The present application claims priority to Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2009-130912 filed on May 29, 2009, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a stereoscopic display and a stereoscopic display method which are allowed to achieve stereoscopic display by a parallax barrier system.
In related art, as one of stereoscopic display systems which are allowed to achieve stereoscopic vision with naked eyes without wearing special glasses, a parallax barrier system or lenticular system stereoscopic display is known.
In the parallax barrier system or lenticular system stereoscopic display, a plurality of parallax images including different parallax information, respectively, are prepared, and, for example, each of the parallax images are separated into a plurality of stripe-shaped separated images extending in a vertical direction. Then, the separated images of the plurality of parallax images are alternately arranged in a horizontal direction so as to produce a composite image including a plurality of stripe-shaped parallax images in one screen, and the composite image is displayed on the two-dimensional display panel 102. In the case of the parallax barrier system, the composite image displayed on the two-dimensional display panel 102 is viewed through the parallax barrier 101. When the widths of the separated images to be displayed, a slit width in the parallax barrier 101 and the like are appropriately set, in the case where a viewer watches the stereoscopic display from a predetermined position and a predetermined direction, light rays from different parallax images are allowed to enter into right and left eyes 10R and 10L of the viewer, respectively, through the slit sections 112. Thus, when the viewer watches the stereoscopic display from a predetermined position and a predetermined direction, a stereoscopic image is perceived.
To achieve stereoscopic vision, it is necessary for the right and left eyes 10R and 10L to view different parallax images, respectively, so two or more parallax images, that is, an image for right eye and an image for left eye are necessary. In the case where three or more parallax images are used, multi-view vision is achievable. When more parallax images are used, stereoscopic vision in response to changes in viewing position of the viewer is achievable. That is, motion parallax is obtained.
In both cases of a parallax barrier system and a lenticular system, images of which the number is equal to the number of parallaxes are spatially separated and displayed in one screen, so compared to the case where two-dimensional display is performed, resolution is reduced by a factor of the number of parallaxes. Japanese Patent No. 3096613 discloses an invention for improving resolution by alternately displaying images for right eye and images for left eye in both of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction in a parallax barrier system stereoscopic display. However, the fact remains that the images for right eye and the images for left eye are spatially separated and displayed, so resolution is still reduced. There is disclosed an invention in which optimum stereoscopic vision corresponding to a viewing position is achievable in a parallax barrier system stereoscopic display by dynamically changing a barrier pattern of a parallax barrier depending on the viewing position in “Advances in the Dynallax Solid-State Dynamic Parallax Barrier Autostereoscopic Visualization Display System” Peterka, T.; Kooima, R. L.; Sandin, D. J.; Johnson, A.; Leigh, J.; DeFanti, T. A. Visualization and Computer Graphics, IEEE Transactions on Volume 14, Issue 3, May/June 2008 Page(s): 487-499. However, vision corresponding to the viewing position is allowed to be improved, but resolution is not improved.
It is therefore desirable to provide a stereoscopic display and a stereoscopic display method which are allowed to prevent a decline in resolution during stereoscopic display by a parallax barrier system.
In the stereoscopic display and the stereoscopic display method according to an embodiment, the parallax images are combined into a one-screen image according to a predetermined pattern while maintaining such a state that the parallax images are spatially separated from each other, and the display pattern configured of the parallax images are displayed while periodically switching different display patterns from one to another. In other words, the parallax images which are spatially and temporally separated from each other are displayed on the two-dimensional display section. The switching timing of the barrier pattern and the switching timing of the display pattern are synchronized so that stereoscopic vision is achievable.
In the stereoscopic display and the stereoscopic display method according to an embodiment, the display pattern configured of the parallax images is periodically switched, and the barrier pattern is periodically switched in synchronization with periodically switching the display pattern, so the parallax images which are spatially and temporally separated are displayed on the two-dimensional display section so that stereoscopic display is achievable. Thereby, compared to the case where the parallax images which are spatially separated are displayed in one display pattern, a decline in resolution in stereoscopic display is preventable.
In an embodiment, a display device includes a two-dimensional display section configured to display parallax images for stereoscopic display, a variable parallax barrier configured to form a plurality of different barrier patterns, each barrier pattern having light transmitting portions and light blocking portions, and at least one timing controller for controlling a first switching operation in the two-dimensional display section and a second switching operation in the variable parallax barrier.
In an embodiment, a display device includes a liquid crystal display panel configured to display parallax images for stereoscopic display, a variable parallax barrier configured to form a plurality of different barrier patterns, each barrier pattern having light transmitting portions and light blocking portions, at least one timing controller for controlling a first switching operation in the liquid crystal display panel and a second switching operation in the variable parallax barrier, and a backlight configured to emit light through the liquid crystal display panel and the variable parallax barrier.
