JP4011132B2 - Display device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The invention disclosed in this specification relates to a display device that can display a three-dimensional image or two different types of images on the same screen.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a method of obtaining a three-dimensional image by separating and recognizing a right-eye image and a left-eye image using different polarization states is known. Further, a technique is known in which a right-eye image and a left-eye image are formed using two projection devices, and a three-dimensional image is obtained by independently viewing them with the right eye and the left eye. (Refer to 3D display by Chihiro Masuda, industrial book)
[0003]
In realizing such a configuration, there is a problem that the configuration becomes complicated, the production cost increases, and the reliability decreases.
[0004]
Also, since the overall configuration becomes complicated and large, it has been difficult to easily apply as various display means. For example, it has not been easy to apply the display means to a game machine, to a display device in a public facility, or to be used for medical purposes. That is, since the apparatus itself is complicated and large, its versatility is low.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the invention disclosed in this specification is to provide a display device that can display a three-dimensional image that is inexpensive, highly reliable, and versatile. It is another object of the present invention to provide a configuration capable of simultaneously displaying two different images on one screen based on the same principle as displaying a three-dimensional image.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
One of the inventions disclosed in this specification is:
A first liquid crystal panel and a second liquid crystal panel;
Means for projecting images from the two liquid crystal panels on the same projection plane;
Have
The two liquid crystal panels have a first polarizing plate and a second polarizing plate from the light source side,
The polarization direction of the first polarizing plate of the first liquid crystal panel and the polarization direction of the second polarizing plate of the second liquid crystal panel are the same or substantially the same.
[0007]
In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, the polarizing plates of the two liquid crystal panels (in the case of FIG. 2, the two liquid crystal panels are integrated using the same substrate) are indicated by the directions of the arrows in the figure. It is characterized by the relationship.
[0008]
In FIG. 2, arrows 204 and 205 correspond to the polarization direction of the first polarizing plate, and arrows 206 and 207 correspond to the polarization direction of the second polarizing plate. The above invention is characterized in that the polarization directions of the first polarizing plate 204 of one liquid crystal panel and the second polarizing plate 207 of the other liquid crystal panel are the same or substantially the same.
[0009]
The specific configuration of the simplest among configurations, two exactly identical liquid crystal panel Tayasushi, arranged to rotate 90 ° one, using an optical system images from the two LCD panels The composition is performed on an appropriate projection plane.
[0010]
In this case, for example, one image is for the right eye and the other image is for the left eye. Then, a stereoscopic image can be seen by viewing with special glasses that can see an image that is 90 ° different between the right eye and the left eye.
[0011]
Further, as a specific example of the above configuration, the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 described later can be given. The configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 has a more remarkable feature in that it has a configuration in which active matrix regions each capable of forming an image are integrated on the same substrate, that is, a plurality of liquid crystal panels are combined.
[0012]
Other aspects of the invention are:
A first liquid crystal panel and a second liquid crystal panel;
Means for projecting images from the two liquid crystal panels on the same projection plane;
Have
The two liquid crystal panels have a first polarizing plate and a second polarizing plate from the light source side,
The polarization direction of the second polarizing plate of the first liquid crystal panel and the polarization direction of the second polarizing plate of the second liquid crystal panel are different from each other by 90 ° or approximately 90 °.
[0013]
A specific example of the above configuration is shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, in the liquid crystal panel in which two active matrix regions are integrated, the polarization direction 206 of the second polarizing plate in the portion corresponding to the first liquid crystal panel and the first in the portion corresponding to the second liquid crystal panel. A configuration in which the directions of the polarization directions 207 of the two polarizing plates are different from each other by 90 ° is shown.
[0014]
Other aspects of the invention are:
A plurality of active matrix regions integrated using the same substrate;
A horizontal scanning control circuit for performing horizontal scanning control of a plurality of active matrix regions formed on the same substrate in common to the plurality of active matrix regions;
Have
The alignment films disposed on the plurality of active matrix regions are divided into two groups whose alignment directions are different by 90 °.
[0015]
A specific example of the above configuration is shown in FIG. In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, a configuration is shown in which a common horizontal scanning control circuit 701 performs horizontal scanning of the active matrix regions 703 to 705 integrated on the same substrate.
[0016]
FIG. 7 shows a configuration in which the alignment direction of the alignment film disposed on the active matrix regions 703 to 705 and the alignment direction of the alignment film disposed on the active matrix regions 706 to 708 are different by 90 °. Has been.
