WO2006132513A1

WO2006132513A1 - Image display device and driving apparatus of image display device

Info

Publication number: WO2006132513A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/002216
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tae-Sun Song
Original assignee: Tae-Sun Song
Priority date: 2005-06-09
Filing date: 2006-06-09
Publication date: 2006-12-14
Also published as: KR20060128733A; KR100823708B1

Abstract

An image display device includes at least one light source array module for scanning light, a moving body for circulating or reciprocally moving the light source array module, a frame memory for storing image data, a light source driver for supplying data voltage based on the image data to the light source array module, and a signal controller for generating a synchronization signal for controlling the image data and a display of the image data on the basis of an input image signal and supplying the synchronization signal to the light source driver. Since the light source array module can vertically and horizontally move or circulate, the image display can display images in various scanning methods.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE AND DRIVING APPARATUS OF IMAGE DISPLAY

DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image display device and a driving apparatus thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to an image display device using a light source array module, and a driving apparatus thereof. (b) Description of the Related Art

Recently, demand for a large size image display device has been increasing.

The large size image display device is broadly classified as a direct view image display device that is represented by a CRT (cathode-ray tube), a projection image display device that is represented by an LCD (liquid crystal display) projector, and an optical scanning image display device.

Such image display devices display an image in a unit of a pixel or a pixel row so as to display an image of one frame. Methods of scanning a scanning line of a unit of a pixel row are classified as an interlace scan method and a progressive scan method, and an image display device may select one of the interlace scan method and the progressive scan method according to its characteristics and performance.

The interlace scan method does not form a complete image scene with a single scan, but rather forms a complete image scene by first scanning odd- numbered scanning lines and then scanning even-numbered scanning lines. This method is generally used in televisions.

Unlike this, the progressive scan method sequentially scans scanning lines without skipping, and is generally used in computer monitors. In the progressive scan method, one image scene is performed by one scan, so that a phenomenon in which an image trembles or an image is out of focus does not occur.

Research and development on large size image display devices and various scanning methods that can be used in the large size image display device are being performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in an effort to provide an image display device and a driving apparatus thereof having advantages of realizing various scanning methods.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an image display device including at least one light source array module for scanning light, a moving body for circulating or reciprocally moving the light source array module, a frame memory for storing image data, a light source driver for supplying data voltage based on the image data to the light source array module, and a signal controller for generating a synchronization signal for controlling the image data and a display of the image data on the basis of an input image signal and supplying the synchronization signal to the light source driver.

The image display device may further include a position detector for detecting a position of the light source array module and supplying a corresponding signal to the signal controller. The image display device may further include a screen on which light is scanned.

The frame memory may have at least one of a FIFO characteristic and a LIFO characteristic. The frame memory receives image data for respective pixels of an image scene, and sends out the image data.

A moving direction of the light source array module may be perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the light source array module.

The light source array module may reciprocally move or circulate with the moving body.

The at least one light source array module may include a first light source array module and a second light source array module, and moving directions of the first and second light source array modules may be opposite to each other.

The at least one light source array module may include a first light source array module and a second light source array module, and the first and second light source array modules may respectively scan a first image and a second image on a first image scene and a second image scene. The first light source array module may scan from an upper end to a lower end of the first image scene, and then may scan from the lower end to the upper end of the second image scene. If the first light source array module scans from an upper end to a lower end of the first image scene, the second light source array module may scan from a lower end to an upper end of the second image scene. If the first light source array module scans from a lower end to an upper end of the second image scene, the second light source array module may scan from an upper end to a lower end of the first image scene.

The light source array module may scan an image from an upper end to a lower end of an image scene and then may scan an image from the lower end to the upper end of the image scene. The light source array module may scan from a right end to a left end of the first image scene and then may scan from a right end to a left end of the second image scene, or may scan from the left end to the right end of the first image scene and then may scan from the left end to the right end of the second image scene.

The light source array module may scan from a right end to a left end of the screen and then may scan from the left end to the right end of the screen.

The at least one light source array module may include a first light source array module and a second light source array module, and the first and second light source array modules may respectively scan a first image and a second image on a first image scene and a second image scene. The first and second light source array modules may alternately scan a first image on the first image scene and may alternately scan a second image on the second image scene.

The at least one light source array module may include a first light source array module and a second light source array module, and the first and second light source array modules may scan images on one image scene substantially at the same time.

The light source array module may sequentially scan images on a plurality of image scenes.

The light source array module may include at least three light emitting elements that are disposed with a constant interval therebetween and emit light of different colors.

The at least three light emitting elements may display an image for one pixel by emitting light at different times.

The light source array module may include at least two light emitting elements that are disposed with a constant interval therebetween and emit light of the same color.

The at least two light emitting elements may display an image for one pixel by emitting light at different tines.

