2D / Multiview Switchable Lenticular Display, System, and Method - Patent application

Abstract

A display panel of the 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display may provide pixels of a composite image including a multiview image and a 2D image. A switchable lenticular lens array of the 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display may form a composite image from the pixels. Each switchable lenticular lens of the switchable lenticular lens array may be switchable between an ON state and an OFF state. The composite image may be provided by either using temporal mixing or using areal mixing. Temporal mixing may include time multiplexing the ON and OFF states of the switchable lenticular lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array. Areal mixing may include switching different subsets of the switchable lenticular lenses corresponding to different zones of the composite image to an ON state to provide a multiview image or to an OFF state to provide a 2D image.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 317,392, filed March 7, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not applicable [Background technology]

[0003] Electronic displays are a nearly ubiquitous medium for conveying information to users of various devices and products. The most widely used electronic displays include cathode ray tubes (CRTs), plasma display panels (PDPs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), electroluminescent displays (ELs), organic light emitting diode (OLED) and active matrix OLED (AMOLED) displays, electrophoretic displays (EPs), and a variety of displays that utilize electromechanical or electrofluidic light modulation (e.g., digital micromirror devices, electrowetting displays, etc.). In general, electronic displays can be classified as either active displays (i.e., displays that emit light) or passive displays (i.e., displays that modulate light provided by another source). Examples of active displays include CRTs, PDPs, and OLED / AMOLEDs. Displays that are generally classified as passive when considering the light emitted are LCDs and EP displays. Passive displays often exhibit attractive performance characteristics, including but not limited to inherently low power consumption, but their lack of the ability to emit light may limit their use somewhat in many practical applications. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0004] Various features of examples and embodiments consistent with the principles described herein may be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like structural elements and in which:

[0005] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example multiple view display according to an embodiment consistent with principles described herein. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagrammatic representation of angular components of a light beam having a particular principal angular direction corresponding to a certain viewing orientation of a multi-view display in one example, according to an embodiment consistent with principles described herein. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of an example 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display according to some embodiments of principles described herein. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example 2D / multiview switchable lenticular system, according to one embodiment of principles described herein. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a composite image in one example, according to one embodiment of principles described herein. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a composite image in another example, according to one embodiment of principles described herein. [Figure 7] 1 is an example of a method of operating a 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display in one example, according to some embodiments of principles described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0006] Certain examples and embodiments have other features either in addition to or instead of the features shown in the above-referenced figures, which and other features are described in detail below with reference to the above-referenced figures.

[0007] Examples and embodiments according to the principles described herein provide a 2D / 3D switchable lenticular display with applications in displaying two-dimensional (2D) images, multi-view or three-dimensional (3D) images, and hybrid images of 2D / multi-view mixed content. In particular, according to the principles described herein, the lenticular display may employ a switchable medium surrounding the lenses in the lenticular array of the lenticular display. The switchable medium (e.g., a birefringent liquid crystal medium) is used to effectively switch on and off the various lenses of the lenticular array of the lenticular display. By switching on and off the various lenses, an image having only 2D content, only multi-view content, or a combination or mixed 2D / multi-view content may be provided. According to various embodiments, the 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display comprises a backlight, a light valve array (e.g., a liquid crystal panel), and a switchable lenticular array. The 2D / multiview switchable display may be operated in various modes, including a 2D mode configured to provide a 2D image, a multiview mode configured to provide a multiview image, and a 2D / multiview hybrid mode configured to provide a 2D / 3D hybrid image. Additionally, according to various embodiments, the 2D / multiview mode may include one or both of regional and temporal mixing to provide a 2D / multiview hybrid image.

[0008] A "two-dimensional display" or "2D display" is defined herein as a display configured to provide substantially the same display of an image regardless of the direction from which the image is viewed (i.e., within a predetermined viewing angle or range of the 2D display). A conventional liquid crystal display (LCD) found in many smartphones and computer monitors is an example of a 2D display. In contrast, a "multi-view display" or "3D display" is defined herein as an electronic display or display system configured to provide different views of a multi-view image at or from different viewing directions. In particular, the different views may represent different perspectives of a scene or object in the multi-view image. Applications of the unidirectional backlight and unidirectional multi-view 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 a variety of other mobile and substantially non-mobile display applications and devices.

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a multi-view display 10 in one example according to an embodiment in accordance with the principles described herein. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-view display 10 comprises a screen 12 that displays a multi-view image to be viewed. The multi-view display 10 provides different views 14 of the multi-view image in a number of different viewing directions 16 relative to the screen 12. The viewing directions 16 are illustrated as arrows extending from the screen 12 in various different principal angular directions. The different views 14 are illustrated as shaded polygonal frames at the ends of the arrows (i.e., representing the viewing directions 16). Only four views 14 and four viewing directions 16 are shown, all by way of example and not limitation. It should be noted that although the different views 14 are shown in FIG. 1 as being above the screen, 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 ease of illustration and represent the multi-view display 10 being viewed from each of the view orientations 16 corresponding to a particular view 14.

[0010] A light beam having a direction corresponding to a viewing direction or equivalently a viewing direction of a multi-view display generally has a principal angular direction given by angular components {θ,φ}, as defined herein. 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 herein as the "azimuth component" or "azimuth angle" of the light beam. By definition, the elevation angle θ is an angle in a vertical plane (e.g., perpendicular to the plane of the multi-view display screen) and the azimuth angle φ is an angle in a horizontal plane (e.g., parallel to the plane of the multi-view display screen). FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the angular components {θ,φ} of a light beam 20 having a particular principal angular direction corresponding to a viewing direction of a multi-view display (e.g., viewing direction 16 in FIG. 1) in one example, according to an embodiment in accordance with the principles described herein. In addition, the light beam 20, as defined herein, emanates or diverges from a particular point. That is, by definition, the light beam 20 has a centerline associated with a particular origin in the multi-view display. FIG. 2 also shows the origin O of the light beam (or viewing direction).

