JP2014074749A - Mounting tool for stereoscopic view, liquid crystal cell, and method for driving mounting tool for stereoscopic view - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal cell achieving a high-speed shutter drive to switch between a transmissive state and a light-blocking state as well as capable of reliably blocking light, and to provide a mounting tool for stereoscopic view and a method for driving the tool with excellent visibility by using the liquid crystal cell.SOLUTION: Spectacles 200 for stereoscopic view include: liquid crystal shutters 20 composed of a shutter 20L for a left eye and a shutter 20R for a right eye, each comprising a liquid crystal cell having liquid crystal molecules LC of a ferroelectric liquid crystal material; and a drive circuit 210 for applying a drive voltage to drive the shutter 20L for a left eye and the shutter 20R for a right eye, based on a control signal transmitted from a liquid crystal display device 100. The spectacles achieve a high-speed shutter drive to switch between a transmissive state and a light-blocking state as well as move the liquid crystal molecules LC toward a first polarization axis 52 to obtain a light-blocking state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a stereoscopic mounting tool, a liquid crystal cell, and a driving method for a stereoscopic mounting tool.

  In recent years, a technique has been known in which a plurality of moving images are displayed in a time-sharing manner on a single screen, and a plurality of videos are separately recognized by using glasses with shutters synchronized with the moving image display. Yes. In addition, a technique that enables stereoscopic display by using the recognition technique and displaying parallax images corresponding to the left and right eyes of the viewer has also appeared.

  In particular, the glasses with shutters used for stereoscopic display (hereinafter also referred to as “stereoscopic glasses”) have liquid crystal shutters composed of respective liquid crystal elements for the left and right eyes, and display a parallax image of the display device. In synchronization with the timing, the light shielding state and the transmission state of the left and right liquid crystal shutters can be controlled alternately.

  On the other hand, as the liquid crystal element used for the liquid crystal shutter of the stereoscopic glasses as described above, in addition to the TN (Twisted Nematic) method that is widely used as a lightweight and thin display element, recently, the response speed is extremely short and high speed. Research using ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) suitable for devices is also progressing (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-284224 A

  However, as in the above-mentioned patent document, when the liquid crystal molecules of ferroelectric liquid crystal are used for the liquid crystal shutter in stereoscopic glasses, the movable range is different with respect to the polarity of the applied voltage. If the liquid crystal molecules are simply controlled to move, the light shielding state (transmittance) becomes unstable. Therefore, in such a case, in any of the liquid crystal shutters for eye that must be shielded, the image cannot be completely shielded from light and the shutter function is lowered, and flicker due to afterimage is reduced. There are many cases where it becomes impossible to provide a viewer with (that is, an image with excellent visibility as a stereoscopic view).

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal cell capable of accurately shielding light while realizing high-speed shutter driving for switching between a transmission state and a light shielding state, and the liquid crystal cell. An object of the present invention is to provide a stereoscopic viewing wear tool with excellent visibility and a driving method thereof.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a driving method for a stereoscopic wearing device according to the present invention is transmitted from a left-eye shutter, a right-eye shutter, and a display device that displays a left-eye image and a right-eye image. And a driving circuit that applies a driving voltage for controlling the left-eye shutter and the right-eye shutter based on the control signal, and each liquid crystal shutter has a first polarization axis. And a second polarizing plate having a second polarizing axis that is non-parallel to the first polarizing axis, and a first polarizing axis and a second polarizing axis that are sandwiched between the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate. A pair of alignment films rubbed in the direction of the reference axis formed in parallel with each polarization axis, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the alignment films, the reference voltage when no driving voltage is applied A liquid that is stabilized by tilting between an axis and the first polarization axis and having spontaneous polarization A method for driving a stereoscopic wearing tool that controls visibility of a user's right eye and left eye with respect to a left-eye image and a right-eye image displayed on the display device. When the left-eye image is displayed on the display device, the first polarization axis is in a light-shielding state in which the displayed left-eye image is not visible on the liquid crystal molecules of the right-eye shutter. A drive voltage for moving toward the second polarization axis in which a liquid crystal molecule of the left-eye shutter is in a transmissive state in which the image for the left eye can be visually recognized is applied. When the right-eye image is displayed on the display device, the second polarization axis is in a transmissive state in which the displayed right-eye image is visible in the liquid crystal molecules of the right-eye shutter. Apply drive voltage to move toward In both cases, a driving voltage for moving the liquid crystal molecules of the left eye shutter toward the first polarization axis where the image for the right eye is invisible is applied, and the reference axis and the first polarization are applied. The first angle formed by the axis is smaller than the second angle formed by the reference axis and the second polarization axis.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the stereoscopic wearing device according to the present invention is linked with a display device on which an image for the left eye and an image for the right eye are displayed, and the user performs an operation on an image displayed on the display device. A stereoscopic wearing tool for controlling the visibility of the right eye and the left eye, wherein the user switches between a transparent state in which the left eye image is visible and a light shielding state in which the left eye image is invisible. A left-eye shutter, a right-eye shutter that switches between a transparent state in which the right-eye image is visible and a light-shielding state in which the right-eye image cannot be visually recognized by the user, and a control transmitted from the display device A drive circuit for applying a drive voltage for controlling the transmission state and the light-shielding state in each liquid crystal shutter of the left-eye shutter and the right-eye shutter based on a signal, and The crystal shutter has a first polarizing plate having a first polarizing axis, a second polarizing plate having a second polarizing axis non-parallel to the first polarizing axis, and between the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate. A pair of alignment films that are rubbed in the direction of the reference axis formed in parallel with each polarization axis between the first polarization axis and the second polarization axis, and liquid crystal that is sandwiched between the alignment films A liquid crystal layer that is tilted and stabilized between the reference axis and the first polarization axis and encloses liquid crystal molecules having spontaneous polarization when no driving voltage is applied, and for the left eye Based on the drive voltage, a shutter moves the liquid crystal molecules toward the second polarization axis that is in the transmission state when the left-eye image is displayed on a display device. When the image is displayed on the display device, it is movable toward the first polarization axis that is in a light shielding state. Furthermore, the right-eye shutter is directed toward the first polarization axis that is in the light-shielded state when the left-eye image is displayed on a display device based on the drive voltage. When the right-eye image is displayed on the display device, it moves toward the second polarization axis that is in the transmission state, and the stabilization axis when the liquid crystal molecules stabilize and the first The first angle formed by the polarization axis is smaller than the second angle formed by the stabilization axis and the second polarization axis.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a liquid crystal cell according to the present invention is a liquid crystal cell that switches between a transmission state that transmits irradiation light and a light-blocking state that blocks the irradiation light, and has a first polarization axis. A polarizing plate, a second polarizing plate having a second polarizing axis that is non-parallel to the first polarizing axis, and a first polarizing axis and a second polarized light that are sandwiched between the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate. A pair of alignment films that are rubbed in the direction of the reference axis formed in parallel to each polarization axis between the axes and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the alignment films, when the drive voltage is not applied A liquid crystal layer encapsulating liquid crystal molecules that are tilted and stabilized between the reference axis and the first polarization axis and have spontaneous polarization, and the liquid crystal molecules are based on a driving voltage applied from the outside, When it is movable toward the first polarization axis, it is in the light shielding state, and the second polarization When the liquid crystal molecules are moved toward an axis, the first angle formed by the stabilization axis when the liquid crystal molecules are stabilized and the first polarization axis is in the transmission state, and the stabilization axis It is smaller than a second angle formed by the second polarization axis.

