Patent Application
20140016049
The present disclosure relates to a display unit enabling stereoscopic display, and an electronic apparatus including such a display unit.
In recent years, display units enabling stereoscopic display have been attracting attention. In stereoscopic display, a left-eye image and a right-eye image having parallax therebetween (having different perspectives) are displayed, and when a viewer sees the left-eye image and the right-eye image with his left eye and his right eyes, respectively, the viewer perceives the images as a stereoscopic image with depth. Moreover, display units capable of providing a more natural stereoscopic image to a viewer through displaying three or more images having parallax therebetween have been also developed.
Such display units are broadly classified into display units which use special glasses and display units which use no special glasses. Viewers find wearing the special glasses inconvenient; therefore, the display units which use no special glasses are desired. Examples of the display units which use no special glasses include a parallax barrier type and a lenticular lens type. In these types, a plurality of images (perspective images) having parallax therebetween are displayed together, and a viewer sees images different depending on a relative positional relationship (angle) between a display unit and the viewer. For example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H03-119889, a parallax barrier type display unit using a liquid crystal device as a barrier is disclosed.
In general, high image quality is desired in display units, and display units enabling stereoscopic display are also expected to achieve high image quality.
It is desirable to provide a display unit and an electronic apparatus which are capable of enhancing image quality.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a display unit including: a light-ray control section including first structures, the first structures being arranged at a first pitch; a liquid crystal display section including second structures, the second structures being arranged at a second pitch; and a backlight, in which one in which a structure arrangement pitch is smaller of the liquid crystal display section and the light-ray control section is disposed between the other one of the liquid crystal display section and the light-ray control section, and the backlight.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided an electronic apparatus provided with a display unit and a control section which performs operation control with use of the display unit, the display unit including: a light-ray control section including first structures, the first structures being arranged at a first pitch; a liquid crystal display section including second structures, the second structures being arranged at a second pitch; and a backlight, in which one in which a structure arrangement pitch is smaller of the liquid crystal display section and the light-ray control section is disposed between the other one of the liquid crystal display section and the light-ray control section, and the backlight. The electronic apparatus according to the embodiment of the disclosure may include, for example, a television, a digital camera, a personal computer, a video camera, or a portable terminal device such as a cellular phone.
In the display unit and the electronic apparatus according to the embodiments of the disclosure, light emitted from the backlight exits through the light-ray control section and the liquid crystal display section to be seen by a viewer. One in which the structure arrangement pitch is larger of the liquid crystal display section and the light-ray control section is disposed closer to the viewer, and the other one in which the structure arrangement pitch is smaller of the liquid crystal display section and the light-ray control section is disposed closer to the backlight.
In the display unit and the electronic apparatus according to the embodiments of the disclosure, one in which the structure arrangement pitch is smaller of the liquid crystal display section and the light-ray control section is disposed between the other one of the light crystal display section and the light-ray control section, and the backlight; therefore, image quality is allowed to be enhanced.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the technology as claimed.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the technology, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the technology.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below referring to the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted that description will be given in the following order.
1. First Embodiment
2. Second Embodiment
3. Application Examples
The control section 40 is a circuit which supplies a control signal to each of the backlight drive section 43, the barrier drive section 41, and the display drive section 50, based on an image signal Sdisp externally supplied thereto, and thereby controls these sections to operate in synchronization with one another. More specifically, the control section 40 supplies a backlight control signal, a barrier control signal, and an image signal Sdisp2 which is generated based on the image signal Sdisp to the backlight drive section 43, the barrier drive section 41, and the display drive section 50, respectively. In this case, the image signal Sdisp2 is an image signal S2D including one perspective image when the stereoscopic display unit 1 performs normal display (two-dimensional display), and is an image signal S3D including a plurality of (eight in this example) perspective images when the stereoscopic display unit 1 performs stereoscopic display, as will be described later.
The backlight drive section 43 drives the backlight 30 based on the backlight control signal supplied from the control section 40. The backlight 30 has a function of emitting light toward the barrier section 10 and the display section 20 by surface emission. The backlight 30 may be configured of, for example, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) or CCFLs (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps).
The barrier drive section 41 drives the barrier section 10 based on the barrier control signal supplied from the control section 40. The barrier section 10 allows light incident thereon to pass therethrough (an open operation) or blocks the light incident thereon (a close operation), and the barrier section 10 includes a plurality of opening-closing sections 11 and 12 (which will be described later) formed with use of a liquid crystal.
