KR20090103689A - Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An electro-optical device and an electronic apparatus is provided to improve image quality by projecting not only an image from one side but also an image from the other side and reducing crosstalk. CONSTITUTION: In an electro-optical device and an electronic apparatus, first display elements are divided into at least a first area and a second area and show a first image. Second display elements are divided into at least a third region and a fourth region and show a second image. A parallax barrier(9) is formed by forming a light transmitting region a bounding area of a first and a third area and a bounding area of a first and a third area. A spacer layer makes the first display elements and the second display elements and parallax barrier separated with each other.

Description

ELECTRO-OPTICAL DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to electro-optical devices and electronic devices which are suitable for use in displaying various kinds of information, and in particular, display two-screen display devices or three-dimensional stereoscopic images that present different images to observers located at different viewing positions. It relates to an electro-optical device used as a stereoscopic image display device.

As an example of the electro-optical device, a two-screen display device for presenting different images to observers located at different observation positions or a stereoscopic image display device for displaying three-dimensional stereoscopic images is known. As one type of such display device, there is a parallax barrier (parallax barrier) type image display device. This image display apparatus is provided with the parallax barrier in the board | substrate of the observer side of a liquid crystal display panel like the display of following patent document 1, for example. Openings are formed in a stripe shape at predetermined positions of the parallax barrier. For example, when providing different images for different observers with different viewing positions, only one image is incident on one observer and only the other image is incident on the other observer. An opening is formed. In addition, when providing a three-dimensional stereoscopic image to an observer, the opening of a parallax barrier is formed so that the left eye image may inject into an observer's left eye, and the right eye image may enter into an observer's right eye.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-78094

By the way, in the parallax barrier type image display apparatus, it is necessary to provide a constant distance between the parallax barrier and a display element in order to display different desired images from an observation position. Therefore, in patent document 1, transparent layers, such as a resin layer, are arrange | positioned between a parallax barrier and an image display layer.

However, in the technique of patent document 1, since thickness of 30 micrometers-60 micrometers is calculated | required as thickness of a resin layer, a deviation tends to occur in the thickness of a resin layer, and crosstalk may be caused. The crosstalk referred to herein means that light of the other image leaks from one image due to various factors. For example, when a different image is provided to an observer having a different observation position, crosstalk is generated so that not only one image is incident on one observer but also a part of the other image. When a three-dimensional stereoscopic image is provided to an observer, crosstalk is generated, so that not only the left eye image enters the observer's left eye but also a part of the right eye image. Not only the image for the right eye enters the eye, but part of the image for the left eye also enters.

An object of the present invention is to reduce crosstalk and improve display quality, for example, in a parallax barrier type electro-optical device.

The electro-optical device of the present invention is divided into at least a first region and a second region, and is divided into a first display element for displaying a first image, at least a third region, and a fourth region, and a second A second display element for displaying an image, wherein the third area is located between the first area and the second area, and the second area is located between the third area and the fourth area, respectively, It is provided in the visual recognition side of a said 1st display element and a said 2nd display element, Comprising: The light transmission area is provided in the boundary of a said 1st area and a said 3rd area, and the boundary of a said 2nd area and a 4th area. And a spacer layer separating the parallax barrier layer, the first display element and the second display element, and the parallax barrier layer.

According to the above-mentioned electro-optical device, images displayed in the first region and the second region are visually recognized through the light transmitting regions provided at their boundaries, and images displayed in the third region and the fourth region are light provided at their boundaries. It is visually recognized through the transmission region. Here, since a 3rd area | region is located between a 1st area | region and a 2nd area | region, and a 2nd area | region is located between 3rd area | region and 4th area | region, respectively, the 1st image displayed in a 1st area | region and a 3rd area | region, The second images displayed in the second area and the fourth area are separated in different directions. In the above electro-optical device, since the first display element is divided into the first region and the second region, and the second display element is divided into the third region and the fourth region, respectively, the respective display elements are not divided. In contrast, the width of each display element is reduced. Therefore, the distance required to produce parallax, that is, the thickness of the spacer layer can be made small, the occurrence of variations in the thickness of the spacer layer can be prevented, and the thickness of the electro-optical device can be made thin.

The number of divisions of the first and second display elements is not limited to two but may be any number. The larger the number of divisions, the smaller the width of each divided display area, so that the thickness of the required spacer layer is also thinner. As a spacer layer, the material etc. are not limited as long as it is a layer which can permeate | transmit light, A glass plate, a plastic plate, a transparent inorganic film, a transparent resin layer, etc. can be used. When using the overcoat layer formed by application | coating of resin as a spacer layer, this invention is especially useful because the thickness of an overcoat layer will become easy to produce the dispersion | variation in layer thickness.

In order to obtain a suitable parallax, the thickness dth of the spacer layer is set slightly larger than the arrangement pitch of the first region and the third region, or the arrangement pitch pch of the second region and the fourth region. More specifically, the thickness dth and the arrangement pitch pch may be set such that 1.1 ≦ dth / pch ≦ 1.3. Here, in order to apply | coat a resin overcoat to stable film thickness, it is preferable to make the thickness into 20 micrometers, and therefore, the arrangement pitch pch should be set to 18.2 micrometers or less. In other words, the number of divisions of the first display element and the second display element may be determined so that pch < 18.2.

