JPH09311295A - Method and device for stereoscopic image display - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To observe a stereoscopic image by separating right and left stripe picture elements by controlling the mutual relative positions of plural mask substrates and changing a mask pattern obtained by laying over a plurality of mask substrates. SOLUTION: A composite barrier 7H is constituted of mask substrates 62a and 62b. The mask pattern 63 is formed by laying over partial mask patterns 63a and 63b. The mask substrates 62a and 62b are relatively moved by specified quantity in a horizontal direction maintaining a very small interstice by making surfaces where the patterns are formed mutually confront by a moving means 20. Two mask substrates change the relative positions in the case of three- dimensional image display, so that the mask pattern 63 of the composite barrier 7H is changed. Thus, at the time of the three-dimensional image display, the mask substrates 62a and 62b are laid over in a state where a deviation is eliminated in a right-and-left direction. Then, only the aperture part 64 of the partial mask patterns 63a and 63b is opened, and the other part is light-shielded, so that a mode is changed so as to observe a stripe image as a stereoscopic image.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stereoscopic image display method and a stereoscopic image display apparatus using the stereoscopic image display method, and more particularly to a television,
It is suitable for stereoscopic display on a video, computer monitor, game machine, or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of a stereoscopic image display device,
There is one in which the right and left parallax images are made different in polarization state and the left and right parallax images are separated by using polarization glasses. A liquid crystal shutter is provided on the display display side to change the polarization state, and the polarization state is switched in synchronization with the field signal of the display image on the display display. A method of separating left and right images to enable stereoscopic viewing has been put into practical use. However, this method has a drawback that the observer must always wear polarized glasses, which is troublesome.

On the other hand, the so-called parallax barrier method and lenticular lens method are known as stereoscopic image display methods that do not use special glasses such as polarized glasses.
The parallax barrier method is, for example, a method in which a barrier is provided in front of a display and spatially separates images that enter the left and right eyes.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory perspective view of a conventional parallax barrier system. On the viewer side of the liquid crystal display 6 illuminated by the backlight 10, a barrier B having a vertical stripe-shaped opening K is provided as shown in the figure, and the barrier B limits the pixels that can be seen from the right and left eyes of the viewer. Then, the pixel R _i of the right parallax image and the pixel L _i of the left parallax image are separately observed for each eye.

FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the conventional parallax barrier system. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of this system as viewed from above the observer's head. Reference numeral 6 denotes a liquid crystal display, and the liquid crystal display pixel portion 1 is formed between two glass substrates 5. Reference numeral 10 is a backlight composed of a transparent light guide body 10a having a reflective material formed on its surface and a light source 10b such as a fluorescent lamp. On the viewer side of the liquid crystal display 6, a barrier B is provided at a predetermined distance from the display pixel unit 1 in which one vertical stripe-shaped opening K corresponds to two horizontal pixels of the display pixel unit 1. Therefore, the observer observes the display pixel portion 1 through the opening K from the optimum observation distance.

The image displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 is obtained by dividing the parallax image R for the right eye and the parallax image L for the left eye into a large number of vertical stripe-shaped stripe pixels R _i and L _i , respectively. From the end, for example, R ₁ L ₂ R ₃ L ₄ R ₅ L ₆ ... (or L ₁ R ₂ L ₃
R ₄ L ₅ R ₆ ···) is a vertical stripe image formed alternately.

In the display pixel portion 1, as shown in the figure, the right-eye vertical stripe pixels R _i and the left-eye vertical stripe pixels L _i are alternately arranged so as to correspond to one opening K of the barrier B. Due to the opening K of the barrier B, only the right eye stripe pixel R _i is in the observer's right eye E _R , and the left eye stripe pixel is in the left eye E _L.
By making it possible to observe only L _i, stereoscopic viewing is possible by visually recognizing only the right parallax image with the right eye E _{R and} only the left parallax image with the left eye E _L.

FIG. 30 (B) shows another method of this parallax barrier method, in which the barrier B is arranged on the back surface of the liquid crystal display 6 when viewed from the observer side, and the light passing through the opening K of the barrier B is used. By observing the display pixel section 1 of the liquid crystal display 6, only the display pixel section on the line connecting the opening K and the observer's eye is observed. Even in this method, stereoscopic viewing can be performed as in the case where the barrier B is placed on the viewer side of the liquid crystal display 6. Hereinafter, this method is called a rear barrier method, and the previous method is called a front barrier method.

These parallax barrier stereoscopic image display methods have at least a surface light source, a transmissive display device, and a barrier (mask pattern) having a plurality of openings, and a parallax image for the right eye and a left eye. The right stripe pixels and the left stripe pixels obtained by dividing each of the parallax images for the eye into stripes are alternately arranged in a predetermined order to display one stripe image on the display device, and the mask image of the mask pattern is displayed. A stereoscopic image display method in which a light flux emitted from the surface light source and transmitted through the opening and the left or right stripe pixel is separated into different regions to visually recognize a stereoscopic image due to a spatial relationship between the opening and the stripe pixel. is there.

In these systems, the left and right parallax images must be divided into stripe-shaped stripe pixels R _i and L _i , respectively, and these must be alternately arranged to compose a single stripe image for display. Therefore, there is a problem that the resolution of this conventional stereoscopic image display device is reduced to at least 1/2.

Further, with these methods, it has been difficult to switch and display a normal two-dimensional image and a stereoscopic image, or to display them in a mixed manner.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 5-284542 discloses a stereoscopic image display device that solves these problems. FIG. 31 is a basic configuration diagram of the stereoscopic image display device disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-284542. This device is composed of a light directivity switching device 101 composed of a matrix type surface light source 102 and a lenticular sheet 103, a transmittance control element 115 composed of a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) cell, and a transmissive display device 104. ing.

Then, the area of the transmittance control element 115 corresponding to the area for displaying the three-dimensional image of the transmissive display device 104 is set to a transparent state, and a stripe-shaped light source for the right eye (see FIG. 31 (B)).
102R) is lit, the parallax image for the right eye (104R in FIG. 31 (C)) is displayed in the odd-numbered frame in the 3D image display area of the transmissive display device 104 in synchronization with this. When the striped light source for the left eye (102L in Fig. 31 (B)) is lit, the parallax image for the left eye (104 in Fig. 31 (C) is synchronized with this.
L) is displayed in even-numbered frames in the area for displaying the three-dimensional image of the transmissive display device 104.

By the above operation, all the pixels of the parallax image are displayed in accordance with the even frames and the odd frames, so that it is not necessary to divide the pixels, and the display of the stereoscopic image without the deterioration of the resolution is realized. Then, the transmissive display device 104
Transmittance control element 11 corresponding to the area for displaying a two-dimensional image
Area 5 is in a scattered state, and the same two-dimensional image 104S is displayed for both even and odd frames according to the lighting of the striped light source for the right eye and the left eye.

FIG. 32 is a concrete configuration diagram of the stereoscopic image display device. The matrix light source 102 comprises a flat light source 105, a first polarizing plate 106, and a twisted nematic liquid crystal cell 107 for switching the light directivity.
The light directivity switching device 101 is composed of the 102 and the lenticular sheet 103. Further, the transmittance control element 115 is composed of a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) cell 116 and a second polarizing plate 108, and controls the light transmittance in a matrix.
The transmissive display device 104 includes a display twisted nematic liquid crystal cell 109 and a third polarizing plate 110.

[0016]

When displaying a normal two-dimensional image on a conventional lenticular type or parallax barrier type stereoscopic image display device, when it is displayed as it is, vertical stripe pixels alternate between the right eye and the left eye. Will be observed in
When displaying fine characters and patterns, there was a drawback that the display was very difficult to see.

Further, in order to improve it, if the same image is put in the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye and arranged in pairs in a vertical stripe pattern, the same image is observed in the right eye and the left eye.
Although it is easier to see, the resolution drops to half that of a normal 2D image.

Further, in the conventional vertical lenticular type or parallax barrier type stereoscopic image display device, when the observer deviates from the optimum observation position for stereoscopic image display, the moire between the black matrix and the barrier separating the pixels of the liquid crystal display. Occurs, and black stripes and uneven light intensity are visible, and the normal 2
It was not satisfactory as a three-dimensional image display device.

Further, in the stereoscopic image display device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-284542, a polarizing plate in which the luminous flux is the second polarizing plate
Striped light beams for the right eye and the left eye, which are polarized lights orthogonal to each other, reach until they pass 108. Therefore, at the boundary between the transparent part and the non-transparent part of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) cell 116, the polarization state and the traveling direction of the incident polarized light are not preserved in the non-transparent part, so that crosstalk of the transparent part occurs. Light leaks toward you. That is, when a 2D image and a 3D image are mixed and displayed, image crosstalk occurs at the boundary between the 2D image display part and the 3D image display part.

In addition, in the method of stereoscopic viewing by displaying the parallax image for the right eye and the parallax image for the left eye in a time-division manner as shown in this conventional example, the parallax image in order to solve the occurrence of flicker. However, there is a problem that a display device capable of high-speed display is required as the twisted nematic liquid crystal cell 107 for switching the light directivity and the twisted nematic liquid crystal cell 109 for display.

Further, in order to alternately turn on the striped light sources for the right eye and the left eye, a polarization control element composed of the first polarizing plate 106 and the twisted nematic liquid crystal cell 107 for switching the light directivity is provided. However, there is a problem in that the luminance of the display image is reduced due to the reduction of the transmittance due to these elements.

An object of the present invention is to prevent flicker even when a display device having a low display speed (frame frequency) is used, and to switch between a striped image (stereoscopic image) and a two-dimensional image with a simple structure for display. A stereoscopic image and a two-dimensional image can be displayed together, and when displaying a stripe image, the left and right stripe pixels are evenly separated over the entire screen in a vertically wide stereoscopic viewing area to observe as a stereoscopic image. The present invention provides a stereoscopic image display method and a stereoscopic image display device using the same, which does not reduce the resolution when displaying a two-dimensional image and has a small amount of surface reflections and moire fringes and which is easy to see.

Further objects are: (1-1) Limitation of the observation position and change in the light quantity on the screen are small. (1-2) When the stripe image (stereoscopic image) and the two-dimensional image are switched and displayed, the brightness of the display area of the two-dimensional image and the displayable area of the stripe image can be maintained at the same level. It can be used similarly to an image display device. (1-3) There is a wide stereoscopic viewable area, and a stereoscopic image can be visually recognized even if the observer's eyes deviate from the optimum stereoscopic position.

(1-4) Even if the observer's eyes deviate from the optimum position for stereoscopic vision, the occurrence of moire and uneven light amount is small. (1-5) By setting the vertical pitch of the openings of the mask pattern at the time of displaying the stripe image to be slightly larger than the vertical pitch of the horizontal stripe pixels of the display device, the observer can observe at a predetermined height. The left and right parallax images can be evenly separated over the entire screen to view a stereoscopic image.

(1-6) When a stripe image is partially displayed together with a two-dimensional image, a black frame portion is provided at the boundary,
By displaying the current display state in the black frame portion, it is possible to prevent the observer from accidentally continuing to view in a different display state.
And a stereoscopic image display device using the stereoscopic image display method having at least one effect.

[0026]

According to the stereoscopic image display method of the present invention, (2-1) the light source means for emitting a light beam through the opening of the mask pattern and the optical action are different in the horizontal and vertical directions. A micro-optical element and a transmissive display device, and a right stripe pixel obtained by dividing the parallax image for the right eye and the parallax image for the left eye into a large number of stripe-shaped pixels on the display device. And a left stripe pixel are alternately arranged in a predetermined order to display a stripe image as one image, and the micro-optical element directs the light beam emitted from the light source means to illuminate the stripe image, In a stereoscopic image display method in which the stripe image is divided into at least two regions to allow the observer to visually recognize the stripe image as a stereoscopic image, A light beam emitted from one point above is converted into a substantially parallel light beam in the horizontal cross section, and into a condensed light beam that is substantially condensed on the display device in the vertical cross section, and the light source means are formed into a plurality of partial mask patterns each having a different partial mask pattern. Of the mask substrate is illuminated by a surface light source, and the relative positions of the plurality of mask substrates are controlled to change the mask pattern obtained by stacking the plurality of mask substrates.