The display drive section 50 drives the display section 20 based on the image signal Sdisp2 supplied from the control section 40. In this example, the display section 20 is a liquid crystal display section, and drives liquid crystal display elements to modulate light incident thereon, and thereby performs display.
The timing control section 51 has LUTs (Look Up Tables) 54A and 54B. The LUTs 54A and 54B are tables for performing so-called gamma correction on pixel information (luminance information) for each of the pixels Pix included in the image signal Sdisp2. The LUT 54A is a table for a sub-pixel portion PA (which will be described later) of a sub-pixel SPix, and the LUT 54B is a table for a sub-pixel portion PB (which will be described later) of the sub-pixel SPix. The timing control section 51 performs, on the pixel information (the luminance information), different gamma corrections with use of the LUTs 54A and 54B to generate the image signal Sdisp3. The data driver 53 supplies a pixel signal generated with use of the LUT 54A to the sub-pixel portion PA (which will be described later) of the sub-pixel SPix and supplies a pixel signal generated with use of the LUT 54B to the sub-pixel portion PB (which will be described later) of the sub-pixel SPix. As will be described later, in the display section 20, the sub-pixel portions PA and PB perform display based on the respective pixel signals. In other words, the display section 20 performs display by halftone driving in which the sub-pixel portions PA and PB display one piece of pixel information with difference gamma characteristics.
The drive substrate 210 includes a transparent substrate 211, pixel electrodes 212, an alignment film 213, and a polarizing plate 214. The transparent substrate 211 may be made of, for example, glass, and the TFT elements TrA and TrB and the like (not illustrated) are formed on a surface of the transparent substrate 211. The pixel electrodes 212 are disposed corresponding to the respective sub-pixel portions PA and PB on the transparent substrate 211. Each of the pixel electrodes 212 may be configured of, for example, a transparent conductive film of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or the like, and the pixel electrodes 212 are uniformly formed in respective regions of the sub-pixel portions PA and PB. The alignment film 213 is formed on the pixel electrodes 212. The alignment film 213 is subjected to so-called photo-alignment treatment for determining an alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules M in the liquid crystal layer 200 by, for example, ultraviolet irradiation. The polarizing plate 214 is bonded to a surface of the transparent substrate 211 opposite to a surface where the pixel electrodes 212 and the like are formed of the transparent substrate 211.
The counter substrate 220 includes a transparent substrate 221, a counter electrode 222, an alignment film 223, and a polarizing plate 224. As with the transparent substrate 211, the transparent substrate 221 may be made of, for example, glass, and a color filter or the black matrix BM which are not illustrated are formed on a surface of the transparent substrate 221. The counter electrode 222 is disposed on the transparent substrate 221 as an electrode common to the sub-pixels SPix. The counter electrode 222 may be configured of a transparent conductive film of ITO or the like, and in this example, the counter electrode 222 is uniformly formed throughout the display section 20. The alignment film 223 is formed on the counter electrode 222. As with the alignment film 213, the alignment film 223 is subjected to so-called photo-alignment treatment. The polarizing plate 224 is bonded to a surface of the transparent substrate 221 opposite to a surface where the counter electrode 222 and the like are formed of the transparent substrate 221.
The liquid crystal layer 200 includes, for example, the liquid crystal molecules M with negative dielectric anisotropy. The liquid crystal layer 200 includes liquid crystal molecules M vertically aligned by an alignment film. In other words, the liquid crystal layer 200 functions as a so-called VA (Vertical Alignment) liquid crystal.
In the case where the pixel signal with 0 V is applied to the pixel electrode 212, as illustrated in
On the other hand, in the case where the pixel signal with the voltage Vh is applied to the pixel electrode 212, as illustrated in
Thus, in the display section 20, when the pixel signal is applied to the pixel electrodes 212, the liquid crystal molecules M in the domains D1 to D4 are aligned in a direction differing between the domains D1 to D4. At this time, the sub-pixel portions PA and PB are driven by different pixel signals generated with use of the LUTs 54A and 54B, respectively, specifically in a halftone state; therefore, for example, the liquid crystal molecules M in the domain D1 of the sub-pixel portion PA and the liquid crystal molecules M in the domain D1 of the sub-pixel portion PB are aligned in directions different from each other. The liquid crystal molecules M in the domains D2 to D4 of the sub-pixel portion PA and the liquid crystal molecules M in the domains D2 to D4 of the sub-pixel portion PB are aligned in a similar manner. Accordingly, in the display section 20, viewing angle characteristics are allowed to be enhanced.
