WO2013125466A1

WO2013125466A1 - Display device

Info

Publication number: WO2013125466A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/053718
Authority: WO
Inventors: 後藤　利充; 之雄水野
Original assignee: シャープ株式会社
Priority date: 2012-02-21
Filing date: 2013-02-15
Publication date: 2013-08-29

Abstract

In a display device capable of updating the display position of a light shield member of a slit image in response to the visual confirmation position of a viewer, a structure for suppressing brightness changes on the display screen when updating the display position of the light shield member of a slit image is implemented in a simple structure. A display device (1) is equipped with a main panel (2), a switch panel (3) for displaying a slit image, a backlight (4), a visual confirmation position detector (8) for detecting changes in the visual confirmation position of the viewer, a switch panel drive controller (6) and a backlight controller (7). When a change in the visual confirmation position of the viewer is detected, the switch panel drive controller (6) changes the display position of the light shield member displayed by the switch panel (3) in response to the change in the visual confirmation position. When a change in the visual confirmation position of the viewer was detected, the backlight controller (7) changes the brightness of the backlight (4) to suppress brightness changes in the image seen by the viewer.

Description

Display device

The present invention includes a display panel that displays an image for three-dimensional display and a liquid crystal panel for slit display that displays a slit image having a light-shielding portion, and the image displayed on the display panel can be visually recognized as a three-dimensional image. The present invention relates to a display device.

A display device that includes a display panel that displays an image for three-dimensional display and a liquid crystal panel for slit display that displays a slit image having a light-shielding portion, and which can visually recognize the image displayed on the display panel as a three-dimensional image is known. It has been. In such a display device, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-18049, an image (image for three-dimensional display) displayed on an image display panel (display panel) and a division barrier (slit image) are displayed. In combination, the image displayed on the image display panel can be optically separated into a left-eye image and a right-eye image. Thereby, the image displayed on the image display panel is visually recognized as a three-dimensional image by the viewer.

Further, in the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-18049, the position and coordinates of the viewer's eyes are extracted, and the display position of the light shielding portion of the division barrier is changed according to the change in the viewing angle of the viewer. Move. Such movement of the display position of the light-shielding portion can be realized by controlling on / off of voltage application with respect to the divided barrier electrode for displaying the divided barrier.

As in the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-18049, when the light shielding portion of the slit image is moved according to the viewing position of the viewer, when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal that displays the slit image The response characteristics of the liquid crystal may differ depending on whether the voltage is not applied. Then, when switching between application and non-application of voltage to the liquid crystal so as to change the display position of the light shielding portion of the slit image, luminance flicker that reduces the luminance of the display screen of the display device is likely to occur.

On the other hand, in the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-18049, the voltage applied to the liquid crystal for displaying the slit image is adjusted so that the luminance flicker as described above does not occur. Yes.

However, in such a configuration, when the display position of the light shielding portion of the slit image is moved, the transmittance characteristics are equal between the portion where the voltage is applied to the liquid crystal and the portion where the voltage is not applied to the liquid crystal. It is necessary to adjust the voltage applied to the liquid crystal. If it does so, it is necessary to control the voltage applied for every electrode, and a complicated control circuit will be needed.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to change the luminance of the display screen when the display position of the light shielding part of the slit image is changed in a display device that can change the display position of the light shielding part of the slit image according to the visual recognition position of the viewer. This is to realize a configuration in which the above is suppressed by a simple configuration.

The display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display panel that displays an image for three-dimensional display, and the display panel so that an image displayed on the display panel is visually recognized by a viewer as a three-dimensional image. A slit display liquid crystal panel for displaying a slit image having a light-shielding portion on the viewing side or the back side, a light source unit disposed on the back side of the display panel, and the viewer's viewing on the viewing side of the display panel A visual position detection unit that detects a change in position; a slit display control unit that controls display of the slit image in the liquid crystal panel for slit display; and a light source control unit that controls driving of the light source unit. When the change in the visual recognition position of the viewer is detected by the visual recognition position detection unit, the display control unit responds to the change in the visual recognition position according to the change in the visual recognition position. The light source control unit is configured to change a display position of the light shielding unit displayed on the screen, and the light source control unit is visually recognized by the viewer when a change in the viewing position of the viewer is detected by the visual recognition position detection unit. The luminance of the light source unit is changed so that the luminance change of the image is suppressed.

The display device according to an embodiment of the present invention can realize a configuration in which a change in luminance of the display screen is suppressed when the display position of the light shielding portion of the slit image is changed, with a simple configuration.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an overall configuration of a display device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing a laminated structure of a main panel, a switch panel, and a backlight. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the switch panel. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a simplified configuration of electrodes provided on one substrate of the switch panel. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a simplified configuration of the electrodes provided on the other substrate of the switch panel. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example when a parallax barrier is formed on a switch panel in a stacked structure of a main panel, a switch panel, and a backlight. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example when a parallax barrier is formed on a switch panel in a stacked structure of a main panel, a switch panel, and a backlight. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example when a parallax barrier is formed on a switch panel in a stacked structure of a main panel, a switch panel, and a backlight. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example when a parallax barrier is formed on a switch panel in a stacked structure of a main panel, a switch panel, and a backlight. FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the voltage applied to each electrode and the luminance pattern of the backlight when the state shown in FIG. 6 changes to the state shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a time chart showing the voltage applied to each electrode and the luminance pattern of the backlight when the state shown in FIG. 6 is changed to the state shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 of the display device according to the second embodiment.

