nanowires.

  In addition, the active lens operating method according to the embodiment generates an electric field in the liquid crystal layer by applying a voltage to the first nanoelectrode part and the second nanoelectrode part provided on the mutually facing surfaces of the liquid crystal layer. Thereby controlling the alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer to form refractive power.

  In addition, the method of operating the stereoscopic image display apparatus according to the embodiment includes a step of displaying a plurality of images from different viewpoints with time, a first nanoelectrode unit and a second nanoelectrode unit provided on surfaces of the liquid crystal layer facing each other. A voltage is applied to the nanoelectrode portion to generate an electric field in the liquid crystal layer, thereby controlling the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer to form refractive power, and in synchronization with the display over time, an active lens Controlling the direction of the operation.

  The active lens according to the present invention uses a nanostructure having an excellent electric field effect as an electrode portion to form an electric field and control the alignment of liquid crystal molecules, so that the driving voltage for driving the lens is significantly reduced. Can do.

  In addition, by adopting a plurality of nanostructures to form a nanoelectrode part, a plurality of lens cell arrays can be easily configured, and a voltage can be applied by appropriately selecting the nanostructures of the opposing nanoelectrode parts. Therefore, the directivity and refractive power of the lens cell can be adjusted in various ways.

  A stereoscopic image display apparatus employing such an active lens can realize a stereoscopic image while maintaining the panel resolution by controlling the directivity of the active lens over time.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the active lens by one Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an equivalent lens surface formed by the active lens of FIG. 1 by an electric field distribution. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an electric field distribution and an equivalent lens surface formed thereby, which are generated as a result of applying voltages of various magnitudes to the active lens of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an electric field distribution and an equivalent lens surface formed thereby, which are generated as a result of applying voltages of various magnitudes to the active lens of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the active lens by other embodiment. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an equivalent lens surface formed by the active lens of FIG. 1 by an electric field distribution. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the active lens by other embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view specifically illustrating the configuration of the nanoelectrode group in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating various equivalent lens surfaces formed by a voltage applied to the nanoelectrode group of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating various equivalent lens surfaces formed by a voltage applied to the nanoelectrode group of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating various equivalent lens surfaces formed by a voltage applied to the nanoelectrode group of FIG. 6. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a stereoscopic video display apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between an active lens and a pixel employed in the stereoscopic image display apparatus of FIG. 9, and illustrating an electric field distribution that is computer-simulated by a voltage applied to the active lens. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating that the right-eye video is displayed on the right eye over time in the stereoscopic video display apparatus of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating that the left-eye video is displayed on the left eye over time in the stereoscopic video display apparatus of FIG. 9.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same components, and the size of each component in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of description.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an active lens 100 according to an embodiment. Referring to the drawing, the active lens 100 includes a first substrate 110 on which a first nanoelectrode part 140 is formed, a second substrate 190 on which a second nanoelectrode part 160 facing the first nanoelectrode part 140 is formed, A liquid crystal layer 150 is provided between the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 190.

  In the active lens 100, liquid crystal molecules forming the liquid crystal layer 150 are aligned by an electric field formed by a voltage applied to the first nanoelectrode unit 140 and the second nanoelectrode unit 160 to form refractive power.

  The first nanoelectrode unit 140 and the second nanoelectrode unit 160 may include at least one nanostructure 142, 162, respectively.

  Carbon nanotubes can be adopted as such nanostructures. A carbon nanotube is a cylindrical crystal having a nano-sized diameter formed by carbon atoms, and is a material whose electrical characteristics exhibit various properties such as a conductor or a semiconductor depending on the diameter and the structure of the cylindrical surface. Carbon nanotubes include arc discharge, laser vapor deposition, thermal chemical vapor deposition (thermal CVD), catalytic chemical vapor deposition (plasma CVD), plasma enhanced CVD, etc. It can be synthesized by a generally known method. Carbon nanotubes can be grown in the form of single-walled carbon nanotubes or multi-walled carbon nanotubes that are classified by the number of cylindrical faces. In embodiments, since carbon nanotubes have been introduced to enhance the field effect, i.e., to create a larger electric field at a small applied voltage, a more conductive multi-walled carbon nanotube configuration can be employed.

