JP2010231010A - Electrooptical device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrooptical device which can be reduced in manufacture cost, can be downsized, and can effectively visualize a pseudo stereoscopic image. <P>SOLUTION: A liquid crystal display device 1 (electrooptical device) includes a liquid crystal display element 2 (electrooptical element) having a display part where a plurality of pixels are arranged, and capable of displaying a first image and a second image simultaneously or time sequentially; and a lens array 3 (imaging element array) provided on a light emitting side of the electrooptical element, and including a plurality of lenticular lenses 10 (imaging element) capable of forming the first image formed by at least a part of the plurality of pixels in space on the light emitting side of the electrooptical element. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electro-optical device.

As an example of a display device that employs a pseudo directional display method, a display device that can visually recognize a stereoscopic image without using special glasses has been proposed (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 below). reference). These display devices are provided with a plurality of display units such as a display and a screen for displaying an image, and these display units are arranged at intervals in the direction of the line of sight of the observer. Thereby, the viewer is given a pseudo three-dimensional effect using the spatial distance between images formed on each display unit.

JP 2001-54144 A JP 2002-271819 A

However, the conventional display device has a problem in that the manufacturing cost increases because a plurality of display units such as a display and a screen are used. In addition, in order to increase the pseudo three-dimensional effect, it is necessary to increase the interval between the plurality of display units, so that the apparatus becomes larger.
There was a problem.

SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an electro-optical device that can reduce the manufacturing cost, reduce the size of the device, and effectively visually recognize a pseudo-stereoscopic image.

In order to achieve the above object, an electro-optical device of the present invention has a display unit in which a plurality of pixels are arranged, and is capable of displaying a first image and a second image simultaneously or in time sequence. The first image formed by the optical element and the light emission side of the electro-optical element and formed by at least a part of the plurality of pixels is placed on the light emission side space of the electro-optical element. And an imaging element array including a plurality of imaging elements capable of imaging.

According to the electro-optical device of the present invention, the first image formed by at least some of the plurality of pixels constituting the display unit is formed on the light emission side space of the electro-optical element by the imaging element array. Is imaged. On the other hand, the second image is displayed on the display unit. Therefore, when the observer looks at the display unit, the first image and the second image are formed at different positions in the line-of-sight direction (depth direction). For example, the first image is closer to the observer. If the image and the second image are back images, the observer can recognize the pseudo-stereoscopic image. As described above, the electro-optical device according to the present invention includes only the electro-optical element and the imaging element array, and does not require a plurality of electro-optical elements (display units). Can do. In addition, since the electro-optic element and the imaging element array can be arranged close to each other, for example, the apparatus can be reduced in size as compared with a conventional configuration in which two sets of display units are arranged at intervals.

In the electro-optical device according to the aspect of the invention, the display unit includes a plurality of first image forming pixels that form a first image and a plurality of second image forming pixels that form a second image. A configuration in which the imaging element array includes a plurality of lenses provided corresponding to the positions of the plurality of first image forming pixels can be employed.
According to this configuration, it is possible to obtain the effects of the present invention simply by arranging the electro-optic element and the imaging element array in combination. For example, the driving unit for driving the imaging element array is not required and can be simplified. Can be realized.

In the electro-optical device according to the aspect of the invention, a lenticular lens provided in accordance with the shape of the first image forming pixel can be used as each of the plurality of lenses.
According to this configuration, since the lenticular lens matches the shape of the first image forming pixel, and almost all of the light emitted from the first image forming pixel can pass through the lenticular lens, the light utilization efficiency is improved. Thus, a bright image can be obtained.

Alternatively, in the electro-optical device of the present invention, a convex lens having curved surfaces having curvatures in two directions orthogonal to each other can be used as each of the plurality of lenses.
In contrast to the lenticular lens described above having a curvature in only one direction, according to this configuration, since the convex lens has a curvature in two directions orthogonal to each other, the viewing angle capable of recognizing the pseudo-stereoscopic image can be widened.

