Switchable lens array, 2d / multi-view switchable lens display and method

Abstract

This disclosure discloses a switchable lens array comprising: a first material layer having a fixed refractive index; a second material layer having an electrically controlled refractive index; and electrodes configured to deliver voltage or current to switch the state of switchable lenses of the switchable lens array, wherein the electrodes include an upper electrode and a lower electrode; wherein, when a first potential is applied between the electrodes, the second material layer is disposed in an electric field in a first direction, such that the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer switches to a refractive index matching the fixed refractive index. This disclosure also discloses a method for operating a switchable lens array, a 2D / multi-view switchable lens display, and a method for operating a 2D / multi-view switchable lens display.

Description

Switchable lens array, 2D / multi-view switchable lens display and method Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of display technology, and more particularly to a switchable lens array, a method of operating a switchable lens array, a 2D / multi-view switchable lens display, and a method of operating a 2D / multi-view switchable lens display. Background Art

[0002] Electronic displays are almost ubiquitous media for transmitting information to users of various devices and products. Known displays use lens devices as imaging devices. For example, the lens can direct two-dimensional image blocks from associated display pixels to the left and right eyes of the user in front of the lens, respectively, so that the user sees a single stereoscopic image. In order to enable the display to display both two-dimensional (2D) image content (2D display mode) and three-dimensional (3D) image content (3D display mode), one way is to provide an electrically switchable lens array. In order to display 2D and 3D image content, the electrically switchable lens array is formed by an electro-optical material (e.g., liquid crystal) that can be switched at different refractive indices. In traditional applications, the display will continue to display 3D image content for a relatively long time after switching to display 3D image content, and will also continue to display 2D image content for a relatively long time after switching to display 2D image content. Such applications do not have strict requirements on the refractive index switching response time of the electro-optical material. However, due to the refractive index switching rate limit of the electro-optical material, the switchable lens array may be limited in many practical applications.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to implement applications that require the switching response time of a switchable lens array to be as short as possible, such as realizing a mixed display mode of a display, for example, alternating between displaying two-dimensional (2D) content and three-dimensional (3D) content at a certain frequency, the present disclosure provides a switchable lens array, a method for operating a switchable lens array, a 2D / multi-view switchable lens display, and a method for operating a 2D / multi-view switchable lens display.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a switchable lens array is provided, comprising:

[0006] a first material layer having a fixed refractive index;

[0007] a second material layer having an electrically controlled refractive index; and

[0008] electrodes configured to deliver a voltage or a current to switch the state of the switchable lenses of the switchable lens array, wherein the electrodes include an upper electrode and a lower electrode;

[0009] When a first electric potential is applied between the electrodes, the second material layer is arranged in an electric field in a first direction, so that the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer switches to a refractive index that matches the fixed refractive index.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, when a second electric potential is applied between the electrodes, the second material layer is arranged in an electric field in a second direction, so that the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer switches to a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first material layer includes a fixed lens of the switchable lens array, and the second material layer contacts the first material layer and fills the shape of the fixed lens of the switchable lens array.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first material layer and the second material layer are arranged between the upper electrode and the lower electrode.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, one of the upper electrode and the lower electrode covers the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, and the other of the upper electrode and the lower electrode includes a first group of electrodes and a second group of electrodes, and the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes are interleavely arranged over the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, wherein the first electric potential is applied between the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the upper electrode and the lower electrode both include a first group of electrodes and a second group of electrodes, respectively, and the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes are arranged alternately over the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, wherein the first electric potential is applied between the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes of the upper electrode and / or between the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes of the lower electrode.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes each include strip electrodes spaced apart from each other, and the strip electrodes of the first group of electrodes and the strip electrodes of the second group of electrodes are arranged alternately with each other over the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first group of electrodes is arranged as a first layer of electrodes and the second group of electrodes is arranged as a second layer of electrodes, wherein one layer of electrodes in the first layer of electrodes and the second layer of electrodes covers the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, and the other layer of electrodes in the first layer of electrodes and the second layer of electrodes includes strip electrodes spaced apart from each other.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a layer of electrodes among the first layer of electrodes and the second layer of electrodes that covers the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array has a hollow pattern.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes are arranged in the same layer, the electrodes in the first group of electrodes and the electrodes in the second group of electrodes are staggered with each other, and gaps are set between the electrodes in the first group of electrodes and the adjacent electrodes in the second group of electrodes.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for operating a switchable lens array, the switchable lens array comprising a first material layer having a fixed refractive index, a second material layer having an electrically controlled refractive index, and an electrode, wherein the method comprises:

[0020] A first electric potential is applied between the electrodes so that the second material layer is in an electric field in a first direction, to switch the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to a refractive index that matches the fixed refractive index.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method of operating a switchable lens array includes: applying a second electric potential between the electrodes so that the second material layer is in an electric field in a second direction to switch the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

[0022] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display, comprising:

[0023] A display panel having a display pixel array;

[0024] A switchable lens array for directing outputs of different pixels of the display pixel array to spatial locations to display a two-dimensional (2D) image or a multi-view image, wherein the switchable lens array comprises:

[0025] a first material layer having a fixed refractive index;

[0026] a second material layer having an electrically controlled refractive index; and

[0027] An electrode configured to deliver a voltage or current to switch the switchable lens array

[0028] switching a state of a lens, wherein the electrode comprises an upper electrode and a lower electrode; and

[0029] The controller is configured to apply a first potential between the electrodes so that the second material layer is in an electric field in a first direction when the display panel provides 2D image content, so as to switch the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to a refractive index matching the fixed refractive index.

[0030] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller is configured to apply a second electric potential between the electrodes so that the second material layer is in an electric field in a second direction when the display panel provides multi-view image content, so as to switch the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first material layer includes a fixed lens of the switchable lens array, and the second material layer contacts the first material layer and fills the shape of the fixed lens of the switchable lens array.

[0032] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first material layer and the second material layer are arranged between the upper electrode and the lower electrode.

[0033] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, one of the upper electrode and the lower electrode covers the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, and the other of the upper electrode and the lower electrode includes a first group of electrodes and a second group of electrodes, and the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes are arranged alternately over the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, wherein the first electric potential is applied between the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes.

[0034] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the upper electrode and the lower electrode respectively include a first group of electrodes and a second group of electrodes, and the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes are arranged alternately over the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, wherein the first electric potential is applied between the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes of the upper electrode and / or between the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes of the lower electrode.

[0035] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes each include strip electrodes spaced apart from each other, and the strip electrodes of the first group of electrodes and the strip electrodes of the second group of electrodes are arranged alternately with each other over the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array.

[0036] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first group of electrodes is arranged as a first layer of electrodes and the second group of electrodes is arranged as a second layer of electrodes, wherein one layer of electrodes in the first layer of electrodes and the second layer of electrodes covers the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, and the other layer of electrodes in the first layer of electrodes and the second layer of electrodes includes strip electrodes spaced apart from each other.

[0037] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a layer of electrodes among the first layer of electrodes and the second layer of electrodes that covers the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array has a hollow pattern.

[0038] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes are arranged in the same layer, the electrodes in the first group of electrodes and the electrodes in the second group of electrodes are staggered with each other, and there is a gap between the electrodes in the first group of electrodes and the adjacent electrodes in the second group of electrodes.

[0039] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for operating a 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display, the 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display comprising a display panel and a switchable lenticular array, the switchable lenticular array comprising a first material layer having a fixed refractive index, a second material layer having an electrically controlled refractive index, and electrodes, wherein the method comprises:

[0040] providing two-dimensional (2D) image content and multi-view image content using a display panel;

[0041] When the display panel provides the 2D image content, a first potential is applied between the electrodes so that the second material layer is in an electric field in a first direction, so as to switch the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to a refractive index matching the fixed refractive index.

[0042] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method of operating a 2D / multi-view switchable lens display includes: when the display panel provides the multi-view image content, applying a second electric potential between the electrodes so that the second material layer is in an electric field in a second direction to switch the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

[0043] In the above aspects of the present disclosure, by applying electric fields in different directions on the switchable lens array, the switching response time of the switchable lens array from 2D display mode to multi-view / 3D display mode and the switching response time from multi-view / 3D display mode to 2D display mode are shortened, thereby avoiding the overlap of 2D frames and multi-view frames, for example, displaying multi-view image content in 2D mode, and achieving good display performance of the entire screen in the hybrid display mode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The various features of examples and embodiments according to the principles described herein may be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like structural elements, and in which:

[0045] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a multi-view display in an example of an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein.

[0046] 1B illustrates a graphical representation of angular components of a light beam having a particular primary angular direction in an example according to an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein.

[0047] 2 illustrates a side view of a 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display in an example according to an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein.

[0048] 3 illustrates a block diagram of a 2D / multi-view switchable lens system in an example according to an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein.

[0049] 4A illustrates a schematic diagram of a switchable lens array in an OFF state, according to an example of an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein.

[0050] 4B illustrates a schematic diagram of a switchable lens array in an ON state, according to an example of an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein.

[0051] FIG. 5A illustrates a schematic diagram of a composite image perceived by a user in an example according to an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein.

[0052] 5B illustrates a schematic diagram of an example 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display switching between 2D mode and multi-view mode, according to an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein.

[0053] 6A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a switchable lens array in an OFF state, according to an example of another embodiment consistent with the principles described herein.

