Abstract:
A laser projection display and a method of compensating for image distortion of the same stereoscopic liquid crystal display device having a touch panel and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. Herein, the method includes displaying a picture including a red image, a green image, and a blue image, selecting one of the red image, the green image, and the blue image so as to perform pixel alignment of the picture, calculating pixel coordinate values x+dx and y+dy corresponding to the selected image (herein, x represents the x coordinate value prior to alignment, y represents the y coordinate value prior to alignment, dx represents a varied x coordinate value after alignment, and dy represents a varied y coordinate value after alignment), calculating distortion compensation coordinate values X′ and Y′ corresponding to the pixel coordinate values x+dx and y+dy, and mapping the distortion compensation values X′ and Y′, thereby compensating for an image distortion occurring in the selected image.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of the Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0071589, filed on Jul. 23, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a laser projection display and, more particularly, to a laser projection display and a method of compensating for image distortion of the same that can compensate for image distortion. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0005]    With our rapid advancement into a multimedia society, demands for increased display screens and more enhanced picture quality are also growing. And, along with such increasing demands, high resolution and natural and vivid realization of natural colors have become important and crucial factors in the field of laser projection display. 
         [0006]    For the perfect realization of natural colors, using light sources having the highest color purity level, such as laser. Herein, a laser projection display using an optical scanner corresponds to one of the devices that realize images using laser. 
         [0007]    The laser projection display realizes images by using an optical scanner in order to scan light rays that are generated from a laser light source. 
         [0008]    However, in a general laser projection display, misalignment and image distortion may occur in a picture that is being displayed. 
         [0009]    Generally, within an entire image section, in an active area where an actual picture is being displayed, alignment should be realized so that a red image, a green image, and a blue image are matched perfectly. However, if the red image, the green image, and the blue image of the picture that is actually being displayed are misaligned, an image distortion may occur due to such misalignment. 
         [0010]    As described above, an image distortion occurs due to optical or mechanical factors of the laser projection display. Most particularly, by projecting light rays respectively generated from a red laser light source, a green laser light source, and a blue laser light source onto a screen through different paths, problems in convergence may occur. In other words, by projecting light rays of different colors through different paths, each of the color images may not be aligned to be matched with one another in a wanted position. 
         [0011]    More specifically, distortion of images (or picture) that are being displayed is more likely to occur in displays (or display devices) using an optical scanner, due to characteristics of the optical scanner, structural tolerance in the mechanism, and heating of the mechanism caused by the external (or outside) environment, such as heat. 
         [0012]    Therefore, the issue of compensating for image distortion corresponds to one of the most imperative objects of the display devices using optical scanners. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a laser projection display and a method of compensating for image distortion of the same that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
         [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a laser projection display and a method of compensating for image distortion of the same that can compensate for the alignment of the images and the image distortion caused by such alignment, by performing pixel alignment for each color image and by simultaneously performing distortion compensation for each color image using distortion compensation functions. 
         [0015]    Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
         [0016]    To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a method of compensating for an image distortion of a laser projection display includes displaying a picture including a red image, a green image, and a blue image, selecting one of the red image, the green image, and the blue image so as to perform pixel alignment of the picture, calculating pixel coordinate values x+dx and y+dy corresponding to the selected image (herein, x represents the x coordinate value prior to alignment, y represents the y coordinate value prior to alignment, dx represents a varied x coordinate value after alignment, and dy represents a varied y coordinate value after alignment), calculating distortion compensation coordinate values X′ and Y′ corresponding to the pixel coordinate values x+dx and y+dy, and mapping the distortion compensation values X′ and Y′, thereby compensating for an image distortion occurring in the selected image. 
         [0017]    Herein, the distortion compensation coordinate values X′ and Y′ corresponding to the pixel coordinate values x+dx and y+dy may be calculated by respectively using distortion compensation functions X′=f(x+dx,y+dy), Y′=g(x+dx,y+dy). 