  The liquid crystal cell according to the present invention can reduce the transmittance of the liquid crystal shutter. In addition, the stereoscopic wearing tool and the driving method thereof according to the present invention can improve the visibility of stereoscopic viewing for the user.

It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure in one Embodiment of the display apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display panel in one Embodiment, a scanning line drive circuit, and a data line drive circuit. FIG. 3 is a structural diagram simulating the structure of each liquid crystal element according to an embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the behavior of the liquid crystal molecule of a ferroelectric liquid crystal. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the behavior of the liquid crystal molecule of one Embodiment, a 1st polarizing plate, a 2nd polarizing plate, and a pair of alignment film. It is a graph which shows the V-shaped switching characteristic which becomes asymmetric in the positive / negative drive voltage in the liquid crystal molecule of the ferroelectric liquid crystal of one Embodiment. 6 is a graph comparing the transmittance of a liquid crystal shutter when liquid crystal molecules are positioned on the polarization axis on the small tilt angle side and the transmittance of the liquid crystal shutter when liquid crystal molecules are positioned on the polarization axis on the large tilt angle side. 8 is a table comparing the contrast between a liquid crystal shutter when liquid crystal molecules are positioned on the polarization axis on the small tilt angle side in FIG. 7 and a liquid crystal shutter when liquid crystal molecules are positioned on the polarization axis on the large tilt angle side. It is a timing chart which shows the timing for 1 frame of the spectacles for stereoscopic vision in one Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the stereoscopic shutter wearing according to the present invention is applied to the active shutter type stereoscopic glasses constituted by a liquid crystal shutter (liquid crystal cell) using a ferroelectric liquid crystal material and the driving method thereof. This is an embodiment in which a tool, its driving method and a liquid crystal cell are applied. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments within the scope including the technical idea.

[1] Stereoscopic Image Display System First, the stereoscopic image display system S of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the stereoscopic image display system S in the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the display panel 110, the scanning line driving circuit 130, and the data line driving circuit 120 in the present embodiment. It is a block diagram.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the stereoscopic image display system S of the present embodiment is a display system that displays a stereoscopic image that causes a viewer (user) to perceive a stereoscopic effect using an active shutter method. In addition, the stereoscopic image display system S includes a liquid crystal display device 100 that alternately displays a right-eye image GR and a left-eye image GL in a time-division manner at a predetermined timing, and a stereoscopic view displayed by the liquid crystal display device 100. Stereoscopic vision glasses 200 worn by a user when viewing an image.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal display device 100 includes a plurality of pixels 10 each including a liquid crystal shutter 20, and each pixel 10 is connected via a display panel 110 that displays a predetermined image and a plurality of data lines X. A data line driving circuit 120 for controlling the display, a scanning line driving circuit 130 for controlling each pixel 10 via a plurality of scanning lines Y, an illumination device 140 that functions as a backlight of the display panel 110, and a display on the display panel 110. A memory circuit 150 that temporarily stores image data to be stored, and a control circuit 170 that controls each unit.

  In addition, the detail of each member and the operation | movement in the liquid crystal display device 100 of this embodiment are mentioned later.

