JPH0943594A - Full color image display device - Google Patents
Full color image display deviceInfo
- Publication number
- JPH0943594A JPH0943594A JP7195061A JP19506195A JPH0943594A JP H0943594 A JPH0943594 A JP H0943594A JP 7195061 A JP7195061 A JP 7195061A JP 19506195 A JP19506195 A JP 19506195A JP H0943594 A JPH0943594 A JP H0943594A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- diffraction grating
- light
- display device
- color image
- image display
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Landscapes
- Liquid Crystal (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は、白色光源からの光
を三原色成分に分光する回折格子を用いた表示装置に係
り、特に、フルカラー画像を表示する際に、光の利用効
率を改善でき、好ましくは立体像の表示も可能なフルカ
ラー画像表示装置に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device using a diffraction grating that disperses light from a white light source into three primary color components, and in particular, can improve the light utilization efficiency when displaying a full-color image. The present invention preferably relates to a full-color image display device capable of displaying a stereoscopic image.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】フルカラー画像を液晶パネルで表示する
場合には各画素毎にＲ，Ｇ，Ｂ三原色の色成分が割り当
てられる。液晶ディスプレイではバックライトの全面積
のうち液晶パネル上に存在する画素の開口面積の分だけ
光源光が画素表示に利用されることになる。従って、こ
の開口面積が広いことが望ましい。また、観察者が移動
してもカラー画像の明るさや色調が変化しないことが望
ましい。然し乍ら、従来技術の場合、特に、ＴＦＴ液晶
パネルの場合にはバックライトの全面積のうち１／４程
度しか画素開口が存在しない。更に、この１／４の開口
面積をＲ，Ｇ，Ｂの３つの画素に分けることが必要にな
り、１つの色に対しては全面積の１／１２しか入射光が
利用されないことになる。ところで、従来のフルカラー
画像表示装置では、各画素に対応してＲ，Ｇ，Ｂの着色
セルを設けたカラーフィルタを使用していた。然し乍
ら、カラーフィルタを介在させると白色光源光が大量に
着色セルで吸収されるため、バックライトの利用効率が
悪かった。この点を改善するため、予め白色光をＲ，
Ｇ，Ｂ成分に分光してカラーフィルタの対応する着色セ
ルに導く回折格子アレイを採用した技術が、例えば特開
平６−２２２３６１号公報に開示されている。然し乍
ら、回折格子アレイを用いると、Ｒ，Ｇ，Ｂ各成分の出
射角度範囲に相異が生じるため、観察者の位置に依存し
て画像の明度や色調が変化する。2. Description of the Related Art When a full color image is displayed on a liquid crystal panel, color components of three primary colors of R, G and B are assigned to each pixel. In the liquid crystal display, the light source light is used for pixel display in an amount corresponding to the opening area of the pixel existing on the liquid crystal panel in the total area of the backlight. Therefore, it is desirable that this opening area is large. Further, it is desirable that the brightness and color tone of the color image do not change even if the observer moves. However, in the case of the conventional technique, particularly in the case of the TFT liquid crystal panel, only about 1/4 of the total area of the backlight has pixel openings. Furthermore, it is necessary to divide this 1/4 opening area into three pixels of R, G, and B, so that only 1/12 of the total area of incident light is used for one color. By the way, in the conventional full-color image display device, a color filter provided with R, G, and B colored cells corresponding to each pixel is used. However, when a color filter is interposed, a large amount of white light source light is absorbed by the colored cell, so that the utilization efficiency of the backlight is poor. In order to improve this point, white light is previously set to R,
A technique that employs a diffraction grating array that splits G and B components into corresponding colored cells of a color filter is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-222361. However, when the diffraction grating array is used, the emission angle range of each of the R, G, and B components differs, so that the brightness and color tone of the image change depending on the position of the observer.
【０００３】[0003]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】前記したように液晶デ
ィスプレイの場合には１つの色について使用し得る開口
面積は全面積の１／１２程度であり極めて小さい。この
開口面積を広げることは一般に難しいため、光の集光性
を向上させ光の拡散を防止することが必要になる。ま
た、基本的にカラーフィルタは光源光を吸収するため、
利用効率を改善するためにはこれを必要としない構造が
望まれる。更に、前記のように観察者の位置により画像
の明るさが顕著に変ることは製品価値を低下させるため
解決すべき課題となる。As described above, in the case of a liquid crystal display, the opening area that can be used for one color is about 1/12 of the total area, which is extremely small. Since it is generally difficult to widen this opening area, it is necessary to improve light condensing property and prevent light diffusion. Also, since the color filter basically absorbs the light from the light source,
A structure that does not require this is desired to improve utilization efficiency. Further, as described above, the remarkable change in the brightness of the image depending on the position of the observer reduces the product value, which is a problem to be solved.
【０００４】本発明は、以上の問題点を解決するもの
で、光の利用効率を向上し、明るい画像の観察ができる
と共に色ずれがなく、観察位置による明るさの変化が少
なく、且つ好ましくは両眼視差を利用して立体像の表示
が可能になるフルカラー画像表示装置を提供することを
目的とする。The present invention solves the above problems, improves the light utilization efficiency, allows observation of a bright image, has no color shift, and has little change in brightness depending on the observation position, and preferably An object of the present invention is to provide a full-color image display device capable of displaying a stereoscopic image by utilizing binocular parallax.
【０００５】[0005]
【課題を解決するための手段】本発明は、以上の目的を
達成するために、入射する光を赤色（Ｒ），緑色
（Ｇ），青色（Ｂ）の各波長分布の光に分散し、更に分
散した光を観察者に対し少なくとも垂直方向に収束する
機能を有する第１の回折格子を複数配置した第１の回折
格子アレイと、前記第１の回折格子から出射したＲ，
Ｇ，Ｂの各波長分布の光を、夫々ほぼ同様な出射角度範
囲で回折する機能を有する第２の回折格子からなる第２
の回折格子アレイと、前記第１の回折格子アレイから出
射したＲ，Ｇ，Ｂの各波長分布の光が前記第２の回折格
子に入射する前もしくは後に配設され、前記各波長分布
の光の透過強度を変調する空間光変調器とを設けてなる
フルカラー画像表示装置を構成するものである。更に具
体的に、前記第１の回折格子は、観察者に対し水平方向
の出射方向分布を決定すべく水平方向に光を収束する機
能を有するものからなり、前記第２の回折格子は水平方
向に光をそのまま透過することを特徴とする。また、前
記第１の回折格子は水平方向に光をそのまま透過するも
のからなり、前記第２の回折格子は、観察者に対し水平
方向の出射方向分布を決定すべく水平方向に光を収束又
は発散する機能を有することを特徴とする。また、前記
第１の回折格子アレイと前記第２の回折格子アレイとの
間でＲ，Ｇ，Ｂの各波長分布の光の収束位置付近に、前
記波長分布の光のうちの夫々予め決められた波長成分の
光を透過し、それ以外の波長成分を空間的に遮断する遮
光板を設けることを特徴とする。また、Ｒ，Ｇ，Ｂに対
応した着色セルを備え、夫々予め決められた波長成分の
みを透過する機能を有するカラーフィルタを前記空間光
変調器の前もしくは後に配置し、前記Ｒ，Ｇ，Ｂの各波
長分布の光を夫々対応する着色セルに通すフルカラー画
像表示装置を特徴とする。更に、前記第１の回折格子
は、連続的に傾きが変化する曲線を基本要素とし、各要
素間の間隔を少しずつ変化させながら前記基本要素を垂
直方向に沿って並べたものからなり、前記曲線上の各点
での傾きは、水平方向の収束，発散の角度範囲から決め
られ、前記間隔は、垂直方向の収束，発散の角度範囲か
ら決められることを特徴とする。また、前記第２の回折
格子アレイは、直線を基本要素とする均一な回路格子で
覆われることを特徴とする。更に、前記第１の回折格子
アレイは、複数種類の第１の回折格子を組み合わせたも
のを要素グループとしてこれを複数並べたものからな
り、前記要素グループ内の各第１の回折格子は、水平方
向に互いに隣接した角度範囲に光を回折し、垂直方向に
は同じ角度範囲に光を回折して水平方向に視差を有する
立体像を表示可能にするフルカラー画像表示装置を特徴
とするものである。また、前記第１の回折格子アレイを
構成する第１の回折格子は、水平な直線を基本要素と
し、各要素間の間隔が垂直方向に少しずつ変化するもの
であることを特徴とする。更に、前記第２の回折格子ア
レイを構成する第２の回折格子は、連続的に傾きが変化
する曲線を基本要素とし、該基本要素を垂直方向に並べ
たものからなり、前記曲線上の各点の傾きは水平方向の
収束，発散の角度範囲から決められるものであることを
特徴とする。また、前記第２の回折格子アレイは、複数
種類の前記第２の回折格子を組み合わせたものを要素グ
ループとしてこれを複数並べたものからなり、前記要素
グループ内の各第２の回折格子は、水平方向に互いに隣
接した角度範囲に光を回折し、垂直方向には同じ角度範
囲に光を回折して水平方向に視差を有する立体像を表示
可能にするフルカラー画像表示装置を特徴とするもので
ある。In order to achieve the above object, the present invention disperses incident light into light having wavelength distributions of red (R), green (G) and blue (B), Further, a first diffraction grating array having a plurality of first diffraction gratings having a function of converging the dispersed light at least in a direction perpendicular to an observer, and R emitted from the first diffraction grating,
A second diffraction grating having a function of diffracting light of each wavelength distribution of G and B in substantially the same emission angle range.