In particular, (2-1-1) the plurality of mask substrates are set to a first relative position to form a mask pattern composed of a checkered opening and a light-shielding portion, and at that time, the right eye is displayed on the display device. Each of the parallax image for the left eye and the parallax image for the left eye is divided into a number of horizontal stripe pixels, and the right stripe pixel and the left stripe pixel are alternately arranged in a predetermined order in the vertical direction to form one image. A horizontal stripe image is displayed, and a plurality of mask substrates are placed at a second relative position to form a mask pattern in which openings are uniformly distributed. At that time, a two-dimensional image is displayed on the display device and the mask pattern is displayed. A light beam that illuminates each pixel of a two-dimensional image is made incident on both eyes of the observer. (2-1-2) Each of the partial mask patterns formed on each of the plurality of mask substrates has an oblique stripe-shaped opening formed in a region other than the opening having a predetermined shape. (2-1-3) Each of the partial mask patterns formed on each of the plurality of mask substrates has a light-shielding portion that overlaps with each other when the mask pattern is formed. (2-1-4) The pattern of the mask pattern changes only in a partial area thereof due to changes in relative positions of the plurality of mask substrates, and a two-dimensional image or the area in the display device corresponding to the area changes. A stripe image is displayed, and the pattern does not substantially change in other regions of the mask pattern due to changes in the relative positions of the plurality of mask substrates, and a two-dimensional image or a two-dimensional image is displayed in the region of the display device corresponding to this region. Always display one of the striped images. (2-1-5) The plurality of mask substrates are composed of two transparent substrates, and the surfaces on which the respective partial mask patterns are formed are arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. The moving means relatively moves / controls in the horizontal or vertical direction. (2-1-6) The display device has a display device for displaying a display state of the display device in association with the moving means. It is characterized by

Further, according to the three-dimensional image display method of the present invention, (2-2) a light source means for emitting a light beam through the opening of the mask pattern, and a micro optical element having different optical functions in the horizontal and vertical directions. A transmissive display device, and a right stripe pixel and a left stripe pixel obtained by dividing the parallax image for the right eye and the parallax image for the left eye into a large number of stripe-shaped pixels on the display device. Are arranged in a predetermined order alternately to display a stripe image as one image, the micro-optical element directs the light beam emitted from the light source means to irradiate the stripe image, and at least two of the light beams are emitted. In a stereoscopic image display method in which the stripe image is divided into regions and made visible to an observer as a stereoscopic image, the micro-optical element is a single point on the opening of the light source means. The emitted light beam is converted into a substantially parallel light beam in the horizontal section, and into a condensed light beam that is substantially condensed on the display device in the vertical section, and the direction of the transmitted light is controlled between the mask pattern and the display device. A light directivity control element was provided. (2-2-1) The mask pattern includes a checkerboard-shaped opening and a light-shielding portion, and when the light directivity control element is controlled so that the direction of transmitted light does not change, the display device displays the right portion. A parallax image for the eye and a parallax image for the left eye, each of which is divided into a number of horizontal stripe-shaped pixels, to obtain a right stripe pixel and a left stripe pixel, which are alternately arranged in a predetermined order in the vertical direction to form a single image. A horizontal stripe image is displayed, and a two-dimensional image is displayed on the display device when the light directivity control element is controlled so that the direction of the transmitted light changes randomly. (2-2-2) Left and right horizontal stripe pixels forming the horizontal stripe image are displayed for each scanning line of the display device. (2-2-3) The light directivity control element can control the direction of light passing through it in the entire area, and displays a two-dimensional image or a stripe image according to the control state of the light direction. (2-2-4) The light directivity control element can control the direction of light passing therethrough only in a part of the area, and the control state of the light direction in the area of the display device corresponding to this area. A two-dimensional image or a striped image is displayed in accordance with the above, and either the two-dimensional image or the striped image is always displayed in the area of the display device corresponding to the other area of the light directivity control element. (2-2-5) An image frame having a predetermined width is displayed at the boundary between the two regions of the display device corresponding to the two regions of the light directivity control element. (2-2-6) The light directivity control means is constituted by using a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal cell. (2-2-7) The light source means is configured to illuminate the mask pattern formed on the mask substrate with a surface light source, and the light directivity control element is provided between the micro optical element and the display device. Set up in. (2-2-8) The mask pattern is formed on the substrate-shaped polymer-dispersed liquid crystal cell, and the surface on which the mask pattern is formed is arranged so as to face the light emission surface of the surface light source. Means are arranged such that the surface light source illuminates the mask pattern. It is characterized by

Further, according to the stereoscopic image display method of the present invention, (2-3) a light source means for emitting a light beam through the opening of the mask pattern, and a micro optical element having different optical functions in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. A transmissive display device, and a right stripe pixel and a left stripe pixel obtained by dividing the parallax image for the right eye and the parallax image for the left eye into a large number of stripe-shaped pixels on the display device. Are arranged in a predetermined order alternately to display a stripe image as one image, the micro-optical element directs the light beam emitted from the light source means to irradiate the stripe image, and at least two of the light beams are emitted. In a stereoscopic image display method in which the stripe image is divided into regions and made visible to an observer as a stereoscopic image, the micro-optical element is a single point on the opening of the light source means. Of the transmitted light is converted into a substantially parallel light beam in the horizontal cross section and a condensed light beam that is substantially condensed on the display device in the vertical cross section, and the light transmitted through the optical path between the mask pattern and the display device. It is characterized in that a part of the diffusion characteristic control element for controlling the diffusion characteristic is provided.

In particular (2-3-1), the light source means is configured to illuminate a mask substrate on which a mask pattern having checkered openings and light-shielding portions is formed, with a surface light source, and the diffusion characteristic control element is A transparent control region that does not diffuse transmitted light and at least a part of the region have a control region that includes a diffusion unit that diffuses transmitted light, and when the transparent control region is installed in an optical path, the display device is provided with Each of the right-eye parallax image and the left-eye parallax image is divided into a number of horizontal stripe pixels, and the right stripe pixel and the left stripe pixel are alternately arranged in a predetermined order in the vertical direction to form one. A horizontal stripe image as an image is displayed, and when a control area having the diffusing section is installed in the optical path, a two-dimensional image is displayed in the area of the display device corresponding to the area of the diffusing section. (2-3-2) The left and right horizontal stripe pixels forming the horizontal stripe image are displayed for each scanning line of the display device. (2-3-3) The diffusion characteristic control element has a control region in which the entire region is a diffusion portion. (2-3-4) The diffusion characteristic control element has a control area provided with a diffusion part for diffusing transmitted light in a partial area, and the area of the display device corresponding to the partial area is in the optical path. A two-dimensional image or a stripe image is displayed according to the control area or the transparent control area installed in the display area, and the stripe image is always displayed in the area of the display device corresponding to the other area of the control area. (2-3-5) An image frame having a predetermined width is displayed at a boundary portion between two regions of the display device corresponding to the two regions of the diffusion characteristic control element. (2-3-6) The diffusion characteristic control element is arranged while being held by a rotating mechanism. (2-3-7) The plurality of control regions are formed on the endless belt to form the diffusion characteristic control element, and the diffusion characteristic control element is provided between the surface light source and the mask substrate and the micro optical element. The display device is arranged so as to circulate between the display devices, and a rotation mechanism is used to control the plurality of control regions.
Select one and set it in the optical path. (2-3-8) The micro-optical element is a vertical cylindrical lens array formed by arranging a number of vertical cylindrical lenses long in the vertical direction in the horizontal direction or a toric lens having different focal lengths in the vertical and horizontal directions in the vertical and horizontal directions. The toric lens array is arranged two-dimensionally, the vertical pitch P _4X of the vertical cylindrical lens array or the toric lens array is the horizontal direction of the mask pattern consisting of the checkered opening and the light shielding part. corresponding to the pitch P _8X comprising a pair of openings, shielding portions, slightly smaller than the pitch P _8X. (2-3-9) The distance between the vertical cylindrical lens array or the toric lens array and a predetermined predetermined observer position is L0, the vertical cylindrical lens array or the toric lens array and the mask pattern, or When the distance from the light emission pattern is d1, the above specifications P _4X , P _8X and the L 0, d1 satisfy the relationship of L0: (L0 + d1) = P _4X : P _8X . (2-3-10) In the micro optical element, a horizontal cylindrical lens array formed by arranging a large number of horizontal cylindrical lenses long in the horizontal direction in the vertical direction or a toric lens having different focal lengths in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in the vertical and horizontal directions is used. Having a toric lens array arranged two-dimensionally, the vertical pitch of the lateral cylindrical lens array or the toric lens array is VL, the vertical pitch of the stripe pixels displayed on the display device is Vd, The vertical pitch of the opening of the mask pattern consisting of the checkered opening and the light shielding portion is Vm, the distance between the display device and the lateral cylindrical lens array or the toric lens array is L1, the lateral cylindrical lens array or The toric lens array and the mask pattern Let L2 be the distance, and f2 be the focal length in the vertical cross section of the lateral cylindrical lens that constitutes the lateral cylindrical lens array or the toric lens that constitutes the toric lens array, then these specifications are Vd: Vm = L1: The relationship of L2 Vd: VL = (L1 + L2) / 2: L2 1 / fv = 1 / L1 + 1 / L2 is satisfied. (2-3-11) Assuming that a preset distance from the display device to the observer is L, the above specifications
Vd, Vm, L1, L2 and the L satisfy the relationship of Vd: Vm = L: (L + L1 + L2). (2-3-12) The micro optical element has a vertical cylindrical lens array and a horizontal cylindrical lens array. (2-3-13) The micro optical element has a toric lens array in which toric lenses having different focal lengths in the vertical and horizontal directions are two-dimensionally arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions. It is characterized by

Further, the three-dimensional image display device of the present invention uses the three-dimensional image display method described in any one of (2-4) (2-1) to (2-3-13). It has a feature.

[0032]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a first embodiment of a stereoscopic image display apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 6 is a liquid crystal display (display device, LCD), and a display pixel portion (image display surface) 1 of the liquid crystal is formed between two glass substrates 5. In the figure, polarizing plate, color filter,
The electrodes, black matrix, antireflection film, etc. are omitted. 10 is a backlight (surface light source) that serves as an illumination light source. Two transparent mask substrates 62a and 62b made of glass or resin are arranged between the liquid crystal display 6 and the backlight 10 with a minute gap between them. Partial mask patterns 63a and 63b as shown in FIG. 2 are formed. The mask substrate 62
a and 62b form the composite barrier 7H. Further, the partial mask patterns 63a and 63b overlap each other to form the mask pattern 63. The partial mask patterns 63a and 63b are manufactured by patterning a vapor deposition film of aluminum, chromium, low reflection chromium, or the like, or a coating film of resin black. The backlight 10, the mask substrates 62a and 62b
Etc. constitute one element of the light source means.

The mask substrates 62a, 62b can be moved relative to each other in the horizontal direction by a predetermined amount with the surfaces having the patterns formed by the moving means 20 opposed to each other so as to maintain a minute gap. And
The two mask substrates change their relative positions for 3D image display and 2D image display, and the mask pattern of the composite barrier 7H
Change 63.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the partial mask patterns 63a and 63b on the mask substrates 62a and 62b has a complementary diagonal stripe shape in which a rectangular opening 64 is omitted as shown by vertical hatching and horizontal hatching, respectively. It is a pattern.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the mask pattern 63 obtained through the mask substrates 62a and 62b, and FIG. 3A shows the mask pattern 63 at the time of displaying a three-dimensional image (a stripe image described later). At this time, the mask substrates 62a and 62b overlap with each other in the left-right direction without any deviation (this is referred to as a first relative position). Since only the openings 64 of the partial mask patterns 63a and 63b are opened and the other portions are shielded from light, the stripe image can be observed as a stereoscopic image as will be described later.

FIG. 3B shows the mask pattern 63 when a two-dimensional image is displayed. At this time, the position of the mask substrate 62a is fixed, and only the mask substrate 62b overlaps with the width of the opening 64 moved by one (this is the second relative position). As a result, the mask pattern has a rectangular opening 64.
The hatched stripe pattern is moved to the area where the openings 64 are eliminated, resulting in a mask pattern in which the hatched stripe openings are uniformly distributed over the entire screen. With this mask pattern, the present embodiment is in a mode in which a two-dimensional image can be displayed.

