Device with combined 2d-3d display

Abstract

According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a frame and an autostereoscopic display (104) coupled with the frame. The autostereoscopic display (104) comprises: a display panel comprising light emitting diodes (602) in a first far-field area (402), a second far-field area (402), and a near-field area (1902), the near-field area (1902) being disposed between the first far-field area (402) and the second far-field area (402); a first microlens (604) overlapping the first far field region (402) of the display panel; the first micro-lens (604) is overlapped with the first far-field area (402) of the display panel, the second micro-lens (604) is overlapped with the second far-field area (402) of the display panel, the second micro-lens (604) and the first micro-lens (604) are arranged at intervals, and the near-field area (1902) of the display panel is not provided with the micro-lens (604).

Description

Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This patent application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 421,849, filed on November 2, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference as if reproduced in full. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention generally relates to devices having three - dimensional (3D) displays and, in particular embodiments, to technologies and mechanisms for devices having combined two - dimensional (2D) - 3D displays. Background Art

[0003] The metaverse is part of the next - generation Internet, featuring real - time, interactive, social, and persistent characteristics. The key technology of the metaverse is augmented reality, including displays that provide real images superimposed on generated display items. Once such a function can be achieved, optical combiners can be used for augmented reality. With the increasing attention to augmented reality, there has also emerged a need for improved optical combiners that support such functions. Other types of displays, such as 2D displays, can also be applied to the metaverse. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present invention describe a device having an optically - transparent three - dimensional (3D) display, which generally achieves technical advantages.

[0005] According to one embodiment, a device includes: a frame; and an autostereoscopic display coupled to the frame, the autostereoscopic display including: a display panel including light-emitting diodes in a first far-field region, a second far-field region, and a near-field region, the near-field region being disposed between the first far-field region and the second far-field region; a first microlens overlapping the first far-field region of the display panel; a second microlens overlapping the second far-field region of the display panel, the second microlens being arranged at intervals from the first microlens, wherein there is no microlens in the near-field region of the display panel. According to some embodiments of the device, the distance between the first microlens and the second microlens is different from the size of the first microlens and the size of the second microlens. According to some embodiments of the device, the first microlens and the second microlens are circular microlenses in a top view. According to some embodiments of the device, the first microlens and the second microlens are rectangular microlenses in a top view. According to some embodiments of the device, the first microlens and the second microlens are hexagonal microlenses in a top view. According to some embodiments of the device, the first far-field region and the second far-field region are one of a plurality of far-field regions, the near-field region is one of a plurality of near-field regions, and the total area of the near-field region is greater than the total area of the far-field region. According to some embodiments, the device further includes: a controller configured to change the transparency of the first far-field region and the second far-field region.

[0006] According to one embodiment, a device includes: a frame; and a display panel coupled to the frame, the display panel including: a transistor layer; a light-emitting diode layer located on the transistor layer; a first microlens located on a first portion of the light-emitting diode layer; a second microlens located on a second portion of the light-emitting diode layer, the first microlens and the second microlens each having a microlens size, the first microlens and the second microlens being spaced apart by a separation distance different from the microlens size. According to some embodiments of the device, the transistor layer is opaque. According to some embodiments of the device, the transistor layer is transparent. According to some embodiments of the device, the first microlens and the second microlens are part of a microlens array located on the display panel. According to some embodiments of the device, the microlenses in the microlens array are arranged at the same distance from each other in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction in a top view. According to some embodiments of the device, the first microlens is part of a first microlens strip located on the display panel, and the second microlens is part of a second microlens strip located on the display panel. According to some embodiments of the device, the first microlens and the second microlens are part of a microlens strip located on the display panel, and each microlens strip in the microlens strip is arranged at the same distance from each other. According to some embodiments of the device, the first microlens and the second microlens are part of a random microlens array located on the display panel. According to some embodiments of the device, the separation distance is greater than the microlens size. According to some embodiments of the device, the separation distance is less than the microlens size.

[0007] According to one embodiment, a device includes: a thin-film transistor layer including transistors; a light-emitting diode layer located on the thin-film transistor layer, the light-emitting diode layer including light-emitting diodes, the transistors being configured to control the light-emitting diodes; a parallax barrier located on the light-emitting diode layer, the parallax barrier including: a first microlens located on the light-emitting diode layer, the first microlens being aligned with a first array of the light-emitting diodes; a second microlens located on the light-emitting diode layer, the second microlens being aligned with a second array of the light-emitting diodes, the second microlens being arranged at intervals from the first microlens. According to some embodiments of the device, the thin-film transistor layer is opaque. According to some embodiments of the device, the thin-film transistor layer is transparent.

[0008] Embodiments can achieve advantages. Using microlenses on the display panel can enable the generated light-emitting units to emit a light field suitable for displaying 3D images. This display may be more compact than other types of displays (such as waveguide combined displays). Description of the Drawings

[0009] To more fully understand the present invention and its advantages, the following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1A and Figure 1B is a view of glasses according to some embodiments;

[0011] Figure 2 is a block diagram of glasses according to some embodiments;

[0012] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method for displaying augmented reality content on a three-dimensional display according to some embodiments;

[0013] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional display during operation according to some embodiments;

[0014] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional display during the display of a 3D image according to some embodiments;

[0015] Figure 6A and Figure 6B is a view of a three-dimensional display according to some embodiments;

[0016] Figures 7A to 7G is a top view of a three-dimensional display according to various embodiments;

[0017] Figures 8 to 11 is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate stage of manufacturing a three-dimensional display according to various embodiments;

[0018] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate stage of manufacturing a three-dimensional display according to various embodiments;

[0019] Figure 13 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional display according to some embodiments;

[0020] Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment processing system;

[0021] Figure 15 is a view of an autostereoscopic device according to some embodiments;

[0022] Figure 16A and Figure 16B is a schematic diagram of an autostereoscopic display during the display of a 3D image according to some embodiments;

[0023] Figure 17A and Figure 17B is a view of a three-dimensional display according to some other embodiments;

[0024] Figure 18is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional display according to some embodiments;

[0025] Figure 19A and Figure 19B is a schematic diagram of an autostereoscopic display during the display of a 3D image according to some other embodiments;

[0026] Figure 20A and Figure 20B is a view of a three-dimensional display according to some other embodiments;

[0027] Figure 21 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an autostereoscopic display during the display of 2D and 3D images according to some other embodiments;

[0028] Figure 22 is a flowchart of a method for a switching operation of a three-dimensional display according to some embodiments;

[0029] Figure 23 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional display according to some embodiments.

[0030] Unless otherwise noted, corresponding numbers and symbols in different figures generally refer to corresponding parts. The drawings are drawn to clearly illustrate relevant aspects of the embodiments and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Detailed Description

[0031] The manufacture and use of embodiments of the present invention will be discussed in detail below. However, it should be understood that the concepts disclosed herein can be embodied in a variety of specific contexts, and the specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Additionally, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made to this document without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0032] According to various embodiments, the device includes a three-dimensional display. In some embodiments, the device is a wearable device. In some embodiments, the device is a non-wearable autostereoscopic device. The three-dimensional display can be used as an optical combinational display to display augmented reality content as well as ordinary images viewable by a user of the device. The three-dimensional display is composed of microlenses with specific dimensions and spacings, such that the display has an optical see-through (OST) function while still having the required display resolution. The microlenses are arranged at intervals such that there are gaps or spaces between the microlenses, and thus a user of the device perceives the display as transparent. Additionally, the three-dimensional display can be a direct-emitting display, which can be more compact than other types of displays.