And the light of each wavelength distribution of R, G, B emitted from the first diffraction grating array is arranged before or after entering the second diffraction grating. And a spatial light modulator that modulates the transmission intensity of the full-color image display device. More specifically, the first diffraction grating has a function of converging light in a horizontal direction so as to determine a horizontal emission direction distribution for an observer, and the second diffraction grating has a horizontal direction. It is characterized by transmitting light as it is. Further, the first diffraction grating is configured to transmit light as it is in the horizontal direction, and the second diffraction grating converges the light in the horizontal direction in order to determine the horizontal emission direction distribution for the observer. It is characterized by having a function of diverging. Further, between the first diffraction grating array and the second diffraction grating array, each of the light having the wavelength distribution is predetermined in the vicinity of the convergence position of the light having the R, G, and B wavelength distributions. It is characterized in that a light-shielding plate is provided which transmits light of different wavelength components and spatially blocks other wavelength components. Further, a color filter having color cells corresponding to R, G, and B, each of which has a function of transmitting only predetermined wavelength components, is arranged in front of or after the spatial light modulator, and R, G, B are arranged. Is characterized by a full-color image display device that allows light of each wavelength distribution to pass through corresponding colored cells. Furthermore, the first diffraction grating has a basic element that is a curve whose slope changes continuously, and is a structure in which the basic elements are arranged along the vertical direction while gradually changing the interval between the elements, The slope at each point on the curve is determined from the range of convergence and divergence in the horizontal direction, and the interval is determined from the range of convergence and divergence in the vertical direction. Further, the second diffraction grating array is covered with a uniform circuit grating having a straight line as a basic element. Further, the first diffraction grating array is formed by arranging a plurality of kinds of first diffraction gratings combined as an element group, and each first diffraction grating in the element group is horizontal. And a full-color image display device capable of displaying a stereoscopic image having parallax in the horizontal direction by diffracting light in the angular range adjacent to each other in the vertical direction and diffracting light in the same angular range in the vertical direction. . Further, the first diffraction grating which constitutes the first diffraction grating array is characterized in that a horizontal straight line is a basic element, and an interval between the respective elements gradually changes in a vertical direction. Further, the second diffraction grating that constitutes the second diffraction grating array is composed of a curve whose slope changes continuously as a basic element, and the basic elements are arranged in the vertical direction. The feature is that the inclination of a point is determined from the angular range of horizontal convergence and divergence. Further, the second diffraction grating array is configured by arranging a plurality of combinations of the plurality of types of the second diffraction gratings as an element group, and each second diffraction grating in the element group is It is characterized by a full-color image display device capable of displaying a stereoscopic image having a parallax in the horizontal direction by diffracting light in the angular range adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction and diffracting light in the same angular range in the vertical direction. is there.
【０００６】本発明によれば、前段の第１の回折格子ア
レイで白色光をＲ，Ｇ，Ｂ各成分に分光し、且つ集光し
ている。集光した各色成分は夫々対応する空間光変調器
の画素に導かれる。このため、原理的にカラーフィルタ
は不要であり、且つ光の利用効率が高い。また、後段の
第２の回折格子アレイによりＲ，Ｇ，Ｂ各成分の出射角
度範囲を互いに等しくなるように補正しているので、視
角依存性がなくなる。更に、垂直方向だけでなく水平方
向に対しても出射角度範囲を制御可能とし、好ましくは
両眼視差を利用して立体表示を実現している。以上の構
成により、光の利用効率が向上し、明るい画像が得ら
れ、立体像の表示が可能になり、観察位置による明るさ
の変化が少なくなる効果が得られる。According to the present invention, the first diffraction grating array in the preceding stage disperses and collects white light into R, G and B components. Each of the collected color components is guided to the corresponding pixel of the spatial light modulator. Therefore, in principle, a color filter is unnecessary and the light utilization efficiency is high. Further, since the emission angle ranges of the R, G, and B components are corrected to be equal to each other by the second diffraction grating array in the latter stage, the viewing angle dependency is eliminated. Further, the emission angle range can be controlled not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction, and preferably stereoscopic display is realized by utilizing binocular parallax. With the above configuration, the light utilization efficiency is improved, a bright image can be obtained, a stereoscopic image can be displayed, and the change in brightness depending on the observation position can be reduced.
【０００７】[0007]
【発明の実施の形態】以下、本発明に係るフルカラー画
像表示装置を図面を参照にして詳述する。図１は本発明
のフルカラー画像表示装置の基本的な構成を示すもので
ある。図１および図２に示すように、フルカラー画像表
示装置は光源５からの白色光等の入射光４をＲ，Ｇ，Ｂ
各色の波長分布の光に分散，集光する第１の回折格子１
と、各波長分布の光を同様な出射角度範囲で回折する第
２の回折格子２と、第２の回折格子２からの光の透過強
度を変調してカラー画像を表示する空間光変調器３等か
ら構成される。空間光変調器３は例えばアクティブマト
リックス型の液晶パネルからなる。観察者６は観察範囲
７内でカラー画像を観察する。なお、第１の回折格子１
および第２の回折格子２は複数配置され第１の回折格子
アレイ１Ａおよび第２の回折格子アレイ２Ａ（図２）を
形成する。BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A full-color image display device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a full-color image display device of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the full-color image display device allows incident light 4 such as white light from a light source 5 to enter into R, G, and B.
First diffraction grating 1 that disperses and collects light of wavelength distribution of each color
And a second diffraction grating 2 that diffracts light of each wavelength distribution in the same emission angle range, and a spatial light modulator 3 that modulates the transmission intensity of light from the second diffraction grating 2 to display a color image. Etc. The spatial light modulator 3 is composed of, for example, an active matrix type liquid crystal panel. The observer 6 observes the color image within the observation range 7. The first diffraction grating 1
A plurality of the second diffraction gratings 2 are arranged to form the first diffraction grating array 1A and the second diffraction grating array 2A (FIG. 2).
【０００８】第１の回折格子１は入射光４をＲ，Ｇ，Ｂ
の各波長分布の光に分散し、更に、互いに分散した光を
少なくとも垂直方向に収束する機能を有する。これに対
し、第２の回折格子２は、互いに異なる発散角で入射し
たＲ，Ｇ，Ｂの各波長分布の光を補償的に回折して出射
角度範囲を互いに一致させる。このとき一般的に回折格
子の回折角度βは入射光の入射角α，波長λおよび格子
間隔ｄ（空間周波数の逆数）との関係において次式が成
立する。 ｍλ＝ｄ（ｓｉｎα−ｓｉｎβ） ここでｍは回折次数であり通常は＋１もしくは−１のみ
を考えればよい。即ち、回折格子の形状をブレーズド型
等にすることにより＋１次もしくは−１次の回折光の回
折効率を非常に高くすることができる。このため＋１次
もしくは−１次の回折光のみを考えればよい。以上の式
から垂直方向について考えると第１の回折格子１によっ
て波長ごとに回折角度が変るが、各波長に対して第２の
回折格子２の回折角度が一定でも第１の回折格子での分
散の角度を補償するように機能できることがわかる。従
って、第２の回折格子２においてＲ，Ｇ，Ｂ用の回折格
子を共通のものとしてよく、作製が非常に容易になる。The first diffraction grating 1 transmits the incident light 4 into R, G, B
It has a function to disperse the light of each wavelength distribution and further converge the mutually disperse lights at least in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the second diffraction grating 2 compensatoryly diffracts the light having the respective wavelength distributions of R, G, and B which are incident at divergence angles different from each other, and makes the emission angle ranges coincide with each other. At this time, in general, the diffraction angle β of the diffraction grating satisfies the following equation in relation to the incident angle α of the incident light, the wavelength λ, and the grating interval d (the reciprocal of the spatial frequency). m [lambda] = d (sin [alpha] -sin [beta]) where m is the diffraction order, and normally only +1 or -1 should be considered. That is, the diffraction efficiency of the + 1st-order or -1st-order diffracted light can be significantly increased by making the shape of the diffraction grating a blazed type or the like. Therefore, only the + 1st or -1st order diffracted light need be considered. Considering the vertical direction from the above equation, the diffraction angle changes depending on the wavelength by the first diffraction grating 1, but even if the diffraction angle of the second diffraction grating 2 is constant with respect to each wavelength, the dispersion in the first diffraction grating is constant. It can be seen that it can function to compensate for the angle of. Therefore, the R, G, and B diffraction gratings may be commonly used in the second diffraction grating 2, and the manufacture becomes very easy.
