Patent Application
20110304612
The present disclosure relates to a stereoscopic image display device and an electronic apparatus, and more particularly to a stereoscopic image display device utilizing a binocular parallax, and an electronic apparatus having the same.
A depth can be sensed from a difference between images in retinas of a right eye and a left eye, that is, a binocular parallax, for example, a stereoscopic image display device utilizing the binocular parallax. According to the stereoscopic image display device utilizing the binocular parallax, an image displayed on a flat display device (flat display panel/flat panel) such as a liquid crystal display device can be sensed as an image in which an observer can sense the depth, that is, as a stereoscopic image (three-dimensional image/3D image).
In recent years, the development of a glasses-free stereoscopic image display device with which an observer (viewer) can sense the stereoscopic image by his/her naked eyes even if the observer does not wear dedicated glasses has advanced as the stereoscopic image display device utilizing the binocular parallax. Also, with regard to a system with which an image for the right eye, and an image for the left eye which are displayed on a display panel can be stereoscopically sensed, a parallax barrier system, a lenticular lens system, and the like are used for the glasses-free stereoscopic image display device.
The principles of the parallax barrier system will be described below as an example. It is noted that the parallax barrier system can be classified into a two parallax (two eyes) system, a multiple parallax (multiple eyes) system, and the like. In this case, the outline of the principles of the parallax barrier system will now be described with reference to
Firstly, in a matrix-like pixel arrangement in a display panel 51, pixels are classified into pixels R for a right eye in which an image for the right eye is displayed, and pixels L for a left eye in which an image for the left eye is displayed with a pixel column as a unit. Specifically, the pixels have a pixel arrangement in which a pixel column of the pixels R for the right eye, and a pixel column of the pixels L for the left eye are alternately arranged.
Also, a video signal for the right eye is supplied from a signal source 52R to the pixels R for the right eye with the pixel column as the unit. A video signal for the left eye is supplied from a signal source 52L to the pixels L for the left eye with the pixel column as the unit. As a result, the image for the right eye, and the image for the left eye can be displayed on a display panel 51. In this connection, the video signal from the signal source 52R, and the video signal from the signal source 52L, for example, can be created by carrying out the simultaneous photographing by using two cameras of a camera for the right eye, and a camera for the left eye, or by executing computer processing based on one video signal.
In addition, a parallax barrier 53 is disposed as an optical component for allowing the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye that are displayed on the display panel 51 to be stereoscopically sensed is disposed on the front side of the display panel 51. Also, the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye that are displayed on the display panel 51 are observed in a position located at a predetermined distance from the display panel 51 through the parallax barrier 53. As a result, lights from the pixels R for the right eye, and lights from the pixels L for the left eye are made incident as the image for the right eye, and the image for the left eye to the right eye and the left eye of the observer, respectively. As a result, the binocular parallax is generated, and thus the observer can sense the images displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 51 stereoscopically, that is, as the stereoscopic image.
Now, some of the stereoscopic image devices each utilizing the binocular parallax use a semi-transmission type liquid crystal display unit (liquid crystal panel) as the flat display unit (flat panel). Such a stereoscopic image display device, for example, is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-316126. The semi-transmission type liquid crystal display device is a so-called liquid crystal display device having a reflection type liquid crystal display device and a transmission type liquid crystal display device merged with each other, in other words, having a reflection type structure and a transmission type structure mounted thereto. In this case, the semi-transmission type liquid crystal display device utilizes both an outside light and a backlight as a light source.
The semi-transmission type liquid crystal display device is excellent in visibility in any of a dark environment such as an indoor environment, and a light environment such as an outdoor environment. Therefore, the semi-transmission type liquid crystal display device is generally used as the flat display device for a mobile use application typified by a mobile phone or the like. Also, the semi-transmission type liquid crystal display device is structured to have a reflective portion and a transmissive portion within one pixel as a minimum unit composing a screen, or within plural sub-pixels composing one pixel in the case of the color display compliance. In this case, the reflective portion carries out the display with the outside light as the light source. Also, the transmissive portion carries out the display with the backlight as the light source.
As shown in
The semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 61 has two sheets of glass substrates 611 and 612, and a liquid crystal layer 613 that is sealed in an air-tight space defined between the two sheets of glass substrates 611 and 612. Also, for the purpose of realizing the display of a stereoscopic image, pixels R for a right eye, and pixels L for a left eye are alternately disposed with a pixel column as a unit in order to form an image for the right eye, and an image for the left eye.
Specifically, an optical diffusion layer 615 in which an irregular diffusion surface is formed to correspond to the reflective portion 72 is provided on an inner surface of glass substrate 611 of the glass substrates 611 and 612 on which a pixel circuit including a pixel transistor 73 is formed through an insulating film 614. A pixel electrode 616 composed of a transparent electrode is provided on the optical diffusion layer 615 to correspond to the transmissive portion 71 with a pixel 70 as a unit. In addition, a reflective electrode 617 is provided on the irregular diffusion surface to correspond to the reflective portion 72.
A color filter (transmissive portion/reflective portion) 618 is provided on an inner surface of the other grass substrate 612 of the glass substrates 611 and 612. A transparent stepped layer 619 as a phase diffusion layer is provided in a portion, on the color filter 618 which corresponds to the reflective portion 72. In addition, a counter electrode 620 is provided on the color filter 618 and the transparent stepped layer 619 to be common to all the pixels 70. It is noted that a columnar spacer 621 for obtaining a constant thickness of the liquid crystal layer 613 formed between the reflective electrode 617 and the transparent stepped layer 619 is disposed in the reflective portion 72.
In the semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 61 having the structure described above, a phase difference plate 64 and a polarizing plate 65 are provided in this order on a display back surface of the glass substrate 611, that is, on a surface of the backlight 63 side. A phase difference plate 66 and a polarizing plate 67 are provided in this order on a display surface as well of the glass substrate 612.