 As the light transmitting region, slits provided along the boundary between the first region and the third region and the boundary between the second region and the fourth region can be used.

The electro-optical device may also be applied to a color-displayable electro-optical device constituted by one color pixel by a plurality of sub-pixels having different display colors. In that case, the first display element or the second display element is one subpixel among a plurality of subpixels. The first display element and the second display element may correspond to different display colors, and the first display element and the second display element may correspond to the same display color.

As a more specific structural example of the electro-optical device, the first display element includes a first pixel electrode, and the first pixel electrode includes a first divided pixel electrode corresponding to the first area and the first divided element. A second divided pixel electrode connected to the pixel electrode and corresponding to the second region, wherein the second display element includes a second pixel electrode, and the second pixel electrode corresponds to the third region And a fourth divided pixel electrode connected to the third divided pixel electrode and the third divided pixel electrode corresponding to the fourth region.

 In the above specific example, the first switching element is connected to the first pixel electrode, the first data line is connected to the first switching element, the second switching element is connected to the second pixel electrode, and the second switching element. The second data line may be connected to the second scan line, and a common scan line may be connected to the first and second switching elements. At that time, it is preferable that the first switching element is connected to the first pixel electrode by the first divided pixel electrode, and the second switching element is connected to the second pixel electrode by the fourth divided pixel electrode.

Further, a parallax barrier layer, a first substrate on which the spacer layer is laminated, a second substrate formed to face the first substrate, and an electro-optic material encapsulated between the first substrate and the second substrate. It is good to have. As the electro-optical layer, for example, a liquid crystal layer can be used. In that case, the said 1st pixel electrode and the said 2nd pixel electrode may be formed in a 2nd board | substrate, and a coloring layer other than a parallax barrier layer and the said spacer layer may be formed in a 1st board | substrate. Moreover, you may provide the illuminating device which irradiates light toward a said 2nd board | substrate.

According to the present invention, the display quality can be improved by reducing the crosstalk in the parallax barrier type electro-optical device.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment;

2 is a plan view of a liquid crystal display panel in the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment;

3 is a plan view showing the configuration of a pixel electrode of the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment;

4 is a schematic diagram when creating a composite image from two images;

5 is a schematic diagram when creating a composite image from two images;

6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal display panel;

7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a pixel electrode of an application example of a liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment;

8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a pixel electrode of an application example of a liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment;

9 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic apparatus to which the image display device of the present invention is applied.

Explanation of the sign

5: pixel electrode 5a, 5b: split pixel electrode

7: counter electrode 9: parallax barrier

10: lighting device 11R, 11L: observer

21: scan line driver circuit 22: data line driver circuit

23: FPC 24: scanning line

25 data line 26 switching element

20 liquid crystal display panel 40 control unit

100: liquid crystal device

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the Example which actualized this invention is described based on drawing.

[Liquid crystal device]

1 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal device 100 as an electro-optical device according to the present embodiment. The liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment is a parallax barrier type image display device, for example, displaying a two-screen display or a three-dimensional stereoscopic image for displaying different images to a plurality of observers located at different observation positions. Stereoscopic image display to be performed can be performed. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the liquid crystal device 100 shall perform two-screen display.

As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a liquid crystal display panel 20 and an illumination device 10.

The liquid crystal display panel 20 has a structure in which the substrates 1 and 2 are bonded to each other with the sealing material 3 interposed therebetween, and the liquid crystal 4 as the electro-optic material is enclosed between the substrates 1 and 2. It is done. On the inner surface of the board | substrate 1, the some pixel electrode 5 is formed, and a display element consists of the pixel electrode 5, the counter electrode 7, and the liquid crystal 4 hold | maintained between them. Each pixel electrode 5 is divided into two regions defined by the divided pixel electrodes 5a and 5b. The divided pixel electrodes 5a and 5b constituting one pixel electrode 5 are connected to each other and the same image data is supplied. Corresponding to each pixel electrode 5, any one of the colored layers of RGB is disposed, and color pixels are configured with one set of RGB. That is, each pixel electrode 5 becomes one subpixel electrode in the color pixel. That is, a set of two divided pixel electrodes corresponding to the colored layer RcR, a set of two divided pixel electrodes corresponding to the colored layer GcL, a set of two divided pixel electrodes corresponding to the colored layer BcR, and a colored layer RcL. Each set of sets of two divided pixel electrodes becomes one subpixel.

On the inner surface of the board | substrate 2, the parallax barrier 9, the overcoat layer 8 as a spacer layer, the coloring layer 6 of each color of RGB which is a color filter, and the counter electrode 7 are formed. The colored layer 6 of each color of RGB is formed in the position corresponding to division pixel electrode 5a, 5b, and the counter electrode 7 is formed in the whole surface of the board | substrate 2. As shown in FIG.

