WO2020129673A1

WO2020129673A1 - Image display device

Info

Publication number: WO2020129673A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/047597
Authority: WO
Inventors: 誠一郎甚田; 勝史宮崎
Original assignee: ソニーセミコンダクタソリューションズ株式会社
Priority date: 2018-12-18
Filing date: 2019-12-05
Publication date: 2020-06-25
Also published as: KR20210104699A; JP2020098273A; CN113168080B; CN113168080A

Abstract

An image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention is equipped with an image generation unit and a projection optical system. The image generation unit includes a first pixel region and a second pixel region and generates image light that includes first pixel light generated from the first pixel region and second pixel light generated from the second pixel region. The projection optical system projects the image light so that the image state of a first partial image constituted by the first pixel light is different from the image state of a second partial image constituted by the second pixel light.

Description

Image display

The present technology relates to an image display device such as a projector.

In the display device described in Patent Document 1, the display panel is divided into a central display area, a peripheral display area, and a frame area. The translucent cover is arranged with respect to the display panel such that the lens portion of the translucent cover overlaps the peripheral display area of the display panel. The image generated by the peripheral display area is magnified by the lens portion of the translucent cover, so that a virtual image is projected on the frame area. As a result, the displayed image can be made to appear as if it is on the frame, making it difficult to see the frame region. (Specification paragraphs [0012] and [0016] in Patent Document 1, FIGS. 1 and 2, etc.).

JP, 2005-172661, A

With regard to image display devices such as projectors, there is a demand for technology that can realize high-quality image display.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present technology is to provide an image display device capable of realizing high quality image display.

To achieve the above object, an image display device according to an aspect of the present technology includes an image generation unit and a projection optical system.
The image generation unit has a first pixel region and a second pixel region, and first pixel light generated by the first pixel region and second pixel light generated by the second pixel region. Image light including two pixel lights is generated.
The projection optical system is configured such that the image state of the first partial image formed by the first pixel light is different from the image state of the second partial image formed by the second pixel light. Projects image light.

In this image display device, image light including first pixel light generated by the first pixel area and second pixel light generated by the second pixel area is generated. Then, the image light is projected such that the image state of the first partial image formed by the first pixel light and the image state of the second partial image formed by the second pixel light are different from each other. It This makes it possible to realize high-quality image display.

The first pixel area may be a central area located at the center of the image generating unit. In this case, the second pixel region may be a peripheral region surrounding the periphery of the central region.

The image status may include the resolution of the image. In this case, the projection optical system may project the image light such that the resolution of the first partial image is different from the resolution of the second partial image.

The projection optical system may project the image light such that the resolution of the second partial image is lower than the resolution of the first partial image.

The pixel pitch of the first pixel area may be different from the pixel pitch of the second pixel area.

The pixel pitch of the second pixel area may be larger than the pixel pitch of the first pixel area.

The pixel pitch of the first pixel area may be equal to the pixel pitch of the second pixel area.

The projection optical system may include a first projection unit that projects the first pixel light and a second projection unit that projects the second pixel light.

The first projection unit may project the first pixel light at a predetermined enlargement ratio. In this case, the second projection unit may project the second pixel light at a larger enlargement ratio than the first projection unit.

The first projection unit may project the first pixel light at a predetermined enlargement ratio. In this case, the second projection unit may project the second pixel light at an enlargement ratio equal to that of the first projection unit.

The projection optical system may include a projection lens unit that projects the image light incident along a predetermined direction along a predetermined optical axis direction.

The projection optical system may include a magnifying lens unit that magnifies at least a part of the second pixel light and makes the second pixel light incident on the projection lens unit along the predetermined direction.

The first pixel area may be a central area located at the center of the image generating unit. In this case, the second pixel region may be a peripheral region surrounding the periphery of the central region. In this case, the magnifying lens unit magnifies the pixel light generated by an outer region of the second pixel light, which is located on the opposite side of the second pixel region from the central region, and the magnifying lens unit expands the predetermined direction. You may make it inject into the said projection lens part along.

The projection optical system may include a magnifying lens that causes at least a part of the second image light to enter the projection lens unit along a direction intersecting the predetermined direction.

The first pixel area may be a central area located at the center of the image generating unit. In this case, the second pixel region may be a peripheral region surrounding the periphery of the central region. In this case, the magnifying lens unit intersects, in the predetermined direction, pixel light generated by an outer area of the second pixel light, which is located on the opposite side of the central area of the second pixel area. You may make it inject into the said projection lens part along a direction.

The magnifying lens unit may include a plurality of microlenses arranged in each of a plurality of pixels included in the second pixel area.

Each of the plurality of microlenses may have a curvature according to the position of the pixel to be arranged.

The image generation unit may have a non-generation region in which pixel light is not generated between the first pixel region and the second pixel region.

It is a schematic diagram showing an example of composition of an image display device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the projection image projected by an image display apparatus. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the pixel structure of LCD. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the circuit of the pixel for displaying a projection image. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the projection of the image light produced|generated by LCD. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example of the projection method of an effective image and an extended image. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example of the projection method of an effective image and an extended image. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example of the projection method of an effective image and an extended image. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example of the projection method of an effective image and an extended image. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a pixel area of an LCD according to a second embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a circuit structure of the pixel area of LCD which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of the pixel structure of LCD. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of the pixel structure of LCD. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of the pixel structure of LCD. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of the pixel structure of LCD. It is a schematic diagram of a three-plate type image display device using a reflective display panel. It is a schematic diagram of a three-plate type image display device using a self-luminous display panel. It is a schematic diagram of a 1-panel type image display device using a transmissive display panel. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a single-panel type image display device using a transmissive display panel having a color filter built therein. It is a schematic diagram of a 1-panel type image display device using a self-luminous display panel. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a circuit in case the pixel for displaying a projection image is RGB3 pixel. It is a schematic diagram which shows the blending of a projection image.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present technology will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
[Image display device]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of an image display device according to a first embodiment of the present technology. The image display device 500 is used, for example, as a projector for a presentation or a digital cinema. The present technology described below is also applicable to image display devices used for other purposes.

Further, in the present embodiment, a three-panel type image display device 500 using a transmissive display panel is used. As will be described later, the present technology can be applied to other various types of image display devices.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image display device 500 includes a light source device 100, an image generation system 200, and a projection system 400.

The light source device 100 emits white light W1 to the image generation system 200. In the light source device 100, a solid-state light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or an LD (Laser Diode), or a mercury lamp or a xenon lamp is arranged.

For example, a solid-state light source for RGB that can emit light of each color of RGB may be used, and the emitted light may be combined to generate the white light W1. Alternatively, a solid-state light source that emits light in the blue wavelength band and a phosphor that is excited by blue light and emits yellow fluorescence may be arranged. In this case, the blue light and the yellow light are combined to emit the white light W1. In addition, any method and any configuration for generating and emitting the white light W1 may be adopted.

The image generation system 200 has an integrator optical system 210 and an illumination optical system 220. The integrator optical system 210 includes an integrator element 211, a polarization conversion element 212, and a condenser lens 213.

The integrator element 211 includes a first fly-eye lens 211a having a plurality of microlenses arranged two-dimensionally and a second flyeye lens having a plurality of microlenses arranged so as to correspond to the plurality of microlenses one by one. And a fly-eye lens 211b.

The white light W1 incident on the integrator element 211 is divided into a plurality of light beams by the microlens of the first fly-eye lens 211a, and is imaged on the corresponding microlens provided on the second fly-eye lens 211b. .. Each of the micro lenses of the second fly-eye lens 211b functions as a secondary light source, and emits a plurality of parallel lights with uniform brightness to the polarization conversion element 212 in the subsequent stage.

The polarization conversion element 212 has a function of aligning the polarization states of incident light that enters through the integrator element 211. The light passing through the polarization conversion element 212 is emitted to the illumination optical system 220 via the condenser lens 213.

The integrator optical system 210 as a whole has a function of adjusting the white light W1 traveling to the illumination optical system 220 to a uniform luminance distribution and adjusting the polarized light to uniform light. The specific configuration of the integrator optical system 210 is not limited.

