U.S. patent application number 12/982020 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-30 for backlighting array supporting adaptable parallax barrier.
This patent application is currently assigned to BROADCOM CORPORATION. Invention is credited to James D. Bennett, Jeyhan Karaoguz.
Application Number | 20110157257 12/982020 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43797724 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110157257 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bennett; James D. ; et
al. |
June 30, 2011 |
BACKLIGHTING ARRAY SUPPORTING ADAPTABLE PARALLAX BARRIER
Abstract
Display systems are described that include an adaptable parallax
barrier that filters light passed by a display panel in a manner
that allows for the simultaneous viewing of two-dimensional images,
three-dimensional images and multi-view three-dimensional content
in different display regions. The display system also includes a
backlight panel comprising an array of light sources that may be
individually controlled to vary the backlighting luminosity
provided to the display panel on a region-by-region basis. Since
each of the display regions may be perceived as having a different
number of pixels per unit area depending upon the type of content
being presented, the backlight array enables the brightness of each
region to be controlled such that a viewer perceives roughly
uniform brightness across all regions. Alternative regional
brightness control schemes are also described.
Inventors: |
Bennett; James D.;
(Hroznetin, CZ) ; Karaoguz; Jeyhan; (Irvine,
CA) |
Assignee: |
BROADCOM CORPORATION
Irvine
CA
|
Family ID: |
43797724 |
Appl. No.: |
12/982020 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61291818 |
Dec 31, 2009 |
|
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61303119 |
Feb 10, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/690 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09G 5/003 20130101;
G09G 2370/04 20130101; H04N 13/194 20180501; H04N 13/361 20180501;
G09G 2300/023 20130101; H04N 2013/403 20180501; H04N 21/435
20130101; H04N 13/189 20180501; G06F 3/0346 20130101; H04N 13/315
20180501; H04N 13/31 20180501; H04N 13/139 20180501; H04N 13/161
20180501; G02B 6/00 20130101; G09G 3/20 20130101; G09G 2320/028
20130101; H04N 13/312 20180501; H04N 21/4122 20130101; G06F 3/14
20130101; H04N 13/305 20180501; H04N 13/383 20180501; H04N 21/235
20130101; H04N 13/398 20180501; H04S 7/303 20130101; H04N 13/00
20130101; H04N 13/366 20180501; G09G 5/14 20130101; H04N 13/359
20180501; H04N 2013/405 20180501; G03B 35/24 20130101; H04N 13/332
20180501; G09G 3/003 20130101; H04N 13/351 20180501 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/690 |
International
Class: |
G09G 5/10 20060101
G09G005/10 |
Claims
1. A display system having a screen surface, the display system
comprising: a backlight panel comprising an array of light sources,
each of the light sources being individually controllable to select
an amount of light emitted thereby; a display panel comprising an
array of pixels, each pixel being controllable to select an amount
of light originating from the backlight panel that will be passed
thereby; and an adaptable parallax barrier that operates in
conjunction with the backlight panel and the display panel to
deliver at least a first three-dimensional visual presentation via
the screen surface.
2. The display system of claim 1, wherein the adaptable parallax
barrier establishes both a first barrier element configuration
corresponding to a first region of the screen surface and a second
barrier element configuration corresponding to a second region of
the screen surface, the first region of the screen surface
supporting the delivery of the three-dimensional visual
presentation.
3. The display of claim 2, wherein the amount of light emitted by a
first portion of light sources of the array of light sources is
selected, the selection being based at least in part on the first
barrier element configuration.
4. The display system of claim 2, wherein the second region of the
screen surface supports delivery of a two-dimensional visual
presentation via the second barrier element configuration.
5. The display system of claim 2, wherein the amount of light
emitted by a second portion of light sources of the array of light
sources is selected based on a characteristic of a boundary between
the first region and the second region.
6. The display system of claim 1, wherein the backlight panel
further comprising a grating structure that limits light
dispersion.
7. A method used to support delivery of both a first visual
presentation via a first portion of a screen surface and a second
visual presentation via a second portion of the screen surface, the
method comprising: delivering barrier control signals to cause
placement of both first barrier elements into a first configuration
and second barrier elements into a second configuration, the first
barrier elements corresponding to the first portion of the screen
surface, the first configuration being tailored to support the
first visual presentation, the second barrier elements
corresponding to the second portion of the screen surface, the
second configuration being tailored to support the second visual
presentation; delivering illumination control signals to cause
simultaneous production of both a first illumination output and a
second illumination output, the first illumination output being
tailored to support the first visual presentation, the second
illumination output being tailored to support the second visual
presentation; and delivering signal representations corresponding
to both the first visual presentation and the second visual
presentation, the signal representations to be used via a plurality
of display pixel elements to assist in generating both the first
visual presentation and the second visual presentation.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first illumination output is
generated by a first portion of a plurality of backlight emitters,
and the second illumination output is generated by a second portion
of the plurality of backlight emitters.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first illumination output and
the second illumination output are both generated at least in part
via a plurality of adjustable grayscale elements.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein each element of both the first
barrier elements and the second barrier elements have blocking and
non-blocking states, and the first configuration of the first
barrier elements includes a higher percentage of the first barrier
elements in the blocking state than that of the second barrier
elements in the second configuration.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein at least one of the second
illumination output and the first illumination output addressing a
boundary region illumination characteristic.
12. A display controller supporting simultaneous presentation of
first video content and second video content on a display, the
display having a screen that can be configured to have a first
region and a second region, the first region corresponding to a
first visual representation of the first video content, the second
region corresponding to a second visual representation of the
second video content, the first video content being stereoscopic
three-dimensional content, the display control system comprising:
processing circuitry; a media interface through which both the
first video content and the second video content are received by
the processing circuitry; an interface element coupled to the
processing circuitry; the processing circuitry sending via the
interface element control signals to cause the configuration of the
display in support of the presentation of both the first visual
representation of the first video content in the first region and
the second visual representation of the second video content in the
second region, and the control signals being sent to establish a
first backlight illumination associated with the first region and a
second backlight illumination associated with the second region,
the first backlight illumination having a brightness characteristic
that differs from that of the second backlight illumination.
13. The display controller of claim 12, wherein the interface
element couples with display driver circuitry, and the interface
element comprising at least one of an interface circuit and a
signal bus.
14. The display controller of claim 12, further comprising display
driver circuitry, the display driver circuitry having a display
pixel driver circuit and a light manipulator driver circuit.
15. The display controller of claim 14, wherein the light
manipulator driver circuit responds to at least one of the control
signals by assisting in establishing the first backlight
illumination associated with the first region.
16. The display controller of claim 15, wherein the light
manipulator driver circuit also responds to the at least one of the
control signals by generating a parallax barrier configuration
associated with the first region.
17. The display controller of claim 16, wherein the first backlight
illumination being selected based at least in part on a brightness
limiting characteristic associated with the parallax barrier
configuration.
18. A method used to support a visual presentation of
three-dimensional content to a viewer via a screen, the viewer
having a left eye and a right eye, the method comprising: selecting
a first manipulation configuration; selecting, based on the first
manipulation configuration, a first brightness characteristic for
both first light and second light, the first light intended for the
left eye of the viewer while the second light intended for the
right eye of the viewer; producing both the first light and the
second light based on the first brightness characteristic;
manipulating, based on the first manipulation configuration, the
left eye light to try to prevent receipt of the left eye light by
the right eye of the viewer; and manipulating, based on the first
manipulation configuration, the right eye light to try to prevent
receipt of the right eye light by the left eye of the viewer.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the screen having a first
region and a second region, the first manipulation configuration
being associated with the first region, and further comprising:
selecting a second manipulation configuration associated with the
second region; selecting, based on the second manipulation
configuration, a second brightness characteristic for third light;
and producing the third light based on the second brightness
characteristic.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first manipulation
configuration comprising an adaptable parallax barrier
configuration.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein the production of both the
first light and the second light based on the first brightness
characteristic involving in part control of at least a portion of
backlight array elements.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein the production of both the
first light and the second light based on the first brightness
characteristic involving in part a grayscale configuration of at
least some light control elements.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein selected elements of the at
least some light control elements are used to perform the
manipulation of the left eye light and the right eye light.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/291,818, filed on Dec. 31, 2009, which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This application
also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/303,119, filed on Feb. 10, 2010, which is incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
[0002] This application is also related to the following U.S.
patent applications, each of which also claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/291,818 and 61/303,119 and
each of which is incorporated by reference herein:
[0003] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/845,409, filed on Jul.
28, 2010, and entitled "Display with Adaptable Parallax Barrier";
and
[0004] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/845,440, filed on Jul.
28, 2010, and entitled "Adaptable Parallax Barrier Supporting Mixed
2D and Stereoscopic 3D Display Regions."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] 1. Field of the Invention
[0006] The present invention generally relates to display systems
that utilize backlighting and, in particular, to display systems
that utilize backlighting and support the viewing of
two-dimensional and three-dimensional images.
[0007] 2. Background Art
[0008] Images may be generated for display in various forms. For
instance, television (TV) is a widely used telecommunication medium
for transmitting and displaying images in monochromatic ("black and
white") or color form. Conventionally, images are provided in
analog form and are displayed by display devices in two-dimensions.
More recently, images are being provided in digital form for
display in two-dimensions on display devices having improved
resolution (e.g., "high definition" or "HD"). Even more recently,
images capable of being displayed in three-dimensions are being
generated.
[0009] A parallax barrier is one example of a device that enables
images to be displayed in three-dimensions. A parallax barrier
includes of a layer of material with a series of precision slits.
The parallax barrier is placed proximal to a display so that a
viewer's eyes each see a different set of pixels to create a sense
of depth through parallax. A disadvantage of parallax barriers is
that the viewer must be positioned in a well-defined location in
order to experience the three-dimensional effect. If the viewer
moves his/her eyes away from this "sweet spot," image flipping
and/or exacerbation of the eyestrain, headaches and nausea that may
be associated with prolonged three-dimensional image viewing may
result. Conventional three-dimensional LCD displays that utilize
parallax barriers are also constrained in that the displays must be
entirely in a two-dimensional image mode or a three-dimensional
image mode at any time.
[0010] To address these issues associated with conventional
three-dimensional LCD displays that utilize parallax barriers,
commonly-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/845,409 presents an innovative two-dimensional/three-dimensional
viewing display that includes a parallax barrier that may be
dynamically modified in order to adaptively accommodate, for
example, a changing viewer sweet spot, switching between
two-dimensional images, three-dimensional images, and multi-view
three-dimensional content, and the simultaneous display of
two-dimensional images, three-dimensional images and multi-view
three-dimensional content. Furthermore, commonly-owned, co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/845,440 describes the use of
such an innovative two-dimensional/three-dimensional viewing
display to simultaneously present two-dimensional images,
three-dimensional images and multi-view three-dimensional content
via different regions of the same display.
[0011] Conventional LCD displays typically include a backlight and
a display panel that includes an array of LCD pixels. The backlight
is designed to produce a sheet of light of uniform luminosity for
illuminating the LCD pixels. When simultaneously displaying
two-dimensional, three-dimensional and multi-view three-dimensional
regions using a system such as that described in above-reference
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/845,440, the use of a
conventional backlight will result in a disparity in perceived
brightness between the different simultaneously-displayed regions.
This is because the number of visible pixels per unit area
associated with a two-dimensional region will generally exceed the
number of visible pixels per unit area associated with a particular
three-dimensional or multi-view three-dimensional region (in which
the pixels must be partitioned among different eyes/views). This
disparity in perceived brightness between display regions may lead
to an unsatisfactory viewing experience for a viewer. For example,
when the viewer adjusts the brightness level of the backlight to
improve the appearance of an image in a particular region, the
viewer may also cause the brightness of an image in another display
region to be reduced or increased to an undesired level.
Consequently, the viewer will be unable to set all of the display
regions to a single desired brightness level. In addition, the
viewer may be unable to adequately perceive images displayed in
regions of reduced brightness. Furthermore, the disparity in
perceived brightness between the display regions may be distracting
or annoying to the viewer.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Display systems and methods are described herein. In
accordance with certain embodiments, the display systems and
methods provide a backlight panel comprising an array of light
sources (e.g., LEDs) that may be individually controlled to vary
the backlighting luminosity provided to a proximately-positioned
display panel on a region-by-region basis. Such control may be
automatic and/or manual. This enables, for example, the brightness
of each region to be controlled such that a viewer perceives
roughly uniform brightness across all regions. This is particularly
useful in a display system having an adaptable parallax barrier
that allows for the simultaneous viewing of two-dimensional images,
three-dimensional images and multi-view three-dimensional content
in different display regions, since those display regions may be
perceived as having a different number of pixels per unit area.