The light source array module may display an image with a moving surface of the light source array module as an image scene.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a driving apparatus of an image display device including at least one light source array module for emitting light and a rotating body for circulating or reciprocally moving the light source array module such that the light source array module scans an image on a cylindrically shaped surface includes a frame memory for storing image data, a light source driver for supplying data voltage based on the image data to the light source array module, and a signal controller for generating a synchronization signal for controlling the image data and a display of the image data on the basis of an input image signal and supplying the synchronization signal to the light source driver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a light source driver shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows an example of a light source array module shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows another example of a light source array module shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a circuit for driving a light emitting element of a light source array module shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows another example of a circuit for driving a light emitting element of a light source array module shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows yet another example of a circuit for driving a light emitting element of a light source array module shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B show other examples of a circuit for driving a light emitting element of a light source array module shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing structural characteristics of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the image display device shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an example of a scanning method of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing an example of a frame memory of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing another example of a scanning method of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing another example of a frame memory of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing structural characteristics of an image display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of an image display device shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing an example of a scanning method of an image display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing an example of a frame memory of an image display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing another example of a scanning method of an image display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.

First, an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 8B.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a light source driver shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show examples of a light source array module shown in FIG. 1 , and FIG. 5 to FIG. 8B show examples of a circuit for driving a light emitting element of a light source array module shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one light source array module 600 for scanning light, at least one motor 750 that is mechanically connected to the light source array module 600, a motor driver 700 that is connected to the motor 750, a light source driver 400 and a position detector 800 that are connected to the light source array module 600, a signal controller 200 that is connected to the light source driver 400 and the motor driver 700, and an input member 100, an output member 500, and a frame memory 300 that are connected to the signal controller 200. In the image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the number of light source drivers 400 may be equal to the number of light source array modules 600. In addition, the image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a screen 900 on which a separate image scene is scanned depending on a structure of the light source array module.

The input member 100 receives an input signal Vin from an external device (not shown). The input member 100 converts the input signal Vin to a signal that can be used in the signal controller 200, etc., and transmits the converted signal to the signal controller 200. The input signal Vin includes R, G, and B image signals, and input control signals for controlling a display of the R, G, and B image signals such as a vertical synchronization signal, a horizontal synchronization signal, a clock signal, a data enable signal, and so on. The R, G, and B image signals may be analog signals or digital signals. The frame memory 300 receives the image signal input from the input member 100 and stores the same, and sends out the stored image signal according to a request of the signal controller 200. The frame memory 300 may store the image signal for at least one frame, and may have a characteristic of FIFO (first-in- first-out) or LIFO (last-in-first-out). Referring to FIG. 2, the light source driver 400 includes a shift register 410, a latch 420, a digital-to-analog converter 430, and an output buffer 440, which are sequentially connected. The light source driver 400 receives an image data DAT for one row of pixels or one column of pixels from the signal controller 200 and converts the image data DAT to a corresponding data voltage Vdat, and then applies the converted data voltage Vdat to the light source array module 600.

The shift register 410 receives the image data DAT from the signal controller 200, and transmits the image data DAT by sequentially shifting the same to the latch 420 such that the input image data DAT is output at a predetermined position on an image scene. The latch 420 temporarily stores the sequentially input image data DAT, and immediately sends out the input image data DAT to the digital-to-analog converter 430 according to a load signal LOAD. The load signal LOAD is a control signal for instructing the signal controller 200 to apply the corresponding data voltage Vdat to the light source array module 600. The digital- to-analog converter 430 converts the image data DAT from the latch 420 to the analog data voltage Vdat, and transmits the converted data voltage to the output buffer 440. The output buffer 440 transmits the data voltage Vdat to the light source array module 600, and maintains it for a predetermined time.

Unlike this, the light source driver 400 may directly convert the image data DAT for respective pixels that are sequentially input to the analog data voltage Vdat, and sequentially transmits the converted analog data voltage to the light source array module 600. Alternatively, the light source driver 400 may drive the light source array module 600 by a pulse width according to an applying period of the same voltage, or by various other methods. The light source array module 600 includes a plurality of light emitting elements R, G, and B. The light source array module 600 receives the data voltage Vdat from the light source driver 400 and emits light corresponding to the data voltage Vdat, thereby displaying a desired image. The light emitting elements R, G, and B may be formed as light emitting diodes LED or laser diodes, but they can be formed by other elements. The light emitting elements R, G, and B emit light according to a magnitude of a voltage or a current applied thereto. Here, although it is explained that the light emitting elements emits light of primary colors of red R, green G, and blue B, it is not limited thereto, and the light emitting elements may emit lights of primary colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, etc.

The light source array module 600 extends long in a specific direction

(hereinafter referred to as a longitudinal direction), and the light emitting elements R,

G, and B are consecutively arranged in the longitudinal direction. The light source array module 600 is mechanically connected to the motor 750 so as to be able to move in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The light source array module 600 may have positions of the light emitting elements R, G, and B variously arranged so as to display images.

