U.S. patent application number 15/295035 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-02 for image display control method.
The applicant listed for this patent is NEC CASIO Mobile Communications, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Tomonori KURODA.
Application Number | 20170031185 15/295035 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46797587 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170031185 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KURODA; Tomonori |
February 2, 2017 |
IMAGE DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD
Abstract
This image display unit includes an image display panel and a
barrier liquid crystal panel. The barrier liquid crystal panel
appropriately controls a potential applied to one or the plurality
of electrodes forming the scan-side transparent electrode (105) and
the common-side transparent electrode (104) according to an
operation mode that is specified, changes a slit width and a slit
pitch of the slits (100S, and switches a function to one of the
three functions of the 2D display function that emits image light
for 2D display from the pixels, the 3D display function that emits
image light for 3D display from each of pixels for left eye and
pixels for right eye of the pixels, and the viewing angle control
function that controls a viewing angle of the image light from the
pixels.
Inventors: |
KURODA; Tomonori; (Saitama,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NEC CASIO Mobile Communications, Ltd. |
Kanagawa |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
46797587 |
Appl. No.: |
15/295035 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13985376 |
Aug 14, 2013 |
9507186 |
|
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PCT/JP2011/006272 |
Nov 9, 2011 |
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15295035 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02F 1/134309 20130101;
H04N 13/31 20180501; G02F 1/13306 20130101; G02B 30/27 20200101;
G02F 1/137 20130101; G02F 1/134336 20130101; G09G 3/003 20130101;
G02F 1/13439 20130101; H04N 2013/403 20180501; H04N 13/398
20180501; G02F 1/1347 20130101; H04N 13/359 20180501; G02F 1/1323
20130101; G02F 1/133707 20130101; G02F 1/133512 20130101; G02F
2201/121 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02F 1/137 20060101
G02F001/137; G02F 1/1337 20060101 G02F001/1337; G02B 27/22 20060101
G02B027/22; G02F 1/1335 20060101 G02F001/1335; G02F 1/13 20060101
G02F001/13; H04N 13/04 20060101 H04N013/04; G02F 1/1343 20060101
G02F001/1343 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 4, 2011 |
JP |
2011-048131 |
Claims
1. An image display control method in an image display unit at
least comprising: an image display panel that forms pixels to
display an image; and a barrier liquid crystal panel that is
arranged above the image display panel and forms slits that serve
as barriers to shield image light from the pixels of the image
display panel, wherein the barrier liquid crystal panel forming the
slits includes a scan-side transparent electrode and a common-side
transparent electrode having sets of electrodes each set formed of
an electrode group of one or a plurality of electrodes set to have
predetermined one or a plurality of electrode widths corresponding
to arrangement intervals of the pixels, the scan-side transparent
electrode and the common-side transparent electrode being arranged
corresponding to positions of the pixels, and the barrier liquid
crystal panel appropriately controls a potential applied to one or
the plurality of electrodes forming each of the scan-side
transparent electrode and the common-side transparent electrode
according to an operation mode that is specified to change a slit
width and a slit pitch of the slits formed in the barrier liquid
crystal panel, thereby switching to one of three functions of a two
dimension (2D) display function that emits image light for 2D
display from the pixels of the image display panel as a first mode,
a three dimension (3D) display function that emits image light for
3D display from each of pixels for left eye and pixels for right
eye of the pixels of the image display panel as a second mode, and
a viewing angle control function that controls a viewing angle of
the image light from the pixels of the image display panel as a
third mode.
2. The image display control method according to claim 1, wherein
in the first mode, each of one or the plurality of electrodes
forming each of the scan-side transparent electrode and the
common-side transparent electrode is either fixed to a common
potential or set to an OFF state, thereby emitting the image light
for two dimension (2D) display from the pixels of the image display
panel from the barrier liquid crystal panel without forming the
slits in the barrier liquid crystal panel, in the second mode, by
applying an alternating potential to an electrode predetermined as
an electrode for 3D display among the plurality of electrodes
forming the scan-side transparent electrode and fixing one or the
plurality of electrodes forming the common-side transparent
electrode and rest of the electrodes of the scan-side transparent
electrode to a common potential, the slits having a slit width and
a slit pitch equal to the arrangement intervals of the pixels are
formed in the barrier liquid crystal panel so that side edges of
the slits are arranged in positions opposed to centers of the
pixels, to emit the image light for three dimension (3D) display
from each of pixels for left eye and pixels for right eye of the
pixels of the image display panel to each direction from the
barrier liquid crystal panel, and in the third mode, by applying an
alternating potential to an electrode predetermined as an electrode
for viewing angle control among the plurality of electrodes forming
the scan-side transparent electrode and fixing one or the plurality
of electrodes forming the common-side transparent electrode and
rest of the electrodes of the scan-side transparent electrode to a
common potential, the slits having a slit width and a slit pitch
narrower than the arrangement intervals of the pixels are formed in
the barrier liquid crystal panel, and the viewing angle of the
image light from the pixels of the image display panel is limited
to a range specified for viewing angle control to emit the image
light from the barrier liquid crystal panel.
3. The image display control method according to claim 1, wherein
the scan-side transparent electrode is formed in any one of a
horizontal direction and a vertical direction or formed so as to be
perpendicular to both of the horizontal direction and the vertical
direction, and the common-side transparent electrode is formed in a
direction same to a direction in which the scan-side transparent
electrode is arranged or in a direction perpendicular to the
direction in which the scan-side transparent electrode is arranged,
or formed so as to be perpendicular to both of the horizontal
direction and the vertical direction.
4. The image display control method according to claim 1, wherein:
the scan-side transparent electrode is formed of electrode groups,
each electrode group including a set of five electrodes of one
first electrode having an electrode width substantially half of the
arrangement intervals of the pixels, two second electrodes arranged
on the respective sides of the first electrode, the second
electrodes each having an electrode width substantially one fourth
of the arrangement intervals of the pixels, and two third
electrodes arranged outside of the respective two second
electrodes, the third electrodes each having an electrode width
substantially one fourth of the arrangement intervals of the
pixels, and a gap part is provided between sets of the electrode
groups, the gap part having a width substantially half of the
arrangement intervals of the pixels, in the first mode, the first
electrode, the second electrodes, the third electrodes, and one or
the plurality of electrodes forming the common-side transparent
electrode are fixed to a common potential or set to an OFF state,
in the second mode, an alternating potential is applied to the
first electrode and the second electrodes, and the third electrodes
and one or the plurality of electrodes forming the common-side
transparent electrode are fixed to a common potential, and in the
third mode, an alternating potential is applied to the second
electrodes and the third electrodes, and the first electrode and
one or the plurality of electrodes forming the common-side
transparent electrode are fixed to a common potential.
5. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing an image
display control program, the non-transitory computer readable
medium executing the image display control method according to
claim 1 as a program that can be executed by a computer.
6. The image display control method according to claim 2, wherein
the scan-side transparent electrode is formed in any one of a
horizontal direction and a vertical direction or formed so as to be
perpendicular to both of the horizontal direction and the vertical
direction, and the common-side transparent electrode is formed in a
direction same to a direction in which the scan-side transparent
electrode is arranged or in a direction perpendicular to the
direction in which the scan-side transparent electrode is arranged,
or formed so as to be perpendicular to both of the horizontal
direction and the vertical direction.
7. The image display control method according to claim 2, wherein:
the scan-side transparent electrode is formed of electrode groups
each electrode group including a set of five electrodes of one
first electrode having an electrode width substantially half of the
arrangement intervals of the pixels, two second electrodes arranged
on the respective sides of the first electrode, the second
electrodes each having an electrode width substantially one fourth
of the arrangement intervals of the pixels, and two third
electrodes arranged outside of the respective two second
electrodes, the third electrodes each having an electrode width
substantially one fourth of the arrangement intervals of the
pixels, and a gap part is provided between sets of the electrode
groups, the gap part having a width substantially half of the
arrangement intervals of the pixels, in the first mode, the first
electrode, the second electrodes, the third electrodes, and one or
the plurality of electrodes forming the common-side transparent
electrode are fixed to a common potential or set to an OFF state,
in the second mode, an alternating potential is applied to the
first electrode and the second electrodes, and the third electrodes
and one or the plurality of electrodes forming the common-side
transparent electrode are fixed to a common potential, and in the
third mode, an alternating potential is applied to the second
electrodes and the third electrodes, and the first electrode and
one or the plurality of electrodes forming the common-side
transparent electrode are fixed to a common potential.
8. The image display control method according to claim 3, wherein:
the scan-side transparent electrode is formed of electrode groups,
each electrode group including a set of five electrodes of one
first electrode having an electrode width substantially half of the
arrangement intervals of the pixels, two second electrodes arranged
on the respective sides of the first electrode, the second
electrodes each having an electrode width substantially one fourth
of the arrangement intervals of the pixels, and two third
electrodes arranged outside of the respective two second
electrodes, the third electrodes each having an electrode width
substantially one fourth of the arrangement intervals of the
pixels, and a gap part is provided between sets of the electrode
groups, the gap part having a width substantially half of the
arrangement intervals of the pixels, in the first mode, the first
electrode, the second electrodes, the third electrodes, and one or
the plurality of electrodes forming the common-side transparent
electrode are fixed to a common potential or set to an OFF state,
in the second mode, an alternating potential is applied to the
first electrode and the second electrodes, and the third electrodes
and one or the plurality of electrodes forming the common-side
transparent electrode are fixed to a common potential, and in the
third mode, an alternating potential is applied to the second
electrodes and the third electrodes, and the first electrode and
one or the plurality of electrodes forming the common-side
transparent electrode are fixed to a common potential.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an image display unit, an
image display control method, and a non-transitory computer
readable medium storing an image display control program, and more
specifically, to an image display unit, an image display control
method, and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing an
image display control program including a two dimension (2D)
display function, a three dimension (3D) display function, and a
viewing angle control function.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Three dimension (3D) display techniques to display 3D
stereoscopic images in an image display unit (display) of a mobile
terminal such as a mobile telephone, a personal computer (PC), and
a television include, as is well known in the art, a parallax
barrier system, a micro lens system, an integral imaging system and
the like. Meanwhile, a viewing angle control technique for
controlling the viewing angle of the image display unit includes
systems of attaching a commercially available louver (louver sheet
that cuts oblique light by slits), overlapping liquid crystals
having different directivities, applying contrast reduction to
visual angle properties of displayed liquid crystals by grayscale
adjustment (Patent literatures 1 and 2).
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0003] Patent literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 2007-293270 (pp. 5-14)
[0004] Patent literature 2: Published Japanese Translation of PCT
International Publication for Patent Application, No. 2008-545994
(pp. 16-24)
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0005] Each of the related techniques including the parallax
barrier system, the micro lens system, and the integral imaging
system that achieve the 3D display function has been established as
techniques for achieving 2D/3D switching. However, these related
techniques have not been achieved as methods including other
functions as well. Further, depending on the applications of the
display, there are some cases in which 2D is more convenient or 2D
should be used in preference to 3D. Accordingly, with only the 3D
display function, the disadvantages are easily raised.