【０００９】回折光８は前記したように少なくとも垂直
方向に収束するが水平方向に対しては図３又は図１１に
示す２通りの場合が採用される。図３は水平方向につい
ても回折する場合を示すもので入射光４は第１の回折格
子１でＲ，Ｇ，Ｂの各波長分布ともほぼ同じ角度で水平
方向に回折する回折光９となる。この場合、図示のよう
に第２の回折格子２では影響を受けずにそのまま透過し
空間光変調器３に入射される。これは、第１の回折格子
１の空間周波数が垂直方向に高く水平方向に低い場合に
容易に実現できる。以上のように、図３の例では第１の
回折格子１に水平方向の回折作用を付加して水平方向の
観察範囲７を規制している。図１１の場合は、入射光４
は水平方向に関してはそのまま第１の回折格子１を通過
する透過光１０となる。第２の回折格子２で水平方向に
所定の出射角度範囲で広げられて空間光変調器３に入射
する。即ち、図３の例とは逆に、図１１の例では第２の
回折格子２に水平方向の回折作用を付加している。勿
論、場合によってはいずれの回折格子にも水平方向の回
折作用を付加しなくてもよい。一般に、ディスプレイで
は水平方向の視角範囲に較べて垂直方向の視角範囲を最
適に制御することが重要である。即ち、水平方向に広い
視角範囲を得たい場合には水平方向に散乱の効果を有す
るパネルをディスプレイ前面に取り付けるなどの容易な
方法がある。As described above, the diffracted light 8 converges at least in the vertical direction, but the two cases shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 11 are adopted in the horizontal direction. FIG. 3 shows a case where the light is also diffracted in the horizontal direction, and the incident light 4 becomes diffracted light 9 which is diffracted in the horizontal direction by the first diffraction grating 1 at substantially the same angle as the R, G, and B wavelength distributions. In this case, as shown in the figure, the light is transmitted as it is without being affected by the second diffraction grating 2 and is incident on the spatial light modulator 3. This can be easily realized when the spatial frequency of the first diffraction grating 1 is high in the vertical direction and low in the horizontal direction. As described above, in the example of FIG. 3, the horizontal diffraction range is added to the first diffraction grating 1 to regulate the horizontal observation range 7. In the case of FIG. 11, incident light 4
Is the transmitted light 10 that passes through the first diffraction grating 1 as it is in the horizontal direction. The light is expanded in the horizontal direction by the second diffraction grating 2 within a predetermined emission angle range and is incident on the spatial light modulator 3. That is, contrary to the example of FIG. 3, in the example of FIG. 11, a horizontal diffraction action is added to the second diffraction grating 2. Of course, depending on the case, it is not necessary to add a horizontal diffraction action to any of the diffraction gratings. Generally, in a display, it is important to optimally control the vertical viewing angle range as compared to the horizontal viewing angle range. That is, in order to obtain a wide viewing angle range in the horizontal direction, there is an easy method such as mounting a panel having a scattering effect in the horizontal direction on the front surface of the display.
【００１０】再び図１に戻って第２の回折格子２は第１
の回折格子１からのＲ，Ｇ，Ｂの各波長分布の回折光８
を垂直方向に関しほぼ同一の出射角度範囲の回折光Ｂ，
Ｇ，Ｒとして回折する機能を有するものからなる。Returning to FIG. 1 again, the second diffraction grating 2 has the first
Diffracted light 8 of each wavelength distribution of R, G, B from the diffraction grating 1 of
Is a diffracted light beam B having substantially the same emission angle range in the vertical direction,
It has a function of diffracting as G and R.
【００１１】以上のように垂直方向および水平方向に回
折された各波長分布ごとの光は観察範囲７内にのみ回折
される。これにより観察者６は観察範囲７内においては
均一な明るさのカラー画像を観察することができる。The light for each wavelength distribution diffracted in the vertical and horizontal directions as described above is diffracted only within the observation range 7. As a result, the observer 6 can observe a color image of uniform brightness within the observation range 7.
【００１２】空間光変調器３は第２の回折格子２の前又
は後に配設されるもので（図示では第２の回折格子２の
後に配置されている）各波長分布の光の透過強度を変調
するものであり例えば液晶パネルに相当するものであ
る。The spatial light modulator 3 is arranged before or after the second diffraction grating 2 (in the drawing, it is arranged after the second diffraction grating 2) and shows the transmission intensity of light of each wavelength distribution. It modulates and corresponds to, for example, a liquid crystal panel.
【００１３】図４は第１の回折格子１と第２の回折格子
２との間に遮光板１１を介設した例を示す。遮光板は
Ｒ，Ｇ，Ｂの各波長分布の光の垂直方向における収束位
置付近に配置され、前記波長分布の光のうちの夫々予め
決められた波長成分を透過し、それ以外の波長成分の光
を空間的に遮断するものである。第１の回折格子１から
の回折光８の例えばＲとＧとの間には中間色が連続的に
介在するため光をＲ，Ｇ，Ｂに分散したとしても他の波
長成分が混在して第２の回折格子２側に入射される。遮
光板１１は第２の回折格子２に入射する波長成分を空間
的に選択することができ、Ｒ，Ｇ，Ｂの各波長成分を最
適化することが可能である。従って、必要な光に関する
損失はなく、観察される画像の彩度を高くすることがで
きる。図５は遮光板１１の一例を示すものである。遮光
板１１はＲ，Ｇ，Ｂに対応して水平方向に長い長方形の
３個の開口部１２を有しそれを囲んで遮光部１３が形成
される。開口部１２が長孔状に形成されているのは一般
的に水平方向と垂直方向の収束位置が異なるためであ
る。なお、遮光板１１を介設することによりカラーフィ
ルタが不要となる。FIG. 4 shows an example in which a light shielding plate 11 is provided between the first diffraction grating 1 and the second diffraction grating 2. The light-shielding plate is arranged in the vicinity of the vertical convergence position of the light having the R, G, and B wavelength distributions, transmits the predetermined wavelength components of the light having the wavelength distribution, and transmits the other wavelength components. It blocks light spatially. For example, since the intermediate color is continuously present between R and G of the diffracted light 8 from the first diffraction grating 1, even if the light is dispersed into R, G, and B, other wavelength components are mixed and the 2 is incident on the diffraction grating 2 side. The light shielding plate 11 can spatially select the wavelength components incident on the second diffraction grating 2, and can optimize the respective wavelength components of R, G, and B. Therefore, there is no required light loss and the saturation of the observed image can be increased. FIG. 5 shows an example of the light shielding plate 11. The light-shielding plate 11 has three rectangular openings 12 that are long in the horizontal direction corresponding to R, G, and B, and a light-shielding portion 13 is formed so as to surround them. The opening 12 is formed in the shape of an elongated hole because the convergence positions in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction are generally different. By providing the light shielding plate 11, the color filter becomes unnecessary.
