Display apparatus

A display apparatus includes a display panel, a backlight unit, and a capturing unit. The display panel includes a polarizing plate having a first polarizing axis parallel to a first direction, an isotropic diffuser including an anisotropic region having a transmission axis parallel to the first direction and a diffusing axis parallel to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the polarizing plate and the anisotropic diffuser. The backlight unit is disposed at a rear side of the anisotropic diffuser and generates a first light linearly polarized in the second direction. The capturing unit is disposed at a rear side of the anisotropic region and captures an image of a subject at a front side of the display panel.

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0042386, filed on Mar. 26, 2015, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the content of which in its entirety is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure herein relates to a display apparatus, and particularly to, a display apparatus making eye-to-eye communication possible.

2. Description of the Related Art

A liquid crystal display apparatus is one of many widely used type of flat panel display apparatus. The liquid crystal display apparatus may be used to display an image on various apparatuses such as a television, a monitor, a notebook or a mobile phone, for example.

The liquid crystal display apparatus typically includes a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image and a backlight unit for providing light to a liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel displays an image by adjusting the strength of electric field applied to a liquid crystal layer interposed between two substrates, and the amount of light transmitted through the two substrates.

The liquid crystal display apparatus may further include a capturing unit capable of capturing an image of the outside. In general, the capturing unit is disposed in a bezel area not to overlap a display part of the liquid crystal display panel.

SUMMARY

The disclosure provides a display apparatus capable of eye-to-eye communication.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a display apparatus including: a display panel including a polarizing plate having a first polarizing axis parallel to a first direction, an anisotropic diffuser including an anisotropic region having a transmission axis parallel to the first direction and a diffusing axis parallel to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the polarizing plate and the anisotropic diffuser; a backlight unit disposed at a rear side of the anisotropic diffuser and which generates a first light linearly polarized in the second direction; and a capturing unit disposed at a rear side of the anisotropic region and which captures an image of a subject at a front side of the display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the polarizing plate may transmit the image of the subject polarized in a direction parallel to the transmission axis to the anisotropic diffuser side, and the anisotropic diffuser may transmit the image of the subject polarized in the direction parallel to the transmission axis to the capturing unit side and may diffuse a component of the first light received from the backlight unit which is polarized parallel to the diffusing axis to provide to the liquid crystal layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel may further include a non-display part and a display part which displays an image and corresponds to the display region, and the capturing unit may be disposed corresponding to the display region.

In an exemplary embodiment, the anisotropic region may include a base and a plurality of first diffusing particles, the base may have first to third base refractive indices respectively in the first and second directions and a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions; the diffusing particles may respectively have first to third particle refractive indices in the first to third directions, respectively; the first and third particle refractive indices may be substantially the same as the first and third base refractive indices, and the second refractive index may be different from the second base refractive index.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base may have an isotropic refractive index, and the first to third base refractive indices may be substantially the same as each other.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first diffusing particles may be randomly dispersed in the base.

In an exemplary embodiment, distances between the diffusing particles may be in a range of about 1 micrometer (μm) to about 1000 μm.

In an exemplary embodiment, diameters of the first diffusing particles may be in a range of about 100 nanometers (nm) to about 100 μm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the capturing unit overlaps the anisotropic region when viewed from a front view, and the anisotropic region may be defined to correspond to a first region of the display region.