[0017]
Other aspects of the invention are:
A plurality of active matrix regions integrated using the same substrate;
A vertical scanning control circuit that performs vertical scanning control of a plurality of active matrix regions formed on the same substrate in common to the plurality of active matrix regions;
Have
The alignment films disposed on the plurality of active matrix regions are divided into two groups whose alignment directions are different by 90 °.
[0018]
A specific configuration of the above configuration is shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.
[0019]
Other aspects of the invention are:
A plurality of active matrix regions integrated using the same substrate;
A horizontal scanning control circuit and a vertical scanning control circuit for performing horizontal scanning control and vertical scanning control of a plurality of active matrix regions formed on the same substrate in common to the plurality of active matrix regions,
Have
The alignment films disposed on the plurality of active matrix regions are divided into two groups whose alignment directions are different by 90 °.
[0020]
A specific example of the above configuration is shown in FIG.
[0021]
【Example】
[Example 1]
The present embodiment relates to a configuration in which different images can be viewed by a plurality of observers. In this embodiment, in order to simplify the configuration, further increase the reliability, further reduce the production cost, and further increase the versatility, a plurality of active matrix regions and the regions are driven on the same substrate. A liquid crystal panel in which a peripheral circuit area for integration is integrated is used.
[0022]
This integrated liquid crystal panel is characterized in that peripheral circuits are arranged in common for a plurality of active matrix regions. By doing in this way, a structure can be simplified and the reliability of apparatus itself can be improved. Further, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0023]
FIG. 1 shows an outline of an integrated liquid crystal panel used in this embodiment. FIG. 1 shows active matrix regions 104 and 111 on the same glass substrate or quartz substrate, and a common vertical scanning control circuit 203 for driving these active matrix regions, for driving the active matrix region 104. The horizontal scanning control circuit 201 and the horizontal scanning control circuit 202 for driving the active matrix region 111 are integrated.
[0024]
This configuration can be said to be a combination (integration) of two liquid crystal panels using the same substrate.
[0025]
The active matrix regions 104 and 111, the horizontal scanning control circuits 201 and 202, and the vertical scanning control circuit 203 are directly formed as thin film integrated circuits on a glass substrate or a quartz substrate. Specifically, the thin film transistor is formed using a thin film silicon semiconductor having crystallinity.
[0026]
Further, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, although not clear from the drawing, the rubbing directions of the alignment films for aligning the liquid crystals are just 90 ° different between the active matrix regions 104 and 111. In this embodiment, the above configuration is realized by using a TN liquid crystal. This is because the polarization directions of the images formed in each active matrix region are different from each other by 90 °.
[0027]
As the direction of rubbing in this specification, considering the alignment direction of the entire and to. That is, in a minute region, when the alignment method is such that the alignment direction is slightly changed, the alignment direction is defined by the direction in which the liquid crystal is generally aligned.
[0028]
FIG. 2 shows an outline of the optical configuration of this embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 201 denotes a glass substrate or quartz substrate formed on the surface thereof as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 202 denotes a glass substrate or a quartz substrate constituting the counter substrate. The TN liquid crystal 203 is held in the gap (shown in the figure in a large part).
[0029]
As shown in the figure, in the active matrix region 104, a rubbing film subjected to an alignment process is arranged in the direction of an arrow 204. In the active matrix region 111, a rubbing film subjected to an alignment process is arranged in the direction of an arrow 205.
[0030]
On the counter substrate 202 side, a rubbing film that has been subjected to alignment treatment in the direction of arrow 206 and a rubbing film that has been subjected to alignment treatment in the direction of arrow 207 are disposed. Each rubbing film is disposed so as to correspond to each of the active matrix regions 104 and 111.
[0031]
Although not shown in the figure, the polarizing plates are arranged outside the substrates 201 and 202 in accordance with each rubbing direction.
[0032]
An image formed by optical modulation in each active matrix region is projected onto the screen 210 from the projection lenses 208 and 209. The polarization direction of each image is indicated by 206 and 207.
[0033]
That is, the image formed in the active matrix region 104 is projected on the screen 210 as having a linear polarization direction indicated by 206. The image formed in the active matrix region 111 is projected on the screen 210 as having a linear polarization direction indicated by 207.
[0034]
If you look at this screen normally, the two images will overlap. This is because the human eye has no ability to identify the polarization state. However, when the screen 210 is viewed with the special glasses 211 and 212 on which polarizing filters having the polarization directions indicated by the arrows are arranged, the two images can be separated and selectively viewed.