  Further, as the nanostructures 142 and 162, a nanowire made of a conductor or a semiconductor material having a structure with a high aspect ratio can be adopted. For example, Au nanowire, ZnO nanowire, Si nanowire, etc. can be adopted. In addition, the nanostructures 142 and 162 can have not only a wire shape but also a nanowall or a fin.

  Each of the nanostructures 142 of the first nanoelectrode unit 140 and the nanostructures 162 of the second nanoelectrode unit 160 may be configured to correspond to each other to form one lens cell. The number of lens cells shown is exemplary and only one lens cell may be formed or a plurality of lens cells may be formed and formed with a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array of lens cells. The nanostructures 142 of the first nanoelectrode unit 140 and the nanostructures 162 of the second nanoelectrode unit 160 may be arranged on the same straight line as illustrated.

  The first substrate 110 and the second substrate 190 are formed of a light-transmitting material, and a transparent electrode layer 120 for applying a voltage to the nanostructures 142 and 162 on one surface of the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 190, 180 may be provided. Although not shown, an alignment film for initial alignment of the liquid crystal layer 150 may be provided.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an equivalent lens surface 155 formed by the active lens 100 of FIG. 1 by an electric field distribution. The active lens 100 forms a refractive power by utilizing the properties of liquid crystal molecules aligned by an electric field. Liquid crystal molecules (not shown) constituting the liquid crystal layer 150 have properties in which the refractive index in the major axis direction and the refractive index in the minor axis direction are different. A voltage is applied to the nanostructure 142 of the first nanoelectrode portion 140 and the nanostructure 162 of the second nanoelectrode portion 160, and an electric field is generated in the liquid crystal layer 150 as indicated by the dotted lines of electric force in the drawing. Is formed, the liquid crystal molecules align along the direction of the electric field. In this case, the major axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules is aligned parallel to the electric field (P-type liquid crystal) or the minor axis direction is aligned parallel to the electric field (N-type liquid crystal) depending on the type of liquid crystal molecules. At this time, not all the liquid crystal molecules present in the electric field are aligned along the direction of the electric field, but only the liquid crystal molecules within the electric field of a certain size or more are aligned along the direction of the electric field. Accordingly, the liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer 150 are divided into liquid crystal molecules aligned along the direction of the electric field and molecules that maintain the initial state. Since the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules is different between the major axis direction and the minor axis direction, for example, the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules aligned along the electric field direction is n1, and the refractive index of the other liquid crystal molecules is n2. Thus, boundary surfaces having different refractive indexes are formed. Since the shape of this boundary surface can have a certain curvature according to the electric field distribution, it forms a refractive power. The shape of the illustrated equivalent lens surface 155 is exemplary, and can have various shapes such as an ellipse and a sphere depending on the electric field distribution.

  The active lens 100 described above can be applied to lenses having various refractive powers by adjusting the voltage applied to the nanostructures 142 and 162 to form various electric field distributions.

  3A and 3B show the electric field distribution and the equivalent lens surface formed thereby by applying various voltages to the nanostructure of the active lens 100 of FIG. 1, respectively.

  Referring to the drawing, different voltages are applied to the nanostructure 142 of the first nanoelectrode part 140 and the nanostructure 162 of the second nanoelectrode part 160 at positions facing each other. This is for realizing a directional equivalent lens surface, which is different from that shown in FIG. Specifically, referring to FIG. 3A, each of the plurality of nanostructures 142 and 162 of the first nanoelectrode unit 140 and the second nanoelectrode unit 160 proceeds in one direction (the direction from left to right in the drawing). As the voltage increases, it is applied. When a voltage is applied in this manner, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 150 are aligned along the direction of the electric field as indicated by the dotted lines of electric force in the drawing. As described with reference to FIG. 2, the liquid crystal molecules forming the liquid crystal layer 150 are divided into liquid crystal molecules aligned along the direction of the electric field and molecules that maintain the initial state, and these boundary surfaces define the optical axis of the incident light. An equivalent lens surface 153 tilted so as to be changed is formed.