[0054] 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a switchable lens array in an ON state, according to an example of another embodiment consistent with the principles described herein.

[0055] 6C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a switchable lens array in an OFF state in another example according to another embodiment consistent with the principles described herein.

[0056] 6D illustrates a cross-sectional view of a switchable lens array in an ON state in another example according to another embodiment consistent with the principles described herein.

[0057] 7 shows a flowchart of a method of operating a switchable lens array in an example of an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein.

[0058] 8 shows a flowchart of a method of operating a switchable lens display, according to an example of an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein.

[0059] Certain examples and embodiments may have other features that are in addition to or instead of the features shown in the above drawings. These and other features are described in detail below with reference to the above drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Examples and embodiments according to the principles described herein provide a switchable lens array for displaying two-dimensional (2D) images, multi-view or three-dimensional (3D) images, and 2D / multi-view mixed images of mixed content, a method of operating a switchable lens array, a 2D / multi-view switchable lens display, and a method of operating a 2D / multi-view switchable lens display. Specifically, according to the principles described herein, a lens display can employ a switchable medium surrounding the lenses in the lens array of the lens display. The switchable medium (e.g., a birefringent liquid crystal medium) is used to effectively turn on and off the individual lenses of the lens array in the lens display. By turning on and off the individual lenses, an image with only 2D content, only multi-view content, or a combination of 2D / multi-view mixed content can be provided. According to various embodiments, the 2D / multi-view switchable lens display includes a backlight, a light valve array (e.g., a liquid crystal panel), and a switchable lens array. The 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display can be operated in a variety of modes, including a 2D mode configured to provide a 2D image, a multi-view mode configured to provide a multi-view image, and a 2D / multi-view hybrid mode configured to provide a 2D / 3D hybrid image. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the 2D / multi-view hybrid mode may include one or both of partition mixing and temporal mixing to provide a 2D / 3D hybrid image.

[0061] According to various embodiments, the multi-view mode of a 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display can provide so-called "glasses-free" or autostereoscopic images, while the 2D mode can facilitate the presentation of 2D information or content at a relatively higher native resolution than that available in the multi-view mode, particularly in the case of 2D information or content that does not include or benefits from a third dimension. In this way, the composite image provided by time-division multiplexing and / or area-multiplexing 2D and multi-view modes can simultaneously provide high-resolution 2D and slightly lower-resolution, multi-view or 3D content in the same image or on the same display. Uses of the 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular displays described herein include, but are not limited to, mobile phones (e.g., smartphones), watches, tablet computers, mobile computers (e.g., laptop computers), personal computers and computer monitors, automotive display consoles, camera displays, and various other mobile and substantially non-mobile display applications and devices.

[0062] As used herein, a "two-dimensional (2D) display" or an equivalent 2D mode of a multi-mode display is defined as a display or mode configured to provide a view of an image that is substantially the same regardless of the direction from which the image is viewed (i.e., within a predetermined viewing angle or range of the 2D display or 2D mode). Conventional liquid crystal displays (LCDs) found in many smartphones and computer displays are examples of 2D displays. In contrast, as used herein, a "multi-view display" or an equivalent multi-view mode of a multi-mode display is defined as an electronic display, display system, or display mode of a multi-mode display that is configured to provide different views of a multi-view image in or from different viewing directions. In particular, the different views may represent different perspectives of a scene or object of the multi-view image. In some cases, a multi-view display or multi-view mode may also be referred to as a three-dimensional (3D) display or 3D mode, for example, providing the perception of viewing a three-dimensional image when two different views of the multi-view image are viewed simultaneously.

[0063] FIG1A illustrates a perspective view of a multi-view display 10 (or a multi-view mode of a multi-mode display) in an example of an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. As shown in FIG1A , the multi-view display 10 includes a screen 12 for displaying a multi-view image for viewing. The multi-view display 10 provides different views 14 of the multi-view image in different view directions 16 relative to the screen 12. The view directions 16 are illustrated as arrows extending from the screen 12 in various primary angular directions. The different views 14 are illustrated as shaded polygonal boxes at the ends of the arrows (i.e., depicting the view directions 16). Only four views 14 and four view directions 16 are illustrated, all of which are exemplary and non-limiting. Note that while the different views 14 are illustrated as being above the screen in FIG1A , when the multi-view image is displayed on the multi-view display 10, the views 14 actually appear on or near the screen 12. The views 14 are depicted above the screen 12 merely for simplicity of illustration and are intended to indicate that the multi-view display 10 is viewed from one of the view directions 16 corresponding to a particular view 14.

[0064] According to the definitions herein, a view direction, or equivalently, a light beam having a direction corresponding to a view direction of a multi-view display, typically has a main angular direction given by the angular components {θ, φ}. The angular component θ is referred to herein as the "elevation component" or "elevation angle" of the light beam. The angular component φ is referred to as the "azimuth component" or "azimuth angle" of the light beam. According to the definitions, the elevation angle θ is an angle in a vertical plane (e.g., perpendicular to the plane of the multi-view display screen), while the azimuth angle φ is an angle in a horizontal plane (e.g., parallel to the plane of the multi-view display screen).

[0065] FIG1B illustrates a graphical representation of the angular components {θ, φ} of a light beam 20 having a particular principal angular direction, or simply "direction," corresponding to a view direction of a multi-view display (e.g., view direction 16 in FIG1A ), in accordance with an example of an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. Furthermore, light beam 20 is emitted or emanates from a particular point, as defined herein. In other words, light beam 20 has a central ray associated with a particular origin within the multi-view display, as defined herein. FIG1B also illustrates the origin O of the light beam (or view direction).

[0066] Furthermore, as used herein, the term "multi-view" as used in the terms "multi-view image", "multi-view display" and "multi-view mode" is defined as representing a plurality of views of different perspectives or a plurality of views including angular parallax between views in the plurality of views. Furthermore, the term "multi-view" herein explicitly includes more than two different views (i.e., at least three views, and typically more than three views), as defined herein. Thus, "multi-view display" and "multi-view mode" as used herein are explicitly distinguished from a stereoscopic display or stereoscopic mode that includes only two different views to represent a scene or image. Note, however, that while a multi-view image and a multi-view display may include more than two views, as defined herein, a multi-view image may be viewed as a pair of stereoscopic images (e.g., on a multi-view display) by selecting only two views of the multi-view to view at a time (e.g., one view for each eye).

[0067] A "multi-view pixel" is defined herein as a set of sub-pixels representing a "view" pixel in each of a plurality of similar different views of a multi-view display or a multi-mode display in a multi-view mode. In particular, a multi-view pixel may have individual sub-pixels corresponding to or representing a view pixel in each of the different views of a multi-view image. Furthermore, according to the definition herein, the sub-pixels of a multi-view pixel are so-called "directional pixels" because each sub-pixel is associated with a predetermined view direction of a corresponding one of the different views. Furthermore, according to various examples and embodiments, the different view pixels represented by the sub-pixels of the multi-view pixel may have equal or at least substantially similar positions or coordinates in each of the different views. For example, a first multi-view pixel may have individual sub-pixels corresponding to a view pixel located at {x1, y1} in each of the different views of the multi-view image, while a second multi-view pixel may have individual sub-pixels corresponding to a view pixel located at {x2, y2} in each of the different views, and so on.

[0068] In this document, a "lightguide" is defined as a structure that uses total internal reflection or "TIR" to guide light within the structure. In particular, a lightguide may include a core that is substantially transparent at the operating wavelength of the lightguide. In various examples, the term "lightguide" generally refers to a dielectric optical waveguide that uses total internal reflection to guide light at the interface between the dielectric material of the lightguide and the material or medium surrounding the lightguide. By definition, the condition for total internal reflection is that the refractive index of the lightguide is greater than the refractive index of the surrounding medium adjacent to the surface of the lightguide material. In some embodiments, the lightguide may include a coating in addition to or instead of the above-mentioned refractive index difference to further promote total internal reflection. For example, the coating may be a reflective coating. The lightguide may be any of a number of lightguides, including but not limited to one or both of a plate or slab lightguide and a strip lightguide.

[0069] Furthermore, as used herein, the term "plate," when applied to a lightguide as in a "plate lightguide," is defined as a layer or sheet of segmented or parallax-plane lightguides, which are sometimes referred to as "plate-like" lightguides. In particular, a plate lightguide is defined as a lightguide configured to guide light in two substantially orthogonal directions defined by a top surface and a bottom surface (i.e., opposing surfaces) of the lightguide. Furthermore, according to the definitions herein, the top and bottom surfaces are both separated from one another and may be substantially parallel to one another, at least in a parallax sense. That is, within any small segment of the plate lightguide, the top and bottom surfaces are substantially parallel or coplanar.

[0070] As used herein, a "collimator" is defined as substantially any optical device or apparatus configured to collimate light. For example, a collimator may include, but is not limited to, a collimating mirror or reflector, a collimating lens, a diffraction grating, and various combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a collimator comprising a collimating reflector may have a reflective surface characterized by a parabolic curve or shape. In another example, the collimating reflector may comprise a shaped parabolic reflector. By "shaped parabola," it is meant that the curved reflective surface of the shaped parabolic reflector deviates from a "true" parabolic curve in a manner determined to achieve predetermined reflective characteristics (e.g., collimation). Similarly, a collimating lens may comprise a spherical shaped surface (e.g., a biconvex spherical lens).

