IP Library Granted Patent US 8,120,718
Granted Patent B2
US 8,120,718 · App. 12/835,025 · Granted Feb 21, 2012

Parallax barrier device for viewing three-dimensional images, method for fabricating the same and display apparatus including a parallax barrier device

Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,120,718
App. No.
12/835,025
Granted
Feb 21, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A parallax barrier device includes a pair of transparent-electrode substrates each provided with a transparent electrode. A barrier light-shielding part and a light-transmitting part are formed in a gap between the pair of transparent-electrode substrates. A liquid crystal layer is formed in the barrier light-shielding part. A resin layer having the property of transmitting light is formed in the light-transmitting part. The barrier light-shielding part separates light for a first image viewed from a first direction and light for a second image viewed from a second direction different from the first direction. The light-transmitting part transmits the light for the first image and the light for the second image.

Claims (13)

1. A parallax barrier device comprising a pair of transparent-electrode substrates each provided with a transparent electrode,

wherein a barrier light-shielding part and a light-transmitting part are formed in a gap between the pair of transparent-electrode substrates,

a liquid crystal layer is formed in the barrier light-shielding part, and

a resin layer having the property of transmitting light and not serving as a liquid crystal layer is formed in the light-transmitting part,

the liquid crystal layer is a liquid crystal layer exhibiting homeotropic alignment and containing a liquid crystal material whose dielectric-constant anisotropy is negative, and

the liquid crystal layer has a retardation of ½ of the wavelength of light entering the liquid crystal layer under application of a voltage; and

wherein the barrier light-shielding part is configured to change a polarization state of light entering the liquid crystal layer according to a distribution state of liquid crystal molecules so that a polarization state of light which has passed through the liquid crystal layer differs from a polarization state of light which has passed through the resin layer having the property of transmitting light.

2. A parallax barrier device comprising:

a pair of transparent-electrode substrates each provided with a transparent electrode, wherein a barrier light-shielding part and a light-transmitting part are formed in a gap between the pair of transparent-electrode substrates, a liquid crystal layer is formed in the barrier light-shielding part, and a resin layer having the property of transmitting light and not serving as a liquid crystal layer is formed in the light-transmitting part,

a pair of polarizers sandwiching the pair of transparent-electrode substrates therebetween; and

an optical retardation plate having a retardation of ½ of the wavelength of incident light and placed in a gap between at least one of the pair of transparent-electrode substrates and at least one of the polarizers opposing said at least one of the pair of transparent-electrode substrates, wherein the directions of transmission easy axes of the pair of polarizers are approximately orthogonal to each other; and

wherein the barrier light-shielding part is configured to change a polarization state of light entering the liquid crystal layer according to a distribution state of liquid crystal molecules so that a polarization state of light which has passed through the liquid crystal layer differs from a polarization state of light which has passed through the resin layer having the property of transmitting light.

3. The parallax barrier device of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the resin layer is a negative resist for a spacer.

Priority Claims (2)
JP 2002-300030 · Oct 15, 2002 · national
JP 2003-075446 · Mar 19, 2003 · national
Continuity (2)
Division 10530861
Related Publication 20100277657A1 · Nov 4, 2010