In an exemplary embodiment, the diffusing plate may include an isotropic region corresponding to a second region of the display region, which is not overlapping the first region, the isotropic region may further include a plurality of second diffusing particles, and refractive indices of the second diffusing particles are different from refractive indices of the first diffusing particles.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the second diffusing particles may respectively have fourth to sixth particle refractive indices in the first to third directions, respectively, and the fourth to sixth particle refractive indices may be different from the first to third base refractive indices.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second diffusing particles may have an isotropic refractive index.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second diffusing particles may have refractive indices different from the base refractive index in the first to third directions.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel may further include a non-display part and a display part which displays an image and corresponds to a display region, the display part may include a first part and a second part, and the capturing unit may include a first sub-capturing unit disposed to overlap the first part when viewed from a front view and a second sub-capturing unit disposed to overlap the second part when viewed from the front view.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus may further include a tracking unit including a viewing line detection part which detects a viewing line of a user, a viewing line determination part which generates a viewing signal including viewing information on a viewing part of the user between the first and second parts, based on the detected viewing line of the user, and the first and second sub-capturing units may receive the viewing signal and may be driven by the viewing signal.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first sub-capturing unit may capture the image of the subject, when the user views the first part, in response to the viewing signal; and the second sub-capturing unit may capture the image of the subject, when the user views the second part, in response to the viewing signal.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel may include an upper plate interposed between the liquid crystal layer and the polarizing plate, and a lower plate interposed between the liquid crystal layer and the anisotropic diffuser; the polarizing plate may be disposed on an upper surface of the upper plate; and the anisotropic diffuser may be disposed on a lower surface of the lower plate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus may further include a capture polarizing plate, which is disposed between the anisotropic diffuser and the capturing unit, where the capture polarizing plate overlaps the capturing unit when viewed from a front view, and has a capture polarizing axis parallel to the first direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, the backlight unit may include a light source which generates a second light; and a polarizing unit which has a second polarizing axis parallel to the second direction, receives the second light, and polarizes the second light to the first light.

In an exemplary embodiment, the backlight unit may include a polarizing light source which generates the first light.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, and/or section from another element, component, region, layer, and/or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, and/or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, and/or section without departing from the teachings of the disclosure. The terms in singular form include the plural form unless otherwise specified.

As used herein, the terms “includes” or “has” indicate the presence of characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof represented in the disclosure but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof. Also, when a component such as a layer, a film, an area, or a plate is referred to as being “on” another component, it may be directly on the other component or intervening components may be in between. Similarly, when a component such as a layer, a film, an area, or a plate is referred to as being “under” another component, it may be directly under the other component or intervening components may be in between.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a display apparatus according to the invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a display apparatus1000includes a backlight unit100that outputs a first light L1, a capturing unit200that captures an image, a capture polarizing plate300, and a display panel400that displays an image.

The display panel400includes a lower plate410, an upper plate430disposed opposite to, e.g., facing, the lower plate410, and a liquid crystal layer420interposed between the lower plate410and the upper plate430. In such an embodiment, the display panel400further includes an anisotropic diffuser440disposed on, e.g., attached to, a lower surface of the lower plate410and a polarizing plate450disposed on, e.g., attached to, an upper surface of the upper plate430.

The display panel400includes a display part (not shown) corresponding to a display region DA, and a non-display part (not shown) corresponding to a non-display region (not shown) defined adjacent to a side of the display region DA. A pixel PX (seeFIG. 2) is defined in the display part, and the display part displays an image through the pixel PX. The pixel PX will be described later in detail with reference toFIG. 2. The non-display part may be disposed adjacent to the display part. A wiring or a driving part for driving the pixel PX may be included in the non-display part.

The polarizing plate450includes a first polarizing axis451parallel to a first direction D1. The polarizing plate450only transmits, among the components of the incident light, a component polarized parallel to the first polarizing axis451, and absorbs or reflects a component polarized parallel to a second direction D2perpendicular to the first direction D1.

The polarizing plate450may be manufactured by, for example, adsorbing iodine, which is a dichromatic pigment or dichromatic dye, to a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin film, and then stretching and aligning the resin film in a stretching direction.

The display region DA includes a first region A1and a second region A2not overlapping the first region A1. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second region A2surrounds the first region A1.

The capturing unit200may be disposed at a rear side of the display panel400corresponding to the first region A1. In such an embodiment, the capturing unit200may be disposed to overlap the display region DA of the display panel400, on which the image is displayed, when viewed from a front view. Herein, the front view is a view from a front side of the display panel400in a direction substantially parallel to the thickness direction of the display panel400.

The capturing unit200may capture an image of an object or a subject positioned at a front side of the display panel400and received through the display panel400. In such an embodiment, the capturing unit200is disposed at a rear side of the display panel400, such that the capturing unit200receives the image of the subject through the display panel400, and may capture the image of the subject.

