KR101881163B1 - Integral image system and driving method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated image system capable of increasing the display quality of a stereoscopic image such as a viewing angle and a resolution, and a driving method thereof. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an integrated image system including: a display panel for displaying an element image acquired from different viewpoints of a three-dimensional object; A lens array for integrating the elemental images on a space to generate a three-dimensional image; And a first optical path changing cell for allowing light incident from the lens array to pass therethrough or forming a prism pattern to refract in the horizontal direction.

Description

[0001] INTEGRAL IMAGE SYSTEM AND DRIVING METHOD OF THE SAME [0002]

The present invention relates to an integrated image system capable of increasing the display quality of a stereoscopic image such as a viewing angle and a resolution, and a driving method thereof.

Recently, three dimensional (3D) image and image reproduction techniques have been actively studied. 3D image related media is expected to lead the next generation imaging device as a realistic image media with a new concept that raises the level of visual information one more level. The conventional 2D image system provides the plane image, but the 3D image system is the ultimate image realization technology in terms of showing the actual image information of the object to the observer.

As a method for reproducing three-dimensional stereoscopic images, stereoscopic stereoscopic and autostereoscopic methods are widely used. A binocular parallax system uses a parallax image of right and left eyes having a large stereoscopic effect, and a stereoscopic image display apparatus using a spectacles system for realizing a binocular parallax image using glasses has recently been commercialized. The polarizing spectacle method, which realizes a stereoscopic image by using polarization glasses, displays the right and left parallax images in a time-division manner, and displays stereoscopic images by using shutter glasses. It is divided into the shutter glasses method to be implemented. However, there is an inconvenience in that the user can view stereoscopic images only when the user wears glasses. To solve this problem, a non-eyeglass system capable of viewing stereoscopic images without wearing glasses has been developed. In particular, an integral image system, which is one of the non-eyeglass systems, can provide continuous parallax and color information like a volumetric display system, thereby providing an advantage that an observer can move a viewpoint relatively freely.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a conventional integrated image system. 1, an integrated image system includes a pickup 2S for storing an object OBJ having three-dimensional information into an elemental image, which is a two-dimensional image, using the lens array LENS1, and storing the object OBJ in a two- And a display unit for displaying a stereoscopic image again using an elementary image. The display includes a display panel DIS and a lens array LENS2. The display panel DIS displays the element image, and the lens array LENS2 accumulates the element image displayed on the display panel DIS in a certain space so that the viewer can view the three-dimensional image.

However, the viewing angle of the integrated imaging system is determined by the F-number of the lens of the lens array (LENS), commonly known as 15 [deg.] To 20 [deg.]. Also, the resolution of the integrated imaging system is determined by the number of lenses and the interval between pixels, and therefore the resolution is low. That is, the direct imaging system has a problem that the display quality of the stereoscopic image is deteriorated due to a narrow viewing angle and a low resolution.

The present invention provides an integrated image system and a driving method thereof that can improve the display quality of a stereoscopic image such as a viewing angle and a resolution.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an integrated image system including: a display panel for displaying an element image acquired from different viewpoints of a three-dimensional object; A lens array for integrating the elemental images on a space to generate a three-dimensional image; And a first optical path changing cell for allowing light incident from the lens array to pass therethrough or forming a prism pattern to refract in the horizontal direction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of driving an integrated video system, comprising: displaying an element image obtained from different viewpoints of a three-dimensional object using a display panel; Dimensional image by integrating the elemental image on a space using a lens array; And passing the light incident from the lens array directly through the first light path conversion cell or forming a prism pattern to refract in the horizontal direction.

The integrated image system according to another embodiment of the present invention may allow light incident from the backlight unit to pass therethrough at predetermined intervals, form a first prism pattern to refract in a first direction, form a second prism pattern, A light path conversion cell which bends in two directions; A lens array for integrating the light incident from the light path conversion cell onto a space; And a display panel disposed on the lens array and displaying an element image obtained from different viewpoints of the three-dimensional object, wherein the first direction and the second direction are symmetrical with respect to the light incident from the backlight unit .

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of driving an integrated imaging system, which comprises: passing light incident from a backlight unit through a light source at a predetermined cycle using an optical path conversion cell, forming a first prism pattern, Forming a second prism pattern and refracting in a second direction; Integrating light incident from the light path conversion cell on a space using a lens array; And displaying an element image obtained from different viewpoints of the three-dimensional object using a display panel disposed on the lens array, wherein the first direction and the second direction are directions of light incident from the backlight unit Are symmetrical with respect to each other.

