WO2013022190A1

WO2013022190A1 - Method and apparatus for attaching auto stereoscopic display panels

Info

Publication number: WO2013022190A1
Application number: PCT/KR2012/005363
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ju Yong Lee
Original assignee: Masterimage 3D Asia LLC
Current assignee: Masterimage 3D Asia LLC
Priority date: 2011-08-10
Filing date: 2012-07-06
Publication date: 2013-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2014-02-10
Also published as: KR20130017170A; KR101296688B1

Abstract

A method and apparatus for attaching auto stereoscopic display panels is disclosed herein. More specifically, the apparatus includes a position adjustment module configured to measure relative alignment angle and alignment positions of a stereoscopic panel and a display module, wherein the stereoscopic panel is configured to realize repeatedly positioned parallax barriers along at least one of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, and wherein the display module is configured to project image light rays to the stereoscopic panel, and to adjust the relative alignment angle and alignment positions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module; and an attachment module configured to attach the stereoscopic panel and the display module, after the position adjustment module has adjusted the relative alignment angle and alignment positions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING AUTO STEREOSCOPIC DISPLAY PANELS

The present invention relates to an auto stereoscopic display and, more particularly, in attaching parallax barrier type auto stereoscopic panels to a display module, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for attaching the auto stereoscopic display panels by finely and accurately adjusting relative alignment angles and alignment positions by using the image-capturing function of the display module.

Generally, a method for realizing an auto stereoscopic image (or 3D image) may realize a 3D image by respectively projecting two different images to each eye of a human being. In order to respectively project two different images to the human eyes, as described above, depending upon whether or not a separate pair of glasses is required to be used, the auto stereoscopic display device may be broadly divided into a glasses type auto stereoscopic display device and a non-glasses type (naked-eye type) auto stereoscopic display device.

The glasses type auto stereoscopic display device is disadvantageous in that the viewer is required to wear special glasses. However, the non-glasses type auto stereoscopic display device allows the viewer to view the stereoscopic images (or 3D images) by simply looking at the display screen without having to wear any special glasses, thereby resolving the disadvantage occurring in the glasses type auto stereoscopic display device. Accordingly, many research and development on the non-glasses type auto stereoscopic display device are being carried out. The non-glasses type auto stereoscopic display device is broadly divided into a lenticular type display device and a parallax-barrier type display device.

Hereinafter, the operations of a parallax-barrier type auto stereoscopic display device will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b.

Fig. 1a illustrates a cross-sectional view of a 3D image display device using a parallax-barrier, and Fig. 1b illustrates a perspective view of an auto stereoscopic image display device using a parallax-barrier.

As shown in Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b, the parallax-barrier type auto stereoscopic display device includes a display module (10) configured to alternately align vertical left-side images (L) and right-side images (R) (along the Y-Y’ direction shown in Fig. 1b) respective to the left/right eyes along a horizontal direction (along the X-X’ direction shown in Fig. 1b), and a barrier layer configured of a plurality of vertical barrier sticks being referred to as a barrier (20) is placed before the display module (10). As shown in Fig. 1a, such auto stereoscopic display device is configured to have display module (10) and the barrier (20) to be aligned and positioned so that the light corresponding to the left-side image (L) can be projected to the left eye, and so that the light corresponding to the right-side image (R) can be projected to the right eye. Thus, by using the above-described parallax-barrier type auto stereoscopic display device the two divided left and right images (L, R) may be separately viewed so that the viewer can experience (or view) the display of a 3D image.

Hereinafter, 3D image contents being used for the above-described parallax-barrier type.

Fig. 2 illustrates a left side image and a right side image respectively filmed (or captured) by using 2 cameras.

2 cameras or camera modules may capture a left-side image (L), as shown in (1) of Fig. 2, and a right-side image (R), as shown in (2) of Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the left-side image (L) and the right-side image (R) may correspond to still images or may corresponding moving picture images, and the corresponding images may also correspond to general image contents taken from each camera.

Fig. 3 illustrates an image corresponding to a merged image of a left side image and a right side image respectively filmed (or captured) by using 2 cameras.

More specifically, the left-side image and the right-side image, which are taken (or captured) from the two cameras, as shown in (1) and (2) of Fig. 2, are inputted to an auto stereoscopic image generation means so as to be divided in column units along the vertical direction, so as to be alternately aligned along the horizontal direction, thereby being merged. As described above, by using the display module using the parallax barrier, as shown in Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b, the left and right images that are spatially alternated and aligned accordingly, may be shown to the viewer’s left eye as the left-side image and may be shown to the viewer’s right eye as the right-side image, thereby being viewed by the viewer as a stereoscopic image.

In case of the related art parallax-barrier type auto stereoscopic display device, only the stereoscopic image, which is configured by having a left-side image and a right-side image each being divided in column units along the vertical direction and being alternately aligned along the horizontal direction so as to be merged, as shown in Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b, was viewed by the viewer as the stereoscopic image (or 3D image). However, according to the registered patent entitled “Cell structure parallax-barrier and a stereoscopic image display device using the same (Patent Application No. 2005-0127631; Patent No. 0647517)”, which is applied by the applicant of the present invention, the above-described parallax-barrier may be realized in a cell-type and may be selectively (or optionally) operated in a horizontal or vertical direction. Accordingly, in case of merging stereoscopic images, the merging direction is not required to be limited to only one direction, and by adjusting the direction along which the stereoscopic images are merged and by adjusting the direction of the barrier included in the parallax-barrier type display module, which is used for projecting (or displaying) the merged stereoscopic images, the stereoscopic images may be projected and displayed.

