KR20160051404A - Autostereoscopic 3d display device and driving method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The non-eyeglass stereoscopic image display apparatus and the driving method thereof according to the present invention are characterized by controlling the opening of the switchable 3D filter according to the number of users by counting the number of users through eye tracking .
Accordingly, when a single user views a multi-view image, a multi-view image is converted into a 2-view image to provide a resolution and brightness of the stereoscopic image display device Thereby providing an effect of improving the performance.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stereoscopic image display apparatus,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stereoscopic image display device, and more particularly, to a non-eyeglass stereoscopic image display device and a method of driving the same.

A simple definition of 3D display is "the total system that artificially reproduces the 3D screen".

Here, the system includes a software technique that can be viewed in 3D and a hardware that actually realizes the content created by the software technique in 3D. The reason for incorporating the software area is that the 3D display hardware requires separately configured contents in a separate software manner for each stereoscopic implementation method.

In addition, a virtual 3D display (hereinafter, referred to as a stereoscopic image display device) is a type of stereoscopic image display device that uses a binocular disparity, which is caused by a distance of about 65 mm It is the totality of the system that allows you to literally feel the stereoscopic effect. In other words, our eyes see a different image (a little bit of space between the left and the right, respectively) even if we look at the same things because of binocular parallax. When these two images are transmitted to the brain through the retina, Dimensional stereoscopic image display apparatus is a stereoscopic image display apparatus in which two left and right images are simultaneously displayed on a 2D display apparatus and sent to each eye by using a stereoscopic image display apparatus .

In order to display images of two channels in one screen in such a stereoscopic image display device, in most cases, one line is changed one line at a time horizontally or vertically in one screen and outputted one channel at a time. At the same time, when images of two channels are output from one display device, in the case of a non-eyeglass system due to the hardware structure, the right image enters the right eye as it is, and the left image enters only the left eye. In addition, in the case of wearing the glasses, the right image is visually obscured by the special glasses suitable for each method, and the left image is obscured by the right eye so that the right eye can not be seen.

As mentioned above, the binocular parallax due to the interval between the two eyes is the most important factor for the person to feel the three-dimensional feeling and the depth feeling, but there is also a deep relationship with the psychological and memory factors. Accordingly, Dimensional image information, a volumetric type, a holographic type, and a stereoscopic type based on whether the three-dimensional image information can be provided.

The volume expression method is a method for making the depth direction perceive by the psychological factors and the suction effect, and is a three-dimensional computer graphic which displays the perspective method, overlapping, shading, contrast, and movement by calculation, So-called IMAX films, which give rise to an optical illusion that it is sucked into the space by providing a large screen.

The three-dimensional representation known as the most complete stereoscopic imaging technique can be represented by laser light reproduction holography or white light reproduction holography.

As described above, when an association image of a plane including parallax information is displayed on the left and right sides of a human being present at a distance of about 65 mm as described above, the brain expresses three-dimensional images using the physiological factors of both eyes. And the ability to generate spatial information before and after the display surface in the process of fusing them to sense a stereoscopic effect, that is, stereography. Such a three-dimensional expression system is largely classified into a system in which glasses are worn and a system in which glasses are not worn.

Representative known methods of not wearing glasses include a lenticular lens method and a parallax barrier method in which a lenticular lens plate vertically arranging a cylindrical lens is installed in front of the image panel.

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining the concept of a stereoscopic image display apparatus of a general parallax barrier system.

1, a typical parallax barrier stereoscopic image display apparatus includes an image panel 40 for simultaneously displaying images for left and right eyes, and a barrier 40 disposed on a front surface of the image panel 40. [ And a cell 20.

A left eye pixel L for displaying a left eye image and a right eye pixel R for displaying a right eye image are alternately defined in the image panel 40, A barrier cell 20 is disposed.

The barrier cell 20 is formed with a slit 22 between thinner barriers 21 called a parallax barrier so that the left and right eye images are separated and displayed simultaneously through the barrier cell 20 .

The left eye image displayed on the left eye pixel L of the image panel 40 reaches the left eye of the user 30 via the slit 22 of the barrier cell 20, The right eye image displayed on the right eye R reaches the right eye of the user 30 via the slit 22 of the barrier cell 20. At this time, And the user 30 recognizes the 3D image by combining the two images.

