CN101201498A - Display device, terminal device, display panel and optical member - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display device, a terminal device, a display panel and an optical member. The reflective liquid crystal display panel is a display panel for three-dimensional display in which pairs of pixels as display elements consisting of one left-eye pixel L and one right-eye pixel R are provided in a matrix. A lenticular lens is an optical member for image separation, provided to separate light from left and right pixels, and a plurality of lenticular lenses form a one-dimensionally arranged lens array. An anisotropic scattering plate as an anisotropic scattering element is provided between the lenticular lens and the reflective liquid crystal display panel. According to this structure, degradation of reflective display can be minimized, and improved image quality can be realized without changing the concave-convex structure of the reflective panel and the lens shape of the lenticular lens in a display device capable of displaying different images to a plurality of viewpoints.

Description

Display device, terminal device, display panel and optical member

technical field

The present invention relates to a display device capable of displaying images to each of a plurality of viewpoints, to a terminal device, and more particularly, to a display device capable of reducing deterioration of display quality caused by a structure of the display device, to a terminal device, and to a terminal device A display panel and an optical member that can be suitably used in display devices and terminal devices.

Background technique

Due to recent technological developments, display panels are configured and used in monitors, television receivers and other large terminal equipment; notebook personal computers, automatic teller machines, vending machines and other medium-sized terminal equipment; and personal TVs, PDAs (personal digital assistants: personal information terminals), mobile phones, mobile game devices and other small terminal devices in various locations. Especially, display devices using liquid crystals are deployed in a large number of terminal devices because of their thin appearance, light weight, small size, low power consumption, and other advantages. Current display devices show that the same content as the front can be seen even when viewed from a viewpoint that is not in the direction of the front, but display devices that can view different images according to viewpoints are being developed, and are expected to be next-generation display devices. A three-dimensional image display device is used as an example of a device capable of displaying a different image to each of a plurality of viewpoints. A three-dimensional image display device must have a function for providing different images for left and right viewpoints, that is, parallax images, to left and right eyes.

In the past, various three-dimensional image display systems have been studied as methods for specifically realizing the above-mentioned functions, and these systems can be broadly classified into systems using glasses and systems not using glasses. Systems that use glasses include anaglyph systems that use chromatic aberration, polarized glasses systems that use polarized light, and others, but the inconvenience of glasses is inherent to these systems. Therefore, in recent years, a glasses-free system that does not use glasses has been intensively studied.

Glasses-free systems include lenticular systems, parallax barrier systems, and the like. As described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2004-280079, a lenticular lens system uses a lenticular lens as means for dividing an image with respect to a plurality of viewpoints. In this lenticular lens, one of the surfaces is composed of a plane, and the opposite surface has a plurality of semicylindrical convex portions (cylindrical lenses) extending in one direction formed parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction. In the lenticular lens three-dimensional image display device, the lenticular lens and the display panel are arranged in order from the direction of the observer, and the pixels of the display panel are located on the focal plane of the lenticular lens. In the display panel, pixels for displaying a right-eye image and pixels for displaying a left-eye image are alternately arranged. At this time, adjacent pixel groups correspond to convex portions of the lenticular lens. Thus, the light from the pixel is distributed to the left and right eye directions through the convex portion of the lenticular lens. Different images can be recognized by the left and right eyes, and the observer can recognize three-dimensional images.

The parallax barrier system uses a barrier (light blocking panel) in which a plurality of openings in the shape of narrow vertical stripes, such as slits, are formed as means for dividing an image. Groups including pixels for displaying a left-eye image and pixels for displaying a right-eye image are arranged to correspond to slits of the parallax barrier. Thus, the pixels for displaying the left-eye image are blocked by the barrier and cannot be seen by the observer's right eye, and only the pixels for displaying the right-eye image are visible to the observer's right eye. In the same way, the pixels for displaying the image for the right eye are blocked by the barrier and cannot be seen by the left eye of the observer, and the pixels for displaying the image for the left eye are visible only for the left eye of the observer. Therefore, when the parallax image is displayed, the observer can recognize the three-dimensional image.

When the parallax barrier system was first proposed, the parallax barrier was placed between the pixels and the eyes, thereby obstructing viewing and causing poor visibility problems. However, recent developments in liquid crystal display devices have allowed for a parallax barrier to be placed behind the display panel, thereby improving visibility. Therefore, a parallax barrier three-dimensional image display device is being actively studied. However, the parallax barrier system is a system for "concealing" unnecessary light rays using a barrier, while the lenticular lens system changes the propagation direction of light, and the lenticular lens system has an advantage in principle of not lowering the brightness of a displayed image. Therefore, lenticular lens systems are studied for use in mobile devices and the like in particular, where high brightness display and low power consumption are important.

As another example of a device capable of displaying different images to multiple viewpoints, a multi-image simultaneous display device capable of simultaneously displaying multiple different images to multiple viewpoints has been developed (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 06-332354). In this display, under the same conditions, different images are simultaneously displayed for each viewing direction using a function of distributing images using a lenticular lens. Therefore, a single multi-image simultaneous display device can simultaneously provide images different from each other to a plurality of observers located in different directions from each other with respect to the display device. According to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 06-332354, use of such a multi-image simultaneous display device enables reduction of installation space as well as power cost as compared with preparing a plurality of conventional single-image display devices equal to the number of multiple images to be simultaneously displayed .

Since different images can thus be displayed to each different viewpoint, display devices providing lenticular lenses, parallax barriers, or other optical members are being actively researched. However, the present inventors have found that when only optical members are provided, several problems arise, and the present inventors have proposed means for overcoming these problems.

For example, when a semi-transmissive display panel and a reflective display panel having a reflective panel with a convex-concave structure in a pixel are used as described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2004-280079, partial reduction in brightness of display depending on the viewing position occurs. In an area where the viewing position is changed, the display appears darkened in a position where the brightness is reduced, and in some cases, a pattern of dark lines is observed superimposed on the image. It can be seen that the display quality is degraded by the change in the brightness of the display. The reason for this problem is that when the external light focused by the lenticular lens is reflected by the concave-convex structure formed on the reflective panel, the reflection angle changes according to the inclination angle of the inclined surface constituting the concave-convex structure. Therefore, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2004-280079 proposes a method for providing a lenticular lens so that its focal length is different from the distance between the reflective panel and the lens; for setting the inclined surface of the concave-convex structure so that the concave-convex structure reflects multiple times A method of light focused by a lenticular lens; and a method for arranging a concavo-convex structure so that the probability of an inclined surface having a certain inclination angle existing in the concavo-convex structure is uniform among pixels in the alignment direction of the cylindrical lens.

As described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2006-17820, another problem that arises when providing an optical member is that a fringe pattern is superimposed on a display image, and when an optical member for image separation is included in a transmissive display device When it is medium, the display quality is severely degraded due to the influence of the concave-convex structure formed in the illumination member of the transmission display device. The cause of this problem is that in the direction of light emitted from the lighting member, an in-plane distribution occurs due to the concave-convex structure formed in the lighting member, and this in-plane distribution is visually magnified by the optical member for image separation. This problem is exacerbated as the concavo-convex structure of the lighting member is brought closer to the focal plane of the lenticular lens due to thickness reduction and the like. Therefore, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2006-17820 proposes a method for making the distance between adjacent convex portions in the concave-convex structure smaller than that obtained by multiplying the distance between the concave-convex structure and the pixel by the lens pitch of the lenticular lens. value, and dividing the result by the focal length, and a method of minimizing degradation in display quality by changing the concave-convex structure according to the meniscus lens used.

However, in order to overcome the above-mentioned problem, that is, the degradation of display quality caused by the concave-convex structure formed in the reflective panel, or the image quality degradation due to the concave-convex structure formed in the lighting member, by changing the properties of the concave-convex structure or the lenticular lens In the above method of , the same problem as below is apparent. In particular, there arises the problem of having to change lenses or other optical elements, as well as the concave-convex structure of the reflective panel, and the concave-convex structure of the lighting member. Especially when ordinary, standard products are used for the above components, there is no choice but to modify. In the case of lenses, lighting components or other components with a three-dimensional shape, modifications must be made from the molding stage, possibly involving large-scale modifications, in case of changes in surface shape. Therefore, there is a need to overcome the above-mentioned problems by simpler means without modifying the lens face or the concave-convex structure.

As a result of intensive research on display devices having lenticular lenses, parallax barriers, or other optical components, the inventors have found that in these display devices, patterns of adjacent pixels or border regions of other intervals that are not useful for display are observed as Parallel lines in the arrangement direction of lenses or slits, and a problem of lowering image quality arises.

Contents of the invention

A first object of the present invention is to provide a display device capable of minimizing degradation of reflective display quality and achieving increased image quality without changing the concavo-convex structure of the reflective panel and the display device having an optical member for image separation The lens shape of the lenticular lens provides a terminal device, provides a display panel, and provides an optical member.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a display device capable of minimizing the reduction in transmission display quality and achieving an increase in image quality without changing the concave-convex structure formed in the lighting member and the lens shape of the lenticular lens, providing a terminal device, providing display panel and provide optical components.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a display device capable of achieving an increase in image quality and minimizing a decrease in image quality caused by a pattern observed as a line parallel to the arrangement direction of lenses and slits, an area that has no effect on display , providing a terminal device, providing a display panel and providing an optical member.

The present invention is characterized in that an anisotropic scattering portion is provided to a display device, whereby degradation in image quality displayed using image separation optics and a display panel can be minimized without significantly compromising lenses, barriers, or other image separation optics image separation effect. To achieve this, it is preferable to provide an anisotropic scattering section for scattering light incident or emitted with respect to the pixels of the display panel so that scattering in the image distribution direction differs from scattering in other directions. Therefore, not only the deterioration of the display image quality can be prevented, but also the cost can be reduced because there is no need to change the structure of the image distribution section and the display panel.

In particular, the maximum scattering direction by the anisotropic scattering portion is a direction perpendicular to the image separation direction, whereby image quality can be improved without compromising the image separation effect of the image separation optics. The anisotropic scattering portion is preferably located on the image separation device side of the display panel pixel. In this case, image quality degradation can be minimized and image quality of reflective display can be improved by the image distribution portion and the concavo-convex structure formed on the reflective plate in combination with a display panel having a reflective plate in units of pixels. In combination with a semi-transmissive or full-transmissive display panel, it is possible to reduce any deterioration of the image quality due to the combination of the image distribution portion and the boundary of adjacent pixels, and to improve the image quality.

According to the display device of the present invention, furthermore, the maximum scattering direction of the anisotropic scattering portion can be a first direction in which pixels for displaying an image for the first viewpoint and pixels for displaying an image for the second viewpoint are arranged in the display unit. The pixels of the two-viewpoint image. The image distribution unit distributes the light emitted from the pixels to different directions along the first direction. In this case, the anisotropic scattering part is located on the backside of the display panel, thereby maximally suppressing the influence of deterioration of image quality caused by the anisotropic scattering part. The image quality can also be increased especially in the case where a planar light source for emitting light in a plane is provided to the rear side of the display panel. This is because light is emitted in a plane via the concave-convex structure formed on the surface and inside of the planar light source, but the present invention can minimize any deterioration of display quality caused by the concave-convex structure and the image distribution portion of the planar light source. Furthermore, the use of anisotropic scattering sections allows limiting the direction of scattering, and accordingly, any reduction in frontal brightness can be minimized.

According to the present invention, in a display device in which a lenticular lens and a parallax barrier or other optical member for image distribution are provided, an anisotropic scattering portion is provided which is perpendicular to the optical member in the display plane. The scatter in the direction of the image-assigned direction produces a larger scatter than the scatter in the image-assigned direction. Therefore, the influence of the concavo-convex structure formed on the reflective panel can be reduced, and image quality can be improved. It is also possible to reduce the influence of the concavo-convex structure formed on the lighting member, and to improve image quality. In addition, the influence of the non-display area viewed as a line segment parallel to the image distribution direction can be reduced, and the image quality can be improved.

Description of drawings

1 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

2 is a top view showing an anisotropic scattering plate of the display device shown in FIG. 1;

3 is a plan view showing the relationship between the image distribution direction of the image distribution unit and the scattering direction of the anisotropic scattering plate;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a terminal device of the present embodiment;

5 is a diagram showing an optical model in a cross-section generated by a line segment parallel to the X-axis direction in the reflective liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment;

6 is a sectional view showing an optical model when a lenticular lens is used;

Fig. 7 is an optical model diagram representing an example when the radius of curvature is the smallest for calculating the image separation condition of the lenticular lens;

Fig. 8 is an optical model diagram showing an example when the radius of curvature is maximum for calculating the image separation condition of the lenticular lens;

9 is a sectional view showing an example when an anisotropic scattering structure exists in the vicinity of the focal point of a cylindrical lens, and an example showing in particular that the structure has a major influence;

10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example when an anisotropic scattering structure exists in the vicinity of the focal point of a cylindrical lens, and an example showing in particular that the structure has a secondary influence;

11 is a cross-sectional view showing an example when an anisotropic scattering structure exists in a position sufficiently separated from a focal point of a cylindrical lens;

12 is an optical model diagram used to calculate the position along the z-axis direction of the anisotropic scattering structure;

13 is a sectional view showing an optical model when a parallax barrier is used;

Fig. 14 is an optical model diagram showing an example when the slit opening width is maximum for calculating the image separation condition of the parallax barrier;

15 is an optical model diagram for calculating the position along the z-axis direction of the anisotropic scattering structure;

16 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

17 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

18 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

19 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

Fig. 20 is a top view showing the light guide panel and LED shown in Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a sectional view showing the light guide panel and LED shown in Fig. 19;

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an optical model in a cross section generated by a line segment parallel to the x-axis direction in the transmissive liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment;

23 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical model for an embodiment in which a parallax barrier is arranged behind a display panel;

24 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention;

25 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Comparative Example 1 of the present invention;

26 is a plan view showing pixels in a display panel according to Comparative Example 1;

27 is a diagram showing a visible image of the display screen when the display device according to Comparative Example 1 is viewed by an observer;

28 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention;

29 is a plan view showing pixels of the transmissive liquid crystal display panel according to the present embodiment;

30 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical model used to calculate the maximum viewing distance;

31 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical model used to calculate the minimum viewing distance;

Figure 32 is a schematic diagram representing the definition of visual acuity;

33 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention;

34 is a plan view showing pixels of the transmissive liquid crystal display panel according to the present embodiment;

35 is a plan view showing another example of pixels of the transmissive liquid crystal display panel according to the present embodiment;

36 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 9 of the present invention;

37 is a plan view showing pixels of the transmissive liquid crystal display panel according to the present embodiment;

38 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 10 of the present invention;

39 is a plan view showing pixels of the transmissive liquid crystal display panel according to the present embodiment;

40 is a cross-sectional view showing a terminal device according to Embodiment 11 of the present invention;

FIG. 41 is a sectional view showing a display device according to the present embodiment;

42 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 12;

43 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 13;

44 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 14;

45 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 15;

46 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 16;

47 is a perspective view of a fly-eye lens, a structural element of the display device according to the present embodiment;

Fig. 48 is a top view showing a fly-eye lens;

Fig. 49 represents a diagram related to an anisotropic scattering plate of a structural element of a display device, wherein Fig. 49A represents the scattering characteristics of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and Fig. 49B represents the scattering characteristics of Embodiment 16;

50 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 17;

51 is a plan view showing a fly-eye lens, a structural element of the display device according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 52 is a graph showing the scattering characteristics of the anisotropic scattering part according to the present embodiment; and

FIG. 53 is a graph showing the scattering characteristics of the anisotropic scattering plate according to the present embodiment, where the x-axis represents the angle in the display plane and the y-axis represents the scattering performance.

Detailed ways

The display device of the present invention can be constructed as follows. That is, the display device of the present invention includes: a display panel in which a plurality of display units including at least pixels for displaying an image for a first viewpoint and pixels for displaying an image for a second viewpoint are arranged in a matrix; an image distributing section for distributing light emitted from the pixels to different directions along a first direction along which pixels for displaying an image for a first viewpoint and for displaying an image for a first viewpoint are arranged in the display unit a pixel for an image of the second viewpoint; and an anisotropic scattering section for scattering incident light or outgoing light with respect to the display panel so that scattering in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is different from the first direction Scattering in .

In the present invention, it is possible to prevent degradation of image quality caused by the structures of the image distribution section and the display panel, and to improve image quality. Since there is no need to change the structure of the image distribution unit and the display panel, the price can also be reduced.

The direction of maximum scattering by the anisotropic scattering part is the second direction, whereby adverse effects on the image distribution effect of the image distribution part can be kept to a minimum and image quality can be improved by the anisotropic scattering part.

Furthermore, the maximum scattering direction by the anisotropic scattering portion is a direction rotated from the second direction to the first direction, whereby scattering in the first and second directions can be easily adjusted, and large modification of the member can be prevented. Therefore, cost can be reduced.