In the electro-optical device according to the aspect of the invention, the imaging element array is provided corresponding to at least positions of the plurality of first image forming pixels that form the first image among the plurality of pixels. It is possible to adopt a configuration having a plurality of imaging action variable lenses in which the presence or absence of the imaging action can be individually switched by changing the refractive index of the liquid crystal.
According to this configuration, for example, by preventing all the imaging function variable lenses from having an imaging function, it is possible to stop displaying the pseudo-stereoscopic image and display a normal planar image. Further, for example, only a part of the planar image can be displayed as a pseudo-stereoscopic image by causing only a part of the imaging function variable lens in the display unit to have an imaging function. Thus, according to this configuration, the degree of freedom of image expression can be improved.

In the electro-optical device of the present invention, a liquid crystal lens can be used as the imaging function variable lens.
According to this configuration, the above effect can be easily obtained by electrically driving the liquid crystal.

In the electro-optical device according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the plurality of imaging action variable lenses are provided corresponding to all positions of the plurality of pixels.
According to this configuration, the above-described effect that the degree of freedom of image expression can be improved can be obtained in all areas on the screen.

In the electro-optical device according to the aspect of the invention, when the display unit can display the first image and the second image in time sequence, the display unit displays the first image. In the display, the plurality of imaging action variable lenses have an imaging action, and the plurality of imaging action variable lenses do not have an imaging action at a timing when the display unit displays the second image. It is possible to employ a configuration in which the switching timing of the image in the unit and the switching timing of the presence or absence of the imaging action in the plurality of imaging action variable lenses are synchronized.
According to this configuration, when the observer looks at the display unit, the first image and the second image are sequentially displayed at different positions in the line-of-sight direction (depth direction). By switching to the second image at high speed, these images are integrated in the observer's eyes, and the observer can recognize these images as pseudo stereoscopic images. At this time, since the display unit displays the first image and the second image using all the pixels, a pseudo-stereoscopic image with high resolution can be obtained.

In the electro-optical device according to the aspect of the invention, the plurality of imaging elements may include a plurality of imaging element groups having different imaging positions in the normal direction of the display unit.
According to this configuration, other images such as the third image can be displayed at a position different from the first image in the space by a plurality of imaging element groups having different imaging positions. More complicated pseudo-stereoscopic images composed of images can be displayed.

In the electro-optical device according to the aspect of the invention, a liquid crystal display element or a self-luminous display element can be used as the electro-optical element.
According to this configuration, the electro-optical device of the present invention can be realized by combining the imaging element array with an existing display such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a plasma display.

It is sectional drawing which shows the liquid crystal display device of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the lens array with which this liquid crystal display device is provided. It is a top view of the pixel which comprises the display part of this liquid crystal display device. It is sectional drawing which shows the liquid crystal display device of a 1st modification. It is sectional drawing which shows the liquid crystal display device of a 2nd modification. It is a figure which shows the lens array of the liquid crystal display device of a 3rd modification. It is a figure which shows the lens array of the liquid crystal display device of a 4th modification. It is a figure which shows the lens array of the liquid crystal display device of a 5th modification. It is a top view which shows the structure of the pixel of the liquid crystal display device of a 6th modification. It is a top view which shows the structure of the pixel of the liquid crystal display device of a 7th modification. It is sectional drawing which shows the liquid crystal display device of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the liquid crystal display device of an 8th modification. It is a figure which shows the lens array with which this liquid crystal display device is provided.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The electro-optical device of this embodiment is an example of a liquid crystal display device using a transmissive liquid crystal display element as an electro-optical element.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a lens array included in the liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment, in which FIG. 2A is a perspective view and FIG. 2B is a plan view. FIG. 3 is a plan view of pixels constituting the display unit of the liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment. In the following drawings, in order to make each component easy to see, the dimensions and scale may be changed depending on the component.

The liquid crystal display device 1 of the present embodiment is simulated by two images, a near-side image (first image) that is visible on the near side as viewed from the observer and a back-side image (second image) that is visible on the back side. A stereoscopic image is recognized. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display device 1 includes a liquid crystal display element 2 (electro-optical element) and a lens array 3 (imaging element) arranged in contact with the liquid crystal display element 2 on the light emission side of the liquid crystal display element 2. Array). The liquid crystal display element 2 includes a transmissive liquid crystal panel 4 (hereinafter simply referred to as a liquid crystal panel), a backlight 5, an incident side polarizing plate 6, and an emission side polarizing plate 7. The driving method and display mode of the liquid crystal panel 4 are not particularly limited. For example, the active matrix method, the passive matrix method, TN (Tw
Any combination of isted nematic) mode, VA (vertical alignment) mode, transverse electric field mode, etc. may be used.

