Multi-view display device

Abstract

A multi-view display device display images based on received image signals, received request signals, and transmits timing control signals. When the device receives request signals with distinct channel information during a given period, the device displays a first image signal and transmits a first timing control signal that includes one of the distinct channel information during a first period of an image frame, and displays a second image signal and transmits a second timing control signal that includes the other of the distinct channel information during another second period of the image frame. User controllers having glasses are activated or deactivated to view or obscure the displayed images based on receipt of the timing control signals.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-view display device, comprising:
 a first user controller storing a first user identification ID, comprising glasses with shutters, and configured to transmit a first request signal including the first user ID;   a second user controller storing a second user ID, comprising glasses with shutters, and configured to transmit a second request signal including the second user ID;   a display panel configured to display images based on received image signals; and   a signal controller configured to receive the request signals, output an image signal to the display panel and a timing control signal including a selected one of the user IDs to the first and second user controllers during a first period of an image frame period,   wherein each user controller closes its respective shutters when it receives the timing signal with the selected user ID that differs from its stored user ID and opens at least one of its respective shutters when the selected user ID matches its stored user ID.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-view display device of  claim 1 , wherein the signal controller outputs the image signal and the timing control signal at substantially the same time. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-view display device of  claim 1 , wherein the signal controller outputs a second image signal and a second timing control signal including the other user ID during a second period of the image frame period after the first period. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-view display device of  claim 3 , wherein when the first and second user IDs differ from one another, the first and second image signals differ from one another. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-view display device of  claim 1 , wherein when the first and second user IDs are the same, the first period is the entire image frame period. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-view display device of  claim 1 , wherein during a period of the request signals each request signal includes a single pulse to represent its user ID, wherein a pulse width of the pulses differ from one another. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-view display device of  claim 1 , wherein during a period of the request signals each request signal includes a different number of pulses to respectively represent their user IDs. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-view display device of  claim 1 , wherein each request signal includes a different bit pattern to respectively represent their user IDs. 
     
     
         9 . A user controller for viewing images from a multi-view display device, the user controller comprising:
 a pair of polarized glasses;   a first switching circuit for selecting a mode indicating one of a 2D and a 3D mode;   a second switching circuit for selecting a first user identification ID;   a signal transmitting unit that is configured to wirelessly transmit a request signal including the user ID and a determination signal including the mode;   a signal receiving unit that is configured to wirelessly receive a timing control signal including a second user ID,   wherein the signal receiving unit activates the glasses for viewing 2D images when the mode is 2D and the first and second user IDs match,   wherein the signal receiving unit activates the glasses for viewing 3D images when the mode is 3D and the first and second user IDs match, and   wherein the signal receiving unit deactivates the glasses to prevent viewing of images when the first and second users ID differ from one another.   
     
     
         10 . The user controller of  claim 9 , wherein the request signal is one of an infrared or a radio frequency signal.