As an example, referring to FIG. 3, a light source array module 601 may arrange three light emitting elements R, G, and B in a region corresponding to one pixel. In this case, the three light emitting elements R, G, and B emit light at the same time, thereby displaying a complete image for one pixel. At this time, the light source driver 400 drives R, G, and B data voltages Vdat at once.

As another example, referring to FIG. 4, a light source array module 602 disposes the light emitting elements R₁ G, and B with a predetermined spatial interval therebetween. In this case, three light emitting elements R, G, and B emit light with a predetermined time interval therebetween, thereby displaying a complete image for one pixel. That is, the light source array module 602 spatially moves, and scans the corresponding light when respective light emitting elements R, G, and B are positioned in a region corresponding to one pixel, i.e., in the same spatial position. Accordingly, primary colors of R, G, and B are sequentially displayed in a region corresponding to one pixel, so a desired color is displayed as a result of the sum of these colors. At this time, the light source driver 400 may send out the corresponding data voltage Vdat in accordance with timing when the light emitting elements R, G, and B emit light. However, unlike this, the light source driver 400 may send out the R, G, and B data voltages Vdat at one time, and timing of emitting light of the respective light emitting elements R, G, and B can be regulated by a time delayer (referring to FIG. 7).

The light source array module 600 includes various types of driving circuits for driving a light emitting diode LED.

As an example, referring to FIG. 5, a light source array module 603 includes a plurality of light emitting members that include a light emitting diode LED, a driving transistor Q, and resistors Rb and Re. A driving voltage Vc is connected to a collector of the driving transistor Q, and the resistors Rb and Re are respectively applied to a base and an emitter. The light emitting diode LED is connected between the resistor Re and a ground, and the data voltage Vdat is connected to the resistor Rb. One light emitting member emits light of one color of primary colors.

Examples of the primary colors include three primary colors of red, green, and blue.

The driving transistor Q outputs an output current a magnitude of which is controlled according to the data voltage Vdat input through the resistor Rb to the light emitting diode LED, and the light emitting diode LED emits light of different intensities depending on a magnitude of the output current, so light of the corresponding image is emitted so as to be scanned or is emitted and then is projected to the screen so as to be scanned.

The resistors Rb and Re are used to regulate the light emitting efficiency of the light emitting diode LED or to regulate the amount of emitted light. By using suitable resistors Rb and Re, efficiencies of the R, G, and B diodes LED can be regulated to be uniform, and desired characteristics can be achieved. As another example, referring to FIG. 6, a light source array module 604 includes a plurality of light emitting members that include a light emitting diode LED, first and second driving transistors Qa and Qb, and resistors Rb1 , Rb2, Re, and Rbe. The driving voltage Vc is connected to a collector of the first driving transistor Qa, and the resistor Rb is connected to a base of the first driving transistor Qa. The light emitting diode LED and the resistor Re are connected in series between the first and second driving transistors Qa and Qb. The resistor Rb2 is connected to a base of the second driving transistor Qb, a collector of the second driving transistor Qb is grounded, and the resistor Rbe is connected between a base of the second driving transistor Qb and a ground. The data voltages Vdati and Vdat2 are respectively connected to the resistors Rb1 and Rb2.

As yet another example, referring to FIG. 7, a light source array module 606 includes a plurality of light emitting members that include a light emitting diode LED, a driving transistor Q, resistors Rb and Re, and a time delayer 607. Connections of the light emitting member are substantially equal to those of the light emitting member shown in FIG. 5, except that the time delayer 607 is connected between the data voltage Vdat and the resistor Rb. The time delayer 607 delays the input data voltage Vdat by a predetermined time and then inputs the same to the driving transistor Q. Since the light emitting diode LED emits light late by the delayed time, such light emitting member can be used to regulate a light emitting time in the light source array module 602 in which the light emitting elements R, G, and B are arranged with a predetermined interval as shown in FIG. 4.

As still yet another example, referring to FIG. 8A, a light source array module 605 includes a plurality of light emitting members that include n light emitting diodes LED1 , LED2 LEDn, n driving transistors Q1 , Q2 Qn, n resistors Rb1 ,

Rb2 Rbn, and n-1 time delayers 608, 609, .... The i-th light emitting member includes the i-th driving transistor Qi, the i-th resistor Rbi, and the i-th light emitting diode LEDi. The driving voltage Vc is connected to a collector of the driving transistor Qi, and the resistor Rbi and the light emitting diode LEDi are respectively connected to a base and an emitter of the driving transistor Qi. The light emitting diode LEDi is grounded through the resistor Re.

The data voltage Vdat is applied to the first driving transistor Q1 through the resistor Rb1 , the data voltage Vdat is applied to the second driving transistor Q2 through the time delayer 608 and the resistor Rb2, and the data voltage Vdat is applied to the third driving transistor (not shown) through the time delayers 608 and 609 and the resistor (not shown). Accordingly, if the data voltage Vdat is applied, the first light emitting diode LED1 emits light without delay, the second light emitting diode LED2 emits light at a moment that is delayed by the predetermined time by the time delayer 608, and the following light emitting diodes emit light at moments that are sequentially delayed by the predetermined time.