The capturing unit200is an optical device that converts the optical signal into an electrical signal. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the capturing unit200may include a charge coupled device (“CCD”).

The anisotropic diffuser440is interposed between the capturing unit200and the liquid crystal layer420. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the anisotropic diffuser440may be disposed on, e.g., attached to, a lower surface of the lower plate410. The anisotropic diffuser440diffuses the first light L1emitted from the backlight unit100and may improve brightness uniformity. The anisotropic diffuser440may have, for example, a plate shape corresponding to the shape of the display panel400.

The anisotropic diffuser440includes a base441and diffusing particles442. The base441includes or is formed of a transparent polymer resin. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the base441is formed of a transparent polymer resin with transmittance of about 90% or more and less than about 100%. In such an embodiment, the transparent polymer resin may include at least one selected from polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”), polyethylene naphthalate (“PEN”), and polycarbonate (“PC”).

The diffusing particles442may include, for example, a polymer resin such as a copolymer of PEN (“coPEN”).

The diffusing particles442may be entirely dispersed in the base441, but the invention is not limited thereto. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the anisotropic diffuser440includes a light diffusing layer (not shown), in which the diffusing particles442are dispersed, disposed on the base441. In such an embodiment, the light diffusing layer may be formed by dispersing the diffusing particles442in a resin having adhering force, and applying the resin including the dispersed diffusing particles442to a surface of the base441. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the resin may include at least one selected from silicon resin, epoxy resin and acrylate resin.

The anisotropic diffuser440includes a transmission axis443and a diffusing axis444. The anisotropic diffuser440transmits a component of light polarized parallel to the transmission axis443, and diffuses a component of light polarized parallel to the diffusing axis444. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the transmission axis443may be parallel to the first direction D1, and the diffusing axis444may be parallel to the second direction D2. The transmission axis443and the diffusing axis444may be determined by a refractive index of the base and the refractive indices of the diffusing particles442. The transmission axis443and the diffusing axis444will be described later in greater detail with reference toFIG. 3.

The backlight unit100includes a light source unit110that generates a first light L1and a reflective plate120.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the backlight unit100is a direct type. In such an embodiment, the light source unit110is disposed at a rear side of the display panel400, and the reflective plate120is disposed at a rear side of the light source unit110. The light source unit110is disposed corresponding to the second region A2and may not be in the first region A1not to overlap the capturing unit200when viewed from a front view.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first light L1is linearly polarized light in the second direction D2. In such an embodiment, the polarized light of the first light L1includes only a component linearly polarized in the second direction D2.

The reflective plate120reflects light leaking to the lower portion of the light source unit110toward the display panel400, thereby improving the use efficiency of the first light L1. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the reflective plate120may include or be formed of polyethylene terephthalate or polycarbonate material with a high reflectivity.

The capture polarizing plate300is disposed between the anisotropic diffuser440and the capturing unit200. The capture polarizing plate300, for example, may be corresponding to the first region A1, e.g., disposed to overlap the first region A1when viewed from a front view. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the capture polarizing plate300may be attached to a lens (not shown) of the capturing unit200. The capture polarizing plate300defines a capture polarizing axis301parallel to the first direction D1. The capture polarizing plate300transmits only the light incident to the capturing unit200and polarized in the first direction D1toward the capturing unit200.

FIG. 2is an equivalent circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a pixel of the display apparatus illustrated inFIG. 1.

For convenience of illustration and description, a pixel PX connected to a first gate line GL1and a first data line DL1is illustrated inFIG. 2.

Referring toFIG. 2, an exemplary embodiment of the pixel PX includes a transistor TR connected to the first gate line GL1and the first data line DL1, a liquid crystal capacitor Clc connected to the transistor TR, and a storage capacitor Cst connected in parallel to the liquid crystal capacitor Clc. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the storage capacitor Cst may be omitted.

In an exemplary embodiment, the transistor TR may be disposed on the lower plate410. The transistor TR includes a gate electrode connected to the first gate line GL1, a source electrode connected to the first data line DL1, and a drain electrode connected to the liquid crystal capacitor Clc and the storage capacitor Cst.