[0013] Alternatively or in addition to controlling the backlighting
array, the intensity of pixels associated with a particular display
region can also be increased or reduced in order to control
brightness on a region-by-region or pixel-by-pixel basis. In one
embodiment, a combined backlight array and pixel intensity control
scheme is used to provide desired brightness on a region-by-region
basis. For example, the intensity of pixels near the boundary of a
region may be increased or reduced to correct disparities caused by
the luminosity contribution (or lack thereof) from backlight
sources associated with adjacent regions. Alternatively or
additionally, a grating system may be used to prevent the spilling
over of light from adjacent regions.
[0014] For certain display systems that do not utilize backlights,
such as OLED/PLED display systems, an embodiment of the invention
may be implemented by providing control of the brightness of the
regions of the OLED/PLED array that correspond to different display
regions.
[0015] Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as
the structure and operation of various embodiments of the
invention, are described in detail below with reference to the
accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not
limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such
embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only.
Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the
relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES
[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and
form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention
and, together with the description, further serve to explain the
principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the
pertinent art to make and use the invention.
[0017] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a display system in accordance
with one example embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a display system in accordance
with another example embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one example implementation of
the display system of FIG. 1A.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a view of a surface of a parallax barrier in
accordance with an example embodiment.
[0021] FIGS. 4 and 5 show views of a blocking region of a blocking
region array that is selected to be transparent and to be opaque,
respectively, according to example embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart of one method for generating
two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional images in accordance with
an example embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of the
display system of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment.
[0024] FIGS. 8A and 8B each show a view of an example parallax
barrier with non-blocking slits in accordance with an
embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a blocking array controller in
accordance with an example embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 10 depicts a flowchart of a method for forming a
three-dimensional image in accordance with an example
embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 11 shows the display system of FIG. 7 providing a
three-dimensional image to a user in accordance with an example
embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 12 depicts a flowchart of a method that may be
performed to enable the display of two-dimensional and
three-dimensional images in accordance with an example
embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 13 shows a display system configured to generate
two-dimensional and three-dimensional images in accordance with an
example embodiment.
[0030] FIGS. 14 and 15 show views of the blocking region array of
FIG. 3 configured to enable the simultaneous display of
two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of various sizes in
accordance with example embodiments.
[0031] FIG. 16 is a view of a display system that implements a
controllable backlight array and is configured to simultaneously
display two-dimensional and three-dimensional content in accordance
with an embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 17 is a view of the display system of FIG. 16 in an
alternate configuration for simultaneously displaying
two-dimensional and three-dimensional content.
[0033] FIG. 18 depicts a flowchart of method for operating a
display system that utilizes a backlight panel comprising an array
of individually-controllable light sources in accordance with an
embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 19 depicts a flowchart of a method for operating a
display system that includes a backlight array to independently
control the brightness of different display regions generated
thereby to simultaneously display corresponding two-dimensional
images, three-dimensional images, and multi-view three-dimensional
content.
[0035] FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a display system in accordance
with an alternate embodiment that uses a conventional backlight and
implements a regional brightness control scheme based on pixel
intensity.
[0036] FIG. 21 illustrates one example configuration of the display
system of FIG. 20.
[0037] FIG. 22 depicts a flowchart of a method for operating a
display system that utilizes a regional brightness control scheme
based on pixel intensity in accordance with an embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 23 is a front perspective view of the display panel of
FIG. 16.
[0039] FIG. 24 depicts a flowchart of a method for implementing
regional brightness control in a display system that combines the
use of a backlight array of independently-controllable light
sources with regional pixel intensity control in accordance with an
embodiment.
[0040] FIG. 25 is a view of display system that includes a grating
structure in accordance with an embodiment.
[0041] FIG. 26 provides a partial, blown-up view of the grating
structure shown in FIG. 25.
[0042] FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a display system in accordance
with an alternate embodiment that utilizes a display panel
comprising an array of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) or
polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs) and implements a regional
brightness control scheme based on controlling OLED/PLED pixel
brightness.
[0043] FIG. 28 depicts a flowchart of a method for operating a
display system that implements a regional brightness control scheme
by controlling the amount of light emitted by OLED/PLED pixels in
accordance with an embodiment.
[0044] FIG. 29 is a block diagram of a display system in accordance
with an alternate embodiment that uses a brightness regulation
overlay to implement a regional brightness control scheme.
[0045] FIG. 30 illustrates two exemplary configurations of an
example implementation of an adaptable light manipulator that
includes a parallax barrier and a brightness regulation overlay in
accordance with an embodiment.
[0046] FIG. 31 depicts a flowchart of a method for operating a
display system that uses a using a brightness regulation overlay to
implement a regional brightness control scheme by in accordance
with an embodiment.
[0047] FIG. 32 is a block diagram of an example practical
implementation of a display system in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0048] The present invention will now be described with reference
to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference
numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number
identifies the drawing in which the reference number first
appears.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
I. Introduction
[0049] The present specification discloses one or more embodiments
that incorporate the features of the invention. The disclosed
embodiment(s) merely exemplify the invention. The scope of the
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s). The
invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.
[0050] References in the specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., indicate that the
embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure,
or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include
the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover,
such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.
Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is
described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it
is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such
feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other
embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
[0051] Furthermore, it should be understood that spatial
descriptions (e.g., "above," "below," "up," "left," "right,"
"down," "top," "bottom," "vertical," "horizontal," etc.) used
herein are for purposes of illustration only, and that practical
implementations of the structures described herein can be spatially
arranged in any orientation or manner.
[0052] Display systems will be described herein that include a
backlight panel comprising an array of light sources that can be
individually controlled to vary backlighting luminosity on a
region-by-region basis. Such a backlight panel is particularly
useful, for example, in display systems such as those described in
commonly-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/845,440 (entitled "Adaptable Parallax Barrier Supporting Mixed
2D and Stereoscopic 3D Display Regions" and filed on Jul. 28, 2010)
in which a dynamically-modifiable parallax barrier is used to
support the simultaneous display of two-dimensional images,
three-dimensional images and multi-view three-dimensional content
in different display regions. However, the backlight panels
described herein may advantageously be used in any display system
in which it is desirable to simultaneously provide different levels
of brightness to different display regions associated with the
display system.
[0053] Display systems will also be described herein that
selectively increase or reduce the intensity of pixels associated
with a particular display region in order to control brightness on
a region-by-region or pixel-by-pixel basis. In one embodiment
described herein, a combined backlight array and pixel intensity
control scheme is used to provide desired brightness on a
region-by-region basis. For example, in accordance with such an
embodiment, the intensity of pixels near the boundary of a region
may be increased or reduced to correct disparities caused by the
luminosity contribution (or lack thereof) from backlight sources
associated with adjacent regions. In a further embodiment described
herein, a grating system is used to prevent the spilling over of
light from adjacent regions.
[0054] Display systems will also be described herein that do not
use backlights but instead use organic light emitting diodes
(OLEDs) or polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs) that combine the
illumination and image-generation function. In embodiments,
described herein, these display systems implement regional
brightness control by providing control over the brightness of the
regions of an OLED/PLED pixel array that correspond to different
display regions.
II. Example Operating Environment
[0055] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an example display system 100
in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.
As shown in FIG. 1A, display system 100 includes a display device
116. Display device 116 may comprise, for example, a television
display, a computer monitor, a laptop monitor, or a display
associated with a cellular telephone, smart telephone, personal
media player, personal digital assistant, or the like. As will be
discussed in more detail herein, display device 116 is capable of
simultaneously displaying two-dimensional images, three-dimensional
images and multi-view three-dimensional content via different
display regions.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 1A, display device 116 includes a backlight
panel 102, a display panel 104 and a parallax barrier 106.
Backlight panel 102 emits light 110, which passes through pixels of
display panel 104, thereby creating display-generated light 112,
which includes image information. Such image information may
include one or more still images, motion (e.g., video) images, etc.
Display-generated light 112 is received by parallax barrier 106,
which filters display-generated light 112 to pass filtered
display-generated light 114. For instance, parallax barrier 106 may
filter display-generated light 112 with a plurality of barrier
regions that are selectively opaque or transparent. Filtered
display-generated light 114 includes a plurality of images formed
from the image information included in display-generated light 112.
For example, filtered display-generated light 114 may include one
or more two-dimensional images and/or one or more three-dimensional
images. Filtered display-generated light 114 is received in a
viewing space 108 proximate to display device 116. One or more
users may be present in viewing space 108 to view the
two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional images included in
filtered display-generated light 114.
[0057] FIG. 1B is a block diagram of an alternative example display
system 150 in which embodiments of the present invention may be
implemented. As shown in FIG. 1B, display system 150 includes a
display device 166 that includes a backlight panel 152, a parallax
barrier 154 and a display panel 156. Backlight panel 152 emits
light 160, which is received by parallax barrier 154, which filters
light 160 to pass filtered light 162. For instance, parallax
barrier 154 may filter light 160 with a plurality of barrier
regions that are selectively opaque or transparent. Filtered light
162 passes through pixels of display panel 156, thereby creating
filtered display-generated light 164. Filtered display-generated
light 164 includes a plurality of images formed by the passage of
filtered light 162 through the pixels of display panel 156. For
example, filtered display-generated light 164 may include one or
more two-dimensional images and/or one or more three-dimensional
images. Filtered display-generated light 114 is received in a
viewing space 158 proximate to display device 166. One or more
users may be present in viewing space 158 to view the
two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional images included in
filtered display-generated light 114.
[0058] Although subsequent description will expand upon an
implementation of display system 100 of FIG. 1A, persons skilled in
the relevant art(s) will readily appreciate that embodiments of the
present invention described herein may likewise be implemented in
display system 150 of FIG. 1B. For example, embodiments described
herein that utilize a backlight panel comprising an array of light
sources that can be individually controlled to vary backlighting
luminosity on a region-by-region basis can be implemented in either
display system 100 of FIG. 1A or display system 150 of FIG. 1B to
achieve similar benefits. Furthermore, embodiments described herein
that selectively increase or reduce the intensity of pixels
associated with a particular display region in order to control
brightness on a region-by-region or pixel-by-pixel basis can be
implemented in either display system 100 of FIG. 1A or display
system 150 of FIG. 1B to achieve similar benefits.
[0059] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a display system 200, which is
one example implementation of system 100 shown in FIG. 1A. As shown
in FIG. 2, system 200 includes a display controller 202 and display
device 116 (which includes backlight panel 102, display panel 104
and parallax barrier 106). As shown in FIG. 2, backlight panel 102
includes a backlight array 210, display panel 104 includes a pixel
array 212 and parallax barrier 106 includes a blocking region array
210. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, display controller 202
includes a backlight array controller 204, a pixel array controller
206, and a blocking array controller 208.
[0060] Backlight array 210 comprises a two-dimensional array of
light sources. Such light sources may be arranged, for example, in
a rectangular grid. Each light source in backlight array 210 is
individually addressable and controllable to select an amount of
light emitted thereby. A single light source may comprise one or
more light-emitting elements depending upon the implementation. In
one embodiment, each light source in backlight array 210 comprises
a single light-emitting diode (LED) although this example is not
intended to be limiting. Backlight array controller 204 within
display controller 202 controls the amount of light emitted by each
light source in backlight array 210 by sending a control signal 216
to backlight array 210. Control signal 216 may include one or more
control signals used to control the amount of light emitted by each
light source in backlight array 210. The operation of backlight
array controller 204 and backlight array 210 will be described in
further detail herein.
[0061] Pixel array 212 includes a two-dimensional array of pixels.
Such pixels may be arranged, for example, in a rectangular grid. In
an embodiment in which display panel 104 comprises a liquid crystal
display (LCD) panel, each pixel in pixel array 212 comprises an LCD
pixel, although this example is not intended to be limiting. Each
pixel in pixel array 212 is individually addressable and
controllable to select an amount of light originating from
backlight array 210 that will be passed thereby, thus allowing the
intensity of each pixel to be varied. In an embodiment, each pixel
of pixel array 212 includes a plurality of sub-pixels, wherein each
sub-pixel operates as a filter to pass a certain type of colored
light and is individually addressable and controllable to select an
amount of light that will be passed thereby. For example, each
pixel in pixel array 212 may include a red sub-pixel that filters
light produced by backlight panel 102 to produce red light, a green
sub-pixel that filters light produced by backlight panel 102 to
produce green light and a blue sub-pixel that filters light
produced by backlight panel 102 to produce blue light. By
controlling the intensity of each red, green and blue sub-pixel
associated with a pixel, various colors may be produced at various
degrees of intensity.