The light source array module 606 of this example is shown in Fig. 4, in which respective color light emitting elements R, G, and B the light source array modules 601 of FIG. 3 are arranged in n rows. Since such light source array module 606 is provided with n rows of identical light emitting elements, the same light can be scanned n times for pixels of one row or one column, so that brightness of an image display device can be enhanced.

Yet another example will be explained for the case that the signals such as R₁ G, and B signals are simultaneously applied, with reference to FIG. 8B. In the case of the light source module 602 displaying respective colors as shown in FIG. 4, respective signals such as R, G, and B signals are simultaneously applied so as to display a color, and in this case, a delay time can be regulated such that the light emitting diodes simultaneously emit light in the same region by regulating the light emitting time of the light source LED according to arrangements of respective light sources with respect to the R, G, and B signals that are simultaneously input. That is, if a signal formed by a combination of the R, G, and B signals is input, the signal Vdati for the light emitting diode LED1 is applied to the resistor Rb1 so as to operate the driving transistor Q1 so that the light emitting diode LED1 emits light, and the signal Vdat2, which is applied together with the signal Vdati for the light emitting diode LED2, is applied to the resistor Rb2 after passing the time delayer 608 so as to operate the driving transistor Q2 such that the light emitting diode LED2 emits light. In addition, the signal Vdat3 that is applied together with the signals for the light emitting diodes LED1 and LED2 is further delayed by the time delayer 609 and then is applied to the resistor Rbn so as to operate the driving transistor Qn such that the light emitting diode LEDn emits light. Accordingly, the light emitting diodes sequentially operate with a time interval therebetween, so that they can be combined as necessary such that the light source array module emits light with a suitable brightness and color at the same space after being moved by a moving member, or it scans light to various spaces. In addition, since the time delayer is provided for delaying the overall driving timing, a position thereof can be varied before it is input to the driving element, i.e., a driving transistor.

The motor 750 is mechanically connected to a moving member (not shown) that is attached to the light source array module 600, and causes the moving member to move along the screen 900 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the light source array module 600.

The motor 750 may be a linear motor. In this case, the light source array module 600 reciprocally moves between both ends of the screen 900 or in a specific region. Unlike this, the motor 750 may be a rotating motor, thereby making the light source array module 600 undergo a reciprocal movement or a circular movement between both ends of the screen 900. By alternately changing a rotation direction of the motor 750 or by connecting a device (not shown) for converting a rotating movement to a reciprocal movement to the motor 750, a reciprocal movement of the light source array module 600 can be achieved.

The motor 750 is an example, and the motor 750 can be substituted by any power device for making the light source array module 600 move along the screen 900.

The motor driver 700 drives the motor 750 according to a control signal from the signal controller 200, and causes the light source array module 600 to move along the screen at a constant speed.

The position detector 800 is connected to a fixing member (not shown) such as a moving member and a supporting member that are attached to the light source array module 600, and detects a position of the light source array module 600 while the light source array module 600 moves with the fixing member and sends a corresponding signal to the signal controller 200. Accordingly, the signal controller 200 sends out an image signal and a control signal that are matched with a position of the light source array module 600, so a desired image can be precisely displayed on the screen 900. The position detector 800 may be realized by a plurality of photocouplers or a plurality of contact sensors, and is generally used together with a sealer and so on.

For example, in the case that the light source array module 601 moves in a vertical direction along the screen 900, the number of light sources in the longitudinal direction of the light source array module 601 determines a horizontal resolution of the screen, and the number of scans of the light source array module 601 determines a vertical resolution. On the other hand, in the case that the light source array module 601 moves in a horizontal direction along the screen 900, the number of light sources in the longitudinal direction of the light source array module 601 determines a vertical resolution of the screen, and the number of scans of the light source array module 601 determines a horizontal resolution.

It is preferable that the number of scans is suitably regulated depending on a scanning distance and the number of light sources of the light source array module. A length L in which the light source array module 600 moves and scans light is equal to a scanning length of the screen 900. Accordingly, a moving speed v or a circular speed w of the light source array module 600 is as follows. v= L.^χN_frame / N_Array

w( round/sec) = N_frame / N_Array

where NJrame is the number of frames per second and N_Array is the number of light source array modules.

The output member 500 generates an output signal and outputs the same to the outside. The output signal includes an output image signal and an output control signal for controlling display thereof. An external device (not shown) can receive the output signal from the output member 500 and can display an image. In the case that the input signal Vin input to the image display device and the output signal required by the external device are substantially equal to each other, the output member 500 may send out the input signal Vin in its original condition or may amplify the input signal and send out the amplified signal. However, in the case that the input signal Vin input to the image display device is different from the output signal required by the external device, the output member 500 may modulate an internal image signal of the image display device and may generate a horizontal synchronization signal, a vertical synchronization signal, and so on according to the modulated image signal, and then output the generated signal to the outside. If necessary, the output member 500 may be omitted.