         [0018]    Furthermore, the step of selecting one of the red image, the green image, and the blue image so as to perform pixel alignment of the picture, may include receiving a pixel alignment request signal, verifying which one of the red image, the green image, and the blue image is selected as an image that is to be aligned, and, if the image that is to be aligned is selected, aligning the selected image. 
         [0019]    Alternatively, the step of selecting one of the red image, the green image, and the blue image so as to perform pixel alignment of the picture, may include receiving a pixel alignment request signal, deciding an alignment order of the red image, the green image, and the blue image, and, based upon the decided alignment order, aligning any one of the red image, the green image, and the blue image. 
         [0020]    Furthermore, in the step of deciding an alignment order of the red image, the green image, and the blue image, the alignment order may be decided by any one of a display position of the corresponding image and a display time of the corresponding image. 
         [0021]    In another aspect of the present invention, in a laser projection display configured to scan a red image, a green image, and a blue image to a display screen, the laser projection display includes an alignment controller configured to select any one of the red image, the green image, and the blue image, so as to perform pixel alignment of the image in accordance with an external request signal, a first operator configured to operate pixel coordinate values corresponding to the selected image, based upon a control signal of the alignment controller, a second operator configured to operate distortion compensation coordinate values corresponding to the pixel coordinate values operated by the first operator, a mapping unit configured to map the distortion compensation coordinate values operated by the second operator, a driving unit configured to align the selected image in accordance with a control signal of the alignment controller and configured to compensate for an image distortion occurring in the aligned image, thereby generating a drive signal, and an optical scanner configured to be driven by the drive signal. 
         [0022]    Herein, the alignment controller may include a receiving unit configured to receive a pixel alignment request signal from a user, an image selection window provider configured to provide an image selection window enabling the user to select an image that is to be aligned, based upon the received pixel alignment request signal, and a controller controlling the first operator and the driving unit, based upon an image selection order. 
         [0023]    Alternatively, the alignment controller may include a receiving unit configured to receive a pixel alignment request signal from a user, an alignment order decision unit deciding an alignment order of the red image, the green image, and the blue image, based upon the received pixel alignment request signal, and a controller controlling the first operator and the driving unit, based upon the decided alignment order. 
         [0024]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block view showing a laser projection display according to the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block view of a distortion compensator of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates a block view of an alignment controller of  FIG. 2  according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  illustrates a block view of an alignment controller of  FIG. 2  according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  illustrates flow chart showing the process steps of a method of compensating for an image distortion of the laser projection display according to the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary misalignment of a red image and a green image according to the present invention; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  illustrates a timing diagram showing an alignment compensation of the red image and the green image. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block view showing a laser projection display according to the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the laser projection display according to the present invention includes a synchronization signal generator  100 , a driving unit  102 , an optical scanner  104 , and a distortion compensator  106 . 
         [0035]    Herein, the synchronization signal generator  100  generates horizontal and vertical synchronization signals from an inputted image signal. And, depending upon the generated horizontal and vertical synchronization signals, the driving unit  102  generates a Drive signal for driving the optical scanner  104 . 
         [0036]    Also, as a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) scanner, the optical scanner  104  resonates in accordance with the received Drive signal, which has a 90-degree phase shift. 
         [0037]    Subsequently, the distortion compensator  106  may control the driving unit  102  for the pixel alignment of a respective image. And, at the same time, the distortion compensator  106  may also control the driving unit  102  the distortion compensation of the aligned image. 
         [0038]    Herein, the distortion compensator  106  uses distortion compensation functions X′=f(x,y), Y′=g(x,y) (wherein x represents the x coordinate value of a corresponding pixel, and y represents the y coordinate value of the corresponding pixel) so as to calculate the distortion compensated values X′ and Y′. Then, by mapping the distortion compensated coordinate values X′ and Y′, distortion of the image that is to be aligned may be compensated. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block detailed view of a distortion compensator of  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the distortion compensator may include an alignment controller  200 , a first operator  202 , a second operator  204 , and a mapping unit  206 . 
         [0040]    Herein, in accordance with a request signal generated from an external source, the alignment controller  200  may select any one of a red image, a green image, and a blue image in order to perform pixel alignment of the corresponding image. 
