A multi-view integrated imaging liquid crystal lens array and display device

Abstract

This invention discloses a multi-viewing-angle integrated imaging liquid crystal lens array, relating to the field of 3D display, comprising: a first electrode group located on a first substrate, a second electrode group located on a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first electrode group and the second electrode group; in a first state, each first sub-electrode in each first electrode group is applied with a corresponding driving voltage, and each second sub-electrode in each second electrode sub-group is applied with a second identical potential, so that the lens group unit as a whole behaves as a single lens; in a second state, each first sub-electrode in each first electrode group is applied with a first identical potential, so that the first electrode group serves as a common electrode, and each second sub-electrode in each second electrode sub-group is applied with a corresponding driving voltage, so that the lens group unit behaves as M sub-lenses. The liquid crystal lens array provided by this invention can switch between different viewing angle modes, thus being compatible with different viewing angles and achieving a coordinated match between viewing angle and resolution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of 3D display, and in particular to an integrated imaging liquid crystal lens array and display device with multiple viewing angles. Background Technology

[0002] Integrated imaging is an automated stereoscopic and multi-view 3D imaging technology. Its core feature lies in using a two-dimensional microlens array (also known as a fly-eye lens) to capture and reproduce the light field. This technology eliminates the need for large integrated objectives or observation lenses. Instead, it uses the microlens array to record and reproduce light from different angles, thereby creating a 3D visual effect containing depth information. Specifically, integrated imaging technology includes two main processes: recording and reproduction. During recording, the microlens array records information about the object's spatial scene onto film. Each microlens captures a portion of the scene information from a different direction, generating tiny images (i.e., image pixels) from different perspectives. During reproduction, using the same microlens array as during recording, the light from the image pixels is focused and restored through the principle of optical reversibility, reproducing a 3D image of the object's spatial scene.

[0003] In existing technologies, the viewing angle of integrated imaging 3D displays is fixed. In order to meet the requirements of a wide viewing angle, the display resolution is often reduced. When the 3D viewing angle of the source material itself is small, the fixed integrated imaging viewing angle cannot prevent the loss of resolution, resulting in a double loss of viewing angle and resolution. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a multi-mode viewing angle integrated imaging liquid crystal lens array. The aim is to achieve lens aperture switching of the liquid crystal lens by setting driving electrodes on each liquid crystal lens, and when one side is used as a driving motor, the other side is used as a common electrode. Based on this, the liquid crystal lens array provided by the present invention can switch between different viewing angle modes and is compatible with different viewing angles. For example, for a source material with N*N integrated imaging 3D pixels, a lens corresponding to low viewing angle and high resolution can be used for integrated imaging, while for a source material with 2N*2N integrated imaging 3D pixels, a lens corresponding to high viewing angle and low resolution can be used for integrated imaging, thus achieving a coordinated matching of viewing angle and resolution.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, in a first aspect of the present invention, a multi-mode viewing angle integrated imaging liquid crystal lens array is provided, characterized in that the lens array comprises: a lens group unit; the lens group unit comprises: a first electrode group located on a first substrate, a second electrode group located on a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first electrode group and the second electrode group; the first electrode group and the second electrode group are in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0006] The first electrode group includes a plurality of first sub-electrodes that diffuse outward from the center; the second electrode group includes M groups of second electrode sub-groups that are evenly distributed, each group of second electrode sub-groups including a plurality of second sub-electrodes that diffuse outward from the center.

[0007] A first high-resistivity connection layer is provided between each of the first sub-electrodes in the first electrode group, and a second high-resistivity connection layer is provided between each of the second sub-electrodes in each of the second electrode sub-groups.

[0008] In the first state, each first sub-electrode in each first electrode group is given a corresponding driving voltage, and each second sub-electrode in each second electrode sub-group is given a second identical potential, so that the lens group unit as a whole behaves as a single lens; in the second state, each first sub-electrode in each first electrode group is given a first identical potential, so that the first electrode group serves as a common electrode, and each second sub-electrode in each second electrode sub-group is given a corresponding driving voltage, so that the lens group unit behaves as M sub-lenses.

