Stereoscopic display and operating method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a stereoscopic display and an operation method thereof. The stereoscopic display comprises a display panel, a plurality of parallax generating structures and a rotating mechanism. The display panel includes a plurality of display pixels arranged along a pixel arrangement direction. The plurality of parallax generating structures are arranged on the display surface of the display panel along the structure arrangement direction and extend in the structure extension direction. The pixel arrangement direction intersects the structure arrangement direction. The stereoscopic display has an optimal viewing distance relative to a display surface when a pixel arrangement direction is parallel to a binocular arrangement direction of a user. The rotating mechanism drives the display panel and the parallax generating structures to rotate by an angle relative to the arrangement direction of the two eyes around the rotating shaft according to the viewing distance of a user relative to the display surface. The axial direction of the rotating shaft is perpendicular to the structure arrangement direction, the structure extension direction and the pixel arrangement direction. The viewing distance is not equal to the optimal viewing distance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a display and its operating method, and more particularly to a stereoscopic display and its operating method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, various methods exist for presenting stereoscopic images. Among these, glasses-free 3D displays have become a key focus for manufacturers due to their elimination of the need for glasses. Generally, glasses-free 3D displays primarily project the left-eye and right-eye images to the viewer's left and right eyes respectively by placing parallax generating structures, such as parallax barriers or lenticular lenses, on the display side of the display panel. Since the relative configuration between the parallax generating structure and the display pixels of the display panel is fixed, the optimal viewing distance for a 3D display cannot be changed. However, when the user's viewing distance relative to the 3D display is significantly less than the optimal viewing distance, the user's eyes are prone to falling into non-corresponding visual zones and seeing incorrect images (e.g., the left eye seeing the right-eye image and / or the right eye seeing the left-eye image), causing a failure or distortion of stereoscopic vision. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a stereoscopic display and its operation method, which can significantly improve the stereoscopic visual experience of users at non-optimal viewing distances.

[0004] The stereoscopic display of the present invention includes a display panel, a plurality of parallax generating structures, and a rotation mechanism. The display panel includes a plurality of display pixels arranged along a pixel arrangement direction. The plurality of parallax generating structures are arranged on the display surface of the display panel along a structural arrangement direction and extend in a structural extension direction. The pixel arrangement direction intersects the structural arrangement direction. The stereoscopic display has an optimal viewing distance relative to the display surface when the pixel arrangement direction is parallel to the user's binocular alignment direction. The rotation mechanism is adapted to rotate the display panel and the plurality of parallax generating structures about a rotation axis and relative to the binocular alignment direction by an angle according to the user's viewing distance relative to the display surface. The axis of rotation is perpendicular to the structural arrangement direction, the structural extension direction, and the pixel arrangement direction. The viewing distance is not equal to the optimal viewing distance.

[0005] The method of operating the stereoscopic display of the present invention includes detecting the viewing distance of the user relative to the display surface of the display panel and, after confirming that the viewing distance is less than the optimal viewing distance, rotating the display panel and a plurality of parallax generating structures by an angle relative to the binocular alignment direction.

[0006] Based on the above, in a stereoscopic display and its operating method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the stereoscopic display has an optimal viewing distance relative to the display surface when the pixel arrangement direction of the plurality of display pixels on its display panel is parallel to the user's eye arrangement direction. When the stereoscopic display detects that the user's viewing distance is less than the optimal viewing distance, it can drive the display panel and the plurality of parallax generating structures to rotate by an angle about a rotation axis perpendicular to the display surface, so as to expand the viewing area of ​​different parallax images and avoid the user's eyes seeing non-corresponding parallax images, thus affecting the stereoscopic vision effect. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a top view of a stereoscopic display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged schematic diagram of the display panel and the parallax generation structure.

[0009] Figure 3A It is a stereoscopic diagram viewed by the user at the optimal viewing distance of the stereoscopic display.

[0010] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A The stereoscopic diagram is viewed by users at a viewing distance closer to the stereoscopic display.

[0011] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A block diagram of a stereoscopic display.

[0012] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating the process of adjusting the left and right eye image signals based on the angle of structural rotation caused by the display panel and parallax.

[0013] Figure 6A and Figure 6B yes Figure 1 A flowchart of the operation method of the stereoscopic display.