【００１４】図６はカラーフィルタ１４を補助的に配置
した場合を示す。カラーフィルタ１４はＲ，Ｇ，Ｂに対
応した着色セルを備え、夫々予め決められた波長成分の
みを透過する機能を有し、Ｒ，Ｇ，Ｂの各波長分布の光
を夫々対応する着色セルに通す。この場合には、遮光板
１１（図４，図５）を用いた場合と同様にＲ，Ｇ，Ｂの
各波長成分を最適化でき、彩度の高い画像を表示するこ
とができる。しかし、カラーフィルタ１４はその内部に
光を吸収する度合が遮光板１１よりも大きく若干光の利
用効率は下る。しかし、遮光板１１に較べて配置に関す
る位置精度が要求されないので組み込みが容易にでき
る。なお、図６では空間光変調器３の後側に配置されて
いるが、その前側に配置してもよい。FIG. 6 shows a case in which the color filter 14 is arranged auxiliary. The color filter 14 is provided with colored cells corresponding to R, G, and B, and has a function of transmitting only predetermined wavelength components, respectively, and colored cells corresponding to light of R, G, and B wavelength distributions, respectively. Pass through. In this case, each wavelength component of R, G, and B can be optimized, and an image with high saturation can be displayed, as in the case of using the light shielding plate 11 (FIGS. 4 and 5). However, the color filter 14 has a greater degree of light absorption inside than the light-shielding plate 11, and the light utilization efficiency is slightly reduced. However, as compared with the light-shielding plate 11, positional accuracy regarding the arrangement is not required, so that the light-shielding plate 11 can be easily assembled. In FIG. 6, the spatial light modulator 3 is arranged on the rear side, but it may be arranged on the front side.
【００１５】図７（ａ）は第１の回折格子アレイ１Ａの
一例を示す。第１の回折格子アレイ１Ａは図７（ｂ）に
示す第１の回折格子１を縦横に多数個配設したものから
なる。第１の回折格子１は連続的に傾きが変化する曲線
１５を基本要素とし、各要素内の間隔１６を少しずつ変
化させたものからなる。曲線１５上の各点での傾きは水
平方向の収束，発散の角度範囲から決められる。また、
間隔１６は垂直方向の収束，発散の角度範囲から決めら
れる。図示のように、第１の回折格子アレイは同じパタ
ーンの第１の回折格子１を並べるだけでよく、作製も容
易である。また、第１の回折格子１はほぼ隙間なく表示
部全域に並べることができるため入射する光を効率よく
使える利点を有する。FIG. 7A shows an example of the first diffraction grating array 1A. The first diffraction grating array 1A is composed of a large number of first diffraction gratings 1 shown in FIG. 7B arranged vertically and horizontally. The first diffraction grating 1 has a curve 15 whose inclination continuously changes as a basic element, and is configured by gradually changing a space 16 in each element. The inclination at each point on the curve 15 is determined from the angular range of horizontal convergence and divergence. Also,
The interval 16 is determined from the angular range of vertical convergence and divergence. As shown in the figure, the first diffraction grating array only needs to arrange the first diffraction gratings 1 having the same pattern, and is easy to manufacture. Further, since the first diffraction grating 1 can be arranged in the entire display portion with almost no gap, it has an advantage that incident light can be used efficiently.
【００１６】図８は第２の回折格子アレイ２Ａの全体構
成と、Ｒ，Ｇ，Ｂに対応した第２の回折格子２（ｂ）の
パターンを示す。図示のように、第２の回折格子２は水
平な直線を基本要素とし等間隔で配列している。第２の
回折格子アレイ２Ａは同形の第２の回折格子２を縦横に
並べたものである。図８（ａ）は第２の回折格子２を複
数個並べたものから形成されるがパターンが共通のため
領域分けは必要でなく一枚ものから形成されてもよく、
作製が決めて容易である。この場合には位置合わせの精
度を要求されないため作製が容易である。一要素分の３
つの回折格子は夫々Ｂ用，Ｇ用，Ｒ用のものからなり、
夫々の回折格子の直線間隔は一定である。FIG. 8 shows the overall structure of the second diffraction grating array 2A and the pattern of the second diffraction grating 2 (b) corresponding to R, G and B. As shown in the figure, the second diffraction grating 2 has horizontal straight lines as basic elements and is arranged at equal intervals. The second diffraction grating array 2A is formed by arranging the second diffraction gratings 2 having the same shape vertically and horizontally. 8A is formed by arranging a plurality of the second diffraction gratings 2, but since the pattern is common, it is not necessary to divide into regions, and it may be formed of one piece.
Easy to make. In this case, the alignment is not required to be accurate, so that the manufacturing is easy. 3 for one element
The two diffraction gratings are for B, G, and R,
The linear spacing of each diffraction grating is constant.
【００１７】図９は第１の回折格子アレイ１Ａの他の例
を示す。この第１の回折格子アレイ１Ａは一対の左右対
称の回折格子１７，１８を組み合わせてなる要素グルー
プを複数個縦横に配置したものからなる。要素グループ
の回折格子１７，１８は傾きが徐々に変化する曲線１９
からなり、且つ垂直方向の間隔２０は徐々に変化する。
この回折格子１７，１８は水平方向に互いに隣接した角
度範囲に光を回折し、垂直方向には同じ角度範囲に光を
回折し水平方向に視差を有する立体像を表示可能にする
ものである。前記左側の回折格子１７は正面から左側の
決められた角度範囲まで光を広げて回折し、もう一方の
右側の回折格子１８は正面から右側の決められた角度範
囲まで光を広げて回折する機能を有する。そこで、要素
グループの内、回折格子１７に対応する空間光変調器の
各画素で３次元物体を左側から見た左画像を表示するよ
うにし、回折格子１８に対応する画素で右側から見た右
画像を表示すると本発明の表示装置の正面付近で観察し
ている観察者６の左目に回折格子１７で得られた左画像
が観察され、右目に回折格子１８で得られた右画像が夫
々独立に観察され両眼視差による立体像が認識できる。FIG. 9 shows another example of the first diffraction grating array 1A. The first diffraction grating array 1A is formed by arranging a plurality of element groups each composed of a pair of left and right symmetrical diffraction gratings 17 and 18 arranged vertically and horizontally. The diffraction gratings 17 and 18 of the element group have a curve 19 whose inclination gradually changes.
And the vertical spacing 20 varies gradually.
The diffraction gratings 17 and 18 diffract light in an angular range adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction, diffract light in the same angular range in the vertical direction, and display a stereoscopic image having a parallax in the horizontal direction. The left diffraction grating 17 spreads and diffracts light from the front to a predetermined angle range on the left side, and the other right diffraction grating 18 spreads and diffracts light from the front to a predetermined angle range on the right side. Have. Therefore, among the element groups, each pixel of the spatial light modulator corresponding to the diffraction grating 17 displays the left image of the three-dimensional object viewed from the left side, and the pixel corresponding to the diffraction grating 18 displays the right image viewed from the right side. When an image is displayed, the left image obtained by the diffraction grating 17 is observed by the left eye of the observer 6 who is observing near the front of the display device of the present invention, and the right image obtained by the diffraction grating 18 is independently observed by the right eye. A stereoscopic image can be recognized due to binocular parallax.
【００１８】図１０は前記図９における第１の回折格子
アレイ１Ａに組み合わされる遮光板２１を示す。回折格
子１７，１８に対応し、左右同一形状の一対の遮光板を
組み合わせたものからなり、図５と同様に開口部２２と
遮光部２３を有する。FIG. 10 shows a light shielding plate 21 combined with the first diffraction grating array 1A shown in FIG. Corresponding to the diffraction gratings 17 and 18, it is composed of a pair of light-shielding plates of the same shape on the left and right, and has an opening 22 and a light-shielding portion 23 as in FIG.
【００１９】図１１乃至図１５に示す実施形態は前記の
ものと異なり、第１の回折格子１は水平方向の光をその
まま透過させ、第２の回折格子２は観察者に対し、水平
方向に光の出射方向分布を決定すべく水平方向に光を回
折する機能を有する。この点は先に図１１を参照して説
明を行った。なお、この場合も、図４，図６に示した遮
光板１１およびカラーフィルタ１４に類するものを使用
してもよいが説明を省略する。なお、図１２の遮光板２
４がこの場合適用される。遮光板２４は開口部２５，遮
光部２６を有するものからなり、開口部２５は図４の遮
光板１１の開口部１２に較べて横長に形成される。これ
は第１の回折格子１が図１１に示すように水平方向の光
をそのまま通過光１０として透過させるために広幅に形
成する必要があるためである。The embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 15 is different from the above-mentioned one, in which the first diffraction grating 1 transmits the light in the horizontal direction as it is, and the second diffraction grating 2 transmits the light in the horizontal direction to the observer. It has a function of diffracting light in the horizontal direction in order to determine the distribution of the outgoing direction of light. This point has been described earlier with reference to FIG. Also in this case, the light shielding plate 11 and the color filter 14 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 may be used, but the description thereof will be omitted. The light shield plate 2 of FIG.