In addition, the anisotropic scattering part may be a structure extending in one direction, forming a convex part or a concave part, and the anisotropic scattering part may have a one-dimensionally arranged prism structure in which the prisms are arranged parallel to each other in one direction Extended multiple prisms. The anisotropic scattering part may also have a lenticular lens structure in which a plurality of cylindrical lenses extending in one direction are arranged in parallel to each other, and the pitch of the lenticular lenses may be made smaller than the arrangement pitch of pixels.

For example, the anisotropic scattering part may be located between the image distribution part and the display panel. Therefore, it is possible to prevent degradation of image quality due to the structure of the image distribution section and the display panel, and especially when a reflective display panel is used, degradation of display quality due to the concave-convex structure of the reflective panel can be prevented.

In this case, the anisotropic scattering part may have a transparent substrate and an anisotropic scattering structure formed on the surface of the transparent substrate. This structure makes it possible to use a general-purpose anisotropic scattering plate, and when it is necessary to improve the anisotropic scattering effect, also minimize the influence on other members.

In addition, the surface of the anisotropic scattering structure on which the anisotropic scattering part is formed may face the image distribution part of the display device. Undesired interactions with the image distributor can thereby be reduced and the image quality can be increased.

In addition, the anisotropic scattering part can be integrated with the image distribution part, thereby eliminating the need for components for supporting the anisotropic scattering structure of the anisotropic scattering part, and thus, a thinner appearance can be obtained. Since the anisotropic scattering portion and the image distribution portion can be integrally formed instead of being separately formed and combined, the number of components can be reduced, and the number of assembly steps can be reduced. Therefore, cost can be reduced. Since variations in the relative positioning of the anisotropic scattering portion and the image distribution portion during assembly can also be eliminated, non-uniformity can also be reduced.

In addition, the anisotropic scattering part is formed from the surface facing the image distribution part of the display panel, whereby the anisotropic scattering part can be simultaneously formed on the back surface during manufacture of the image distribution part. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the overall cost can also be reduced.

In this case, the anisotropic scattering part is formed on the adhesive layer for fixing the image distribution part, thereby eliminating a mold for molding the anisotropic scattering structure and a mold for delivering the anisotropic scattering structure. process needs. Therefore, cost can be reduced.

Alternatively, the anisotropic scattering part is formed in the internal structure of the image distribution part, whereby the adhesive layer can be selected from a wider selection range, and the cost can be reduced.

Alternatively, the anisotropic scattering part may be formed on the display panel, in this case, the display panel has an optical film, and the anisotropic scattering part may be each of the substrates for fixing the optical film to the display panel. Anisotropic scattering adhesive layer.

In the display device of the present invention, the maximum scattering direction by the anisotropic scattering part may be the first direction. In this case, the anisotropic scattering part is provided to the rear surface of the display panel, whereby the influence of the anisotropic scattering part for preventing image quality degradation can be maximized.

It is also possible to adopt a structure in which the anisotropic scattering part has a transparent substrate, an anisotropic scattering structure formed on the surface of the transparent substrate, and an anisotropic scattering structure on which the anisotropic scattering part is formed. The surface of the structure is placed to the back of the display device. As a result, adverse effects on the image distribution effect of the image distribution section can be kept to a minimum, and the image quality can be increased by the anisotropic scattering section.

It is also possible to adopt a structure in which the display device of the present invention has a planar light source for emitting light in a plane on the back surface of the display panel, and the planar light source is formed by using a A concave-convex structure that emits light in a flat surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent image quality degradation due to the concavo-convex structure of the planar light source and the image distribution section without adversely affecting the image distribution effect of the image distribution section. Since the scattering direction can be restricted by using the anisotropic scattering part, it is also possible to prevent a decrease in frontal brightness.

The planar light source may have a light guide panel, and the concavo-convex structure may be formed in the light guide panel. In addition, the planar light source may have an optical device for increasing brightness, and the optical device for increasing brightness may have a concavo-convex structure. As a result, the range of options for selecting an optical component for increasing brightness can be increased, and costs can be reduced.

In the display device of the present invention, for example, the display panel is transmissive. In the present invention, it is possible to prevent degradation of image quality due to the combination of the image distribution portion and the boundary of adjacent pixels, and to improve image quality. In addition, when the planar light source is provided to the rear surface, image quality degradation due to the combination of the image distribution part and the planar light source can be prevented, and image quality can be improved.

The display panel may be, for example, a display panel having a reflective panel in units of pixels, and a concavo-convex structure may be formed in the reflective panel. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent image quality degradation due to the concave-convex structure of the image distribution portion and the reflective panel, and to improve the image quality of the reflective panel.

In this case, the reflective panel may be a transflective display panel formed in a region of a part of the pixels. This structure makes it possible to reduce not only the banding caused by the anisotropic scattering part in the light-blocking area, but also the banding caused in the display area for reflection during the transmissive display, thereby improving the quality of the transmissive display . During reflective display, not only the banding caused by the anisotropic scattering part in the light blocking area but also the banding caused in the display area for transmission can be reduced, thus improving the quality of reflective display. In particular, the quality of transmissive display and reflective display in semi-transmissive display devices can be improved.

In this case, in the second direction, a region for reflective display in which the reflective panel is formed and a region for transmissive display in which pixel light is transmitted may be arrayed in a repeated manner. Therefore, the effect for preventing image quality degradation due to the anisotropic scattering portion can be exemplified to the maximum.

The display panel may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel is, for example, a lateral field mode liquid crystal display panel or a multi-domain vertical alignment mode liquid crystal display panel. In the present invention, image quality degradation due to the image distribution portion and the orientation dividing means of the liquid crystal layer can be minimized, and a display device having a wide viewing angle can be obtained.

In addition, the display unit of the display panel has a stripe-shaped color pixel arrangement for producing a color display, and for example, the arrangement direction of the color stripes is the second direction. When the arrangement direction of the color bars is the second direction, the ratio of pixel boundaries extending in the first direction increases, but according to the present invention, the influence of this increase can be reduced, and thus image quality can be improved.

In addition, image cells may be formed within a square. Thereby, the vertical and horizontal resolutions of the displayed image can be made the same, and the image quality can be further improved.

A pixel in the display unit may also have a light-blocking area on the periphery of its display area, and the light-blocking area extending in the second direction may be tiltable relative to the second direction. Thereby, the visibility range of a displayed image can be increased, and the effect of the present invention can be enhanced.

Furthermore, a structure may be employed in which pixels in the display unit have a trapezoidal display area and are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to adjacent pixels. This structure allows the present invention to be suitably applied to active matrix display panels using thin film transistors in particular, and allows an increased open area ratio.

In the display device of the present invention, the image distributing section is formed as, for example, a lens array in which lenses are arranged in the first direction. Since this structure eliminates light loss due to the image dividing means, bright display can be obtained.

In the display device of the present invention, the image distributing section is a parallax barrier formed such that openings having a finite width are arrayed in the first direction. Thereby, the image distribution portion can be easily formed using the photolithography technique, so that the cost can be reduced.

A terminal device of the present invention has a display device. The terminal device is, for example, a mobile phone, a personal information terminal, a personal television, a game device, a digital camera, a video recorder, a video player, a notebook personal computer, a teller machine, or a vending machine.

The display panel of the present invention is a display panel in which a plurality of display units including at least pixels for displaying an image for a first viewpoint and pixels for displaying an image for a second viewpoint are arranged in a matrix, wherein , the scattering of the outgoing light in the display panel imparts anisotropy, and along the first direction in which the pixels for displaying the image for the first viewpoint and the pixels for displaying the image for the viewpoint are arranged in the display unit, the The light emitted from the pixels is distributed in different directions.

The optical member of the present invention is an optical member used in a display panel, wherein a plurality of pixels including at least pixels for displaying an image for a first viewpoint and pixels for displaying an image for a second viewpoint are arranged in a matrix A display unit, wherein the optical member includes a planar image distribution portion for distributing incident light into different directions, and an anisotropic scattering portion for imparting anisotropy to scattering in a plane of the image distribution portion. According to the present invention, an optical member can be combined with a display panel in order to produce a display device with high image quality.

In this case, the maximum scattering direction by the anisotropic scattering part may be a direction perpendicular to the image distribution direction of the image distribution part.

Furthermore, the optical member may have a substrate, and the image distribution portion and the anisotropic scattering portion may be formed on a surface facing the substrate.

Furthermore, the optical member may have a substrate, and the anisotropic scattering portion may be formed within the substrate.

In addition, the optical member may have an adhesive layer, and the adhesive layer may be an anisotropic scattering portion.

Next, with reference to the drawings, hereinafter, a display device, a terminal device, a display panel, and an optical member according to embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described. A display device, a terminal device, a display panel, and an optical member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described first. 1 is a sectional view showing a display device according to this embodiment; FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an anisotropic scattering plate shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the terminal device of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the display device according to Embodiment 1 uses a reflective liquid crystal display panel 2 as a display panel, and the reflective liquid crystal display device 1 has lenticular lenses 3 . The lenticular lens 3 is located on the side of the display surface of the reflective liquid crystal display panel 2 , that is, on the side facing the user. An anisotropic scattering plate 6 as an anisotropic scattering element is provided between the lenticular lens 3 and the reflective liquid crystal display panel 2 . Specifically, in the reflective liquid crystal display device 1 , the reflective liquid crystal display panel 2 , the anisotropic scattering plate 6 , and the lenticular lens 3 are sequentially laminated in the user's direction.

The reflective liquid crystal display panel 2 is a liquid crystal panel for three-dimensional display in which a pixel pair as a display unit consisting of one left-eye pixel 4L and one right-eye pixel 4R is provided in matrix. The lenticular lens 3 is an optical member for image separation provided for separating light from left and right pixels, and the lenticular lens 3 is a lens array in which a plurality of cylindrical lenses 3 a are one-dimensionally arranged. The arrangement direction of the cylindrical lenses 3 a is set in a direction in which the left-eye pixels 4L and the right-eye pixels 4R are arranged in a repeated manner. The extending direction of the cylindrical lenses 3a, that is, the longitudinal direction, is a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction in the display surface. The cylindrical lens 3a is a one-dimensional lens having a semi-cylindrical convex portion, and has a lens effect only in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction. The focal length of the cylindrical lens 3a is set to be the distance between the principal point of the cylindrical lens 3a, that is, the lens vertex, and the pixel (left-eye pixel 4L or right-eye pixel 4R).

In this specification, for convenience, an XYZ rectangular coordinate system is set as described below. In a repeated manner, among the directions in which the left-eye pixel 4L and the right-eye pixel 4R are arranged, the direction from the right-eye pixel 4R to the left-eye pixel 4L is the +X direction, and the opposite direction is the −X direction. The +X direction and the −X direction are collectively referred to as the X-axis direction. The longitudinal direction of the cylindrical lens 3a is the Y-axis direction. Also, a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is the Z-axis direction. In the Z-axis direction, the direction from the left-eye pixel 4L or the right-eye pixel 4R to the lenticular lens 3 is the +Z direction, and the opposite direction is the −Z direction. The +Z axis direction is the positive direction, ie, the direction toward the user, and the user sees the surface on the +Z side of the reflective liquid crystal display panel 2 . The +Y direction is the direction in which the right-handed coordinate system is established. Specifically, when a person's right thumb is in the +X direction and the index finger is in the +Y direction, the middle finger is in the +Z direction.

When the XYZ rectangular coordinate system is established as described above, the arrangement direction of the cylindrical lenses 3 a is the X-axis direction, and in the Y-axis direction, left-eye pixels 4L and right-eye pixels 4R are arranged in rows, respectively. The arrangement period of the pixel pairs in the X-axis direction is substantially equal to the arrangement period of the cylindrical lenses. In the X-axis direction, a row of pixel pairs arranged in the Y-axis direction corresponds to a single cylindrical lens 3a.

In the reflective liquid crystal display panel 2, a liquid crystal layer 5 is formed between two substrates 2a, 2b provided on a minute gap, and a reflective panel 4 is formed on the surface on the +Z side of the substrate 2b on the -Z side. . A plurality of concave-convex structures 41 are provided on the surface of the reflective panel 4 , and the concave-convex structures 41 make the surface of the reflective panel 4 a diffuse reflection surface. Specifically, external light incident on the reflective panel 4 from a specific direction is diffusely reflected in various directions by the concave-convex structure 41 on the surface of the reflective panel 4 , and also reflected to the observer. Since regular reflection components can thereby be reduced, bright reflective display can be produced at angles where the light source pattern is invisible. When the light source emits diffuse light, it can produce a bright reflective display because the amount of light reflected in the forward direction can be increased relative to specular reflection alone.

As shown in FIG. 2 , an anisotropic scattering structure 61 is formed on the surface of the anisotropic scattering plate 6 in the +Z direction. Specifically, the anisotropic scattering plate 6 has a transparent substrate and an anisotropic scattering structure 61 formed on the surface of the transparent substrate as an anisotropic scattering portion (ie, anisotropic scattering means). The anisotropic scattering structure 61 is a belt-shaped convex portion extending in the X-axis direction in the XY plane, and a plurality of anisotropic scattering structures 61 are formed on the surface of the anisotropic scattering plate 6 . According to this structure, by going along the Y-axis direction on the surface of the +Z side of the anisotropic scattering plate 6 , the plurality of anisotropic scattering structures 61 are traversed. Specifically, the surface has a plurality of concavo-convex structures in the Y-axis direction. In contrast, by traveling along the X-axis direction of the surface, little or no anisotropic scattering structures 61 are traversed. Therefore, the surface has a small amount of unevenness in the X-axis direction.

More generally, the surface of the anisotropic scattering plate 6 has a plurality of uneven structures in a specific direction, and a small amount of uneven structures in a direction perpendicular to the specific direction. In this embodiment, a specific direction in which a plurality of concavo-convex structures exist is set as the Y-axis direction. According to this structure, the anisotropic scattering plate 6 produces maximum scattering in the Y-axis direction and minimum scattering in the X-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the scattering performance of the angle between the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction in the XY plane is determined by the shape of the anisotropic scattering structure 61, but in this embodiment, the scattering performance follows the Y-axis direction. Rotate to the X-axis direction and deteriorate rapidly.

In general, the image distribution effect of the lenticular lens 3 or other image distribution part (ie image distribution device or image separation device) tends to be reduced when a diffusing device is installed. In this embodiment, the reason is that, for example, when the light reflected by the reflective panel 4 of the left-eye pixel 4L is significantly scattered by the scattering means, the light also enters the user's body in the same way as the light reflected in the right-eye pixel 4R. right eye. As described above, in the present embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical lenses 3 a constituting the lenticular lens 3 is set as the Y axis, and the arrangement direction of the cylindrical lenses 3 a is set as the X axis direction. Therefore, the lenticular lens 3 has an image distribution effect in the X-axis direction. Instead, the anisotropic scattering plate is arranged so that its scattering is maximized in the Y-axis direction and minimized in the X-axis direction. Specifically, in the reflective liquid crystal display device 1 of the present embodiment, the anisotropic scattering plate 6 is placed so as to minimize the influence of the scattering performance on the image distribution effect of the lenticular lens 3 . In the present invention, a lenticular lens is described as an image distribution device. Strictly speaking, the cylindrical lens constituting the lenticular lens acts as a means for separating the left-eye pixel light and the right-eye pixel light into different directions. Therefore, the lenticular lens can distribute the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye to different directions. This phenomenon is believed to be exhibited in the present invention, utilizing lenticular lenses with image distribution effects.

Furthermore, in the reflective liquid crystal display device 1 of the present embodiment, the anisotropic scattering plate 6 and the lenticular lens 3 are not sealed, and the anisotropic scattering plate 6 and the reflective liquid crystal display panel 2 are not sealed either. Specifically, an air layer is provided in the space between the anisotropic scattering plate 6 , the lenticular lens 3 and the reflective liquid crystal display panel 2 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , the terminal device according to the present embodiment is a mobile phone 9 . The reflective liquid crystal display device 1 is installed in a mobile phone 9 . The X-axis direction of the reflective liquid crystal display device 1 is the lateral direction of the screen of the mobile phone 9 , and the Y-axis direction of the reflective liquid crystal display device 1 is the longitudinal direction of the screen of the mobile phone 9 .

The operation of the display device of the present invention constructed as described above is described below. 5 is a diagram showing an optical model in a cross section of the reflective liquid crystal display device generated by a line segment parallel to the X-axis direction in the reflective liquid crystal display device shown in FIG. 1 . As shown in FIG. 5, since the display device of this embodiment is reflective, external light is used for display. First, the following description of operations will focus on the parallel light component light 89 of external light incident on the reflective liquid crystal display device 1 . The light 89 incident on the lenticular lens 3 is focused by the lenticular lens 3 . As before, the focal length of the lenticular lens 3 is set so that the focal point appears on the reflective surface 4 .

