METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REDUCING FRESNEL DEPOLARIZATION TO IMPROVE IMAGE CONTRAST IN A DISPLAY SYSTEM INCLUDING MULTIPLE DISPLAYS
A multi-layered display system (e.g., a display including multiple display panels) includes at least first and second displays (e.g., display panels or display layers) arranged substantially parallel to each other in order to display three-dimensional (3D) features to a viewer(s). A refractive element is arranged on a top surface of the first display layer or between the first and second display layers. Index matching material may be provided between the first and second displays.
1 . A multi-layered display device comprising:
a first display layer in a first plane for displaying a first image;
a second display layer in a second plane for displaying a second image, wherein said first and second planes are approximately parallel to each other;
a refractive element located on a top surface of the first display layer or between the first and second display layers; and
an index matching material between the first and second displays, the index matching material having a first refraction index that is higher than a refractive index of air and is from about 1.40 to 1.65.
2 . The multi-layered display device according to claim 1 , wherein the index matching material occupies the entire space between the first and second display layers.
3 . The multi-layered display device according to claim 1 , wherein the first display layer is a liquid crystal display that includes a liquid crystal layer provided between at least first and second glass substrates, at least one of the glass substrates of the liquid crystal display having a second refractive index, and wherein the first refractive index of said index matching material does not differ from the second refractive index by more than 0.15.
4 . The multi-layered display device according to claim 3 , wherein the first refractive index of said index matching material does not differ from the second refractive index by more than 0.10.
5 . The multi-layered display device according to claim 3 , wherein the second refractive index is about 1.50 to 1.53, and wherein the second refractive index is at least 1.45.
6 . The multi-layered display device according to claim 1 , wherein the index matching material is free of, or substantially free of, birefringence.
7 . The multi-layered display device according to claim 1 , wherein the index matching material consists essentially of, or comprises, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).
8 . The multi-layered display device according to claim 1 , wherein the index matching material consists essentially of, or comprises, a silane and/or siloxane.
9 . The multi-layered display device according to claim 1 , wherein the refractive element directly contacts the index matching material to reduce Fresnel depolarization.
10 . The multi-layered display device according to claim 9 , wherein the refractive element is embedded in the index matching material.
11 . The multi-layered display device according to claim 10 , wherein the refractive element comprises a plurality of microlenses configured to direct rays output from the second display in a pseudo random manner through sub-pixels of the first display and toward a viewer.
12 . The multi-layered display device according to claim 11 , wherein the microlenses have a distribution of surface normals between 0 and approximately 20 degrees.
13 . The multi-layered display device according to claim 11 , wherein curved surfaces of the microlenses contact the index matching material.
14 . The multi-layered display device according to display device of claim 1 , wherein the refractive element is configured to substantially preserve polarization.
15 . The multi-layered display device according to claim 1 , wherein the refractive element is laminated to the first or second display layer.
16 . The multi-layered display device according to claim 1 , wherein the second display layer is a rear display, and the first display layer is a front display, of the display device.
17 . The multi-layered display device according to claim 1 , wherein the second display layer is a liquid crystal display that includes a liquid crystal layer provided between at least first and second glass substrates, at least one of the glass substrates of the liquid crystal display having a second refractive index, and wherein the first refractive index of said index matching material does not differ from the second refractive index by more than 0.15.
18 . A method of forming a multi-layered display device, the method comprising:
providing a first display layer in a first plane for displaying a first image, and a second display layer in a second plane for displaying a second image, wherein said first and second planes are approximately parallel to each other;
providing a refractive element arranged on a top surface of the first display layer or between the first and second display layers; and
providing a material between the first and second displays, the material having a first refraction index that is different from a refraction index of air.
19 . The method according to claim 18 , wherein the material occupies entire space between the first and second display layers.
20 . The method according to claim 18 , wherein the first and/or second display layers include an LCD display with a second refractive index, and wherein the first refractive index is within a predetermined threshold margin from the second refractive index.