[0033] Figure 1A andFigure 1B is a view of the glasses 100 according to some embodiments. Specifically, Figure 1A is a front view of the glasses 100, Figure 1B is a side view of the glasses 100. The glasses 100 are wearable devices with an optically see-through three-dimensional (3D) display. The glasses 100 include a frame 102, a three-dimensional display 104, a sensor 106, and a human-machine interface device 108. As will be described in more detail subsequently, the three-dimensional display 104 is an optically see-through display that can be used as an optical combinational display. The three-dimensional display 104 is a lens for the glasses 100. The human-machine interface device 108 (described below) is used to interact with the glasses 100. Optionally, the glasses 100 include other components such as a speaker 110. Although not separately shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1B , the glasses 100 also include a controller 112 and a transceiver 114 (see Figure 2 ). In one embodiment, the controller 112 and the transceiver 114 are provided together with the human-machine interface device 108. Alternatively, they can be provided within any part of the frame 102 or connected to the frame 102.

[0034] The frame 102 is a spectacle frame that holds a lens (e.g., the three-dimensional display 104) in an appropriate position for a user (e.g., a wearer) of the glasses 100. The frame 102 includes: a pair of spectacle rims that surround or at least partially surround the three-dimensional display 104 and hold the three-dimensional display 104 in an appropriate position, a bridge that connects the spectacle rims to each other, and temple arms that are connected to the sides of the spectacle rims. The frame 102 can be made of any acceptable material, such as plastic, metal, a combination thereof, etc.

[0035] The three-dimensional display 104 is coupled to the frame 102. Specifically, the three-dimensional display 104 is held by the spectacle rims of the frame 102 such that the frame 102 extends at least partially around the three-dimensional display 104. The three-dimensional display 104 is a direct-emitting optically see-through three-dimensional display. Specifically, the three-dimensional display 104 is an optically see-through light field display. In this case, when a user of the glasses 100 perceives the display to be transparent at the desired viewing distance, the display is optically see-through. When the real-world environment is visible to the user of the glasses 100 through the three-dimensional display 104, the three-dimensional display 104 is perceived as transparent. The three-dimensional display 104 can be used to display content such as augmented reality overlays, a user interface (UI), etc. to the user of the glasses 100.

[0036] Since the real-world environment is visible through the three-dimensional display 104, a user of the glasses 100 can perceive augmented reality content superimposed on the real-world environment visible through the three-dimensional display 104. In addition, in this case, when the display directly emits the required light field without using a backlight for light emission, the display is a direct-emitting display. Specifically, the display emits light with the required intensity and color from each pixel to directly generate an image on the display. A direct-emitting display can be simply referred to as an emitting display.

[0037] The sensor 106 includes one or more of the following: a vision sensor, an audio sensor, a position sensor, an environmental sensor, etc. Examples of the sensor 106 include cameras such as a wide-angle camera and an infrared camera; a depth sensor; position sensors such as an azimuth sensor and a magnetometer; motion sensors such as an accelerometer, a gravity sensor, and a gyroscope; environmental sensors such as a light sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a barometric pressure sensor; an audio sensor such as a microphone; medical sensors such as a blood oxygen sensor and an electroencephalogram sensor; satellite navigation sensors such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor. Some or all of the sensors 106 are integrated or disposed within the frame 102. In some embodiments, the sensor 106 is disposed in the spectacle frame and the nose bridge of the frame 102. The sensor 106 can be symmetrically or asymmetrically disposed around the frame 102 and can face and / or face away from the user of the glasses 100. For example, the sensor 106 can include a camera facing the user of the glasses 100, which can be used to track the position of the user's head, face, and / or eyes. Similarly, the sensor 106 can include a camera facing away from the user of the glasses 100, which can be used to track the user's gestures. Some of the sensors 106 can be networked sensors outside the frame 102, and these sensors communicate with the frame 102 through a transceiver 114 (subsequently described in Figure 2 ).

[0038] The human-machine interface device 108 includes features for interacting with the user interface of the glasses 100. The human-machine interface device 108 can include a touchpad, buttons, etc. In some embodiments, the human-machine interface device 108 is connected to the frame 102. For example, it is connected to the temple of the frame 102. In some embodiments, the human-machine interface device 108 is a networked human-machine interface device outside the frame 102 and communicates with the frame 102 through a transceiver 114 (subsequently described in Figure 2 ).

[0039] The speaker 110 is used to output information to the user of the glasses 100. For example, the speaker 110 can be used to play a notification or an alarm. In an alternative embodiment, if the transceiver 114 (subsequently in Figure 2described) is paired with a remote speaker (e.g., an in-ear speaker of a type that uses a communication protocol such as, but not limited to, Bluetooth), the speaker 110 is not used to play notifications or alerts. In this alternative embodiment, the controller 112 sends data to the transceiver 114 for wireless transmission instead of sending audio data or information to the speaker 110. If the glasses 100 are paired with a remote speaker (e.g., an in-ear speaker of a type that uses a communication protocol such as, but not limited to, Bluetooth), the speaker 110 is not used to play notifications or alerts. In this alternative embodiment, the controller 112 sends data to the transceiver 114 for wireless transmission instead of sending audio data or information to the speaker 110.

[0040] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the glasses 100 according to some embodiments. As described above, the glasses 100 further include a controller 112 and a transceiver 114.

[0041] The controller 112 is configured to control the components of the glasses 100 during operation. Specifically, the controller 112 is configured to control the components of the glasses 100 by receiving input signals from input devices (e.g., sensors 106) of the glasses 100 and sending output signals to output devices (e.g., the 3D display 104 and the speaker 110) of the glasses 100. The controller 112 may include control circuitry, a processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a microcontroller, etc. For example, the controller 112 may include one or more processors and a memory, e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing programs for execution by the processor. One or more modules within the controller 112 may be embodied in part or in whole as software and / or hardware for performing any of the functions described herein. As described in more detail subsequently, the controller 112 is configured to display augmented reality content on the 3D display 104.

[0042] The transceiver 114 is configured to communicate between the controller 112 and external devices. The transceiver 114 is configured to send and receive signaling over a network. For example, the transceiver 114 may be used to communicate with an external device that assists the controller 112 in processing or receives information for generating an image for the 3D display 104. The transceiver 114 may include a transmitter and a receiver for a wireless communication protocol, e.g., a cellular protocol (e.g., 5G, long-term evolution (LTE), etc.), a wireless local area network (WLAN) protocol (e.g., Wi-Fi, etc.), or any other type of wireless protocol (e.g., Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), etc.). In these embodiments, the transceiver 114 includes one or more antennas / radiation units for transmitting and / or receiving communication signals.

[0043] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method 300 for displaying augmented reality content on a 3D display according to some embodiments. In conjunction with Figures 1A to 2Describe method 300. In this case, the augmented reality content includes a 3D image displayed on the three-dimensional display 104 such that the 3D image is superimposed on the real-world environment visible through the three-dimensional display 104. The augmented reality content is spatially aligned with the real-world environment visible through the three-dimensional display 104.

[0044] In step 302, signals from the input devices (e.g., sensors 106) of the glasses 100 are analyzed. The signal can be a sensor signal received from the sensor 106. The information obtained by analyzing the signals from the input devices can be spatial alignment information for spatially aligning the augmented reality content on the three-dimensional display 104. For example, the positions of the head, face, and / or eyes of the user of the glasses 100 can be determined by analyzing the signals from the sensor 106 (e.g., a camera facing the user of the glasses 100).

[0045] In step 304, the augmented reality content is rendered based on the analyzed signals. Rendering the augmented reality content includes calculating the position to display the 3D image on the three-dimensional display 104 such that the 3D image is spatially aligned with the real-world environment. For example, the spatial alignment information can be used to render the augmented reality content at a desired position on the three-dimensional display 104.

[0046] In step 306, the rendered augmented reality content is output to the three-dimensional display 104. By sending a signal to the three-dimensional display 104, the 3D image can be output to the three-dimensional display 104. Thus, the three-dimensional display 104 displays the 3D image.

