DISPLAY WITH ADAPTABLE PARALLAX BARRIER

• US 20110157696A1
• 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:
  US12/845,409
• Publication Number:
  US 20110157696A1
• 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 three-dimensional images to be displayed. The display system includes a parallax barrier. The parallax barrier is positioned proximate a light source. The parallax barrier includes a plurality of barrier elements arranged in a barrier element array. Each barrier element is configured to be selectively opaque (blocking) or transparent (non-blocking). In a first mode, each barrier element of the barrier element array is selected to be non-blocking to enable a two-dimensional image to be generated. In a second mode, each barrier element in a plurality of parallel strips of barrier elements of the barrier element array is selected to be non-blocking to form a plurality of parallel non-blocking slits to enable a three-dimensional image to be generated. The number, width, and orientation of non-blocking slits are selectable to modify display characteristics, such as a position at which the three-dimensional image is delivered.

Claims

1. A display system that delivers a left eye view and a right eye view to a viewer, the viewer being located at either a first position or a second position relative to the display system, the viewer being enabled to perceive the left eye view and the right eye view as a single three-dimensional view, the display system comprising:

a pixel array;

an array of barrier elements positioned proximate to the pixel array, the array of barrier elements having a first parallax barrier configuration and a second parallax barrier configuration;

each of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements having a blocking state and a non-blocking state;

the first parallax barrier configuration including 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 in the non-blocking state;

the second parallax barrier configuration including 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 in the non-blocking state;

the third set differing from the first set by including at least one of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements found in the second set; and

the first parallax barrier configuration supporting the viewer located at the first position, and the second parallax barrier configuration supporting the viewer located at the second position.

2. The display system of claim 1, wherein the array of barrier elements has a third configuration, the third configuration having all of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in the non-blocking state to enable the display system to deliver a two-dimensional view to a viewing space that includes the first position and the second position.

3. The display system of claim 1, wherein the array of barrier elements has a plurality of additional parallax barrier configurations that each include a corresponding set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in the blocking state and a corresponding set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in the non-blocking state, each additional parallax barrier configuration supporting the viewer located at a corresponding position.

4. 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;

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 parallel blocking strips;

wherein adjacent non-blocking strips of the first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips are spaced by a first amount to deliver the right eye view and the left eye view at a first distance from the display system; and

wherein adjacent non-blocking strips of the second plurality of parallel non-blocking strips are spaced by a second amount to deliver the right eye view and the left eye view at a second distance from the image generator that is different from the first distance.

5. The display system of claim 4, wherein a number of barrier elements forming a width of each non-blocking strip of the first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips is greater than one.

6. The display system of claim 4, wherein a number of barrier elements forming a width of each blocking strip of the first plurality of parallel blocking strips is greater than one.

7. The display system of claim 4, wherein each non-blocking strip of the first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips is oriented at an acute angle to an axis of the array of barrier elements.

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

a display controller that includes

a barrier array controller coupled to the array of barrier elements, and

a pixel array controller coupled to the pixel array.

9. The display system of claim 1, wherein the barrier array controller is configured to generate a control signal that is configured to select the first parallax barrier configuration or the second parallax barrier configuration for the array of barrier elements.

10. The display system of claim 1, wherein the array of barrier elements is positioned between the pixel array and a viewing space that includes the first position and the second position;

and

wherein the pixel array emits light that is filtered by the array of barrier elements in the first parallax barrier configuration to deliver the three-dimensional view to the viewer located at the first position, and is filtered by the array of barrier elements in the second parallax barrier to deliver the three-dimensional view to the viewer located at the second position.

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

a backlighting panel;

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 that includes the first position and the second position; and

wherein the backlighting panel emits light that is filtered by the array of barrier elements in the first parallax barrier configuration, and the light filtered by the array of barrier elements in the first parallax barrier configuration is filtered by the pixel array to support the viewer located at the first position with the three-dimensional view; and

wherein the backlighting panel emits light that is filtered by the array of barrier elements in the second parallax barrier configuration, and the light filtered by the array of barrier elements in the second parallax barrier configuration is filtered by the pixel array to support the viewer located at the second position with the three-dimensional view.

