Image display apparatus and method for operating the same

An image display apparatus and a method for controlling the same are provided. The method includes displaying at least one of a left-eye object or a right-eye object when the image display apparatus has entered a 3-dimensional (3D) mode, displaying a movement amount object indicating the amount of movement of pixel arrangement of the at least one of the left-eye object or the right-eye object, receiving a pixel arrangement movement amount input through the movement amount object, and changing at least one pixel of the displayed left-eye object to a pixel of the right-eye object and displaying the changed pixel or changing at least one pixel of the displayed right-eye object to a pixel of the left-eye object and displaying the changed pixel according to the pixel arrangement movement amount input. This increases user convenience when stereoscopic images are displayed in an autostereoscopic manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2011-0097735, filed on Sep. 27, 2011 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image display apparatus and a method for operating the same, and more particularly to an image display apparatus and a method for operating the same which can improve user convenience when displaying stereoscopic images in an autostereoscopic (glasses-free) manner.

2. Description of the Related Art

An image display apparatus is a device having a function to display an image that can be viewed by the user.

Various methods for displaying 3D images are under discussion and studies are being conducted into autostereoscopic 3D displays.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image display apparatus and a method for operating the same which can improve user convenience when displaying stereoscopic images in an autostereoscopic manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image display apparatus and a method for operating the same which allow the user to view optimal 3D images when viewing the 3D images in an autostereoscopic manner.

A method for operating an image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in order to achieve the above objects includes displaying at least one of a left-eye object or a right-eye object when the image display apparatus has entered a 3-dimensional (3D) mode, displaying a movement amount object indicating the amount of movement of pixel arrangement of the at least one of the left-eye object or the right-eye object, receiving a pixel arrangement movement amount input through the movement amount object, and changing at least one pixel representing the left-eye object to a pixel representing the right-eye object and displaying the changed pixel or changing at least one pixel representing the right-eye object to a pixel representing the left-eye object and displaying the changed pixel according to the pixel arrangement movement amount input.

A method for operating an image display apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention in order to achieve the above objects includes displaying at least one of a left-eye object or a right-eye object when the image display apparatus has entered a 3-dimensional (3D) mode, receiving a movement input for moving an image arrangement reference coordinate of at least one of the left-eye object or the right-eye object, and rearranging and displaying the at least one of the left-eye object or the right-eye object according to a movement amount of the movement input.

An image display apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention in order to achieve the above objects includes a display to display at least one of a left-eye object or a right-eye object when the image display apparatus has entered a 3-dimensional (3D) mode and to display a movement amount object indicating the amount of movement of pixel arrangement of the at least one of the left-eye object or the right-eye object, a user interface unit to receive a pixel arrangement movement amount input through the movement amount object, and a controller to perform a control operation for changing at least one pixel representing the left-eye object to a pixel representing the right-eye object or changing at least one pixel representing the right-eye object to a pixel representing the left-eye object and displaying the changed pixel according to the pixel arrangement movement amount input.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

The words “module” or “unit”, which are appended to terms describing components, are merely used for ease of explanation of the present invention and have no specific meaning or function with respect to the components. Thus, the words “module” and “unit” may be used interchangeably.

FIG. 1illustrates an external appearance of an image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention andFIG. 2illustrates a filter unit and a display of the image display apparatus ofFIG. 1.

The image display apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIGS. 1 and 2is a device which can display a stereoscopic image, i.e., a 3D image. Specifically, the image display apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention can display a 3D image in an autostereoscopic (glasses-free) manner.

To accomplish this, the image display apparatus100may include a display180, a filter unit195, a power key105, and a local key such as a control key107.

The display180may display an input image. Specifically, the display180may display a 3D image according to the embodiment of the present invention. The display180may also display a 2D image.

The filter unit195may be arranged at the user side of the display180at a predetermined distance from the display180.FIG. 2shows the display180and the filter unit195as being separated from each other.

The filter unit195changes light propagation direction according to a voltage input to the filter unit195.

For example, in the case of a 2D mode, a first voltage (or first power) may be applied to the filter unit195to allow light to be emitted from the filter unit195in the same direction as light of a 2D image displayed on the display180. As a result, the 2D image displayed on the display180is viewed as the same 2D image by the user.

In another example, in the case of a 3D mode, a second voltage (or second power) may be applied to the filter unit195to allow light of a 3D image displayed on the display180to be scattered. Such scattered light generates 3D effects. This allows the user to perceive the displayed 3D image as a stereoscopic image without wearing special glasses. As a result, it is possible to achieve autostereoscopic 3D display.

The display180may repeatedly display multi-view images (left-eye and right-eye images) to display 3D images in an autostereoscopic manner.

The filter unit195may employ a lenticular scheme that uses a lenticular lens, a parallax scheme that uses a slit array, and a scheme that uses a microlens array.

An image capture unit200may be attached to or arranged on an upper portion of the display180. The image capture unit200may be used to capture an image of the user, specifically, an image of the face of the user and the captured image may be delivered to a controller170through an external device interface unit130or the like shown inFIG. 3.