         [0041]    More specifically, the alignment controller  200  may be configured in two different types. 
         [0042]    The first type corresponds to a manual alignment controller. Herein, when using the manual alignment controller, the user personally selects an image that is to be aligned. Then, the user uses an alignment control button to move the selected image to the active area of the picture displayed on the display screen, thereby performing the alignment process. 
         [0043]    Alternatively, the second type corresponds to an automatic alignment controller. When using the automatic alignment controller, the alignment controller automatically decides priority levels of the images that are to be aligned. Then, based upon the decided priority levels, a selected image is moved to the active area of the picture displayed on the display screen, thereby being aligned. 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  illustrates a block view of a manual alignment controller. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the alignment controller  200  may include a receiving unit  300 , an image selection window provider  302 , and a controller  304 . 
         [0045]    Herein, the receiving unit  300  receives a pixel alignment request signal from the user. Then, after receiving the pixel alignment request signal from the receiving unit  300 , the image selection window provider  302  performs the function of providing an image selection window, thereby allowing the user to select the images he (or she) wishes to align. 
         [0046]    Finally, depending upon selection order of the images selected by the user, the controller  304  may control the first operator  202  and the driving unit  102 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  illustrates a block view of an automatic alignment controller. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the alignment controller  200  may include a receiving unit  300 , an alignment order decision unit  306 , and a controller  304 . 
         [0048]    Herein, the receiving unit  300  receives a pixel alignment request signal from the user. Then, after receiving the pixel alignment request signal from the receiving unit  300 , the alignment order decision unit  306  decides the alignment order of the red image, the green image, and the blue image. 
         [0049]    At this point, the alignment order decision unit  306  may decide the alignment order based upon any one of a display position of the corresponding image and the display time of the image. 
         [0050]    More specifically, the alignment order decision unit  306  refers to the horizontal and vertical synchronization signals of the image that is currently being displayed from the Drive signal of the driving unit  102 . Thereafter, with respect to the display area, the alignment order decision unit  306  may decide the image positioned closer to the active area to have the highest priority level. Accordingly, the alignment order decision unit  306  may decide the image positioned further apart from the active area to have the lowest priority level. 
         [0051]    In other words, since the operation (or calculation) of the distortion compensation coordinate values for the image positioned closer to the active area is performed more quickly than the operation (or calculation) of the distortion compensation coordinate values for the image positioned further apart from the active area, with respect to the driving characteristics of the operator, by performing the faster operations (or calculations) firsthand, the time required for performing the overall operation (or calculation) for the image distortion compensation process may be reduced. 
         [0052]    Furthermore, the alignment order decision unit  306  may refer to the Drive signal of the driving unit  102 , so as to decide the image being displayed first as the image having the highest priority level and to decide the image being displayed last as the image having the lowest priority level. 
         [0053]    More specifically, without having to wait for all of the red image, green image, and blue image to displayed, by beginning the process of calculating the pixel coordinate values with the image that is displayed firsthand, the time required for performing the overall operation (or calculation) for the image distortion compensation process may be reduced. 
         [0054]    Subsequently, based upon the decided alignment order, the controller  304  may control the operations of the first operator  202  and the driving unit  102 . 
         [0055]    Meanwhile, depending upon the control signal of the alignment controller  200 , the first operator  202  operates (or calculates) the pixel coordinate values respective to the selected image. 
         [0056]    Herein, the first operator  202  refers to the horizontal and vertical synchronization signals from the driving unit  102  and counts the number of pixels included in the selected image, so as to calculate (or operate) the pixel coordinate value x. Similarly, the first operator  202  counts the number of lines included in the selected image, so as to calculate (or operate) the pixel coordinate value y. 
         [0057]    Subsequently, the second operator  204  calculates the distortion compensation coordinate values respective to the pixel coordinate values calculated (or operated) by the first operator  202 . 