[0009] In one specific embodiment, the first electrode group includes a plurality of concentrically arranged first annular electrodes, and the second electrode subgroup includes a plurality of concentrically arranged second annular electrodes.

[0010] In one specific embodiment, a third electrode is further disposed in the peripheral region of the first electrode group within the lens group unit, and a fourth electrode is further disposed between the second electrode groups and in the peripheral region within the lens group unit; in the first state, the fourth electrode is applied with a second same potential; in the second state, the third electrode is applied with a first same potential.

[0011] In one specific embodiment, in the lens group unit, the ratio of the first electrode group to the second electrode subgroup is 1:N. 2 N is a positive integer; the second electrode subgroup is arranged in a horizontal and vertical array.

[0012] In one specific embodiment, in the first state, each of the second sub-electrodes in the second electrode sub-group is subjected to a driving voltage that increases or decreases in gradient as it diffuses from the center to the periphery; in the second state, each of the first sub-electrodes in the first electrode group is subjected to a driving voltage that increases or decreases in gradient as it diffuses from the center to the periphery.

[0013] In one specific embodiment, the first electrode group is arranged in a strip-shaped or annular arrangement; the second electrode subgroup is arranged in a strip-shaped or annular arrangement; wherein the annular arrangement includes circular rings and polygonal rings.

[0014] In one specific embodiment, in the lens group unit, the ratio of the first electrode group to the second electrode subgroup is 1:L, and the second electrode subgroup is arranged in a circular pattern.

[0015] The second aspect of the invention includes:

[0016] The lens array and the 2D display array provided in any of the preceding claims; the lens array is disposed on the 2D display array.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: (1) In the first state, each of the first sub-electrodes in each of the first electrode groups is given a corresponding driving voltage, and each of the second sub-electrodes in each of the second electrode sub-groups is given a second same potential, so that the lens group unit as a whole behaves as a lens; in the second state, each of the first sub-electrodes in each of the first electrode groups is given a first same potential so that the first electrode group is used as a common electrode, and each of the second sub-electrodes in each of the second electrode sub-groups is given a corresponding driving voltage, so that the lens group unit behaves as M sub-lenses. Based on this, the two lens modes can be switched, the two 3D resolutions are compatible, and the 2D resolution loss is avoided under the requirements of low-view 3D display. (2) In the present invention, a first high-resistivity electrical connection layer is provided between the first sub-electrodes, and a first high-resistivity electrical connection layer is provided between each of the first sub-electrodes in the first electrode group. In this way, when the first electrode group or the second electrode group is used as a common electrode, the potential of the area between the electrodes can be guaranteed to be the common electrode potential, so that the common electrode of the whole area is balanced. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a side view schematic diagram of the lens group unit of a multi-mode viewing angle integrated imaging liquid crystal lens array according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the sub-lens structure of the lens group unit in the first state according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sub-lens structure of the lens group unit in the second state according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a top view schematic diagram of the sub-electrode of the lens group unit in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a side view structural diagram of a lens group unit with three viewing angles according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The following describes in detail embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0024] In the description of this patent, it should be understood that the terms “center,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” and “outer,” etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this patent and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this patent.

[0025] In the description of this patent, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "setting" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection or setting, a detachable connection or setting, or an integral connection or setting. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this patent according to the specific circumstances.

[0026] like Figures 1-4 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a multi-mode viewing angle integrated imaging liquid crystal lens array, the lens array comprising: a lens group unit; the lens group unit comprising: a first electrode group located on a first substrate, a second electrode group located on a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first electrode group and the second electrode group; the first electrode group and the second electrode group are in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0027] The first electrode group includes a plurality of first sub-electrodes radiating outwards from the center; the second electrode group includes M groups of second electrode sub-groups evenly distributed, each group of second electrode sub-groups including a plurality of second sub-electrodes radiating outwards from the center; typically, regarding the setting of the first electrode group and the second electrode sub-group, the relevant electrode driving of the liquid crystal lens can be achieved using existing technology in this invention; one example is given below for illustrative purposes, and other driving electrodes and driving methods can be set in other ways, where the driving electrodes are on the same side of the liquid crystal cell and contain positive and negative voltages, and the liquid crystal is deflected under the action of the voltage to achieve the lens; alternatively, the voltage difference between the driving electrode of one side of the liquid crystal cell and the common electrode on the other side can be used to control the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal cell to achieve the lens.