Although the image capture unit200may be implemented using one camera, the image capture unit200is not necessarily implemented using one camera and may be implemented using a plurality of cameras.

Although the image capture unit200and the image display apparatus100are illustrated as individual units inFIG. 1, the image capture unit200may be embedded in the image display apparatus100. That is, the image capture unit200may be provided inside the image display apparatus100.

FIG. 3is an internal block diagram of an image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 3, the image display apparatus100according to the embodiment of the present invention may include the external device interface unit130, a memory140, a user input interface unit150, a sensor unit (not shown), the controller170, the display180, an audio output unit185, a power supply190, and the filter unit195.

The external device interface unit130may transmit or receive data to or from an external device190connected to the external device interface unit130. To accomplish this, the external device interface unit130may include an A/V input/output unit (not shown) or a wireless communication unit (not shown).

The external device interface unit130may be connected wirelessly or by wire to an external device such as a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player, a Blu-ray player, a game console, a camera, camcorder, a computer (laptop), or a set-top box and may perform an input/output operation with the external device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the external device interface unit130may receive an image captured by the image capture unit200.

When the image capture unit200is provided in the image display apparatus100, an image captured by the image capture unit200may be transmitted to the controller170without passing through the external device interface unit130.

The A/V input/output unit may receive video and audio signals of the external device. The wireless communication unit may perform local wireless communication with another electronic device.

The network interface unit135provides an interface for connecting the image display apparatus100to a wired/wireless network including the Internet. For example, the network interface unit135may receive content or data provided by an Internet service or content provider or a network manager over a network.

The memory140may store a program for performing signal processing and control in the controller170and store a processed image, audio or data signal.

In addition, the memory140may perform a function to temporarily store an image, audio or data signal input through the external device interface unit130.

AlthoughFIG. 3shows an example in which the memory140is provided separately from the controller170, the present invention is not limited to this example. The memory140may also be included in the controller170.

The user input interface unit150sends a signal input by the user to the controller170or sends a signal from the controller170to the user.

For example, the user input interface unit150may receive a signal from a local key, for example, may receive a power on/off signal from the power key105or may receive an operation signal from the control key107and deliver the received signal to the controller170. The user input interface unit150may also receive a user input signal from a remote control device250and deliver the same to the controller170.

The user input interface unit150may deliver a user input signal received from a sensor unit (not shown), which senses user gestures, to the controller170and may transmit a signal received from the controller170to the sensor unit (not shown).

The controller170may demultiplex the TS signal input through the external device interface unit130or the network interface unit135or may process demultiplexed signals to generate and output image or audio signals.

The image signal processed by the controller170may be input to the display180such that an image corresponding to the image signal is displayed on the display180. The image signal processed by the controller170may also be input to an external output device through the external device interface unit130.

The audio signal processed by the controller170may be audibly output through the audio output unit185. In addition, the audio signal processed by the controller170may be input to an external output device through the external device interface unit130.

Although not shown inFIG. 3, the controller170may include a demultiplexer, an image processing unit, and the like as described later in detail with reference toFIG. 4.

The controller170may control the overall operation of the image display device100.

In addition, the controller170may control the image display device100according to a user command input through the user input interface unit150or an internal program.

The controller170may control the display180to display an image. The image displayed on the display180may be a still image, a moving image, a 2D image or a 3D image.

The controller170may generate and display a predetermined object in the image displayed on the display180as a 3D object. For example, the object may be at least one of a webpage (newspaper, magazine, or the like), various menus, a widget, an icon, a still image, a moving image, or text.

Such a 3D object may provide a sense of depth different from that of the image displayed on the display180. Preferably, the 3D object may be processed such that the 3D object appears to be located in front of the image displayed on the display180.

The controller170may calculate the distance between the user and the image display apparatus100based on an image captured by the image capture unit200.

For example, the controller170may calculate the distance between the user and the image display apparatus100using the distance between left and right eyes of the user in the captured image, specifically, using the number of pixels between the left and right eyes in the captured image. The controller170may calculate the distance between the user and the image display apparatus100such that the distance between the user and the image display apparatus100decreases as the number of pixels between the left and right eyes increases.

The controller170may determine whether or not the distance between the user and the image display apparatus100is within a range of distances optimal for viewing 3D images.

For example, when the distance between the user and the image display apparatus100is not within the optimal viewing distance range, the controller170may perform a control operation for displaying an object indicating that the user needs to be located within the optimal viewing distance range.

In another example, when the distance between the user and the image display apparatus100is not within the optimal viewing distance range, the controller170may perform a control operation for displaying a movement amount object, which is displayed in a 3D calibration mode, in an inactive state.

When the controller170has entered the 3D calibration mode, the controller170may perform a control operation for displaying an image capture region and displaying at least one of a left-eye object or a right-eye object based on the captured image. Here, the left-eye object and the right-eye object may be a left-eye test object and a right-eye test object. These left-eye and right-eye objects may also be referred to as objects for display correction or display correction objects.

In the 3D calibration mode, the controller170may receive a movement input for moving the image display reference coordinates of the display correction objects displayed on the screen and may then perform a control operation for rearranging and displaying the images (left-eye and right-eye images) after moving the image display reference coordinates according to a movement amount of the movement input.

