Optical switching apparatus

• US 7,058,252 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2002
• Issued: 06/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Ocuity Ltd. (AUO Corp.)
• Inventors: Harrold, Jonathan, Woodgate, Graham John
• Primary Examiner(s): HEALY, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US10/485,357
• Publication Number:
  US 20040240777A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,406 Days
• Field of Search: 385/15, 385/16, 385/17, 385/1, 385/2, 385/3, 385/18, 385/11, 385/27, 385/28, 385/14, 385/129, 385/130, 385/131, 385/33, 385/901, 349/17, 349/18, 349/41, 349/57, 349/62, 359/464, 359/465, 359/494, 359/15, 359/497, 359/23, 353/7, 353/8
• US Class Current: 385/16
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/25 using polarisation techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/27 involving lenticular arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1326 Liquid crystal optical waveguides or liquid crystal cells specially adapted for gating or modulating between optical waveguides
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133526 Lenses, e.g. microlenses or Fresnel lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13471 in which all the liquid crystal cells or layers remain transparent, e.g. FLC, ECB, DAP, HAN, TN, STN, SBE-LC cells G02F1/13475 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/40 Materials having a particular birefringence, retardation
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/07 Polarisation dependent
• 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 13/359 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 385/901 Illuminating or display apparatus

Abstract

A light direction switching apparatus and method is described. The light direction switching apparatus comprises a passive birefringent lens (138), e.g. a birefringent lenticular screen, and a switchable polariser (146). By switching the polariser (146), different directional distributions of output light are provided. The light direction switching apparatus may be used with or incorporated in a display device, such as a liquid crystal display device, to provide a display device switchable between a two dimensional mode and an autostereoscopic three dimensional mode, or to provide a multi-user display device where different images are displayed to different viewers. The light direction switching apparatus may also be used to provide switchable brightness enhancement of reflective or transflective display devices. The light direction switching apparatus may also be used to provide a fiber-optic switching apparatus. The switchable polariser may be mechanically switchable or electrically switchable.

Claims

1. A light direction switching apparatus for use in a directional display apparatus, comprising the following elements suitable for arrangement in series with a spatial light modulator:

a switchable polariser being switchable between a first polarisation mode that passes light of a first polarisation component and a second polarisation mode that passes light of a second polarisation component; and

an array of birefringent microlenses of a birefringence such that in operation the array of birefringent microlenses directs light of the first polarisation component substantially into a first directional distribution and light of the second polarisation component substantially into a second directional distribution different from the first directional distribution;

the switchable polariser and the array of birefringent microlenses being positioned in series and arranged such that, when arranged in series with a spatial light modulator, light output by the light direction switching apparatus is substantially of the first polarisation component and is substantially directed into the first directional distribution when the switchable polariser is set to the first polarisation mode, whereas light output by the light direction switching apparatus is substantially of the second polarisation component and is substantially directed into the second directional distribution when the polariser is set to the second polarisation mode.

2. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 1, arranged such that input light passes through the array of birefringent microlenses before the switchable polariser.

3. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 1, arranged such that input light passes through the switchable polariser before the array of birefringent microlenses.

4. A light direction switching apparatus according claim 1, wherein the birefringence of the array of birefringent microlenses is arranged such that for one of the first or second polarisation components the array of birefringent microlenses has substantially no optical effect such that the corresponding first or second directional distribution is substantially the same as an input directional distribution.

5. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switchable polariser is mechanically switchable between the first and second polarisation modes.

6. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the switchable polariser comprises a first polariser for the first polarisation mode and a second polariser for the second polarisation mode, and the device is adapted such that the first and second polariser may be interchanged by a user of the apparatus to provide the switching of the polarisation modes.

7. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus is adapted such that the switchable polariser is switchable between the first and second polarisation modes by being positioned with a first rotational alignment in a position and plane relative to the array of birefringent microlenses to provide the first polarisation mode and being positioned with a second rotational alignment in the same position and plane relative to the array of birefringent microlenses to provide the second polarisation mode.

8. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the switchable polariser is a linear polariser and the second rotational alignment is substantially at 90 degrees to the first rotational alignment in the major plane of the switchable polariser.

9. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the switchable polariser is arranged such that the second rotational alignment is achieved by rotating the switchable polariser 180 degrees from the first rotational alignment about an axis lying in the major plane of the switchable polariser.

10. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the switchable polariser comprises a linear polariser in series with a 90 degree polarisation rotator, such that, in the first rotational alignment, light passing through the apparatus passes through the linear polariser before the 90 degree polarisation rotator thereby providing the first polarisation mode, whereas, in the second rotational alignment, light passing through the apparatus passes through the 90 degree polarisation rotator before the linear polariser thereby providing the second polarisation mode.

11. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switchable polariser is electrically switchable between the first and second polarisation modes.

12. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the electrically switchable polariser comprises a fixed linear polariser and a switchable waveplate or switchable polarisation rotator.

13. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the electrically switchable polariser is segmented such that segments may be selectively switched between the first and second polarisation modes.

14. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the electrically switchable polariser comprises segment electrodes with gaps therebetween, and a polarisation modulating material of the electrically switchable polariser is aligned a same way in the gaps as the segments, for one of the first and second polarisation modes.

15. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the electrically switchable polariser comprises electrode segments with gaps therebetween, and the gaps are sufficiently small that fringing fields switch a polarisation modulating material in the gaps.

16. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the polarisation modulating material has a sharp threshold between switched states.

17. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the microlenses are cylindrical such that the array of birefringent microlenses constitutes a lenticular screen.

18. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the array of birefringent microlenses comprises a lens substrate, a planar substrate and a birefringent material sandwiched between the lens substrate and the planar substrate;

and the refractive index and/or dispersion of the material of the lens substrate are respectively substantially the same as at least one refractive indicia and/or the dispersion of the birefringent material.

19. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the array of birefringent microlenses comprises birefringent material aligned by an aligning means.

20. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the aligning means is provided by one or more of the following processes:

(i) an alignment layer;

(ii) an electric field;

(iii) a magnetic field.

21. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the aligning means comprises at least one alignment layer provided by one or more of the following:

(i) a rubbed polyimide layer;

(ii) a photo-alignment layer;

(iii) a micro-grooved surface.

22. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a birefringent material of the array of birefringent microlenses comprises a liquid crystal.

23. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the liquid crystal comprised by the array of birefringent microlenses comprises a cured polymer network.

24. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only light of one of the first or second polarisation components forms a real image substantially in a window plane.

25. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light direction switching apparatus is adapted for switching a planar image, and the switchable polariser is arranged to be uniformly switched over the area of the planar image to either the first polarisation mode or the second polarisation mode.

26. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the array of birefringent microlenses comprises a lens substrate, a planar substrate and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the lens substrate and the planar substrate;

the liquid crystal layer being aligned with a relative twist between the alignment of the liquid crystal at the lens substrate and the alignment of the liquid crystal at the planar substrate.

27. A light direction switching apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the microlenses are cylindrical such that the array of birefringent microlenses constitutes a lenticular screen, and the liquid crystal at the lens substrate is aligned substantially parallel with the geometric microlens axis of the cylindrical microlenses.

28. A display apparatus switchable between a two dimensional mode and a three dimensional autostereoscopic mode, comprising a light direction switching apparatus according to claim 1 for switching between the two dimensional mode and the three dimensional mode.

29. A multi-user display system, comprising a light direction switching apparatus according to claim 1 for switching between a first and a second display mode arranged such that, in the first display mode different images are displayed to different viewers at different viewing windows formed by the first directional distribution, and in the second display mode a same image is displayed to the different viewers.

30. A multi-user display system according to claim 29, further comprising a sensor for sensing a position or movement of a given user so that the display system is controllable so that the given user is prevented from viewing an image in a viewing window not intended for use by the given user.

31. A multi-user display system according to claim 29, adapted for use in a vehicle such that in the first display mode different images are displayed to a driver of the vehicle compared to a passenger.

32. A multi-user display system according to claim 29, adapted for use in a traffic control display system such that in the first display mode different images are displayed to drivers in different traffic lanes.