With the influence of the anisotropic scattering plate 6 eliminated, the light focused by the lenticular lens has a focal point on the surface of the reflective panel. When the focal point is on the inclined surface of the concave-convex structure, the light is reflected at a certain angle through the inclined surface. Therefore, the reflected light is propagated in a direction other than the user, and the light has substantially no effect on the display. Conversely, when a focal point occurs at the flat portion of the concave-convex structure, light is reflected in the forward direction, and the reflected light advances in the user's direction, thus contributing to the display. Thus, depending on the angle of external light and the position of the user, bright and dark areas appear in the display. As a result, poor brightness in the displayed image overlay is observed, as well as a reduction in quality is observed.

However, in the present invention, the anisotropic scattering plate 6 is provided between the lenticular lens 3 and the reflective panel 4 . The anisotropic scattering plate 6 produces maximum scattering in the Y-axis direction, and minimum scattering in the X-axis direction, as previously described. Therefore, on the surface of the reflective panel 4 , the light focused by the lenticular lens 3 is focused together with slight scattering in the X-axis direction. The surface area of the reflective panel to be irradiated thereby becomes larger than the case where the anisotropic scattering plate 6 is not provided. Scattering is larger in the Y-axis direction than in the X-axis direction, so that the surface area of the reflective panel to be illuminated can be increased. Therefore, the light focused by the lenticular lens 3 is irradiated to various positions including the slope and the surface of the concave-convex structure 41 on the reflective panel 4 . Specifically, parallel light entering the display device is focused in the X-axis direction by the lenticular lens 3 , but the anisotropic scattering plate 6 scatters some light in the X-axis direction and more in the Y-axis direction. In other words, even when parallel light enters, the amount may be the same as when anisotropically scattered light having a larger scattering characteristic enters in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, deterioration of a displayed image caused by the uneven structure can be reduced. Next, the reflected light is propagated at different angles. Part of this light passes through the lenticular lens 3 again, and in the direction of the user, the left and right images are separated and propagated to produce a three-dimensional display. The light passes again through the anisotropic scattering plate 6 before passing through the lenticular lens 3, but any deterioration in image quality due to the concave-convex structure can be reduced depending on the effect of anisotropic scattering occurring.

Next, effects of the present embodiment will be described. As described above, in the present embodiment, an anisotropic scattering plate is provided between the lenticular lens and the reflective panel, and the direction of minimum scattering by the anisotropic scattering plate is in a direction to demonstrate the image distribution effect of the lenticular lens. The direction of maximum scattering is aligned perpendicular to the direction demonstrating the image distribution effect of the lenticular lens. According to this structure, it is possible to prevent a decrease in image quality due to the concave-convex structure of the lenticular lens and the reflective panel without significantly reducing the image distribution effect of the lenticular lens. If isotropic scattering (scatterer) is used, difficulties arise regarding realizing the image distribution effect of the lenticular lens but also the effect of minimizing deterioration of image quality caused by the concave-convex structure. Using anisotropic scattering enables both of these. Even when parallel light enters, anisotropic scattering plates and other anisotropic scattering devices allow the same amount as when anisotropically scattered light enters. In other words, the anisotropic scattering device converts the parallel light component of the incident light into anisotropically scattered light. Sets the anisotropic scattered light so that the image distribution effect of the lenticular lens is not compromised. Therefore, it is possible to improve image quality not only when parallel light is incident but also when a spotlight or other light having relatively high directivity enters. In particular, good display quality can be achieved regardless of lighting conditions. When the concavo-convex structure of the reflective panel is large, image quality is degraded not only by the dark line pattern but also by graininess caused by the pitch of the concavo-convex structure. However, since the present embodiment is designed to scatter considerably in a direction in which the image distribution effect of the lenticular lens is not demonstrated, image quality degradation due to graininess can be prevented and display quality can be improved. In addition, the anisotropic scattering plate in this embodiment also has scattering properties in a direction slightly inclined from the Y-axis direction in the XY plane, and therefore, scattering in this inclined direction can be used to reduce dark line patterns, and to improve Display quality. In addition, there is no need to modify the lenticular lens or the concave-convex structure of the reflective panel, and the same lenticular lens can be used in both a transmissive display device and a reflective display device, for example. Therefore, the number of types of components required for manufacture can be reduced, and costs can be reduced. In this embodiment, since the anisotropic scattering plate is used, the scattering performance in the X-axis direction and the Y direction can be easily adjusted only by changing the angle of the plate in the XY plane. When the scattering performance is insufficient in, for example, the X-axis direction, it is possible to position only the anisotropic scattering plate so as to increase the scattering performance in the X-axis direction, and considerable improvement of members and the like can be prevented. Therefore, the cost can be reduced.

The anisotropic scattering plate in this embodiment is described as being arranged so that the direction minimizing scattering is the direction demonstrating the image distribution effect of the lenticular lens, but the present invention is not limited by this structure, and as long as the distribution effect can be exhibited, it can be Place anisotropic scattering plates at any angle. According to this structure, only by adjusting the angle of the plate in the XY plane, the scattering performance in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction can be easily adjusted, and the scattering performance can be adjusted without modifying the members on a large scale. Therefore, the cost can be reduced.

An example is also described in this embodiment in which the anisotropic scattering structure 61 is a convex portion formed on the surface of the +Z side of the anisotropic scattering plate 6, but the anisotropic scattering structure 61 may be formed on each on the surface of the -Z side of the anisotropic scattering plate 6. However, when the anisotropic scattering structure 61 is located near the focal point of the lenticular lens 3, there is a considerable risk that the structure itself will degrade the image quality. Therefore, it is preferable that the anisotropic scattering structure 61 is formed on the +Z-side surface of the anisotropic scattering plate 6 away from the focal point. In other words, by making the surface on which the anisotropic scattering structure is formed face the lenticular lens, deterioration of image quality can be minimized. Instead of a convex surface, the anisotropic scattering structure can also be a concave surface. Any anisotropic scattering plate can be used as long as the scattering produced by the plate is anisotropic. For example, it is possible to use a master mold with anisotropic scattering pattern by custom machining, and transfer the film obtained by the mold pattern, a holographic diffuser forming a one-dimensional holographic pattern, or by extending a general anisotropic An isotropic scattering plate (film) is used to make the plate anisotropically obtained. When using a plate obtained by extending an ordinary isotropic scattering plate so that the plate has anisotropy, the isotropic scattering plate used as the starting plate may have scattering due to the surface uneven structure, and cause The anisotropic anisotropic scattering plate in the surface relief structure. An isotropic scattering plate as a starting plate may also be an anisotropic scattering plate in which materials with different refractive indices are included in the plate, and the extension produces anisotropy in the distribution of materials with different refractive indices, by This produces anisotropic scattering.

In addition, the anisotropic scattering pattern may be a one-dimensional prism array in which a plurality of one-dimensional prisms are arranged, or a one-dimensional lens array in which a plurality of cylindrical lenses are arranged as one-dimensional lenses. A lenticular lens serving as an image distribution section is arranged to separate images displayed by left-eye pixels and right-eye pixels at a predetermined angle, but a one-dimensional lens array as an anisotropic scattering section is placed without such image separation effect. For example, lenses are arranged at an extremely small pitch compared to pixels. The focal length is set to a multiple of the distance between the lens and the pixel, or a fraction of that distance, so that the lens focus is not on the pixel. When such a one-dimensional optical element is used, rotational arrangement in the XY plane which is a display plane is effective. Specifically, the direction of maximum scattering by the anisotropic scattering part (scatterer) is preferably a direction rotated from the second direction to the first direction.

The anisotropic scattering plate 6 in this embodiment is described as being present in the gap between the anisotropic scattering plate 6 and the lenticular lens 3, and in the gap between the anisotropic scattering plate 6 and the reflective liquid crystal display panel 2. The structure of the air layer. However, the present invention is not limited by this structure, and the gap may be filled by a bonding member, an adhesive, or the like having a predetermined refractive index. Therefore, fluctuations in the positioning of the lenticular lens and the reflective liquid crystal display panel can be prevented, and reflection at the interface can be reduced. Therefore, display quality can be further increased. As described in this embodiment, when the anisotropic scattering plate on which the concave-convex structure is formed on the surface is used as the anisotropic scattering part, since the scattering effect is lost when the plate is fixed by a material having the same refractive index as the concave-convex structure , therefore, materials with different refractive indices can be appropriately used. In the manner of this embodiment, the advantage of using a separate anisotropic scattering plate as the anisotropic scattering part is that an ordinary anisotropic scattering plate can be used, and even when it is necessary to modify the anisotropic scattering effect, it can be minimized. effects on other components.

Also, in the description of this embodiment, a reflective liquid crystal display panel is used as the display panel, but the present invention is not limited by this structure, and the present invention can be effectively applied to a display panel using a reflective panel having a concavo-convex structure. For example, the present invention can be applied in the case of a transflective liquid crystal display panel capable of reflective display and transmissive display, and in the case of a reflective display panel other than a liquid crystal display panel. In a semi-transmissive liquid crystal display panel, in a slightly reflective liquid crystal display panel having a large-ratio transmissive area, and in a micro-transmissive liquid crystal display panel having a large-ratio reflective area, the present invention can be applied in the same manner as the present embodiment . The driving method of the liquid crystal display panel may be a TFT (thin film transistor) scheme, a TFD (thin film diode) scheme or other active matrix schemes, or an STN (super twisted nematic liquid crystal) scheme or other passive matrix schemes.

In this embodiment, the case of a binocular 3D display device providing only left-eye pixels and right-eye pixels is described, but the present invention can also be applied in the case of an N-eye device (where N is an integer greater than 2).

Furthermore, in this embodiment, in addition to the color display using color filters, a color image can also be displayed in combination with a system of lighting a plurality of color light sources according to time division.

Meanwhile, the display units may be formed in a square whose pitch in the X direction is the same as that in the Y direction. In other words, all pitches of the display cells are the same.

The lenticular lens in this embodiment is described as having a structure in which the lens surface is in the +Z direction toward the user, but the present invention is not limited by this structure, and the transmissive surface is in the -Z direction toward the display panel. In this case, since the distance between the lens and the pixels can be reduced, an advantage of increased applicability to resolution is obtained. In addition, the position of the surface on which the anisotropic scattering structure is formed can be moved away from the focal point of the lenticular lens. Therefore, image quality can be improved.

The description of the present embodiment has been provided in which cylindrical lenses constituting lenticular lenses are arranged in the X-axis direction, and the anisotropic characteristic of the anisotropic scattering device is larger in the Y-axis direction than in the X-axis direction. In FIG. 4 , the display surface of the display device is described as being composed from an edge parallel to the X-axis direction to an edge parallel to the Y-axis direction. However, in the present invention, this structure is not provided by way of limitation; cylindrical lenses may be arranged in the display screen relative to the rotational arrangement. In this case, the device in Figure 4 can be viewed as rotating in the XY plane. In other words, it is important that the direction in which the cylindrical convex surfaces are aligned and the scattering characteristics of the anisotropic scattering device satisfy the constitution of this embodiment.

The image distribution section in this embodiment is described as a lenticular lens, but the present invention is not limited to this structure, and the present invention can also be applied to a parallax barrier system using a slit array as the image distribution section. Lenticular lenses are three-dimensional shapes with vertical structures, while parallax barriers have planar two-dimensional shapes and can be easily fabricated using photolithographic techniques. Costs can thereby be reduced. However, as described above, when a lenticular lens is used, there is no loss of light caused by the image separation means. Therefore, lenticular lens systems are advantageous in terms of obtaining bright reflective displays.

Now, a detailed description will be given regarding the conditions for activating the lenticular lens as an image distribution device. In this embodiment, the image distribution means must distribute the light emitted from the left-eye and right-eye pixels in directions different from each other along the first direction in which the pixels are arranged, ie, along the X-axis. Therefore, the following description will be made with reference to FIG. 6 for the case where the image distribution effect is demonstrated at the maximum.

H refers to the distance between the principal point (ie, apex) of the lenticular lens 3 and the pixel, n refers to the refractive index of the lenticular lens 3 , and L refers to the lens pitch. P refers to the pitch of each left-eye pixel 4L or right-eye pixel 4R. Therefore, 2P refers to the display pixel arrangement pitch, which consists of one left-eye pixel 4L and one right-eye pixel 4R.

The optimal viewing distance OD refers to the distance between the lenticular lens 3 and the observer. e refers to the period of the enlarged projected image of the pixel at this distance, that is, the period of the width of the projected image of the left-eye pixel 4L and right-eye pixel 4R in a theoretical plane parallel to the lens and away from this distance OD. WL refers to the distance from the center of the cylindrical lens 3 a located at the center of the lenticular lens 3 to the center of the cylindrical lens 3 a located at the end of the lenticular lens 3 in the X-axis direction. WP means between the center of the display pixel composed of the left-eye pixel 4L and the right-eye pixel 4R as located in the center of the reflective liquid crystal display 2 and the center of the display pixel located on the end of the reflective liquid crystal display 2 in the X-axis direction distance. α and β refer to incident and outgoing angles, respectively, with respect to light in the lenticular lens 3 a located in the center of the lenticular lens 3 . γ and δ refer to incident and outgoing angles, respectively, with respect to the light of the cylindrical lens 3 a located on the edge of the lenticular lens 3 in the X-axis direction. C refers to the difference between the distance WL and the distance WP. 2m refers to the number of pixels in the area from WP.

The pitch L at which the cylindrical lenses 3 a are arranged and the pitch P at which the pixels are arranged are associated with each other, and therefore, each of the pitch values is determined in association with each other. However, lenticular lenses are generally designed in association with a display panel, and for this reason, the pixel arrangement pitch P is considered constant. The choice of material for the lenticular lens 3 will determine the refractive index n. Instead, using the desired values, set the observation distance OD between the lens and the observer and the period e at which the pixels at this observation distance OD enlarge the projected image. These values are used to determine the distance H between the lens and the pixel and the lens pitch L. Equations 1 to 6 below are derived from Snell's law and geometric relationships. Equations 7 to 9 below are also derived.

[Formula 1]

n×sinα=sinβ

[Formula 2]

OD×tanβ=e

[Formula 3]

H×tanα=P

[Formula 4]

n×sinγ=sinδ

[Formula 5]

H×tanγ=C

[Formula 6]

OD×tanδ=WL

[Formula 7]

WP-WL=C

[Formula 8]

WP=2×m×p

[Formula 9]

WL=m×L

As described above, the case when the image distribution effect is maximally demonstrated, and this is related to the distance H between the pixel to be set equal to the focal length f of the lenticular lens and the apex of the lenticular lens. So Equation 10 holds. If r is used as the radius of curvature of the lens, r is determined using Equation 11 below.

[Formula 10]

f=H

[Formula 11]

r=H×(n-1)/n

If all calculations are performed using the above parameters, the pixel arrangement pitch P is a value determined according to the display panel, and the period e of the enlarged image projected by the pixels and the viewing distance OD are values determined according to the structure of the display device. The distance H between the lens and the pixel and the lens arrangement pitch L derived from these values are parameters used to determine the position where the light from the pixel is projected onto the viewing surface. The parameter used to change the image distribution effect is the transmission curvature radius r. Specifically, in the case of fixing the distance H between the lens and the pixel, then when the radius of curvature of the lens is changed from the ideal state, the left and right pixel images will become blurred, preventing clear separation. In other words, it is desirable to determine the range of curvature radius that can effectively separate images.

First, the minimum value for the radius of curvature range in which the lens separation action is effective is calculated. In order for the lens separation to be effective, a similarity relationship is established between the triangle whose base is the lens pitch L and the height of the focal length f and the triangle whose base is the pixel pitch P and whose height is H-f, as shown in FIG. 7 . Equation 12 is derived from this and the minimum focus value fmin can be determined.

[Formula 12]

fmin=H×L/(L+P)

The radius of curvature is then calculated from the focal length. Using Equation 11, the minimum radius of curvature rmin can be determined as shown in the equation.

[Formula 13]

rmin=H×L×(n-1)/(L+P)/n

Then calculate the maximum value. In order for the lens separation effect to be effective, a similarity relationship is established between the triangle whose base is the lens pitch L and the height of which is the focal length f and the triangle whose base is the pixel pitch P and whose height is f-H, as shown in FIG. 8 . Equation 14 is derived from this, and its maximum focal length value can be determined.

[Formula 14]

fmax＝H × L/(L-P)

The radius of curvature is then calculated from the focal length. Using Equation 11, the maximum radius of curvature rmax can be determined as shown in FIG. 15 .

[Formula 15]

rmax＝H×L×(n-1)/(L-P)/n

When the entire calculation is performed as described above, then for the lens to demonstrate image distribution effects, the radius of curvature of the lens must fall within the range of Equation 16 below, which is expressed using Equations 13 and 15.

[Formula 16]

H×L×(n-1)/(L+P)/n ≤r≤H×L×(n-1)/(L-P)/n

The two-viewpoint three-dimensional image display device having left-eye pixels and right-eye pixels has been described above, however, in the present invention, the arrangement is not provided by way of limitation. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to a display device whose format contains N viewpoints. In these cases, in the definition of the distance WP shown above, the number of pixels contained in the area related to the distance WP can be changed from 2m to N×m.