[0014] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 10: Stereoscopic display 100: Display panel 120: Parallax generation structure 130: Distance measuring module 140: Control Unit 150: Rotating mechanism 170: Image Processing Unit BIS: Black signal D AL Structural arrangement direction D EX: Structural extension direction D EYE Eye alignment direction D PX Pixel arrangement direction DS: Display Surface IM L Left eye image IM R Right eye image IMS: Image Signal IMS L Left eye image signal IMS R Right eye image signal IMS L ": Adjusted left eye image signal" IMS R ": Adjusted right eye image signal" IPD: interpupillary distance LEYE: left eye OVD: Optimal viewing distance PX, PX L PX R Display pixels REYE: Right eye RX: Spindle S11, S12, S13, S13a, S13b: Steps USR: User VD: Viewing Distance VZ L VZ L '、VZ L ": Left eye visual area" VZ R VZ R '、VZ R Right eye visual area θ1, θ2: Angles Detailed Implementation

[0015] The foregoing and other technical contents, features, and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. The directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments, such as up, down, left, right, front, or back, are merely for reference to the directions in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for illustrative purposes and not for limiting the present invention.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a top view of a stereoscopic display according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged schematic diagram of the display panel and the parallax generation structure. Figure 3A It is a stereoscopic diagram viewed by the user at the optimal viewing distance of the stereoscopic display. Figure 3B yes Figure 3A The stereoscopic diagram is viewed by users at a viewing distance closer to the stereoscopic display. Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A block diagram of a stereoscopic display. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating the process of adjusting the left and right eye image signals based on the angle of structural rotation caused by the display panel and parallax. Figure 6A and Figure 6B yes Figure 1 A flowchart of the operation method of the stereoscopic display.

[0017] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3A The stereoscopic display 10 includes a display panel 100 and a plurality of parallax generating structures 120. The display panel 100 has a plurality of display pixels PX. The plurality of display pixels PX are arranged along the pixel arrangement direction D. PX Arranged into multiple pixel columns, and perpendicular to the pixel arrangement direction D... PX The pixels are arranged in multiple rows. That is, these display pixels PX are arranged in an array on the display panel 100. The display panel 100 can be a non-self-emissive display panel (such as a liquid crystal display panel, an electrophoretic display panel, or an electrowetting display panel) or a self-emissive display panel (such as an organic light-emitting diode display panel or a micro light-emitting diode display panel).

[0018] Multiple parallax generation structures 120 are arranged along the structural alignment direction D. AL Arranged on the display surface DS of the display panel 100, and in the structural extension direction D EX Upward extension. Structural arrangement direction D AL Roughly perpendicular to the direction of structural extension D EX And the pixel arrangement direction D of the multiple display pixels PX intersecting the display panel 100 PX For example, in this embodiment, the pixel arrangement direction D PX With structural arrangement direction D AL There is a non-zero angle θ1 between them. When the user USR is at the optimal viewing distance OVD of the stereoscopic display 10, the pixel arrangement direction D of the display pixels PX of the display panel 100 of the stereoscopic display 10 is... PX It is parallel to the eye alignment direction D of the user's USR. EYE Settings. Eye alignment direction D EYE The orientation of the user's left eye (LEYE) and right eye (REYE) in the image projection space of the stereoscopic display 10 (e.g.) Figure 3A(Horizontal direction in the image). In this embodiment, the parallax generating structure 120 can be a lenticular lens, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the parallax generating structure can also be a parallax barrier.

[0019] From another perspective, the relative configuration of the plurality of display pixels PX of the aforementioned display panel 100 and the plurality of parallax generating structures 120 remains fixed during the operation of the stereoscopic display 10, and when the user USR's eyes are aligned in the direction D... EYE Pixel arrangement direction D parallel to display panel 100 PX At that time, the stereoscopic display 10 has the optimal viewing distance OVD relative to the display surface DS.

[0020] For example, in this embodiment, each parallax generating structure 120 generally corresponds to four display pixels PX of the display panel 100, that is, the parallax generating structure 120 is located along the pixel arrangement direction D. PX The width is approximately four display pixels PX in the pixel arrangement direction D. PX The width of the display area, but not limited to this. Among them, two display pixels PX (e.g., two display pixels PX) L ) is used to display the left eye image, and the other two display pixels PX (e.g., two display pixels PX) R ) used to display the right eye image (e.g. Figure 2 (As shown). For example, two display pixels PX overlap the same parallax generation structure 120 along the normal direction of the display surface DS. L and two display pixels PX R It can be projected into the left eye visual zone VZ in space via the corresponding parallax generating structure 120. L and right eye visual zone VZ R Inside.