The liquid crystal display element 2 has two types of sub-pixels to be described later, and these two types of sub-pixels can simultaneously display the near side image and the back side image. The liquid crystal panel 4 includes a color filter (not shown), and can display a color image. On the other hand, the lens array 3 includes a flat plate portion 9 and a plurality of lenticular lenses 10 (imaging elements). The lens array 3 has a function of forming a near-side image formed by some subpixels of the liquid crystal display element 2 on the space of the liquid crystal display element 2.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the display unit 12 of the liquid crystal display element 2 includes a plurality of sub-pixels 13F and 13B arranged in a matrix. FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the display unit 12. Hereinafter, the horizontal direction of the drawing is referred to as the horizontal direction H of the screen, and the vertical direction is referred to as the vertical direction V. The plurality of sub-pixels 13F and 13B include a plurality of front-side image forming sub-pixels 13F (first image forming pixels) for forming a front-side image and a plurality of back-side image forming sub-pixels 1
3B (second image forming pixels). In order to simplify the following description, the front side image forming sub-pixel 13F is referred to as “front side sub-pixel 13F”, and the back side image forming sub-pixel 1 is used.
3B is abbreviated as “back subpixel 13B”. Also, in the drawing, the front sub-pixel is indicated by “
F ”and the sub-pixel for back are labeled with“ B ”.

Looking at one row in the horizontal direction H of the display unit 12, the front sub-pixel 13F and the back sub-pixel 1 are displayed.
3B are alternately arranged. Further, when viewing one column in the vertical direction V of the display unit 12, the front sub-pixels 13F and the back sub-pixels 13B are alternately arranged. That is, a plurality of front sub-pixels 13F and a plurality of back sub-pixels 13B are arranged in a checkered pattern over the entire display unit 12. The planar shapes of the front sub-pixel 13F and the back sub-pixel 13B are both vertically long rectangular shapes with short horizontal dimensions and long vertical dimensions, and the shapes and dimensions are the same. 2B is a grid-like black matrix (light-shielding film) that partitions adjacent sub-pixels, and an opening 14 of the black matrix 14 is formed.
The portion A is a portion that transmits light and becomes an effective display region.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the lenticular lens 10 is provided corresponding to only the position of each front sub-pixel 13F. The lenticular lens 10 is a so-called bowl-shaped lens having a curvature in the horizontal direction H of the display unit 12 and no curvature in the vertical direction V of the display unit 12. Each lenticular lens 10 includes two surfaces of the flat plate portion 9.
It is formed on the surface opposite to the surface facing the liquid crystal display element 2. Lenticular lens 1
The entire lens array 3 including 0 and the flat plate portion 9 can be made of, for example, glass or resin having high light transmittance.

When the shape of the lenticular lens 10 is viewed in plan, as shown in FIG. 2B, the edge of each lenticular lens 10 is in the horizontal direction H and the vertical direction with respect to the opening 14A of the corresponding front sub-pixel 13F. Both Vs protrude slightly. That is, all the openings 14A of the front sub-pixel 13F are covered with the lenticular lens 10. As a result, substantially all of the light emitted from the front sub-pixels 13F of the liquid crystal display element 2 enters the lenticular lens 10. Further, it is desirable that the amount of protrusion from the opening 14 </ b> A at the edge of the lenticular lens 10 is set in consideration of the alignment deviation between the liquid crystal display element 2 and the lens array 3. In this case, even if the liquid crystal display element 2 and the lens array 3 are aligned with a slight shift, the opening 14A of the front sub-pixel 13F is formed by the lenticular lens 1.
Because it is covered with 0, almost all of the light emitted from the liquid crystal display element 2 is lenticular lens 1.
Incident at 0.