[0011] Further, in the present specification, the term "multi-view" as used in the terms "multi-view image" and "multi-view display" is defined as a plurality of views that represent different perspectives or include an angular difference between the views of the plurality of views. In addition, in the present specification, the term "multi-view" explicitly includes three or more different views (i.e., a minimum of three views, generally four or more views) as defined herein. Therefore, as used herein, a "multi-view display" is explicitly distinguished from a stereoscopic display that includes only two different views to represent one scene or image. However, it should be noted that although a multi-view image and a multi-view display include three or more views, as defined herein, a multi-view image may be viewed as a stereoscopic pair of images (e.g., on a multi-view display) by selecting only two of the multi-view views to view at a time (e.g., one view for each eye).

[0012] A "multi-view pixel" is defined herein as a set of sub-pixels that represent a "display" pixel in each of a plurality of similar different views of a multi-view display. In particular, a multi-view pixel may have individual sub-pixels that correspond to or represent display pixels in each different view of a multi-view image. Furthermore, the sub-pixels of a multi-view pixel are so-called "directional pixels" in the sense that, as defined herein, each sub-pixel is associated with a pre-defined viewing direction of a corresponding one of the different views. Furthermore, according to various examples and embodiments, the different display pixels represented by the sub-pixels of a multi-view pixel may have equivalent 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 that correspond to display pixels located at {x1,y1} in each of the different views of a multi-view image, while a second multi-view pixel may have individual sub-pixels that correspond to display pixels located at {x2,y2} in each of the different views, etc.

[0013] As used herein, a "light guide" is defined as a structure that uses total internal reflection to guide light within the structure. In particular, a light guide may include a core that is substantially transparent at the operating wavelength of the light guide. In various examples, the term "light guide" generally refers to a dielectric optical waveguide that utilizes total internal reflection to guide light at an interface between the dielectric material of the light guide and the material or medium that surrounds the light guide. By definition, the condition for total internal reflection is that the refractive index of the light guide is higher than the refractive index of the surrounding medium adjacent the surface of the light guide material. In some embodiments, the light guide may include a coating in addition to or instead of the refractive index difference described above to further promote total internal reflection. The coating may be, for example, a reflective coating. The light guide may be any of several types of light guides, including, but not limited to, one or both of a plate guide or flat guide and a strip guide.

[0014] Furthermore, the term "plate" as applied to a light guide, such as a "plate light guide," is defined herein as a piecewise or differentially planar layer or sheet, which is sometimes referred to as a "flat" guide. In particular, a plate light guide is defined as a light guide configured to direct light in two substantially orthogonal directions bounded by the upper and lower surfaces (i.e., opposite sides) of the light guide. Moreover, for purposes of this definition, both the upper and lower surfaces are spaced apart from each other and may be substantially parallel to each other, at least in a differential sense. That is, within a differentially small portion of the plate light guide, the upper and lower surfaces are substantially parallel or coplanar.

[0015] In some embodiments, the plate light guide may be substantially flat (i.e., constrained to a plane), and thus the plate light guide is a planar light guide. In other embodiments, the plate light guide may be curved in one or two orthogonal dimensions. For example, the plate light guide may be curved in a single dimension to form a cylindrical shaped plate light guide. However, any curvature has a radius of curvature large enough to ensure that total internal reflection is maintained to guide light within the plate light guide.

[0016] A collimator is defined herein as substantially any optical element or device configured to collimate light. For example, collimators may include, but are not limited to, collimating mirrors or reflectors, collimating lenses, diffraction gratings, 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, a collimating reflector may comprise a shaped parabolic reflector. By "shaped parabolic" 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 a predetermined reflective characteristic (e.g., degree of collimation). Similarly, a collimating lens may comprise a spherically shaped surface (e.g., a biconvex spherical lens).

[0017] In some embodiments, the collimator may be a continuous reflector or lens (i.e., a reflector or lens having a substantially smooth, continuous surface). In other embodiments, the collimating reflector or lens may comprise a substantially discontinuous surface, such as, but not limited to, a Fresnel reflector or lens that provides collimation of light. According to various embodiments, the amount of collimation provided by the collimator may vary in a given degree or amount from embodiment to embodiment. Furthermore, the collimator may be configured to provide collimation in one or both of two orthogonal directions (e.g., vertical and horizontal). That is, the collimator may include a shape that provides collimation of light in one or both of two orthogonal directions according to some embodiments.

[0018] As used herein, "collimation factor" is defined as the degree to which light is collimated. In particular, the collimation factor, as defined herein, defines the angular spread of rays in a collimated beam of light. For example, a collimation factor σ may specify that the majority of rays in a collimated beam of light are within a particular angular spread (e.g., + / - σ degrees around a central or principal angular direction of the collimated beam of light). The rays of a collimated beam of light may have a normal distribution with respect to angles, and according to some examples, the angular spread may be an angle determined by half the peak intensity of the collimated beam of light.