[0062] Parallax barrier 106 is positioned proximate to a surface of
pixel array 212. Blocking region array 214 is a layer of parallax
barrier 106 that includes a plurality of blocking regions arranged
in an array. Each blocking region of the array is configured to be
selectively opaque or transparent. For instance, FIG. 3 shows a
parallax barrier 300 in accordance with an example embodiment.
Parallax barrier 300 is an example of parallax barrier 106 of FIG.
2. As shown in FIG. 3, parallax barrier 300 includes a blocking
region array 302. Blocking region array 302 includes a plurality of
blocking regions 304 arranged in a two-dimensional array (e.g.,
arranged in a grid), although in other embodiments blocking regions
304 may be arranged in other ways. Each blocking region 304 is
shown in FIG. 3 as rectangular (e.g., square) in shape but, in
other embodiments, blocking regions 304 may have other shapes.
Blocking regions 304 may each comprise a pixel of an LCD, a
moveable mechanical element (e.g., a hinged flap that passes light
in a first position and blocks light in a second position), a
magnetically-actuated element, or other suitable blocking
element.
[0063] Blocking region array 302 may include any number of blocking
regions 304. For example, in FIG. 3, blocking region array 302
includes twenty-eight blocking regions 304 along an x-axis and
includes twenty blocking regions 304 along a y-axis, for a total
number of five hundred and sixty blocking regions 304. However,
these dimensions of blocking region array 302 and the total number
of blocking regions 304 for blocking region array 302 shown in FIG.
3 are provided for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to
be limiting. Blocking region array 302 may include any number of
blocking regions 304, and may have any array dimensions, including
hundreds, thousands, or even larger numbers of blocking regions 304
along each of the x- and y-axes.
[0064] Each blocking region 304 of blocking region array 302 is
selectable to be opaque or transparent. For instance, FIG. 4 shows
a blocking region 304x that is selected to be transparent, and FIG.
5 shows blocking region 304x when selected to be opaque, according
to example embodiments. When blocking region 304x is selected to be
transparent, display-generated light 112 emanating from pixel array
212 may pass through blocking region 304x (e.g., to viewing space
108). When blocking region 304x is selected to be opaque,
display-generated light 112 from pixel array 212 is blocked from
passing through blocking region 304x. By selecting some of blocking
regions 304 of blocking region array 302 to be transparent, and
some of blocking regions 304 of blocking region array 302 to be
opaque, display-generated light 112 received at blocking region
array 302 is filtered to generate filtered display-generated light
114.
[0065] Display controller 202 is configured to generate control
signals to enable display device 116 to display two-dimensional and
three-dimensional images to users 222 in viewing space 108. For
example, pixel array controller 206 is configured to generate a
control signal 218 that is received by pixel array 212. Control
signal 218 may include one or more control signals used to cause
pixels of pixel array 212 to emit display-generated light 112 of
particular desired colors and/or intensity. Blocking array
controller 208 is configured to generate a control signal 220 that
is received by blocking region array 214. Control signal 220 may
include one or more control signals used to cause each of blocking
regions 304 of blocking region array 302 to be transparent or
opaque. In this manner, blocking region array 214 filters
display-generated light 112 to generate filtered display-generated
light 114 that includes one or more two-dimensional and/or
three-dimensional images that may be viewed by users 222 in viewing
space 108.
[0066] For example, control signal 218 may control sets of pixels
of pixel array 212 to each emit light representative of a
respective image, to provide a plurality of images. Control signal
220 may control blocking regions 304 of blocking region array 214
to filter the light received from pixel array 212 according to the
provided images such that one or more of the images are received by
users 222 in two-dimensional form. For instance, control signal 220
may select one or more sets of blocking regions 304 of blocking
region array 302 to be transparent, to transmit one or more
corresponding two-dimensional images to users 222. Furthermore,
control signal 220 may control sections of blocking region array
214 to include opaque and transparent blocking regions 304 to
filter the light received from pixel array 212 so that one or more
pairs of images provided by pixel array 212 are each received by
users 222 as a corresponding as three-dimensional image. For
example, control signal 220 may select parallel strips of blocking
regions 304 of blocking region array 302 to be transparent to form
slits that enable three-dimensional images to be received by users
222.
[0067] In embodiments, control signal 220 may be generated by
blocking array controller 208 to configure one or more
characteristics of blocking region array 214. For example, control
signal 220 may be generated to form any number of parallel strips
of blocking regions 304 of blocking region array 302 to be
transparent, to modify the number and/or spacing of parallel strips
of blocking regions 304 of blocking region array 302 that are
transparent, to select and/or modify a width and/or a length (in
blocking regions 304) of one or more strips of blocking regions 304
of blocking region array 302 that are transparent or opaque, to
select and/or modify an orientation of one or more strips of
blocking regions 304 of blocking region array 302 that are
transparent, to select one or more areas of blocking region array
302 to include all transparent or all opaque blocking regions 304,
etc.
[0068] Two-dimensional and three-dimensional images may be
generated by system 200 in various ways. For instance, FIG. 6
depicts a flowchart 600 of a method for generating two-dimensional
and/or three-dimensional images in accordance with an example
embodiment. The method of flowchart 600 may be performed by system
200 in FIG. 2, for example. The method of flowchart 600 will be
described with respect to FIG. 7, which shows a cross-sectional
view of a display system 700. Display system 700 is an example
embodiment of system 200 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 7,
system 700 includes a pixel array 702 and a blocking region array
704. Further structural and operational embodiments will be
apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the
discussion regarding flowchart 600. The method of flowchart 600 is
described as follows.
[0069] The method of flowchart 600 begins with step 602. In step
602, light is received at a parallax barrier. For example, as shown
in FIG. 2, display-generated light 112 is received at parallax
barrier 106 from pixel array 212 of display panel 104. Each pixel
of pixel array 212 may emit light that is received at parallax
barrier 106. Depending on the particular display mode of parallax
barrier 106, parallax barrier 106 may filter display-generated
light 112 from pixel array 212 to generate a two-dimensional image
or a three-dimensional image viewable in viewing space 108 by users
222. Furthermore, parallax barrier 106 may filter display-generated
light 112 from pixel array 212 differently in different areas of
parallax barrier 106 to simultaneously generate two-dimensional
images and/or three-dimensional images corresponding to the
different areas.
[0070] In step 604, each blocking region in a plurality of parallel
strips of blocking regions of the blocking region array is selected
to be transparent to form a plurality of parallel transparent
slits, the spacing of transparent slits in the plurality of
parallel transparent slits being selectable. For example, as shown
in FIG. 7, blocking region array 704 includes a plurality of
blocking regions that are each either transparent or opaque.
Blocking regions that are opaque are indicated as blocking regions
710a-710f, and blocking regions that are transparent are indicated
as blocking regions 712a-712e. Further blocking regions may be
included in blocking region array 704 that are not visible in FIG.
7. Each of blocking regions 710a-710f and 712a-712e may include one
or more blocking regions. Blocking regions 710 alternate with
blocking regions 712 in series in the order of blocking regions
710a, 712a, 710b, 712b, 710c, 712c, 710d, 712d, 710e, 712e, and
710f. In this manner, opaque blocking regions 710 are alternated
with transparent blocking regions 712 to form a plurality of
parallel transparent slits in blocking region array 704.
[0071] For instance, FIG. 8A shows a view of parallax barrier 300
of FIG. 3 with transparent slits, according to an example
embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8A, parallax barrier 300 includes
blocking region array 302, which includes a plurality of blocking
regions 304 arranged in a two-dimensional array. Furthermore, as
shown in FIG. 8, blocking region array 302 includes a plurality of
parallel strips of blocking regions 304 that are selected to be
transparent to form a plurality of parallel transparent strips (or
"slits") 802a-802g. As shown in FIG. 8, parallel transparent strips
802a-802g (transparent slits) are alternated with parallel opaque
strips 804a-804g of blocking regions 304 that are selected to be
opaque. In the example of FIG. 8A, transparent strips 802a-802g and
opaque strips 804a-804g each have a width (along the x-dimension)
of two blocking regions 304, and have lengths that extend along the
entire y-dimension (twenty blocking regions 304) of blocking region
array 304, although in other embodiments, may have alternative
dimensions. The spacing (and number) of parallel transparent strips
802 in blocking region array 704 may be selectable by choosing any
number and combination of particular strips of blocking regions 304
in blocking region array 302 to be transparent, to be alternated
with opaque strips 804, as desired.
[0072] FIG. 8B shows a parallax barrier 310 that is another example
of blocking region array 704 with parallel transparent slits,
according to an embodiment. Similarly to parallax barrier 300 of
FIG. 8A, parallax barrier 310 has includes a blocking region array
312, which includes a plurality of blocking regions 314 arranged in
a two-dimensional array (28 by 1 array). Blocking regions 314 have
widths (along the x-dimension) similar to the widths of blocking
regions 304 in FIG. 8A, but have lengths that extend along the
entire vertical length (y-dimension) of blocking region array 312.
As shown in FIG. 8B, blocking region array 312 includes parallel
transparent strips 802a-802g alternated with parallel opaque strips
804a-804g. In the example of FIG. 8B, parallel transparent strips
802a-802g and parallel opaque strips 804a-804g each have a width
(along the x-dimension) of two blocking regions 314, and have
lengths that extend along the entire y-dimension (one blocking
region 314) of blocking region array 312.
[0073] Referring back to FIG. 6, in step 606, the light is filtered
at the parallax barrier to form a plurality of images in a viewing
space. In embodiments, parallax barrier 106 may filter
display-generated light 112 from pixel array 212 to generate one or
more two-dimensional images and/or three-dimensional images
viewable in viewing space 108 by users 222.
[0074] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, pixel array 702 includes a
plurality of pixels 714a-714d and 716a-716d. Pixels 714 alternate
with pixels 716, such that pixels 714a-714d and 716a-716d are
arranged in series in the order of pixels 714a, 716a, 714b, 716b,
714c, 716c, 714d, and 716d. Further pixels may be included in pixel
array 702 that are not visible in FIG. 7, including further pixels
along the width dimension of pixel array 702 (e.g., in the
left-right directions) as well as pixels along a length dimension
of pixel array 702 (not visible in FIG. 7). Each of pixels
714a-714d and 716a-716d passes light from backlight panel 102, and
this light emanates from display surface 724 of pixel array 702
(e.g., generally upward in FIG. 7) towards blocking region array
704. Some example indications of light emanating from pixels
714a-714d and 716a-716d are shown in FIG. 7 (as dotted lines),
including light 724a and light 718a emanating from pixel 714a,
light 724b, light 718b, and light 724c emanating from pixel 714b,
etc.
[0075] Light emanating from pixel array 702 is filtered by blocking
region array 704 to form a plurality of images in a viewing space
726, including a first image 706a at a first location 708a and a
second image 706b at a second location 708b. A portion of the light
emanating from pixel array 702 is blocked by opaque blocking
regions 710, while another portion of the light emanating from
pixel array 702 passes through transparent blocking regions 712,
according to the filtering by blocking region array 704. For
instance, light 724a from pixel 714a is blocked by opaque blocking
region 710a, and light 724b and light 724c from pixel 714b are
blocked by opaque blocking regions 710b and 710c, respectively. In
contrast, light 718a from pixel 714a is passed by transparent
blocking region 712a and light 718b from pixel 714b is passed by
transparent blocking region 712b.
[0076] By forming parallel transparent slits in a blocking region
array, light from a pixel array can be filtered to form multiple
images in a viewing space. For instance, system 700 shown in FIG. 7
is configured to form first and second images 706a and 706b at
locations 708a and 708b, respectively, which are positioned at a
distance 728 from pixel array 702 (as shown in FIG. 7, further
instances of first and second images 706a and 706b may be formed in
viewing space 726 according to system 700, in a repeating,
alternating fashion). As described above, pixel array 702 includes
a first set of pixels 714a-714d and a second set of pixels
716a-716d. Pixels 714a-714d correspond to first image 706a and
pixels 716a-716d correspond to second image 706b. Due to the
spacing of pixels 714a-714d and 716a-716d in pixel array 702, and
the geometry of transparent blocking regions 712 in blocking region
array 704, first and second images 706a and 706b are formed at
locations 708a and 708b, respectively. As shown in FIG. 7, light
718a-718d from the first set of pixels 714a-714d is focused at
location 708a to form first image 706a at location 708a. Light
720a-720d from the second set of pixels 716a-716d is focused at
location 708b to form second image 706b at location 708b.
