Multi-view display device
A multi-view display is switchable between single view and multi-view modes, and uses lenticular means ( 9 ) arranged over the display panel which comprise birefringent electro-optic material ( 62 ) adjacent a non-switchable optically transparent layer ( 60 ). The non-switchable optically transparent layer ( 60 ) has a refractive index (n) substantially equal to the extra ordinary refractive index of the birefringent electro-optic material ( 62 ). In the single view mode, the birefringent electro-optic material ( 62 ) defines a non-switched state, and the polarization ( 64 ) of the light output from the display panel and incident on the lenticular means is linear and aligned with the optical axis of the birefringent electro-optic material ( 62 ) at the surface where the display output light is received. In the multi-view mode, the birefringent electro-optic material ( 62 ) defines a switched state in which the optical axis is aligned perpendicularly to the display output surface.
1. A multi-view display device which is switchable between a single view mode and a multi-view mode, the display comprising:
a display panel comprising a matrix of pixels arranged in orthogonal row and column directions;
a substrate;
a non-switchable optically transparent layer having a fixed refractive index, comprising a flat side and a lens side; and
a birefringent electro-optic material disposed between the non switchable optically transparent layer and the substrate;
wherein the birefringent electro-optic material exhibits an extra-ordinary refraction index in a first state, and exhibits an ordinary refraction index in a second state,
wherein the lens side is closer to the display panel than the flat side,
wherein the lens side comprises a plurality of lenticular lens elements,
wherein each lenticular lens element is convex,
wherein the fixed refractive index of the non-switchable optically transparent layer is substantially equal to the extra-ordinary refractive index of the birefringent electro-optic material;
wherein a polarization direction of light from a display output side of the display panel and incident on the non-switchable optically transparent layer is linear and in a plane of the display output side,
wherein in the single view mode the birefringent electro-optic material is in the first state,
wherein in the multi-view mode, the birefringent electro-optic material is in the second state.
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the refractive index of the birefringent electro-optic material is switched by a selective application of an electric field to at least part of the birefringent electro-optic material.
3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein in the single view mode, an optical axis of the birefringent electro-optic material at a surface of the non-switchable optically transparent layer is aligned with elongate axes of the lenticular lens elements.
4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the birefringent electro-optic material comprises a twisted nematic liquid crystal material.
5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the display panel comprises a liquid crystal display panel.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the non-switchable optically transparent layer comprises a birefringent material.
7. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the non-switchable optically transparent layer comprises an isotropic material.
8. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a polarization orientation of the light from the display output side of the display panel at a surface that enters the birefringent electro-optic material is parallel to an elongate axis of the lenticular lens elements.
9. The device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a polarizer between the display output side and the non-switchable optically transparent layer.
10. The display as claimed in claim 1 comprising an autostereoscopic display device, wherein the multi-view mode comprises a three-dimensional (3D) mode.
11. The display as claimed in claim 1 comprising a dual view display device, wherein the single view mode comprises a two dimensional mode in a full field of view of the display, and the multi-view mode comprises two at least partly separated two dimensional modes at different parts of the full field of view of the display.
12. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a polarization orientation of the light from the display output side of the display panel at a surface that enters the birefringent electro-optic material is in the column direction of the display panel.
13. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein 1 , a polarization orientation of the light from the display output side of the display panel at a surface that enters the birefringent electro-optic material is in the row direction of the display panel.
14. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a polarization orientation of the light from the display output side of the display panel at a surface that enters the birefringent electro optic material is diagonal to the column direction of the display panel.