Generally, unlike the lenticular array type, when using the parallax-barrier type, by controlling the ON/OFF state of the parallax barrier, the parallax-barrier type is more advantageous in that the display mode may be easily shifted to and from a 2D display mode and a 3D display mode.

Meanwhile, in order to efficiently attach a stereoscopic panel (e.g., parallax barrier module), which configures the above-described auto stereoscopic display panel, to a display module, the following researches have been carried out.

In the related art method for attaching the stereoscopic panel and the display module, both panels were attached to one another at numerically marked attachment points. However, disadvantages occurred in the method in that even a minute difference in the alignment between the two panels may cause the viewer to experience obvious degradation in the stereoscopic display of the 3D image. Accordingly, the registered patent entitled “Method and Apparatus for Attaching Display Panels for Stereoscopic Images (Patent Application No. 2006-0006430; Patent No. 709728)”, which is applied by the applicant of the present invention, proposes a technology of determining a level of differentiation between a left-side image and a right-side image by capturing the image that is actually being displayed, which the stereoscopic panel is in an aligned state with the display panel, and of verifying the alignment status based upon the determined result. Such real-capture based alignment method according to the ’728 patent will be briefly described with reference to Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 illustrates an example for briefly describing a method for attaching display panels for real-capture based auto stereoscopic images according to the patent No. ’728.

As shown in Fig. 4, in the real-capture based display panel attachment method attachment objects such as the display module (10) and the stereoscopic panel (20), shown in Fig. 1, are placed in an attachment apparatus, which is also an attachment object (S10). Thereafter, in order to activate the display module (10) and the stereoscopic panel (20), a stereoscopic image signal is provided (S20), and a stereoscopic image is captured (or taken or filmed) by using 2 cameras respectively corresponding to the actual left eye and the actual right eye of a user (S30).

In the image captured by 2 cameras respective to each of the left eye and the right eye of the user, if the degree of differentiation does not reach a predetermined reference level, positions of the stereoscopic panel (20) and display module (10) are adjusted (S60). And, if the degree of differentiation exceeds a predetermined reference level, by attaching an attachment object a more substantial alignment status may be verified, thereby enabling the stereoscopic panel (20) to be attached to the display module (10).

Meanwhile, the applicant of the present invention has modified the above-described real-capture based display panel attachment method to an upgraded level, so as to devise an “Attachment Apparatus performing Horizontal/Vertical alignment of the display panel for stereoscopic images (Patent Application No. 2008-0025385; Patent No. 935892)”. Hereinafter, the method for attaching the display panel for stereoscopic images according to the patent No. ’892 will be described in detail.

Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 illustrates examples for briefly describing a method for attaching display panels for real-capture based auto stereoscopic images according to the patent No. ’892.

As shown in Fig. 5, the degree of differentiation of the image being displayed through the display module (200) and the stereoscopic panel (100) may be measured by using the 2 cameras (31, 32) respective to the left eye and the right eye of the user. Then, when deciding whether or not to perform attachment based upon the measured result, the process steps are identical to those of the ’728 patent. However, as described above in the ’517 patent, based upon the fact that a cell-type parallax barrier structure, wherein the stereoscopic panel can be positioned not only along the vertical direction but also along both vertical direction/horizontal direction, can be provided, and the fact that the difference between the left-side image and the right-side image using the cameras respective to each of the left eye and the right eye of the user may also be verified by a differentiation process performed by any one of the cameras respective to the left and right eyes of the user, 2 cameras are positioned, in the ’892 patent, as shown in Fig. 7, so that the horizontal/vertical alignments between the stereoscopic panel and the display module can be verified at once. More specifically, referring to Fig. 7, the 1st camera (or Camera 1) (31) may perform the role of verifying the horizontal alignment state (direction along line X-X’) between the stereoscopic panel and the display module, the 2nd camera (or Camera 2) (32) may perform the role of verifying the vertical alignment state (direction along line Y-Y’) between the stereoscopic panel and the display module.

By using the above-described real-capture based stereoscopic display panel attachment, the attachment of stereoscopic panels may be performed in a state when a maximum 3D display state is provided to the user. And, accordingly, a stereoscopic display panel may be generated so as to provide the user with a greater 3D display as compared to when verifying the alignment status by only using numeric precision.

However, in the above-described method, by failing to differentiate a relative angle adjustment from a relative position adjustment, when performing a relative alignment between the stereoscopic panel and the display module, an alignment time and an alignment error may occur.

In order to achieve the above-described technical objects of the present invention, according to an aspect of the present invention, it is proposed herein that an apparatus for attaching stereoscopic panels comprises a position adjustment module configured to measure relative alignment angle and alignment positions of a stereoscopic panel and a display module, wherein the stereoscopic panel is configured to realize repeatedly positioned parallax barriers along at least one of a vertical direction (Y-Y’ direction) and a horizontal direction (X-X’ direction), and wherein the display module is configured to project image light rays to the stereoscopic panel, and to adjust the relative alignment angle and alignment positions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module; and an attachment module configured to attach the stereoscopic panel and the display module, after the position adjustment module has adjusted the relative alignment angle and alignment positions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module, wherein the position adjustment module may include a camera module configured to have the position adjustment module measure the relative alignment angle of the stereoscopic panel and the display module, by capturing images while moving to and from 2 different positions (or points), each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided distance along the positioned direction of the parallax barrier (Y-Y’ direction or X-X’ direction), and configured to have the position adjustment module measure the relative alignment positions along the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the stereoscopic panel and the display module, by capturing images showing a matching rate (or level) of a specific point of the stereoscopic panel and a specific point of the display module.