The display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display panel that displays an image for three-dimensional display, and the display panel so that an image displayed on the display panel is visually recognized by a viewer as a three-dimensional image. A slit display liquid crystal panel for displaying a slit image having a light-shielding portion on the viewing side or the back side, a light source unit disposed on the back side of the display panel, and the viewer's viewing on the viewing side of the display panel A visual position detection unit that detects a change in position; a slit display control unit that controls display of the slit image in the liquid crystal panel for slit display; and a light source control unit that controls driving of the light source unit. When the change in the visual recognition position of the viewer is detected by the visual recognition position detection unit, the display control unit responds to the change in the visual recognition position according to the change in the visual recognition position. The light source control unit is configured to change a display position of the light shielding unit displayed on the screen, and the light source control unit is visually recognized by the viewer when a change in the viewing position of the viewer is detected by the visual recognition position detection unit. The luminance of the light source unit is changed so as to suppress the luminance change of the image (first configuration).

In the above configuration, the display position of the light shielding portion displayed on the liquid crystal panel for slit display can be changed according to the change in the visual recognition position of the viewer detected by the visual recognition position detection portion. Thereby, even when the viewing position of the viewer changes, the viewer can view the image displayed on the display panel as a three-dimensional image. Then, when the viewing position of the viewer changes, the light source control unit changes the luminance of the light source unit so that the luminance change of the image visually recognized by the viewer is suppressed, thereby Luminance flicker that occurs on the display screen when the display position is changed can be reduced.

In the first configuration, the light source control unit is configured so that the luminance of an image viewed by a viewer is constant when a change in the viewer's viewing position is detected by the viewing position detection unit. The luminance of the light source unit is changed (second configuration).

Thereby, when the display position of the light-shielding part displayed on the liquid crystal panel for slit display is changed in accordance with the change in the viewing position of the viewer, it is possible to more reliably reduce the occurrence of luminance flicker on the display screen. .

In the first or second configuration, the liquid crystal panel for slit display is configured such that the light shielding unit is displayed in a portion where a predetermined voltage is applied to the liquid crystal, and the light source control unit When a change in the viewing position of the viewer is detected by the viewing position detection unit, the brightness of the light source unit is increased (third configuration).

In the case of a liquid crystal panel in which the transmittance is maximized when a predetermined voltage is not applied to the liquid crystal, the viewing position of the viewer changes and the display position of the light shielding portion displayed on the slit display liquid crystal panel changes. In doing so, the brightness of the display screen of the slit display liquid crystal panel is lowered. In this case, as described above, by increasing the luminance of the light source unit, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the luminance of the image visually recognized by the viewer.

In the first or second configuration, the liquid crystal panel for slit display is configured such that the light shielding unit is displayed in addition to a portion where a predetermined voltage is applied to the liquid crystal, and the light source control unit includes: When a change in the viewing position of the viewer is detected by the viewing position detection unit, the brightness of the light source unit is decreased (fourth configuration).

In the case of a liquid crystal panel in which the transmittance is minimized when a predetermined voltage is not applied to the liquid crystal, the viewing position of the viewer changes and the display position of the light shielding portion displayed on the slit display liquid crystal panel changes. In doing so, the brightness of the display screen of the slit display liquid crystal panel increases. In this case, as described above, the luminance of the image visually recognized by the viewer can be prevented by reducing the luminance of the light source unit.

In any one of the first to fourth configurations, the slit display control unit is configured to display the slit according to the amount of change in the visual position of the viewer detected by the visual position detection unit. The light source control unit is configured to change the amount of change in the display position of the light shielding unit displayed on the liquid crystal panel, and the light source control unit is configured to change the amount of change in the visual position of the viewer detected by the visual position detection unit. It is comprised so that the variation | change_quantity of the brightness | luminance of a light source part may be changed (5th structure).

By doing so, the amount of change in the display position of the light-shielding portion displayed on the slit display liquid crystal panel changes according to the amount of change in the viewing position of the viewer. Can more reliably visually recognize a three-dimensional image. In addition, since the amount of change in luminance of the light source unit also changes according to the amount of change in the viewing position of the viewer, the occurrence of luminance flicker can be prevented more reliably.

In any one of the first to fifth configurations, a temperature sensor that measures a temperature around the slit display liquid crystal panel is further provided, and the light source control unit is configured to respond to a measurement result of the temperature sensor. The time for changing the luminance of the light source unit is changed (sixth configuration).

As a result, even when the ambient temperature of the slit display liquid crystal panel changes and the liquid crystal response characteristics of the slit display liquid crystal panel change, the time required to increase the luminance of the light source unit according to the response characteristics is increased. Can be changed. Therefore, even when the temperature around the slit display liquid crystal panel changes, it is possible to more reliably prevent the occurrence of luminance flicker on the display screen when the viewer's viewing position changes.

In any one of the first to sixth configurations, the slit display liquid crystal panel includes a pair of substrates disposed opposite to each other and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of substrates. A plurality of electrode groups are provided on opposing surfaces of the pair of substrates, and the plurality of electrode groups are provided alternately on each of the substrates, and the pair of substrates In a superposed state, the electrodes are provided such that a part of the electrode groups provided on the pair of substrates overlap each other when viewed from the thickness direction of the substrates (seventh configuration).

As a result, the electrode group to which a voltage for displaying a slit image is applied to a plurality of electrode groups respectively formed on the opposing surfaces of the pair of substrates, thereby being displayed on the slit display liquid crystal panel. The display position of the light shielding portion can be changed. That is, with the above-described configuration, a liquid crystal display panel that can change the display position of the light shielding portion is obtained.