[0077] FIG. 7 shows a slit spacing 722 (center-to-center) of
transparent blocking regions 712 in blocking region array 704.
Spacing 722 may be determined to select locations for parallel
transparent slits to be formed in blocking region array 704 for a
particular image distance 728 at which images are desired to be
formed (for viewing by users). For example, in an embodiment, if a
spacing of pixels 714a-714d corresponding to an image is known, and
a distance 728 at which the image is desired to be displayed is
known, the spacing 722 between adjacent parallel transparent slits
in blocking region array 704 may be selected. As shown in FIG. 9,
in an embodiment, blocking array controller 208 (of FIG. 2) may
include a slit spacing calculator 902. Slit spacing calculator 902
is configured to calculate spacing 722 for a particular spacing of
pixels and a desired distance for the corresponding image to be
formed.
[0078] In an embodiment, display system 700 may be configured to
generate three-dimensional images for viewing by users in a viewing
space. For instance, first and second images 706a and 706b may be
configured to be perceived by a user as a three-dimensional image.
In an embodiment, step 606 of flowchart 6 (FIG. 6) may include a
step 1002 shown in FIG. 10. In step 1002, light from the array of
pixels is filtered to form a first image corresponding to a first
set of pixels at a right eye location and to form a second image
corresponding to a second set of pixels at a left eye location. For
example, FIG. 11 shows display system 700 of FIG. 7, where a user
1104 receives first image 706a at a first eye location 1102a and
second image 706b at a second eye location 1102b, according to an
example embodiment. First and second images 706a and 706b may be
generated by first set of pixels 714a-714d and second set of pixels
716a-716d such that they represent slightly different perspectives
of the same subject matter. Images 706a and 706b are combined in
the visual center of the brain of user 1104 to be perceived as a
three-dimensional image.
[0079] In such an embodiment, first and second images 706a and 706b
may be formed by display system 700 such that their centers are
spaced apart a width of a user's pupils (e.g., an "interocular
distance" 1106). For example, the spacing of first and second
images 706a and 706b may be approximately 65 mm (or other suitable
spacing) to generally be equivalent to interocular distance 1106.
As described above, multiple instances of first and second images
706a and 706b may be formed by display system 700 that repeat in a
viewing space. Thus, first and second images 706a and 706b shown in
FIG. 11 that coincide with the left and right eyes of user 1104 may
be adjacent first and second images 706a and 706b of the repeating
instances that are separated by interocular distance 1106.
Alternatively, first and second images 706a and 706b shown in FIG.
11 coinciding with the left and right eyes of user 1104 may be
separated by one or more instances of first and second images 706a
and 706b of the repeating instances that happen to be separated by
interocular distance 1106.
[0080] Details regarding a manner by which various characteristics
of a parallax barrier, such as parallax barrier 300 of FIG. 3, can
be modified to achieve desired display characteristics are set
forth in commonly-owned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/845,440, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference
herein. These modifications may include, for example, modifying at
least one of a distance between adjacent transparent slits, the
width of one or more of the transparent slits, the width of one or
more opaque strips, and the orientation of the transparent slits
and opaque strips. The modification of these characteristics of
parallax barrier 300 enable the adaptively accommodation of, for
example, a changing viewer location (also referred to as a "sweet
spot"), switching between two-dimensional images, three-dimensional
images and multi-view three-dimensional content, and the
simultaneous display of two-dimensional images, three-dimensional
images, and multi-view three-dimensional content.
[0081] As described in above-referenced U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/845,440, a blocking region array may be configured to
enable multiple two-dimensional images and/or three-dimensional
images to be displayed simultaneously. For example, the blocking
region array may include one or more transparent sections to
generate one or more two-dimensional images and one or more
sections that include parallel transparent slits to generate one or
more three-dimensional images. For instance, FIG. 12 shows a
flowchart 1200 that may be performed during step 604 of flowchart
600 (FIG. 6) to enable the simultaneous display of two-dimensional
and three-dimensional images, according to an example embodiment.
Flowchart 1200 is described as follows with respect to FIG. 13.
FIG. 13 shows a display system 1300 configured to generate
two-dimensional and three-dimensional images, according to an
example embodiment.
[0082] In step 1202 of flowchart 1200, a first set of blocking
regions of the blocking region array is configured to filter light
from a first set of pixels to form a first image at a right eye
location and to filter light from a second set of pixels to form a
second image at a left eye location. For example, as shown in FIG.
13, system 1300 includes a pixel array 1302 and a blocking region
array 1304. System 1300 may also include display controller 202 of
FIG. 2, which is not shown in FIG. 13 for ease of illustration.
Pixel array 1302 includes a first set of pixels 1314a-1314d and a
second set of pixels 1316a-1316c. First set of pixels 1314a-1314d
and second set of pixels 1316a-1316c are configured to generate
images at left-eye and right-eye locations that combine to form a
three-dimensional image in a similar fashion as described above
(e.g., with respect to FIG. 7). Pixels of the two sets of pixels
are alternated in pixel array 1302 in the order of pixel 1314a,
pixel 1316a, pixel 1314b, pixel 1316b, etc. (further pixels may be
included). Blocking region array 1304 includes a first portion 1318
and a second portion 1320. First portion 1318 of blocking region
array 1304 is positioned adjacent to first and second sets of
pixels 1314a-1314d and 1316a-1316c. First portion 1318 includes
blocking regions that are opaque indicated as blocking regions
1310a-1310e, and blocking regions that are transparent indicated as
blocking regions 1312a-1312d. Opaque blocking regions 1310 are
alternated with transparent blocking regions 1312 to form a
plurality of parallel transparent slits in blocking region array
1304, similarly to blocking region array 304 shown in FIG. 8. Light
emanating from pixel array 1302 is filtered by portion 1318 of
blocking region array 1304 to form first and second images 1306a
and 1306b, respectively, in a viewing space as described above.
[0083] In step 1204, a second set of blocking regions of the
blocking region array is selected to be transparent to pass light
from a third set of pixels to form a third image. For example, as
shown in FIG. 13, pixel array 1302 further includes a third set of
pixels 1308a and 1308b (further pixels may be included in the third
set of pixels). Second portion 1320 of blocking region array 1304
is positioned adjacent to third set of pixels 1308a-1308b. Second
portion 1320 includes blocking regions that are transparent,
indicated as blocking regions 1312e. No opaque blocking regions are
included in second portion 1320. As such, light emanating from
third set of pixels 1308a-1308b passes through second portion 1320
of blocking region array 1304 without being filtered to be received
as a third image 1306c in a viewing space. Third image 1306c is a
two-dimensional image, and may be received at multiple locations of
the viewing space.
[0084] As such, in FIG. 13, a three-dimensional image (based on the
combination of first and second images 1306a and 1306b) and a
two-dimensional image are simultaneously generated by display
system 1300. Although in the example of FIG. 13 a single
three-dimensional image and a single two-dimensional image are
simultaneously generated by display system 1300, any number of
two-dimensional and three-dimensional images may be simultaneously
generated by a display system, in embodiments. Furthermore, the
three-dimensional and two-dimensional images may have any size. For
instance, FIGS. 14 and 15 show views of blocking region array 302
of FIG. 3 configured to enable the simultaneous display of
two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of various sizes,
according to example embodiments. In FIG. 14, a first portion 1402
of blocking region array 302 is configured similarly to blocking
region array 300 of FIG. 8, including a plurality of parallel
transparent strips alternated with parallel opaque strips that
together fill first portion 1402. A second portion 1404 of blocking
region array 302 is surrounded by first portion 1402. Second
portion 1404 is a rectangular shaped portion of blocking region
array 302 that includes a two-dimensional array of blocking regions
304 that are transparent. Thus, in FIG. 14, blocking region array
302 is configured to enable a three-dimensional image to be
generated by pixels of a pixel array that are adjacent to blocking
regions of first portion 1402, and to enable a two-dimensional
image to be generated by pixels of the pixel array that are
adjacent to blocking regions inside of second portion 1404.
[0085] In FIG. 15, blocking region array 302 includes a first
portion 1502 and a second portion 1504. First portion 1502 includes
a two-dimensional array of blocking regions 304 that are
transparent. Second portion 1504 is rectangular shaped, and is
contained within first portion 1502. Second portion 1504 includes a
plurality of parallel transparent strips alternated with parallel
opaque strips that together fill second portion 1504 of blocking
region array 302. Thus, in FIG. 15, blocking region array 302 is
configured to enable a two-dimensional image to be generated by
pixels of a pixel array that are adjacent to blocking regions of
first portion 1502, and to enable a three-dimensional image to be
generated by pixels of the pixel array that are adjacent to
blocking regions inside of second portion 1504.
[0086] It is noted that although second portions 1404 and 1504 are
shown for illustrative purposes in FIGS. 14 and 15 as being
rectangular areas, second portions 1404 and 1504 may have other
shapes, including circular, triangular or other polygon, irregular,
or any other shape.
[0087] Furthermore, although flowchart 1200 (and FIGS. 13-15)
relate to a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image
being provided by a display system simultaneously, in embodiments,
two or more two-dimensional images or two or more three-dimensional
images may be provided by a display system simultaneously. For
instance, in an embodiment, step 1202 of flowchart 1200 may be
repeated to form fourth and fifth images corresponding to another
three-dimensional image. Additionally or alternatively, step 1204
may be repeated to form a sixth image corresponding to another
two-dimensional image. Any number of additional two-dimensional
and/or three-dimensional images may be formed in this manner by
corresponding regions of a display.
III. Example Backlighting Panel Implementations
[0088] As discussed in the preceding section, display system 116 is
capable of simultaneously displaying two-dimensional and
three-dimensional images in different display regions by
selectively modifying portions of blocking region array 214 that
correspond to different areas of pixel array 212. A viewer that is
capable of viewing the simultaneously-displayed two-dimensional and
three-dimensional images will perceive a different number of pixels
per unit area in each display region depending upon the type of
image that is being presented in each display region.
[0089] For example, in further accordance with the example provided
above with respect to FIG. 15, assume that the image passed by
second portion 1504 of blocking region array 302 is a
three-dimensional image. In this case, a viewer viewing the
two-dimensional image passed by first portion 1502 of blocking
region array 302 will perceive every pixel in the portion of pixel
array 212 that is aligned with first portion 1502 of blocking
region array 302. If the viewer is also viewing the
three-dimensional image passed by second portion 1504 of blocking
region array 302, then each of the viewer's eyes will perceive only
one half of the pixels in the portion of pixel array 212 that is
aligned with second portion 1504 of blocking region array 302. This
is because one half of the pixels in the relevant portion of pixel
array 212 will be perceived as a first two-dimensional image by one
eye of the viewer and the other half of the pixels will be
perceived as a second two-dimensional image that is perceived by
the other eye of the viewer.
[0090] Assume now instead that multi-view three-dimensional content
is passed by second portion 1504 of blocking region array 302. As
used herein, the term "multi-view three dimensional content" refers
to content in which multiple three-dimensional images are embedded,
wherein the position of a viewer dictates which of the multiple
three-dimensional images is currently perceived. Multi-view
three-dimensional content will thus be formed from some multiple of
the two two-dimensional images normally required to generate a
single three-dimensional image (e.g., four two-dimensional images
to provide two three-dimensional images, six two-dimensional images
to provided three three-dimensional images, etc.). As also used
herein, the term N-view three-dimensional content indicates that N
three-dimensional images are embedded in the content, wherein each
three-dimensional image is formed from two distinct two-dimensional
images. Thus, 8-view three-dimensional content will comprise 8
different three-dimensional images formed from 16 different
underlying two-dimensional images.
[0091] Thus, if it is assumed that second portion 1504 of blocking
region array 302 passes 2-view three-dimensional content, then each
of a the viewer's eyes will perceive only one-fourth of the pixels
in the portion of pixel array 212 that is aligned with second
portion 1504 of blocking region array 302. This is because one
fourth of the pixels in the relevant portion of pixel array 212
will be perceived as a first two-dimensional image by one eye of
the viewer and another fourth of the pixels will be perceived as a
second two-dimensional image that is perceived by the other eye of
the viewer. The remaining pixels will be dedicated to forming two
additional two-dimensional images that are not perceived by the
user.