Specifically, the controller170may perform a control operation for displaying display correction objects displayed on the screen after changing the pixel arrangement of the display correction objects according to the movement input for moving the image display reference coordinates.

As a result, the movement input for moving the image display reference coordinates may serve as an input for changing at least one of the pixels of the left-eye object to a pixel of the right-eye object or changing at least one of the pixels of the right-eye object to a pixel of the left-eye object.

Accordingly, the controller170may receive a pixel arrangement movement input for at least one of the left-eye object or the right-eye object and perform a control operation for changing at least one of the pixels of the displayed left-eye object to a pixel of the right-eye object or changing at least one of the pixels of the displayed right-eye object to a pixel of the left-eye object according to the pixel arrangement movement input and displaying the changed pixel.

The controller170may perform a control operation for displaying an object indicating that the user has to perform the pixel arrangement movement input operation until one of the left-eye object or the right-eye object is viewed through a corresponding one of the left eye or the right eye of the user.

For example, the controller170may perform a control operation for displaying an object instructing the user to close the right eye and displaying an object instructing the user to perform the movement input operation until the left-eye object is viewed by the left eye of the user, specifically, until the left-eye object is clearly viewed by the left eye of the user.

The display180converts an image signal, a data signal, an OSD signal or a control signal processed by the controller170or an image signal, data signal or a control signal received through the external device interface unit130and generates a drive signal. And the display180displays an image based on the generated drive signal.

The display180may include a Plasma Display Panel (PDP), a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display, and a flexible display. The display180may also be a 3D display.

As described above, the display180according to an embodiment of the present invention may be an autostereoscopic 3D display that requires no glasses. To accomplish this, the display180may include a lenticular-type filter unit195.

The power supply190supplies overall power to the image display apparatus100to enable operation of each module or unit in the image display apparatus100.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the power supply190may supply first power or second power to the filter unit195under control of the controller170.

The filter unit195may change light propagation direction according to a voltage or power applied to the filter unit195.

In the 2D mode, the display180may display a 2D image and apply the first voltage to the filter unit195to allow light emitted from the 2D image displayed on the display180to be emitted in the same direction through the filter unit195. This allows the user to perceive the displayed 2D image as the same 2D image.

In another example, the display180may display a 3D image and may apply the second voltage to the filter unit195to allow light emitted from a 3D image displayed on the display180to be scattered by the filter unit195. Such scattered light generates 3D effects to allow the user to perceive the displayed 3D image as a 3D image without wearing special glasses.

The filter unit195may be arranged at the user side of the display180such that the filter unit195is spaced from the display180. Specifically, the filter unit195may be arranged to be parallel to the display180or may be partially arranged obliquely or may be partially arranged convexly or concavely. The filter unit195may be arranged in the form of a sheet. Thus, the filter unit195according to the embodiment of the present invention may be referred to as a lens sheet.

The following is a brief description of the internal structure of the filter unit195. The filter unit195may include first and second plates (not shown), which are arranged spaced from each other and to which voltage is applied, liquid crystal (not shown) arranged between the first and second plates, and first and second layers (not shown) which are arranged surrounding the liquid crystal between the first and second plates.

It is preferable that each of the first and second plates (not shown) be formed of a transparent material to allow light transmission and it is also preferable that each of the first and second plates be formed of a metal material to allow voltage application. For example, each of the first and second plates (not shown) may be formed of an ITO electrode.

The first and second layers (not shown) may surround the liquid crystal (not shown). To accomplish this, each of the first and second layers (not shown) may be formed of polyimide (PI).

Light passing through the liquid crystal (not shown) undergoes extraordinary or ordinary refraction according to a voltage applied to the first and second plates (not shown). That is, the liquid crystal exhibits anisotropic properties according to voltage applied across the liquid crystal.

When the first voltage V1is applied between the first plate (not shown) and the second plate (not shown), the liquid crystal (not shown) is aligned in a direction parallel to an electric field generated through application of the first voltage V1to allow the index of refraction of the PI layer (not shown) which is a polymer and the index of refraction of the liquid crystal (not shown) to match each other, thereby achieving a 2D effect.

On the other hand, when the second voltage V2(for example, 0V) is applied between the first plate (not shown) and the second plate (not shown), the dispersed liquid crystal (not shown) exhibits a different index of refraction from the PI layer (not shown) since the alignment direction of the liquid crystal is not uniform. This causes scattering between the PI layer (not shown) and the liquid crystal (not shown), thereby achieving an autostereoscopic 3D effect.

The display180may include a touchscreen and thus may be used as an input device as well as an output device.

The audio output unit185receives an audio signal processed by the controller170and outputs corresponding audio.

The controller170may detect a gesture of the user based on an image captured by the image capture unit200or a signal detected by the sensor unit (not shown) or a combination of the image and the detected signal.