Next, the positional relationship between the color filter array pattern of the liquid crystal display element 2 and the front sub-pixel 13F and the back sub-pixel 13B will be described.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colored layers of the color filter are the same in the vertical direction V of the display unit 12. An arrangement pattern in which colors are arranged, so-called vertical stripes, is employed. Accordingly, the R, G, and B sub-pixels are arranged in order in the horizontal direction H of the display unit 12, and these three sub-pixels constitute one pixel that is the minimum structural unit of the image. . Since the foreground subpixel 13F and the backside subpixel 13B are combined with such a color filter arrangement pattern, for example, when looking at the top row of FIGS. 3A and 3B, R The front sub-pixel 13F, the rear G sub-pixel 13B, the front B sub-pixel 13F, the rear R sub-pixel 13B, the front G sub-pixel 13F, the rear B sub-pixel 13B, and so on. It is a repeated configuration.

3A and 3B show an example of a mode in which an image signal input to the liquid crystal display element 2 is divided into sub-pixels. For example, a wide VGA of 800 dots in the horizontal direction and 400 dots in the vertical direction. An example of allocating image signals called "." In this example, the liquid crystal display element 2 also has 800 pixels in the horizontal direction and 400 pixels in the vertical direction. And FIG. 3 (A)
Symbols such as “F11” and “B11” shown in (B) indicate image signals. The numbers such as “11” indicate the row number of the pixel to which the image signal is input and the second number. A number indicates the column number of the pixel.

As for the front sub-pixel 13F, as shown in FIG.
An image signal F11 for displaying the near side image of R on the near side sub pixel 13F, an image signal F11 for displaying the near side image of B on the near side sub pixel 13F of B11, and a near side pixel 13F on the near side of G21. The side image display image signals F21,... Are input. Further, in the second row, the G front image display signal F12 is displayed on the G12 front sub pixel 13F, and the R front image display image signals F22 and B22 are displayed on the front sub pixel 13F of the R22 display. B front side image display signals F22,... Are displayed on the front side sub-pixel 13F.

As for the back sub-pixels, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the first row is viewed, the back sub-pixels of the G back-side image display image signals B11 and R21 are displayed on the back sub-pixel 13B of G11. 13B to R
The back side image display image signals B21,... Are input to the back subpixel 13B of the back side image display. In the second row, the rear sub-pixel 13B of R12 has an image signal B12 for displaying the rear image of R, and the rear sub-pixel 13B of B12 has image signals B12 and G22 for displaying the rear image of B. Image signals B22,... For displaying the G back side image are respectively input to the back sub pixels 13B. In the case of this embodiment, the horizontal direction is 800 dots ×
Since the wide VGA image signal of 400 dots in the vertical direction is distributed to 800 pixels in the horizontal direction × 400 pixels in the vertical direction, both the front side image and the back side image can be displayed without reducing the resolution.

In the liquid crystal display device 1 of the present embodiment, each lenticular lens 10 constituting the lens array 3 is provided corresponding to the position of each front sub-pixel 13F of the liquid crystal display element 2, and therefore as shown in FIG. In addition, the near side image formed by the plurality of near side sub-pixels 13F is formed in the upper space of the lens array 3. Distance d1 from the liquid crystal display device 1 to the imaging position M
Can be arbitrarily adjusted according to the refractive index and curvature of each lenticular lens 10. Accordingly, assuming that the back side image is formed at a position where the liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal panel 4 exists, when the observer looks at the liquid crystal display device 1, the back side image and the near side image are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 4. The distance d2 between the liquid crystal layer and the image forming position appears apart. In this way, the observer can recognize the back side image and the near side image as pseudo stereoscopic images.

The liquid crystal display device 1 of the present embodiment is composed of only the liquid crystal display element 2 and the lens array 3, and it is not necessary to use two sets of liquid crystal display elements. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the conventional case. . Further, even if the liquid crystal display element 2 and the lens array 3 are arranged in contact with each other, a pseudo-stereoscopic image can be formed. Therefore, compared with the conventional configuration in which two sets of liquid crystal display elements need to be arranged at intervals. Can be miniaturized. Further, in the present embodiment, since the lenticular lens 10 is provided so as to substantially match the shape and dimensions of the front sub-pixel 13F, substantially all of the light emitted from the front sub-pixel 13F is transmitted through the lenticular lens 10. it can. Therefore, the light use efficiency is improved and a bright image can be obtained.