In any one of the first to seventh configurations, the slit display liquid crystal panel is a TN liquid crystal panel (eighth configuration). In the case of a TN liquid crystal, the response characteristics of the liquid crystal are different between a state where a predetermined voltage is applied to the liquid crystal (hereinafter referred to as an ON state) and a case where the predetermined voltage is not applied to the liquid crystal (hereinafter referred to as an OFF state). to differ greatly. Specifically, the response speed is slower when the TN liquid crystal is turned off than when the TN liquid crystal is turned on. Therefore, in the case of a TN liquid crystal that is in a light scattering state in the ON state, when the display position of the light shielding portion is changed by partially switching the TN liquid crystal to the ON state or the OFF state, the entire screen becomes dark for a moment. . That is, in the case of the TN liquid crystal, luminance flicker is likely to occur when the display position of the light shielding portion is changed. Even when such a TN liquid crystal is used as a slit display panel, luminance flicker can be effectively reduced by applying the first to fourth configurations described above.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the display device will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the dimension of the structural member in each figure does not represent the dimension of an actual structural member, the dimension ratio of each structural member, etc. faithfully.

[Embodiment 1]
(overall structure)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a display device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the display device 1 includes a main panel 2, a switch panel 3, a backlight 4, a main panel drive control unit 5, a switch panel drive control unit 6, and a backlight control unit 7. And a visual recognition position detection unit 8. The display device 1 is used in, for example, a portable information terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a game machine, a desktop personal computer, a laptop personal computer, a home television, an in-vehicle television, and the like.

The main panel 2 (display panel) is a liquid crystal panel capable of displaying a color image. As shown in FIG. 2, the main panel 2 includes a counter substrate 11, an active matrix substrate 12, and a liquid crystal layer 13 formed between the counter substrate 11 and the active matrix substrate 12. Although not particularly illustrated, polarizing plates are provided on the outer surfaces of the counter substrate 11 and the active matrix substrate 12, respectively.

The active matrix substrate 12 is provided with a plurality of TFTs (Thin Film Transistor; not shown), pixel electrodes and a plurality of wirings (source wiring, gate wiring, etc.) on a transparent substrate such as a glass substrate. is there. Note that the configuration of the TFT is the same as the conventional one, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

A pixel electrode (not shown) is a transparent electrode and is formed of a light-transmitting conductive material such as ITO (indium tin oxide). The pixel electrode defines a pixel 21 (see FIGS. 6 to 9) that is a unit of image display. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, each pixel 21 includes RGB sub-pixels (red pixel (R pixel) 22R, green pixel (G pixel) 22G, and blue pixel (B pixel) 22B).

In the active matrix substrate 12, a region where the above-described pixels 21 are formed is a display region 2a (see FIG. 1) of the main panel 2.

Although not particularly illustrated, the source electrode, the gate electrode, and the drain electrode of the TFT are connected to the source wiring, the gate wiring, and the pixel electrode, respectively. The point that a signal is input to the TFT via the gate wiring and the source wiring and the TFT is driven is the same as that of the conventional liquid crystal display device, and thus detailed description is omitted.

The counter substrate 11 is formed by providing a counter electrode made of a transparent conductive film such as ITO on a transparent substrate such as a glass substrate. The counter substrate 11 is provided with RGB color filters. Corresponding to the RGB color filters provided on the counter substrate 11, RGB sub-pixels 22R, 22G, and 22B of each pixel 21 are formed as shown in FIGS. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the RGB sub-pixels 22R, 22G, and 22B are arranged in one direction (the horizontal direction in FIG. 1) of the display area 2a of the main panel 2.

Further, the main panel 2 includes a sub-pixel 22a for displaying an image shown in the right eye of the viewer (hereinafter referred to as an image for the right eye) and an image shown in the left eye of the viewer (hereinafter referred to as the left) in the display area 2a. Sub-pixels 22b for displaying the eye image) are alternately arranged in the one direction. The sub-pixels 22a and 22b are formed in a row in the display area 2a of the main panel 2, respectively. Thereby, in the display area 2a of the main panel 2, the columns of the sub-pixels 22a that display the image for the right eye and the columns of the sub-pixels 22b that display the image for the left eye are alternately arranged in the one direction. Yes. That is, each column of the sub-pixels 22a and 22b is provided in the display area 2a of the main panel 2 in a stripe pattern.

With the above configuration, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the sub-pixels are arranged in the horizontal direction in the order of RGB in the display area 2a of the main panel, and the sub-pixel 22a and the left eye for displaying the right-eye image. The sub-pixels 22b for displaying the image for use are alternately arranged.

The main panel drive control unit 5 is configured to drive and control the main panel 2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the main panel drive control unit 5 includes a gate driver 31, a source driver 32, and a display control unit 33.

A plurality of gate lines 34 are connected to the gate driver 31. The other end of each gate line 34 is connected to the TFT gate electrode of the active matrix substrate 12. Each gate line 34 transmits a scanning signal output from the gate driver 32 to the TFT of the active matrix substrate 12. Therefore, the TFT is driven and controlled by the scanning signal output from the gate driver 32.

A plurality of source lines 35 are connected to the source driver 32. The other end side of each source line 35 is connected to the TFT source electrode of the active matrix substrate 12. Each source line 35 transmits a display signal output from the source driver 32 to the active matrix substrate 12. When a display signal is input to the TFT of the active matrix substrate 12 in a driving state, charges corresponding to the display signal are stored in a charge storage capacitor (not shown) electrically connected to the TFT. The charge storage capacitor is formed by the pixel electrode formed on the active matrix substrate 12, the counter electrode formed on the counter substrate 11, and the liquid crystal layer 13 positioned between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode. The As described above, by accumulating charges corresponding to the display signal in the charge storage capacitor, the gradation of the color displayed in each subpixel can be controlled. Thereby, an image can be displayed on the main panel 2.

The display control unit 33 generates various signals necessary for displaying an image based on the display data signal and the timing control signal, and outputs them to the gate driver 31 and the source driver 32. That is, the display control unit 33 generates and outputs various signals necessary for displaying an image on the main panel 2.

