Three-dimensional image display device and method of driving the same

A three-dimensional image display device includes: a display panel including a plurality of pixels each having red, green and blue sub-pixels, the red, green and blue sub-pixels alternately disposed along a horizontal direction and each of the red, green and blue sub-pixels disposed in a single line along a vertical direction; and a parallax barrier over the display panel, the parallax barrier including a plurality of open areas and a blocking area surrounding the plurality of open areas, the plurality of open areas alternating with the blocking area, and each of the plurality of open areas corresponding to each couple of the adjacent two sub-pixels.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0125197, filed in Korea on Dec. 4, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a three-dimensional image display device having a pivot function without deterioration in color display and a method of driving the three-dimensional image display device.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Recently, according to a user's request for a display device displaying a three-dimensional image having an actual feeling, three-dimensional display devices have been researched and developed. In general, a stereoscopic image expressing a three-dimension is displayed using a principle of stereovision through eyes. Accordingly, liquid crystal display (LCD) devices that display an image of a stereoscopic effect using a binocular disparity due to a separation distance of eyes, e.g., about 65 mm have been suggested. When distinct two-dimensional images of a three-dimensional image display device are viewed to right and left eyes, respectively, the distinct two-dimensional images are transmitted to a brain and are combined to a three-dimensional image having depth effect and reality by the brain. This phenomenon may be referred to as a stereography.

There are various types of three-dimensional image display devices, for example, a stereographic type using specific glasses, a stereoscopic type without using and a holographic type. The stereoscopic type three-dimensional image display devices using specific glasses may include a polarization glasses type using an oscillation direction or a rotation direction of a polarized light, a time division glasses type where right-eye and left-eye images are alternately viewed and a density difference type where images having different brightness are viewed to right and left eyes, respectively. In addition, the stereoscopic type three-dimensional image display devices without using glasses may include a parallax barrier type where distinct two-dimensional images are divided by an aperture of a vertical lattice shape and are viewed to right and left eyes, respectively, a lenticular type using a lenticular plate where cylindrical lenses are arranged in stripe, and an integral photography type using a lens plate having a fly eye shape. Furthermore, the holographic type three-dimensional image display device where perfect three-dimensional images having a focus adjustment, a binocular parallax and a movement parallax for stereoscopy are obtained may include a laser light regenerated hologram type and a white light regenerated hologram type.

Among the various types of three-dimensional image display device, a parallax barrier type three-dimensional image display device has been widely used.FIG. 1is a view showing a three-dimensional image display device according to the related art. InFIG. 1, a three-dimensional image display device11of a parallax barrier type includes a display panel11and a parallax barrier30over the display panel11. The display panel11displays right-eye and left-eye images, and the parallax barrier30has slits arranged horizontally or vertically. The parallax barrier30blocks the right-eye image for left eye and the left-eye image for right eye so that the right-eye and left-eye images can be transmitted to the right and left eyes, respectively. As a result, a three-dimensional image resulting from the combination of the right-eye and left-eye images using the binocular parallax is displayed to a user.

Recently, a three-dimensional image display device including a parallax barrier of a mosaic shape has been suggested. In addition, the three-dimensional image display device may have a pivot function such that three-dimensional images are displayed in a landscape mode or a portrait mode. Accordingly, the three-dimensional image display device may display the three-dimensional images when a longer axis of the display panel is arranged along horizontal and vertical directions.