A first lenticular lens 61a and a second lenticular lens 61b made of transparent resin or glass are arranged between the composite barrier 7H and the liquid crystal display 6. The first lenticular lens 61a is a vertical cylindrical lens array configured by vertically arranging vertically long vertical cylindrical lenses in the left-right direction, and the second lenticular lens 61b is a horizontal cylindrical lens made by vertically arranging horizontally long horizontal cylindrical lenses in the vertical direction. It is a cylindrical lens array. Note that the first lenticular lens 61a and the first lenticular lens 61a
The second lenticular lens 61b is a micro optical element 3H
Form an element of

FIG. 1 is a perspective view when a three-dimensional image is displayed in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation when displaying a three-dimensional image in this embodiment will be described.

The images displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 include a right-eye parallax image and a left-eye parallax image, each of which is composed of a large number of horizontal stripe-shaped right stripe pixels R _i and left stripe pixels L _i.
And divide them from the top of the screen, for example L ₁ R ₂ L ₃ R ₄ L ₅ R ₆
. (Or R ₁ L ₂ R ₃ L ₄ R ₅ L ₆ ...) It is a horizontal stripe image formed alternately. In the display pixel portion 1, as shown in the drawing, the horizontal stripe pixels R _i for the right eye or the horizontal stripe pixels L _i for the left eye are provided corresponding to the openings 64 in one horizontal row of the mask pattern 63.
Is displayed. The light from the backlight 10 passes through the opening 64, passes through the micro optical element 3H and illuminates the liquid crystal display 6, and the light fluxes that have passed through the left and right horizontal stripe pixels are separately incident on both eyes of the observer. As a result, the left and right parallax images are observed and visually recognized as a stereoscopic image.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory view of the principle that the left and right parallax images are separately observed in both eyes of the observer in the horizontal direction. The mask substrates 62a and 62b are illuminated by the backlight 10, and light is emitted from the opening 64. The lenticular lenses 61a and 61b are arranged between the composite barrier 7H and the liquid crystal display 6, and the cylindrical lens that constitutes the first lenticular lens 61a sets the lens curvature so that the mask pattern 63 is located almost at its focal position. are doing. Therefore, the light beam emitted from one point on the opening 64 passes through the micro optical element 3H in this cross section and is converted into a substantially parallel light beam. The parallel light flux in this cross section does not have to be strictly parallel, and the object of the present invention is achieved as long as the left and right image areas are mixed at the position of the observer and crosstalk does not occur and stereoscopic vision does not occur. To do.

The pair of openings and the light shields in the horizontal section of the mask pattern 63 correspond to one pitch of the first lenticular lens 61a. In the pattern of the openings 64 (white areas) and the light-shielding areas (filled areas) shown in the figure, the left stripe pixels L _i of the left and right horizontal stripe pixels displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 correspond to the openings 64. The light emitted from passes through the first lenticular lens 61a and illuminates the left stripe pixel L _i of the liquid crystal display 6 in the range shown by the solid line in the figure with directivity.

E _L in the figure indicates the left eye of the observer. Then, the first lenticular lens 61a is arranged so that the light from the opening 64 is uniformly focused on the left eye over the entire width of the screen.
The pitch P _4X is slightly smaller than the pitch P _8X between the pair of horizontal openings of the mask pattern 63 and the light shielding portion. Specifically, the pitch P _4X is L0, the optical distance from a predetermined position of the observer to the first lenticular lens 61a, the optical distance from the first lenticular lens 61a to the mask pattern 63. _Is defined as d1, L0: (L0 + d1) = _P4X : _P8X ... ・ (5) is satisfied. As a result, the horizontal stripe pixels L _i for the left eye displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 are
It is observed only in the area of E _L arrow.

When the right stripe pixel R _i is separately observed by the right eye E _R , the pattern of the horizontal opening and the light shielding part of the mask pattern 63 is opposite to that shown in the drawing, and the liquid crystal display 6 Corresponding to the right stripe pixel R _i displayed on the right stripe pixel R _i , and the right stripe pixel R _i is directionally illuminated through the first lenticular lens 61a in the range shown by the dotted line in the figure. Thus, the horizontal stripe pixels for the right eye displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 R _i is the right eye E _R
Observed only in the area indicated by the dotted line arrow, and the left and right stripe pixels are observed separately in the horizontal direction for the left and right eyes, which allows the left and right parallax images to be visually recognized by the left and right eyes, respectively, for stereoscopic viewing. can get.

FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a vertical cross section of the first embodiment. The observation region in the vertical direction will be described using this. In Fig. 5, this section has no optical effect.
The first lenticular lens 61a and the glass substrate not directly related to the optical action are omitted, and the second lenticular lens 61b is also conceptually expressed. The openings 64 of the mask pattern 63 are in a checkered pattern as shown in FIG. 1, and correspond to the left and right horizontal stripe pixels which are alternately arranged in the vertical direction and displayed on the LCD 6.

In FIG. 5, each opening 64 of the mask pattern 63 is for illuminating the left or right stripe pixel. Here, for example, the left stripe pixel L _i is illuminated, and the mask pattern 63 is painted black. The part is a light shielding part that does not transmit light. On the LCD 6, the left stripe pixel L _i corresponding to the left eye is shown in white and the right stripe pixel R _i corresponding to the right eye is shown in black.

Here, the width (pitch) of the opening in the vertical cross section of the mask pattern 63 is Vm, and the pitch of the lateral cylindrical lenses constituting the second lenticular lens 61b is Vm.
L, the vertical pixel pitch of the LCD6 (striped pixel pitch) is Vd, the focal length of the individual horizontal cylindrical lenses that make up the second lenticular lens 61b in the plane of the paper in Fig. 5 is fv, and from the display pixel section of the LCD6 The optical distance to the observer-side principal plane of the second lenticular lens 61b is L1, the second
When the optical distance from the mask-side principal plane of the lenticular lens 61b to the mask pattern 63 is L2, these specifications are Vd: Vm = L1: L2 (1) Vd: VL = ( L1 + L2) / 2 ： L2 ・ ・ ・ (2) 1 / fv ＝ 1 // L1 + 1 / L2 ・ ・ ・ (3) is set.

At this time, the openings 64 of the mask pattern 63 collect light on the corresponding stripe pixels in a line shape perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. Focusing on one opening of the checkered opening, in FIG. 5, it emanates from the center point A of the central opening 64-1 and
The luminous flux incident on the corresponding cylindrical lens 61b-1 of the lenticular lens 61b of is the corresponding pixel column 6-1 of the LCD6.
It is focused linearly on the point A'in the center of. The light fluxes emitted from the center point A 1 of the opening 64-1 and incident on the cylindrical lenses other than the cylindrical lens 61b-1 are linearly condensed on the centers of the other left-eye stripe pixels L _i of the LCD 6.

Emitting from the points B and C at the end of the opening 64-1,
The light beam incident on the cylindrical lens 61b-1 is linearly condensed on the points B'and C'at the end of the stripe pixel 6-1. Similarly, the luminous flux emitted from other points of the opening 64-1 and incident on the cylindrical lens 61b-1 is the stripe pixel 6- of the LCD 6.
1 Focus on a line. Further, all the luminous fluxes emitted from the opening 64-1 and incident on the cylindrical lenses other than the cylindrical lens 61b-1 are also condensed on another left-eye stripe pixel of the LCD 6.

In FIG. 5, all the luminous fluxes emitted from the openings 64 other than the opening 64-1 are similarly condensed on the left-eye stripe pixels of the LCD 6, and are illuminated and transmitted to only the vertical direction. It diverges according to the NA at the time of focusing. This action provides an observation area in which the left and right stripe pixels are uniformly separated from the predetermined eye level of the observer over the entire width in the vertical direction of the screen.

As described above, the light beam emitted from one point on the opening of the mask pattern 63 is converted into a condensed light beam which is substantially condensed on the LCD 6 by the micro optical element 3H in the vertical cross section.

In addition, this condensed light beam has an opening in the vertical cross section.
The purpose can be achieved by condensing the light emitted from 64-1 and passing through the cylindrical lens 61b-1 in a range not protruding from the stripe pixel 6-1 on the LCD 6.

Here, the stripe pixel L _i for the left eye of the observer
However, the same applies to the stripe pixel R _i for the right eye.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the first embodiment, and members omitted in FIG. 5 are also shown.

Here, Vm, VL, Vd, fv, L1 and L2 are the same as those described in FIG. In this embodiment, Vd = Vm =
Set VL, L1 = L2, fv = L1 / 2 and set conditional expressions (1), (2), (3)
As shown in Fig. 5, this provides an observation area where the left and right parallax images can be seen as uniformly separated from the predetermined eye height of the observer over the entire width in the vertical direction of the screen. It is designed to be used.

In the present invention, the difference between the left side and the right side of conditional expressions (1) and (2) is less than 5%, and the difference between the left side and the right side of expression (3) is 15%. The following can achieve the object of the present invention.

As described above, when the present embodiment is in the three-dimensional image display mode, the left and right stripe pixels can be separated over the entire screen in a vertically wide stereoscopic viewing area, and can be viewed as a stereoscopic image. When the present embodiment is in the three-dimensional image display mode, the stereoscopically visible area is as shown in FIG. In the figure, 91 is a stereoscopic image display device of the present embodiment. Reference numeral 92 denotes a central stereoscopic viewing region, which is spatially composed of a pair of a region R where only the right image is visible and a region L where only the left image is visible. This stereoscopic region is periodically formed in the left-right direction, and other stereoscopic regions are periodically present, but not all of them are shown.

Next, the configuration and operation when the present embodiment is in the two-dimensional image display mode will be described. As shown in FIG. 3 (A), the mask pattern in the 3D image display mode is such that the opening 64 is arranged in the right half or the left half with respect to one lens pitch of the first lenticular lens 61a.
The light from the opening 64 is directionally emitted to the observer's right eye or left eye through the first lenticular lens 61a, while the mask pattern in the two-dimensional image display mode is shown in FIG. 3 (B). As a result, the openings are formed in a uniform diagonal stripe as shown in Fig. 1, and the openings in one lens pitch are evenly distributed in the right half and the left half, and the light emitted from the first lenticular lens 61a is visible to both eyes of the observer. Enter the eyes evenly.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when a three-dimensional image is displayed, only one of the even and odd scan lines of the liquid crystal display can be seen by one eye of the observer, so the resolution becomes half. When displaying a 2D image, all pixels are observed in both eyes of the observer, the resolution of the liquid crystal display is not reduced, there is no restriction on the observation area and there is no change in light intensity, and the image can be observed at the same resolution as a normal 2D image display device. .

The partial mask patterns 63a and 63b are not limited to the diagonal stripes, and may be a checkered pattern or another regular pattern as long as there is no moire with the black matrix of the liquid crystal display.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of Embodiment 2 of the stereoscopic image display device of the present invention. The figure is an explanatory schematic diagram of a vertical cross section of the present embodiment. The present embodiment focuses more of the illumination light flux on the eye E of the observer located near the center of the display screen than in the first embodiment, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of its action. The configuration of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, but the second lenticular lens 61b and the mask pattern 63 are used.
Setting conditions such as are different. Here, parts different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Figure 8 shows the first lenticular lens 61a with no optical effect for this section.
Also, the glass substrate and the like not directly related to the optical action are omitted, and the second lenticular lens 61b is also conceptually expressed.

In the vertical cross section of the first embodiment, Vd = Vm =
VL is set, and the main light flux of the light flux that illuminates the pixel row of the LCD 6 is set to enter the LCD 6 substantially vertically, but in the second embodiment, it is set to the eye of an observer located near the center of the display screen. The difference is that the second lenticular lens 61b and the mask pattern 63 are set so that a larger amount of the illumination light flux is collected at E and the illumination efficiency is improved.

The observation region in the vertical direction will be described with reference to FIG. E is the point where the observer's eyes are located,
It is only set at a point that is far away. Each of the cylindrical lenses constituting the second lenticular lens 61b and the opening 64 of the mask pattern 63 should be centered on the two-dot chain line connecting the eye position E of the observer and the center of the stripe pixel on the LCD 6. It is set. By setting in this way, the light flux emitted from the center of the opening 64 passes through the center of the second lenticular lens 61b and illuminates the center of each stripe pixel of the LCD 6 so that it gathers at the eye position E of the observer. A stereoscopic image display device can be configured.

At this time, the distance from the eye position E of the observer to the LCD 6 is L, and Vm, VL, Vd, fv, L1, and L2 are used in the first embodiment.
If the definition is the same as in (1)
, (2), (3) and Vd: Vm = L: (L + L1 + L2) (4) are satisfied.

