JP4380964B2 - Apparatus for backlighting and transmissive display - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for back-lighting and display having both of a function as a back-lighting device such as X-ray film viewer and a function as an image display device, which can be made thinner, power consumption of which is reduced and with satisfactory operationality. <P>SOLUTION: The device is provided with a back-light part 2 in the shape of an edge light constituted by arranging a linear light source 2c2 adjacent to an end surface 2c11 of a light guide plate 2c1 and forming a light emitting surface 2c12 on one main surface of the light transmission plate 2c1 and a liquid crystal panel part 4 mounted on the back-light part 2. The liquid crystal panel part 4 has a transmissive liquid crystal display element 4c, can be moved between a first position where the liquid crystal display element 4c is arranged so as to cover the light emitting surface 2c12 and a second position where the liquid crystal display element 4c is arranged separately from the light emitting surface 2c12, the separation of which from the back-light part 2 is blocked and mounted on the back-light part 2 by a hinge 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to the technical field of illumination and display, and particularly relates to an apparatus capable of both backlighting and transmissive display using the backlighting. This apparatus is, for example, as a schacus ten which is a lighting fixture used to interpret a photographic image recorded on an X-ray photographic film in medical treatment with transmissive illumination, and as a transmissive liquid crystal display device for displaying a desired image. Can be used.
[0002]
[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally, the Schaukasten has a light source such as a fluorescent lamp arranged behind a light diffusing plate, and is used exclusively as a means for backlighting, and has been photographed and developed on the light diffusing plate. X-ray photographic film is placed and used to interpret it under backlighting. The photographic image recorded on the X-ray photographic film is an analog image.
[0003]
Incidentally, in recent years, X-ray photography has been performed using a solid-state imaging device and stored as digital image data, and desired image processing is performed by a computer using the obtained digital image data. An enlarged image signal of a part is created and displayed. Such a digital image or an image obtained by processing the digital image is displayed by a digital image display device such as a liquid crystal display device connected to a computer. This display device is used as a device completely different from the Schaukasten.
[0004]
In order to support both the interpretation of analog images and the display and interpretation of digital images as described above, an image display device having a film viewer function (a function similar to Shercus Ten) has been proposed ( Japanese Patent No. 2584777). In this device, a liquid crystal panel is arranged on the light emitting surface side of the first light guide plate constituting the edge light type back illumination unit to constitute a liquid crystal display device, and the second light guide plate is provided in the back illumination unit. The light emitting surface is arranged so as to be opposite to the first light guide plate, and the light is emitted to the side opposite to the observation side of the liquid crystal display device, which is used as a schacus ten used as illumination light. .
[0005]
In this device, although the liquid crystal display device and the film viewer device are integrated, the light guide plate constituting the backlight unit of the liquid crystal display device and the light guide plate of the film viewer device are separate and primary. The amount of the light source is required separately for both the liquid crystal display device and the film viewer device, and eventually corresponds to a combination of the two devices arranged back to back. Therefore, the outer diameter of the primary light source is increased, and there is still room for improvement in terms of reducing the thickness of the apparatus and further saving power.
[0006]
On the other hand, it has been proposed that a liquid crystal panel mounting means be provided on the shears ten so that the liquid crystal panel can be attached and detached (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-206528). However, this apparatus is attached to an existing Sherkasten by mounting means using a thumbscrew or the like, and the liquid crystal panel is detached from the Sherkasten when the Shercusten is originally used. Therefore, it is necessary to separately store the detached liquid crystal panel, which is troublesome to handle. Further, this Schaukasten uses direct illumination in which light sources such as fluorescent lamps are arranged directly under the light diffusion plate, and it is difficult to reduce the thickness of the device.
[0007]
Therefore, the present invention has both a function as a back lighting device such as a Schaukasten and a function as an image display device, can be reduced in thickness and power consumption, and has good handling properties for back lighting and display. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, the object as described above is achieved.
A device for backlighting and transmissive display that can be used both as a schaukasten and as a transmissive liquid crystal display device,
The apparatus for back lighting and transmissive display includes an edge light type backlight unit in which a primary light source is disposed adjacent to an end surface of a light guide plate and a light emitting surface is formed on one main surface of the light guide plate. And a liquid crystal panel part attached to the backlight part,
The liquid crystal panel unit includes a transmissive liquid crystal display element, and the first position where the transmissive liquid crystal display element is disposed so as to cover the light emitting surface and the transmissive liquid crystal display element are separated from the light emitting surface. And is attached to the backlight unit, and is prevented from being detached from the backlight unit.