In another embodiment, a method of displaying a stereoscopic image includes displaying parallax images for stereoscopic display with a two-dimensional display section, forming a plurality of different barrier patterns with a variable parallax barrier, each barrier pattern having light transmitting portions and light blocking portions, and controlling a first switching operation in the two-dimensional display section and a second switching operation in the variable parallax barrier.
In another embodiment, a method of displaying a stereoscopic image, the method includes displaying parallax images for stereoscopic display with a liquid crystal display panel, forming a plurality of different barrier patterns with a variable parallax barrier, each barrier pattern having light transmitting portions and light blocking portions, controlling a first switching operation in the liquid crystal display panel and a second switching operation in the variable parallax barrier, and emitting light from a backlight through the liquid crystal display panel and the variable parallax barrier.
Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.
Preferred embodiments will be described in detail below referring to the accompanying drawings.
In the embodiment, the liquid crystal display panel 2 and the backlight 3 correspond to specific examples of “a two-dimensional display section.” Moreover, the switching liquid crystal panel 1 corresponds to a specific example of “a variable parallax barrier.” The timing controllers 21 and 22 correspond to specific examples of “a synchronization control section” in the invention.
In addition, to achieve stereoscopic vision, it is necessary for a right eye 10R and a left eye 10L to view different parallax images, respectively, so two parallax images, that is, an image for right eye and an image for left eye, or more parallax images are necessary. In the case where three or more parallax images are used, multi-view vision is achievable. In the embodiment, description will be given referring to a display example by a binocular system using two parallax images.
The liquid crystal display panel 2 combines two parallax images for right eye and left eye into a one-screen image according to a predetermined display pattern, and displays the display pattern configured of the parallax images. The liquid crystal display panel 2 displays the display pattern configured of the two parallax images while periodically switching two different kinds of display patterns, in which the display positions of the two parallax images are different, from one to the other. Image data corresponding to each display pattern is outputted from the parallax image data output section 23. The timing controller 21 controls a timing of displaying each of the display patterns.
The switching liquid crystal panel 1 includes a plurality of pixels which are two-dimensionally arranged, and is allowed to perform a switching operation of switching each of the pixels between a state where the pixel allows light to pass therethrough and a state where the pixel does not allow light to pass therethrough. The switching liquid crystal panel 1 achieves a function as a variable parallax barrier. The switching liquid crystal panel 1 forms a barrier pattern for optically separating each of the parallax images displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 2 so as to allow stereoscopic vision. The switching liquid crystal panel 1 forms two kinds of barrier patterns corresponding to two display patterns of the parallax images illustrated in
Pixel data for forming each of the barrier patterns in the switching liquid crystal panel 1 is outputted from the barrier pixel data output section 24. The timing controller 22 controls, based on a frame signal, a timing of forming each of the barrier patterns in the switching liquid crystal panel 1 (a timing of changing each pixel into the state where the pixel allows light to pass therethrough or the state where the pixel does not allow light to pass therethrough). Image data of each of the display patterns displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 2 is outputted from the parallax image data output section 23, and a frame signal obtained at the time of switching the display pattern is outputted to the timing controller 22 through the barrier pixel data output section 24. The timing controller 22 performs synchronous control to synchronize a switching timing of the barrier pattern and a switching timing of the display pattern in the liquid crystal display panel 2. In addition, as will be described later referring to
Operation of Stereoscopic Display
In the stereoscopic display, in the liquid crystal display panel 2, parallax images are combined into a one-screen image according to a predetermined pattern while maintaining such a state that the parallax images are spatially separated from each other, and the parallax images are displayed while periodically switching the display pattern. In other words, the parallax images which are spatially and temporally separated are displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 2. In the switching liquid crystal panel 1, different barrier patterns are periodically switched from one to another in synchronization with switching the display pattern so as to provide stereoscopic vision.
In
In the second display period T2, the first parallax images and the second parallax images are alternately allocated to pixels (refer to (R1, G1, B1) in the part B in
A part A in
In general, there is a difference in response speed of liquid crystal between the liquid crystal display panel 2 for displaying an image and the switching liquid crystal panel 1 for simply controlling switching between transmission and non-transmission, and the response speed of liquid crystal in the liquid crystal display panel 2 is slower. Therefore, in the case where a switching timing of the display pattern in the liquid crystal display panel 2 and a switching timing of the barrier pattern in the switching liquid crystal panel 1 are synchronized, synchronous control based on a difference in response speed is preferably performed.