Although not illustrated, the image display apparatus100may further include a broadcast receiver (not shown). For example, the broadcast receiver may include a tuner unit (not shown) for receiving broadcast signals and a demodulator (not shown) for demodulating the received broadcast signals. The demodulated broadcast signals are input to the controller170and are then subjected to a procedure such as demultiplexing.

The image display device described in the present specification may be a monitor. The image display device may also be a TV receiver, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), or the like.

FIG. 3is a block diagram of the image display device100according to one embodiment of the present invention. Some of the components of the image display device100shown in the block diagram may be combined or omitted or other components may be added thereto according to the specifications of the image display device100that is actually implemented. That is, two or more components of the image display device100may be combined into one component or one component thereof may be divided into two or more components as necessary. The functions of the components described below are only examples to describe the embodiments of the present invention and specific operations and units thereof do not limit the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 4is an internal block diagram of the controller ofFIG. 3.

As shown inFIG. 4, the controller170according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a demultiplexer310, an image processing unit320, a processor330, an OSD generator340, a mixer345, a Frame Rate Converter (FRC)350, and a formatter360. The controller170may further include an audio processing unit (not shown) and a data processing unit (not shown).

The demultiplexer310demultiplexes an input TS signal. For example, if an MPEG-2 TS signal is input, the demultiplexer may demultiplex the MPEG-2 TS signal into image, audio and data signals. The TS signal input to the demultiplexer310may be a TS signal output from the external device interface unit130or the network interface unit135.

The image processing unit320may perform image processing upon the demultiplexed image signal. The image processing unit320may include an video decoder325and a scaler335.

The video decoder325decodes the demultiplexed image signal and the scaler335adjusts the resolution of the decoded image signal such that the image signal can be output through the display180.

The video decoder325may include various types of decoders.

The image signal decoded by the image processing unit320may include a 2D image signal alone, a mixture of a 2D image signal and a 3D image signal, or a 3D image signal alone.

For example, an external image signal received from the external device or the network may include a 2D image signal alone, a mixture of a 2D image signal and a 3D image signal, or a 3D image signal alone. Accordingly, thereafter, the controller170(specifically, the image processing unit320in the controller170) may perform signal processing upon the external image signal or the broadcast image signal to output a 2D image signal alone, a mixture of a 2D image signal and a 3D image signal, or a 3D image signal alone.

The image signal decoded by the image processing unit320may include a 3D image signal in various formats. For example, the decoded image signal may be a 3D image signal including a color difference image and a depth image, or a 3D image signal including multi-view image signals. The multi-view image signals may include, for example, a left-eye image signal and a right-eye image signal.

Here, the format of the 3D image signal may include a side-by-side format in which the left-eye image L and the right-eye image R are arranged in a horizontal direction, a top/down format in which the left-eye image and the right-eye image are arranged in a vertical direction, a frame sequential format in which the left-eye image and the right-eye image are arranged in a time division manner, an interlaced format in which the left-eye image and the right-eye image are mixed in lines (i.e., interlaced), and a checker box format in which the left-eye image and the right-eye image are mixed in boxes (i.e., box-interlaced).

The processor330may control overall operation of the image display apparatus100or overall operation of the controller170.

The processor330may also control the image display apparatus100according to a user command received through the user input interface unit150or according to an internal program.

The processor330may also control data transmission between the controller170and the network interface unit135or the external device interface unit130.

In addition, the processor330may control operations of the demultiplexer310, the image processing unit320, the OSD generator340, or the like in the controller170.

The OSD generator340generates an OSD signal according to a user input signal or automatically. For example, the OSD generator340may generate a signal for displaying a variety of information as graphics or text on the screen of the display180based on a user input signal. The generated OSD signal may include a variety of data such as a user interface screen, various menu screens, a widget or an icon of the image display device100. The generated OSD signal may include a 2D object or a 3D object.

The mixer345may mix the OSD signal generated by the OSD generator340with the image signal decoded by the image processing unit320. Here, each of the OSD signal and the decoded image signal may include at least one of a 2D signal and a 3D signal. The mixed image signal is provided to the frame rate converter350.

The frame rate converter350may convert the frame rate of the input image. The frame rate converter350may also directly output the input image signal without frame rate conversion.

The formatter360may arrange the 3D image having the converted frame rate.

The formatter360may receive the mixed signal (i.e., the mixture of the OSD signal and the decoded image signal) from the mixer345and separate the mixed signal into a 2D image signal and a 3D image signal.

In the present specification, the 3D image signal includes a 3D object. Examples of such an object may include a Picture In Picture (PIP) image (still image or moving image), various menus, a widget, an icon, text, or an object, a person or a background present in an image, a web page (newspaper, magazine, or the like), etc.

The formatter360may change the format of the 3D image signal. For example, when 3D images are input in any of the various formats described above, the formatter360may change the input 3D images into multi-view images. Specifically, the formatter360may change the input 3D images into repeating multi-view images. This allows the image display apparatus to display 3D images in an autostereoscopic manner.

The formatter360may switch a 2D image signal into a 3D image signal. For example, according to a 3D image generation algorithm, the formatter360may detect an edge or a selectable object from a 2D image signal and may then separate an object according to the detected edge or selectable object to generate a 3D image signal. Here, the generated 3D image signal may be a multi-view image signal as described above.