[0006] In particular, it is required to assume cases in which
mobile terminals such as mobile telephones or notebook personal
computers are used in a situation in which there are a large crowd
of people (e.g., in trains). However, in such a situation, an
e-mail screen displayed on an image display unit (display) of a
mobile terminal is frequently peeped at by surrounding people. This
often prevents free manipulations of the mobile terminals.
[0007] Techniques for solving such problems include applying a
technique for controlling the viewing angle to overlap liquid
crystals with strong directivity as an image display unit, lowering
the display contrast by controlling the grayscale of liquid
crystals, attaching a louver (a commercially-available louver sheet
including slits formed therein), for example, as described above.
However, each of the techniques may cause a further increase in
thickness of the image display unit and unguaranteed strength
risks. Further, when liquid crystals with wide viewing angle in
which grayscale inversion rarely occurs are used, even when the
display contrast is lowered by grayscale control, it may often
become difficult to greatly change visibility between a front view
and an oblique view.
[0008] In short, the following problems occur even with the
independent implementation of the 3D display technique and the
viewing angle control technique as stated above.
[0009] The first problem is as follows. First, there are some
disadvantages such as reduction in transmittance of the image
display unit, an increase in the thickness of the unit and the like
depending on the types of structural elements and techniques added
to perform switching of 2D/3D display. However, 3D display is not
always necessary for all the applications of display and there are
some cases in which other effects are prioritized depending on the
use conditions. Accordingly, it is more important to increase the
effects obtained against such disadvantages.
[0010] The second problem is as follows. First, the image display
unit using liquid crystals with wide viewing angle originally has a
wide viewing angle. Accordingly, when it is tried to prevent
viewing from oblique directions by lowering the contrast by
grayscale adjustment, it greatly lowers visibility also from a
front view. Accordingly, it is impossible to sufficiently obtain
the effects of the viewing angle control.
Object of the Present Invention
[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the
aforementioned circumstances, and aims to provide an image display
unit, an image display control method, and an image display control
program that include three kinds of functions of a 2D display
function, a 3D display function, and a viewing angle control
function, and are able to perform flexible switching of these
functions.
Solution to Problem
[0012] In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the image
display unit, the image display control method, and the image
display control program according to the present invention mainly
employ the following characteristic configurations.
[0013] (1) An image display unit according to the present invention
is an image display unit at least including: an image display panel
that forms pixels to display an image; and a barrier liquid crystal
panel that is arranged above the image display panel and forms
slits that serve as barriers to shield image light from the pixels
of the image display panel, in which the barrier liquid crystal
panel forming the slits includes a scan-side transparent electrode
and a common-side transparent electrode having sets of electrodes
each set formed of an electrode group of one or a plurality of
electrodes set to have predetermined one or a plurality of
electrode widths corresponding to arrangement intervals of the
pixels, the scan-side transparent electrode and the common-side
transparent electrode being arranged corresponding to positions of
the pixels, and the barrier liquid crystal panel appropriately
controls a potential applied to one or the plurality of electrodes
forming each of the scan-side transparent electrode and the
common-side transparent electrode according to an operation mode
that is specified to change a slit width and a slit pitch of the
slits formed in the barrier liquid crystal panel, thereby switching
to one of three functions of a two dimension (2D) display function
that emits image light for 2D display from the pixels of the image
display panel as a first mode, a three dimension (3D) display
function that emits image light for 3D display from each of pixels
for left eye and pixels for right eye of the pixels of the image
display panel as a second mode, and a viewing angle control
function that controls a viewing angle of the image light from the
pixels of the image display panel as a third mode.
[0014] (2) An image display control method according to the present
invention is an image display control method in an image display
unit at least including: an image display panel that forms pixels
to display an image; and a barrier liquid crystal panel that is
arranged above the image display panel and forms slits that serve
as barriers to shield image light from the pixels of the image
display panel, in which the barrier liquid crystal panel forming
the slits includes a scan-side transparent electrode and a
common-side transparent electrode having sets of electrodes each
set formed of an electrode group of one or a plurality of
electrodes set to have predetermined one or a plurality of
electrode widths corresponding to arrangement intervals of the
pixels, the scan-side transparent electrode and the common-side
transparent electrode being arranged corresponding to positions of
the pixels, and the barrier liquid crystal panel appropriately
controls a potential applied to one or the plurality of electrodes
forming each of the scan-side transparent electrode and the
common-side transparent electrode according to an operation mode
that is specified to change a slit width and a slit pitch of the
slits formed in the barrier liquid crystal panel, thereby switching
to one of three functions of a two dimension (2D) display function
that emits image light for 2D display from the pixels of the image
display panel as a first mode, a three dimension (3D) display
function that emits image light for 3D display from each of pixels
for left eye and pixels for right eye of the pixels of the image
display panel as a second mode, and a viewing angle control
function that controls a viewing angle of the image light from the
pixels of the image display panel as a third mode.
[0015] (3) An image display control program according to the
present invention executes the image display control method at
least described in the above (2) as a program that can be executed
by a computer.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0016] According to the image display unit, the image display
control method, and the image display control program according to
the present invention, it is possible to achieve the following
effects.
[0017] The first effect is as follows. First, the electrode
structures of the scan-side transparent electrode and the
common-side transparent electrode formed in the barrier liquid
crystal panel are such that one or a plurality of electrodes are
formed as one set. Further, the electrode group of each set is
arranged to correspond to the position of each of the pixels formed
in the image display panel, and the method of controlling the
electrode group of each set is differentiated according to the
operation mode. Accordingly, it is possible to easily switch the
mode to any one of the three operation modes of the first mode for
2D display, the second mode for 3D display, and the third mode for
viewing angle control.
[0018] The second effect is as follows. That is, for example, when
they are applied as the image display unit of the parallax barrier
system, a barrier liquid crystal panel is added to switch 2D and
3D, which increases the thickness. However, there is no need to
increase further thickness to add the viewing angle control
function, and the structural risks such as strength as the image
display module or the image display apparatus can also be
reduced.
[0019] The third effect is as follows. That is, for example, when
they are applied as the image display unit of the parallax barrier
system, it is possible to apply the process for manufacturing the
parallax barrier panel, i.e., the barrier liquid crystal panel
without greatly changing the conventional technique to add the
function for 3D display and the function for viewing angle control
to the normal function for 2D display.
[0020] The fourth effect is as follows. That is, also in a front
view when the 2D display or the viewing angle control is achieved,
it is possible to achieve the brightness equal to that in the 3D
display depending on the conditions of forming the slits formed in
the barrier liquid crystal panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing the
principle of 3D display in an image display unit of a parallax
barrier system;
[0022] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing the
principle for achieving a viewing angle control function in the
image display unit of the parallax barrier system;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing one example of a
schematic cross-sectional structure of the image display unit of
the parallax barrier system;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing one example of a
schematic cross-sectional structure of a barrier liquid crystal
panel in the image display unit of the parallax barrier system
shown in FIG. 3;
[0025] FIG. 5A is an explanatory view for describing a state of a
light flux that transmits between slits before a slit pitch and a
slit width of the slits formed in the barrier liquid crystal panel
above an image display panel are changed;
[0026] FIG. 5B is an explanatory view for describing a state of the
light flux that transmits between slits after the slit pitch and
the slit width of the slits formed in the barrier liquid crystal
panel above the image display panel are changed;
[0027] FIG. 6 is an explanatory view for simply deriving a relation
between a viewing cone and a shape of slits formed in the barrier
liquid crystal panel above the image display panel;
[0028] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for describing a typical
relation between the shape of the slits and the viewing cone
derived in FIG. 6;
[0029] FIG. 8 is an explanatory view for simply deriving a relation
between the viewing cone and the shape of the slits when the slit
pitch and the slit width of the slits formed in the barrier liquid
crystal panel above the image display panel are changed;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing one example of an
electrode structure of a scan-side transparent electrode for
switching the slit width/slit pitch of the slits formed in the
barrier liquid crystal panel above the image display panel;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing one example of an
internal state inside the barrier liquid crystal panel above the
image display panel in a second mode for 3D display as shown in
FIG. 6;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing one example of an
internal state inside the barrier liquid crystal panel above the
image display panel in a third mode for viewing angle control as
shown in FIG. 8;
[0033] FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing an example of an
electrode structure of a common-side transparent electrode for
switching the slit width/slit pitch of the slits formed in the
barrier liquid crystal layer of the barrier liquid crystal
panel;
[0034] FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example different
from FIG. 12, and shows an electrode structure of the common-side
transparent electrode for switching the slit width/slit pitch of
the slits formed in the barrier liquid crystal layer of the barrier
liquid crystal panel;
[0035] FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing an example different
from FIGS. 12 and 13, and shows an electrode structure of the
common-side transparent electrode for switching the slit width/slit
pitch of the slits formed in the barrier liquid crystal layer of
the barrier liquid crystal panel;
[0036] FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing another example of
electrode structures of the scan-side transparent electrode and the
common-side transparent electrode formed in the barrier liquid
crystal layer of the barrier liquid crystal panel;
[0037] FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing an example of electrode
structures of the scan-side transparent electrode and the
common-side transparent electrode when the electrodes having the
electrode structures shown in FIG. 15 are formed in the barrier
liquid crystal layer of the barrier liquid crystal panel so that
they are arranged to be perpendicular to each other;
[0038] FIG. 17 is a flowchart for describing one example of an
operation of the image display unit including three operation modes
of a normal first mode for 2D display, a second mode for 3D
display, and a third mode for viewing angle control as one example
of an image display control method according to the present
invention; and
[0039] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing control contents of potentials
in each step in FIG. 17.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0040] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a
preferred exemplary embodiment of an image display unit, an image
display control method, and an image display control program
according to the present invention will be described. In the
following description, the image display unit and the image display
control method according to the present invention will be
described. However, as a matter of course, such an image display
control method may be executed as an image display control program
that can be executed by a computer, or the image display control
program may be recorded in a storage medium that can be read out by
a computer.
Features of the Present Invention
[0041] Prior to the description of the exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, the outline of the features of the present
invention will be described first. The present invention provides
an image display unit, an image display control method, and an
image display control program capable of achieving three functions
of a 2D display function, a 3D display function, and a viewing
angle control function. The present invention includes a barrier
liquid crystal panel in which a scan-side transparent electrode and
a common-side transparent electrode can be formed, the scan-side
transparent electrode and the common-side transparent electrode
having electrode structures specific to the present invention and
having sets of electrodes, each set including one or a plurality of
electrodes whose electrode width is predetermined in consideration
of arrangement intervals of pixels, and a method of controlling the
electrodes is appropriately switched according to the operations
mode to be set, thereby achieving the effect of two functions of
the 3D display function and the viewing angle control function in
addition to the 2D display function by only ene component of the
barrier liquid crystal panel. In particular, the main feature of
the present invention is that it is possible to instantaneously
switch a mode to any appropriate operation mode of a first mode for
normal 2D display, a second mode for 3D display, and a third mode
for viewing angle control according to the environment in which a
personal computer or a mobile telephone is used and the display
performance that is necessary.