In this case, as illustrated in the part A in
Thus, in the case of switching the barrier pattern, a switching timing of the barrier pattern so that the shielding section 11 is turned into the slit section 12 is delayed as compared to a switching timing of the display pattern in the liquid crystal display panel 2. Thereby, the viewer is allowed to view a parallax image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 2 at a more stable timing. Moreover, in the switching liquid crystal panel 1, the period of the non-transmittance state is longer than the period of the transmittance state. Thereby, a displayed image is shielded in a transition period in which the displayed image is changed in the liquid crystal display panel 2 so as not to be viewed, thereby a stable stereoscopic image is allowed to be viewed. For example, a mixture of two parallax images is prevented from being viewed in the transition period. In addition, the timing controller 22 (refer to
In the first embodiment, the display pattern configured of the parallax images is periodically switched, and the barrier pattern is periodically switched in synchronization with switching the display pattern, so the parallax images which are spatially and temporally separated are displayed on the two-dimensional display section so that stereoscopic display is achievable. Thereby, compared to the case where the parallax images which are spatially separated from each other are displayed in one display pattern, a decline in resolution in stereoscopic display is preventable.
Next, a stereoscopic display according to a second embodiment will be described below. In addition, like components are denoted by like numerals as of the stereoscopic display according to the first embodiment, and will not be further described.
In the embodiment, synchronous control illustrated in parts A, B and C in
Also in the embodiment, the display pattern in the liquid crystal display panel 2 is switched in the same manner as that in the part A in
Also in the embodiment, the parallax images which are spatially and temporally separated are displayed on the two-dimensional display section so that stereoscopic display is achievable, so a decline in resolution in stereoscopic display is preventable. Moreover, the ON/OFF operation of the backlight 3 is controlled in synchronization with switching the display pattern, so the display image is shielded during a transition period in which the display pattern is switched in the liquid crystal display panel 2 so that the display image is not allowed to be viewed. Thereby, a stable stereoscopic image is allowed to be viewed. For example, a mixture of two parallax images is allowed to be prevented from being viewed during the transition period.
Next, a stereoscopic display according to a third embodiment will be described below. In addition, like components are denoted by like numerals as of the stereoscopic displays according to the first and the second embodiments, and will not be further described.
In the above-described embodiments, binocular stereoscopic display is described as an example, but the present embodiments are applicable to the case where multi-view stereoscopic display is performed. In the case of multi-view stereoscopic display, a number n of parallax images corresponding to n=3 or more viewpoints which are combined into a one-screen image while maintaining such a state that the parallax images are equally separated from each other are displayed. For example, in the case where stereoscopic display from three viewpoints is provided, three parallax images which are combined into a one-screen image while maintaining such a state that the parallax images which are spatially separated from each other are displayed. In this case, as a display pattern in which the parallax images are spatially separated, m kinds (m is an integer of 2≦m≦n) of patterns are used. The parallax images are displayed while periodically switching the m kinds of display patterns from one to another. As a barrier pattern, m different kinds of patterns are used corresponding to the display patterns, and the m kinds of barrier patterns are periodically switched from one to another. Synchronization between a switching operation of the display pattern and a switching operation of the barrier pattern is controlled as in the case of binocular stereoscopic display. Thereby, in the case of the multi-view stereoscopic display, the parallax images which are separated spatially by n, and temporally by m are displayed.
The case of n=3 will be described as an example. On the liquid crystal display panel 2, pixels displaying a first parallax image are defined as (R1, G1, B1), and pixels displaying a second parallax image are defined as (R2, G2, B2) and pixels displaying a third parallax image are defined as (R3, G3, B3).
For example, in the case of n=3 and m=2, when a display pattern of red pixels R1, R2 and R3 of the parallax images is used as an example, in a first display period T1, the pixels R1, R2 and R3 are displayed in this order, and in a second display period T2, for example, the pixels R3, R1 and R2 are displayed in this order. In the switching liquid crystal panel 1, different barrier patterns are periodically switched from one to another in synchronization with switching these two display patterns so that stereoscopic display is achievable. Thereby, three parallax images which are separated spatially by three and temporally by two are displayed.
Moreover, for example, in the case of n=3 and m=3, in a third display period T3, the pixels R2, R3 and R1 are displayed in this order. In the switching liquid crystal panel 1, three different barrier patterns are periodically switched from one to another in synchronization with switching these three display patterns from one to another so that stereoscopic display is achievable. Thereby, three parallax images which are separated spatially by 3 and temporally by 3 are displayed.
Thus, in the case of multi-view stereoscopic display, the parallax images which are spatially and temporally separated are displayed on the two-dimensional display section. Thereby, also in the case of multi-view stereoscopic display, compared to the case where parallax images which are spatially separated are displayed in one display pattern, a decline in resolution in stereoscopic display is preventable.
In the above-described embodiments, the liquid crystal display panel 2 is used as a two-dimensional display section, but any other display panel may be used. For example, a self-luminous type display panel, for example, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel may be used. In the case where the other display panel is used, synchronous control to synchronize a switching timing of display pattern in the display panel and a switching timing of the barrier pattern may be appropriately adjusted according to a display response speed of the display panel and a switching response speed of the switching liquid crystal panel 1.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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P2009-130912 | May 2009 | JP | national |