The illumination optical system 220 includes

dichroic mirrors

230 and 240, mirrors 250, 260 and 270,

field lenses

280R, 280G and 280B,

relay lenses

290 and 300, LCDs (Liquid crystal display) 310R, 310G and 310B as image generating elements, It includes a dichroic prism 320. The

LCDs

310R, 310G and 310B function as a transmissive display panel.

The dichroic mirrors 230 and 240 have a property of selectively reflecting color light in a predetermined wavelength range and transmitting light in other wavelength ranges. The dichroic mirror 230 selectively reflects the green light G1 and the blue light B1 included in the white light W1, and transmits the red light R1 included in the white light W1. The dichroic mirror 240 selectively reflects the green light G1 reflected by the dichroic mirror 230 and transmits the blue light B1. As a result, different colored lights are separated into different optical paths. It should be noted that the configuration for separating the RGB color lights, the device used, and the like are not limited.

The separated red light R1 is reflected by the mirror 250, collimated by the field lens 280R, and then enters the LCD 310R for modulating red light. The green light G1 is collimated by the field lens 280G and then enters the LCD 310G for modulating green light. The blue light B1 passes through the relay lens 290 and is reflected by the mirror 260, and further passes through the lens 300 and is reflected by the mirror 270. The blue light B1 reflected by the mirror 270 is collimated by the field lens 280B, and then enters the LCD 310B for blue light modulation.

The

LCDs

310R, 310G, and 310B are electrically connected to a signal source (for example, PC or the like) (not shown) that supplies an image signal including image information. The

LCDs

310R, 310G, and 310B modulate the incident light for each pixel based on the supplied image signals of the respective colors, and generate red image light R2, green image light G2, and blue image light B2, respectively. The image light corresponds to the light that constitutes an image.

The generated RGB image lights R2, G2, and B2 enter the dichroic prism 320 and are combined. The dichroic prism 320 coaxially superimposes and combines the image lights R2, G2, and B2 of the respective colors incident from the three directions to generate the image light W2. The generated image light W2 is emitted toward the projection system 400 along a predetermined direction.

The projection system 400 projects the image light W2 generated by the image generation system 200. The projection system 400 has a plurality of lenses 410 and the like, and projects the image light W2 combined and emitted by the dichroic prism 320 onto a projection object such as a screen (not shown). As a result, a full-color image is displayed on the projection target. The specific configuration of the projection system 400 is not limited.

[Projected image]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a projection image projected by the image display device 500. When the image light W2 emitted from the image display device 500 is projected onto a projection object such as a screen, the projection image 30 is displayed. The projection image 30 corresponds to an image formed by the image light W2.

Note that any object such as a screen, a wall, or a car body may be used as the projection target. The shape of the projection surface on which the image light W2 is projected, that is, the display surface on which the projection image 30 is displayed is not limited. For example, a flat screen or a curved screen may be used. For example, by using a screen that is curved so as to surround a user who views an image, it is possible to improve the immersive feeling in the image and provide a high-quality viewing experience.

As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, an image including the effective image 10 and the extended image 20 is displayed as the projection image 30. In the example shown in FIG. 2, as the projection image 30, an image showing a landscape such as mountains, the sea, and private houses is displayed. Of course, the specific content of the projection image 30 is not limited, and various images may be displayed.

Note that in the present disclosure, an image includes both a still image and a moving image. It is also possible to regard a plurality of frame images forming a moving image as a plurality of still images. For example, the present technology can be applied to any still image such as a photograph or any moving image such as a movie or a game video.

The effective image 10 is displayed in the central area 11 of the projected image 30. This covers, for example, the central visual field of the user (the area in which the user focuses) that faces the front with respect to the projection image 30 and the stable gazing field (the area in which information can be gazed in a stable state). The effective image 10 can be displayed.

The extended image 20 is displayed in the peripheral area 21 surrounding the central area 11 of the projection image 30. That is, the extended image 20 is displayed so as to surround the periphery of the effective image 10. Thereby, for example, the extended image 20 can be displayed in the peripheral visual field of the user who faces the front with respect to the projection image 30 (a region in which the first impression or the general view is grasped). Thus, in addition to the effective image 10, the extended image 20 is displayed around the effective image 10. As a result, the user can obtain a realistic viewing experience as if wrapped in an image. As a result, high quality image display is realized.

For example, as the effective image 10, an image corresponding to full HD having an aspect ratio of 16:9 and horizontal 1920 pixels×vertical 1080 pixels is displayed. An extended image 20 that enhances the sense of realism is displayed in the vicinity thereof. Of course, the structure of the projected image 30 is not limited to this.

In this embodiment, the image light W2 is projected and the projection image 30 is displayed so that the resolution of the effective image 10 is different from the resolution of the extended image 20. Specifically, the image light W2 is projected so that the resolution of the extended image 20 is lower than the resolution of the effective image 10.

For example, a high-resolution and high-definition image is displayed as the effective image 10 displayed in the stable gaze field of the user. Then, a low-resolution image is displayed as the extended image 20 displayed in the peripheral visual field of the user. The peripheral visual field image may be an out-of-focus image that is out of focus. As a result, it becomes possible to concentrate the attention on the effective image 10 while feeling the presence. That is, it becomes possible to sufficiently prevent the extended image 20 from causing a distraction, and a very high quality image display is realized.

Note that the resolution of the effective image 10 and the resolution of the extended image 20 can be defined by the density of effective pixels included in the effective image 10 and the density of extended pixels included in the extended image 20.

In the present embodiment, the resolution of the image displayed on the projection object is included in the image state displayed on the projection object. That is, in the present embodiment, the image light W2 is projected such that the image state of the effective image is different from the image state of the extended image.

In the present disclosure, the image state includes various parameters related to how the image is displayed on the projection object. For example, the magnification of the image light W2, the pixel size, and the like may be included in the image state.

The method of generating effective image data for displaying the effective image 10 and extended image data for displaying the extended image 20 is not limited. For example, valid image data and extended image data may be prepared in advance for each content. Alternatively, the image data of the main content displayed on the entire conventional display is used as the effective image data. Then, the extended image data may be appropriately generated based on the effective image data.

For example, image data near the periphery of the effective image 10 may be used as it is as extended image data. Alternatively, by analyzing the effective image data, the image around the effective image 10 may be detected, and the extended image data may be generated. Alternatively, when the video content or the like is displayed, the extended image data may be generated by analyzing the information of the preceding and following frame images.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the pixel configuration of the LCD 310. The

LCDs

310R, 310G and 310B shown in FIG. 1 have the same pixel configuration. Therefore, the

LCD

310R, 310G, and 310B will be described as the LCD 310 without distinction.

Also, the description of the combination of the red image light R2, the green image light G2, and the blue image light B2 generated by the

LCDs

310R, 310G, and 310B is omitted, and the image light generated by the LCD 310 is shown in FIG. It may be described as the image light W2.

The pixel area in which the pixels of the LCD 310 are arranged is divided into an effective pixel area 15 and an extended pixel area 25. The effective pixel area 15 is set in the central area 11 located at the center of the pixel area. Effective pixel light is generated by the effective pixel region 15. That is, the pixel light emitted from the effective pixel 16 included in the effective pixel region 15 constitutes the effective pixel light.

The extended pixel area 25 is set in the peripheral area 21 that surrounds the periphery of the central area 11 of the pixel area. That is, the extended pixel area 25 is set so as to surround the periphery of the effective pixel area 15. Extended pixel light is generated by the extended pixel region 25. That is, the pixel light emitted from the expansion pixel 26 included in the expansion pixel region 25 constitutes the expansion pixel light.

In the present embodiment, the LCD 310 generates the image light W2 including the effective pixel light and the extended pixel light. Explaining the RGB combination, the effective pixel light included in the image light W2 corresponds to the full-color effective pixel light in which the effective pixel lights of the RGB colors are combined. The extended pixel light included in the image light W2 corresponds to full-color extended pixel light in which the extended pixel lights of RGB colors are combined.