FIG. 2is a plan view showing a three-dimensional image display device according to the related art.FIG. 2corresponds to one of a right-eye image viewed to a right-eye and a left-eye image viewed to a left-eye. InFIG. 2, a three-dimensional image display device50of a parallax barrier type includes a display panel60and a parallax barrier70over the display panel60. The display panel60includes a plurality of pixels P each having red (R), green (G) and blue (B) sub-pixels SP. The red, green and blue colors are arranged in a vertical stripe type such that red, green and blue colors are alternately disposed along a horizontal direction H and each of red, green and blue colors is disposed in a single line along a vertical direction V. The adjacent red, green and blue sub-pixels SP of the single pixel P have one of the right-eye and left-eye images. The parallax barrier70has a plurality of open areas OA surrounded by a blocking area BA. The plurality of open areas OA are arranged in a mosaic shape such that the open area OA and the blocking area BA are alternately disposed with each other as in a chess board. Each pixel P corresponds to the single open area OA, and the up, down, right and left pixels P adjacent to the pixel P corresponding to the single open area OA correspond to the blocking area BA. In addition, the up, down, right and left pixels P adjacent to the single pixel P corresponding to the blocking area BA correspond to the plurality of open areas OA.

A user may watch the three-dimensional image display device at a front position or at a slanting position. Alternatively, the three-dimensional image display device may display images in a landscape mode or a portrait mode. When the open area OA of the parallax barrier70has the same area as the pixel P of the display panel60, both the right-eye and left-eye images are transmitted to one of the right and left eyes of a user at the slanting position, thereby a display quality deteriorated. Accordingly, an area of the open area OA is substantially smaller than an area of the pixel P including the red, green and blue sub-pixels SP so that the right-eye and left-eye images can be transmitted to the right and left eyes, respectively. As a result, the deterioration in display quality is prevented.

FIG. 3is a plan view showing an open area and a blocking area of a three-dimensional image display device according to the related art. InFIG. 3, a three-dimensional image display device50of a parallax barrier type includes a display panel60and a parallax barrier70over the display panel60. The display panel60includes a pixel P having red (R), green (G) and blue (B) sub-pixels SP. Each sub-pixel SP has a first side parallel to a horizontal direction H and a second side parallel to a vertical direction V. A length 3 p of the second side is about three times of a length p of the first side. The parallax barrier70includes an open area OA at a center portion of the pixel P and a blocking area BA surrounding the open area OA. Accordingly, the blocking area BA has a rectangular ring shape including first to fourth side rings. Each of the first and third side rings of the blocking area BA parallel to the horizontal direction H has a first width d1and each of the second and fourth side rings of the blocking area BA parallel to the vertical direction V has a second width d2. The first and second widths d1and d2may be about 5% to about 10% of the length 3 p of the second side of each sub-pixel SP (d1, d2=0.05*(3 p)˜0.1*(3 p)=0.15 p˜0.3 p). As a result, an area ratio of the open area OA (from (3 p−2*(0.3 p))2=(2.4 p)2=5.76 p2to (3 p−2*(0.15 p))2=(2.7 p)2=7.29 p2) to the pixel P (9 p2), i.e., an aperture ratio is within a range of about 64% to about 81%.

In the three-dimensional image display device according to the related art, since the spatial distribution of colors is different in the red, green and blue sub-pixels SP, a valid viewing zone where a three-dimensional image is viewable is restricted. For example, when the three-dimensional image display device operates in a landscape mode where the red, green and blue sub-pixels SP are alternately disposed along the horizontal direction H, the color distribution may be changed by horizontal movement of a user and the resultant color property of the three-dimensional image may be deteriorated.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bare plan views showing a three-dimensional image display device according to the related art.FIGS. 4A and 4Bcorrespond to one of a right-eye image viewed to a right eye and a left-eye image viewed to a left eye when a user moves left and right, respectively.

