Three-dimensional image processing apparatus and method for adjusting location of sweet spot for displaying multi-view image

A three-dimensional image processing apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

• a receiver for receiving a multi-view image including a plurality of view images;
• and
• a controller for detecting a plurality of users from an image obtained by taking a watching zone, acquiring user location information indicating locations of the plurality of detected users, calculating distance information indicating a distance between the detected users by using the acquired user location information, and the controller for controlling a location and a size of a sweet spot for viewing the plurality of view images based on the calculated distance information and a length of a dead zone of the multi-view image by controlling a three-dimensional image pixel period and an interval between a display panel and a filter,
• wherein the controller controls the location of the sweet spot by arranging the at least one dead zone of the multi-view image between the plurality of detected users such that a center of the dead zone is located at the center between two users among the plurality of users when the distance between the plurality of detected users is greater than the length of the at least one dead zone of the multi-view image,
• wherein the controller controls the location of the sweet spot by arranging the plurality of detected users at the same sweet spot such that a center of the sweet spot is located between two users among the plurality of users when the distance between the plurality of detected users is less than the length of the at least one dead zone of the multi-view image,
• wherein the controller calculates the distance information of the plurality of users by moving an actual location of one of the plurality of users as much as the distance corresponding to a viewing zone, the viewing zone corresponding to sum of the dead zone and the sweet spot, and
• wherein the controller controls the location and the size of the sweet spot by calculating the three-dimensional image pixel period based on the distance information and the length of the dead zone of the multi-view image.