The position adjustment module may be configured to measure the relative alignment angle and the relative alignment positions by having the camera module capture images, in a state when the stereoscopic panel has activated vertical or horizontal parallax barriers, and when the display module has projected test image light rays to the stereoscopic panel.

The position adjustment module may also be configured to measure the relative alignment angle and alignment positions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using a distance between the parallax barrier of each stereoscopic panel and an image corresponding to a specific row or column of the display module, from 2 images captured by the camera module at 2 different positions (or points) each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided distance, and by using a ratio between the pre-decided distance ratios.

Additionally, it is preferable that a camera of the camera module capturing images by moving to and from 2 different positions, each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided distance, corresponds to a single camera.

The camera module may be configured to capture images from 2 positions (Position 1 and Position 2), each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided 1st distance along a vertical direction (Y-Y’ direction), and from a 3rd position (Position 3) being spaced apart from Position 1 or Position 2 along a horizontal direction (X-X’) at a pre-decided 2nd distance.

At this point, the position adjustment module may be configured to adjust a vertical alignment angle of the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using an image captured by the camera module at Position 1 and by using an image captured by the camera module at Position 2, and may also be configured to adjust a parallax barrier unit alignment difference between the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using an image captured by the camera module at any one of Position 1 and Position 2 and by using an image captured by the camera module at Position 3.

Meanwhile, the stereoscopic panel may include a cell-type parallax barrier configured to realize repeatedly positioned parallax barriers along at least one of a vertical direction (Y-Y’ direction) and a horizontal direction (X-X’ direction), and, in this case, the position adjustment module may be configured to measure a vertical alignment angle of the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using an image captured by the camera module at Position 1 and an image captured by the camera module at Position 2, in a state when the stereoscopic panel has activated vertical parallax barriers, and the position adjustment module may also be configured to measure a horizontal alignment angle of the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using an image captured by the camera module at any one of Position 1 and Position 2 and an image captured by the camera module at Position 3, in a state when the stereoscopic panel has activated horizontal parallax barriers.

Position 1 and Position 2 may respectively correspond to a left-most parallax barrier or a right-most parallax barrier along the horizontal direction, among the parallax barriers of the stereoscopic panel.

Additionally, a camera for capturing images for determining a matching rate of a specific point of the stereoscopic panel and a specific point of the display module may include a 1st lens, a 2nd lens, and a half mirror, and, in this case, the position adjustment module may observe a specific point of the stereoscopic panel by using an image captured by a camera of the camera module using the 1st lens, and the position adjustment module may observe a specific point of the display module by using an image captured by a camera of the camera module using the 2nd lens, and an image captured by using any one of the 1st lens and the 2nd lens may correspond to an image being captured after passing through the half mirror.

Furthermore, a specific point of the stereoscopic panel may include a central line point of the parallax barrier located in a central portion of the stereoscopic panel, and a specific point of the display module may include a pixel boundary line of a central portion of the display module.

The camera module may include a 1st camera configured to capture images by moving to and from 2 different positions, each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided distance along the positioned direction of the parallax barrier (Y-Y’ direction or X-X’ direction), and a 2nd camera configured to capture images showing whether or not a specific point of the stereoscopic panel spatially matches with a specific point of the display module.

Additionally, the apparatus for attaching stereoscopic panels may further include a contact jig configured to have a cross shape including an opening at a central portion of the cross shape, and configured to fix the stereoscopic panel or the display module by using a plurality of vacuum contact points.

In order to achieve the above-described technical objects of the present invention, according to another aspect of the present invention, it is proposed herein that a method for attaching stereoscopic panels comprises the steps of adjusting a relative alignment angle, by measuring the relative alignment angle of a stereoscopic panel and a display module, wherein the stereoscopic panel is configured to realize repeatedly positioned parallax barriers along at least one of a vertical direction (Y-Y’ direction) and a horizontal direction (X-X’ direction), by using a 1st camera configured to capture images by moving to and from 2 different positions, each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided distance along the positioned direction of the parallax barrier (Y-Y’ direction or X-X’ direction); measuring and adjusting relative alignment positions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module, by using a 2nd camera configured to capture images showing whether or not a specific point of the stereoscopic panel spatially matches with a specific point of the display module; and attaching the stereoscopic panel and the display module, after adjusting the relative alignment angle and alignment positions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module.

Any one of the relative alignment angle adjustment and the relative alignment position adjustment may be performed by having any one of the 1st camera and the 2nd camera capture images, in a state when the stereoscopic panel has activated vertical or horizontal parallax barriers, and when the display module has projected test image light rays to the stereoscopic panel.

The relative alignment angle adjustment may include the steps of calculating a distance between the parallax barrier of each stereoscopic panel and an image corresponding to a specific row or column of the display module, from 2 images captured by the 1st camera at 2 different positions (or points) each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided distance; and measuring the relative alignment angle of the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using a ratio between the calculated distances and a ratio of the pre-decided distance.

Preferably, the 1st camera capturing images by moving to and from 2 different positions, each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided distance, may correspond to a single camera.

The 1st camera may be configured to capture images from 2 positions (Position 1 and Position 2), each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided 1st distance along a vertical direction (Y-Y’ direction), and from a 3rd position (Position 3) being spaced apart from Position 1 or Position 2 along a horizontal direction (X-X’) at a pre-decided 2nd distance.