  Referring to FIG. 3B, as it proceeds in the direction opposite to that in FIG. 3A, that is, from the right to the left in the figure, it is applied to the nanostructures 142 and 162 of the first electrode part 140 and the second nanoelectrode part 160. Voltage increases. By the applied voltage, an equivalent lens surface 154 tilted so that the optical axis of incident light can be changed is formed in the liquid crystal layer 150.

  In FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, a higher voltage is applied to the nanostructure 162 of the second nanoelectrode unit 160 than the nanostructure 142 of the first nanoelectrode unit 140 facing the second nanoelectrode unit 160. The directivity of the equivalent lens surface is changed by changing the direction in which the voltage applied to the nanostructures 142 and 162 of the second nanoelectrode unit 160 increases. However, this is exemplary and other configurations capable of forming the same equivalent lens surface are possible. For example, the direction in which the voltage applied to the nanostructures 142 and 162 of the first nanoelectrode unit 140 and the second nanoelectrode unit 160 increases is constant, and the first nanoelectrode unit 140 of the first nanoelectrode unit 140 faces the nanostructure 142. The directivity of the formed equivalent lens can be changed by changing the applied voltage size so that a voltage larger than the nanostructure 162 of the two nanoelectrode portion 160 is applied. In addition, the applied voltage difference between the adjacent nanostructures 142 and 162 is constant at 5 V, but this is exemplary, and the directivity can be adjusted by adjusting the distance, for example.

  FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of an active lens 200 according to another embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an equivalent lens surface 157 formed by the active lens 200 of FIG. 4 by electric field distribution. . In the present embodiment, the nanostructures 142 of the first nanoelectrode part 140 and the nanostructures 162 of the second nanoelectrode part 160 are arranged so as to be shifted from each other. Such a configuration is proposed so that a lens surface having directivity for changing the optical axis of incident light can be formed. The electric field distribution formed by the voltage applied to the nanostructures 142 and 162 arranged in the non-collinear state maintains the initial alignment state with the liquid crystal molecules of refractive index n1 aligned along the electric field direction. The equivalent lens surface 157 formed by the boundary surface with the liquid crystal molecules having the refractive index n2 is inclined to the right as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of an active lens 300 according to another embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view specifically illustrating the configuration of the nanoelectrode group G of FIG. The active lens 300 includes a first substrate 310 on which a first nanoelectrode part 340 is formed, a second substrate 190 on which a second nanoelectrode part 360 facing the first nanoelectrode part 340 is formed, a first substrate 310 and a first substrate 310. A liquid crystal layer 350 provided between the two substrates 390 is provided.

  The first nanoelectrode unit 340 includes a plurality of vertically grown nanostructures 342, and the second nanoelectrode unit 360 includes a plurality of nanoelectrode groups G. Each of the plurality of nanoelectrode groups G is formed of a plurality of vertically grown nanostructures 361 to 369. Such a configuration is proposed so that a lens cell array in which directivity is adjusted can be formed. A plurality of nanostructures 342 of the first nanoelectrode part 340 and a plurality of nanoelectrode groups G of the second nanoelectrode part 360 are formed in correspondence with each other to form a plurality of lens cells. By applying a voltage to only some of the nanostructures included in the electrode group G, an equivalent lens surface inclined in one direction can be formed.

  The first substrate 310 and the second substrate 390 are formed of a light-transmitting material, and a transparent electrode layer 320 for applying a voltage to the nanostructure 342 is provided on one surface of the first substrate 310, and the second substrate 390 is provided. The TFT layer 380 for individually applying a voltage to each of the nanostructures 361 to 369 forming the nanoelectrode group G may be provided on one surface. Although not shown, an alignment film for initial alignment of the liquid crystal layer 350 may be provided.

  As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 7, the nanoelectrode group G includes a central nanostructure 361 arranged in a straight line opposite to one of the nanostructures 342 of the first nanoelectrode part 340, and a central nanostructure 361. And a plurality of nanostructures 362 to 369 surrounding the structure 361 in the front, rear, left and right directions. The arrangement of the nanostructures 361 to 369 of the nanoelectrode group G is an example, and various arrangements that can change the directivity of the lens surface by selectively applying a voltage to some of the nanostructures are available. Can be adopted.

  8A to 8C show various equivalent lens surfaces formed by a voltage applied to the nanoelectrode group G. FIG.