The present invention relates to an image display apparatus, a display apparatus, a display apparatus, and a method for controlling the same, do. As a result, according to the present invention, since the generation position of the three-dimensional image can be moved according to the user's position, the viewer can view the three-dimensional image at a position where the viewer can not view the three-dimensional image due to the narrow viewing angle.

Further, in the present invention, a light path conversion cell is disposed between a backlight unit and a lens array, a display panel is disposed on the lens array, and a path of light incident from the backlight unit is periodically converted using a light path conversion cell . As a result, the present invention can increase the number of point light sources perceived by viewers, thereby increasing the resolution of the integrated image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a conventional integrated imaging system; FIG.
2 is an exemplary view illustrating an integrated video system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views showing each of the first and second optical path changing cells in detail; FIG.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of driving an integrated video system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an exemplary view illustrating an integrated video system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of driving an integrated video system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals throughout the specification denote substantially identical components. In the following description, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. The component name used in the following description may be selected in consideration of easiness of specification, and may be different from the actual product name.

The present invention relates to an integrated image system and a driving method thereof. An integrated video system according to an embodiment of the present invention is roughly divided into a pickup unit and a display unit. The pickup unit converts an object having three-dimensional information into an elemental image, which is a two-dimensional image, using a lens array, and stores the object in a two-dimensional sensor. The display unit displays the stored element image on a display panel or the like, and displays the element image as a stereoscopic image using a lens array. Since the present invention relates to a display unit of an integrated image system, the following description of the pickup unit is omitted for convenience of explanation.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing an integrated image system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2, the integrated image system according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a display panel 10, a lens array 20, a first optical path conversion cell 30, a second optical path conversion cell 40, A display panel driving unit 50, a first optical path conversion cell driving unit 60, a half wave plate (HWP), a second optical path conversion cell driving unit 70, a control unit 80, and a sensing camera 90 .

The display panel 10 will be mainly described as being implemented by a liquid crystal display (LCD). The display panel 10 includes two substrates. A liquid crystal layer is formed between the two substrates. On the lower substrate of the display panel 10, data lines and gate lines (or scan lines) are formed so as to intersect with each other, and pixels are arranged in a matrix form in cell regions defined by the data lines and gate lines (Thin Film Transistor) array is formed. Each of the pixels of the display panel 10 is connected to the thin film transistor and driven by an electric field between the pixel electrode and the common electrode.

On the upper substrate of the display panel 10, a color filter array including a black matrix, a color filter, and the like is formed. Further, an alignment film for setting a pre-tilt angle of liquid crystal is formed on the upper substrate and the lower substrate. A spacer for maintaining a cell gap of the liquid crystal cell is formed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate of the display panel 10. The common electrode is formed on the upper substrate in a vertical electric field driving method such as a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode and a VA (Vertical Alignment) mode and is driven by a horizontal electric field drive such as an In Plane Switching (IPS) mode and a Fringe Field Switching Type pixel electrode and the lower substrate. The liquid crystal mode of the display panel 10 can be implemented in any liquid crystal mode as well as the TN mode, VA mode, IPS mode, and FFS mode described above.

The display panel 10 displays the two-dimensional element image stored by the pickup unit. An elemental image is an image generated by storing an image having a difference in viewpoint according to the position of each element lens from a three-dimensional object using an element lens array including a plurality of element lenses. That is, the elemental image means an image obtained from different viewpoints of the three-dimensional object. For example, when an elemental image is generated using an elemental lens array including 52 × 52 elemental lenses, an elementary image obtained from 2704 viewpoints is generated.

On the display panel 10, a lens array 20 is arranged. The lens array 20 integrates the element image displayed on the display panel 10 in a certain space and displays it in a three-dimensional image (3D image). The lens array 20 is composed of a set of a plurality of integrated lenses IL. The lens array 20 refracts the element image of the display panel 10 and generates a 3D image at a distance separated by a predetermined distance. For this, each of the plurality of integrated lenses of the lens array 20 differently refracts the element image of the display panel 10 according to the viewpoint of the element image.