[0035]
That is, the image formed in the active matrix region 104 has a polarization direction indicated by 206, and can be selectively viewed with glasses indicated by 211. At this time, since the image formed in the active matrix region 111 has the polarization direction indicated by 207, it cannot be viewed with the glasses 211.
[0036]
On the other hand, since the image formed in the active matrix region 111 has the polarization direction indicated by 207, it can be selectively viewed with glasses indicated by 212. At this time, since the image formed in the active matrix region 104 has the polarization direction indicated by 206, it cannot be viewed with the glasses 212.
[0037]
As described above, two different images can be simultaneously displayed and selectively viewed using the polarizing plate originally disposed in the liquid crystal display device.
[0038]
In the configuration shown in this embodiment, if the images formed in the active matrix regions 104 and 111 are the same, the same screen with a different polarization direction is displayed on 210. When viewing this screen normally, there is no difference from viewing a normal projection display device.
[0039]
In other words, the configuration shown in this embodiment can perform normal image display by selecting an image to be displayed.
[0040]
For reference, the operation method of the integrated liquid crystal panel shown in FIG. 1 will be briefly described below. Here, in order to simplify the description, the operation in the active matrix region 104 will be described. Note that the same operation is performed at the same timing in other active matrix regions.
[0041]
In FIG. 1, reference numerals 211, 216, 212, and 213 denote flip-flop circuits. The flip-flop circuit is a circuit that can take two stable states. For example, it is assumed that the input (point of X ₁ ) of the flip-flop circuit 216 is H (logic level high) and the output (point of X ₂ ) is L (logic level low). Here, when the rising edge of CLKH (the operation clock of the horizontal scanning control circuit) is input, the output changes to the H level. That is, the point X ₂ is at the H level. This state is maintained as long as the next rising edge of CLKH is not input.
[0042]
For example, assume that the input of the flip-flop circuit 216 is in the L state and the output is in the H state. Here, when the rising edge of CLKH is input, the output changes to the L level.
[0043]
Further, it is assumed that the input of the flip-flop circuit 216 is in the L state and the output is in the L state. When the rising edge of CLKH is input here, the output is maintained at the L level.
[0044]
First, the rising edge of CLKV (operation clock of the vertical scanning control circuit) is input to the flip-flop circuit 212 of the vertical scanning control circuit 103. Here, HSTA (horizontal scanning timing enable signal) is punched out by CLKV.
[0045]
That is, when the HSTA signal at the H level is applied to the input of the flip-flop circuit 212, the rising edge of CLKV is input to the flip-flop circuit 212, so that the output of the flip-flop circuit 212 becomes the H level. As a result, the signal level of the Y ₁ row becomes the H state.
[0046]
Y ₁ line signal level that is in the H state, (1,1), and (2,1), · · · (i, 1) the thin film transistor are all ON of each pixel indicated by the address of.
[0047]
In this state, the rising edge of CLKH (operation clock of the horizontal scanning control circuit) is input to the flip-flop circuit 211, and CLKH (horizontal scanning timing enable signal) is punched out. As a result, the signal level at X ₁ becomes H.
[0048]
At the stage when the above CLKH is input, all the inputs of the flip-flop circuits after 216 are at the L level. In this state, the outputs of the flip-flop circuits after 216 are all at the L level.
[0049]
Then, the image sampling signal line 218 becomes H level. As a result, the image data of the _VA image is captured by the sampling hold circuit 214. A signal corresponding to predetermined image data flows through the image signal line 219. That is, a predetermined image signal is applied to the source of the thin film transistor of each pixel indicated by the addresses (1,1), (1,2),... (1, j).
[0050]
In this state, the thin film transistors of the respective pixels indicated by the addresses (1,1), (2,1),... (I, 1) are all turned on. Accordingly, image information is written only to the pixel at address (1,1).
[0051]
Next, the output of the flip-flop circuit 211 changes to the L level by the next rising edge of CLKH. Further, the output of the flip-flop circuit 216 changes to the H level. Thus, the point X ₂ becomes the H level. In this state, all points indicated by X _i other than X ₂ are at the L level.
[0052]
As a result, predetermined image data is taken in the sampling and holding circuit 215, and information is written to the address (2,1).
[0053]
In this way, the writing of information up to the address (i, 1) is sequentially performed according to the clock signal of CLKH.