Referring back to
In the parallax barrier 62 using the liquid crystal system, when a suitable voltage is applied across the stripe-like electrodes and the counter electrode, stripe-like light blocking portions (barriers) are formed at given intervals to correspond to the stripe-like electrodes, respectively. Also, a portion between each adjacent two light blocking portions becomes a transmissive portion. As a result, the parallax barrier 62 using the liquid crystal system functions as an optical component for allowing an image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 61 to be stereoscopically sensed. In other words, the display of the three-dimensional image can be realized by applying a suitable voltage across the stripe-like electrodes and the counter electrode.
Contrary to this, when no suitable voltage is applied across the stripe-like electrodes and the counter electrode, the liquid crystal layer 623 becomes a transmission state (transmissive portion) throughout the entire surface. In this case, the parallax barrier 62 using the liquid crystal system does not have the function as the optical component for allowing the image for the right eye, and the image for the left eye which are displayed on the semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 61 to be stereoscopically sensed. Therefore, when no suitable voltage is applied across the stripe-like electrodes and the counter electrode, the three-dimensional image is not displayed, but the normal two-dimensional image is displayed.
The present disclosure relates to a parallax system that comprises a set of pixels disposed in a matrix, wherein each pixel of the set of pixels has a transmission portion and a reflective portion, and the transmission portion and the reflective portion are symmetrically arranged about a pixel center.
Further, the transmission portion and the reflective portion may be symmetrically arranged in a row direction about the pixel center.
Furthermore, the transmission portion may be a set of two transmission portions that symmetrically boarder in the row direction the reflective portion that is centered on the pixel center. The reflective portion may be a set of two reflective portions that symmetrically boarder in the row direction the transmission portion that is centered on the pixel center.
Also, the transmission portions and the reflective portions may be alternatively arranged in parallel with a row direction of the pixel. The total area of the transmission portion may be greater than a total area of the reflective portion. A backlight may provide a luminance source for the transmission portion. An outside light may provide a luminance source for the reflective portion.
In addition, the parallax system may be a parallax barrier system that has a parallax barrier layer disposed on a side opposite a substrate side of the set of pixels disposed in matrix. The parallax barrier layer may comprise a set of blocking portions, wherein each blocking portion of the set of blocking portions corresponds to at least one pixel of the set of pixels.
The parallax system may also be a parallax lens system that has a parallax lens layer disposed on a side opposite a substrate side of the set of pixels disposed in matrix. The parallax lens layer may comprise of a set of parallax lenses, wherein each parallax lens of the set of parallax lenses corresponds to at least one pixel of the set of pixels.
Further, the described may be embodied in a parallax image panel and that parallax image panel may be in the device where the device may be one of a digital camera, a personal computer, a mobile terminal equipment, a video camera, or a game machine.
As described above, the pixel 70 according to the background art has a structure such that the reflective portion 72 is provided to be biased to one side of the pixel 70, that is, the reflective portion 72 is provided so as to be biased with respect to the transmissive portion 71. Therefore, when the parallax barrier 62 is provided in such a way that the light blocking portion 624 is located in the portion corresponding to the center of the pixel 70, the transmissive portion 71 and the reflective portion 72 of the pixel 70 are disposed unsymmetrically with respect to the central position of the transmissive portion 625 of the parallax barrier 62.
As a result, a position of a viewpoint of the observer is shifted between the transmissive portion 71 and the reflective portion 72, and thus the transmissive portion 71 and the reflective portion 72 are disposed unsymmetrically with respect to the position of the viewpoint. For example, if the central position of the light blocking portion 624 of the parallax barrier 62 is made to agree with the central position of the pixel 70, when as shown in
Specifically, luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portion 71 of the pixel R for the right eye and luminance information reflected by the reflective portion 72 of the pixel R for the right eye, and luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portion 71 of the pixel L for the left eye and luminance information reflected by the reflective portion 72 of the pixel L for the left eye are not equally made incident to the right eye and the left eye of the observer, and thus become right-left asymmetrical. As a result, the luminance information for the left eye is mixed with the luminance information for the right eye to be made incident to the left eye, a so-called crosstalk is generated. Since the generation of the crosstalk disturbs the stereoscopic sensing, the generation of the crosstalk causes the visibility to become worse.
In view of the above, it is desirable to provide a stereoscopic image display device in which when a semi-transmission type liquid crystal display device is used, luminance information for a right eye and luminance information for a left eye can be made to be equally sensed, thereby enhancing visibility of a stereoscopic image, and an electronic apparatus having the same.
As set forth hereinabove, accordingly, since in the stereoscopic image display device using the semi-transmission type image display portion, the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye can be equally sensed by the right eye and left eye of the observer, it is possible to enhance the visibility of the stereoscopic image.
The preferred embodiments will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the description will be given below in accordance with the following order.
1-1. Example 1
1-2. Example 2
1-3. Example 3
1-4. Example 4
1-5. Example 5
2-1. Example 1
2-2. Example 2
4-1. Examples of Application
As shown in
The transmission type liquid crystal panel 11 has two sheets of transparent substrates (hereinafter referred to as “glass substrates”) 111 and 112 such as glass substrates, and a liquid crystal layer 113 which is sealed in an air-tight space defined between these glass substrates 111 and 112. As will be described later, pixel electrodes and a counter electrode are formed on inner surfaces of the glass substrates 111 and 112, respectively, to sandwich the liquid crystal layer 113 between them. The counter electrode is formed to be common to all the pixels. On the other hand, the pixel electrodes are formed in pixels. Also, for the purpose of realizing the display of the stereoscopic image, pixels R for a right eye, and pixels L for a left eye are alternately disposed to form an image for the right eye, and an image for the left eye.