[0042] More specifically, the present invention has the main
feature as follows. When the optical path is designed to allow
images having a parallax in right and left eyes to input in order
to achieve 3D display, a design for narrowing the viewing angle is
also incorporated into the image display unit, thereby enabling
switching to the viewing angle control function as well as
switching from the 2D display function which is the normal state to
the 3D display function. Specifically, according to the present
invention, in the image display unit of the parallax barrier
system, for example, a slit width, a slit pitch or the like of the
parallax barrier is changed by the electrode structure of the
barrier liquid crystal panel forming the parallax barrier panel and
the switching control method of the applied voltage to control the
light amount/angle at which the image light emitted from pixels of
the image display panel transmits between slits, thereby being able
to arbitrarily switch the 2D display function, the 3D display
function, and the viewing angle control function depending on the
situations.
[0043] To be more specific, the present invention at least includes
an image display panel that forms pixels to display an image; and a
barrier liquid crystal panel that is arranged above the image
display panel and forms slits that serve as barriers to shield
image light from the pixels of the image display panel, and the
barrier liquid crystal panel forming the slits includes a scan-side
transparent electrode and a common-side transparent electrode
having sets of electrodes each set formed of an electrode group of
one or a plurality of electrodes set to have predetermined one or a
plurality of electrode widths corresponding to arrangement
intervals of the pixels, the scan-side transparent electrode and
the common-side transparent electrode being arranged corresponding
to positions of the pixels, and the barrier liquid crystal panel
appropriately controls a potential applied to one or the plurality
of electrodes forming each of the scan-side transparent electrode
and the common-side transparent electrode according to an operation
mode that is specified to change a slit width and a slit pitch of
the slits formed in the barrier liquid crystal panel, thereby
switching to one of three functions of a two dimension (2D) display
function that emits image light for 2D display from the pixels of
the image display panel as a first mode, a three dimension (3D)
display function that emits image light for 3D display from each of
pixels for left eye and pixels for right eye of the pixels of the
image display panel as a second mode, and a viewing angle control
function that controls a viewing angle of the image light from the
pixels of the image display panel as a third mode.
[0044] In the first mode, each of one or the plurality of
electrodes forming each of the scan-side transparent electrode and
the common-side transparent electrode is either fixed to a common
potential or set to an OFF state, thereby emitting the image light
for two dimension (2D) display from the pixels of the image display
panel from the barrier liquid crystal panel without forming the
slits in the barrier liquid crystal panel. In the second mode, by
applying an alternating potential to an electrode predetermined as
an electrode for 3D display among the plurality of electrodes
forming the scan-side transparent electrode and fixing ene or the
plurality of electrodes forming the common-side transparent
electrode and rest of the electrodes of the scan-side transparent
electrode to a common potential, the slits having a slit width and
a slit pitch equal to the arrangement intervals of the pixels are
formed in the barrier liquid crystal panel so that side edges of
the slits are arranged in positions opposed to centers of the
pixels, to emit image light for three dimension (3D) display from
each of pixels for left eye and pixels for right eye of the pixels
of the image display panel to each direction from the barrier
liquid crystal panel. In the third mode, by applying an alternating
potential to an electrode predetermined as an electrode for viewing
angle control among the plurality of electrodes forming the
scan-side transparent electrode and fixing one or the plurality of
electrodes forming the common-side transparent electrode and rest
of the electrodes of the scan-side transparent electrode to a
common potential, the slits having a slit width and a slit pitch
narrower than the arrangement intervals of the pixels are formed in
the barrier liquid crystal panel, and a viewing angle of the image
light from the pixels of the image display panel is limited to a
range specified for viewing angle control to emit the image light
from the barrier liquid crystal panel.
Configuration Examples of Exemplary Embodiment
[0045] Next, one example of an exemplary embodiment of an image
display unit according to the present invention will be described.
First, FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing the
principle of 3D display in an image display unit of a parallax
barrier system which is one example of the image display unit
according to the present invention. The image display unit of the
parallax barrier system includes, as shown in FIG. 1, a barrier
liquid crystal panel 100 which serves as a parallax barrier panel
formed above an image display panel 10 that displays images formed
of pixels for right eye 10R and pixels for left eye 10L. In the
barrier liquid crystal panel, slits 100S that interrupt light (a
slit width w is equal to the arrangement interval of the pixels for
right eye 10R and the pixels for left eye 10L) are arranged at a
predetermined pitch (slit pitch p). The image display unit is a
technique for inputting images having a parallax (images of the
pixels for right eye 10R and the pixels for left eye 10L) to a
right eye 201 and a left eye 202 to give the illusion of
stereoscopic images, i.e., 3D images.
[0046] Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a configuration
example of the image display unit of the parallax barrier system
that displays 3D images as shown in FIG. 1 will be described as one
example of the image display unit according to the present
invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing one example of
a schematic cross-sectional structure of the image display unit of
the parallax barrier system. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view
showing one example of a schematic cross-sectional structure of the
barrier liquid crystal panel 100 in the image display unit of the
parallax barrier system shown in FIG. 3.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, the image display unit of the parallax
barrier system includes the image display panel 10 for image
display and the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 for forming a
parallax barrier. The image display panel 10 includes a structure
of holding a liquid crystal layer for display 11 to form the pixels
for right eye 10R and the pixels for left eye 10L for image display
by panel substrates 12a and 12b made of glass, acrylic or the like.
On the other hand, the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 holds a
barrier liquid crystal layer 101 to form the slits 100S for
shielding light by panel substrates 102a and 102b made of glass,
acrylic or the like. Further, this image display unit includes
polarizers 103a and 103b for polarizing emitted light provided
outside of the panel substrates 102a and 102b.
[0048] The barrier liquid crystal layer 101 of the barrier liquid
crystal panel 100 shown in FIG. 3 is provided between a common-side
transparent electrode 104 and scan-side transparent electrodes
105a, 105b, and 105c, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG.
4. The barrier liquid crystal layer 101 applies an alternating
potential to the scan-side transparent electrodes 105a, 105b, and
105c in a state in which the common-side transparent electrode 104
is fixed to a common potential, thereby generating a potential
difference at intersections between the common-side transparent
electrode 104 and the scan-side transparent electrodes 105a, 105b,
and 105c. In this way, slits 100Sa, 100Sb, and 100Sc to shield the
image light emitted from the pixels of the image display panel 10
can be formed.
[0049] However, one component of the barrier liquid crystal panel
100 is added above the image display panel 10 to form a parallax
barrier. This also causes some disadvantages including an increase
in thickness as the image display unit and reduction in light
transmittance. Therefore, only the effect that 3D images are
displayed is not sufficient to make up for these disadvantages.
[0050] According to the present invention, as a system which more
than compensates for these disadvantages, an electrode structure
including sets of electrodes, each set including one or a plurality
of electrodes, is employed as the barrier liquid crystal layer 101,
and a control method of the electrodes is appropriately switched
according to an operation mode. Accordingly, it is possible to
perform not only a 3D image display function but also a viewing
angle control function. Specifically, by appropriately switching
the control method of the electrodes according to the operation
mode, it is possible to change the slit width/slit pitch/slit
thickness/distance between the display surface and the slit surface
and the like of the slits 100S forming the barrier liquid crystal
panel 100 as desired, and to change the viewing angle of the liquid
crystal display screen of the image display unit in principle.
Using this principle, for example, switching from a first mode of a
normal 2D display function to a second mode of a 3D display
function, switching from the second mode of the 3D display function
back to the normal 2D display function are made possible.
Furthermore, switching to a third mode of the viewing angle control
function, switching from the third mode of the viewing angle
control function back to the first mode of the normal 2D display
function and the like are made possible. This brings about the
effect specific to the present invention that it is possible to use
three kinds of functions (operation modes) according to the
scene.
[0051] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, an example of achieving the
viewing angle control function to control the viewing angle in the
image display unit of the parallax barrier system which is one
example of the present invention stated above with reference to
FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view
schematically showing the principle for achieving the viewing angle
control function in the image display unit of the parallax barrier
system. FIG. 2 shows an example of changing each of a slit pitch p'
and a slit width w of the slits 100S formed in the barrier liquid
crystal panel 100 above the image display panel 10 to 1/2 (i.e.,
p'=p/2, w'=w/2) compared to the example of achieving 3D display
described with reference to FIG. 1. In short, FIG. 2 shows an
example of achieving the third mode of the viewing angle control
function, as is different from the state of achieving the second
mode of the 3D display function shown in FIG. 1.
[0052] While the slit pitch p' and the slit width w of the slits
100S are halved in FIG. 2 compared to those in the 3D display shown
in FIG. 1, the density of the number of openings of the slits is
doubled. Accordingly, an in-line transmittance of light from the
image display panel 10 (brightness in a front view) is
provisionally set presupposing that the in-line transmittance of
light is not changed from that in FIG. 1 and the optimum input
angle to the right eye 201 and the left eye 202 adjusted in the 3D
display is not changed.
[0053] Further, when the slit pitch p'/slit width w' are changed
from the slit pitch p/slit width w in the 3D display shown in FIG.
1, the images displayed in the pixels for right eye 10R and the
pixels for left eye 10L of the image display panel 10 need to be
changed to pixels for both eyes 10B so that the same image is input
to both of the right eye 201 and the left eye 202 or normal images
(normal 2D images) are displayed in which the resolution of the
image screen is effectively used. If the pixels of the image
display panel 10 are left as in the 3D display as shown in FIG. 1,
i.e., the pixels of the image display panel 10 are left as the
pixels for right eye 10R and the pixels for left eye 10L, two kinds
of images displayed by the pixels for right eye 10R and the pixels
for left eye 10L are input into both of the right eye 201 and the
left eye 202, and the images are visually recognized as double
images.
[0054] As stated above, it would be easily imagined that the user's
visibility when the normal images (normal 2D images) are displayed
in a state in which the slits 100S having the slit pitch p and the
slit width w' are formed in the barrier liquid crystal panel 100
above the image display panel 10 is equal to a viewing image when a
louver (louver sheet) is attached to a normal image display panel
(image screen).
[0055] Next, with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a state of light
flux that can transmit between the slits 100S when the slit pitch
p' and the slit width w' of the slits 100S formed in the barrier
liquid crystal panel 100 above the image display panel 10 are
halved from the slit pitch p and the slit width w for 3D display
(i.e., the pixel arrangement interval w of the pixels for both eyes
10B of the image display panel 10). FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are
explanatory views for describing the state of the light flux that
transmits between the slits when the slit pitch and the slit width
of the slits 100S formed in the barrier liquid crystal panel 100
above the image display panel 10 are changed.
[0056] FIG. 5A shows a state of the light flux when the second mode
for 3D display is specified as the operation mode and the slits
100S are formed to have the slit pitch p and the slit width w for
3D display. FIG. 5B shows a state of the light flux when the third
mode for viewing angle control is specified as the operation mode
and the slits are formed to have the slit pitch p' and the slit
width w' in which the slit pitch p and the slit width w for 3D
display shown in FIG. 5A are halved. In order to simplify the
description, FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show simplified diagrams in which
the panel substrates 12a and 12b and 102a and 102b for holding the
liquid crystal layer for display 11 and the barrier liquid crystal
layer 101, the polarizers 103a and 103b as described in FIGS. 3 and
4, a refractive index of the liquid crystal and the like are not
considered.
