Display apparatus

A display apparatus comprises an image output module for outputting an image, a projection module for generating an image through a light source and projecting the generated image to the image output module, and a case having an opaque inside. The projection module and the image output module are connected to two opposite ends, respectively, of the case. The projection module includes a light source, a driving circuit for driving the projection module, a scan line forming module for forming a scan line according to a particular pattern previously defined, a short focal-length lens, and an inverting circuit for left-to-right inverting the generated image, wherein the scan line is formed by switching on or off a pixel according to the particular pattern for an image signal generated through the light source, and wherein the generated image is projected to the image output module through a rear projection scheme.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0025788, filed on Feb. 24, 2015, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure concerns displays, and more particularly, to projection displays.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

The advent of information technology society led to growing demand for displays, and there is ongoing research and development for various types of displays including cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, projection displays, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), electro-luminescent displays (ELDs), and vacuum fluorescent displays (VFDs).

Conventional CRT or projection displays are too bulky and heavy, and flat panel displays are pricey particularly when implemented in a large size.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a display apparatus comprises an image output module for outputting an image, a projection module for generating an image through a light source and projecting the generated image to the image output module, and a case having an opaque inside, wherein the projection module and the image output module are physically connected to two opposite ends, respectively, of the case. The projection module includes a light source for emitting light, a driving circuit for driving the projection module, a scan line forming module for forming a cathode ray tube (CRT)-type scan line according to a particular pattern previously defined, a short focal-length lens, and an inverting circuit for left-to-right inverting the generated image. The CRT-type scan line is formed by switching on or off a pixel according to the particular pattern for an image signal generated through the light source. The generated image is projected to the image output module through a rear projection scheme. The light source is a light emitting diode (LED). The rear projection scheme is performed by the short focal-length lens.

The scan line forming module includes a micro-mirror array including at least one micro-mirror, and a process functionally connected with the micro-mirror array. The processor performs control to form the scan line according to the particular pattern by controlling a rotation angle of each micro-mirror to switch on or of the pixel corresponding to the micro-mirror.

The image output module includes a transparent layer and a film screen for rear projection. The transparent layer and the film screen are formed of plastic.

The particular pattern is any one of a shadow mask pattern, an aperture grille pattern, or a slot mask pattern.

The shape of the image projection module and the case is varied by adjusting an area where an image is projected and an area where the image is blocked.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a display apparatus comprises an image output module for outputting an image, a projection module for generating an image through a light source and projecting the generated image to the image output module, and a case having an opaque inside. The image output module includes a transparent layer and a film screen for rear projection formed of plastic. The film screen has a particular pattern printed thereon to form a scan line. The projection module and the image output module are physically connected with two opposite ends, respectively, of the case. The projection module includes an inverting circuit for left-to-right inverting the generated image. The generated image is projected to the image output module through a rear projection scheme.

The particular pattern is any one of a shadow mask pattern an aperture grille pattern, or a slot mask pattern.

The shape of the image projection module and the case is varied by adjusting an area where an image is projected and an area where the image is blocked.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The inventive concept, however, may be modified in various different ways, and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context dearly indicates otherwise. It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” or “connected to” another element or layer, it can be directly on or connected to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present.

As used herein, the terms “module” and “unit” may be interchangeably used.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 2illustrates an example of an implementation of a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the display apparatus100may include an image output module130, a case120, and a projection module110.

The case120may have an opaque inside. For example, an inside of the case120may be treated to be opaque so that an image from the projection module110may be clearly projected to the image output module130. For example, the case120may function as a darkroom or may provide a darkroom.

The case120may be physically connected with each of the image output module130and the projection module110. The image output module130and the projection module110, respectively, may be connected to two opposite ends or sides of the case120. The two opposite ends or sides of the case120may have various shapes for connection with the image output module130and the projection module110.

For example, a case for the CRT may be used as the case120.

However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. Alternatively, other various types or shapes of cases that may function as a darkroom or transparent, semi-transparent, or translucent casing that does not have art opaque inside (e.g., a casing formed of translucent glass) may be used as the case120.

The projection module110may be an image source that may project images. The projection module110may be positioned behind the case120and may be directly connected with the case120.

For example, the projection module110may be detachably or integrally connected with the case120.

The projection module110may include various modules to project images to the image output module130. For example, the projection module110may include a light emitting diode (LED) light source111, a driving circuit112, an inverting circuit113, a scan line forming module114, and a lens115. These components a the projection module110are described below with reference toFIG. 3.

