JPH0730926A - Stereoscopic television system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain stereoscopic vision while using existing components and devices as they are without modification by synthesizing each of picture parallel signals while switching alternately, converting the signal into one serial signal and applying the signal to a column of each picture element of a liquid crystal display device. CONSTITUTION:Picture signals A(L),A(R) from the left side and the right side are obtained from video cameras 3L, 3R synchronously with synchronizing signals SL, SR from a synchronizing signal generator 4. On the other hand, a trigger signal S0 is inputted to a switching signal generator 5 after a predetermined time when the signals SL, SR rise in the generator 4 and switching signals SW(L), SW(R) are inputted to switching circuits 6L, 6R at a predetermined period. The circuits 6L, 6R input the picture signals A(L), A(R) to an adder circuit 7. The circuit 7 adds two picture signals VIDEO(L), VIDEO(R) to convert them into a serial signal VIDEO(L+R) and a drive signal is fed to a picture element array of a liquid crystal display device 2. In this case, the switching period corresponds to the pitch of the picture elements of the display device 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides a liquid crystal display (LC) by arranging a plurality of image pickup means in a lateral direction so that they can be viewed stereoscopically and obtaining a plurality of image signals with parallax from each image pickup means.
D) alternately supplying each image signal to each pixel column,
The present invention relates to a stereoscopic television system in which a lenticular plate having a pitch of a plurality of pixels is arranged and stereoscopic vision is possible without glasses. In particular, a stereoscopic television system that enables stereoscopic vision without modifying existing parts or equipment. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it is well known that there is a display capable of stereoscopic viewing without using glasses by using a lenticular plate.

As a form of this display, a small one is a badge attached to the chest, a postcard, or the like. Also,
The A4 and A3 sizes are used for over-the-counter advertisements and the like. And, even larger, there are stereoscopic television systems.

Of these, the three-dimensional television system is
It is a system in which image signals with parallax from a plurality of image pickup means (for example, video cameras) are supplied to a liquid crystal display (LCD), and a lenticular plate is arranged to enable stereoscopic viewing without glasses.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement relationship (in the case of two images) of a liquid crystal display and a lenticular plate in a conventional stereoscopic television system of this type, and FIG. 6 is a signal processing in the stereoscopic television system. It is a block diagram showing the most general example of composition of a circuit.

First, referring to FIG. 5, the lenticular plate 1 is shown.
The liquid crystal display 2 is directly overlaid behind the display. Here, the alignment of the lenticular plate 1 and the liquid crystal display 2 is performed during the arrangement, and the lenticular plate 1 is arranged such that two pixels of the liquid crystal display 2 have one pitch. Then, at the time of observation, each pixel of the liquid crystal display 2 is driven to enable stereoscopic viewing.

On the other hand, in FIG. 6, two video cameras 3R and 3L are arranged laterally so that they can be viewed stereoscopically, and the right and left synchronizing signals S _R and S _L from the synchronizing signal generator 4 are provided. Based on the video signals 3R and 3L, an image signal from the right direction (R) and an image signal from the left direction (L) having a parallax are obtained based on each of the video cameras 3R and 3L.
An image signal from the right direction and an image signal from the left direction are simultaneously supplied as column drive signals A (R) and A (L). Also, for each row of pixels of the liquid crystal display 2, the right from the synchronizing signal generator 4, the sync signal S _R of for left and supplies a row driving signal B in synchronism with the S _L. This enables stereoscopic viewing without glasses.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the principle internal structure of a normal liquid crystal display.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, in a normal liquid crystal display, a large number of pixels 21 are arranged side by side in a matrix. Then, based on the column drive signal A, the column drive circuit 22 drives the column of each pixel 21 through the column drive wiring 23, and based on the row drive signal B, the row drive circuit 24 drives the row. The row of each pixel 21 is driven through the wiring 25 for.

By the way, in order to stereoscopically view such a liquid crystal display, it is necessary to alternately supply an image signal from the right direction and an image signal from the left direction to the column of each pixel 21 of the liquid crystal display. There is. However, such a stereoscopic display cannot be performed with the liquid crystal display having the above-described normal configuration.

Therefore, in order to make the liquid crystal display for stereoscopic viewing, conventionally, the liquid crystal display is modified,
That is, as shown in FIG. 8, as a column drive circuit, a column drive circuit 22R that receives the column drive signal A (R) for the right direction,
A column drive circuit 22 that receives the column drive signal A (L) for the left direction
The liquid crystal display 2 is modified to have two L's and is used as the liquid crystal display 2 in FIG.

However, if the liquid crystal display is made for stereoscopic viewing, it is not only very troublesome to perform the above-described modification, but also extra cost is required. Not desirable.