[0057] As simplified in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, an angle .theta. of
the light flux (i.e., a viewing cone indicating the viewing angle)
of the light that is emitted from one of the pixels for both eyes
10B and is able to transmit between the slits 100S is restricted by
the slit width w/slit pitch p/slit thickness t/distance d between
the pixel and the slit. When the slits 100S formed in the barrier
liquid crystal panel 100 are changed from the state shown in FIG.
5A to the state of the slit width w'/the slit pitch p'/slit
thickness t/distance d between the pixel and the slit shown in FIG.
5B, for example, an angle .theta.' of the light flux that is able
to transmit is changed, which affects the viewing angle at which
the light emitted from the liquid crystal layer for display 11
(image light) can be visibly recognized.
[0058] Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a relation between
the viewing cone .theta., i.e., the viewing angle of the light flux
from the image display panel 10 and the slit pitch p, the slit
width w, the slit thickness t, the distance d between the pixel and
the slit of the slits 100S formed in the barrier liquid crystal
panel 100 above the image display panel 10 will be described. FIG.
6 is an explanatory view for simply deriving a relation between the
viewing cone .theta. and the shape of the slits 100S formed in the
barrier liquid crystal panel 100 above the image display panel 10.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for describing a typical relation
between the shape of the slits 100S and the viewing cone .theta.
derived in FIG. 6. Both of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show images for
deriving conditions regarding the viewing cone .theta. (viewing
angle).
[0059] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 each show an example of setting the slit
pitch p of the slits 100S to be twice as large as the slit width w.
The opening width of the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 that
transmits the image light emitted from each pixel of the image
display panel 10 is set to be the same size as the slit width w of
the slits 100S that shield the image light. In summary, a case is
assumed in which both of the slit width w of the slits 100S and the
opening width w of the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 are set to
have the same size as the cell pitch indicating the arrangement
intervals of the pixels of the image display panel 10. Further, a
side edge of each slit is arranged in a position which is extended
vertically from the center of each pixel of the image display panel
10.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 6, when the distance between the pixel and
the slit indicating the distance from the display surface of the
image display panel 10 to the lower end of the slits 100 is denoted
by d, the slit width of the slits 100S is denoted by w, the slit
pitch of the slits 100S is denoted by p=2w, the slit thickness is
denoted by t, and the angle between the border line at which the
image light emitted from the image display panel 10 cannot transmit
through the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 and the vertical line
to the display surface of the image display panel 10, i.e., a
viewing cone (viewing angle) is denoted by .theta., a parallel
distance x from the center O of one of the pixels 10a to a side
edge P of the N-th (N=1, 2, 3, . . . ) slit 100S (the distance
measured in parallel with the display surface of the image display
panel 10, i.e., the distance from the center O of the pixel 10a to
a location U of the display surface of the image display panel 10
immediately below the side edge P of the N-th slit 100S) is given
by the following expression.
x=(N-1)p=2(N-1)w
[0061] Meanwhile, from a similar relation between a triangle OPS
and a triangle QPT shown in FIG. 6, the following relation can be
derived as shown in FIG. 7.
2(N-1)w:w=d:t
.thrfore.N=(d+2t)/2t
(However, since N is an integer of one or larger, digits after the
decimal point are truncated.)
[0062] When the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 is formed under
the conditions shown in FIG. 6, the viewing cone .theta. (viewing
angle) between the center O of one of the pixels 10a and the side
edge P of the slit 100S corresponding to the N-th slit which is
counted from the slit 100S whose side edge S is positioned on the
vertical line of the center O of the pixel 10a in the oblique
direction is given by the following expression, as shown in FIG. 6
and FIG. 7.
tan .theta.=2(N-1)w/d
[0063] Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a relation with the viewing
cone .theta.' or the viewing angle of the light flux from the image
display panel 10 when the slit pitch p and the slit width w for 3D
display shown in FIG. 5A is halved to the slit pitch p' and the
slit width w' as shown in FIG. 5B will be described. FIG. 8 is an
explanatory view for simply deriving a relation between the viewing
cone .theta.' and the shape of the slits 100S when the slit pitch
and the slit width of the slits 100S formed in the barrier liquid
crystal panel 100 above the image display panel 10 are changed.
FIG. 8 shows a case in which each of the slit pitch p and the slit
width w for 3D display shown in FIG. 6 is halved to the slit pitch
p'(=p/2) and the slit width w'(=w/2).
[0064] FIG. 8 also shows an example of setting the slit pitch p' of
the slits 100S to be twice as large as the slit width w'. Further,
it is assumed that the cell pitch indicating the pixel arrangement
interval of the image display panel 10 has the interval w which is
the same to that in FIG. 6. Further, the positional relation
between each of the slits 100S and each pixel of the image display
panel 10 is, as is different from the case of FIG. 6, such that the
center of each slit 100S is formed in a position which is extended
vertically from the center of each pixel of the image display panel
10.
[0065] In the case shown in FIG. 8, as is similar to the case shown
in FIG. 6, when the distance between the pixel and the slit
indicating the distance from the display surface of the image
display panel 10 to the lower end of the slit 100S is denoted by d,
the slit width of the slits 100S is denoted by w'(=w/2), the slit
pitch of the slits 100S is denoted by p'=2w'(=w), the slit
thickness is denoted by t, and the angle between the border line at
which the image light emitted from the image display panel 10
cannot transmit through the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 and
the vertical line to the display surface of the image display panel
10, i.e., a viewing cone (viewing angle), is denoted by .theta.', a
parallel distance x from the center O of one of the pixels 10a to a
side edge p' of the N'-th (N'=1, 2, 3, . . . ) slit 100S (the
distance measured in parallel with the display surface of the image
display panel 10, i.e., the distance from the center O of the pixel
10a to a location U' of the display surface of the image display
panel 10 immediately below the side edge P' of the N'-th slit 100S)
is given by the following expressions.
x ' = ( N ' - 1 ) p + w ' / 2 = 2 ( N ' - 1 ) w ' + w ' / 2 = ( 4 N
' - 3 ) w ' / 2 = ( 4 N ' - 3 ) w / 4 ##EQU00001##
[0066] Meanwhile, from a similar relation between a triangle OP'S
and a triangle Q'P'T', the following relation can be derived.
(4N'-3)w'/2:w'=d:t
.thrfore.N'=(2d+3t)/4t
(However, since N' is an integer of one or larger, digits after the
decimal point are truncated.)
[0067] When the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 is formed under
the conditions shown in FIG. 8, the viewing cone .theta.' (viewing
angle) between the center O of one of the pixels 10a and the side
edge P' of the slit 100S corresponding to the N'-th slit which is
counted from the slit 100S whose center S is positioned on the
vertical line of the center O of the pixel 10a in the oblique
direction is given by the following expressions, as shown in FIG.
8.
tan .theta. ' = ( 4 N ' - 3 ) w ' / 2 d = ( 4 N ' - 3 ) w / 4 d
##EQU00002##
[0068] Now, a relation between the viewing cone .theta. (viewing
angle) when the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 is formed under
the conditions shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 and the viewing cone
.theta.' (viewing angle) when the barrier liquid crystal panel 100
is formed under the conditions shown in FIG. 8 is as follows.
tan .theta.:tan .theta.'=2(N-1)w/d:(4N'-3)w/4d
.thrfore. tan .theta./tan .theta.'=8(N-1)/(4N'-3)
[0069] For example, if it is assumed that d=0.5 mm, t=0.02 mm, and
w=0.08 mm, the following expressions are obtained.
[0070] N=13
[0071] N'=13
[0072] tan .theta.=3.84 .thrfore..theta..apprxeq.75.degree.
[0073] tan .theta.'=1.96 .thrfore..theta.'.apprxeq.63.degree.
In summary, for example, when the slit width w' and slit pitch p'
of the slits 100S are halved from the slit width w and the slit
pitch p, the viewing angle at which the image light from the pixels
of the image display panel 10 can be visibly recognized can be
limited from 75.degree. to 63.degree..
[0074] Further, the viewing cone .theta. (viewing angle) can be
changed not only by changing the slit width w/slit pitch p but also
by changing the slit thickness t, the distance d between the pixel
and the slit or the like. Furthermore, it is possible to change the
viewing cone .theta. (viewing angle) more efficiently by the
combination with a liquid crystal material used for image display,
contrast adjustment by grayscale adjustment, luminance adjustment
or the like.
[0075] In reality, further introduction of parameters such as the
refractive index or the transmittance of elements forming the image
display unit may have some kind of influence on the viewing cone
.theta. (viewing angle). However, such factors may naturally be
treated as variation factors that can be assumed in the exemplary
embodiment.
[0076] Further, in order to achieve the effect of arbitrarily
controlling the viewing cone .theta. (viewing angle) as stated
above, it is required to switch the slit width w/slit pitch p of
the slits 100S formed in the barrier liquid crystal layer 101 of
the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 from the state of the 3D
display, for example, as described above. One example of a method
of switching the second mode for 3D display as shown in FIG. 6 to
the third mode for viewing angle control as shown in FIG. 8 will be
described below.
[0077] The following electrodes arranged in the barrier liquid
crystal layer 101 of the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 are the
scan-side transparent electrodes 105a to 105c described with
reference to FIG. 4, and are formed as transparent electrodes
together with the common-side transparent electrode 104 in order to
transmit the image light emitted from each pixel of the image
display panel 10. Further, a case is shown in which the barrier
liquid crystal layer 101 of the barrier liquid crystal panel 100
forms the slits 100S in the corresponding areas assuming a case of
"normally white", thereby setting the image light emitted from each
pixel of the image display panel 10 to a non-transmittance
state.
[0078] FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing one example of the
electrode structure of the scan-side transparent electrode 105 to
switch the slit width w/slit pitch p of the slits 100S formed in
the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 above the image display panel
10. FIG. 9 shows an example of switching the viewing cone .theta.
and the viewing cone .theta.' of the light emitted from the image
display surface of the image display panel 10 by controlling each
electrode and switching the slit width w/slit pitch p shown in FIG.
6 and the slit width w'/slit pitch p' shown in FIG. 8, in order to
control the viewing angle of the image display unit according to
the operation mode of the image display unit.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 9, the scan-side transparent electrode 105
is formed of electrode groups each including a set of five
electrodes of one first electrode 105-1, two second electrodes
105-2a and 105-2b arranged on the respective sides of the first
electrode 105-1, and two third electrodes 105-3a and 105-3b
arranged outside of the two second electrodes 105-2a and 105-2b,
respectively. The first electrode, the second electrodes, and the
third electrodes are connected to a first electrode drive circuit
(S1) 107-1, a second electrode drive circuit (S2) 107-2, and a
third electrode drive circuit (S3) 107-3 for scan-side transparent
electrode, respectively.