On the lens array 20, a first optical path changing cell 30 is arranged. The first light path changing cell 30 passes light incident from the lens array 20 as it is or forms a prism pattern to refract in the direction of the horizontal axis (x axis). Therefore, the 3D image generated at the distance distanced by the predetermined distance by the lens array 20 is adjusted by the first optical path changing cell 30 in the direction of the horizontal axis (x axis) . A second optical path changing cell 40 is disposed on the first optical path changing cell 30. [ The second optical path changing cell 40 passes light incident from the first optical path changing cell 30 as it is or forms a prism pattern to refract in the vertical axis (y axis) direction. Accordingly, a three-dimensional image (3D image) generated at a distance separated by a predetermined distance by the lens array 20 is adjusted by the second optical path changing cell 40 in the direction of the vertical axis (y axis) .

3A and 3B, in order to refract light by the prism patterns of the first and second light path changing cells 30 and 40, the first and second light path changing cells 30, 40 should be perpendicular to the first electrodes 202 to which the driving voltage is applied. 2, when the light incident on the first optical path changing cell 30 is refracted in the direction of the horizontal axis (x axis), the light incident on the first optical path changing cell 30 is the horizontal polarization hp And the second light path changing cell 40 is deflected in the direction of the vertical axis (y-axis), the light incident on the second light path changing cell 40 should be vertical polarized light vp. For this purpose, a half wave plate (HWP) is disposed between the first light path conversion cell 30 and the second light path conversion cell 40. The half wave plate (HWP) outputs the phase of light incident from the first optical path changing cell 30 by delaying it by? / 2 (? Is wavelength of light). As a result, the horizontal polarization hp passing through the first light path switching cell 30 is converted into the vertical polarization vp by the half wave plate HWP, so that the second light path switching cell 40 can convert incident light Can be refracted. Detailed explanations of the first optical path changing cell 30 and the second optical path changing cell 40 will be described later in conjunction with FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG.

The display panel driver 50 includes a gate driver and a data driver. The data driver receives the elemental image data DATA from the controller 80 and uses the positive / negative gamma compensation voltage supplied from the gamma voltage generator circuit (not shown) to output the elemental image data DATA to the positive polarity / To a negative analog data voltage. The data driver supplies the positive / negative polarity analog data voltages to the data lines of the display panel 10. The gate driver sequentially supplies a gate pulse (or a scan pulse) synchronized with the data voltage to the gate lines of the display panel 10 under the control of the controller 80. [

The first light path conversion cell driver 60 supplies a drive voltage for driving the first light path conversion cell 30 to the first light path conversion cell 30. The second light path conversion cell drive unit 70 supplies a drive voltage for driving the second light path conversion cell 40 to the second light path conversion cell 40.

The control unit 80 controls the display panel driving unit 50 to drive the display panel 10. The controller 80 supplies the gate driver control signal GCS to the gate driver and the element video data DATA and the data driver control signal DCS to the data driver. The gate driver control signal GCS may include a gate start pulse, a gate shift clock, and a gate output enable signal. The data driver control signal DCS may include a source start pulse, a source sampling clock, a source output enable signal, a polarity control signal, and the like.

The detection camera 90 captures an image of the user and transmits the captured image to the control unit 80. [ The control unit 80 may analyze the photographed image to calculate coordinates at which the user is located. The controller 80 compares the calculated position coordinates of the user with the reference point to determine where the user is located relative to the reference point. The control unit 80 controls the first light path conversion cell driving unit 60 and the second light path conversion cell driving unit 70 according to the user location information to control the first light path conversion cell 30 and the second light path conversion cell 30, (40).

When the user moves and is positioned on the horizontal axis (x axis) relative to the reference point, the first light path changing cell 30 forms a prism pattern and is controlled to refract the incident light in the direction of the horizontal axis (x axis). In particular, depending on whether the value of the horizontal axis (x axis) of the position coordinates of the user is a positive number or a negative number, the first light path changing cell 30 controls the direction in which the incident light is refracted differently. For example, when the horizontal axis (x-axis) value of the position coordinates of the user is positive, the first light path conversion cell 30 forms the first prism pattern PP1 to refract the incident light in the first direction D1 If the horizontal axis (x axis) value of the position coordinates of the user is negative, the second prism pattern PP2 may be formed to refract the incident light in the second direction D2. Further, when the difference between the horizontal axis (x axis) value of the user's position coordinates and the horizontal axis (x axis) value of the reference point is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, it can be determined that the user is located at the reference point. Is controlled so as to pass incident light directly without forming any prism pattern.

