Patent ID: 8248694

Claim:
An electro-optical apparatus comprising: a display panel having a first pixel array for displaying a first image and a second pixel array for displaying a second image; an illuminating device that generates light rays that pass through the display panel; a polarization axis controlling unit arranged between the illuminating device and the display panel, the polarization axis controlling unit including a liquid crystal layer, a plurality of first electrodes, and a plurality of second electrodes, the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes supply voltage to the liquid crystal layer, the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are arranged in a stripe pattern and oppose one side of the liquid crystal layer, the polarization axis controlling unit permitting first light rays having a first polarization axis to pass in areas in which the second electrodes are arranged, the polarization axis controlling unit changing second light rays to a second polarization axis substantially orthogonal to the first polarization axis in areas in which the first electrodes are arranged, in response to voltage applied to the plurality of first electrodes; and a lens arranged between the polarization axis controlling unit and the display panel, the lens having a plurality of linear lens patterns configured to direct the first light rays and the second light rays to proceed in predetermined directions, respectively; wherein: a width of each of the first electrodes is greater than a width of each of the second electrodes; a plurality of gaps, each of which is defined between one first electrode of the plurality of first electrodes and one second electrode of the plurality of second electrodes; each of the linear lens patterns opposing at least one first electrode of the plurality of first electrodes, at least one second electrode of the plurality of second electrodes, and at least one gap of the plurality of gaps; and two gaps of the plurality of gaps and one second electrode of the plurality of second electrodes between the two gaps opposing a half portion or a quarter portion of one linear lens pattern of the linear lens patterns.