[0080] Note that the electrode width of the first electrode 105-1
is substantially half (.apprxeq.w/2) of the slit width w (the
arrangement interval w of pixels of the image display panel 10) of
the slits 100S for 3D display shown in FIG. 6. The electrode width
of each of the two second electrodes 105-2a and 105-2b and the two
third electrodes 105-3a and 105-3b is substantially 1/4
(.apprxeq.w/4) of the slit width w (the arrangement interval w of
pixels of the image display panel 10) of the slits 100S for 3D
display shown in FIG. 6. The opening width of a gap part where
there is no electrode, i.e., an area between a set of an electrode
group of five electrodes of the scan-side transparent electrode 105
and a set of the next electrode group, has substantially half
(.apprxeq.w/2) the width of the slit width w (the arrangement
interval w of pixels of the image display panel 10) of the slits
100S shown in FIG. 6. The reason for which the electrode width and
the opening width are expressed using the term "substantially"
compared to the slit width w (pixel arrangement interval w) is that
it is required to form the electrode patterns through an insulating
film so as to prevent short-circuit between electrodes, and the
electrode width and the opening width are somewhat different from
the slit width w (pixel arrangement interval w) depending on the
film forming accuracies of the insulating film and the electrode
materials.
[0081] However, it is desirable to definitely secure a minimum
electrode width for forming the slits 100S having a constant slit
width w as the barrier liquid crystal layer 101 of the barrier
liquid crystal panel 100. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 described
later, the first electrode 105-1 is arranged to substantially cover
half (=w/2) the area of the slit width w, and each of the second
electrodes 105-2a and 105-2b and the two third electrodes 105-3a
and 105-3b is arranged to substantially cover one quarter (=w/4) of
the area of the slit width w.
[0082] In FIG. 9, when the mode is switched to the second mode for
3D display as shown in FIG. 6, both of the first electrode drive
circuit (S1) 107-1 and the second electrode drive circuit (S2)
107-2 are driven that are defined in advance for 3D display
according to the instruction to switch the operation mode, to apply
an alternating potential to one first electrode 105-1 having an
electrode width of (w/2) and two second electrodes 105-2a and
105-2b each having an electrode width of (w/4) arranged on the
respective sides of the first electrode 105-1. In this way,
switching can be made so that the width of the slits 100S that
shield transmission of the image light emitted from each pixel of
the image display panel 10 is substantially equal to the pixel
arrangement interval w, and the opening width of the barrier liquid
crystal panel 100 through which the image light transmits is also
substantially equal to the pixel arrangement interval w. Further,
the slits 100s may be formed so that the side edge of each of the
slits 100S is opposed to the position of the center of each pixel
of the image display panel 10.
[0083] Meanwhile, when the mode is switched to the third mode for
viewing angle control as shown in FIG. 8, both of the second
electrode drive circuit (S2) 107-2 and the third electrode drive
circuit (S3) 107-3 are driven that are defined in advance for
viewing angle control according to the instruction to switch the
operation mode, to apply an alternating potential to the two second
electrodes 105-2a and 105-2b each having an electrode width of
(w/4) and the two third electrodes 105-3a and 105-3b each having an
electrode width of (w/4) adjacently arranged outside of the second
electrodes 105-2a and 105-2b, respectively. In this way, switching
can be made so that the width of the slits 100S that shield
transmission of the image light emitted from each pixel of the
image display panel 10 becomes substantially half the width (w/2)
of the pixel arrangement interval w, and the opening width of the
barrier liquid crystal panel 100 through which the image light
transmits also becomes substantially half the width (w/2) of the
pixel arrangement interval w. Further, the slits 100S may be formed
so that the center of each of the slits 100S is opposed to the
position of the center of each pixel of the image display panel
10.
[0084] As described above, FIGS. 10 and 11 each show a
cross-sectional view of an internal state of the barrier liquid
crystal layer 101 of the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 when
switching between the second mode for 3D display as shown in FIG. 6
and the third mode for viewing angle control as shown in FIG. 8 is
performed. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing one example of
an internal state inside the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 above
the image display panel 10 in the second mode for 3D display as
shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing one
example of an internal state inside the barrier liquid crystal
panel 100 above the image display panel 10 in the third mode for
viewing angle control as shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 10 and FIG. 11,
an example in which the common-side transparent electrode 104 is
formed as a single electrode pattern is shown for the sake of
simplicity. Further, although not shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the
positional relation with each pixel of the image display panel 10
is adjusted so that the center of each pixel of the image display
panel 10 is arranged in the position opposed to the position of the
border line between each of second electrodes 105-2a1, 105-2a2,
105-2b1, and 105-2b2 and each of third electrodes 105-3a1, 105-3a2,
105-3b1, and 105-3b2 of the barrier liquid crystal panel 100.
[0085] In the case of the second mode for 3D display as shown in
FIG. 6, as described in FIG. 9, an alternating potential is applied
to one first electrode 105-1a having an electrode width of (w/2)
and two second electrodes 105-2a1 and 105-2a2 each having an
electrode width of (w/4) arranged on the respective sides of the
first electrode 105-1a (the same holds true for 105-1b, 105-2b1,
and 105-2b2). Then, the slits 100Sa and 100Sb that shield the image
light emitted from each pixel of the image display panel 10 are
formed to have a slit width w (=w/4+w/2+w/4), as shown in the
barrier liquid crystal layer 101 shown in FIG. 10. Further, the
opening part that transmits the image light emitted from each pixel
of the image display panel 10 is formed to have an opening width w
(=w/4+w/2+w/4).
[0086] Meanwhile, in the case of the third mode for viewing angle
control as shown in FIG. 8, as described with reference to FIG. 9,
an alternating potential is applied to two second electrodes
105-2a1 and 105-2a2 each having an electrode width of (w/4) and two
third electrodes 105-3a1 and 105-3a2 each having an electrode width
of (w/4) adjacently arranged outside of the second electrodes
105-2a1 and 105-2a2, respectively (the same holds true for 105-2b1
and 105-2b2, and 105-3b1 and 105-3b2). Then, as shown in the
barrier liquid crystal layer 101 as shown in FIG. 11, the slits
100Sa, 100Sb, 100Sc, and 100Sd that shield the image light emitted
from each pixel of the image display panel 10 are formed to have a
slit width w/2 (=w/4+w/4). Further, the opening part that transmits
the image light emitted from each pixel of the image display panel
10 is formed to have an opening width w/2 (=w/2).
[0087] FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 each show an example of forming the
common-side transparent electrode 104 as a single electrode
pattern. However, the common-side transparent electrode 104 opposed
to each set of the electrode group of the scan-side transparent
electrode 105 in the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 may be formed
as shown in a schematic view of FIG. 12. Specifically, by forming
the common-side transparent electrode 104 to have the electrode
pattern same to the electrode pattern of the scan-side transparent
electrode 105 in the same direction shown in the schematic view in
FIG. 9, it is possible to control the slit width w of the slits
100S to be formed with higher accuracy and to obtain preferable
switching characteristics. FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing one
example of the electrode structure of the common-side transparent
electrode 104 for switching the slit width w/slit pitch p of the
slits 100S formed in the barrier liquid crystal layer 101 of the
barrier liquid crystal panel 100.
[0088] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the common-side
transparent electrode 104 formed in the same direction as the
arrangement direction of the scan-side transparent electrode 105 is
formed of electrode groups each including a set of five electrodes
of one first electrode 104-1, two second electrodes 104-2a and
104-2b arranged on the respective sides of the first electrode
104-1, and two third electrodes 104-3a and 104-3b arranged outside
of the two second electrodes 104-2a and 104-2b, respectively, as is
similar to the case of the scan-side transparent electrode 105 in
FIG. 9. The first electrode, the second electrodes, and the third
electrodes are connected to a first electrode drive circuit (C1)
106-1, a second electrode drive circuit (C2) 106-2, and a third
electrode drive circuit (C3) 106-3 for common-side transparent
electrode, respectively.
[0089] In FIG. 12, the electrode width of the first electrode 104-1
is substantially half (.apprxeq.w/2) of the slit width w (the
arrangement interval w of pixels of the image display panel 10) of
the slits 100S shown in FIG. 6, as is similar to the case of the
scan-side transparent electrode 105 shown in FIG. 9. The electrode
width of each of the two second electrodes 104-2a and 104-2b and
the two third electrodes 104-3a and 104-3b is substantially 1/4
(.apprxeq.w/4) of the slit width w (the arrangement interval w of
pixels of the image display panel 10) of the slits 100S shown in
FIG. 6. The opening width of a gap part where there is no
electrode, i.e., an area between a set of an electrode group of
five electrodes of the common-side transparent electrode and a set
of the next electrode group, has substantially half (.apprxeq.w/2)
the width of the slit width w (the arrangement interval w of pixels
of the image display panel 10) of the slits 100S shown in FIG. 6.
The reason for which the electrode width and the opening width are
expressed using the term "substantially" compared to the slit width
w (pixel arrangement interval w) is that, as is similar to the case
of the scan-side transparent electrode 105 shown in FIG. 9, it is
required to form the electrode patterns through an insulating film
so as to prevent short-circuit between electrodes, and the
electrode width and the opening width are somewhat different from
the slit width w (pixel arrangement interval w) depending on the
film forming accuracies of the insulating film and the electrode
materials.
[0090] However, also for the common-side transparent electrode 104,
it is desirable to definitely secure a minimum electrode width for
forming the slits 100S having a constant slit width w as the
barrier liquid crystal layer 101 of the barrier liquid crystal
panel 100. Therefore, as is similar to the case of the scan-side
transparent electrode 105, the first electrode 104-1 is arranged to
substantially cover half (=w/2) the area of the slit width w. Each
of the second electrodes 104-2a and 104-2b and the two third
electrodes 104-3a and 104-3b is arranged to substantially cover one
quarter (=w/4) of the area of the slit width w.
[0091] The electrode arrangement of the common-side transparent
electrode 104 may be simplified compared to the configuration
example shown in FIG. 12 in consideration of an electrical field
applied to the barrier liquid crystal layer 101. For example, one
first electrode 104-1, two second electrodes 104-2a and 104-2b, and
two third electrodes 104-3a and 104-3b may be integrally arranged
as a solid pattern.
[0092] Furthermore, as shown in a schematic view shown in FIG. 13,
the common-side transparent electrode 104 may be formed as a single
electrode pattern, and arranged in the direction perpendicular to
the arrangement direction of the scan-side transparent electrode
105. FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example different from
FIG. 12, and shows an electrode structure of the common-side
transparent electrode 104 for switching the slit width w/slit pitch
p of the slits 100S formed in the barrier liquid crystal layer 101
of the barrier liquid crystal panel 100.
[0093] In FIG. 13, each electrode set of the common-side
transparent electrode 104 is formed only of one electrode of a
single electrode 104-4 (electrode width is (w/2), for example), and
the single electrode 104-4 is connected to a single electrode drive
circuit (C4) 106-4. The single electrode 104-4 that forms the
common-side transparent electrode 104 is arranged in the direction
perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the scan-side
transparent electrode 105, as stated above.
[0094] As shown in FIG. 9, the scan-side transparent electrode 105
is formed of electrode groups each including a set of five
electrodes of one first electrode 105-1, two second electrodes
105-2a and 105-2b arranged on the respective sides of the first
electrode 105-1, and two third electrodes 105-3a and 105-3b
arranged outside of the two second electrodes 105-2a and 105-2b,
respectively. When the common-side transparent electrode 104 is
formed of electrode groups each including a set of five electrodes
of one first electrode 104-1, two second electrodes 104-2a and
104-2b arranged on the respective sides of the first electrode
104-1, and two third electrodes 104-3a and 104-3b arranged outside
of the two second electrodes 104-2a and 104-2b, respectively, as
shown in FIG. 12, as is similar to the scan-side transparent
electrode 105, the case of switching the mode to the second mode
for 3D display and the case of switching the mode to the third mode
for viewing angle control may be controlled as follows.