The barrier section 10 is a parallax barrier configured of liquid crystal barriers. The barrier section 10 will be described in detail below.
The drive substrate 310 includes a transparent substrate 311, barrier electrodes 312, an alignment film 313, and a polarizing plate 314. The transparent substrate 311 may be made of, for example, glass. The barrier electrodes 312 are disposed in regions corresponding to the respective opening-closing sections 11 and 12 on the transparent substrate 311. Each of the barrier electrodes 312 may be configured of, for example, a transparent conductive film of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or the like, and, as will be described later, each of the barrier electrodes 312 includes a plurality of sub-electrode portions 330 separated by slits SL11 to SL13. The alignment film 313 is formed on the barrier electrode 312. The polarizing plate 314 is bonded to a surface of the drive substrate 311 opposite to a surface where the barrier electrodes 312 and the like are formed of the drive substrate 311.
The counter substrate 320 includes a transparent substrate 321, a counter electrode 322, an alignment film 323, and a polarizing plate 324. As with the transparent substrate 311, the transparent substrate 321 may be made of, for example, glass. The counter electrode 322 is disposed on the transparent substrate 321 as an electrode common to the opening-closing sections 11 and 12, and, as will be described later, holes 331 are formed in the counter electrode 322. The counter electrode 322 may be configured of, for example, a transparent conductive film of ITO or the like. The alignment film 323 is formed on the counter electrode 322. The polarizing plate 324 is bonded to a surface of the transparent substrate 321 opposite to a surface where the counter electrode 322 and the like are formed of the transparent substrate 321.
The liquid crystal layer 300 functions as a so-called VA (Vertical Alignment) liquid crystal, as with the liquid crystal layer 200 in the display section 20.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In such a configuration, in the liquid crystal layer 300, light transmittance is varied according to a potential difference between the barrier electrode 312 and the counter electrode 322. Therefore, when a voltage is applied to each of the barrier electrodes 312, the opening-closing sections 11 and 12 each perform an open operation and a close operation.
These opening-closing sections 11 and 12 perform different operations depending on whether the stereoscopic display unit 1 performs normal display (two-dimensional display) or stereoscopic display. In other words, as will be described later, the opening-closing sections 11 are turned into an open state (a transmission state) when normal display is performed, and are turned into a close state (a blocking state) when stereoscopic display is performed. On the other hand, as will be described later, the opening-closing sections 12 are turned into an open state (a transmission state) when normal display is performed, and are turned into an open state (a transmission state) in a time-divisional manner when stereoscopic display is performed. More specifically, the opening-closing sections 12 are divided into a plurality of groups, and when stereoscopic display is performed, a plurality of opening-closing sections 12 belonging to a same group perform an open operation and a close operation at same timing. Groups of the opening-closing sections 12 will be described below.
The barrier drive section 41 drives a plurality of opening-closing sections 12 belonging to a same group to perform the open operation and the close operation at same timing when stereoscopic display is performed. More specifically, as will be described later, a plurality of opening-closing sections 12A belonging to the group A perform an open-and-close operation together, and then, a plurality of opening-closing sections 12B belonging to the group B perform an open-and-close operation together. Next, a plurality of opening-closing sections 12C belonging to the group C perform an open-and-close operation together, and then, a plurality of opening-closing sections 12D belonging to the group D perform an open-and-close operation together. Thus, the barrier drive section 41 alternately drives the opening-closing sections 12A to 12D to perform the open operation and close operation in a time-divisional manner.
When the stereoscopic display unit 1 performs stereoscopic display, the image signal S3D is supplied to the display drive section 50, and the display section 20 performs display based on the image signal S3D. Then, in the barrier section 10, the opening-closing sections 11 are kept in the close state (the blocking state), and the opening-closing sections 12 (the opening-closing sections 12A to 12D) perform the open operation and the close operation in a time-divisional manner in synchronization with display by the display section 20.
More specifically, in the case where the barrier drive section 41 turns the opening-closing sections 12A into the open state (the transmission state), as illustrated in
Thus, as will be described later, a viewer may see different perspective images with his left and right eyes, thereby perceiving displayed images as a stereoscopic image. In the stereoscopic display unit 1, images are displayed while the opening-closing sections 12A to 12D perform switching between the open state and the close state in a time-divisional manner; therefore, resolution of the display unit is allowed to be enhanced, as will be described later.