The illumination device 10 is provided on the back side of the liquid crystal display panel 20. The illumination device 10 illuminates the liquid crystal display panel 20 by transmitting light. Moreover, the lower polarizing plate 12b is arrange | positioned between the liquid crystal display panel 20 and the illuminating device 10, and the upper polarizing plate 12a is arrange | positioned at the light emission surface side of the liquid crystal display panel 20. FIG.

The parallax barrier 9 is provided with slits 9S as light transmitting regions at predetermined intervals. The parallax barrier 9 functions as a transmission region through which the portion provided with the slit 9S transmits light, and the other portion functions as a shielding region through which light is not transmitted. The slits 9S are positioned every other in the area between the colored layers 6 adjacent to each other. That is, in either slit 9S, the color of the colored layer 6 arrange | positioned at both sides of the slit 9S is arrange | positioned so that it may differ.

The overcoat layer 8 is provided between the parallax barrier 9 and the colored layer 6, and is formed of acrylic resin or the like. The overcoat layer 8 is for spacing the distance between the parallax barrier 9 and the liquid crystal 4 by a predetermined distance so that the observers 11R and 11L having different observation positions can view desired images, respectively.

The light emitted from the illumination device 10 enters the liquid crystal display panel 20, passes through the colored layer 6, and then exits from the liquid crystal display panel 20. Light emitted from the liquid crystal display panel 20 enters the plurality of observers 11R and 11L located at different observation positions through the slit 9S.

In the liquid crystal device 100 shown in FIG. 1, RGB colored layer 6 through which light incident on the viewer 11R is transmitted is represented as colored layers RcR, GcR, and BcR, and light incident on the observer 11L is transmitted. RGB colored layer 6 is shown as colored layers RcL, GcL, and BcL (BcL is not shown). Here, since the divided pixel electrodes corresponding to the colored layer RcR, the divided pixel electrodes corresponding to the colored layer GcR, and the divided pixel electrodes corresponding to the colored layer BcR are connected, a set consisting of two colored layers RcR, 2 Each of the set consisting of two colored layers BcR and the set consisting of two colored layers GcR (only one is shown) becomes the subpixel SGR visually recognized by the observer 11R. Similarly, each of the set made of two colored layers RcL, the set made of two colored layers GcL, and the set made of two colored layers BcL (not shown) become sub-pixel SGL visually recognized by the viewer 11L.

For example, as indicated by the broken line, the light transmitted through the colored layer BcR enters the observer 11R by passing through the slit 9S located correspondingly between the colored layers BcR and RcL. On the other hand, the light transmitted through the colored layer RcL enters the observer 11L after passing through the slit 9S.

Next, the structure of the drive circuit of the liquid crystal display panel 20 is demonstrated. 2 is a plan view of the liquid crystal display panel 20 of the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment. The liquid crystal display panel 20 in the liquid crystal device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is sectional drawing along the cutting line A-A 'of the top view of the liquid crystal display panel 20 shown in FIG. 2, and abbreviate | omits illustration of a drive circuit. Drawing. In addition, below, the paper longitudinal direction (column direction) in FIG. 2 is prescribed | regulated to the Y direction, and the paper horizontal direction (row direction) in FIG. 2 is prescribed | regulated to the X direction.

On the inner surface of the substrate 1, a plurality of scan lines 24 and a plurality of data lines 25 are arranged in a matrix shape, and correspond to the intersection of each scan line 24 and each data line 25 in a TFT element. Switching elements 26, such as (Thin film Diode), are provided. In the region partitioned by the plurality of scan lines 24 and the plurality of data lines 25, two pixel electrodes 5 having a comb-tooth shape are arranged, and each pixel electrode 5 is electrically connected to the switching element 26. Is connected. The comb-tooth shaped pixel electrode 5 is composed of a divided pixel electrode 5a and a divided pixel electrode 5b electrically connected directly to the divided pixel electrode 5a.

The board | substrate 1 has the area | region which protrudes outward from the board | substrate 2 with respect to a X direction and a Y direction. On the inner surface of the region projecting in the X direction of the substrate 1, the scanning line driving circuit 21 is arranged, and on the inner surface of the region projecting in the Y direction of the substrate 1, the data line driving circuit 22 is formed. It is arranged.

S1, S2, S3,... , Each data line 25 represented by Sn (n: natural number) extends in the Y direction and is arranged at regular intervals in the X direction. One end of each data line 25 is electrically connected to the data line driver circuit 22. The data line driver circuit 22 is electrically connected to the FPC 23 through the wiring 32. The FPC 23 is electrically connected to an external electronic device, and the data line driving circuit 22 receives a control signal from the control unit 40 of the external electronic device via the FPC 23. The data line driving circuit 22 is based on the control signal and includes S1, S2, S3,... The data signal is supplied to each of the data lines 25 represented by Sn.

G1, G2, G3,... , Each scanning line 24 represented by Gm (m: natural number) extends in the X direction and is arranged at regular intervals in the Y direction. One end of each scan line 24 is electrically connected to the scan line driver circuit 21. In addition, the scan line driver circuit 21 is electrically connected to the wiring 33, and the wiring 33 is electrically connected to an external electronic device. The scan line driver circuit 21 receives a control signal from the controller 40 of the external electronic device through the wiring 33. The scanning line driver circuit 21 is based on the control signal, and includes G1, G2, G3,... Scan signals are sequentially supplied to each scan line 24 indicated by, Gm.