A semiconductor chip 14 in which a driving portion for driving the liquid crystal panel 11 is integrated is mounted on one 111 of the glass substrates 111 and 112 by, for example, utilizing a Chip On Glass (COG) technique. The semiconductor chip 14 is electrically connected to a control system provided outside the glass substrate 111 through a Flexible Printed Circuits (FPC) substrate 15.
The parallax barrier 12, for example, adopts a liquid crystal system. Specifically, the parallax barrier 12 has two sheets of transparent substrates (hereinafter referred to as “glass substrates”) 121 and 122 such as glass substrates, and a liquid crystal layer 123 that is sealed in an air-tight space defined between these glass substrates 121 and 122.
Stripe-like electrodes are formed at given intervals along a column direction (along a vertical direction) of the semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 11 on one of the glass substrate 121 and 122. A counter electrode is formed on the other of the glass substrate 121 and 122 through the liquid crystal layer 123. In addition, a flexible printed circuits substrate 16 for fetching in a suitable voltage intended to be applied across the stripe-like electrodes and the counter electrode from the outside of the glass substrate 121 is provided in the glass substrate 121.
In the parallax barrier 12 using the liquid crystal system, when the suitable voltage is applied across the stripe-like electrodes and the counter electrode, stripe-like light blocking portions (barriers) are formed at given intervals to correspond to the stripe-like electrodes, respectively. Also, a portion between each adjacent two light blocking portions becomes a transmissive portion. As a result, the parallax barrier 12 using the liquid crystal system has a function as an optical component for allowing an image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 11 to be stereoscopically sensed. In other words, the display of a three-dimensional image can be realized by applying the suitable voltage across the stripe-like electrodes and the counter electrode.
Contrary to this, when no suitable voltage is applied across the stripe-like electrodes and the counter electrode, the liquid crystal layer 123 becomes a transmission state throughout the entire surface. In this case, the parallax barrier using the liquid crystal system does not have the function as the optical component for allowing the image for the right eye, and the image for the left eye which are displayed on the semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 11 to be stereoscopically sensed. Therefore, when no suitable voltage is applied across the stripe-like electrodes and the counter electrode, the three-dimensional image is not displayed, but the normal two-dimensional image is displayed on the semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 11.
In the stereoscopic image display device 10A, using the parallax barrier system, which has the structure described above, since the liquid crystal panel 11 is a semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel, a pixel (sub-pixel) 20 has a transmissive portion and a reflective portion. In this case, the transmissive portion carries out the display by using an illuminated light from the backlight 13. Also, the reflective portion carries the display by reflecting the outside light. Also, in the first embodiment, a structure is adopted such that the transmissive portion and reflective portion of the pixel 20 are provided symmetrically in a row direction (that is, in a horizontal direction) with respect to a pixel center, that is, right-left symmetrically with respect to a position for visual recognition made by an observer (viewer).
In the stereoscopic image display device, an image for a right eye is displayed by the pixels R for the right eye and an image for a left eye is displayed by the pixels L for the left eye. Therefore, the transmissive portion and the reflective portion of each of the pixels 20 are provided right-left symmetrically with respect to the center of the corresponding one of the pixels 20. As a result, luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portion of the pixel R for the right eye and luminance information reflected by the reflective portion of the pixel R for the right eye, and luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portion of the pixel L for the left eye and luminance information reflected by the reflective portion of the pixel L for the left eye are equally made incident to both the right eye and left eye of the observer, respectively. That is to say, the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye which are made incident to the right eye and left eye of the observer, respectively, become equal with respect to the right eye and left eye of the observer. As a result, since the observer can equally sense the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye by his/her both eyes, visibility of the stereoscopic image is enhanced.
Hereinafter, a description will be given with respect to concrete Examples in each of which the transmissive portion and the reflective portion of the pixel 20 are provided right-left symmetrically with respect to the pixel center, that is, right-left symmetrically with respect to the positions for the visual recognition made by the observer in the stereoscopic image display device 10A using the parallax system according to the first embodiment.
As shown in
Also, the pixel 20A according to Example 1 has a transmissive portion 21 and a reflective portions 22A and 22B every the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B. In this case, the transmissive portion 21 carries out the display by using the illuminated light from the backlight 13. Also, the reflective portions 22A and 22B carry out the display by reflecting the outside light. In the pixel 20A having the rectangular shape, each of the reflective portions 22A and 22B, for example, have a smaller area than that of the transmissive portion 21 in terms of a total area. Also, the reflective portions 22A and 22B are formed right-left symmetrically along two sides of the rectangle so as to sandwich the transmissive portion 21 between them.
The structure of the pixel 20A will now be concretely described. An optical diffusion layer 115 is provided on an inner surface of one 111 of the glass substrates 111 and 112 on which the pixel circuit including the pixel transistor 35 and the like is formed through an insulating film 114. In this case, irregular diffusion surfaces are formed on both end portions of the optical diffusion layer 115 so as to correspond to the reflective portions 22A and 22B, respectively. A pixel electrode 116 composed of a transparent electrode is provided in pixels on the optical diffusion layer 115 so as to correspond to the transmissive portion 21 at a center portion. In addition, reflective electrodes 117A and 117B are provided on the irregular diffusion surfaces so as to correspond to the reflective portions 22A and 22B in the both end portions, respectively.