When the image light W2 is projected on the projection object, the effective image light shown in FIG. 2 is formed by the effective pixel light included in the image light W2. The extended image light shown in FIG. 2 is formed by the extended pixel light included in the image light W2. That is, the image display device 500 projects the image light W2 such that the image state of the effective image 10 formed by the effective pixel light is different from the image state of the extended image 20 formed by the extended pixel light.

For example, as the effective pixel area 15, an area having an aspect ratio of 16:9 and including a pixel configuration corresponding to full HD of 1920 pixels horizontal×1080 pixels vertical is set. An extended pixel area that improves the sense of presence is set around the area. Of course, the pixel configuration of the projection image 30 is not limited to this.

In the present embodiment, the pixel pitch of the effective pixel area 15 is set to be different from the pixel pitch of the extended pixel area 25. Specifically, the pixel pitch of the extended pixel area 25 is set to be larger than the pixel pitch of the effective pixel area 15. As shown in FIG. 3, it can be said that the pixel density of the extended pixel area 25 is higher than the pixel density of the effective pixel area 15.

In the present embodiment, the effective pixel area 15 and the effective pixel light correspond to the first pixel area and the first pixel light. The extended pixel area 25 and the extended pixel light correspond to the second pixel area and the second pixel light. The LCD 310 has a first pixel area and a second pixel area, and has a first pixel light generated by the first pixel area and a second pixel light generated by the second pixel area. It corresponds to an image generation unit that generates image light including.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the effective image 10 corresponds to the first partial image formed by the first pixel light. The extended image 20 corresponds to the second partial image formed by the second pixel light.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the pixel area of the LCD 310. In FIG. 4, in order to simplify the illustration, the number of effective pixels 16 and the number of extension pixels 26 are small. Of course, the numbers of effective pixels and extended pixels are not limited, and may be set arbitrarily.

The LCD 310 has a plurality of effective pixels 16, a plurality of extended pixels 26, a gate driver 311, a source driver 315, a plurality of gate lines 312, and a plurality of source lines 316. In the figure, the gate line 312 is shown as “Gate( )” and the source line 316 is shown as “Sig( )”.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, a total of 36 effective pixels 16 of 6×6 are arranged. The area in which the 36 effective pixels 16 are arranged becomes the effective pixel area 15.

The extension pixel 26 has a size of 3×3=9 effective pixels 16 minutes. That is, the pixel size of the extension pixel 26 is nine times the pixel size of the effective pixel 16. The pixel pitch of the extended pixels 26 is three times the pixel pitch of the effective pixels 16.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, two extension pixels 26 arranged side by side are arranged above and below the effective pixel area 15. Further, a total of four 2×2 extended pixels 26 are arranged on the left and right of the effective pixel area 15. Further, two extension pixels 26 arranged on the left and right are arranged at four corners of the LCD 310. The area in which the total of 20 expansion pixels 26 are arranged becomes the expansion pixel area 25.

Gate lines 1 to 6 and source lines 1 to 6 are arranged corresponding to the 36 effective pixels 16, respectively. The gate line T1 is arranged for the extended pixels 26 arranged side by side at the top of the LCD 310. The gate line B1 is arranged at the bottom of the LCD 310 for the extension pixels 26 arranged side by side. Further, the source lines L1 and L2 are arranged with respect to the two rows of extended pixels 26 arranged vertically from the left end of the LCD 310. The source lines R1 and R2 are arranged for the two columns of the extension pixels 26 arranged vertically from the right end of the LCD 310.

With respect to the extended pixels 26 arranged on the left and right in the second row from the top of the LCD 310, it is possible to use any one of the gate lines 1 to 3 as a gate line. Any one of the gate lines 4 to 6 can be used as the gate line for the extended pixels 26 arranged on the left and right in the second row from the bottom of the LCD 310.

With respect to the extension pixels 26 arranged one above the other in the third row from the left end of the LCD 310, any one of the source lines 1 to 3 can be used as a source line. Any one of the source lines 4 to 6 can be used as the source line for the extension pixels 26 arranged one above the other in the third row from the right end of the LCD 310.

As in the example shown in FIG. 4, the pixel pitch of the extension pixel 26 is designed to be an integral multiple of the pixel pitch of the effective pixel 16. This facilitates the design of the circuit configuration. For example, the effective pixel 16 and the extended pixel 26 can share the gate line 312 and the source line 316, and the circuit configuration and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

Of course, the number, shape, and size of the effective pixels 16 and the extension pixels 26 are not limited. For example, the number, shape, and size of the effective pixels 16 and the extension pixels 26 may be arbitrarily set according to the shape and size of the LCD 310.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the projection of the image light generated by the LCD 310. As described above, the image light generated by the LCD 310 will be described as the image light W2 shown in FIG. A projection lens unit 50 in the figure is a schematic illustration of a lens optical system including a plurality of projection lenses 410 in the projection system 400 shown in FIG.

The LCD 310 has a plurality of effective pixels 16, a plurality of extension pixels 26, and a frame 36. The frame 36 is arranged so as to surround the periphery of the extended pixel 26 and incorporates a peripheral circuit for causing the LCD 310 to function.

The image light W2 generated by the LCD 310 is emitted toward the projection lens unit 50 along a predetermined direction. The projection lens unit 50 projects the image light W2 incident along a predetermined direction on the screen 60 along the predetermined optical axis direction.

Typically, the predetermined direction corresponds to the optical axis direction of the projection lens unit 50 (projection lens optical system). The predetermined optical axis direction is the optical axis direction of the image display device 500. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the projection lens unit 50 projects an image, which is vertically and horizontally inverted with respect to the incident image light W2, onto the screen 60. Note that the configuration of the projection optical system is not limited to this.

Actually, the projection lens unit 50 magnifies the image light W2 generated by the LCD 310 at a predetermined magnification ratio and projects the magnified light onto the screen 60. The image size of the projection image 30 displayed on the screen 60 is determined by the enlargement ratio of the projection lens unit 50, the distance between the screen 60 and the image display device 500, and the like.

Later, the enlargement ratio of the projection image 30 with respect to the image light W2 will be described. In order to make the description easy to understand, FIG. 5 schematically shows a diagram in which the image light W2 generated by the LCD 310 is not enlarged and is projected on the screen 60. This figure can also be said to be an example of a state in which the image light W2 is enlarged at the same enlargement ratio and projected on the screen 60 as a whole.

As described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the pixel pitch of the extended pixel area 25 of the LCD 310 is designed to be larger than the pixel pitch of the effective pixel area 15. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the image light W2 generated by the LCD 310 is enlarged at the same enlargement ratio as a whole and projected on the screen 60 (equal magnification in the example of FIG. 5).

Therefore, the image light W2 is projected such that the resolution of the extended image formed by the extended pixel light 27 is lower than the resolution of the effective image 10 formed by the effective pixel light 17. This makes it possible to project a projection image 30 having a high resolution at the center and a low resolution at the periphery as illustrated in FIG. As a result, it is possible to realize high quality image display.

In the present embodiment, the projection lens unit 50 causes the image state of the first partial image formed by the first pixel light to be different from the image state of the second partial image formed by the second pixel light. In addition, it functions as a projection optical system that projects image light.

The projection lens unit 50 also functions as a first projection unit that projects the effective pixel light 17 (first pixel light) and a second projection unit that projects the extended pixel light (second pixel light). To do. The portion of the projection lens unit 50 that exerts an optical action on the effective pixel light 17 is regarded as a first projection unit, and the portion that exerts an optical action on the extended pixel light 27 is referred to as a second portion. Can also be considered as a projection unit of

In the example shown in Fig. 5, the following items are established. That is, the first projection unit projects the effective pixel light at a predetermined enlargement ratio, and the second projection unit projects the expanded pixel light at the same enlargement ratio as the first projection unit.

[Modification of First Embodiment]
A modified example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. 6 to 9 are schematic diagrams showing another example of the projection method of the effective image and the extended image. In the configurations illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9, microlenses are added to increase the area of the expanded image 20 of the projected image 30. Note that as the area of the expanded image increases, the resolution of the expanded image further decreases.