  The stereoscopic glasses 200 are linked to the liquid crystal display device 100 on which the left-eye image GL and the right-eye image GR are displayed, and the user's right eye and left eye are visually recognized with respect to the image displayed on the liquid crystal display device 100. It is a stereoscopic wearing tool for controlling the sex.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the stereoscopic glasses 200 include the liquid crystal shutters 20 of the left-eye shutter 20 </ b> L and the right-eye shutter 20 </ b> R configured by liquid crystal cells having liquid crystal molecules LC of a ferroelectric liquid crystal material. And a drive circuit 210 that applies a drive voltage for driving the left-eye shutter 20L and the right-eye shutter 20R based on the control signal transmitted from the liquid crystal display device 100.

  In particular, the left-eye shutter 20L is disposed in front of the user's left eye, and has a function of switching between a transmission state in which the left-eye image GL can be visually recognized by the user and a light-shielding state in which the left-eye image GL cannot be viewed. Have.

  The right-eye shutter 20R is disposed in front of the user's right eye, and has a function of switching between a transparent state in which the right-eye image GR can be visually recognized by the user and a light-shielding state in which the right-eye image GR is invisible. Have.

  Note that details and operations of each member in the stereoscopic glasses 200 of the present embodiment will be described later.

[2] Liquid Crystal Display Device Next, the configuration of the liquid crystal display device 100 of the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the display panel 110 includes m columns of data lines X1 to Xm (m is an integer) extending along the column direction and n rows of scanning lines Y1 to Yn (m extending along the row direction). A plurality of (n × m) pixels 10 arranged in n rows and m columns are provided at positions corresponding to intersections with n).

  Each pixel 10 has a structure for controlling a liquid crystal element (not shown) based on signals from the corresponding scanning line Y and data line X supplied to each pixel 10.

  The data line driving circuit 120 has a plurality of data lines X1 to Xm as shown in FIG. 2 under the control of the control circuit 170, and supplies data to each pixel 10 via the data lines X1 to Xm. To do. In particular, the data lines X1 to Xm are connected to the source electrode of a switching TFT (not shown) in each pixel 10. The signal supplied by the data line X is a signal corresponding to multi-value data for performing gradation display, and for example, data for supplying a plurality of voltage value signals to each pixel 10. It is a line control signal (hereinafter also referred to as “pixel data”).

  The scanning line driving circuit 130 has a plurality of scanning lines Y1 to Yn in n rows under the control of the control circuit 170, and the n scanning lines Y1 to Yn in order at a predetermined timing. It is configured to perform vertical scanning for selecting one by one. In particular, the scanning lines Y1 to Yn are connected to the gate electrode of the switching TFT of each pixel 10. In addition, the scanning line driving circuit 130 sets the switching TFT of each pixel 10 (pixel 10 for one row) connected to one scanning line Y selected from the n × m pixels 10 to an ON state. To do.

  The illumination device 140 is an illumination unit that irradiates the display panel 110 from the back. For example, in the case of a field sequential method, the illumination device 140 is configured by RGB LEDs. In particular, the illuminating device 140 operates in sequence with the data line driving circuit 120 and the scanning line driving circuit 130 under the control of the control circuit 170, and sequentially turns on each color light of RGB at a predetermined timing. The light is irradiated onto the display panel 110 from the back side.

  In the case of the color filter method, the illumination device 140 is configured by a plurality of white LEDs.

  The memory circuit 150 stores image data supplied with image data to be displayed on the display panel 110 from the outside. In particular, the memory circuit 150 has a frame memory function for storing one or more frames.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, while performing polarity inversion driving, image data supplied from the outside is input as an absolute value of sequential data. Therefore, image data input for each frame is converted into a predetermined matrix. It is necessary to rewrite the data. In the present embodiment, a memory circuit 150 is provided to perform this rewriting.

  The control circuit 170 controls the above-described units such as the display panel 110 in an integrated manner. In particular, the control circuit 170 converts the image data stored in the memory circuit 150 representing the display state of the display panel 110 into matrix data representing the light emission gradation of the liquid crystal shutter 20 in each pixel 10.

  The matrix data includes a scanning line control signal for designating scanning lines Y1 to Yn for outputting scanning signals to select pixels 10 for one row, and a liquid crystal of a group of pixels 10 selected for each row. And a data line control signal (that is, pixel data) for setting the luminance of the element. The scanning line Y control signal is supplied to the scanning line driving circuit 130, and the data line control signal is supplied to the data line driving circuit 120.

  Specifically, for example, the control circuit 170 can display the left-eye image GL and the right-eye image GR for each frame (1/60 seconds) in a time-division manner (that is, every 1/120 seconds). Thus, data for driving each pixel 10 is generated.

  In addition, the control circuit 170 wirelessly controls the drive circuit 210 to each state (open state (transmission state) / closed state (light shielding) of the right eye shutter 20R and the left eye shutter 20L of the stereoscopic glasses 200. The state)) is controlled in synchronization with the operation of the display panel.