A color filter (having a transmissive portion and a reflective portion) 118 is provided on an inner surface of the other 112 of the glass substrates 111 and 112. In addition, transparent stepped layers 119A and 119B are provided in portions corresponding to the reflective portions 22A and 22B in the both end portions, respectively. Moreover, a counter electrode 120 is provided on the color filter 118, and the transparent stepped layers 119A and 119B so as to be common to all the pixels 20A. It is noted that columnar spacers 121A and 121B for obtaining a constant thickness of the liquid crystal layer 113 between the reflective electrode 117A and the transparent stepped layer 119A, and the reflective electrode 117B and the transparent stepped layer 119B are disposed in the reflective portions 22A and 22B, respectively. In addition, although not illustrated, alignment films for aligning the liquid crystal are formed on the uppermost surfaces of the glass substrates 111 and 112, respectively.
In the semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 11A according to Example 1 having the structure described above, a phase difference plate 31 and a polarizing plate 32 are provided in this order on the display back surface of the glass substrate 111, that is, on the surface on the backlight 13 side. A phase difference plate 33 and a polarizing plate 34 are provided in this order on the display surface as well of the glass substrate 112.
As previously stated, in the parallax barrier 12 using the liquid crystal system, when the suitable voltage is applied across the stripe-like electrodes and the counter electrode, as shown in
As described above, in Example 1, the pixel structure is adopted such that in the pixel 20A, the transmissive portion 21 is provided at the central portion in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B, that is, in the row direction, and the reflective portions 22A and 22B are provided right-left symmetrically on the both sides of the pixel 20A so as to sandwich the transmissive portion 21 between them (refer to
According to the pixel structure, and the relatively positional relationship between the pixel 20A and the light blocking portion 124 of the parallax barrier 12 in such Example 1, as shown in
As a result, the luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portion 21R of the pixel R for the right eye and the luminance information reflected by the reflective portions 22R (22A and 22B) of the pixel R for the right eye, and luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portion 21L of the pixel L for the left eye and the luminance information reflected by the reflective portions 22L (22A and 22B) of the pixel L for the left eye are equally made incident to both the right eye and left eye of the observer. That is to say, since the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye which are made incident to the right eye and left eye of the observer, respectively, become equal to each other with respect to the right eye and left eye of the observer, it is possible to suppress the crosstalk. As a result, since the observer can equally sense the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye by his/her eyes, it is possible to enhance the visibility of the stereoscopic image.
Here, the positions for the visual recognition made by the observer mean an optimal viewing distance from the display surface of the stereoscopic image display device 10A, that is, the positions of both the eyes of the observer (viewer) in a position A suitable for the viewing in
A=(E·G/n)/P (1)
where G is a gap between the centers of the semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 11A and the parallax barrier 12 in a thickness direction, P is a pitch between the pixels, and n (≈1.5) is a refractive index of the transparent substrate such as a glass substrate.
As shown in
Also, the pixel 20B according to Example 2 has a transmissive portions 21A and 21B, and a reflective portion 22 every the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B. In this case, the transmissive portions 21A and 21B carry out the display by using the illuminated light from the backlight 13. Also, the reflective portion 22 carries out the display by reflecting the outside light. In the pixel 20B having the rectangular shape, the transmissive portions 21A and 21B, for example, have a larger area than that of the reflective portion 22 in terms of the total area, and are formed right-left symmetrically along the two sides of the rectangle so as to sandwich the reflective portion 22 between them.
The structure of the pixel 20B will now be concretely described. The optical diffusion layer 115 is provided on the inner surface of one 111 of the glass substrates 111 and 112 on which the pixel circuit including the pixel transistor 35 and the like is formed through the insulating film 114. In this case, an irregular diffusion surface is formed at the central portion of the optical diffusion layer 115 so as to correspond to the reflective portion 22. The pixel electrodes 116 each composed of the transparent electrode are provided in pixels on the optical diffusion layer 115 so as to correspond to the transmissive portions 21A and 21B in the both end portions, respectively. In addition, a reflective electrode 117 is provided on the irregular diffusion surface so as to correspond to the reflective portion 22 at the central portion.
The color filter (having the transmissive portion and the reflective portion) 118 is provided on the inner surface of the other 112 of the glass substrates 111 and 112. In addition, a transparent stepped layer 119 is provided in a portion corresponding to the reflective portion 22 at the central portion. Moreover, the counter electrode 120 is provided on the color filter 118 and the transparent stepped layer 119 so as to be common to all the pixels 20B. It is noted that a columnar spacer 121 for obtaining a constant thickness of the liquid crystal layer 113 formed between the reflective electrode 117 and the transparent stepped layer 119 is disposed in the reflective portion 22.
In the semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 11B according to Example 2 having the structure described above, the phase difference plate 31 and the polarizing plate 32 are provided in this order on the display back surface of the glass substrate 111, that is, on the surface on the backlight 13 side. The phase difference plate 33 and the polarizing plate 34 are provided in this order on the display surface as well of the glass substrate 112.
As also previously stated, in the parallax barrier 12 using the liquid crystal system, when the suitable voltage is applied across the stripe-like electrodes and the counter electrode, as shown in
As described above, in Example 2, the pixel structure is adopted such that in the pixel 20B, the reflective portion 22 is provided at the central portion in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B, that is, in the row direction, and the transmissive portions 21A and 21B are provided right-left symmetrically on the both sides of the pixel 20B so as to sandwich the reflective portion 22 between them (refer to
According to the pixel structure, and the relatively positional relationship between the pixel 20B and the light blocking portion 124 of the parallax barrier 12 in such Example 2, as shown in
As a result, the luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portions 21R (21A, 21B) of the pixel R for the right eye, and the luminance information reflected by the reflective portion 22R of the pixel R for the right eye, and the luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portion 21L (21A, 21B) of the pixel L for the left eye, and the luminance information reflected by the reflective portion 22L of the pixel L for the left eye are equally made incident to both the right eye and left eye of the observer. That is to say, since the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye which are made incident to the right eye and left eye of the observer, respectively, become equal to each other with respect to the right eye and left eye of the observer, it is possible to suppress the crosstalk. As a result, since the observer can equally sense the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye by his/her both eyes, it is possible to enhance the visibility of the stereoscopic image. The positions for the visual recognition made by the observer are the same as those in the case of Example 1.