[0028] A first high-resistivity connection layer is provided between each of the first sub-electrodes in the first electrode group, and a second high-resistivity connection layer is provided between each of the second sub-electrodes in each of the second electrode sub-groups.

[0029] In the first state, each first sub-electrode within each first electrode group is applied with a corresponding driving voltage, and each second sub-electrode within each second electrode sub-group is applied with a second identical potential, so that the lens group unit as a whole behaves as a single lens; in the second state, each first sub-electrode within each first electrode group is applied with a first identical potential, so that the first electrode group acts as a common electrode, and each second sub-electrode within each second electrode sub-group is applied with a corresponding driving voltage, so that the lens group unit behaves as M sub-lenses. Figure 2 As shown, in the first state, the lens group unit as a whole behaves as a single lens; as Figure 3 As shown, in the second state, the lens group unit as a whole manifests as two lenses; it is worth mentioning that, Figure 2 , Figure 3 In the diagram, the liquid crystal deflection is illustrative and only serves to illustrate the number of sub-lenses. The actual deflection shall prevail.

[0030] It is worth mentioning that the second same potential can be the same potential applied to the second sub-electrode within a second electrode subgroup, or the same potential applied to all the second sub-electrodes of all the second electrode subgroups.

[0031] Optionally, the lens can be annular; in this embodiment, the first electrode group includes a plurality of concentrically arranged first annular electrodes, and the second electrode subgroup includes a plurality of concentrically arranged second annular electrodes.

[0032] To improve the uniformity of the common potential voltage on one side when it is used as a common electrode, optionally, in this embodiment, a third electrode is further provided in the peripheral region of the first electrode group in the lens group unit, and a fourth electrode is further provided between the second electrode groups and in the peripheral region in the lens group unit; in the first state, the fourth electrode is applied with a second same potential; in the second state, the third electrode is applied with a first same potential.

[0033] This invention does not limit the specific ratio of the first electrode group to the second electrode subgroup; illustratively, in this embodiment, in the lens group unit, the ratio of the first electrode group to the second electrode subgroup is 1:N. 2 N is a positive integer; the second electrode subgroup is arranged in a horizontal and vertical array.

[0034] For the driving method of a single liquid crystal lens, reference can be made to the prior art, and the present invention is not limited thereto; however, the technical solution of switching liquid crystal lenses by using the two sides as common electrodes and driving electrodes respectively based on the concept of the present invention should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0035] The illustrative driving configuration is as follows: In the first state, each of the second sub-electrodes in the second electrode sub-group is subjected to a driving voltage that diffuses from the center to the periphery with a gradient increase or decrease; in the second state, each of the first sub-electrodes in the first electrode group is subjected to a driving voltage that diffuses from the center to the periphery with a gradient increase or decrease.

[0036] The above example is actually a typical driving voltage setting and should not be considered a limitation of the present invention; the present invention can also apply corresponding driving voltages according to Fresnel lens driving methods, etc.

[0037] Typically, the first electrode group is arranged in, but is not limited to, strip-shaped or ring-shaped arrangements; the second electrode subgroup is arranged in, but is not limited to, strip-shaped or ring-shaped arrangements; the ring-shaped arrangements include circular rings and polygonal rings. In this embodiment, a circular ring is used for illustration, but in other practical applications, a hexagonal ring arrangement can be used. Furthermore, when the electrode group is arranged in a strip-shaped configuration, the integrated imaging is actually one-dimensional integrated imaging, and its lens array is a cylindrical lens array.

[0038] Furthermore, the present invention does not limit the arrangement of the second electrode subgroups, as long as one first electrode group corresponds to multiple second electrode subgroups; and the arrangement of the second electrode subgroups is not specifically limited; typically, in the lens group unit, the ratio of the first electrode group to the second electrode subgroup is 1:L, and the second electrode subgroups are arranged in a circular pattern.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above example, the viewing angle module is dual-mode, but in reality, it can be further multi-mode; for example, the first electrode group is set on the A side of the liquid crystal cell, and the second electrode group is set on the B side of the liquid crystal cell, thus realizing dual-mode viewing angle switchability; based on this, the 2*2 area of ​​the A side is taken as a lens group unit, and the B side is set as a common electrode to realize the third mode viewing angle, thereby realizing the overall three-mode viewing angle integrated imaging, and the module can be further upgraded. Figure 5 As shown, integrated imaging with three-mode perspectives is achieved.