[0047] At least a part of method 300 can be executed by the controller 112. In some embodiments, each step of method 300 is executed by the controller 112. In some embodiments, some steps of method 300 are executed by the controller 112, and other steps of method 300 are executed by external devices, such as an external processor (e.g., a server), a cloud computing processor, an edge computing processor, etc. For example, rendering the augmented reality content may require a considerable amount of computing power. In some embodiments, steps 302 and 306 are executed by a front-end processor (e.g., the controller 112), while step 304 is executed by a back-end processor (e.g., an external device). The front-end processor can communicate with the back-end processor through the transceiver 114.

[0048] In addition, step 302 can be performed only in certain cases. For example, an input device of the glasses 100 (e.g., the sensor 106, specifically, a camera facing the user of the glasses 100) can be used to perform a calibration process. The calibration process can generate spatial alignment information for spatially aligning augmented reality content on the three-dimensional display 104. The spatial alignment information can be stored in the memory of the controller 112 and then reused for multiple rendering steps without having to recalculate the spatial alignment information repeatedly.

[0049] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional display 104 during operation according to some embodiments. The three-dimensional display 104 is a direct-emitting optical see-through three-dimensional display. The three-dimensional display 104 is used to display a 3D image to the target 400. In this example, the three-dimensional display 104 is a glasses lens and the target 400 is the user's eye.

[0050] The three-dimensional display 104 is used to display a 3D image to the target 400. Specifically, the three-dimensional display 104 is a light field display. The three-dimensional display 104 includes a plurality of 3D light-emitting units 402. As described in more detail subsequently, the 3D light-emitting unit 402 includes a microlens 604 (subsequently described in Figure 6A and Figure 6B and a light-emitting diode array 614 (subsequently described in Figure 6A and Figure 6B ), and the light-emitting diode array 614 includes clusters of light-emitting diodes. Each 3D light-emitting unit 402 emits one or more light fields. In this case, the light field is described by a vector function that describes the amount of light flowing through multiple points in space in multiple directions. Specifically, the light field includes a plurality of light rays 404 defined by a plenoptic function. Each light ray 404 has a radiance, which is a measure of the amount of light propagating along the light ray 404. In other words, each 3D light-emitting unit 402 emits a plurality of light rays 404. In the example shown, only a portion of the light rays 404 radiating toward the target 400 are shown. The light rays 404 all propagate in a direction forming an acute angle with the direction perpendicular to the main surface of the three-dimensional display 104. Therefore, the appearance of three-dimensional depth can be formed by the light rays 404 emitted by the 3D light-emitting units 402 (e.g., through the combination of the light-emitting diode array 614 and the microlens 604).

[0051] The 3D light-emitting unit 402 is self-luminous and does not use a backlight for light emission. Therefore, the three-dimensional display 104 is a direct-emitting display. Using a direct-emitting display instead of a backlight display can reduce the size of the three-dimensional display 104 and can also enhance the brightness and contrast of the three-dimensional display 104. The 3D light-emitting unit 402 also does not use a projector or a waveguide for light emission. The power consumption of a direct-emitting display may be lower than that of a backlight display or a waveguide display.

[0052] The three-dimensional display 104 is also an optical see-through display. Thus, the object 406 can be visible to the target 400 through the three-dimensional display 104. The 3D light-emitting units 402 are arranged at intervals from each other such that each 3D light-emitting unit 402 is separated from the other 3D light-emitting units 402. As described in more detail subsequently, the ratio of the distance between the 3D light-emitting units 402 to the size of the 3D light-emitting units 402 is a specific ratio that allows the light 408 from the object 406 to pass through the three-dimensional display 104. Thus, the three-dimensional display 104 can display a 3D image to the target 400 while also allowing the light 408 to pass through the three-dimensional display 104 and be visible to the target 400. Thus, the augmented reality content displayed through the three-dimensional display 104 can be spatially aligned with the real-world environment (e.g., the object 406) visible through the three-dimensional display 104.

[0053] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional display during the display of a 3D image according to some embodiments. When a 3D image is displayed through a wearable device (e.g., glasses 100), different three-dimensional displays 104 are used to display different light fields to different targets 400 (e.g., to different eyes of a user). In this embodiment, the three-dimensional display 104 is a near-eye display. The light field is generated by the three-dimensional display 104 such that the user perceives a virtual object at the display position 502 in three-dimensional space.

[0054] The clarity of the displayed 3D image is determined by the pixel density of the three-dimensional display 104. If the pixel density of the three-dimensional display 104 is insufficient to display the 3D image, the display position 502 of the virtual object may be different from the expected position 504 of the virtual object. When the error between the display position 502 and the expected position 504 of the virtual object is large, the augmented reality content may not be correctly superimposed on the real-world environment visible through the three-dimensional display 104. Specifically, the displayed augmented reality content can be high-order grating diffraction patterns, which appear as ghost images to the user.

[0055] The pixel density of the three-dimensional display 104 (measured in pixels per degree (PPD)) is determined by the density of the 3D light-emitting units 402 and the viewing distance between the three-dimensional display 104 and the target 400. In some embodiments where the three-dimensional display 104 is a near-eye display, the pixel density of the three-dimensional display 104 is in the range of 1 PPD to 10 PPD. A pixel density less than 1 PPD may be insufficient to display the 3D image, resulting in a large error between the display position 502 and the expected position 504 of the virtual object. A pixel density greater than 10 PPD may be difficult to manufacture. In an embodiment where the viewing distance is about 10 mm and the size of the 3D light-emitting units 402 is about 50 μm, the pixel density of the three-dimensional display 104 is about 3 PPD.

[0056] Figure 6A and Figure 6B are views of a three - dimensional display 104 according to some embodiments. Specifically, Figure 6A is a top view of a part of the three - dimensional display 104, Figure 6B is a cross - sectional view of a part of the three - dimensional display 104. The three - dimensional display 104 includes a display panel 602 and a plurality of microlenses 604.

[0057] The display panel 602 is schematically shown in Figure 6A and Figure 6B where, for clarity of illustration, some features are omitted (subsequently described in Figures 8 to 12 ). The display panel 602 includes a transparent layer 612, a plurality of light - emitting diode arrays 614 located within / on the transparent layer 612, and a plurality of transistor arrays 616 located below the light - emitting diode arrays 614.

[0058] The transparent layer 612 laterally surrounds the light - emitting diode arrays 614 at least. The transparent layer 612 can be a glass layer, an ultraviolet - absorbing layer, a liquid - crystal display layer, etc. The material of the transparent layer 612 can be selected based on the desired application of the three - dimensional display 104. When the three - dimensional display 104 is a lens of transparent glasses, a glass layer can provide good transparency. The ultraviolet - absorbing layer is a photochromic layer that can change the transmittance according to the brightness of ambient light. When the three - dimensional display 104 is a lens of sunglasses, the ultraviolet - absorbing layer can provide good sun protection. The liquid - crystal display layer can be programmable so that its transmittance can be changed as needed. For example, the liquid - crystal display layer can be programmed to have high transparency in a low - light environment and can be programmed to have low transparency in a high - light environment. A controller 112 (see Figure 2 ) can be used to program the liquid - crystal display layer.

[0059] The light - emitting diode arrays 614 are light - emitting pixel arrays, and each array includes any number of light - emitting diodes. In one embodiment, each light - emitting diode array 614 includes a grid having 10 to 15 columns of light - emitting diodes and 10 to 15 rows of light - emitting diodes. A light - emitting diode refers to a diode that emits light of the required color by itself without a backlight during operation. Examples of suitable light - emitting diodes include organic light - emitting diodes (OLEDs), micro light - emitting diodes (μLEDs), etc. The light - emitting diode arrays 614 are arranged at intervals from each other. In some embodiments, the interval between the light - emitting diodes of adjacent light - emitting diode arrays 614 is greater than the interval between the light - emitting diodes within the light - emitting diode arrays 614.