The relative alignment angle adjustment may include the steps of adjusting a vertical alignment angle of the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using an image captured by the 1st camera at Position 1 and an image captured by the 1st camera at Position 2; and adjusting a parallax barrier unit alignment difference between the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using an image captured by the 1st camera at any one of Position 1 and Position 2 and by using an image captured by the 1st camera at Position 3.

The stereoscopic panel may include a cell-type parallax barrier configured to realize repeatedly positioned parallax barriers along at least one of a vertical direction (Y-Y’ direction) and a horizontal direction (X-X’ direction), and, in this case, the relative alignment angle adjustment may include the steps of measuring a vertical alignment angle of the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using an image captured by the 1st camera at Position 1 and an image captured by the 1st camera at Position 2, in a state when the stereoscopic panel has activated vertical parallax barriers; and measuring a horizontal alignment angle of the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using an image captured by the 1st camera at any one of Position 1 and Position 2 and an image captured by the 1st camera at Position 3, in a state when the stereoscopic panel has activated horizontal parallax barriers.

Additionally, the 2nd camera may include a 1st lens, a 2nd lens, and a half mirror, and, in this case, the relative alignment angle adjustment may include the steps of performing an adjustment process for matching a specific point of the stereoscopic panel, being verified by using an image captured by the 2nd camera using the 1st lens, with a specific point of the display module by using an image captured by the 2nd camera using the 2nd lens.

Furthermore, a specific point of the stereoscopic panel may include a central line point of the parallax barrier located in a central portion of the stereoscopic panel, and a specific point of the display module may include a pixel boundary point of a central portion of the display module.

Herein, each of the 1st camera and the 2nd camera may correspond to a single camera.

According to the above-described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by differentiating a relative angle adjustment from a relative position adjustment, when performing a relative alignment of the stereoscopic panel and the display module, a high quality stereoscopic panel may be created.

Fig. 4 illustrates an example for briefly describing a method for attaching display panels for real-capture based auto stereoscopic images according to patent No. ’728.

Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 illustrates examples for briefly describing a method for attaching display panels for real-capture based auto stereoscopic images according to patent No. ’892.

Fig. 8 illustrates an example for generally describing a method for attaching auto stereoscopic display panels according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 illustrates an example for describing a method for adjusting relative angles of an auto stereoscopic panel and a display module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 illustrate examples for describing incorrect alignments of the auto stereoscopic panel and the display module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 illustrates an example for describing a method for measuring relative angles of the auto stereoscopic panel and the display module and for verifying a boundary region between the auto stereoscopic panel and the display module by using a 3-point measurement according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 illustrates an example for describing a concept of capturing images by moving a single camera according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 illustrates an example for describing a method for adjusting horizontal/vertical angles of auto stereoscopic panels having cell-type parallax barrier structures by using a 3-point measurement according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 and Fig. 16 illustrate examples for adjusting relative positions between an auto stereoscopic panel and a display module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 17 illustrates a flow chart for showing the process steps of a method for attaching auto stereoscopic display panels according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 18 and Fig. 19 illustrate general views of a jig of an attachment device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 20 and Fig. 21 illustrate examples for describing the advantages of an attachment device jig according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed description of the present invention that is to be disclosed along with the appended drawings is merely given to provide to describe the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In other words, the embodiments presented in this specification do not correspond to the only embodiments that can be realized according to the present invention.

In the following description of the present invention, the description of detailed features of the present invention will be given in order to provide a full and complete understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be realized even without the detailed features described herein. In some cases, in order to avoid any ambiguity in the concept (or idea) of the present invention, some of the structures and devices disclosed (or mentioned) in the present invention may be omitted from the accompanying drawings of the present invention, or the present invention may be illustrated in the form of a block view focusing only on the essential features or functions of each structure and device. Furthermore, throughout the entire description of the present invention, the same reference numerals will be used for the same elements of the present invention.

Meanwhile, with the exception for specifically added terms or terms given additional significance, the terms used in the description of the present invention are given the meanings generally used in the technical field of the present invention.

A stereoscopic panel (20 of Fig. 1; or 100 of Fig. 5 to Fig. 7) and a display module (10 of Fig. 1; or 200 of Fig. 5 to Fig. 7) are placed on an attachment apparatus as attachment objects (S701), and a process step of providing a stereoscopic image signal to the stereoscopic panel and the display module (S702) may be identical to that of the above-described real-capture based stereoscopic display panel attachment method. However, in the stereoscopic display panel attachment method according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when adjusting an attachment object by capturing images using one or more cameras, a step of adjusting relative angles of the stereoscopic panel and the display module (S703) is differentiated from a step of adjusting relative positions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module (S705). Thereafter, the relative angles are first adjusted, and then the relative positions are adjusted.

In the above-described ’728 patent and the ’892 patent, when the difference between the left-side image and the right-side image is less than a predetermined reference level, the positions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module are adjusted. However, at this point, since it has not been determined or defined whether such low difference level is caused by a misalignment in the relative angles of the stereoscopic panel and the display module, or whether such low difference level is caused by a misalignment in the relative appositions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module, if an adjustment in the horizontal/vertical positions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module without realizing an alignment of the relative angles, the difference between the left/right side images cannot be enhanced.

Therefore, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a stereoscopic image capturing may be performed in order to verify the relative angle alignment state of the stereoscopic panel and the display module (S704). Then, it is determined whether or not the difference in the relative angles is below the predetermined reference level. If it is determined that the difference in the relative angles is greater than the predetermined reference level, the present invention proposes to first perform the angle adjustment process, wherein the relative angles of the stereoscopic panel and the display module are adjusted (S706). Thereafter, in a state when the relative angles of the stereoscopic panel and the display module are aligned, a process of capturing an image for adjusting horizontal/vertical alignment positions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module is performed (S708). And, the horizontal/vertical alignment state may be verified based upon the captured image (S709). Then, when it is determined that an adjustment in the horizontal/vertical positions is required to be performed, the positions may be adjusted accordingly (S710).