The counter electrode 7 is electrically connected to the data line driving circuit 22 via a wiring 34 from a COM terminal (a terminal to which a common potential (reference potential) is applied). The data line driver circuit 22 drives the counter electrode 7 by supplying a drive signal through the wiring 34 based on a control signal from an external electronic device.

The scan line driver circuit 21 is based on the control signal from the control unit 40 and includes G1, G2, G3,... The scan lines 24 are sequentially exclusively selected in the order of, Gm, and a scan signal is supplied to the selected scan lines 24. The data line driver circuit 22 supplies a data signal corresponding to the display content with respect to the pixel electrode 5 present at a position corresponding to the selected scan line 24 based on the control signal from the control unit 40. The data is supplied through each data line 25. Thus, a potential is applied to the pixel electrode 5 so that the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal 4 between the pixel electrode 5 and the counter electrode 7 is in a non-display state or an intermediate display state. It can switch and can display a desired image on the liquid crystal display panel 20. That is, the control unit 40 supplies the control signal to the scan line driver circuit 21 and the data line driver circuit 22, thereby providing the scan signals and the data supplied to the plurality of scan lines 24 and the plurality of data lines 25. A signal can be controlled and a desired image can be displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 20.

The divided pixel electrodes of the subpixel SGR and the divided pixel electrodes of the subpixel SGL are alternately set. Therefore, the image for display to the observer 11R is the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal 4 between the pixel electrode 5 (exactly, the divided pixel electrodes 5a and 5b) and the counter electrode 7 in the subpixel SGR. The image is displayed by switching the orientation state of the molecules, and the image for displaying to the observer 11L is the pixel electrode 5 (exactly, the divided pixel electrodes 5a and 5b) and the counter electrode 7 in the subpixel SGL. It is displayed by the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecule of the liquid crystal 4 between () being switched.

Here, the structure of the pixel electrode 5 is demonstrated concretely using FIG. Fig. 3A is a plan view showing the configuration of a pixel electrode of a liquid crystal device of a general barrier parallax method, and Fig. 3B is a plan view showing the configuration of a pixel electrode of a liquid crystal device of a barrier parallax system according to the present embodiment. The alphabet shown on the pixel electrode indicates the colored layer corresponding to the pixel electrode.

In the general barrier parallax type liquid crystal device, as shown in FIG. 3A, a pixel of a rectangle (or square) that is not divided into respective regions divided by a plurality of scan lines 24 and a plurality of data lines 25. The electrode 5 is arrange | positioned and comprises one subpixel SGR or one subpixel SGL. For example, in FIG. 3A, the pixel electrode 5 corresponding to the colored layer RcR and the pixel electrode 5 corresponding to the colored layer GcL include the plurality of scanning lines 24 and the plurality of data lines 25. It is arrange | positioned in each area | region partitioned by. In addition, the slit 9S of the parallax barrier 9 is located correspondingly between the adjacent pixel electrodes 5, as shown to Fig.3 (a).

In contrast, in the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, a comb-tooth shape is formed in each region divided by the plurality of scan lines 24 and the plurality of data lines 25. The sub-pixel SGR and the sub-pixel SGL are alternately set by the two pixel electrodes 5 divided by being interlocked with each other.

The pixel electrode 5 which has a comb-tooth shape is, in detail, the wiring 35 which connects the division pixel electrode 5a, the division pixel electrode 5b, the division pixel electrode 5a, and the division pixel electrode 5b. ) Then, the divided pixel electrodes 5a and 5b corresponding to the colored layer RcR are disposed in the region corresponding to the subpixel SGR, and the divided pixel electrodes 5a and 5b corresponding to the colored layer GcL correspond to the subpixel SGL. Is placed on.

The divided pixel electrodes 5a are arranged at the intersections of the scan lines 24 and the data lines 25, and are electrically connected to each of the scan lines 24, the data lines 25, and the switching elements 26. It is. The divided pixel electrode 5b is electrically connected directly to the divided pixel electrode 5a through the wiring 35. Therefore, the potential of the divided pixel electrode 5b becomes coincidence with the potential of the divided pixel electrode 5a which is electrically connected directly. In addition, the color of the colored layer 6 corresponding to the divided pixel electrode 5b is the same color as the color of the colored layer 6 corresponding to the divided pixel electrode 5a which is directly connected electrically. For example, as shown in Fig. 3B, the divided pixel electrodes 5a and 5b corresponding to the colored layer RcR are electrically connected to each other, and the divided pixel electrodes 5a and 5b corresponding to the colored layer GcL are electrically connected to each other. Directly connected to