Moreover, in the case where normal display (two-dimensional display) is performed, the display section 20 displays a normal two-dimensional image based on the image signal S2D, and in the barrier section 10, all of the opening-closing sections 11 and the opening-closing sections 12 (the opening-closing sections 12A to 12D) are kept in the open state (in the transmission state). Accordingly, the viewer sees the normal two-dimensional image as it is displayed on the display section 20.
The barrier section 10 corresponds to a specific example of “light-ray control section” in an embodiment of the disclosure. The sub-electrode portions 330 correspond to a specific example of “first structures” in an embodiment of the disclosure. The sub-electrode pitch PE corresponds to a specific example of “first pitch” in an embodiment of the disclosure. The display section 20 corresponds to a specific example of “liquid crystal display section” in an embodiment of the disclosure. The pixel electrodes 212 correspond to a specific example of “second structures” in an embodiment of the disclosure. The sub-pixel pitch PS corresponds to a specific example of “second pitch” in an embodiment of the disclosure.
Next, an operation and a function of the stereoscopic display unit 1 according to the embodiment will be described below.
First, referring to
Next, a specific operation when stereoscopic display is performed will be described below.
Thus, the viewer sees different pieces of pixel information from among the pieces of pixel information P1 to P8 with his left eye and his right eye, thereby perceiving such pieces of pixel information as a stereoscopic image. Moreover, since images are displayed while alternately opening and closing the opening-closing sections 12A to 12D in a time-divisional manner, the viewer sees an average of images displayed at positions different from one another. Therefore, the stereoscopic display unit 1 is capable of achieving resolution four times as high as that in the case where only the opening-closing sections 12A are included. In other words, necessary resolution of the stereoscopic display unit 1 is only ½ (=⅛×4) of resolution in the case of two-dimensional display.
As illustrated in
Thus, when light relating to a certain perspective image is scattered to change its travel direction, the scattered light may be mixed into light relating to another perspective image. In other words, in this case, different perspective images are mixed (crosstalk), and the viewer feels as if image quality is degraded.
As illustrated in
In the stereoscopic display unit 1, as illustrated in
In this example, different arrangements A1 and A2 in which the backlight 30, the barrier section 10, and the display section 20 are arranged in different order are considered. In the arrangement A1, as illustrated in
Moreover, in this example, electrode shapes B1 to B3 in which the barrier electrodes 312 in the barrier section 10 have different electrode shapes are considered. In the electrode shape B1, as illustrated in
In
As illustrated in
Thus, in the barrier section 10, the smaller the sub-electrode pitch PE is, the more light is scattered. Therefore, even in the case where the barrier section 10 is disposed closer to the viewer (the arrangement A2) to configure the stereoscopic display unit, the smaller the sub-electrode pitch PE is, the more light is scattered, and the luminance I in the portion Pb illustrated in
On the other hand, in the arrangement A1, as illustrated in
This means that the crosstalk value CT is affected by scattering by the barrier section 10 or the display section 20 which is disoposed closer the viewer. In other words, it is considered that, in the arrangement A2, as illustrated in
In the stereoscopic display unit 1, the display section 20 is disposed closer to the viewer. In the display section 20, as illustrated in
Moreover, since an influence of the barrier section 10 on the crosstalk value CT is allowed to be suppressed, a degree of freedom for design of the barrier section 10 is allowed to be increased. More specifically, for example, as will be described below, the barrier section 10 may be so configured as to reduce moire.
In general, in a parallax barrier type stereoscopic display unit, opening-closing sections are arranged side by side in a barrier section, and sub-pixels are arranged side by side in a display section; therefore, interference between dark lines generated in the barrier section and a black matrix of the display section may cause moire.
As illustrated in
Thus, when the sub-electrode pitch PE is reduced, the line density of the dark lines is allowed to be increased. Therefore, as illustrated in
In the stereoscopic display unit 1, the barrier electrodes 312 of the barrier section 10 are configured with use of the electrode shape B2. Thus, as illustrated in
In particular, in the stereoscopic display unit 1, the display section 10 with a larger structure pitch is disposed closer to the viewer, and the barrier section 10 with a smaller structure pitch is disposed closer to the backlight 30; therefore, the crosstalk value CT is allowed to be kept low, moire is allowed to be reduced, and image quality is allowed to be enhanced. In other words, in this example, since the width W12 of each of the opening-closing sections 12 is substantially equal to the sub-pixel pitch PS of the sub-pixel SPix, the sub-electrode pitch PE in the barrier section 10 is smaller than the sub-pixel pitch PS in the display section 20. Therefore, when the display section 10 with a larger structure pitch is disposed closer to the viewer, the crosstalk value CT is allowed to be kept low, and when the barrier section 20 with a smaller structure pitch is disposed closer to the backlight 30, moire is allowed to be reduced while reducing possibility of deteriorating the crosstalk value CT.