The desired position of the anisotropic scattering structure along the Z-axis direction will now be described. In the case where the anisotropic scattering structures have no scattering component in the X-axis direction, no major problem will arise if they are located at predetermined positions along the Z-axis direction. Typically, however, some scatter component will also occur along the x-axis direction. As long as the structure generating the scattering in the X-axis direction appears uniformly, no major problem will arise. However, in the case where scattering structures in the X-axis direction appear in some areas along the X-axis direction, but not in other areas, their positions in the Z-axis direction become extremely important parameters affecting image quality .

Referring to Figs. 9 to 11, this phenomenon will be described. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a case where an anisotropic scattering structure exists near the focal point of a cylindrical lens and has a particularly significant influence. FIG. 10 shows a case where the influence of the anisotropic scattering structure is relatively small, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a case where the anisotropic scattering structure exists at a position sufficiently far from the focal point of the cylindrical lens. The direction in which the scattering performance of the anisotropic scattering structure is greatest is the Y-axis direction, however, some scattering also occurs in the X-axis direction. Only some of the anisotropic scattering regions also cause scattering in the X-axis direction. Since special attention is paid to scattering in the X-axis direction, in Figures 9 to 11. Only those portions having scattering regions in the X-axis direction are drawn as anisotropic scattering structures 61 .

As shown in FIG. 9, in the case where an anisotropic scattering structure 61 scattered in the X-axis direction exists in the vicinity of the focal point of the cylindrical lens 3a, most of the light emitted from the cylindrical lens 3a will be affected by the anisotropic scattering structure. 61 impact. However, as shown in FIG. 10, in the case where the angle of light emitted from the cylindrical lens 3a is slightly changed, that is, the observation performed by the observer is performed from a slightly oblique direction, the anisotropic scattering structure 61 The effect will decrease. Thereby, the effect of the anisotropic scattering structure is increased or decreased depending on the angle at which the viewer looks at the display device. In the case where the anisotropic scattering structure has a major influence, the scattering in the X-axis direction is significant, and when this influence is small, the scattering is also minimal. Therefore, the observer will perceive a decrease in image quality.

In contrast, when the anisotropic scattering structure 61 exists in a position sufficiently far from the focal point of the cylindrical lens 3a, as shown in FIG. The user will not perceive a decrease in image quality. Thus, it is preferred that the anisotropic scattering structure is located away from the focal point of the lens.

Next, description will be given as to how far the anisotropic scattering structure should be away from the focal point. As described above, the anisotropic scattering structures that scatter in the X-axis direction are preferably uniformly located in the X-axis direction, and in this case, no significant problem will arise. In particular, it is preferable to arrange the anisotropic scattering structures densely because if they are sparsely arranged, the problem will be amplified. For example, in the case where the interval between the anisotropic scattering structures in the X-axis direction is greater than the lens arrangement pitch L, the anisotropic scattering structures will exist on some cylindrical lenses but not on other cylindrical lenses. In these cases, the observer will perceive reduced image quality; therefore, in the case where there are a plurality of anisotropic scattering structures scattered in the X-axis direction, it is preferable to make the interval therebetween equal to or smaller than the lens arrangement pitch L. Therefore, it should be considered that the distance between the anisotropic scattering structures is L, and a single anisotropic scattering structure corresponds to a single cylindrical lens. In addition, when the anisotropic scattering structure has a large width in the X-axis direction, it will be easier to achieve uniformity, and it is preferable to do so. For this reason, as a boundary condition, the case where the X-axis direction width is zero will also be considered. In addition, when the lens focal length is short, it is less easy to make the anisotropic scattering structure away from the lens focal point; therefore, consideration should be given to the minimum focal length conditions expressed by Equations 12 and 13.

As a prerequisite, the case where the anisotropic scattering structure functions not only in the main lobe, but also in the main side lobes should also be considered. As has been described above, in this embodiment, the display units composed of left and right pixels are placed in one-to-one correspondence with the lenses. In general, "main lobe" refers to the light emitted from a given display unit and passed through the corresponding lens. "Primary side lobe" refers to light emanating from a given pair of pixels and passing through a lens corresponding to another pair of pixels adjacently positioned relative to the emitting pair of pixels. The main lobe exists in the front direction of the display device, and the main side lobe exists in the direction inclined with respect to the lens arrangement direction.

As shown in Figure 12, in the case where the anisotropic scattering structure exists in the vicinity of the optical axis of the lens, then when the distance from the focal point of the lens is certain, anisotropy can be activated in the main side lobe and the main lobe Scattering structure. Using H1 as the distance from the principal point, ie, the vertex of the lens, to the anisotropic scattering structure, then the distance from the anisotropic scattering structure to the pixel plane is H-H1. Therefore, if considering the situation that the light emitted from the adjacent pixel pair passes through the anisotropic scattering structure 61 and enters the end of the cylindrical lens 3a, it will be L/2 (half of the lens arrangement pitch) at its base and its height A similar relationship is generated between the triangle H1 and its base at a distance of 1.5N×P (corresponding to 1.5N pixels (relative to left and right pixels, N=2)), and the triangle whose height is H−H1. Equation 17 can also be generated.

[Formula 17]

L/2:H1=1.5N×P:H-H1

If Equation 17 is rearranged with respect to H1, then Equation 18 is obtained.

[Formula 18]

H1＝L×H/(L+3N×P)

The value calculated by Equation 18 is a boundary condition; therefore, as shown by Equation 19, there will be no problem in the range smaller than this value. The lower limit of H1 is zero, and this situation is related to when an anisotropic scattering structure is formed on the lens surface.

[Formula 19]

H1≤L×H/(L+3N×P)

As a premise, it is assumed that an anisotropic scattering structure exists on the optical axis of the lens, however, as described above, extensions to the main lobe and adjacent main side lobes are considered. Therefore, this condition will be appropriate even when there are structures in positions other than along the optical axis.

Even without arranging the anisotropic scattering structures with scattering properties along the X-axis in a sufficiently closely packed manner, once all the above calculations are performed, the distance between the apex of the provided lens and the anisotropic scattering structures will be equal to or less than The arrangement of LxH/(L+3NxP) allows the use of the invention and improves the image quality.

Now, conditions that allow the parallax barrier to demonstrate image distribution actions in an efficient manner when the parallax barrier is used as the image distribution device will be described. First, the parallax barrier system will be described with reference to FIG. 13 .

The parallax barrier 7 is a light blocking plate on which a plurality of small, vertical stripe-like openings, ie, slits 7a, are formed. In other words, the parallax barrier is an optical member on which slits extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (allocation direction) are formed, the slits being formed in a plurality along the first direction. The light emitted from the left-eye pixel 4L to the parallax barrier 7 passes through the slit 7a, and then, forms a light beam that travels to the area EL. Similarly, the light emitted from the right-eye pixel 4R to the parallax barrier 7 passes through the slit 7a, and then, forms a light beam that travels to the region ER. Observers can perceive a three-dimensional image as long as their left eye 552 is located in the area EL and their right eye 551 is located in the area ER.

Next, a detailed description will be given of the sizes of components in a three-dimensional image display device in which a parallax barrier having a slit-like opening is positioned on the front surface of a display panel. As shown in FIG. 13 , L refers to the pitch of the slits 7 a in which the parallax barrier 7 is arranged, and H refers to the distance between the pixel and the parallax barrier 7 . The optical viewing distance OD refers to the distance between the observer and the parallax barrier 7 . WL refers to the distance from the center of the slit 7 a located in the center of the parallax barrier 7 to the center of the slit 7 a located at the end of the parallax barrier 7 in the X-axis direction. The parallax barrier 7 is a light blocking plate, and thus prevents the passage of light entering other than through the slit 7a. However, the parallax barrier 7 has a substrate for supporting the barrier layer, and the refractive index of the substrate is defined as n. Assuming no support substrate is present, the refractive index n can be set to 1, which is the refractive index of the surrounding air. To provide clarity in this case, when light emitted through the slit 7a is emitted from the substrate supporting the barrier layer, refraction occurs according to Snell's law. Therefore, α and β refer to the angles of incidence and emission, respectively, with respect to the light in the slit 7 a located in the center of the parallax barrier 7 . γ and δ refer to the angles of incidence and emission, respectively, with respect to the light in the slit 7 a located on the edge of the parallax barrier 7 in the X-axis direction. S1 refers to the width of the opening of the slit 7a. The pitch L at which the slits 7a are arranged and the pitch P at which the pixels are arranged are related to each other so that each pitch value can be determined in association with the other. However, generally, a parallax barrier is designed in combination with a display panel, and for this purpose, the pixel arrangement pitch P is regarded as a constant. The refractive index n is determined by the choice of material for the substrate supporting the barrier layer. Conversely, set the observation distance OD between the parallax barrier and the observer and the period e of the pixels of the observation distance OD to enlarge the projected image with desired values. These values are used to determine the distance H between the fence and the pixel and the pixel pitch L. From Snell's law and geometric relationships, Equations 20 to 25 below are derived. Equations 26 to 28 below are also derived.

[Formula 20]

n×sinα=sinβ

[Formula 21]

OD×tanβ=e

[Formula 22]

H×tanα=P

[Formula 23]

n×sinγ=sinδ

[Formula 24]

H×tanγ=C

[Formula 25]

OD×tanδ=WL

[Formula 26]

WP-WL=C

[Formula 27]

WP=2×m×p

[Formula 28]

WL=m×L

The two-viewpoint three-dimensional image display device having left-eye pixels and right-eye pixels has been described above, however, in the present invention, this arrangement is not provided by way of limitation. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to a display device whose format contains N viewpoints. In these cases, in the definition of the distance WP shown above, the number of pixels contained in the area related to the distance WP can be changed from 2m to N×m.

If all calculations are performed using the above parameters, the pixel arrangement pitch P is a value determined according to the display panel, and the period e of the enlarged image projected from the pixels and the viewing distance OD are values determined according to the structure of the display device. The refractive index n is determined depending on the material used for the supporting substrate and the like. The slit arrangement pitch L and the distance H between the parallax barrier and the pixel derived from these values are parameters used to determine the position where light from the pixel is projected on the viewing plane. A parameter for changing the image distribution effect is the slit opening width S1. Specifically, in the case of a fixed barrier and the distance H between pixels, then a smaller slit opening width will result in a clearer separation of the left and right pixel images. The principle is the same as that used for pinhole cameras. When the opening width S1 is larger, the left and right pixel images will become blurred, preventing clear separation.

The range of widths of the parallax barrier slits that create the separation can be calculated more intuitively than when using a lens system. As shown in FIG. 14, when the light emitted from the boundary between the left-eye pixel 4L and the right-eye pixel R passes through the slit 7a, the width of the light is reduced to a width S1 which is the slit opening width. The light travels over a distance OD before reaching the viewing face, but the width at the viewing face must be equal to or less than e in order for the separation to occur. In the event of light exceeding this width, the left/right pixel projection period will be exceeded and, therefore, no separation will occur. The width S1 of the slit opening is half the pitch L of the slit. Specifically, the width range of the separated parallax barrier slits that will be generated is equal to or less than half the slit pitch.

Next, the preferred position of the anisotropic scattering structure in the Z-axis direction will be described using a parallax barrier system. As shown in Figure 15, the lens system is considered similar to the parallax barrier system. Therefore, using the lens arrangement pitch L as the width S1 of the opening of the slit 7a, and using S1 in the above-mentioned Formula 19 allows to obtain the following Formula 29.

[Formula 29]

H≤S1×H/(S1+3N×P)

Even if the anisotropic scattering structure having scattering properties along the X-axis direction is not placed in a sufficiently close arrangement, when the above calculation has been performed, the distance between the parallax barrier and the anisotropic scattering structure will be equal to or less than S1× The arrangement of H/(S1+3NxP) allows the use of the invention and improves the image quality.

In addition, a mobile phone is described as an example of a terminal device in this embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this structure, and can be applied to PDAs, personal TVs, game devices, digital cameras, digital video cameras, notebook personal computers and various Other types of mobile terminal equipment. The present invention is applicable not only to mobile terminal devices but also to teller machines, vending machines, monitors, television receivers, and various other types of stationary terminal devices. Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a terminal device according to the present embodiment. In Embodiment 1 of the present invention, an anisotropic scattering plate as an anisotropic scattering portion is placed between a reflective liquid crystal display panel and a lenticular lens as an image distribution portion. Embodiment 2 is different from Embodiment 1 in that an anisotropic scattering structure is provided on the surface opposite to the surface forming the lens surface of the lenticular lens as the image distribution portion, and that the anisotropic scattering structure is integrally formed with the lenticular lens .

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, in the reflective liquid crystal display device 11 of the present embodiment, a lenticular lens 31 as an image distribution part is provided to the +Z side as the outermost side of the reflective liquid crystal display device 11, and on the side facing A plurality of cylindrical lenses 31a are formed on the +Z surface of the lenticular lens 31 of the user. The anisotropic scattering structure 62 as an anisotropic scattering portion is formed on the -Z side of the lenticular lens 31 , which is the surface facing the reflective liquid crystal display panel 2 . For example, using a thermal molding method, when forming the lens surface of the lenticular lens 31, by placing a mold for the anisotropic scattering structure on the back surface of the lenticular lens 31 and pressing, each lens surface can be formed simultaneously with the formation of the lens surface. Anisotropic scattering structure 62 . Techniques other than this approach preferably include the use of anisotropic blasters, such as diagonal blasters, to apply a pattern extending in one direction, and rubbing techniques, whereby rubbing is performed in a single direction. The lenticular lens 31 and the reflective liquid crystal display panel 2 are fixed together by the adhesive material 51 , and a material having a different refractive index from the lenticular lens 31 is used as the adhesive material 51 . Aspects of this embodiment other than the above are the same as in Embodiment 1.

In this embodiment, in the same manner as in Embodiment 1, use of the anisotropic scattering portion makes it possible to prevent deterioration of display quality due to the concave-convex structure of the lenticular lens and the reflective panel without significantly compromising the performance of the lenticular lens. Image distribution effect. Compared with the above-mentioned first embodiment, since the anisotropic scattering part is formed integrally with the lenticular lens, components for supporting the anisotropic scattering structure of the anisotropic scattering part are not required, and thus the outline of the device can be reduced. Since the anisotropic scattering portion and the image distribution portion can be integrally formed instead of being separately formed and combined, the number of components can be reduced, and the number of assembly steps can be reduced. Therefore, cost can be reduced. Inhomogeneities can be reduced since fluctuations in the relative positioning of the anisotropic scattering part and the image distribution part during assembly can also be eliminated. In this embodiment, it is necessary to customize a specific lenticular lens in which the anisotropic scattering part and the image distribution part are integrally formed without changing the pitch or curvature of the lenses, and a conventional mold can be used. Therefore, cost can be reduced. In addition, the surface forming the anisotropic scattering structure can be kept away from the focal point of the lenticular lens, and good image quality can be obtained. Except for the above, the effect of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1.

Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the display device according to the present embodiment. In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, on the surface opposite to the surface forming the lens surface of the lenticular lens as the image distribution portion, an anisotropic scattering structure as an anisotropic scattering portion is formed. Embodiment 3 is different from Embodiment 2 in that anisotropic scattering glue 63 having anisotropic scattering performance is used to bond the reflective liquid crystal display panel and the lenticular lens as the image distribution part to each other.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, in the reflective liquid crystal display device 12 of this embodiment, the anisotropic scattering glue 63 is applied to the surface opposite to the surface of the cylindrical lens 3a forming the lenticular lens 3, and the The anisotropic scattering glue 63 is used to bond the lenticular lens 3 and the reflective liquid crystal display panel 2 together. The anisotropic scattering glue 63 is glue that orients and disperses materials processed into fibers or rods, and each material has a different refractive index. Aspects of this embodiment are the same as Embodiment 2 except for the above.

In this embodiment, in the same manner as in Embodiment 2, use of the anisotropic scattering portion makes it possible to prevent deterioration of display quality due to the concave-convex structure of the lenticular lens and the reflective panel without significantly compromising the performance of the lenticular lens. Image distribution effect. Compared with Embodiment 2, since there is no need for a mold for molding the anisotropic scattering structure, or a process for delivering the anisotropic scattering structure, cost can be reduced. Furthermore, the fibrous or rod-like materials present in anisotropic scattering gels have an extremely fine structure, resulting in very uniform scattering in the plane. Therefore, image quality can be significantly improved. The aspects of this embodiment other than the above are the same as in Embodiment 2.

Next, Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the display device according to the present embodiment. In Embodiment 3, anisotropic scattering glue 63 having anisotropic scattering performance is used to bond the reflective liquid crystal display panel and the lenticular lens as the image distribution part to each other. Embodiment 4 is different from Embodiment 3 in that within the lenticular lens itself as the image distribution portion, an anisotropic scattering structure is formed.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18 , in the reflective liquid crystal display device 13 of this embodiment, the base material of the lenticular lens 32 has anisotropic scattering, and thus the lenticular lens 32 itself has anisotropic scattering performance. Appropriate methods that can be used to fabricate base materials with anisotropic scattering properties include methods for orienting and dispersing fibrous or rod-like materials with different refractive indices when fabricating base materials, methods for extending base materials with isotropic scattering materials to produce scattering anisotropy and other methods. The lens shape can be transferred to the base material with anisotropic scattering properties produced according to the above-described method in order to produce the lenticular lens 32 with anisotropic scattering using, for example, a hot embossing method. The lenticular lens 32 is fixed to the reflective liquid crystal display panel 2 by an adhesive material 52 . Aspects of this embodiment are the same as Embodiment 3 except for the above.