As described above, an observation area in which the left and right stripe pixels are seen to be uniformly separated from the predetermined eye position E of the observer over the entire width in the vertical direction of the screen is obtained, and the luminous flux illuminating the liquid crystal display 6 is obtained. Can be collected more in the eyes of the observer.

Further, also in the present embodiment, when the two-dimensional image is displayed, the mask substrates 62a and 62b are moved relative to each other as in the first embodiment, and the two-dimensional image is displayed without deterioration of the resolution.

In the present invention, the object of the present invention can be achieved if the difference between the left side and the right side of conditional expression (4) is 10% or less.

In the present embodiment as well, similar to the first embodiment, the order of the first lenticular lens 61a and the second lenticular lens 61b can be interchanged to form a stereoscopic image display device that provides the same effect as the present embodiment. Is.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an essential part of a third embodiment of the stereoscopic image display device of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the micro optical element 3H is configured by using the two orthogonal lenticular lenses 61a and 61b, but in the present embodiment, the micro optical element 3H is provided with a toric lens having different curvatures in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The difference is that it is composed of a single toric lens array that is arranged side by side. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 84 denotes a toric lens array (micro optical element 3H), and the focal length of the toric lens 85 constituting the toric lens array 85 is fv, the vertical pitch is Vd, and the LCD 6 is in the vertical section. Toric lens array 84
L1 is the distance from the observer side main plane to L2, and the distance from the mask side main plane of the toric lens array 84 to the mask pattern 63 is L2, and these specifications are expressed by the above equations (1), (2),
It is set so that the relationship of (3) holds. Further, the curvature of the toric lens 85 in the horizontal direction is set so that the focal position in the horizontal cross section substantially matches the mask pattern 63.

As a result, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, an observation region can be obtained in which the left and right stripe pixels are uniformly separated from the predetermined eye height of the observer over the entire width in the vertical direction of the screen. It has become.

Also in this embodiment, when displaying a two-dimensional image,
Similar to the first embodiment, the mask substrates 62a and 62b are moved relative to each other to guide the illumination light flux to the left and right eyes of the observer substantially evenly, thereby performing a two-dimensional image display without deterioration of resolution.

Further, in the present embodiment, the setting of the toric lens array 84 and the checkered opening 64 is performed by the above-mentioned conditional expression.
If setting is made so that (4) holds, it is possible to improve the illumination efficiency by collecting more light flux illuminating the liquid crystal display 6 to the eye E of the observer located near the center of the display screen as in the second embodiment. It is possible.

The above-described embodiments are the liquid crystal display 6
Although it was a stereoscopic image display device that switches between 2D image display and 3D image display over the entire screen, most of the screen is 2D image display depending on the application, and while working on a high resolution screen, In some cases, a window for displaying 3D images may be provided only in some areas, and the user may want to proceed with the work while referring to the 3D images displayed there.

As a stereoscopic image display device suitable for this purpose, only a partial area of the screen can switch between the two-dimensional image display and the three-dimensional image display, and the other parts always maintain the two-dimensional image display state. What to do is desired.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of two partial mask patterns according to the fourth embodiment of the stereoscopic image display device of the present invention. The present embodiment basically uses the three-dimensional image display method of the first embodiment and appropriately configures the partial mask pattern to realize a stereoscopic image display device that meets the above-mentioned demand.

FIG. 10A is a plan view of the first mask substrate 62a, on which an opening for producing light directivity so that a three-dimensional image can be displayed only in the upper right region 83 is formed. Department
The diagonal stripe pattern provided with 64, and other areas 82
Has a partial mask pattern 81a in which a uniform diagonal stripe pattern is formed for displaying a two-dimensional image. FIG. 10B is a plan view of the second mask substrate 62b,
An opening 64 is provided on the upper right area 83 so that a three-dimensional image can be displayed, and the first mask substrate 62a is provided.
And a partial mask pattern 81b of a diagonal stripe pattern complementary to the diagonal stripe pattern. The region 82 related to the two-dimensional image display on the second mask substrate 62b has no partial mask pattern and is transparent. In other words, in the region 83, the mask substrates 62a and 62b act as a composite barrier, forming a checkerboard-shaped opening and a mask pattern of the light shielding part depending on the relative positions of the mask substrates 62a and 62b, or an evenly distributed diagonal pattern. For example, a mask pattern having an opening is formed.

Next, it will be described that the display mode is switched depending on the relative positions of the mask substrates 62a and 62b in the fourth embodiment. When the mask substrates 62a and 62b are overlapped as shown in FIGS. 10 (A) and 10 (B) (first relative position), the opening 64 in the area 83 where the 3D image can be displayed remains open. Is
2 for any other diagonal stripe pattern in region 83
Since the phases of the two partial mask patterns are shifted from each other, the light is completely shielded. As a result, the light flux passing through the region 83 and passing through the first lenticular lens 61a has a light directivity as described in the first embodiment, and is in a three-dimensional image display state. Since the other region 82 is only the uniform diagonal mask pattern of the mask substrate 62a, as described in the first embodiment.
The 2D image is displayed.

When it is desired to display a two-dimensional image on the entire screen, the mask substrate 62b is opened with respect to the mask substrate 62a.
By one pitch corresponding to the width of the mask, and is set in the second relative position by moving in the horizontal direction to form a mask pattern as shown in FIG. 3 (B). At this time, the area where the 3D image can be displayed 83
The area 64 has no opening 64, and the two shaded stripe pattern portions overlap each other to form a uniform shaded stripe mask pattern 63.Therefore, there is no light directivity and the area 83 is in a two-dimensional image display state. Become. Since the other areas 82 are only the uniform diagonal mask pattern of the mask substrate 62a, the entire screen is in a two-dimensional image display state.

As described above, in this embodiment, the mask substrate
Due to the change in the relative positions of 62a and 62b, the mask pattern changes only in the area 83, and the pattern does not substantially change in the area 82.

The area 82 for displaying the two-dimensional image is shown here.
The reason why the diagonal stripe pattern of the partial mask pattern 81a is always present in the area of is to adjust the light amount so that the screen brightness matches the displayable area 83 of the 3D image. When the entire screen is in a two-dimensional image display state, there is no boundary between the three-dimensional image displayable area 83 and uniform brightness can be achieved.

In addition, the displayable area 83 of the three-dimensional image is three.
When a two-dimensional image is displayed, the width of the shaded stripe-shaped light-shielding pattern can be adjusted so that the screen brightness of the area 83 and the display area 82 of the other two-dimensional image are equal to each other.

As described above, only a partial area of the screen can be switched between 2D and 3D image display, and other areas are always
It is possible to maintain the two-dimensional image display state.

If a checkered opening and a light-shielding portion are formed in the entire area 82 of the partial mask pattern 81a, the area is formed.
The horizontal stripe image is always displayed in the area of the LCD display 6 corresponding to the 82, and only a partial area of the screen is
3D image display can be switched.

Although the fourth embodiment has been described with respect to the configuration of the three-dimensional image display system of the first embodiment, it can be applied to the third embodiment and the same operation as that of the fourth embodiment can be realized.

In the first to fourth embodiments, a mask pattern is formed by superposing a plurality of partial mask patterns, the relative positions of the partial mask patterns are changed, and the shape of the mask pattern is changed. Image display and 2D image display can be easily switched, the resolution is not reduced when displaying 2D image, and there is no restriction of observation position or change of light quantity on the screen. Can be observed at the same resolution.

By changing a part of the partial mask pattern, it is possible to switch only a part of the screen and display a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image in a mixed manner. At that time, the brightness of the two-dimensional image display area and the brightness of the three-dimensional image displayable area can be made approximately the same.

Also, the display state of the display device 6 (for example, a two-dimensional image, a three-dimensional image) linked with the moving means.
By providing a display device for displaying, it is possible to prevent the observer from accidentally continuing to view in different display states.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the essential portions of Embodiment 5 of the stereoscopic image display apparatus of the present invention. This embodiment is different from Embodiment 1 in that one mask substrate is used instead of the composite barrier and a fixed mask pattern is used.
The difference is that a light directivity control element is arranged between the LCD and the liquid crystal display 6. In the drawing, each element having the same symbol as that of the first embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In the figure, 7 is a mask substrate (mask),
A mask pattern 9 made of glass or resin is arranged to face the light emitting surface of the backlight 10, and a mask pattern 9 having a checkered opening 8 for transmitting light is formed on the surface.
The mask pattern 9 is made of a metal vapor-deposited film such as chromium or a light absorbing material, and is formed on the mask substrate 7 by patterning. The mask substrate 7 then functions as a mask in which the checkered openings 8 are formed.

A first lenticular lens is provided between the mask substrate 7 and the liquid crystal display 6 as in the first embodiment.
61a and a second lenticular lens 61b are arranged. The first lenticular lens 61a and the second lenticular lens 61b each form one element of the micro optical element 3H.

This micro-optical element 3H is arranged between the mask substrate 7 and the liquid crystal display 6. The lens curvature of the first lenticular lens 61a is set so that the mask pattern 9 is located at substantially the focal position of the cylindrical lens that constitutes the first lenticular lens 61a. In addition, the horizontal row of openings 8 in the mask pattern 9 is formed in the first row as described in FIG. 12 below.
It corresponds to each cylindrical lens that composes one lenticular lens 61a.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a light directivity control element, which is composed of a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) cell, and transmits incident light as it is or scatters it in various directions as described later in FIG. This can be controlled by the applied electric field. In other words, 2 controls the directivity of incident light (direction of transmitted light). In the case of this embodiment, the light directivity control element 2 controls the directivity of the transmitted light in the entire region. In the present embodiment, the light directivity control element 2
When the incident light is transmitted as it is, a stripe image (stereoscopic image) is displayed and the light directivity control element 2
It is configured to display a two-dimensional image when the is scattered by incident light. E _R and E _L are the observer's right eye,
The left eye.

FIG. 11 shows a case where a stereoscopic image is displayed over the entire display surface 1. In this case, a display control signal for displaying a stereoscopic image is output from the system controller (not shown) of the present embodiment, and a voltage is applied to the entire surface of the light directivity control element 2 via the drive circuit 76, so that the light directivity is controlled. The sex control element 2 is controlled in the non-scattering state.

At the same time, the display control signal is also input to the image processing means 75, and the parallax image for the right eye (right parallax image) R and the parallax image for the left eye ( Left parallax image) L is taken in or generated, and the two parallax images are divided in the vertical direction to form horizontal stripe right stripe pixels R ₁ R ₂ R ₃ R ₄ ... and left stripe pixel L ₁ L ₂ L ₃ L ₄
... and generate them, for example from the top of the screen L ₁ R ₂ L ₃ R ₄
L ₅ R ₆ ... Are alternately arranged to compose one horizontal stripe image, and the image signal is output to the display drive circuit 73. The display drive circuit 73 receives the above signal and drives the liquid crystal display 6 to display a horizontal stripe image on its image display surface 1 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view of this embodiment and is an explanatory view of the principle of stereoscopic image display. With reference to this figure, the configuration and operation at the time of displaying a stereoscopic image in this embodiment will be described. The mask substrate 7 is illuminated by the backlight 10, and light is emitted from the opening 8. The opening 8 shown in the figure corresponds to the left stripe pixel L _i of the horizontal stripe image displayed on the liquid crystal display 6, and the light emitted from the opening 8 passes through the first lenticular lens 61a. It is given a directivity and illuminates the LCD display 6. At that time,
Since the light directivity control element 2 is in the non-scattering state, the directivity given to the illumination light flux is not disturbed, the illumination light flux passes through the light directivity control element 2 as it is, and the liquid crystal display
It is modulated by the left stripe pixel L _i of 6 and emitted as shown by the solid line in the figure. As a result, the left stripe pixels L _i displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 are observed only in the range (area) of the arrow including the left eye E _L.

Regarding the right eye E _R , the opening 8 and the light shielding portion of the mask pattern 9 corresponding to the portion displaying the right stripe pixel R _i are opposite to those in FIG. 12, and the opening 8 is Corresponding to the right stripe pixel R _i displayed on the liquid crystal display 6, the light emitted from the opening 8 is given a directivity through the first lenticular lens 61a and transmitted through the light directivity control element 2. , Is modulated by the right stripe pixel R _i of the liquid crystal display 6, and is emitted as shown by the dotted line in the figure. As a result, the right stripe pixel R _i displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 is observed only in the range (area) of the arrow including the right eye E _R.