The above-described relative angle adjustment (S703) and relative position adjustment (S707) may be performed through a position adjustment module. The position adjustment module may change and reposition the angle and position of each stereoscopic panel and display module, and the position adjustment module may include a camera module for the relative angle measurement and the relative position measurement.

As described above, after performing the above-described relative angle adjustment (S703) and relative position adjustment (S707), by attaching the stereoscopic panel and the display module (S711), the display panel attachment method according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may create a more efficient stereoscopic panel of a higher quality.

Hereinafter, a method for performing the above-described relative angle adjustment (S703) and relative position adjustment (S707) will be described in more detail.

In Fig. 9, the display module is illustrated to have a structure of including 3 sub-pixels, each sub-pixel corresponding to units for displaying red (R), green (G), and blue (B) light rays, in pixel units for displaying the RGB color light rays. However, the present invention will not be limited only to the exemplary structure shown in Fig. 9. However, Fig. 9 shows an exemplary structure wherein the stereoscopic panel is configured to have parallax barriers to be repeatedly aligned along a vertical direction.

It is proposed in the description of the present invention that, by having the position adjustment module shift to and from 2 positions (P1, P2), which are spaced apart from one another as much as a pre-decided distance (shown as distance ‘L’ in Fig. 9), along the direction of the position of the parallax barrier (the vertical direction in case of Fig. 9), the position adjustment module according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be capable of measuring the relative alignment angle of the stereoscopic panel and the display module. More specifically, the position adjustment module according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may acquire a distance (d1) between the parallax barrier of the stereoscopic panel and an image of a specific row or column (a specific column in case of Fig. 9) belonging to the display module through an image captured (or taken) by the camera in a 1st position (or Position 1) (P1), and the position adjustment module may also acquire a distance (d2) between the parallax barrier of the stereoscopic panel and an image of a specific row or column (a specific column in case of Fig. 9) belonging to the display module through an image captured (or taken) by the camera in a 2nd position (or Position 2) (P2). Since the distance (L) between the 2 points corresponds to a pre-decided distance, the position adjustment module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may use the acquired distances (d1 and d2) and the travel distance (L) of the camera, so as to determine the relative angle alignment state of the stereoscopic panel and the display module.

Meanwhile, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in addition to capturing (or taking) an image from 2 separated locations (or positions) along the direction of the parallax barrier, as described above with reference to Fig. 9, an image may additionally be captured from a 3rd position (or Position 3), which is spaced apart from the line connecting the 2 points along the vertical direction at a predetermined distance. Thus, the present invention proposes a method for adjusting the stereoscopic panel and the display module, which may have the following advantages.

As shown in (a), (b) of Fig. 10, when the relative angles of the stereoscopic panel and the display module are misaligned, the process of adjusting the angles of the stereoscopic panel and the display module through the capturing of an image from 2 different points (or locations), which are spaced apart from one another along the direction of the parallax barrier, as described in Fig. 9, may be performed. However, the horizontal/vertical position adjustment of the stereoscopic panel and the display module according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which will be described in detail later on, may be performed by using a method of matching a pixel boundary of the display module with a parallax barrier boundary of the stereoscopic module, which observing only a predetermined range of the display module and the stereoscopic panel from a central portion of and the stereoscopic panel and the display module. Therefore, when the alignment positions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module deviates from the predetermined positions in parallax barrier units, as shown in Fig. 11, an error may occur in the subsequent horizontal/vertical alignment from the central portion.

More specifically, Fig. 12 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention enabling a boundary deviation shown in Fig. 11, in addition to the relative angle adjustment described in Fig. 9, by first setting up 2 points at a pre-decided interval (or distance) along the positioning direction of the parallax barrier (the vertical direction in case of the example shown in Fig. 12), as shown in Fig. 9, and, in addition to the above-described 2 points, setting up another 1 point spaced apart from any one of the 2 primarily set-up points (or first 2 points) at another pre-decided distance (or interval) so as to be perpendicular to the connection between the first 2 points, and by capturing (or taking) an image from the newly added 3rd point (or 3rd position). By preventing any deviation in the relative angles of the stereoscopic panel and the display module or any boundary deviation in parallax barrier units from occurring, by performing image-capturing at 3 different points (or positions), as described above, the subsequent horizontal/vertical alignment may be performed and checked by simply verifying the positioning status within a predetermined range of the central area of the stereoscopic panel and the display module. Meanwhile, the usage of 3 points (or positions) shown in Fig. 12 are merely exemplary. Accordingly, 2 points (or positions) being spaced apart from one another at a predetermined distance (or interval) along the horizontal direction, and another 1 point (or position) being spaced apart from any one of the first 2 points may be used.

Meanwhile, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is proposed in the description of the present invention that a single camera captures the images by being repositioned to and from each of the above-described 3 points, instead of having 3 different cameras used for each of the 3 points. This will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 13.

The process of verifying the alignment status of the relative angles and/or positions through the actual image capturing of the stereoscopic panel and the display module is a concept that has been development due to the crucial effect caused on the 3D effect provided to the user by the most minute difference, which may occur when attaching the stereoscopic panel to the display module. Meanwhile, the relative angle and/or position alignment status verification according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention may vary depending upon the level of red, green, and blue color differentiation and the boundary area recognition rate performed by the camera. Accordingly, even when three cameras of the same standard are used to capture images from the above-described 3 points, as shown in Fig. 13, and even when the captured images are used, the minute difference in color differentiation/color recognition rate among the three cameras may act as error factors in determining the alignment status.