As shown in
Also, in the pixel 20C according to Example 3, a transmissive portion 21 and a reflective portion 22 are provided in parallel with each other every the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B. In this case, the transmissive portion 21 carries out the display by using the illuminated light from the backlight 13. Also, the reflective portion 22 carries out the display by reflecting the outside light. Specifically, the transmissive portion 21 and the reflective portion 22 are formed in parallel with each other along a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B, that is, along the row direction of the matrix-like pixel arrangement every the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B. The row direction of the matrix-like pixel arrangement is a long side direction of each of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B. Therefore, the transmissive portion 21 and the reflective portion 22 are disposed in parallel with the long side direction of each of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B.
In
In
As apparent from a comparison between the structure shown in
In the semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 11C according to Example 3 having the structure described above, the phase difference plate 31 and the polarizing plate 32 are provided in this order on the display back surface of the glass substrate 111, that is, on the surface on the backlight 13 side. The phase difference plate 33 and the polarizing plate 34 are provided in this order on the display surface as well of the glass substrate 112.
As also previously stated, in the parallax barrier 12 using the liquid crystal system, when the suitable voltage is applied across the stripe-like electrodes and the counter electrode 120, as shown in
As described above, in Example 3, the pixel structure is adopted such that in the pixel 20C, the transmissive portion 21 and the reflective portion 22 are provided in parallel with the long side of each of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B every the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B (refer to
According to the pixel structure, and the relatively positional relationship between the pixel 20C and the light blocking portion 124 of the parallax barrier 12 in such Example 3, as shown in
As a result, the luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portion 21R of the pixel R for the right eye, and the luminance information reflected by the reflective portion 22R of the pixel R for the right eye, and the luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portion 21L of the pixel L for the left eye, and the luminance information reflected by the reflective portion 22L of the pixel L for the left eye are equally made incident to both the right eye and left eye of the observer. That is to say, since the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye which are made incident to the right eye and left eye of the observer, respectively, become equal to each other with respect to the right eye and left eye of the observer, it is possible to suppress the crosstalk. As a result, since the observer can equally sense the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye by his/her both eyes, it is possible to enhance the visibility of the stereoscopic image.
As can be seen from the above description, in each of Examples 1 to 3, the relationship is obtained such that the stripe direction (longitudinal direction) of the parallax barrier 12 as the optical component, and the stripe direction of the color filter 118 of the semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 11 (11A, 11B, 11C) bisect at right angles with each other. Also, when in the parallax barrier 12, a set of light blocking portion 124 and transmissive portion 125 is treated as one unit, one unit is provided per two pixels of the semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 11.
As shown in
In each of Examples 1 to 3, the pixel 20 (20A, 20B, 20C) has a layout such that the long side direction of each of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B becomes the row direction of the matrix-like pixel arrangement. On the other hand, the pixel 20D according to Example 4 has a layout such that the long side direction of each of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B becomes the column direction of the matrix-like pixel arrangement. That is to say, the pixel 20D according to Example 4 has a structure such that the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B are repeatedly arranged in pixel columns in the row direction.
Also, in the pixel arrangement with the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B as a unit, the pixel columns for the right eye, and the pixel columns for the left eye are alternately arranged with the pixel column of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B as a unit. That is to say, in each of Examples 1 to 3, the pixel columns for the right eye, and the pixel columns for the left eye are alternately arranged with the pixel column of the pixels 20 each composed of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B as a unit, whereas in Example 4, the pixel columns for the right eye, and the pixel columns for the left eye are alternately arranged with the pixel column of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B as a unit. The reflective portion 22, for example, has a smaller area than that of the transmissive portion 21 in each of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B, and, for example, is provided on the lower side of the pixel 20D, that is, on the lower side of each of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B.
As described above, in Example 4, in the pixel arrangement with the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B as a unit, the pixel structure is adopted such that the pixel columns for the right eye, and the pixel columns for the left eye are alternately arranged with the pixel column as a unit (refer to
According to the pixel structure, and the relatively positional relationship between the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B and the light blocking portion 124 of the parallax barrier 12 in such Example 4, as shown in
As a result, the luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portion 21R of the pixel R for the right eye and the luminance information reflected by the reflective portion 22R of the pixel R for the right eye, and the luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portion 21L of the pixel L for the left eye, and the luminance information reflected by the reflective portion 22L of the pixel L for the left eye are equally made incident to both the right eye and left eye of the observer. That is to say, since the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye which are made incident to the right eye and left eye of the observer, respectively, become equal to each other with respect to the right eye and left eye of the observer, it is possible to suppress the crosstalk. As a result, since the observer can equally sense the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye by his/her both eyes, it is possible to enhance the visibility of the stereoscopic image.
As can be seen from the above description, in Example 4, the relationship is obtained such that the stripe direction (longitudinal direction) of the parallax barrier 12 as the optical component, and the stripe direction of the color filter 118 of the semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 11 (11D) is parallel with each other. Also, when in the parallax barrier 12, a set of light blocking portion 124 and transmissive portion 125 is treated as one unit, one unit is provided per two colors of the semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 11.
It is noted that in each of Examples 1 to 4 described above, the relatively positional relationship between the transmissive portion 21 (21A, 21B) and the reflective portion 22 (22A, 22B) of the pixel 20 (20A to 20D), and the transmissive portion 125 of the parallax barrier 12 is as follows. That is to say, as apparent from
Although each of Examples 1 to 4 is based on a premise of the two parallax (binocular parallax/two viewpoints) system, the first embodiment is by no means limited to the application to the two parallax system, and thus can also be applied to a three or more parallax system, i.e., a multiple parallax system. As an example of the multiple parallax system, a four parallax system will be described below as Example 5 of the first embodiment.