When the user moves on the vertical axis (y axis) relative to the reference point, the second light path changing cell 40 forms a prism pattern and is controlled to refract the incident light in the vertical axis (y axis) direction. In particular, depending on whether the vertical axis (y axis) value of the user's position coordinates is positive or negative, the second light path changing cell 40 controls the direction in which the incident light is refracted differently. For example, the second optical path changing cell 40 forms a first prism pattern PP1 when the ordinate (y-axis) value of the position coordinates of the user is positive, refracts the incident light in the first direction D1, And if the value of the vertical axis (y-axis) of the position coordinates of the user is negative, the second prism pattern PP2 can be formed to refract the incident light in the second direction D2. Further, when the difference between the vertical axis (y-axis) value of the user's position coordinate and the vertical axis (y-axis) value of the reference point is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, it can be determined that the user is located at the reference point. Is controlled so as to pass incident light directly without forming any prism pattern.

Meanwhile, the first and second optical path changing cell drivers 60 and 70 may include a first driving voltage for passing the incident light through the first and second optical path changing cells 30 and 40, Up table in which a second driving voltage for refracting in the second direction D2 is stored, and a third driving voltage for refracting in the second direction D2 are stored. In this case, the first and second optical path changing cell drivers 60 and 70 select one of the first to third driving voltages from the look-up table in response to the control signal of the controller 80, and output the selected one.

3A and 3B are cross-sectional views showing the first and second optical path changing cells in detail, respectively. 3A and 3B, each of the first and second optical path changing cells 30 and 40 includes a first substrate 201, first electrodes 202, a first insulating layer 203, A layer 204, a second insulating layer 205, a second electrode 206, and a second substrate 207. [

The first substrate 201 may be formed of any one of a glass substrate, a plastic substrate, and a film. First electrodes 202 are formed on a first substrate 201. Each of the first electrodes 202 is spaced apart from the adjacent first electrode 202 by a predetermined distance. The driving voltages supplied from the first and second optical path conversion cell driving units 60 and 70 are applied to the first electrodes 202, respectively. The first electrode 202 may be formed of indium tin oxide (ITO). A first insulating layer 203 is formed on the first electrodes 202 to isolate the first electrodes 202 and the liquid crystal layer 204 from each other.

The second substrate 207 may be formed of any one of a glass substrate, a plastic substrate, and a film. A second electrode 206 is formed on the front surface of the second substrate 207. A second insulating layer 205 is formed on the second electrode 206. The driving voltage supplied from the first and second optical path conversion cell driving units 60 and 70 is applied to the second electrode 206. The second electrode 206 may be formed of indium tin oxide (ITO). A second insulating layer 205 is formed on the second electrode 206 in order to insulate the second electrode 206 from the liquid crystal layer 204.

A liquid crystal layer 204 is formed between the first insulating layer 203 and the second insulating layer 205. The liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 204 is rotated by the voltage difference between the first electrodes 202 and the second electrodes 206. [ A different driving voltage is applied to the first electrodes 202 of n (n is a natural number of 2 or more), and thus the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 204 forms a prism pattern for every n first electrodes 202. For example, the prism pattern may be formed for each of the first electrodes 202 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The refraction angle alpha of the light incident on the prism pattern of the liquid crystal layer can be determined by the wavelength? Of the light and the width Wp of the prism pattern as shown in Equation (1).

In Equation (1),? Represents the angle of refraction of light incident on the prism pattern,? Represents the wavelength of light, and Wp represents the width of the prism pattern.

In addition, when no driving voltage is applied to the first electrodes 202 and the second electrodes 206, the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 204 does not form any prism patterns and thus allows the incident light to pass therethrough. As described above, each of the first and second optical path changing cells 30 and 40 forms a prism pattern using liquid crystals, thereby refracting or allowing the incident light to refract at the refraction angle [alpha]. Each of the first and second optical path conversion cells 30 and 40 may be implemented in an ECB (Electronically Controlled Liquid Crystal) mode or a HAN liquid crystal mode.

On the other hand, the optical path changing axis of the first optical path changing cell 30 and the optical path changing axis of the second optical path changing cell 40 are formed to be perpendicular to each other. 2, the first light path conversion cell 30 is configured to refract light in the direction of the horizontal axis (x-axis), and the second light path conversion cell 40 is configured to refract light in the vertical axis However, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the first light path changing cell 30 is embodied to refract light in the vertical axis (y axis) direction and the second light path changing cell 40 is embodied to refract light in the horizontal axis (x axis) direction .