InFIG. 4A, when a three-dimensional image display device50is viewed to a user having moved left, a parallax barrier70may be viewed to be shifted right with respect to a display panel60. A portion of a blue sub-pixel SP exposed through an open area OA of the parallax barrier70is enlarged and a portion of a red sub-pixel SP exposed through the open area OA of the parallax barrier70is reduced, while a portion of a green sub-pixel SP is kept constant without change. As a result, the three-dimensional image may have a bluish color. InFIG. 4B, when the three-dimensional image display device50is viewed to a user having moved right, the parallax barrier70may be viewed to be shifted left with respect to the display panel60. A portion of the blue sub-pixel SP exposed through the open area OA of the parallax barrier70is reduced and a portion of the red sub-pixel SP exposed through the open area OA of the parallax barrier70is enlarged, while a portion of the green sub-pixel SP is kept constant without change. As a result, the three-dimensional image may have a reddish color. Accordingly, color display quality of the three-dimensional image is deteriorated and a valid viewing zone is restricted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, embodiments of the invention are directed to a three-dimensional image display device and a method of driving the displaying three-dimensional image display device that substantially obviate one or more of problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An advantage of the invention is to provide a three-dimensional image display device where color display quality and valid viewing zone are improved.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described, according to an aspect of the invention, a three-dimensional image display device includes: a display panel including a plurality of pixels each having red, green and blue sub-pixels, the red, green and blue sub-pixels alternately disposed along a horizontal direction and each of the red, green and blue sub-pixels disposed in a single line along a vertical direction; and a parallax barrier over the display panel, the parallax barrier including a plurality of open areas and a blocking area surrounding the plurality of open areas, the plurality of open areas alternating with the blocking area, and each of the plurality of open areas corresponding to each couple of the adjacent two sub-pixels.

In another aspect, a method of driving a three-dimensional image display device includes: providing left-eye and right-eye images, the left-eye image including a plurality of left image pixels each having red, green and blue left image sub-pixels, and the right-eye image including a plurality of right image pixels each having red, green and blue right image sub-pixels; and supplying the left-eye and right-eye images to a display panel including a plurality of pixels each having red, green and blue sub-pixels, the red, green and blue left image sub-pixels of the plurality of left image pixels and the red, green and blue right image sub-pixels of the plurality of right image pixels are repeated in the red, green and blue sub-pixels of each of the plurality of pixels with a repetition period corresponding to twelve sub-pixels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the illustrated embodiments of the present invention, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 5is a plan view showing a three-dimensional image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 5exemplarily corresponds to a left-eye image viewed to a left eye, and1and2ofFIG. 5represent the left-eye and right-eye images, respectively.

InFIG. 5, a three-dimensional image display device150of a parallax barrier type includes a display panel160and a parallax barrier170over the display panel160. The display panel160includes a plurality of pixels P each having red (R), green (G) and blue (B) sub-pixels SP. Each of the red (R), green (G) and blue (B) sub-pixels SP has a rectangular shape. The rectangular shape of each sub-pixel SP has a first side parallel to the horizontal direction H and a second side parallel to the vertical direction V. A length 3 p of the second side is about three times of a length p of the first side. The red, green and blue colors are arranged in a vertical stripe type such that red, green and blue colors are alternately disposed along a horizontal direction H and each of red, green and blue colors is disposed in a single line along a vertical direction V.

Although not shown inFIG. 5, the display panel160may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) device having a liquid crystal panel and a backlight unit under the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel includes first and second substrates and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates. A gate line, a data line, a thin film transistor (TFT) and a pixel electrode are formed on an inner surface of the first substrate, and a black matrix, a color filter layer and a common electrode are formed on an inner surface of the second substrate. The gate line and the data line cross each other to define each of the red, green and blue sub-pixels SP. The TFT is connected to the gate line and the data line, and the pixel electrode in each of the red, green and blue sub-pixels SP is connected to the TFT. The black matrix has an open portion corresponding to each sub-pixel SP and may correspond to the gate line, the data line and the TFT. The color filter layer includes red, green and blue color filters corresponding to the red, green and blue sub-pixels SP, respectively. The common electrode is formed on an entire surface of the second substrate having the black matrix and the color filter layer.

Alternatively, the display panel may include an organic electroluminescent display (OELD) device having a gate line, a data line crossing the gate line, a switching TFT connected to the gate line and the data line, a driving TFT connected to the switching TFT and an organic electroluminescent diode connected to the driving TFT. The organic electroluminescent diode may include first and second electrode and an organic emitting layer between the first and second electrodes.