The backlight portion includes a locking member for elastically locking a photographic film disposed on the light emitting surface,
The liquid crystal panel unit uses illumination light emitted from the backlight unit as back illumination light of the transmissive liquid crystal display element when the liquid crystal panel unit is in the first position, and thereby for the back illumination and the transmissive display. This device will be used as a transmissive liquid crystal display device,
The liquid crystal panel section allows the photographic film to be locked by the locking member on the light emitting surface of the backlight section when the liquid crystal panel section is in a position from the first position to the second position. The apparatus for backlighting and transmissive display is characterized in that the apparatus for backlighting and transmissive display is used as a Schaukasten .
Is provided.
[0009]
In one aspect of the present invention, the liquid crystal panel unit is attached to the backlight unit by a hinge. In one aspect of the present invention, the backlight unit includes a locking member for locking the light-transmissive image carrier disposed on the light emitting surface.
[0010]
In one aspect of the present invention, the liquid crystal panel section includes a transmitted light amount adjusting plate positioned between the transmissive liquid crystal display element and the light emitting surface at the first position. In one aspect of the present invention, the transmitted light amount adjusting plate is a light diffusing plate.
[0011]
In one aspect of the present invention, an image signal supply unit that supplies a display image signal to the transmissive liquid crystal element is provided. In one aspect of the present invention, an imaging unit is provided, and the image signal supply unit creates the display image signal based on an imaging signal output from the imaging unit. In one aspect of the present invention, the imaging unit is a CCD camera. In one aspect of the present invention, the imaging unit is attached to a frame member that supports the backlight unit so that the position thereof can be adjusted.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side view showing an embodiment of an apparatus for backlighting and transmissive display according to the present invention, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are partially enlarged sectional views, and FIG. 4 is a front view. 1 to 3 show a central longitudinal section in FIG. The apparatus of this embodiment has a structure in which a liquid crystal panel unit 4 is attached to an edge light type backlight unit 2 by a hinge 6. As shown in FIG. 4, both the backlight unit 2 and the liquid crystal panel unit 4 have a substantially rectangular outer shape.
[0014]
The backlight unit 2 includes a synthetic resin case main body member 2a, a synthetic resin case back plate member 2b attached to the main body member 2a by screws or the like, and the main body member 2a and the back plate member 2b. And a backlight unit 2c housed in a space formed by the above.
[0015]
The backlight unit 2c includes a primary light source such as a cold cathode so as to be adjacent to and opposed to one end surface (light incident end surface) 2c11 [FIG. 2] of the light guide plate corresponding to the side of the rectangular light guide plate 2c1. A linear light source 2c2 composed of a tube or a hot cathode tube is disposed, and a part of the light emitted from the linear light source 2c2 is directly reflected and the other part is reflected by the reflector 2c3, and the light incident end face 2c11 is reflected. The light is incident on the light guide plate 2c1. Then, the light in the light guide plate 2c1 is converted into a rough surface or a surface of a fine linear lens array (fine line) formed on one main surface (light emitting surface) 2c12 [FIG. 2] of the light guide plate or the main surface on the opposite side. The light is emitted from the light emission surface 2c12 by a light emission mechanism including a prismatic surface, a fine lenticular lens surface, and the like. FIG. 5 shows the positional relationship between the light guide plate 2c1 and the linear light source 2c2 as viewed from the front.
[0016]
In this embodiment, only one end surface of the light guide plate is used as the light incident surface, but it is also possible to use the plurality of end surfaces as the light incident surfaces by arranging the linear light sources so as to face each other adjacent to the plurality of end surfaces. is there. In the present embodiment, one long linear light source is disposed adjacent to the end face of the light guide plate, but a plurality of short linear light sources or point light sources arranged in a line are similarly used. You may oppose and arrange so that it may adjoin a light-guide plate end surface.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the case body member 2a is formed with a rectangular opening 2a1 for allowing the emitted light (illumination light) from the light emitting surface 2c12 to pass therethrough. Yes. The rectangular dimension (vertical dimension and horizontal dimension) of the opening is somewhat smaller than the rectangular dimension of the light guide plate 2c1, so that the outermost peripheral edge of the light guide plate 2c1 is covered with the case body member 2a without being exposed from the opening 2a1. It has been broken.