In an exemplary embodiment, the liquid crystal capacitor Clc includes a pixel electrode PE disposed on the lower plate410, a common electrode CE disposed on the upper plate430, and a liquid crystal layer420disposed between the pixel electrode PE and the common electrode CE. In such an embodiment, the liquid crystal layer420functions as a dielectric. The pixel electrode PE is connected to the drain electrode of the transistor TR.

The pixel electrode PE may be corresponding to the pixel region (not shown) defined between the first data line DL1and the second data line DL2disposed adjacent to the first data line DL1in one direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, the common electrode CE may be entirely formed on the upper plate430, but the invention is not limited thereto. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the common electrode CE may be disposed on the lower plate410. In such an embodiment, a horizontal electric field between the pixel electrode PE and the common electrode CE may be used.

The storage capacitor Cst may include the pixel electrode PE, a storage electrode (not shown) branched from a storage line (not shown), and an insulation layer disposed between the pixel electrode PE and the storage electrode. The storage line is disposed on the lower plate410, and may be formed together with the first gate line GL1on a same layer. The storage electrode may partially overlap the pixel electrode PE.

The pixel PX may further include a color filter CF for expressing one of the primary colors. In an exemplary embodiment, the color filter CF may be disposed on the upper plate430, but the invention is not limited thereto. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the color filter CF may be disposed on the lower plate410.

In such an embodiment, the transistor TR is turned on in response to a gate signal received through the first gate line GL1. A data voltage received through the first data line DL1is provided to the pixel electrode PE of the liquid crystal capacitor Clc through the turned-on transistor TR. A common voltage is applied to the common electrode CE.

An electric field is generated between the pixel electrode PE and the common electrode CE by the voltage level difference between the data voltage and the common voltage. Liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer420are driven by the electric field generated between the pixel electrode PE and the common electrode CE. Light transmittance is adjusted by the liquid crystal molecules driven by the formed electric field, so that an image may be displayed.

In an exemplary embodiment, a storage voltage with a predetermined voltage level may be applied to the storage line, but the invention is not limited thereto. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the storage line may receive the common voltage. The storage capacitor Cst functions to maintain the voltage charged to the liquid crystal capacitor Clc.

FIG. 3is a partial enlarged perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an anisotropic diffuser illustrated inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIG. 3, in an exemplary embodiment of the anisotropic diffuser, the base441may respectively have first to third base refractive indices nb1, nb2and nb3in the first and second directions D1and D2and a third direction D3perpendicular to the first and second directions D1and D2. Herein, the third direction D3may be the thickness direction of the display panel400.

The diffusing particles442may respectively have first to third particle refractive indices np1, np2and np3in the first to third directions D1to D3. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first and third particle refractive indices np1and np3may be substantially the same as the first and third base refractive indices nb1and nb3. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the second particle refractive index np2may be different from the second base refractive index nb2.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the base441may have an isotropic refractive index. Accordingly, the first to third base refractive indices nb1, nb2and nb3may be substantially the same as each other and may be a first refractive index. In such an embodiment, the diffusing particles442may have anisotropic refractive indices. In such an embodiment, the first and third particle refractive indices np1and np3may be the first refractive index n1, and the second particle refractive index np2may be a second refractive index n2different from the first refractive index n1.

When the diffusing particles442are periodically arranged, constructive and destructive interference of light may occur by the diffusing particles442. However, in an exemplary embodiment, the diffusing particles442may be randomly dispersed in the base441. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, constructive and destructive interference of the incident light by the diffusing particles442does not occur. In an exemplary embodiment, the distances Dp between the diffusing particles442may be in a range of about 1 micrometer (μm) to about 1000 μm. In such an embodiment, the diameters of the diffusing particles442may be in a range of about 100 nanometers (nm) to about 100 μm.

When a first polarized light LD1, which is linearly polarized in the first direction D1, is incident to the anisotropic diffuser440, the first polarized light LD1is not refracted or scattered but transmitted through the anisotropic diffuser440. This is because the first base refractive index nb1and the first particle refractive index np1are the same as each other in the first direction D1, and thus the first polarized light LD1does not experience the border between the media for generating refraction or scattering.