[0019] As used herein, a "light source" is defined as a source of light (e.g., a light emitter configured to generate and emit light). For example, a light source may comprise a light emitter, such as a light emitting diode (LED), that emits light when activated or turned on. In particular, as used herein, a light source may be substantially any source of light or comprise substantially any light emitter, including, but not limited to, one or more of light emitting diodes (LEDs), lasers, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), polymer light emitting diodes, plasma-based light emitters, fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps, and substantially any other source of light. The light generated by a light source may have a color (i.e., may include light of a particular wavelength) or may be a range of wavelengths (e.g., white light). In some embodiments, a light source may comprise multiple light emitters. For example, a light source may include a set or group of light emitters, at least one of which generates light having a color or equivalently a wavelength that is different from the color or wavelength of light generated by at least one other light emitter of the set or group. The different colors may include, for example, primary colors (eg, red, green, blue).

[0020] In this specification, a "multi-view image" is defined as a plurality of images (i.e., four or more images), each image of the plurality of images representing 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, facilitates the perception of depth and thus appears to a viewer, for example, as an image of a 3D scene. A multi-view image that provides a pair of views that represent different but related views of a 3D scene according to the viewer's perspective is defined as a 3D image.

[0021] By definition, "wide angle" emission is defined as light having a cone angle greater than the cone angle of the display of a multi-view image or display. In particular, in some embodiments, wide angle emission may have a cone angle greater than about 20 degrees (e.g., >±20°). In other embodiments, the cone angle of the wide angle emission may be greater than about 30 degrees (e.g., >±30°), or greater than about 40 degrees (e.g., >±40°), or greater than about 50 degrees (e.g., >±50°). For example, the cone angle of the wide angle emission may be about 60 degrees (e.g., >±60°).

[0022] In some embodiments, the cone angle of the wide-angle emission may be defined to be approximately the same as the viewing angle (e.g., about ±40-65°) of an LCD computer monitor, LCD tablet, LCD television, or similar digital display device intended for wide-angle viewing. In other embodiments, the wide-angle emission may be characterized or described as diffuse light, substantially diffuse light, non-directional light (i.e., having no specific or defined directionality), or as light having a single or substantially uniform direction.

[0023] Embodiments according to the principles described herein may be implemented using a variety of devices and circuits, including, but not limited to, one or more of integrated circuits (ICs), very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), graphical processor units (GPUs), firmware, software (such as program modules or sets of instructions), and combinations of two or more of the above. For example, embodiments or elements thereof may be implemented as circuit elements in an ASIC or VLSI circuit. Implementations using ASIC or VLSI circuitry are examples of hardware-based circuit implementations.

[0024] In another example, an embodiment may be implemented as software using a computer programming language (e.g., C / C++) executed in an operating environment or software-based modeling environment (e.g., MATLAB®, MathWorks, Inc., Natick, Massachusetts) that is further executed by a computer (e.g., stored in memory and executed by a processor or graphics processor of a general-purpose computer). It should be noted that one or more computer programs or software may constitute a computer program mechanism, and that a programming language may be configurable or configured (which may be used interchangeably in this description) to be compiled or interpreted and executed, for example, by a processor or graphics processor of a computer.

[0025] In yet another example, a block, module, or element (e.g., image processor, camera, etc.) of an apparatus, device, or system described herein may be implemented using actual or physical circuitry (e.g., IC or ASIC), while another block, module, or element may be implemented as software or firmware. In particular, as defined herein, some embodiments may be implemented using substantially hardware-based circuitry 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 executing software, or as a combination of software or firmware and hardware-based circuitry.

[0026] Furthermore, as used herein, the article "a" is intended to mean its ordinary meaning in the patent field, i.e., "one or more." For example, "a lens" means one or more lenses, and thus, as used herein, "the lens" means "the lens or lenses." Also, references herein to "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," "upper," "lower," "front," "back," "first," "second," "left," or "right" are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the word "about" when applied to a value generally means within the tolerance range of the equipment used to generate the value, or may mean plus or minus 10%, or plus or minus 5%, or plus or minus 1%, unless expressly specified. Furthermore, the word "substantially" as used herein means a majority, or nearly all, or all, or an amount in the range of about 51% to about 100%. Moreover, the examples herein are intended to be merely illustrative and are presented for purposes of illustration and not as limitations.

[0027] 3 shows a side view of an example 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display 100 according to some embodiments of the principles described herein. The 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display 100 comprises a display panel 102. In some embodiments, the display panel 102 may include a backlight 104 configured to emit light and an array of light valves 106 configured to modulate the light emitted by the backlight 104 to provide pixels of an image, such as a composite image described below. In other embodiments, other suitable configurations may be used as the display panel 102, such as a direct-lit display, such as, but not limited to, an organic liquid crystal diode (OLED) display.

[0028] In embodiments using a backlight, the backlight 104 may be configured to emit light, such as white light, over a range of propagation angles. In some embodiments, the range of propagation angles may include a continuous range of propagation angles that extend over a range of angles that span the angular viewing range of the display panel 102. The backlight 104 may include a light source, such as one or more light emitting diodes, that may generate white light or light having a specified spectral shape according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the backlight 104 may include a light guide that may be configured to propagate light away from the light source. The light guide may direct light from the light guide over a specified surface area of ​​a light emitting surface of the light guide.

[0029] 3, the 2D / multi-view lenticular display 100 further comprises an array of light valves 106. The array of light valves 106 is configured to modulate light from the backlight 104 to provide an image. In various embodiments, the array of light valves 106 may comprise, but is not limited to, liquid crystal light valves, electrophoretic light valves, electrowetting-based light valves, or other suitable mechanisms for modulating light. In some embodiments, the array of light valves 106 may comprise independently controllable light valves disposed on a substrate.

