Switchable viewing angle display

摘要

A switchable viewing angle display method is provided, using arrayed microlenses and a waveguide pipe with selectable light extraction positions. 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 an array extraction pixels, each extraction pixel underlying a corresponding microlens, and the backlight panel also includes a planar mirror underlying the waveguide pipe. In response to a display viewing angle change command, a waveguide pipe's light extraction position is selected, which is the distance between the extraction pixels and their corresponding microlenses, and the display viewing angle is changed.

主权项

1. A switchable viewing angle display method, using arrayed microlenses and a waveguide pipe with selectable light extraction positions, 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 having optical inputs connected to a column of light emitting diodes (LEDs), the backlight panel including a first array of extraction pixels underlying the array of microlenses disposed at a first light extraction position, which is at a first distance from a focal point of the array of microlens, a second array of extraction pixels overlying a planar mirror disposed at a second light extraction position, which is at a second distance from the focal point of the array of microlens, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance, and the backlight panel including the planar mirror underlying the waveguide pipe; accepting a display viewing angle change command; and, in response to the change command, selecting a waveguide pipe's light extraction position, using, an array of extraction pixels selected from a group consisting of the first array of extraction pixels and the second array of extraction pixels; and, changing the display viewing angle.