The microlens may be configured separately from the LCD 310 or may be configured integrally with the LCD 310. Further, the specific configuration of the microlens is not limited, and any configuration such as a Fresnel lens or a diffractive lens may be adopted. In addition, any technique for realizing a microlens may be used.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the first microlens 51 and the second microlens 52 are arranged so as to cover the extended pixel region 25. That is, the first microlens 51 and the second microlens 52 are arranged on the optical path of the extended pixel light 27 emitted from the extended pixel 26.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first microlens 51 and the second microlens 52 magnify the expanded pixel light 27 and make it enter the projection lens unit 50 along a predetermined direction. This makes it possible to project the projection image 30 obtained by further expanding the extended image 20 on the screen 60. As a result, a more realistic image display can be realized and a high quality viewing experience can be provided. Further, the enlarged image 20 of the projection image 30 can be enlarged without enlarging the LCD 310, which is very advantageous for downsizing the device.

Further, in FIG. 6, the expanded pixel light 27 is projected on the screen 60 by the first microlens 51 and the second microlens 52 so as to spread in the direction of the frame 36. As a result, the expanded image 20 can be displayed on the screen 60 wider than the area of the expanded pixel region 25. This makes it possible to narrow the frame by utilizing the area in which the frame 36 is arranged.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the first microlens 51 and the second microlens 52 are part of the second projection unit that projects the second pixel light at a magnification rate larger than that of the first projection unit. Function as. Further, the first microlens 51 and the second microlens 52 function as a magnifying lens unit that magnifies at least a part of the extended pixel light 27 and makes it enter the projection lens unit 50 along a predetermined direction.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the third microlens 53 is arranged so as to cover the extended pixel area 25. That is, the third microlens 53 is arranged on the optical path of the extended pixel light 27 emitted from the extended pixel 26.

As shown in FIG. 7, the third microlens 53 causes the extended pixel light 27 to enter the projection lens unit 50 along a direction intersecting a predetermined direction. In the present embodiment, the extended pixel light 27 is incident on the projection lens unit 50 so that the extended pixel lights intersect on the front side of the projection lens unit 50.

With this, it becomes possible to project the projection image 30 obtained by further expanding the extended image 20 on the screen 60. As a result, a more realistic image display can be realized and a high quality viewing experience can be provided. Further, the enlarged image 20 of the projection image 30 can be enlarged without enlarging the LCD 310, which is very advantageous for downsizing the device.

In the example shown in FIG. 7 as a difference from the example shown in FIG. 6, when the extended pixel region 25 is enlarged, it enters the projection lens unit 50 vertically, so that the projection lens unit 50 is adjusted according to the area of the extended pixel region 25. Need to increase size.

However, in the example shown in FIG. 7, it is not necessary to change the size of the projection lens unit 50 by adjusting the curvature of the third microlens 53 and the like even when the extension pixel region 25 is enlarged. As a result, it is possible to display the extended image 20 in a large size with the projection lens having the predetermined size.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7, since the expanded pixel light is not incident on the projection lens in the same direction as the effective pixel light by the second microlens 52, the effective image 10 and the expanded image 20 are designed in the optical system. Due to the above variation, the effective image 10 and the extended image 20 may partially overlap each other.

In this case, as an example of a method of preventing the effective image 10 and the extended image 20 from overlapping, a method of displaying the effective pixel 16 or the extended pixel 26 in the overlapping portion in black, and a method of displaying the effective pixel 16 and the extended pixel 26 on the LCD 310. There is a way to leave a gap between them.

This prevents overlapping of the effective image 10 and the extended image 20 and enables high quality image display.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the third microlens 53 functions as a part of the second projection unit that projects the second pixel light with a larger magnification rate than the first projection unit. Further, the third microlens 53 functions as a magnifying lens unit that causes at least a part of the extended pixel light 27 to enter the projection lens unit 50 along a direction intersecting a predetermined direction.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the fourth microlens 54 is arranged so as to cover a part of the extended pixel region 25. Specifically, the fourth microlens 54 is arranged so as to cover the outer region 28 located on the opposite side of the central region 18 of the effective pixel region 15. The outer region 28 can also be said to be a region on the peripheral side of the extended pixel region 25. The fourth microlens 54 is arranged on the optical path of the extended pixel light 27 emitted from the extended pixel 26 included in the outer region 28.

As shown in FIG. 8, the fourth microlens 54 makes the extended pixel light 27 generated by the outer region 28 incident on the projection lens unit 50 along a direction intersecting a predetermined direction. In the present embodiment, the extended pixel light 27 is incident on the projection lens unit 50 so that the extended pixel light 27 intersects on the front side of the projection lens unit 50.

With this, it becomes possible to project the projection image 30 in which the extended image 20 corresponding to the outer area 28 is further enlarged, onto the screen 60. As a result, a more realistic image display can be realized and a high quality viewing experience can be provided. Further, the enlarged image 20 of the projection image 30 can be enlarged without enlarging the LCD 310, which is very advantageous for downsizing the device.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, since the extended pixel light emitted from the extended pixel 26 adjacent to the effective pixel 16 is vertically incident on the screen, it is possible to prevent the effective pixel light and the extended pixel light from overlapping with each other. Become.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the fourth microlens 54 functions as a part of the second projection unit that projects the second pixel light with a larger magnification rate than the first projection unit. In addition, the fourth microlens 54 functions as a magnifying lens unit that causes at least a part of the extended pixel light 27 to enter the projection lens unit 50 along a direction intersecting a predetermined direction.

Note that the first microlens 51 and the second microlens 52 illustrated in FIG. 6 can be arranged so as to cover only the outer region 28. In this case, the first microlens 51 and the second microlens 52 magnify the extended pixel light 27 generated by the outer region 28 and make it enter the projection lens unit 50 along a predetermined direction. Thereby, it becomes possible to project the projection image 30 in which the extended image 20 corresponding to the outer area 28 is further enlarged, onto the screen 60.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the fifth microlens 55 is arranged in each of the plurality of extension pixels 26 included in the extension pixel area. That is, one fifth microlens 55 is arranged for one extended pixel 26.

The plurality of fifth microlenses 55 cause the extension pixel light 27 emitted from each extension pixel 26 to enter the projection lens unit 50 along a direction intersecting a predetermined direction. This makes it possible to project the projection image 30 obtained by further expanding the extended image 20 on the screen 60. For example, each of the plurality of fifth microlenses 54 can be designed to have a curvature according to the position of the extended pixel 26 to be arranged. As a result, the area of the extended image 20 and the like can be finely controlled, and high-quality image display is realized.

The difference between the example shown in FIG. 9 and the examples shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is that the fifth microlens 55 is used for each of the extension pixels 26, and thus the fifth microlens 55 for each extension pixel 26 It is possible to change the curvature. Thereby, the position of the extended image displayed on the screen 60 can be controlled.

Also, in the example shown in FIG. 9, as in the example shown in FIG. 7, there may be overlap due to variations in the design of the optical system. In this case, since the projected position of the extended pixel light can be controlled by each of the fifth microlenses 55, it is possible to prevent the effective pixel light 17 and the extended pixel light 27 from overlapping.

In addition, since the projected position of the extended pixel light 27 can be controlled, it is possible to prevent the overlapping by controlling the effective pixels 16 or the extended pixels 26 in the overlapping portion according to the distance between the image display device 500 and the screen 60. be able to.

The types of lenses used for the first microlens 51, the second microlens 52, the third microlens 53, the fourth microlens 54, and the fifth microlens are not limited. For example, any lens such as a convex lens, a concave lens, and a liquid crystal lens may be used.

Also, the positions where the first microlens 51, the second microlens 52, the third microlens 53, the fourth microlens 54, and the fifth microlens are arranged are not limited. For example, it may be built in each pixel of the LCD 310 or attached to each pixel of the LCD 310.

That is, the first microlens 51, the second microlens 52, the third microlens 53, the fourth microlens 54, and the fifth microlens are the effective image 10 and the extended image as shown in FIG. 20 may be configured to have any type and curvature so as to be projected on the projection object so as to have different image states.