[0030] According to various embodiments, the display panel 102 may be configured to provide pixels of a composite image. The composite image may include both multi-view image content and two-dimensional (2D) image content in various embodiments. Combining the multi-view image content and the 2D image content on the same display panel 102 allows 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 generates four views of the multi-view image content, the resolution of the multi-view image content may be one-quarter of the resolution of the 2D image content. As a specific example, the composite image may include an image of a person and a subtitle that includes text. In this example, the multi-view image content may include an image of the person, and as the viewer moves within the field of view of the display panel 102, the viewer may observe various different views of the person. In this example, the 2D image content may include a subtitle with text, which may remain unchanged (e.g., have only one 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.

[0031] The 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display 100 shown in FIG. 3 further comprises a switchable lenticular lens array 108. The switchable lenticular lens array 108 may be used to form a composite image from pixels according to various embodiments. As shown, the switchable lenticular lens array 108 may comprise switchable lenticular lenses 110A, 110B, 110C, collectively referred to herein as switchable lenticular lenses 110. The switchable lenticular lens 110 is switchable between an ON state and an OFF state. In the ON state, the switchable lenticular lens 110 is configured to provide multi-view image content from corresponding pixels of the composite image. In the OFF state, the switchable lenticular lens 110 is configured to provide 2D image content from corresponding pixels of the composite image. For example, in the OFF state, the switchable lenticular lens 110 may be effectively a transparent optical element with no or substantially no optical power. That is, the switchable lenticular lens 110 in the OFF state passes light without or only to a minimal extent with optical effects. In one or more regions of the 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display 100 configured to display 2D image content, the switchable lenticular lens 110 may be set to the OFF state and may therefore not affect the propagation direction of light rays exiting the display panel 102. As such, pixels of the display panel 102 in those regions may be viewable from a continuous range of viewing directions, i.e., in or as a 2D image in that region.

[0032] Alternatively, when the switchable lens 110 is set to the ON state, the switchable lenticular lens 110 has optical power and is configured to affect the propagation direction of various light rays from the display panel 102 that pass through and exit the switchable lenticular lens 110. In particular, in one or more regions of the 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display 100 where the switchable lenticular lens 110 is in the ON state, light rays from the display panel 102 exit the switchable lenticular lens 110 in directions corresponding to various display orientations of the multi-view image to provide multi-view image content in that region.

[0033] According to some embodiments, the switchable lenticular lens array 108 may comprise a first material layer 112 having a fixed refractive index. The first material layer 112 may comprise the fixed lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array 108. The switchable lenticular lens array 108 may comprise a second material layer 114 having an electrically controllable refractive index. For example, the second material 114 may comprise a birefringent liquid crystal having or exhibiting a first electrically controllable refractive index in a first controllable state and having or exhibiting a second electrically controllable refractive index in a second controllable state. For example, the first electrically controllable refractive index of 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 controllable refractive index of 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 along a shaped boundary with a curved portion that may determine where the switchable lenticular lens 110 is located within the switchable lenticular lens array 108. The second material layer 114 may fill or substantially fill the shape of the fixed lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array 108, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. 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 lenses of the first material layer 112 may be positive lenses. In other embodiments, the second material layer 114 may be disposed between the first material layer 112 and the display panel 102. In these embodiments, the fixed lenses of the first material layer 112 may be negative lenses. In the example of FIG. 3, first material layer 112 is located between, by way of example and not limitation, the array of light valves 106 and a second material layer 114 .

[0034] In other embodiments (not shown), the second material layer 114 may be located between the array of light valves 106 and the first material layer 112. In the example of FIG. 3, 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 lenticular lens 110 in the switchable lenticular lens array 108. In the example of FIG. 3, the center of the curved portion is a first distance away from the array of light valves 106 and the end of the curved portion is a second distance away from the array of light valves 106, the second distance being less than the first distance. Alternatively, the second distance may 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 may be selected such that the switchable lenticular lens 110 has positive optical power.

[0035] In some embodiments, the switchable lenticular lens array 108 may comprise a one-dimensional (1D) array of cylindrical lenses arranged parallel to one another. The cylindrical lenses may be elongated vertically (such as along the X direction in FIG. 3) and may direct light to multiple views 116 of the multi-view image. The views 116 may be horizontally adjacent to one another (such as having adjacent positions along the Y direction in FIG. 3). In some embodiments, the cylindrical lenses in the ON state may have a focal length selected such that, at a designated viewing plane 118, the views 116 may have a center-to-center spacing 120 that corresponds to the average interpupillary distance of a human.

[0036] In other embodiments, the switchable lenticular lens array 108 may comprise a two-dimensional array of lenses. In some embodiments, the switchable lenticular lenses 110 in the switchable lenticular lens array 108 may be rotationally symmetric lenses, such as lenses that are symmetric about a longitudinal axis of the lens. In some embodiments, the switchable lenticular lenses 110 in the switchable lenticular lens array 108 may be rotationally asymmetric lenses, such as anamorphic lenses. An anamorphic lens may have a first focal length along a first direction (such as along the X direction in FIG. 3) and a second focal length along a second direction (such as along the Y direction in FIG. 3) that is orthogonal to the first direction.

[0037] In some configurations, the switchable lenticular lens array 108 may include electrodes 122 configured to deliver at least one of a voltage or a current to switch a switchable lenticular lens 110 of the switchable lenticular lens array 108 independently of other switchable lenticular lenses 110 of the switchable lenticular lens array 108. For example, the electrodes 122 may be configured to switch every switchable lenticular lens 110 independently of every other switchable lenticular lens. The electrodes 122 may include a first electrode and a second electrode 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 lenticular lens 110 or a group of switchable lenticular lenses 110. In some embodiments, the first electrode or the second electrode may extend across some or all of the second material layer 114, and the second electrode or the first electrode may extend across an area corresponding to a single switchable lenticular lens. According to various embodiments, the electrode 122 may be transparent or substantially transparent, for example, the electrode 122 may be made of indium tin oxide or a similar optically transparent electrode material.