33. A multi-user display system according to claim 29, adapted for use in a traffic control display system such that in the first display mode different images are displayed to drivers at different distances from the traffic control display system.

34. A transflective display device comprising a brightness enhancer comprising a light direction switching apparatus according to claim 1 for switching between a first brightness mode and a second brightness mode, arranged such that in the first brightness mode external light is directed according to the first directional distribution to reflective portions of pixels of the transflective display device.

35. A reflective display device comprising a brightness enhancer comprising a light direction switching apparatus according to claim 1 for switching between a first brightness mode and a second brightness mode, arranged such that in the first brightness mode external light is directed according to the first directional distribution to pixels of the reflective display device.

36. Use of a light direction switching apparatus according to claim 1 to switchably provide plural directional distributions of light in any of the following group of devices:

(i) a display apparatus switchable between a two dimensional mode and a three dimensional autostereoscopic mode;

(ii) a multi-user display system;

(iii) a transflective display device in which the light direction switching apparatus provides switchable brightness enhancement;

or

(iv) a reflective display device in which the light direction switching apparatus provides switchable brightness enhancement.

37. A method of directionally switching light in a directional display apparatus, comprising:

inputting light from a spatial light modulator to a light direction switching apparatus comprising a switchable polariser and an array of birefringent microlenses positioned in series; and

switching the switchable polariser between a first polarisation mode that passes light of a first polarisation component and a second polarisation mode that passes light of a second polarisation component such that light is output by the light direction switching apparatus with a first directional distribution when the switchable polariser is set to the first polarisation mode and with a second directional distribution when the switchable polariser is set to the second polarisation mode, the second directional distribution being different to the first directional distribution.

38. A method according to claim 37, wherein the step of inputting light to the light direction switching apparatus is performed such that the light passes through the array of birefringent microlenses before the switchable polariser.

39. A method according to claim 37, wherein the step of inputting light to the light direction switching apparatus is performed such that input light passes through the switchable polariser before the array of birefringent microlenses.

40. A method according to claim 37, further comprising arranging the birefringence of the array of birefringent microlenses such that for one of the first or second polarisation components the birefringent lens has substantially no optical effect such that the corresponding first or second directional distribution is substantially the same as an input directional distribution.

41. A method according to claim 37, wherein the switchable polariser is mechanically switched between the first and second polarisation modes.

42. A method according to claim 41, wherein the switchable polariser comprises a first polariser for the first polarisation mode and a second polariser for the second polarisation mode, and the step of switching the switchable polariser between the first and second polarisation modes comprises interchanging the first and second polarisers.

43. A method according to claim 41, wherein the step of switching the switchable polariser between the first and second polarisation modes comprises positioning the switchable polariser with a first rotational alignment in a position and plane relative to the array of birefringent microlenses to provide the first polarisation mode and positioning the switchable polariser with a second rotational alignment in the same position and plane relative to the array of birefringent microlenses to provide the second polarisation mode.

44. A method according to claim 43, wherein the switchable polariser is a linear polariser and the second rotational alignment is substantially at 90 degrees to the first rotational alignment in the major plane of the switchable polariser.

45. A method according to claim 43, wherein the switchable polariser is arranged such that the second rotational alignment is achieved by rotating the switchable polariser 180 degrees from the first rotational alignment about an axis lying in the major plane of the switchable polariser.

46. A method according to claim 45, wherein the switchable polariser comprises a linear polariser in series with a 90 degree polarisation rotator, such that, in the first rotational alignment, light passing through the apparatus passes through the linear polariser before the 90 degree polarisation rotator thereby providing the first polarisation mode, whereas, in the second rotational alignment, light passing through the apparatus passes through the 90 degree polarisation rotator before the linear polariser thereby providing the second polarisation mode.

47. A method according to claim 37, wherein the switchable polariser is electrically switched between the first and second polarisation modes.

48. A method according to claim 47, wherein the electrically switchable polariser comprises a fixed linear polariser and a switchable waveplate or switchable polarisation rotator.

49. A method according to claim 47, wherein the electrically switchable polariser is segmented, and the method further comprises selectively switching segments between the first and second polarisation modes.

