Display apparatus

• US 20050253779A1
• Filed: 02/06/2003
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Feenstra, Bokke Johannes, Prins, Menno Willem Jose, Van De Walle, Gerjan Franciscus Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 7,307,672 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/6
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/005 based on electrowetting
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/14 of variable focal length
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/305 using lenticular lenses, e.g. arrangements of cylindrical lenses
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/359 Switching between monoscopic and stereoscopic modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/361 Reproducing mixed stereoscopic images; Reproducing mixed monoscopic and stereoscopic images, e.g. a stereoscopic image overlay window on a monoscopic image background
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof

Abstract

In a 2D/3D display, a switchable lenticular array having foci which can be switched in a continuous way between first focal strength and a second focal strength is provided. The switchable lenticular array comprises fluid cylindrical lens portions, while the foci can be controlled by electrowetting.

Claims

1. A display apparatus comprising a display device for displaying images comprising pixels, and further comprising means for switching between different types of images of the pixels, wherein the means for switching between the different types of images comprise at least one reservoir containing at least two substantially immiscible fluids having a different refractive index and a different electrical conductivity, and are also provided with drive means for varying the shape of an interface between the fluids.

2. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising two immiscible fluids having a different refractive index, one of which is electrically conducting and one is substantially insulating, while the shape of the interface is switchable between a curved and a flat surface.

3. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising reservoirs having a substantially circular cross-section, viewed in the direction of an image plane.

4. A display device as claimed in claim 1, comprising reservoirs having a substantially rectangular or hexagonal cross-section, viewed in the direction of an image plane.

5. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein, viewed with respect to rows of pixels, sides of the reservoirs extend at an acute angle to the direction of rows of pixels.

6. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein, viewed in consecutive rows of reservoirs, the reservoirs are offset with respect to each other.

7. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising a common reservoir for a plurality of pixels.