[Modification 1]
In the above embodiment, the lenticular lens 10 is formed on the surface of the flat plate portion 9 opposite to the surface facing the liquid crystal display element 2. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the lenticular lens 10 may be formed on the surface of the flat plate portion 9 facing the liquid crystal display element 2. Even if it is this structure, the effect similar to the said embodiment is acquired.

[Modification 2]
In the above embodiment, the lens array 3 is disposed on the light exit side of the exit side polarizing plate 7 of the liquid crystal display element 2. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the lens array 3 may be arranged on the light emission side of the liquid crystal panel 4, and the emission side polarizing plate 7 may be arranged on the light emission side of the lens array 3. Even if it is this structure, the effect similar to the said embodiment is acquired. Which of the arrangement of FIG. 1 and the arrangement of FIG. 5 is selected can be determined by how much the distance between the back side image and the near side image is set.

[Modification 3]
In the above embodiment, the lens array 3 includes a plurality of lenticular lenses 10.
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a lens array (imaging element array) having a plurality of convex lenses 16 (imaging elements) having an elliptical spherical surface is used. Also good. The elliptical light exit surface of the convex lens 16 has a curvature in two directions, the horizontal direction H and the vertical direction V, of the display unit 12. In the case of this shape, the shape does not match the rectangular front sub-pixel 13F, and therefore there are portions where the convex lenses 16 are not arranged at the four corners of the opening 14A of the front sub-pixel 13F. On the other hand, if the convex lens 16 is enlarged so that a portion where the convex lens 16 is not disposed does not occur, the convex lens 16 extends to the back sub-pixel 13B.
Even in this configuration, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained. Further, in the case of this example, the convex lens 16 has a curvature in two directions of the display unit 12 in the horizontal direction H and the vertical direction V, so that the viewing angle capable of recognizing the pseudo-stereoscopic image can be widened.

[Modification 4]
In the modification 3, the convex lens 16 of the lens array has an elliptical light exit surface. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a lens array having a plurality of convex lenses 17 having a light emission surface of a spherical shape and the same shape and size may be used. In this example,
Two convex lenses 17 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the opening 14A of the front sub-pixel 13F.
Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, three convex lenses 18 may be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the opening of the front sub-pixel, and the number is not particularly limited. Even in these configurations,
The convex lenses 17 and 18 have curvatures in two directions of the display unit 12 in the horizontal direction H and the vertical direction V, and the same effects as in the third modification can be obtained.

[Modification 5]
In the above embodiment, an example in which the number of horizontal dots and the number of vertical dots of the image signal coincides with the number of horizontal pixels and the number of vertical pixels of the liquid crystal display element 2 has been described. On the other hand, the number of horizontal dots and the number of vertical dots of the image signal may not match the number of horizontal pixels and the number of vertical pixels of the liquid crystal display element 2. In this example, the number of vertical dots of the image signal is half the number of vertical pixels of the liquid crystal display element 2, and the image signal for one row is distributed to the pixels of two rows.

As for the front sub-pixel 13F, as shown in FIG.
An image signal F11 for displaying the near side image of R on the near side sub pixel 13F, an image signal F11 for displaying the near side image of B on the near side sub pixel 13F of B11, and a near side pixel 13F on the near side of G21. The side image display image signals F21,... Are input. When the second row is viewed, image signals F11 and G22 for displaying G near-side images are displayed on the front-side subpixels 13F for R22 and G-side image signals F11 and B22 for displaying the near-side images of G12. Image signals F21,... For image display on the front side of B are input to the front sub-pixel 13F.

As for the back sub-pixel 13B, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the first row is viewed, the back sub-pixel 13B of G11 is connected to the back sub-pixel of the image signals B11 and R21 for displaying the G back-side image. Pixel 13
An image signal B21 for displaying the rear side image of R is input to B, and an image signal B21 for displaying the rear side image of B is input to the rear sub-pixel 13B of B21. Further, when looking at the second row, the rear sub-pixel 13B of the rear-side image display R for the rear-side image display B for R and the rear-side sub-pixel 13B for B12 are displayed.
B image signals B11 for rear side image display, and image signals B21 for G rear side image display are input to the rear sub-pixel 13B of G22, respectively.
In this example, the vertical resolution is slightly lower than that in the above embodiment, but the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[Modification 6]
Unlike the fifth modification, this example is an example in which the number of horizontal dots of the image signal is half of the number of horizontal pixels of the liquid crystal display element 2 and the image signal for one column is distributed to two columns of pixels.
As for the front sub-pixel 13F, as shown in FIG.
One front sub-pixel 13F has an image signal F11 for displaying an R-side image on the front side, and B11 has a front-side sub-pixel 13F.
Are input with image signals F11,... When the second row is viewed, image signals F12, R22 for displaying the G near side image are displayed on the near subpixel 13F for G12.
Image signal F12 for displaying the R front side image is input to the front sub pixel 13F, and the image signal F12 for displaying the B front side image is input to the front sub pixel 13F of B22.