In the liquid crystal device 100 of the present embodiment, two pixel electrodes 5 having a comb-tooth shape are interlocked with each other, whereby two pixel electrodes 5 electrically connected to two switching elements 26 are formed. The divided pixel electrodes may be alternately arranged. That is, the subpixel SGR and the subpixel SGL can be arranged alternately. At this time, the slit 9S of the parallax barrier 9 is a comb-tooth shaped pixel electrode which is specifically engaged with each other between the adjacent pixel electrodes 5, as shown in FIG. 3 (b). The three regions between adjacent divided pixel electrodes in (5) are located in two regions other than the middle region. That is, in either of the slits 9S, all of the divided pixel electrodes arranged on one side of the slit 9S are pixel electrodes on the side electrically connected to one switching element 26, and this pixel electrode is the first pixel. Corresponds to the electrode. Moreover, all the divided pixel electrodes arrange | positioned at the other side of the slit 9S are the pixel electrodes of the side electrically connected to the other switching element 26, This pixel electrode corresponds to a 2nd pixel electrode.

That is, the structure of the pixel electrode which concerns on the liquid crystal device 100 of this embodiment can be said that the two pixel electrodes in the liquid crystal device of the general barrier parallax system are divided | segmented into each divided pixel electrode, and are arrange | positioned alternately.

(Image display method)

Next, the synthesized image displayed by the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

4 and 5 conceptually show a method of creating a display image by combining the right image A and the left image B. FIG. Here, the image A for right shows the image displayed to 11R, and the image B for left shows the image displayed to 11L. The synthesized image C1 is an image obtained by combining the right image A and the left image B, and the synthesized image C2 is an image actually displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal display panel 20 in the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment. .

The right image A is an image in which unit images RR11 to RR14, GR11 to GR14, and BR11 to BR14 are combined. Here, a unit image shows that it is a monochromatic image represented by a subpixel unit. The English characters RR, GR, and BR in the unit image indicate input pixel data of each color of RGB in the right image A. FIG. In Fig. 4, the image A for right includes four first to fourth color pixels. The first color pixel is composed of unit images RR11, GR11, BR11, the second color pixel is composed of unit images RR12, GR12, BR12, and the third color pixel is composed of unit images RR13, GR13, BR13, and the fourth The color pixel is composed of unit images RR14, GR14, BR14.

The left image B is an image in which the unit images RL11 to RL14, GL11 to GL14, and BL11 to BL14 are combined. The English characters RL, GL, and BL in the unit image indicate that they are input image data of each color of RGB in the left image B. FIG. In Fig. 4, the left image B includes the first to fourth four color pixels. The first color pixel is composed of unit images RL11, GL11, BL11, the second color pixel is composed of unit images RL12, GL12, BL12, and the third color pixel is composed of unit images RL13, GL13, BL13, and The color pixel of 4 is composed of unit images RL14, GL14, BL14.

The control unit 40 alternately synthesizes the unit image of the right image A and the unit image of the left image B when creating a composite image C1 from the right image A and the left image B. FIG.

Specifically, the control unit 40 synthesizes the unit images of a plurality of predetermined rows of each of the right image A and the left image B when creating the synthesized image C1 from the right image A and the left image B. It is used as a unit image which comprises image C1. In the example shown in FIG. 4, in the image A for the right side, a unit image having 11 and 13 numbers in the unit image is used, and in the image B for the left side, a unit image having 11 and 13 numbers in the unit image is used. Shall be. In addition, the unit image in a row other than the said predetermined row of the right image A and the left image B shall not be used as a unit image which comprises the composite image C1. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 4, in the right image A, the unit image of which the number portion in the unit image is 12 and 14 is not used. In the left image B, the number portion in the unit image is 12 and 14. It is assumed that the unit image is not used.

As can be seen from the synthesized image C1 shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 40 has a unit image of 11, 13 in the number image in the right image A, and 11, 13 in the unit image in the image B for the left image. The synthesized images C1 are synthesized by alternately arranging the unit images. In addition, this composite image C1 becomes a display image of the liquid crystal device of the general barrier system described above with reference to FIG.

The control part 40 determines the electric potential applied to the pixel electrode 5 of each sub-pixel SGR and SGL based on the gradation value of each unit image in the synthesize | combined synthesized image C1 in this way, and uses a scanning line drive circuit as a control signal. 21 and the data line driver circuit 22 are supplied.

In this way, the composite image C2 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 20 of the liquid crystal device 100. As described above, since the pixel electrode 5 is divided into the divided pixel electrodes 5a and the divided pixel electrodes 5b, the unit images in the composite image C1 are each sub-pixel SGR (or sub). Pixel SGL). For example, looking at the upper left of the page in Fig. 5, it can be seen that the unit images RR11 and the unit images GL11 are alternately displayed. At this time, the two divided pixel electrodes corresponding to the subpixel SGR displaying the unit image RR11 are divided pixel electrodes 5a and 5b electrically connected directly to each other. The electrode 5 (called "pixel electrode 5RR") is comprised. In addition, two divided pixel electrodes corresponding to the subpixel SGL displaying the unit image GL11 are divided pixel electrodes 5a and 5b electrically connected to each other, and one comb-shaped pixel electrode is used as a component. (5) (called "pixel electrode 5GL") is comprised. Then, the pixel electrode 5RR and the pixel electrode 5GL are engaged with each other, and are arranged in one region divided by the plurality of scan lines 24 and the plurality of data lines 25 as described above.