  8A, a voltage is applied to the central nanostructure 361 among the nanostructures 342 of the first nanoelectrode part 340 and the nanostructures of the nanoelectrode group G of the second nanoelectrode part 360 facing the first nanoelectrode part 340. Is the case. In this case, since the equivalent lens surface 355 formed by the electric field distribution is in a vertically symmetrical state, the optical axis of the incident light incident from the first substrate 310 side having the optical axis perpendicular to the first substrate 310 surface is not changed. It becomes.

  FIG. 8B is provided on the left side of the central carbon nanostructure 361 among the nanostructures 342 of the first nanoelectrode portion 340 and the nanostructures of the nanoelectrode group G of the second nanoelectrode portion 360 facing the first nanoelectrode portion 340. This is a case where a voltage is applied to the nanostructure 362. The electric field distribution formed by the applied voltage structure forms an equivalent lens surface 356 that is tilted to the left as shown in the figure. The equivalent lens surface 356 of this form has directivity that changes incident light having an optical axis perpendicular to the surface of the first substrate 310 so as to travel to the right along the optical axis.

  FIG. 8C is provided on the right side of the central nanostructure 361 among the nanostructures 342 of the first nanoelectrode portion 340 and the nanostructures of the nanoelectrode group G of the second nanoelectrode portion 360 facing the first nanoelectrode portion 340. This is a case where a voltage is applied to the nanostructure 366. The electric field distribution formed by the applied voltage structure forms an equivalent lens surface 356 that is tilted to the right as shown. The equivalent lens surface 356 of this form has directivity that changes incident light having an optical axis perpendicular to the surface of the first substrate 310 so as to travel to the left with respect to the optical axis.

  Thus, by selecting a part of the nanostructures forming the nanoelectrode group G and applying a voltage, the directivity of the corresponding lens cell can be adjusted. Although only the case where the directivity changes to the left and right is illustrated, the nanostructure of the nanoelectrode group G to which a voltage is applied can be selected so as to be directed in the front-back direction or other directions, and one or more nanostructures can be selected. You can also. In addition, when a voltage is applied to the nanostructures that form each of the plurality of nanoelectrode groups G on the active lens 300, a control unit that controls the directivity of the corresponding lens cell to change over time is provided in the active lens 300. Further, it can be provided. Such an active lens can be employed in a stereoscopic image display apparatus.

  FIG. 9 shows a schematic configuration of a stereoscopic video display apparatus 600 according to the embodiment. The stereoscopic image display apparatus 600 includes a display panel 400, an active lens 100, and a control unit 500.

  The display panel 400 displays a plurality of videos from different viewpoints over time. For example, the display panel 400 displays a left eye image and a right eye image having binocular parallax over time. The plurality of videos can be displayed with a period shorter than the blinking period of the human eye so as to form one frame of video.

  The active lens 100 includes a first substrate 110 on which a first nanoelectrode part 140 is formed, a second substrate 190 on which a second nanoelectrode part 160 facing the first nanoelectrode part 140 is formed, a first substrate 110 and a first substrate. A liquid crystal layer 150 provided between the two substrates 190 is arranged, and liquid crystal molecules forming the liquid crystal layer 150 are aligned by an electric field formed by a voltage applied to the first nanoelectrode unit 140 and the second nanoelectrode unit 160. To form a refractive power. The first nanoelectrode unit 140 and the second nanoelectrode unit 160 include a plurality of nanostructures 142 and 162, respectively. As the nanostructures constituting the first and second nanoelectrode portions 140 and 160, carbon nanotubes are employed, or nanowires having a high aspect ratio and made of a conductor or a semiconductor material can be employed. For example, Au nanowire, ZnO nanowire, Si nanowire, etc. may be employed. The nanostructures 142 and 162 may be formed in the form of nanowalls or fins.