[0021] Therefore, when the user USR is located Figure 1 and Figure 3A When the optimal viewing distance (OVD) is reached, the left eye (LEYE) and right eye (REYE) can be located in the left eye's visual zone (VZ), respectively. L and right eye visual zone VZ R Inside. It should be noted that the left eye's visual zone is VZ. L and right eye visual zone VZ R The width of the visual field at the optimal viewing distance (OVD) is approximately equal to the interpupillary distance (IPD) of the user's USR. For example, the aforementioned visual field width is the left eye's visual field (VZ). L and right eye visual zone VZ R Each along the direction of eye alignment D EYEThe width of the image. Therefore, in principle, the user's two eyes will not fall within the same visual field and receive the same parallax image.

[0022] However, when the user USR's viewing position moves closer to the stereoscopic display 10, for example in Figure 1 The position of the viewing distance VD relative to the display surface DS, and the aforementioned left eye visual zone VZ. L and right eye visual zone VZ R The width of each visual zone decreases as the viewing distance VD decreases, causing the user's left eye (LEYE) and right eye (REYE) to fall into the left eye's visual zone VZ, respectively. L and right eye visual zone VZ R For example, LEYE's left eye will fall to... Figure 1 VZ in the left eye visual zone L Right eye visual zone VZ R "Inside, the right eye REYE will fall into the right eye visual zone VZ." R Left eye visual zone VZ L "Inside.

[0023] Therefore, it falls into the left eye's visual zone VZ L The left eye (LEYE) will be detected through the corresponding left visual zone (VZ). L The parallax generation structure 120 receives from Figure 2 The display pixel PX below the other parallax generation structure 120 on the right side of the center. L The image signal. Similarly, it falls into the right eye's visual zone VZ. R The right eye REYE will be transmitted through the corresponding right visual zone VZ. R The parallax generation structure 120 receives from Figure 2 The display pixel PX below another parallax generation structure 120 on the left side. R The image signal is incorrect. In other words, both eyes of the user's USR receive incorrect parallax images, affecting the stereoscopic vision effect.

[0024] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention proposes an operation method for a stereoscopic display 10. Firstly, to execute the aforementioned operation method, the stereoscopic display 10 of this embodiment further includes a rotation mechanism 150 coupled to the display panel 100. The rotation mechanism 150 is adapted to drive the display panel 100 and a plurality of parallax generating structures 120 to rotate about a rotation axis RX, wherein the rotation axis RX is perpendicular to the display surface DS and the structure arrangement direction D. AL , structural extension direction D EX and pixel arrangement direction D PX (like Figure 1 and Figure 3A (As shown).

[0025] If the user's USR is located Figure 1 and Figure 3B The viewing distance VD is determined by the position of the display panel 100 and the multiple parallax generating structures 120, which can be rotated by the rotating mechanism 150 according to the rotation axis RX relative to the eye alignment direction D. EYE Rotate by an angle θ2, where angle θ2 satisfies the following relationship: tan(θ1+90)×sin(θ2)+cos(θ2)=OVD / VD. That is, under the premise that the relative configuration of the display panel 100 and the multiple parallax generating structures 120 is fixed (i.e., angle θ1 remains unchanged), the display panel 100 and the multiple parallax generating structures 120 relative to the binocular alignment direction D... EYE The rotation angle θ2 will change depending on the viewing distance VD.

[0026] It is particularly noteworthy that, in this embodiment, the display panel 100 and the plurality of parallax generating structures 120 are positioned relative to the binocular alignment direction D. EYE The direction of rotation (e.g.) Figure 3B The counterclockwise direction (as shown in the image) is the same as the structural arrangement direction D of multiple parallax generation structures 120. AL Relative to pixel arrangement direction D PX The rotation direction. After rotation, the pixel arrangement direction D of the display panel 100. PX Not parallel to the direction of eye alignment D EYE The structural arrangement direction D of multiple parallax generation structures 120 AL With the direction of eye alignment D EYE The angle between them becomes larger (for example, the sum of angles θ1 and θ2).

[0027] By increasing the pixel arrangement direction D of the display panel 100 PX The structural arrangement direction D of multiple parallax generation structures 120 AL The eye arrangement direction D of each user's USR EYE The angle between them, in the left eye's visual zone VZ at the viewing distance VD position. L and right eye visual zone VZ R It can be expanded into the left eye visual zone VZ. L 'and right eye visual zone VZ R '(like Figure 1 (As shown). In this way, the user's eyes in the USR can avoid seeing non-corresponding parallax images, thereby improving the user's stereoscopic vision effect and experience.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 3B and Figure 4In this embodiment, the stereoscopic display 10 may further include a ranging module 130, a control unit 140, and an image processing unit 170. The ranging module 130 is used to detect the viewing distance VD of the user USR relative to the display surface DS. The ranging module 130 may be an optical ranging module (e.g., an infrared triangulation ranging module or a time-of-flight (TOF) ranging module) or an ultrasonic ranging module, but is not limited thereto. The control unit 140 is electrically coupled to the rotation mechanism 150 and the ranging module 130. The control unit 140 determines the rotation angle θ2 of the display panel 100 and the multiple parallax generating structures 120 based on the viewing distance VD and the optimal viewing distance OVD. The control unit 140 may be implemented, for example, as part of a microcontroller unit (MCU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a system-on-a-chip (SoC), but is not limited thereto.

