ADAPTABLE PARALLAX BARRIER SUPPORTING MIXED 2D AND STEREOSCOPIC 3D DISPLAY REGIONS

• US 20110157697A1
• Filed: 07/28/2010
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bennett, James D., Karaoguz, Jeyhan
• Application Number:
  US12/845,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20110157697A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/462
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/24 using apertured or refractive resolving means on screens or between screen and eye
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/023 Display panel composed of stacked panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/028 by changing the viewing angle properties, e.g. widening the viewing angle, adapting the viewing angle to the view direction
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/04 Exchange of auxiliary data, i.e. other than image data, between monitor and graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/003 to produce spatial visual effects
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/20 for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/003 Details of a display terminal, the details relating to the control arrangement of the display terminal and to the interfaces thereto specific for a CRT G09G1/165; for a flat panel G09G3/2092
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/00 Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/139 Format conversion, e.g. of frame-rate or size
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/161 Encoding, multiplexing or demultiplexing different image signal components for multi-view video sequence encoding H04N19/597
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/189 Recording image signals; Reproducing recorded image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/194 Transmission of image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/305 using lenticular lenses, e.g. arrangements of cylindrical lenses
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/31 using parallax barriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/312 the parallax barriers being placed behind the display panel, e.g. between backlight and spatial light modulator [SLM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/315 the parallax barriers being time-variant
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/332 : Displays for viewing with the aid of special glasses or head-mounted displays [HMD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/351 : for displaying simultaneously
• 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 13/366 : using viewer tracking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/383 : for tracking with gaze detection, i.e. detecting the lines of sight of the viewer's eyes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 : Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2013/403 : the images being monoscopic
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2013/405 : the images being stereoscopic or three dimensional
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 : Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 : additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 : Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/303 : Tracking of listener position or orientation

Abstract

A display system is provided that enables two-dimensional and three-dimensional images to be displayed. The display system includes a pixel array and a parallax barrier, and may include backlighting. The parallax barrier includes a plurality of barrier elements arranged in a barrier element array. Each barrier element is configured to be selectively opaque or transparent. The barrier element array is configured to filter light from the pixel array to form a plurality of images in a viewing space. Pairs of the images may be perceived by viewers in the viewing space as three-dimensional. Different regions of the barrier element array may be configured to filter light from the pixel array in different ways to form corresponding different images in the viewing space, including simultaneously delivering one or more two-dimensional views and/or three-dimensional views to viewers in the viewing space.

Claims

1. A display system that delivers multiple pairs of left eye views and right eye views to a viewer, the viewer being enabled to perceive each delivered pair as a three-dimensional view, the display system comprising:

a pixel array; and

an array of barrier elements positioned proximate to the pixel array, each of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements having a blocking state and a non-blocking state;

a first set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the blocking state and a second set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the non-blocking state;

a third set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the blocking state and a fourth set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the non-blocking state; and

the first and second sets of barrier elements being configured to enable a first three-dimensional view to be delivered to a viewer, and the third and fourth sets of barrier elements being configured to enable a second three-dimensional view to be delivered to the viewer simultaneously to the first three-dimensional view.

2. The display system of claim 1, wherein the pixel array includes a first set of pixels, a second set of pixels, a third set of pixels, and a fourth set of pixels;

and

wherein the first and second sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements filter light from the pixel array to form a first image corresponding to the first set of pixels at a first right eye location and to form a second image corresponding to the second set of pixels at a first left eye location, and the third and fourth sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements filter light from the pixel array to form a third image corresponding to the third set of pixels at a second right eye location and to form a fourth image corresponding to the fourth set of pixels at a second left eye location.

3. The display system of claim 2, wherein the pixel array further includes a fifth set of pixels;

and

wherein a fifth set of barrier elements of the array of barrier elements is selected to be non-blocking to pass light from the fifth set of pixels to form a fifth image, the fifth image being configured to be perceived as a two-dimensional image by the viewer.

4. The display system of claim 1, further comprising:

a backlighting panel;

wherein the pixel array includes a first set of pixels, a second set of pixels, a third set of pixels, and a fourth set of pixels;

wherein the array of barrier elements is positioned between the backlighting panel and the pixel array, and the pixel array is positioned between the array of barrier elements and a viewing space;

wherein the backlighting panel emits light that is filtered by the first and second sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements, and the light filtered by the first and second sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements is filtered by the first and second sets of pixels to deliver the first three-dimensional view to the viewer; and

wherein the light emitted by the backlighting panel is filtered by the third and fourth sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements, and the light filtered by the third and fourth sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements is filtered by the third and fourth sets of pixels to deliver the second three-dimensional view to the viewer.

5. The display system of claim 4, wherein the pixel array further includes a fifth set of pixels;

wherein a fifth set of barrier elements of the array of barrier elements is selected to be non-blocking; and

wherein the light emitted by the backlighting panel passes through the fifth set of barrier elements and the fifth set of pixels to deliver the two-dimensional image to the viewer.

6. The display system of claim 1, wherein the barrier elements of the first set are arranged in a first plurality of parallel blocking strips and the barrier elements of the second set are arranged in a first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips interleaved with the first plurality of blocking parallel strips;

and

wherein the barrier elements of the third set are arranged in a second plurality of parallel blocking strips and the barrier elements of the fourth set are arranged in a second plurality of parallel non-blocking strips interleaved with the second plurality of blocking parallel strips.