         [0058]    Herein, the second operator  204  may use distortion compensation functions X′=f(x+dx,y+dy), Y′=g(x+dx,y+dy) (wherein x represents the x coordinate value prior to alignment, y represents the y coordinate value prior to alignment, dx represents a varied x coordinate value after alignment, and dy represents a varied y coordinate value after alignment) so as to calculate the distortion compensation coordinate values X′ and Y′. 
         [0059]    Thereafter, the mapping unit  206  may map the distortion compensation coordinate values calculated by the second operator  204 . 
         [0060]    At this point, the mapping unit  206  may use a coordinate conversion (or modification) algorithm such as a bi-linear interpolation algorithm. 
         [0061]    Furthermore, based upon the control signal of the alignment controller  200 , the driving unit  102  may generate a Drive signal for aligning the selected image so as to drive the optical scanner  104 . Then, the driving unit  102  may generate a Drive signal that can compensate for the distortion of the aligned image, according to the mapped distortion compensation coordinate values, so as to drive the optical scanner  104 . 
         [0062]    The method of compensating for an image distortion of the laser projection display according to the present invention having the above-described structure will now be described in detail. 
         [0063]      FIG. 5  illustrates flow chart showing the process steps of a method of compensating for an image distortion of the laser projection display according to the present invention. 
         [0064]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the synchronization signal generator  100  generates horizontal and vertical synchronization signals of the inputted image. The driving unit  102  generates a Drive signal for driving the optical scanner  104 , based upon the generated synchronization signals. And, based upon the Drive signal, the optical scanner  104  displays a picture including a red image, a green image, and a blue image on the display screen. 
         [0065]    Thereafter, in order to perform the pixel alignment of the picture, the distortion compensator  106  determines which one of the red image, green image, and blue image has been selected, and, then, the distortion compensator  106  controls the driving unit  102  so as to align the selected image (S 11 ). 
         [0066]    Herein, the distortion compensator  106  first receives a pixel alignment request signal from the user through the receiving unit  300 . Then, the distortion compensator  106  verifies which one of the red image, green image, and blue image has been selected by the user as the image that is to be displayed, through the window provided by the image selection window provider  302 . Thereafter, the distortion compensator  106  controls the driving unit  102  through the controller  304  so that the selected image can be aligned. 
         [0067]    Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the distortion compensator  106  receives a pixel alignment request signal from the user through the receiving unit  300 . Then, the distortion compensator  106  decides the alignment order for the red image, green image, and blue image through the alignment order decision unit  306 . Thereafter, depending upon decided alignment order, the distortion compensator  106  controls the driving unit  102  through the controller  304 . 
         [0068]    At this point, the alignment order may be decided based upon any one of a display position of the corresponding image and a display time of the image. 
         [0069]    For example, based upon the positions of the images, the alignment order may be decided so that, within the display area, the image positioned closest to the active area is aligned first. And, alternatively, based upon the timing of the images, the alignment order may be decided so that the image being displayed firsthand can be aligned firsthand as well. 
         [0070]    As described above, when the selected image is aligned, an image distortion may occur both horizontally and vertically on the corresponding image that has just been aligned. 
         [0071]    Accordingly, the distortion compensator  106  calculates (or operates) pixel coordinate values x and y that are respective to the selected image, through the first operator  202  (S 12 ). 
         [0072]    Herein, the first operator  202  may calculate the pixel coordinate values x and y by referring to the horizontal and vertical synchronization signals of the driving unit  202 . 
         [0073]    The pixel coordinate value x may correspond to the number of pixels, and the pixel coordinate value y may correspond to the number of lines. 
         [0074]    Subsequently, the distortion compensator  106  calculates (or operates) pixel coordinate values x+dx and y+dy (wherein x represents the x coordinate value prior to alignment, y represents the y coordinate value prior to alignment, dx represents a varied x coordinate value after alignment, and dy represents a varied y coordinate value after alignment) that are respective to the aligned image, through the second operator  204  (S 13 ). 
         [0075]    Herein, the distortion compensation coordinate values X′ and Y′ respective to pixel coordinate values x+dx and y+dy may be calculated (or obtained) by using the distortion compensation functions X′=f(x+dx,y+dy), Y′=g(x+dx,y+dy). 