[0095] That is, in the case of switching the mode to the second
mode for 3D display, both of the first electrode drive circuit (S1)
107-1 and the second electrode drive circuit (S2) 107-2 in the scan
side are driven to apply an alternating potential to one first
electrode 105-1 having an electrode width of (w/2) and the two
second electrodes 105-2a and 105-2b each having an electrode width
of (w/4) arranged on the respective sides of the first electrode
105-1. Meanwhile, each of the scan-side third electrode 105-3, the
first electrode 104-1, the second electrode 104-2, and the third
electrode 104-3 in the common side is controlled to be fixed to the
common potential. Accordingly, it is possible to form the slits
100S having a slit width w required for 3D display at the desired
positions more accurately compared to the case in which the
common-side transparent electrode 104 is formed as a single
electrode pattern.
[0096] Furthermore, in the case of switching the mode to the third
mode for viewing angle control, both of the second electrode drive
circuit (S2) 107-2 and the third electrode drive circuit (S3) 107-3
in the scan side are driven to apply an alternating potential to
the two second electrodes 105-2a and 105-2b having an electrode
width of (w/4) and the two third electrodes 105-3a and 105-3b
having an electrode width of (w/4) arranged on outside of the
second electrodes 105-2a and 105-2b, respectively. Meanwhile, each
of the scan-side first electrode 105-1, the first electrode 104-1,
the second electrode 104-2, and the third electrode 104-3 in the
common side is controlled to be fixed to the common potential.
Accordingly, it is possible to form the slits 100S having a slit
width (w/2) required for viewing angle control at the desired
positions more accurately.
[0097] When the mode is set to the first mode for normal 2D display
in which neither 3D display nor viewing angle control is performed,
all the electrodes of the first electrode 105-1, the second
electrode 105-2, and the third electrode 105-3 in the scan side,
and the first electrode 104-1, the second electrode 104-2, and the
third electrode 104-3 in the common side may be controlled to be
fixed to the common potential. Alternatively, in the case of
normally white, all the electrodes may be set to the OFF state.
[0098] Further, the case of applying the configuration in which the
common-side transparent electrode 104 formed of sets of electrodes,
each set including a single electrode 104-4 is arranged in the
direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the
scan-side transparent electrode 105 as shown in FIG. 13 is similar
to the case shown in FIG. 12. In this case, in any of the cases of
the second mode for 3D display and the third mode for viewing angle
control, the common-side single electrode 104-4 may be controlled
to be fixed to the common potential.
[0099] Further, instead of forming the common-side transparent
electrode 104 of electrode groups each including a set of five
electrodes of one first electrode 104-1, two second electrodes
104-2a and 104-2b arranged on the respective sides of the first
electrode 104-1, and two third electrodes 104-3a and 104-3b
arranged outside of the two second electrodes 104-2a and 104-2b,
respectively, by applying the electrode structure which is the same
to that of the opposing scan-side transparent electrode 105, as
shown in FIG. 12, the common-side transparent electrode 104 may be
formed only of the two second electrodes 104-2a and 104-2b arranged
in the same direction as the arrangement direction of the scan-side
transparent electrode 105, as shown in FIG. 14, in order to
simplify the structure of the common-side transparent electrode
104. FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing an example different from
FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, and shows an electrode structure of the
common-side transparent electrode 104 for switching the slit
width/slit pitch of the slits 100S formed in the barrier liquid
crystal layer 101 of the barrier liquid crystal panel 100.
[0100] Specifically, each electrode set of the common-side
transparent electrode 104 shown in FIG. 14 is formed only of the
common-side two second electrodes 104-2a and 104-2b formed in the
same position opposed to the two second electrodes 105-2a and
105-2b applied with the alternating potential in any of the second
mode for 3D display and the third mode for viewing angle control in
the scan-side transparent electrode 105. Accordingly, although it
depends on the situations of an electrical field, by fixing the
common-side second electrodes 104-2a and 104-2b to the common
potential, it is possible to form the slits 100S substantially the
same to those in FIGS. 10 and 11 more accurately than those in the
single electrode pattern in any of the second mode for 3D display
and the third mode for viewing angle control.
[0101] Further, as a configuration example of the barrier liquid
crystal panel 100, it is also possible to achieve switching control
of vertical and horizontal directions of the image light from the
image display panel 10 so as to be able to address with 3D display
and switching of vertical and horizontal directions of the viewing
angle. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, as a set of
electrodes of the common-side transparent electrode 104, a first
single electrode 104-4 having an electrode width substantially half
(w/2) of the slit width w (i.e., the arrangement interval w of
pixels of the image display panel 10) of the slits 100S in the 3D
display is formed in each of the positions opposed to the gap parts
between electrode sets of the scan-side transparent electrode 105
shown in FIG. 9 (i.e., outside of the scan-side third electrodes
105-3a and 105-3b). Further, in the similar way, a second single
electrode 104-5 is formed in each of the gap parts between
electrode sets of the scan-side transparent electrode 105. Then,
both of them are arranged so as to be perpendicular to each other
as shown in FIG. 16. Accordingly, it is possible to easily address
with 3D display and switching of the vertical and horizontal
directions of the viewing angle as well.
[0102] FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing another example of the
electrode structures of the scan-side transparent electrode 105 and
the common-side transparent electrode 104 formed in the barrier
liquid crystal layer 101 of the barrier liquid crystal panel 100.
Further, FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing an example of the
electrode structures of the scan-side transparent electrode 105 and
the common-side transparent electrode 104 when the electrodes
having the structures shown in FIG. 15 are arranged to be
perpendicular to each other in the barrier liquid crystal layer 101
of the barrier liquid crystal panel 100.
[0103] First, as shown in FIG. 15, as is similar to the case shown
in FIG. 9, the scan-side transparent electrode 105 is formed of
electrode groups each having a set of five electrodes of one first
electrode 105-1 having an electrode width of (w/2), the two second
electrodes 105-2a and 105-2b having an electrode width of (w/4)
arranged on the respective sides of the first electrode 105-1, and
the two third electrodes 105-3a and 105-3b having an electrode
width of (w/4) arranged outside of the two second electrodes 105-2a
and 105-2b, respectively. The first electrode 105-1, the second
electrodes 105-2a and 105-2b, and the third electrodes 105-3a and
105-3b are connected to the first electrode drive circuit (S1)
107-1, the second electrode drive circuit (S2) 107-2, and the third
electrode drive circuit (S3) 107-3 for scan-side transparent
electrode, respectively.
[0104] Meanwhile, the common-side transparent electrode 104 is
formed by arranging the first single electrode 104-4 having an
electrode width of (w/2) in each of the positions opposed to the
gap parts having a width (w/2) formed between the sets of the
electrode groups of the scan-side transparent electrode 105. Then,
the first single electrode 104-4 is connected to the first single
electrode drive circuit (C4) 106-4 for common-side transparent
electrode.
[0105] Next, in order to address with 3D display and switching of
the vertical and horizontal directions of the viewing angle,
electrode groups each including a set of five electrodes of one
fourth electrode 105-4 having an electrode width of (w/2), two
fifth electrodes 105-5a and 105-5b each having an electrode width
of (w/4) arranged on the respective sides of the fourth electrode
105-4, and two sixth electrodes 105-6a and 105-6b each having an
electrode width of w/4) arranged outside of the two fifth
electrodes 105-5a and 105-5b, respectively, having an electrode
structure completely the same to that of FIG. 15 are further added
as the scan-side transparent electrode 105 in the direction
perpendicular to the arrangement direction of each electrode of the
scan-side transparent electrode 105 and the common-side transparent
electrode 104 shown in FIG. 15. Further, a second single electrode
104-5 having an electrode with of (w/2) is added as the common-side
transparent electrode 104 to each of the positions corresponding to
the gap parts having a width (w/2) formed between the sets of the
electrode groups each including the fourth electrode 105-4, the
fifth electrodes 105-5a and 105-5b, and the sixth electrodes 105-6a
and 105-6b of the scan-side transparent electrode 105 that are
added. In this way, the electrode structure shown in FIG. 16 is
formed.
[0106] As shown in FIG. 16, the fourth electrode 105-4, the fifth
electrodes 105-5a and 105-5b, and the sixth electrodes 105-6a and
105-6b in the scan side added in the crossing positions are
connected to a fourth electrode drive circuit (S4) 107-4, a fifth
electrode drive circuit (S5) 107-5, and a sixth electrode drive
circuit (S6) 107-6 for scan-side transparent electrode that are
added, respectively. The common-side second single electrode 104-5
is connected to a second single electrode drive circuit (C5) 106-5
that is added.
[0107] In summary, in FIG. 16, the scan-side transparent electrode
105 is formed of electrode groups each including a set of five
electrodes of one first electrode 105-1, two second electrodes
105-2a and 105-2b arranged on the respective sides of the first
electrode 105-1, and two third electrodes 105-3a and 105-3b
arranged outside of the two second electrodes 105-2a and 105-2b,
respectively. Furthermore, in the direction perpendicular to the
direction in which these electrode groups are arranged, electrode
groups each including a set of five electrodes of one fourth
electrode 105-4, two fifth electrodes 105-5a and 105-5b arranged on
the respective sides of the fourth electrode 105-4, and two sixth
electrodes 105-6a and 105-6b arranged outside of the two fifth
electrodes 105-5a and 105-5b, respectively, are arranged. Further,
the first single electrode 104-4 and the second single electrode
104-5 are arranged as the common-side transparent electrode 104 so
as to be perpendicular to each other in each of the positions
opposed to the gap parts between sets of the scan-side transparent
electrode 105. According to these structures, it is possible to
control switching of vertical and horizontal directions of the
image light from the image display panel 10.
[0108] To be more specific, as shown in FIG. 16, by forming the
scan-side transparent electrode 105 and the common-side transparent
electrode 104 in the positions perpendicular to each other, and
performing control to select the scan-side transparent electrode
105 and the common-side transparent electrode 104 that are in the
arrangement direction specified based on the instruction of ON/OFF
for switching vertical and horizontal directions, and applying an
alternating potential to the scan-side electrode determined
according to the instruction of the operation mode of the second
mode for 3D display and the third mode for viewing angle control
and controlling the rest of the electrodes to be fixed to the
common potential, it is possible to appropriately switch control of
vertical and horizontal directions of the image light from each
pixel of the image display panel 10 according to the operation
mode.
[0109] Regarding the process technique (manufacturing technique)
for forming the image display unit described above in detail, the
image display unit can be manufactured by simple application of any
method known to those skilled in the art. Further, the process
technique is not directly related to the present invention. Thus,
description thereof will be omitted.