[0054]
When writing of information is completed for Y ₁ line, the next rising edge of CLKV, the output of the flip-flop circuit 212 becomes the L level, the output of the flip-flop circuit 213 becomes the H level.
[0055]
Thus, writing of information to Y ₂ rows is performed. In this manner, information is sequentially written to each pixel, and one frame display is finished when the writing of information to the address (i, j) is finished. This frame is repeated, for example, 30 times per second. In this way, an image is displayed.
[0056]
[Example 2]
The present embodiment relates to a configuration for displaying a stereoscopic image. An outline of the optical configuration of the present embodiment of FIG. 3 is shown. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are the same as those shown in FIG.
[0057]
In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, two images having polarization directions indicated by 206 and 207 are superimposed on the screen 210 and displayed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown by 301, the screen 210 is viewed using glasses in which polarizing filters that transmit polarization directions different by 90 ° as shown by arrows in the right eye part and the left eye part are arranged.
[0058]
In addition, an image formed in the active matrix region 104 is an image for the left eye that forms a stereoscopic image, and an image formed in the active matrix region 111 is an image for the right eye that forms a stereoscopic image.
[0059]
In this way, the person wearing the glasses 301 selectively enters the image formed in the active matrix region 104 into the left eye and the image formed in the active matrix region 111 into the right eye. A stereoscopic image is selectively seen by a person wearing the glasses 301.
[0060]
Even in the configuration shown in this embodiment, normal two-dimensional display can be performed by making the images displayed in the active matrix regions 104 and 111 the same and viewing the screen 210 normally.
[0061]
Example 3
The present embodiment relates to a display device having the configuration of the optical system shown in the first and second embodiments. FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the present embodiment.
[0062]
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 405 denotes a liquid crystal panel in which two active matrix regions whose outline is shown in FIG. 1 are integrated. In FIG. 4, light from a light source 401 is reflected by a mirror 402, and further reflected by a half mirror 403 and a mirror 404 to become two light beams. These lights enter the integrated liquid crystal panel 405 and are subjected to predetermined optical modulation.
[0063]
Each of the two active matrix regions of the liquid crystal panel 405 can form a color image using a color filter. Two images obtained by optical modulation by the liquid crystal panel 405 are respectively projected via the optical system 406.
[0064]
The projection light from the optical system 406 is reflected by the mirror 407 and projected onto the screen 408. Two images optically modulated by the liquid crystal panel 405 are projected on the screen 408 in an overlapping manner.
[0065]
Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the polarization states of the two images are different from each other by 90 °. Therefore, it can be used in the configuration shown in FIG. 2 or FIG.
[0066]
Example 4
The present embodiment relates to a configuration in which crosstalk between different images is further improved in the configuration in which two different images shown in the first embodiment are individually viewed.
[0067]
In the configuration shown in the first embodiment, since linearly polarized light that differs by 90 ° is used, another image can be seen when the head is tilted. That is, crosstalk is deteriorated. This is true both in the case of FIG. 2 and in the case of FIG.
[0068]
Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, quarter-wave plates 501 and 502 are arranged in the optical path through which each image passes. Then, each image becomes a clockwise polarized image and a counterclockwise polarized image .
[0069]
In the case shown in FIG. 5, a person wearing spectacles 503 equipped with an optical filter that transmits a clockwise circularly polarized image and a person wearing glasses 504 equipped with an optical filter that transmits a counterclockwise circularly polarized image You can see different images.
[0070]
When the configuration shown in the present embodiment is adopted, crosstalk between two images can be reduced.
[0071]
Example 5
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the quarter-wave plates 501 and 502 are arranged on the optical path through which each image passes, as in FIG. 5, and a stereoscopic image is displayed.
[0072]
If the configuration shown in FIG. 6, by multiplying the glasses with an optical filter that transmits a circularly polarized light in a particular turning direction as indicated by 601, passes through the optical filter which transmits the image of the right-handed circularly polarized light The right eye image and the left eye image transmitted through the optical filter that transmits the counterclockwise circularly polarized image can be selectively viewed with the right eye and the left eye, respectively. A stereoscopic image can be seen.
[0073]
When the configuration shown in the present embodiment is employed, crosstalk between the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye can be reduced.
[0074]
Example 6
In this embodiment, the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is further expanded and a large number of active matrix regions are integrated.
[0075]
FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration of the integrated liquid crystal panel shown in this embodiment. FIG. 7 shows that two color images of RGB can be formed independently.