At this time, the pitch P _4X of the first lenticular lens 61a is set to the mask pattern 9 so that the light from the opening 8 is uniformly focused on the left eye E _L or the right eye E _R over the entire width of the screen. Pitch between openings 8 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction
It's slightly smaller than the P _8X .

As a result of the above operation, the light that has passed through the left and right horizontal stripe pixels L _i and R _{i respectively} arrives in two separate regions in the horizontal direction, and the observer sees the left and right eyes in these two regions. By placing the left and right parallax images L and R as a set of stripe pixels, the stereoscopic image can be observed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the horizontal pitch and the vertical width of the openings 8 are appropriately set, so that the light from the left and right stripe pixels forming the stereoscopic viewing area is uniformly collected. It is possible to illuminate and secure a wide stereoscopic region in the vertical direction.

Further, in this embodiment, since the lenticular lens and the mask pattern 9 are arranged on the rear side of the liquid crystal display 6 as seen from the observer, the illumination light has directivity.
By eliminating the surface reflection of the lenticular lens and the high-contrast moire fringes due to the black matrix of the liquid crystal display 6, a stereoscopic image can be displayed clearly.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory schematic diagram of a vertical cross section of the fifth embodiment. The observation region in the vertical direction when observing a stereoscopic image in this embodiment will be described using this. In Fig. 13, the first lenticular lens 61a having no optical action, the light directivity control element 2 and the glass substrate not directly related to the optical action are omitted in this section, and the second lenticular lens 61b is also conceptual. Is expressed in.

The openings 8 of the mask pattern 9 are in a checkered pattern as shown in FIG. 11, and correspond to the left and right stripe pixels arranged alternately on the upper and lower sides, which are displayed on the LCD 6. FIG.
Among them, each opening 8 of the mask pattern 9 is for illuminating the left or right stripe pixel, and here, for example, the left stripe pixel L _i is illuminated, and the black-painted portion of the mask pattern 9 transmits light. There is no light shield. LC
On D6, the left stripe pixel L _i corresponding to the left eye is black and the right stripe pixel R _i corresponding to the right eye is black.

Here, the pitch of the openings in the vertical cross section of the mask pattern 9 is Vm, and the second lenticular lens 61b.
Is VL, the vertical pixel pitch of LCD6 is Vd,
Let fv be the focal length of the individual cylindrical lenses that make up the lenticular lens 61b in Fig. 13 in the plane of the paper in Fig. 13, and let L1 be the distance from the display pixel section of the LCD6 to the main plane on the viewer side of the second lenticular lens 61b. 2 lenticular lenses
When the distance from the mask side main plane of 61b to the mask pattern 9 is L2, these specifications are expressed by the above equations (1), (2),
It is set to satisfy (3).

At this time, the openings 8 of the mask pattern 9 are focused on the corresponding stripe pixels in a line shape perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. Focusing on one of the checkered apertures, in FIG. 13, the luminous flux emitted from the center point A of the central aperture 8-1 and incident on the corresponding cylindrical lens 61b-1 of the second lenticular lens 61b corresponds to the LCD 6. The light is focused linearly on the center point A ′ of the pixel row 6-1. Light fluxes emitted from the center point A 1 of the central aperture 8-1 and incident on the cylindrical lenses other than the cylindrical lens 61b-1 are linearly condensed on the centers of the other left-eye stripe pixels L _i of the LCD 6, respectively.

The light beams emitted from the points B and C at the ends of the opening 8-1 and entering the cylindrical lens 61b-1 are linearly focused on the points B'and C'at the ends of the stripe pixel 6-1 respectively. To do. Similarly, the luminous flux emitted from other points of the aperture 8-1 and incident on the cylindrical lens 61b-1 is linearly condensed on the stripe pixel 6-1 of the LCD 6. Further, all the luminous fluxes emitted from the aperture 8-1 and incident on the cylindrical lenses other than the cylindrical lens 61b-1 are also condensed on another left eye stripe pixel of the LCD 6.

In FIG. 13, all the luminous fluxes emitted from the apertures 8 other than the aperture 8-1 are similarly condensed on the left eye stripe pixel of the LCD 6, illuminated and transmitted, and collected only in the vertical direction. It diverges according to NA at the time of light. This action provides an observation area in which the left and right stripe pixels are uniformly separated from the predetermined eye level of the observer over the entire width in the vertical direction of the screen.

Here, the stripe pixel L _i for the left eye of the observer
However, the same applies to the stripe pixel R _i for the right eye.

As described above, the light beam emitted from one point on the opening of the mask pattern 9 is converted into a light beam that is substantially condensed on the LCD 6 by the micro optical element 3H in the vertical cross section.

It should be noted that this condensed light flux has an opening in the vertical cross section.
The purpose can be achieved by condensing the light emitted from 8-1 and transmitted through the cylindrical lens 61b-1 in a range not protruding from the stripe pixel 6-1 on the LCD 6.

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view of the fifth embodiment, and also shows members omitted in FIG.

Here, Vm, VL, Vd, fv, L1 and L2 are the same as those described in FIG. In this embodiment, Vd = Vm =
Set VL, L1 = L2, fv = L1 / 2 and set conditional expressions (1), (2), (3)
As a result, an observation area where the left and right parallax images can be seen as uniformly separated from the predetermined eye height of the observer over the entire width in the vertical direction of the screen as described in FIG. 13 is obtained. It is designed to be used.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the light directivity control element 2 made of polymer dispersed liquid crystal used in this embodiment. The light directivity control element 2 has a transparent electrode 32 provided inside each of two transparent substrates 31 such as glass or plastic film.
In the meantime, a polymer 33 in which liquid crystal molecules 34 are dispersed is filled. FIG. 15 (A) shows the case of the off state in which no voltage is applied. At this time, the optical axes of the liquid crystal molecules 34 are randomly arranged, the extraordinary light refractive index does not match the refractive index of the polymer 33, and light is scattered at an interface having different refractive indexes to be in a light scattering state. FIG. 15 (B) shows the case where the light directivity control element 2 is in the ON state in which a voltage is applied. At this time, the optical axes of the liquid crystal molecules 34 are arranged in the direction of the electric field as shown in the figure, and the ordinary ray refractive index is substantially the same as the refractive index of the polymer 33, so that the incident light is not scattered and is transmitted as it is. Scattered.

When a stereoscopic image is displayed on the entire surface of the liquid crystal display 6 in this embodiment, a voltage is applied to the entire surface of the light directivity control element 2 so that the light non-scattering state shown in FIG. 1 lenticular lens 61a and mask pattern 9
And are applied to the respective eyes of the observer without disturbing the directivity of the illumination light.

On the other hand, when a two-dimensional image is displayed over the entire display surface 1, voltage is not applied to the light directivity control element 2 and the light scattering state shown in FIG. Display the 2D image to be displayed on display 6. At this time, the illumination light from the backlight 10 has directivity until it enters the light directivity control element 2, but it reaches all the light directivity control element 2 as shown in FIG. 15 (A). The directionality of the light beam that is scattered in the direction and reaches the left eye E _L as shown by the solid line in FIG. 12 is disturbed, and the light beam also enters the region of the right eye E _R. Similarly, the light flux reaching the right eye E _R will also be incident on the left eye E _L , and the entire two-dimensional image can be observed with both eyes as in the case of normal two-dimensional image display.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the light directivity control element 2 controls the directivity of the illumination light of the liquid crystal display 6 to display a two-dimensional image and a stripe image without deterioration in resolution. The display can be switched.

The position where the light directivity control element 2 is arranged may be any position between the liquid crystal display 6 and the mask pattern 9.

In this embodiment, when viewed from the observer's side,
LCD6, light directivity control element 2, second lenticular lens
61b, the first lenticular lens 61a, and the mask 7 are arranged in this order to form the stereoscopic image display device. ,No. 2
If the pitch and the focal length of the lenticular lens 61b and the vertical and horizontal pitches of the checkered aperture are set again so as to satisfy all the conditions described so far, a stereoscopic image display device can be configured as in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of Embodiment 6 of the stereoscopic image display device of the present invention. In this embodiment, the configuration of the light directivity control element 2 of the fifth embodiment is slightly changed, and a liquid crystal display 6
3D image can be partially displayed on the display surface 1 of. The entire structure is an optical directivity control element
It is the same except for the configuration of 2.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the display state (A) of the display image displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 of Embodiment 6 and the state (B) of the light directivity control element 2. In the case of the present embodiment, the transparent electrodes 32 of the light directivity control element 2 are formed in a matrix, and a voltage is partially applied, so that a predetermined region (partial region) on the device is not light-scattered. In this state, the stripe image is displayed in the corresponding area of the liquid crystal display 6, and the two-dimensional image is displayed in the other area, so that the stereoscopic image can be partially displayed.

As shown in FIG. 16 (A), when a stereoscopic image is displayed in the area 26 of the liquid crystal display 6, horizontal stripe images R ₃ L ₄ R ₅ ... L ₈ are displayed in this area as described above. It is displayed, and a normal 2D image is displayed in other areas.

At this time, the optical directivity control element 2 has a structure shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), the voltage is applied only to the area 27 (hatched area in the figure) corresponding to the area 26 of the liquid crystal display 6 to make the light non-scattering state. Put it in a scattered state. Thereby, a stereoscopic image can be partially displayed.

FIG. 17 is a derivative example of the sixth embodiment and is an explanatory view of another method for partially displaying a stereoscopic image. This display method reduces crosstalk between the stripe image and the two-dimensional image, and enables a good stereoscopic image to be observed.

Optical Directivity Control Element 2 in Embodiment 6
As shown in FIG. 15 (A), scatters incident light in random directions when no voltage is applied. Therefore, the light directivity control element 2
The light flux scattered by the light scattering in the area around the boundary between the light-scattering part and the non-scattering part (the part indicated by a cross in Fig. 17 (B)) also enters the inside of the area 26 of the liquid crystal display 6. The horizontal stripe image is illuminated and emitted outside the predetermined eye direction to become crosstalk light. Therefore, in the present derivative example, black display is performed as an image frame inside the area 26 for displaying a stereoscopic image on the liquid crystal display 6 to prevent crosstalk.

Here, an example is shown in which an image frame is displayed with a width corresponding to one pixel inside the area 26, but the invention is not limited to this, and a width of several pixels may be used.

Further, the light non-scattering region of the light directivity control element 2
It is also possible to prevent the crosstalk by taking 27 slightly larger than the area 26 for displaying a stereoscopic image on the liquid crystal display 6 and displaying the pixel area of the writing constant outside the stereoscopic image display area 26 as an image frame in black. Then, in this picture frame, for example, "3D
It is also possible to display "display" and the like, such as the type of image displayed in this area and the file name.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of Embodiment 7 of the stereoscopic image display device of the present invention. The figure is an explanatory schematic diagram of a vertical cross section of the present embodiment. The present embodiment focuses more of the illumination light flux on the eyes E of the observer located near the center of the display screen than in the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of its action. The configuration of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the fifth embodiment, but the second lenticular lens 61b, the mask pattern 9
Setting conditions such as are different. Here, portions different from the fifth embodiment will be mainly described. Figure 18 shows the first lenticular lens 61a, which has no optical function for this section.
Also, the glass substrate and the like not directly related to the optical action are omitted, and the second lenticular lens 61b is also conceptually expressed.

In the vertical cross section of the fifth embodiment, Vd = Vm =
VL is set, and the main light flux of the light flux that illuminates the pixel row of the LCD 6 is set to enter the LCD 6 substantially vertically, but in the seventh embodiment, the eyes of an observer located near the center of the display screen. The difference is that the second lenticular lens 61b and the mask pattern 9 are set so as to collect a larger amount of the illumination light flux at E and improve the illumination efficiency.

The observation region in the vertical direction will be described with reference to FIG. E is the point where the observer's eyes are located,
It is only set at a point that is far away. Each of the cylindrical lenses constituting the second lenticular lens 61b and the opening 8 of the mask pattern 9 should be centered on the two-dot chain line connecting the eye position E of the observer and the center of the stripe pixel on the LCD 6. It is set. By setting in this way, the light flux emitted from the center of the opening 8 passes through the center of the second lenticular lens 61b and illuminates the center of each stripe pixel of the LCD 6 and collects it at the position E of the observer's eye. I can.

When Vm, VL, Vd, fv, L1 and L2 are the same as those described in the fifth embodiment, these specifications and L are the same as the above (1), (2) and (3). In addition to the relation, the expression (4) is satisfied.