The switch panel 3 (slit display liquid crystal panel) is a liquid crystal panel, similar to the main panel 2. The switch panel 3 of the present embodiment is a so-called normally white liquid crystal panel in which the transmittance is maximum when a specific voltage (described later) is not applied to the liquid crystal. As shown in FIG. 2, the switch panel 3 includes a pair of

substrates

41 and 42 and a liquid crystal layer 43 disposed between the pair of substrates. The

substrates

41 and 42 are, for example, glass substrates. Although not particularly illustrated, polarizing plates are respectively provided on the outer surfaces of the

substrates

41 and 42 of the switch panel 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of

substrates

41 and 42 are provided with

electrodes

44 and 47 on surfaces facing each other. The

electrodes

44 and 47 are formed of a transparent conductive film such as an indium tin oxide film (ITO film). The

electrodes

44 and 47 are each electrically connected to the switch panel drive control unit 6. The drawings shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 show the

substrates

41 and 42 and the

electrodes

44 and 47 in a simplified manner for the sake of simplicity of explanation. The configurations of the

substrates

41 and 42 and the

electrodes

44 and 47 are as follows. The configuration is not limited to that shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 4, the electrode 44 includes a comb-shaped first electrode group 45 (electrode group) and a comb-shaped second electrode group 46 (electrode group). The first electrode group 45 includes a plurality of electrode main body portions 45a and connection electrodes 45b that connect the electrode

main body portions

45a and 45a to each other. The second electrode group 46 includes a plurality of electrode main body portions 46a and connection electrodes 46b that connect the electrode main body portions 46a and 46a. 4 is a view of the substrate 41 as seen from above in FIG. Therefore, in FIG. 4, the electrode 44 formed on the back surface of the substrate 41 is indicated by a broken line.

The plurality of electrode

main body portions

45a and 46a are each formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and are arranged in one direction of the substrate 41 so as to be parallel to each other. The electrode main body portions 45 a and the electrode main body portions 46 a are alternately arranged in one direction of the substrate 41.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of electrode main body portions 45 a in the first electrode group 45 includes a center of one electrode main body portion 45 a and a center of the other electrode main body portion 45 a in two adjacent electrode main body portions 45 a. Is provided so that the distance between the sub-pixels is equal to the length of two sub-pixels. Similarly, in the plurality of electrode main body portions 46a in the second electrode group 46, in two adjacent electrode main body portions 46a, the distance between the center of one electrode main body portion 46a and the center of the other electrode main body portion 46a is a subpixel. It is provided so that it may be two lengths. Further, the electrode

main body portions

45a and 46a are arranged such that, in the adjacent electrode

main body portions

45a and 46a, the distance between the center of the electrode main body portion 45a and the center of the electrode main body portion 46a is the length of one subpixel. , Provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the connection electrode 45 b is provided on the substrate 41 so as to connect a plurality of electrode main body portions 45 a on one side of the substrate 41. Thereby, the first electrode group 45 is formed in a comb shape. The connection electrode 46b is provided on the substrate 41 so as to connect the plurality of electrode main body portions 46a at a position on the other side (opposite side to the connection electrode 45b) opposite to the one side of the substrate 41. . Accordingly, the second electrode group 46 is also formed in a comb shape.

With the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, the first electrode group 45 and the second electrode group 46 are formed on the substrate 41 so that the electrode body 45 a of the first electrode group 45 and the electrode body 45 of the second electrode group 46. 46a is positioned so as to be alternately arranged in one direction.

Terminal portions 45c and 46c are formed in the first electrode group 45 and the second electrode group 46, respectively. A switch panel drive controller 6 described later is electrically connected to these terminal portions 45c and 46c.

As shown in FIG. 5, the electrode 47 provided on the substrate 42 also has a comb-shaped first electrode group 48 (electrode group) and a comb-shaped second electrode group 49 (electrode), similarly to the electrode 44. Group). Similarly to the first electrode group 45 and the second electrode group 46 described above, the first electrode group 48 and the second electrode group 49 also include a plurality of electrode

main body portions

48a and 49a (electrode main bodies), an electrode main body portion 48a, And connecting

electrodes

48b and 49b for connecting 49a to each other.

The

electrode body portions

48a and 49a are each formed in a substantially rectangular shape, like the

electrode body portions

45a and 46a of the electrode 44, and are arranged in one direction of the substrate 42 so as to be parallel to each other. The electrode main body portions 48 a and the electrode main body portions 49 a are alternately arranged in one direction of the substrate 42.

The

electrode body portions

48a and 49a are provided so as to overlap the

electrode body portions

45a and 46a of the electrode 44 of the substrate 41 when viewed from the thickness direction of the

substrates

41 and 42 in a state where the

substrates

41 and 42 are overlapped. Yes. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the electrode

main body portions

48 a and 49 a have

electrode body portions

48 a and 48 a that are disposed on the substrate 41 when the

substrates

41 and 42 are overlapped. 49a is provided so as to overlap with the arrangement direction of 49a. The range where the electrode

main body portions

48a and 49a overlap with the electrode

main body portions

45a and 46a is a substantially half range of the electrode

main body portions

48a and 49a in the arrangement direction of the electrode

main body portions

48a and 49a.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the electrode 44 provided on the substrate 41 is arranged so that the electrode

main body portions

45a and 46a overlap the plurality of electrode

main body portions

48a and 49a when viewed from the thickness direction of the substrate 41. Is provided. Further, the electrode 47 provided on the substrate 42 is provided so that the electrode

main body portions

48 a and 49 a overlap the plurality of electrode

main body portions

45 a and 46 a when viewed from the thickness direction of the substrate 42.