[0038] In some embodiments, the switchable lenticular lens array 108 may include electrodes 122 configured to switch the switchable lenticular lenses 110 in an area of ​​the switchable lenticular lens array 108 that corresponds to a zone of the composite image independently from the switchable lenticular lenses 110 in an area of ​​the switchable lenticular lens array 108 that corresponds to another zone of the composite image. In an embodiment, the electrodes 122 may be configured to collectively switch a group of switchable lenticular lenses 110 independently from other switchable lenticular lenses 110 in the switchable lenticular lens array 108. The electrodes 122 may include a first electrode and a second electrode configured to apply a voltage or send a current across an area of ​​the second material layer 114. The area may correspond to a group of switchable lenticular lenses 110. In some embodiments, one of the electrodes 122 may extend across some or all of the second material layer 114, while the opposing electrode 122 may extend across an area corresponding to multiple switchable lenticular lenses 110, such as within a designated zone of the composite image.

[0039] In some embodiments (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3), the 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display 100 further comprises a lens controller 124. The lens controller 124 may be configured to control the electrically controllable refractive index of the second material layer 114 to have a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index to provide an ON state. The lens controller 124 may further control the electrically controllable refractive index of the second material layer 114 to have a refractive index matching the fixed refractive index to provide an OFF state. For example, the lens controller 124 may selectively supply a voltage or current to a particular electrode pair of the electrodes 122, which are configured to distribute the voltage or current to a corresponding area of ​​the switchable lenticular lens array 108. For regional switching, the lens controller 124 may collectively switch the switchable lenticular lenses 110 of a certain zone of the composite image between an ON state for providing a multi-view image and an OFF state for providing a 2D image. 3, the lens controller 124 is part of the display panel 102. In other embodiments, the lens controller 124 may not be part of the display panel 102.

[0040] In some embodiments, the 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display 100 may further comprise 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 / multiview switchable lenticular display 100. The controller 130 may be connected by 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 / multiview switchable lenticular display 100. In some embodiments, the controller 130 may further control the lens controller 124 or the light source of the backlight 104. An optional eye tracker 126 may determine the position of the user's eye 128 and provide data representative of the eye position to the controller 130. In the example of FIG. 3, the controller 130 is not part of the display panel 102, although in other configurations the controller 130 may be part of the display panel 102.

[0041] According to various embodiments, the display panel 102 of the 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display 100 may be configured to provide pixels of a composite image by either temporal or areal mixing of pixels representing multiview image content and 2D image content within the composite image.

[0042] Temporal mixing may include time multiplexing the ON and OFF states of the switchable lenticular lenses 110 of the switchable lenticular lens array 108 to time multiplex the multi-view image content and the 2D image content in the composite image. For example, for a particular region of the composite image, the display panel 102 may time alternate between displaying the multi-view image content (and setting the switchable lenticular lenses 110 to an ON state) and displaying the 2D image content (and setting the switchable lenticular lenses 110 to an OFF state). The time alternation may be performed every video frame or at another suitable time multiplexing rate. For a time multiplexing rate higher than the response speed of the human eye, the temporal mixing may be perceived as a 2D image superimposed on the multi-view image. As the viewer moves within the field of view of the display panel 102, the multi-view image may change from view to view, whereas the 2D image remains unchanged.

[0043] Regional blending may include switching different subsets of the switchable lenticular lenses 110 in different regions of the switchable lenticular array corresponding to different zones of the composite image to an ON state to provide multi-view image content and an OFF state to provide 2D image content. For example, a first region of the display panel 102 may be configured to provide multi-view image content and a second region 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 a viewer moves within the field of view of the display panel 102, the multi-view image may change from view to view in the first region, while the 2D image remains unchanged in the second region.

[0044] In an example of regional blending, pixels of the composite image may be grouped into mutually exclusive subsets of pixels, each subset of pixels may correspond to a respective switchable lenticular lens 110 of the switchable lenticular lens array 108. A switchable lenticular lens 110 of the switchable lenticular lens array 108 is configured to direct light from a corresponding subset of pixels as display pixels of different views of the multi-view image in respective viewing directions of the multi-view image when that switchable lenticular lens 110 is in an ON state.

[0045] In the example of FIG. 3, the switchable lenticular lens array 108 includes three switchable lenticular lenses 110A, 110B, 110C. Each switchable lenticular lens 110A, 110B, 110C is associated with six light valves 106 of the array of light valves 106. The leftmost switchable lenticular lens 110A is associated with the leftmost group of light valves 132. The rightmost switchable lenticular lens 110C is associated with the rightmost group of light valves 134. The center switchable lenticular lens 110B is associated with the center group of light valves 136. Each of the three groups of light valves corresponds to a respective zone of the composite image. FIG. 3 shows the leftmost switchable lenticular lens in an OFF state (indicated by a dashed line) and the center and rightmost switchable lenticular lenses in an ON state. As a result, the leftmost zone of the composite image appears 2D, whereas the center and rightmost zones of the composite image appear multiview.

[0046] 4 illustrates a block diagram of an example 2D / multiview switchable lenticular system 400, according to one embodiment of the principles described herein. As shown, the 2D / multiview switchable lenticular system 400 comprises a switchable lenticular display 402 configured to provide a composite image including both multiview image content and two-dimensional (2D) image content. The switchable lenticular display 402 may include a switchable lenticular lens array 404 having switchable lenticular lenses switchable between an ON state and an OFF state. In some embodiments, the switchable lenticular lens array 404 may be substantially similar to the switchable lenticular lens array 108 described above.