[2] Stereoscopic glasses [2.1] Configuration of stereoscopic glasses Next, the configuration of the stereoscopic glasses 200 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a structural diagram simulating the structure of the liquid crystal cell constituting each liquid crystal shutter 20 of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each liquid crystal shutter 20 (that is, a liquid crystal cell) has a first polarizing plate 32 having a first polarizing axis 52 and a second polarizing axis 53 that is non-parallel to the first polarizing axis 52. 2 polarizing plates 42, sandwiched between the first polarizing plate 32 and the second polarizing plate 42, and formed between the first polarizing axis 52 and the second polarizing axis 53 so as not to be parallel to the respective polarizing axes. A pair of alignment films (33, 43) rubbed in the direction of the reference axis 51, and a liquid crystal layer 35 sandwiched between the alignment films (33, 43), and the reference axis 51 and the first alignment film when no drive voltage is applied. And a liquid crystal layer 35 which is tilted and stabilized between one polarization axis 52 and encloses liquid crystal molecules LC having spontaneous polarization.

  Each of the liquid crystal shutters 20 has a first angle α formed by the stabilization axis 54 and the first polarization axis 52 when the liquid crystal molecules LC are stabilized by the stabilization axis 54 and the second polarization axis 53. It has a configuration smaller than the formed second angle β.

  In particular, the left-eye shutter 20L moves the liquid crystal molecules LC toward the second polarization axis 53 that is in a transmission state when the left-eye image GL is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 100 based on the drive voltage. When the right-eye image GR is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 100, the right-eye image GR moves toward the first polarization axis 52 that is in a light-shielding state.

  Further, the right-eye shutter 20R moves the liquid crystal molecules LC toward the first polarization axis 52 that is in a light-shielded state when the left-eye image GL is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 100 based on the drive voltage. When the right-eye image GR is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 100, the right-eye image GR moves toward the second polarization axis 53 that is in a transmission state.

  The driving circuit 210 applies a driving voltage for controlling the transmission state and the light shielding state of each of the liquid crystal shutters 20 of the left-eye shutter 20L and the right-eye shutter 20R. In particular, the driving circuit 210 is interlocked with the liquid crystal display device 100, and the light-shielding state and the transmission state of the left-eye shutter 20L and the right-eye shutter 20R are different from each other between the left-eye shutter 20L and the right-eye shutter 20R. Meanwhile, a drive voltage for controlling to switch alternately is supplied to the left-eye shutter 20L and the right-eye shutter 20R.

  In particular, when the left-eye image GL is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 100, the drive circuit 210 has a light-shielding state in which the left-eye image GL displayed on the liquid crystal molecules LC of the right-eye shutter 20R is not visible. A drive voltage for moving toward the first polarization axis 52 is applied to the second polarization axis 53 in which the left eye image GL is in a transmissive state in which the liquid crystal molecules LC of the left eye shutter 20L are visible. A drive voltage for moving toward is applied.

  Specifically, in this case, the drive circuit 210 applies a drive voltage for moving the liquid crystal molecules LC of the right-eye shutter 20R to a first position parallel to the first polarization axis 52, and A drive voltage for moving the liquid crystal molecules LC of the eye shutter 20L to a second position parallel to the second polarization axis 53 is applied.

  On the other hand, when the right-eye image GR is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 100, the drive circuit 210 has a transmission state in which the displayed right-eye image GR is visible on the liquid crystal molecules LC of the right-eye shutter 20R. A driving voltage for moving toward the second polarization axis 53 is applied, and the first polarization axis 52 in which the right-eye image GR is in a transmission state invisible to the liquid crystal molecules LC of the left-eye shutter 20L. A drive voltage is applied to move toward the surface.

  Specifically, in this case, the driving circuit 210 applies a driving voltage for moving the liquid crystal molecules LC of the left eye shutter 20L to the first position to the liquid crystal molecules LC of the right eye shutter 20R. Then, a driving voltage for moving to the second position is applied.

  For example, the drive circuit 210 writes matrix data in a partial frame (hereinafter referred to as “right-eye image frame”) for displaying the right-eye image GR in each frame under the instruction of the control circuit. After the elapse of time, a driving voltage for changing the right-eye shutter 20R from the light shielding state to the transmission state is applied to the right-eye shutter 20R, and the state is maintained for a predetermined period. At this time, the drive circuit 210 applies a drive voltage for maintaining the light shielding state to the left-eye shutter 20L.

  Further, the drive circuit 210 performs a left-eye shutter after a matrix data writing period has elapsed in a partial frame (hereinafter referred to as “left-eye image frame”) for displaying the left-eye image GL in each frame. A drive voltage for changing 20L from the light shielding state to the transmission state is applied to the left-eye shutter 20L, and the state is maintained for a predetermined period. At this time, the drive circuit 210 maintains the light shielding state for the right-eye shutter 20R.

  Under the control of the drive circuit 210, the liquid crystal shutters 20 of the left-eye shutter 20L and the right-eye shutter 20R are in an open state (transmission state) that transmits irradiation light and a closed state (blocking state) that blocks irradiation light. Controlled.

  The transmittance is minimized when the position of the liquid crystal molecule LC is the first position, the transmittance is maximized when the position of the liquid crystal molecule LC is the second position, and the liquid crystal molecule LC is moved to the second position. The drive voltage for causing the liquid crystal molecules LC to have a polarity opposite to that of the drive voltage for moving the liquid crystal molecules LC to the first position.