[0060] The microlenses 604 are placed on the display panel 602. Specifically, the microlenses 604 are located one-to-one on the light-emitting diode array 614. Thus, each microlens 604 overlaps with the underlying light-emitting diode array 614. The microlens 604 can be narrower than, wider than, or have the same width as the underlying light-emitting diode array 614. The microlens 604 can be a hemispherical lens, a spherical lens, an aspherical lens, a plano lens, a holographic lens, a metalens (e.g., a meta-surface lens of nanoscale size), a Fresnel lens, etc. In addition, the microlens 604 can be a single-layer lens, a multi-element lens, etc. The microlenses 604 are arranged at intervals from each other such that the microlenses 604 do not contact each other in at least one direction. In a top view, the intervals between the microlenses 604 expose portions of the transparent layer 612.

[0061] The transistor array 616 is located below the light-emitting diode array 614. Specifically, the transistor array 616 is located one-to-one below the light-emitting diode array 614. The transistor arrays 616 are arranged at intervals from each other. The transistor array 616 includes transistors that control the diodes of the corresponding superimposed light-emitting diode array 614. The transistor array 616 is formed on an opaque layer (e.g., a semiconductor layer that is opaque to visible light), and this opaque layer prevents light from passing through the portion of the three-dimensional display 104 where the microlenses 604 are located. The microlenses 604 distort light (e.g., refract). Preventing light from passing through the portion of the three-dimensional display 104 where the microlenses 604 are located helps to reduce the distortion of the light passing through the three-dimensional display 104.

[0062] Each 3D light-emitting unit 402 includes a microlens 604, a light-emitting diode array 614, and a transistor array 616. The microlens 604 refracts the light rays emitted by the light-emitting diode array 614. The light rays emitted from the 3D light-emitting unit 402 can be guided to a desired direction by irradiating certain diodes of the light-emitting diode array 614, such that the microlens 604 refracts the light emitted by the diodes in the desired direction. The relative position between the light-emitting diode and the center of the microlens 604 defines the exit angle of the light rays emitted from the microlens 604.

[0063] The display panel 602 has a plurality of emission regions 602E and a plurality of transparent regions 602T. The emission region 602E is an opaque region through which ambient light cannot pass through the display panel 602. Instead, the emission region 602E emits light. The light-emitting diode array 614 and the transistor array 616 are formed in the emission region 602E. The microlens 604 completely overlaps with the emission region 602E. The transparent region 602T is a region through which light can pass through the display panel 602. The transparent region 602T is located between adjacent emission regions 602E. The transparent layer 612 is formed in the transparent region 602T. The microlens 604 does not overlap with the transparent region 602T.

[0064] Although the emission region 602E is opaque (e.g., light-impermeable), the transparent region 602T is large enough relative to the emission region 602E such that the display panel 602 is optically transmissive. The separation distance D between the microlenses 604 is greater (in at least one direction) relative to the size S of the microlenses 604. Specifically, the separation distance D between the microlenses 604 is greater than the size S of the microlenses 604. In some embodiments, the size S of the microlenses 604 ranges from 20 μm to 50 μm, the separation distance D between the microlenses 604 ranges from 30 μm to 100 μm, and the pitch P of the microlenses 604 ranges from 100 μm to 150 μm. In some embodiments, the size S of the microlenses 604 ranges from 5 μm to 2000 μm (e.g., 200 μm to 2000 μm), the separation distance D between the microlenses 604 ranges from 200 μm to 2000 μm, and the pitch P of the microlenses 604 ranges from 400 μm to 4000 μm. The size S, the separation distance D, and the pitch P may also take other values, especially when the technology scales down. The ratio of the microlens separation distance D to the microlens size S determines whether the 3D display 104 is optically transmissive. In some embodiments, the ratio of the microlens separation distance D to the microlens size S ranges from 1 to 6, and more specifically, from 2 to 5. If the ratio of the microlens separation distance D to the microlens size S is less than 2, scattering or diffraction may occur and the 3D display 104 may display ghosting. If the ratio of the microlens separation distance D to the microlens size S is greater than 5, the pixel density of the 3D display 104 may be outside the desired range (as previously described) and may not be sufficient to display a 3D image.

[0065] In a top view, the microlenses 604 occupy a small portion (e.g., less than half) of the area of the display panel 602. Accordingly, the total area of the transparent region 602T is greater than the total area of the emission region 602E. In some embodiments, the ratio of the total area of the transparent region 602T to the total area of the emission region 602E ranges from 1 to 6. In some embodiments, the ratio is approximately 2 such that the emission region 602E occupies approximately one-third of the area of the display panel 602 and the transparent region 602T occupies approximately two-thirds of the area of the display panel 602.

[0066] Figures 7A to 7G is a top view of a 3D display 104 according to various embodiments. In a top view, the microlenses 604 may have various shapes. Additionally, in a top view, the microlenses 604 may have various layouts. It should be understood that the light-emitting diode array below the microlenses 604 has the same layout as the microlenses 604.

[0067] In some embodiments, as Figure 7AAs shown, the microlens 604 is a circular microlens and is arranged as a grid microlens array. In the grid microlens array, the microlenses 604 are aligned in rows and columns in a top view. The spacing between the rows of the microlenses 604 can be different from the spacing between the columns of the microlenses 604. In some embodiments, the columns of the microlenses 604 are closer than the rows of the microlenses 604, such that the microlenses 604 are on dense horizontal lines. The spacing between the rows / columns of the microlenses 604 determines the field of view of the 3D display 104. For example, in the shown example where the columns of the microlenses 604 are closer than the rows of the microlenses 604, the horizontal field of view of the 3D display 104 can be greater than the vertical field of view of the 3D display 104.

[0068] In some embodiments, as Figure 7B As shown, the microlens 604 is a circular microlens and is arranged as a checkerboard microlens array. In the checkerboard microlens array, the microlenses 604 are aligned in a diagonal direction in a top view. When the microlenses 604 are in a checkerboard layout, the horizontal field of view of the 3D display 104 can be equal to the vertical field of view of the 3D display 104.

[0069] In some embodiments, as Figure 7C As shown, the microlens 604 is a rectangular microlens (e.g., a square microlens) and is arranged in microlens strips, where each microlens strip is arranged at intervals. In the microlens strip, the microlenses 604 are aligned in the same direction and are densely filled along the microlens strip. The microlenses 604 within the microlens strip can be closer to each other than previously described, and in some embodiments, the microlenses 604 within the microlens strip are not arranged at intervals but are in contact with each other.

[0070] Other acceptable microlens shapes can be used. For example, the microlens 604 can have other polygonal shapes. Similarly, the microlens 604 can have a non-polygonal shape. For example, the microlens 604 can be a truncated circular microlens.

[0071] In some embodiments, as Figure 7D As shown, the microlens 604 is a rectangular microlens and is arranged in microlens strips, where some of the microlens strips are not arranged at intervals but are in contact with each other. For example, the microlens strips can be grouped such that multiple microlens strips extend along and contact each other, and the groups of microlens strips are arranged at intervals. When the microlens strips are grouped, the spacing between the groups of microlens strips can be large. For example, the width of each microlens strip can be about 33 μm, three microlens strips can be grouped along each row, so that the total width of each row is about 100 μm, and the separation distance between the rows can be about 250 μm.

[0072] In some embodiments, as Figure 7EAs shown, the microlens 604 is a hexagonal microlens and is arranged in microlens strips, where some of the microlens strips are not arranged at intervals but are in contact with each other. The hexagonal microlenses can be grouped into microlens strips with a honeycomb layout. The honeycomb structures are arranged at intervals. In this embodiment, the honeycomb structure is non-truncated. Therefore, in a top view, the edges of the hexagonal microlenses define the serrated edges of the microlens strips.

[0073] In some embodiments, as Figure 7F shown, the microlens 604 is a hexagonal microlens and is arranged in microlens strips with a honeycomb layout, where the honeycomb structure is truncated. Therefore, in a top view, the edges of the hexagonal microlenses define the straight edges of the microlens strips.

