Switchable viewing angle display with local dimming function

摘要

A switchable viewing angle display method is provided. The method provides a front panel array of display pixels. Also provided is an array of microlenses underlying the array of display pixels. Each microlens has a focal point and each microlens is associated with a corresponding block of display pixels. A backlight panel has an edge-coupled waveguide pipe with an optical input connected to a column of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The backlight panel includes a top array of selectively enabled extraction pixels, a planar mirror underlying the waveguide pipe, and a bottom array of selectively enabled extraction pixels interposed between the waveguide pipe and the planar mirror. In response to accepting a display viewing angle change command, an extraction pixel is enabled from either the top array or the bottom array, and a waveguide pipe light extraction position is formed, changing the viewing angle.

主权项

1. A switchable viewing angle display method, using arrayed microlenses and a waveguide pipe with selectable light extraction pixels, the method comprising:
providing a liquid crystal (LC) front panel array of display pixels arranged in a plurality of sequences; providing an array of microlenses underlying the array of display pixels, where each microlens has a focal point and each microlens is associated with a corresponding block of display pixels; providing a backlight panel with a single layer of edge-coupled waveguide pipes, each waveguide pipe having an optical input connected to a light emitting diode (LED), the backlight panel including a top array of selectively enabled extraction pixels formed in a plurality of sequences overlying the waveguide pipe, a planar mirror underlying the waveguide pipe, and a bottom array of selectively enabled extraction pixels interposed between the waveguide pipe and the planar mirror, each extraction pixel from the top and bottom arrays underlying a corresponding microlens in a vertical plane; accepting a display viewing angle change command; enabling an extraction pixel selected from a group consisting of the top array and the bottom array in response to supplying an extraction pixel ON voltage; changing the display viewing angle; and, wherein a distance between an enabled extraction pixel and a corresponding microlens focal point in a narrow viewing angle mode is less than a distance between an enabled extraction pixel and the corresponding microlens focal point in a wide viewing angle mode.