3D Image Filter Positioning for Viewing Sweet Spot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current three-dimensional image processing apparatuses face limitations in displaying high-quality 3D images due to restricted viewing positions, leading to issues like image flipping and cross-talk, which affect the user's experience, especially in glassless methods where the sweet spot for optimal 3D viewing is limited.

Innovation Solution

A three-dimensional image processing apparatus that includes a controller and a three-dimensional image filter drive device to adjust the position of a liquid crystal parallax barrier or lenticular filter based on user position detection, ensuring optimal viewing by calculating and switching between different switch modes to maintain a sweet spot for both eyes, thereby enhancing the 3D viewing experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a glassless three-dimensional display method is used, then the viewing experience is improved without requiring shutter glasses, but the viewing position is restricted and the sweet spot is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing experienceVSAvoidviewing position range
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the three-dimensional image filter movable rather than fixed. The filter can be adjusted to different positions to track and follow the user's eye position, thereby dynamically adapting the sweet spot location to match where the user is looking. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the glassless viewing advantage while expanding the effective viewing position range through active repositioning of the filter element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the three-dimensional image filter position is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but image flipping and cross-talk occur when user position changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter positioning mechanismVSAvoidimage quality consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using an eye tracker to detect the user's eye position and then using this information to control the repositioning of the three-dimensional image filter. The system continuously monitors eye position and adjusts the filter location accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system. This feedback mechanism ensures that the sweet spot remains aligned with the user's eyes, preventing image flipping and cross-talk while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sweet spot is expanded to accommodate multiple positions, then viewing flexibility is improved, but the precision of 3D image alignment decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing position flexibilityVSAvoid3D image alignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than statically expanding the sweet spot to cover multiple positions (which would reduce alignment precision), the patent uses dynamics to actively track the user's eye position and reposition the three-dimensional image filter accordingly. This approach maintains high alignment accuracy at any given moment by ensuring the sweet spot is precisely positioned where the user is currently looking, while still providing viewing position flexibility over time through the tracking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows for improved user positioning of the 3D image filter, reducing image flipping and cross-talk, and expanding the sweet spot, resulting in a more consistent and enhanced 3D viewing experience across various user positions.

Implementation Method 1

a three-dimensional image filter 185, disposed at the front of the display device 151, including transmission regions and non-transmission regions which are alternately arranged

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectParallax: Parallax

Implementation Method 2

The controller 180 may adjust positions of the non-transmission regions 321 of the three-dimensional image filter 320

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission and blocking: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentEP2597879B1Three-dimensional image processing apparatus and calibration method of the same
Publication Date: 2019.02.20 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2597879B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2597879B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2597879B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A three-dimensional image processing apparatus and a calibration method of the same are disclosed. A display device displays two or more view images. A three-dimensional image filter is disposed at the front of the display device. The three-dimensional image filter has transmission regions and non-transmission regions which are alternately arranged. A controller adjusts positions of the non-transmission regions of the three-dimensional image filter based on a current position of a user and a reference switch mode. Upon detecting a user action to request movement of the non-transmission regions, the controller changes the reference switch mode in response to the user action and adjusts the positions of the non-transmission regions of the three-dimensional image filter based on the changed reference switch mode.