[0071] In some embodiments, the collimator can be a continuous reflector or a continuous lens (i.e., a reflector or lens having a substantially smooth, continuous surface). In other embodiments, the collimating reflector or collimating lens can include a substantially discontinuous surface, such as, but not limited to, a Fresnel reflector or a Fresnel lens that provides light collimation. According to various embodiments, the amount of collimation provided by the collimator can vary from one embodiment to another by a predetermined degree or amount. In addition, the collimator can be configured to provide collimation in one or both of two orthogonal directions (e.g., a vertical direction and a horizontal direction). That is, according to some embodiments, the collimator can include a shape that provides light collimation in one or both of the two orthogonal directions.

[0072] As used herein, "collimation factor" is defined as the degree to which light is collimated. In particular, as defined herein, the collimation factor defines the angular spread of light rays in a collimated light beam. For example, the collimation factor σ can specify that a majority of the light rays in a collimated light beam are within a particular angular spread (e.g., + / -σ degrees about the center or principal angular direction of the collimated light beam). According to some examples, the light rays of the collimated light beam can have a Gaussian distribution in angle, and the angular spread can be an angle determined by half the peak intensity of the collimated light beam.

[0073] As used herein, a "light source" is defined as a light source (e.g., an optical emitter configured to generate and emit light). For example, a light source may include an optical emitter, such as a light emitting diode (LED) that emits light when activated or turned on. In particular, a light source herein may be substantially any light source or include substantially any optical emitter, including but not limited to one or more of a light emitting diode (LED), a laser, an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a polymer light emitting diode, a plasma-based optical emitter, a fluorescent lamp, an incandescent lamp, and virtually any other light source. The light generated by the light source may have a color (i.e., may include light of a specific wavelength) or may be a range of wavelengths (e.g., white light). In some embodiments, the light source may include a plurality of optical emitters. For example, the light source may include a collection or grouping of optical emitters, wherein at least one optical emitter generates light having a color or wavelength that is different from the color or wavelength of light generated by at least one other optical emitter in the collection or grouping. For example, the different colors may include primary colors (e.g., red, green, blue).

[0074] In this document, a "multi-view image" is defined as a plurality of images (i.e., more than three images), wherein each image in the plurality of images represents a different view corresponding to a different viewing direction of the multi-view image. Thus, a multi-view image is a collection of images (e.g., two-dimensional images) that, when displayed on a multi-view display or during a multi-view mode of a multi-mode display, can, for example, facilitate the perception of depth and thereby appear to be an image of a 3D scene to a viewer. Multi-view images that provide pairs of views representing different but related viewing angles of a 3D scene consistent with being viewed by a viewer are defined as 3D images.

[0075] By definition, "wide-angle" emitted light is defined as light having a cone angle that is greater than the cone angle of view of the multi-view image or multi-view display. In particular, in some embodiments, the wide-angle emitted light can have a cone angle greater than about twenty degrees (e.g., >±20°). In other embodiments, the cone angle of the wide-angle emitted light can be greater than about thirty degrees (e.g., >±30°), or greater than about forty degrees (e.g., >±40°), or greater than fifty degrees (e.g., >±50°). For example, the cone angle of the wide-angle emitted light can be about sixty degrees (e.g., >±60°).

[0076] In some embodiments, the wide-angle emitted light cone angle can be defined as being approximately the same as the viewing angle of an LCD computer monitor, LCD flat panel, LCD television, or similar digital display device intended for wide-angle viewing (e.g., approximately ±40-65°). In other embodiments, the wide-angle emitted light can also be characterized or described as diffuse light, substantially diffuse light, non-directional light (i.e., lacking any particular or defined directionality), or light having a single or substantially uniform direction.

[0077] Various devices and circuits, firmware, software (such as program modules or instruction sets), and combinations of two or more thereof, including but not limited to one or more of integrated circuits (ICs), very large scale integrated circuits (VLSI) circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), graphics processor units (GPUs), and the like, may be used to implement embodiments consistent with the principles described herein. For example, an embodiment or an element thereof may be implemented as a circuit element within an ASIC or VLSI circuit. Implementations employing ASIC or VLSI circuits are examples of hardware-based circuit implementations.

[0078] In another example, an embodiment may be implemented as software using a computer programming language (e.g., C / C++) in an operating environment or a software-based modeling environment (e.g., MathWorks, Inc. of Natick, Massachusetts). ), which is further executed by a computer (e.g., stored in a memory and executed by a processor or graphics processor of a general-purpose computer). Note that one or more computer programs or software may constitute the computer program mechanism, and the programming language may be compiled or interpreted, such as configurable or configured (which may be used interchangeably in this discussion), to be executed by a processor or graphics processor of a computer.

[0079] In another example, a block, module, or element of an apparatus, device, or system (e.g., an image processor, a camera, etc.) described herein may be implemented using actual or physical circuitry (e.g., as an IC or ASIC), while another block, module, or element may be implemented in software or firmware. In particular, according to the definitions herein, for example, some embodiments may be implemented using substantially hardware-based circuit methods or devices (e.g., IC, VLSI, ASIC, FPGA, DSP, firmware, etc.), while other embodiments may be implemented as software or firmware using a computer processor or graphics processor to execute software, or as a combination of software or firmware and hardware-based circuitry.

[0080] In addition, as used herein, the article "a" is intended to have its ordinary meaning in the patent technology field, that is, "one or more". For example, "lens" refers to one or more lenses, and therefore, "the lens" means "the lens or the multiple lenses" in this article. In addition, any reference to "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower", "up", "down", "front", "back", "first", "second", "left" or "right" in this article is not intended to be limiting herein. In this article, the term "about" when applied to a value generally refers to within the tolerance range of the equipment used to produce the value, or may refer to plus or minus 10%, or plus or minus 5%, or plus or minus 1%, unless otherwise expressly specified. In addition, the term "substantially" used herein refers to most, or almost all, or all, or an amount in the range of about 51% to about 100%. In addition, the examples in this article are intended to be illustrative only and are presented for discussion purposes rather than in a limiting manner.

[0081] FIG2 illustrates a side view of a 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display 100 in an example according to an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. The 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display 100 includes a display panel 102. In some embodiments, the display panel 102 may include a backlight 104 configured to generate light and a light valve array 106 configured to modulate the light emitted by the backlight 104 to provide pixels of an image (e.g., a composite image), as described below. In other embodiments, other suitable configurations may also be used as the display panel 102, for example, a direct-illuminated display such as, but not limited to, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display.

[0082] In embodiments employing a backlight, the backlight 104 can be configured to emit light (such as white light) into a range of propagation angles. In some embodiments, the range of propagation angles can include a continuous range of propagation angles that extends across an angular range that spans the angular viewing range of the display panel 102. According to various embodiments, the backlight 104 can include a light source that can produce white light or have a specified spectral profile, such as one or more light emitting diodes. In some embodiments, the backlight 104 can include a light guide that can be configured to propagate light away from the light source. The light guide can guide light out of the light guide over a specified surface area of ​​the emitting surface of the light guide.

[0083] As illustrated in FIG2 , the 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display 100 further includes a light valve array 106. The light valve array 106 is configured to modulate light from the backlight 104 to provide an image. In various embodiments, the light valve array 106 may include, but is not limited to, liquid crystal light valves, electrophoretic light valves, light valves based on electrowetting, or other suitable mechanisms for modulating light. In some embodiments, the light valve array 106 may include independently controllable light valves arranged on a substrate.

[0084] According to various embodiments, the display panel 102 may be configured to provide pixels for a composite image. In various embodiments, the composite image may include both multi-view image content and two-dimensional (2D) image content. Combining the multi-view image content and the 2D image content onto the same display panel 102 may allow the 2D image content to be presented at a higher resolution than the multi-view image content. For example, for an embodiment of the display panel 102 that produces four views of the multi-view image content, the resolution of the multi-view image content may be four times smaller than the resolution of the 2D image content. As a specific example, the composite image may include an image of a person and subtitles including text, such that the viewer can observe various different views of the person as the viewer moves within the field of view of the display panel 102. In this example, the 2D image content may include subtitles with text that may remain unchanged (e.g., have only a single view) as the viewer moves within the field of view of the display panel 102. In the example presented above, the display panel 102 may present the subtitles at a higher resolution than the image of the person, which may improve the readability of the subtitle text.

[0085] The 2D / multi-view switchable lens display 100 illustrated in FIG2 also includes a switchable lens array 108. According to various embodiments, the switchable lens array 108 can be used to form a composite image based on pixels. As illustrated, the switchable lens array 108 can include switchable lenses 110A, 110B, and 110C, collectively referred to herein as switchable lenses 110. The switchable lens 110 can be switched between an ON state and an OFF state. In the ON state, the switchable lens 110 is configured to provide multi-view image content based on corresponding pixels of the composite image. In the OFF state, the switchable lens 110 is configured to provide 2D image content based on corresponding pixels of the composite image. For example, in the OFF state, the switchable lens 110 can effectively become a transparent optical element that lacks or substantially lacks optical power. In other words, the switchable lens 110 in the OFF state allows light to pass through without or with minimal optical effect. In one or more regions of the 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display 100 configured to display 2D image content, the switchable lens 110 can be set to an OFF state and thereby not affect the propagation direction of light rays exiting the display panel 102. Thus, the pixels of the display panel 102 in these regions are viewable from a continuous range of viewing directions, i.e., viewable within or as a 2D image within the region.