Description of Operations of Exemplary Embodiment
[0110] Next, with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 17, an
example of an operation of switching operation modes in the image
display unit including three operation modes of the first mode for
2D display which is the normal state, the second mode for 3D
display, and the third mode for viewing angle control will further
be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart for describing an example of
the operation of the image display unit including the three
operation modes of the first mode for normal 2D display, the second
mode for 3D display, and the third mode for viewing angle control
as one example of the image display control method according to the
present invention. Further, FIG. 18 is a diagram showing control
contents of potentials in each step in FIG. 17.
[0111] FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of one example of a method of
controlling switching of the voltage applied to the electrodes
(each electrode of the scan-side transparent electrode 105, each
electrode of the common-side transparent electrode 104) when an
initial state in which the mode is set to the first mode for normal
2D display is made transition to each state of the second mode for
3D display and the third mode for viewing angle control in the 2D
display. Further, the switching control method is distinguished
according to the presence or absence of the function of switching
vertical and horizontal directions. When the function of switching
vertical and horizontal directions is included, the switching
control method is further distinguished according to the
instruction of ON/OFF of switching of vertical and horizontal
directions.
[0112] As described above as a configuration example of the
exemplary embodiment, various electrode patterns may be selected
for the scan-side electrode group forming the scan-side transparent
electrode 105 and the common-side electrode group forming the
common-side transparent electrode 104. Thus, the flowchart shown in
FIG. 17 shows a case in which they are formed of maximum number of
electrodes as an exemplary embodiment.
[0113] Specifically, when the function of switching vertical and
horizontal directions of the image light from the image display
panel 10 is included, each set of the electrode group of the
scan-side transparent electrode 105 is formed of the first
electrode 105-1, the second electrode 105-2, the third electrode
105-3, the fourth electrode 105-4, the fifth electrode 105-5, and
the sixth electrode 105-6, as shown in FIG. 16. The first electrode
drive circuit (S1) 107-1, the second electrode drive circuit (S2)
107-2, the third electrode drive circuit (S3) 107-3, the fourth
electrode drive circuit (S4) 107-4, the fifth electrode drive
circuit (S5) 107-5, and the sixth electrode drive circuit (S6)
107-6 are provided as drive circuits to drive the respective
electrodes. Meanwhile, when the function of switching vertical and
horizontal directions is not included, each set of the electrode
group of the scan-side transparent electrode 105 is formed of the
first electrode 105-1, the second electrode 105-2, and the third
electrode 105-3, as shown in FIG. 9. In FIG. 16, the first
electrode drive circuit (S1) 107-1, the second electrode drive
circuit (S2) 107-2, and the third electrode drive circuit (S3)
107-3 are provided as drive circuits to drive the respective
electrodes.
[0114] On the other hand, when the function of switching vertical
and horizontal directions of the image light from the image display
panel 10 is included, each set of the electrode group of the
common-side transparent electrode 104 is formed of the first single
electrode 104-4 and the second single electrode 104-5, as shown in
FIG. 16. The first single electrode drive circuit (C4) 106-4 and
the second single electrode drive circuit (C5) 106-5 are provided
as drive circuits to drive the respective electrodes. When the
function of switching vertical and horizontal directions is not
included, as shown in FIG. 12, each set of the electrode group of
the common-side transparent electrode 104 is formed of the first
electrode 104-1, the second electrode 104-2, and the third
electrode 104-3. In FIG. 16, the first electrode drive circuit (C1)
106-1, the second electrode drive circuit (C2) 106-2, and the third
electrode drive circuit (C3) 106-3 are provided as drive circuits
to drive the respective electrodes.
[0115] In the flowchart shown in FIG. 17, when the mode is set to
the first mode for 2D display which is the normal state in which
neither 3D display nor viewing angle control is performed (status
ST1), in the case of including the function of switching vertical
and horizontal directions, the first electrode drive circuit (S1)
107-1, the second electrode drive circuit (S2) 107-2, the third
electrode drive circuit (S3) 107-3, the fourth electrode drive
circuit (S4) 107-4, the fifth electrode drive circuit (S5) 107-5,
and the sixth electrode drive circuit (S6) 107-6 in the scan side,
and the first single electrode drive circuit (C4) 106-4, and the
second single electrode drive circuit (C5) 106-5 in the common side
make all of the first electrode 105-1, the second electrode 105-2,
the third electrode 105-3, the fourth electrode 105-4, the fifth
electrode 105-5, and the sixth electrode 105-6 in the scan side,
and the first single electrode 104-4 and the second single
electrode 104-5 in the common side fixed to the common potential.
Otherwise, in the case of normally white, all the scan-side
electrodes and the common-side electrodes are controlled to be set
to the OFF state (Step SM.
[0116] Further, when the mode is set to the first mode for 2D
display and the function of switching vertical and horizontal
directions is not included, the fourth electrode drive circuit (S4)
107-4, the fifth electrode drive circuit (S5) 107-5, and the sixth
electrode drive circuit (S6) 107-6 in the scan side are not
provided. Thus, the first electrode drive circuit (S1) 107-1, the
second electrode drive circuit (S2) 107-2, and the third electrode
drive circuit (S3) 107-3 in the scan side, and the first electrode
drive circuit (C1) 106-1, the second electrode drive circuit (C2)
106-2, and the third electrode drive circuit (C3) 106-3 in the
common side make all of the first electrode 105-1, the second
electrode 105-2, and the third electrode 105-3 in the scan side,
and the first electrode 104-1, the second electrode 104-2, and the
third electrode 104-3 in the common side fixed to the common
potential. Otherwise, in the case of normally white, all the
scan-side electrodes and the common-side electrodes are set to the
OFF state (Step St1).
[0117] Further, when the first mode for normal 2D display is
switched to the second mode for 3D display (status ST2), the
presence or absence of the function of switching vertical and
horizontal directions is checked. When the function of switching
vertical and horizontal directions is not included (Step St2), the
fourth electrode drive circuit (S4) 107-4, the fifth electrode
drive circuit (S5) 107-5, and the sixth electrode drive circuit
(S6) 107-6 in the scan side are not provided. Therefore, the first
electrode drive circuit (S1) 107-1 and the second electrode drive
circuit (S2) 107-2 in the scan side are driven to apply an
alternating potential to the first electrode 105-1 and the second
electrode 105-2 in the scan side. Meanwhile, the scan-side third
electrode 105-3, and the first electrode 104-1, the second
electrode 104-2, and the third electrode 104-3 in the common side
are controlled to be fixed to the common potential by the scan-side
third electrode drive circuit (S3) 107-3, and the first electrode
drive circuit (C1) 106-1, the second electrode drive circuit (C2)
106-2, and the third electrode drive circuit (C3) 106-3 in the
common side (Step St3, FIG. 18).
[0118] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, the slit width of the slits
100S that shield transmission of the image light for 3D in the
barrier liquid crystal panel 100 is formed to have the same width
as the pixel arrangement interval w. The opening width that
transmits the image light for 3D in the barrier liquid crystal
layer 101 of the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 is also formed to
have the same width as the pixel arrangement interval w, and the
state is switched to the state for 3D display.
[0119] Meanwhile, when the function of switching vertical and
horizontal directions is included (Step St4), the instruction of
ON/OFF of the function of switching vertical and horizontal
directions is further checked. When the instruction of the function
of switching vertical and horizontal directions is OFF (Step St5),
the first electrode drive circuit (S1) 107-1 and the second
electrode drive circuit (S2) 107-2 in the scan side are driven to
apply an alternating potential to the first electrode 105-1 and the
second electrode 105-2 in the scan side. Meanwhile, the third
electrode 105-3, the fourth electrode 105-4, the fifth electrode
105-5, and the sixth electrode 105-6 in the scan side, and the
first single electrode 104-4 and the second single electrode 104-5
in the common side are controlled to be fixed to the common
potential by the third electrode drive circuit (S3) 107-3, the
fourth electrode drive circuit (S4) 107-4, the fifth electrode
drive circuit (S5) 107-5, and the sixth electrode drive circuit
(S6) 107-6 in the scan side, and the first single electrode drive
circuit (C4) 106-4 and the second single electrode drive circuit
(C5) 106-5 in the common side (Step St6, FIG. 18).
[0120] Accordingly, the slit width of the slits 100S that shield
transmission of the image light for 3D in the barrier liquid
crystal panel 100 is formed to have the same width as the pixel
arrangement interval w in the horizontal direction of the image
display unit, for example. The opening width that transmits the
image light for 3D in the barrier liquid crystal layer 101 of the
barrier liquid crystal panel 100 is also formed to have the same
width as the pixel arrangement interval w, and the state is
switched to the state for 3D display.
[0121] Further, when the instruction of the function of switching
vertical and horizontal directions is ON (Step St7), in order to
switch control of the vertical and horizontal directions of the
image light from the image display panel 10, the fourth electrode
drive circuit (S4) 107-4 and the fifth electrode drive circuit (S5)
107-5 in the scan side are driven to apply an alternating potential
to the fourth electrode 105-4 and the fifth electrode 105-5 in the
scan side. Meanwhile, the first electrode 105-1, the second
electrode 105-2, the third electrode 105-3, and the sixth electrode
105-6 in the scan side, and the first single electrode 104-4 and
the second single electrode 104-5 in the common side are controlled
to be fixed to the common potential by the first electrode drive
circuit (S1) 107-1, the second electrode drive circuit (S2) 107-2,
the third electrode drive circuit (S3) 107-3, and the sixth
electrode drive circuit (S6) 107-6 in the scan side, and the first
single electrode drive circuit (C4) 106-4 and the second single
electrode drive circuit (C5) 106-5 in the common side (Step St8,
FIG. 18).
[0122] Accordingly, the slit width of the slits 100S that shield
transmission of the image light for 3D in the barrier liquid
crystal panel 100 is formed to have the same width as the pixel
arrangement interval w in the vertical direction of the image
display unit, for example. The opening width that transmits the
image light for 3D in the barrier liquid crystal layer 101 of the
barrier liquid crystal panel 100 is also formed to have the same
width as the pixel arrangement interval w, and the state is
switched to the state for 3D display.
[0123] Further, when the first mode for normal 2D display is
switched to the third mode for viewing angle control (status ST3),
as is similar to switching to the second mode for 3D display, the
presence or absence of the function of switching vertical and
horizontal directions is checked. When there is no function of
switching vertical and horizontal directions (Step St9), the fourth
electrode drive circuit (S4) 107-4, the fifth electrode drive
circuit (S5) 107-5, and the sixth electrode drive circuit (S6)
107-6 in the scan side are not included. Thus, the second electrode
drive circuit (S2) 107-2 and the third electrode drive circuit (S3)
107-3 in the scan side are driven to apply an alternating potential
to the second electrode 105-2 and the third electrode 105-3 in the
scan side. Meanwhile, the scan-side first electrode 105-1, and the
first electrode 104-1, the second electrode 104-2, and the third
electrode 104-3 in the common side are controlled to be fixed to
the common potential by the scan-side first electrode drive circuit
(S1) 107-1, and the first electrode drive circuit (C1) 106-1, the
second electrode drive circuit (C2) 106-2, and the third electrode
drive circuit (C3) 106-3 in the common side (Step St10, FIG.
18).