50. A method according to claim 37, comprising switching the switchable polariser such that only light of one of the first or second potarisation components forms a real image substantially in a window plane.

51. A method according to claim 37, wherein the light being directionally switched comprises a planar image;

and the step of switching the switchable polariser comprises uniformly switching the switchable polariser over the area of the planar image.

52. A directional display apparatus, comprising:

a spatial light modulator comprising an array of pixels;

an array of birefringent microlenses aligned with the array of pixels;

a switchable polariser being switchable between a first polarisation mode that passes light of a first polarisation component and a second polarisation mode that passes light of a second polarisation component;

the birefringent microlenses being of a birefringence such that in operation the birefringent microlenses direct light of the first polarisation component substantially into a first directional distribution and light of the second polarisation component substantially into a second directional distribution different from the first directional distribution;

the array of pixels, the array of birefringent microlenses and the switchable polariser being positioned in series and arranged such that, in operation, light output from the spatial light modulator is directed by the birefringent microlenses and selectively passed by the switchable polariser to provide directionally modulated output light from the directional display apparatus, the directionally modulated output light being output with a first directional distribution when the switchable polariser is set to the first polarisation mode and with a second directional distribution, different to the first directional distribution, when the switchable polariser is set to the second polarisation mode.

53. A directional display apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the spatial light modulator comprises an output analysing polariser such that the light output from the spatial light modulator is substantially linearly polarised with a first linear polarisation direction.

54. A directional display apparatus according to claim 53, wherein

the birefringence of the microlenses is arranged such that the birefringent optical axis of each of the microlenses is substantially at 45 degrees to the first linear polarisation direction;

and

the switchable polariser is arranged such that the first polarisation component is substantially parallel with the birefringent optical axis of each of the microlenses and the second polarisation component is substantially at 90 degrees to the birefringent optical axis of each of the microlenses;

whereby the first directional distribution comprises a distribution substantially provided by the lens function of the birefringent microlenses whereas the second directional distribution comprises a distribution provided substantially without any lens function of the birefringent microlenses.

55. A directional display apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the spatial light modulator provides a phase modulated output and the switchable polariser is arranged to provide output polarisation analysis of the phase modulated output in addition to providing switching between the first and second polarisation modes.

56. A directional display apparatus according to claim 55, comprising a liquid crystal display comprising a pixel array formed between a first and a second liquid crystal display substrate;

an input polariser being provided on an outer surface of the first liquid crystal display substrate;

the array of birefringent microlenses being provided between an outer surface of the second liquid crystal display substrate and the switchable polariser.

57. A directional display apparatus according to claim 55, wherein the spatial light modulator is a liquid crystal device and the directional display apparatus is arranged to provide a normally black mode for the first or second directional distribution;

further comprising greyscale correction means for different display colours in the normally black mode.

58. A directional display apparatus according to claim 55, wherein the spatial light modulator is a liquid crystal device, and the directional display apparatus is arranged to provide a normally white mode for the first directional distribution and for the second directional distribution.

59. A directional display apparatus according to claim 58, wherein the normally white mode for both the first and second directional distributions is provided by a switchable 90 degree polarisation rotator provided between an input polariser of the spatial light modulator and the pixel array of the spatial light modulator.

60. A directional display apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the pixel array comprises a reflector substantially in the pixel plane such as to provide a reflective or transflective directional display apparatus.

61. A directional display apparatus according to claim 60, arranged such that one or more external light sources are focussed by the array of birefringent microlenses to form an image substantially at the pixel plane reflector for one of the directional distributions.

62. A directional display apparatus according to claim 61, arranged to operate as a reflective directional display apparatus, further arranged to provide:

a standard brightness mode, in which no imaging by the birefringent microlenses of external light sources takes place; and

an enhanced brightness mode in which external light sources are imaged on to the pixels.

63. A directional display apparatus according to claim 61, arranged to operate as a transflective directional display apparatus, further arranged to provide:

a standard brightness mode, in which substantially no imaging by the birefringent microlenses of external light sources takes place and substantially no imaging by the birefringent microlenses of transmissive portions of the pixel takes place; and

an enhanced brightness mode, in which external light sources are imaged on to the reflective portions of the pixels or transmissive portions of the pixels are imaged with a modified directional distribution.