On the synthesized image C2 shown in FIG. 5, the position of the slit 9S of the parallax barrier 9 is also indicated by a broken line. When the observer 11R sees the composite image C2 through the slit 9S, only the unit images RR11, BR11, GR13, GR11, RR13, and BR13 can see it, and the rightward image A can be recognized. On the other hand, when the observer 11L sees the composite image C2 through the slit 9S, only the unit images GL11, RL13, BL13, RL11, BL11, and GL13 can be viewed through the slit 9S. Image B can be recognized.

(Division of pixel electrode)

Next, the division method of a pixel electrode is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 6A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a general barrier parallax type liquid crystal display panel, and FIG. 6B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display panel 20 according to the present embodiment.

In the parallax barrier type liquid crystal display panel, an overcoat layer 8 which is a resin layer is provided between the parallax barrier 9 and the colored layer 6 in order to space the parallax barrier 9 and the liquid crystal 4 by a predetermined distance. have. In this case, the thickness of the overcoat layer 8 is dth. Here, when the pitch (arrangement pitch) of the pixel electrode 5 is pch, the thickness dth of the overcoat layer is such that the ratio dth / pch of the thickness of the overcoat layer 8 and the pitch of the pixel electrode 5 becomes a constant value. Is set. Here, the value of dth / pch is set so that an observer having a different viewing position can view a desired image based on the size of the viewing angle or the like, and is set so as to be about dth / pch = 1.1 to 1.3, for example. Hereinafter, it demonstrates that dth / pch = 1.1 as an example.

In the liquid crystal device of the general barrier parallax method shown in FIG. 6A, when the size of the pitch pch1 of the pixel electrode 5 is 72 μm, for example, the thickness dth1 of the overcoat layer 8 is 72 × 1.1 = 80 μm. Is set to. As for the overcoat layer 8, operation which apply | coats an acrylic resin to the whole surface of the parallax barrier 9 is performed in multiple times, and a fixed thickness is formed. However, as the thickness of the overcoat layer 8 increases, the thickness of the overcoat layer 8 cannot be formed stably. The thickness preferable for stably forming the thickness of the overcoat layer 8 is 20 micrometers or less. Therefore, when the thickness dth1 of the overcoat layer 8 is set to 80 micrometers, for example, the thickness of the overcoat layer 8 cannot be formed stably, and the thickness changes with the position on the surface of a liquid crystal panel. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6A, although the thickness of the overcoat layer 8 is formed in dth1 at the left side when viewed from the front of the ground, the overcoat layer 8 is seen at the right when viewed from the front of the ground. The thickness is formed of dth1a thicker than dth1. Here, the slit 9S of the parallax barrier 9 corresponding to the overcoat layer 8 whose thickness is dth1a is shown as slit 9Sa.

As shown in Fig. 6 (a), when providing different images to observers having different observation positions through the slit 9Sa, only one image is not incident on one observer. A part of the other image also enters, that is, crosstalk occurs. For example, not only the light transmitted through the colored layer GcL is incident on the observer 11L, but the light transmitted through the colored layer BcR is also incident. In addition, not only the light which permeate | transmitted the colored layer RcR enters into the observer 11R but the light which permeate | transmitted the colored layer BcL also enters. In this case, in order to form the 80-micrometer-thick overcoat layer 8, four overcoat layers with a thickness of 20 micrometers which can be formed stably must be formed, and the overcoat layer with a thickness of 80 micrometers was formed.

On the other hand, in the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6B, the pixel electrode 5 is divided into two divided pixel electrodes 5a and 5b having the same pitch size. 3, the position of the colored layer 6 and the slit 9S is comprised corresponding to each division pixel electrode 5a, 5b. Therefore, when the magnitude | size of the pitch pch1 of the pixel electrode 5 is 72 micrometers, the magnitude | size of each pitch pch2 of the division pixel electrodes 5a and 5b becomes 36 micrometers. If the ratio of the thickness dth of the overcoat layer 8 and the arrangement pitch pch of the pixel electrode 5 is dth / pch = 1.1, each pitch pch2 of the divided pixel electrodes 5a, 5b is 36 占 퐉, so that the overcoat layer ( The thickness dph2 of 8) becomes 36 * 1.1 = 40 micrometers. That is, the thickness dph2 of the overcoat layer 8 in the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment is about half as thin as the thickness dph1 (here, 80 μm) of the overcoat layer 8 in the liquid crystal device of the general barrier parallax method. It becomes possible to make it. In this case, it is preferable to form two overcoat layers having a thickness of 20 µm.

As can be seen from the above description, in the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment, the pixel electrode 5 is divided into the divided pixel electrodes 5a and 5b, and each of the divided pixel electrodes 5a and 5b. Correspondingly, the position of the colored layer 6 and the slit 9S can be configured to reduce the thickness of the overcoat layer 8 as compared with a liquid crystal device of a general barrier parallax system. Therefore, in the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment, the thickness of the overcoat layer 8 can be stably formed as compared with the liquid crystal device of the general barrier parallax system, and crosstalk can be reduced.