As described above, in the embodiment, since the display section is disposed closer to the viewer, the degree of freedom for design of the barrier section is allowed to be increased.
Moreover, in the embodiment, since the structure pitch is increased through simplifying the configuration of each sub-pixel in the display section, scattering in the display section is allowed to be reduced, crosstalk is allowed to be reduced, and image quality is allowed to be enhanced.
Further, in the embodiment, since the structure pitch in the barrier section is reduced, possibility of generation of moire is allowed to be reduced, and image quality is allowed to be enhanced. In particular, since the structure pitch in the display section is smaller than the structure pitch in the barrier section, possibility of generation of moire is allowed to be reduced while suppressing deterioration in crosstalk.
In the above-described embodiment, the alignment films 213 and 223 are subjected to so-called photo-alignment treatment; however, the alignment films 213 and 223 is not exclusively subjected to the photo-alignment treatment, and may be subjected to, for example, so-called rubbing.
In the above-described embodiment, each of the sub-pixels SPix includes the sub-pixel portions PA and PB; however, the configuration of each of the sub-pixels SPix is not limited thereto. For example, as illustrated in
In the above-described embodiment, in the display section 20, the alignment films 213 and 223 are subjected to the photo-alignment treatment to form the domains D1 to D4; however, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, slits may be formed in the pixel electrode or the like to form a plurality of domains. A stereoscopic display unit 1C according to this modification will be described in detail below.
The pixel electrodes 212C in the sub-pixel portions PA and PB are formed in a similar electrode pattern. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Thus, as illustrated in
Thus, each of the sub-pixel portions PA and PB includes four domains D1 to D4. At this time, in the display section 20C, the number of slits SL1 and the number of slits SL2 are reduced to form the domains D1 to D4 in respective closed regions: therefore, the structure pitch is allowed to be increased, and possibility of scattering of light is allowed to be reduced. Thus, in the stereoscopic display unit 1C according to this modification, the crosstalk value CT is allowed to be reduced, and image quality is allowed to be enhanced accordingly.
Moreover, as with Modification 2-2 of a second embodiment which will be described later, the liquid crystal molecules M may be pretilted by UV irradiation. In this case, the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules M is allowed to be further stabilized, and response time is allowed to be reduced.
In the above-described embodiment, in the display section 20, four domains D1 to D4 are formed; however, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, pinholes may be formed in the counter electrode to successively arrange domains. A stereoscopic display unit 1D according to this modification will be described in detail below.
In the display section 20D, the pixel electrodes 212 are uniformly formed in the sub-pixel portions PA and PB, and the counter electrode 222D is also uniformly formed, except for the holes 231D; therefore, the structure pitch is allowed to be increased, and possibility of scattering of light is allowed to be reduced. Thus, in the stereoscopic display unit 1D according to this modification, the crosstalk value CT is allowed to be reduced, and image quality is allowed to be enhanced accordingly.
In the above-described embodiment, the VA type display section 20 is used; however, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, a TN (Twisted Nematic) type display section may be used. A stereoscopic display unit 1E according to this modification will be described in detail below.
The display section 20E includes a drive substrate 210E, a counter substrate 220E, and a liquid crystal layer 200E. The drive substrate 210E includes pixel electrodes 212E and an alignment film 213E. Each of the pixel electrodes 212E may be configured of, for example, a transparent conductive film of ITO or the like, and is uniformly formed in a region corresponding to each of the sub-pixels SPix. The alignment film 213E is formed on the pixel electrodes 212E. The counter substrate 220E includes an alignment film 223E. As will be described later, a direction (an alignment direction) in which the liquid crystal molecules M are aligned by the alignment film 223E is set to intersect with a direction in which the liquid crystal molecules M are aligned by the alignment film 213E. The liquid crystal layer 200E is made of a TN liquid crystal.