[0074] The microlenses 604 can be arranged closer to each other in a first direction (e.g., the horizontal direction in Figure 7A and Figures 7C to 7F ) than in a second direction (e.g., the vertical direction in Figure 7A and Figures 7C to 7F ). The horizontal direction is parallel to the line connecting the user's eyes (e.g., the line between the three-dimensional displays 104 of the glasses 100, see FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the separation distance of the microlenses in the first direction is less than the desired separation distance (previously described in Figure 6A and Figure 6B ). The microlenses 604 can be arranged without intervals in the first direction. However, the separation distance of the microlenses in at least one direction (e.g., the second direction) is within the desired separation distance, such that the three-dimensional display 104 is optically transparent. The horizontal field of view of the human eye is larger than the vertical field of view. Therefore, in some embodiments, the microlenses 604 are arranged at intervals with the desired separation distance in the vertical direction, such that the gaps between the microlenses 604 are horizontally oriented, e.g., oriented in the direction with a larger field of view.

[0075] The ratio of the microlens separation distance to the microlens size can vary on the three-dimensional display 104. For example, this ratio can have a first value in a first region of the three-dimensional display 104 and can have a second value in a second region of the three-dimensional display 104, where the first value is different from the second value, and both the first value and the second value are within the previously described range. In some embodiments, the ratio in the central part of the three-dimensional display 104 is less than the ratio in the edge part of the three-dimensional display 104, where the central part is located between the edge parts. The edge parts can include the upper part and the lower part of the three-dimensional display 104. In other words, the separation distance between the microlenses 604 can be less in the central part of the three-dimensional display 104 than in the edge part of the three-dimensional display 104. In the embodiment of Figures 7C to 7F , the microlens strips in the central part of the three-dimensional display 104 can be closer to each other than the microlens strips in the edge part of the three-dimensional display 104.

[0076] Other acceptable microlens layouts may be used. In some embodiments, as Figure 7G shown, the microlenses 604 are arranged as a random microlens array. Specifically, the spacing between adjacent microlenses 604 may be random. In a random microlens array, the ratio of the microlens separation distance to the microlens size of adjacent microlenses 604 can still be within the range described previously. In other words, the spacing between adjacent microlenses 604 varies, but the spacing is within the range described previously. Randomizing the spacing between adjacent microlenses 604 can help reduce the interference of light passing through the space between the microlenses 604. Although Figure 7G a random microlens array with circular microlenses is shown, the microlenses 604 of the random microlens array can be rectangular microlenses, hexagonal microlenses, etc.

[0077] Figures 8 to 11 is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate stage of manufacturing a three-dimensional display 104 according to various embodiments. The three-dimensional display 104 is manufactured by separately manufacturing a light-emitting diode array 614 and then transferring the light-emitting diode array 614 to a transparent layer 612.

[0078] In Figure 8 , a thin-film transistor layer 802 is formed. A light-emitting diode layer 804 is formed on the thin-film transistor layer 802. The thin-film transistor layer 802 includes transistors that may be arranged in a transistor array 616 and are formed on an opaque layer such as a semiconductor substrate. The light-emitting diode layer 804 includes light-emitting diodes that may be arranged in a light-emitting diode array 614. The transistors of the thin-film transistor layer 802 and the diodes of the light-emitting diode layer 804 can be formed by an acceptable complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. For example, deposition, lithography, and etching processes can be performed to form various features (e.g., buffer layers, channel layers, pixel definition layers, cathodes, etc.) for the transistors of the thin-film transistor layer 802 and the diodes of the light-emitting diode layer 804.

[0079] Then, the microlenses 604 are placed on the light-emitting diode layer 804. As an example of placing the microlenses 604, the microlenses 604 can be placed on a microlens sheet 806. The microlens sheet 806 can be formed of glass or the like. Then, the microlens sheet 806 can be placed on the light-emitting diode layer 804 and aligned with the light-emitting diode layer 804 such that the microlenses 604 are aligned with the corresponding underlying light-emitting diode array 614 of the light-emitting diode layer 804.

[0080] In Figure 9In this case, the microlens sheet 806, the light-emitting diode layer 804, and the thin-film transistor layer 802 are cut to form the display assembly 808. The display assembly 808 includes a transistor array 616 (a part of the thin-film transistor layer 802), a light-emitting diode array 614 (a part of the light-emitting diode layer 804), and microlenses 604. In some embodiments using a microlens array (e.g., a grid microlens array or a checkerboard microlens array, see Figure 7A and Figure 7B ), each display assembly 808 is a single unit including a single transistor array 616, a single light-emitting diode array 614, and a single microlens 604. In some embodiments using a microlens bar (see Figures 7C to 7F ), each display assembly 808 is a bar including a plurality of transistor arrays 616, a plurality of light-emitting diode arrays 614, and a plurality of microlenses 604. The cutting process is performed along a scribe region (e.g., between the display assemblies 808). The cutting process may include performing a sawing process, a laser cutting process, etc. The cutting process separates adjacent display assemblies 808. The microlenses 604 can be trimmed by cutting the display assembly 808. After the cutting process, the corresponding light-emitting diode array 614, transistor array 616, and microlens 604 are laterally co-terminated.

[0081] In Figure 10 , a transparent layer 612 is formed. Then, recesses 810 are patterned in the transparent layer 612. The recesses 810 can be patterned using acceptable photolithography and etching techniques. In some embodiments using a microlens array (e.g., a grid microlens array or a checkerboard microlens array, see Figure 7A and Figure 7B ), the recesses 810 are pits. In some embodiments using a microlens bar (see Figures 7C to 7F ), the recesses 810 are grooves. The recesses 810 are patterned at the location of the emission region 602E of the display panel 602.

[0082] In Figure 11 , the display assembly 808 is transferred onto the transparent layer 612, thereby forming the three-dimensional display 104. After the transfer, the display assembly 808 is coupled to the transparent layer 612. By placing the display assembly 808 in the recesses 810 (see Figure 10), the display component 808 can be transferred to the transparent layer 612. The display component 808 can be placed in the recess 810 through an acceptable pick-and-place process. Accordingly, portions of the display component 808 are disposed in the transparent layer 612. In some embodiments, the transistor array 616 and the light-emitting diode array 614 are disposed in the transparent layer 612. Other portions of the display component 808 protrude from the transparent layer 612. In some embodiments, the microlenses 604 protrude from the transparent layer 612. Electrical connections to the devices (e.g., transistors of the transistor array 616) of the display component 808 can be formed on the transparent layer 612.

[0083] In this embodiment, before placing the display component 808 in the recess 810 (e.g., before cutting the display component 808), the microlenses 604 are placed on the light-emitting diode array 614. In another embodiment, after placing the display component 808 in the recess 810 (e.g., after cutting the display component 808), the microlenses 604 are placed on the light-emitting diode array 614. In this embodiment, a microlens sheet 806 including the microlenses 604 (see Figure 8 ) can be placed on the transparent layer 612 and the display component 808.

[0084] In some embodiments, one or more surfaces of the microlenses 604 are coated. The sidewalls 812 of the microlenses 604 can be coated with a reflective coating such as a metal coating, which can help block light from passing obliquely through the transparent region 602T and the microlenses 604. Otherwise, such light would be deflected by the microlenses 604. The circular top surfaces 814 of the microlenses 604 can be coated with an anti-reflective coating such as a dielectric multilayer coating, which can help increase the light transmittance through the microlenses 604.

[0085] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate stage of manufacturing the three-dimensional display 104 according to various embodiments. This step is similar to the step of Figure 12 , except that the display component 808 is placed on the top surface of the transparent layer 612 instead of in a recess in the transparent layer 612. When the transparent layer 612 is a layer that cannot be patterned without damage (e.g., a liquid crystal display layer), the recess in the transparent layer 612 can be omitted.