In the plurality of electrode main body portions 48a in the first electrode group 48, in two adjacent electrode main body portions 48a, the distance between the center of one electrode main body portion 48a and the center of the other electrode main body portion 48a is two subpixels. It is provided so that it may become. Similarly, in the plurality of electrode main body portions 49a in the second electrode group 49, in two adjacent electrode main body portions 49a, the distance between the center of one electrode main body portion 49a and the center of the other electrode main body portion 49a is a subpixel. It is provided so that it may be two lengths. Further, the electrode

main body portions

48a and 49a are arranged such that the distance between the centers of the electrode

main body portions

48a and 49a in the arrangement direction of the adjacent electrode

main body portions

48a and 49a is the length of one sub pixel. , Provided.

Other configurations of the

electrode body portions

48a and 49a and the

connection electrodes

48b and 49b are the same as those of the

electrode body portions

45a and 46a and the

connection electrodes

45b and 46b in the electrode 44 described above. Therefore, the detailed description regarding the electrode

main body portions

48a and 49a and the

connection electrodes

48b and 49b is omitted.

Terminal portions

48c and 49c are also formed in the first electrode group 48 and the second electrode group 49, respectively. A switch panel drive controller 6 described later is electrically connected to these

terminal portions

48c and 49c.

For example, a TN (Twisted Nematic) liquid crystal is used as the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 43 shown in FIG. As described above, when a TN liquid crystal is used as the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 43, a slit image having a high contrast can be formed.

1 controls the voltage applied to the

electrodes

44 and 47 formed on the pair of

substrates

41 and 42 of the switch panel 3. The switch panel drive controller 6 (slit display controller) shown in FIG. The switch panel drive control unit 6 applies a predetermined voltage (for example, 5 V) to the

electrodes

44 and 47 of the switch panel 3, so that the image displayed on the main panel 2 is displayed on the switch panel 3 as viewed from the viewer 3. A slit image that is visually recognized as a three-dimensional image is displayed. As will be described in detail later, the switch panel drive control unit 6 is connected to any one of the first electrode group 45, the first electrode group 48, the second electrode group 46, and the second electrode group 49 on the

substrates

41 and 42. Apply voltage. As a result, a portion to which a specific voltage (predetermined voltage) described later is applied to the liquid crystal layer 43 of the switch panel 3 and a portion to which the specific voltage is not applied exist in stripes. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the portion where the specific voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer 43 becomes the light shielding portion 61, while the portion where the specific voltage is not applied to the liquid crystal layer 43 becomes the slit portion 62. . As will be described later, the switch panel drive control unit 6 can change the position of the light shielding unit 61 displayed on the switch panel 3 in accordance with the viewing direction of the viewer. Detailed operation of the switch panel drive control unit 6 will be described later.

As described above, by displaying the slit-shaped light shielding portion 61 on the switch panel 3, the parallax barrier 60 in which the slit portions 62 and the light shielding portions 61 are alternately arranged in a stripe shape is formed on the switch panel 3. The viewer sees the composite image of the right-eye image and the left-eye image displayed on the main panel 2 through the above-described parallax barrier 60 displayed on the switch panel 3, so that the viewer's right eye can be seen. Shows only the image for the right eye, and only the image for the left eye appears in the left eye of the viewer. Thereby, the viewer can visually recognize the image displayed on the main panel 2 as a three-dimensional image.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a backlight 4 (light source unit) is disposed on the back side of the main panel 3. The backlight 4 irradiates light from the back side to the main panel 3 so that a viewer located on the viewing side of the display device 1 can visually recognize an image displayed on the main panel 3. Since the configuration of the backlight 4 is the same as the conventional configuration, the detailed configuration is not described here. The backlight 4 may be any type such as an edge light type, a direct type, and a planar light source type. Further, as the light source of the backlight 4, for example, a cooling cathode tube or a light emitting diode (LED) may be used.

The backlight control unit 7 (light source control unit) adjusts the luminance of the backlight 4 by outputting a signal to the backlight 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the backlight control unit 7 stores a luminance correction unit 7 a that changes the luminance of the backlight 4 and a correction value for correcting the luminance when the viewing direction of the viewer changes. Storage unit 7b. Detailed operation of the backlight control unit 7 will be described later.

The visual recognition position detection unit 8 includes a camera 51 that captures a viewer and a visual recognition unit 52 that obtains the visual recognition position of the viewer based on an image obtained by the camera 51. The camera 51 always shoots the face of the viewer while a three-dimensional image is displayed in the display area 2 a of the main panel 2. As the camera 51, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) camera, a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) camera, or the like can be used. The camera 51 is installed in, for example, the housing of the display device 1.

The camera 51 is connected to the visual recognition position recognition unit 52 by a signal line. Thereby, the image photographed by the camera 51 is transmitted to the visual recognition position recognition unit 52 as image data.

The visual recognition position recognizing unit 52 recognizes the face of the viewer photographed by the camera 51 and obtains position information of the face. The visual recognition position recognition unit 52 obtains the position information of the viewer's face by using, for example, pattern recognition. Specifically, the visual recognition position recognition unit 52 recognizes the positions of the viewer's eyes (for example, the positions of the pupils of both eyes) based on the image of the viewer's face taken by the camera 51. Then, the midpoint of the line segment connecting the center points of the eyes is recognized as the lateral center of the viewer's face. The visual recognition position recognizing unit 52 detects the position of the center of the recognized face in the lateral direction relative to a predetermined reference position, thereby detecting the current viewer. The lateral position of the face is specified. The predetermined reference position is, for example, the position of the viewer in the image captured by the camera 51 when the viewer visually recognizes the display device 1 at the center position in the left-right direction.