In the case where a potential difference does not exist, as illustrated in
On the other hand, in the case where a potential difference exists, as illustrated in
In the display section 20E, since each of the pixel electrodes 212E is uniformly formed in each of the sub-pixels SPix, the structure pitch is allowed to be increased, and possibility of scattering of light is allowed to be reduced. Therefore, in the stereoscopic display unit 1E according to this modification, the crosstalk value CT is allowed to be reduced, and image quality is allowed to be enhanced accordingly.
In the above-described embodiment, the display section 20 is disposed closer to the viewer, and the barrier section 10 is disposed closer to the backlight 30; however, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the barrier section 10 may be disposed closer to the viewer, and the display section 20 may be disposed closer to the backlight 30. In this case, the structure pitch in the barrier section 10 is preferably larger than the structure pitch in the display section 20. Thus, scattering in the barrier section 10 is allowed to be reduced, and the crosstalk value CT is less affected by the display section 20 while reducing crosstalk; therefore, the degree of freedom for design of the display section 20 is allowed to be increased.
Next, a stereoscopic display unit 2 according to the second embodiment will be described below. In the embodiment, each of the opening-closing sections 11 and 12 is configured of a liquid crystal barrier including four domains. It is to be noted that like components are denoted by like numerals as of the stereoscopic display unit 1 according to the above-described first embodiment and will not be further described.
The branch portions 83 corresponds to a specific example of “first structures” in an embodiment of the disclosure. The branch pitch PF corresponds to a specific example of “first pitch” in an embodiment of the disclosure.
Thus, in the barrier section 70, in each of the branch regions 91 to 94, the branch portions 83 are arranged at the branch pitch PF. Therefore, a minimum structure pitch in the barrier section 70 is the branch pith PF. Accordingly, also in this case, the structure pitch in the barrier section 70 is allowed to be smaller than the sub-pixel pitch PS in the display section 20.
As described above, in the embodiment, four domains are formed in each of the opening-closing sections; therefore, viewing angle characteristics are allowed to be enhanced. Other effects are similar to those in the first embodiment.
In the above-described embodiment, in the barrier section 70, each of the opening-closing sections 11 and 12 are so configured as to include two trunk portions 81 and 82; however, the configurations of the opening-closing sections 11 and 12 are not limited thereto. For example, as illustrated in
In the above-described embodiment, in the display section 20, the alignment films 213 and 223 are subjected to photo-alignment treatment to form the domains D1 to D4; however, the embodiment is not limited thereto. A transparent electrode for determining alignment of the liquid crystal molecules M may be further provided. A stereoscopic display unit 2F according to this modification will be described in detail below.
The transparent electrodes 216F in the sub-pixel portions PA and PB are formed in a similar electrode pattern. As illustrated in
The branch portions 63 in each of the branch regions 71 to 74 extend in a same direction. An extending direction of the branch portions 63 in the branch region 71 and an extending direction of the branch portions 63 in the branch region 73 are line-symmetrically arranged with respect to the vertical direction Y as an axis, and an extending direction of the branch portions 63 in the branch region 72 and an extending direction of the branch portions 63 in the branch region 74 are line-symmetrically arranged with respect to the vertical direction Y as an axis in a similar manner. Moreover, the extending direction of the branch portions 63 in the branch region 71 and the extending direction of the branch portions 63 in the branch region 72 are line-symmetrically arranged with respect to the horizontal direction as an axis, and the extending direction of the branch portions 63 in the branch region 73 and the extending direction of the branch portions 63 in the branch region 74 are line-symmetrically arranged with respect to the horizontal direction X as an axis in a similar manner. In this example, more specifically, the branch portions 63 in each of the branch regions 71 and 74 extend in a direction rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined angle φ (for example, 45°) from the horizontal direction X, and the branch portions 63 in each of the branch regions 72 and 73 extend in a direction rotated clockwise by a predetermined angle φ (for example, 45°) from the horizontal direction X. In this configuration, the minimum structure pitch in the display section 20F is the branch pitch PF.