[0018]
The backlight unit 2 further includes a power supply circuit unit 2d including an inverter for driving a linear light source and the like disposed in a space formed by the case main body member 2a and the case back plate member 2b, a wiring 2e, and the like.
[0019]
On the other hand, the liquid crystal panel part 4 has a rectangular plate shape with the same dimensions as the backlight part 2 except for the thickness. The case body member 4a made of synthetic resin and the body member 4a are fixed by screws or the like. A synthetic resin case back plate member 4b and a transmissive liquid crystal display element 4c accommodated in a space formed by the main body member 4a and the back plate member 4b are provided. The liquid crystal display element 4c has a rectangular shape that is slightly smaller than the light guide plate 2c1.
[0020]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the case body member 4 a and the case back plate member 4 b have light guide plates at positions corresponding to the openings 2 a 1 of the case body member 2 a of the backlight unit 2. Rectangular openings 4a1 and 4b1 are formed for allowing the outgoing light (illumination light) from the light exit surface 2c12 of 2c1 to pass therethrough. The liquid crystal display element 4c is disposed so as to close the openings 4a1 and 4b1. The rectangular dimension (vertical dimension and horizontal dimension) of the opening is somewhat smaller than the rectangular dimension of the liquid crystal display element 4c, and therefore the outermost peripheral edge of the liquid crystal display element 4c is not exposed from the openings 4a1 and 4b1. The main body member 4a and the case back plate member 4b are covered.
[0021]
Instead of forming the opening 4b1 in the case back plate member 4b, the case back plate member 4b may be formed of a light-transmitting plate having no opening. Thereby, the holding | maintenance of the liquid crystal display element 4c can be made still stronger. As this plate, a transmitted light amount adjustment plate that reduces the amount of light incident on the liquid crystal display element 4c by absorbing or scattering a part of the amount of illumination light emitted from the light exit surface 2c12 can be used. A light diffusing plate can be used as such a transmitted light amount adjusting plate.
[0022]
The liquid crystal panel unit 4 further includes liquid crystal display element drive circuit units 4d and 4d ′, wirings 4e, and the like disposed in a space formed by the case main body member 4a and the case back plate member 4b. FIG. 6 shows the positional relationship between the liquid crystal display element 4c, the drive circuit portions 4d and 4d ′, and the wiring 4e as viewed from the front.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1, the hinge 6 is a case of the liquid crystal panel unit 4 with respect to the case body member 2 a around the shaft 2 a 2 supported on the upper end edge of the case body member 2 a of the backlight unit 2. In this structure, the upper end edge of the main body member 4a is rotatably supported. Via this hinge 6, power supply to the liquid crystal display element drive circuit units 4 d and 4 d ′ and transmission of display image signals are performed by a wiring (not shown) on the backlight unit side and a wiring 4 e on the liquid crystal panel unit side. The This hinge structure is similar to that of a notebook personal computer.
[0024]
FIG. 7 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view for explaining the rotation operation of the liquid crystal panel unit 4 around the axis 2a2. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal panel unit 4 has a first position in which the liquid crystal display element 4 c is arranged in a state of being substantially superimposed and close to the backlight unit 2 so as to cover the light guide plate light exit surface 2 c 12. As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid crystal display element 4c is movable between the second position where the liquid crystal display element 4c is spaced apart from the light guide plate light exit surface 2c12. This movement is performed in a state in which the liquid crystal panel unit 4 is prevented from being detached from the backlight unit 2 by the hinge 6, that is, the liquid crystal panel unit 4 is backlit during the above movement (rotation). The backlight unit 2 is attached so as not to be detached from the unit 2. The angle θ formed between the backlight unit 2 and the liquid crystal panel unit 4 is approximately 0 degrees at the first position and approximately 180 degrees at the second position.
[0025]
When the apparatus according to the present embodiment is used as a shear sten, the liquid crystal panel unit 4 is rotated around the axis 2a2 with respect to the backlight unit 2 so that the angle θ is 90 degrees or more (for example, in FIG. 7). Stop at the position indicated by the phantom line. And the illumination light is radiate | emitted from the light-projection surface 2c12 of a light-guide plate by lighting the linear light source 2c2 of a backlight unit in the backlight part 2 by the power supply circuit part 2d. On the light emitting surface 2c12, for example, a developed X-ray photographic film which is a light transmissive image bearing member is disposed, and this is read with the naked eye.