The lateral position of the viewer's face detected by the viewing position recognition unit 52 is input to the switch panel drive control unit 6 as a signal related to the viewing position of the viewer. Thereby, in the switch panel drive control part 6, it becomes possible to change the position of the light-shielding part 61 displayed on the switch panel 3 according to a viewer's visual recognition position.

(Switch panel display control according to the viewing position)
Next, in the display device 1 having the above-described configuration, operations of the switch panel drive control unit 6 and the backlight control unit 7 when the viewing position of the viewer is changed will be described.

For example, consider a case where the light shielding portion 61 is formed at the position shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, in the switch panel 3, a specific voltage is applied to the first electrode group 45 formed on one substrate 41, while a reference voltage is applied to the other electrode group. Thereby, the light shielding part 61 is formed at a position corresponding to the first electrode group 45 in the liquid crystal layer 43.

Here, the specific voltage is a voltage having an antiphase with respect to the reference voltage. The reference voltage and the specific voltage are, for example, AC voltages such as a rectangular wave having a maximum value of 5V. In the present embodiment, the cycle of the reference voltage and the AC voltage of the specific voltage is, for example, 90 Hz.

Next, when the viewer's face moves in the horizontal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 6) of the display area 2 a of the main panel 2, the viewer position recognition unit is based on the image of the viewer's face obtained by the camera 51. 52 calculates the moving direction and moving distance of the face of the viewer. Specifically, when the horizontal position of the image of the viewer's face obtained by the camera 51 changes, the visual recognition unit 52 recognizes the direction in which the position of the viewer's face has changed based on the change. The amount of change is calculated. The movement direction and movement distance of the viewer's face calculated by the visual recognition unit 52 are input to the switch panel drive controller 6 as a signal. The switch panel drive control unit 6 changes the electrode group to which the specific voltage is applied according to the moving direction and moving distance of the viewer's face.

For example, when the face of the viewer moves to the right side of FIG. 6, the switch panel drive control unit 6 sets the specific voltage so as to move the position of the light shielding unit 61 to the right side (see FIGS. 7 to 9). The applied electrode group is changed. Conversely, when the viewer's face moves to the left side of FIG. 6, the electrode group to which the specific voltage is applied is changed so that the position of the light shielding unit 61 is moved in the direction opposite to that in FIGS. 7 to 9. To do. The distance for moving the position of the light shielding unit 61 is determined according to the movement distance of the face of the viewer obtained by the visual recognition unit 52. That is, the light shielding unit 61 is provided at a position where the viewer can visually recognize the three-dimensional image through the parallax barrier 60 according to the position of the face of the viewer.

Hereinafter, when the position of the light shielding unit 61 is changed from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in each of FIGS. 7 to 9, for example, by using the switch panel drive control unit 6 with reference to FIGS. The manner of changing the electrode group to which the specific voltage is applied will be described.

When the position of the light shielding unit 61 is changed from the position shown in FIGS. 6 to 7, the switch panel drive control unit 6 moves the electrode group to which the specific voltage is applied from the first electrode group 45 formed on one substrate 41. The first electrode group 48 formed on the other substrate 42 is changed. A reference voltage is applied to electrode groups other than the first electrode group 48. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7, the position where the light-shielding part 61 is formed moves to the right as compared with FIG. The amount of movement of the light shielding portion 61 at this time is a length corresponding to approximately half of the dimension of the subpixel in the horizontal direction (the arrangement direction of the electrode

main body portions

45a, 46a, 48a, and 49a) in the example of FIG.

When the position of the light shielding unit 61 is changed from the position shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the switch panel drive control unit 6 changes the electrode group to which the specific voltage is applied from the first electrode group 45 formed on one substrate 41. The second electrode group 46 formed on the substrate 41 is changed. A reference voltage is applied to electrode groups other than the second electrode group 46. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, the position where the light-shielding part 61 is formed moves to the right as compared with FIG. The amount of movement of the light shielding portion 61 at this time is a length corresponding to the horizontal dimension of the sub-pixel in the example of FIG.

When the position of the light shielding unit 61 is changed from the position shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the switch panel drive control unit 6 changes the electrode group to which the specific voltage is applied from the first electrode group 45 formed on one substrate 41. Then, the second electrode group 49 formed on the other substrate 42 is changed. A reference voltage is applied to electrode groups other than the second electrode group 49. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 9, the position where the light-shielding part 61 is formed moves to the right as compared with FIG. The amount of movement of the light shielding portion 61 at this time is a length corresponding to approximately 1.5 times the horizontal dimension of the sub-pixel in the example of FIG.

In the case where the light shielding portion 61 is moved further to the right side than FIG. 9, a specific voltage may be applied to the first electrode group 45 formed on one substrate 41 as shown in FIG. Further, the case where the light shielding portion 61 is moved to the left side with respect to FIG. 6 can be realized by combining any of the cases shown in FIGS. That is, the light shielding part 61 can be moved to the left and right by combining the above-described FIGS.

FIG. 10 shows a change in voltage applied to each electrode group when the position where the light shielding portion 61 is formed is changed from the state shown in FIG. 6 to the state shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, when the visual recognition position detection unit 8 detects a change in the visual recognition position of the viewer (broken line in the figure), the switch panel drive control unit 6 sets the electrode group to which the specific voltage is applied, The first electrode group 45 formed on the first substrate 41 is changed to the first electrode group 48 formed on the other substrate 42.