64. A directional display apparatus according to claim 52, further comprising a sweet-spot indicator.

65. A directional display apparatus according to claim 64, wherein the sweet-spot indicator and a display area are separate from each other and are arranged to receive input light from a common backlight arrangement.

66. A directional display apparatus according to claim 64, wherein the sweet-spot indicator comprises a further microlens array and a mask aligned so as to obscure light from alternate microlenses of the further microlens array.

67. A directional display apparatus according to claim 64, wherein the sweet-spot indicator uses the array of birefringent microlenses and further comprises a mask for shielding alternate microlenses of the array.

68. A directional display apparatus according to claim 52, arranged such that input light passes through the array of birefringent microlenses before the switchable polariser.

69. A directional display apparatus according to claim 52, arranged such that input light passes through the switchable polariser before the array of birefringent microlenses.

70. A directional display apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the birefringence of the birefringent microlenses is arranged such that for one of the first or second polarisation components the birefringent microlenses have substantially no optical effect such that the corresponding first or second directional distribution is substantially the same as an input directional distribution.

71. A directional display switching apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the switchable polariser is mechanically switchable between the first and second polarisation modes.

72. A directional display apparatus according to claim 71, wherein the switchable polariser comprises a first polariser for the first polarisation mode and a second polariser for the second polarisation mode, and the device is adapted such that the first and second polariser may be interchanged by a user of the apparatus to provide the switching of the polarisation modes.

73. A directional display apparatus according to claim 71, wherein the apparatus is adapted such that the switchable polariser is switchable between the first and second polarisation modes by being positioned with a first rotational alignment in a position and plane relative to the birefringent microlenses to provide the first polarisation mode and being positioned with a second rotational alignment in the same position and plane relative to the birefringent microlenses to provide the second polarisation mode.

74. A directional display apparatus according to claim 73, wherein the switchable polariser is a linear polariser and the second rotational alignment is substantially at 90 degrees to the first rotational alignment in the major plane of the switchable polariser.

75. A directional display apparatus according to claim 73, wherein the switchable polariser is arranged such that the second rotational alignment is achieved by rotating the switchable polariser 180 degrees from the first rotational alignment about an axis lying in the major plane of the switchable polariser.

76. A directional display apparatus according to claim 75, wherein the switchable polariser comprises a linear polariser in series with a 90 degree polarisation rotator, such that, in the first rotational alignment, light passing through the apparatus passes through the linear polariser before the 90 degree polarisation rotator thereby providing the first polarisation mode, whereas, in the second rotational alignment, light passing through the apparatus passes through the 90 degree polarisation rotator before the linear polariser thereby providing the second polarisation mode.

77. A directional display apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the switchable polariser is electrically switchable between the first and second polarisation modes.

78. A directional display apparatus according to claim 77, wherein the electrically switchable polariser comprises a fixed linear polariser and a switchable waveplate or switchable polarisation rotator.

79. A directional display apparatus according to claim 77, wherein the electrically switchable polariser is segmented such that segments may be selectively switched between the first and second polarisation modes.

80. A directional display apparatus according to claim 79, wherein the electrically switchable polariser comprises segment electrodes with gaps therebetween, and a polarisation modulating material of the electrically switchable polariser is aligned a same way in the gaps as the segments for one of the first and second polarisation modes.

81. A directional display apparatus according to claim 79, wherein the electrically switchable polariser comprises electrode segments with gaps therebetween, and the gaps are sufficiently small that fringing fields switch a polarisation modulating material in the gaps.

82. A directional display apparatus according to claim 81, wherein the polarisation modulating material has a sharp threshold between switched states.

83. A directional display apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the microlenses are cylindrical such that the array of birefringent microlenses is a lenticular screen.

84. A directional display apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the array of array of birefringent microlenses comprises a lens substrate, a planar substrate and a birefringent material sandwiched between the lens substrate and the planar substrate;

and the refractive index and/or dispersion of the material of the lens substrate are respectively substantially the same as at least one refractive indicia and/or the dispersion of the birefringent material.