[0013]

As described above, in the conventional stereoscopic television system, in order to make the liquid crystal display for stereoscopic viewing, existing parts and equipment must be modified and used each time. There was a problem that it had to be.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is extremely possible to use existing parts and equipment as they are for stereoscopic viewing without performing the above-mentioned modification. It is an object to provide a highly reliable stereoscopic television system.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, first, in the invention described in claim 1, n units (n is 2
(The above integers) image pickup means are arranged in the lateral direction so that they can be viewed stereoscopically, and n image signals with parallax are obtained from the respective image pickup means, and each image signal is supplied to each pixel column of the liquid crystal display. In a stereoscopic television system in which a lenticular plate having a pitch of n pixels and a pitch of 1 is arranged and stereoscopic viewing is possible without glasses, the image signals which are parallel signals are alternately switched, and after the switching. Each image signal of is converted into one serial signal and supplied to each pixel column of the liquid crystal display in parallel /
A serial conversion means is provided, and the switching cycle at the time of conversion in the parallel / serial conversion means is made to correspond to the pixel pitch of the liquid crystal display.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the two image pickup means are arranged in a lateral direction so that they can be viewed stereoscopically, and the image signals from the right direction and the left direction having parallax from the respective image pickup means. Image signal from the right direction and the image signal from the left direction are simultaneously supplied to each pixel column of the liquid crystal display, and a lenticular plate having a pitch of two pixels is arranged. Then, in a stereoscopic television system capable of stereoscopic viewing without glasses, the parallel signal 2
Parallel / serial conversion means for alternately switching two image signals, converting the two image signals after the switching, converting the two image signals into one serial signal, and supplying the serial signal to each pixel column of the liquid crystal display is provided. The switching cycle at the time of conversion in the conversion means is made to correspond to the pixel pitch of the liquid crystal display.

Here, particularly when the lenticular plate is arranged, the lenticular plate main body is directly stacked on the liquid crystal display.

When the lenticular plate is arranged, the projection image from the projection type liquid crystal display projector is projected on the diffusing surface of the large transmissive screen so that the n pixels of the enlarged image have one pitch. I'm trying to arrange the lenticular plate.

Further, when the lenticular plate is arranged, the projection image from the projection type liquid crystal display projector is projected on the diffusing surface of the large transmissive screen so that two pixels of the enlarged image have one pitch. I'm trying to arrange the lenticular plate.

[0020]

Therefore, in the stereoscopic television system of the present invention, a plurality of image signals which are parallel signals are alternately switched, and the image signals after the switching are combined to be converted into one serial signal, which is a liquid crystal display. A column drive circuit is provided as a circuit for driving the pixel columns of the liquid crystal display by supplying the data to each pixel column of, and making the switching period at the time of conversion correspond to the pixel pitch of the liquid crystal display. Liquid crystal display can be used.

As a result, it is possible to use existing parts and devices as they are for stereoscopic viewing without modifying the liquid crystal display for stereoscopic viewing.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a signal processing circuit in a stereoscopic television system according to the present invention. The same elements as those in FIG. 6 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Will be described only.

That is, in the signal processing circuit of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, parallel / serial conversion means including a switching signal generator 5, switching circuits 6R and 6L, and an addition circuit 7 is added to FIG. In addition, as the liquid crystal display 2, a liquid crystal display having an internal configuration as shown in FIG. 7 is used instead of the liquid crystal display having the internal configuration as shown in FIG. The generator 4 has a function added thereto.

Here, as the function of the synchronizing signal generator 4, when the right and left synchronizing signals S _R and S _L rise,
A function of generating the trigger signal S _O to the switching signal generator 5 after a certain time from that point is added.

Further, when the switching signal generator 5 receives the trigger signal S _O from the synchronizing signal generator 4,
The left switching signals SW (R) and SW (L) are alternately generated in a constant cycle (alternately turned on / off).

Further, the switching circuits 6R and 6L are
For example, it is composed of a transistor or the like, and alternately operates (turns on) every time the switching signals SW (R) and SW (L) from the switching signal generator 5 are input, and two image signals which are parallel signals, that is, rightward directions. Image signal from A
(R) and the image signal A (L) from the left direction are alternately passed.

Furthermore, the adder circuit 7 adds (combines) the two image signals VIDEO (R) and VIDEO (L) after switching by the switching circuits 6R and 6L to obtain one serial signal VIDEO (R + L). The column drive signal A is output to the liquid crystal display 2.

In this case, the switching cycle during the parallel / serial conversion is the pixel 21 of the liquid crystal display 2.
It corresponds to the pitch of.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the liquid crystal display and the lenticular plate (in the case of two images) in the stereoscopic television system of this embodiment.

In FIG. 2, a liquid crystal display 2 is arranged directly behind the lenticular plate 1 so as to overlap with each other. Further, a back light source 8 is arranged on the side of the liquid crystal display 2 opposite to the side of the lenticular plate 1 so that each pixel 21 of the liquid crystal display 2 is illuminated uniformly.