In the configuration using a liquid crystal with a slow response speed such as TN liquid crystal as the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 13 as in the present embodiment, when changing the state of the liquid crystal by applying a potential difference (for example, changing from a light transmission state to a light scattering state). The response speed of the liquid crystal is slower when the state of the liquid crystal is changed by eliminating the potential difference (for example, when the liquid crystal changes from the light scattering state to the light transmission state). Therefore, when the electrode group to which the specific voltage is applied is changed as described above, the switch panel 3 is instantaneously darkened, giving the viewer a sense of discomfort.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the luminance correction unit 7 a of the backlight control unit 7 changes the luminance of the backlight 4 when detecting a change in the viewing position of the viewer (broken line in FIG. 10). Brighten temporarily. That is, the brightness correction unit 7a increases the brightness of the backlight 4 in accordance with the decrease in the brightness of the switch panel 3 so that the brightness of the display screen of the display device 1 viewed by the viewer is constant. Thereby, when the electrode group which applies a specific voltage is switched in the switch panel 3, since the brightness of a screen hardly changes, it can prevent giving a viewer discomfort.

Here, the backlight control unit 7 outputs a PWM signal to the backlight 4 and controls the brightness according to the duty ratio of the PWM signal. The luminance correction unit 7a temporarily increases the luminance of the backlight 4 by increasing the duty ratio of the PWM signal when the visual recognition position of the viewer is changed. Although not particularly illustrated, the PWM signal is input to a backlight control device for controlling the backlight 4. When a PWM signal is input to the backlight control device, the backlight control device adjusts the luminance of the backlight 4 by controlling the current flowing through the backlight 4.

In the backlight control unit 7, a correction value for adjusting the luminance of the backlight 4 when the electrode group to which the specific voltage is applied is switched in the switch panel 3 is stored in the storage unit 7b. That is, the backlight control unit 7 stores in advance a correction value of the luminance of the backlight 4 according to the liquid crystal response characteristics of the liquid crystal layer 13 of the switch panel 3. In the example of FIG. 10, the correction value is set so that the luminance of the backlight 4 changes in a curve according to the response characteristics of the liquid crystal as time passes. The luminance correction unit 7a uses this correction value to adjust the luminance of the backlight 4 when the switch panel 3 switches the electrode group to which the specific voltage is applied. That is, the luminance correction unit 7a reads the correction value from the storage unit 7b in accordance with the signal related to the movement direction and movement distance of the viewer's face output from the visual recognition unit 52, and performs back-up based on the correction value. Correction for increasing the duty ratio of the PWM signal of the light 4 is performed. The correction value stored in the storage unit may be a numerical value or a mathematical expression.

(Effect of Embodiment 1)
In the first embodiment, when the position of the light shielding unit 61 displayed on the switch panel 3 is changed in accordance with the change in the viewing position of the viewer, the back of the display device 1 so that the brightness of the display screen is constant. The light control unit 7 adjusts the luminance of the backlight 4. Thereby, even when the viewing position of the viewer changes and the display position of the light shielding unit 61 displayed on the switch panel 3 changes, it is possible to prevent the viewer from feeling uncomfortable.

(Modification of Embodiment 1)
11, in the switch panel 3 of the display device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the voltage applied to each electrode group and the backlight 4 when the position of the light shielding unit 61 is changed from the state illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8. An example of luminance is shown.

When the position of the light shielding unit 61 is changed from the state shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 to the state shown in FIGS. 6 to 7, the liquid crystal is changed from the light scattering state to the light transmission state. The area of the part that changes to is large. Therefore, when the position of the light shielding part 61 is changed to the state of FIGS. 6 to 8, the switch panel 3 becomes darker than when the light shielding part 61 is changed to the state of FIGS. 6 to 7.

In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 11, when a change in the viewing position of the viewer is detected (broken line in FIG. 11), the luminance is higher than the luminance change of the backlight 4 shown in FIG. Is greatly changed. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the luminance change amount is twice as large as the luminance change of the backlight 4 shown in FIG. The broken line shown in FIG. 11 is the luminance change amount of the backlight 4 shown in FIG.

Thereby, when the position of the light-shielding portion 61 is changed from the state shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, it is possible to prevent the viewer viewing the switch panel 3 from feeling uncomfortable.

6 to FIG. 9, when the light shielding unit 61 is changed to the state of FIG. 6 to FIG. 7, the liquid crystal changes from the light scattering state to the light transmission state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the viewer of the switch panel 3 from feeling uncomfortable due to the luminance change of the backlight 4 shown in FIG.

As described above, the viewer can change the viewing position greatly by changing the amount of change in the display position of the light shielding unit 61 and the amount of change in the luminance of the backlight 4 according to the amount of change in the viewing position of the viewer. Even if it happens, it is possible to prevent the viewer from feeling uncomfortable. In the case of this modification, the luminance change amount of the backlight 4 changes according to the area of the portion where the response speed of the liquid crystal is slow (in this embodiment, the area of the portion where the light scattering state changes to the light transmission state). Let

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 12 shows a schematic configuration of the display device 100 according to the second embodiment. This embodiment is different from the configuration of the first embodiment in that the driving of the backlight 4 is controlled based on the ambient temperature of the switch panel 3. In the following description, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Only configurations different from those of the first embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 12, the display device 100 includes a temperature sensor 101 for measuring the temperature around the switch panel 3 and a backlight control unit 102 that controls the backlight 4 based on the measurement result of the temperature sensor 101. (Light source control unit). The display device 100 of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the display device 1 of the first embodiment except for the temperature sensor 101 and the backlight control unit 102.

The temperature sensor 101 measures the temperature around the switch panel 3. As the temperature sensor 101, for example, a thermistor, a thermocouple, or the like is used. The temperature sensor 101 is connected to the backlight control unit 102 via a signal line. Thereby, the temperature data around the switch panel 3 detected by the temperature sensor 101 can be transmitted to the backlight control unit 102.