4 applies in this case. The light-shielding plate 24 has an opening portion 25 and a light-shielding portion 26, and the opening portion 25 is formed horizontally longer than the opening portion 12 of the light-shielding plate 11 in FIG. This is because the first diffraction grating 1 needs to be formed in a wide width in order to transmit the light in the horizontal direction as the passing light 10 as it is as shown in FIG.
【００２０】図１３は図１１に示した第１の回折格子ア
レイ１Ａの具体例を示す。第１の回折格子１は水平直線
を基本要素とし、水平方向は均一で垂直方向には格子間
隔が変化するものからなる。この第１の回折格子アレイ
１Ａは以上のパターン構造の第１の回折格子１を縦横に
配列したものからなる。同一のパターンの第１の回折格
子１を使用できるため作製が容易である。また、ほぼ隙
間なく表示部全域に並べることができるため入射する光
を効率よく使うことができる。FIG. 13 shows a specific example of the first diffraction grating array 1A shown in FIG. The first diffraction grating 1 is composed of a horizontal straight line as a basic element, which is uniform in the horizontal direction and whose grating spacing changes in the vertical direction. The first diffraction grating array 1A is formed by arranging the first diffraction gratings 1 having the above-described pattern structure vertically and horizontally. Since the first diffraction gratings 1 having the same pattern can be used, the production is easy. Further, since the light can be arranged in the entire display area with almost no gap, incident light can be efficiently used.
【００２１】図１４は図１１に示した第２の回折格子ア
レイ２Ａの具体例を示す。第２の回折格子２はＲ用回折
格子２７，Ｇ用回折格子２８およびＢ用回折格子２９の
３つの回折格子を１組としたものからなり、第２の回折
格子アレイ２Ａは前記１組の第２の回折格子２を縦横に
並べたものからなる。なお、Ｒ用回折格子２７，Ｇ用回
折格子２８およびＢ用回折格子２９はすべて同一の形状
のものからなる。即ち、Ｒ用回折格子２７は連続的に傾
きが変化する曲線３０を基本要素とし、この基本要素を
垂直方向に等間隔で並べたものからなる。曲線３０上の
各点の傾きは、水平方向の収束，発散の角度範囲から決
められるものである。前記したように同一のパターンが
使用されるため作製が容易である。以上の本発明の例で
は同一パターンのものを複数個配列したものからなる
が、本発明の表示装置の表示面積が観察可能範囲よりも
非常な大きい場合は表示装置の位置に応じて回折格子の
パターンを変えた方が光の利用効率などの面で適する場
合もある。FIG. 14 shows a specific example of the second diffraction grating array 2A shown in FIG. The second diffraction grating 2 is composed of three diffraction gratings, that is, the R diffraction grating 27, the G diffraction grating 28, and the B diffraction grating 29 as one set, and the second diffraction grating array 2A has the above-mentioned one set. The second diffraction grating 2 is arranged vertically and horizontally. The R diffraction grating 27, the G diffraction grating 28, and the B diffraction grating 29 all have the same shape. That is, the R diffraction grating 27 has a curve 30 whose inclination continuously changes as a basic element, and the basic elements are arranged at equal intervals in the vertical direction. The inclination of each point on the curve 30 is determined from the angular range of horizontal convergence and divergence. Since the same pattern is used as described above, it is easy to manufacture. In the example of the present invention described above, a plurality of those having the same pattern are arranged, but when the display area of the display device of the present invention is much larger than the observable range, the diffraction grating of the display device is changed according to the position of the display device. In some cases, changing the pattern is more suitable in terms of light utilization efficiency.
【００２２】図１５は第２の回折格子アレイ２Ａの別の
例を示し、立体表示を可能にしている。第２の回折格子
２は左右対称の回折格子３１，３２を一つの要素グルー
プとして組み合わせたものを縦横に配列したものからな
る。図の左側の回折格子３１は同一パターン形状のＲ用
回折格子３３，Ｇ用回折格子３４およびＢ用回折格子３
５を縦に並べたものからなり右側の回折格子３２は前記
Ｒ用，Ｇ用，Ｂ用回折格子３３，３４，３５と対称なＲ
用回折格子３６，Ｇ用回折格子３７およびＢ用回折格子
３８を縦に並べたものからなる。各回折格子３３乃至３
８は傾きが連続的に変化する曲線３９からなる。曲線３
９上の各点の傾きは水平方向の収束，発明の角度範囲か
ら決められる。水平方向に互いに隣接した角度範囲に光
を回折するものであり、垂直方向には同じ角度範囲に光
を回折する。図１５（ｂ）の要素グループの左側の回折
格子３１は正面から左側の決められた角度範囲まで光を
広げて回折し、残る右側の回折格子３２は正面から右側
の決められた角度範囲まで光を広げて回折する機能を持
っている。そこで要素グループの内の回折格子３１に対
応する空間光変調器３の各画素で３次元物体を左側から
見た左画像を表示するようにし、右側の回折格子３２に
対応する空間光変調器３の各画素で右側から見た右画像
を表示すると本発明の表示装置の正面付近で観察してい
る観察者６（図２）の左目には左画像が観察され、右目
には右画像が夫々独立に観察され、両眼視差による立体
像が認識される。FIG. 15 shows another example of the second diffraction grating array 2A, which enables stereoscopic display. The second diffraction grating 2 is composed of a combination of left and right symmetric diffraction gratings 31 and 32 that are combined as one element group and arranged vertically and horizontally. The diffraction grating 31 on the left side of the drawing is an R diffraction grating 33, a G diffraction grating 34, and a B diffraction grating 3 having the same pattern shape.
The right side diffraction grating 32 is formed by arranging 5 vertically, and the R diffraction grating 32 is symmetrical to the R, G, and B diffraction gratings 33, 34, and 35.
The diffraction grating 36 for G, the diffraction grating 37 for G, and the diffraction grating 38 for B are vertically arranged. Each diffraction grating 33 to 3
8 comprises a curve 39 whose slope changes continuously. Curve 3
The inclination of each point on 9 is determined from the horizontal convergence and the angle range of the invention. It diffracts light in an angular range adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction, and diffracts light in the same angular range in the vertical direction. The diffraction grating 31 on the left side of the element group of FIG. 15B spreads and diffracts light from the front surface to a predetermined angular range on the left side, and the remaining diffraction grating 32 on the right side emits light from the front surface to a predetermined angular range on the right side. It has a function to spread and diffract. Therefore, each pixel of the spatial light modulator 3 corresponding to the diffraction grating 31 in the element group displays the left image of the three-dimensional object viewed from the left side, and the spatial light modulator 3 corresponding to the right diffraction grating 32 is displayed. When the right image viewed from the right side of each pixel is displayed, the left image is observed by the left eye and the right image is observed by the right eye of the observer 6 (FIG. 2) observing near the front of the display device of the present invention. Observed independently, a stereoscopic image is recognized by binocular parallax.
【００２３】本発明は以上のものに限られるものではな
く、以下のようにしてもよい。本実施態様では、第２の
回折格子アレイ２Ａの観察者側に空間光変調器３を配置
する場合について述べたが、第２の回折格子アレイ２Ａ
と第１の回折格子アレイ１Ａの間に配置してもよい。ま
た、本実施態様では、第１の回折格子アレイ１Ａと第２
の回折格子アレイ２Ａが夫々独立した素子であるように
述べたが、１つの透明基材の表裏に夫々の回折格子アレ
イを形成してもよい。この場合、装置として簡単になる
だけでなく、２つの回折格子アレイの相対配置位置が正
確にできる。また、本実施態様では、第１の回折格子１
からの回折光が一度収束した後、第２の回折格子２に入
射する場合について述べたが、ある程度収束していれ
ば、収束中であっても同様の効果が得られる。また、本
実施態様では、例えば第１の回折格子１で回折光の出射
角度範囲を決める場合について述べたが、第１の回折格
子１における収束角度を適当なものとし、第２の回折格
子２によって観察範囲に適した出射角度で回折するよう
にしてもよい。この場合は、第２の回折格子２が比較的
複雑になり、第１の回折格子１との位置合わせは正確に
行う必要があるが、遮光板１１を挿入する場合に配置が
容易になり、Ｒ，Ｇ，Ｂの各波長分布の選択が任意に行
える。本実施態様では、例えば第１の回折格子１で回折
光の垂直方向の出射角度範囲を決め、第２の回折格子２
で水平方向の出射角度範囲を決める場合について述べた
が、第１の回折格子１では装置構成上適当な位置に光が
収束するようにし、第２の回折格子２において水平方向
に加えて垂直方向の出射角度も適切にするような機能を
持たせてもよい。この場合、例えば、遮光板１１を挿入
する場合に配置が容易になり、Ｒ，Ｇ，Ｂの各波長成分
の選択が任意に行える。本実施態様では、２枚の視差画
像によって立体像を表示する場合について述べたが、こ
れに限らず、複数枚の視差画像と、同数個の種類の第１
の回折格子１又は第２の回折格子２を要素グループとし
て用意することにより、より自然な立体像が表示でき
る。このとき、要素グループ内の第１の回折格子１又は
第２の回折格子２は夫々隣接する角度範囲に光を回折す
る機能を持っている必要がある。The present invention is not limited to the above, but may be as follows. In this embodiment, the case where the spatial light modulator 3 is arranged on the viewer side of the second diffraction grating array 2A has been described.