Such a non-eyeglass stereoscopic image display apparatus can be driven with two views for viewing left and right images. In this case, since the probability of reverse stereoscopic viewing that the left and right images are changed is high, The image is driven in a multi view.

2 view, there is a 50% probability of inverse stereoacuity in Optimal Viewing Distance (OVD).

The above-described multi-view driving is advantageous in reducing the inverse stereoscopic area by generating a large number of viewing diamonds in which the left and right images normally reach, but it is disadvantageous in that resolution and luminance are reduced to 1 / (multi view number) .

That is, the luminance of the display can be expressed by the sum of the light of each sub-pixel when the eye is irradiated with light. However, in the case of a non-eyeglass stereoscopic image display device, the direction of light is adjusted to display different images in the left eye and the right eye. Therefore, the number of sub-pixels seen in a single view is smaller than the number of sub-pixels in the entire display, thereby reducing the resolution and brightness on a monocular basis.

In particular, multi-view for multiple users reduces resolution and brightness by the number of views.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems and it is an object of the present invention to provide a stereoscopic image display apparatus and stereoscopic image display apparatus capable of providing an appropriate stereoscopic image according to the number of users and improving resolution and luminance without deteriorating 3D crosstalk of stereoscopic images, A method is provided.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be described in the following description of the invention and the claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-eyeglass stereoscopic image display device including an image panel for displaying input data of multi-view, a display panel disposed on a front surface of the image panel, A 3D filter for separating the optical axis to realize a stereoscopic image, and an image collecting unit for collecting the number and position of users provided in the image panel.

The non-eyeglass stereoscopic image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a 3D filter control unit for controlling the positions of transmissive portions and blocking portions of the 3D filter and the number of transmissive portions according to the number of users collected through the image collection unit have.

The non-eyeglass stereoscopic image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a timing controller that supplies input image data mapped according to the number of users to the image panel.

In a non-eyeglass stereoscopic image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, when one user views, input data of a multi-view is converted into input data of two views and supplied to a timing controller, And a multi-view image converting unit for generating control data for supplying the control data to the 3D filter control unit.

The 3D filter includes a first film, a first linear polarizer provided on a lower surface of the first film, split electrodes provided on an upper surface of the first film, a second film spaced apart from the first film, And a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first film and the second film. The liquid crystal layer may include a second linear polarizer provided on the first film, a front electrode provided on the lower surface of the second film, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first film and the second film.

At this time, the 3D filter implements a cutoff portion which is supplied with different voltages from the divided electrodes under the control of the 3D filter control portion and cuts off the transmission portion which transmits the input data displayed on the image panel, and the plurality of repeatedly arranged transmission portions and cutoff portions A set can be constructed.

At this time, when a plurality of users view, one transmission portion may be configured for one set of 3D filters.

Alternatively, when one user views, two or more transmissive portions may be configured in one set of 3D filters.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for driving a spectacles stereoscopic image display apparatus, comprising the steps of: collecting a number of users and a viewing position through an image collection unit; Mapping the input data of the multi-view corresponding to the number of collected users and the viewing position, and controlling the 3D filter through the 3D filter control unit in correspondence with the number of collected users and the viewing position, And outputting the input data of the mapped multi-view through the image panel.

At this time, the 3D filter control unit can control the positions of the transmissive part and the blocking part and the number of transmissive parts of the 3D filter according to the number of users collected in the image collecting part.

At this time, the first view mode may be set to be driven by two views when the user is one person through the host system, and may be set to the second view mode which is driven by the multi view (three or more views) when the user is a plurality of two or more persons.

At this time, when the mode is set to the first view mode, input data of the multi-view is converted into input data of two views and supplied to the timing controller. On the other hand, when the mode is set to the second view mode, And can be supplied to the timing controller by mapping according to the viewing position.

When the mode is set to the first mode, a driving voltage extraction process for two views is performed, and the transmission portion and the blocking portion of the 3D filter can be adjusted corresponding to the two view images displayed on the image panel.

At this time, the 3D filter control unit can control at least two openings through which only two view images per one set are transmitted to the 3D filter, and a blocking unit that blocks the rest.

or. When the second mode is set, a driving voltage extraction process for a plurality of views is performed, and the opening and blocking portions of the 3D filter can be adjusted corresponding to a plurality of multi-view images displayed on the image panel.