The signal controller 200 controls operations of the input member 100, the frame memory 300, the light source driver 400, the output member 500, the motor driver 700, and so on. i Operations of the image display device will now be explained in detail.

The signal controller 200 receives image signals from the input member 100 and suitably processes the received image signals in accordance with operating conditions such as a scanning method of the image display device, and sends out the processed image data DAT to the light source driver 400. In addition, the signal controller 200 generates a scanning start signal that instructs to start scanning for synchronization, and a horizontal synchronization start signal that informs of a transmission start of the image data DAT for pixels of one row or one column, and sends out the generated control signal to the light source driver 400, the motor driver 700, and so on.

The light source driver 400 receives the image data DAT for pixels of one row or one column from the signal controller 200, and converts this to the corresponding data voltage Vdat. Then, the light source driver 400 applies the converted data voltage Vdat to the light source array module 600. The light source array module 600 emits light of different intensities depending on a magnitude of the data voltage Vdat so as to scan the corresponding light, or scans light by injecting light to the pixels of the corresponding row or the corresponding column.

Accordingly, in the case that the light source array module is suitably used, a surface or a space formed by the movement of the light source array module without the screen 900 may be considered as the screen 900, and the surface or the space can be an image scene.

The motor driver 700 drives the motor 750 according to a control signal from the signal controller 200 such that the light source array module 600 moves to a position corresponding to pixels of the next row or the next column. If a longitudinal direction of the light source array module 600 is a row direction, the light source array module 600 moves in a column direction, and on the other hand, if a longitudinal direction of the light source array module 600 is a column direction, the light source array module 600 moves in a row direction.

The position detector 800 sends feedback of position information of the light source array module 600 to the signal controller 200, and if it is determined that the light source array module 600 is located at a position corresponding to pixels of the next row or the next column, the signal controller 200 applies the load signal LOAD to the light driver 400 such that the data voltage Vdat for pixels of the next row or the next column is applied to the light source array module 600. By these operations, the corresponding image is displayed in the pixels of the next row or the next column of an image scene or the screen 900.

By repeating the same operations for pixels of the following row or the following column, an image is displayed in all pixels of the image scene or the screen 900 for one frame.

Operations of an image display device while the light source array module 600 vertically moves according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 14. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing structural characteristics of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the image display device shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 11 and FIG. 13 are schematic views showing an example of a scanning method of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 and FIG. 14 are schematic views showing an example of a frame memory of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of first pulleys 910 and 915 and a pair of second pulleys 920 and 925 connected to a motor (not shown), a first rotating axis 917 and a second rotating axis 927 respectively associated with the first pulleys 910 and 915 and the second pulleys 920 and 925, a first belt 615 connected to the pulleys 910 and 920, a second belt 625 connected to the pulleys 915 and 825, a fist light source array module 610 and a second light source array module 620 connected to the belts 615 and 625, and a first screen S1 and a second screen S2 receiving light from the first and second light source array modules 610 and 620 so as to display images.

The first and second pulleys 910, 915, 920, and 925 can be substituted by drums, and the first and second belts 615 and 625 can be substituted by chains. Although two light source array modules 610 and 620 are disposed in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, four light source array modules can be disposed. At this time, if the number of light source array modules is m and a length of a pixel region of the screens S1 and S2 is s, respective light source array modules may be preferably disposed on the belts 615 and 625 with an interval of s/m. The first and second light source array modules 610 and 620 are vertically attached to the first and second belts 615 and 625 such that longitudinal directions thereof are parallel with the first and second rotating axes 917 and 927. Accordingly, the longitudinal direction of the first and second light source array modules 619 and 620 is a horizontal direction, and the belts 615 and 625 move in a vertical direction.

Referring to FIG. 11 , the first and second light source array modules 610 and 620 are initially respectively disposed at positions corresponding to an upper end of the screen S1 and a lower end of the screen S2. The first and second belts 615 and 625 rotate together with the operation of the motor, and the first and second light source array modules 610 and 620 respectively move in a downward direction and in an upward direction with the first and second belts 615 and 625. Accordingly, the first light source array module 610 sequentially scans from an upper end to a lower end of the screen S1 so as to display an image of a first frame of first image data, and at the same time, the second light source array module 620 sequentially scans from a lower end to an upper end of the screen S2 so as to display an image a first frame of second image data. At this time, the image of the first frame of the first image data and the image of the first frame of the second image data can be the same or different. Then, the first and second light source array modules 610 and 620 are positioned at a lower end of the screen S2 and an upper end of the screen S1 , respectively. Again, the first light source array module 610 sequentially scans from a lower end to an upper end of the screen S2 so as to display an image of a second frame of the second image data, and at the same time, the second light source array module 620 sequentially scans from an upper end to a lower end of the screen S1 so as to display an image of a second frame of the first image data.