[0086] Alternatively, when the switchable lens 110 is set to the ON state, the switchable lens 110 has an optical power and is configured to affect the propagation direction of various light rays from the display panel 102 passing through and exiting the switchable lens 110. In particular, in one or more regions of the 2D / multi-view switchable lens display 100 in which the switchable lens 110 is in the ON state, light rays from the display panel 102 exit the switchable lens 110 in directions corresponding to various view directions of a multi-view image to provide multi-view image content in these regions.

[0087] According to some embodiments, the switchable lens array 108 may include a first material layer 112 having a fixed refractive index. The first material layer 112 may include the fixed lenses of the switchable lens array 108. The switchable lens array 108 may include a second material layer 114 having an electrically controlled refractive index. For example, the second material layer 114 may include a birefringent liquid crystal having or exhibiting a first electrically controlled refractive index in a first controllable state and having or exhibiting a second electrically controlled refractive index in a second controllable state. For example, the first electrically controlled refractive index in the first controllable state may be configured to match or substantially match the fixed refractive index of the first material layer 112, and the second electrically controlled refractive index in the second controllable state may be different from the fixed refractive index of the first material layer 112. In some embodiments, the second material layer 114 may contact the first material layer 112, such as along a boundary shaped with a curved portion that may determine the position of the switchable lens 110 in the switchable lens array 108. The second material layer 114 may fill or substantially fill the shape of the fixed lenses of the switchable lens array 108, for example as illustrated in FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, the first material layer 112 may be disposed between the second material layer 114 and the display panel 102. In these embodiments, the fixed lens of the first material layer 112 may be a positive lens. In other embodiments, the second material layer 114 may be disposed between the first material layer 112 and the display panel 102. In some embodiments, the fixed lens of the first material layer 112 may be a negative lens. By way of example and not limitation, in the example of FIG. 2 , the first material layer 112 is located between the light valve array 106 and the second material layer 114.

[0088] In other examples (not shown), the second material layer 114 can be located between the light valve array 106 and the first material layer 112. In the example of FIG. 2 , the boundary between the first material layer 112 and the second material layer 114 is shaped to have a curved portion corresponding to each switchable lens 110 in the switchable lens array 108. In the example of FIG. 2 , the center of the curved portion is a first distance from the light valve array 106, the edge of the curved portion is a second distance from the light valve array 106, and the second distance is less than the first distance. Alternatively, the second distance can be greater than the first distance. For all of these configurations, the curvature of the layer boundary and the refractive indices of the first material layer 112 and the second material layer 114 can be selected so that the switchable lens 110 has a positive optical power.

[0089] In some embodiments, the switchable lens array 108 may include a one-dimensional (1D) array of cylindrical lenses arranged parallel to each other. The cylindrical lenses may be elongated in a vertical direction (such as along the X direction in FIG. 2 ) and may direct light into multiple views 116 of a multi-view image. The views 116 may be horizontally adjacent to each other (such as having adjacent positions along the Y direction in FIG. 2 ). In some embodiments, the cylindrical lenses in the ON state may have a focal length selected so that the views 116 at a specified viewing plane 118 have a center-to-center spacing 120 corresponding to the average interpupillary distance of a person. In some embodiments, the switchable lenses in the switchable lens array 108 may be semi-cylindrical lenses. In some embodiments, the switchable lenses in the switchable lens array 108 may be convex cylindrical lenses, concave cylindrical lenses, or lenses of any other suitable shape.

[0090] In other embodiments, the switchable lens array 108 may include a two-dimensional array of lenses. In some embodiments, the switchable lenses 110 in the switchable lens array 108 may be rotationally symmetric lenses, such as lenses that are symmetric about the longitudinal axis of the lens. In some embodiments, the switchable lenses 110 in the switchable lens array 108 may be rotationally asymmetric lenses, such as anamorphic lenses. The anamorphic lens may have a first focal length along a first direction (such as along the Y direction in Figure 2) and a second focal length along a second direction (such as along the X direction in Figure 2), the second direction being orthogonal to the first direction. In some embodiments, the switchable lenses in the switchable lens array 108 may be spherical lens elements or aspheric lens elements.

[0091] In some configurations, the switchable lens array 108 may include electrodes 122 configured to deliver at least one of a voltage or a current to switch the switchable lenses 110 of the switchable lens array 108 independently of the other switchable lenses 110 in the switchable lens array 108. For example, the electrodes 122 may be configured to switch each switchable lens 110 independently of each other switchable lens. The electrodes 122 may include upper and lower electrodes configured to apply a voltage or deliver a current across a region of the second material layer 114. The region may correspond to a single switchable lens 110 or a group of switchable lenses 110. In some embodiments, the upper or lower electrodes may extend over some or all of the second material layer 114, while the lower or upper electrodes may extend over a region corresponding to a single switchable lens. According to various embodiments, the electrodes 122 may be transparent or substantially transparent, for example, the electrodes 122 may include indium tin oxide (ITO) or a similar optically transparent electrode material.

[0092] In some embodiments, the switchable lens array 108 may include electrodes 122 configured to switch the switchable lenses 110 in a region of the switchable lens array 108 corresponding to one partition of the composite image independently of the switchable lenses 110 in regions of the switchable lens array 108 corresponding to other partitions of the composite image. For some embodiments, the electrodes 122 may be configured to switch a group of switchable lenses 110 together independently of the other switchable lenses 110 in the switchable lens array 108. The electrodes 122 may include upper and lower electrodes configured to apply a voltage or deliver a current across a region of the second material layer 114. The region may correspond to a group of switchable lenses 110. In some embodiments, one of the electrodes 122 may extend over some or all of the second material layer 114, while an opposing electrode 122 may extend over a region corresponding to a plurality of switchable lenses 110, such as in a designated partition of the composite image.

[0093] In some embodiments (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 2 ), the 2D / multi-view switchable lens display 100 further includes a lens controller 124. The lens controller 124 can be configured to control the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to have a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index to provide an ON state. The lens controller 124 can also control the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer 114 to have a refractive index that matches the fixed refractive index to provide an OFF state. For example, the lens controller 124 can selectively provide at least one of a voltage or a current to a specific electrode pair of the electrodes 122, which in turn is configured to distribute at least one of the voltage or the current over an appropriate area of ​​the switchable lens array 108. For zone switching, the lens controller 124 can switch the switchable lenses 110 of a zone of the composite image together between an ON state for providing a multi-view image and an OFF state for providing a 2D image. In the example of FIG. 2 , the lens controller 124 is part of the display panel 102. In other embodiments, the lens controller 124 is not part of the display panel 102.

[0094] In some embodiments, the 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display 100 may further include a controller 130. In various embodiments, the controller 130 may be configured to provide a video image signal or a still image signal to the light valve array 106. The video image signal or the still image signal may include data corresponding to a video image or a still image that can be displayed on the 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display 100. The controller 130 may be connected via a wireless or wired connection to receive the video image signal or the still image signal from a server or a network. In some embodiments, the controller 130 may be configured to provide a separate video image signal or a separate still image signal for each viewing direction of the 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display 100. In some embodiments, the controller 130 may also control the lens controller 124 or the light source in the backlight 104. An optional eye tracker may determine the position of the user's eye 128 and provide data representing the eye position to the controller 130. In the example of FIG. 2 , the controller 130 is not part of the display panel 102; in other configurations, the controller 130 may be part of the display panel 102.

[0095] According to various embodiments, the display panel 102 of the 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display 100 may be configured to provide pixels of a composite image by temporal blending or partitioned blending of pixels representing multi-view image content and 2D image content within the composite image.

[0096] Temporal mixing can include time-division multiplexing of the ON and OFF states of the switchable lenses 110 of the switchable lens array 108 to time-division multiplex the multi-view image content and the 2D image content within the composite image. For example, for a particular area of ​​the composite image, the display panel 102 can temporally alternate between displaying the multi-view image content (and setting the switchable lenses 110 to the ON state) and displaying the 2D image content (and setting the switchable lenses 110 to the OFF state). The temporal alternation can occur at each video frame, or at another suitable time-division multiplexing rate. For time-division multiplexing rates that are higher than the response rate of the human eye, temporal mixing can be perceived as a 2D image superimposed on the multi-view image. As an observer moves through the field of view of the display panel 102, the multi-view image may change from view to view, while the 2D image remains unchanged. As an example, the light valve array 106 can be an LCD panel operating at 120 Hz, and the lens controller 124 can be configured to switch the switchable lenses 110 between the ON and OFF states at 60 Hz to provide time-division multiplexing. In another example, the LCD panel or light valve array may operate at 240 Hz, and the lens controller 124 may be configured to switch the switchable lens 110 between the ON and OFF states at 120 Hz.

[0097] Zonal mixing may include switching different subsets of the switchable lenses 110 in different zones of the switchable lens array corresponding to different zones of the composite image to an ON state for providing multi-view image content and an OFF state for providing 2D image content. For example, a first zone of the display panel 102 may be configured to provide multi-view image content, and a second zone of the display panel 102 may be configured to provide 2D image content. In some embodiments, multi-view image content and 2D image content may be provided simultaneously. As an observer moves within the field of view of the display panel 102, the multi-view image may change with different views in the first zone, while the 2D image remains unchanged in the second zone.