Considering the manufacturing process, in the example shown in FIG. 6, it is easy to make by attaching the first microlens 51 to each pixel of the LCD 310 and disposing the second microlens 52 apart. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7, if the third microlens 53 is attached to the LCD 310, it is easy to make. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, it is easy to make the fourth microlens 54 and the fifth microlens 55 in the LCD 310.

When the LCD 310 includes the first microlens 51, the second microlens 52, the third microlens 53, the fourth microlens 54, and the fifth microlens, the lens used is an aspherical surface. Examples include convex lenses, Fresnel lenses based on concave lenses, and diffractive lenses. With these lenses, the image display device 500 can be easily manufactured.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the fifth microlens 55 functions as a part of the second projection unit that projects the second pixel light with a larger magnification rate than the first projection unit. The fifth microlens 55 functions as a magnifying lens unit that causes at least a part of the extended pixel light 27 to enter the projection lens unit 50 along a direction intersecting a predetermined direction.

As described above, in the image display device 500 according to the present embodiment, the image light W2 including the effective pixel light 17 generated by the effective pixel region 15 and the extended pixel light 27 generated by the extended pixel region 25 is generated. Then, the image light W2 is projected such that the image state of the effective image 10 formed by the effective pixel light 17 is different from the image state of the extended image 20 formed by the extended pixel light 27. This enables high-quality image display.

When displaying an image with a sense of reality, for example, a large screen and high resolution is achieved by blending a plurality of projectors, or a specially designed lens of one projector is used to display a middle resolution in the center and a lower resolution in the periphery. It can be mentioned. On the other hand, the cost increases with a plurality of projectors or a projector using a specially designed lens.

Therefore, in this technology, low-resolution peripheral pixels are added to the effective pixel area of the display panel of one projector. The added peripheral pixels have a resolution smaller than or equal to the pixel size of the effective pixels. In addition, the peripheral pixels may be designed as microlenses so as to spread to the outer periphery.

That is, in the projection image projected on the screen, the effective image displayed in the center is widely expanded by the expansion pixels, and the user's field of view is filled with the image. As a result, a single projector can realize a projected image with high resolution in the center and low resolution in the periphery at low cost by using an existing lens. This enables high-quality image display.

In the display device described in Patent Document 1 described above, the higher the definition is, the closer the peripheral display area PA of the display area AA in the display panel PNL is toward the frame area PF. That is, in the peripheral display area PA, the pixel density increases as the distance from the central display area CA increases.

In the display device described in Patent Document 1, a rectangular translucent cover TC is arranged on the display panel PNL. The translucent cover TC has a flat plate portion TCF and a lens portion TCL provided on four sides of the translucent cover TC. The lens unit TCL refracts the high-definition image light of the peripheral display area PA toward the frame area PF side to display a virtual image on the frame.

The image density of the image deteriorates because the pixel density of the peripheral display area PA displayed on the frame is enlarged by the lens compared to the pixel density displayed on the central display area CA. In Patent Document 1, in order to correct this, the pixel density of the peripheral display area PA is increased as it becomes closer to the frame area PF. As described above, in Patent Document 1, the technology is disclosed with the important purpose of making the image quality of the image displayed in the central display area CA and the image displayed on the frame uniform.

That is, in Patent Document 1, “the image state of the first partial image formed by the first pixel light differs from the image state of the second partial image formed by the second pixel light according to the present technology. As described above, the technical idea of “projecting image light” is not described or suggested, and it is considered that the present technology cannot be easily conceived based on Patent Document 1.

<Second Embodiment>
The image display device of the second embodiment according to the present technology will be described. In the following description, the description of the same parts as those in the configuration and operation of the image display device 500 described in the above embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a pixel region of the LCD 318 according to the second embodiment of the present technology. In FIG. 10, the number of effective pixels 66 and the number of extension pixels 76 are shown small to simplify the illustration. Of course, the numbers of effective pixels and extended pixels are not limited, and may be set arbitrarily.

In the present embodiment, the pixel pitch of the extension pixels 76 is designed to be equal to the pixel pitch of the effective pixels 66. When the pixel pitches of the effective pixel 66 and the extension pixel 76 are equal to each other, the wirings such as the gate line 312 and the source line 316 can have a simple structure, and thus can be easily manufactured.

In the present embodiment, the image state of the effective image 10 formed by the effective pixel light 17 is changed to the extended image formed by the extended pixel light 27 by appropriately designing and disposing the projection lens unit 50, the microlens, and the like. It is possible to project the image light W2 differently from the image state of 20. For example, it is possible to adopt the configurations illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9. Of course, other configurations may be adopted.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the pixel region of the LCD 319 according to the third embodiment of the present technology. In FIG. 11, in order to simplify the illustration, the number of effective pixels 67 and the number of extension pixels 86 are small. Of course, the numbers of the effective pixels 67 and the extension pixels 86 are not limited and may be set arbitrarily.

The LCD 319 includes a plurality of effective pixels 67, a plurality of extended pixels 86, a gate driver 311L, a gate driver 311R, a source driver 315T, a source driver 315B, a plurality of gate lines 312, and a plurality of source lines 316. Have.

A gate line and a source line are arranged corresponding to each effective pixel 67 and each extended pixel 86. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the

gate lines

1a and 1b to 6a and 6b and the

source lines

1a and 1b to 6a and 6b are provided for the effective pixel 67 and the extended pixel 86 arranged on the same gate line and source line as the effective pixel 67. Any one of them can be used as a gate line and a source line.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 11, for the extended pixels 86 arranged at the four corners of the LCD 319, any one of the gate lines T1 to T4 and the gate lines B1 to B4 can be used as a gate line. It is possible. Further, for the extended pixels 86 arranged at the four corners of the LCD 319, any one of the source lines L1 to L4 and the source lines R1 to R4 can be used as a source line.

In this embodiment, the pixel pitch of the extension pixels 76 is designed to be smaller than the pixel pitch of the effective pixels 67. That is, the density of pixels arranged in the extended pixel region 25 is increased.

Due to this, by arranging the pixel pitch of the expansion pixels 86 to be narrow, it is possible to reduce the size of the LCD 319 as a whole. That is, it is possible to reduce the cost when manufacturing the image display device 500.

When the LCD 319 is used in the image display device 500, any one of the examples shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 is used as a projection method. As a result, the resolution of the projected extended image becomes lower than the resolution of the effective image.

In the present technology, the resolution of the extended image 20 emitted from the extended pixel 86 is assumed to be included in the peripheral visual field of the user, and thus may be lower than that of the effective image 10 displayed in the center. That is, even if the extended image 20 has a low resolution such as out-of-focus, the user can experience the realistic sensation of being fully enveloped in the image.

Further, in the present technology, the reason why the pixel pitch of the expansion pixels 86 is arranged to be narrower than the pixel pitch of the effective pixels 67 arranged in the center is that the expansion pixel light emitted when the pixel pitch of the expansion pixels 86 is narrower. It is possible to finely control the position projected on the screen 60.

That is, in the present technology, as a method of controlling the position where the extended pixel light is projected as in the example illustrated in FIG. 9 and preventing the effective image 10 and the extended image 20 from overlapping, the pixel pitch of the extended pixels 86 is It is arranged so as to be narrower than the pixel pitch of the effective pixels 67. This enables high-quality image display without impairing the user's sense of presence.

Note that typically, the projection image 30 in which the resolution of the extended image is lower than the resolution of the effective image is displayed. The present invention is not limited to this, and the projection image 30 in which the resolution of the extended image is higher than the resolution of the effective image may be displayed depending on the application. For example, in the present embodiment, the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5 may be adopted.

[Other example of pixel configuration]
12 to 15 are schematic diagrams showing other examples of the pixel configuration of the LCD 310.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, a plurality of effective pixels are arranged in the effective pixel area 131 at an equal pixel pitch. For example, the effective pixel 130 may have any pixel configuration such as WUXGA (Wide Ultra Extended Graphics Array), WQXGA (Wide Quad Extended Graphics Array), and 4k.

A plurality of types of extension pixels 140 having different pixel sizes are arranged in the extension pixel area 141 around the effective pixel area 131. The pixel size of the extended pixel 140 is set based on the pixel size of the effective pixel 130. This can simplify the circuit configuration and the manufacturing process.