By repeating these operations, images corresponding to the first and second image data are respectively displayed on the screens S1 and S2. Scanning is performed from an upper end to a lower end in the screen S1 , and scanning is performed from a lower and to an upper end in the screen S2.

In order to display images in this manner, referring to FIG. 12, the frame memory 300 of the image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first frame memory FM1 and a second frame memory FM2. The first frame memory FM1 has a FIFO characteristic, and the second frame memory FM2 has a LIFO characteristic. The first frame memory FM1 sequentially stores the first image data for a first pixel row to the last pixel row, and sequentially sends out the first image data for the first pixel row to the last pixel row. In addition, the second frame memory FM2 sequentially stores the second image data for the first pixel row to the last pixel row, and sequentially sends out the second image data for the last pixel row to the first pixel row. The data voltage based on the image data sent out from the first and second frame memories FM1 and FM2 is alternately applied to the light source array modules 610 and 620 for respective frames. Meanwhile, if the motor is a linear motor, or if the motor is a rotation motor that alters a rotation direction or is provided with a device for converting a rotation motion to a reciprocal motion, the first and second light source modules 610 and 620 reciprocally move between both ends of the respective screens S1 and S2. That is, referring to FIG. 13, if the motor operates, the first light source array module 610 sequentially scans from an upper end to a lower end of the screen S1 so as to display an image of a first frame of first image data, and at the same time, the second light source array module 620 sequentially scans from a lower end (or an upper end) to an upper end (or a lower end) of the screen S2 so as to display an image of a first frame of second image data. Then, the first light source array module 610 sequentially scans from a lower end to an upper end of the screen S1 so as to display an image of a second frame of the first image data, and at the same time, the second light source array module 620 sequentially scans from an upper end (or a lower end) to a lower end (or an upper end) of the screen S2 so as to display an image of a second frame of the second image data.

By repeating these operations, images corresponding to the first and second image data are respectively displayed. The corresponding images are alternately scanned on the two screens S1 and S2 from an upper end to a lower end and then from a lower end to an upper end for respective frames.

In order to display images in this manner, referring to FIG. 14, the frame memory 300 of the image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a third frame memory FM3 and a fourth frame memory FM4. The third frame memory FM3 has a FIFO characteristic, and the fourth frame memory FM4 has a LIFO characteristic. The third frame memory FM3 sequentially stores the first and second image data for a first pixel row to the last pixel row, and sequentially sends out the first and second image data for the first pixel row to the last pixel row. In addition, the fourth frame memory FM4 sequentially stores the second and first image data for the first pixel row to the last pixel row, and sequentially sends out the second and first image data for the last pixel row to the first pixel row. The first and second image data are alternately input to the third and fourth frame memories FM3 and FM4 for respective frames, and the data voltage based on the image data sent out from the third and fourth frame memories FM3 and FM4 are alternately applied to the light source array modules 610 and 620 for respective frames.

The FIFO characteristic or the LIFO characteristic of the memory does not need to be determined in consideration of respective bits of the memory, and it is preferable that it is conceptually set with a reference of a block unit. Although it is explained that the image display device according to this embodiment includes two screens S1 and S2, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the image display device may include one screen or more than two screens.

An image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention in which the light source array module 600 horizontally moves will now be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 15 to FIG. 19.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing structural characteristics of an image display device according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16 is a top plan view of an image display device shown in FIG. 15, FIG. 17 and FIG. 19 are schematic views showing an example of a scanning method of an image display device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing an example of a frame memory of an image display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the image display device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of third pulleys 930 and 935, a pair of fourth pulleys 940 and 945, a pair of fifth pulleys 950 and 955, and a pair of sixth pulleys 960 and 965 that are connected to a motor (not shown), a third rotating axis 937, a fourth rotating axis 947, a fifth rotating axis 957, and a sixth rotating axis 967 respectively associated with the third pulleys 930 and 935, the fourth pulleys 940 and 945, the fifth pulleys 950 and 955, and the sixth pulleys 960 and 965, a third belt 635 connected to the belts 930, 940, 950, and 960, a fourth belt 645 connected to the belts 935, 945, 955, and 965, a third light source array module 630, a fourth light source array module 640, a fifth light source array module 650, and a sixth light source array module 660 that are connected to the belts 635 and 645, and a third screen S3, a fourth screen S4, a fifth screen S5, and a sixth screen S6 for receiving light from the third to the sixth light source array modules 630, 640, 650, and 660 so as to display images.

The third to sixth light source array modules 630, 640, 650, and 660 are vertically attached to the belts 635 and 645 such that longitudinal directions thereof are parallel with the third to sixth rotating axes 937, 947, 957, and 967. Accordingly, the longitudinal directions of the third to sixth light source array modules 630, 640, 650, and 660 are a vertical direction, and the belts 635 and 645 move in a horizontal direction. Although not shown in the drawing, this method can be used in the same manner for a light source module attached to a rotating body such that the light source module scans on a surface of a hollow cylindrical shape. In this case, the number of light source array modules may be one or more than one, and the number of image scenes scanned may be one or more than one. In this case, the light source array module sequentially scans an image scene while rotating, and the other light source array modules sequentially scan image scenes corresponding to their positions, so that a plurality of light source array modules scan a plurality of image scenes.