The backlight control unit 102 includes a luminance correction unit 102a and a storage unit 102b. The brightness correction unit 102a increases the brightness of the backlight 4 based on the measurement result of the temperature sensor 101 and receives the change in the viewing position of the viewer from the viewing position recognition unit 52 as a signal. Change the time to increase the brightness. The storage unit 102b stores a correction value for correcting the luminance of the backlight 4 by the luminance correction unit 102a and a time for performing the luminance correction. The correction value and the time are determined according to temperature.

The liquid crystal molecules have a slow response speed when the temperature is low, so it takes time to switch the state accordingly. Therefore, when the temperature around the switch panel 3 is low, the time during which the screen is darkened when the viewer's viewing position changes increases. Therefore, when the temperature around the switch panel 3 is low, for example, the luminance correction unit 102a of the backlight control unit 102 lengthens the time for increasing the luminance of the backlight 4 when the viewing position of the viewer changes. . On the other hand, when the temperature around the switch panel 3 is high, the time for increasing the luminance of the backlight 4 is shortened when the viewing position of the viewer changes.

(Effect of Embodiment 2)
In this embodiment, the period during which the luminance of the backlight 4 is increased when the viewer's viewing position changes is changed based on the ambient temperature of the switch panel 3. Accordingly, even when the temperature around the switch panel 3 changes and the response characteristics of the liquid crystal of the switch panel 3 change, it is possible to more reliably prevent the occurrence of luminance flicker on the display screen. Therefore, when the viewer changes the viewing position, it is possible to more reliably prevent the viewer from feeling uncomfortable.

(Other embodiments)
While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented by appropriately modifying the above-described embodiment without departing from the spirit thereof.

In each of the above embodiments, the switch panel 3 is disposed on the viewing side of the main panel 2. However, the switch panel 3 may be disposed on the back side of the main panel 2.

In each of the above embodiments, a TN liquid crystal panel is used as the switch panel 3, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a liquid crystal panel having another configuration may be used.

In each of the embodiments described above, the brightness correction unit 7a temporarily increases the brightness of the backlight 4 so that the brightness of the display screen becomes constant when the viewer's viewing position changes. However, the luminance correction unit 7a may temporarily increase the luminance of the backlight 4 within a range in which luminance flicker can be reduced. Further, when the luminance of the display screen becomes bright, the luminance of the backlight 4 may be lowered in order to suppress the luminance change.

In each of the embodiments described above, the switch panel 3 is a so-called normally white liquid crystal panel in which the transmittance is maximized when a specific voltage is not applied to the liquid crystal. However, the switch panel 3 may be a so-called normally black liquid crystal panel in which the transmittance is minimized when a specific voltage is not applied to the liquid crystal. In this case, the brightness of the backlight 4 is temporarily reduced because the brightness of the screen temporarily increases when the viewing position of the viewer changes, contrary to the case of each of the above embodiments.

The display device according to the present invention can be used for a display device that can visually recognize a three-dimensional image even if the viewing position of the viewer changes.

Claims

A display panel for displaying an image for three-dimensional display;
A slit display liquid crystal panel for displaying a slit image having a light-shielding portion on the viewing side or the back side of the display panel so that the image displayed on the display panel is visually recognized as a three-dimensional image by a viewer;
A light source unit disposed on the back side of the display panel;
A visual recognition position detector that detects a change in the visual recognition position of the viewer on the visual recognition side of the display panel;
A slit display control unit for controlling the display of the slit image in the slit display liquid crystal panel;
A light source control unit for controlling the driving of the light source unit,
The slit display control unit is configured to display the slit display liquid crystal panel on the slit display liquid crystal panel according to the change in the visual recognition position when the visual recognition position detection unit detects the change in the visual recognition position of the viewer. Configured to change the display position,
The light source control unit changes the luminance of the light source unit so that a change in luminance of an image visually recognized by the viewer is suppressed when a change in the visual recognition position of the viewer is detected by the visual recognition position detection unit. Let the display device.
The light source control unit changes the luminance of the light source unit so that the luminance of the image visually recognized by the viewer is constant when the change of the visual recognition position of the viewer is detected by the visual recognition position detection unit. the display device according to claim 1.
The slit display liquid crystal panel is configured such that the light shielding portion is displayed on a portion where a predetermined voltage is applied to the liquid crystal,
The display according to claim 1, wherein the light source control unit is configured to increase luminance of the light source unit when a change in the visual recognition position of the viewer is detected by the visual recognition position detection unit. apparatus.
The slit display liquid crystal panel is configured to display the light-shielding portion in addition to a portion where a predetermined voltage is applied to the liquid crystal,
The display according to claim 1, wherein the light source control unit is configured to reduce luminance of the light source unit when a change in the viewing position of the viewer is detected by the viewing position detection unit. apparatus.
The slit display control unit changes the amount of change in the display position of the light shielding portion displayed on the slit display liquid crystal panel in accordance with the amount of change in the visual position of the viewer detected by the visual position detection unit. Composed of
5. The light source control unit according to claim 1, wherein the light source control unit is configured to change a luminance change amount of the light source unit according to a change amount of the visual recognition position of the viewer detected by the visual recognition position detection unit. The display device according to any one of the above.
A temperature sensor for measuring a temperature around the slit display liquid crystal panel;
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the light source control unit is configured to change a time for changing the luminance of the light source unit according to a measurement result of the temperature sensor.
The slit display liquid crystal panel is:
A pair of substrates disposed opposite to each other;
A liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of substrates,
A plurality of electrode groups are provided on the opposing surfaces of the pair of substrates, respectively.
The plurality of electrode groups are provided so as to be alternately arranged on each of the substrates, and are provided on the pair of substrates when viewed from the thickness direction of the substrate in a state where the pair of substrates are overlapped. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is provided so that a part of the electrode groups overlap each other.
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the slit display liquid crystal panel is a TN liquid crystal panel.