[0098] In the example of zoned blending, the pixels of the composite image can be grouped into mutually exclusive subsets of pixels. Each subset of pixels can correspond to a corresponding switchable lens 110 of the switchable lens array 108. The switchable lenses 110 of the switchable lens array 108 are configured to direct light from the corresponding subset of pixels to corresponding view directions of the multi-view image as view pixels of different views of the multi-view image when the switchable lenses 110 are in the ON state.

[0099] In the example of FIG2 , the switchable lens array 108 includes three switchable lenses 110A, 110B, and 110C. Each switchable lens 110A, 110B, and 110C is associated with six light valves 106 of the light valve array 106. The leftmost switchable lens 110A is associated with the leftmost group 132 of light valves. The rightmost switchable lens 110C is associated with the rightmost group 134 of light valves. The center switchable lens 110B is associated with the center group 136 of light valves. Each of the three groups of light valves corresponds to a respective partition of the composite image. FIG2 shows the leftmost switchable lens in the OFF state (as indicated by the dashed line) and the center and rightmost switchable lenses in the ON state. Thus, the leftmost partition of the composite image is presented in 2D, while the center and rightmost partitions of the composite image are presented in multi-view.

[0100] FIG3 illustrates a block diagram of a 2D / multi-view switchable lens system 300 in an example according to an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. As illustrated, the 2D / multi-view switchable lens system 300 includes a switchable lens display 302 configured to provide a composite image including both multi-view image content and two-dimensional (2D) image content. The switchable lens display 302 may include a switchable lens array 304 having switchable lenses that can be switched between an ON state and an OFF state. In some embodiments, the switchable lens array 304 may be substantially similar to the switchable lens array 108 described above.

[0101] The 2D / multi-view switchable lens system 300 illustrated in FIG3 also includes a lens controller 306. The lens controller 306 is configured to provide a composite image using temporal mixing or partitioned mixing of multi-view image content and 2D image content. Temporal mixing may include time-division multiplexing the ON and OFF states of the switchable lenses of the switchable lens array 304 to superimpose the multi-view image content and the 2D image content within the composite image. Time-division multiplexing may include a duty cycle that can be optionally controlled or changed to control or change the relative intensity of the multi-view image content and the 2D image content within the composite image. Partitioned mixing may include selectively turning on (switching on) the switchable lenses in the first partition 320 of the composite image to provide multi-view image content in the first partition 320, and selectively turning off (switching off) the switchable lenses in the second partition 322 of the composite image to provide 2D image content in the second partition 322. In some embodiments, the lens controller 306 may be substantially similar to the lens controller 124 described above.

[0102] In some embodiments, the switchable lens array 304 may include a first material layer having a fixed refractive index. The first material layer may include fixed lenses of the switchable lens array 304. In some embodiments, the first material layer of the switchable lens array 304 may be substantially similar to the first material layer 112 described above.

[0103] The switchable lens array 304 may include a second material layer having an electrically controlled refractive index. The second material layer of the switchable lens array 304 may be in contact with the first material layer and fill or substantially fill the shape of the fixed lenses of the switchable lens array 304. The electrically controlled refractive index may have a first controllable state that matches the fixed refractive index of the first material layer and a second controllable state that is different from the fixed refractive index. In some embodiments, the second material layer of the switchable lens array 304 may be substantially similar to the second material layer 114 described above.

[0104] In some embodiments, the switchable lens array 304 can include electrodes configured to selectively deliver current or voltage to switch a switchable lens of the switchable lens array 304 independently of other switchable lenses of the switchable lens array. In some embodiments, the electrodes can be substantially similar to the electrodes 122 described above.

[0105] In some embodiments, the switchable lens array 304 may include electrodes configured to selectively deliver a current or voltage to switch the switchable lenses in a region of the switchable lens array 304 corresponding to one sector of the composite image independently of the switchable lenses in regions of the switchable lens array 304 corresponding to other sectors of the composite image. In some embodiments, the electrodes of the switchable lens array 304 may be substantially similar to the electrodes 122 described above.

[0106] In some embodiments, the switchable lenses in the switchable lens array 304 can be cylindrical lenses. The cylindrical lenses can be elongated in the vertical direction and configured to direct light in directions corresponding to multiple views of the multi-view image. The views can be horizontally adjacent to each other. In some embodiments, the cylindrical lenses in the ON state can have a focal length selected so that the views at a specified viewing plane can have a center-to-center spacing corresponding to the average interpupillary distance of a person. In some embodiments (e.g., as illustrated in FIG3 ), the 2D / multi-view switchable lens system 300 can optionally include a backlight 308 that is substantially similar to the backlight 104 described above. In some embodiments (e.g., as illustrated in FIG3 ), the 2D / multi-view switchable lens system 300 can optionally include a light valve array 310 that is substantially similar to the light valve array 106 described above.

[0107] 4A and 4B illustrate schematic diagrams of a switchable lens array 400 in an OFF state and an ON state, respectively, according to an example of an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. As illustrated, the switchable lens array 400 includes switchable lenses 410 that can be switched between an ON state and an OFF state (as indicated by dashed lines). In some embodiments, the switchable lens array 400 can be substantially similar to the switchable lens array 108 described above.

[0108] The switchable lens array 400 illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B also includes a first material layer 412 having a fixed refractive index. The first material layer 412 may include the fixed lenses of the switchable lens array 400. In some embodiments, the first material layer 412 of the switchable lens array 400 may be substantially similar to the first material layer 112 described above. The switchable lens array 400 may include a second material layer 414 having an electrically controlled refractive index. The second material layer 414 of the switchable lens array 400 may be in contact with the first material layer and fill or substantially fill the shape of the fixed lenses of the switchable lens array 400. The electrically controlled refractive index may have a first controllable state that matches the fixed refractive index of the first material layer 412 and a second controllable state that is different from the fixed refractive index. In some embodiments, the second material layer 414 of the switchable lens array 400 may be substantially similar to the second material layer 114 described above.

[0109] 4A and 4B also include electrodes 422 configured to selectively deliver current or voltage to switch the switchable lenses 410 of the switchable lens array 400. In some embodiments, the electrodes 422 can be substantially similar to the electrodes 122 described above.

[0110] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B, the switchable lens array 400 further includes a switch 432 and a power source 430. In other embodiments, the switch 432 and the power source 430 may not be included in the switchable lens array 400. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4A, when the switch 432 is off, the current and voltage of the power source 430 are not supplied to the electrode 422, no electric field is applied to the second material layer 414, and the switchable lens array 400 is in an OFF state. In the OFF state, the long axis of the material crystals of the second material layer 414 extends in a horizontal direction or a substantially horizontal direction, so that the refractive index of the second material layer 414 matches the fixed refractive index of the first material layer 412, and thus the switchable lens 410 allows light to pass therethrough with no or minimal optical effect.

[0111] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG4B , when switch 432 is closed, current or voltage from power source 430 is supplied to electrode 422, generating a vertical electric field acting on second material layer 414, and switchable lens array 400 is in an ON state. In the ON state, the long axes of the material crystals of second material layer 414 extend in a direction different from the horizontal direction, so that the refractive index of second material layer 414 is different from the fixed refractive index of first material layer 412, and thus switchable lens 410 affects the propagation direction of various light rays from the display panel passing through and exiting switchable lens 410. By way of example only and not limitation, the long axes of the material crystals of second material layer 414 in FIG4B all extend in a vertical direction to indicate that the crystals have a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index. Those skilled in the art should understand that the long axis direction of the material crystals of the second material layer 414 being different from the horizontal direction may indicate that the refractive index of the second material layer 414 is different from the fixed refractive index of the first material layer 412, and the long axis direction of the crystals of the second material layer 414 in each partition may be adjusted to different directions according to various viewing directions, so that the second material layer 414 has different refractive indices in each partition.

[0112] According to other embodiments of the principles described herein, a method of operating a 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display is provided. In particular, the method of operating a 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display can have at least two modes, namely, a 2D mode and a multi-view mode, which are time-division multiplexed or time-interleaved. According to various embodiments, the 2D mode can display two-dimensional (2D) image content, while the multi-view mode can display three-dimensional (3D) or multi-view image content. Time-division multiplexing combines the 2D image content with the 3D or multi-view image content into a composite image having both 2D image and multi-view image content or information.

[0113] FIG5A illustrates a composite image perceived by a user in an example according to an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. According to some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG5A , a time-division multiplexed display displays a 2D image 510 (indicated by diagonal shading) during 2D mode and displays a 3D or multi-view image 520 (indicated by horizontal shading) during multi-view mode, and as described above, 2D image 510 and 3D or multi-view image 520 are superimposed on the time-division multiplexed display by time-division multiplexing the 2D mode and the multi-view mode to provide a composite image 530.