[0092] Because the number of perceptible pixels per unit area will
vary from display region to display region based on the type of
image that is being presented in the region, the brightness of each
display region as perceived by a viewer will vary when backlighting
of uniform luminosity is provided. Thus, for example, if
backlighting of uniform luminosity is provided by backlight panel
102, a viewer perceiving a two-dimensional image in a first display
region of display 116 and a three-dimensional image in a second
display region of display 116 will perceive that the
two-dimensional image is brighter than the three-dimensional image.
This disparity in perceived brightness between display regions may
lead to an unsatisfactory viewing experience for a viewer.
[0093] To address this issue, the amount of light emitted by the
individual light sources that make up backlight array 210 can be
selectively controlled so that the brightness associated with each
of a plurality of display regions of display system 116 can also be
controlled. This enables display system 116 to provide a desired
brightness level for each display region automatically and/or in
response to user input. For example, backlight array 210 can be
controlled such that a uniform level of brightness is achieved
across different simultaneously-displayed display regions, even
though the number of perceptible pixels per unit area varies from
display region to display region. As another example, backlight
array 210 can be controlled such that the level of brightness
associated with a particular display region is increased or reduced
without impacting (or without substantially impacting) the
brightness of other simultaneously-displayed display regions.
[0094] To help illustrate this, FIG. 16 depicts a display system
1600 that implements a controllable backlight array as described
immediately above. Display system 1600 comprises one implementation
of display system 200. As shown in FIG. 16, display system 1600
includes a backlight panel 1610, a display panel 1620 and parallax
barrier 300. These elements may be aligned with and positioned
proximate to each other to create an integrated display unit.
[0095] As further shown in FIG. 16, display panel 1620 includes a
pixel array 1622. Each of the pixels in a first portion 1624 of
pixel array 1622 is individually controlled by a pixel array
controller (such as pixel array controller 206 of FIG. 2) to pass a
selected amount of light produced by backlight panel 1610, thereby
producing display-generated light representative of a single
two-dimensional image. Each of the pixels in a second portion 1626
of pixel array 1622 is individually controlled by the pixel array
controller to pass a selected amount of light produced by backlight
panel 1610, thereby producing display-generated light
representative of two two-dimensional images that, when combined by
the brain of a viewer positioned in an appropriate location
relative to display system 1600, will be perceived as a single
three-dimensional image.
[0096] Parallax barrier 300 includes blocking region array 302 that
includes a first portion 1502 and a second portion 1504 as
discussed above in reference to FIG. 15. Blocking region array 302
is aligned with pixel array 1622 such that first portion 1502 of
blocking region array 302 overlays first portion 1624 of pixel
array 1622 and second portion 1504 of blocking region array 302
overlays second portion 1626 of pixel array 1622. Consistent with
the example configuration discussed above in reference to FIG. 15,
a blocking array controller (such as blocking array controller 208
of FIG. 2) causes all the blocking regions within first portion
1502 of blocking region array 302 to be transparent. Thus, the
two-dimensional image generated by the pixels of first portion 1624
of pixel array 1622 will simply be passed through to a viewer in a
viewing space in front of display system 1600 (such as viewing
space 108 in FIG. 2). Also consistent with the example
configuration discussed above in reference to FIG. 15, the blocking
array controller manipulates the blocking regions within second
portion 1504 of blocking region array 302 to form a plurality of
parallel transparent strips alternated with parallel opaque strips,
thereby creating a parallax effect that enables the two
two-dimensional images generated by the pixels of second portion
1626 of pixel array 1622 to be perceived as a three-dimensional
image by a viewer in the viewing space in front of display system
1600.
[0097] Assume that a viewer is positioned such that he/she can
perceive both the two-dimensional image passed by first portion
1502 of blocking region array 302 and the three-dimensional image
formed through parallax by second portion 1504 of blocking region
array 302. As discussed above, the pixels per unit area perceived
by this viewer with respect to the two-dimensional image will be
greater than the pixels per unit area perceived by this viewer with
respect to the three-dimensional image. Thus, the two-dimensional
image will appear brighter to the viewer than the three dimensional
image when backlighting of constant luminosity is provided behind
pixel array 1622.
[0098] To address this issue, backlight panel 1610 includes a
backlight array 1612 comprising an arrangement of individually
addressable and controllable light sources. As shown in FIG. 16,
the light sources are arranged in a rectangular grid although other
arrangements can be used. A backlight array controller (such as
backlight array controller 204 of FIG. 2) causes the light sources
included in a first portion 1614 of backlight array 1612 to emit a
first amount of light and cause the light sources included in a
second portion 1616 of backlight array 1612 to emit a second amount
of light, wherein the second amount of light is different (e.g.,
greater) than the first amount of light. Backlight array 1612 is
aligned with pixel array 1622 such that first portion 1624 of pixel
array 1622 overlays first portion of 1614 of backlight array 1612
and second portion 1626 of pixel array 1622 overlays second portion
1616 of backlight array 1612. By controlling the luminosity of
portions 1614 and 1616 of backlight array 1612 in this manner, the
brightness of the two-dimensional image generated through the
interaction of the pixels in first portion of 1624 of pixel array
1622 and first portion 1502 of blocking region array 302 can be
kept consistent with the brightness of the three-dimensional image
generated through the interaction of the pixels in second portion
1626 of pixel array 1622 and second portion 1504 of blocking region
array 302. That is to say, the luminosity of portion 1616 of
backlight array 1612 can be increased relative to the luminosity of
portion 1614 of backlight array 1612 so that the three-dimensional
image will appear as bright as the two-dimensional image.
[0099] Of course, the arrangement shown in FIG. 16 provides only a
single teaching example. It should be noted that a display system
in accordance with an embodiment can dynamically manipulate pixel
array 1622 and blocking region array 302 in a coordinated fashion
to dynamically and simultaneously create any number of display
regions of different sizes and in different locations, wherein each
of the created display regions can display one of two-dimensional,
three-dimensional or multi-view three-dimensional content. To
accommodate this, backlight array 1612 can also be dynamically
manipulated in a coordinated fashion with pixel array 1622 and
blocking region array 302 to ensure that each display region is
perceived at a desired level of brightness.
[0100] To help illustrate this, FIG. 17 depicts a configuration of
display system 1600 in which pixel array 1622 and blocking region
array 302 have been modified to create different display regions
than those created by the configuration shown in FIG. 16. In
accordance with the example configuration shown in FIG. 17, a first
portion 1722 of pixel array 1622 and a first portion 1732 of
blocking region array 302 have been manipulated to create a first
display region that displays multi-view three-dimensional content,
a second portion 1724 of pixel array 1622 and a second portion 1734
of blocking region array 302 have been manipulated to create a
second display region that displays a three-dimensional image, and
a third portion of 1726 of pixel array 1622 and a third portion
1736 of blocking region array 302 have been manipulated to create a
third display region that displays a two-dimensional image. To
independently control the brightness of each of the first, second
and third display regions, the amount of light emitted by light
sources included within a first portion 1712, a second portion 1714
and a third portion 1716 of backlight array 1612 can respectively
be controlled. For example, the light sources within first portion
1712 may be controlled to provide greater luminosity than the light
sources within second portion 1714 and third portion 1716 as the
number of perceivable pixels per unit area will be smallest in the
first display region with which first portion 1712 is aligned. In
further accordance with this example, the light sources within
second portion 1714 may be controlled to provide greater luminosity
than the light sources within third portion 1716 since the number
of perceivable pixels per unit area will be smaller in the second
display region with which second portion 1714 is aligned than the
third display region with which third portion 1716 is aligned. Of
course, if uniform luminosity is not desired across the various
display regions then other control schemes may be used.
[0101] In the arrangements shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, there is a
one-to-one correspondence between each light source in backlight
array 1612 and every display pixel in pixel array 1622. However,
this need not be the case to achieve regional brightness control.
For example, in certain embodiments, the number of light sources
provided in backlight array 1612 is less than the number of pixels
provided in pixel array 1622. For instance, in one embodiment, a
single light source may be provided in backlight array 1612 for
every N pixels provided in pixel array 1622, wherein N is an
integer greater than 1. In an embodiment in which the number of
light sources in backlight array 1612 is less than the number of
pixels in pixel array 1622, each light source may be arranged so
that it provides backlighting for a particular group of pixels in
pixel array 1622, although this is only an example. In alternate
embodiments, the number of light sources provided in backlight
array 1612 is greater than the number of pixels provided in pixel
array 1622.
[0102] Also, in the examples described above, light sources in
backlight array 1612 are described as being individually
controllable. However, in alternate embodiments, light sources in
backlight array 1612 may only be controllable in groups. This may
facilitate a reduction in the complexity of the control
infrastructure associated with backlight array 210. In still
further embodiments, light sources in backlight array 1612 may be
controllable both individually and in groups.
[0103] It is also noted that although FIGS. 16 and 17 show display
system configurations in which a pixel array is disposed between a
backlight array of individually addressable and controllable light
sources and a blocking region array of an adaptable parallax
barrier, in alternate implementations the blocking region array may
be disposed between the pixel array and the backlight array (see,
e.g., FIG. 1A). In such alternate implementations, selective
control of the luminosity of groups or individual ones of the light
sources in the backlight array may also be used to vary the
backlighting luminosity associated with different display regions
created by the interaction of the backlight array, the blocking
region array and the pixel array.
[0104] A method for operating a display system that utilizes a
backlight panel such as that described above will now be described
with reference to flowchart 1800 of FIG. 18. The method of
flowchart 1800 may be performed, for example, by display system 200
of FIG. 2. However, the method is not limited to that embodiment
and may be implemented by other display systems.
[0105] As shown in FIG. 18, the method of flowchart 1800 begins at
step 1802 in which an amount of light emitted by each light source
in an array of light sources included in a backlight panel is
individually controlled. For example, with reference to system 200
of FIG. 2, backlight array controller 204 may issue a control
signal 216 (which may itself include one or more distinct control
signals) to backlight array 210 included in backlight panel 102 to
individually control an amount of light emitted by each light
source in backlight array 210.
[0106] At step 1804, an amount of light originating from the
backlight panel that is passed by each pixel in an array of pixels
included in a display panel that is disposed proximate to the
backlight panel is controlled. For example, with reference to
system 200 of FIG. 2, pixel array controller 206 may issue a
control signal 218 (which may itself include one or more distinct
control signals) to pixel array 212 included in display panel 104
to control the amount of light originating from backlight panel 102
that is passed by each pixel in pixel array 212.
[0107] At step 1806, an adaptable parallax barrier is operated in
conjunction with the backlight panel and the display panel to
selectively generate one or more two-dimensional or
three-dimensional user-viewable images. In accordance with one
embodiment in which the display panel is disposed between the
backlight panel and the adaptable parallax barrier, this step may
involve controlling the adaptable parallax barrier to filter the
light passed by the pixels in the array of pixels to selectively
generate one or more two-dimensional or three-dimensional images.
For example, with reference to system 200 of FIG. 2, blocking array
controller 208 may issue a control signal 220 (which may itself
include one or more distinct control signals) to blocking region
array 214 of parallax barrier 106 to cause blocking region array
214 to filter the light passed by the pixels in pixel array 212 to
selectively generate one or more two-dimensional or
three-dimensional images. These images may be viewable by users 222
located in viewing space 108. In accordance with an alternative
embodiment in which the adaptable parallax barrier is disposed
between the backlight panel and the display panel, this step may
involve controlling the adaptable parallax barrier to filter the
light passed by the backlight panel to the pixels in the array of
pixels to selectively generate one or more two-dimensional or
three-dimensional images.
[0108] The method described above in reference to flowchart 1800 of
FIG. 18 may advantageously be used to independently control the
brightness of different display regions generated by a display
system to simultaneously display corresponding two-dimensional
images, three-dimensional images, and multi-view three-dimensional
content. To help illustrate this, FIG. 19 depicts a flowchart 1900
of a method that represents a particular implementation of
flowchart 1800 of FIG. 18. Like the method of flowchart 1800, the
method of flowchart 1900 may be performed by display system 200 of
FIG. 2, although the method may also be implemented by other
display systems.