Although not illustrated, the controller170may further include a 3D processor (not shown) for 3-dimensional (3D) effects signal processing, downstream of the formatter360. The 3D processor (not shown) may perform signal processing for brightness, tint, and color adjustment of an image signal in order to increase 3D effects.

The audio processing unit (not shown) in the controller170may perform audio processing upon the demultiplexed audio signal. To accomplish this, the audio processing unit (not shown) may include various decoders.

The audio processing unit (not shown) in the controller170may perform base and treble adjustment (equalization), volume adjustment, or the like.

The data processing unit (not shown) in the controller170may perform data processing upon the demultiplexed data signal. For example, if the demultiplexed data signal is a coded data signal, the data processing unit may decode the coded data signal.

Although, in the example ofFIG. 4, the signals from the OSD generator340and the image processing unit320are mixed by the mixer345and are then subjected to 3D processing by the formatter360, the present invention is not limited to the example ofFIG. 4and the mixer345may be located downstream of the formatter360. That is, the formatter360may perform 3D processing upon the output of the image processing unit320to generate a 3D signal and the OSD generator340may generate an OSD signal and perform 3D processing upon the OSD signal to generate a 3D signal, and the mixer345may then mix the 3D signals.

The controller170shown in the block diagram ofFIG. 4is an embodiment of the present invention. Some of the components of the controller170may be combined or omitted or other components may be added thereto according to the type of the controller170that is actually implemented.

In particular, the frame rate converter350and the formatter360may be individually provided outside the controller170.

FIG. 5illustrates image formation by a left-eye image and a right-eye image, andFIG. 6illustrates the depth of a 3D image according to the distance between a left-eye image and a right-eye image.

A plurality of images or a plurality of objects615,625,635and645is illustrated inFIG. 5.

First, the first object615includes a first left-eye image611(L) based on a first left-eye image signal and a first right-eye image613(R) based on a first right-eye image signal. A distance between the first right-eye image613and the first left-eye image611on the display180is d1, as illustrated. Here, the user perceives that an image is formed at an intersection between a line connecting the left eye601and the first left-eye image611and a line connecting the right eye603and the first right-eye image613. Accordingly, the user perceives that the first object615is located behind the display unit180.

Next, the second object625includes a second left-eye image621(L) and a second right-eye image623(R). Since the second left-eye image621and the second right-eye image623are displayed so as to overlap each other on the display unit180, a distance between the second left-eye image621and the second right-eye image623is 0 as illustrated. Accordingly, the user perceives that the second object625is located on the display180.

Next, the third object635includes a third left-eye image631(L) and a third right-eye image633(R), and the fourth object645includes a fourth left-eye image641(L) and a fourth right-eye image643(R). The distance between the third left-eye image631and the third right-eye image633is d3 and the distance between the fourth left-eye image641and the fourth right-eye image643is d4 as illustrated.

According to the above-described method, the user perceives that the third objects635and the fourth object645are located at image formation locations and thus are located in front of the display180as shown inFIG. 5.

Here, the user perceives that the fourth object645is located in front of the third object635, i.e., protrudes from the third object635, since the distance d4 between the fourth left-eye image641(L) and the fourth right-eye image643(R) is greater than the distance d3 between the third left-eye image631(L) and the third right-eye image633(R).

In the embodiment of the present invention, the apparent distance between the display180and each of the objects615,625,635and645, which is perceived by the user, is referred to as “depth”. The depth of the object that appears to the user to be located behind the display180has a negative value (−) and the depth of the object that appears to the user to be located in front of the display180has a positive value (+). That is, depth increases as the degree of protrusion of the object from the display toward the user increases.

FromFIG. 6, it can be seen that, when the distance a between a left-eye image701and a right-eye image702shown inFIG. 6(a) is less than the distance b between a left-eye image701and a right-eye image702shown inFIG. 6(b), the depth a′ of the 3D object ofFIG. 6(a) is less than the depth b′ of the 3D object ofFIG. 6(b).

When the 3D image includes a left-eye image and a right-eye image, a position at which the image is formed as perceived by the user changes according to the distance between the left-eye image and the right-eye image. Accordingly, by adjusting the displayed distance between the left-eye image and the right-eye image, it is possible to adjust the depth of the 3D image or the 3D object including the left-eye image and the right-eye image.

FIG. 7is a drawing used to explain an autostereoscopic 3D scheme applied to the image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 7, the image display apparatus100includes a display180and a filter unit195that is spaced from the display180by a predetermined distance in order to implement autostereoscopic 3D display.

When the first voltage is applied to the filter unit195, the filter unit195directly passes an image displayed on the display180as described above. This enables 2D image display.

On the other hand, when the second voltage, for example, 0V, is applied to the filter unit195, the filter unit195scatters light emitted from the image displayed on the display180to provide scattered images to the user. This generates a 3D effect allowing the user to perceive a stereoscopic image without wearing special glasses.

In the 3D mode, multi-view images displayed on the display180may be repeatedly arranged so as to allow the user to view stereoscopic images regardless of the position of the user.