[0086] Figure 13 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional display according to some embodiments. The display can be a direct-emitting display of a wearable device. The method can be implemented using appropriate steps of the process described in Figures 8 to 12 .

[0087] In step 1302, the thin film transistor layer and the light emitting diode layer are cut to form a first display component and a second display component. The first display component includes a first transistor array and a first light emitting diode array. The second display component includes a second transistor array and a second light emitting diode array.

[0088] In step 1304, the first display component and the second display component are transferred to the transparent layer. In some embodiments, transferring the first display component and the second display component to the transparent layer includes: patterning a first recess and a second recess in the transparent layer, and placing the first display component and the second display component in the first recess and the second recess, respectively. In some embodiments, transferring the first display component and the second display component to the transparent layer includes: placing the first display component and the second display component on the top surface of the transparent layer.

[0089] In step 1306, a first microlens and a second microlens are placed on the first light emitting diode array and the second light emitting diode array, respectively. The first microlens and the second microlens may be placed before transferring the first display component and the second display component to the transparent layer. In this embodiment, placing the first microlens and the second microlens includes: placing a microlens sheet on the light emitting diode layer, and the microlens sheet is cut together with the light emitting diode layer. The first microlens and the second microlens may be placed after transferring the first display component and the second display component to the transparent layer. In this embodiment, placing the first microlens and the second microlens includes: placing a microlens sheet on the transparent layer, and the first microlens and the second microlens are aligned with the first light emitting diode array and the second light emitting diode array, respectively.

[0090] Figure 14 A block diagram of an exemplary processing system 1300 for performing the methods described herein is shown, and the processing system may be installed in a host device. For example, the processing system 1300 may be used to implement the controller 112 (see Figure 2 ). As shown, the processing system 1300 may (or may not) be as Figure 14The processor 1404, memory 1406, and interfaces 1410 to 1414 of the illustrated arrangement. The processor 1404 can be any component or collection of components for performing computing and / or other processing-related tasks. The memory 1406 can be any component or collection of components for storing programs and / or instructions for execution by the processor 1404. In one embodiment, the memory 1406 includes non-transitory computer-readable media. The interfaces 1410, 1412, 1414 can be any component or collection of components that enable the processing system 1300 to communicate with other devices / components and / or users. For example, one or more of the interfaces 1410, 1412, 1414 can be used to send data, control, or management messages from the processor 1404 to applications installed on host devices and / or remote devices. As another example, one or more of the interfaces 1410, 1412, 1414 can be used to enable a user or user device (e.g., a personal computer (PC), etc.) to interact / communicate with the processing system 1300. The processing system 1300 can include Figure 14 additional components not shown, such as, for example, long-term memory (e.g., non-volatile memory, etc.).

[0091] Embodiments can achieve advantages. Placing the microlens 604 on the display panel 602 can cause the generated 3D light-emitting unit 402 to emit a light field suitable for displaying 3D images. Utilizing a specific ratio of the separation distance D to the microlens size S (previously described) can enable the three-dimensional display 104 to be optically transparent. Since the three-dimensional display 104 of the glasses 100 is a direct-emitting display, these displays can be more compact than other types of displays (e.g., backlight displays and waveguide combination displays). Avoiding the use of a backlight in the glasses 100 can reduce the power consumption of the glasses 100. The three-dimensional display 104 is direct-emitting and has a high light emission efficiency, which can reduce the power consumption to 10 mW. In addition, the direct-emitting display has better light transmission efficiency than the waveguide combination display. Avoiding the use of a waveguide combination display in the glasses 100 can reduce the user's exposure to overly bright light.

[0092] Figure 15 is a view of the autostereoscopic device 1500 according to some embodiments. Specifically, Figure 15 is a front view of the autostereoscopic device 1500. The autostereoscopic device 1500 can be a handheld device (e.g., a tablet), a fixed device (e.g., a TV or a computer monitor), a desktop device, etc. The autostereoscopic device 1500 includes a frame 102, a three-dimensional display 104, and a sensor 106. Although not shown separately in Figure 15 it, the autostereoscopic device 1500 can also include a human-machine interface device 108, a speaker 110, a controller 112, and a transceiver 114 (seeFigure 2 )。

[0093] The frame 102 is similar to that described in FIG. 1, except that the frame 102 is a handheld or fixed frame. The frame 102 extends around the three-dimensional display 104 such that the front and back of the three-dimensional display 104 are exposed and uncovered. The frame 102 can be made of any acceptable material, such as, for example, plastic, metal, combinations thereof, etc.

[0094] The three-dimensional display 104 is similar to that described in FIGS. 1 to Figure 12 , except that the three-dimensional display 104 is an autostereoscopic display. Additionally, in this embodiment, the three-dimensional display 104 may or may not be a direct-emitting display.

[0095] The sensor 106 is similar to that described in FIG. 1. For example, the sensor 106 may include a camera facing the user of the autostereoscopic device 1500, which can be used to track the position of the user's head, face, and / or eyes. Similarly, the sensor 106 may include a camera facing away from the user of the autostereoscopic device 1500, which can be used to track the position of the object the user is facing.

[0096] Figure 16A and Figure 16B are schematic diagrams of an autostereoscopic display during the display of 3D images according to some embodiments. When displaying 3D images through a non-wearable autostereoscopic device, a single three-dimensional display 104 is used to display different light fields to different targets 400 (e.g., to different eyes of the device user). Therefore, the three-dimensional display 104 is an autostereoscopic display. In this embodiment, the three-dimensional display 104 is a far-eye display. The light field is generated by the three-dimensional display 104 such that the device user perceives a virtual object at the display position 502 in three-dimensional space.

[0097] As described above, the clarity of the displayed 3D image is determined by the pixel density of the three-dimensional display 104. In some embodiments where the three-dimensional display 104 is a far-eye display, the pixel density of the three-dimensional display 104 is in the range of 30 PPD to 60 PPD. A pixel density less than 30 PPD may not be sufficient to display the 3D image, resulting in a large error between the display position 502 of the virtual object and the expected position 504. A pixel density greater than 60 PPD may be difficult to manufacture. In an embodiment where the viewing distance is about 100 mm and the size of the 3D light-emitting unit 402 is about 50 μm, the pixel density of the three-dimensional display 104 is about 30 PPD. In an embodiment where the viewing distance is about 100 mm and the pitch of the 3D light-emitting units 402 is about 30 μm, the pixel density of the three-dimensional display 104 is about 60 PPD. A pixel density of about 60 PPD is close to the limit at which the human eye can resolve pixels.

[0098] As described above, the three-dimensional display 104 is an autostereoscopic display. Thus, a single three-dimensional display 104 can be used to display 3D images without the user using a headgear. The autostereoscopic display can operate at a distance of more than 100 mm from the user. The microlenses 604 form a parallax barrier of the autostereoscopic display. The inclusion of a parallax barrier in the three-dimensional display 104 can give the three-dimensional display 104 motion parallax. The motion parallax can make the three-dimensional display 104 autostereoscopic.

[0099] The three-dimensional display 104 can be used to display various types of 3D images. In some embodiments, the three-dimensional display 104 is used to display floating 3D images, as Figure 16A shown. The floating 3D images are perceived by the user as being on the same side of the three-dimensional display 104 as the user. In some embodiments, the three-dimensional display 104 is used to display sinking 3D images, as Figure 16B shown. The sinking 3D images are perceived by the user as being on the opposite side of the three-dimensional display 104 from the user. Since the three-dimensional display 104 is optically transparent, it can be used to display sinking 3D images. Thus, the user can interact with objects outside the display panel. Certain applications of the display (e.g., medical applications and gaming applications) may desire the three-dimensional display 104 to have the ability to display sinking 3D images.