At this time, the 3D filter control unit can control the 3D filter with one opening for transmitting a plurality of multi-view images per set and a blocking unit for blocking the rest.

As described above, the non-eyeglass stereoscopic image display apparatus and the driving method thereof according to the present invention grasps the number of users through eye tracking and determines the aperture of the switchable 3D filter according to the number of users And a control unit.

Accordingly, when a single user views a multi-view image, a multi-view image is converted into a 2-view image to provide a resolution and brightness of the stereoscopic image display device Thereby providing an effect of improving the performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining the concept of a stereoscopic image display apparatus in a general parallax barrier system. Fig.
2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a spectacle-free three-dimensional image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an exemplary view illustrating a sub-pixel structure of the image panel shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
4 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a method of driving a spectacle-free three-dimensional image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining driving of a 3D filter in the case where a plurality of users watches;
FIG. 6 is a diagram exemplarily showing driving of a spectacles stereoscopic image display apparatus when a plurality of users view the same; FIG.
7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the driving of a 3D filter in the case where a single user views it;
8 is a diagram exemplarily showing driving of a spectacles stereoscopic image display apparatus when a single user views the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention, and the manner of achieving them, will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is capable of many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, To fully disclose the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. The dimensions and relative sizes of the layers and regions in the figures may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being another element or "on" or "on ", it includes both intervening layers or other elements in the middle, do. On the other hand, when a device is referred to as "directly on" or "directly above ", it does not intervene another device or layer in the middle.

The terms spatially relative, "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, And may be used to easily describe the correlation with other elements or components. Spatially relative terms should be understood to include, in addition to the orientation shown in the drawings, terms that include different orientations of the device during use or operation. For example, when inverting an element shown in the figures, an element described as "below" or "beneath" of another element may be placed "above" another element. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can include both downward and upward directions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the present specification, the singular form includes plural forms unless otherwise specified in the specification. &Quot; comprise "and / or" comprising ", as used in the specification, means that the presence of stated elements, Or additions.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a non-eyeglass stereoscopic image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.

3 is a view illustrating an exemplary sub-pixel structure of the image panel shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a stereoscopic image display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The stereoscopic image display apparatus includes an image panel 110, image panel drivers 111 and 112, a 3D filter 120, a 3D filter controller 116 A 3D filter driver 117, a timing controller 113, and the like.

The stereoscopic image display device according to the present invention may be applied to a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a field emission display (FED) A plasma display panel (PDP), or an electroluminescent display (EL). In the following description, the present invention is applied to a case where the image panel 110 is constituted by a liquid crystal display device, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

At this time, a plurality of sub-pixels for displaying red, green and blue colors are formed on the image panel 110. These sub-pixels act on the 3D filter 120 to display a stereoscopic image, A left-eye pixel and a right-eye pixel that display an image are separated.

For example, when the image panel 110 is a liquid crystal display, the present invention can be applied to a liquid crystal mode, i.e., a twisted nematic (TN) mode, an in-plane switching (IPS) Mode, Fringe Field Switching (FFS) mode, Vertical Alignment (VA) mode, and the like.

Although not shown, the image panel 110 may include a color filter substrate, an array substrate, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the color filter substrate and the array substrate.

The color filter substrate includes a black matrix (BM) for separating a sub-color filter from a color filter composed of a plurality of sub-color filters for realizing colors of red, green and blue and blocking light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer, And a transparent common electrode for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer.

The array substrate includes a plurality of gate lines G1, G2, G3, ..., Gn and data lines D1, D2, D3, ..., Gn arranged vertically and horizontally to define a plurality of sub-pixels SPr, SPg, SPb. A thin film transistor TFT which is a switching element formed in an intersection region of the gate lines G1, G2, G3, ..., Gn and the data lines D1, D2, D3, ..., Dm, And pixel electrodes formed in the sub-pixels SPr, SPg, and SPb.

The thin film transistor TFT has a gate electrode connected to the gate lines G1, G2, G3, ..., Gn, a source electrode connected to the data lines D1, D2, D3, ..., Dm, As shown in FIG.