The above-mentioned structure is a display (for example, a video game etc.) which allows an individual to stereoscopically view as an individual.

Next, the operation of the stereoscopic television system of the present embodiment constructed as described above will be described with reference to the timing chart shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, in the video camera 3R for obtaining an image from the right direction and the video camera 3L for obtaining an image from the left direction, the synchronization signals S _R and S from the synchronization signal generator 4 are used.
_In synchronization with _L , an image signal A (R) from the right direction and an image signal A (L) from the left direction are obtained.

On the other hand, in the synchronizing signal generator 4, each time the synchronizing signals S _R and S _L rise, a trigger signal S _O is given to the switching signal generator 5 after a fixed time from that point. Then, the switching signal generator 5, when the input trigger signal S _O from the synchronizing signal generator 4, the right, the switching signal SW for left (R), SW (L) is, the switching circuit 6R, alternately 6L (alternately It is turned on / off at) and is given at a constant cycle.

On the other hand, in the switching circuits 6R and 6L,
Switching signal SW from switching signal generator 5
Alternate operation (ON) each time (R) or SW (L) is input
Then, two image signals that are parallel signals, that is, an image signal A (R) from the right direction and an image signal A from the left direction
(L) is alternately passed and input to the addition circuit 7.

Further, in the adder circuit 7, the two image signals VIDEO (R) and VIDEO (L) after switching by the respective switching circuits 6R and 6L are added and 1 is added.
One serial signal VIDEO (R + L) is converted to the column drive signal A for the column of the pixels 21 of the liquid crystal display 2.
Supplied as.

In this case, the switching cycle during the parallel / serial conversion is the pixel 21 of the liquid crystal display 2.
It corresponds to the pitch of.

As described above, in the liquid crystal display 2, the column of the pixel 21 is driven by the column drive signal A, and the row of the pixel 21 is driven by the row drive signal B. As shown in FIG. Pixel 2 on display 2
In 1, the images from the right direction and the images from the left direction are alternately arranged. In this way, stereoscopic display is performed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the two video cameras 3R and 3L are arranged laterally so that they can be viewed stereoscopically, and images from the right direction having a parallax from the video cameras 3R and 3L. Signal A (R) and image signal A from the left
(L) and the image signal A (R) from the right direction and the image signal A (L) from the left direction are simultaneously supplied to the column of each pixel 21 of the liquid crystal display 2, and two pixels are provided. 21 in 1
In the stereoscopic television system in which the lenticular plate 1 having a pitch is arranged and stereoscopic viewing is possible without glasses, when the trigger signal S _O from the synchronization signal generator 4 is input,
Right / left switching signals SW (R), SW (L)
Are generated alternately at a constant cycle (alternately turned on / off)
Each time the switching signal generator 5 and the switching signals SW (R) and SW (L) from the switching signal generator 5 are input, the switching signal generator 5 alternately operates (turns on), and two image signals which are parallel signals, that is, right Image signal A from the direction
(R) and the image signals A (L) from the left direction are alternately passed, and the two image signals V after switching by the switching circuits 6R, 6L.
IDEO (R) and VIDEO (L) are added (synthesized) to be converted into one serial signal VIDEO (R + L),
A parallel / serial means including an adder circuit 7 for outputting the column drive signal A to the liquid crystal display 2 is provided, and the switching cycle at the time of parallel / serial conversion is
This is adapted to the pitch of the pixels 21 of the liquid crystal display 2.

Therefore, since a liquid crystal display having one column drive circuit 22 can be used as a circuit for driving the column of the pixels 21 of the liquid crystal display 2, the liquid crystal display 2 can be stereoscopically viewed as in the conventional case. By simply adding the simple switching circuits 6R and 6L without modifying the object, it becomes possible to use the existing parts and devices as they are for stereoscopic viewing.

Further, as the video cameras 3R and 3L for recording / reproducing images, commercially available ordinary products can be used as they are.

As described above, it is possible to eliminate the troublesome work of remodeling and extra expense associated with the conventional liquid crystal display for stereoscopic viewing.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be implemented in the same manner as described below.

(A) In the above embodiment, the case of two images was described, but in stereoscopic vision using a lenticular plate, it is possible to form multiple images in order to widen the stereoscopic vision area. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the case of the two images described above, and can be similarly applied to the case of the multiple images of three or more images.

That is, in this case, when the number of images to be handled is n (n is an integer of 2 or more), n video cameras are arranged laterally so that they can be viewed stereoscopically, It suffices to obtain n image signals with parallax, alternately supply each image signal to the column of each pixel of the liquid crystal display, and dispose a lenticular plate having a pitch of n pixels.