And the first diffraction grating array 1A. In the present embodiment, the first diffraction grating array 1A and the second diffraction grating array 1A
However, the diffraction grating arrays 2A may be formed on the front and back sides of one transparent base material. In this case, not only the device becomes simpler, but also the relative arrangement positions of the two diffraction grating arrays can be made accurate. Further, in this embodiment, the first diffraction grating 1
The case where the diffracted light from is converged once and then incident on the second diffraction grating 2 has been described. However, if the diffracted light is converged to some extent, the same effect can be obtained even during the convergence. Further, in the present embodiment, for example, the case where the emission angle range of the diffracted light is determined by the first diffraction grating 1 has been described, but the convergence angle in the first diffraction grating 1 is set to an appropriate value, and the second diffraction grating 2 is set. Therefore, the light may be diffracted at an emission angle suitable for the observation range. In this case, the second diffraction grating 2 becomes relatively complicated, and the alignment with the first diffraction grating 1 needs to be performed accurately, but when the light shielding plate 11 is inserted, the arrangement becomes easy, Each wavelength distribution of R, G, B can be arbitrarily selected. In the present embodiment, for example, the first diffraction grating 1 determines the vertical emission angle range of the diffracted light, and the second diffraction grating 2
The case of determining the horizontal emission angle range has been described above, but in the first diffraction grating 1, the light is made to converge at an appropriate position in the device configuration, and in the second diffraction grating 2, in addition to the horizontal direction, the vertical direction is set. It may be provided with a function to make the output angle of the light source appropriate. In this case, for example, the arrangement becomes easy when the light shielding plate 11 is inserted, and R, G, and B wavelength components can be arbitrarily selected. In the present embodiment, the case where a stereoscopic image is displayed by two parallax images has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of parallax images and the same number of types of first images are used.
By preparing the diffraction grating 1 or the second diffraction grating 2 as the element group, a more natural stereoscopic image can be displayed. At this time, the first diffraction grating 1 or the second diffraction grating 2 in the element group needs to have a function of diffracting light in the adjacent angular ranges.
【００２４】[0024]
【発明の効果】本発明のフルカラー画像表示装置は、次
のような顕著な効果を奏する。 １）本発明の装置は、液晶ディスプレイのようなバック
ライトを必要とする表示装置において光の利用効率を非
常に高くでき明るい像が観察できる。また、色ずれなど
が極めて小さくできる効果を有する。 ２）本発明の表示装置では、入射光の波長ごとの分光と
収束の２つの機能をもつ第１の回折格子により１画素毎
に対応したＲ，Ｇ，Ｂの収束光とし、この収束光のう
ち、Ｒ，Ｇ，Ｂの各波長成分を同一の角度範囲に回折す
る機能を有する第２の回折格子によりほぼ同じ出射角度
範囲を持った光としている。このＲ，Ｇ，Ｂの各波長成
分は夫々空間光変調器の各画素により光強度が変調さ
れ、原理的にカラーフィルタを用いることなくＲ，Ｇ，
Ｂの夫々の光強度により任意の色調を表示することがで
きる。 ３）第１の回折格子における収束角度は、基本的に観察
者に対する垂直方向の観察範囲によって決められる。一
般的には垂直方向の観察範囲は狭くてよいため、回折格
子における同方向の収束角度範囲は狭くてよい。第２の
回折格子は第１の回折格子による波長ごとの分光時の出
射角度の違いを補償するように機能し、従って観察範囲
では色ずれなくフルカラー画像が観察できる。一方、観
察範囲以外には光が殆ど漏れないため、光の利用効率は
非常に高く、明るい画像を観察することができる。 ４）第１，第２の回折格子を適切に設計することによっ
て、観察可能範囲内での垂直方向および水平方向におけ
る光量分布を均一にできる。従って、観察可能範囲内に
おいて観察者はどの位置から見ても等しい明るさの画像
を観察できる。 ５）第１の回折格子からの光の垂直方向の収束位置付近
に予め決められたＲ，Ｇ，Ｂの波長成分を通過するよう
な開口部が設けられた遮光板を配置することにより、必
要な波長成分の損失を避けて、且つ観察される色を形成
するＲ，Ｇ，Ｂの各色の波長分布を適切に狭くすること
ができ、従って彩度の高いフルカラー画像を表示するこ
とができる。 ６）空間光変調器の前、もしくは後に補助的なカラーフ
ィルタを配置して、各色の波長分布を補正しても５）と
ほぼ同様な効果が得られる。 ７）第２の回折格子アレイは全面均一な回折格子とする
ことも可能であり、この場合、第１の回折格子アレイと
の位置合わせなどの必要なく、非常に簡便に実施でき
る。 ８）複数種類の第１の回折格子又は第２の回折格子を要
素グループとし、要素グループ内の各回折格子は、観察
者に対し、夫々垂直方向には同じ角度範囲に光を回折
し、水平方向には夫々隣接する角度範囲に回折する機能
を持たせることにより、各回折格子について夫々独立、
且つ隣接した観察範囲が設定でき、従って本発明の表示
装置は観察する方向により独立して異なる視差画像を表
示できるため、両眼視差を利用した立体像の表示が可能
になる。The full-color image display device of the present invention has the following remarkable effects. 1) The device of the present invention has a very high light utilization efficiency in a display device requiring a backlight such as a liquid crystal display, and a bright image can be observed. Further, there is an effect that color shift and the like can be made extremely small. 2) In the display device of the present invention, R, G, and B convergent lights corresponding to each pixel are made by the first diffraction grating having two functions of splitting and converging incident light for each wavelength, and Of these, the second diffraction grating having the function of diffracting each of the R, G, and B wavelength components into the same angle range provides light having substantially the same emission angle range. The light intensity of each of the R, G, and B wavelength components is modulated by each pixel of the spatial light modulator, and in principle R, G, and
An arbitrary color tone can be displayed depending on the light intensity of each of B. 3) The convergence angle of the first diffraction grating is basically determined by the observation range in the vertical direction with respect to the observer. Generally, since the observation range in the vertical direction may be narrow, the convergence angle range in the same direction in the diffraction grating may be narrow. The second diffraction grating functions so as to compensate for the difference in the emission angle at the time of spectral separation by the first diffraction grating, so that a full-color image can be observed without color shift in the observation range. On the other hand, since light hardly leaks outside the observation range, the light utilization efficiency is very high, and a bright image can be observed. 4) By properly designing the first and second diffraction gratings, the light amount distribution in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction within the observable range can be made uniform. Therefore, within the observable range, the observer can observe an image having the same brightness from any position. 5) Necessary by arranging a light shielding plate provided with an opening for passing predetermined R, G, and B wavelength components near the vertical convergence position of light from the first diffraction grating. It is possible to avoid the loss of various wavelength components and to appropriately narrow the wavelength distribution of each color of R, G, and B forming the observed color, and thus to display a full-color image with high saturation. 6) Even if an auxiliary color filter is arranged before or after the spatial light modulator to correct the wavelength distribution of each color, substantially the same effect as 5) can be obtained. 7) The second diffraction grating array may be a uniform diffraction grating on the entire surface, and in this case, alignment with the first diffraction grating array is not required, and the second diffraction grating array can be implemented very easily. 8) A plurality of types of first diffraction gratings or second diffraction gratings are used as element groups, and each diffraction grating in the element group diffracts light in the same angle range in the vertical direction with respect to the observer, and horizontally. By giving the function of diffracting to the adjacent angular range in each direction, each diffraction grating is independent,
In addition, adjacent observation ranges can be set, and therefore the display device of the present invention can display different parallax images independently depending on the viewing direction, so that a stereoscopic image using binocular parallax can be displayed.
