Hirotsugu YAMAMOTO, Takeshi SATO^*, Syuji MUGURUMA¹, Yoshio HAYASAKI, Yoshifumi NAGAI¹, Yoshinori SHIMIZU¹ and Nobuo NISHIDA

Department of Optical Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tokushima, 2-1 Minamijosanjima-cho, Tokushima 770-8506, Japan ¹Nichia Corporation, 491 Oka, Kaminaka-cho, Anan, Tokushima 774-8601, Japan

(Received June 26, 2002; Accepted August 22, 2002)

The viewing areas of stereoscopic full-color light emitting diode (LED) displays using parallax barriers are investigated for viewing by observers with different interpupillary distances. We have developed stereoscopic full-color LED displays using three types of parallax barriers for different interpupillary distances. Experiments on distance perception of stereoscopic targets have been conducted with the stereoscopic LED displays using parallax barriers, as well as a stereoscopic LED display using polarizing eyewear. It was shown that enlargement of the viewing area allows several viewers with different interpupillary distances to view a stereoscopic image. It is suggested that parallax barriers designed for narrower interpupillary distances than the viewer's own provide a viewer with stereoscopic perception.

Key words: stereoscopic display, light emitting diode, parallax barrier, interpupillary distance, binocular vision