Regarding the back sub-pixel 13B, as shown in FIG.
The back sub-pixel 1 for the G back-side image display image signals B11, R21
An image signal B11 for displaying the rear side image of R is input to 3B, and an image signal B11 for displaying the rear side image of B is input to the rear sub-pixel 13B of B21. Further, when viewing the second row, the rear sub-pixel 13 of R 12 is used as the rear sub-pixel 13 B of R 12 for displaying the rear-side image signal B 12 for R-side image display.
Image signal B12 for B rear side image display is input to B, and image signal B12 for G rear side image display is input to back subpixel 13B of G22.
In this example, the horizontal resolution is slightly lower than in the above embodiment, but the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Similarly to the first embodiment, the electro-optical device of the present embodiment is an example of a liquid crystal display device using a transmissive liquid crystal display element as an electro-optical element.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a plan view of pixels constituting the display unit of the liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment.
The basic configuration of the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the configuration of the imaging element array is different. Therefore, in the following drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, as an imaging element array that forms an image on the near side in a space on the light exit side,
Whereas a lens array having a lens formed of glass or resin is used, the liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment uses a liquid crystal lens array having a plurality of liquid crystal lenses as an imaging element array. Different. That is, the lens array of the first embodiment has the same image forming action including the focal length and the like, but the lens array of this embodiment can switch the image forming action by using a liquid crystal lens. Are very different.

As shown in FIG. 11, the liquid crystal display device 21 according to the present embodiment includes a liquid crystal display element 2 (electro-optical element) and a liquid crystal lens array disposed in contact with the liquid crystal display element 2 on the light emission side of the liquid crystal display element 2. 23 (imaging element array). The liquid crystal display element 2 includes a liquid crystal panel 4, a backlight 5, an incident side polarizing plate 6, and an emission side polarizing plate 7.
The same thing as embodiment can be used.

In the liquid crystal lens array 23, a liquid crystal layer 26 is sandwiched between a pair of glass substrates 24 and 25 (hereinafter, the lower substrate in FIG. 11 is referred to as “first substrate” and the upper substrate is referred to as “second substrate”). It is a liquid crystal panel of composition. On the inner surface of the first substrate 24, as shown in FIG.
A stripe-shaped first electrode 27 composed of a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes extending along two horizontal directions H is formed. The first electrode 27 is made of a transparent conductive film such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a lens-shaped layer 28 made of a resin having a high light transmittance is formed on the entire inner surface of the second substrate 25. The lens-shaped layer 28 gives the liquid crystal layer 26 a lens shape, and the lens-shaped layer 28 has a curved surface so that the liquid crystal layer 26 sandwiched between the first substrate 24 and the second substrate 25 has a convex lens shape. A plurality of recesses 28A are formed. In the first embodiment, the lens is provided only at the position corresponding to the front sub-pixel 13F. However, in the present embodiment, the liquid crystal lens 29 (at the position corresponding to both the front sub-pixel 13F and the back sub-pixel 13B). An imaging function variable lens) is provided. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, an example in which two liquid crystal lenses 29 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of each of the sub-pixels 13F and 13B will be described. A liquid crystal lens having an elliptical spherical shape or the like may be formed, and the same lens shape as in the first embodiment can be adopted.