[2.2] Liquid Crystal Molecules Next, the liquid crystal molecules LC of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the behavior of the liquid crystal molecules LC of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, and FIG. 5 shows the behavior of the liquid crystal molecules LC of the present embodiment, the first polarizing plate 32, the second polarizing plate 42, and a pair. It is a figure which shows the relationship with alignment film (33,43). FIG. 6 is a graph showing V-shaped switching characteristics that are asymmetrical in positive and negative drive voltages (that is, voltages applied by pixel data) in the liquid crystal molecules LC of the ferroelectric liquid crystal of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid crystal molecules LC of the ferroelectric liquid crystal sealed in the liquid crystal layer 35 are inclined from the layer normal z parallel to the alignment films (33, 43), and are perpendicular to the layer normal z. It has a characteristic of rotating along a ridge line of a cone having a simple bottom surface. In such a cone, the tilt angle of the liquid crystal molecule LC with respect to the layer normal z is referred to as a tilt angle (θ).

  In addition, the liquid crystal molecules LC have V-shaped switching (hereinafter referred to as “V-shaped switching”) characteristics that rotate (movable) when a positive or negative voltage is applied, and the polarity of the applied drive voltage and According to the level, the cone is operated between two states inclined by a tilt angle ± θ with respect to the layer normal z.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 5, the liquid crystal molecule LC of the present embodiment has an alignment film (33) in a planar view direction from the first polarizing plate 32 (a direction from the top to the back of the paper) when no drive voltage is applied. 43) (33, 43) having a predetermined angle of inclination from the reference axis 51 extending in the rubbing direction R, and the first polarizing axis 52 of the first polarizing plate 32 (hereinafter simply referred to as “polarizing axis”). And the reference axis 51, and a stable state is obtained at a position where the first angle formed by the first polarization axis 52 is smaller than the second angle formed by the second polarization axis 53. It has the characteristic which becomes.

  The first polarizing axis 52 of the first polarizing plate 32 and the second polarizing axis 53 of the second polarizing plate 42 are set to intersect at right angles. In addition, an axis that stabilizes the liquid crystal molecules LC is also referred to as a “stabilization axis” 54.

  Further, the liquid crystal molecules LC of the present embodiment has a property that the stable state when no drive voltage is applied is a cone (the ferroelectric liquid crystal molecules LC move along the side surface of the cone. It is not always present at the center of the cone.), And it may be tilted to either side. In such a case, the tilt angle tilt is asymmetric at positive and negative drive voltages. ing. Specifically, the liquid crystal molecules LC of the present embodiment have the property that transmitted light intensity is different even when positive and negative drive voltages of the same voltage level are applied. In particular, the liquid crystal molecules LC of the present embodiment have V-shaped switching characteristics that are asymmetrical with respect to positive and negative drive voltages, as shown in FIG.

  For example, in the case illustrated in FIG. 5, the stable position when no voltage is applied deviates from the rubbing direction, and both ends of the cone where the liquid crystal molecules LC operate when a voltage is applied are substantially symmetrical with respect to the rubbing direction. When a positive voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules LC are directed from the reference axis 51 to the second polarization axis 53 (hereinafter referred to as “first direction”) with the stabilization axis 54 as a reference. When tilted and a negative voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules LC are separated from the reference axis 51 with respect to the stabilization axis 54 and in the direction of the first polarization axis 52 (hereinafter referred to as “second”). It will be inclined to the direction. For this reason, the operable tilt angle in the first direction parallel to the second polarization axis 53 (that is, the maximum tilt angle) is increased, and the maximum tilt angle is parallel to the first polarization axis 52 in the second direction. The tilt angle (that is, the maximum tilt angle) becomes smaller.

  FIG. 5 illustrates liquid crystal molecules LC that are stable in a state of being tilted to the left of the reference axis 51 when no drive voltage is applied. However, the ferroelectric liquid crystal material and the alignment films (33, 43) are illustrated. ), The liquid crystal molecules LC may be stabilized while being tilted to the right side of the reference axis 51. Even in this case, the tilt in the direction of the reference axis 51 is the first direction in which the tilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules LC is increased, and the tilt of the liquid crystal molecules LC is tilted in the direction away from the reference axis 51. It is defined as the second direction in which the corner is reduced.

  In addition, since the liquid crystal shutter 20 of the present embodiment has the above-described characteristics, the first polarization axis 52 and the second polarization axis are based on the stable state of the liquid crystal molecules LC sealed in the liquid crystal layer 35. 53, the first polarizing plate 32 and the second polarizing plate 42 are formed. The angle (α + β) formed by the first polarization axis 52 and the second polarization axis 53 is preferably 45 degrees, but may be 40 degrees or more.

[2.3] Driving Principle of Liquid Crystal Shutter (Liquid Crystal Cell) Next, the driving principle of the ferroelectric liquid crystal shutter 20 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 shows the transmittance of the liquid crystal shutter 20 when the liquid crystal molecule LC is located on the polarization axis on the small tilt angle side and the transmission of the liquid crystal shutter 20 when the liquid crystal molecule LC is located on the polarization axis on the large tilt angle side. FIG. 8 is a graph comparing the rates, and FIG. 8 shows a case where the liquid crystal molecules LC are located on the polarization axis on the large tilt angle side and the liquid crystal shutter 20 when the liquid crystal molecules LC are located on the polarization axis on the small tilt angle side in FIG. 4 is a table comparing the contrast with the liquid crystal shutter 20.