FIG. 7illustrates an example in which multi-view images705are displayed on the display180such that a left-eye image L, a right-eye image R, a left-eye image L, and a right-eye image R are repeatedly arranged on the display180. These images L, R, L, and R are scattered by the filter unit195to allow the left-eye image L to be viewed by the left eye710of a user700and the left-eye image R to be viewed by the right eye720of the user700.

In the case in which the user is in motion, a head tracking technique may be used to determine the correct position of the user as shown inFIG. 16. For example, the center of the left and right eyes710and720of the user700may be calculated based on an image captured by the image capture unit200and the position of the user may then be determined using the calculated center. This method will be described later with reference toFIG. 16.

The following is a description of an autostereoscopic 3D scheme which allows the user to view an optimal 3D image according to the position of the user.

FIG. 8is a flowchart showing a method for operating an image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention andFIGS. 9 to 17are drawings used to explain a variety of examples of the method ofFIG. 8.

As shown inFIG. 8, the controller170acquires a captured image of the user (S810).

Specifically, the image capture unit200captures an image of the user. The captured image may be input to the controller170through the external device interface unit130. When the image capture unit200is provided in the image display apparatus100, the controller170may acquire the captured image directly from the image capture unit200.

For example, when the 3D calibration mode is selected, an image capture region920may be displayed. The image capture region920is an area in which the captured image can be displayed. The image capture region920allows the user to determine whether or not the captured image is appropriate by viewing the image displayed inside the image capture region920.

FIG. 9illustrates a first step of the 3D calibration mode in which an object910instructing the user to be located at the center portion of the image display apparatus100and an object930indicating movement to a next step are displayed in addition to the image capture region920.

The object910may induce the user to be located at the center portion of the image display apparatus100.

Although a message asking the user to be located at the center portion of the image display apparatus100is delivered to the user through the object910in the example ofFIG. 9, the message may also be audibly delivered to the user. That is, an audio message asking the user to be located at the center portion of the image display apparatus100may also be output through the audio output unit185. Instead of each object described below, such an audio message may be output through the audio output unit185.

The 3D calibration mode may be selected using a menu that is displayed by operating the control key107. The 3D calibration mode may also be selected by operating a hot key.

The arrangement position of a left-eye object or a right-eye image object is determined based on the captured image (S820).

Specifically, the controller170determines the arrangement position of a left-eye object or a right-eye image object based on a received captured image.

The controller170may determine the arrangement position of the left-eye object or the right-eye object such that multi-view images are repeatedly arranged as shown inFIG. 7.

The left-eye object or the right-eye object is an object that is adjusted to be clearly viewed by the left eye or the right eye of the user in the 3D calibration mode. That is, the left-eye object or the right-eye object may be a left-eye test object or a right-eye test object.

At least one of the left-eye object or the right-eye object is displayed (S830). Then, a movement amount object indicating the amount of pixel arrangement movement of at least one of the left-eye object or the right-eye object is displayed (S840). Then, a pixel arrangement movement amount input is received (S850). Then, at least one of the pixels of the displayed left-eye object is changed to a pixel of the right-eye object and the changed pixel is displayed or at least one of the pixels of the displayed right-eye object is changed to a pixel of the left-eye object and the changed pixel is displayed (S860).

The controller170may perform a control operation for displaying at least one of the left-eye object or the right-eye object on the display180according to the determined arrangement position.

Since the image display apparatus100is in the 3D mode, the controller170may perform a control operation for applying the second voltage to the filter unit195to allow light to be scattered by the filter unit195.

FIG. 10illustrates an example in which a left-eye object1030and a right-eye object1040are simultaneously displayed. It is preferable that, when the left-eye object1030and the right-eye object1040are simultaneously displayed, at least one of the color or shape of the left-eye object1030be different from a corresponding one of the right-eye object1040.

In the example ofFIG. 10, the left-eye object1030has a circular shape and is green in color and the left-eye object1040has an X shape and is red in color. This allows the user to discriminate between the left-eye object1030and the right-eye object1040.

On the other hand, when the image display apparatus has not entered the 3D mode, an object1010instructing the user to enter the 3D mode may be displayed.FIG. 12illustrates an exemplary method for entering the 3D mode.

When the user depresses the control key107which may be located at a lower portion of the display180, a menu screen1205may be displayed on the display180as shown inFIG. 12. The menu screen1205is an OSD menu screen which may include menu items, a super energy saving item, a 3D item1210, an input item, an exit item, and the like.

When the 3D item1210is selected by operating the control key107, the image display apparatus100may directly enter the 3D mode. Alternatively, when the 3D item1210is selected, a head tracking item and a 3D calibration item may be displayed as sub-menu items of the 3D item1210. When the 3D calibration item is selected from among these sub-menu items, the image display apparatus may display a screen as shown inFIG. 9while automatically entering the 3D mode.

FIG. 10also illustrates a second step of the 3D calibration mode in which an object1010instructing the user to enter the 3D mode, an object1015instructing the user to close the right eye, and object1025instructing the user to perform a movement input operation until a left-eye object1030is viewed.