On the inner surface side of the lens-shaped layer 28 on the second substrate 25, a striped second electrode 30 made of a plurality of strip electrodes extending along the vertical direction V of the display unit 12 is formed. As shown in FIG. 11, the second electrode 30 is formed along the recess 28 </ b> A of the lens shape layer 28.
Similarly to the first electrode 27, the second electrode 30 is also made of a transparent conductive film such as ITO. Thus, the first electrode 27 and the second electrode 30 are formed so as to extend in directions orthogonal to each other, and in the liquid crystal lens 29 at the position where the first electrode 27 and the second electrode 30 intersect. The alignment state of the liquid crystal layer 26 can be switched by the presence or absence of an electric field between the first electrode 27 and the second electrode 30. That is, the liquid crystal lens array 23 employs a so-called simple matrix type drive. The liquid crystal material constituting the liquid crystal layer 26 may be either a material having a positive dielectric anisotropy or a material having a negative dielectric anisotropy. Further, on the first electrode 27 of the first substrate 24,
Alternatively, an alignment film for regulating the alignment state of the liquid crystal layer 26 may be formed on the second electrode 30 of the second substrate 25.

In the liquid crystal lens array 23 having the above-described configuration, the liquid crystal material and the resin material of the lens shape layer 28 are selected so that the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 26 and the refractive index of the lens shape layer 28 match when no electric field is applied. When switching the presence / absence of an imaging action using the liquid crystal lens array 23, in a liquid crystal lens 29 (hereinafter referred to as a non-driven liquid crystal lens) that does not apply an electric field between the first electrode 27 and the second electrode 30. Since the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 26 and the refractive index of the lens-shaped layer 28 match, light is not refracted at the interface between the liquid crystal layer 26 and the lens-shaped layer 28, and the liquid crystal lens 29 forms an image. It will be in a state without an action. On the other hand, in a liquid crystal lens 29 (hereinafter referred to as a driven liquid crystal lens) in which an electric field is applied between the first electrode 27 and the second electrode 30, the alignment state of the liquid crystal layer 26 changes to change the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 26. Is different from the refractive index of the lens-shaped layer 28, light is refracted at the interface between the liquid crystal layer 26 and the lens-shaped layer 28, and the liquid crystal lens 29 has an image forming action. The distance from the liquid crystal lens 29 to the imaging position is
It is possible to adjust the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 26 and the lens shape layer 28 and the shape (curvature) of the recess 28A of the lens shape layer 28.

As described above, the liquid crystal display device 21 of the present embodiment is provided with the liquid crystal lens 29 at positions corresponding to all of the front sub-pixel 13F and the back sub-pixel 13B. Therefore, for example, if the liquid crystal lens 29 located at the position corresponding to the front sub-pixel 13F is set in the driving state, an action equivalent to that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the observer can simulate the front side image and the back side image. A stereoscopic image can be recognized. In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display element 2 and the liquid crystal lens array 23 are used.
The liquid crystal lens array 23 does not require an element substrate and can be manufactured at a lower cost than a liquid crystal panel for display. Therefore, the cost can be reduced as a whole. Further, since the liquid crystal display element 2 and the liquid crystal lens array 23 can be arranged close to each other, the apparatus can be reduced in size.

Furthermore, the following effects are obtained as effects unique to the present embodiment.
According to the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to freely control the presence or absence of the imaging action of all the liquid crystal lenses 29 on the sub-pixels 13F and 13B for each sub-pixel. Therefore, for example, a normal image is displayed on the liquid crystal display element 2, and all the sub-pixels 13F and 13B are displayed as shown in FIG.
By controlling the liquid crystal lens 29 corresponding to the above so as not to have an image forming action, the display of the pseudo-stereoscopic image can be stopped and a normal planar image can be displayed on the liquid crystal display element 2. On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 13A, the liquid crystal lens 29 corresponding to all the sub-pixels 13F and 13B is controlled to have an image forming action, so that it floats on a space away from the liquid crystal display element 2. A flat image can be displayed. Furthermore, for example, by making only some of the liquid crystal lenses 29 in the display unit 12 have an image forming action, only a part of the planar image can be displayed as a pseudo-stereoscopic image. Thus, according to this configuration, the degree of freedom of image expression can be improved.

In the above description, it is assumed that the liquid crystal display element 2 displays the near side image and the far side image at the same time. However, the liquid crystal display element uses all the subpixels of the display unit and the near side image and the far side image. Can be displayed in a time-sequential manner with high speed switching, a further configuration can be realized.