In the example shown in FIG. 12, the pixel area of the LCD 310 is divided by straight lines 132 to 135 that extend four sides of the effective pixel area 131. Furthermore, the pixel area of the LCD 310 is divided by straight lines 132 to 135 that divide the effective pixel area 131 into 16 effective pixels 130 of 4×4 in total. Extended pixels 142 each having a pixel size corresponding to an area divided by these straight lines 132 to 135 are arranged.

According to the pixel configuration shown in FIG. 12, the extended image 20 is displayed at a resolution lower than that of the effective image 10 in the regions adjacent to the upper, lower, left and right sides of the effective image 10. Then, the extended image 20 having the lowest resolution is displayed at the four corners of the projected image 30.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, the pixel size of the extension pixel 145 may be arranged so as to increase as the distance from the center of the effective pixel region 131 increases. That is, the expansion pixels 145 are arranged in the finest position adjacent to the effective pixel region 131. As a result, it is possible to finely control the extension pixels 145 adjacent to the effective pixel area 131, and prevent the effective image 10 and the extension image 20 from overlapping.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, the extended image 20 having a relatively high resolution is displayed in the adjacent portion of the effective image 10, and the extended image 20 is displayed such that the resolution becomes lower toward the outside.

The example shown in FIG. 14 is further divided closer to the effective pixel region 15 than the example shown in FIG. An extended image 20 having a relatively high resolution is displayed in a portion adjacent to the effective image 10, and the resolution becomes lower toward the outside.

As described above, a plurality of types of extended pixels 140 having different pixel sizes may be arranged. In such a configuration, the pixel pitch of the extended pixel area 141 can be defined by, for example, the average value of the pixel pitches between pixels adjacent to each other. For example, when the average pixel pitch of the extended pixel regions 141 is smaller than the pixel pitch of the effective pixels 130, it is possible that the pixel pitch of the extended pixels 140 is smaller than the pixel pitch of the effective pixels 130. Of course, the pixel pitch may be defined by other parameters.

Note that with the pixel configurations illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 14, the resolution of the extended image 20 displayed is not likely to be uniform over the entire extended image. Even in such a case, for example, the resolution of the extended image 20 can be defined based on the density of the extended pixels 140 included in the extended pixel area 141. Of course, the resolution of the image may be defined by other parameters.

The pixel pitch of the effective pixels 130 may not be uniform, or the resolution of the effective image 10 may not be uniform in the entire image. Even in such a case, the pixel pitch, the resolution, etc. can be defined by using the average pixel pitch, the pixel density, and the like.

The example shown in FIG. 15 is an example of a method for preventing the effective image 10 of the projection image 30 and the extended image 20 from overlapping.

The space 150 is a region through which wiring for forming a circuit diagram passes and which shields light. Each pixel light emitted from the effective pixel 130 and the extended pixel 145 is projected by the projection lens unit 50, the first microlens 51, and the like so that the effective image 10 and the extended image 20 are not vacant.

As described above, in the example of the method of preventing the effective image 10 and the extended image 20 from overlapping, in addition to finely arranging the extended pixels adjacent to the effective pixel, the space 150 is provided between the effective pixel region 131 and the extended pixel 145. Is provided.

The pixel size and the number of pixels of the effective pixel 130 and the extended image 145 are not limited. For example, the pixel size of the effective pixel 130 may be a size that is not divisible by the pixel size of the extension pixel 145. In this case, the extension pixel 145 is arranged at an arbitrary position.

Also, in the space 150, black display pixels may be used. For example, as the effective pixels 130 or the extended pixels 145, pixels that perform black display may be arranged in a region corresponding to the space 150 with a predetermined number of pixels.

In the present embodiment, the space 150 corresponds to a non-generation area in which pixel light is not generated between the first pixel area and the second pixel area.

<Other embodiments>
The present technology is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various other embodiments can be realized.

16 to 20 are schematic diagrams showing a configuration example of an image display device according to another embodiment. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a three-panel type image display device 900 using a reflective display panel. The white light W1 emitted from the light source device 600 is separated into RGB lights. The light is incident on the reflection type display panel 701 RGB for RGB.

The red image light R1, the green image light G1, and the blue image light B1 generated by the reflective display panel 701 are combined and projected by the projection system 800 as full-color image light W2. As the reflective display panel 701, for example, a reflective LCD or a digital micromirror device (DMD) may be used.

The present technology can be applied to a three-plate type image display device 900 using such a reflective display panel. For example, the

reflective display panels

701R, 701G, and 701B for RGB are set as the image generation unit according to the present technology, and the effective pixel area and the extended pixel area are set, respectively. Then, the image light W2 is projected such that the image state of the effective image formed by the effective pixel light is different from the image state of the extended image formed by the extended pixel light. Of course, the various pixel configurations described above, microlenses, and the like may be appropriately used.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a three-panel type image display device 950 using a self-luminous display panel. The RGB self-

luminous display panels

911R, 911G, and 911B generate color image light R1, green image light G1, and blue image light B1. The image lights of the RGB colors are combined and projected as full-color image light W2 by the projection system 930. As the self-luminous display panel 911, for example, an organic EL (Organic Electro Luminescence) panel or the like is used.

The present technology can be applied to a three-plate type image display device 950 using such a self-luminous display panel. For example, the RGB self-

luminous display panels

911R, 911G, and 911B are used as the image generation unit according to the present technology to set the effective pixel region and the extended pixel region, respectively. Then, the image light W2 is projected such that the image state of the effective image formed by the effective pixel light is different from the image state of the extended image formed by the extended pixel light. Of course, the various pixel configurations described above, microlenses, and the like may be appropriately used.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a one-panel type image display device using a transmissive display panel. The image display apparatus 1000 has a projection optical system that expresses colors using the color wheel 1020. In the image display device 1000, the red image light R1, the green image light G1, and the blue image light B1 are time-divisionally projected by the projection system 930.

The present technology can be applied to the one-plate type image display device 1000 using such a reflective display panel. For example, an effective pixel area and an extended pixel area are set using a reflective display panel as an image generation unit according to the present technology. Then, the image light of each color of RGB is time-divisionally projected such that the image state of the effective image formed by the effective pixel light and the image state of the extended image formed by the extended pixel light are different. Of course, the various pixel configurations described above, microlenses, and the like may be appropriately used.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a single-panel image display device using a transmissive display panel with a built-in color filter. White light W1 is incident on the display panel 1031. RGB sub-pixels are formed for one pixel of the display panel 1031. The RGB color lights that have passed through the color filters are modulated by the RGB sub-pixels, and full-color image light W2 is projected by the projection system 930.

The present technology can be applied to such an image display device 1030. For example, a transmissive display panel including RGB sub-pixels is used as an image generation unit according to the present technology to set an effective pixel area and an extended pixel area. At this time, the effective pixel area and the extended pixel area are set in units of one pixel composed of RGB sub-pixels.

Image state of an effective image formed by effective pixel light (light generated by RGB sub-pixels of effective pixel) and expansion formed by extended pixel light (light generated by RGB sub-pixels of extended pixel) Full-color image light is projected such that the image state of the image is different. Of course, the various pixel configurations described above, microlenses, and the like may be appropriately used.

Note that the specific configuration of the sub-pixel that constitutes one pixel is not limited. In addition to RGB, W sub-pixels may be provided. Also, a plurality of sub-pixels of the same color may be provided. In any case, the present technology can be applied to a unit of one pixel that is composed of sub-pixels.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a one-panel type image display device using a self-luminous display panel. RGB sub-pixels are formed for one pixel of the display panel 1041. The RGB sub-pixels generate image light of RGB colors, and the full-color image light W2 is projected by the projection system 930. A configuration capable of emitting image light of each color of RGB may be used, or image light of each color of RGB may be generated via a color filter.