  In each liquid crystal shutter 20 (ie, liquid crystal cell) of the present embodiment, the liquid crystal molecules LC are polarized between the first polarization axis 52 and the second polarization axis 53 when no drive voltage is applied, as described above. It is tilted and stabilized between a reference axis 51 formed non-parallel to the axis and the first polarization axis 52. The liquid crystal molecule LC is formed by the stabilization axis 54 and the second polarization axis 53 at an angle formed by the stabilization axis 54 and the first polarization axis 52 when the liquid crystal molecule LC is stabilized. When changing the state to the light-shielding state under the condition that the angle is smaller than the angle, it is moved to a position parallel to the first polarization axis 52, and when changing the state to the transmission state, the second polarization axis 53 is used. Moved to parallel position.

  In general, by controlling the angle of the liquid crystal molecules LC having V-shaped switching characteristics that are asymmetrical with respect to the polarization axis with respect to the positive and negative drive voltages, the liquid crystal display device 100 has a light shielding state in which the irradiation light is blocked. In the case of controlling the displayed image to be invisible, the tilt angle is reduced by moving to a polarization axis having a large tilt angle (second polarization axis 53 in the case of FIG. 5) to block light. Compared with the case of moving to a small polarization axis, the orientation of the liquid crystal becomes worse.

  That is, as the drive voltage applied to the liquid crystal molecules LC, the same polarity (for example, ± 5 V) is applied, so that the drive voltage can be moved to the polarization axis with a small tilt angle and the polarization axis with a large tilt angle. Comparing the case with the absolute value of the driving voltage, the orientation is good when the tilt angle is movable to a small polarization axis, while the orientation is worse when the tilt angle is movable to a polarization axis having a large tilt angle.

  Therefore, due to the influence of the orientation of the liquid crystal, the irradiation light is blocked by moving to a polarization axis having a large tilt angle, that is, the light is blocked, that is, “black” (the luminance in the black state ( Hereinafter, it is also referred to as “black luminance”).

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, by including the liquid crystal shutter 20 that moves the ferroelectric liquid crystal molecules having spontaneous polarization on the polarization axis with a small tilt angle to enter the light shielding state, the transmission state and the light shielding state are achieved. It is possible to sufficiently reduce the transmittance of the liquid crystal shutter 20 when moving the liquid crystal molecules LC toward the first polarization axis 52 in order to achieve a light shielding state while realizing a high-speed shutter drive for switching the state. It has become.

  That is, in the present embodiment, when moving the liquid crystal molecules toward the first polarization axis in order to achieve the light shielding state, the liquid crystal molecules are moved toward the second polarization axis to be in the light shielding state. As a result, the orientation of the liquid crystal becomes good and the irradiation light can be further blocked, so that the transmittance of the liquid crystal shutter 20 can be lowered.

  By using the liquid crystal cell having such characteristics, the transmission state and the light shielding state can be switched at high speed, and the corresponding image corresponding to the left-eye image GL or the right-eye image GR displayed on the liquid crystal display device 100 can be used. Since the blocking performance of the liquid crystal shutter 20 to be improved can be improved, the visibility of stereoscopic viewing for the user can be improved.

  For example, in the experimental results shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, when it is moved to a position parallel to the polarization axis on the smaller tilt angle side (the first polarization axis 52 according to FIG. 5) (hereinafter, “when the tilt angle is small”). It is also movable to a position that is parallel to the transmittance spectrum of the irradiated light that is in a light-shielded state (that is, the “black” state) and the polarization axis on the larger tilt angle side (second polarization axis 53 according to FIG. 5). In this case (hereinafter, also referred to as “in the case of a large tilt angle”), it is found that the transmittance is increased by about “0.1” when compared with the transmittance spectrum of the irradiation light that is in the light-shielding state.

As the brightness at that time, one case of the tilt angle is small is 2.0 cd / ^{m 2,} when the tilt angle large is 5.0 cd / ^{m 2.} When the luminance of the transmittance “1.0” indicating the total transmission of the irradiation light (the luminance in the white state (hereinafter also referred to as “white luminance”)) is 1000 cd / m ² , the case where the tilt angle is small. The contrast is about 500, the contrast is about 200 when the tilt angle is large, and a contrast difference of 2 times or more is generated. When the tilt angle is small, sufficient contrast is secured. I understand.

  In the present embodiment, if the transmittance is 0.2 or less, the light shielding performance can be sufficiently ensured when the transmittance for white display is 100%.

[2.4] Operation of Stereoscopic Glasses Next, the operation of the stereoscopic glasses 200 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the timing of one frame (1/60 second) of each part of the stereoscopic glasses in this embodiment.

  In this operation, matrix data is generated based on image data input by the control circuit of the liquid crystal display device 100, and a scanning line control signal and pixel data are supplied to the display panel 110 at a predetermined timing by a synchronization signal. Assume that the driving circuit 210 applies a driving voltage to the left-eye shutter 20L and the right-eye shutter 20R in conjunction with the timing.

  First, in the left eye partial frame writing period (hereinafter referred to as “first writing period”), the left eye image GL is subjected to writing processing in which pixel data is loaded in order from the upper left pixel 10 of the display panel 110. After the writing period, the backlight of the lighting device is turned on for a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as “first lighting period”).