  The controller 500 controls the first nano electrode unit 140 and the second nano electrode unit 140 so that the directivity of the active lens 100 changes toward the viewing zone corresponding to each of the plurality of images in synchronization with the driving of the display panel 400 over time. The voltage applied to the electrode unit 160 is controlled. The controller 500 can apply different voltages to the nanostructures 142 of the first nanoelectrode unit 140 and the nanostructures 162 of the second nanoelectrode unit 160 at positions facing each other, for example, in FIGS. 3A and 3B. As described, a voltage having a size that sequentially increases along one direction can be applied to each of the nanostructures 142 and 162 of the first nanoelectrode unit 140 and the second nanoelectrode unit 160. Also. The voltage distribution form can be controlled to be repeated in units corresponding to the sub-pixels of the display panel 400.

  FIG. 10 exemplarily shows a correspondence relationship between an active lens and a pixel employed in the stereoscopic image display apparatus of FIG. 9, and shows an electric field distribution that is computed and copied by a voltage applied to the active lens. Referring to the drawing, a voltage is applied to the nanostructures 142 and 162 of the first nanoelectrode unit 140 and the second nanoelectrode unit 160 in a manner that sequentially increases in one direction. 400 is repeated corresponding to the R, G, and B sub-pixels of the color filter CF that is generally employed in 400. Here, the number of nanostructures 142 and 162 included in the region corresponding to each sub-pixel is an example, and can be appropriately adjusted in view of the resolution. When a voltage is applied as shown in the nanostructures 142 and 162, the electric field distribution due to this is illustrated by the electric lines of force E. A directional lens array is formed by the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules forming the liquid crystal layer 150 by the electric lines of force E. A black matrix BM is formed between each of the R, G, and B sub-pixels, and even if there is a region where the electric field is distributed in a form that does not contribute to the formation of the directional lens, this is the direction of the overall active lens 100. Has little effect on sex.

  11A and 11B show that the right-eye video and the left-eye video are respectively displayed over time on the right eye and the left eye in the stereoscopic video display apparatus 600 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 10A, when the right eye image is displayed on the display panel 400, the active lens 100 has directivity for directing the right eye image incident from the display panel 400 toward the viewer's right eye R. Driven to have. Referring to FIG. 10B, when the left eye image is displayed on the display panel 400, the active lens 300 has directivity for directing the left eye image incident from the display panel 400 toward the left eye L of the viewer. Driven to have. Thus, the viewer recognizes the stereoscopic image by separating and entering the right eye image and the left eye image having binocular parallax into the viewer's left eye and right eye.

  When the stereoscopic image display device 600 described above forms a stereoscopic image, for example, it does not use a barrier structure that blocks the left-eye image toward the right eye or the right-eye image toward the left eye. A stereoscopic image can be formed without reducing the resolution of the display panel 400. In the above description, the left-eye video and the right-eye video are exemplified as the multi-viewpoint video, but the multi-viewpoint stereoscopic video may be expanded and extended. That is, multi-view stereoscopic images can be realized by displaying video information in various directions over time on the display panel 400 and adjusting the directivity of the active lenses 100 and 300 in synchronization therewith. When using a barrier structure that blocks the displayed viewpoint video from moving to another viewing area other than the corresponding viewing area, the resolution rapidly decreases as the number of viewpoints increases. There is no reduction in resolution even in the case of realizing.

  The stereoscopic image display apparatus 600 has been described by exemplifying the case where the active lens 100 having the structure as shown in FIG. 1 is adopted. However, the active lens 200 having the structure shown in FIG. 4 and the active lens having the structure shown in FIG. 300 may be adopted. For example, when the active lens 300 of FIG. 6 is employed, the control unit 500 synchronizes the directivity of the active lens 300 with the time-dependent driving of the display panel 400 toward the viewing zone corresponding to each of a plurality of images. The voltage applied to the first nanoelectrode unit 340 and the second nanoelectrode unit 360 is controlled to change. For example, a voltage is selectively applied to the nanostructure 342 of the first nanoelectrode part 340 and a part of the nanostructures 361 to 366 of the nanoelectrode group G of the second nanoelectrode part 360 facing the first nanoelectrode part 340. As a result, a stereoscopic video is formed by directing the viewpoint video of the display panel 400 to the corresponding viewing zone.

  Since the active lens uses an nanostructure having an excellent electric field effect as an electrode part to form an electric field and controls alignment of liquid crystal molecules, the driving voltage for driving the lens can be significantly reduced.