In this embodiment, in the same manner as in Embodiment 3, use of the anisotropic scattering portion makes it possible to prevent degradation of display quality due to the concave-convex structure of the lenticular lens and the reflective panel without significantly compromising the performance of the lenticular lens. Image distribution effect. Compared with Example 2, there is no need to use an adhesive material whose refractive index is different from that of the lenticular lens. Furthermore, compared to Example 3, there is no need to use anisotropic scattering glue. In particular, in addition to the properties of Examples 2 and 3, an even further cost reduction can be achieved due to the ability to select from a significantly wider range of adhesive materials and glues that can be used compared to Examples 2 and 3. In addition, the surface forming the anisotropic scattering structure can be kept away from the focal point of the lenticular lens, and good image quality can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the lenticular lens as the image distribution part is described as having an anisotropic scattering structure inside, but the present invention is not limited by this structure, and another constituent member may have anisotropic scattering inside performance. For example, plastic substrates can be used in display panels, and plastic substrates can have anisotropic scattering properties. Polarization plates or phase difference plates used in liquid crystal display panels may also have anisotropic scattering. In addition, the adhesive layer for fixing the optical film provided to the display panel to the substrate of the display panel may be an anisotropic scattering adhesive layer. Except for the above, the effect of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 3.

Next, Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described. 19 is a sectional view showing a display device according to the present embodiment; FIG. 20 is a top view showing a light guide panel and LEDs shown in FIG. 19; and FIG. 21 is a top view showing a light guide panel and LEDs shown in FIG. Sectional view.

As shown in FIG. 19, in the transmissive liquid crystal display device 14 of the present embodiment, the lenticular lens 3, the transmissive liquid crystal display panel 21, the anisotropic scattering plate 64, and the backlight unit 8 are sequentially provided from the direction of the user. In the transmissive liquid crystal display panel 21 , in the same manner as the reflective liquid crystal display panel 2 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, display pixels of the display panel are composed of left-eye pixels 41L and right-eye pixels 41R adjacent to each other. The display pixels are also arranged in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical lens 3a, and the lenticular lens 3 is placed such that a single cylindrical lens 3a corresponds to the arranged row of display pixels, as in Embodiment 1. Specifically, in the transmissive liquid crystal display device 14 of the present embodiment, the basic structures of the lenticular lens and the display panel as the image distribution part are the same as those of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, but the present embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in that The display panel is a transmissive display panel requiring a planar light source for backlighting. The focal length of the cylindrical lens 3a constituting the lenticular lens 3 is set to be the distance between the principal point of the cylindrical lens 3a, that is, the apex of the lens, and the left-eye pixel 4L or the right-eye pixel 4R. The backlight unit 8 is composed of LEDs 81 as light sources, and a light guide panel 82 for spreading light emitted from the light sources so as to produce a planar light source. As shown in FIG. 20, LEDs 81 are provided on the -Y side of the light guide panel 82. Light emitted from the LEDs 81 enters the light guide panel 82 from the -Y side of the light guide panel 82, and propagates through the light guide panel while undergoing total reflection.

As shown in FIG. 20 , a plurality of dots 83 (concave-convex structure) are provided to the surface on the +Z side of the light guide panel 82 . The dots 83 are formed on the light guide panel 82 by, for example, printing, and have the function of disturbing the total reflection condition of the light propagating in the light guide panel and redirecting the light to the +Z direction. As shown in FIG. 21, when the light emitted from the LED 81 on the -Y side of the light guide panel 82 enters the light guide panel, the light propagates in the light guide panel and experiences total reflection as described above, but the process Occurs when light enters the portion where dot 83 is not formed. When light propagating while undergoing total reflection enters a portion where the dot 83 exists, the total reflection condition is disturbed by the shape of the dot. Thus, the light propagating in the light guide panel is redirected to the outside of the light guide panel, and the light guide panel acts as a planar light source. Thereby, light is redirected from the point portions in the light guide panel forming the points. In other words, when a flat light source in which dots are formed is viewed with a microscope, the dot parts are brighter than other parts. This microscopic difference in luminance is not only produced by a light guide panel in which dots are formed, but is a common phenomenon for cases where total reflection conditions are disturbed by providing micro grooves or other structures to the light guide panel , and redirect light from the light guide panel. Specifically, in a light guide panel having a minute concavo-convex shape, emitted light has a microscopic in-plane distribution due to the concavo-convex structure.

The anisotropic scattering plate 64 in this embodiment has the same basic structure as that of the anisotropic scattering plate 6 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, but differs from Embodiment 1 in that the direction of maximum scattering is set as the X axis direction, and the minimum scattering direction is set to the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, an anisotropic scattering structure 641 is formed on the -Z side of the anisotropic scattering plate 64 . Aspects of this embodiment other than the above are the same as Embodiment 1.

The operation of the transmissive liquid crystal display device of this embodiment configured as described above is described below. Fig. 22 is a diagram showing an optical mode in a cross section of the transmissive liquid crystal display device generated by a line segment parallel to the X-axis direction in the transmissive liquid crystal display device shown in Fig. 19 . As shown in FIG. 22 , since the display device in this embodiment is a transmissive type, display is produced using light emitted from light guide panel 82 into display panel 21 . In the case of light passing through a point of a display pixel of the liquid crystal display panel 21 and entering a cylindrical lens corresponding to the pixel, the group of rays entering the cylindrical lens 3 a forms a triangle whose base is the lens pitch and focal length is the height. The focal length of the cylindrical lens is set as the distance between the pixel and the apex of the lens, as described above. Therefore, the light emitted from the cylindrical lens is collimated light.

In the absence of the anisotropic scattering plate 64, a group of light rays emitted from the light guide panel 82 to a certain point of the above-mentioned display pixel forms a triangle. As previously described, the light emitted from the light guide panel 82 is mainly emitted from the point 83 . Therefore, when the point is not included in the base of the triangle formed by the group of light rays emitted from the light guide panel to the above-mentioned certain point of the display pixel, there is no light passing through the certain point of the display pixel. When dots are included, there is light passing through a certain point of a display pixel. The point on the display pixel changes according to the angle at which the user views the display panel, and in conjunction with this viewing angle, the position of the base of the triangle formed by the set of rays directed at that point also changes. Therefore, when there is no anisotropic scattering plate, light and dark areas appear in the display according to the position of the user. Therefore, in a displayed image, overlapping luminance is poor, and degradation in image quality is observed.

However, due to the presence of the anisotropic scattering plate 64 in the present embodiment, the above-described group of light rays aimed at a certain point of a display pixel is emitted from a wider range than in the case where the anisotropic scattering plate 64 is not present. This structure can reduce the probability that a portion where the dot 83 is not formed will correspond to a certain point of the display pixel. In particular, it is possible to prevent image quality degradation due to the lenticular lens, the backlight unit, and other structural elements of the planar light source as the image distribution unit.

Next, effects of the present embodiment will be described. In the above-described embodiments, the anisotropic diffusion plate is provided between the lenticular lens and the backlight unit, and the maximum scattering direction through the anisotropic diffusion plate is set as the image distribution direction of the lenticular lens. The anisotropic scattering plate is also located between the display panel and the backlight unit. According to this structure, it is possible to prevent degradation of display quality due to the concave-convex structure of the backlight unit and the lenticular lenses without compromising the image distribution effect of the lenticular lenses. When an isotropic diffusion plate is used as the diffusion plate instead of an anisotropic diffusion plate, since the light emitted from the backlight unit 8 is scattered in various directions, there arises a problem of lowering frontal luminance. However, since according to the present embodiment, the direction of scattering can be restricted by using the anisotropic scattering plate, therefore, reduction in frontal luminance can be prevented.

In this embodiment, the surface of the anisotropic scattering structure forming the anisotropic scattering plate is placed towards the backlight unit 8, but the present invention is not limited by this structure, and the surface forming the anisotropic scattering structure may be placed towards the display panel 21 . However, since the anisotropic scattering structure has an influence when it is placed near the focal point of the lenticular lens 3, it is preferable to place the anisotropic scattering structure away from the focal point. Specifically, by making the surface on which the anisotropic scattering structure is formed face the backlight unit 8, it is possible to further reduce degradation in image quality.

In this embodiment, an example of the light guide panel 82 in which dots 83 are formed on the surface is described, but the present invention is not limited to this structure, and in the case of using an optical element having a minute structure, it can be realized as described above The present invention is applied in the same manner. In the above example, the dot pattern is formed on the surface of the light guide panel 82 facing the lenticular lens 3, but in the case of forming microstructures on the opposite surface, i.e., the -Z surface of the light guide panel, the dot pattern can be formed in the same manner. Apply the invention. Specifically, the present invention can be applied as long as minute structures are formed, and these structures allow emitted light to have a microscopic in-plane distribution. Specific examples of such structures may include a system for providing minute grooves in a light guide panel to redirect light to the outside, a holographic system for providing minute structures for controlling the direction in which light is emitted, and other systems. The optical element having a minute structure is not limited to the light guide panel, and an optical plate for controlling light emitted from the light guide panel can be applied in the same manner. Examples of such optical plates include upward prism plates with multiple prisms formed on the +Z surface, and refraction through the prism structure used to increase the directionality of emitted light, and downward prism plates with multiple prisms formed on the -Z side. The prism plate, and the use of total reflection and refraction through the prism structure to increase the directionality of the emitted light. In this embodiment, the range of options for selecting these prism plates can be increased, and the cost can be reduced. In a system where the light guide panel and the optical plate are bonded via a plurality of tiny points, the present invention can be applied in the same manner and use the bonding point structure to redirect the light from the light guide panel.

In this embodiment, the maximum scattering direction through the anisotropic scattering plate is placed parallel to the image distribution direction of the lenticular lens as the image distribution part, but the present invention is not limited by this structure, and may be placed at a predetermined angle through each The maximum scattering direction of the anisotropic scattering plate.

In addition, in this embodiment, an anisotropic scattering plate is used as the anisotropic scattering part, but the present invention is not limited to this structure, and an anisotropic scattering part of another embodiment of the present invention can also be suitably used . Except for the above, the effect of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1.

A transmissive liquid crystal display panel is also used as the display panel in this embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this structure, and can be effectively applied to a display panel using a backlight. For example, when a transmissive display panel other than a liquid crystal display panel is used, the present invention can be applied in the same manner.

Furthermore, not only in the case of using a lenticular lens but also in the case of using a parallax barrier, the present invention can be used in the same manner.

There are limitations in the uniformity of emitted light within the surface and in the optical properties in light guide panels, optical plates or other optical components that are structural elements used as backlights for lighting devices. Therefore, there are also limitations in pitch and other structures. Therefore, even when a close arrangement is preferred when an image distribution device is also used, complications are faced in performing such a close arrangement. In contrast, the anisotropic scattering structures can be arranged in a compact structure independently of the backlight structure, allowing placement in the vicinity of the image distribution device and allowing good image quality to be obtained.

Now, a specific case where the parallax barrier is used as the image distribution device and the parallax barrier is located on the light source side of the display panel will be described in detail. First, a case where a parallax barrier is placed behind a display panel as shown in FIG. 23 will be described. As shown in the figure, L refers to the pitch of the slits 7a in which the parallax barrier 7 is arranged, and H refers to the distance between the parallax barrier 7 and the pixels. Ht refers to the thickness of the display panel, including the parallax barrier 7 , and the optimal viewing distance OD refers to the distance between the display panel and the observer. WL refers to the distance from the center of the slit 7 a located in the center of the parallax barrier 7 to the center of the slit 7 a located at the end of the parallax barrier 7 in the X-axis direction. The parallax barrier 7 is a light blocking plate, and thus prevents light from entering anywhere other than the slit 7a. However, the parallax barrier 7 has a substrate for supporting the barrier layer, and the refractive index of the substrate is defined as n. Assuming no support substrate is present, the refractive index n can be set to 1, which is the refractive index of the surrounding air. To provide clarity in this case, when light emitted from the display panel through the slit 7a and through the pixel is refracted according to Snell's law. Therefore, attention is focused on the light emitted from the slit 7a located in the center of the parallax barrier 7, and α and β refer to the angles of incidence and exit, respectively, on the end face of the display panel on the side of the observer. Similarly, γ and δ refer to the angles of incidence and emission, respectively, with respect to the light in the slit 7 a positioned on the edge of the parallax barrier 7 in the X-axis direction. S1 refers to the width of the opening of the slit 7a. The pitch L at which the slits 7a are arranged and the pitch P at which the pixels are arranged are correlated with each other, and therefore, each pitch value is determined in correlation with each other. However, generally, a parallax barrier is designed in combination with a display panel, and for this purpose, the pixel arrangement pitch P is regarded as a constant. The refractive index n is determined by the choice of the material of the substrate that will be used to support the barrier layer. Conversely, using desired values, set the observation distance OD between the parallax barrier and the observer and the period e at which the pixel of the observation distance OD enlarges the projected image. These values are used to determine the distance H between the barrier and the pixel and the lens pitch L. Using Snell's law and geometric relationships, formulas 30 to 35 below are established. The following formulas 36 to 38 are also established.

[Formula 30]

n×sinα=sinβ

[Formula 31]

OD×tan β=e+P×Ht/H

[Formula 32]

H×tanα=P

[Formula 33]

n×sinγ=sinδ

[Formula 34]

H×tanγ＝C×Ht/H

[Formula 35]

OD×tanδ=WP-(Ht/H-1)×C

[Formula 36]

WP-WL=C

[Formula 37]

WP=2×m×p

[Formula 38]

WL=m×L

The two-viewpoint three-dimensional image display device having left-eye pixels and right-eye pixels has been described above; however, in the present invention, this arrangement is not provided as a limitation. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to a display device whose format contains N viewpoints. In these cases, in the definition of the distance WP described above, the number of pixels included in the area related to the distance WP can be changed from 2m to N×m.

The range of the slit width in which image separation occurs in the rear-type parallax barrier is also half the slit pitch L, which is the same as in the front-type format.

Next, Embodiment 6 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing the display device according to the present embodiment. In Embodiment 5 of the present invention, the anisotropic scattering plate as the anisotropic scattering part is placed between the transmissive liquid crystal display panel and the backlight unit, and is placed parallel to the image distribution direction of the lenticular lens as the image distribution part through the anisotropic The maximum scattering direction of the anisotropic scattering plate, and on the side of the anisotropic scattering plate facing the backlight unit, form the anisotropic scattering structure of the anisotropic scattering plate. Embodiment 6 is different from Embodiment 5 in that a transflective liquid crystal panel having a display area for transmission and a display area for reflection in each pixel is used as the display panel, and an anisotropic scattering plate is placed on The maximum scattering direction between the lenticular lens and the transflective liquid crystal display panel and through the anisotropic scattering plate is a direction perpendicular to the image distribution direction of the lenticular lens. Also on the surface of the anisotropic scattering plate facing the lenticular lens, an anisotropic scattering structure of the anisotropic scattering plate was formed.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24, in the transflective image display device 15 of the present embodiment, in the direction away from the user, the lenticular lens 3, the anisotropic scattering plate 65, and the transflective liquid crystal display panel 22 are sequentially provided. and backlight unit 8 . In addition, the maximum scattering direction by the anisotropic scattering plate 65 is set to be the Y-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the X-axis direction which is the image distribution direction of the lenticular lens. The anisotropic scattering structure 651 of the anisotropic scattering plate 65 is also formed on the +Z surface of the anisotropic scattering plate 65 . Aspects of this embodiment are the same as Embodiment 5 except for the above.

In this embodiment, it is possible to prevent deterioration of display quality due to the lenticular lens and the concave-convex structure of the backlight unit without significantly compromising the image distribution effect of the lenticular lens, and since scattering can be limited by using an anisotropic scattering plate direction, in the same manner as in Embodiment 5, it is possible to prevent a decrease in front brightness. Contrary to Embodiment 5, the anisotropic scattering part is placed between the lenticular lens and the transflective liquid crystal display panel, thereby preventing deterioration of the display quality due to the concave-convex structure of the lenticular lens and the reflective panel during reflective display. decline. In particular, the degradation of display quality due to the concave-convex structure of the backlight unit and the degradation of display quality due to the concave-convex structure of the reflective panel can be prevented at the same time.

In this embodiment, the surface of the anisotropic scattering structure forming the anisotropic scattering plate is described as being placed toward the lenticular lens. However, compared to the case of placing the surface toward the display panel, the anisotropic scattering structure can be moved away from the focal point of the lenticular lens, so that degradation in image quality can be further reduced. Except for the above, the effects of this embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 5.