The projection module110may be a small-sized beam projection module adopting, e.g., digital light processing (DLP) that uses an LED as its light source. By using such small-sized DLP beam projection module, a sufficient amount of light for screen may be secured even when the case120is transparent or translucent. For example, the projection module110may be a DLP projector.

The projection module110, when using an LED(s) as its light source, may operate at a lower power level (e.g., about 12V) as compared with CRT displays.

The image output module130is positioned ahead of the case120and is directly connected with the case120. The image output module130and the case120may be detachably or integrally connected with each other.

The image output module130may display an image projected from the projection module110. Such way may be referred to as rear projection.

Referring toFIG. 2(b), the image output module130may include a transparent layer131and a film screen132for rear projection. The image output module130may form a surface where an image is projected (simply referred to as an image projection surface).

The transparent layer131and the film screen132may be attached to each other.

The transparent layer131and the film screen132may be formed of plastic.

The image output module130may be flat or curved. For example, the transparent layer131and the film screen132of the image output module130may be flat, and even when curved, the transparent layer131and the film screen132may correctly display an image projected from the projection module110.

The projection module110may project an image from behind the case120to the image output module130. The case120has an opaque inside. Accordingly, the image from the projection module110may be clearly projected to the image output module130.

For example, the display apparatus100may adopt such rear projection, thereby leading to a simplified structure and minimized image quality deterioration.

Unlike conventional projection TVs, the display apparatus100may directly project images to the image output module130without reflection by a mirror. The image output module130and the case120are formed of plastic. Thus, the case120and the image output module130may be flexibly designed. This is described below in greater detail.

FIG. 3Ais a block diagram illustrating a projection module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 3Bis a block diagram illustrating the scan line forming module included in the projection module ofFIG. 3A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Referring toFIG. 3, the projection module110may include an LED light source111, a driving circuit112, an inverting circuit113, a can line forming module114, and a lens115.

The LED light source111is a light some that emits light to output an image signal. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the LED light source. Other various light sources than the LED light source may be used as the light source.

The driving circuit112enables reception of an image signal from an outside source (not shown) and output of the image signal.

The inverting circuit113may invert left and right portions of an image outputted.

An image projected from the projection module110to the image output module130may be left-to-right inverted due to the adoption of rear projection and thus the left-to-right inverted image may be output to the image output module130.

The inverting circuit112may restore the left-to-right inverted output image back to the original image.

The scan line forming module114may be a device to form scan lines that is formed through interlaced scanning of CRT.

The scan line forming module114may implement pixels by controlling the rotation angle of micro-mirrors respectively corresponding to the pixels in order to receive an image signal via a light source (e.g., the LED light source111) and form as predetermined scan line pattern to output an image.

The scan line forming module114may include a micro-mirror array114-1including at least one micro-mirror, a processor114-2, and a memory114-3.

For example, the LED light source111emits light to output an image signal.

The micro-mirror array114-1reflects the light emitted from the LED light source111. Each micro-mirror of the micro-mirror array114-1corresponds to a pixel and reflects light from the LED light source111based on a predetermined rotation angle.

The micro-mirror array114-1may be a digital micro-mirror device (DMD), for example.

The processor114-2may control the overall operation of the projection module110.

The processor114-2may adaptively control the rotation angle of each micro-mirror in the micro-mirror array114-1to switch on/off the pixel corresponding to the micro-mirror, thereby forming a scan line according to a predetermined pattern previously defined and inputted.

The processor114-2may include a switching module (not shown) and a control circuit (not shown) to control the switching module.

The processor114-2may be, but is not limited to, a controller, a micro-controller, or a micro-processor. The processor114-2may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination thereof.

The processor114-2may include, but is not limited to, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), other chipsets, a logic circuit, and or a data processing device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the scan line forming module114may further include a color filter(s) and a memory.

The scan line forming module114may enable an image projected from the projection module110to have a color by transmitting light from the LED light source111through the color filter(s).

The memory114-3may retain a program for the operation of the processor114-2and may temporarily store input/output data.

The memory114-3may be a medium or device to store various types or pieces of information including the foregoing or other information or data. The memory114-3may be connected with the processor114-2to store a program for the operation of the processor114-2and input/output data.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the memory114-3may previously retain a pattern for forming a scan line, and when an operation for forming a scan line is performed, the memory114-3may transfer the pattern to the processor114-2to form a scan line.