In addition, a thin film transistor (TFT) has a gate insulating film for insulation between a gate electrode and a source / drain electrode, and an active layer for forming a conductive channel between a source electrode and a drain electrode by a gate voltage supplied to the gate electrode .

An upper polarizer is attached to the outer surface of the color filter substrate, and a lower polarizer is attached to the outer surface of the array substrate. The light transmission axis of the upper polarizer and the light transmission axis of the lower polarizer may be formed to be orthogonal to each other. An alignment film for setting a pre-tilt angle of the liquid crystal layer is formed on the inner surface of the color filter substrate and the array substrate, and a cell gap of the liquid crystal cell is formed between the color filter substrate and the array substrate. A spacer is formed.

The image panel 110 configured as described above displays an image under the control of the timing controller 113.

The image panel 110 may display a 2D image in a 2D mode and a multi-view image in a 3D mode under the control of the timing controller 113.

The view of the stereoscopic image can be generated by taking the images of the object by separating the cameras from each other by the interval of the user's eyes. For example, when capturing an object using nine cameras, the image panel 110 can display a three-dimensional image of nine views.

The image panel driving units 111 and 112 include a data driver 111 for supplying data voltages of the 2D / 3D image to the data lines D1, D2, D3, ..., Dm of the image panel 110, And a gate driver 112 for sequentially supplying scan pulses (or gate pulses) to the gate lines G1, G2, G3, ..., Gn of the scan driver 110. [ The image panel driving units 111 and 112 spatially distribute the left eye and right eye image data input as data of the multi view image data format in the 3D mode to the sub-pixels of the image panel 110 and write them.

In this case, although not shown, the image collecting unit connected to the host system 115 senses user information such as the number and distance of the users and the binocular position of the user by using the sensor and the camera, converts the result into digital data, And supplies it to the timing controller 115 or the timing controller 113.

The host system 115 or the timing controller 113 generates control data for controlling the driving of the 3D filter 120 according to the supplied user information and supplies the control data to the 3D filter control unit 116.

The timing controller 113 receives timing signals such as a data enable signal DE and a dot clock signal CLK and generates control signals for controlling the operation timings of the gate driver 111 and the data driver 112 (GCS, DCS).

That is, the timing controller 113 drives the image panel 110 at a predetermined frame frequency based on the image data and the timing signals received from the multi-view image converter 114 (or the host system 115) The gate driving unit control signal GCS and the data driving unit control signal DCS can be generated based on a predetermined frame frequency. The timing controller 113 supplies a gate driving unit control signal GCS to the gate driving unit 111 and supplies the video data R, G and B and a data driving unit control signal DCS to the data driving unit 112.

The gate driving unit control signal GCS for controlling the gate driving unit 111 includes a gate start pulse, a gate shift clock and a gate output enable signal. The gate start pulse controls the timing of the first gate pulse. The gate shift clock is a clock signal for shifting the gate start pulse. The gate output enable signal controls the output timing of the gate driver 111.

The data driver control signal DCS for controlling the data driver 112 includes a source start pulse, a source sampling clock, a source output enable signal, a polarity control signal, . The source start pulse controls the data sampling start timing of the data driver 112. The source sampling clock is a clock signal for controlling the sampling operation of the data driver 112 based on the rising or falling edge. If the digital video data to be input to the data driver 112 is transmitted in mini LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) interface standard, the source start pulse and the source sampling clock may be omitted. The polarity control signal inverts the polarity of the data voltage output from the data driver 112 to L (L is a natural number) horizontal period period. The source output enable signal controls the output timing of the data driver 112.

The data driver 112 includes a plurality of source drive ICs. The source drive ICs convert the image data (R, G, B) input from the timing controller 113 into a positive / negative gamma compensation voltage to generate positive / negative analog data voltages. Positive / negative polarity analog data voltages output from the source drive ICs are supplied to the data lines D1, D2, D3, ..., Dm of the image panel 110.

