Backlighting array supporting adaptable parallax barrier

Abstract

Display systems are described that include an adaptable parallax barrier that filters light passed by a display panel in a manner that allows for the simultaneous viewing of two-dimensional images, three-dimensional images and multi-view three-dimensional content in different display regions. The display system also includes a backlight panel comprising an array of light sources that may be individually controlled to vary the backlighting luminosity provided to the display panel on a region-by-region basis. Since each of the display regions may be perceived as having a different number of pixels per unit area depending upon the type of content being presented, the backlight array enables the brightness of each region to be controlled such that a viewer perceives roughly uniform brightness across all regions. Alternative regional brightness control schemes are also described.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 291,818, filed on Dec. 31, 2009, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 303,119, filed on Feb. 10, 2010, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.[0002]This application is also related to the following U.S. patent applications, each of which also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61 / 291,818 and 61 / 303,119 and each of which is incorporated by reference herein:[0003]U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 845,409, filed on Jul. 28, 2010, and entitled “Display with Adaptable Parallax Barrier”; and[0004]U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 845,440, filed on Jul. 28, 2010, and entitled “Adaptable Parallax Barrier Supporting Mixed 2D and Stereoscopic 3D Display Regions.”BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0005]1. Field of the Invention[0006...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]Display systems and methods are described herein. In accordance with certain embodiments, the display systems and methods provide a backlight panel comprising an array of light sources (e.g., LEDs) that may be individually controlled to vary the backlighting luminosity provided to a proximately-positioned display panel on a region-by-region basis. Such control may be automatic and / or manual. This enables, for example, the brightness of each region to be controlled such that a viewer perceives roughly uniform brightness across all regions. This is particularly useful in a display system having an adaptable parallax barrier that allows for the simultaneous viewing of two-dimensional images, three-dimensional images and multi-view three-dimensional content in different display regions, since those display regions may be perceived as having a different number of pixels per unit area.

[0013]Alternatively or in addition to controlling the backlighting array, the intensity of pixels associated with a particular display region can also be increased or reduced in order to control brightness on a region-by-region or pixel-by-pixel basis. In one embodiment, a combined backlight array and pixel intensity control scheme is used to provide desired brightness on a region-by-region basis. For example, the intensity of pixels near the boundary of a region may be increased or reduced to correct disparities caused by the luminosity contribution (or lack thereof) from backlight sources associated with adjacent regions. Alternatively or additionally, a grating system may be used to prevent the spilling over of light from adjacent regions.

Problems solved by technology

A disadvantage of parallax barriers is that the viewer must be positioned in a well-defined location in order to experience the three-dimensional effect.

If the viewer moves his / her eyes away from this “sweet spot,” image flipping and / or exacerbation of the eyestrain, headaches and nausea that may be associated with prolonged three-dimensional image viewing may result.

When simultaneously displaying two-dimensional, three-dimensional and multi-view three-dimensional regions using a system such as that described in above-reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 845,440, the use of a conventional backlight will result in a disparity in perceived brightness between the different simultaneously-displayed regions.

This disparity in perceived brightness between display regions may lead to an unsatisfactory viewing experience for a viewer.

For example, when the viewer adjusts the brightness level of the backlight to improve the appearance of an image in a particular region, the viewer may also cause the brightness of an image in another display region to be reduced or increased to an undesired level.

Consequently, the viewer will be unable to set all of the display regions to a single desired brightness level.

In addition, the viewer may be unable to adequately perceive images displayed in regions of reduced brightness.

Furthermore, the disparity in perceived brightness between the display regions may be distracting or annoying to the viewer.

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