As shown in
The structure of the pixel 20D according to Example 5, that is, the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B, specifically, the structure of the periphery of the transmissive portion 21 and the reflective portion 22 is also identical to that of the pixel 20D according to Example 4 shown in
For the pixel arrangement with the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B as a unit, in the case of Example 4 using two parallax system, the parallax barrier 12 has the structure such that the longitudinal stripe-like light blocking portion 124 and the transmissive portion 125 are alternately, repeatedly arranged at the pixel pitch.
On the other hand, in the case of Example 5 using the four parallax system, as shown in
The system using the parallax barrier 12 adopting the offset structure is called a step barrier system. According to the stereoscopic image display device using the step barrier system, a viewing area can be separated with the offset structure of the parallax barrier 12, thereby dispersing the reduction of the resolution. Therefore, there is an advantage that the resolution in the horizontal direction can be enhanced as compared with the case of the two parallax system.
Also, when in the stereoscopic image display device using the step barrier system, the parallax barrier 12 shown in
According to the structure of Example 5, similarly to the case of each of Examples 1 to 4, the transmissive portion 21 and the reflective portion 22 of each of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B are provided right-left symmetrically in the row direction with respect to the positions for the visual recognition made by the observer. That is to say, the transmissive portion 21 and the reflective portion 22 are provided right-left symmetrically in the pixel 20D with respect to the pixel center. As a result, as shown in
That is to say, the luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portion 21R of the pixel R for the right eye and the luminance information reflected by the reflective portions 22R of the pixel R for the right eye, and the luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portion 21L of the pixel L for the left eye and the luminance information reflected by the reflective portions 22L of the pixel L for the left eye are equally made incident to both the right eye and left eye of the observer. That is to say, since the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye which are made incident to the right eye and left eye of the observer, respectively, become equal to each other with respect to the right eye and left eye of the observer, it is possible to suppress the crosstalk. As a result, since the observer can equally sense the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye by his/her both eyes, it is possible to enhance the visibility of the stereoscopic image.
It is noted that in the first embodiment, the parallax barrier 12 using the liquid crystal system is used as the optical component for allowing the plural parallax images displayed on the display panel to be stereoscopically sensed, thereby making it possible to select between the display of the three-dimensional image, and the display of the two-dimensional image. However, the present disclosure is by no means limited to the structure using the parallax barrier 12 adopting the liquid crystal system. That is to say, in the case of the application only for the display of the three-dimensional image, it is also possible to adopt the structure such that the parallax barrier fixedly having the light blocking portion (barrier) 124 is used.
As shown in
The semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 11 has two sheets of transparent substrates, for example, the glass substrates 111 and 112, and the liquid crystal layer 113 which is sealed in the air-tight space defined between these glass substrates 111 and 112. Similarly to the case of the first embodiment, the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode are formed on the inner surfaces of the glass substrates 111 and 112, respectively, so as to sandwich the liquid crystal layer 113 between them. The counter electrode is formed so as to be common to all the pixels. On the other hand, the pixel electrodes are formed in pixels 20. Also, for the purpose of realizing the display of the stereoscopic image, the pixels R for the right eye, and the pixels L for the left eye are alternately disposed so as to form the image for the right eye, and the image for the left eye.
The semiconductor chip 14 in which the driving portion for driving the liquid crystal panel 11 is integrated is mounted on the glass substrate 111 of the glass substrates 111 and 112 by, for example, utilizing the COG technique. The semiconductor chip 14 is electrically connected to the control system provided outside the glass substrate 111 through the flexible printed circuits substrate 15.
The lenticular lens 36 is a transparent lens in which semi-cylindrical stripe-like convex lenses are arranged at a given pitch. Also, the lenticular lens 36 has a property such that the right and left eyes are made to see different images, thereby generating the binocular parallax, and a property such that the viewing range is limited. Therefore, a pitch (pixel pitch) of the pixel columns in the semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 11, and a lens pitch of the lenticular lens 36 are made to correspond to each other. Also, the longitudinal image for the right eye, and the longitudinal image for the left eye are displayed with the pixel column in the semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 11 as a unit, thereby making it possible to realize the three-dimensional image.
However, in the case of the lenticular lens 36, the three-dimensional image is displayed in affixed fashion. For allowing the display of the three-dimensional image, and the display of the two-dimensional image to be switched over to each other similarly to the case of the parallax barrier 12 adopting the liquid crystal system, there is expected a technique using a liquid crystal lens for allowing the same function as that of the lenticular lens to be selectively created by, for example, using the liquid crystal. This technique will be described later as Example 2 of the second embodiment.
In addition, a liquid crystal lens or a liquid lens as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-9584 can also be used instead of using the lenticular lens 36 as a fixed lens. In this case, the liquid crystal lens is shown in
In the stereoscopic image display device 10B using the lenticular lens system and having the structure described above, each of the pixels (sub-pixels) 20 in the liquid crystal panel 11 has the transmissive portion and the reflective portion. In this case, the transmissive portion carries out the display by using the illuminated light from the backlight 13. Also, the reflective portion carries out the display by reflecting the outside light. Also, in the second embodiment as well of the other embodiments, similarly to the case of the first embodiment, the structure is adopted such that the transmissive portion and the reflective portion of each of the pixels 20 are provided symmetrically in the row direction with respect to the positions for the visual recognition made by the observer, that is, right-left symmetrically with respect to the pixel center.