When the first prism pattern PP1 is formed, a driving voltage applied to the first electrodes 202 of the first and second optical path changing cells 30 and 40 and a second prism pattern PP2 are formed The driving voltages applied to the first electrodes 202 are different. In order to form the first prism pattern PP1, a prism pattern valley is formed on the electrode A (Ea) and a mountain of a prism pattern is formed on the electrode C (Ec) as shown in FIG. 3A. In order to form the second prism pattern PP2, a mountain of a prism pattern is formed on the electrode A (Ea) and a valley of a prism pattern is formed on the electrode C (Ec) as shown in FIG. 3B. Therefore, the driving voltage applied to the electrodes A, B, and C (Ea, Eb, and Ec) for forming the first prism pattern PP1 is different from the driving voltage applied to the electrodes A, B, and C Ea, Eb, and Ec). For example, the drive voltage applied to the electrode A (Ea) to form the first prism pattern PP1 is equal to the drive voltage applied to the electrode C (Ec) to form the second prism pattern PP2, The driving voltage applied to the electrode C (Ec) to form the first prism pattern PP1 is the same as the driving voltage applied to the electrode A (Ea) to form the second prism pattern PP2. The driving voltage applied to the electrode B (Eb) to form the first prism pattern PP1 is equal to the driving voltage applied to the electrode B (Eb) to form the second prism pattern PP2. On the other hand, in the first and second prism patterns PP1 and PP2, the gradient M-V from the peak to the adjacent valley is formed to be larger than the gradient from the peak to the non-adjacent valley V-M.

The first light path changing cell 30 forms a first prism pattern as shown in FIG. 3A, refracts incident light in a first direction D1, and forms a second prism pattern as shown in FIG. And is refracted in the second direction D2. Light refracted in the first direction D1 and light refracted in the second direction D2 are symmetrical with respect to the incident light (or the straight direction DS). 3A, the second optical path changing cell 40 is formed by forming a first prism pattern to refract incident light in a third direction D3 and forming a second prism pattern as shown in FIG. And refracts the light in the fourth direction D4. Light refracted in the third direction D3 and light refracted in the fourth direction D4 are symmetrical with respect to the incident light (or the straight direction DS). In the above description, the first and second directions D1 and D2 are oriented along the horizontal axis (x-axis), and the third and fourth directions D3 and D4 are oriented along the vertical axis (y-axis).

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of driving an integrated video system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A method of driving an integrated video system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4. FIG. Referring to FIG. 4, the integrated image system according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes first through eighth steps (S101 through S108).

First, the display panel 10 displays an element image. The elemental image means an image obtained from different viewpoints of the three-dimensional object. (S101)

Secondly, the lens array 20 including a plurality of integrated lenses IL integrates the element image displayed on the display panel 10 in a certain space and displays it as a 3D image. (S102)

Third, the detection camera 90 captures an image of the user and transmits the captured image to the control unit 80. [ The control unit 80 may analyze the photographed image to calculate coordinates at which the user is located. The controller 80 compares the calculated position coordinates of the user with the reference point to determine where the user is located relative to the reference point. When the user moves and is positioned on the horizontal axis (x axis) relative to the reference point, the first light path changing cell 30 forms a prism pattern and is controlled to refract the incident light in the direction of the horizontal axis (x axis). In particular, depending on whether the value of the horizontal axis (x axis) of the position coordinates of the user is a positive number or a negative number, the first light path changing cell 30 controls the direction in which the incident light is refracted differently. For example, when the horizontal axis (x axis) of the position coordinates of the user is positive, the first light path conversion cell 30 forms a first prism pattern to refract incident light in a first direction D1 And if the value of the horizontal axis (x axis) of the position coordinates of the user is negative, the second prism pattern may be formed to refract the incident light in the second direction D2. Further, when the difference between the horizontal axis (x axis) value of the user's position coordinates and the horizontal axis (x axis) value of the reference point is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, it can be determined that the user is located at the reference point. Is controlled so as to pass the incident light as it is without forming a prism pattern. (S103, S104, S105)