Before describing other embodiments, problems newly discovered by the present inventors and common to Embodiments 7 to 10 of the present invention will first be described. This problem is specifically in the arrangement direction of lenses or slits, in a display device having a lenticular lens or other image distribution part, the pattern of the boundary area of adjacent pixels or other intervals that do not contribute to the display is observed as parallel lines, and reduce image quality. The present inventors conducted intensive research on improving the image quality of a display device having an image distribution section. As a result, the present inventors found that the stripe pattern extending in the image distribution direction on the display image was more conspicuous than in a conventional display device having no image distribution portion, and obtained the following findings. Therefore, graphs are used to describe these findings. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing a display device according to Comparative Example 1 of the present invention; FIG. 26 is a plan view showing pixels in the display panel shown in FIG. 25; A diagram of the viewable image of the display screen when the display device is shown.

As shown in FIG. 25 , in the transmissive liquid crystal display device 116 of Comparative Example 1, the lenticular lens 103 and the transmissive liquid crystal display panel 123 are provided in this order from the direction of the user. In the transmissive liquid crystal display panel 123, the display pixels of the display panel consist of adjacent left-eye pixels 142L and right-eye pixels 142R, which are the same as the transmissive liquid crystal display panel 21 in Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In the same manner as in Embodiment 5, the lenticular lenses 103 are arranged such that a single cylindrical lens 103a corresponds to a row of display pixels.

As shown in FIG. 26 , the left-eye pixel 142L and the right-eye pixel 142R in the transmissive liquid crystal display panel 123 of Comparative Example 1 have the light blocking region 140 on the periphery of the pixel region through which light is transmitted. The light blocking region 140 is formed for the purpose of eliminating influence of adjacent pixels and protecting a region where wiring is provided. In Comparative Example 1, since the display pixels are arranged in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, the light blocking region 140 has a shape combining a plurality of lines extending in the X-axis direction and a plurality of lines extending in the Y-axis direction . This shape for light-blocking regions is often found in common liquid crystal display panels.

When the lenticular lens as the image distribution part is provided to the display panel thus forming the light blocking area, the observer in the front direction sees the A-A line and the B-B line in the left-eye pixel 142L and the right-eye pixel 142R, respectively. Therefore, the observer cannot see the lines extending in the Y-axis direction, and only sees the lines extending in the X-axis direction, as regions in which light is blocked, as shown in FIG. 27 . In particular, only light-blocking areas extending in the image distribution direction are visible, and light-blocking areas in a direction perpendicular to the image distribution direction are not visible. When the lenticular lens is provided, the grid pattern in the vertical and horizontal directions is visible to the user, but the lenticular lens is provided only so that the light blocking area in the image distribution direction is visible to the observer, and the observation extends in the image distribution direction striped pattern. In the case of Comparative Example 1, for example, since the image allocation direction corresponds to the left-right direction, on the display image, a stripe pattern in the lateral direction is superimposedly observed. The quality of the displayed image is degraded by the striped pattern.

The present inventors further studied the stripe pattern and learned that this problem is more significant when the display panel has a low resolution. The reason is considered to be that when the resolution decreases, the width of the stripes and the size of the space between the stripes increase, and the stripes are more easily seen by the user. The present inventors found that this problem is particularly conspicuous when the vertical and horizontal resolutions of a displayed image are the same in a three-dimensional image display device. The reason is believed to be that although the difference between the vertical and horizontal resolutions is visible to the observer due to the overlapping fringe pattern in the horizontal direction when the vertical and horizontal resolutions are different, the difference in the vertical and horizontal resolution is more pronounced than the horizontally oriented fringe pattern The problem, therefore, the problem of the stripe pattern is relatively insignificant. The present inventors also found that this problem is more pronounced when a lenticular lens is used than when a parallax barrier is used as the image distribution section. The reason is considered to be that since a stripe pattern extending in a direction perpendicular to the image distribution direction is formed by slits and regions other than the slits when a parallax barrier is used, the stripe pattern is a more conspicuous problem. In general, patterns that appear in the case of a parallax barrier do not appear when a lenticular lens is used, and stripe patterns in a direction parallel to the image distribution direction are problematic.

Embodiment 7 of the present invention can overcome the above-mentioned problems. FIG. 28 is a sectional view showing a display device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 29 is a plan view showing pixels of the display panel shown in FIG. 28 .

As shown in FIG. 28, in the transmissive liquid crystal display device 16 of Embodiment 7, the lenticular lens 3, the anisotropic scattering plate 66, and the transmissive liquid crystal display panel 23 are provided in this order from the direction of the user. The transmissive liquid crystal display panel 23 is the same as the transmissive liquid crystal display panel 123 shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 . Specifically, the display pixels of the display panel are composed of adjacent left-eye pixels 42L and right-eye pixels 42R. In the same manner as in Embodiment 5, lenticular lenses 3 are arranged so that a single cylindrical lens 3a corresponds to a row of display pixels. In the same manner as Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the anisotropic scattering plate 66 in this embodiment is placed so that the maximum scattering direction is the direction perpendicular to the image distribution direction of the lenticular lens 3, and the minimum scattering direction is parallel to the image Allocation direction. The anisotropic scattering structure 661 of the anisotropic scattering plate 66 is formed on the +Z side of the anisotropic scattering plate 66 , that is, the side facing the lenticular lenses.

As shown in FIG. 29 , the left-eye pixel 42L and the right-eye pixel 42R in the transmissive liquid crystal display panel 23 of Embodiment 7 have a light blocking region 40 on the periphery of the pixel region through which light is transmitted. In the same manner as Comparative Example 1 of the present invention, since the display pixels are arranged in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, the light blocking region 40 has a plurality of lines extending in the X-axis direction and a plurality of lines extending in the Y-axis direction. A shape joined by lines. Aspects of this embodiment other than the above are the same as Embodiment 1.

Next, the operation and effects of the transmissive liquid crystal display device according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. In the above-mentioned transmissive liquid crystal display device having the lenticular lenses, the light blocking regions extending in a direction parallel to the image distribution direction of the lenticular lenses are visible as a stripe pattern. However, since the anisotropic scattering plate having significant scattering in the direction perpendicular to the image distribution direction of the lenticular lens is provided in the present embodiment, the streaks in the direction parallel to the image distribution direction are reduced by the anisotropic scattering plate pattern. Due to the placement of the minimum scattering direction through the anisotropic scattering plate parallel to the image distribution direction, adverse effects on the image distribution effect can be kept to a minimum.

In this embodiment, the effect can be demonstrated more remarkably for a display panel in which the width of the light-blocking region extending in the image distribution direction of the image distribution portion is large with respect to the applied pixel pitch. An example of such a display panel is a horizontally striped display panel in which red, green and blue color filters extend in parallel to the image distribution direction to produce a color display. This is because in such a horizontal stripe display panel, in which the direction in which the stripes are arranged is perpendicular to the image distribution direction, the borders of different colors are placed in the direction perpendicular to the image distribution direction, resulting in a larger proportion of the light blocking area. The present invention can be used properly, and the influence of the light blocking area extending in the image distribution direction can be reduced, allowing good image quality to be obtained. Clearly, a display panel with a large pixel pitch allows more efficient applications. The reason is that in a display panel having a large pixel pitch, the stripe pattern has a large pitch and is easily visible to a user.

In a display device having a lenticular lens, a parallax barrier, and other image distribution parts, this embodiment is particularly suitable for applications where the vertical and horizontal resolutions of the left-eye image, right-eye image, and other display images are the same, and can demonstrate significant effect. This is because in cases where the horizontal and vertical resolutions are different, the stripe pattern becomes blurred and becomes relatively difficult to notice due to the difference between the resolutions. Specifically, by matching the vertical and horizontal resolutions of the displayed image, the stripe pattern in the direction parallel to the image distribution direction can be made relatively more noticeable, and the stripe pattern can be effectively reduced by the present invention. In addition, the demonstration effect can be more prominent when using a lenticular lens than when using a parallax barrier as the image distribution section. The reason is that when a lenticular lens is used, a high-quality display without a barrier pattern can be produced, and therefore, a striped pattern in a direction parallel to the image distribution direction is easily noticed, and the striped pattern can be effectively reduced. Except for the above, the effect of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 5.

Now, a detailed description will be given regarding the visibility of the stripe pattern, that is, the light blocking plate extending in a direction parallel to the image distribution direction of the lenticular lens. Visibility is determined by human eyesight and viewing distance. A three-dimensional display has a three-dimensional viewing zone, therefore, the viewing distance is assumed to be used within that viewing zone. Therefore, the three-dimensional viewing zone will be described first.

30 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical model used to calculate the maximum viewing distance in a display device having a lenticular lens system. Through the lenticular lens, the light emitted from the desired left-eye pixel of the display panel is concentrated and deflected to a predetermined area. This area is called the left eye area 71L. Similarly, the light emitted from the right-eye pixel is concentrated toward the right-eye region 71R. Viewers place their left eye 551 on the left eye area 71L, and their right eye on the right eye area 71R, thereby enabling different images to be aligned with their left and right eyes. If these images are parallax images, the viewer will be able to view three-dimensional images.

However, the viewer cannot place his/her eyes at any one of the left-eye area 71L and the right-eye area 71R. This is because of the constraints imposed by the interpupillary distance. According to this document, the interpupillary distance of a person is generally a fixed value. For example, the average interpupillary distance for adult males is 65mm, and the standard deviation is ±3.7mm. The average interpupillary distance of adult females is 62mm, with a standard deviation of ±3.6m (Neil A. Dodgson, "Variation and Extrema of Human Interpupillary Distance", Proc. SPIE vol. 5291). Therefore, when designing a three-dimensional display device, the value for the interpupillary distance is appropriately set within the range of 62 to 65 mm, with a value of about 63 mm being employed. The three-dimensional viewing zone must be calculated by this interpupillary distance limitation imposed on the size of the left and right eye zones.

Next, the widths of the left and right eye regions will be described. As described above, e refers to the period of the magnified image projected from the pixel at the optimum viewing distance OD, however, this value is preferably set equal to the interpupillary distance. If the period e is smaller than the interpupillary distance, then the width of the three-dimensional viewing zone will be limited by the period e and will decrease. If the period e is greater than the interpupillary distance, then the width of the three-dimensional viewing area will not be limited by the period e, but will be limited by the interpupillary distance. It will become more difficult to view with side lobes created in oblique orientations. Therefore, even if the period e is increased, the width of the three-dimensional area does not increase. To do this, make the period e equal to the interpupillary distance.

Therefore, the maximum viewing distance in the three-dimensional viewing area is the intersection between the trace of light emitted from the display unit at the end of the display panel in the X-axis direction and the center line of the left or right eye area in the X-axis direction. Therefore, attention is paid to the light beam emitted from the center of the display unit located on the end of the display panel from the X-axis direction. Therefore, a similarity relation is established between the triangle whose base is WL and whose height is the optimum viewing distance OD, and the triangle whose base is e/2 and whose height is FD-OD. From the results, Equation 39 was established, and rearranged to allow obtaining the maximum viewing distance FD, as shown in Equation 40.

[Formula 39]

WL:OD=e/2:FD-OD

[Formula 40]

FD＝OD×(WL+e/2)/WL

Next the minimum viewing distance will be calculated. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical model used to calculate the minimum viewing distance in a display device having a lenticular lens system. The minimum viewing distance in the three-dimensional viewing area is the intersection between the trace of light emitted from the end of the display panel in the X-axis direction and the centerline of the left or right eye area in the X-axis direction. Therefore, attention is paid to the light beam emitted from the end (right side of the figure) of the display unit located on the end of the display panel from the X-axis direction. Therefore, a similarity relation is established between the triangle whose base is WL+e/2 and the height is the minimum viewing distance ND and the triangle whose base is e/2 and the height is OD-ND. Therefore, Formula 41 holds, and the formula is rearranged so that the minimum observation distance ND is obtained, as shown in Formula 42.

[Formula 41]

e/2:OD-ND=WL+e/2:ND

[Formula 42]

ND＝OD×(WL+e/2)/(WL+e)

Using the above formula, the three-dimensional visible area 71 is calculated. This area takes the form of a diamond-shaped quadrangle, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 . The width of this area in the X-axis direction is half of the period e of the pixel-magnified projected image. The width in the Y-axis direction is the difference between the maximum viewing distance FD and the minimum viewing distance ND.

When located in the three-dimensional viewing zone, the viewer is preferably unaware of the light blocking zone. For example, when in the three-dimensional viewing zone, the viewer must not be able to see the [light-blocking zone] from the maximum viewing distance FD which is the end furthest from the display panel, and preferably not from the optimal viewing distance OD [light-blocking district]. In an optimal arrangement, the viewer will not be able to see the [blocking zone] from the minimum viewing distance ND.

Now, the relationship between the visibility of the light blocking area, that is, the viewing distance and the width of the light blocking area will be described in detail. In order to prevent the viewer from seeing the light-blocking area, the width of the light-blocking area must be set to be equal to or smaller than the resolution determined according to the viewer's eyesight. As shown in FIG. 32, the relationship between the viewer's visual acuity and the minimum recognizable viewing angle is determined according to Formula 43.

[Formula 43]

Eyesight = 1/view angle (minimum)

The visual acuity value is generally 1.0, and the minimum viewing angle of an observer with a visual acuity of 1.0 is calculated as 1 min, ie, 1/60°, according to Formula 43. Therefore, the resolution of the eyes of the observer observing the distance D (mm) will be D×tan(1/60) (mm). The angle is used as the tan angle unit, and the specific value of tan(1/60) is 0.00029. Therefore, if the light-blocking area, that is, the width that does not work on the display, is smaller than D×tan (1/60) (mm), the width of the light-blocking area can be made smaller than the resolution of the eyes, and the viewer can be prevented from seeing to the light blocking area.

When the above is considered, it is necessary to make the width of the light blocking region smaller than FD×tan(1/60), preferably smaller than OD×tan(1/60). If the width of the light-blocking area is smaller than ND×tan(1/60), the viewer can be prevented from seeing the light-blocking area in the entire three-dimensional viewing area.

Especially according to the present embodiment, even if the above-mentioned restriction is released and the width of the light-blocking area is enlarged, the viewer's ability to see the light-blocking area will be reduced, and the display quality can be improved. Specifically, in the case where the width of the light blocking region extending in a direction parallel to the image distribution direction of the image distribution device is ND×tan(1/60), the present invention can be effectively used.

The above description pertains to the case of lenses that incorporate the ability to use maximized separation for left and right eye pixel image separation. However, the same description can also be used in cases involving the use of pinhole-shaped barriers to maximize image separation performance. When using a lens, when setting defocus, that is, when the focal plane of the lens is offset from the pixel plane, it will make the 3D viewing area smaller than above. The same result results when the fence opening is made larger. However, when reducing the three-dimensional viewing area, the optimal viewing distance OD will remain unchanged, the maximum viewing distance FD will decrease to approximately the optimal viewing distance OD, and the minimum viewing distance ND will increase to approximately the optimal viewing distance OD. Therefore, the conditions used above when performing calculations for maximizing the separation performance can also be used in the case of reducing the separation performance.

The structure of the present embodiment makes it possible to reduce the influence of the light blocking area extending in the direction perpendicular to the image distribution direction of the image distribution device. In a three-dimensional display device, the non-display area extending in the vertical direction, ie, the direction of the Y axis, is magnified by a lens or other image distribution means and projected on the viewing surface. In the present embodiment, light is scattered in the X-axis direction (image distribution direction) to such an extent that the separation performance is not significantly compromised, so the influence can be minimized.

Next, Embodiment 8 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 33 is a sectional view showing a display device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 34 is a plan view showing pixels of the display panel shown in FIG. 33 . In Embodiment 7, the light blocking region of the transmissive liquid crystal display panel has a shape combining a plurality of lines extending in the X-axis direction and a plurality of lines extending in the Y-axis direction. Embodiment 8 differs from Embodiment 7 in that the light-blocking regions of the transmissive liquid crystal display panel have different shapes. Specifically, the lines extending in the X-axis direction are linear, but the lines extending in the Y-axis direction are inclined with respect to the Y-axis.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 33 , the transmissive liquid crystal display device 17 in this embodiment differs from the transmissive liquid crystal display device 16 of Embodiment 7 of the present invention in that a transmissive liquid crystal display panel 24 is used. The lenticular lens 3 and the anisotropic scattering plate 66 as other constituent elements are the same as in Embodiment 7.

As shown in FIG. 34 , the left-eye pixel 43L and the right-eye pixel 43R in the transmissive liquid crystal display panel 24 of Embodiment 8 have a light blocking region 42 on the periphery of the pixel region through which light is transmitted. The direction of the line in which the light blocking region 42 extends with respect to the X-axis direction, that is, the direction in which the left-eye pixel 43L and the right-eye pixel 43R are adjacent, is parallel to the X-axis direction. In contrast, the lines of the light blocking region 42 extending in the Y-axis direction are a collection of lines inclined with respect to the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the pixel area for transmitting light has a substantially parallelogram shape. The light-transmitting regions of pixels adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction have a substantially parallelogram shape that is linearly symmetrical around the X-axis. Therefore, among the lines of the light-blocking region 42 extending in the Y-axis direction, a line inclined from the Y-axis direction to the +X direction, and a line inclined from the Y-axis direction to the −X-axis direction are formed in the Y-axis direction. An alternating zigzag pattern that repeats for each pixel. Aspects of this embodiment are the same as Embodiment 7 except for the above.