[0109] As shown in FIG. 19, the method of flowchart 1900 begins at
step 1902 in which an adaptable parallax barrier is operated in
conjunction with a backlight panel and a display panel to generate
first user-viewable content in a first display region associated
with a first subset of pixels in the array of pixels and to
simultaneously generate second user-viewable content in a second
display region associated with a second subset of pixels in the
array of pixels. Step 1902 may represent, for example, one manner
of performing step 1806 of flowchart 1800. With respect to example
display system 200 of FIG. 2, this step may be carried out, for
example, when blocking array controller 208 issues a control signal
220 (which may itself include one or more distinct control signals)
to blocking region array 214 of parallax barrier 106 to cause
blocking region array 214 to filter the light passed by a first
subset of pixels in pixel array 212 to generate first user-viewable
content in a first display region and to simultaneously filter
light passed by a second subset of pixels in pixel array 212 to
generate second user-viewable content in a second display region.
Examples of such display regions are shown, for example, in FIGS.
16 and 17. For example, in FIG. 16, first portion 1502 of blocking
region array 302 filters first portion 1624 of pixel array 1622
(which is analogous to the first subset of pixels referred to
above) to form a first display region that provides first
user-viewable content in the form of a two-dimensional image.
Likewise, in FIG. 16, second portion 1504 of blocking region array
302 filters second portion 1626 of pixel array 1622 (which is
analogous to the second subset of pixels referred to above) to form
a second display region that provides second user-viewable content
in the form of at least one three-dimensional image.
[0110] At step 1904, a first subset of an array of light sources is
controlled to define a first backlight region having first
brightness characteristics, the first backlight region being
aligned with the first display region. Step 1904 may represent, for
example, a step performed as part of performing step 1802 of
flowchart 1800. With respect to example display system 200 of FIG.
2, this step may be carried out when backlight array controller 204
issues a control signal 216 (which may itself include one or more
distinct control signals) to backlight array 210 included in
backlight panel 102 to control the amount of light emitted by each
light source in a first subset of the light sources in backlight
array 210. An example of such a subset of light sources is first
portion 1614 of backlight array 1612 which is controlled to provide
a desired level of brightness to a first display region with which
it is aligned, wherein the first display region is formed through
the interaction of first portion 1624 of pixel array 1622 and first
portion 1502 of blocking region array 302.
[0111] At step 1906, a second subset of the array of light sources
is controlled to define a second backlight region having second
brightness characteristics, the second backlight region being
aligned with the second display region. Step 1906 may represent,
for example, another step performed as part of performing step 1802
of flowchart 1800. With respect to example display system 200 of
FIG. 2, this step may be carried out when backlight array
controller 204 issues a control signal 216 (which may itself
include one or more distinct control signals) to backlight array
210 included in backlight panel 102 to control the amount of light
emitted by each light source in a second subset of the light
sources in backlight array 210. An example of such a subset of
light sources is second portion 1616 of backlight array 1612 which
is controlled to provide a desired level of brightness to a second
display region with which it is aligned, wherein the second display
region is formed through the interaction of second portion 1626 of
pixel array 1622 and second portion 1504 of blocking region array
302.
[0112] Although the foregoing method describes the definition of
first and second backlight regions having different brightness
characteristics, persons skilled in the relevant art(s) will
readily appreciate that embodiments described herein are capable of
defining any number of backlight regions having different
brightness characteristics as needed to support any number of
display regions.
[0113] In one embodiment, the first user-viewable content
referenced in the foregoing method comprises a two-dimensional
image and the second user-viewable content comprises a
three-dimensional image. Since the number of viewable pixels per
unit area will be less for a three-dimensional image than for a
two-dimensional image, the foregoing method can advantageously be
used to increase the backlighting in a region behind the pixels
that are used to form the three-dimensional image relative to the
backlighting in a region behind the pixels that are used to form
the two-dimensional image, thereby reducing a perceived disparity
in brightness between the two images.
[0114] In another embodiment, the first user-viewable content
referenced in the foregoing method comprises a three-dimensional
image and the second user-viewable content comprises multi-view
three-dimensional content. Since the number of viewable pixels per
unit area will be less for multi-view three-dimensional content
than for a single three-dimensional image, the foregoing method can
advantageously be used to increase the backlighting in a region
behind the pixels that are used to form the multi-view
three-dimensional content relative to the backlighting in a region
behind the pixels that are used to form the three-dimensional
image, thereby reducing a perceived disparity in brightness between
the multi-view three-dimensional content and the three-dimensional
image.
[0115] The regional backlighting capability described above can
also advantageously be used to independently control the perceived
brightness of the first user-viewable content and the second
user-viewable content. Such independent control may be performed
automatically in accordance with a predefined brightness control
scheme and/or in response to user input received by the display
system. It is further noted that the regional backlighting
capability described above can advantageously be used in display
system configurations in accordance with that shown in FIG. 1A
(display panel disposed between backlighting panel and adaptable
parallax barrier) and also in display system configurations in
accordance with that shown in FIG. 1B (adaptable parallax barrier
disposed between backlighting panel and display panel).
IV. Example Alternative Regional Brightness Control Schemes
[0116] The foregoing section described a system and method for
controlling the brightness of different simultaneously-displayed
display regions of a display system based on the use of a backlight
array comprising a plurality of individually-controllable light
sources. An alternative embodiment for achieving independent
region-by-region brightness control will now be described that may
be used in display systems that do not include such a backlight
array. A block diagram of such a display system, denoted display
system 2000, is shown in FIG. 20.
[0117] Display system 2000 of FIG. 20 is another example
implementation of system 100 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 20,
display system 2000 includes a display controller 2002 and display
device 116 (which includes backlight panel 102, display panel 104
and parallax barrier 106). As further shown in FIG. 20, display
panel 104 includes a pixel array 2010 and parallax barrier 106
includes a blocking region array 2012. Furthermore, display
controller 2002 includes a backlight controller 2004, a pixel array
controller 2006, and a blocking array controller 2008.
[0118] Unlike the backlight panel shown in system 200 of FIG. 2,
backlight panel 102 in system 2000 does not include a backlight
array of independently-controllable light sources. Rather,
backlight panel 102 in system 2000 is intended to represent a
conventional backlight panel that is designed to produce a sheet of
light of uniform luminosity for illuminating pixels in pixel array
2010. Thus, in system 2000, backlight panel 102 comprises one or
more light source(s), the brightness of which may only be
controlled in unison by backlight controller 2004 through the
transmission of a control signal 2014 (which may itself comprise
one or more distinct control signals). For example, backlight
controller 2004 may cause the light source(s) included in backlight
panel 102 to be turned on or off in unison or may cause the light
emitted by each light source(s) included in backlight panel 102 to
be increased or reduced in unison.
[0119] Pixel array 2010 is analogous to pixel array 212 described
above in detail in reference to system 200 of FIG. 2. As such, each
pixel in pixel array 2010 is individually addressable and
controllable to select an amount of light originating from
backlight panel 102 that will be passed thereby, thus allowing the
intensity of each pixel to be varied.
[0120] Parallax barrier 106 is positioned proximate to a surface of
pixel array 2010. Blocking region array 2012 is a layer of parallax
barrier 106 that includes a plurality of blocking regions arranged
in an array and is analogous to blocking region array 214 as
described above in reference to system 200 of FIG. 2. Thus, each
blocking region of blocking region array 2012 is configured to be
selectively opaque or transparent.
[0121] Display controller 2002 is configured to generate control
signals to enable display device 116 to display two-dimensional and
three-dimensional images to users 2020 in viewing space 108. For
example, pixel array controller 2006 (which is analogous to pixel
array controller 206 described above in reference to system 200 of
FIG. 2) is configured to generate a control signal 2016 that is
received by pixel array 2010. Control signal 2016 may include one
or more control signals used to cause pixels of pixel array 2010 to
emit display-generated light 112 of particular desired colors
and/or intensity. Blocking array controller 2008 (which is
analogous to blocking array controller 208 described above in
reference to system 200 of FIG. 2) is configured to generate a
control signal 2018 that is received by blocking region array 2012.
Control signal 2018 may include one or more control signals used to
cause each of the blocking regions of blocking region array 2012 to
be transparent or opaque. In this manner, blocking region array
2012 filters display-generated light 112 to generate filtered light
114 that includes one or more two-dimensional and/or
three-dimensional images that may be viewed by users 2020 in
viewing space 108.
[0122] As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant
art(s) based on the teachings provided herein, system 2000 may be
utilized to simultaneously display two-dimensional and
three-dimensional images in different display regions by
selectively modifying portions of blocking region array 2012 that
correspond to different areas of pixel array 2010. As discussed
above, a viewer that is capable of simultaneously viewing a
two-dimensional image in a first display region and a
three-dimensional image in a second display region will perceive a
different number of pixels per unit area in each display region.
This will result in each display region having a different
perceived brightness when backlighting of uniform luminosity is
provided by backlight panel 102, which may lead to an
unsatisfactory viewing experience for a viewer.
[0123] To address this issue, the amount of light passed by the
individual pixels that make up pixel array 2010 can be selectively
controlled so that the brightness associated with each of a
plurality of display regions of display system 116 can also be
controlled. This enables display system 116 to provide a desired
brightness level for each display region automatically and/or in
response to user input. For example, the intensity of the pixels in
pixel array 2010 can be controlled such that a uniform level of
brightness is achieved across different simultaneously-displayed
display regions, even though the number of perceptible pixels per
unit area varies from display region to display region. As another
example, the intensity of the pixels in pixel array 2010 can be
controlled such that the level of brightness associated with a
particular display region is increased or reduced without impacting
(or without substantially impacting) the brightness of other
simultaneously-displayed display regions.
[0124] To help illustrate this, FIG. 21 depicts a display system
2100 that implements a regional brightness control scheme based on
pixel intensity as described immediately above. Display system 2100
comprises one implementation of display system 2000. As shown in
FIG. 21, display system 2100 includes a display panel 2102 and a
parallax barrier 2112. Display panel 2102 is one example of display
panel 104 of FIG. 20 while parallax barrier 2112 is one example of
parallax barrier 106 of FIG. 20. Display system 2100 also includes
a backlight panel, although this element is not shown in FIG. 21
for ease of illustration. These elements may be aligned with and
positioned proximate to each other to create an integrated display
unit.
[0125] As further shown in FIG. 21, display panel 2102 includes a
pixel array 2104. Each of the pixels in a first portion 2106 of
pixel array 2104 is individually controlled by a pixel array
controller (such as pixel array controller 2006 of FIG. 20) to pass
a selected amount of light produced by a backlight panel (not shown
in FIG. 20), thereby producing display-generated light
representative of a single two-dimensional image. Each of the
pixels in a second portion 2108 of pixel array 2104 is individually
controlled by the pixel array controller to pass a selected amount
of light produced by the backlight panel, thereby producing
display-generated light representative of two two-dimensional
images that, when combined by the brain of a viewer positioned in
an appropriate location relative to display system 2100, will be
perceived as a single three-dimensional image.
[0126] Parallax barrier 2112 includes blocking region array 2114
that includes a first portion 2116 and a second portion 2118.
Blocking region array 2114 is aligned with pixel array 2104 such
that first portion 2116 of blocking region array 2114 overlays
first portion 2106 of pixel array 2104 and second portion 2118 of
blocking region array 2112 overlays second portion 2108 of pixel
array 2104. A blocking array controller (such as blocking array
controller 2008 of FIG. 20) causes all the blocking regions within
first portion 2116 of blocking region array 2114 to be transparent.
Thus, the two-dimensional image generated by the pixels of first
portion 2106 of pixel array 2104 will simply be passed through to a
viewer in a viewing space in front of display system 2100 (such as
viewing space 108 in FIG. 20). Furthermore, the blocking array
controller manipulates the blocking regions within second portion
2118 of blocking region array 2114 to form a plurality of parallel
transparent strips alternated with parallel opaque strips, thereby
creating a parallax effect that enables the two two-dimensional
images generated by the pixels of second portion 2108 of pixel
array 2104 to be perceived as a three-dimensional image by a viewer
in the viewing space in front of display system 2100.
[0127] Assume that a viewer is positioned such that he/she can
perceive both the two-dimensional image passed by first portion
2116 of blocking region array 2114 and the three-dimensional image
formed through parallax by second portion 2118 of blocking region
array 2114. As discussed above, the pixels per unit area perceived
by this viewer with respect to the two-dimensional image will be
greater than the pixels per unit area perceived by this viewer with
respect to the three-dimensional image. Thus, the two-dimensional
image will appear brighter to the viewer than the three dimensional
image when backlighting of constant luminosity is provided behind
pixel array 2104.