  Further, at the start of the first writing period, the driving circuit 210 applies the left-eye shutter 20L to the left-eye shutter 20L (specifically, to the liquid crystal molecules LC of the left-eye shutter 20L) from the light shielding state to the transmission state. Application of the drive voltage for transition to is started, and the state is maintained until the end of the first lighting period. In addition, the drive circuit 210 starts applying a drive voltage for transitioning the right-eye shutter 20R from the transmissive state to the light-shielded state at the start of the first writing period, and maintains that state until the end of the first lighting period. .

  At this time, transmitted light reaches the left eye of the user and any light is blocked by the right eye, so the user visually recognizes the left-eye image GL displayed on the liquid crystal display device 100 with the left eye. However, it is not visible with the right eye.

  Next, in the right eye partial frame writing period (hereinafter, referred to as a “second writing period”), the writing process is performed in which pixel data is loaded in order from the upper left pixel 10 of the display panel 110. After the writing period, the backlight of the lighting device is turned on for a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as “second lighting period”).

  Further, at the start of the second writing period, the drive circuit 210 applies the right-eye shutter 20R to the right-eye shutter 20R (specifically, to the liquid crystal molecules LC of the right-eye shutter 20R) from the light shielding state to the transmission state. Application of a driving voltage for transition to is started, and the state is maintained until the end of the second lighting period. In addition, the drive circuit 210 starts applying a drive voltage for shifting the left-eye shutter 20L from the transmissive state to the light-shielded state at the start of the second writing period, and maintains the state until the end of the second lighting period. .

  At this time, transmitted light reaches the right eye of the user and any light is blocked by the left eye, so the user visually recognizes the right eye image GR displayed on the liquid crystal display device 100 with the right eye. However, it becomes invisible with the left eye.

  As described above, the stereoscopic glasses 200 according to the present embodiment or the driving method thereof perform high-speed shutter driving for switching between the transmission state and the light-shielding state by using the ferroelectric liquid crystal molecules LC having spontaneous polarization with a very short response speed. When the liquid crystal molecules LC are moved toward the first polarization axis 52 in order to achieve a light shielding state, the liquid crystal molecules LC are moved toward the second polarization axis 53 to be in a light shielding state. As a result, the orientation of the liquid crystal becomes good and the irradiation light can be further blocked, so that the transmittance of the liquid crystal shutter 20 can be lowered.

  Therefore, the stereoscopic glasses 200 of the present embodiment or the driving method thereof can switch between the transmissive state and the light-shielded state at high speed, and the left-eye image GL or the right-eye image GR displayed on the liquid crystal display device 100. Since the blocking performance of the corresponding liquid crystal shutter 20 can be improved, the visibility of stereoscopic vision for the user can be improved.

  Further, in the stereoscopic glasses 200 of the present embodiment or the driving method thereof, the transmittance is minimized when the position of the liquid crystal molecules LC is the first position, and is transmitted when the position of the liquid crystal molecules LC is the second position. Since the rate is maximized, the liquid crystal shutter 20 can be shifted to the cutoff state by moving the liquid crystal molecules LC to the first position, and the liquid crystal shutter 20 can be moved by moving the liquid crystal molecules LC to the second position. Can be transitioned to this state. Therefore, the stereoscopic glasses 200 according to this embodiment or the driving method thereof can realize the liquid crystal shutter 20 that can be driven at high speed using the ferroelectric liquid crystal molecules LC having spontaneous polarization.

  In the stereoscopic glasses 200 of this embodiment or the driving method thereof, the driving voltage for moving the liquid crystal molecules LC to the second position is the driving voltage for moving the liquid crystal molecules LC to the first position. Therefore, the liquid crystal shutter 20 that can be driven at high speed can be realized using the ferroelectric liquid crystal molecules LC having spontaneous polarization.

[3] Modification [3.1] Modification 1
In the above embodiment, the liquid crystal shutter 20 (liquid crystal cell) using the liquid crystal molecules LC of the ferroelectric liquid crystal is applied to the active shutter type stereoscopic glasses 200. The liquid crystal shutter 20 described above can be applied not only to stereoscopic glasses, but also to electronic devices that use the liquid crystal shutter 20 function for switching between a light shielding state and a light transmitting state, instruments used therefor, or parts thereof.

R ... rubbing direction LC ... liquid crystal molecule 10 ... pixel 20L ... left eye shutter 20R ... right eye shutter 31 ... first base material 32 ... first polarizing plate 33, 43 ... alignment film 35 ... liquid crystal layer 41 ... second group Material 42 ... Second polarizing plate 51 ... Reference axis 52 ... First polarization axis 53 ... Second polarization axis 54 ... Stabilization axis 100 ... Liquid crystal display device 110 ... Display panel 120 ... Data line drive circuit 130 ... Scan line drive circuit 140 ... Lighting device 150 ... Memory circuit 170 ... Control circuit 200 ... Stereoscopic glasses 210 ... Drive circuit

Claims (8)