Therefore, the preferred embodiment of the present invention proposes a method of having a single camera moves to and from a pre-decided distance so as to measure the above-described 3 points and to capture images 3 times from each of the 3 points and of using the captured images. Thus, the present invention may prevent any error from occurring due to the difference among the 3 different cameras.

Meanwhile in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of performing a vertical angle adjustment and a horizontal angle adjustment of a stereoscopic panel having a cell-type parallax barrier structure by using images captured from the above-described 3 points.

Generally, when a stereoscopic panel has a cell-type parallax barrier structure, a parallax barrier being activated along the vertical direction and a parallax barrier being activated along the horizontal direction are perpendicular to one another. Accordingly, when a vertical angle adjustment of the stereoscopic panel is performed, as shown in Fig. 12, the horizontal angle adjustment of the stereoscopic panel may also be performed at the same time. However, in some cases, when verifying both the angle adjustments of a vertical pattern and a horizontal pattern of the stereoscopic panel having the cell-type parallax barrier structure, there may be some advantages.

(a) of Fig. 14 illustrates the concept of performing a vertical angle adjustment by capturing images from 2 different points each spaced apart from one another along the direction of the parallax barrier (along the vertical direction), when the stereoscopic panel has activated the vertical parallax barrier, and (b) of Fig. 14 illustrates the concept of performing a horizontal angle adjustment by capturing an image from a 3rd point, which is spaced apart from the 2 different points, shown in (a) of Fig. 14, along the horizontal direction, when the stereoscopic panel has activated the horizontal parallax barrier.

It is preferable that the above-described relative angle adjustment, boundary area verification, and so on, which are performed at the above-described 3 points, are performed in the boundary area of the stereoscopic panel and the display module. Also, it may also be preferable that the distance between the points each being spaced from one another along the vertical/horizontal directions is set to a maximum distance in order to perform a more accurate angle measurement (and/or boundary deviation check). Hereinafter, based upon the description presented above, the method for performing relative (horizontal/vertical) position adjustment of the stereoscopic panel and the display module according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Although it is preferable that the above-described angle measurement (and/or boundary deviation check) is performed at the boundary region of the stereoscopic panel and the display module, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention proposes a method of performing horizontal and vertical position adjustment from the central portion of the stereoscopic panel and the display module, wherein the stereoscopic panel and the display module are processed with the angle adjustment (and/or boundary deviation check). As shown in Fig. 1a, since the principle of providing a 3D viewing effect to the user is caused by a binocular parallax of the user, a more enhanced 3D picture quality may be provided to the user by aligning the stereoscopic panel and the display module based upon whether or not a specific point of the stereoscopic panel matches with a specific point of the display module at the central portions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module, instead of deciding a horizontal/vertical alignment reference at any one side.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention proposes a method of performing a horizontal alignment of the stereoscopic panel and the display module, by designating a pixel boundary line (or edge) at the central portion of the display module as the above-described specific point, and by designating a central line of the parallax barrier located at the central portion of the stereoscopic pattern as the specific point of the stereoscopic panel, as shown in Fig. 16, and by determining whether or not the specific point of the display module matches the specific point of the stereoscopic pattern. More specifically, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention proposes a method of matching the pixel boundary (e.g., between RGB and RGB) of the central portion of the display module with a central line between barriers of the parallax barrier.

By using a similar method, the vertical alignment may be performed by matching the specific points of the stereoscopic panel and the display module.

Meanwhile, a preferred embodiment of the present invention proposes the usage of a camera for verifying vertical/horizontal alignment of the stereoscopic panel and the display module, which includes 2 lenses (1510, 1520), as shown in Fig. 15, and a half-mirror (1530) at a central portion of each lens, so as to observe each object. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it may be proposed that each of the 2 lenses (1510, 1520) has different verification target region and focus range. And, it may also be proposed that the horizontal/vertical alignment status verification and adjustment processes are performed by using the different verification target region and focus range.

For example, the 1st lens (or lens 1) (1510) may be used for the purpose of verifying the position of the stereoscopic panel (20) among the attachment objects, and the 2nd lens (or lens 2) (1520) may be used for the purpose of verifying the position of the display module (10) among the attachment objects. As described above, by using 2 lenses having their focal points fixed to the verification target, the position adjustment may be more accurately performed.

According to the above-described embodiments of the present invention, it is proposed to first position the stereoscopic panel and the display module on the attachment apparatus as the attachment objects (S1710), and then perform the adjustment of the relative angle between the attachment objects (S1702). By doing so, unlike in the related art, wherein the relative angle adjustment and the relative position adjustment could not be recognized, when identifying the differentiation between the related art left/right images, a more efficient alignment may be performed. Also, when performing the angle adjustment process (S1702), as described above, a boundary deviation check (or verification) process (not shown) and a horizontal/vertical angle adjustment process (not shown) may also be performed at the same time.

As described above, after performing the angle adjustment process, a horizontal alignment (S1703) and a vertical alignment (S1704) of the stereoscopic panel and the display module may be performed. Although Fig. 17 shows an example of the vertical alignment being performed after the horizontal alignment, as long as the angle adjustment (S1702) is first performed, the performance order of the horizontal alignment and the vertical alignment is not required to be fixed and limited.