Although the objects1010,1015, and1020are simultaneously displayed in the example ofFIG. 10, the objects1010,1015, and1020may also be sequentially displayed. That is, the object1015and the object1020may be sequentially displayed after the object1010is displayed.

FIG. 10also illustrates, as an example, a movement amount object1050indicating the amount of movement of a movement input for moving the reference coordinates of image arrangement of the display correction objects1030and1040displayed on the screen.

The movement amount object1050may be a movement object indicating the amount of pixel arrangement movement since the movement amount object1050can determine the pixel arrangement movement of the display correction objects1030and1040displayed on the screen.

For example, when a rightward movement input is input using the control key107, a control bar1055of the movement amount object1050may be moved to the right.

In the case in which the display180is of a touch type, the control bar1055may be moved to the right when the control bar1055is dragged to the right after the control bar1055of the movement amount object1050is touched.

When such rightward movement input is performed, the controller170performs a control operation for moving the reference coordinates of the display correction objects displayed on the screen by the movement amount of the rightward movement input and then rearranging and displaying the images of the display correction objects.

Specifically, as shown inFIG. 11, when rightward movement input is performed, the control bar1055moves from a first point P1to a second point P2to the right and the controller170moves the reference coordinates of the display correction objects1030and1040displayed on the screen by the movement amount of the rightward movement input and rearranges the images of the display correction objects1030and1040. The controller170then performs a control operation for displaying the rearranged images on the display180.

For example, an image arrangement index having a value between 0 and 1 may be assigned to each pixel and, when the image arrangement index of a pixel is equal to or less than 0.5, the pixel may be a left-eye pixel corresponding to a left-eye object such that the pixel displays the color of the left-eye object.

On the other hand, when the image arrangement index of a pixel is greater than 0.5, the pixel may be a right-eye pixel corresponding to a right-eye object such that the pixel displays the color of the right-eye object.

The movement amount of the movement input for moving the reference coordinates, i.e., the pixel arrangement movement amount, may have a value between 0 and 1.

Accordingly, when an movement input for moving the reference coordinates by a movement amount (i.e., by a pixel arrangement movement amount) has been performed, the controller170calculates a final image arrangement index value of each pixel of the display correction objects1030and1040by summing the image arrangement index of the pixel of the display correction objects1030and1040and the pixel arrangement movement amount.

The controller170then performs a control operation for rearranging the left-eye pixels and the right-eye pixels according to the final image arrangement index value of each pixel and then displaying a color assigned to each pixel.

Referring toFIG. 11, a region1035in which the left-eye object and the right-eye object overlap may include 2×10 pixels as shown inFIG. 11.

When the control bar1055moves to the second point P2, the pixel arrangement movement amount may correspond to a value of 0.33.

On the other hand, when such a movement input has been completed, the user may select an object (OK)1060indicating completion of setting. The 3D calibration mode is terminated upon selection of the object1060.

When movement input is performed until the left-eye object1030is viewed with the left eye710of the user, such setting allows the user to clearly view the left-eye object1030with the left eye. Thus, it is possible to allow the user to view optimal 3D images, thereby increasing user convenience.

The 3D calibration mode may be performed to determine whether or not the left-eye object and the right-eye object are correctly viewed with the left eye and the right eye of the user when the left-eye object and the right-eye object are displayed according to the position of the user after the position of the user is determined through a captured image of the user in the case in which the position of the user varies. Through display of the objects1010,1015,1020,1030,1040, and1050as shown inFIG. 10and such movement amount adjustment, it is possible to allow the user to view optimal 3D images.

The objects1010,1015,1020,1030,1040, and1050as shown inFIG. 10may also be displayed before a 3D image is displayed in the case in which a 3D mode for displaying 3D images has been selected rather than in the case in which the 3D calibration mode is selected.

That is, the left-eye object1030and the right-eye object1040may be directly displayed without capturing an image of the user and also without determining the positions of the left-eye object1030and the right-eye object1040through the captured image of the user and then at least one of the pixels of the displayed left-eye object may be changed to a pixel of the right-eye object or at least one of the pixels of the displayed right-eye object may be changed to a pixel of the left-eye object and the changed pixel may then be displayed according to movement of the control bar1055in the movement amount object1050. Especially, such setting allows the left-eye object1030to be clearly viewed by the left eye710of the user when movement input has been performed until the left-eye object1030is viewed by the left eye710of the user. Such setting also allows the right-eye object1040to be clearly viewed by the right eye720of the user. Accordingly, it is possible to allow the user to view optimal 3D images, thereby increasing user convenience.

On the other hand, the optimal viewing distance when a 3D image is displayed in an autostereoscopic manner may be within a predetermined range. For example, the optimal viewing distance may be within a range of distances of 50 to 80 cm from the image display apparatus100.

As described above with reference toFIG. 9, the controller170may calculate the distance between the user and the image display apparatus100using the distance between the left and right eyes of the user in the image captured by the image capture unit200, specifically, using the number of pixels between the left and right eyes in the captured image.

FIG. 13illustrates an example in which the distance between the display180of the image display apparatus100and the user700is D1.