In this embodiment, in the same manner as in Embodiment 7, the anisotropic scattering of the anisotropic scattering plate results in a reduction of the fringe pattern in a direction parallel to the image distribution direction of the lenticular lens, and an increase in image quality , without compromising the image distribution effect of the lenticular lens as the image distribution part. Especially in the present embodiment, since the lines of the light-blocking area extending in the Y-axis direction form a zigzag pattern, the light-blocking area extending in the Y-axis direction is enlarged to the user by the image distribution effect of the lenticular lens, and The occurrence of a region of reduced brightness at the boundary between the left-eye pixel and the right-eye pixel can be prevented. In this case, since the image is visible in a wider range than in Embodiment 7 in the X-axis direction as the image distribution direction, a more serious problem occurs when the stripe pattern in the X-axis direction cannot be reduced , but in this embodiment, since the fringe pattern can be reduced by using the anisotropic scattering part, a more remarkable effect than that of the seventh embodiment can be demonstrated.

In this embodiment, the lines of the light-blocking regions extending in the Y-axis direction are described as forming a zigzag pattern repeated for each pixel with respect to the Y-axis direction, but the present invention is not limited by this structure. For example, a plurality of zigzags may be formed within a single pixel, or a zigzag pattern may be formed by a period of a plurality of pixels. The zigzag pattern is described as being formed of lines inclined from the Y-axis direction to the +X-axis direction or the −X direction, but the structure is not limited, and the pattern may be formed of a curved line. Also, the pixel region for transmitting light is described as having a substantially parallelogram shape, but the structure is not limited. Each pixel may have, for example, a substantially trapezoidal shape, and the substantially trapezoidal openings may be arranged to have rotational symmetry between adjacent pixels.

FIG. 35 is a plan view showing another example of a pixel of a display panel applicable to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 35, in the transmissive liquid crystal display panel 24a, the left-eye pixel 43La and the right-eye pixel 43Ra have a light-blocking area 42a around the pixel area for light transmission, and a light-transmitting area surrounded by the light-blocking area 42a. The zones have a substantially trapezoidal shape. Also in a rotationally symmetrical relationship, the left-eye pixel 43La and the right-eye pixel 43Ra are arranged. The light-transmitting regions of adjacent pixels in the Y-axis direction are also arranged in a rotationally symmetrical relationship. Therefore, in the case of a single line of the light blocking region 42a extending in the Y-axis direction, a line inclined from the Y-axis direction to the +X direction, and a line inclined from the Y-axis direction to the −X direction form The zigzag pattern repeated for each pixel of the X-axis, and the other lines of the light-blocking region 42a extending in the adjacent Y-axis direction in the X-axis direction, the zigzag pattern is symmetrical around the Y-axis. In this embodiment, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, the structure can be suitably applied to an active matrix display panel using thin film transistors in particular, and an increased opening area ratio can be obtained. Except for the above, the effect of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 5.

Next, Embodiment 9 of the present invention will be described. 36 is a sectional view showing a display device according to the present embodiment; and FIG. 37 is a plan view showing pixels of the display panel shown in FIG. 36 . Embodiment 9 is different from Embodiment 8 in that a horizontal field mode transmissive liquid crystal display panel is used.

As shown in FIG. 36 , the transmissive liquid crystal display device 18 of this embodiment is different from the transmissive liquid crystal display device 17 of Embodiment 8 of the present invention in that a horizontal field mode transmissive liquid crystal display panel 25 is used. The lenticular lens 3 and the anisotropic scattering plate 66 as other constituent elements are the same as those in the eighth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 37, the transmissive liquid crystal display panel 25 of Embodiment 9 is a horizontal field mode liquid crystal display panel, and comb-shaped electrodes 48 for generating a horizontal electric field in the XY plane are formed in the left-eye pixel 44L and the right-eye pixel 44R. . The left-eye pixel 44L and the right-eye pixel R also have a light-blocking region 43 on the periphery of the pixel region through which light is transmitted. The basic shape of the light blocking area 43 is the same as that of Embodiment 8 shown in FIG. 34 . However, this embodiment is different from Embodiment 8 in that the display panel of this embodiment is a horizontal field mode display panel, and the light blocking area has a larger width in order to reduce the influence of the horizontal field from adjacent pixels, and to facilitate placement Comb electrodes 48 . Specifically, the direction of the line extending from the light-blocking region 43 is parallel to the X-axis direction, that is, the direction in which the left-eye pixel 44L and the right-eye pixel 44R are adjacent. In contrast, the lines of the light blocking region 43 extending in the Y-axis direction are a collection of lines inclined with respect to the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the pixel region for light transmission has a substantially parallelogram shape. The light-transmitting regions of pixels adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction have substantially parallelogram shapes that are linearly symmetrical about the X-axis. Therefore, among the lines of the light blocking region 43 extending in the Y-axis direction, a line inclined from the Y-axis direction to the +X direction, and a line inclined from the Y-axis direction to the −X direction are formed in the Y-axis direction, for each One-pixel repeating alternating zigzag pattern. The comb electrodes 48 are formed parallel to the zigzag pattern of the light blocking area 43 and have a predetermined angle in the Y-axis direction. Since the width of the light blocking region 43 formed in the zigzag pattern reduces the influence of the horizontal field of adjacent pixels, the width is greater than that of Embodiment 8. With a larger width than in Embodiment 8, the line of the light blocking region 43 extending in the X-axis direction is formed because the root of the comb electrode occurs due to the wiring of the comb portion of the comb electrode in the horizontal field mode. Areas where horizontal fields cannot be generated, and where light must be blocked. Aspects of this embodiment are the same as Embodiment 8 except for the above.

In this embodiment, in the same manner as in Embodiment 8, the anisotropic scattering effect of the anisotropic scattering plate makes it possible to reduce the fringe pattern in the direction parallel to the image distribution direction of the lenticular lens, and to improve the image quality without It becomes possible without compromising the image distribution effect of the lenticular lens as the image distribution part. This embodiment is particularly suitable for driving liquid crystal display panels in in-plane switching mode, and can effectively reduce the stripe pattern caused by the light-blocking regions formed at the roots of the comb electrodes. On the comb electrode, the horizontal field is weak, and the insufficient driving of the liquid crystal molecules leads to a reduced transmittance, and due to the uneven transmittance, the display quality is reduced, but the anisotropic scattering of the anisotropic scattering plate in this embodiment The effect makes it possible to prevent degradation of display quality without compromising the image distribution effect of the lenticular lens.

This embodiment can be suitably used in driving a liquid crystal display panel in an in-plane switching mode, and can realize wide viewing angle display without contrast inversion over a wide range of angles. Other examples of such liquid crystal modes include a fringe field switching mode and a super fringe field switching mode which is the same horizontal field mode as the in-plane switching mode, and these modes can be applied in the same manner. The comb electrodes may be non-transparent electrodes formed of aluminum or another metal material, or may be transparent electrodes formed of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or the like, but in either case, the same effect can be obtained.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the liquid crystal display panel is not limited to the horizontal field mode, and may be suitably used in a liquid crystal mode in which a transmission distribution is generated within a single pixel due to an electrode structure, a concave-convex structure, or other structures of display pixels. Examples of such liquid crystal modes include a multi-domain vertical alignment mode, a pattern vertical alignment mode, an advanced hyper-V mode, and the like as a vertical alignment mode of multi-domains, in addition to the above-mentioned modes. The reason is that in the case of the multi-domain vertical alignment mode, regions that do not transmit light appear on the boundaries between domains. Except for the above, the effects of this embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 8.

The display unit of the display panel has stripe-shaped color pixels aligned to produce a color display, but the arrangement direction of the color stripes can be the above-mentioned second direction in the present invention. The display unit may be formed in a square shape.

Next, Embodiment 10 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view showing a display device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 39 is a plan view showing pixels of the display panel shown in FIG. 38 . Embodiment 10 differs from Embodiment 7 in that a semi-transmissive liquid crystal display panel is used in which, in the display area of each pixel, an area for transmissive display and an area for reflective display are provided.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 38 , the transmissive liquid crystal display device 19 in this embodiment differs from the transmissive liquid crystal display device 16 in Embodiment 7 of the present invention in that a semi-transmissive liquid crystal display panel 26 is used. The lenticular lens 3 and the anisotropic scattering plate 66 as other constituent elements are the same as in Embodiment 7.

As shown in FIG. 39 , the left-eye pixel 45L and the right-eye pixel 45R in the transflective liquid crystal display panel 26 of Embodiment 10 have a light-blocking area 44 on the periphery of the display area of each pixel. The light blocking region 44 has a shape combining a plurality of lines extending in the X-axis direction and a plurality of lines extending in the Y-axis direction. A transmissive display area and a reflective display area are formed in the display area of each pixel surrounded by the light blocking area 44 . Specifically, a transmissive display area 45Lt and a reflective display area 45Lr are formed in each left-eye pixel 45L, and the display areas are arranged so that each pixel is divided into two parts arranged in the Y-axis direction. In the same manner, a transmissive display area 45Rt and a reflective display area 45Rr are formed in each right-eye pixel 45R. Specifically, when a plurality of pixels are viewed simultaneously, the transmissive display area and the reflective display area extend in a horizontal line in the X-axis direction. Aspects of this embodiment are the same as Embodiment 7 except for the above.

In this embodiment, in the same manner as in Embodiment 7, the anisotropic scattering effect of the anisotropic scattering plate makes it possible to reduce the fringe pattern in the direction parallel to the image distribution direction of the lenticular lens and improve the image quality without It becomes possible to compromise the image distribution effect of the lenticular lens as the image distribution part. Especially in this embodiment, the stripe pattern in the image distribution direction which occurs during transmissive display and reflective display can be reduced. For example, in the case of a transmissive display, especially when the surrounding area is dark, the reflective display area looks the same as the light-blocking area, and external light has no effect on the display. Therefore, when there is no anisotropic scattering part, not only the light-blocking area produces a striped pattern, but also the reflective display area looks like a striped pattern, significantly degrading display quality. During the transmissive display of the present embodiment, the anisotropic scattering part reduces the stripe pattern caused by the light-blocking region and the stripe pattern caused by the reflective display region, thereby improving the quality of the transmissive display. In the same way, in the case of a reflective display, especially when the surrounding area is bright, the transmissive display area looks the same as the light-blocking area, and the reflective display dominates so that the transmissive display is invisible. Therefore, when there is no anisotropic scattering part, not only the light-blocking area produces a stripe pattern, but also the transmissive display area looks like a stripe pattern, significantly degrading display quality. During the reflective display of the present embodiment, the anisotropic scattering part can reduce the stripe pattern caused by the light-blocking region and the stripe pattern caused by the transmissive display region, thus improving the quality of the reflective display. Specifically, the quality of transmissive display and reflective display in a transflective liquid crystal display device can be improved. Except for the above, the effects of this embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 7.

Next, Embodiment 11 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 40 is a perspective view showing a terminal device according to this embodiment, and FIG. 41 is a sectional view showing a display device according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 40 and 41, the reflective image display device 10 of the present embodiment is incorporated in a mobile phone 91 as a terminal device. The present embodiment is different from Embodiment 1 in that the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical lens 3a constituting the lenticular lens 3, that is, the Y-axis direction, is the horizontal direction of the image display device, that is, the horizontal direction of the image, and the arrangement direction of the cylindrical lens 3a , that is, the X-axis direction, is the vertical direction, that is, the vertical direction of the image.

As shown in FIG. 40, in the reflective liquid crystal display panel 27, a plurality of pixel pairs are arranged in a matrix, where each pixel pair is composed of first-viewpoint pixels 4F and second-viewpoint pixels 4S. The arrangement direction of the first-viewpoint pixels 4F and the second-viewpoint pixels 4S in a single pixel pair is the X-axis direction which is the arrangement direction of the cylindrical lenses 3 a, and is the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the screen. Pixels 4F and 4S have the same structure as described in Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the maximum scattering direction by the anisotropic scattering plate 67 is set to be the X-axis direction, and the minimum scattering direction is set to be the Y-axis direction. Aspects of this embodiment are the same as Embodiment 1 except for the above.

Next, the operation of the image display device of this embodiment will be described, although the basic operation is the same as that of Embodiment 1, the displayed image is different. The first viewpoint pixels 4F of the reflective liquid crystal display panel 27 display images for the first viewpoint, and the second viewpoint pixels 4S display images for the second viewpoint. The image for the first viewpoint and the image for the second viewpoint are planar images with different display contents, and are not three-dimensional images with parallax. The images can also be unrelated to each other, or can represent related information.

The advantage of this embodiment is that it can not only prevent the degradation of image quality caused by the lenticular lens and the concave-convex structure of the reflective panel without significantly compromising the image distribution effect of the lenticular lens, but also the observer can , to selectively view images from the first viewpoint or images from the second viewpoint. Especially when the first-viewpoint image and the second-viewpoint image are related, convenience can be improved because it is possible to switch between the images by a simple method of changing the viewing angle. When the first viewpoint image and the second viewpoint image are arranged in the landscape direction, different images can be observed by the right eye and the left eye according to the viewing position. In this case, the observer becomes confused and cannot recognize the image of each viewpoint. However, as shown in the present embodiment, when the images for a plurality of viewpoints are arranged in the longitudinal direction, the observer can always view the images for each viewpoint with both eyes, and therefore, it is easy to recognize the images. Except for the above, the effect of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1. This embodiment can also be combined with any one of Embodiments 2 to 10.

In Embodiments 1 to 11, an image display device installed in a mobile phone or the like is described, which displays a three-dimensional image or simultaneously provides a single observer with multiple image. However, the present invention is not limited by this structure, and a large display panel can be provided for providing a plurality of different images to a plurality of observers. This is also true for the remaining examples from Example 12 onwards, as described below.

Now, Embodiment 12 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 42 is a sectional view of a display device according to Embodiment 12. FIG. Embodiment 12 is significantly different from Embodiment 1 of the present invention in that an anisotropic scattering layer 681 is provided within the substrate 2a, and an anisotropic scattering plate is not provided. Specifically, Embodiment 12 is an "in-cell" type display panel in which an anisotropic scattering layer is embedded in the panel.

As shown in FIG. 42, in the reflective liquid crystal display device 111 according to the present embodiment, the reflective liquid crystal display panel 28 is used. In the substrate constituting the reflective liquid crystal display panel 28, the reflective panel 4 is not formed, and the anisotropic scattering layer 681 is located on the liquid crystal layer 5 of the substrate 2a on the side in the +Z direction which is the viewer's end. The structure of the embodiment is the same as that of the embodiment 1.

As in Embodiment 1, an anisotropic scattering layer is used in this embodiment, thereby minimizing any deterioration in display quality caused by the combined use of lenticular lenses and the concave-convex structure of the reflective panel without significantly compromising the pods. The image distribution effect of the shape lens. Glass substrates or lenticular lenses similar to those conventionally used can also be used without requiring anisotropic scattering gel or anisotropic scattering plate. Therefore, fewer components can be used, cost can be reduced, and a thinner profile can be provided. It is also possible to place the anisotropic scattering layer near the reflective panel, so that positioning accuracy within the display surface and in the thickness direction can be improved, errors can be reduced, and image quality can be improved.

Using a photolithography technique and a 2P method, the anisotropic scattering layer of this embodiment can be formed. Instead of an anisotropic scattering layer, an anisotropic scattering structure can also be provided to the surface of the substrate 2a on the liquid crystal layer. An overcoat may be provided to the liquid crystal side of the anisotropic scattering structure. This will smooth out any irregularities caused by the anisotropic scattering structure, as well as improve the orientability of the liquid crystal molecules. An anisotropic scattering layer may be included in the layers of the color filter used to provide a color display. The structure of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1 except for the above.

Embodiment 13 of the present invention will now be described. FIG. 43 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 13. FIG. Embodiment 13 is different from Embodiment 12 in that a pattern is provided to the anisotropic scattering layer 681 .

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 43, a reflective liquid crystal display panel 29 is used in the reflective liquid crystal display device 112 according to the present embodiment. The anisotropic scattering layer 681 is located on the liquid crystal layer 5 side of the substrate 2a. A so-called "in-cell" structure is employed. The anisotropic scattering layer 681 is located within a portion but not the entire display surface. With respect to the position of the concave-convex structure of the reflective panel, the anisotropic scattering layer 681 is placed accordingly. For example, the position of the concave-convex structure in the display surface is the same as the position of the anisotropic scattering layer 681 in the display surface. Except for the above, the structure of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 12.

