IP Library Granted Patent US 12,554,153
Granted Patent B2
US 12,554,153 · App. 18/130,556 · Granted Feb 17, 2026

Display system

Inventors: Stephen J. Etzkorn (Woodbury, MN); Michael L. Steiner (New Richmond, WI); Kevin W. Gotrik (Hudson, WI); Luke A Schroeder (Maplewood, MN); Nicholas A. Johnson (Burnsville, MN); John A. Wheatley (Stillwater, MN)
Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
G02F1/1323G02F1/0136G02F1/0311G02F1/294
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,554,153
App. No.
18/130,556
Granted
Feb 17, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A display system includes a display configured to emit an image for viewing by a viewer. The display system further includes one or more phase lens layers disposed on, and substantially co-extensive in length and width with the display. Each of the one or more phase lens layers is configured to have different first and second focal lengths for different respective first and second polarization states. The display system further includes a first polarization modifying layer disposed between the display and the one or more phase lens layers. The first polarization modifying layer is configured to receive the emitted image and transmit a transmitted image. The transmitted image has the first and second polarization states in response to different respective first and second signals applied to the first polarization modifying layer.

Claims (13)

1 . A display system comprising:

a display configured to emit an image for viewing by a viewer;

one or more phase lens layers disposed on, and substantially co-extensive in length and width with, the display, each of the one or more phase lens layers configured to have different first and second focal lengths for different respective first and second polarization states; and

a first polarization modifying layer disposed between the display and the one or more phase lens layers and configured to receive the emitted image and transmit a transmitted image, the transmitted image having the first and second polarization states in response to different respective first and second signals applied to the first polarization modifying layer;

wherein the first focal length of the one or more phase lens layers is configured to focus the emitted image for viewing in a privacy mode, and the second focal length of the one or more phase lens layers is configured to scatter the emitted image for viewing in a sharing mode.

2 . The display system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second polarization states are orthogonal to each other.

3 . The display system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second polarization states are right and left circularly polarization states, respectively.

4 . The display system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more phase lens layers comprises at least first and second phase lens layers.

5 . The display system of claim 4 , wherein the first focal lengths of the first and second phase lens layers are within 30% of each other.

6 . The display system of claim 4 , wherein the second focal lengths of the first and second phase lens layers are within 30% of each other.

7 . The display system of claim 4 , wherein the first focal lengths of the first and second phase lens layers are different by at least 30%.

8 . The display system of claim 4 , wherein the second focal lengths of the first and second phase lens layers are different by at least 30%.

9 . The display system of claim 4 further comprising a half-wave retarder disposed between the first and second phase lens layers.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 6, 2023
From: ETZKORN, STEPHEN J.; GOTRIK, KEVIN W.; WHEATLEY, JOHN A.; STEINER, MICHAEL L.; SCHROEDER, LUKE A.; JOHNSON, NICHOLAS A.
To: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
Reel/Frame 063865/0992 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63332861 · Apr 20, 2022
Related Publication 20230341715A1 · Oct 26, 2023
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