That is, when the liquid crystal display element has the above-described configuration, all the liquid crystal lenses are driven at the timing when the liquid crystal display element displays the near side image, and all the liquid crystal lenses are displayed at the timing when the liquid crystal display element displays the back side image. Is switched to the non-driving state by synchronizing the switching timing of the near side image and the far side image in the liquid crystal display element with the switching timing of driving and non-driving in the liquid crystal lens.
According to this configuration, when the observer looks at the liquid crystal display device, the near side image and the far side image are displayed at different positions in the line-of-sight direction (depth direction) in a time sequential manner. The back side image is integrated in the observer's eyes, and the observer can recognize the pseudo stereoscopic image. When this configuration is adopted, the liquid crystal display device displays the near side image and the far side image using all the sub-pixels, so that a pseudo-stereoscopic image with high resolution can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal lens array 23 is arranged on the light emission side of the emission side polarizing plate 7 of the liquid crystal display element 2, but instead of this configuration, as shown in FIG. A liquid crystal lens array 23 is disposed on the light emission side of the liquid crystal panel 4, and the liquid crystal lens array 23 is further disposed.
It is good also as a structure which arrange | positions the exit side polarizing plate 7 in the light emission side. Even in this configuration, the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment,
Both the lens array of the first embodiment and the liquid crystal lens array of the second embodiment have only one type of image formation distance. Instead of this configuration, a plurality of lenses and liquid crystal lenses have an image formation distance. Two or more different lens groups may be included. For example, if two types of lens groups with different curvatures are formed, and images are formed at two locations with different imaging distances, the near side image,
A more complicated pseudo-stereoscopic image composed of three or more layers such as an intermediate image and a back image can be displayed. In addition, the shape, arrangement, material, and the like of each component illustrated in the above embodiment can be changed as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,21 ... Liquid crystal display device (electro-optical device), 2 ... Liquid crystal display element (electro-optical element), 3 ...
Lens array (imaging element array), 10 ... lenticular lens (imaging element), 13F ...
Front side image forming sub-pixel (first image forming pixel), 13B... Back side image forming sub-pixel (
Second image forming pixel), 16, 17... Convex lens (imaging element), 23... Liquid crystal lens array (
Imaging element array), 29... Liquid crystal lens (imaging function variable lens).

Claims (11)

An electro-optic element having a display unit in which a plurality of pixels are arranged, and capable of simultaneously or time-sequentially displaying the first image and the second image;
The first image provided on the light emission side of the electro-optic element and formed by at least some of the plurality of pixels can be formed on a space on the light emission side of the electro-optic element. An imaging element array including a plurality of imaging elements;
An electro-optical device comprising: The display unit includes a plurality of first image forming pixels that form the first image, and a plurality of second image forming pixels that form the second image,
The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging element array includes a plurality of lenses provided corresponding to positions of the plurality of first image forming pixels. 3. The electro-optical device according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of lenses is a lenticular lens provided in conformity with a shape of the first image forming pixel. The electro-optical device according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of lenses is a convex lens having a curved surface having curvatures in two directions orthogonal to each other. The imaging element array is provided corresponding to the positions of at least a plurality of first image forming pixels that form the first image among the plurality of pixels, and changes the refractive index of the internal liquid crystal. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of imaging effect variable lenses that can be switched individually for the presence or absence of an imaging effect. 6. The electro-optical device according to claim 5, wherein the imaging effect variable lens is a liquid crystal lens. The electro-optical device according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of imaging action variable lenses are provided corresponding to all positions of the plurality of pixels. The display unit is capable of displaying the first image and the second image in time sequence;
The plurality of imaging action variable lenses have an imaging action at a timing at which the display unit displays the first image, and the plurality of imaging action variables at a timing at which the display unit displays the second image. The timing for switching an image in the display unit and the timing for switching whether or not there is an imaging action in the plurality of imaging action variable lenses are synchronized so that the lens does not have an imaging action. The electro-optical device according to 5 or 6. 9. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of imaging elements include a plurality of imaging element groups having different imaging positions in a normal direction of the display unit. apparatus. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the electro-optical element is a liquid crystal display element. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the electro-optical element is a self-luminous display element.

Images