[0124] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, the slit width of the slits
100S that shield transmission of the image light for 2D in the
barrier liquid crystal panel 100 is formed to be half the width
(w/2) of the pixel arrangement interval w. The opening width that
transmits the image light for 2D in the barrier liquid crystal
layer 101 of the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 is also formed to
be half the width (w/2) of the pixel arrangement interval w, and
the state is switched to the state for viewing angle control in
which the viewing angle is further limited compared to the first
mode.
[0125] Meanwhile, when the function of switching vertical and
horizontal directions is included (Step St11), as is similar to the
case of switching to the second mode for 3D display, the
instruction of ON/OFF of the function of switching vertical and
horizontal directions is further checked. When the instruction of
the function of switching vertical and horizontal directions is OFF
(Step St12), the second electrode drive circuit (S2) 107-2 and the
third electrode drive circuit (S3) 107-3 in the scan side are
driven to apply an alternating potential to the second electrode
105-2 and the third electrode 105-3 in the scan side. Meanwhile,
the first electrode 105-1, the fourth electrode 105-4, the fifth
electrode 105-5, and the sixth electrode 105-6 in the scan side,
and the first single electrode 104-4 and the second single
electrode 104-5 in the common side are controlled to be fixed to
the common potential by the first electrode drive circuit (S1)
107-1, the fourth electrode drive circuit (S4) 107-4, the fifth
electrode drive circuit (S5) 107-5, and the sixth electrode drive
circuit (S6) 107-6 in the scan side, and the first single electrode
drive circuit (C4) 106-4 and the second single electrode drive
circuit (C5) 106-5 in the common side (Step St13, FIG. 18).
[0126] Accordingly, the slit width of the slits 100S that shield
transmission of the image light for 2D in the barrier liquid
crystal panel 100 is formed to be half the width (w/2) of the pixel
arrangement interval w in the horizontal direction of the image
display unit, for example. The opening width that transmits the
image light for 2D in the barrier liquid crystal layer 101 of the
barrier liquid crystal panel 100 is also formed to be half the
width (w/2) of the pixel arrangement interval w, and the state is
switched to the state for viewing angle control in which the
viewing angle is further limited compared to the first mode.
[0127] Meanwhile, when the instruction of the function of switching
vertical and horizontal directions is ON (Step St14), in order to
switch control of the vertical and horizontal directions of the
image light from the image display panel 10, the fifth electrode
drive circuit (S5) 107-5 and the sixth electrode drive circuit (S6)
107-6 in the scan side are driven to apply an alternating potential
to the fifth electrode 105-5 and the sixth electrode 105-6 in the
scan side. Meanwhile, the first electrode 105-1, the second
electrode 105-2, the third electrode 105-3, and the fourth
electrode 105-4 in the scan side, and the first single electrode
104-4 and the second single electrode 104-5 in the common side are
fixed to the common potential by the first electrode drive circuit
(S1) 107-1, the second electrode drive circuit (S2) 107-2, the
third electrode drive circuit (S3) 107-3, and the fourth electrode
drive circuit (S4) 107-4 in the scan side, and the first single
electrode drive circuit (C4) 106-4 and the second single electrode
drive circuit (C5) 106-5 in the common side (Step St15, FIG.
18).
[0128] Accordingly, the slit width of the slits 100S that shield
transmission of the image light for 2D in the barrier liquid
crystal panel 100 is formed to be half the width (w/2) of the pixel
arrangement interval w in the vertical direction of the image
display unit, for example. The opening width that transmits the
image light for 2D in the barrier liquid crystal layer 101 of the
barrier liquid crystal panel 100 is also formed to be half the
width (w/2) of the pixel arrangement interval w, and the state is
switched to the state for viewing angle control in which the
viewing angle is further limited compared to the first mode.
Description of Effects of Exemplary Embodiment
[0129] As described above in detail, the exemplary embodiment
achieves the effects as follows.
[0130] The first effect is as follows. The electrode structures of
the scan-side transparent electrode 105 and the common-side
transparent electrode 104 formed in the barrier liquid crystal
panel 100 are such that one or a plurality of electrodes are formed
as one set. Further, the electrode group of each set is arranged so
as to correspond to the position of the center of each of the
pixels of the image display panel 10, and the method of controlling
the electrode group of each set is differentiated according to the
operation mode. Accordingly, it is possible to easily switch the
mode to any one of the three operation modes of the first mode for
2D display, the second mode for 3D display, and the third mode for
viewing angle control.
[0131] The second effect is as follows. For example, when the
exemplary embodiment is applied as the image display unit of the
parallax barrier system as described in the aforementioned
exemplary embodiment, the barrier liquid crystal panel 100 is added
to perform switching between 2D and 3D. Although this increases the
thickness, there is no need to increase further thickness to
further add the viewing angle control function, and the structural
risks such as strength as the image display module or the image
display apparatus can also be reduced.
[0132] The third effect is as follows. For example, when the
exemplary embodiment is applied as the image display unit of the
parallax barrier system as described in the aforementioned
exemplary embodiment, it is possible to apply the manufacturing
process itself of the parallax barrier panel, i.e., the barrier
liquid crystal panel without greatly changing the conventional
technique to add the function for 3D display and the function for
viewing angle control to the normal function for 2D display.
[0133] The fourth effect is as follows. That is, also in a front
view when the 2D display or the viewing angle control is achieved,
it is possible to achieve the brightness equal to that in the 3D
display depending on the conditions of forming the slits 100S
formed in the barrier liquid crystal panel 100.
[0134] The configurations of the preferred exemplary embodiment of
the present invention have been described above. However, it should
be noted that the exemplary embodiment is merely an example of the
present invention and is not intended to limit the present
invention. Those skilled in the art would easily understand that
various modifications can be made according to the specific
application without departing from the spirit of the present
invention.
[0135] While the present invention has been described as a hardware
configuration in the exemplary embodiment stated above, the present
invention is not limited to this. The present invention may achieve
any desired processing by causing a central processing unit (CPU)
to execute a computer program. Further, the aforementioned program
can be stored and provided to a computer using any type of
non-transitory computer readable media. Non-transitory computer
readable media include any type of tangible storage media. Examples
of non-transitory computer readable media include magnetic storage
media (such as flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives,
etc.), optical magnetic storage media (e.g. magneto-optical disks),
CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R, CD-R/W, and semiconductor memories
(such as mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM),
flash ROM, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.). The program may be
provided to a computer using any type of transitory computer
readable media. Examples of transitory computer readable media
include electric signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic
waves. Transitory computer readable media can provide the program
to a computer via a wired communication line (e.g. electric wires,
and optical fibers) or a wireless communication line.
[0136] While the present invention has been described above with
reference to the exemplary embodiment, the present invention is not
limited to the above exemplary embodiment. The configurations and
details of the present invention can be modified in various manners
which can be understood by those skilled in the art within the
scope of the invention.
[0137] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-048131, filed on
Mar. 4, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its
entirety by reference.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0138] 10 IMAGE DISPLAY PANEL [0139] 10A PIXEL [0140] 10B PIXEL FOR
BOTH EYES [0141] 10L PIXEL FOR LEFT EYE [0142] 10R PIXEL FOR RIGHT
EYE [0143] 11 LIQUID CRYSTAL LAYER FOR DISPLAY [0144] 12, 12A, 12B
PANEL SUBSTRATE [0145] 100 BARRIER LIQUID CRYSTAL PANEL (PARALLAX
BARRIER PANEL) [0146] 100S, 100SA, 100SB, 100SC, 100SD SLIT [0147]
101 BARRIER LIQUID CRYSTAL LAYER [0148] 102, 102A, 102B PANEL
SUBSTRATE [0149] 103, 103A, 103B POLARIZER [0150] 104 COMMON-SIDE
TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE [0151] 104-1 FIRST ELECTRODE (COMMON-SIDE
TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE) [0152] 104-2, 104-2A, 104-2B SECOND
ELECTRODE (COMMON-SIDE TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE) [0153] 104-3, 104-3A,
104-3B THIRD ELECTRODE (COMMON-SIDE TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE) [0154]
104-4 SINGLE ELECTRODE (OR FIRST SINGLE ELECTRODE) (COMMON-SIDE
TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE) [0155] 104-5 SECOND SINGLE ELECTRODE
(COMMON-SIDE TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE) [0156] 105, 105A, 105B, 105C
SCAN-SIDE TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE [0157] 105-1 FIRST ELECTRODE
(SCAN-SIDE TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE) [0158] 105-2, 105-2A, 105-2B,
105-2A1, 105-2A2, 105-2B1, 105-2B2 SECOND ELECTRODE (SCAN-SIDE
TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE) [0159] 105-3, 105-3A, 105-3B, 105-3A1,
105-3A2, 105-3B1, 105-3B2 THIRD ELECTRODE (SCAN-SIDE TRANSPARENT
ELECTRODE) [0160] 105-4 FOURTH ELECTRODE (SCAN-SIDE TRANSPARENT
ELECTRODE) [0161] 105-5, 105-5A, 105-5B FIFTH ELECTRODE (SCAN-SIDE
TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE) [0162] 105-6, 105-6A, 105-6B SIXTH ELECTRODE
(SCAN-SIDE TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE) [0163] 106-1 FIRST ELECTRODE
DRIVE CIRCUIT (C1) (FOR COMMON-SIDE TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE) [0164]
106-2 SECOND ELECTRODE DRIVE CIRCUIT (C2) (FOR COMMON-SIDE
TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE) [0165] 106-3 THIRD ELECTRODE DRIVE CIRCUIT
(C3) (FOR COMMON-SIDE TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE) [0166] 106-4 SINGLE
ELECTRODE DRIVE CIRCUIT (OR FIRST SINGLE ELECTRODE DRIVE CIRCUIT)
(C4) (FOR COMMON-SIDE TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE) [0167] 106-5 SECOND
SINGLE ELECTRODE DRIVE CIRCUIT (C5) (FOR COMMON-SIDE TRANSPARENT
ELECTRODE) [0168] 107-1 FIRST ELECTRODE DRIVE CIRCUIT (S1) (FOR
SCAN-SIDE TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE) [0169] 107-2 SECOND ELECTRODE
DRIVE CIRCUIT (S2) (FOR SCAN-SIDE TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE) [0170]
107-3 THIRD ELECTRODE DRIVE CIRCUIT (S3) (FOR SCAN-SIDE TRANSPARENT
ELECTRODE) [0171] 107-4 FOURTH ELECTRODE DRIVE CIRCUIT (S4) (FOR
SCAN-SIDE TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE) [0172] 107-5 FIFTH ELECTRODE DRIVE
CIRCUIT (S5) (FOR SCAN-SIDE TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE) [0173] 107-6
SIXTH ELECTRODE DRIVE CIRCUIT (S6) (FOR SCAN-SIDE TRANSPARENT
ELECTRODE) [0174] 201 RIGHT EYE [0175] 202 LEFT EYE [0176] D
DISTANCE BETWEEN PIXEL AND SLIT [0177] P SLIT PITCH [0178] P' SLIT
PITCH [0179] T SLIT THICKNESS [0180] W SLIT WIDTH [0181] W' SLIT
WIDTH [0182] .THETA.ANGLE OF LIGHT FLUX (VIEWING CONE) [0183]
.THETA.' ANGLE OF LIGHT FLUX (VIEWING CONE)
* * * * *