The present technology can be applied to such an image display device 1040. For example, a self-luminous display panel including RGB sub-pixels is used as an image generation unit according to the present technology to set an effective pixel region and an extended pixel region, respectively. At this time, the effective pixel area and the extended pixel area are set in units of one pixel composed of RGB sub-pixels.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a circuit when the pixels for displaying the projection image are RGB 3 pixels. The LCD 1050 is an example of the LCD 1031 or the LCD 1041.

As shown in FIG. 21, the LCD 1050 has a plurality of effective pixels 1060 and a plurality of extension pixels 1070. The plurality of extension pixels 1070 are arranged such that the pixel pitch is wider than that of the effective pixels 1060, as in the LCD 310 of FIG.

The plurality of effective pixels 1060 have R effective pixels capable of emitting red light, G effective pixels capable of emitting green light, and B effective pixels capable of emitting blue light. The plurality of effective pixels 1060 are arranged along the H direction in the order of R effective pixel, G effective pixel, and B effective pixel. The effective pixels of each color are arranged along the V direction.

Similarly, the plurality of extension pixels 1070 include R extension pixels 1071 capable of emitting red light, G extension pixels 1072 capable of emitting green light, and B extension pixels 1073 capable of emitting blue light. The R extension pixel 1071, the G extension pixel 1072, and the B extension pixel 1073 are arranged in the order of RGB along the H direction, and are arranged for each extension pixel along the V direction.

The effective image and extended image projected on the projection object emit images of various colors depending on the effective pixels and extended pixels of each color. As a result, a full-color projection image is projected on the projection object.

In the present embodiment, the effective pixel and the extended pixel of each color have the same pixel size ratio for ease of chromaticity adjustment. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and when it is desired to give priority to luminance, the size of the G effective pixel and the B extension pixel 1073 that can emit green light may be increased. Further, for example, when it is desired to give priority to chromaticity, the size ratio of pixels of each color may be set according to the chromaticity to be emphasized. Furthermore, for example, when priority is given to brightness, RGBW4 pixels in which white (W) light is added to RGB may be used.

The projection image 30 is projected also on the LCD 1050 having three pixels of RGB by using the examples shown in FIGS. 5 to 9. That is, image light including the effective pixel light generated by the effective pixel 1060 and the extended pixel light generated by the extended pixel 1070 is generated, and projected onto the screen so that the effective image and the extended image have different resolutions.

In the above embodiment, the projection image 30 is generated and projected by the single image display device 500. The present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of image display devices may generate and project a projection image.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing blending of the projected image. In FIG. 22, axes (dotted lines) indicating the H direction and the V direction are shown for convenience of description. The direction of the arrow is a positive direction, and the intersection of the H axis and the V axis is the origin.

As shown in FIG. 22, the four image display devices 500 a, b, c, and d display the projection images 1250 a, b, c, and d including one of the four corners of the rectangular projection image 1300. Project on a screen not shown. Further, the two sides of each projection image 1250a, b, c, and d are in contact with the H axis and the V axis. That is, the projection images 1250a, b, c, and d are projected on the screen, so that the projection image 1300 showing one image is displayed.

The projected image 1250a is arranged in the region of the negative direction in the H-axis direction and the positive direction in the V-axis direction. The projected image 1250a has an effective image 1100a projected at a position including the origin, and an extended image 1200a arranged adjacent to the effective image 1100a in the negative direction in the H-axis direction and the positive direction in the V-axis direction.

The extended image 1200a is an image obtained by enlarging the effective image 1100a in the negative direction in the H-axis direction and the positive direction in the V-axis direction. That is, the resolution of the extended image 1200a is projected so as to be lower than the resolution of the effective image 1100a.

Similarly, the projected image 1250b is arranged in the region of the negative direction in the H-axis direction and the negative direction in the V-axis direction. The projected image 1250b has an effective image 1100b projected at a position including the origin, and an extended image 1200b arranged adjacent to the effective image 1100b in the negative direction in the H-axis direction and the negative direction in the V-axis direction.

The projected image 1250c is arranged in the region of the H-axis direction positive direction and the V-axis direction negative direction. The projected image 1250c has an effective image 1100c projected at a position including the origin, and an extended image 1200c arranged adjacent to the positive direction of the H-axis direction and the negative direction of the V-axis direction of the effective image 1100c.

The projected image 1250d is arranged in a region having a positive direction in the H-axis direction and a positive direction in the V-axis direction. The projected image 1250d has an effective image 1100d projected at a position including the origin, and an extended image 1200d arranged adjacent to the effective image 1100d in the positive direction of the H axis direction and the positive direction of the V axis direction.

The four image display devices 500a, b, c, and d perform blending in a region in contact with the H axis and V axis of the projected images 1250a, b, c, and d. Blending is a technique that corrects the joints of areas in which a plurality of images are in contact with each other or overlapping areas so as to make them inconspicuous. As a result, the

projection images

1250a, 1b, c, and d are recognized as one projection image 1300 by the user. As a result, a larger image is projected on the screen so that the viewer can experience a realistic sensation of being wrapped in an image.

That is, in the example shown in FIG. 22, four image display devices project a projection image 1300 having high definition in the center and low resolution in the periphery. In this case, the effective pixel area and extended pixel area of the LCD are also set.

Note that the correction of the projection image performed by the image display device 500 is not limited. For example, the brightness or color tone of the projected

images

1250a, 1b, c, and d may be corrected. Further, for example, in the case of a curved screen such as a dome type or a polyhedral type, the distortion or the like of the projected images 1250a, b, c, and d may be corrected according to the displayed area.

In the above embodiment, the enlarged image 20 is an enlarged image of the effective image 10. The image is not limited to this, and various images may be used as the extended image 20. For example, image data in which the extended image 20 is originally prepared may be used for the image projected by the projector. That is, in a television or the like that does not have the function of the image display device 500, only the valid image 10 may be displayed on the display, and in a projector that has the function of the image display device 500, the valid image 10 and the extended image 20 may be projected. ..

In addition to this, the extended image 20 may be generated by performing image analysis before and after the projected image of a specific time. For example, in the case of a video in which the character is running from right to left, the background of the video past the video in which the character is currently running may be used as the extended image on the right side of the screen. That is, the left extended image uses the background image of the place where the character is about to run (future image), and the right extended image uses the background image of the place where the character has run.

In the projection optical system shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the system using three LCDs was used. The present invention is not limited to this, and a DMD (Digital Mirror Device) may be used instead of the LCD. Since the DMD has less deterioration over time than the LCD, the DMD has high reliability and can be used for a long time. Further, since the number of parts constituting the image display device 500 can be suppressed, the weight and the size can be reduced.

In addition to the LCD used in the above embodiment, an LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon) may be used. In this case, it is possible to project a higher-definition projection image than an image display device using an LCD.

In the above-described embodiment, the image display device 500 is arranged directly in front of the screen 60. That is, the image display device 500 is arranged so that the projected image 30 to be projected is vertically incident on the screen 60. The present invention is not limited to this, and the image display device 500 may be arbitrarily arranged as long as it can project the projection image 30 on the screen 60.

In this case, the image display device 500 may perform various corrections based on the position and orientation of the projection target. For example, when the projection image 30 is obliquely incident on the screen 60, the image display device 500 may correct the vertical or horizontal trapezoidal distortion of the effective image 10. Further, the image display device 500 does not need to correct the trapezoidal distortion of the extended image 20 because the resolution of the extended image 20 may be low. Of course, the trapezoidal distortion of the extended image 20 may be corrected.

Alternatively, the image display device 500 may automatically control the effective image 10 so that it is in focus. Further, the image display device 500 may be controlled to project the projected image 30 with a screen aspect ratio suitable for the projected image 30. Further, the image display device 500 may control the area when the projection image 30 is projected based on the size (area) of the screen 60.

In the present disclosure, “equal”, “same”, “uniform”, “center”, “center”, “vertical”, “parallel”, etc. mean “substantially equal” “substantially the same” “substantially uniform” “substantially equal”. The concept includes “center”, “substantially center”, “substantially vertical”, “substantially parallel” and the like.

For example, a predetermined range (for example, ±10% of the range) such as “perfectly equal”, “perfectly the same”, “perfectly uniform”, “perfectly centered”, “perfectly centered”, “perfectly vertical”, “perfectly parallel”, etc. Range) is also included. Therefore, a concept such as “substantially equal” is also included in “equal”.