When the distance between the display180of the image display apparatus100and the user700is within the predetermined range, the objects1010,1015,1020,1030,1040, and1050are normally displayed as shown inFIG. 10.

On the other hand, when the distance between the display180of the image display apparatus100and the user700is out of the predetermined range, the controller170performs a control operation for displaying an object1410instructing the user700to be located within the optimal viewing distance range as shown inFIG. 14.

When the distance between the display180of the image display apparatus100and the user700is out of the predetermined range, the controller170may also perform a control operation for displaying the movement amount object1510in an inactive state. This prevents movement input from being performed.

FIG. 16illustrates an example in which multi-view images are displayed such that they move as the user moves.

As shown inFIG. 16, when the user700is located at a first position, a left-eye image L, a right-eye image R, a left-eye image L, and a right-eye image R may be sequentially arranged repeatedly and, when the user700moves to a second position to the right, a right-eye image R, a left-eye image L, a right-eye image R, and a left-eye image L may be sequentially arranged repeatedly.

An image of the user may be captured and the position of the user may be determined through the captured image of the user as shown inFIG. 9. Specifically, the position of the user may be determined using the number of pixels between the eyes of the user in the captured image.

In addition, the controller170determines the positions of the left-eye images L and the right-eye images R according to the determined position of the user such that the left-eye images L are viewed by the left eye710of the user and the right-eye images R are viewed by the right eye720of the user and displays the left-eye images L and the right-eye images R on the display180at the determined positions. Here, the left-eye images L and the right-eye images R may be displayed repeatedly.

This method is referred to as a head tracking method. That is, in the head tracking method, movement of the user is determined based on a captured image of the user and the positions of a left-eye image and a right-eye image to be displayed are determined according to the determined position of the user. This allows a left-eye image L of a 3D image that has passed through the filter unit195to be viewed by the left eye710of the user and a right-eye image R of the 3D image to be viewed by the right eye720of the user.

The 3D calibration mode may be performed after the position of the user is determined using head tracking.

For example, when the display180and the filter unit195which is spaced from the display180by a predetermined distance are laminated, a lamination error, which exceeds an allowed error range, may occur. If the lamination error is greater than the allowable error range, a left-eye image and right-eye image may fail to correctly match the left eye and the right eye of the user, respectively, due to the lamination error even though the positions of a left-eye image and a right-eye image to be displayed are changed after determining the position of the user using the head tracking technique.

When the center of a portion, in which an image for the left eye710of the user700is viewed, in a region in which a stereoscopic image is viewed and a portion in which an image for the right eye720is viewed in the region is referred to as a central position Py of the viewing range and the position of the image capture unit200is referred to as a position Px of the capture unit, the positions Py and Px may have a difference therebetween since the central position Py of the viewing range is moved due to a lamination error occurring when the display180and the filter unit195are laminated as shown inFIG. 17. Therefore, the central position Py of the viewing range needs to be corrected from the center of the image capture unit200.

In this case, display correction objects displayed on the screen may be rearranged and displayed after moving the reference coordinates for image arrangement according to the movement amount of the movement input according to the 3D calibration mode, thereby allowing the user to view optimal 3D images. This improves user convenience.

Of course, without using the head tracking technique, i.e., without determining the position of the user through image capture of the user, the left-eye object and the right-eye object may be directly displayed at predetermined positions in the 3D mode and then may be moved and displayed according to user movement input, thereby allowing the user to view optimal 3D images. This improves user convenience.

As is apparent from the above description, an image display apparatus and a method for controlling the same according to the embodiments of the present invention have a variety of advantages. For example, in the image display apparatus which employs an autostereoscopic 3D scheme, at least one of a left-eye object or a right-eye object may be displayed and then at least one pixel of the displayed left-eye object may be changed to a pixel of the right-eye object or at least one pixel of the displayed right-eye object may be changed to a pixel of the left-eye object and the changed pixel may be displayed according to a pixel arrangement movement amount of at least one of the left-eye object or the right-eye object. This allows the user to view optimal 3D images according to the position of the user, thereby improving user convenience.

In addition, an object, which instructs the user to perform movement input until a corresponding one of the left-eye object or the right-eye object is viewed, is displayed, thereby allowing the user to easily achieve optimal 3D image viewing.

Further, it is possible to allow the user to view optimal 3D images even when there is an error in arrangement of the display and the filter unit.

It is also possible to allow the user to view 3D images even when the position of the user changes.

The image display apparatus and the method for operating the same according to the present invention are not limited in their applications to the configurations and methods of the embodiments described above and all or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined to implement various modifications.

The method for operating an image display device according to the present invention can be embodied as processor readable code stored on a processor readable medium provided in the image display device. The processor readable medium includes any type of storage device that stores data which can be read by a processor. Examples of the processor readable medium include Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random-Access Memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tape, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and so on. The processor readable medium can also be embodied in the form of carrier waves as signals transmitted over the Internet. The processor readable medium can also be distributed over a network of coupled processor systems so that the processor readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described above with reference to the specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims and such modifications should not be construed as departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.