(B) In the above embodiment, when the lenticular plate is arranged, the case where the lenticular plate main body is directly overlaid on the liquid crystal display has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. , The projection image from the projection type liquid crystal display projector 9 is projected on the diffusion surface of the large transmissive screen, and n of the enlarged image is projected.
Large lenticular plate 1 with 1 pitch of pixels
You may make it arrange | position 0. In FIG. 4, 11 is a transmissive diffusion plate.

The above-mentioned structure is a display (for example, installed in a museum or the like) in which a large number of people can stereoscopically view at the same time.

(C) In the above embodiment, the case where the video camera is used as the image pickup means has been described, but it goes without saying that other image pickup means may be used.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, n
The image pickup means of the table (n is an integer of 2 or more) are arranged in the lateral direction so that the image pickup means can be viewed stereoscopically, and n having a parallax from each image pickup means.
A stereoscopic television that obtains individual image signals, supplies each image signal to each pixel column of the liquid crystal display at the same time, and arranges a lenticular plate with a pitch of n pixels to enable stereoscopic viewing without glasses. In the system, parallel / serial conversion means for alternately switching each image signal which is a parallel signal, synthesizing the image signals after the switching and converting the combined image signal into one serial signal, and supplying the serial signal to each pixel column of the liquid crystal display. Since the switching cycle at the time of conversion in the parallel / serial conversion means is made to correspond to the pixel pitch of the liquid crystal display, the existing parts and equipment can be used as they are without modification. An extremely reliable stereoscopic television system capable of stereoscopic viewing can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a signal processing circuit in a stereoscopic television system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a configuration example of a stereoscopic television system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart diagram for explaining an operation of the stereoscopic television system in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing another configuration example of the stereoscopic television system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a positional relationship (in the case of two images) of a liquid crystal display and a lenticular plate in a conventional stereoscopic television system.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a most general configuration example of a signal processing circuit in a conventional stereoscopic television system.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the principle internal configuration of a normal liquid crystal display.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a principle internal configuration of a modified liquid crystal display.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Lenticular plate, 2 ... Liquid crystal display, 3R,
3L ... video camera, 4 ... synchronization signal generator, 5 ... switching signal generator, 6R, 6L ... switching circuit, 7
... addition circuit, 10 ... lenticular plate, 11 ... transmissive diffusion plate, 21 ... pixel, 22 ... column drive circuit, 22R ... right column drive circuit, 22L ... left column drive circuit, 23
... column drive wiring, 24 ... row drive circuit, 25 ... row drive wiring, S _R, S _L ... synchronization signal, S _O ... trigger signal, A ... column driving signals, A (R) ... column for the right direction Drive signal, A (L)
... column drive signal for left direction, B ... row drive signal.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A liquid crystal display in which n image pickup means (n is an integer of 2 or more) are arranged laterally so that stereoscopic vision is possible, and n image signals with parallax are obtained from the respective image pickup means. Simultaneously supplying the respective image signals to the respective pixel columns of
In a stereoscopic television system in which a lenticular plate with a pitch of n pixels is arranged and stereoscopic viewing is possible without glasses, the image signals that are parallel signals are alternately switched, and the image signals after the switching are switched. Are combined to be converted into one serial signal and supplied to each pixel column of the liquid crystal display, and the switching cycle at the time of conversion in the parallel / serial conversion means is set to the pixel of the liquid crystal display. A stereoscopic television system characterized by being adapted to the pitch. 2. The two image pickup means are arranged laterally so that they can be viewed stereoscopically, and an image signal from the right direction and an image signal from the left side, which have parallax, are obtained from each of the image pickup means, and a liquid crystal is obtained. An image signal from the right direction and an image signal from the left direction are simultaneously supplied to each pixel column of the display, and a lenticular plate having a pitch of two pixels is arranged to realize stereoscopic viewing without glasses. In the stereoscopic television system capable of, the two image signals which are parallel signals are alternately switched, and the two image signals after the switching are combined to be converted into one serial signal, and the columns of each pixel of the liquid crystal display To the pixel pitch of the liquid crystal display, the switching cycle at the time of conversion in the parallel / serial conversion means is provided to the pixel pitch of the liquid crystal display. Stereoscopic television system is characterized in that so as to respond. 3. When arranging the lenticular plate,
The stereoscopic television system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a lenticular plate body is directly stacked on the liquid crystal display. 4. When arranging the lenticular plate,
The projection image from the projection type liquid crystal display projector is projected on the diffusion surface of a large transmissive screen, and a large lenticular plate is arranged so that n pixels of the enlarged image have one pitch. The stereoscopic television system according to claim 1. 5. When arranging the lenticular plate,
It is characterized in that a projection image from a projection type liquid crystal display projector is projected on a diffusion surface of a large transmissive screen, and a large lenticular plate is arranged so that two pixels of the enlarged image have one pitch. The stereoscopic television system according to claim 2.