The transmissive portion and the reflective portion of each of the pixels 20 are provided right-left symmetrically with respect to the positions for the visual recognition made by the observer. As a result, the luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portion of the pixel R for the right eye and the luminance information reflected by the reflective portion of the pixel R for the right eye, and the luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portion of the pixel L for the left eye and the luminance information reflected by the reflective portion of the pixel L for the left eye are equally made incident to both the right eye and left eye of the observer. That is to say, the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye which are made incident to the right eye and left eye of the observer, respectively, become equal to each other with respect to the right eye and left eye of the observer. As a result, since the observer can equally sense the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye by his/her both eyes, it is possible to enhance the visibility of the stereoscopic image.
In addition, in the case of the stereoscopic image display device 10B using the lenticular lens system, the light blocking portion does not exist in the lenticular lens 36. Therefore, the light display can be realized as compared with the case of the stereoscopic image display device 10A using the parallax barrier system.
With regard to concrete Examples in each of which the transmissive portion and the reflective portion of each of the pixels 20 are provided right-left symmetrically with respect to the positions for the visual recognition made by the observer (viewer), Examples are expected which are basically the same as Examples 1 to 4 of the first embodiment.
By the way, when the stereoscopic image display device is structured so as to be composed of the lens, part of the pixel is seen at each of the viewpoints through the lens. When a focal point of the lens is approximately focused on the pixel, approximate one point (actually, a line because of the lenticular lens) of the pixel is seen. For this reason, when the pixel structure in the display panel is the structure as shown in
On the other hand, in the semi-transmission type structure, shown in
Hereinafter, Example 1 of the second embodiment corresponding to Example 1 of the first embodiment will be described on behalf of Examples of the second embodiment.
The pixel 20A, according to Example 1, as the minimum unit composing the screen is identical to the pixel 20A according to Example 1 of the first embodiment. That is to say, as shown in
Also, the pixel 20A according to Example 1 has the transmissive portion 21, and the reflective portions 22A and 22B every the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B. In this case, the transmissive portion 21 carries out the display by using the illuminated light from the backlight 13. Also, the reflective portions 22A and 22B carry out the display by reflecting the outside light. In the pixel 20A having the rectangular shape, the reflective portions 22A and 22B, for example, have a smaller area than that of the transmissive portion 21 in terms of the total area. Also, the reflective portions 22A and 22B are formed right-left symmetrically along two sides of the rectangle so as to sandwich the transmissive portion 21 between them.
As described above, in Example 1, the pixel structure is adopted such that in the pixel 20A, the transmissive portion 21 is provided at the central portion in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B, that is, in the row direction, and the reflective portions 22A and 22B are provided right-left symmetrically on the both sides of the transmissive portion 21 so as to sandwich the transmissive portion 21 between them (refer to
According to the pixel structure, and the relatively positional relationship between the pixel 20A and the individual convex lenses of the lenticular lens 36 in such Example 1, as shown in
As a result, the luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portion 21R of the pixel R for the right eye and the luminance information reflected by the reflective portions 22R (22A and 22B) of the pixel R for the right eye, and the luminance information transmitted through the transmissive portion 21L of the pixel L for the left eye and the luminance information reflected by the reflective portions 22L (22A and 22B) of the pixel L for the left eye are equally made incident to both the right eye and left eye of the observer. That is to say, since the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye which are made incident to the right eye and left eye of the observer, respectively, become equal to each other with respect to the right eye and left eye of the observer, it is possible to suppress the crosstalk. As a result, since the observer can equally sense the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye by his/her both eyes, it is possible to enhance the visibility of the stereoscopic image.
In the stereoscopic image display device 10B according to the second embodiment, the distance A suitable for the viewing is approximately given by
Expression (2):
A=(E·G/n)/P (2)
where G is a gap between the centers of the semi-transmission liquid crystal panel 11 and the lenticular lens 36 in a thickness direction, P is a pitch between the pixels, and n is a refractive index of the glass substrate.
In the case, Example 1 of the second embodiment corresponding to Example 1 of the first embodiment has been described on behalf of Examples of the second embodiment. However, Examples 2 to 4 of the second embodiment corresponding to Examples 2 to 4 of the first embodiment, respectively, are basically identical to those of the first embodiment.
In addition, a relationship between the stripe direction (longitudinal direction) of the lenticular lens 36 as the optical component, and the stripe direction of the color filter 118 of the semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 11, and a relationship between one unit and the pixels are basically identical to those in the first embodiment. In the case of the lenticular lens 36, one stripe-like convex lens becomes one unit.
The stereoscopic image display device according to Example 2 of the second embodiment is a stereoscopic image display device, adopting the liquid crystal lens system, which uses the liquid crystal lens as the optical component for allowing the plural parallax images displayed on the display panel to be stereoscopically sensed.
In
Here, the liquid crystal lens 37 is such a lens as to generate a lens effect in accordance with a distribution of a refractive index of the liquid crystal itself. Thus, the liquid crystal lens 37 is structured in such a way that a state in which the lens effect is generated, and a state in which no lens effect is generated can be switched over to each other in accordance with a state in which a suitable voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer, and a state in which no suitable voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer. That is to say, the stereoscopic image display device 10B′ adopting the liquid crystal lens system can realize the effect of the lenticular lens 36 of Example 1 by using the liquid crystal. In addition, since the liquid crystal is used, the lens effect is not offered when no suitable voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer. Therefore, in the state in which no suitable voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer, the display of the three-dimensional image cannot be realized, but the display of the two-dimensional image can be realized.
In addition, with regard to the similar method, it is possible to apply a state in which the lenticular lens and the liquid crystal layer are combined with each other. In this system as well, the display of the two-dimensional image, and the display of the three-dimensional image can be switched over to each other depending on the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer.