The left eye shutter and the right eye shutter are controlled based on control signals transmitted from the left eye shutter, the right eye shutter, and the display device that displays the left eye image and the right eye image. A drive circuit for applying a drive voltage for
Each LCD shutter
A first polarizing plate having a first polarization axis;
A second polarizing plate having a second polarization axis non-parallel to the first polarization axis;
A pair sandwiched between the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate and rubbed in the direction of a reference axis formed non-parallel to each polarization axis between the first polarization axis and the second polarization axis. An alignment film of
A liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the alignment films, which is stabilized by tilting between the reference axis and the first polarization axis when no driving voltage is applied, and encapsulating liquid crystal molecules having spontaneous polarization;
A stereoscopic mounting device driving method for controlling visibility of a user's right eye and left eye with respect to a left eye image and a right eye image displayed on the display device,
When the left-eye image is displayed on the display device, the left-eye image displayed on the liquid crystal molecules of the right-eye shutter is movable toward the first polarization axis where the displayed image is not visible. And applying a driving voltage for moving the liquid crystal molecules of the left-eye shutter toward the second polarization axis where the left-eye image is in a transmissive state.
When the right-eye image is displayed on the display device, it is movable toward the second polarization axis where the displayed right-eye image is visible in the liquid crystal molecules of the right-eye shutter. And applying a driving voltage for moving the liquid crystal molecules of the left-eye shutter toward the first polarization axis where the right-eye image is in a transmissive state invisible.
A first angle formed by the stabilization axis and the first polarization axis when the liquid crystal molecules are stabilized is smaller than a second angle formed by the stabilization axis and the second polarization axis. And a driving method of the wearing tool for stereoscopic vision. When the left-eye image is displayed on the display device, a driving voltage for moving the liquid crystal molecule of the right-eye shutter to a first position parallel to the first polarization axis is applied, and A driving voltage for moving the liquid crystal molecules of the left-eye shutter to a second position parallel to the second polarization axis is applied,
When the image for the right eye is displayed on a display device, a driving voltage for moving the liquid crystal molecules of the left eye shutter to the first position is applied, and the liquid crystal molecules of the right eye shutter are The method for driving a stereoscopic mounting device according to claim 1, wherein a driving voltage for moving to the second position is applied.   The stereoscopic view according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmittance is minimized when the position of the liquid crystal molecule is the first position, and the transmittance is maximized when the position of the liquid crystal molecule is the second position. Method for driving the wearing device.   4. The drive voltage for moving the liquid crystal molecules to the second position is a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the drive voltage for moving the liquid crystal molecules to the first position. The driving method of the mounting tool for stereoscopic vision described in 1. When the left-eye image and the right-eye image displayed on the display device are alternately displayed in a time division manner,
The light-shielding state and the transmission state of each of the left-eye shutter and the right-eye shutter are alternately switched while being different from each other in the left-eye shutter and the right-eye shutter in conjunction with the display device. The driving method of the mounting tool for stereoscopic vision according to any one of 1 to 4.   The method for driving a stereoscopic mounting tool according to any one of 1 to 5, wherein the liquid crystal molecules have ferroelectric properties. A stereoscopic wearing device that controls visibility of a user's right eye and left eye with respect to an image displayed on the display device in conjunction with a display device on which an image for the left eye and an image for the right eye are displayed,
A left-eye shutter that switches between a transparent state in which the left-eye image is visible and a light-shielding state in which the left-eye image is invisible, by the user;
A right-eye shutter that switches between a transparent state in which the right-eye image is visible and a light-shielding state in which the right-eye image is invisible, by the user;
A drive circuit for applying a drive voltage for controlling the state of the transmission state and the light-shielding state in each liquid crystal shutter of the left-eye shutter and the right-eye shutter based on a control signal transmitted from the display device When,
With
Each LCD shutter
A first polarizing plate having a first polarization axis;
A second polarizing plate having a second polarization axis non-parallel to the first polarization axis;
A pair sandwiched between the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate and rubbed in the direction of a reference axis formed non-parallel to each polarization axis between the first polarization axis and the second polarization axis. An alignment film of
A liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the alignment films, which is stabilized by tilting between the reference axis and the first polarization axis when no driving voltage is applied, and encapsulating liquid crystal molecules having spontaneous polarization;
Have
The left-eye shutter moves based on the driving voltage, the liquid crystal molecules toward the second polarization axis that becomes the transmission state when the left-eye image is displayed on a display device, When the image for the right eye is displayed on the display device, it moves toward the first polarization axis that is in a light shielding state,
The right-eye shutter moves based on the driving voltage, the liquid crystal molecules toward the first polarization axis that is in the light-shielding state when the left-eye image is displayed on a display device, When the right-eye image is displayed on a display device, it moves toward the second polarization axis that is in the transmission state,
A first angle formed by the stabilization axis and the first polarization axis when the liquid crystal molecules are stabilized is smaller than a second angle formed by the stabilization axis and the second polarization axis. A stereoscopic viewing tool. A liquid crystal cell that switches between a transmission state that transmits the irradiation light and a light-blocking state that blocks the irradiation light,
A first polarizing plate having a first polarization axis;
A second polarizing plate having a second polarization axis non-parallel to the first polarization axis;
A pair sandwiched between the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate and rubbed in the direction of a reference axis formed non-parallel to each polarization axis between the first polarization axis and the second polarization axis. An alignment film of
A liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the alignment films, which is stabilized by tilting between the reference axis and the first polarization axis when no driving voltage is applied, and encapsulating liquid crystal molecules having spontaneous polarization;
Have
When the liquid crystal molecules move toward the first polarization axis based on a driving voltage applied from the outside, the liquid crystal molecules are in the light-shielding state, and when moved toward the second polarization axis, As it becomes transparent,
A first angle formed by the stabilization axis and the first polarization axis when the liquid crystal molecules are stabilized is smaller than a second angle formed by the stabilization axis and the second polarization axis. A liquid crystal cell.

Images