[0040] like Figure 4 In the first electrode group, there are 7 first sub-electrodes (rings). In practical applications, the number of first sub-electrodes can be designed according to the needs.

[0041] A second embodiment of the present invention provides a multi-mode viewing angle integrated imaging liquid crystal lens display device, comprising: a lens array provided in the first embodiment, and a 2D display array; the lens array is disposed on the 2D display array.

[0042] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make numerous modifications and variations based on the concept of the present invention without creative effort. Therefore, all technical solutions that can be obtained by those skilled in the art based on the concept of the present invention through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation on the basis of existing technology should be within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A multi-mode viewing angle integrated imaging liquid crystal lens array, characterized in that, The lens array includes a lens group unit; the lens group unit includes a first electrode group located on a first substrate, a second electrode group located on a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first electrode group and the second electrode group; the first electrode group and the second electrode group are in a one-to-one correspondence. The first electrode group includes a plurality of first sub-electrodes that diffuse outward from the center; the second electrode group includes M groups of second electrode sub-groups that are evenly distributed, each group of second electrode sub-groups including a plurality of second sub-electrodes that diffuse outward from the center. A first high-resistivity connection layer is provided between each of the first sub-electrodes in the first electrode group, and a second high-resistivity connection layer is provided between each of the second sub-electrodes in each of the second electrode sub-groups; wherein, the first high-resistivity connection layer and the second high-resistivity connection layer are respectively used to ensure the potential balance between each sub-electrode when the first electrode group and the second electrode sub-group are used as common electrodes. In the first state, each first sub-electrode in each first electrode group is given a corresponding driving voltage, and each second sub-electrode in each second electrode sub-group is given a second identical potential, so that the lens group unit as a whole behaves as a single lens; in the second state, each first sub-electrode in each first electrode group is given a first identical potential, so that the first electrode group serves as a common electrode, and each second sub-electrode in each second electrode sub-group is given a corresponding driving voltage, so that the lens group unit behaves as M sub-lenses. A third electrode is also provided in the peripheral region of the first electrode group within the lens group unit, and a fourth electrode is also provided between the second electrode groups and in the peripheral region within the lens group unit; in the first state, the fourth electrode is applied with a second same potential; in the second state, the third electrode is applied with a first same potential.

2. The multi-view integrated imaging liquid crystal lens array as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first electrode group includes a plurality of concentrically arranged first annular electrodes, and the second electrode subgroup includes a plurality of concentrically arranged second annular electrodes.

3. The multi-view integrated imaging liquid crystal lens array as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the lens group unit, the ratio of the first electrode group to the second electrode subgroup is 1:N², where N is a positive integer; the second electrode subgroup is arranged in a horizontal and vertical array.

4. The multi-view integrated imaging liquid crystal lens array as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the first state, each of the second sub-electrodes in the second electrode sub-group is subjected to a driving voltage that increases or decreases in gradient as it diffuses from the center to the periphery; in the second state, each of the first sub-electrodes in the first electrode group is subjected to a driving voltage that increases or decreases in gradient as it diffuses from the center to the periphery.

5. The multi-view integrated imaging liquid crystal lens array as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first electrode group can be arranged in a strip or a ring; the second electrode subgroup can be arranged in a strip or a ring; the ring arrangement includes circular rings and polygonal rings.

6. The multi-view integrated imaging liquid crystal lens array as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the lens group unit, the ratio of the first electrode group to the second electrode subgroup is 1:L, and the second electrode subgroup is arranged in a circular pattern.

7. A multi-mode viewing angle integrated imaging liquid crystal lens display device, characterized in that, include: The lens array and the 2D display array provided by any one of claims 1-6; the lens array is disposed on the 2D display array.

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