[0114] Figure 5B illustrates a schematic diagram of an example 2D / multi-view switchable lens display switching between 2D mode and multi-view mode according to an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. In the example of Figure 5B, the light valve array is an LCD panel running at 120Hz, and the switchable lens of the switchable lens array (e.g., SRS+ unit) switches between the ON state and the OFF state at 60Hz to provide time division multiplexing. As illustrated in the top row of Figure 5B, the first and third frames are expected to display 2D content and the second and fourth frames are expected to display 3D or multi-view content, and so on. During image update, the light valve (e.g., liquid crystal light valve) array performs gate scanning row by row according to the content to be displayed to refresh the light valve array corresponding to the full screen. After receiving the gate scan signal, the liquid crystal in the light valve requires a response time to complete the corresponding conversion, that is, the liquid crystal pixel will be delayed in showing the correct content. In some cases, the total time for all rows of the light valve array (i.e., the full screen) to complete the gate scan and liquid crystal response far exceeds the frame period of one frame. During each frame cycle, the backlight is activated only after the liquid crystals in the light valves complete their transitions and the switchable lens array completes its state switching, allowing the correct 2D or multi-view image content to be displayed. The backlight activation time must meet the display's minimum brightness requirements. Therefore, if the total time required for gate scanning and liquid crystal response for all rows of the light valve array is too long within a limited frame cycle, only a portion of the display area may be updated, causing portions of the previous frame's content to overlap with those updated in the current frame, thus affecting blending performance.

[0115] As shown in FIG5B , in order to display the correct image content, the gate scanning time T of the light valve array is LCD_SCAN , the liquid crystal response time T of the light valve array LCD_RESP , Backlight lighting time T BLU The frame period T of a frame satisfies the following formula (1): T≧T LCD_SCAN +T LCD_RESP +T BLU (1).

[0116] As shown in FIG5B , formula (1) applies to both 2D and 3D frames. As illustrated in FIG5B by way of example and not limitation, the refresh rate of the light valve array (and therefore the LCD panel) can be maintained at 120 Hz, and the SRS+ unit switches between the ON and OFF states at 60 Hz. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while FIG5B illustrates, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment in which the light valve array is refreshed at 120 Hz and the SRS+ unit switches between the ON and OFF states at 60 Hz, in other embodiments, the light valve array can have other refresh rates, and the SRS+ unit can switch between the ON and OFF states at half the refresh rate. In some examples, the light valve array can operate at 180 Hz, and the SRS+ unit can switch between the ON and OFF states at 90 Hz.

[0117] In some embodiments, the driving rate of the light valve array can be kept constant (ie, the gate scanning time T LCD_SCAN (unchanged), while reducing the refresh rate of the light valve array so that the frame period T is extended to satisfy equation (1). It should be noted that, as described above, the refresh rate of the light valve array needs to at least exceed the persistence of vision of a viewer using the display so that each of the 2D image content and the multi-view image content appears to the user to be constantly present and there is no perceptible flicker in the composite image. For each of the 2D mode and the multi-view mode, a switching rate of at least about 60 Hz (i.e., a refresh rate of about 120 Hz) will provide this persistence of vision target (i.e., about 1 millisecond or less in each mode).

[0118] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5B , by adjusting the gate scanning time T of the light valve array LCD_SCAN , LCD response time T LCD_RESP and the minimum lighting time required for the backlight, so that their sum is less than or equal to one frame period T, so that the corresponding content is correctly displayed in full screen in each frame (that is, the backlight is activated when the 2D image content is completely refreshed on the light valve array and the backlight is activated when the multi-view image content is completely refreshed on the light valve array), and the lighting time of the backlight T BLU Greater than the minimum required lighting time.

[0119] On the other hand, in order to correctly display 2D image content and multi-view image content, the switchable lens array also requires a certain response time to switch the switchable lens from the ON state to the OFF state or from the OFF state to the ON state. If the switching response time of the switchable lens array is too long, resulting in the switchable lens array not completing the state switch when the backlight is illuminated, the switchable lens array cannot correctly guide the light from the light valve array, and thus cannot display the correct image content on the switchable lens display.

[0120] As shown in FIG5B , in order to display the correct image content, the maximum switching response time T of the switchable lens array is SRS_MAX , Backlight lighting time T BLU The frame period T of a frame satisfies the following formula (2): T≧T SRS_MAX +T BLU (2).

[0121] As shown in FIG5B , formula (2) is applicable to both 2D and 3D frames, that is, the maximum switching response time T SRS_MAX Indicates the maximum response time between the response time of the switchable lens switching from the ON state to the OFF state and the response time of the switchable lens switching from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0122] In some embodiments, the switching response time of the switchable lens from the OFF state to the ON state can be shortened by adopting a fast-switching LC overdrive technology, for example, by delivering a voltage or current to the electrodes of the switchable lens array as shown in FIG4B to generate a vertical electric field acting on the second material layer, so as to satisfy formula (2).

[0123] In some embodiments, to display correct image content, the backlight is activated or illuminated when the light valve array completes refreshing and the switchable lens array completes state switching, ie, formulas (1) and (2) are satisfied simultaneously.

[0124] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG5B , the backlight is a strobe backlight or a scanning backlight operating in strobe mode. In other words, the backlight is entirely illuminated and turned off, and during the backlight illumination period, the entire area of ​​the backlight is illuminated simultaneously to emit light to the entire light valve array. In the embodiment of FIG5B , all rows of the SRS+ cells or the switchable lens array can be simultaneously switched from an OFF state to an ON state or from an ON state to an OFF state after a frame ends, and the entire backlight can be activated or illuminated only after all rows of the light valve array are refreshed and all rows of the SRS+ cells or the switchable lens array have completed state switching.

[0125] In some embodiments, all rows of the switchable lens array can complete state switching earlier than all rows of the light valve array complete refresh, and the entire backlight can be lit when all rows of the light valve array complete refresh. In other words, the maximum switching response time T of the switchable lens array is SRS_MAX Less than or equal to the gate scanning time T of the light valve array LCD_SCAN and the liquid crystal response time T LCD_RESP In other embodiments, all rows of the light valve array may complete refreshing earlier than all rows of the switchable lens array complete state switching, and the entire backlight may be turned on when all rows of the switchable lens array complete state switching.

[0126] In some embodiments, the time for all rows of the switchable lens array to switch from the ON state to the OFF state may be different from the time for switching from the OFF state to the ON state. Therefore, in some embodiments, the entire backlight can be lit when all rows of the switchable lens array complete the state switching under the condition that formulas (1) and (2) are satisfied, so that the backlight lighting time for displaying 2D image content is different from the backlight lighting time for displaying multi-view image content. In other embodiments, although the time for switching all rows of the lens array from the ON state to the OFF state is different from the time for switching from the OFF state to the ON state, the lighting of the backlight can still be selected so that the backlight lighting time for displaying 2D image content is the same as the backlight lighting time for displaying multi-view image content. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5B, the term "switchable lens array" can be used interchangeably with "SRS+ unit". Although the embodiment of Figure 5B is used above to illustrate the switching response time requirement for the switchable lens array to switch between the ON state and the OFF state, such a requirement also applies to other related embodiments.

[0127] In order to shorten the switching response time of the switchable lens from the ON state to the OFF state, the present disclosure proposes a new structure of the switchable lens array. Figures 6A and 6B illustrate cross-sectional views of a switchable lens array 600 in the OFF state and the ON state, respectively, according to an example of another embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. Similar to the switchable lens array 400 illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B, the switchable lens array 600 illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B includes a switchable lens 610 that can be switched between the ON state and the OFF state (as indicated by the dotted line), a first material layer 612 having a fixed refractive index, and a second material layer 614 having an electrically controlled refractive index. Unlike the switchable lens array 400 illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B , the switchable lens array 600 illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B includes an upper electrode 622 and lower electrodes 624 and 626. The lower electrodes 624 and 626 comprise two layers of electrodes. The first layer of electrodes 624 and the second layer of electrodes 626 each comprise strip electrodes spaced apart from one another. The strip electrodes of the first layer of electrodes 624 are shorted to one another, and the strip electrodes of the second layer of electrodes 626 are shorted to one another. The strip electrodes of the first layer of electrodes 624 and the strip electrodes of the second layer of electrodes 626 are arranged in an interlaced manner. In other embodiments, the electrodes in the first layer of electrodes 624 and the second layer of electrodes 626 can be electrodes of other shapes arranged in an interlaced manner. In the embodiment of Figures 6A and 6B , an insulating layer 628 is provided between the first layer of electrodes 624 and the second layer of electrodes 626.