The adjacent red, green and blue sub-pixels SP of the single pixel P have both of the right-eye and left-eye images. For example, in a first pixel P1at lower left end portion ofFIG. 5, the red sub-pixel SP may have a red data of the right-eye image, while the blue and green sub-pixels SP may have green and blue data, respectively of the left-eye image. In addition, in a second pixel P2at lower middle portion ofFIG. 5, the red and green sub-pixels SP may have red and green data, respectively, of the right-eye image, while the blue sub-pixel SP may have a blue data of the left-eye image. Accordingly, left-eye and right-eye images are alternately displayed by the adjacent two sub-pixels SP regardless of the pixel P.

The parallax barrier170has a plurality of open areas OA surrounded by a blocking area BA. The plurality of open areas OA are arranged in a mosaic shape such that the plurality of open areas OA alternate with the blocking area BA as in a chess board. A couple of adjacent two sub-pixels SP displaying one of right-eye and left-eye images correspond to each open area OA. Accordingly, up, down, right and left couples of adjacent two sub-pixels SP adjacent to the couple of adjacent two sub-pixels SP corresponding to the open area OA correspond to the blocking area BA. In addition, up, down, right and left couples of adjacent two sub-pixels SP adjacent to the couple of adjacent two sub-pixels SP corresponding to the blocking area BA correspond to the open areas OA. As a result, the plurality of open areas OA of the parallax barrier170are disposed with a horizontal repetition pitch of about 4 p and a vertical repetition pitch of about 6 p.

The three-dimensional image display device may be viewed to a user may watch at a front position or at a slanting position. In addition, the three-dimensional image display device may display images in a landscape mode or a portrait mode. To prevent deterioration in display quality due to mixture of the right-eye and left-eye images in one of right and left eyes, an area of the open area OA is substantially smaller than an area of the couple of adjacent two sub-pixels SP of the red, green and blue sub-pixels SP.

FIG. 6is a plan view showing an open area and a blocking area of a three-dimensional image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 6, a three-dimensional image display device150of a parallax barrier type includes a display panel160and a parallax barrier170over the display panel160. The display panel160exemplarily includes a red (R) and green (G) sub-pixels SP as a couple of adjacent two sub-pixels SP. Each sub-pixel SP has a first side parallel to a horizontal direction H and a second side parallel to a vertical direction V. A length 3 p of the second side is about three times of a length p of the first side. The parallax barrier170includes an open area OA at a center portion of the couple of adjacent two sub-pixels SP and a blocking area BA surrounding the open area OA. Accordingly, the blocking area BA has a rectangular ring shape including first to fourth side rings. Each of the first and third side rings of the blocking area BA parallel to the horizontal direction H has a third width d3and each of the second and fourth side rings of the blocking area BA parallel to the vertical direction V has a fourth width d4. The third width d3is about 5% to about 10% of the length 3 p of the second side of each sub-pixel SP (d3=0.05*(3 p)˜0.1*(3 p)=0.15 p˜0.3 p), while the fourth width d4is about 1% to about 3% of the length p of the first side of each sub-pixel SP (d4=0.01 p˜0.03 p). Accordingly, each open area OA has a horizontal length of about 97% to about 99% of twice of the first side along the horizontal direction and a vertical length of about 80% to about 90% of the second side along the vertical direction. As a result, an area ratio of the open area OA (from (3 p−2*(0.3 p))*(2 p−2*(0.03 p)=(2.4 p)*(1.94 p)=4.656 p2to (3 p−2*(0.15 p)*(2 p−2*(0.01 p)=(2.7 p)*(1.98 p)=5.346 p2) to the couple of adjacent two sub-pixels SP (6 p2), i.e., an aperture ratio is within a range of about 77.6% to about 89.1%. Accordingly, the aperture ratio of the three-dimensional image display device is improved.

FIGS. 7A and 7Bare plan views showing a three-dimensional image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 7A and 7Bexemplarily correspond to left-eye image viewed to a left eye when a user moves left and right, respectively, and1and2ofFIGS. 7A and 7Brepresent the left-eye and right-eye images, respectively.