  In addition, a plurality of lens cell arrays can be easily configured by adopting a plurality of nanostructures to form a nanoelectrode portion, and by appropriately selecting a nanostructure of opposing nanoelectrode portions and applying a voltage The directivity and refractive power of the lens cell can be adjusted in various ways.

  A stereoscopic image display apparatus employing such an active lens can realize a stereoscopic image while maintaining the panel resolution by controlling the directivity of the active lens over time.

  Such an active lens and a stereoscopic image display apparatus employing the active lens have been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings for the sake of understanding. It will be understood that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the claims.

  The present invention is preferably used in a technical field related to an active lens and a stereoscopic image display apparatus employing the active lens.

100 Active lens 110 First substrate 120, 180 Transparent electrode layer 140 First nanoelectrode portion 142, 162 Nanostructure 150 Liquid crystal layer 160 Second nanoelectrode portion 190 Second substrate

Claims (36)

A first nanoelectrode part;
A second nanoelectrode part facing the first nanoelectrode part;
A liquid crystal layer provided between the first nanoelectrode part and the second nanoelectrode part;
An active lens comprising:
An active lens that forms refractive power by aligning liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer by an electric field formed by a voltage applied to the first and second nanoelectrode portions. The first nanoelectrode unit includes one or more nanostructures,
The active lens according to claim 1, wherein the second nanoelectrode unit includes one or more nanostructures.   The nanostructure constituting the first and second nanoelectrode portions includes any one of carbon nanotubes, Au nanowires, ZnO nanowires, and Si nanowires. The active lens as described.   The active lens according to claim 2, wherein the nanostructure constituting the first and second nanoelectrode portions has a nanowall or a fin. The first and second nanoelectrode parts are:
The nanostructure of the first nanoelectrode part and the nanostructure of the second nanoelectrode part are configured to correspond to each other to form one or more lens cells. The active lens according to claim 2.   The active lens according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of nanostructures of the first nanoelectrode portion and the plurality of nanostructures of the second nanoelectrode portion are arranged to face each other.   The active lens according to claim 6, wherein different voltages are applied to the nanostructure of the first nanoelectrode portion and the nanostructure of the second nanoelectrode portion at the opposing positions. .   The active lens according to claim 7, wherein a voltage having a magnitude that sequentially increases along one direction is applied to each of the plurality of nanostructures of the first and second nanoelectrode portions.   The applied voltage difference between the nanostructures adjacent to the first nanoelectrode part and the applied voltage difference between the nanostructures adjacent to the second nanoelectrode part are constant. An active lens according to 1.   The active lens according to claim 5, wherein the nanostructures of the first nanoelectrode part and the nanostructures of the second nanoelectrode part are arranged so as to be shifted from each other. The first nanoelectrode unit includes a plurality of nanostructures,
The second nanoelectrode part includes a plurality of nanoelectrode groups each formed of a plurality of nanostructures,
The plurality of nanostructures of the first nanoelectrode part and the plurality of nanoelectrode groups of the second nanoelectrode part are configured to correspond to each other to form a plurality of lens cells. The active lens according to claim 1.   12. The active according to claim 11, wherein a voltage is selectively applied to the plurality of nanostructures forming each of the plurality of nanoelectrode groups so that the directivity of the corresponding lens cell is adjusted. lens.   The system further comprises a control unit that controls the directivity of the corresponding lens cell to change over time when a voltage is applied to the nanostructures constituting each of the plurality of nanoelectrode groups. Item 13. The active lens according to Item 12. Each of the plurality of nanoelectrode groups is
A central nanostructure arranged to be collinear with one of the nanostructures of the first nanoelectrode part, and a plurality of nanostructures surrounding the central nanostructure. The active lens according to claim 11. A display panel on which multiple images from different viewpoints are displayed over time;
An active lens according to claim 1;
A stereoscopic image display apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control the directivity of the active lens to change in synchronization with time-dependent driving of the display panel.   The stereoscopic image display apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the directivity of the active lens changes toward a viewing zone corresponding to each of the plurality of images synchronized with time-dependent driving of the display panel. Each of the first and second nanoelectrode portions includes a plurality of nanostructures,