Referring to FIG. 17, it is considered that the third to sixth light source array modules 630, 640, 650, and 660 are respectively initially disposed at right ends of the third to sixth screens S3, S4, S5, and S6. While the motor rotates, the third and fourth belts 635 and 645 rotate, so that the third to sixth light source array modules 630, 640, 650, and 660 move to the left together with the third and fourth belts 635 and 645. Accordingly, the third to sixth light source array modules 630, 640, 650, and 660 sequentially scan from the right ends to the left ends of the third to sixth screens S3, S4, S5, and S6 so as to display images of first frame of first to fourth image data. At this time, images of the first frames of the first to fourth image data may be the same or different. Then, the third to sixth light source array modules 630, 640, 650, and 660 move together with the belts 635 and 645 so as to be respectively positioned at right ends of the fourth, fifth, sixth, and third screens S4, S5, S6, and S3. Again, the third to sixth light source array modules 630, 640, 650, and 660 sequentially scan from the right end to the left end of the fourth, fifth, sixth, and third screens S4, S5, S6, and S3 so as to display images of second frames of the second, third, fourth, and first image data.

Then, the third to sixth light source array modules 630, 640, 650, and 660 move together with the belts 635 and 645 so as to be respectively positioned at right ends of the fifth, sixth, third, and fourth screens S5, S6, S3, and S4. The third to sixth light source array modules 630, 640, 650, and 660 again respectively sequentially scan from the right ends to the left ends of the fifth, sixth, third, and fourth screens S5, S6, S3, and S4 so as to display images of third frames of the third, the fourth, the first, and the second image data.

Then, the third to sixth light source array modules 630, 640, 650, and 660 move together with the belts 635 and 645 so as to be positioned at right ends of the sixth, third, fourth, and fifth screens S6, S3, S4, and S5. The third to sixth light source array modules 630, 640, 650, and 660 again respectively sequentially scan from the right ends to the left ends of the sixth, third, fourth, and fifth screens S6, S3, S4, and S5 so as to display images of fourth frames of the fourth, the first, the second, and the third image data.

By repeating these operations, images corresponding to the first to the fourth image data are respectively displayed on the third to sixth screens S3, S4, S5, and S6. Scanning is always performed from right ends to left ends of the third to sixth screens S3, S4, S5, and S6. In contrast, an image may be scanned from a right end to a left end of the screen.

The image displayed by the third to sixth light source array modules 630, 640, 650, and 660 can be described as follows. Here, A1 to A4 indicate the third to sixth light source array modules 630, 640, 650, and 660, and for example, an image of a first frame displayed on the third screen S3 is indicated by S3(1 ).

A1 : S3(1), S4(2), S5(3), S6(4), S3(5), S4(6), S5(7), S6(8), ...

A2: S4(1), S5(2), S6(3), S3(4), S4(5), S5(6), S6(7), S3(8), ...

A3: S5(1), S6(2), S3(3), S4(4), S5(5), S6(6), S3(7), S4(8), ...

A4: S6(1), S3(2), S4(3), S5(4), S6(5), S3(6), S4(7), S5(8), ... In addition, the light source array modules A1 , A2, A3, and A4 passing the respective screens S3, S4, S5, and S6 are as follows.

S1 : A1 , A4, A3, A2, A1 , A4, A3, A2, ...

S2: A2, A1 , A4, A3, A2, A1 , A4, A3, ...

S3: A3, A2, A1 , A4, A3, A2, A1 , A4, ... S4: A4, A3, A2, A1 , A4, A3, A2, A1 , ...

In order to display images in this manner, referring to FIG. 18, the frame memory 300 of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes four frame memories FM5. The frame memories FM5 sequentially store image data for a first pixel row to the last pixel row, and sequentially send out image data for pixel rows from a right end pixel row to a left end pixel row. A data voltage based on the image data sent out from the frame memory FM5 is applied to the light source array module. Operations of respective frame memories FM5 are equal to each other, so detailed explanations for the same will be omitted.

The signal controller 200 generates a separate synchronization signal that is based on the image data in a pixel row unit, and sends out the generated synchronization signal together with the image data DAT. In addition, the image data of one frame may be converted in accordance with a scanning method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the converted data may be stored in the frame memory FM5.

Meanwhile, when a linear motor or a reciprocal movement converting device is used, the third to sixth light source array modules 630, 640, 650, and 660 can undergo a linear movement. Referring to FIG. 19, the third to sixth light source array modules 630, 640, 650, and 660 are initially respectively positioned at right ends of the third to sixth screens S3, S4, S5, and S6. If the motor operates, the third to sixth screens S3, S4, S5, and S6 respectively sequentially scan from the right ends to the left ends of the third to sixth screens S3, S4, S5, and S6 so as to display images of first frames of the first to fourth image data. Then, the third to sixth screens S3, S4, S5, and S6 respectively sequentially scan from the left ends to the right ends of the third to sixth screens S3, S4, S5, and S6 so as to display images of second frames of the first to fourth image data.