12. A display system comprising:

an array of barrier elements that each have a blocking state and a non-blocking state;

a barrier array controller coupled to the array of barrier elements;

the barrier array controller being configured to place a first set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in a blocking state while placing a second set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in a non-blocking state to create a first parallax barrier configuration; and

the barrier array controller being configured to create a second parallax barrier configuration at least by moving a portion of the barrier elements in the first set to the second set.

13. The display system of claim 12, the display system being configured to deliver a left eye view and a right eye view to a viewer, the viewer being located at either a first position or a second position relative to the display system, the viewer being enabled to perceive the left eye view and the right eye view as a single three-dimensional view;

the first parallax barrier configuration supporting the viewer located at the first position, and the second parallax barrier configuration supporting the viewer located at the second position.

14. The display system of claim 12, wherein the barrier array controller is configured to create a third configuration by placing all of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in the non-blocking state to enable the display system to deliver a two-dimensional view to a viewing space.

15. The display system of claim 14, wherein the barrier array controller is configured to create a plurality of additional parallax barrier configurations that each include a corresponding set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in the blocking state and a corresponding set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in the non-blocking state, each additional parallax barrier configuration supporting the viewer located at a corresponding position.

16. The display system of claim 13, further comprising:

a position determiner module coupled to the barrier array controller, the position determiner module being configured to determine a position of the viewer in a viewing space that includes the first position and the second position.

17. The display system of claim 13, further comprising:

a remote device associated with the viewer that is configured to determine a position of the viewer in a viewing space that includes the first position and the second position, the remote device being configured to transmit the determined position to a receiver that is communicatively coupled to the barrier array controller.

18. A method for delivering a left eye view and a right eye view to a viewer, the viewer being enabled to perceive the left eye view and the right eye view as a single 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 the array of barrier elements into a first parallax barrier configuration that has 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 in the non-blocking state to provide the viewer located at a first position with the three-dimensional view; and

configuring the array of barrier elements into a second parallax barrier configuration that includes 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 in the non-blocking state to provide the viewer located at a second position with the three-dimensional view, the third set differing from the first set by including at least one of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements found in the second set.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

configuring the array of barrier elements into a third configuration to deliver a two-dimensional view to a viewing space that includes the first position and the second position, the third configuration having all of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in the non-blocking state.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

configuring the array of barrier elements into one of a plurality of additional parallax barrier configurations that each have a corresponding set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in the blocking state and a corresponding set of the barrier elements of the array of barrier elements in the non-blocking state, each additional parallax barrier configuration supporting the viewer located at a corresponding position.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said configuring the array of barrier elements into a first parallax barrier configuration comprises:

arranging 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 parallel blocking strips, adjacent non-blocking strips of the first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips being spaced by a first amount to deliver the right eye view and the left eye view at a first distance from the display system; and

wherein said configuring the array of barrier elements into a first parallax barrier configuration comprises;

arranging 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 parallel blocking strips, adjacent non-blocking strips of the second plurality of parallel non-blocking strips being spaced by a second amount to deliver the right eye view and the left eye view at a second distance from the image generator that is different from the first distance.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said configuring the array of barrier elements into a first parallax barrier configuration comprises:

configuring a width of each non-blocking strip of the first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips to have a width greater than one.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said configuring the array of barrier elements into a first parallax barrier configuration comprises:

configuring a width of each blocking strip of the first plurality of parallel blocking strips to have a width greater than one.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein said configuring the array of barrier elements into a first parallax barrier configuration comprises:

configuring each non-blocking strip of the first plurality of parallel non-blocking strips to be oriented at an acute angle to an axis of the array of barrier elements.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein said receiving light at an array of barrier elements comprises:

receiving light from a pixel array at the array of barrier elements, the array of barrier elements being positioned between the pixel array and a viewing space that includes the first position and the second position; and

the method further comprising;

filtering the received light by the array of barrier elements in the first parallax barrier configuration to deliver the three-dimensional view to the viewer located at the first position; and

filtering the received light by the array of barrier elements in the second parallax barrier configuration to deliver the three-dimensional view to the viewer located at the second position.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein said receiving light at an array of barrier elements comprises:

receiving light from a backlighting panel at the array of barrier elements; and

the method further comprising;

filtering the received light by the array of barrier elements in the first parallax barrier configuration and by a pixel array to deliver the three-dimensional view to the viewer located at the first position; and

filtering the received light by the array of barrier elements in the second parallax barrier configuration and by the pixel array to deliver the three-dimensional view to the viewer located at the second position.