[0128] The switchable lens array 600 illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B further includes a first power source 630, a first switch 632, a second power source 634, and a second switch 636. The first switch 632 controls the return path of the first power source 630, and the second switch 636 controls the return path of the second power source 634. The second switch 636 is a double-contact switch. In other embodiments, the first power source 630, the first switch 632, the second power source 634, and the second switch 636 may not be included in the switchable lens array 600. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 6A, when the switchable lens array 600 is switched to the OFF state, the first switch 632 is disconnected and the second switch 636 is switched to a contact connected to the second power source 634. The voltage and current of the first power source 630 are not supplied between the upper electrode 622 and the lower electrodes 624, 626, and the voltage or current of the second power source 634 is supplied between the first layer electrode 624 and the second layer electrode 626. Therefore, a horizontal electric field is formed between the strip electrodes of the first layer electrode 624 and the strip electrodes of the second layer electrode 626. This horizontal electric field forces the long axis extension direction of the material crystals in the second material layer 614 to rotate horizontally, so that the refractive index of the second material layer 614 matches the fixed refractive index of the first material layer 612, thereby providing an OFF state. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG6B , when the switchable lens array 600 is switched to the ON state, the first switch 632 is closed and the second switch 636 is switched to another contact point. The voltage and current of the second power supply 634 are not provided between the first layer electrode 624 and the second layer electrode 626, and the first layer electrode 624 and the second layer electrode 626 are short-circuited. Instead, the voltage or current of the first power supply 630 is provided between the upper electrode 622 and the lower electrode (the first layer electrode 624 and the second layer electrode 626). Therefore, a vertical electric field is formed between the upper electrode 622 and the lower electrodes 624 and 626. This vertical electric field forces the long axis extension direction of the material crystals in the second material layer 614 to rotate to a vertical direction, so that the refractive index of the second material layer 614 is different from the fixed refractive index of the first material layer 612, thereby providing an ON state. By way of example only and not limitation, the long axes of the material crystals in the second material layer 414 in FIG. 6B all extend in a vertical direction to indicate that the crystals have a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index. Those skilled in the art will understand that the long axis direction of the material crystals in the second material layer 614 being different from the horizontal direction can indicate that the refractive index of the second material layer 414 is different from the fixed refractive index of the first material layer 612. The long axis direction of the crystals in each partition of the second material layer 614 can be adjusted to different directions according to various viewing directions, so that the second material layer 614 has different refractive indices in each partition.

[0129] In other embodiments (not shown), the switchable lens array includes an upper electrode and a lower electrode, wherein the upper electrode comprises two layers of electrodes with an insulating layer interposed therebetween, the first layer of electrodes and the second layer of electrodes each comprising strip electrodes spaced apart from each other, the strip electrodes of the first layer of electrodes being short-circuited to each other, the strip electrodes of the second layer of electrodes being short-circuited to each other, and the strip electrodes of the first layer of electrodes and the strip electrodes of the second layer of electrodes being arranged in an alternating pattern. In some embodiments, a voltage from a first power supply is applied between the lower electrode and the first and second layers of electrodes of the upper electrode to generate a vertical electric field, while a voltage from a second power supply is applied between the first and second layers of electrodes of the upper electrode to generate a horizontal electric field.

[0130] In other embodiments (not shown), the switchable lens array includes an upper electrode and a lower electrode, wherein the upper electrode and the lower electrode each include two layers of electrodes with an insulating layer disposed therebetween, the first layer of electrodes and the second layer of electrodes each include strip electrodes spaced apart from each other, the strip electrodes of the first layer of electrodes and the strip electrodes of the second layer of electrodes are arranged in an alternating pattern, the strip electrodes of the first layer of electrodes of the upper electrode are short-circuited to each other, the strip electrodes of the second layer of electrodes of the upper electrode are short-circuited to each other, and the strip electrodes of the first layer of electrodes of the lower electrode are short-circuited to each other, and the strip electrodes of the second layer of electrodes of the lower electrode are short-circuited to each other. In some embodiments, a voltage from a first power supply is applied between the first and second layers of electrodes of the upper electrode and the first and second layers of electrodes of the lower electrode to generate a vertical electric field, and a voltage from a second power supply is applied between the first and second layers of electrodes of the upper electrode and / or between the first and second layers of electrodes of the lower electrode to generate a horizontal electric field.

[0131] In other embodiments (not shown), one of the two layers of electrodes provided with an insulating layer may cover the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, and the other layer of electrodes may include spaced-apart strip electrodes. In some embodiments (not shown), the layer of electrodes covering the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array may include a hollow pattern. In some embodiments, the shapes of the two layers of electrodes may be optimized as needed, and the two layers of electrodes may be configured into any suitable shape that can generate a desired horizontal electric field.

[0132] 6C and 6D illustrate cross-sectional views of a switchable lens array 600 in an OFF state and an ON state, respectively, in another example according to other embodiments consistent with the principles described herein. The switchable lens array 600 illustrated in FIG6C and FIG6D is substantially similar to the switchable lens array 600 illustrated in FIG6A and FIG6B , except that the lower electrodes 624 and 626 of the switchable lens array 600 illustrated in FIG6C and FIG6D include a first group of lower electrodes 624 and a second group of lower electrodes 626 arranged in the same layer, the first group of lower electrodes 624 and the second group of lower electrodes 626 each including strip electrodes spaced apart from each other, the strip electrodes of the first group of lower electrodes 624 being shorted to each other, the strip electrodes of the second group of lower electrodes 626 being shorted to each other, and the strip electrodes of the first group of lower electrodes 624 and the strip electrodes of the second group of lower electrodes 626 being arranged to cross each other, i.e., staggered. In other embodiments, the electrodes in the first set of lower electrodes 624 and the second set of lower electrodes 626 may be electrodes of other shapes arranged in a staggered manner. In the embodiments of Figures 6C and 6D, a gap 625 is provided between the first set of lower electrodes 624 and the second set of lower electrodes 626. In some embodiments, the gap 625 may be between 0.1 μm and 100 μm, and in other embodiments, the gap 625 may be other suitable values.

[0133] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG6C and similar to FIG6A , when the switchable lens array 600 is switched to the OFF state, the first switch 632 is disconnected and the second switch 636 is switched to a contact connected to the second power source 634. The voltage and current of the first power source 630 are not supplied between the upper electrode 622 and the lower electrodes 624 and 626, and the voltage or current of the second power source 634 is supplied between the first group of lower electrodes 624 and the second group of lower electrodes 626. As a result, a horizontal electric field is formed between the strip electrodes of the first group of lower electrodes 624 and the strip electrodes of the second group of lower electrodes 626. This horizontal electric field forces the long axis extension direction of the material crystals in the second material layer 614 to rotate to a horizontal direction, so that the refractive index of the second material layer 614 matches the fixed refractive index of the first material layer 612, thereby providing the OFF state. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG6D and similar to FIG6B , when the switchable lens array 600 is switched to the ON state, the first switch 632 is closed and the second switch 636 is switched to another contact point. The voltage and current of the second power supply 634 are not supplied between the first group of lower electrodes 624 and the second group of lower electrodes 626, resulting in a short circuit between the first group of lower electrodes 624 and the second group of lower electrodes 626. The voltage or current of the first power supply 630 is supplied between the upper electrode 622 and the lower electrodes (the first group of lower electrodes 624 and the second group of lower electrodes 626). As a result, a vertical electric field is formed between the upper electrode 622 and the lower electrodes 624 and 626. This vertical electric field forces the long axis extension direction of the material crystals in the second material layer 614 to rotate to a vertical direction, causing the refractive index of the second material layer 614 to differ from the fixed refractive index of the first material layer 612, thereby providing the ON state.

[0134] FIG7 illustrates a flow chart of a method 700 for operating a switchable lens array, according to an example of an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. As illustrated in FIG7 , the method 700 for operating a switchable lens array includes applying a first electrical potential between electrodes of the switchable lens array such that a second material layer of the switchable lens array is exposed to an electric field in a first direction (e.g., a horizontal direction) to switch an electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to a refractive index that matches a fixed refractive index of the first material layer 710. In some embodiments, the switchable lens array can be substantially similar to the switchable lens array 108 described above with reference to FIG2 , the switchable lens array 400 described with reference to FIG4A-4B , and the switchable lens array 600 described with reference to FIG6A-6D . In some embodiments, the first electrical potential can be substantially similar to the voltage provided by the second power supply 634 described above with reference to FIG6A-6D .

[0135] The method 700 of operating a switchable lens array shown in FIG7 also includes applying a second electrical potential between electrodes of the switchable lens array such that the second material layer is exposed to an electrical field in a second direction (e.g., a vertical direction) to switch the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction 720. In some embodiments, the switchable lens array can be substantially similar to the switchable lens array 108 described above with reference to FIG2, the switchable lens array 400 described with reference to FIG4A-4B, and the switchable lens array 600 described with reference to FIG6A-6D. In some embodiments, the second electrical potential can be substantially similar to the voltage provided by the power supply 430 described above with reference to FIG4A-4B and the voltage provided by the first power supply 630 described with reference to FIG6A-6D.

[0136] In some embodiments, the switchable lens array includes: a first material layer, the first material layer has a fixed refractive index and is a fixed lens of the switchable lens array; a second material layer, the second material layer has an electrically controlled refractive index, the second material layer is in contact with the first material layer and fills the shape of the fixed lens of the switchable lens array; and an electrode, the electrode includes an upper electrode and a lower electrode, the first material layer and the second material layer are arranged between the upper electrode and the lower electrode; wherein, switching the switchable lens of the switchable lens array to the ON state includes applying a first electric potential to the electrode so that the second material layer is in an electric field in a first direction, thereby controlling the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to have a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index; and wherein, switching the switchable lens of the switchable lens array to the OFF state includes removing the first electric potential applied to the electrode to remove the electric field in the first direction, thereby controlling the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to have a refractive index matching the fixed refractive index.

[0137] In some embodiments, switching the switchable lens of the switchable lens array to the OFF state includes applying a second electric potential to the electrode so that the second material layer is in an electric field in a second direction, thereby controlling the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to have a refractive index matching the fixed refractive index, wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.

[0138] In some embodiments, one of the upper electrode and the lower electrode covers the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, and the other of the upper electrode and the lower electrode includes two layers of electrodes, a first layer of electrodes and a second layer of electrodes in the two layers of electrodes are arranged alternately over the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, wherein a second electric potential is applied between the first layer of electrodes and the second layer of electrodes.