Fourth, when the user moves by the vertical axis (y axis) relative to the reference point, the second light path changing cell 40 forms a prism pattern and controls the incident light to refract in the vertical axis (y axis) do. In particular, depending on whether the vertical axis (y axis) value of the user's position coordinates is positive or negative, the second light path changing cell 40 controls the direction in which the incident light is refracted differently. For example, the second light path conversion cell 40 may form a first prism pattern to refract incident light in a third direction D3 when the vertical axis (y-axis) value of the position coordinates of the user is positive And if the value of the vertical axis (y-axis) of the position coordinates of the user is negative, the second prism pattern can be formed and the incident light can be refracted in the fourth direction D4. Further, when the difference between the vertical axis (y-axis) value of the user's position coordinate and the vertical axis (y-axis) value of the reference point is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, it can be determined that the user is located at the reference point. Is controlled so as to pass the incident light as it is without forming a prism pattern. (S106, S107, S108)

As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the lens array 20 is disposed on the display panel 10, and the first and second optical path changing cells 30, 40 and controls the optical path conversion of the first and second light path switching cells 30, 40 according to the position of the user. As a result, the first embodiment of the present invention can move the generation position of the three-dimensional image according to the position of the user, so that the viewer can view the three-dimensional image at a position where the viewer can not view the three-dimensional image due to the narrow viewing angle .

5 is a view illustrating an integrated video system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 5, the integrated image system according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a display panel 110, a lens array 120, a light path conversion cell 130, a backlight unit 140, a display panel driver 150 ), A light path conversion cell driver 160, and a controller 170.

The display panel 110 may be implemented as a liquid crystal display, as described with reference to FIG. The display panel driver 150 includes a gate driver and a data driver, as described with reference to FIG.

The backlight unit 140 supplies light to the display panel 110. The backlight unit 140 includes a light source, a light guide plate (or diffusion plate), and a plurality of optical sheets that are turned on in accordance with the supplied drive current. The backlight unit may be implemented as a direct type or an edge type. The light sources of the backlight unit may be any one of a light source such as HCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp), Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL), External Electrode Fluorescent Lamp (EEFL), LED (Light Emitting Diode) Or more light sources.

On the backlight unit 140, a light path changing cell 130 is disposed. The light path conversion cell 130 periodically converts the path of the light incident from the backlight unit 140. That is, the light path changing cell 130 passes light incident at predetermined intervals as it is, forms a first prism pattern to refract in a first direction D1, forms a second prism pattern to form a second prism pattern in a second direction D2). For example, the light path conversion cell 130 can convert the path of light incident at one frame period. The light refracted in the first direction D1 and the light refracted in the second direction D2 are symmetrical with respect to the incident light (or the straight direction DS). Meanwhile, the detailed structure and operation of the light path conversion cell 130 are as described in conjunction with FIGS. 3A and 3B.

A lens array 120 is disposed on the optical path conversion cell 130 and a display panel 110 is disposed on the lens array 120. The lens array 120 integrates the element image displayed on the display panel 110 in a certain space and displays the image in a three-dimensional image (3D image). The elemental image means an image obtained from different viewpoints of the three-dimensional object.

The light path conversion cell driver 160 passes light incident on the light path conversion cell 130 as it is at predetermined intervals and forms a first prism pattern to refract in the first direction D1, And applies the driving voltage so as to refract in the second direction D2. Therefore, the light path conversion cell driver 160 drives the light path conversion cell 130 to generate the first drive voltage for passing the incident light, the second drive voltage for forming the first prism pattern, Up table in which a third drive voltage for forming the look-up table is stored. In this case, in response to the control signal from the controller 170, the light path conversion cell driver 160 selects one of the first to third drive voltages from the look-up table and outputs the selected one. The control unit 170 controls the optical path conversion cell driver 160 to select any one of the first to third drive voltages to output at predetermined intervals.

The number of point light sources DL formed between the display panel 110 and the lens array 120 is larger than that of the incident light source because the light path conversion cell 130 periodically changes the path of light incident thereon. That is, the second embodiment of the present invention includes the optical path conversion cell 130, whereas the prior art does not include the optical path conversion cell 130, and therefore, in the case of the second embodiment of the present invention, (DL) increases. That is, in the case of the second embodiment of the present invention, since the number of point light sources DL recognized by the viewer can be increased, the resolution of the three-dimensional image of the integrated image system can be increased.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of driving an integrated video system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, a method of driving an integrated video system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. Referring to FIG. 6, the integrated image system according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes first through third steps (S201 through S203).