After completing the above-described procedure, the stereoscopic panel may be attached to the display module (S1705).

Meanwhile, hereinafter, an attachment apparatus jig, which is used for efficiently performing the above-described attachment method, will be described in detail.

The attachment apparatus jig (1800) shown in Fig. 18 is configured to have the form of a cross, which has an opening (1820) at the center of the cross. Also, the cross-shaped jig may be adhered to the stereoscopic panel by using a plurality of vacuum contact points (1810).

As described above, the jig (1800) of the attachment apparatus is formed to have the shape of a cross and to have an opening (1820) at the center of the cross-shaped jig (1800) is to facilitate the performance of the relative angle adjustment by verifying the positions of the 3 points (A, B, C of Fig. 18) at the boundary region, when verifying the attachment position of the stereoscopic panel and the display module, and also to facilitate the performance of the position adjustment after verifying the horizontal/vertical alignment positions at the central portion.

Also, by including a plurality of vacuum contact points (1810) the attachment apparatus jig (1800) according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may adjust the attachment points of stereoscopic panels (100A, 100B) of various sizes, as shown in Fig. 19.

Furthermore, by using the vacuum contact points (1810) having the following structure, the attachment apparatus jig (1800) may prevent an attachment fluid (e.g., UV resin) from leaking outside when attaching the stereoscopic panel to the display module.

As shown in Fig. 20, in order to attach the stereoscopic panel (20) to the display module (10), an attachment fluid, e.g., a UV resin may be deposited between the stereoscopic panel (20) to the display module (10). And, when an excessive amount of pressure is applied during the attachment process, the UV resin may leak to the outside.

Therefore, as shown in Fig. 21, it is proposed that the vacuum contact points (1810) of the attachment apparatus jig according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention are each configured to have a movable element that can move along an up-and-down direction at the center of the opening. More specifically, after having each of the vacuum attachment points (1810) adhere (or attach) the stereoscopic panel (20) with its vacuum pressure, when an excessive amount of pressure is applied to the display module (10), the central element of the opening is configured to be pressed and to move upwards.

By having the above-described structure, the stereoscopic panel and the display module may be more accurately attached. And, the attachment process may also be performed with accuracy even if the stereoscopic panel and the display module are not completely flat.

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. It is also apparent that such variations of the present invention are not to be understood individually or separately from the technical scope or spirit of the present invention.

Therefore, the present invention will not be limited only to the exemplary embodiments presented herein. And, it should be noted that the present invention is to provide a broadest range matching the principles and novel characteristics disclosed herein.

As described above, the apparatus and method for attaching the stereoscopic display panels may be used for the stereoscopic display panel attachment applied in diverse display devices, such as computer monitors, wide-screen TVs, and so on.

Claims

An apparatus for attaching stereoscopic panels, comprising:

a position adjustment module configured to measure relative alignment angle and alignment positions of a stereoscopic panel and a display module, wherein the stereoscopic panel is configured to realize repeatedly positioned parallax barriers along at least one of a vertical direction (Y-Y’ direction) and a horizontal direction (X-X’ direction), and wherein the display module is configured to project image light rays to the stereoscopic panel, and to adjust the relative alignment angle and alignment positions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module; and

an attachment module configured to attach the stereoscopic panel and the display module, after the position adjustment module has adjusted the relative alignment angle and alignment positions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module;

wherein the position adjustment module comprises:

a camera module configured to have the position adjustment module measure the relative alignment angle of the stereoscopic panel and the display module, by capturing images while moving to and from 2 different positions (or points), each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided distance along the positioned direction of the parallax barrier (Y-Y’ direction or X-X’ direction), and configured to have the position adjustment module measure the relative alignment positions along the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the stereoscopic panel and the display module, by capturing images showing a matching rate (or level) of a specific point of the stereoscopic panel and a specific point of the display module.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the position adjustment module measures the relative alignment angle and the relative alignment positions by having the camera module capture images, in a state when the stereoscopic panel has activated vertical or horizontal parallax barriers, and when the display module has projected test image light rays to the stereoscopic panel.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the position adjustment module is configured to measure the relative alignment angle and alignment positions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using a distance between the parallax barrier of each stereoscopic panel and an image corresponding to a specific row or column of the display module, from 2 images captured by the camera module at 2 different positions (or points) each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided distance, and by using a ratio between the pre-decided distance ratios.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a camera of the camera module capturing images by moving to and from 2 different positions, each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided distance, corresponds to a single camera.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera module is configured to capture images from 2 positions (Position 1 and Position 2), each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided 1st distance along a vertical direction (Y-Y’ direction), and from a 3rd position (Position 3) being spaced apart from Position 1 or Position 2 along a horizontal direction (X-X’) at a pre-decided 2nd distance.
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the position adjustment module adjusts a vertical alignment angle of the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using an image captured by the camera module at Position 1 and by using an image captured by the camera module at Position 2, and wherein the position adjustment module adjusts a parallax barrier unit alignment difference between the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using an image captured by the camera module at any one of Position 1 and Position 2 and by using an image captured by the camera module at Position 3.
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the stereoscopic panel includes a cell-type parallax barrier configured to realize repeatedly positioned parallax barriers along at least one of a vertical direction (Y-Y’ direction) and a horizontal direction (X-X’ direction), and

wherein the position adjustment module measures a vertical alignment angle of the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using an image captured by the camera module at Position 1 and an image captured by the camera module at Position 2, in a state when the stereoscopic panel has activated vertical parallax barriers, and