In an exemplary embodiment, when a second polarized, which is light LD2polarized in the second direction D2, is incident to the anisotropic diffuser440, the second polarized light LD2is refracted or scattered and transmitted through the anisotropic diffuser440. This is because the second base refractive index nb2and the second particle refractive index np1are different from each other, and thus the second polarized light LD2experiences the borders (the borders between the diffusing particles442and the base) between the media for generating refraction or scattering.

Thus, the anisotropic diffuser440transmits the light polarized parallel to the transmission axis443, and scatters the light polarized parallel to the diffusing axis444.

FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation of an exemplary embodiment of the display apparatus illustrated inFIG. 1. InFIG. 4, the operation of the display apparatus is described through lights La and Lb, among the first light L1, propagating toward a specific region.

Referring toFIG. 4, among the first light L1, the first light La incident to the diffusing particles442dispersed in the second region A2is scattered by the diffusing particles442. More specifically, a portion La1of the first light La reaches the liquid crystal layer420corresponding to the second region A2, and another portion La2of the light La may reach the liquid crystal layer420corresponding to the first region A1.

Also, among the first light L1, the first light Lb incident to the diffusing particles442dispersed in the second region A2is scattered by the diffusing particles442. More specifically, a portion Lb1of the first light Lb reaches the liquid crystal layer420corresponding to the first region A1, and another portion Lb2of the first light Lb2may reach the liquid crystal layer420corresponding to the second region A2.

Thus, the diffusing particles442are also provided to the first region A1at which the capturing unit200is disposed as well as to the second region A2. Since the first lights La and Lb are also diffused by the diffusing particles442dispersed in the first region A1as well as by the diffusing particles442dispersed in the second region A2, generation of a dark portion by the brightness difference between the first and second regions A1and A2may be effectively prevented.

In an exemplary embodiment, an image OI of the subject includes first and second polarized components PC1and PC2before being incident to the display panel400. The first and second polarized components PC1and PC2are the components of the image OI of the subject parallel to the first and second directions D1and D2, respectively.

When transmitted through the polarizing plate450, the image OI of the subject is polarized in the first direction D1and includes only the first polarized component PC1. Then, while the image OI of the subject is transmitted through the liquid crystal layer420, the polarized light of the image OI of the subject is varied. As a result, the image OI of the subject incident to the anisotropic diffuser440may again include the first and second polarized components PC1and PC2.

The first polarized component PC1of the image OI of the subject, which reaches the anisotropic diffuser440, is transmitted through the anisotropic diffuser440and the capture polarizing plate300and reaches the capturing unit200.

In such an embodiment, the second polarized component PC2of the image OI of the subject, which reaches the anisotropic diffuser440, is scattered by the anisotropic diffuser440. The second polarized component PC2of the scattered image OI of the subject is blocked by the capture polarizing plate300and thus may not reach the capturing unit200. More specifically, since the second polarized component PC2is perpendicular to the transmission axis443of the capture polarizing plate300, and thus absorbed and reflected by the capture polarizing plate300.

As a result, the image OI of the subject reaching the capturing unit200is formed of only the first polarized component PC1which is propagated without scattering. Accordingly, the image OI of the subject may reach the capturing unit200without being blurred or distorted, and as a result, a clear image may be captured by the capturing unit200.

In such an embodiment, since the transmittance of the display panel400is low, the capturing unit200is effectively prevented from being seen by the reflected external light. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the transmittance of the display panel400is about 10%. Accordingly, when external light incident to the polarizing plate450from a front side of the display panel400is sequentially transmitted through the polarizing plate450and the display panel400, the strength (or intensity) of the external light is decreased to about 10% or less with respect to the original strength. Also, when the external light is reflected by the capturing unit200and is again transmitted through the display panel400and the polarizing plate450, the strength of the external light is decreased to about 1% or less with respect to the original strength. Thus, since the strength of the external light reflected by the capturing unit200is very small, a user seeing the display panel may not see the capturing unit200through the external light reflected by the capturing unit200.

FIG. 5is a view illustrating a user using an exemplary embodiment of a display apparatus according to the invention.