The memory114-3may include a storage medium of at least one of a flash memory, a hard disk, a micro-multimedia card (MMC), a secure digital (SD) memory, an extreme digital (xD) memory, a random access memory (RAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

The scan line forming module114may be used when forming a scan line on the image output module130of the display apparatus100and may be stopped from use when forming no scan line.

The lens115may transmit and magnify light emitted from the LED light source111. The lens115may be a lens that enables a shorter projection distance, e.g., a short focal-length lens. Thus, the display apparatus100may achieve rear projection even without use of mirror reflection.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display apparatus100may include more components other than those shown inFIGS. 1 to 3, or alternatively, some components of the display apparatus100may be omitted.

FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating a method for forming a scan line by a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The display apparatus100activates or runs the driving circuit112to receive an image signal (S410).

The display apparatus100generates light to output the received image signal through the LED light source111(S420).

The display apparatus100reflects the light from the LED light source111be the micro-mirror array114-1(S430). Each micro-mirror of the micro-mirror array114-1corresponds to a pixel and reflects the light from the LED light source111based on a predetermined rotation angle.

The display apparatus100forms a scan line according to a pre-defined pattern by (adaptively) controlling the rotation angle of each micro-mirror of the micro-mirror array114-1(e.g., by performing control to switch on off pixels (e.g., odd-numbered rows of pixels or even-numbered rows of pixels) respectively corresponding to the micro-mirrors (S440).

The display apparatus100restores a left-to-right inverted image back to the original image via the inverting circuit113and outputs the original image to the image output module130(S450).

FIG. 5illustrates an example of implementing a scan line using a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(a) ofFIG. 5illustrates an example of scan lines formed using a DLP projector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and (b) and (c) ofFIG. 5illustrate examples in which the micro-mirrors of the DLP projector are controlled to produce pixels prevented from light transmission.

As illustrated in (b) and (c) ofFIG. 5, dark portions indicate pixels where light transmission has been prevented.

As such, a predetermined scan line pattern may be previously set and input to the projection module110, and the rotation of the micro-mirrors may be controlled according to the scan line pattern to implement a scan line.

For example, a scan line may be formed using a predetermined pattern and at least one user selectable switching module that may control the switch-on/off of each pixel of the projection module110before a signal is input.

FIG. 6illustrates examples of predetermined patterns previously input to a projection module110to form a scan line, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(a), (b), and (c) ofFIG. 6illustrate a shadow mask pattern, an aperture grille pattern, and a slot mask pattern, respectively.

Such pattern may be previously defined and input to the DLP projector, forming a scan line.

The patterns illustrated inFIG. 6are mere examples, and other various patterns may also be provided, without limited thereto.

FIG. 7is a view illustrating a method for forming a scan line by a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the instant embodiment, an image output module300itself may include a scan line pattern to form a scan line rather than using a projection module (e.g. the projection module110) as compared with the embodiment described above in connection withFIGS. 1 through 6.

For example, the image output module300includes a transparent layer320and a rear projection film310.

A pattern as illustrated inFIG. 6, e.g., a shadow mask pattern, an aperture grille pattern, or a slot mask pattern, may be printed on the rear projection film310.

The pattern-printed rear projection film310may be attached to a rear surface of the transparent layer320. The image output module300may form a surface to which an image is projected (hereinafter, simply referred to as an image projection surface).

When an image is projected from the projection module110to the image projection surface, the image output module300may form a scan the corresponding to the projected image.

FIG. 8illustrates examples of screens of a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 8, the display apparatus may have various shapes of cases and screens.

For example, the display apparatus may directly project an image to the image projection surface without mirror reflection unlike existing projection TVs.

The case and the image output module may be formed of plastic and may be easily manufactured flexibly in various shapes or designs.

The image projection surface may be rendered to have various shapes by varying the shape of a projection area where an image is displayed and a masked area where an image is not displayed.

For example, the image projection surface300may be formed to have various shapes, including a circle400, a triangle500, or a cross600as illustrated inFIG. 8.

The display apparatus100may be used standalone or equipped in a separate space, e.g., a cabinet.

Thus, various shapes or forms of display apparatuses may be achieved that cannot be implemented via the LCD.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, lightweight, compact, and cost-saving display apparatuses may be implemented.