[0029] The image processing unit 170 is electrically coupled to the display panel 100 and the control unit 140, and is adapted to adjust the left-eye image signal (IMS) input to the display panel 100 according to the rotation angle θ2 of the display panel 100 and the plurality of parallax generating structures 120. L and right eye image signal IMS R The image processing unit 170 may be implemented, for example, by a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), but is not limited thereto. Please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 4 and Figure 5 For example, the image signal IMS from the system (not shown) could be the left eye image IM. L And right eye image IM R The image format is a combination of images that are compressed to half their horizontal resolution and then stitched together to form a complete image (i.e., side-by-side format).

[0030] The side-by-side format image signal IMS, after being input into the stereoscopic display 10, is re-decoded by the image processing unit 170 and separated into the left eye image signal IMS. L and right eye image signal IMS R If the user's USR is positioned at the optimal viewing distance (OVD) (e.g.) Figure 3A As shown), the pixel arrangement direction D of the display panel 100 PX Still parallel to the eye alignment direction D of the user's USREYE At this time, the left eye image signal IMS L Multiple display pixels (PX) of the display panel 100 can be directly input. L The right eye image signal IMS R Multiple display pixels (PX) can be directly input to the display panel 100. R Furthermore, the left-eye image and the right-eye image are projected onto the user's left eye (LEYE) and right eye (REYE) respectively via multiple parallax generation structures 120.

[0031] However, if the user's USR is located Figure 3B When the viewing position is within the optimal viewing distance (VD is less than the optimal viewing distance OVD), the display panel 100 rotates counterclockwise by an angle θ2 under the drive of the rotation mechanism 150. At this time, the image processing unit 170 adjusts the left eye image signal IMS. L and right eye image signal IMS R The correspondence between multiple display pixels PX ensures that the parallax direction PD of the left-eye and right-eye images presented by the display panel 100 is maintained in the binocular alignment direction D of the user USR. EYE .

[0032] It is particularly important to note that after adjusting the aforementioned correspondence, some display pixels PX do not correspond to any image signal. Therefore, the image processing unit 170 will perform black signal insertion processing on these display pixels PX that do not correspond to image signals before generating the adjusted left-eye image signal IMS. L "and the adjusted right eye image signal IMS" R The signal is then output to the display panel 100 for displaying the left-eye and right-eye images. In other words, the rotated display panel 100 receives the adjusted left-eye image signal (IMS). L "and the adjusted right eye image signal IMS" R "Both the presented left-eye and right-eye images have black areas corresponding to the black insertion signal (BIS) (such as..." Figure 5 (As shown).

[0033] The following is a demonstrative explanation of how to operate the stereoscopic display 10.

[0034] First, the viewing distance VD of the user USR relative to the display surface DS of the display panel 100 is measured (i.e., Figure 6A (Step S11). If the viewing distance VD is equal to the optimal viewing distance OVD of the stereoscopic display 10, then the pixel arrangement direction D of the display panel 100 is... PX Maintain the alignment direction D of the user's eyes (USR) EYE Above (e.g.) Figure 3A(As shown). Conversely, after confirming that the detected viewing distance VD is less than the optimal viewing distance OVD, the display panel 100 and the multiple parallax generating structures 120 are rotated by an angle relative to the binocular alignment direction DEYE (e.g., Figure 3B The angle θ2 shown is... Figure 6A Step S12 in the process.

[0035] Next, the left-eye image signal IMS input to the display panel 100 is adjusted according to this angle. L and right eye image signal IMS R (like Figure 5 As shown, that is Figure 6A Step S13), and the adjusted left eye image signal IMS L "and the adjusted right eye image signal IMS" R "Input display panel 100. Among them, adjust the left eye image signal IMS." L and right eye image signal IMS R The steps may include adjusting the left eye image signal IMS L and right eye image signal IMS R The correspondence between each of the multiple display pixels (i.e.) Figure 6B Step S13a) and after adjusting the correspondence, the IMS of the left eye image signal that does not correspond to these display pixels. L and right eye image signal IMS R Part of it is processed by inserting black signals (such as) Figure 5 As shown, that is Figure 6B Step S13b in the process.