First, the light path conversion cell 130 periodically converts the path of light incident from the backlight unit 140. That is, the light path changing cell 130 passes light incident at predetermined intervals as it is, forms a first prism pattern to refract in a first direction D1, forms a second prism pattern to form a second prism pattern in a second direction D2). The light path conversion cell 130 can convert the path of light incident at intervals of one frame period. On the other hand, the light refracted in the first direction D1 and the light refracted in the second direction D2 are symmetrical with respect to the straight direction DS. (S201)

Second, a lens array 120 including a plurality of integrated lenses IL accumulates light incident from the backlight unit 140 on a certain space. (S202)

Third, the display panel 110 displays an element image. The elemental image means an image obtained from different viewpoints of the three-dimensional object. The elemental images displayed on the display panel 110 are integrated on a space by the lens array 120 and displayed as a three-dimensional image (3D image). (S203)

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the optical path changing cell is disposed between the backlight unit and the lens array, the display panel is disposed on the lens array, and the light path changing cell Thereby periodically converting the path of the incident light. As a result, the second embodiment of the present invention can increase the number of point light sources recognized by viewers, thereby increasing the resolution of the three-dimensional image of the integrated image system.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be defined by the claims.

10, 110: display panel 20, 120: lens array
30: first light path conversion cell 40: second light path conversion cell
50, 150: a display panel drive unit 60: a first light path conversion cell drive unit
70: second optical path conversion cell driver 80, 170:
90: detection camera 130: light path conversion cell
140: backlight unit 160: light path conversion cell drive unit
201: first substrate 202: first electrode
203: first insulating layer 204: liquid crystal layer
205: second insulating layer 206: second electrode
207: second substrate

Claims (24)