[0047] The 2D / multiview switchable lenticular system 400 shown in FIG. 4 further comprises a lens controller 406. The lens controller 406 is configured to provide a composite image using either temporal or areal mixing of multiview and 2D image content. Temporal mixing may include time multiplexing ON and OFF states of switchable lenticular lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array 404 to superimpose the multiview and 2D image content in the composite image. Temporal multiplexing may include a duty cycle that may be optionally controlled or varied to control or vary the relative intensity of the multiview and 2D image content in the composite image. Areal mixing may include selectively switching on switchable lenticular lenses in a first zone 420 of the composite image to provide the multiview image content in the first zone 420 and selectively switching off switchable lenticular lenses in a second zone 422 of the composite image to provide the 2D image content in the second zone 422. In some embodiments, the lens controller 406 may be substantially similar to the lens controller 124 described above.

[0048] In some embodiments, the switchable lenticular lens array 404 may include a first material layer having a fixed refractive index. The first material layer may include the fixed lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array 404. In some embodiments, the first material layer of the switchable lenticular lens array 404 may be substantially similar to the first material layer 112 described above.

[0049] The switchable lenticular lens array 404 may include a second material layer having an electrically controllable refractive index. The second material layer of the switchable lenticular lens array 404 may be in contact with the first material layer and may fill or substantially fill the shape of the fixed lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array 404. The electrically controllable 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 differs from the fixed refractive index. In some embodiments, the second material layer of the switchable lenticular lens array 404 may be substantially similar to the second material layer 114 described above.

[0050] In some embodiments, the switchable lenticular lens array 404 may include electrodes configured to selectively deliver a current or voltage to switch the switchable lenticular lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array 404 independently from other switchable lenticular lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array. In some embodiments, the electrodes may be substantially similar to the electrodes 122 described above.

[0051] In some embodiments, the switchable lenticular lens array 404 may include electrodes configured to selectively deliver a current or voltage to switch switchable lenticular lenses in regions of the switchable lenticular lens array 404 that correspond to certain zones of the composite image independently from switchable lenticular lenses in regions of the switchable lenticular lens array 404 that correspond to other zones of the composite image. In some embodiments, the electrodes of the switchable lenticular lens array 404 may be substantially similar to the electrodes 122 described above.

[0052] In some embodiments, the switchable lenticular lenses in the switchable lenticular lens array 404 may be cylindrical lenses. The cylindrical lenses may be vertically elongated and configured to direct light in a direction corresponding to the multiple views of the multi-view image. The views may be horizontally adjacent to one another. In some embodiments, the cylindrical lenses in the ON state may have a focal length selected such that, at a designated viewing plane, the views may have a center-to-center spacing corresponding to the average interpupillary distance of a human. In some embodiments (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4), the 2D / multiview switchable lenticular system 400 may optionally include a backlight 408 substantially similar to the backlight 104 described above. In some embodiments (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4), the 2D / multiview switchable lenticular system 400 may optionally include an array of light valves 410 substantially similar to the array of light valves 106 described above.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a composite image 500 in an example according to an embodiment of the principles described herein. The illustrated composite image 500 may represent a composite image provided by, for example, one or both of the 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display 100 of FIG. 3 and the 2D / multiview switchable lenticular system 400 of FIG. 4. The multiview image content 502 or the 2D image content 504 may optionally include non-contiguous regions. In the example of FIG. 5, the composite image 500 includes a central region of the multiview image content 502 surrounded on both sides by regions of the 2D image content 504. In some embodiments, such as the example of FIG. 5, one or more borders between the multiview image content 502 and the 2D image content 504 may be parallel to the edges of the composite image 500. In some embodiments, such as the example of FIG. 5, one or more borders between the multiview image content 502 and the 2D image content 504 may extend along the entire extent of the composite image 500.

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a composite image 600 in another example according to one embodiment of the principles described herein. The illustrated composite image 600 may represent a composite image provided by, for example, one or both of the 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display 100 of FIG. 3 and the 2D / multiview switchable lenticular system 400 of FIG. 4. The multiview image content 602 or the 2D image content 604 may optionally include non-contiguous regions. In the example of FIG. 6, the composite image 600 includes a region of the multiview image content 602 that surrounds at least one region of the 2D image content 604. In another example (not shown), the 2D content region may surround one or more regions of the multiview content. It should be understood that the examples of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are only specific examples of how the multiview image content and the 2D image content can be located in the composite image and are not limiting with respect to the configuration and arrangement of the regions of the multiview content and the 2D image content.

[0055] FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of a method 700 of operating a 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display in one example, according to one embodiment of the principles described herein. The method 700 may be performed by the 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display 100, the 2D / multiview switchable lenticular system 400, or another suitable system. The method 700 is only one example of a method of operating a 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display. Other suitable methods may be used. As shown in FIG. 7, the method 700 of operating a 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display includes providing 702 pixels of a composite image using a display panel. According to various embodiments, the composite image includes both multiview image content and two-dimensional (2D) image content. In some embodiments, the display panel may be substantially similar to the display panel 102 described above with respect to the 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display 100.

[0056] The method 700 of operating a 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display further includes forming 704 a composite image from the pixels using a switchable lenticular lens array. According to various embodiments, the switchable lenticular lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array are switchable between an ON state to provide multiview image content from corresponding pixels of the composite image and an OFF state to provide 2D image content from corresponding pixels of the composite image. The composite image may be provided, in various embodiments, by either temporal or areal mixing of pixels representing the multiview image content and the 2D image content in the composite image.