[0036] In summary, in a stereoscopic display and its operating method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the stereoscopic display has an optimal viewing distance relative to the display surface when the pixel arrangement direction of the plurality of display pixels on its display panel is parallel to the user's eye arrangement direction. When the stereoscopic display detects that the user's viewing distance is less than the optimal viewing distance, it can drive the display panel and the plurality of parallax generating structures to rotate by an angle about an axis perpendicular to the display surface, thereby expanding the viewing area of ​​different parallax images to prevent the user's eyes from seeing non-corresponding parallax images and affecting the stereoscopic vision effect.

Claims

1. A stereoscopic display, comprising: A display panel includes a plurality of display pixels arranged along a pixel arrangement direction; Multiple parallax generating structures are arranged along a structural alignment direction on a display surface of the display panel and extend in a structural extension direction, wherein the pixel alignment direction intersects the structural alignment direction, and the stereoscopic display has an optimal viewing distance relative to the display surface when the pixel alignment direction is parallel to the binocular alignment direction of a user; and A rotating mechanism is adapted to rotate the display panel and the parallax generating structures about a pivot axis and at an angle relative to the binocular alignment direction according to a viewing distance of the user relative to the display surface, wherein the axis of the pivot axis is perpendicular to the alignment direction of the structures, the extension direction of the structures and the pixel alignment direction, and the viewing distance is not equal to the optimal viewing distance.

2. The stereoscopic display as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is an angle θ1 between the pixel arrangement direction and the structure arrangement direction, the viewing distance is less than the optimal viewing distance, and the display panel and the parallax generating structures rotate at an angle θ2 relative to the binocular arrangement direction along the rotation axis under the drive of the rotation mechanism, and satisfy the following relationship: tan(θ1+90)×sin(θ2)+cos(θ2)=OVD / VD, where OVD is the optimal viewing distance and VD is the viewing distance.

3. The stereoscopic display of claim 2, wherein the rotation direction of the display panel and the parallax generating structures relative to the binocular alignment direction is the same as the rotation direction of the structure alignment direction relative to the pixel alignment direction.

4. The stereoscopic display as described in claim 1, further comprising: A distance measuring module is used to detect the viewing distance of the user relative to the display surface; A control unit electrically coupled to the rotation mechanism and the ranging module, wherein the control unit determines the angle of rotation of the display panel and the parallax-generating structure based on the viewing distance and the optimal viewing distance.

5. The stereoscopic display as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: An image processing unit is electrically coupled to the display panel, and the image processing unit is adapted to adjust a left-eye image signal and a right-eye image signal input to the display panel according to the angle of rotation between the display panel and the parallax generating structures.

6. The stereoscopic display as claimed in claim 5, wherein the parallax direction of the adjusted left-eye image signal and the adjusted right-eye image signal is not parallel to the pixel arrangement direction.

7. A method for operating a stereoscopic display, comprising: Detecting a user's viewing distance relative to a display surface of a display panel, wherein the display surface of the display panel has a plurality of parallax generating structures arranged along a structural alignment direction, the display panel includes a plurality of display pixels arranged along a pixel alignment direction, the structural alignment direction intersects the pixel alignment direction, and the stereoscopic display has an optimal viewing distance relative to the display surface when the pixel alignment direction is parallel to the user's binocular alignment direction; and After confirming that the viewing distance is less than the optimal viewing distance, the display panel and the parallax generating structures are rotated by an angle relative to the binocular alignment direction.

8. The method of operating a stereoscopic display as claimed in claim 7, wherein there is an angle θ1 between the pixel arrangement direction and the structure arrangement direction, the angle by which the display panel and the parallax generating structures are rotated relative to the binocular arrangement direction is θ2, and the angle θ2 satisfies the following relationship: tan(θ1+90)×sin(θ2)+cos(θ2)=OVD / VD, where OVD is the optimal viewing distance and VD is the viewing distance.

9. The method of operating a stereoscopic display as described in claim 7, further comprising: The left-eye image signal and the right-eye image signal are adjusted according to the angle of the input to the display panel.

10. The method of operating a stereoscopic display as described in claim 9, wherein the step of adjusting the left-eye image signal and the right-eye image signal includes: Adjust the correspondence between the left-eye image signal and the right-eye image signal and the display pixels respectively; as well as After adjusting the correspondence, black signal insertion is performed on a portion of the display pixels that do not correspond to the left-eye image signal and the right-eye image signal.

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