The gate driver 111 includes one or more gate driver ICs. The gate driver 111 includes a shift register, a level shifter and an output buffer for converting an output signal of the shift register into a swing width suitable for TFT driving of the liquid crystal cell. The gate driver 111 sequentially supplies a gate pulse synchronized with the data voltage to the gate lines G1, G2, G3, ..., Gn of the image panel 110 under the control of the timing controller 113. [

In particular, the timing controller 113 according to the present invention provides a stereoscopic image of a proper view according to the number of users detected through the image collecting unit, and when a single user views the multiview image, To a view image. Thereby providing an effect of improving the resolution and brightness of the stereoscopic image display device.

A multi-view image converting unit 114 may be installed between the timing controller 113 and the host system 115. The multi-view image converting unit 114 rearranges the left-eye and right-eye image data of the 3D image input from the host system 115 in the 3D mode into the multi-view image data format based on the user information and transmits them to the timing controller 113 do.

That is, when the 2D image data is input in the 3D mode, the multi-view image conversion unit 114 executes a predetermined 2D-3D image conversion algorithm to generate left eye and right eye image data from 2D image data, Rearranged into the data format and transmitted to the timing controller 113. [

The host system 115 may be implemented in any one of a television system, a set top box, a navigation system, a DVD player, a Blu-ray player, a personal computer, a home theater system, and a phone system. The host system 115 converts the digital video data of the 2D / 3D input image into a format suited to the resolution of the image panel 110 using a scaler, and transmits a timing signal to the timing controller 113 send.

The host system 115 supplies the 2D image to the timing controller 113 in the 2D mode, and supplies the 3D image or the 2D image data to the multi-view image conversion unit 114 in the 3D mode. The host system 115 transmits a mode signal to the timing controller 113 in response to user data input through a user interface (UI) (not shown) to change the operation mode of the spectacle- You can switch in 3D mode. The user interface may be implemented by a keypad, a keyboard, a mouse, an on-screen display (OSD), a remote controller, a graphical user interface (GUI) The user can select the 2D mode and the 3D mode through the user interface, and select the 2D-3D image conversion in the 3D mode.

That is, the host system 115 supplies image data, timing signals, and the like to the multi-view image conversion unit 114 through an interface such as a Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) interface and a TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Signaling) interface. The host system 115 supplies the 3D image data including the left eye image data and the right eye image data to the multi-view image conversion unit 114. As described above, the timing signals include a vertical synchronization signal, a horizontal synchronization signal, a data enable signal (Data Enable), a dot clock, and the like.

The host system 115 receives the user information from the image collection unit, and calculates the number of optimal views according to the user information. The host system 115 generates a view control signal according to the number of optimal views and supplies the view control signal to the multi-view image conversion unit 114. [ The host system 115 may generate a view control signal using a lookup table that receives the number of users of user information as an input address and outputs the number of views stored at the input address.

At this time, when it is determined that one user is watching, the multiview image for a plurality of users is converted into a two-view image and supplied to the timing controller 113, while the driving of the 3D filter 120 is controlled And supplies the generated control data to the 3D filter control unit 116.

Next, the 3D filter 120 is a medium for optically separating the path of the image, and includes a light transmitting region for transmitting or blocking the left eye image and the right eye image output from the left eye pixel and the right eye pixel of the image panel 110, And functions to form a light shielding region.

Such a 3D filter 120 can be configured in a variety of ways using well known techniques such as lenticular lenses or barriers. The lenticular lens and the barrier may be implemented by a switchable lens or a switchable barrier which is electrically controlled using a liquid crystal panel. The present applicant has proposed a switchable lens or a switchable barrier through US Application No. 13/077565, US Application No. 13/325272, and Application No. 10-2010-0030531.

The 3D filter driving unit 117 synchronizes with the video data written in the pixel array of the video panel 110 in the 3D mode through the 3D filter control unit 116 under the control of the timing controller 113 and outputs the switchable lens or the switchable barrier The switchable 3D filter 120 can be shifted.

Meanwhile, as described above, in the present invention, the number of users is determined using eye tracking, and then a proper stereoscopic image is provided according to the number of users. On the other hand, when one user views a multi view image, 2 view image to control the switchable 3D filter, the resolution and luminance of the stereoscopic image display device can be improved. Hereinafter, a method of driving the stereoscopic imageless display device according to the present invention will be described in detail.

4 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a driving method of a spectacle-free stereoscopic image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the spectacles stereoscopic image display apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an image collecting unit, a host system, a multi-view image converting unit, a timing controller, a 3D filter driving unit, and a 3D filter.