FIG. 19 is a vertical sectional view of the seventh embodiment, in which members omitted in FIG. 18 are also shown.

Here, Vm, VL, Vd, fv, L1 and L2 are the same as those described in FIG. As described above, the present embodiment satisfies the conditional expressions (1), (2), (3) and (4),
The separation of the left and right images in the horizontal direction is set similarly to the fifth embodiment.

Thus, as described with reference to FIG. 18, it is possible to obtain an observation region in which the left and right parallax images can be seen as uniformly separated from the predetermined eye height of the observer over the entire width in the vertical direction of the screen. Has become.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, an observation area in which the left and right stripe pixels are seen to be uniformly separated from the predetermined eye position E of the observer over the entire width in the vertical direction of the screen, and the liquid crystal display 6 is provided. It is possible to collect more of the luminous flux that illuminates the eyes of the observer.

Also in this embodiment, as in the case of the fifth embodiment, the order of the first lenticular lens 61a and the second lenticular lens 61b can be interchanged to form a stereoscopic image display device that gives the same effect as this embodiment. Is.

Also in the present embodiment, the whole or a part of the light directivity control element 2 is brought into a light diffusing state and a two-dimensional image is displayed on the corresponding LCD display area in exactly the same manner as described in the fifth and sixth embodiments. By displaying, it is possible to display a two-dimensional image or a mixed image of a two-dimensional image and a stereoscopic image to the observer.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of the essential portions of Embodiment 8 of the stereoscopic image display device of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, the micro optical element 3H is configured by using the two orthogonal lenticular lenses 61a and 61b, but in the present embodiment, the micro optical element 3H is provided with the toric lens having different curvatures in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The difference is that it is composed of a single toric lens array that is arranged side by side. Other configurations are the same as those of the fifth embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 84 is a toric lens array (micro optical element 3H), and the focal length of the toric lens 85 that constitutes this is fv, the vertical pitch is Vd, and the vertical pitch from the LCD 6 is Toric lens array 84
L1 is the distance from the observer side main plane to L2 and the distance from the mask side main plane of the toric lens array 84 to the mask pattern 9 is L2, and these specifications are expressed by the equations (1), (2),
It is set so that the relationship of (3) holds. The curvature of the toric lens 85 in the horizontal direction is set so that the focal position in the horizontal cross section substantially matches the mask pattern 9.

Thus, in the present embodiment, as in the case of the fifth embodiment, it is possible to obtain an observation region in which the left and right stripe pixels are uniformly separated from the predetermined eye height of the observer over the entire width in the vertical direction of the screen. It has become.

Also in this embodiment, the whole or a part of the light directivity control element 2 is put into a light diffusing state and a two-dimensional image is displayed on the corresponding LCD display area in exactly the same manner as described in the fifth and sixth embodiments. By displaying, it is possible to display a two-dimensional image or a mixed image of a two-dimensional image and a stereoscopic image to the observer.

In this embodiment, the toric lens array 84 and the checkered opening 8 are set by the above-mentioned conditional expression.
By setting so that (4) is established, it is possible to improve the illumination efficiency by collecting more light fluxes that illuminate the liquid crystal display 6 to the eyes E of the observer located near the center of the display screen as in the seventh embodiment. It is possible. In the fifth to eighth embodiments, the light directivity control element 2 is installed between the micro optical element 3H and the liquid crystal display 6, but it may be configured as follows. That is, a mask pattern 9 consisting of a checkered opening and a light-shielding portion is formed on one surface of the substrate-shaped light directivity control element 2, and the surface on which the mask pattern 9 is formed faces the light emission surface of the surface light source. The two lenticular lenses 61a and 61b are arranged between the light directivity control element 2 and the liquid crystal display 6. By doing so, Embodiments 5 to 8 are performed.
It is possible to omit the mask substrate which was necessary for the above, which is advantageous in terms of brightness and cost.

In the fifth to eighth embodiments, the three-dimensional image display and the two-dimensional image display are facilitated by controlling the diffusion characteristics (light scattering state or non-scattering state) of the light directivity control element provided in the optical path. It can be switched, and the resolution can be reduced when displaying a two-dimensional image, and there is no restriction on the observation position or change in the amount of light on the screen.

Further, by making it possible to control the diffusion characteristic of only a part of the region of the light directivity control element, the stripe image is displayed only in the corresponding region of the liquid crystal display, and in the other part. It is possible to display normal 2D images and to display 3D images and 2D images together.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of the essential portions of Embodiment 9 of the stereoscopic image display device of the present invention. In this embodiment, the light directivity control element 2 of the fifth embodiment is replaced by a sheet-like diffusion characteristic control element 2K, and other configurations are basically the same as those of the fifth embodiment. The differences from the fifth embodiment will be mainly described.

The diffusion characteristic control element 2K is an element for controlling the light diffusion characteristic, and has a sheet-like plastic or sheet-like film as a base material, and a light diffusion layer is formed on a part of both sides or one side thereof. .

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of the diffusion characteristic control element 2K of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the diffusion characteristic control element 2K is composed of a transparent base film, for example, a polyester film having a thickness of about 120 μm, and two effective area regions (in the figure,
A rectangular region indicated by a chain double-dashed line, which will be referred to as a control region hereinafter), that is, a control region 40A having a transparent entire surface and a control region 40B having a diffusing portion having a light diffusing characteristic are formed. And figure
As shown in 21, the diffusion characteristic control element 2K is wound and held on the winding and holding member 36. This take-up holding member 36
The rotation position is controlled by the rotation drive means 77 so that any one of the control areas is always positioned in the optical path between the LCD 6 and the micro optical element 3H. In the state of FIG. 21, the transparent control area 40A is set in the optical path. A stripe image is displayed when the transparent control area 40A is set in the optical path, and a two-dimensional image is displayed when the control area 40B is set in the optical path and the incident light to the control area 40B is scattered. It is configured to display.

FIG. 21 shows a case where a striped image is displayed over the entire display surface. In this case, a display control signal for displaying a stereoscopic image is output from the system controller (not shown) or the like of the present embodiment, the rotation drive means 77 is rotated via the drive circuit 76, and the entire surface of the diffusion characteristic control element 2K is removed. The transparent control area 40A is selected and positioned.

At the same time, the display control signal is also input to the image processing means 75 to synthesize one horizontal stripe image from a parallax image source (not shown) and output the image signal to the display drive circuit 73. Display drive circuit
73 receives the above signal and drives the liquid crystal display 6,
A horizontal stripe image is displayed on the image display surface 1 as shown in FIG. E _R and E _L are the right and left eyes of the observer, respectively.

FIG. 23 is a horizontal sectional view of this embodiment and is an explanatory view of the principle of stereoscopic image display. The configuration and operation when the present embodiment displays a stereoscopic image will be described with reference to this drawing. The mask substrate 7 is illuminated by the backlight 10, and light is emitted from the opening 8. The opening 8 shown in the figure corresponds to the left stripe pixel L _i of the horizontal stripe image displayed on the liquid crystal display 6, and the light emitted from the opening 8 passes through the first lenticular lens 61a. It is given directivity, passes through the diffusion characteristic control element 2K, is modulated by the left stripe pixel L _i of the liquid crystal display 6, and is emitted as shown by the solid line in the figure. This allows the liquid crystal display
The left stripe pixel L _i displayed in 6 is observed only in the range (region) of the arrow including the left eye E _L.

At this time, the diffusion characteristic control element 2K has the control area 40A in the optical path and the first lenticular lens 61a.
The directivity given to the illumination light flux by the
It does not get disturbed when passing 2K.

At this time, the pitch P _4X of the first lenticular lens 61a is set to the left and right of the opening 8 of the mask pattern 9 so that the light from the opening 8 is uniformly collected in the left eye E _L over the entire width of the screen. It is slightly smaller than the pitch P _8X between the openings adjacent to each other in the direction. As a result, the horizontal stripe pixels of the left parallax image displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 are
It is observed only in the range near E _L. .

With respect to the right eye E _R , the opening 8 and the light shielding portion of the mask pattern 9 corresponding to the portion displaying the right stripe pixel R _i are opposite to those in FIG. 23, and the opening 8 is Corresponding to the right stripe pixel R _i displayed on the liquid crystal display 6, the light emitted from the opening 8 is given directivity through the first lenticular lens 61a and passes through the diffusion characteristic control element 2K, The light is modulated by the right stripe pixel R _i of the liquid crystal display 6 and emitted as shown by the dotted line in the figure. As a result, the right stripe pixel R _i displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 is observed only in the range (area) of the arrow including the right eye E _R. In this way, the left and right parallax images on the liquid crystal display 6 are horizontally observed in the left eye and right eye regions separately.

Next, the observation region in the vertical direction when displaying a stereoscopic image in this embodiment will be described. The vertical cross-sectional view of the main part of this embodiment is the same as FIG. 13 of the fifth embodiment. However, in this section, the first lenticular lens 61a having no optical function, the diffusion control element 2K, and the glass substrate not directly related to the optical function are omitted in this section, and the second lenticular lens 61b is also conceptually described. expressing.

The openings 8 of the mask pattern 9 are in a checkered pattern as shown in FIG. 21 and correspond to the left and right stripe pixels which are displayed alternately on the LCD 6 and are displayed on the LCD 6, respectively.

Also in this embodiment, Vm, VL, V
When d, fv, L1, and L2 are defined in the same manner as described in the fifth embodiment, these specifications are set so as to satisfy the relationships of the above equations (1), (2), and (3). .

At this time, the opening 8 of the mask pattern 9 is
The image and LC formed by the second lenticular lens 61b
The relationship with the stripe pixel displayed on D6 is shown in the fifth embodiment.
It becomes the relationship explained in 13.

FIG. 24 is a vertical sectional view of the ninth embodiment. Here, Vm, VL, Vd, fv, L1 and L2 are the same as those described in the fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, Vd = Vm = V
Conditional expressions (1), (2), and (3) by setting L, L1 = L2, and fv = L1 / 2
As a result, an observation region in which the left and right parallax images can be seen as uniformly separated from the predetermined eye height of the observer over the entire width in the vertical direction of the screen can be obtained.

Next, the configuration and operation when displaying a two-dimensional image in this embodiment will be described. When a two-dimensional image is displayed on the entire surface of the liquid crystal display 6, the rotation drive means 77 is rotated based on a display control signal output from a system controller (not shown), etc.
A control area 40B having a light diffusing property on the entire surface of 2K is positioned in the optical path between the micro optical element 3H and the liquid crystal display 6. At the same time, a two-dimensional image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 is displayed via the image processing means 75.

At this time, the illumination light from the backlight 10 has directivity until it enters the diffusion characteristic control element 2K, but reaches the control region 40B of the diffusion characteristic control element 2K and is scattered in all directions. Since one pixel of the liquid crystal display 6 is randomly illuminated, the directivity to the left or right eye is lost and the light enters the observer's right and left eyes in substantially the same manner. As with a 2D image display device,
All 2D images can be observed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by controlling the diffusion characteristic of the illumination light of the liquid crystal display 6 by the diffusion characteristic control element 2K, the two-dimensional image display without resolution reduction and the three-dimensional image display are realized. Switching display is possible.

In the present embodiment, the LCD 6,
Diffusion characteristic control element 2K, second lenticular lens 61b,
The first lenticular lens 61a and the mask pattern 9 are arranged in this order to form a stereoscopic image display device.However, even if the order of the first lenticular lens 61a and the second lenticular lens 61b is exchanged, the pitch of these lenticular lenses is changed. If the focal length and the vertical and horizontal pitches of the checkered aperture are set again so as to satisfy all the conditions described above, the ninth embodiment
A stereoscopic image display device can be constructed in the same manner as in, and the diffusion characteristic control element 2K can also be inserted at another position in the optical path between the LCD 6 and the mask pattern 9.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of Embodiment 10 of the stereoscopic image display device of the present invention. In this embodiment, the diffusion characteristic control element 2K
The image display surface is provided with a control area partially provided with a transparent portion and a diffusion portion, and the positioning of this control area is controlled.
The difference from the ninth embodiment is that a stereoscopic image can be displayed in part of 1. Other configurations are the same as those of the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 25 (A) is an explanatory diagram of the control region 40C of the diffusion characteristic control element 2K used at this time. The control region 40C has a transparent part in the lower left corner, and the other part is composed of a light diffusing part. FIG. 25 (B) shows the display state of the image display surface 1 of the liquid crystal display 6 at this time.