By repeating these operations, images corresponding to the first to fourth image data are respectively displayed on the third to sixth screens S3, S4, S5, and

S6. The corresponding images are alternately scanned on the four screens S3, S4,

S5, and S6 from a right end to a left end and next from a left end to a right end for respective frames.

Although it is described that the image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes four screens, the image display device may include one to three screens or more than four screens.

An image display device according to embodiments of the present invention can display different images on a plurality of screens with only one driving apparatus for an image display device. Furthermore, since the light source array module can scan images while moving vertically and/or horizontally, images can be displayed in various ways.

Although it is described hereinabove that a screen is provided in the embodiments of the present invention, a region scanned by the light source array module can directly form an image scene through a window and so on without an actual screen. That is, in the case that a moving surface of the light source array module is used as an image scene, an image scene may be formed by disposing a transparent plate at a position of the screen shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 16.

In addition, according to a structure of a light source array module, in the case that respective lenses are coupled to the light sources, scanning is possible by adding a separate screen.

Accordingly, the element referred to as a screen hereinabove can be substituted by an image scene, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by such a term.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An image display device, comprising: at least one light source array module for scanning light; a moving body for circulating or reciprocally moving the light source array module; a frame memory for storing image data; a light source driver for supplying a data voltage based on the image data to the light source array module; and a signal controller for generating a synchronization signal for controlling the image data and a display of the image data on the basis of an input image signal and supplying the synchronization signal to the light source driver.

2. The image display device of claim 1 , further comprising a position detector for detecting a position of the light source array module and supplying a corresponding signal to the signal controller.

3. The image display device of claim 1 , wherein the frame memory has at least one of a FIFO characteristic and a LIFO characteristic.

4. The image display device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one screen on which light is scanned from the light source array module.

5. The image display device of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source array module comprises a first light source array module and a second light source array module, and moving directions of the first and second light source array modules are opposite to each other.

6. The image display device of claim 1, wherein the light source array module scans an image from an upper end to a lower end of an image scene and then scans an image from the lower end to the upper end of the image scene.

7. The image display device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source array module comprises a first light source array module and a second light source array module, and the first and second light source array modules respectively scan a first image and a second image on a first image scene and a second image scene.

8. The image display device of claim 7, wherein the light source array module scans from a right end to a left end of the first image scene and then scans from a right end to a left end of the second image scene, or scans from the left end to the right end of the first image scene and then scans from the left end to the right end of the second image scene.

9. The image display device of claim 1 , wherein the light source array module scans from a right end to a left end of the screen and then scans from the left end to the right end of the screen.

10. The image display device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source array module comprises a first light source array module and a second light source array module, and the first and second light source array modules alternately scan a first image on the first image scene and alternately scan a second image on the second image scene.

11. The image display device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source array module comprises a first light source array module and a second light source array module, and the first and second light source array modules scan images on one image scene substantially at the same time.

12. The image display device of claim 1 , wherein the light source array module sequentially scans images on a plurality of image scenes.

13. The image display device of claim 1 , wherein the light source array module comprises at least three light emitting elements that are disposed with a constant interval therebetween and emit light of different colors.

14. The image display device of claim 13, wherein the at least three light emitting elements display an image for one pixel by emitting light at different times.

15. The image display device of claim 1 , wherein the light source array module comprises at least two light emitting elements that are disposed with a constant interval therebetween and emit light of the same color.

16. The image display device of claim 15, wherein the at least two light emitting elements display an image for one pixel by emitting light at different times.

17. A driving apparatus of an image display device including at least one light source array module for emitting light and a rotating body for circulating or reciprocally moving the light source array module such that the light source array module scans an image on a cylindrical shape surface, comprising: a frame memory for storing image data; a light source driver for supplying a data voltage based on the image data to the light source array module; and a signal controller for generating a synchronization signal for controlling the image data and a display of the image data on the basis of an input image signal and supplying the synchronization signal to the light source driver.

18. The driving apparatus of an image display device of claim 17, further comprising a position detector for detecting a position of the light source array module and supplying a corresponding signal to the signal controller.

19. The driving apparatus of an image display device of claim 17, wherein the frame memory has at least one of a FIFO characteristic and a LIFO characteristic.

20. The driving apparatus of an image display device of claim 17, wherein the frame memory receives the image data on the basis of a pixel row, and sends out the image data on the basis of a pixel column.

21. The driving apparatus of an image display device of claim 17, wherein the signal controller controls such that the respective light source array module scans while rotating.

22. The driving apparatus of an image display device of claim 17, wherein if the at least one light source array module comprises a plurality of light source array modules, the light source array modules alternately scan an image scene on which an image is scanned.