【図１】本発明に係るフルカラー画像表示装置の実施の
形態の概要構成を示す断面図。FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a full-color image display device according to the present invention.
【図２】本発明のフルカラー画像表示装置の実施の形態
の構成と観察者との関係を示す斜視図。FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the configuration of an embodiment of a full-color image display device of the present invention and an observer.
【図３】水平方向の光を収束するように形成される第１
の回折格子における水平方向の回折光を示す断面図。FIG. 3 is a first view formed so as to focus horizontal light.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing diffracted light in the horizontal direction in the diffraction grating of FIG.
【図４】遮光板を配設した本発明の実施の形態の構成を
示す断面図。FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention in which a light shielding plate is arranged.
【図５】図４における遮光板の平面図。5 is a plan view of the light shielding plate in FIG.
【図６】補助カラーフィルタを配設した本発明の実施の
形態の構成を示す断面図。FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention in which an auxiliary color filter is arranged.
【図７】曲線の要素を有する第１の回折格子を複数個配
列した本発明の実施の形態の第１の回折格子アレイの平
面図。FIG. 7 is a plan view of a first diffraction grating array according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a plurality of first diffraction gratings having curved elements are arranged.
【図８】同一パターンの直線状の要素回折格子を有する
第２の回折格子を複数個配列した本発明の実施の形態の
第２の回折格子アレイの平面図。FIG. 8 is a plan view of a second diffraction grating array according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a plurality of second diffraction gratings having linear element diffraction gratings having the same pattern are arranged.
【図９】立体像を形成するための第１の回折格子アレイ
を示す平面図。FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a first diffraction grating array for forming a stereoscopic image.
【図１０】図９における遮光板の平面図。10 is a plan view of the light shielding plate in FIG.
【図１１】水平方向に光を透過する第１の回折格子およ
び水平方向に回折する第２の回折格子を組み合わせした
実施の形態における水平方向の回折光を示す断面図。FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing diffracted light in the horizontal direction in the embodiment in which the first diffraction grating that transmits light in the horizontal direction and the second diffraction grating that diffracts in the horizontal direction are combined.
【図１２】図１１に示した第１の回折格子を使用する本
発明のフルカラー画像表示装置に使用される遮光板の平
面図。12 is a plan view of a light shielding plate used in the full-color image display device of the present invention using the first diffraction grating shown in FIG.
【図１３】水平方向に光をそのまま透過する第１の回折
格子の構造を示す平面図。FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the structure of a first diffraction grating that transmits light in the horizontal direction as it is.
【図１４】水平方向に光を回折する機能と垂直方向に光
を同様な出射角度範囲で回折する機能を有する第２の回
折格子の平面図。FIG. 14 is a plan view of a second diffraction grating having a function of diffracting light in the horizontal direction and a function of diffracting light in the vertical direction in the same emission angle range.
【図１５】立体像を形成するための第２の回折格子を示
す平面図。FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a second diffraction grating for forming a stereoscopic image.
１ 第１の回折格子 １Ａ 第１の回折格子アレイ ２ 第２の回折格子 ２Ａ 第２の回折格子アレイ ３ 空間光変調器 ４ 入射光 ５ 光源 ６ 観察者 ７ 観察範囲 ８ 回折光 ９ 回折光 １０ 透過光 １１ 遮光板 １２ 開口部 １３ 遮光部 １４ 補助カラーフィルタ １５ 曲線 １６ 間隔 １７ 回折格子 １８ 回折格子 １９ 曲線 ２０ 間隔 ２１ 遮光板 ２２ 開口部 ２３ 遮光部 ２４ 遮光板 ２５ 開口部 ２６ 遮光部 ２７ Ｒ用回折格子 ２８ Ｇ用回折格子 ２９ Ｂ用回折格子 ３０ 曲線 ３１ 回折格子 ３２ 回折格子 ３３ Ｒ用回折格子 ３４ Ｇ用回折格子 ３５ Ｂ用回折格子 ３６ Ｒ用回折格子 ３７ Ｇ用回折格子 ３８ Ｂ用回折格子 ３９ 曲線 1 1st diffraction grating 1A 1st diffraction grating array 2 2nd diffraction grating 2A 2nd diffraction grating array 3 Spatial light modulator 4 Incident light 5 Light source 6 Observer 7 Observation range 8 Diffraction light 9 Diffraction light 10 Transmission Light 11 Light-shielding plate 12 Aperture 13 Light-shielding part 14 Auxiliary color filter 15 Curve 16 Interval 17 Diffraction grating 18 Diffraction grating 19 Curve 20 Interval 21 Light-shielding plate 22 Opening 23 Light-shielding part 24 Light-shielding plate 25 Opening 26 Light-shielding part 27 Diffraction for R Grating 28 G diffraction grating 29 B diffraction grating 30 Curve 31 Diffraction grating 32 Diffraction grating 33 R diffraction grating 34 G diffraction grating 35 B diffraction grating 36 R diffraction grating 37 G diffraction grating 38 B diffraction grating 39 curve
Claims (11)
青色（Ｂ）の各波長分布の光に分散し、更に分散した光
を観察者に対し少なくとも垂直方向に収束する機能を有
する第１の回折格子を複数配置した第１の回折格子アレ
イと、前記第１の回折格子から出射したＲ，Ｇ，Ｂの各
波長分布の光を、夫々ほぼ同様な出射角度範囲で回折す
る機能を有する第２の回折格子からなる第２の回折格子
アレイと、前記第１の回折格子アレイから出射したＲ，
Ｇ，Ｂの各波長分布の光が前記第２の回折格子に入射す
る前もしくは後に配設され、前記各波長分布の光の透過
強度を変調する空間光変調器とを設けることを特徴とす
るフルカラー画像表示装置。1. The incident light is red (R), green (G),
A first diffraction grating array in which a plurality of first diffraction gratings each having a function of dispersing light of each wavelength distribution of blue (B) and further converging the dispersed light at least in a direction perpendicular to an observer; A second diffraction grating array including a second diffraction grating having a function of diffracting the light having the respective R, G, and B wavelength distributions emitted from the first diffraction grating within substantially the same emission angle range; R emitted from the first diffraction grating array,
And a spatial light modulator which is arranged before or after the light of each wavelength distribution of G and B is incident on the second diffraction grating and which modulates the transmission intensity of the light of each wavelength distribution. Full color image display device.
平方向の出射方向分布を決定すべく水平方向に光を収束
する機能を有するものからなり、前記第２の回折格子は
水平方向に光をそのまま透過するものである請求項１の
フルカラー画像表示装置。2. The first diffraction grating has a function of converging light in a horizontal direction so as to determine a horizontal emission direction distribution for an observer, and the second diffraction grating has a horizontal direction. The full-color image display device according to claim 1, wherein light is transmitted as it is.
のまま透過するものからなり、前記第２の回折格子は、
観察者に対し水平方向の出射方向分布を決定すべく水平
方向に光を収束又は発散する機能を有するものである請
求項１のフルカラー画像表示装置。3. The first diffraction grating is made of a material that transmits light in the horizontal direction as it is, and the second diffraction grating is
2. The full-color image display device according to claim 1, which has a function of converging or diverging light in the horizontal direction so as to determine the horizontal emission direction distribution for the observer.
回折格子アレイとの間でＲ，Ｇ，Ｂの各波長分布の光の
収束位置付近に、前記波長分布の光のうちの夫々予め決
められた波長成分を透過し、それ以外の波長成分を空間
的に遮断する遮光板を設けてなる請求項１乃至請求項３
のいずれかのフルカラー画像表示装置。4. The light having the wavelength distributions near the converging position of the light having the R, G, and B wavelength distributions between the first diffraction grating array and the second diffraction grating array, respectively. 4. A light-shielding plate, which transmits a predetermined wavelength component and spatially blocks other wavelength components, is provided.
Any of full-color image display device.