[0100] Figure 17A and Figure 17B are views of the three-dimensional display 104 according to some other embodiments. This embodiment is similar to the embodiments of Figure 6A and Figure 6B except that the display panel 602 is not a direct-emitting panel. In this embodiment, the display panel 602 is a backlight panel, e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. Thus, the display panel 602 includes a liquid crystal pixel array 624 instead of a light-emitting diode array. The microlenses 604 are placed on the liquid crystal pixel array 624. In some embodiments, the display panel 602 further includes a reflective layer 626 located below the liquid crystal pixel array 624. The reflective layer 626 is an opaque layer that prevents light from passing through the portion of the three-dimensional display 104 where the microlenses 604 are located. Using a backlight panel instead of a direct-emitting panel can reduce the cost of the device. Although Figure 17A the microlenses 604 in are circular microlenses and arranged as a grid microlens array, the microlenses 604 can also be rectangular microlenses or hexagonal microlenses, and can also be arranged as a checkerboard microlens array, a microlens strip, or a random microlens array.

[0101] Figure 18is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional display according to some embodiments. The display may be an autostereoscopic display of an autostereoscopic device. The method may be implemented using appropriate steps of the process described in Figures 8 to 12 and may be implemented using appropriate steps of the process described in

[0102] In step 1802, the thin-film transistor layer and the light-emitting diode layer are cut to form a first display component and a second display component. The first display component includes a first transistor array and a first light-emitting diode array. The second display component includes a second transistor array and a second light-emitting diode array.

[0103] In step 1804, the first display component and the second display component are transferred to the transparent layer. In some embodiments, transferring the first display component and the second display component to the transparent layer includes: patterning a first recess and a second recess in the transparent layer and placing the first display component and the second display component in the first recess and the second recess respectively. In some embodiments, transferring the first display component and the second display component to the transparent layer includes: placing the first display component and the second display component on the top surface of the transparent layer.

[0104] In step 1806, a parallax barrier is formed on the transparent layer, the first light-emitting diode array, and the second light-emitting diode array. In some embodiments, forming the parallax barrier includes: placing a first microlens and a second microlens on the first light-emitting diode array and the second light-emitting diode array respectively before transferring the first display component and the second display component to the transparent layer. In some embodiments, forming the parallax barrier includes: placing a first microlens and a second microlens on the first light-emitting diode array and the second light-emitting diode array respectively after transferring the first display component and the second display component to the transparent layer.

[0105] Figure 19A and Figure 19B is a schematic diagram of an autostereoscopic display during the display of 3D images according to some other embodiments. This embodiment is similar to the embodiments of Figure 16A and Figure 16B (e.g., the three-dimensional display 104 is a far-eye display), except that the three-dimensional display 104 may also be used to simultaneously display two-dimensional (2D) and 3D images. Thus, the three-dimensional display 104 is a combined 2D-3D display. The three-dimensional display 104 further includes a plurality of 2D light-emitting units 1902 for displaying 2D images.

[0106] Similar to the previously described embodiments, the 3D light-emitting units 402 are arranged at intervals from each other. However, in this embodiment, the 2D light-emitting units 1902 are disposed between the 3D light-emitting units 402. The 3D light-emitting units 402 include microlenses, while the 2D light-emitting units 1902 do not include microlenses. The three-dimensional display 104 can be used to simultaneously display a 3D image through the 3D light-emitting units 402 and display a 2D image through the 2D light-emitting units 1902. The 3D light-emitting units 402 can be used to display a far-field 3D image at a low resolution, while the 2D light-emitting units 1902 can be used to display a near-field 2D image at a high resolution. Simultaneously displaying a near-field 2D image and a far-field 3D image through a single three-dimensional display 104 can enable a user to achieve more accurate depth perception without sacrificing too much screen space.

[0107] In this case, the near-field 2D image is an image that is perceived to be located on the surface of the display panel 602, while the far-field 3D image is an image that is perceived to float or sink relative to the surface of the display panel 602. Similar to Figure 16A and Figure 16B 's embodiments, the three-dimensional display 104 can be used to display a floating 3D image, as Figure 19A shown, or can be used to display a sinking 3D image, as Figure 19B shown. The floating 3D image is perceived by the user to be in front of the 2D image displayed through the 2D light-emitting units 1902. The sinking 3D image is perceived by the user to be behind the 2D image displayed through the 2D light-emitting units 1902.

[0108] Figure 20A and Figure 20B are views of the three-dimensional display 104 according to some other embodiments. This embodiment is similar to Figure 6A and Figure 6B 's embodiments, except that the display panel 602 includes a far-field region 602F for displaying a far-field 3D image and a near-field region 602N for displaying a near-field 2D image.

[0109] The display panel 602 of this embodiment can be formed in a manner different from the display panel 602 of the previously described embodiments. Specifically, Figure 8The structures described in can be formed rather than cut. The thin-film transistor layer 802 (including the transistor 2002) can be formed, the light-emitting diode layer 804 (including the light-emitting diode 2004) can be formed on the thin-film transistor layer 802, and the microlens 604 can be placed on the light-emitting diode layer 804 (e.g., by placing the microlens sheet 806 on the light-emitting diode layer 804). The microlens 604 is aligned with the corresponding group of light-emitting diodes 2004. Thus, each microlens 604 is located on and aligned with the array of light-emitting diodes 2004 (e.g., on the light-emitting diode array). In this embodiment, these layers are not cut and not transferred to the transparent layer. Instead, the thin-film transistor layer 802, the light-emitting diode layer 804, and the microlens sheet 806 are components of the three-dimensional display 104.

[0110] The microlens 604 is placed on the far-field region 602F. Thus, the 3D light-emitting unit 402 includes the microlens 604 and a subset of the light-emitting diodes 2004 in the far-field region 602F. The microlens is omitted in the near-field region 602N, so there is no microlens in the near-field region 602N. Thus, the 2D light-emitting unit 1902 includes a subset of the light-emitting diodes 2004 in the near-field region 602N. The total area of the near-field region 602N (e.g., the 2D light-emitting unit 1902) is larger than the total area of the far-field region 602F (e.g., the 3D light-emitting unit 402). The 2D light-emitting unit 1902 (lacking a microlens) is a flat area of the three-dimensional display 104, and the 3D light-emitting unit 402 (including a microlens) is a raised area of the three-dimensional display 104. The light-emitting diodes 2004 are uniformly distributed on the display panel 602, e.g., on the light-emitting diode layer 804. Thus, the density of the light-emitting diodes 2004 in the far-field region 602F (e.g., below the microlens 604) is equal to the density of the light-emitting diodes 2004 in the near-field region 602N (e.g., between the microlenses 604).

[0111] In this embodiment, the microlenses 604 are arranged as a grid microlens array. The microlenses 604 are set at the same distance from each other along a first direction (e.g., Figure 20A the horizontal direction in ) and along a second direction (e.g., Figure 20A the vertical direction in ). Although Figure 20A the microlenses 604 in are circular microlenses and arranged as a grid microlens array, the microlenses 604 can also be rectangular microlenses or hexagonal microlenses, and can also be arranged as a checkerboard microlens array, microlens bars, or a random microlens array. In this embodiment, the ratio of the microlens separation distance to the microlens size can be unchanged on the three-dimensional display 104. Thus, this ratio can have substantially the same value in all regions of the three-dimensional display 104. The microlenses 604 can be set at the same distance from each other in the central part and the edge part of the three-dimensional display 104.