7. The display system of claim 6, wherein a non-blocking strip of the first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips has a first width corresponding to a first number of barrier elements selected to be non-blocking, and a non-blocking strip of the second plurality of parallel non-blocking strips has a second width corresponding to a second number of barrier elements selected to be non-blocking, the first width being different from the second width.

8. The display system of claim 6, wherein a non-blocking strip of the first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips is oriented perpendicularly to a non-blocking strip of the second plurality of parallel non-blocking strips.

9. The display system of claim 8, wherein the first three-dimensional image is oriented perpendicularly to the second three-dimensional image.

10. The display system of claim 1, wherein the first three-dimensional image is oriented parallel to the second three-dimensional image.

11. A display system that delivers multiple views to a viewer, the display system comprising:

a pixel array; and

an array of barrier elements positioned proximate to the pixel array, each of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements having a blocking state and a non-blocking state;

a first set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the blocking state and a second set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the non-blocking state;

a third set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the non-blocking state; and

the first and second sets of barrier elements being configured to enable a three-dimensional view to be delivered to a viewer, and the third set of barrier elements being configured to enable a two-dimensional view to be delivered to the viewer simultaneously to the three-dimensional view.

12. The display system of claim 11, wherein the pixel array includes a first set of pixels, a second set of pixels, and a third set of pixels;

wherein the first and second sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements filter light from the pixel array to form a first image corresponding to the first set of pixels at a first right eye location and to form a second image corresponding to the second set of pixels at a first left eye location, the first image and the second image being configured to be perceived as the three-dimensional view by the viewer; and

wherein the third set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements passes light from the third set of pixels to form a third image configured to be perceived as the two-dimensional view by the viewer.

13. A method for delivering multiple pairs of left eye views and right eye views to a viewer, the viewer being enabled to perceive each delivered pair as a three-dimensional view, the method comprising:

receiving light at an array of barrier elements, each of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements having a blocking state and a non-blocking state;

configuring a first set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in the blocking state and a second set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the non-blocking state to enable a first three-dimensional view to be delivered to a viewer; and

configuring a third set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in the blocking state and a fourth set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the non-blocking state to enable a second three-dimensional view to be delivered to the viewer.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein a pixel array includes a first set of pixels, a second set of pixels, a third set of pixels, and a fourth set of pixels, the method further comprising:

filtering light from the pixel array with the first and second sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements to form a first image corresponding to the first set of pixels at a first right eye location and to form a second image corresponding to the second set of pixels at a first left eye location; and

filtering light from the pixel array with the third and fourth sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements to form a third image corresponding to the third set of pixels at a second right eye location and to form a fourth image corresponding to the fourth set of pixels at a second left eye location.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the pixel array further includes a fifth set of pixels, the method further comprising:

selecting a fifth set of barrier elements of the array of barrier elements to be non-blocking to pass light from the fifth set of pixels to form a fifth image, the fifth image being configured to be perceived as a two-dimensional image by the viewer.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the pixel array includes a first set of pixels, a second set of pixels, a third set of pixels, and a fourth set of pixels, wherein said receiving light at an array of barrier elements comprises:

receiving the light from a backlighting panel;

the method further comprising;

filtering the light received from the backlighting panel by the first and second sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements and the first and second sets of pixels to deliver the first three-dimensional view to the viewer; and

filtering the light received from the backlighting panel by the third and fourth sets of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements and the third and fourth sets of pixels to deliver the second three-dimensional view to the viewer.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the pixel array further includes a fifth set of pixels, the method further comprising:

configuring a fifth set of barrier elements of the array of barrier elements to be non-blocking; and

enabling the light received from the backlighting panel to pass through the fifth set of barrier elements and the fifth set of pixels to deliver the two-dimensional image to the viewer.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein said configuring a first set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in the blocking state and a second set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the non-blocking state to enable a first three-dimensional view to be delivered to a viewer comprises:

configuring the barrier elements of the first set in a first plurality of parallel blocking strips and the barrier elements of the second set in a first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips interleaved with the first plurality of blocking parallel strips; and

wherein said configuring a third set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in the blocking state and a fourth set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements being in the non-blocking state to enable a second three-dimensional view to be delivered to the viewer comprises;

configuring the barrier elements of the third set in a second plurality of parallel blocking strips and the barrier elements of the fourth set in a second plurality of parallel non-blocking strips interleaved with the second plurality of blocking parallel strips.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

configuring a non-blocking strip of the first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips to have a first width corresponding to a first number of barrier elements selected to be non-blocking; and

configuring a non-blocking strip of the second plurality of parallel non-blocking strips to have a second width corresponding to a second number of barrier elements selected to be non-blocking, the first width being different from the second width.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

orienting a non-blocking strip of the first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips perpendicularly to a non-blocking strip of the second plurality of parallel non-blocking strips.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first three-dimensional image is oriented perpendicularly to the second three-dimensional image.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the first three-dimensional image is oriented parallel to the second three-dimensional image.