夫々予め決められた波長成分のみを透過する機能を有す
るカラーフィルタを前記空間光変調器の前もしくは後に
配置し、前記Ｒ，Ｇ，Ｂの各波長分布の光を夫々対応す
る着色セルに通すようにした請求項１乃至請求項３のい
ずれかのフルカラー画像表示装置。5. A colored cell corresponding to R, G and B is provided,
A color filter having a function of transmitting only predetermined wavelength components is arranged in front of or behind the spatial light modulator so that the light of each wavelength distribution of R, G, B passes through the corresponding colored cell. The full-color image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
変化する曲線を基本要素とし、各要素間の間隔を少しず
つ変化させながら前記基本要素を垂直方向に沿って並べ
たものからなり、前記曲線上の各点での傾きは、水平方
向の収束，発散の角度範囲から決められ、前記間隔は、
垂直方向の収束，発散の角度範囲から決められるもので
ある請求項１，２，４，５のいずれかのフルカラー画像
表示装置。6. The first diffraction grating has a basic element that is a curve whose inclination changes continuously, and the basic elements are arranged in a vertical direction while gradually changing the interval between the elements. The slope at each point on the curve is determined from the angular range of horizontal convergence and divergence, and the interval is
6. The full-color image display device according to claim 1, wherein the full-color image display device is determined from an angular range of vertical convergence and divergence.
本要素とする均一な回路格子で覆われているものである
請求項１，２，４，５，６のいずれかのフルカラー画像
表示装置。7. The full-color image display according to claim 1, wherein the second diffraction grating array is covered with a uniform circuit grating whose basic element is a straight line. apparatus.
の第１の回折格子を組み合わせたものを要素グループと
してこれを複数並べたものからなり、前記要素グループ
内の各第１の回折格子は、水平方向に互いに隣接した角
度範囲に光を回折し、垂直方向には同じ角度範囲に光を
回折して水平方向に視差を有する立体像を表示可能にす
るものである請求項１，２，４，５，６，７のいずれか
のフルカラー画像表示装置。8. The first diffraction grating array is configured by arranging a plurality of types of first diffraction gratings combined as an element group, and each of the first diffraction gratings in the element group. Is capable of displaying a stereoscopic image having parallax in the horizontal direction by diffracting light in the angular range adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction and diffracting light in the same angular range in the vertical direction. , 4, 5, 6, 7 full-color image display device.
１の回折格子は、水平な直線を基本要素とし、各要素間
の間隔が垂直方向に少しずつ変化するものである請求項
１，３，４，５のいずれかのフルカラー画像表示装置。9. The first diffraction grating that constitutes the first diffraction grating array has horizontal straight lines as basic elements, and the intervals between the elements gradually change in the vertical direction. A full-color image display device according to any one of 3, 4, and 5.
第２の回折格子は、連続的に傾きが変化する曲線を基本
要素とし、該基本要素を垂直方向に並べたものからな
り、前記曲線上の各点の傾きは水平方向の収束，発散の
角度範囲から決められるものである請求項１，３，４，
５，９のいずれかのフルカラー画像表示装置。10. The second diffraction grating that constitutes the second diffraction grating array comprises a curve whose slope continuously changes as a basic element, and the basic elements are arranged in a vertical direction. The inclination of each point above is determined from the angular range of horizontal convergence and divergence.
The full-color image display device according to any one of 5 and 9.
類の前記第２の回折格子を組み合わせたものを要素グル
ープとしてこれを複数並べたものからなり、前記要素グ
ループ内の各第２の回折格子は、水平方向に互いに隣接
した角度範囲に光を回折し、垂直方向には同じ角度範囲
に光を回折して水平方向に視差を有する立体像を表示可
能にする請求項１，３，４，５，９，１０のいずれかの
フルカラー画像表示装置。11. The second diffraction grating array is configured by arranging a plurality of combinations of a plurality of types of second diffraction gratings as an element group, and each second diffraction grating in the element group. The grating diffracts light in an angular range adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction and diffracts light in the same angular range in the vertical direction to enable display of a stereoscopic image having a parallax in the horizontal direction. , 5, 9 or 10 full-color image display device.
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| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP19506195A JP3778966B2 (en) | 1995-07-31 | 1995-07-31 | Full color image display device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP19506195A JP3778966B2 (en) | 1995-07-31 | 1995-07-31 | Full color image display device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH0943594A true JPH0943594A (en) | 1997-02-14 |
| JP3778966B2 JP3778966B2 (en) | 2006-05-24 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP19506195A Expired - Fee Related JP3778966B2 (en) | 1995-07-31 | 1995-07-31 | Full color image display device |
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| JP (1) | JP3778966B2 (en) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6559910B2 (en) | 1998-01-09 | 2003-05-06 | Fujitsu Limited | Display device with condenser elements |
| EP1357418A2 (en) * | 2002-04-25 | 2003-10-29 | Carl Zeiss Laser Optics GmbH | Device for restricting the bandwidth of a light beam |
| US6943788B2 (en) | 2001-10-10 | 2005-09-13 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Three-dimensional image display apparatus |
| JP2017084789A (en) * | 2016-11-01 | 2017-05-18 | レイア、インコーポレイテッドＬｅｉａ Ｉｎｃ． | Back light of multi beam diffraction grating base |
| WO2017183718A1 (en) | 2016-04-22 | 2017-10-26 | 凸版印刷株式会社 | Difrraction grating display body and labeled article |
| JP2018508937A (en) * | 2015-01-10 | 2018-03-29 | レイア、インコーポレイテッドＬｅｉａ Ｉｎｃ． | Polarization-mixing light guide and multi-beam diffraction grating based backlighting using the light guide |
| CN109154737A (en) * | 2016-02-18 | 2019-01-04 | 奥里姆光学有限公司 | Dynamically full Three-dimensional Display |
| US10345505B2 (en) | 2014-07-30 | 2019-07-09 | Leia, Inc. | Multibeam diffraction grating-based color backlighting |
| US10373544B1 (en) | 2016-01-29 | 2019-08-06 | Leia, Inc. | Transformation from tiled to composite images |
| US10703375B2 (en) | 2015-05-30 | 2020-07-07 | Leia Inc. | Vehicle monitoring system |
| US10830939B2 (en) | 2013-07-30 | 2020-11-10 | Leia Inc. | Multibeam diffraction grating-based backlighting |
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| WO2021157695A1 (en) | 2020-02-07 | 2021-08-12 | 凸版印刷株式会社 | Optical identification body and printed matter |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6559910B2 (en) | 1998-01-09 | 2003-05-06 | Fujitsu Limited | Display device with condenser elements |
| US6819366B2 (en) | 1998-01-09 | 2004-11-16 | Fujitsu Limited | Display device with condenser elements |
| US6943788B2 (en) | 2001-10-10 | 2005-09-13 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Three-dimensional image display apparatus |
| EP1357418A2 (en) * | 2002-04-25 | 2003-10-29 | Carl Zeiss Laser Optics GmbH | Device for restricting the bandwidth of a light beam |
| EP1357418A3 (en) * | 2002-04-25 | 2004-06-30 | Carl Zeiss Laser Optics GmbH | Device for restricting the bandwidth of a light beam |
| US10830939B2 (en) | 2013-07-30 | 2020-11-10 | Leia Inc. | Multibeam diffraction grating-based backlighting |
| US10345505B2 (en) | 2014-07-30 | 2019-07-09 | Leia, Inc. | Multibeam diffraction grating-based color backlighting |
| JP2018508937A (en) * | 2015-01-10 | 2018-03-29 | レイア、インコーポレイテッドＬｅｉａ Ｉｎｃ． | Polarization-mixing light guide and multi-beam diffraction grating based backlighting using the light guide |
| US10768357B2 (en) | 2015-01-10 | 2020-09-08 | Leia Inc. | Polarization-mixing light guide and multibeam grating-based backlighting using same |
| US10703375B2 (en) | 2015-05-30 | 2020-07-07 | Leia Inc. | Vehicle monitoring system |
| US11203346B2 (en) | 2015-05-30 | 2021-12-21 | Leia Inc. | Vehicle monitoring system |
| US10373544B1 (en) | 2016-01-29 | 2019-08-06 | Leia, Inc. | Transformation from tiled to composite images |
| CN109154737A (en) * | 2016-02-18 | 2019-01-04 | 奥里姆光学有限公司 | Dynamically full Three-dimensional Display |
| WO2017183718A1 (en) | 2016-04-22 | 2017-10-26 | 凸版印刷株式会社 | Difrraction grating display body and labeled article |
| JP2017084789A (en) * | 2016-11-01 | 2017-05-18 | レイア、インコーポレイテッドＬｅｉａ Ｉｎｃ． | Back light of multi beam diffraction grating base |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP3778966B2 (en) | 2006-05-24 |
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