The multi-view image converter receives image data (RGB), a mode signal (MODE) and a view control signal (Cview) from the host system. At this time, the multi-view image converting unit may determine whether the 2D mode or the 3D mode is performed according to the mode signal MODE (S110).

At this time, when the 2D mode signal (MODE) is inputted, the multi-view image conversion unit outputs the inputted 2D image data to the timing controller as it is without converting. Then, the 3D filter is totally turned off to implement a 2D image (S155).

On the other hand, when the 3D mode signal MODE is input, the multi-view image conversion unit converts the input 2D image data into 3D image data and outputs the 3D image data to the timing controller. For this purpose, (S120). ≪ / RTI >

For example, the eye tracking algorithm by the image collection unit is as follows. The applicant of the present application has proposed an eye-tracking algorithm through Korean Application No. 10-2013-0038815. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

First, the number of users and the user's face are detected from the input image captured through the camera. For example, a user's face is detected from an input image using a face detection method such as Haar Classifier.

Then, the center coordinates of the eyes of the detected face of the user, that is, the center coordinates between the left eye and the right eye are detected. For example, eye feature models such as AAM (Active Appearance Model) are used to select initial feature points such as the left eye and right eye, and eye center coordinates, which are the final feature points, are detected through an EBGM model.

Then, the eye position information of the user is calculated by applying the detected eye center coordinates to the distance model using the eyes. The user's eye position information is calculated as X, Y, Z coordinate values based on the center point of the stereoscopic image display device.

Next, 3D image data is acquired. At this time, the 3D image data can be obtained as left and right eye images such as side by side, top bottom, and the like.

At this time, the number of users and the viewing position can be detected after acquiring the 3D image data first.

Next, using the detected user information, it is determined whether the user is one or more than two (S130).

Next, 3D image data is mapped corresponding to the number of users and the viewing position (S140, S145). The process of mapping the 3D image data corresponding to the number of users and the viewing position is performed by an image processing process of the multi-view image converting unit.

In this case, if the number of users is one, the first view mode is set to be driven by two views. If the number of users is two or more, the second view mode may be set to be driven by multi view (three or more views).

The host system may include a view signal generator and an image supply unit. When the number of viewers and the viewing position are detected through the image collecting unit, the view signal generating unit generates the number of views and the position signal of the view corresponding thereto. That is, when the first view mode is set through the detected user information, the view signal generating unit generates two view signals. On the other hand, when the second view mode is set, the view signal generating unit generates view signals of three or more views Signal.

The multi-view image conversion unit may include a signal determination unit, an image lookup table, and an image data mapping unit. The image lookup table stores an image data map for reconstructing the image data by the number of views and the number of views in the position signal of the view. The signal determination unit extracts a data map stored in the image lookup table in accordance with the number of views and the position signal of the view. The image data mapping unit maps multi-view image data to be supplied to the timing controller using the image data map extracted by the signal determination unit.

When the 3D view mode is set to the first view mode, the multi-view image converter converts the input image data into image data of two views and supplies the image data to the timing controller. If the 3D view mode is set to the second view mode, And supplies the converted image data to the timing controller.

Next, the 3D filter driver and the 3D filter are controlled through the 3D filter control unit in correspondence with the number of users and the viewing position, and the 3D image data mapped by the modes of the first mode and the second mode is output through the image panel (S150).

At this time, in the present invention, when the mode is set to the first mode, at least two transmissive portions are formed per one set of barriers of the 3D filter to collect the light of the sub-pixels, that is, . Through the control of the 3D filter, the stereoscopic image display device exhibits the same characteristics as the two-view image, and accordingly, the luminance and resolution are increased compared to the multi-view image.

The 3D filter driving unit may include a driving voltage control unit, a filter lookup table, and a driving voltage supply unit.

The filter lookup table stores driving voltage data classified by the number of views and the position signal of the view. The driving voltage control unit extracts the driving voltage data stored in the filter lookup table corresponding to the number of views and the position signal of the view. The driving voltage supply unit varies the driving voltage to be supplied to the 3D filter using the driving voltage data extracted by the driving voltage control unit.