The stripe-like electrodes are formed at given intervals along the column direction (in the vertical direction) of the pixel arrangement in the semi-transmission type liquid crystal panel 11 on one of the glass substrates 121 and 122 between which the liquid crystal lens 37 is sandwiched. Also, the counter electrode is formed throughout the entire surface of the other of the glass substrates 121 and 122. In addition, the flexible printed circuits substrate 16 for taking in the suitable voltage which is intended to be applied across the stripe-like electrodes and the counter electrode from the outside is provided on the glass substrate 121 of the liquid crystal lens 37.
In the liquid crystal lens 37, by applying a suitable voltage across the stripe-like electrodes and the counter electrode, since the liquid crystal rises in portion having the electrode existing therein, and the horizontal alignment of the liquid crystal is held in portion not having the electrode existing therein, the distribution of the refractive index is generated and thus the lens is realized. Also, since the optical component for allowing the plural parallax images displayed on the display panel to be stereoscopically sensed is the lens similarly to the case of Example 1, the light display can be realized as compared with the case of the parallax barrier system.
That is to say, in the pixel 20C according to Example 2, a transmissive portion 21 and a reflective portion 22 are provided in parallel with each other every the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B. In this case, the transmissive portion 21 carries out the display by using the illuminated light from the backlight 13. Also, the reflective portion 22 carries out the display by reflecting the outside light. Specifically, the transmissive portion 21 and the reflective portion 22 are formed in parallel with each other along a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B, that is, along the row direction of the matrix-like pixel arrangement every the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B. That is to say, the transmissive portion 21 and the reflective portion 22 are disposed in parallel with the long side direction of each of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B.
As described above, in Example 2, the pixel structure is adopted such that in the pixels 20C, the transmissive portion 21 and the reflective portion 22 are provided in parallel with the long side of each of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B every the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B (refer to
According to the pixel structure, and the relatively positional relationship between the pixel 20C and the individual convex lenses of the liquid crystal lens 37 in such Example 2, as shown in
That is to say, since the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye which are made incident to the right eye and left eye of the observer, respectively, become equal to each other with respect to the right eye and left eye of the observer, it is possible to suppress the crosstalk. As a result, since the observer can equally sense the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye by his/her both eyes, it is possible to enhance the visibility of the stereoscopic image. In addition thereto, the liquid crystal lens 37 is used as the optical component for allowing the plural parallax images displayed on the display panel to be stereoscopically sensed, whereby the display of the three-dimensional image, and the display of the two-dimensional image can be selectively realized.
Although in each of Examples, the case where one pixel 20 as the minimum unit composing the screen is composed of the three sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B corresponding to the three primary colors R, G and B, respectively, one pixel is by no means limited to the combination of the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B corresponding to the three primary colors R, G and B, respectively. Specifically, one pixel can also be structured by further adding one or plural sub-pixels corresponding to one or plural colors to the sub-pixels 20R, 20G and 20B corresponding to the three primary colors R, G and B, respectively. For example, one pixel can also be structured by adding a sub-pixel corresponding to a white color in order to increase the luminance. Or, one pixel can also be structured by adding at least one sub-pixel corresponding to a complementary color in order to enlarge the color reproduction range.
The stereoscopic image display device according to the embodiment described above can be applied to the display devices, of electronic apparatuses in all the fields, in each of which a video signal inputted to the electronic apparatus, or a video signal generated in the electronic apparatus is displayed in the form of an image or a video image. The stereoscopic image display device can be applied to the display devices of various kinds of electronic apparatuses, shown in
An electronic apparatus according to a third embodiment has the stereoscopic image display device 10A including: the semi-transmission type display panel 11 in which the pixels 20A each having the transmissive portion 21 for transmitting the light made incident from the back surface side, and the reflective portions 22A and 22B for reflecting the light made incident from the front surface side are two-dimensionally disposed in the matrix, and the plural parallax images are adapted to be displayed; and the parallax barrier 12 for causing the observer to stereoscopically sense the plural parallax images displayed by the semi-transmission type display panel 11. In this case, the transmissive portion 21 and the reflective portions 22A and 22B of each of the pixels 20A are provided symmetrically in the row direction with respect to the center of corresponding one of the pixels 20A.
Although in the above description, the electronic apparatus of the third embodiment has the stereoscopic image display device of the first embodiment, it goes without saying that alternatively, the electronic apparatus of the third embodiment can also have the stereoscopic image display device of the second embodiment.
As described above, the stereoscopic image display device according to the present disclosure is used as any of the display devices of the electronic apparatuses in all the fields, thereby making it possible to realize the display of the stereoscopic image which is excellent in visibility. That is to say, as apparent from the descriptions of the embodiments previously stated, with the stereoscopic image display device according to the present disclosure, the luminance information for the right eye, and the luminance information for the left eye can be equally sensed by the corresponding eyes of the observer. Therefore, the visibility of the stereoscopic imager can be enhanced in any of the display devices of the electronic apparatuses in all the fields. In addition, the display of the three-dimensional image, and the display of the two-dimensional image can also be switched over to each other.
Hereinafter, concrete examples of electronic apparatuses to each of which the stereoscopic image display device 10A according to the embodiment is applied will be described.
In addition, the above described embodiments may be implemented in method executed by a controller or computer or stored as a process on a computer readable medium that when executed by a computer performs the steps of symmetrically selecting transmission and receiving portions of a pixel, set of pixels, or pixel group to display a parallax image. The computer readable medium may by a read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), graphics processor, central processing unit (CPU), network interface card, etc. Further, the controller is not limited to a computer and may be any other electronic device that has at least a processor.
The present application contains subject matter related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2010-132626 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Jun. 10, 2010, 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 factor in so far as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-132626 | Jun 2010 | JP | national |