[0057] In some embodiments, the temporal mixing may include time multiplexing ON and OFF states of switchable lenticular lenses of a switchable lenticular lens array to time multiplex the multi-view image content and the 2D image content in the composite image. In some embodiments, the regional mixing may include switching different subsets of switchable lenticular lenses in different regions of the switchable lenticular array corresponding to different zones of the composite image to an ON state to provide the multi-view image content and an OFF state to provide the 2D image content.

[0058] In some embodiments, the switchable lenticular lens array may be substantially similar to the switchable lenticular lens array 108 of the 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display 100 described above. In particular, in some embodiments, the switchable lenticular lens array may include a first material layer having a fixed refractive index. The first material layer may include the fixed lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array. In some embodiments, the switchable lenticular lens array may include a second material layer having an electrically controllable refractive index. The second material layer may be in contact with the first material layer and may fill the shape of the fixed lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array.

[0059] In some embodiments, switching a switchable lenticular lens of the switchable lenticular lens array to an ON state may include controlling the electrically controllable refractive index of the second material layer to have a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index, In some embodiments, switching a switchable lenticular lens of the switchable lenticular lens array to an OFF state may include controlling the electrically controllable refractive index of the second material layer to have a refractive index matching the fixed refractive index.

[0060] In some embodiments, the switchable lenticular lens array may include a one-dimensional array of cylindrical lenses arranged parallel to one another. The cylindrical lenses may be elongated in the vertical direction. The cylindrical lenses may direct light to multiple views of a multi-view image. The views may be horizontally adjacent to one another. In some embodiments, the cylindrical lenses in the ON state may have a focal length selected such that, at a designated viewing plane, the views have a center-to-center spacing that corresponds to the average interpupillary distance of a human. In some embodiments, the switchable lenticular lens array may include a two-dimensional array of lenses. In some embodiments, the switchable lenticular lenses in the switchable lenticular lens array may be rotationally symmetric lenses.

[0061] Thus, examples and embodiments of a multi-view display including a finite sized virtual light source illuminating an array of light valves have been described. It should be understood that the above described examples are merely illustrative of some of the many implementations that represent the principles described herein. Clearly, those skilled in the art could readily devise numerous other configurations without departing from the scope defined by the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10 Multi-view display 12 screens 14 displays 16 Display direction 20 Light Beam 100 2D / Multi-view switchable lenticular display 102 Display Panel 104 Backlight 106 Light valve array 108 Switchable Lenticular Lens Array 110A, 110B, 110C Switchable lenticular lenses 112 First material layer 114 Second material layer 116 displays 118 Visibility Surface 120 center spacing 122 electrodes 124 Lens Controller 126 Eye Tracker 128 User's Eyes 130 Controller 132, 134, 136 Photovalve Group 400 2D / Multi-view Switchable Lenticular System 402 Switchable Lenticular Display 404 Switchable Lenticular Lens Array 406 Lens Controller 408 Backlight 410 Light valve array Zone 420, 422 500 composite images 502 Multi-view image content 504 2D image content 600 composite images 602 Multi-view image content 604 2D image content

Claims

1. 1. A 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display comprising: a display panel configured to provide pixels of a composite image including both multi-view image content and two-dimensional (2D) image content; a switchable lenticular lens array configured to form the composite image from the pixels; the switchable lenticular lens array having switchable lenticular lenses switchable between an ON state for providing the multi-view image content from corresponding pixels of the composite image and an OFF state for providing the 2D image content from corresponding pixels of the composite image; the composite image is provided using the switchable ON and OFF states by either temporal or areal mixing of pixels representing the multiview image content and the 2D image content in the composite image. 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display.

2. wherein the temporal mixing comprises time multiplexing the ON and OFF states of the switchable lenticular lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array to time multiplex the multi-view image content and the 2D image content within the composite image; the regional blending comprising switching different subsets of the switchable lenticular lenses in different regions of the switchable lenticular array corresponding to different zones of the composite image to the ON state to provide the multi-view image content and to the OFF state to provide the 2D image content.

2. A switchable 2D / multiview lenticular display according to claim 1.

3. In the regional mixing, the pixels of the composite image are grouped into mutually exclusive subsets of pixels; each subset of pixels corresponds to a respective switchable lenticular lens of said switchable lenticular lens array; 2. The 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular display of claim 1 , wherein the switchable lenticular lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array are configured to direct light from corresponding subsets of pixels in respective display directions of the multi-view image as display pixels of different views of the multi-view image when the switchable lenticular lenses are in the ON state.

4. 2. The 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display of claim 1 , wherein the display panel includes a backlight configured to emit light and an array of light valves configured to modulate the light emitted by the backlight to provide the pixels.

5. said switchable lenticular lens array comprising: a first layer of material having a fixed refractive index and constituting a fixed lens of the switchable lenticular lens array; a second material layer having an electrically controllable refractive index, the second material layer contacting the first material layer and filling a shape of the fixed lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array, the electrically controllable refractive index having a first controllable state that matches the fixed refractive index and a second controllable state that differs from the fixed refractive index; 2. The 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display of claim 1, comprising:

6. the first material layer is disposed between the second material layer and the display panel; 6. The 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display of claim 5, wherein the fixed lenses of the first layer of material are positive lenses.

7. the second layer of material is disposed between the first layer of material and the display panel; 6. The 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display of claim 5, wherein the fixed lenses of the first layer of material are negative lenses.

8. 6. The 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display of claim 5, wherein the switchable lenticular lens array includes electrodes configured to deliver at least one of a voltage or a current to switch a switchable lenticular lens of the switchable lenticular lens array independently of other switchable lenticular lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array.