[0139] In some embodiments, both the upper electrode and the lower electrode include two layers of electrodes, and the first layer of electrodes and the second layer of electrodes in the two layers of electrodes are arranged alternately over the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, wherein the second electric potential is applied between the two layers of electrodes of the upper electrode and / or between the two layers of electrodes of the lower electrode.

[0140] In some embodiments, the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer in the two electrode layers each include strip electrodes spaced apart from each other, and the strip electrodes of the first electrode layer and the strip electrodes of the second electrode layer are arranged alternately over the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array.

[0141] In some embodiments, one of the two electrode layers covers the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, and the other of the two electrode layers includes strip electrodes spaced apart from each other.

[0142] In some embodiments, one of the two electrode layers that covers the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array has a hollow pattern.

[0143] FIG8 shows a flow chart of a method 800 of operating a 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display, according to an example of an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. As illustrated in FIG8 , the method 800 of operating a 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display includes providing two-dimensional (2D) image content and multi-view image content using a display panel 810. In some embodiments, the display panel can be substantially similar to the display panel 102 described above with reference to FIG2 .

[0144] The method 800 of operating a 2D / multi-view switchable lens display shown in FIG8 also includes applying a first electrical potential between electrodes of the switchable lens array such that the second material layer of the switchable lens array is in an electric field in a first direction when the display panel provides 2D image content, thereby switching the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to a refractive index that matches the fixed refractive index of the first material layer 820. In some embodiments, the display panel can be substantially similar to the display panel 102 described above with reference to FIG2. In some embodiments, the switchable lens array can be substantially similar to the switchable lens array 108 described above with reference to FIG2, the switchable lens array 400 described with reference to FIG4A-4B, and the switchable lens array 600 described with reference to FIG6A-6D. In some embodiments, the first electrical potential can be substantially similar to the voltage provided by the second power supply 634 described above with reference to FIG6A-6D.

[0145] The method 800 of operating a 2D / multi-view switchable lens display shown in FIG8 further includes applying a second electrical potential between the electrodes such that the second material layer is exposed to an electric field in a second direction when the display panel provides multi-view image content, so as to switch the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction 830. In some embodiments, the display panel can be substantially similar to the display panel 102 described above with reference to FIG2. In some embodiments, the switchable lens array can be substantially similar to the switchable lens array 108 described above with reference to FIG2, the switchable lens array 400 described with reference to FIG4A-4B, and the switchable lens array 600 described with reference to FIG6A-6D. In some embodiments, the second electrical potential can be substantially similar to the voltage provided by the power supply 430 described above with reference to FIG4A-4B and the voltage provided by the first power supply 630 described with reference to FIG6A-6D.

[0146] Thus, examples and embodiments of switchable lens arrays and methods of operating the switchable lens arrays in a manner configured to reduce the switching response time of the switchable lens arrays have been described. For example, embodiments relate to processing a multi-view image so that it is displayed in two modes (e.g., a 2D mode and a multi-view mode) of a 2D / multi-view switchable lens display, thereby producing a composite multi-view image. It should be understood that the examples described above are merely illustrative of some of the many specific examples and embodiments of the principles described herein. Clearly, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other arrangements without departing from the scope as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A switchable lens array, the switchable lens array comprising: A first material layer, wherein the first material layer has a fixed refractive index; a second material layer, the second material layer having an electrically controlled refractive index; as well as electrodes configured to deliver a voltage or current to switch the state of a switchable lens of the switchable lens array, wherein the electrodes include an upper electrode and a lower electrode; Wherein, when a first electric potential is applied between the electrodes, the second material layer is arranged in an electric field in a first direction, so that the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer is switched to a refractive index matching the fixed refractive index.

2. The switchable lens array according to claim 1, wherein: When a second potential is applied between the electrodes, the second material layer is arranged in an electric field in a second direction so that the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer switches to a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

3. The switchable lens array according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first material layer includes fixed lenses of the switchable lens array, and the second material layer contacts the first material layer and fills the shape of the fixed lenses of the switchable lens array.

4. The switchable lens array according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first material layer and the second material layer are disposed between the upper electrode and the lower electrode.

5. The switchable lens array according to claim 1, wherein: One of the upper electrode and the lower electrode covers the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, and the other of the upper electrode and the lower electrode includes a first group of electrodes and a second group of electrodes, and the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes are arranged alternately over the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, wherein the first electric potential is applied between the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes.

6. The switchable lens array according to claim 1, wherein: Both the upper electrode and the lower electrode include a first group of electrodes and a second group of electrodes, respectively, and the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes are arranged alternately over the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, wherein the first electric potential is applied between the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes of the upper electrode and / or between the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes of the lower electrode.

7. The switchable lens array according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes each include strip electrodes spaced apart from each other, and the strip electrodes of the first group of electrodes and the strip electrodes of the second group of electrodes are arranged alternately with each other over the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array.

8. The switchable lens array according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The first group of electrodes is arranged as a first layer of electrodes and the second group of electrodes is arranged as a second layer of electrodes, wherein one layer of electrodes in the first layer of electrodes and the second layer of electrodes covers the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, and the other layer of electrodes in the first layer of electrodes and the second layer of electrodes includes strip electrodes spaced apart from each other.

9. The switchable lens array according to claim 8, wherein: One of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer that covers the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array has a hollow pattern.

10. The switchable lens array according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes are arranged in the same layer, the electrodes in the first group of electrodes and the electrodes in the second group of electrodes are staggered with each other, and gaps are arranged between the electrodes in the first group of electrodes and adjacent electrodes in the second group of electrodes.

11. A method of operating a switchable lens array, the switchable lens array comprising a first material layer having a fixed refractive index, a second material layer having an electrically controlled refractive index, and an electrode, wherein the method comprises: A first electric potential is applied between the electrodes so that the second material layer is in an electric field in a first direction to switch the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to a refractive index that matches the fixed refractive index.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The method comprises: A second potential is applied between the electrodes so that the second material layer is in an electric field in a second direction to switch the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

13. A 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display comprising: A display panel having a display pixel array; A switchable lens array for directing outputs of different pixels of the display pixel array to spatial locations to display a two-dimensional (2D) image or a multi-view image, wherein the switchable lens array comprises: A first material layer, wherein the first material layer has a fixed refractive index; A second material layer having an electrically controlled refractive index; and electrodes configured to deliver a voltage or a current to switch the state of the switchable lenses of the switchable lens array, wherein the electrodes include an upper electrode and a lower electrode; and The controller is configured to apply a first potential between the electrodes so that the second material layer is in an electric field in a first direction when the display panel provides 2D image content, so as to switch the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to a refractive index matching the fixed refractive index.

14. The 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display according to claim 13, wherein: The controller is configured to apply a second electric potential between the electrodes so that the second material layer is in an electric field in a second direction when the display panel provides multi-view image content, so as to switch the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

15. The 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: The first material layer includes fixed lenses of the switchable lens array, and the second material layer contacts the first material layer and fills the shape of the fixed lenses of the switchable lens array.

16. The 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: The first material layer and the second material layer are disposed between the upper electrode and the lower electrode.

17. The 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display of claim 13, wherein: One of the upper electrode and the lower electrode covers the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, and the other of the upper electrode and the lower electrode includes a first group of electrodes and a second group of electrodes, and the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes are arranged alternately over the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, wherein the first electric potential is applied between the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes.

18. The 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display of claim 13, wherein: The upper electrode and the lower electrode respectively include a first group of electrodes and a second group of electrodes, and the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes are arranged alternately over the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, wherein the first electric potential is applied between the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes of the upper electrode and / or between the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes of the lower electrode.

19. The 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display according to claim 17 or 18, wherein: The first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes each include strip electrodes spaced apart from each other, and the strip electrodes of the first group of electrodes and the strip electrodes of the second group of electrodes are arranged alternately with each other over the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array.

20. The 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display according to claim 17 or 18, wherein: The first group of electrodes is arranged as a first layer of electrodes and the second group of electrodes is arranged as a second layer of electrodes, wherein one layer of electrodes in the first layer of electrodes and the second layer of electrodes covers the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array, and the other layer of electrodes in the first layer of electrodes and the second layer of electrodes includes strip electrodes spaced apart from each other.

21. The 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display of claim 20, wherein: One of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer that covers the entire area of ​​the switchable lens array has a hollow pattern.

22. The 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display according to claim 17 or 18, wherein: The first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes are arranged in the same layer, the electrodes in the first group of electrodes and the electrodes in the second group of electrodes are staggered with each other, and gaps are arranged between the electrodes in the first group of electrodes and adjacent electrodes in the second group of electrodes.

23. A method of operating a 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display, the 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display comprising a display panel and a switchable lenticular array, the switchable lenticular array comprising a first material layer having a fixed refractive index, a second material layer having an electrically controlled refractive index, and electrodes, wherein the method comprises: providing two-dimensional (2D) image content and multi-view image content using a display panel; When the display panel provides the 2D image content, a first potential is applied between the electrodes so that the second material layer is in an electric field in a first direction, so as to switch the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to a refractive index matching the fixed refractive index.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein: The method comprises: When the display panel provides the multi-view image content, a second potential is applied between the electrodes so that the second material layer is in an electric field in a second direction to switch the electrically controlled refractive index of the second material layer to a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

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