As shown in FIG. 25 (B), when displaying a stereoscopic image in the area 26 at the lower left corner of the liquid crystal display 6, a horizontal stripe composed of horizontal stripe pixels R ₅ L ₆ R ₇ L ₈ is displayed in the area 26. The image is displayed, and the normal 2D image is displayed in the other parts.

At this time, based on the display control signal from the system controller, the rotation driving means 77 is rotated to control the positioning of the control area 40C of the diffusion characteristic control element 2K in the optical path, so that it corresponds to the area 26 of the liquid crystal display 6. Area to do
The 27 part is a transparent area, and the liquid crystal display
The illumination light of 6 is incident on the left and right eyes without disturbing the directivity, and a stereoscopic image can be observed only in this portion 26.

Here, the case of displaying a stereoscopic image in the lower left corner has been described, but if a transparent area is partially formed in the control area 40, the stereoscopic image can be displayed in that portion.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of a derivative example of this embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of another method for partially displaying a stereoscopic image. This display method reduces crosstalk between the stripe image and the two-dimensional image, and enables a good stereoscopic image to be observed.

The light diffusion section of the diffusion characteristic control element 2K scatters incident light in random directions. Therefore, the light flux scattered around the boundary between the light diffusion portion and the transparent portion of the diffusion characteristic control element 2K also enters the inside of the region 26 of the liquid crystal display 6, illuminates the horizontal stripe image, and It emerges outside the direction of the eye and becomes crosstalk light. Therefore, in this derivative example, black display is performed as an image frame inside the area 26 for displaying a stereoscopic image on the liquid crystal display 6 to prevent crosstalk.

Here, an example is shown in which the image frame is displayed with a width corresponding to one pixel inside the area 26, but the invention is not limited to this, and a width of several pixels may be used.

The light non-scattering region of the diffusion characteristic control element 2K
27 is taken to be slightly larger than the area 26 for displaying a stereoscopic image on the liquid crystal display 6, and a predetermined number of pixel areas in the 2D image display area outside the stereoscopic image display area 26 are displayed in black as an image frame for crosstalk. You can prevent it. And
In this image frame, it is also possible to display, for example, "3D display" or the like, such as the type and file name of the image displayed in this area.

This display method is a particularly effective crosstalk reduction method when the diffusion characteristic control element 2K is arranged at a position away from the liquid crystal display 6.

In the ninth embodiment, Vd = Vm = VL, L1 = L2, fv
= L1 / 2 was set to satisfy the above equations (1), (2), and (3), but these specifications and the distance L from the LCD 6 to the observer L
If and are set so as to satisfy equation (4) in addition to equations (1), (2), and (3) above, the illumination light flux is more distributed to the eye E of the observer located near the center of the display screen. A large amount can be collected to improve the lighting efficiency.

FIG. 27 is a schematic view of the essential portions of Embodiment 11 of the stereoscopic image display apparatus of the present invention. In the ninth embodiment, the micro-optical element 3H is configured by using the two orthogonal lenticular lenses 61a and 61b, but in the present embodiment, the micro-optical element 3H is provided with a toric lens having different curvatures in the vertical and horizontal directions. The difference is that it is composed of a single toric lens array that is arranged side by side. Other configurations are the same as those of the ninth embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 84 is a toric lens array (micro optical element 3H), and the focal length of the toric lens 85 constituting the toric lens 85 is fv, the vertical pitch is Vd, and the LCD 6 is in the vertical section. Toric lens array 84
L1 is the distance from the observer side main plane to L2 and the distance from the mask side main plane of the toric lens array 84 to the mask pattern 9 is L2, and these specifications are expressed by the equations (1), (2),
It is set so that the relationship of (3) holds. The curvature of the toric lens 85 in the horizontal direction is set so that the focal position in the horizontal cross section substantially matches the mask pattern 9.

As a result, in this embodiment, similarly to the ninth embodiment, an observation region in which the left and right stripe pixels are uniformly separated from the predetermined eye height of the observer over the entire width in the vertical direction of the screen can be obtained. It has become.

Also in this embodiment, the control region of the diffusion characteristic control element 2K is exactly the same as that described in the ninth and tenth embodiments.
LCD with 40B or 40C set in the optical path
By displaying the two-dimensional image in the display area of, it is possible to display the two-dimensional image or a mixed image of the two-dimensional image and the stereoscopic image to the observer.

Further, in this embodiment, the toric lens array 84 and the checkered opening 8 are set by the above-mentioned conditional expression.
If setting is made so that (4) is established, it is possible to collect more light flux illuminating the liquid crystal display 6 to the eye E of the observer located near the center of the display screen to improve the illumination efficiency.

FIG. 28 is a schematic view of the essential portions of Embodiment 12 of the stereoscopic image display apparatus of the present invention. In the ninth embodiment, the diffusion characteristic control element 2K is wound and held by the winding and holding member 36, but this embodiment is different only in that it is formed into an endless belt shape.

The principle of stereoscopic vision and the principle of two-dimensional image display in this embodiment are the same as those in the ninth embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the diffusion characteristic control element 2K is formed in an endless belt shape having a transparent rectangular control region 40G and a rectangular control region 40H having a light diffusion portion (shown by dots) on the entire surface. By controlling the rotation of the drive shaft 37 rotated by a drive means (not shown) such as a rotary motor, the diffusion characteristic control element 2K is controlled to set a desired control region in the optical path. A rubber roller or the like having appropriate friction may be attached to the drive shaft 37 to control the positioning of the diffusion characteristic control element 2K. The guide 38 may also be provided with a rotatable mechanism.

In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, when displaying a stereoscopic image, the diffusion characteristic control element 2K positions the transparent control area 40G between the second lenticular lens 61b and the liquid crystal display 6. Control. At this time, since the control area 40H for diffusing the light of the control element 2K is set so as to be located on the backlight 10, it also serves as a diffusion sheet of the backlight 10, and the mask pattern 9 and the first It does not affect the light directivity control action by the lenticular lens 61a.

With the configuration of this embodiment as described above, it is possible to reduce the diffusion sheet of the backlight 10 and improve the display brightness.

The ninth to twelfth embodiments display a three-dimensional image by controlling the diffusive control element between the mask pattern and the display device to select one of the plurality of control regions and set it in the optical path. The 2D image display can be easily switched, the resolution is not reduced when the 2D image is displayed, and there is no restriction on the observation position or change in the light amount of the screen, and the resolution is the same as a normal 2D image display device. I can observe.

By using a control area in which a part of the control area is transparent and the other area diffuses light, a stripe image is displayed only in the area of the liquid crystal display corresponding to the transparent area, and the other area is displayed. A normal two-dimensional image can be displayed in the part, and a stereoscopic image and a two-dimensional image can be mixedly displayed.

As described above, in the stereoscopic image display device of the present invention, the light from the surface light source is transmitted through the mask pattern having the checkered opening and the light shielding portion, and the transmitted light flux is changed by the micro optical element to the right side of the observer. Directivity is given so that the light is separated into the left eye and the left eye, and this light flux is modulated by a stripe image displayed on a transmissive display device arranged between the micro optical element and the observer, and the right side of the observer is modulated. Switching between stripe image (stereo image) and 2D image with a simple configuration in a stereoscopic image display device that does not require special glasses that separates the area corresponding to the eye / left eye and visually recognizes the stripe image as a stereoscopic image The 3D image and the 2D image can be displayed together, and the resolution does not decrease when the 2D image is displayed.

In the normal time-divisional method of displaying parallax images, in order to fuse left and right parallax images by the afterimage effect of the eye, it is necessary to increase the frame frequency of the display device. The stereoscopic image display device has a stripe shape, but since the left and right parallax images are always incident on each eye, a stereoscopic image without flicker can be obtained without increasing the display speed (frame frequency) required of the display device. Can be observed.

Further, when the stripe image is displayed, the horizontal pitch of the openings of the mask pattern, the vertical width, etc. are appropriately set, so that the light from the left and right stripe pixels forming the stereoscopic viewing area is uniform. Since the light is focused on and the specifications of each element are set to satisfy equations (1), (2), and (3),
In particular, a wide stereoscopic area can be secured in the vertical direction.

Further, since the mask pattern and the micro-optical element are located behind the display device as seen from the observer, surface reflection from the lens surface of the lenticular lens and moire fringes with high contrast due to the black matrix of the display device are reduced. As a result, a stereoscopic image can be displayed clearly.

The stripe pixels forming the horizontal stripe image displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 of each of the above embodiments may be combined alternately with the width of one scanning line or with the width of a plurality of scanning lines. You may.

Further, when displaying the right or left stripe pixel for each scanning line, the interlaced scanning (2: 1 interlace scanning) of the conventionally known TV is used, and all the right stripe pixels, left, and It is also possible to display all of the stripe pixels. In particular, such a configuration is suitable for stereoscopic display of a natural image using a TV camera or the like.

[0190]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION With the above configuration, the present invention does not cause flicker even when a display device having a slow display speed (frame frequency) is used, and can switch between a stripe image (stereoscopic image) and a two-dimensional image with a simple configuration. It is possible to display a stereoscopic image and a two-dimensional image in a mixed manner.When displaying a stripe image, the left and right stripe pixels are evenly separated over the entire screen in a wide stereoscopic area in the vertical direction. Can be observed as
To achieve a stereoscopic image display method and a stereoscopic image display device using the same, in which resolution does not decrease when displaying a two-dimensional image, and there are few surface reflections and moire fringes and the image looks good.

Further, (3-1) There are few restrictions on the observation position and changes in the light amount on the screen. (3-2) When switching between displaying a striped image (stereoscopic image) and a 2D image, the brightness of the 2D image display area and the stripe image displayable area can be maintained at the same level. It can be used similarly to an image display device. (3-3) The area where stereoscopic vision is possible is wide, and a stereoscopic image can be visually recognized even if the eyes of the observer deviate from the optimum position for stereoscopic vision.

(3-4) Even if the observer's eyes deviate from the optimum position for stereoscopic vision, the occurrence of moire and uneven light amount is small. (3-5) By setting the vertical pitch of the openings of the mask pattern at the time of displaying the stripe image to be slightly larger than the vertical pitch of the horizontal stripe pixels of the display device, the observer can observe at a predetermined height. The left and right parallax images can be evenly separated over the entire screen to view a stereoscopic image.

(3-6) When a stripe image is partially displayed together with a two-dimensional image, a black frame portion is provided at the boundary,
By displaying the current display state in the black frame portion, it is possible to prevent the observer from accidentally continuing to view in a different display state.
And a stereoscopic image display device using the stereoscopic image display method having at least one effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a first embodiment of a stereoscopic image display device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of mask patterns on two mask substrates according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a synthetic mask pattern according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of left and right illumination light separation in the stereoscopic image display mode according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view of a vertical cross section of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a stereoscopic viewing observation region in the stereoscopic image display mode according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of Embodiment 2 of the stereoscopic image display device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an essential part of Embodiment 3 of the stereoscopic image display device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a stereoscopic image display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Illustration of two partial mask patterns

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a main part of a stereoscopic image display device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory schematic view of a vertical cross section of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a light directivity control element 2.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of Embodiment 6 of the stereoscopic image display device of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a derivative example of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a stereoscopic image display device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a vertical sectional view of the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of the essential portions of Embodiment 8 of the stereoscopic image display device of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of the essential portions of Embodiment 9 of the stereoscopic image display device of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of the diffusion characteristic control device 2 of the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a horizontal sectional view of the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a vertical sectional view of the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of Embodiment 10 of the stereoscopic image display device of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of a derivative example of the tenth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a schematic view of the essential portions of Embodiment 11 of the stereoscopic image display device of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a schematic view of the essential portions of Embodiment 12 of the stereoscopic image display apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory perspective view of a conventional parallax barrier system.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of the conventional parallax barrier system.

FIG. 31 is a basic configuration diagram of a conventional stereoscopic image display device.