9. 6. The 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display of claim 5, wherein the switchable lenticular lens array includes electrodes configured to deliver at least one of a voltage or a current to switch the switchable lenticular lenses in areas of the switchable lenticular lens array corresponding to certain zones of the composite image independently from the switchable lenticular lenses in areas of the switchable lenticular lens array corresponding to other zones of the composite image.

10. controlling the electrically controllable refractive index of the second material layer to have a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index to provide the ON state; Controlling the electrically controllable refractive index of the second material layer to have a refractive index that matches the fixed refractive index to provide the OFF state. a lens controller configured to:

6. The 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display of claim 5, wherein for regional mixing, the lens controller is configured to collectively switch the switchable lenses of a zone of the composite image between the ON state for providing the multiview image and the OFF state for providing the 2D image.

11. the switchable lenticular lens array comprises a one-dimensional array of cylindrical lenses arranged parallel to one another; the cylindrical lens is vertically elongated and configured to direct light to multiple views of the multi-view image; the representations are horizontally adjacent to one another; the cylindrical lens in the ON state has a focal length selected such that, at a designated viewing plane, the indicia have a center-to-center spacing corresponding to an average human interpupillary distance; 2. A switchable 2D / multiview lenticular display according to claim 1.

12. the switchable lenticular lens array comprises a two-dimensional array of lenses; the switchable lenticular lenses in the switchable lenticular lens array are rotationally symmetric lenses; 2. A switchable 2D / multiview lenticular display according to claim 1.

13. 1. A method of operating a 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display, comprising: providing pixels of a composite image using a display panel, the composite image including both multi-view image content and two-dimensional (2D) image content; forming the composite image from the pixels using a switchable lenticular lens array, wherein switchable lenticular lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array are switchable between an ON state for providing the multi-view image content from corresponding pixels of the composite image and an OFF state for providing the 2D image content from corresponding pixels of the composite image. A method according to claim 1, wherein the composite image is provided by either temporal or regional mixing of pixels representing the multiview image content and the 2D image content within the composite image.

14. and temporally mixing comprises time multiplexing the ON and OFF states of the switchable lenticular lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array to time multiplex the multi-view image content and 2D image content within the composite image; 14. A method of operating a 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display as claimed in claim 13, wherein regional mixing comprises switching different subsets of the switchable lenticular lenses in different regions of the switchable lenticular array corresponding to different zones of the composite image to the ON state to provide the multiview image content and to the OFF state to provide the 2D image content.

15. said switchable lenticular lens array comprising: a first layer of material having a fixed refractive index and constituting a fixed lens of the switchable lenticular lens array; a second material layer having an electrically controllable refractive index, said second material layer contacting the first material layer and filling a shape of the fixed lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array; switching a switchable lenticular lens of the switchable lenticular lens array to the ON state comprises controlling the electrically controllable refractive index of the second material layer to have a refractive index different from the fixed refractive index; switching a switchable lenticular lens of the switchable lenticular lens array to the OFF state comprises controlling the electrically controllable refractive index of the second material layer to have a refractive index that matches the fixed refractive index. A method of operating a 2D / multiview switchable lenticular display according to claim 13.

16. 1. A 2D / multiview switchable lenticular system comprising: a switchable lenticular display configured to provide a composite image including both multi-view image content and two-dimensional (2D) image content, the switchable lenticular display including a switchable lenticular lens array having switchable lenticular lenses switchable between an ON state and an OFF state; a lens controller configured to provide the composite image using either temporal or regional mixing of the multi-view image content and 2D image content; and temporally mixing comprises time multiplexing the ON and OFF states of the switchable lenticular lens to superimpose the multi-view image content and 2D image content within the composite image; A 2D / multiview switchable lenticular system, wherein regional mixing includes selectively switching on a switchable lenticular lens in a first zone of the composite image to provide the multiview image content in the first zone, and selectively switching off a switchable lenticular lens in a second zone of the composite image to provide the 2D image content in the second zone.

17. said switchable lenticular lens array comprising: a first layer of material having a fixed refractive index and constituting a fixed lens of the switchable lenticular lens array; a second material layer having an electrically controllable refractive index, the second material layer contacting the first material layer and filling a shape of the fixed lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array, the electrically controllable refractive index having a first controllable state that matches the fixed refractive index and a second controllable state that differs from the fixed refractive index; 17. The 2D / multiview switchable lenticular system of claim 16, comprising:

18. 20. The 2D / multiview switchable lenticular system of claim 17, wherein the switchable lenticular lens array includes electrodes configured to deliver at least one of a voltage or a current to switch a switchable lenticular lens of the switchable lenticular lens array independently of other switchable lenticular lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array.

19. 20. The 2D / multi-view switchable lenticular system of claim 17, wherein the switchable lenticular lens array includes electrodes configured to deliver at least one voltage to switch the switchable lenticular lenses in an area of ​​the switchable lenticular lens array corresponding to one zone of the composite image independently from the switchable lenticular lenses in an area of ​​the switchable lenticular lens array corresponding to another zone of the composite image.

20. wherein the switchable lenticular lenses of the switchable lenticular lens array are cylindrical lenses, the cylindrical lenses being vertically elongated and configured to direct light in directions corresponding to a plurality of views of the multi-view image, the views being horizontally adjacent one another; the cylindrical lens in the ON state has a focal length selected such that, at a designated viewing plane, the indicia have a center-to-center spacing corresponding to an average human interpupillary distance; 20. A switchable 2D / multiview lenticular system according to claim 17.

Images