A display panel for displaying an element image obtained from different viewpoints of the three-dimensional object;
A lens array for integrating the elemental images on a space to generate a three-dimensional image; And
And a first optical path changing cell for passing the light incident from the lens array as it is or forming a prism pattern according to a horizontal axis value of a user's position coordinate to refract the incident light in a horizontal axis direction. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first light path conversion cell comprises:
When a horizontal axis value of the position coordinates of the user is positive, a first prism pattern is formed to refract light incident from the lens array in a first direction, and when a horizontal axis value of the position coordinates of the user is negative, And refracts light incident from the lens array in a second direction,
Wherein the first direction and the second direction are symmetrical to each other with reference to light incident from the lens array. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first light path conversion cell comprises:
Wherein when the difference between the horizontal axis value of the position coordinates of the user and the horizontal axis value of the predetermined reference point is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the light incident from the lens array is passed without forming the prism pattern. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a second light path conversion cell through which light incident from the first light path conversion cell passes through or is refracted in the longitudinal direction by forming the prism pattern. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the second optical path changing cell comprises:
When a vertical axis value of a user's position coordinate is positive, a first prism pattern is formed to refract light incident from the first light path changing cell in a third direction, and when a vertical axis value of the position coordinates of the user is negative, Prism patterns to refract light incident from the first optical path change cell in a fourth direction,
Wherein the third direction and the fourth direction are symmetrical to each other with reference to light incident from the first light path conversion cell. 6. The method of claim 5,
And the third and fourth directions are vertical axis directions. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein a half wave plate is disposed between the first light path conversion cell and the second light path conversion cell. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the second optical path changing cell comprises:
When the difference between the vertical axis value of the position coordinates of the user and the vertical axis value of the predetermined reference point is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, light incident from the first light path changing cell is passed without forming the prism pattern as it is Image system. 5. The method of claim 4,
A first optical path changing cell driver for supplying a driving voltage to the first optical path changing cell;
A second optical path change cell driver for supplying a drive voltage to the second optical path change cell;
A detection camera for photographing the position of the user; And
Further comprising a control unit for analyzing an image of a user photographed by the sensing camera to calculate a positional coordinate of the user and then supplying a control signal for controlling the first and second optical path change cell driver units, system. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein each of the first and second optical path changing cells comprises:
First electrodes spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance on a first substrate;
A first insulating layer covering the first electrodes;
A second electrode formed on an entire surface of the second substrate;
A second insulating layer covering the second electrode; And
And a liquid crystal layer that forms the prism pattern by using a liquid crystal that is rotated by a voltage difference between the first electrodes and the second electrode between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer. . 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the prism pattern is formed for every n (n is a natural number) first electrodes. Displaying an element image obtained from different viewpoints of a three-dimensional object using a display panel;
Dimensional image by integrating the elemental image on a space using a lens array; And
And refracting the incident light in the horizontal axis direction by directly passing the light incident from the lens array according to the horizontal axis value of the position coordinates of the user using the first light path conversion cell or forming a prism pattern, A method of operating a video system. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the step of allowing light incident from the lens array to pass through the first optical path changing cell or forming a prism pattern to refract in the horizontal direction,
When a horizontal axis value of the position coordinates of the user is positive, a first prism pattern is formed to refract light incident from the lens array in a first direction, and when a horizontal axis value of the position coordinates of the user is negative, And refracts light incident from the lens array in a second direction,
Wherein the first direction and the second direction are symmetrical to each other with reference to light incident from the lens array. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the step of allowing light incident from the lens array to pass through the first optical path changing cell or forming a prism pattern to refract in the horizontal direction,
Wherein light incident from the lens array is passed through as it is when the difference between the horizontal axis value of the user's position coordinates and the horizontal axis value of the predetermined reference point is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. 13. The method of claim 12,
Further comprising the step of passing light incident from the first optical path change cell directly through the second optical path conversion cell or forming a prism pattern to refract in the vertical direction. 16. The method of claim 15,
Passing the light incident from the first optical path change cell directly through the second optical path changing cell or forming a prism pattern to refract in the vertical direction,
When a vertical axis value of a user's position coordinate is positive, a second prism pattern is formed to refract light incident from the first light path changing cell in a third direction, and when a vertical axis value of the position coordinates of the user is negative, Prism patterns to refract light incident from the first optical path change cell in a fourth direction,
Wherein the third direction and the fourth direction are symmetrical to each other with reference to light incident from the first optical path change cell. 17. The method of claim 16,
And the third and fourth directions are vertical axis directions. 17. The method of claim 16,
Passing the light incident from the first optical path change cell directly through the second optical path changing cell or forming a prism pattern to refract in the vertical direction,
When the difference between the vertical axis value of the position coordinates of the user and the vertical axis value of the predetermined reference point is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, light incident from the first light path changing cell is passed without forming the prism pattern as it is A method of operating a video system. A light path changing cell which passes light incident from a backlight unit as it is at every predetermined period, forms a first prism pattern to refract in a first direction, and forms a second prism pattern to refract in a second direction;
A lens array for integrating the light incident from the light path conversion cell onto a space; And
And a display panel disposed on the lens array and displaying an element image obtained from different viewpoints of the three-dimensional object,
Wherein the first direction and the second direction are symmetrical to each other with reference to light incident from the backlight unit. 20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein said optical path changing cell does not form said first and second prism patterns but includes a first driving voltage for allowing light incident from a backlight unit to pass therethrough, a second driving voltage for forming said first prism pattern, Up table storing a third driving voltage for forming a first prism pattern and a second prism pattern in response to a control signal of a control unit and selecting one of the first through third driving voltages to output And a light path conversion cell drive unit for generating a light path conversion signal. 20. The method of claim 19,
The optical path conversion cell includes:
First electrodes spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance on a first substrate;
A first insulating layer covering the first electrodes;
A second electrode formed on an entire surface of the second substrate;
A second insulating layer covering the second electrode; And
And a liquid crystal layer forming the first and second prism patterns by using a liquid crystal which is rotated by a voltage difference between the first electrodes and the second electrode between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer . 22. The method of claim 21,
Wherein the prism pattern is formed for every n (n is a natural number) first electrodes. Passing the light incident from the backlight unit through the light path conversion cell at predetermined intervals, forming a first prism pattern to refract in a first direction, and forming a second prism pattern to refract in a second direction ;
Integrating light incident from the light path conversion cell on a space using a lens array; And
And displaying an element image obtained from different viewpoints of the three-dimensional object using a display panel disposed on the lens array,
Wherein the first direction and the second direction are symmetrical to each other with reference to light incident from the backlight unit. 24. The method of claim 23,
Wherein said optical path changing cell does not form said first and second prism patterns but includes a first driving voltage for allowing light incident from a backlight unit to pass therethrough, a second driving voltage for forming said first prism pattern, Storing a third driving voltage for forming a two-prism pattern; And
And selecting one of the first to third driving voltages in response to a control signal of the control unit and outputting the selected one to the optical path conversion cell.

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