(Application example)

Next, an application example of the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the pixel electrode 5 is divided into two divided pixel electrodes 5a and 5b. However, the pixel electrode 5 is not limited thereto but may be divided into three or more divided pixel electrodes. As the number of divisions of the pixel electrode 5 into the divided pixel electrodes increases, the overcoat layer 8 can be formed thinner, and the thickness of the overcoat layer 8 can be stably formed.

Thus, in the application example, the pixel electrode 5 so that the thickness of the overcoat layer 8 is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the ratio dth / pch of the average pitch of the divided pixel electrode and the overcoat layer 8 is substantially constant. The number of divisions into the divided pixel electrodes is defined. In addition, a predetermined value is the thickness of the overcoat layer 8 which can be formed stably here. As this predetermined value, it is 20 micrometers suitably.

For example, when dth / pch becomes 1.1, in order to make the thickness of the overcoat layer 8 20 micrometers or less, it is necessary to make the magnitude | size of the pitch of a division pixel electrode 20 / 1.1 = 18 micrometers or less. Therefore, when the magnitude | size of the pitch of the pixel electrode 5 is 72 micrometers, the division number to a division pixel electrode is prescribed | regulated as four.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the configuration of the pixel electrode 5 when the number of divisions to the divided pixel electrodes is defined as 4. FIG. The alphabet shown on the divided pixel electrodes 5a and 5b indicates the colored layer 6 corresponding to the divided pixel electrodes 5a and 5b.

As can be seen from FIG. 7, the subpixel SGR and the subpixel SGL are alternately set in each partition area partitioned by the plurality of scan lines 24 and the plurality of data lines 25 as shown in FIG. 3. In addition, two pixel electrodes 5 having a comb-tooth shape are disposed in engagement with each other. When the number of divisions into the divided pixel electrodes is defined as 4, the pixel electrode 5 is one divided pixel electrode electrically connected to each scan line 24, each data line 25, and the switching element 26. 5a and three divided pixel electrodes 5b electrically connected directly through the divided pixel electrodes 5a and the wiring 35. Therefore, the potential of each of the three divided pixel electrodes 5b becomes the same as the potential of the divided pixel electrode 5a. The color of the colored layer 6 corresponding to the three divided pixel electrodes 5b becomes the same color as that of the colored layer 6 corresponding to the divided pixel electrode 5a. Therefore, in the three divided pixel electrodes 5b corresponding to the subpixel SGR (or the subpixel SGL), a divided image such as a divided image displayed on one divided pixel electrode 5a that is electrically connected directly is displayed. .

Similarly, when the magnitude of the pitch of the pixel electrode 5 is 54 µm, the number of divisions into the divided pixel electrodes is defined as 3, and the magnitude of the pitch of the pixel electrode 5 is 36 µm. In the following, the number of divisions into the divided pixel electrodes is defined as two. That is, the larger the resolution of the liquid crystal device, the smaller the number of divisions, and the smaller the resolution, the larger the number of divisions. In this manner, the thickness of the overcoat layer 8 can be always 20 µm or less by defining the number of divisions of the pixel electrode 5 in accordance with the resolution.

As can be seen from the above description, in the application example of the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment, the average pitch of the divided pixel electrode and the overcoat layer ( The number of divisions of the pixel electrode 5 into the divided pixel electrodes is defined so that the ratio dth / pch with 8) becomes substantially constant. Thereby, the thickness of the overcoat layer 8 can be formed stably, and crosstalk can be suppressed certainly.

In the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment, the two pixel electrodes 5 disposed in one partition region display different colors, but the two pixel electrodes 5 disposed in one partition region. The same color may be displayed. In such a configuration, even when the colored layer 6 is disposed corresponding to each pixel electrode 5, for example, one colored layer is disposed throughout the partition region without arranging other colors in the shape of a comb. What is necessary is just to arrange | position the colored layer 6 easily. In addition, in the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, in one partition region, the switching elements 26 of the two pixel electrodes are divided into two scanning lines 24 that partition the partition region. Although it is said that it is arrange | positioned in the intersection of the data line of each other among the scanning line of each other and the data lines 25 which divide the said partition area | region, respectively, it is not limited to this. Instead, as shown in FIG. 8, in one partition region, the switching elements 26 of the two pixel electrodes are the same as the scan line on both sides of the scan lines 24 partitioning the partition region, and It may be arrange | positioned at the intersection of the other data line 25 among the data lines 25 which divide | separate a partition area | region.

In the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment, the parallax barrier 9 is disposed on the substrate 1 side. However, the parallax barrier 9 is not limited thereto. Instead, the parallax barrier 9 may be disposed on the substrate 2 side. In addition, as a liquid crystal device to which the present invention can be applied, as shown in FIG. 1, light from the illumination device 10 is transmitted from the substrate 1 side to the liquid crystal display panel 20, and the observer is directed from the substrate 2 side. It is not limited to the liquid crystal device of the structure which observes the liquid crystal display panel 20, Instead, the liquid crystal device which has a structure in which the positional relationship of the board | substrate 1 and the board | substrate 2 was reversed, ie, the illumination device 10 The light from the substrate 2 is transmitted from the substrate 2 side to the liquid crystal display panel 20, and the observer can apply the present invention to a liquid crystal device having a structure of observing the liquid crystal display panel from the substrate 1 side.