         [0076]    Subsequently, by using the mapping unit  206 , the distortion compensator  106  maps the distortion compensation coordinate values X′ and Y′ so as to convert the distortion compensation coordinate values. 
         [0077]    Herein, the mapping unit  206  may use a coordinate conversion (or modification) algorithm such as a bi-linear interpolation algorithm, so as to map the distortion compensation coordinate values X′ and Y′. 
         [0078]    Finally, based upon the mapped distortion compensation coordinate values, the driving unit  102  may generate a Drive signal so as to drive the optical scanner  104 , thereby being capable of compensating for the distortion of the aligned image. 
         [0079]    As described above, by performing pixel alignment for each color image and by simultaneously performing distortion compensation for each color image using distortion compensation functions, the present invention may compensate for the distortion occurring in each color image in accordance with the distortion characteristics of the respective color image. 
         [0080]      FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  are shown to describe the method of compensating for a distortion in a red image and a green image. More specifically,  FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary misalignment of the red image and the green image according to the present invention. And,  FIG. 7  illustrates a timing diagram showing an alignment compensation of the red image and the green image. 
         [0081]    As described in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , when the alignments of the red image and the green image of a picture do not match (i.e., when the red image and the green image of the picture are misaligned), the alignment controller  200  selects the red image to perform the alignment process. 
         [0082]    Then, the alignment controller  200  simultaneously controls the driving unit  102  and the first operator  202 . And, by using the driving unit  102 , the alignment controller  200  moves the red image so that the red image can be aligned with the green image. Thereafter, by using the first operator  202 , the alignment controller  200  obtains (or calculates) the pixel coordinate values of the red image. 
         [0083]    Subsequently, by using the second operator  204 , the alignment controller  200  calculates the distortion compensation coordinate values X′ and Y′ by using the distortion compensation functions X′=f(x+dx,y+dy), Y′=g(x+dx,y+dy). 
         [0084]    Herein, x represents the x coordinate value prior to alignment, and y represents the y coordinate value prior to alignment. Also, dx represents a varied x coordinate value after alignment, and dy represents a varied y coordinate value after alignment. 
         [0085]    As described above, when the calculated distortion compensation coordinate values are converted (or modified) by a mapping process, the distortion occurring in the red image may be compensated. 
         [0086]    In other words, as shown in  FIG. 7 , in order to align the red image, the alignment controller  200  may vertically and horizontally delay data enable sections of the red image. 
         [0087]    Therefore, image distortion may occur both vertically and horizontally in the aligned red image. 
         [0088]    Accordingly, the present invention may compensate for the image distortion occurring in the aligned red image by using the distortion compensation coordinate values operated (or calculated) by using distortion compensation functions. 
         [0089]    Meanwhile, by using the alignment controller, the distortion compensator according to the present invention may decide one of the red image, green image, and blue image, which configure a picture, as a reference image. And, the remaining 2 images may be decided as first and second comparative images. 
         [0090]    Then, the distortion compensator may control the driving unit so that the first and second images can respectively be aligned with the reference image. 
         [0091]    Subsequently, in order to compensate for the image distortion that occurs by aligning the first and second comparative image, the distortion compensator may control the first and second operators and the mapping unit, so as to compute (or calculate) image distortion compensation values using distortion compensation functions. 
         [0092]    As described above, the laser projection display and the method of compensating for image distortion of the same have the following advantages. 
         [0093]    When the present invention performs pixel alignment for each color image, and when image distortion occurs in each color image due to the pixel alignment process, the present invention uses distortion compensation functions so as to compensate for the image distortion occurring in each color image and to perform the alignment process at the same time. 
         [0094]    Accordingly, since the present invention can simply and conveniently perform alignment and perform distortion compensation in accordance with such alignment, a complex circuit is not required to be implemented in the present invention. 
         [0095]    Furthermore, the present invention may be applied in a laser projection display. 
         [0096]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.