[0026]
FIG. 8 shows a locking means for locking and arranging the light-transmissive image carrier at a predetermined position on the light emitting surface 2c12. A locking member 10 that can extend to the inside of the opening 2a1 is attached to the front surface of the upper end of the case body member 2a of the backlight unit 2. The locking member 10 is bent toward the light guide plate 2c1 (that is, rearward) inside the opening 2a1 and further bent forward inside thereof, so that a pressing portion 10a is formed inside the opening 2a1. ing. The locking member 10 has elasticity, and as shown in FIG. 8, by inserting the upper end edge of the image carrier XF from the lower side between the pressing portion 10a and the light guide plate 2c1, The image carrier XF is locked and held by the pressing portion 10a.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, when the liquid crystal panel unit 4 is used at a position of about 90 degrees as indicated by the phantom line in FIG. (Interior illumination light) can be prevented from reaching the image carrier XF, and the image can be observed under favorable conditions.
[0028]
On the other hand, when the device of the present embodiment is used as a liquid crystal display device, the state shown in FIG. 1 is obtained in which the liquid crystal panel unit 4 is superimposed on the crick unit 2 so that the angle θ is 0 degree. Then, in the backlight unit 2, the linear light source 2c2 of the backlight unit is turned on by the power supply circuit unit 2d, and the illumination light is emitted from the light emitting surface 2c12 of the light guide plate, and this is used as the backlight for the liquid crystal display element 4c. Use as light.
[0029]
The amount of light required for the Schaukasten (or the luminance of the Schaukasten) is generally larger than the amount of light for proper back lighting for liquid crystal display, and the allowable range of back light for displaying liquid crystal with good display characteristics is relatively narrow. For this reason, it is conceivable that the amount of light of the linear light source 2c2 of the backlight unit is changed between when used as a schacus ten and when used as a backlight for liquid crystal display to obtain a suitable amount of light. In that case, a special circuit is required to change the amount of light of the linear light source 2c2, and frequent adjustment of the amount of light has a drawback of shortening the life of the linear light source 2c2. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, by using the transmitted light amount adjusting plate as the case back plate member 4b of the liquid crystal panel unit, the amount of light reaching the liquid crystal display element 4c is suitable for the display of the liquid crystal display element 4c. The amount of light can be adjusted so that it becomes a thing. In order to adjust the transmitted light amount, a sheet having a transmitted light amount adjusting function is attached to the case back plate member 4b instead of or in combination with the case back plate member 4b. It is also possible to use (including removable ones).
[0030]
The display image signal input to the liquid crystal display element 4c is supplied from the image signal supply unit. Examples of the image signal supply unit include a personal computer connected to the X-ray photography apparatus or independent from the X-ray photography apparatus [see the description regarding FIG. 10 described later].
[0031]
FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of an apparatus for backlighting and transmissive display according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the same configuration as that of the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 is provided, and the backlight unit 2 further includes a frame member 12 that supports the backlight unit on the case body member 2a. A CCD camera 14 as an imaging unit is supported on the frame member 12 by a flexible arm 16. A base portion of the flexible arm 16 is fixed to a mounting base portion 12 a that forms a part of the frame member 12. Therefore, the CCD camera 14 can be maintained at a desired position and posture when the image is taken by the CCD camera 14. In the image signal supply unit, a display image signal based on the imaging signal output from the CCD camera 14 can be created.
[0032]
The following can be considered as a method of using the CCD camera 14. That is, an image of a desired portion of the image carrier XF disposed on the front surface side of the light guide plate 2c1 of the backlight unit used as the schaukasten is picked up by the CCD camera 14, and the obtained image pickup signal is used as an image signal of a personal computer or the like. Store in supply section. The stored image data can be displayed on the liquid crystal display element 4c at any time after being appropriately processed (for example, enlarged) as desired. For example, when a doctor explains a medical condition to a patient while illuminating a panoramic X-ray photograph of the patient's teeth with the backlight unit 2 as a schacus ten in a dentistry site, a desired portion is imaged by the CCD camera 14, Immediately, the apparatus can be switched to use as a liquid crystal display device, and an enlarged view of the imaging portion can be displayed by the liquid crystal display element 4c, so that a more detailed description of the medical condition can be made. Furthermore, in the field of dentistry, the back side of the patient's teeth and the like can be imaged by the CCD camera 14, and an enlarged view of the imaged portion can be displayed by the liquid crystal display element 4c to explain the disease state.
[0033]
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the apparatus of this embodiment. The backlight unit 2 including the power supply circuit unit 2d, the liquid crystal panel unit 4 including the liquid crystal display element 4c, and the personal computer 20 are the same as those in the embodiment shown in FIGS. That is, the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8 has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 10 except that the CCD camera 14 is not present.