wherein the position adjustment module measures a horizontal alignment angle of the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using an image captured by the camera module at any one of Position 1 and Position 2 and an image captured by the camera module at Position 3, in a state when the stereoscopic panel has activated horizontal parallax barriers.
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein Position 1 and Position 2 respectively correspond to a left-most parallax barrier or a right-most parallax barrier along the horizontal direction, among the parallax barriers of the stereoscopic panel.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a camera for capturing images for determining a matching rate of a specific point of the stereoscopic panel and a specific point of the display module includes a 1st lens, a 2nd lens, and a half mirror.
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the position adjustment module observes a specific point of the stereoscopic panel by using an image captured by a camera of the camera module using the 1st lens,

wherein the position adjustment module observes a specific point of the display module by using an image captured by a camera of the camera module using the 2nd lens, and

wherein an image captured by using any one of the 1st lens and the 2nd lens corresponds to an image being captured after passing through the half mirror.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a specific point of the stereoscopic panel includes a central line point of the parallax barrier located in a central portion of the stereoscopic panel, and

wherein a specific point of the display module includes a pixel boundary line of a central portion of the display module.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera module comprises:

a 1st camera configured to capture images by moving to and from 2 different positions, each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided distance along the positioned direction of the parallax barrier (Y-Y’ direction or X-X’ direction), and

a 2nd camera configured to capture images showing whether or not a specific point of the stereoscopic panel spatially matches with a specific point of the display module.
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a contact jig configured to have a cross shape including an opening at a central portion of the cross shape, and configured to fix the stereoscopic panel or the display module by using a plurality of vacuum contact points.
A method for attaching stereoscopic panels, comprising:

adjusting a relative alignment angle, by measuring the relative alignment angle of a stereoscopic panel and a display module, wherein the stereoscopic panel is configured to realize repeatedly positioned parallax barriers along at least one of a vertical direction (Y-Y’ direction) and a horizontal direction (X-X’ direction), by using a 1st camera configured to capture images by moving to and from 2 different positions, each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided distance along the positioned direction of the parallax barrier (Y-Y’ direction or X-X’ direction);

measuring and adjusting relative alignment positions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module, by using a 2nd camera configured to capture images showing whether or not a specific point of the stereoscopic panel spatially matches with a specific point of the display module; and

attaching the stereoscopic panel and the display module, after adjusting the relative alignment angle and alignment positions of the stereoscopic panel and the display module.
The method of claim 14, wherein any one of the relative alignment angle adjustment and the relative alignment position adjustment is performed by having any one of the 1st camera and the 2nd camera capture images, in a state when the stereoscopic panel has activated vertical or horizontal parallax barriers, and when the display module has projected test image light rays to the stereoscopic panel.
The method of claim 14, wherein the relative alignment angle adjustment comprises:

calculating a distance between the parallax barrier of each stereoscopic panel and an image corresponding to a specific row or column of the display module, from 2 images captured by the 1st camera at 2 different positions (or points) each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided distance; and

measuring the relative alignment angle of the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using a ratio between the calculated distances and a ratio of the pre-decided distance.
The method of claim 14, wherein the 1st camera capturing images by moving to and from 2 different positions, each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided distance, corresponds to a single camera.
The method of claim 14, wherein the 1st camera is configured to capture images from 2 positions (Position 1 and Position 2), each spaced apart from one another at a pre-decided 1st distance along a vertical direction (Y-Y’ direction), and from a 3rd position (Position 3) being spaced apart from Position 1 or Position 2 along a horizontal direction (X-X’) at a pre-decided 2nd distance.
The method of claim 18, wherein the relative alignment angle adjustment comprises:

adjusting a vertical alignment angle of the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using an image captured by the 1st camera at Position 1 and an image captured by the 1st camera at Position 2; and

adjusting a parallax barrier unit alignment difference between the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using an image captured by the 1st camera at any one of Position 1 and Position 2 and by using an image captured by the 1st camera at Position 3.
The method of claim 18, wherein the stereoscopic panel includes a cell-type parallax barrier configured to realize repeatedly positioned parallax barriers along at least one of a vertical direction (Y-Y’ direction) and a horizontal direction (X-X’ direction), and

wherein the relative alignment angle adjustment comprises:

measuring a vertical alignment angle of the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using an image captured by the 1st camera at Position 1 and an image captured by the 1st camera at Position 2, in a state when the stereoscopic panel has activated vertical parallax barriers; and

measuring a horizontal alignment angle of the stereoscopic panel and the display module by using an image captured by the 1st camera at any one of Position 1 and Position 2 and an image captured by the 1st camera at Position 3, in a state when the stereoscopic panel has activated horizontal parallax barriers.
The method of claim 18, wherein Position 1 and Position 2 respectively correspond to a left-most parallax barrier or a right-most parallax barrier along the horizontal direction, among the parallax barriers of the stereoscopic panel.
The method of claim 14, wherein the 2nd camera includes a 1st lens, a 2nd lens, and a half mirror.
The method of claim 22, wherein the relative alignment angle adjustment comprises:

performing an adjustment process for matching a specific point of the stereoscopic panel, being verified by using an image captured by the 2nd camera using the 1st lens, with a specific point of the display module by using an image captured by the 2nd camera using the 2nd lens.
The method of claim 14, wherein a specific point of the stereoscopic panel includes a central line point of the parallax barrier located in a central portion of the stereoscopic panel, and

wherein a specific point of the display module includes a pixel boundary point of a central portion of the display module.
The method of claim 14, wherein each of the 1st camera and the 2nd camera corresponds to a single camera.