Referring toFIG. 5, a first user U1performs eye-to-eye communication with a second user U2through a display apparatus1000. The first user U1may perform a video call while watching the capturing unit200in a display region DA. The first user U1may view an image of the second user U2displayed on the display region DA. When the first user U1views the image of the second user U2, since a viewing line of the first user U1is directed toward the capturing unit200, the viewing line of the first user U1is directed toward the front in the image of the first user U1captured by the capturing unit200. Accordingly, the first and second users U1and U2may experience eye-to-eye communication in which a conversation is performed while practically looking at each other eye to eye through the display apparatus1000.

FIG. 6is a view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a light source unit according to the invention.

Referring toFIG. 6, an exemplary embodiment of a light source unit110includes a light source112and a polarizing unit113.

The polarizing unit113is interposed between the anisotropic diffuser440(seeFIG. 1) and the light source112.

The light source112emits a second light L2to an upper side. The light source112may be, for example, a light emitting diode (“LED”). In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the light source112may be a white LED that emits white light, but the invention is not limited thereto. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the light source112may be at least one selected from red, green, blue, cyan, magenta and yellow LEDs that emit red, green, blue, cyan, magenta and yellow light, respectively, and a combination thereof.

The light source may be disposed, e.g., mounted, on a light source driving substrate (not shown), for example, in a matrix shape. The light source driving substrate may be, for example, in a shape of rod extending in a predetermined direction. In such an embodiment, the light source driving substrate with the rod shape is provided in plural, and the light sources112are provided, while defining an array, to the light source driving substrate along the predetermined direction.

The polarizing unit is interposed between the light source112and a display panel400. The polarizing unit113includes a second polarizing axis111parallel to a second direction D2. The polarizing unit113receives the second light L2from a lower surface of the polarizing unit113, and transmits only a component of the second light L2parallel to the second direction, and thus polarizes the second light L2to the first light L1.

In an exemplary embodiment, the polarizing unit113may be, for example, a reflective polarizing plate. In one exemplary embodiment, the reflective polarizing plate may include, for example, a dual brightness enhancement film (“DBEF”). In such an embodiment, the polarizing unit113includes a transmission axis113_1parallel to the second direction D2and a reflective axis113_2parallel to the first direction D1. The reflective polarizing plate receives the second light L2, transmits only a component of the second light L2polarized parallel to the transmission axis113_1, and reflects a component polarized parallel to the reflective axis113_2.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the polarizing unit113may be a general polarizing plate such as the first polarizing plate450(seeFIG. 1). Accordingly, the polarizing unit113may be manufactured by adsorbing iodine, which is a dichromatic pigment or a dichromatic dye, to a polyvinyl alcohol based resin film, and then stretching and aligning the resin film in a stretching direction.

FIG. 7is a view illustrating an alternative exemplary embodiment of a light source unit according to the invention.

Referring toFIG. 7, a light source unit110′ may include a plurality of polarizing light sources114. The polarizing light sources114are disposed to be spaced a predetermined distance from each other in one direction. Each of the polarizing light sources114generates a first light L1linearly polarized parallel to a second direction D2. The polarizing light sources114may be, for example, light emitting diodes including a GaN based nitride semiconductor. A polarization ratio of the first light L1is about 0.8 or more, and the polarization ratio may be determined by crystallinity of the nitride semiconductor or the like.

FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a display apparatus according to the invention.

The display apparatus2000illustrated inFIG. 8is substantially the same as the display apparatus1000illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 5except the anisotropic diffuser. The same or like elements shown inFIG. 8have been labeled with the same reference characters as used above to describe the exemplary embodiments of the display apparatus shown inFIGS. 1 to 5, and any repetitive detailed description thereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

Referring toFIG. 8, in an exemplary embodiment, an anisotropic diffuser470includes an anisotropic region471and an isotropic region472. The anisotropic region471is defined to correspond to a first region A1, and the isotropic region472is defined to correspond to a second region A2.