Note that the effects described in the present disclosure are merely examples and are not limited, and there may be other effects. The above description of the plurality of effects does not mean that those effects are necessarily exhibited simultaneously. It means that at least one of the above effects can be obtained depending on the conditions and the like, and of course, an effect not described in the present disclosure may be exhibited.

It is also possible to combine at least two feature parts among the feature parts of each form explained above. That is, the various characteristic portions described in the respective embodiments may be arbitrarily combined without distinction between the respective embodiments.

Note that the present technology can also take the following configurations.
(1) First pixel light having a first pixel area and a second pixel area, the first pixel light generated by the first pixel area, and the second pixel generated by the second pixel area An image generation unit that generates image light including light,
Projection for projecting the image light such that the image state of the first partial image formed by the first pixel light is different from the image state of the second partial image formed by the second pixel light. An image display device including an optical system.
(2) The image display device according to (1),
The first pixel region is a central region located in the center of the image generation unit,
The image display device, wherein the second pixel region is a peripheral region surrounding the periphery of the central region.
(3) The image display device according to (1) or (2),
The image state includes image resolution,
The image display device, wherein the projection optical system projects the image light such that the resolution of the first partial image is different from the resolution of the second partial image.
(4) The image display device according to any one of (1) to (3),
The image display device, wherein the projection optical system projects the image light so that the resolution of the second partial image is lower than the resolution of the first partial image.
(5) The image display device according to any one of (1) to (4),
An image display device in which a pixel pitch of the first pixel area is different from a pixel pitch of the second pixel area.
(6) The image display device according to any one of (1) to (5),
An image display device, wherein a pixel pitch of the second pixel area is larger than a pixel pitch of the first pixel area.
(7) The image display device according to any one of (1) to (4),
An image display device, wherein the pixel pitch of the first pixel area is equal to the pixel pitch of the second pixel area.
(8) The image display device according to any one of (1) to (7),
The projection optical system is an image display device including a first projection unit that projects the first pixel light and a second projection unit that projects the second pixel light.
(9) The image display device according to (8),
The first projection unit projects the first pixel light at a predetermined enlargement ratio,
The image display device in which the second projection unit projects the second pixel light at a magnification rate higher than that of the first projection unit.
(10) The image display device according to (8),
The first projection unit projects the first pixel light at a predetermined enlargement ratio,
The image display device in which the second projection unit projects the second pixel light at an enlargement ratio equal to that of the first projection unit.
(11) The image display device according to any one of (1) to (10),
The projection optical system is an image display device having a projection lens unit for projecting the image light incident along a predetermined direction along a predetermined optical axis direction.
(12) The image display device according to (11),
The projection optical system includes an image display device including a magnifying lens unit that magnifies at least a part of the second pixel light and causes the second pixel light to enter the projection lens unit along the predetermined direction.
(13) The image display device according to (12),
The first pixel region is a central region located in the center of the image generation unit,
The second pixel region is a peripheral region surrounding the periphery of the central region,
The magnifying lens unit magnifies pixel light generated by an outer region of the second pixel light, which is located on the opposite side of the central region of the second pixel region, and expands the pixel light along the predetermined direction. An image display device which is incident on the projection lens unit.
(14) The image display device according to (11),
The projection optical system is an image display device having a magnifying lens unit that causes at least a part of the second image light to enter the projection lens unit along a direction intersecting the predetermined direction.
(15) The image display device according to (14),
The first pixel region is a central region located in the center of the image generation unit,
The second pixel region is a peripheral region surrounding the periphery of the central region,
The magnifying lens unit allows pixel light generated by an outer region of the second pixel light, which is located on the opposite side of the central region of the second pixel region, along a direction intersecting the predetermined direction. An image display device that makes the light incident on the projection lens unit.
(16) The image display device according to any one of (12) to (15),
The magnifying lens unit is an image display device having a plurality of microlenses arranged in each of a plurality of pixels included in the second pixel region.
(17) The image display device according to (16),
An image display device in which each of the plurality of microlenses has a curvature corresponding to a position of a pixel to be arranged.
(18) The image display device according to any one of (1) to (17),
The image display device, wherein the image generation unit has a non-generation region in which pixel light is not generated between the first pixel region and the second pixel region.

10... Effective image 15... Effective pixel area 20... Extended image 25... Extended pixel area 30... Projected image 50... Projection lens unit 51... First microlens 52... Second microlens 53... Third microlens 54... Fourth microlens 55... Fifth microlens 150... Space 310... LCD
400... Projection system 500... Image display device

Claims

A first pixel region and a second pixel region, and a first pixel light generated by the first pixel region and a second pixel light generated by the second pixel region. An image generation unit that generates image light including
Projection for projecting the image light such that the image state of the first partial image formed by the first pixel light is different from the image state of the second partial image formed by the second pixel light. An image display device including an optical system.
The image display device according to claim 1, wherein
The first pixel region is a central region located in the center of the image generation unit,
The image display device, wherein the second pixel region is a peripheral region surrounding the periphery of the central region.
The image display device according to claim 1, wherein
The image state includes image resolution,
The image display device, wherein the projection optical system projects the image light so that the resolution of the first partial image is different from the resolution of the second partial image.
The image display device according to claim 1, wherein
The image display device, wherein the projection optical system projects the image light so that the resolution of the second partial image is lower than the resolution of the first partial image.
The image display device according to claim 1, wherein
An image display device in which a pixel pitch of the first pixel area is different from a pixel pitch of the second pixel area.
The image display device according to claim 1, wherein
An image display device, wherein a pixel pitch of the second pixel area is larger than a pixel pitch of the first pixel area.
The image display device according to claim 1, wherein
An image display device, wherein the pixel pitch of the first pixel area is equal to the pixel pitch of the second pixel area.
The image display device according to claim 1, wherein
The projection optical system is an image display device having a first projection unit that projects the first pixel light and a second projection unit that projects the second pixel light.
The image display device according to claim 8,
The first projection unit projects the first pixel light at a predetermined enlargement ratio,
The image display device in which the second projection unit projects the second pixel light at a magnification rate higher than that of the first projection unit.
The image display device according to claim 8,
The first projection unit projects the first pixel light at a predetermined enlargement ratio,
The image display device in which the second projection unit projects the second pixel light at an enlargement ratio equal to that of the first projection unit.
The image display device according to claim 1, wherein
The image display device, wherein the projection optical system includes a projection lens unit that projects the image light incident along a predetermined direction along a predetermined optical axis direction.
The image display device according to claim 11,
The projection optical system is an image display device having a magnifying lens unit that magnifies at least a part of the second pixel light and causes the light to enter the projection lens unit along the predetermined direction.
The image display device according to claim 12,
The first pixel region is a central region located in the center of the image generating unit,
The second pixel region is a peripheral region surrounding the periphery of the central region,
The magnifying lens unit magnifies the pixel light generated by an outer region of the second pixel light, which is located on the opposite side of the second pixel region from the central region, and extends along the predetermined direction. An image display device which is incident on the projection lens unit.
The image display device according to claim 11,
The projection optical system is an image display device having a magnifying lens unit that causes at least a part of the second image light to enter the projection lens unit along a direction intersecting with the predetermined direction.
The image display device according to claim 14,
The first pixel region is a central region located in the center of the image generation unit,
The second pixel region is a peripheral region surrounding the periphery of the central region,
The magnifying lens unit allows pixel light generated by an outer region of the second pixel light, which is located on the opposite side of the central region of the second pixel region, along a direction intersecting the predetermined direction. An image display device that makes the light incident on the projection lens unit.
The image display device according to claim 12,
The magnifying lens unit is an image display device having a plurality of microlenses arranged in each of a plurality of pixels included in the second pixel region.
The image display device according to claim 16,
An image display device in which each of the plurality of microlenses has a curvature corresponding to a position of a pixel to be arranged.
The image display device according to claim 1, wherein
The image display device, wherein the image generation unit has a non-generation region in which pixel light is not generated between the first pixel region and the second pixel region.