In a process of manufacturing the display section 20F, after the display section 20F is assembled, the display section 20F is irradiated with UV light while applying a voltage between the transparent electrodes 216F and the counter electrode 222 so as to pretilt the liquid crystal molecules M in the liquid crystal layer 200, thereby determining alignment of the liquid crystal molecules M. Therefore, as illustrated in
When the display section 20F performs a display operation, a same pixel signal is applied to, for example, the pixel electrode 212 and the transparent electrode 216F corresponding to the pixel electrode 212. Therefore, in the display section 20F, since the liquid crystal layer 200 is driven by mainly a potential difference between the pixel electrode 212 and the counter electrode 222, an electric field is allowed to be substantially flat, and scattering of light in the liquid crystal layer 200 is allowed to be reduced. Thus, in the stereoscopic display unit 1F according to this modification, the crosstalk value CT is allowed to be reduced, and image quality is allowed to be enhanced accordingly.
In particular, in the case where the branch pitch PF in the barrier section 70 is smaller than the branch pitch PF in the display section 20F, moire is allowed to be reduced, and uniformity of a luminance distribution in a display surface is allowed to be enhanced.
Next, application examples of the stereoscopic display units described in the above-described embodiments and the modifications thereof will be described below.
The stereoscopic display units according to the above-described embodiments and the like are applicable to, in addition to such a television, electronic apparatuses in any fields, including digital cameras, notebook personal computers, portable terminal devices such as cellular phones, portable game machines, and video cameras. In other words, the stereoscopic display units according to the above-described embodiments and the like are applicable to electronic apparatuses in any fields displaying an image.
Although the technology of the present disclosure is described referring to some embodiments, the modifications, and the application examples to electronic apparatuses, the technology is not limited thereto, and may be variously modified.
For example, in the above-described embodiments and the like, the barrier section 10 is configured of VA type liquid crystal barriers; however, the barrier section 10 is not limited thereto, and may be configured of TN type liquid crystal barriers.
Moreover, for example, in the above-described embodiments and the like, four domains are formed in each of the sub-pixel portions PA and PB; however, the number of domains are not limited to four. For example, three or less domains or five or more domains may be formed in each of the sub-pixel portions PA and PB.
Further, for example, in the above-described embodiments and the like, the opening-closing sections 12 are divided into four groups; however, the number of groups is not limited thereto, and the opening-closing sections 12 may be divided into three or less groups, or five or more groups. Moreover, the opening-closing sections 12 may not be divided into groups. In this case, the opening-closing sections are constantly in the open state (the transmission state) during stereoscopic display.
For example, in the above-described embodiments and the like, eight perspective images are displayed during stereoscopic display; however, the number of perspective images to be displayed is not limited thereto, and seven or less perspective images or nine or more perspective images may be displayed. In this case, a relative positional relationship between the opening-closing sections 12A to 12D of the barrier section 10 and the sub-pixels SPix illustrated in
For example, the stereoscopic display units in the above-described embodiments and the like are of a parallax barrier type; however, the stereoscopic display units are not limited thereto, and may be of, for example, a lenticular lens type.
It is to be noted that the technology is allowed to have the following configurations.
(1) A display unit including:
a light-ray control section including first structures, the first structures being arranged at a first pitch;
a liquid crystal display section including second structures, the second structures being arranged at a second pitch; and
a backlight,
in which one in which a structure arrangement pitch is smaller of the liquid crystal display section and the light-ray control section is disposed between the other one of the liquid crystal display section and the light-ray control section, and the backlight.
(2) The display unit according to (1), in which
the first pitch is smaller than the second pitch, and
the light-ray control section is disposed between the liquid crystal display section and the backlight.
(3) The display unit according to (2), in which the light-ray control section includes a plurality of liquid crystal barriers, the liquid crystal barriers being switchable between an open state and a close state, and extending in a first direction.
(4) The display unit according to (3), in which
first electrodes disposed in regions corresponding to the liquid crystal barriers, each of the first electrodes including a plurality of sub-electrodes, the sub-electrodes being arranged side by side,
a second electrode disposed in a common region corresponding to the plurality of liquid crystal barriers, and having holes at positions corresponding to the respective sub-electrodes, and
a first liquid crystal layer disposed between the first electrodes and the second electrode, and
the first structures are the sub-electrodes.
(5) The display unit according to (4), in which
each of the first electrodes includes one or more first slits extending in the first direction and a plurality of second slits extending in a second direction, the second direction intersecting with the first direction, and
the plurality of sub-electrodes are separated by the one or more first slits and the second slits.
(6) The display unit according to (3), in which
the light-ray control section includes
first electrodes disposed in regions corresponding to the liquid crystal barriers, each of the first electrodes including a first trunk portion and a plurality of branch portions, the first trunk portion extending in the first direction, the first branch portions being arranged side by side and extending from the trunk portion,
a second electrode disposed in a common region corresponding to the plurality of liquid crystal barriers, and
a first liquid crystal layer disposed between the first electrodes and the second electrode, and
the first structures are the first branch portions.