The anisotropic region471includes first diffusing particles473, and the isotropic region472includes second diffusing particles474. The first and second diffusing particles473and474have refractive indices different from each other.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first diffusing particles473may be the same as the diffusing particles442illustrated inFIG. 3. In such an embodiment, the first diffusing particles473may respectively have first to third particle refractive indices np1, np2and np3in first to third directions D1to D3. That is, the first and third particle refractive indices np1and np3of the first diffusing particles473in the first and third directions D1and D3may be a first refractive index n1, and the second particle refractive index np2may be a second refractive index n2.

The second diffusing particles474may respectively have fourth to sixth particle refractive indices np4, np5and np6in the first to third directions D1to D3. The fourth to sixth particle refractive indices np4, np5and np6are different from the first refractive index n1. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second diffusing particles474may have isotropic refractive indices. In such an embodiment, the fourth to sixth particle refractive indices np4, np5and np6are the same as each other. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the fourth to sixth particle refractive indices np4, np5and np6may each be a third refractive index n3.

The anisotropic region471includes a transmission axis443and a diffusing axis444determined by the first diffusing particles473. Accordingly, the anisotropic region471scatters only a component polarized parallel to the diffusing axis444among a received first light L1. In such an embodiment, since the second diffusing particles474of the isotropic region472may scatter all components polarized in random directions, all the components of the received first light L1may be scattered. Accordingly, the diffusing degree of the isotropic region472including the second diffusing particles474is greater than the diffusing degree of the anisotropic region471including the first diffusing particles473.

Thus, in such an embodiment, where the first diffusing particles473are disposed corresponding to (e.g., disposed to overlap when viewed from a front view) the first region A1, and the second diffusing particles474are disposed corresponding to the second region A2, the diffusing degree and brightness uniformity of the anisotropic diffuser470may be substantially improved.

FIG. 9is a block diagram of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a display apparatus according to the invention, andFIG. 10is a view illustrating a user using the display apparatus illustrated inFIG. 9.

Referring toFIG. 9, an exemplary embodiment of a display apparatus3000includes a gate driver710and a data driver720, which drive a display panel400, and a control unit730that controls operations of the gate driver710and the data driver720.

The control unit730receives input image information RGBi from the outside of the display apparatus3000and a plurality of control signals CS. The control unit730generates image data Idata by converting a data format of the input image information RGBi based on an interface of the data driver720and specifications of the display panel400, and provides the image data Idata to the data driver720.

In such an embodiment, the control unit730generates, based on the plurality of control signals CS, a data control signal DCS (for example, an output start signal, a horizontal start signal, etc.), and a gate control signal GCS (for example, a vertical start signal, a vertical clock signal, and vertical clock bar signal, etc.). The data control signal DCS is provided to the data driver720, and the gate control signal GCS is provided to the gate driver710.

The gate driver710sequentially outputs gate signals in response to the gate control signal GCS provided from the control unit730.

The data driver720converts the image data Idata to data voltages in response to the data control signal DCS provided from the control unit730, and outputs the data voltages to the display panel400.

The display panel includes a plurality of pixels PX. A pixel PX is an element that displays a basic unit image constituting an image, and a resolution of the display panel400may be determined by the number of pixels PX provided to the display panel400. InFIG. 9, only one pixel PX is illustrated and the illustration of the remaining pixels is omitted for convenience of illustration.

Each of the pixels PX may express one of the primary colors. The primary colors may include red, green, blue, and white, but not being limited thereto. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the primary colors may include various colors such as yellow, cyan and magenta.

The display panel400may further include a plurality of gate lines GL1to GLn and a plurality of data lines DL1to DLm.

The gate lines GL1to GLn extend in a second direction D2and are arranged parallel to each other in a first direction D1. The gate lines GL1to GLn are connected to the gate driver710, and sequentially receive the gate signals from the gate driver710.

The data lines DL1to DLm extend in the first direction D1and are arranged parallel to each other in the second direction D2. The data lines DL1to DLm are connected to the data driver720and receive the data voltages from the data driver720.

The pixels PX may be connected, to be driven, to a corresponding gate line among the plurality of gate lines GL1to GLn and a corresponding data line among the plurality of data lines DL1to DLm, and the pixels PX may be turned on or off by the gate signal applied thereto. The turned-on pixels PX display grayscales corresponding to the data voltages applied thereto.