InFIGS. 7A and 7B, a three-dimensional image display device150includes a display panel160and a parallax barrier170over the display panel160. The display panel160includes a plurality of pixels P disposed in matrix of three rows by three columns, and each pixel P includes red, green and blue sub-pixels SP. Each sub-pixel SP has a rectangular shape having a first side of a length p and a second side of a length 3 p. The parallax barrier170includes a plurality of open areas A and a blocking are BA surrounding the plurality of open areas A. The plurality of open areas OA are disposed with a horizontal repetition pitch of about 4 p and a vertical repetition pitch of about 6 p.

InFIG. 7A, when the three-dimensional image display device150is viewed to a user having moved left, the parallax barrier170may be viewed to be shifted right with respect to the display panel160. As a result, although a portion of the green sub-pixel SP exposed through the open area OA corresponding to the pixel P in the first row and the first column is reduced, a portion of the green sub-pixel SP exposed through the open area OA corresponding to the pixel P in the first row and the second column is enlarged. Accordingly, the reduced portion of the green sub-pixel SP in the first row and the first column is compensated by the enlarged portion of the green sub-pixel SP in the first row and the second column, and deterioration in color display quality is prevented.

InFIG. 7B, when the three-dimensional image display device150is viewed to a user having moved right, the parallax barrier170may be viewed to be shifted left with respect to the display panel160. As a result, although a portion of the red sub-pixel SP exposed through the open area OA corresponding to the pixel P in the first row and the second column is reduced, a portion of the red sub-pixel SP exposed through the open area OA corresponding to the pixel P in the first row and the first column is enlarged. Accordingly, the reduced portion of the red sub-pixel SP in the first row and the second column is compensated by the enlarged portion of the red sub-pixel SP in the first row and the first column, and deterioration in color display quality is prevented.

In the three-dimensional image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, therefore, the color distribution by the red, green and blue sub-pixels is kept constant even when a user moves left and right and a valid viewing zone where a three-dimensional image is viewable is improved.

FIG. 8is a plan view a display device and image data for a three-dimensional image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

InFIG. 8, a left-eye image ILand a right-eye image IRare supplied to a display panel160of a three-dimensional image display device. The left-eye image ILincludes a plurality of left image pixels, and the right-eye image IRincludes a plurality of right image pixels. Each of the plurality of left image pixels includes red, green and blue left image sub-pixels and each of the plurality of right image pixels includes red, green and blue right image sub-pixels. The plurality of left image sub-pixels may be arranged in a 3 by 2 matrix having three rows and two columns, and the plurality of right image sub-pixels are arranged in a 3 by 2 matrix having three rows and two columns. For example, a first left image pixel LP1may include a first-first red left image sub-pixel R11, a first-first green left image sub-pixel G11and a first-first blue left image sub-pixel B11, and a second left image pixel LP2may include a first-second red left image sub-pixel R12, a first-second green left image sub-pixel G12and a first-second blue left image sub-pixel B12. The first-first red left image sub-pixel R11, the first-first green left image sub-pixel G11, the first-first blue left image sub-pixel B11, the first-second red left image sub-pixel R12, the first-second green left image sub-pixel G12and the first-second blue left image sub-pixel B12may be sequentially arranged in the first row of the left-eye image IL. Similarly, a first right image pixel RP1may include a first-first red right image sub-pixel r11, a first-first green right image sub-pixel g11and first-first blue right image sub-pixel b11, and a second right image pixel RP2may include a first-second red right image sub-pixel r12, a first-second green right image sub-pixel g12and a first-second blue right image sub-pixel b12. The first-first red right image sub-pixel r11, the first-first green right image sub-pixel g11, the first-first blue right image sub-pixel b11, the first-second red right image sub-pixel r12, the first-second green right image sub-pixel g12and the first-second blue right image sub-pixel b12may be sequentially arranged in the first row of the right-eye image IR.