For example, when the mode is set to the first mode, the 3D filter driver performs a drive voltage extraction process for one view. The 3D filter driver adjusts the transmission portion and the blocking portion of the 3D filter in accordance with the 2-view image displayed on the image panel. Accordingly, the 3D filter is controlled by at least two or more opening portions through which only two view images are transmitted per set of the barrier and a blocking portion for blocking the rest.

On the other hand, when the mode is set to the second mode, the 3D filter driver performs a drive voltage extraction process for a plurality of views. The 3D filter driving unit adjusts the opening and the blocking unit of the 3D filter according to a plurality of multi-view images displayed on the image panel. Thus, the 3D filter is controlled by one aperture for transmitting only a plurality of multi-view images per set of barriers and a blocking unit for blocking the rest.

Hereinafter, a structure of a 3D filter applicable to a spectacle-free three-dimensional image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining driving of a 3D filter when a plurality of users view the same, and FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an exemplary driving of the spectacle-free three-dimensional image display device at this time.

7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the driving of the 3D filter in the case of viewing by one user, and FIG. 8 is a view exemplarily showing driving of the spectacle-free three-dimensional image display device at this time.

5 to 8 illustrate the case where the switchable barrier filter is used as the 3D filter, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention may be applied to a hybrid filter in which a liquid crystal lens filter or a switchable barrier filter and a liquid crystal lens filter are mixed with a 3D filter.

As described above, the 3D filter plays a role of dividing the left and right eye images. In the optimal viewing distance d from the 3D filter, a viewing diamond of a diamond shape in which the images corresponding to the left and right eyes normally reach the left and right eyes, respectively A regular time zone) is formed.

That is, the 3D filter forms a viewing area at an optimal viewing distance d by allowing another group of images to enter the left and right eyes of the end user from each sub-pixel of the image panel. This shape is called a viewing diamond because it is usually a diamond shape.

One width of the viewing diamond is formed in the size of the user's two eyes in order to allow stereoscopic images to be recognized by inputting images with parallax in the left and right eyes of the user.

At this time, view data, i.e., an image, of the sub-pixels of the corresponding image panel is formed in each viewing diamond.

View data refers to images taken by cameras separated by a distance of the binocular interval. For example, if the view is composed of nine views, images shot from nine cameras are sequentially applied to the viewing diamond from the first view to the ninth view, and the second view relative to the first view is relatively positioned to the right or left And has directionality. The viewing diamond is repeatedly formed by reflecting the corresponding view data.

5 to 8, the 3D filter 120 is a switchable barrier filter having cut-off portions (NTA) for blocking light transmitted through the light emitted from the image panel 110 in the 3D mode .

The switchable barrier filter determines the number of transmissive portions TA and blocking portions NTA per one set S according to the number signal of the view and outputs the transmissive portions TA and the blocking portions NTA ) Are varied.

The switchable barrier filter includes a first film 121, a second film 126 spaced apart from the first film 121, and a second film 126 interposed between the first film 121 and the second film 126, Layer 123 as shown in FIG.

At this time, a first linear polarizer 127 is provided on the lower surface of the first film 121, and split electrodes 122 are formed on the upper surface of the first film 121.

A second linear polarizer 128 is provided on the upper surface of the second film 126 and a front electrode 124 is formed on the lower surface of the second film 126.

For example, when a plurality of users view multi-view images, the switchable barrier filter forms transmissive portions TA and blocking portions NTA as shown in Fig. In this case, one transmission portion TA is formed per set S of the switchable barrier filter. The first voltage V1 is supplied to the split electrodes 122 corresponding to the transmission units TA and the second voltage V2 is supplied to the split electrodes 122 corresponding to the blocking units NTA. do. Here, the first voltage V1 and the second voltage V2 may differ depending on the arrangement state of the liquid crystal layer 123, but basically the voltage applied thereto is different.

Accordingly, for example, a plurality of users can view images of four views as shown in FIG. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a plurality of users can view multi-view of three or more views.

Alternatively, when one user views a two-view image, the switchable barrier filter forms transmissive portions TA and blocking portions NTA as shown in Fig. In this case, two transmissive portions TA are formed per one set S of switchable barrier filters. To this end, a first voltage V1 is applied to the split electrodes 122 corresponding to the transmissive portions TA and a second voltage V2 is applied to the split electrodes 122 corresponding to the blocking portions NTA. . Here, the first voltage V1 and the second voltage V2 may differ depending on the arrangement state of the liquid crystal layer 123, but basically the voltage applied thereto is different.