[0128] To address this issue, the pixel array controller may
selectively cause the pixels included in first portion 2106 of
pixel array 2104 to pass less light from the backlight panel (i.e.,
become less intense), thereby reducing the brightness of the
two-dimensional image produced from the pixels in first portion
2106 of pixel array 2104. Alternatively or additionally, the pixel
array controller may selectively cause the pixels included in
second portion 2108 of pixel array 2104 to pass more light from the
backlight panel (i.e., become more intense), thereby increasing the
brightness of the three-dimensional image produced from the pixels
in second portion 2108 of pixel array 2104. By controlling the
intensity of the pixels in portions 2106 and 2108 of pixel array
2104 in this manner, the brightness of the two-dimensional image
produced from the pixels in first portion 2106 of pixel array 2104
and the brightness of the three-dimensional image produced from the
pixels in second portion 2108 of pixel array 2104 can be kept
consistent. Additionally, by providing independent control over the
intensity of the pixels in portions 2106 and 2108 of pixel array
2104, independent control over the brightness of the
two-dimensional and three-dimensional images generated therefrom
can also be achieved.
[0129] Of course, the arrangement shown in FIG. 21 provides only a
single teaching example. It should be noted that a display system
in accordance with an embodiment can dynamically manipulate pixel
array 2104 and blocking region array 2114 in a coordinated fashion
to dynamically and simultaneously create any number of display
regions of different sizes and in different locations, wherein each
of the created display regions can display one of two-dimensional,
three-dimensional or multi-view three-dimensional content. To
accommodate this, the intensity of the pixels in pixel array 2104
can also be dynamically manipulated in a coordinated fashion to
ensure that each display region is perceived at a desired level of
brightness.
[0130] A method for operating a display system that utilizes a
regional brightness control scheme based on pixel intensity such as
that described above will now be described with reference to
flowchart 2200 of FIG. 22. The method of flowchart 2200 may be
performed, for example, by display system 2000 of FIG. 20. However,
the method is not limited to that embodiment and may be implemented
by other display systems.
[0131] As shown in FIG. 22, the method of flowchart 2000 begins at
step 2202 in which an adaptable parallax barrier is operated in
conjunction with an array of pixels in a display panel and a
backlight panel to generate first user-viewable content in a first
display region associated with a first subset of pixels in the
array of pixels and to generate second user-viewable content in a
second display region associated with a second subset of pixels in
the array of pixels. In accordance with one embodiment in which the
display panel is disposed between the backlight panel and the
adaptable parallax barrier, step 2202 may involve controlling the
adaptable parallax barrier to filter the light passed by the first
subset of pixels in the array of pixels to generate the first
user-viewable content in the first display region and to filter the
light passed by the second subset of pixels in the array of pixels
to generate the second user-viewable content in the second display
region. With respect to example display system 2000 of FIG. 20,
this step may be carried out when blocking array controller 2008
issues a control signal 2018 (which may itself include one or more
distinct control signals) to blocking region array 2012 of parallax
barrier 106 to cause blocking region array 2012 to filter the light
passed by a first subset of pixels in pixel array 2010 to generate
first user-viewable content in a first display region and to filter
the light passed by a second subset of pixels in pixel array 2010
to generate second user-viewable content in a second display
region. With reference to the example of FIG. 21, the first subset
of pixels may be first portion 2106 of pixel array 2104 and the
first user-viewable content may be the two-dimensional image formed
by those pixels. Also, with continued reference to the example of
FIG. 21, the second subset of pixels may be second portion 2108 of
pixel array 2104 and the second user-viewable content may be the
three-dimensional image formed by those pixels in conjunction with
second portion 2118 of blocking region array 2114. In accordance
with one embodiment in which the adaptable parallax barrier is
disposed between the backlight panel and the display panel, step
2202 may involve controlling the adaptable parallax barrier to
filter the light passed by the backlight panel to the first subset
of pixels in the array of pixels to generate the first
user-viewable content in the first display region and to filter the
light passed by the backlight panel to the second subset of pixels
in the array of pixels to generate the second user-viewable content
in the second display region.
[0132] At step 2204, the amount of light passed by one or more
pixels in the first subset of pixels is selectively increased or
reduced to increase or reduce the brightness of the first display
region. This step may be performed based on the type of content
(e.g., two-dimensional content, three-dimensional content,
multi-view three-dimensional content) being displayed by the first
display region. With respect to example display system 2000 of FIG.
20, this step may be carried out when pixel array controller 2006
issues a control signal 2016 (which may itself include one or more
distinct control signals) to pixel array 2010 that causes the
amount of light passed by one or more pixels in the first subset of
pixels of pixel array 2010 to be increased or reduced. With
reference to the example of FIG. 21, this step may involve
increasing or reducing the amount of light passed by one or more
pixels in first portion 2106 of pixel array 2104.
[0133] At step 2206, the amount of light passed by one or more
pixels in the second subset of pixels is selectively increased or
reduced to increase or reduce the brightness of the second display
region. This step may be performed based on the type of content
(e.g., two-dimensional content, three-dimensional content,
multi-view three-dimensional content) being displayed by the second
display region. With respect to example display system 2000 of FIG.
20, this step may be carried out when pixel array controller 2006
issues a control signal 2006 (which may itself include one or more
distinct control signals) to pixel array 2010 that causes the
amount of light passed by one or more pixels in the second subset
of pixels of pixel array 2010 to be increased or reduced. With
reference to the example of FIG. 21, this step may involve
increasing or reducing the amount of light passed by one or more
pixels in second portion 2108 of pixel array 2104.
[0134] The method described above in reference to flowchart 2200 of
FIG. 22 may advantageously be used to independently control the
brightness of different display regions generated by a display
system to simultaneously display corresponding two-dimensional
images, three-dimensional images, and multi-view three-dimensional
content. Although the foregoing method describes controlling the
brightness of first and second display regions, persons skilled in
the relevant art(s) will readily appreciate that embodiments
described herein are capable of controlling the brightness of any
number of display regions.
[0135] In one embodiment, the first user-viewable content
referenced in the foregoing method comprises a two-dimensional
image and the second user-viewable content comprises a
three-dimensional image. Since the number of viewable pixels per
unit area will be less for a three-dimensional image than for a
two-dimensional image, the foregoing method can advantageously be
used to increase the intensity of the pixels that are used to form
the three-dimensional image and/or reduce the intensity of the
pixels that are used to form the two-dimensional image, thereby
reducing a perceived disparity in brightness between the two
images.
[0136] In another embodiment, the first user-viewable content
referenced in the foregoing method comprises a three-dimensional
image and the second user-viewable content comprises multi-view
three-dimensional content. Since the number of viewable pixels per
unit area will be less for multi-view three-dimensional content
than for a single three-dimensional image, the foregoing method can
advantageously be used to increase the intensity of the pixels that
are used to form the multi-view three-dimensional content and/or
reduce the intensity of the pixels that are used to form the
three-dimensional image, thereby reducing a perceived disparity in
brightness between the multi-view three-dimensional content and the
three-dimensional image.
[0137] The regional brightness control capability described above
can also advantageously be used to independently control the
perceived brightness of the first user-viewable content and the
second user-viewable content. Such independent control may be
performed automatically in accordance with a predefined brightness
control scheme and/or in response to user input received by the
display system.
[0138] In one embodiment, a regional brightness control scheme
combines the use of a backlight array of independently-controllable
light sources as described in the preceding section with regional
pixel intensity control. The advantages of such a control scheme
will now be described with reference to FIG. 23. FIG. 23
illustrates a front perspective view of display panel 1620, which
was described above in reference to FIG. 16. Consistent with the
description of FIG. 16 provided above, display panel 1620 includes
a pixel array 1622 that includes a first portion 1624 and a second
portion 1626, wherein each of first portion 1624 and second portion
1626 includes a different subset of the pixels in pixel array 1622.
As further described above in reference to FIG. 16, first portion
1624 of pixel array 1622 is illuminated by backlighting provided by
an aligned first portion 1614 of backlight array 1612, which is a
component of backlight panel 1610 (not shown in FIG. 23). Second
portion 1626 of pixel array 1622 is illuminated by backlighting
provided by an aligned second portion 1616 of backlight array 1612.
In one example the amount of light emitted by each light source in
second portion 1616 of backlight array 1612 to illuminate second
portion 1626 of pixel array 1622 is controlled such that it is
greater than the amount of light emitted by each light source in
first portion 1614 of backlight array 1612 to illuminate first
portion 1624 of pixel array 1622. This control scheme may be
applied, for example, to cause images formed from the different
portions of pixel array 1622 to appear to have a uniform brightness
level.
[0139] However, the difference in the amount of light emitted by
each light source in first and second portions 1614 and 1616 of
backlight array 1612 to illuminate corresponding first and second
portions 1624 and 1626 of pixel array 1624 may also give rise to
undesired visual artifacts. In particular, the difference may cause
pixels in boundary areas immediately outside of second portion 1626
of pixel array 1622 to appear brighter than desired in relation to
other pixels in first portion 1624 of pixel array 1622. For
example, as shown in FIG. 23, the pixels in boundary area 2302
immediately outside of second portion 1626 of pixel array 1622 may
appear brighter than desired in relation to other pixels in first
portion 1624 of pixel array 1622. This may be due to the fact that
the increased luminosity provided by the light sources in second
portion 1616 of backlight array 1612 has "spilled over" to impact
the pixels in boundary area 2302, causing those pixels to be
brighter than desired. Conversely, the difference may cause pixels
in boundary areas immediately inside of second portion 1626 of
pixel array 1622 to appear dimmer than desired in relation to other
pixels in second portion 1626 of pixel array 1622. For example, as
shown in FIG. 23, the pixels in boundary area 2304 immediately
inside of second portion 1626 of pixel array 1622 may appear dimmer
than desired in relation to other pixels in second portion 1626 of
pixel array 1622. This may be due to the fact that the reduced
luminosity of the light sources in second portion 1616 of backlight
array 1612 has "spilled over" to impact the pixels in boundary area
2304, causing those pixels to be dimmer than desired.
[0140] To address this issue, an embodiment may selectively control
the amount of light passed by the pixels located in boundary region
2302 or boundary region 2304 to compensate for the undesired visual
effects. For example, with respect to example display system 200
described above in reference to FIG. 2, pixel array controller 206
may selectively cause the pixels included in boundary area 2302 of
pixel array 1622 to pass less light from the backlight panel (i.e.,
become less intense), thereby reducing the brightness of the pixels
in boundary area 2302, thus compensating for an undesired increase
in brightness due to "spill over" from light sources in second
portion 1616 of backlight array 1612. Alternatively or
additionally, pixel array controller 206 may selectively cause the
pixels included in boundary area 2304 of pixel array 1622 to pass
more light from the backlight panel (i.e., become more intense),
thereby increasing the brightness of the pixels in boundary area
2304, thus compensating for an undesired reduction in brightness
due to "spill over" from light sources in first portion 1614 of
backlight array 1612. By controlling the intensity of the pixels in
boundary areas 2302 and 2304 in this manner, the undesired visual
effects described above that can arise from the use of a backlight
array to provide regional brightness control can be mitigated or
avoided entirely.
[0141] The illustration provided in FIG. 23 provides only one
example of undesired visual effects that can arise from the use of
a backlight array to provide regional brightness control. Persons
skilled in the relevant art(s) will appreciate that many different
display regions having many different brightness characteristics
can be simultaneously generated by a display system in accordance
with embodiments, thereby giving rise to different undesired visual
effects relating to the brightness of boundary areas inside and
outside of the different display regions. In each case, the
intensity of pixels located in such boundaries areas can be
selectively increased or reduced to mitigate or avoid such
undesired visual effects.
[0142] A method for implementing regional brightness control in a
display system that combines the use of a backlight array of
independently-controllable light sources with regional pixel
intensity control such as that discussed above will now be
described with reference to flowchart 2400 of FIG. 24. The method
of flowchart 2400 may be performed, for example, by display system
200 of FIG. 2. However, the method is not limited to that
embodiment and may be implemented by other display systems.
