Two-dimensional image display device and driving circuit

• US 5,936,596 A
• Filed: 09/01/1995
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Konya, Minehiro, Yoshida, Shigeto, Yoneda, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chanh
• Assistant Examiner(s): SURACI, JOHN F
• Application Number:
  US08/523,090
• Time in Patent Office: 1,439 Days
• Field of Search: 345/6, 345/4, 345/87, 345/32, 345/90, 345/84, 345/97, 345/5, 345/9, 345/30, 345/31, 349/57, 349/78, 349/8, 349/15, 359/22, 359/23, 358/88, 348/59, 348/55
• US Class Current: 345/9
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1323 Arrangements for providing a switchable viewing angle
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133526 Lenses, e.g. microlenses or Fresnel lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/023 Display panel composed of stacked panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/028 by changing the viewing angle properties, e.g. widening the viewing angle, adapting the viewing angle to the view direction
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0606 Manual adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/068 for control of viewing angle adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/003 to produce spatial visual effects
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/34 by control of light from an independent source
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3648 using an active matrix G09G3/367 - G09G3/3696 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3688 suitable for active matrices only

Abstract

An image-displaying apparatus that is provided with a display section which is constituted of a plurality of pixels disposed in the form of a matrix and which is capable of displaying images that are different depending on viewing angles from which they are viewed. This arrangement makes it possible to select desired images by changing the viewing angles from which the display section is viewed. This eliminates the necessity of having to wear conventional glasses with a shutter and their inherent inconveniences. Further, this apparatus is suitable for public use as well as for private use, even when only one apparatus is used.

Claims

1. An image-displaying apparatus comprising:

a display section which is constituted of a plurality of pixels disposed in the form of a matrix, said pixels being divided into a plurality of pixel groups, said pixel groups including at least a first pixel group for displaying an image which corresponds to a first image signal, and a second pixel group for displaying an image which corresponds to a second image signal whose content is different from, or the same as, said first image signal,

wherein each of said pixel groups is constituted of pixels having the same viewing angle, and the viewing angle of the pixels belonging to said first pixel group is different from that of the pixels belonging to said second pixel group, so as to be capable of displaying first and second respective images which are adapted to be viewed by different persons, the image perceived dependent only upon viewing angles from which the images are viewed, and not a distance from the display,

wherein pixels, which belong to the first pixel group or the second pixel group, are provided as sub-pixels that are paired, and contents of images displayed on the respective sub-pixels are freely selectable between the same contents and different contents, and

wherein the pixel groups have regions that are disposed in overlapping manner with each other.

2. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

control means for controlling the viewing-field angles of the pixels.

3. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein a structure of the sub-pixels is identical in all the pixels.

4. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein each of the pixels or sub-pixels that have the different viewing angles is constituted of liquid crystal, which is placed in each pixel or sub-pixel and which scatters or transmits light from the pixel or the sub-pixel, and a voltage-applying means which changes the state of the liquid crystal by applying voltage to the liquid crystal.

5. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the liquid crystal and the voltage-applying means are formed on the same substrate.

6. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein each of the pixels, connected between a data signal line and a scanning signal line, is provided with a scanning driver for successively selecting scanning signal lines and a data driver for releasing image signals to data signal lines, with the pixel, the scanning driver and the data driver being monolithically formed on the same substrate.

7. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the pixels or sub-pixels having the different viewing angles are constituted of reflection plates, each of which is installed in each pixel or sub-pixel and reflects light from the pixel or the sub-pixel, wherein the reflection plate is divided into a plurality of portions.

8. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein a structure of the sub-pixels is identical in all the pixels.

9. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the pixels have the same disposition in the respective pixel groups.

10. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the pixels or sub-pixels having the different viewing angles are constituted of reflection plates, each of which is installed in each pixel or sub-pixel and reflects light from the pixel or the sub-pixel.

11. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the reflection plate is divided into a plurality of portions.

12. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the pixels or sub-pixels that have the different viewing angles is constituted of liquid crystal, which is placed in each pixel or sub-pixel and which scatters or transmits light from the pixel or the sub-pixel, and a voltage-applying means which changes the state of the liquid crystal by applying voltage to the liquid crystal.

13. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein the liquid crystal and the voltage-applying means are formed on the same substrate.

14. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the pixels, connected between a data signal line and a scanning signal line, is provided with a scanning driver for successively selecting scanning signal lines and a data driver for releasing image signals to data signal lines, with the pixel, the scanning driver and the data driver being monolithically formed on the same substrate.

15. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each sub-pixel consists of picture elements of the displaying apparatus.

16. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein each of the sub-pixels consists of R, G and B picture elements of the displaying apparatus.

17. An image-displaying apparatus comprising:

a display section which is constituted of a plurality of pixels disposed in the form of a matrix, said pixels being divided into a plurality of pixel groups, said pixel groups including at least a first pixel group for displaying an image which corresponds to a first image signal, and a second pixel group for displaying an image which corresponds to a second image signal whose content is different from, or the same as, said first image signal,

wherein each of said pixel groups is constituted of pixels having the same viewing-field angle, and the viewing-field angle of the pixels belonging to said first pixel group is different from that of the pixels belonging to said second pixel group, so as to be capable of changing a viewing-field angle of a displayed image;

wherein images in different viewing-fields are adapted to be viewed by different persons, the image perceived dependent only upon viewing angles from which the images are viewed, and not a distance from the display; and

wherein each pixel of at least one portion is constituted of a plurality of sub-pixels that have viewing angles different from each other, and contents of images displayed on the respective sub-pixels are freely selectable between the same contents and different contents.

18. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 17, further comprising:

control means for controlling the viewing-field angles of the pixels.

19. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein a structure of the sub-pixels is identical in all the pixels.

20. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein each of the pixels or sub-pixels that have the different viewing angles is constituted of liquid crystal, which is placed in each pixel or sub-pixel and which scatters or transmits light from the pixel or the sub-pixel, and a voltage-applying means which changes the state of the liquid crystal by applying voltage to the liquid crystal.

21. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein the liquid crystal and the voltage-applying means are formed on the same substrate.

22. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein each of the pixels, connected between a data signal line and a scanning signal line, is provided with a scanning driver for successively selecting scanning signal lines and a data driver for releasing image signals to data signal lines, with the pixel, the scanning driver and the data driver being monolithically formed on the same substrate.

23. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the pixels or sub-pixels having the different viewing angles are constituted of reflection plates, each of which is installed in each pixel or sub-pixel and reflects light from the pixel or the sub-pixel, wherein the reflection plate is divided into a plurality of portions.

24. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein a structure of the sub-pixels is identical in all the pixels.

25. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the pixels have the same disposition in the respective pixel groups.

26. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the pixels or sub-pixels having the different viewing angles are constituted of reflection plates, each of which is installed in each pixel or sub-pixel and reflects light from the pixel or the sub-pixel.

27. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein the reflection plate is divided into a plurality of portions.

28. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein each of the pixels or sub-pixels that have the different viewing angles is constituted of liquid crystal, which is placed in each pixel or sub-pixel and which scatters or transmits light from the pixel or the sub-pixel, and a voltage-applying means which changes the state of the liquid crystal by applying voltage to the liquid crystal.

29. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 28, wherein the liquid crystal and the voltage-applying means are formed on the same substrate.

30. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein each of the pixels, connected between a data signal line and a scanning signal line, is provided with a scanning driver for successively selecting scanning signal lines and a data driver for releasing image signals to data signal lines, with the pixel, the scanning driver and the data driver being monolithically formed on the same substrate.

31. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein each sub-pixel consists of picture elements of the displaying apparatus.

32. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 31, wherein each of the sub-pixels consists of R, G and B picture elements of the displaying apparatus.

33. An image-displaying apparatus comprising:

a display section which is constituted of a plurality of pixels disposed in the form of a matrix, said pixels being divided into a plurality of pixel groups; and

driving means for sending a signal based on a first image signal to a first pixel group of said pixel groups while sending a signal based on a second image signal to a second pixel group of said pixel groups, said second image signal being different from, or the same as, said first image signal,

wherein each of said pixel groups is constituted of pixels having the same viewing angle, and the viewing angle of the pixels belonging to any pixel group is different from that of the pixels belonging to the other pixel groups;

wherein said pixel groups are adapted to be viewed by different persons, the image perceived dependent only upon viewing angles from which the pixel groups are viewed, and not a distance from the display;

wherein pixels, which belong to the first pixel group or the second pixel group, are provided as sub-pixels that are paired, and contents of images displayed on the respective sub-pixels are freely selectable between the same contents and different contents, and

wherein the pixel groups have regions that are disposed in overlapping manner with each other.

34. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 33, wherein the driving means includes a control circuit for releasing image signals to the respective pixel groups in a time-sharing manner.

35. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 33, wherein each pixel is made up of a liquid crystal element and the driving means includes a means which applies driving voltages, each having a reversed polarity, to adjacent liquid crystal elements in the respective pixel groups.

36. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 33, wherein the driving means includes a signal-switching means for inputting an image signal of a single source to a plurality of pixel groups.

37. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 36, wherein the signal-switching means is monolithically formed on the substrate.

38. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 36, wherein the driving means includes a data driver which is capable of driving a plurality of pixel groups by using a shift register of only one system.

39. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 38, wherein the data driver is monolithically formed on the substrate.

40. The image-displaying apparatus as defined in claim 33, wherein each pixel is constituted by three picture elements corresponding to R, G and B.

41. An image-displaying apparatus comprising:

a display section which is constituted of a plurality of pixels disposed in the form of a matrix;

changing means for changing the viewing-field angle of the pixels, and

driving means for sending image signals to the display section,

wherein each pixel is made up of a liquid crystal element and the changing means controls the viewing-field angle by switching voltages to be applied to the liquid crystal elements in a step-wise manner; and

wherein images in different viewing-fields are adapted to be viewed by different persons, the image perceived dependent only upon viewing angles from which the images are viewed, and not a distance from the display.

42. An image-displaying apparatus comprising:

a plurality of display sections, each of said display sections being constituted of a plurality of pixels disposed in the form of a matrix, and a viewing-field angle of the pixels in one display section being different from that of the pixels in another display section; and

driving means for sending image signals to one of said display sections,

wherein said plurality of display sections are exchangeably installed so as to change a viewing-field angle of a displayed image; and

wherein images in different viewing-fields are adapted to be viewed by different persons, the image perceived dependent only upon viewing angles from which the images are viewed, and not a distance from the display.