In the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment, the pixel electrode 5 is divided into a plurality of divided pixel electrodes 5a and 5b in the barrier parallax type liquid crystal device, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, even in a liquid crystal device capable of performing two-screen or stereoscopic display using a lenticular lens instead of a parallax barrier, the same effect as the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment by dividing the pixel electrode into a plurality of divided pixel electrodes Can be obtained.

The present invention can also be applied to electro-optical devices other than liquid crystal devices, such as organic EL devices, inorganic ELs, plasma display devices, electrophoretic display devices, and field emission display devices. In the case where a colored layer does not exist, such as in an organic EL device, the overcoat layer is formed between the electro-optic material and the parallax barrier.

In addition, in the present invention, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

[Electronics]

Next, a specific example of the electronic device to which the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment is applicable will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

First, an example in which the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment is applied to a display portion of a movable personal computer (so-called notebook computer) will be described. Fig. 9A is a perspective view showing the structure of this personal computer. As shown in Fig. 9A, the personal computer 710 includes a main body portion 712 including a keyboard 711 and a display portion 713 in which the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment is applied as a panel. Equipped.

In addition, the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment is particularly suitable for being applied to the display portion of a liquid crystal television or a car navigation device. For example, by using the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment on the display unit of the car navigation device, an image of a map can be displayed for an observer in the driver's seat, and an image such as a movie can be displayed for an observer in the passenger seat. have.

Subsequently, an example in which the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment is applied to the display unit of the cellular phone will be described. Fig. 9B is a perspective view showing the structure of this mobile phone. As shown in FIG. 9B, the mobile phone 720 includes, besides the plurality of operation buttons 721, the handset 722 and the talker 723, the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment. A display unit 724 is applied.

As the electronic apparatus to which the liquid crystal device 100 according to the present embodiment is applicable, in addition to the personal computer shown in Fig. 9A and the mobile phone shown in Fig. 9B, a liquid crystal television and a viewfinder type monitor are provided. Type video tape recorders, car navigation devices, pagers, electronic organizers, electronic calculators, word processors, workstations, video phones, POS terminals, digital still cameras, and the like.

Claims (14)

A first display element which is divided into at least a first region and a second region, and displays a first image, A second display element divided into at least a third region and a fourth region and displaying a second image; It is provided on the viewing side of the said 1st display element and the said 2nd display element, Comprising: The light transmission area is provided in the boundary of a said 1st area and a said 3rd area, and the boundary of a said 2nd area and a 4th area. A parallax barrier layer formed of A spacer layer separating the first and second display elements from the parallax barrier layer And The third region is located between the first region and the second region, and the second region is located between the third region and the fourth region, respectively. Electro-optical device, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, When the thickness of the spacer layer is dth, the arrangement pitch of the first region and the third region, or the arrangement pitch of the second region and the fourth region is pch, 1.1? Dth / pch? An electro-optical device. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And the light transmitting region is a slit provided along a boundary between the first region and the third region and a boundary between the second region and the fourth region. The method according to claim 1 or 2, A color pixel is formed by a plurality of subpixels having different display colors from each other. And the first display element or the second display element is one subpixel of the plurality of subpixels. The method of claim 4, wherein And the first display element and the second display element correspond to different display colors. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And the first display element and the second display element correspond to the same display color. The method of claim 1, The first display element includes a first pixel electrode, and the first pixel electrode is connected to the first divided pixel electrode corresponding to the first region and to the first divided pixel electrode. Divided into corresponding second divided pixel electrodes, The second display element includes a second pixel electrode, and the second pixel electrode is connected to the third divided pixel electrode corresponding to the third region and the third divided pixel electrode and to the fourth region. Divided into corresponding fourth divided pixel electrodes Electro-optical device, characterized in that. The method of claim 7, wherein A first switching element connected to said first pixel electrode, A first data line connected to said first switching element, A second switching element connected to the second pixel electrode; A second data line connected to the second switching element, A scan line connected to the first switching element and the second switching element An electro-optical device, characterized in that further comprises. The method of claim 8, The first switching element is connected to the first pixel electrode by the first divided pixel electrode, The second switching element is connected to the second pixel electrode by the fourth divided pixel electrode. Electro-optical device, characterized in that. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, A first substrate on which the parallax barrier layer and the spacer layer are stacked; A second substrate opposed to the first substrate, An electro-optic material encapsulated between the first substrate and the second substrate An electro-optical device further comprising. The method of claim 10, And said second substrate comprises said first pixel electrode and said second pixel electrode. The method of claim 10, An electro-optical device comprising a colored layer formed on the first substrate. The method of claim 11, And an illuminating device for irradiating light toward the second substrate. An electronic device comprising the electro-optical device according to claim 1 or 2.