Accordingly, one user can view images of two views as shown in FIG. 8, for example.

The reason why the switchable barrier filter can be driven in the above-described manner is that the driving voltage output from the 3D filter driving section varies in accordance with the number of views and the position signal of the view.

While a great many are described in the foregoing description, it should be construed as an example of preferred embodiments rather than limiting the scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described, but should be determined by equivalents to the appended claims and the claims.

110: video panel 111, 112:
113: timing controller 114: multi-view image conversion unit
115: host system 116: 3D filter control unit
117: 3D filter driving unit 120: 3D filter
121, 126 films 122, 124 electrodes
123: liquid crystal layer 127, 128: linear polarizer

Claims (14)

A video panel for displaying input data of a multi-view;
A 3D filter disposed on a front surface of the image panel, the 3D filter including a transparent portion and a blocking portion to separate the optical axis of the input data to realize a stereoscopic image;
An image collecting unit provided in the image panel and collecting the number and position of users; And
And a 3D filter controller for controlling the positions of the transmissive part and the blocking part of the 3D filter and the number of transmissive parts according to the number of users collected through the image collecting part. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a timing controller for supplying input data mapped according to the number of users to the image panel. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when one user views the input data, the multiview input data is converted into two-view input data and supplied to the timing controller, and control data for controlling the driving of the 3D filter is generated And a multi-view image converting unit for supplying the multi-view image to the 3D filter control unit. The method of claim 1, wherein the 3D filter
A first film;
A first linear polarizer provided on a lower surface of the first film;
Dividing electrodes provided on an upper surface of the first film;
A second film spaced apart from the first film;
A second linear polarizer provided on an upper surface of the second film;
A front electrode provided on a lower surface of the second film; And
And a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first film and the second film. The 3D filter according to claim 4, wherein the 3D filter implements a cutoff unit which is supplied with different voltages to the split electrodes under the control of the 3D filter control unit and cuts off a transmission unit transmitting the input data displayed on the video panel, Wherein the plurality of arranged transmissive portions and the shielding portions constitute a set. [6] The apparatus of claim 5, wherein when a plurality of users view, one set of the 3D filter is configured with one transmissive portion. 6. The stereoscopic image display apparatus of claim 5, wherein, when one user views the image, at least two transmissive portions are formed in one set of the 3D filter. Collecting a number of users and a viewing position through an image collecting unit;
Determining whether the user is a plurality of one or more users based on the number of collected users;
Mapping the input data of the multi-view corresponding to the number of users collected and the viewing position; And
Controlling the 3D filter through the 3D filter control unit in correspondence with the number of users and the viewing position, and outputting the input data of the mapped multi-view through the image panel,
Wherein the 3D filter control unit controls the positions of the transmissive part and the blocking part of the 3D filter and the number of transmissive parts according to the number of users collected in the image collecting part. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: setting a first view mode driven by two views when the user is one person through a host system; and setting a second view mode when the user is two or more, Mode stereoscopic image display apparatus. The method of claim 9, wherein when the first view mode is set, the input data of the multi-view is converted into input data of two views and supplied to the timing controller, And supplies the input data to the timing controller by mapping the input data according to the number of the collected users and the viewing position. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein when the mode is set to the first mode, a drive voltage extraction process for two views is performed, and a transmissive portion and a cut-off portion of the 3D filter are adjusted corresponding to the two- Eye stereoscopic image display apparatus. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the 3D filter control unit controls the at least two apertures for transmitting only two view images per set to the 3D filter and the blocking unit for blocking the rest . The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein, when the mode is set to the second mode, a driving voltage extraction process for a plurality of views is performed, and the opening and the blocking portions of the 3D filter are adjusted And a driving method of the non-eyeglass stereoscopic image display apparatus. 14. The stereoscopic image display apparatus of claim 13, wherein the 3D filter control unit controls the 3D filter by using one aperture for transmitting a plurality of multi-view images per set and a blocking unit for blocking the rest. Way.

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