[0034]
The personal computer 20 is supplied with a digital image signal captured by the X-ray imaging apparatus in the form of an online or appropriate recording medium, and further supplied with a digital imaging signal output from the CCD camera 14 online. The personal computer 20 stores these signals in a memory, performs predetermined processing according to a command signal input from the outside, and then uses the liquid crystal display element 4c of the liquid crystal panel unit 4 via the backlight unit 2. A display image signal of a predetermined format is output to the drive circuit units 4d and 4d ′.
[0035]
In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the hinge 6 is arranged at the upper end of the backlight unit 2 and the liquid crystal panel unit 4 is flipped up above the backlight unit 2. You may arrange | position at the left end part of a backlight part, a right end part, or a lower end part, and may make it open a liquid crystal panel part to the left of the backlight part, the right side, or the downward direction.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it has both a function as a back lighting device such as a Schaukasten and a function as an image display device, has good handleability, and adopts an edge light type backlight unit. An apparatus for backlighting and transmissive display capable of thinning and low power consumption is provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side view showing an embodiment of an apparatus for backlighting and transmissive display according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a front view showing the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a positional relationship between a light guide plate and a linear light source.
FIG. 6 is a front view showing a positional relationship between a liquid crystal display element, a drive circuit unit, and wiring.
FIG. 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional view for explaining a rotating operation of a liquid crystal panel unit.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a locking means for locking the light transmissive image carrier at a predetermined position on the light emitting surface.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of an apparatus for backlighting and transmissive display according to the present invention.
10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 9;
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Backlight part 2a Case body member 2a1 Opening part 2a2 Shaft 2b Case back plate member 2c Backlight unit 2c1 Light guide plate 2c11 Light incident end face 2c12 Light emitting face 2c2 Linear light source 2c3 Reflector 2d Power supply circuit part 2e Wiring 4 Liquid crystal panel part 4a Case body member 4a1 Opening portion 4b Case back plate member 4b1 Opening portion 4c Transmission type liquid crystal display elements 4d, 4d 'Driving circuit portion 4e for liquid crystal display element Wiring 6 Hinge 10 Locking member 10a Pressing portion 12 Frame member 12a Mounting base portion 14 CCD camera 16 Flexible arm XF Light transmissive image carrier

Claims (5)

A device for backlighting and transmissive display that can be used both as a schaukasten and as a transmissive liquid crystal display device,
The apparatus for back lighting and transmissive display includes an edge light type backlight unit in which a primary light source is disposed adjacent to an end surface of a light guide plate and a light emitting surface is formed on one main surface of the light guide plate. And a liquid crystal panel part attached to the backlight part,
The liquid crystal panel unit includes a transmissive liquid crystal display element, and the first position where the transmissive liquid crystal display element is disposed so as to cover the light emitting surface and the transmissive liquid crystal display element are separated from the light emitting surface. And is attached to the backlight unit, and is prevented from being detached from the backlight unit.
The backlight portion includes a locking member for elastically locking a photographic film disposed on the light emitting surface,
The liquid crystal panel unit uses illumination light emitted from the backlight unit as back illumination light of the transmissive liquid crystal display element when the liquid crystal panel unit is in the first position, and thereby for the back illumination and the transmissive display. This device will be used as a transmissive liquid crystal display device,
The liquid crystal panel section allows the photographic film to be locked by the locking member on the light emitting surface of the backlight section when the liquid crystal panel section is in a position from the first position to the second position. Thus, the apparatus for back lighting and transmissive display is characterized in that the apparatus for back lighting and transmissive display is used as a Schaukasten . The back surface according to claim 1, wherein the locking member has a pressing portion, and the pressing portion locks and holds the photographic film inserted between the light emitting surface and elasticity. Equipment for illumination and transmissive display.   The said liquid crystal panel part is provided with the transmitted light amount adjustment board located between the said transmissive | pervious liquid crystal display element and the said light-projection surface in the said 1st position, The Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Device for backlighting and transmissive display.   The apparatus for back lighting and transmissive display according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an image signal supply unit for supplying a display image signal to the transmissive liquid crystal display element.   5. The backlight and transmissive display according to claim 4, further comprising an imaging unit, wherein the image signal supply unit creates the display image signal based on an imaging signal output from the imaging unit. Equipment for.

Images