FIG. 32 is a specific configuration diagram of a conventional stereoscopic image display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Display pixel section (image display surface) 2 Light directivity control element 2K Diffusion characteristic control element 3H Micro optical element 5 Glass substrate 6 Display device (liquid crystal display, LCD) 7 Mask substrate 7H Composite barrier 8 Opening 9 Mask pattern 10 Back Light 20 Moving means 26 Area for displaying stereoscopic image on liquid crystal display 27 Area corresponding to area 26 on light directivity control element 2 or diffusion characteristic control element 2K 36 Roll-up holding member 40A Control area where the entire surface is transparent (transparent Control area) 40B Control area that has diffusing characteristics on the entire surface (Control area where the entire surface is a diffusing section) 40C Control area that has one part transparent and the other part having diffusing characteristics 61a 1st lenticular lens 61b 2nd lenticular lens 62a , 62b Mask substrate 63 Mask pattern 63a, 63b Partial mask pattern 64 Opening 73 Display drive circuit 75 Image processing means 76 Drive circuit 77 Rotation drive means 91 Actual Stereoscopic image display device according to Embodiment 1 92 Central stereoscopic region

Claims (31)

[Claims] 1. A display device comprising: a light source means for emitting a light beam through an opening of a mask pattern; a micro-optical element having different optical functions in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction; and a transmissive display device. A right-eye parallax image and a left-eye parallax image are divided into a number of striped pixels, and the right and left stripe pixels are alternately arranged in a predetermined order to form a single image stripe. An image is displayed, and the light beam emitted from the light source means is directed by the micro-optical element to irradiate the stripe image, and the light beam is separated into at least two regions, and the stripe image is formed as a stereoscopic image. In the three-dimensional image display method in which the micro-optical element makes the light beam emitted from one point on the opening of the light source means into a substantially parallel light beam in a horizontal section, In a direct cross section, the light is converted into a condensed light flux that is substantially condensed on the display device, and the light source means is configured to illuminate a plurality of mask substrates each having a different partial mask pattern with a surface light source. A stereoscopic image display method characterized in that a mask pattern obtained by superposing a plurality of mask substrates is changed by controlling relative positions of the substrates. 2. A mask pattern comprising a checkerboard-shaped opening and a light-shielding portion is formed by setting the plurality of mask substrates in a first relative position, and at that time, the display device includes the right-eye parallax image and the left-eye parallax image. A horizontal stripe image is displayed by arranging the right stripe pixel and the left stripe pixel, which are obtained by dividing each of the parallax images for the eye into a large number of horizontal stripe pixels, in a predetermined order alternately in the vertical direction. , A plurality of mask substrates are placed in a second relative position to form a mask pattern in which openings are uniformly distributed, and at that time, a two-dimensional image is displayed on the display device, and each pixel of the two-dimensional image is displayed. 2. The stereoscopic image display method according to claim 1, wherein the illuminating light beam is made incident on both eyes of the observer. 3. The three-dimensional structure according to claim 2, wherein each of the partial mask patterns formed on each of the plurality of mask substrates has an oblique stripe-shaped opening formed in a region other than the opening having a predetermined shape. Image display method. 4. The stereoscopic image according to claim 2, wherein the partial mask patterns respectively formed on the plurality of mask substrates have light-shielding portions that overlap each other when the mask patterns are formed. Display method. 5. The mask pattern changes only in a partial area thereof due to changes in relative positions of the plurality of mask substrates, and a two-dimensional image or stripe image is displayed in an area of the display device corresponding to this area. The pattern does not substantially change in other areas of the mask pattern due to changes in the relative positions of the plurality of mask substrates, and a two-dimensional image or stripe image is displayed in the area of the display device corresponding to this area. The stereoscopic stereoscopic image display method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein any one of the two is always displayed. 6. The plurality of mask substrates are composed of two transparent substrates, and the surfaces on which the respective partial mask patterns are formed are arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap, and the plurality of mask substrates are moved. The stereoscopic image display method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the stereoscopic image display is moved and controlled relatively in the horizontal or vertical direction by means of. 7. The stereoscopic image display method according to claim 6, further comprising a display device that displays a display state of the display device in association with the moving means. 8. A display device comprising: a light source means for emitting a light beam through an opening of a mask pattern; a micro-optical element having a different optical action in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction; and a transmissive display device. A right-eye parallax image and a left-eye parallax image are divided into a number of striped pixels, and the right and left stripe pixels are alternately arranged in a predetermined order to form a single image stripe. An image is displayed, and the light beam emitted from the light source means is directed by the micro-optical element to irradiate the stripe image, and the light beam is separated into at least two regions, and the stripe image is formed as a stereoscopic image. In the three-dimensional image display method in which the micro-optical element makes the light beam emitted from one point on the opening of the light source means into a substantially parallel light beam in a horizontal section, In a straight section, a light directivity control element for converting a condensed light flux that is substantially condensed on the display device to control the direction of transmitted light is provided between the mask pattern and the display device. Image display method. 9. The mask pattern comprises a checkered opening and a light-shielding portion, and when controlling the light directivity control element so that the direction of the transmitted light does not change, the display device for the right eye is provided. Each of the parallax image and the parallax image for the left eye is divided into a number of horizontal stripe pixels, and the right stripe pixel and the left stripe pixel are alternately arranged in a predetermined order in the vertical direction to form one image. When a horizontal stripe image is displayed and the light directivity control element is controlled so that the direction of the transmitted light changes randomly, the
The three-dimensional image display method according to claim 8, wherein a three-dimensional image is displayed. 10. The three-dimensional image display method according to claim 9, wherein the left and right horizontal stripe pixels forming the horizontal stripe image are displayed for each scanning line of the display device. 11. The light directivity control element is capable of controlling the direction of light transmitted through the entire area, and displays a two-dimensional image or a stripe image according to the control state of the light direction. The stereoscopic stereoscopic image display method according to claim 9 or 10. 12. The light directivity control element can control the direction of light passing through it only in a partial area thereof, and the area of the display device corresponding to this area can be controlled according to the control state of the light direction. A two-dimensional image or a striped image is displayed, and one of the two-dimensional image and the striped image is always displayed in the area of the display device corresponding to the other area of the light directivity control element. The stereoscopic image display method according to claim 9 or 10. 13. The stereoscopic body according to claim 12, wherein an image frame having a predetermined width is displayed at a boundary portion between two regions of the display device corresponding to the two regions of the light directivity control element. Image display method. 14. The stereoscopic image display method according to claim 9, wherein the light directivity control means is configured by using a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal cell. 15. The light source means is configured to illuminate the mask pattern formed on a mask substrate with a surface light source, and the light directivity control element is provided between the micro optical element and the display device. 15. The stereoscopic stereoscopic image display method according to claim 14, characterized in that. 16. The mask pattern is formed on the substrate-shaped polymer dispersed liquid crystal cell, and the surface on which the mask pattern is formed is arranged so as to face a light emission surface of a surface light source. 15. The stereoscopic image display method according to claim 14, wherein the surface light source illuminates the mask pattern. 17. A display device comprising: a light source means for emitting a light beam through an opening of a mask pattern; a micro-optical element having a different optical action in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction; and a transmissive display device. A right-eye parallax image and a left-eye parallax image are divided into a number of striped pixels, and the right and left stripe pixels are alternately arranged in a predetermined order to form a single image stripe. An image is displayed, and the light beam emitted from the light source means is directed by the micro-optical element to irradiate the stripe image, and the light beam is separated into at least two regions, and the stripe image is formed as a stereoscopic image. In the stereoscopic image display method in which the light beam is emitted from one point on the opening of the light source means, the micro optical element transforms the light beam into a substantially parallel light beam in a horizontal section. In the vertical cross section, a part of a diffusion characteristic control element that converts the condensed light flux that is substantially condensed on the display device and controls the light diffusion characteristic of the transmitted light in the optical path between the mask pattern and the display device. A stereoscopic image display method characterized by being provided. 18. The light source means is configured to illuminate a mask substrate on which a mask pattern having checkered openings and light-shielding portions is formed with a surface light source, and the diffusion characteristic control element is a transparent material that does not diffuse transmitted light. The control area and at least a part of the area have a control area including a diffusion unit that diffuses transmitted light, and when the transparent control area is installed in the optical path, the parallax image for the right eye is displayed on the display device. A horizontal stripe image is obtained by dividing each of the parallax images for the left eye into a large number of horizontal stripe pixels and arranging right stripe pixels and left stripe pixels alternately in a predetermined order in the vertical direction to form one image. When displaying and installing a control area equipped with the diffusing section in the optical path, it is displayed in the area of the display device corresponding to the area of the diffusing section
The stereoscopic image display method according to claim 17, wherein a two-dimensional image is displayed. 19. The three-dimensional image display method according to claim 18, wherein the left and right horizontal stripe pixels forming the horizontal stripe image are displayed for each scanning line of the display device. 20. The diffusion characteristic control device according to claim 1, wherein the diffusion property control element has a control region whose entire region is a diffusion portion.
8 or 19 stereoscopic image display method. 21. The diffusion characteristic control element has a control area having a diffusion part for diffusing transmitted light in a partial area, and the area of the display device corresponding to the partial area is installed in an optical path. A two-dimensional image or a stripe image is displayed according to the control area or the transparent control area, and the stripe image is always displayed in the area of the display device corresponding to the other area of the control area. The stereoscopic image display method according to any one of claims 18 to 20. 22. The stereoscopic image according to claim 21, wherein an image frame having a predetermined width is displayed at a boundary portion between two regions of the display device corresponding to the two regions of the diffusion characteristic control element. Display method. 23. The rotating mechanism is arranged to hold the diffusion characteristic control element, and the diffusion characteristic control element is arranged.
The stereoscopic image display method according to any one of the above items. 24. The diffusion characteristic control element is formed by forming the plurality of control regions on an endless belt, and the diffusion characteristic control element is provided between the surface light source and the mask substrate and between the micro optical element and the display. The devices are arranged so as to circulate between the devices, and the rotation mechanism is used to
23. The stereoscopic image display method according to claim 18, wherein one is selected and set in the optical path. 25. The micro-optical element comprises a vertical cylindrical lens array formed by arranging a plurality of vertical cylindrical lenses long in the vertical direction in the horizontal direction or a toric lens having different focal lengths in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in two dimensions in the vertical and horizontal directions. A vertical toroidal lens array or a toric lens array or a horizontal pitch P _{4X of the} toric lens array having a pair of horizontal patterns of the mask pattern composed of the checkered opening and the light shielding portion. Corresponds to the pitch P _8X consisting of the opening and the light shield,
_It is slightly smaller than _8X.
The stereoscopic image display method according to any one of 7, 9 to 16 and 18 to 24. 26. A distance between the vertical cylindrical lens array or the toric lens array and a predetermined predetermined observer position is L0, the vertical cylindrical lens array or the toric lens array and the mask pattern or the light emission pattern. When the distance between and is d1, the above-mentioned specifications P _4X , P _8X and said L 0, d1 satisfy the relationship of L0: (L0 + d1) = P _4X : P _8X The stereoscopic image display method according to claim 25. 27. The micro-optical element comprises a horizontal cylindrical lens array formed by arranging a plurality of horizontal cylindrical lenses long in the horizontal direction in the vertical direction or a toric lens having different focal lengths in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in two dimensions In a horizontal direction, the vertical pitch of the lateral cylindrical lens array or the toric lens array is VL, the vertical pitch of the stripe pixels displayed on the display device is Vd, and the checkered pattern is The vertical pitch of the openings of the mask pattern consisting of a circular opening and a light shielding portion is Vm, the distance between the display device and the lateral cylindrical lens array or the toric lens array is L1, the lateral cylindrical lens array or the toric Lens array and the mask pattern When the distance is L2 and the focal length in the vertical cross section of the horizontal cylindrical lens forming the lateral cylindrical lens array or the toric lens forming the toric lens array is fv, these specifications are Vd: Vm = L1: L2 Vd: VL = (L1 + L2) / 2: L2 1 / fv = 1 / L1 + 1 / L2 The following relations are satisfied.
27. The stereoscopic image display method according to any one of 7, 9 to 16 and 18 to 26. 28. With the preset distance from the display device to the observer set as L 1, the specifications V
28. The stereoscopic image display method according to claim 27, wherein d, Vm, L1, L2 and the L satisfy the relationship of Vd: Vm = L: (L + L1 + L2). 29. The stereoscopic image display method according to claim 1, wherein the micro optical element has a vertical cylindrical lens array and a horizontal cylindrical lens array. 30. The micro optical element has a toric lens array in which toric lenses having different focal lengths in the vertical and horizontal directions are two-dimensionally arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions. 29. The stereoscopic image display method according to any one of 1 to 28. 31. A stereoscopic image display device using the stereoscopic image display method according to any one of claims 1 to 30.