The control unit730may be disposed, e.g., mounted, on a printed circuit board in the form of an integrated circuit chip and connected to the gate driver710and the data driver720. The gate driver710and the data driver720may be formed of a plurality of driving chips and connected to the display panel400through a tape carrier package (“TCP”) method. However, the invention is not limited thereto.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the gate driver710and the data driver720may be formed of a plurality of driving chips and mounted on the display panel400through a chip-on-glass (“COG”) method. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the gate driver710may be simultaneously formed together with transistors of the pixels PX and mounted to the display panel400in the form of an amorphous silicon thin film transistor gate driver circuit (“ASG”).

The control unit730may output a backlight control signal BCS to a backlight unit100to control the backlight unit100.

A display part of the display panel400may be divided into first to third parts P1to P3. The first to third parts P1to P3may respectively correspond to three parts into which the display part is subdivided along a lateral direction.

A capturing unit200may include first to third sub-capturing units211to213. The first to third sub-capturing units211to213may be respectively disposed corresponding to central portions of the first to third parts P1to P3.

However, the invention is not limited thereto. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the capturing unit200may be variously provided. In one alternative exemplary embodiment, for example, the capturing unit200may include four or more sub-capturing units, and the sub-capturing units may be disposed in each display part in a matrix shape.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus3000may include a tracking unit900including a viewing line detection part910and viewing line determination part920.

The viewing line detection part910may detect a viewing line of a user. The viewing line detection part910generates a viewing line signal OS having information on the detected viewing line. The viewing line signal OS may include information on an eye position, a viewing line position, and/or viewing line direction.

In one exemplary embodiment, for example, face modeling technology may be applied to implement the viewing line detection part910. The face modeling technology is an analysis procedure in which a face image captured by a capturing unit is processed and is converted into digital information for transmission, and an active shape modeling (“ASM”) method, an active appearance modeling (“AAM”) method, or the like may be used. In an exemplary embodiment, the viewing line detection part910may determine a motion of an eyeball by using an image of an identified eyeball. The viewing line detection part910may detect a direction at which a user stares by using the motion of an eyeball, and determine a region at which the user stares by comparing previously stored information on the display panel400and the direction at which the user stares.

The viewing line determination part920receives the viewing line signal OS, determines a viewing line of a user based on the viewing line signal OS, and generates a viewing signal VS. The viewing signal VS includes information on a part which the user views among the first to third parts P1to P3(hereinafter, referred to as viewing part of the user).

The first to third sub-capturing units211to213receive the viewing signal VS and are driven based on the viewing line information of the viewing signal VS. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the first sub-capturing unit211captures the user U1in response to the viewing signal VS when the user views the first part P1. In such an embodiment, the second and third sub-capturing units212and213may not capture the user.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second sub-capturing unit212captures the user in response to the viewing signal VS when the user views the second part P2. In such an embodiment, the first and third sub-capturing units211and213may not capture the user.

In an exemplary embodiment, the third sub-capturing unit213captures the user in response to the viewing signal VS when the user views the third part P3. In such an embodiment, the first and second sub-capturing units211and212may not capture the user.

When the size of the display apparatus3000is large, a viewing line of the user may differ according to which part of the first to third parts P1to P3the user views.

As illustrated inFIG. 10, when a first user U1views an image of a second user U2displayed in the third part P3, the third sub-capturing unit213captures an image of the first user U1. When the first user U1views the image of the second user U2, since the viewing line of the first user U1is directed toward the third sub-capturing unit213, the viewing line of the first user U1is directed toward the front in the image of the first user U1captured by the third sub-capturing unit213.

Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the first and second users U1and U2may experience eye-to-eye communication in which a conversation is performed while practically looking at each other eye to eye through the display apparatus3000.

Thus, in such an embodiment, where the first to third sub-capturing units211to213are provided to the display panel400, and the first to third sub-capturing units211to213are driven based on the viewing line of the first user U1, and thus the first user U1may perform eye-to-eye communication.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, a person skilled in the art may understand that many modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined in the following claims.