(7) The display unit according to (6), in which the plurality of first branch portions are formed at both sides of the first trunk portion.
(8) The display unit according to (2), in which
the liquid crystal display section includes
third electrodes corresponding to a plurality of unit pixels,
a fourth electrode disposed in a common region corresponding to the plurality of unit pixels, and
a second liquid crystal layer disposed between the third electrodes and the fourth electrode,
each of the unit pixels includes a plurality of domains or a single domain, the plurality of domains in which liquid crystal alignment in the second liquid crystal layer differs between the domains, and
each of the third electrodes is uniformly formed in each of the plurality of domains or the single domain.
(9) The display unit according to (8), in which
each of the unit pixels includes a plurality of domains, and
each of the domains is configured as a one successive region.
(10) The display unit according to (9), in which
the liquid crystal display section includes
a first alignment film disposed between the second liquid crystal layer and the third electrodes, and including a plurality of first alignment regions determining the liquid crystal alignment, and
a second alignment film disposed between the second liquid crystal layer and the fourth electrode, and including a plurality of second alignment regions determining the liquid crystal alignment,
the domains are regions determined by the first alignment regions and the second alignment regions, and
the second structures are the third electrodes.
(11) The display unit according to (10), in which
the first alignment film includes two first alignment regions in a region corresponding to each of the unit pixels, the two first alignment regions being arranged side by side,
the second alignment film includes two second alignment regions in a region corresponding to each of the unit pixels, the two second alignment regions being arranged side by side in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the two first alignment regions are arranged side by side, and
each of the unit pixels includes four domains.
(12) The display unit according to (9), in which
the liquid crystal display section includes a fifth electrode disposed between the third electrodes and the second liquid crystal layer,
the fifth electrode includes a plurality of branch regions, each of the branch regions including second branch portions extending in a same direction,
the domains are regions corresponding to the branch regions, and
the second structures are the second branch portions.
(13) The display unit according to (12), in which
the fifth electrode further includes
a second trunk portion, and
a third trunk portion intersecting with the second trunk portion,
the branch regions are four regions separated by the second trunk portion and the third trunk portion, and
the branch portions in the respective branch regions extend from the second trunk portion and the third trunk portion in a direction differing between the branch regions.
(14) The display unit according to (9), in which
each of the third electrodes includes one or two third slits,
the fourth electrode includes one or two fourth slits in a region corresponding to each of the unit pixels, the one or two fourth slits being formed in portions different from the one or two third slits, and
the domains are regions determined by the one or two third silts and the one or two fourth slits.
(15) The display unit according to (14), in which
each of the third electrodes includes one third slit, and
the fourth electrode includes one fourth slit in each of two sub-regions formed through separating a region corresponding to each of the unit pixels by the third slit.
(16) The display unit according to (9), in which
the fourth electrode includes holes in portions corresponding to the unit pixels, and
the domains are regions arranged around each of the holes.
(17) The display unit according to (8), in which
each of the unit pixels includes a single domain,
the liquid crystal layer is made of a TN liquid crystal, and
the domain is a region corresponding to each of the unit pixels.
(18) The display unit according to any one of (9) to (16), in which
each of the unit pixels includes a plurality of domains, and
areas of the domains are substantially equal to one another.
(19) The display unit according to any one of (8) to (18), in which
the liquid crystal display section includes a plurality of pixels,
each of the pixels includes a plurality of sub-pixels, and
each of the sub-pixels includes a plurality of the unit pixels.
(20) The display unit according to any one of (8) to (18), in which
the liquid crystal display section includes a plurality of pixels,
each of the pixels includes a plurality of sub-pixels, and
the sub-pixels are the unit pixels.
(21) An electronic apparatus provided with a display unit and a control section which performs operation control with use of the display unit, the display unit including:
a light-ray control section including first structures, the first structures being arranged at a first pitch;
a liquid crystal display section including second structures, the second structures being arranged at a second pitch; and
a backlight,
in which one in which a structure arrangement pitch is smaller of the liquid crystal display section and the light-ray control section is disposed between the other one of the liquid crystal display section and the light-ray control section, and the backlight.
The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application No. 2012-154365 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Jul. 10, 2012, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-154365 | Jul 2012 | JP | national |