85. A directional display apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the birefringent microlenses comprise birefringent material aligned by an aligning means.

86. A directional display apparatus according to claim 85, wherein the aligning means is provided by one or more of the following processes:

(i) use of an alignment layer;

(ii) use of an electric field;

(iii) use of a magnetic field.

87. A directional display apparatus according to claim 85, wherein the aligning means comprises at least one alignment layer provided by one or more of the following:

(i) a rubbed polyimide layer;

(ii) a photo-alignment layer;

(iii) a micro-grooved surface.

88. A directional display apparatus according to claim 52, wherein a birefringent material of the birefringent microlenses comprises a liquid crystal.

89. A directional display apparatus according to claim 88, wherein the liquid crystal comprised by the birefringent microlenses comprises a cured polymer network.

90. A directional display apparatus according to claim 52, arranged such that:

the first directional distribution provides, by virtue of the birefringent microlenses having an optical effect on the light output in the first polarisation mode, output light forming plural viewing windows in a viewing plane, with light from a first group of the pixels being in one viewing window and light from a second group of pixels being in another viewing window, the second group of pixels comprising the remaining pixels, such that different images may be provided in the different viewing windows by forming different images using the first group of pixels and the second plurality of pixels respectively; and

the second directional distributions provides, by virtue of the birefringent microlenses having no optical effect on the light output in the second polarisation mode, no separate viewing windows.

91. A directional display apparatus according to claim 90, wherein the viewing windows in the viewing plane are arranged such that different images may be provided to different eyes of a viewer, thereby providing an autostereoscopic 3D image, in the first polarisation mode, thereby providing an apparatus switchable between a 2D mode and an autostereoscopic 3D mode.

92. A directional display apparatus according to claim 90, wherein the viewing windows in the viewing plane are arranged such that different images may be provided to different viewers in the first polarisation mode;

thereby providing an apparatus switchable between a mode showing different images to different users and a mode showing a same image to different users.

93. A directional display apparatus according to claim 92, further comprising a sensor for sensing a position or movement of a given user so that the display system is controllable so that the given user is prevented from viewing an image in a viewing window not intended for use by the given user.

94. A directional display apparatus according to claim 92, adapted for use in a vehicle such that, in the mode showing different images to different users, different images are displayed to a driver of the vehicle compared to a passenger.

95. A directional display apparatus according to claim 92, adapted for use in a traffic control display system such that, in the mode showing different images to different users, different images are displayed to drivers in different traffic lanes.

96. A directional display apparatus according to claim 92, adapted for use in a traffic control display system such that, in the mode showing different images to different users, different images are displayed to drivers at different distances from the traffic control display system.

97. A directional display apparatus according to claim 52, wherein only light of one of the first or second polarisation components forms a real image substantially in a window plane.

98. A directional display apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the switchable polariser is arranged to be uniformly switched in an area corresponding to two or more of the pixels.

99. A directional display apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the array of birefringent microlenses comprises a lens substrate, a planar substrate and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the lens substrate and the planar substrate;

the liquid crystal layer being aligned with a relative twist between the alignment of the liquid crystal at the lens substrate and the alignment of the liquid crystal at the planar substrate.

100. A directional display apparatus according to claim 99, wherein the relative twist is such as to align the output polarisation of the spatial light modulator with the alignment of the liquid crystal at the planar substrate.

101. A directional display apparatus according to claim 99, wherein the microlenses are cylindrical such that the array of microlenses is a lenticular screen, and the liquid crystal at the lens substrate is aligned substantially parallel with the geometric microlens axis of the cylindrical microlenses.

102. A direct view reflective optical display apparatus, comprising:

an array of lenses capable of forming an array of images of an external light source in an image plane;

reflector means provided substantially in said image plane to reflect said array of images, the reflector means and the array of lenses being arranged such that said array of images are reflected by said reflector means through the array of lenses to direct the light of each image into substantially the same directional distribution; and

an image display apparatus having an array of pixels arranged to modulate the light of the reflected images,

wherein the reflector means is a light-deflecting reflector such that each respective finite portion of the image is reflected through a lens aperture different from the lens aperture to which the lens aperture forming the respective finite portion of the image would be imaged by a planar reflector extending along the image plane.

103. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 102, wherein the reflector means and the array of lenses are arranged such that each respective finite portion of the image is reflected through a different lens aperture from the lens aperture forming the respective finite portion of the image.

104. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 102, wherein the light-deflecting reflector means comprises:

a planar reflector; and

a diffuser adjacent the reflector.

105. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 102, wherein the light-deflecting reflector means comprises a reflector providing diffuse reflection.

106. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 102, wherein the light-deflecting reflector means is a hologram.

107. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 102, wherein the light-deflecting reflector means has an angled reflection surface in respect of each image extending at an angle to the image plane.

108. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 102, wherein the reflector means comprises an array of separated reflectors each for reflecting a respective said image.

109. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 108, wherein the array of separated reflectors are at substantially the same pitch as the array of lenses.

110. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 108, wherein the array of separated reflectors are arranged at substantially the same pitch as the pixels of the image display.

111. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 108, wherein the array of separated reflectors are arranged at a pitch substantially equal to the pitch of the pixels of the image display divided by an integer greater than one.

112. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 102, wherein the reflector means constitutes at least a portion of respective pixels of the image display apparatus.

113. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 102, wherein the array of lenses and the reflector means are positioned behind the image display apparatus relative to a predetermined viewing direction.

114. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 102, wherein relative to a predetermined viewing direction, the array of lenses is positioned in front of the image display apparatus and the reflector means is positioned behind the image display apparatus.

115. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 102, wherein the lenses of the array are cylindrical.

116. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 115, wherein the lenses extend in a horizontal direction relative to a predetermined viewing orientation of the display.

117. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 102, wherein the image display apparatus is one of:

a transmissive display operable in a reflective mode;

a reflective display;

or

a transflective display.

118. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 102, wherein the lenses are passive lenses.

119. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 102, wherein the optical display apparatus is arranged to allow switching between a first mode in which the array of lenses form an array of images of an external light source in the image plane and a second mode in which the lenses have substantially no optical effect.

120. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 119, further comprising a switchable polariser being switchable between a first polarisation mode that passes light of a first polarisation component and a second polarisation mode that passes light of a second polarisation component,

wherein:

said array of lenses is an array of birefringent microlenses of a birefringence such that in operation the array of birefringent microlenses directs light of the first polarisation component substantially into a first directional distribution and light of the second polarisation component substantially into a second directional distribution different from the first directional distribution; and

the switchable polariser and the array of birefringent microlenses are positioned in series with said image display apparatus and arranged such that light output by the reflective optical display apparatus is substantially of the first polarisation component and is substantially directed into the first directional distribution, when the switchable polariser is set to the first polarisation mode, whereas light output by the reflective optical display apparatus is substantially of the second polarisation component and is substantially directed into the second directional distribution when the polariser is set to the second polarisation mode.

121. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 119, wherein the lenses are formed of a birefringent material.

122. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 121, wherein the reflector means is polarisation sensitive so as predominantly to reflect light polarised in a polarisation direction of the reflector means and to transmit light polarised perpendicular to said polarisation direction, the optical display apparatus further comprising a further reflector means arranged behind the first mentioned reflector means.

123. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 122, wherein the polarisation direction of the reflector means is aligned with one of the ordinary axis or the extraordinary axis of the birefringent material of the lenses.

124. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 121, wherein disposed over the curved surfaces of the lenses is a layer having a refractive index equal to one of the ordinary refractive index or the extraordinary refractive index of the birefringent material such that the lenses have substantially no optical effect on light polarised in the direction of the corresponding one of the ordinary axis and the extraordinary axis of the birefringent material.

125. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 121, further comprising a switchable polariser in series with the array of lenses switchable between a first state in which it passes light polarised in the direction of the ordinary axis of the birefringent material and a second state in which it passes light polarised in the direction of the extraordinary axis of the birefringent material.

126. A reflective optical display apparatus according to claim 122, wherein the lenses are active birefringent lenses.