[0076]
In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the horizontal scanning control circuit 701 controls the horizontal scanning of the active matrix regions 703, 704, and 705. The horizontal scanning control circuit 702 controls horizontal scanning of the active matrix regions 706, 707, and 708.
[0077]
A vertical scanning control circuit 709 controls vertical scanning of the active matrix regions 703 and 706. The vertical scanning control circuit 710 controls vertical scanning of the active matrix regions 704 and 707. The vertical scanning control circuit 711 controls vertical scanning of the active matrix regions 705 and 708.
[0078]
In the structure shown in FIG. 7, the rubbing direction (alignment direction) of the alignment film disposed on the active matrix region indicated by 703 to 705 and the rubbing of the alignment film disposed on the active matrix region indicated by 706 to 708 are performed. It is assumed that the direction (orientation direction) is different by 90 °.
[0079]
Such a structure is integrated on the same substrate, so that the entire structure can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In particular, it is very useful to be able to arrange the horizontal scanning control circuit and / or the vertical scanning control circuit in common for a plurality of active matrix regions.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
By employing the configuration of the present specification, it is possible to display different images and stereoscopic images with a simple configuration. In particular, since the configuration can be simplified, the versatility of the apparatus can be improved. Further, it is possible to provide a display device that can display a three-dimensional image that is inexpensive, highly reliable, and excellent in versatility. In addition, it is possible to provide a configuration capable of simultaneously displaying two different images on one screen based on the same principle as displaying a three-dimensional image.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an integrated liquid crystal panel.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of an optical configuration for projecting different images.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of an optical configuration for projecting a stereoscopic image.
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a display device.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outline of an optical configuration for projecting different images.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of an optical configuration for projecting a stereoscopic image.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an integrated liquid crystal panel.
[Explanation of symbols]
104, 111 Active matrix regions 201, 201 Horizontal scanning control circuit 203 Vertical scanning control circuits 211, 216, 212, 213 Flip-flop circuits 218, 220 Image sampling signal lines 214, 215 Sampling hold circuits 219, 222 Image signal lines 221, 217 Gate signal line 201, 202 Glass substrate or quartz substrate 203 Liquid crystal 204, 205, 206, 207 Rubbing direction 208, 209 Projection lens 210 Screen 211, 212, 301 Glasses 400 equipped with polarizing filter Display device housing 401 Light source 402, 404 Mirror 403 Half mirror 405 Integrated liquid crystal panel 406 Optical system 407 Mirror 408 Screen 501, 502 1/4 wavelength plate 502, 601 Glasses with a ter

Claims (3)

A first liquid crystal panel and a second liquid crystal panel in which a TN liquid crystal is held between a counter substrate and a substrate on which the first active matrix region and the second active matrix region are formed ;
Means for projecting two images formed on the first and second liquid crystal panels on the same projection plane;
The first liquid crystal panel has a first alignment film on the first active matrix region side and a second alignment film on the counter substrate side,
The second liquid crystal panel has a third alignment film on the second active matrix region side and a fourth alignment film on the counter substrate side,
The rubbing directions of the first alignment film and the third alignment film are different from each other by 90 °.
The rubbing directions of the second alignment film and the fourth alignment film are different from each other by 90 °.
The rubbing direction of the first and second alignment films is a diagonal direction of the first active matrix region, and the rubbing direction of the third and fourth alignment films is the direction of the second active matrix region. The direction of the diagonal,
A polarizing plate is disposed so as to sandwich the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel in accordance with each rubbing direction of the first to fourth alignment films,
The image formed by the first liquid crystal panel and the image formed by the second liquid crystal panel have polarization directions different from each other by 90 °.
In the first liquid crystal panel, peripheral circuits for driving the first active matrix region are integrated,
In the second liquid crystal panel, peripheral circuits for driving the second active matrix region are integrated ,
The peripheral circuits of the first and second liquid crystal panels have a vertical scanning control circuit common to the first and second active matrix regions, and the vertical scanning control circuit is the first active matrix. A display device disposed between a region and the second active matrix region . 2. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the projected image can be viewed using glasses in which polarizing filters having polarization directions different in right eye part and left eye part are arranged. In Claim 1 , at least one of a plurality of observers can see an image formed on the first liquid crystal panel using first glasses, and another observer uses the second glasses. A display device capable of viewing an image formed on a second liquid crystal panel.

Images