The display panel160includes a plurality of pixels each having red, green and blue sub-pixels. To supplying one of the left image sub-pixel and the right image sub-pixel to each sub-pixel of the display panel160, the plurality of sub-pixels may be arranged in a 3 by 12 matrix having three rows and twelve columns. For example, the first-first red left image sub-pixel R11, the first-first green left image sub-pixel G11, the first-first blue right image sub-pixel b11, the first-first red right image sub-pixel r11, the first-second green left image sub-pixel G12, the first-first blue left image sub-pixel B11, the first-second red right image sub-pixel r12, the first-first green right image sub-pixel g11, the first-second blue left image sub-pixel B12, the first-second red left image sub-pixel R12, the first-second green left image sub-pixel g12and the first-second blue right image sub-pixel b12may be sequentially supplied to the sub-pixels in the first row of the display panel160.

The first-first red left image sub-pixel R11, the first-first green left image sub-pixel G11and the first-first blue right image sub-pixel b11constitute a first pixel P1, the first-first red right image sub-pixel r11, the first-second green left image sub-pixel G12and the first-first blue left image sub-pixel B11constitute a second pixel P2. Similarly, the first-second red right image sub-pixel r12, the first-first green right image sub-pixel g11and the first-second blue left image sub-pixel B12constitute a third pixel P3, and the first-second red left image sub-pixel R12, the first-second green left image sub-pixel g12and the first-second blue right image sub-pixel b12constitute a fourth pixel P4. As a result, the left image sub-pixels of the first and second columns in the first row of the left-eye image ILand the right image sub-pixels of the first and second columns in the first row of the right-eye image IRare distributed to the sub-pixels of the first to fourth columns in the first row of the display panel160. For example, the arrangement of the left image sub-pixels and the right image sub-pixels may be repeated in the sub-pixels of the display panel160with a repetition period of twelve sub-pixels.

The second-first red right image sub-pixel r21and the second-first green right image sub-pixel g21are supplied to the sub-pixels of the first and second columns, respectively, in the second row of the display panel160, while the third-first red left image sub-pixel R31and the third-first green left image sub-pixel G31are supplied to the sub-pixels of the first and second columns, respectively, in the third row of the display panel160. Accordingly, the left-eye image ILand the right-eye image IRare alternately supplied to the sub-pixels of the same column of the display panel160. For example, the left-eye and right-eye images ILand IRmay be alternately supplied to the sub-pixels of the display panel160along the vertical direction V.

Although the pixel of the display panel160is constituted by the left image sub-pixels of the left-eye image IRand the right image sub-pixels of the right-eye image IL, the left image sub-pixels and the right-image sub-pixels may be exclusively viewed to the left eye and the right eye, respectively, by the parallax barrier170(ofFIG. 5). In addition, the left-eye image ILconstituted by the left image sub-pixels and the right-eye image IRconstituted by the right image sub-pixels are combined to constitute a three-dimensional image. Accordingly, a user recognizes the three-dimensional image having improved brightness and valid viewing zone without deterioration in color display quality.

Although each of the left-eye image and the right-eye image includes six columns inFIG. 8, each of the left-eye image and the right-eye image may include twelve columns in another embodiment. In addition, one of adjacent two columns in each of the left-eye image and the right-eye image may be selectively supplied to the display panel for displaying.

Consequently, in a three-dimensional image display device of a parallax barrier type according to the present invention, left-eye and right-eye images are alternately supplied to a plurality of couples of adjacent two sub-pixels of a display panel, and a plurality of open areas of a parallax barrier corresponding to the couple of adjacent two sub-pixels are periodically disposed with a horizontal repetition pitch of four sub-pixels. As a result, a ratio of the plurality of open areas to the couple of adjacent two sub-pixels is enlarged and aperture ratio of the three-dimensional image display device is improved. Further, a three-dimensional image is displayed without deterioration in color display quality and a valid viewing zone of the three-dimensional image display device is improved.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in a three-dimensional image display device and a method of driving the three-dimensional image display device of embodiments of the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that embodiments of the invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.