[0112] The 3D display 104 of this embodiment may or may not be optically transparent. In some embodiments, the transistor 2002 is formed on an opaque layer, in which case the 3D display 104 of this embodiment is not optically transparent. In some embodiments, the transistor 2002 is formed on a transparent layer, in which case the 3D display 104 of this embodiment is optically transparent. When the transistor 2002 is formed on a transparent layer, other techniques can be used to prevent light from passing through the portion of the 3D display 104 where the microlenses 604 are located, for example, the far-field region 602F of the display panel 602. In some embodiments, the transparency of the far-field region 602F is programmatically changed (e.g., decreased and / or increased) during operation. For example, the light-emitting diodes 2004 in the far-field region 602F can be controlled (by the controller 112, see Figure 2 ) during operation to emit a specific type of light (e.g., bright white light) to strongly stimulate the observer's eyes and make the observer perceive the far-field region 602F as opaque. If necessary, similar techniques can be used to temporarily block the visibility of the near-field region 602N. Other acceptable techniques can be used to change (e.g., decrease and / or increase) the transparency of the display panel 602.

[0113] Some variations of the 3D display 104 of this embodiment are envisioned. In some embodiments, the total area of the near-field region 602N (e.g., the 2D light-emitting units 1902) is smaller than the total area of the far-field region 602F (e.g., the 3D light-emitting units 402). Accordingly, the separation distance D between the microlenses 604 can be less than or greater than the size S of the microlenses 604. In either case, the separation distance D between the microlenses 604 is different from the size S of the microlenses 604. In some embodiments, the ratio of the microlens separation distance D to the microlens size S is in the range of 0.5 to 6.

[0114] Figure 21 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an autostereoscopic display during the display of 2D and 3D images according to some other embodiments. To display a 3D image through the 3D display 104, a light field is generated such that the device user perceives a virtual object at the display position 502 in three-dimensional space. To display a 2D image through the 3D display 104, the pixels of the display panel 602 are illuminated such that the device user perceives a two-dimensional image 2102 located on the display panel 602. The 2D image and the 3D image are simultaneously displayed through the same display panel 602.

[0115] As described above, the 3D light-emitting unit 402 can be used to display 3D images, while the 2D light-emitting unit 1902 can be used to display 2D images. In some embodiments, the 3D operation of the three-dimensional display 104 can be disabled, in which case the 3D light-emitting unit 402 can also be used to display 2D images. Since the microlens 604 is transparent, the image displayed by the light-emitting diode 2004 located below the microlens 604 can still be perceived by the user as a 2D image on the surface of the display panel 602 because the user's eyes are focused on the surface of the display panel 602.

[0116] Figure 22 FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for switching operations of a three-dimensional display according to some embodiments. The method can be used to switch between 2D and 3D operations of the three-dimensional display 104, for example, to enable or disable the 3D operation of the three-dimensional display 104. In step 2202, an input is received from the user. The input can be through the user interface of the autostereoscopic device. If, in step 2204, the input indicates that the three-dimensional display 104 should operate in 3D, then in step 2206, the far-field region 602F (e.g., the 3D light-emitting unit 402) is controlled to display a 3D image, and the near-field region 602N (e.g., the 2D light-emitting unit 1902) is controlled to display a 2D image. If, in step 2204, the input indicates that the three-dimensional display 104 should operate in 2D, then in step 2208, both the far-field region 602F (e.g., the 3D light-emitting unit 402) and the near-field region 602N (e.g., the 2D light-emitting unit 1902) are controlled to display 2D images. When displaying a 2D image, the size of the 2D image is larger than the size of the microlens 604, in which case the 2D image displayed by the light-emitting diode 2004 located below the microlens 604 can still be perceived by the user as 2D.

[0117] Figure 23 FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional display according to some embodiments. The display can be a combined 2D-3D display of an autostereoscopic device. The method can be implemented using appropriate steps of the previously described processes.

[0118] In step 2302, a thin-film transistor layer is formed. The thin-film transistor layer includes transistors. In some embodiments, the thin-film transistor layer is opaque. In some embodiments, the thin-film transistor layer is transparent.

[0119] In step 2304, a light-emitting diode layer is formed on the thin-film transistor layer. The light-emitting diode layer includes light-emitting diodes. The transistors of the thin-film transistor layer are used to control the light-emitting diodes.

[0120] In step 2306, a parallax barrier is formed on the light-emitting diode layer. The parallax barrier can be formed by placing a first microlens and a second microlens on the light-emitting diode layer (e.g., by placing a microlens sheet on the light-emitting diode layer). The first microlens is aligned with a first array of light-emitting diodes. The second microlens is aligned with a second array of light-emitting diodes. In addition, the second microlens is arranged at intervals from the first microlens.

[0121] It should be understood that one or more steps of the example methods provided herein may be performed by corresponding units or modules. For example, a signal may be sent by a sending unit or sending module. A signal may be received by a receiving unit or receiving module. A signal may be processed by a processing unit or processing module. Other steps may be performed by an analysis unit / module, a rendering unit / module, an input unit / module, an output unit / module, a display unit / module, a control unit / module, a sensing unit / module, and / or a networking unit / module. The corresponding unit / module may be hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more unit / module may be an integrated circuit, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0122] Although detailed descriptions have been made, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. In addition, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. As will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the present invention, processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, components, methods, or steps (existing currently or developed later) can perform substantially the same functions or achieve substantially the same results as the corresponding embodiments described herein. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to embrace such processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, components, methods, or steps within their scope.

Claims

1. A device, characterized in that, Comprising: A frame; An autostereoscopic display coupled to the frame, the autostereoscopic display comprising: A display panel including light-emitting diodes in a first far-field region, a second far-field region, and a near-field region, the near-field region being disposed between the first far-field region and the second far-field region; A first microlens overlapping the first far-field region of the display panel; A second microlens overlapping the second far-field region of the display panel, the second microlens being arranged at intervals from the first microlens, wherein, There is no microlens in the near-field region of the display panel.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between the first microlens and the second microlens is different from the size of the first microlens and the size of the second microlens.

3. The device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that, The first microlens and the second microlens are circular microlenses in a top view.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that The first microlens and the second microlens are rectangular microlenses in a top view.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that The first microlens and the second microlens are hexagonal microlenses in a top view.

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first far-field region and the second far-field region are one of a plurality of far-field regions, the near-field region is one of a plurality of near-field regions, and the total area of the near-field region is greater than the total area of the far-field region.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that Further comprising: A controller for changing the transparency of the first far-field region and the second far-field region.

8. A device, characterized in that, Comprising: A frame; A display panel coupled to the frame, the display panel comprising: A transistor layer; A light-emitting diode layer located on the transistor layer; A first microlens located on a first portion of the light-emitting diode layer; A second microlens located on a second portion of the light-emitting diode layer, the first microlens and the second microlens respectively having a microlens size, the first microlens and the second microlens being separated by a separation distance different from the microlens size.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The transistor layer is opaque.

10. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The transistor layer is transparent.

11. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, The first microlens and the second microlens are part of a microlens array located on the display panel.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein, The microlenses in the microlens array are arranged at the same distance from each other in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction in a top view.

13. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, The first microlens is part of a first microlens strip located on the display panel, and the second microlens is part of a second microlens strip located on the display panel.

14. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that The first microlens and the second microlens are part of a microlens strip located on the display panel, and each microlens strip in the microlens strip is arranged at the same distance from each other.

15. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, The first microlens and the second microlens are part of a random microlens array located on the display panel.

16. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 15, characterized in that, The separation distance is greater than the microlens size.

17. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 15, characterized in that, The separation distance is less than the microlens size.

18. A device, characterized in that, Comprising: A thin-film transistor layer including transistors; A light-emitting diode layer located on the thin-film transistor layer, the light-emitting diode layer including light-emitting diodes, and the transistors being used to control the light-emitting diodes; A parallax barrier located on the light-emitting diode layer, the parallax barrier comprising: A first microlens located on the light-emitting diode layer, the first microlens being aligned with a first array of the light-emitting diodes; The second microlens is located on the light-emitting diode layer. The second microlens is aligned with the second array of the light-emitting diodes, and the second microlens is arranged at intervals with the first microlens.

19. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that, The thin-film transistor layer is opaque.

20. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that, The thin-film transistor layer is transparent.

Images