The plurality of nanostructures of the first nanoelectrode portion and the plurality of nanostructures of the second nanoelectrode portion are configured to correspond to each other to form a plurality of lens cells. The stereoscopic video display apparatus according to claim 15.   The stereoscopic image display apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of nanostructures of the first nanoelectrode part and the plurality of nanostructures of the second nanoelectrode part are arranged to face each other. The controller is
19. The stereoscopic image according to claim 18, wherein different voltages are applied to the nanostructure of the first nanoelectrode portion and the nanostructure of the second nanoelectrode portion at the respective opposing positions. Display device. The controller is
The stereoscopic image display apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a voltage that sequentially increases in one direction is applied to each of the nanostructures of the first and second nanoelectrode portions. The display panel includes a plurality of sub-pixels,
The stereoscopic image display apparatus of claim 19, wherein a voltage distribution pattern applied to the nanostructures of the first and second nanoelectrode units is repeated in units corresponding to the sub-pixels. The first nanoelectrode unit includes a plurality of nanostructures,
The second nanoelectrode part includes a plurality of nanoelectrode groups each formed of a plurality of nanostructures,
A plurality of nanostructures of the first nanoelectrode part and a part of the plurality of nanoelectrode groups of the second nanoelectrode part form a plurality of directional lens cells corresponding to each other. The three-dimensional image display apparatus according to claim 15, wherein Each of the plurality of nanoelectrode groups is
A central nanostructure disposed so as to be collinear with one of the nanostructures of the first nanoelectrode portion, and a plurality of nanostructures surrounding the central nanostructure. The three-dimensional image display apparatus according to claim 22.   The plurality of nanostructures constituting the first and second nanoelectrode portions include any one of carbon nanotubes, Au nanowires, ZnO nanowires, and Si nanowires. 15. The stereoscopic video display device according to 15.   The stereoscopic image display apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of nanostructures constituting the first and second nanoelectrode portions have nanowalls or fins.   By applying a voltage to the first nanoelectrode part and the second nanoelectrode part respectively provided on the mutually opposing surfaces of the liquid crystal layer to generate an electric field in the liquid crystal layer, the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer Of an active lens that controls the power to form refractive power. The first nanoelectrode unit includes a plurality of nanostructures,
The second nanoelectrode part includes a plurality of nanostructures,
27. The operation method according to claim 26, wherein different voltages are applied to the nanostructures of the first nanoelectrode part and the nanostructures of the second nanoelectrode part at the respective opposing positions.   28. The operating method according to claim 27, wherein a voltage having a magnitude that increases sequentially as it advances in one direction is applied to each of the plurality of nanostructures of the first and second nanoelectrode portions.   29. The applied voltage difference between nanostructures adjacent to the first nanoelectrode part and the applied voltage difference between nanostructures adjacent to the second nanoelectrode part are constant. Certain operating methods as described.   27. The operating method according to claim 26, wherein the directivity of the active lens is changed by selectively applying a voltage to the plurality of nanostructures of the second nanoelectrode part.   The method according to claim 30, wherein the directivity of the active lens changes with time in synchronization with an image displayed on a display panel. Displaying multiple images from different viewpoints over time;
By applying a voltage to the first nanoelectrode part and the second nanoelectrode part respectively provided on the mutually opposing surfaces of the liquid crystal layer to generate an electric field in the liquid crystal layer, the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer is changed. Controlling the direction of the active lens in synchronism with the time-lapse display to control the formation of refractive power. The first nanoelectrode part includes a plurality of nanostructures, and the second nanoelectrode part includes a plurality of nanostructures,
The operating method according to claim 32, wherein different voltages are applied to the nanostructures of the first nanoelectrode part and the nanostructures of the second nanoelectrode part at the respective opposing positions.   34. The operation method according to claim 33, wherein a voltage having a magnitude that sequentially increases along one direction is applied to each of the plurality of nanostructures of the first and second nanoelectrode portions.   36. The applied voltage difference between nanostructures adjacent to the first nanoelectrode part and the applied voltage difference between nanostructures adjacent to the second nanoelectrode part are constant. The operating method described.   The operating method according to claim 32, wherein the directivity of the active lens is changed by selectively applying a voltage to the plurality of nanostructures of the second nanoelectrode portion.

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