In this embodiment, the anisotropic scattering layer is placed accordingly with respect to the concave-convex structure of the reflective plate, thereby minimizing any deterioration in display quality due to the combined use of lenticular lenses and the concave-convex structure of the reflective plate. Since the anisotropic scattering layer can be placed only in areas where problems may occur, the influence on other areas can be minimized. For example, this embodiment can be suitably used in conjunction with a semi-transmissive liquid crystal display panel, and the anisotropic scattering layer can be placed only in the reflective display area so that it will not adversely affect the transmissive display area.

The fact that the anisotropic scattering effect has an in-plane distribution is important in this embodiment. Thus, the anisotropic scattering effect of the anisotropic scattering layer has a distribution within the surface without an applied pattern, and can appear only in desired areas. Specifically, the scattering effect of the scattering layer is imparted by the in-plane distribution, and this layer is effective in enhancing the anisotropic scattering effect only in the vicinity of the concave-convex structure of the reflective panel. Except for the above, the structure of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 12.

Now, Embodiment 14 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view showing a display panel according to Embodiment 14. FIG. Embodiment 14 is significantly different from Embodiment 1 of the present invention in that instead of the anisotropic scattering plate, an anisotropic scattering structure is provided to the curved portion of the lens.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 44, a lenticular lens 33 having a plurality of cylindrical lenses 33a is used in the reflective liquid crystal display panel 113 according to the present embodiment. In the concave region between adjacent cylindrical lenses 33 a, an anisotropic scattering structure 691 is provided to the lenticular lenses 33 . The structure of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1 except for the above.

The anisotropic scattering structure is provided to the curved area of the lens in this embodiment, thereby making it possible to minimize any deterioration in display quality caused by the combined use of the lenticular lens and the concavo-convex structure of the reflective panel. Being able to place the surface forming the anisotropically scattering structure away from the focal point of the lenticular lens allows good image quality to be obtained. Providing the anisotropic scattering structure to the concave region between adjacent cylindrical lenses prevents compromising image separation performance in the vicinity of the optical axis, wherein aberrations are minimized and excellent image separation performance is obtained. Specifically, a region where excellent image separation performance is obtained is used for separating images, and a region where image separation performance is degraded is used for anisotropic scattering, thereby achieving performance in both.

Although in this embodiment the lenticular lens itself must be changed, this can be accomplished by performing secondary processing to the existing molding. Therefore, the structure of the lenticular lens, that is, the structure of the region to be used as the lens does not have to be changed. With the addition of anisotropic scattering structures in the mold, the concave regions between adjacent lenses will be the convex regions in the mold. Therefore, its uppermost region can be machined. Machining the uppermost area is easier to perform than machining the recessed areas in the mould. Specifically, the mold may be in the direction in which the lenses are aligned and intentionally provided with a cut-out ground. The structure of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1 except for the above.

Embodiment 15 of the present invention will now be described. FIG. 45 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 45. FIG. Example 45 differs from Example 1 in that an anisotropic scattering plate is not used, a protective plate is provided to the viewer end of the lenticular lens, and the protective plate has anisotropic scattering properties.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 45 , the protective plate 79 is located on the +Z direction side (observer side) of the lenticular lens 3 in the reflective liquid crystal display device 114 according to the present embodiment. The protective plate 79 protects the display panel 2 and the lenticular lens 3 from the outside. The protective plate 79 has anisotropic scattering properties. The directions in which light is anisotropically scattered, and other aspects of the basic anisotropic scattering properties are the same as in Example 1. The structure of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1 except for the above.

This embodiment does not require changes to the display panel or the lenticular lens, allows the present invention to be used, and can minimize any deterioration in display quality caused by the combined use of the lenticular lens and the concavo-convex structure of the reflective panel.

In this embodiment, the anisotropic scattering structure may be formed on the -Z surface, that is, the side surface of the protective plate on the lenticular lens side. It is also possible to configure a touch panel instead of the protective panel. If the region demonstrating the effect of anisotropic scattering is far from the lenticular lens, the display will be blurred, so it is preferable to place this region in the vicinity of the lens whenever possible. The structure of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1 except for the above.

Now, a description will be provided regarding Embodiment 16 of the present invention. 46 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 46; FIG. 47 is a perspective view showing a fly-eye lens as a structural element of the display device according to this embodiment; FIG. 48 is a top view showing a fly-eye lens; 49A shows the scattering characteristics of Example 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 49B shows the scattering characteristics of Example 16 of the present invention. Embodiment 16 is different from Embodiment 1 in that instead of the lenticular lens, a fly-eye lens is used. In addition, the anisotropic scattering plate has biaxial scattering characteristics, which produce strong scattering in the X-shaped structure. In particular, the present embodiment enables image distribution effects to be produced in multiple directions of the display surface. Therefore, the present embodiment can be suitably used in a display device that provides a three-dimensional view even if the screen is rotated, and in a display device in a stereoscopic format, in which even when the viewpoint is moved in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, the See different parallax images.

As shown in FIG. 46, different structural elements are used in the reflective liquid crystal display device 115 according to this embodiment, but the basic structure in the Z-axis direction is the same as in Embodiment 1. Specifically, the fly-eye lens 34 is placed on the display surface side of the reflective display panel 2 . The anisotropic scattering plate 601 is placed between the fly-eye lens 34 and the reflective display panel 2 .

As shown in FIGS. 47 and 48 , the fly-eye lens 34 is an image separation optical member provided for separating light emitted from pixels on the reflective display panel 2 into different directions. The fly-eye lens 34 is a lens array in which a plurality of microlenses 34a are arranged in a two-dimensional array. In particular, the microlens 34a in the present embodiment has a two-dimensional spherical structure so that the fly-eye lens 34 will demonstrate separation actions in the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction. The microlenses 34a are configured to be aligned in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the fly-eye lens 34 is combined with a display panel in which display units including at least left-eye pixels 4L and right-eye pixels 4R are arranged in a matrix, whereby different images can be displayed in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Those display units placed adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction will be used to display images for viewpoints in the vertical direction.

In particular, it is considered that the pitch of the microlenses 34 a in the X-axis direction in this embodiment is the same as in the Y-axis direction. In particular, if the pitch of the microlenses 34a in the X-axis direction is defined as a, then the pitch in the Y-axis direction will also be a. Therefore, where microlenses with the same pitch in both directions are used, preferably in the display panel, pixels with the same pitch in both directions are also used.

In the graph shown in FIG. 49 , the scattering intensity in the XY plane is represented in the form of the distance from the origin. Using this figure, a comparison was made between the scattering properties of the anisotropic scattering plate 6 of Example 1 and the anisotropic scattering plate 601 of Example 16. FIG. As shown in FIG. 49A , the scattering characteristic of the anisotropic scattering plate 6 of Example 1 is the largest in the Y-axis direction and the smallest in the X-axis direction. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 49B, the scattering characteristics of the anisotropic scattering plate 601 in Example 16 are maximum in the ±45° direction and minimum in the 0 and 90° directions, ie, the X- and Y-axis directions. Specifically, the direction of maximum scattering is in the middle of the distribution directions. In other words, the scattering is greatest in the direction dividing the angle forming the distribution direction. This type of X-shaped biaxial scattering behavior can be demonstrated using a holographic diffuser that records a two-dimensional holographic pattern.

Now, the relationship between the scattering characteristics of the anisotropic scattering plate 601 and the distribution direction of the fly-eye lens 34 will be described. The fly-eye lens 34 has a distribution effect in the X and Y axis directions, so that the scattering is minimal and substantially the same in the distribution direction and the direction perpendicular thereto. The direction in which the maximum scattering occurs is different from the direction of distribution. This means that the scattering properties in the assigned direction are different from those in the other directions. The structure of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1 except for the above.

The scattering performance of the anisotropic scattering plate in this embodiment is the smallest in the 0 and 90° directions that assign directions to the image of the fly-eye lens. Therefore, the anisotropic scattering plate does not compromise the image distribution effect of the fly-eye lens. The scattering properties are strong in the diagonal directions, ie ±45°, where image distribution effects are not important. Therefore, any deterioration in display quality caused by the combined use of the lenticular lens and the concave-convex structure of the reflective panel is minimized, and the display quality can be improved without compromising the image distribution effect. In addition, the present invention can be effectively used in a display device having image distribution effects in multiple directions within the display surface.

In this embodiment, it is described that the maximum scattering occurs in the direction that divides the angle forming the distribution direction into two. However, it would be sufficient if the direction in which maximum scattering occurs is only approximately a bisecting direction, and does not have to be a strictly bisecting direction.

In this embodiment, it has been described that a fly-eye lens is used as an optical device for image distribution purposes, however, this embodiment is not provided as a limitation as far as the present invention is concerned. Two lenticular lenses may be placed at right angles to each other. Alternatively, multiple lenticular lenses may be placed at angles that do not include right angle structures. It is also possible to use parallax barriers, which inherently place pinholes in two-dimensional structures.

Anisotropic scattering panels have been described as having maximum scattering in two directions (±45°) in the display surface, but this panel can demonstrate multi-axis anisotropic scattering behavior, where strong scattering occurs in several directions . The value of the scattering intensity in the two strong scattering directions may be different for each direction. The structure of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1 except for the above.

A description is now provided regarding Embodiment 17 of the present invention. FIG. 50 is a sectional view showing a display device according to Embodiment 17. FIG. FIG. 51 is a plan view showing a fly-eye lens which is a structural element of a display device according to Embodiment 17. FIG. FIG. 52 is a graph showing scattering characteristics of an anisotropic scattering portion according to Example 17. FIG. FIG. 53 is a graph showing the scattering characteristics of the anisotropic scattering plate according to the present embodiment, where the x-axis represents the angle in the display plane and the y-axis represents the scattering performance. Embodiment 17 differs from Embodiment 1 in terms of the pitch at which microlenses constituting the fly-eye lens are arranged. Changing this spacing is related to the optimization of the anisotropic scattering performance in Example 17.

As shown in FIG. 50, in the reflective liquid crystal display device 117 according to the present embodiment, the reflective liquid crystal display panel 29, the anisotropic scattering plate 602, and the fly-eye lens 35 are used.

As shown in FIG. 51, the microlenses 35a constituting the fly-eye lens 35 are arranged at a pitch a in the X-axis direction, and at a pitch b in the Y-axis direction. Specifically, the microlenses 35a have different pitch values in the X and Y axis directions. Associated with the fly-eye lens 35, the X-axis and Y-axis distances of the reflective liquid crystal display panel 29 are also different values. Therefore, in the case where the X-axis direction pitch of unit pixels constituting the display unit is 1/3 of the value in the Y-axis direction, a specific example in which the pixel pitches in the X and Y-axis directions are different values can be cited. A typical color display panel has pixels of the three primary colors (red, green and blue), so the pixel pitch in a given direction will be 1/3 of the pixel pitch in the direction perpendicular thereto. When such a display panel is used, the pitch of the microlenses in the X-axis direction will be a value different from that of the pitch in the Y-axis direction. In another example where the pitch values are different, a case can be cited where the number of viewpoints is different in the X and Y axis directions, but the pixel pitch in the X and Y axis directions is the same. For example, in the case where there are two viewpoints in the X-axis direction and four viewpoints in the Y-axis direction, the pitch of the microlenses in the Y-axis direction is about 4 times the pitch in the X-axis direction. Therefore, depending on the structure of the display panel to be employed and the display characteristics to be demonstrated, the pitch of the microlenses will thus be different.

As shown in FIG. 52, in a similar manner to Embodiment 16, the anisotropic scattering plate 602 has an X-shaped biaxial scattering characteristic, however, the direction in which the maximum scattering occurs is different. Specifically, the direction in which the maximum scattering occurs is the direction rotated by +θ/2 and −θ/2 with respect to the X-axis direction. Angle θ is the angle formed by the two directions of maximum scattering. There are two included angles: θ and 180°-θ, however, in this embodiment, θ is defined as 0°≤θ≤90°, that is, the smaller angle is defined as the included angle. If this included angle θ is used, then the azimuth angle to the direction of maximum scattering can be expressed in two directions: ±θ/2.

As shown in FIG. 53 , the directions in which the anisotropic scattering performance is the minimum are between 0 and 90°.

Now, the relationship between the pitch a in the X-axis direction and the pitch b in the Y-axis direction of the fly-eye lens of this embodiment, and the included angle θ and the azimuth angle ±θ/2 of the maximum scattering direction will be described in detail. In this embodiment, using these three parameters a, b, and θ, the relationship shown in Formula 44 is established.

[Formula 44]

tan(θ/2)=b/α

Specifically, in this relationship, only the direction in which the anisotropic scattering means produces the maximum scattering is located in the diagonal direction of the microlenses constituting the fly's eye lens. Therefore, the scattering performance in the image distribution direction of the fly-eye lens is also reduced. Except for the above, the structure of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 16.

In the present embodiment, the scattering performance of the anisotropic scattering plate is the smallest in the 0° and 90° directions that assign directions to the images of the fly-eye lens. Therefore, the anisotropic scattering plate will not compromise the image distribution effect of the fly-eye lens. In the diagonal direction, the scattering performance is strong, where image distribution effects are not important. This prevents any deterioration in display quality due to the combined use of lenticular lenses and the concavo-convex structure of the reflective panel, and allows display quality to be improved without compromising the image distribution effect. The invention is preferably used with display devices having different pixel pitch values and number of viewpoints in the X and Y axis directions.

Equation 44 specifies the conditions under which the maximum effect of the present invention can be demonstrated, however, the values determined using this equation are not provided as limitations as far as the present invention is concerned. For example, in Embodiment 16, the anisotropic scattering direction can be kept the same, and only the lens pitch of the fly-eye lens can be changed; conversely, the pitch can be kept the same, while the anisotropic scattering azimuth and included angle can be changed.

In Embodiment 16, the concept of using the Y-axis direction lens pitch b in the fly-eye lens as the X-axis direction lens pitch a in Embodiment 17 is adopted. Therefore, according to Equation 44, tan(θ/2)=α/α=1, and θ/2=45°. Except for the above, the structure of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 16.

The above-described embodiments can be implemented alone or in combination as appropriate.

Claims (20)

1. Display equipment, including: a display panel in which a plurality of display units including at least pixels for displaying an image for a first viewpoint and pixels for displaying an image for a second viewpoint are arranged in a matrix; an image distributing section for distributing light emitted from the pixels to different directions along a first direction along which the pixels for displaying an image for a first viewpoint and for displaying an image for the pixels of the image of the second viewpoint are arranged in the display unit; and An anisotropic scattering part for scattering incident light or outgoing light with respect to the display panel so that scattering in the first direction is different from scattering in directions other than the first direction. 2. The display device of claim 1, wherein scattering in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is different from scattering in the first direction. 3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein a maximum scattering direction by the anisotropic scattering part is the second direction. 4. The display device according to claim 2, wherein a maximum scattering direction by the anisotropic scattering part is a direction rotating from the second direction toward the first direction. 5. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the anisotropic scattering section is provided on the image distribution section side of the pixel of the display panel. 6. The display device of claim 2, wherein a maximum scattering direction by the anisotropic scattering part is the first direction. 7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein the anisotropic scattering part is provided to a rear side of the display panel. 8. The display device of claim 1, wherein the scattering in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction is of the same extent as the scattering in the first direction. 9. The display device of claim 8, wherein a maximum scattering direction by the anisotropic scattering part is different from the first direction. 10. The display device of claim 9, wherein there are a plurality of maximum scattering directions through the anisotropic scattering portion. 11. The display device according to claim 8, wherein a minimum scattering direction by the anisotropic scattering part is the first direction, or the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. 12. The display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The display device has a planar light source for emitting light in a plane on the back of the display panel; and The planar light source emits light in a plane by using a concavo-convex structure formed in or on a surface of the planar light source. 13. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display panel is a display panel having a reflective panel in units of pixels, and a concavo-convex structure is formed in the reflective panel. 14. The display device of claim 1, wherein the display panel has a non-display area extending in the first direction. 15. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the image distribution part is a lens array formed such that the lenses are aligned in the first direction. 16. The display device according to claim 15, wherein a distance H1 between the lens and the anisotropic scattering part is equal to or smaller than L×H/(L+3×N×P), where L is refers to the pitch of the lenses in the first direction, N refers to the number of viewpoints in the first direction, and H refers to the distance between the lenses and the pixels. 17. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the image distribution section is a parallax barrier formed such that openings having a finite width are aligned in the first direction. 18. A terminal device comprising the display device according to claim 1. 19. A display panel in which a plurality of display units including at least pixels for displaying an image for a first viewpoint and pixels for displaying an image for a second viewpoint are arranged in a matrix, wherein, scattering of outgoing light in the display plane is rendered anisotropic; and distributing light coming out of said pixels into mutually different directions along a first direction along which said pixels for displaying an image for a first viewpoint and for displaying an image for a second viewpoint The pixels of an image are arranged in the display unit. 20. An optical member for use in a display panel, in which a plurality of pixels including at least pixels for displaying an image for a first viewpoint and pixels for displaying an image for a second viewpoint are arranged in a matrix a display unit; the optical components include: a planar image distribution section for distributing incident light into different directions; and an anisotropic scattering unit for imparting anisotropy to scattering in the plane of the image distribution unit.

Images