[0143] As shown in FIG. 24, the method of flowchart 2400 begins at
step 2402 in which an adaptable parallax barrier is operated in
conjunction with a display panel that includes an array of pixels
and a backlight panel that includes an array of light sources to
generate first user-viewable content in a first display region
associated with a first pixel region in the array of pixels and to
simultaneously generate second user-viewable content in a second
display region associated with a second pixel region in the array
of pixels to, the second pixel region being adjacent to the first
pixel region. In accordance with an example embodiment in which the
display panel is disposed between the backlight panel and the
adaptable parallax barrier, this step may involve controlling the
adaptable parallax barrier to filter light passed by the first
pixel region in the array of pixels to generate the first
user-viewable content in the first display region and to
simultaneously filter light passed by the second pixel region in
the array of pixels to generate the second user-viewable content in
the second display region, the second pixel region being adjacent
to the first pixel region. Each of the first and second pixel
regions may comprise a different subset of pixels in the array of
pixels. With respect to example display system 200 of FIG. 2, this
step may be carried out when blocking array controller 208 issues a
control signal 220 (which may itself include one or more distinct
control signals) to blocking region array 214 of parallax barrier
106 to cause blocking region array 214 to filter the light passed
by a first pixel region in pixel array 212 to generate first
user-viewable content in a first display region and to
simultaneously filter light passed by a second pixel region in
pixel array 212 that is adjacent to the first pixel region to
generate second user-viewable content in a second display region.
Examples of such display regions are shown, for example, in FIGS.
16 and 17. For example, in FIG. 16, first portion 1502 of blocking
region array 302 filters first portion 1624 of pixel array 1622
(which is analogous to the first pixel region referred to above) to
form a first display region that provides first user-viewable
content in the form of a two-dimensional image. Likewise, in FIG.
16, second portion 1504 of blocking region array 302 filters second
portion 1626 of pixel array 1622 (which is adjacent to first
portion 1624 of pixel array 1622 and is analogous to the second
pixel region referred to above) to form a second display region
that provides second user-viewable content in the form of at least
one three-dimensional image.
[0144] At step 2404, a first subset of an array of light sources is
controlled to define a first backlight region having first
brightness characteristics, the first backlight region being
aligned with the first display region. With respect to example
display system 200 of FIG. 2, this step may be carried out when
backlight array controller 204 issues a control signal 216 (which
may itself include one or more distinct control signals) to
backlight array 210 included in backlight panel 102 to control the
amount of light emitted by each light source in a first subset of
the light sources in backlight array 210. An example of such a
subset of light sources is first portion 1614 of backlight array
1612 which is controlled to provide a desired level of brightness
to a first display region with which it is aligned, wherein the
first display region is formed through the interaction of first
portion 1624 of pixel array 1622 and first portion 1502 of blocking
region array 302.
[0145] At step 2406, a second subset of the array of light sources
is controlled to define a second backlight region having second
brightness characteristics, the second backlight region being
aligned with the second display region. With respect to example
display system 200 of FIG. 2, this step may be carried out when
backlight array controller 204 issues a control signal 216 (which
may itself include one or more distinct control signals) to
backlight array 210 included in backlight panel 102 to control the
amount of light emitted by each light source in a second subset of
the light sources in backlight array 210. An example of such a
subset of light sources is second portion 1616 of backlight array
1612 which is controlled to provide a desired level of brightness
to a second display region with which it is aligned, wherein the
second display region is formed through the interaction of second
portion 1626 of pixel array 1622 and second portion 1504 of
blocking region array 302.
[0146] At step 2408, an amount of light passed by at least one
pixel in a perimeter area of the first pixel region is selectively
increased or reduced based on the brightness characteristics of one
or both of the first backlight region and the second backlight
region. With respect to example display system 200 of FIG. 2, this
step may be carried out when pixel array controller 206 issues a
control signal 218 (which may itself include one or more distinct
control signals) to pixel array 212 that causes the amount of light
passed by one or more pixels in a perimeter area of the first pixel
region in pixel array 212 to be selectively increased or reduced
based on the brightness characteristics of one or both of the first
backlight region and the second backlight region. With reference to
the example of FIG. 23, this step may involve selectively
increasing or reducing the amount of light passed by one or more
pixels in boundary areas 2302 or 2304 to negate or reduce a "spill
over" effect that results from a disparity in the amount of light
emitted by first portion 1614 and second portion 1616 of backlight
array 1612. Depending upon the implementation, the amount by which
the intensity of a pixel in a perimeter area is increased or
reduced may be based upon a measure of disparity between the
brightness of adjacent pixels, adjacent backlights, adjacent pixel
regions and/or adjacent backlight regions. In still further
embodiments, the amount by which the intensity of a pixel in a
perimeter area is increased or reduced may be based on additional
or alternative measures or factors.
[0147] In an alternative implementation, backlight panel 102
further comprises a grating structure that limits an amount of
light dispersed by each of the light sources in backlight array
210, thereby mitigating or avoiding the "spill over" problem
described above. FIG. 25 illustrates a display system 2500 that
includes such a grating structure. In particular, FIG. 25 is an
exploded view of a display system 2500 that includes a backlight
panel 2510 that comprises a backlight array 2512 of
independently-controllable light sources 2514 and a grating
structure 2520. Grating structure 2520 is disposed in front of
backlight array 2512 and aligned with backlight array 2512 in such
a manner that individual openings 2522 in grating structure 2520
align with individual light sources 2514 in backlight array 2512.
Each opening 2522 acts to partially block the transmission of light
from a corresponding light source so that the light will not
illuminate pixels other than the pixel directly in front of the
light source or so that the amount of light that reaches such other
pixels is reduced. FIG. 26 is a partial view of grating structure
2520 that provides a larger view of an individual opening 2522.
[0148] Although grating structure 2520 shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 is
shown to have square openings 2522, persons skilled in the relevant
art(s) will appreciate that openings having other shapes may be
used to perform the function of partially block the light emitted
by the light sources in backlight array 2512. For example, circular
openings, triangular openings, hexagonal openings, octagonal
openings, or other shaped openings may be used. Furthermore,
although grating structure 2520 shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 is
structured such that each opening is aligned with a single light
source in backlight array 2512, in other embodiments a single
opening may be aligned with a plurality of light sources in light
source array. In other words, an opening in the grating structure
may be used to limit the amount of light dispersed by a group of
light sources rather than a single light source.
[0149] In one embodiment, grating structure 2520 is disposed
directly on top of backlight array 2512. In alternate embodiments,
grating structure 2520 is disposed in front of backlight array but
not directly on top of backlight array 2512.
[0150] In alternate embodiments, a regional brightness control
scheme is implemented in a display system that does not include a
backlight panel at all, but instead utilizes a display panel
comprising an array of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) or
polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs) which function as display
pixels and also provide their own illumination. FIG. 27 is a block
diagram of an example display system 2700 in accordance with such
an embodiment. Display system 2700 includes a display device 2712
that is capable of simultaneously displaying two-dimensional
images, three-dimensional images and multi-view three-dimensional
content via different display regions.
[0151] As shown in FIG. 27, display device 2712 includes a display
panel 2702 and a parallax barrier 2704. Display panel 2702 emits
display-generated light 2708, which includes image information.
Display-generated light 2708 is received by parallax barrier 2704,
which filters display-generated light 2708 to pass filtered light
2710. For instance, parallax barrier 2704 may filter
display-generated light 2708 with a plurality of barrier regions
that are selectively opaque or transparent. Filtered light 2710
includes a plurality of images formed from the image information
included in display-generated light 2708. For example, filtered
light 2710 may include one or more two-dimensional images and/or
one or more three-dimensional images. Filtered light 2710 is
received in a viewing space 2706 proximate to display device 2712.
One or more users may be present in viewing space 2706 to view the
two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional images included in
filtered light 2710.
[0152] As shown in FIG. 27, display panel 2702 includes an
OLED/PLED pixel array 2714. OLED/PLED pixel array 2714 comprises an
array of OLEDs or PLEDs, each of which is individually addressable
and controllable to selectively produce light of a desired color
and intensity. Unlike the LCD pixels described above, OLED/PLED
pixels provide their own illumination and thus require no
backlight.
[0153] Parallax barrier 2704 is positioned proximate to a surface
of OLED/PLED pixel array 2714 and includes a blocking region array
2716. Blocking region array 2716 is a layer of parallax barrier
2704 that includes a plurality of blocking regions arranged in an
array and is analogous to blocking region array 214 as described
above in reference to system 200 of FIG. 2. Thus, each blocking
region of blocking region array 2716 is configured to be
selectively opaque or transparent.
[0154] Display system 2700 also includes a display controller 2720
that includes a pixel array controller 2722 and a blocking array
controller 2724. Display controller 2720 is configured to generate
control signals to enable display device 2712 to display
two-dimensional and three-dimensional images to users 2726 in
viewing space 2706. For example, pixel array controller 2722 is
configured to generate a control signal 2730 that is received by
OLED/PLED pixel array 2714. Control signal 2730 may include one or
more control signals used to cause pixels of OLED/PLED pixel array
2714 to emit display-generated light 2708 of particular desired
colors and/or intensity. Blocking array controller 2724 (which is
analogous to blocking array controller 208 described above in
reference to system 200 of FIG. 2) is configured to generate a
control signal 2732 that is received by blocking region array 2716.
Control signal 2732 may include one or more control signals used to
cause each of the blocking regions of blocking region array 2716 to
be transparent or opaque. In this manner, blocking region array
2716 filters display-generated light 2708 to generate filtered
light 2710 that includes one or more two-dimensional and/or
three-dimensional images that may be viewed by users 2726 in
viewing space 2706.
[0155] As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant
art(s) based on the teachings provided herein, system 2700 may be
utilized to simultaneously display two-dimensional and
three-dimensional images in different display regions by
selectively modifying portions of blocking region array 2716 that
correspond to different areas of OLED/PLED pixel array 2714. As
discussed above, a viewer that is capable of simultaneously viewing
a two-dimensional image in a first display region and a
three-dimensional image in a second display region will perceive a
different number of pixels per unit area in each display region.
This will result in each display region having a different
perceived brightness when a uniform display-wide luminosity scheme
is implemented by the pixels in OLED/PLED pixel array 2714, which
may lead to an unsatisfactory viewing experience for a viewer.
[0156] To address this issue, the amount of light emitted by the
individual OLED/PLED pixels that make up OLED/PLED pixel array 2714
can be selectively controlled so that the brightness associated
with each of a plurality of display regions of display system 2712
can also be controlled. This enables display system 2712 to provide
a desired brightness level for each display region automatically
and/or in response to user input. For example, OLED/PLED pixel
array 2714 can be controlled such that a uniform level of
brightness is achieved across different simultaneously-displayed
display regions, even though the number of perceptible pixels per
unit area varies from display region to display region. As another
example, OLED/PLED pixel array 2714 can be controlled such that the
level of brightness associated with a particular display region is
increased or reduced without impacting (or without substantially
impacting) the brightness of other simultaneously-displayed display
regions.
[0157] A method for operating a display system that implements a
regional brightness control scheme by controlling the amount of
light emitted by OLED/PLED pixels such as that described above will
now be described with reference to flowchart 2800 of FIG. 28. The
method of flowchart 2800 may be performed, for example, by display
system 2700 of FIG. 27. However, the method is not limited to that
embodiment and may be implemented by other display systems.
[0158] As shown in FIG. 28, the method of flowchart 2800 begins at
step 2802 in which a first subset of LEDs in an array of LEDs in a
display panel is controlled to define a first pixel region having
first brightness characteristics. With respect to example display
system 2700 of FIG. 27, this step may be carried out when pixel
array controller 2722 issues a control signal 2730 (which may
itself include one or more distinct control signals) to OLED/PLED
pixel array 2714 to cause a first subset of the pixels in OLED/PLED
pixel array 2714 to produce display-generated light representative
of one or more images at a first desired brightness level.
[0159] At step 2804, a second subset of LEDs in the array of LEDs
is controlled to define a second pixel region having second
brightness characteristics. With respect to example display system
2700 of FIG. 27, this step may be carried out when pixel array
controller 2722 issues a control signal 2730 (which may itself
include one or more distinct control signals) to OLED/PLED pixel
array 2714 to cause a second subset of the pixels in OLED/PLED
pixel array 2714 to produce display-generated light representative
of one or more images at a second desired brightness level.
[0160] At step 2806, an adaptable parallax barrier that is
positioned proximate to the display panel is configured to filter
light emitted by the first pixel region to form first user-viewable
content and to simultaneously filter light emitted by the second
pixel region to form second user-viewable content. With respect to
example display system 2700 of FIG. 27, this step may be carried
out when blocking array controller 2724 issues a control signal
2732 to blocking region array 2716 of parallax barrier 2704 to
cause blocking region array 2716 to filter the display-generated
light passed by the first subset of pixels in OLED/PLED pixel array
2714, thereby generating first user-viewable content and to
simultaneously filter the display-generated light passed by the
second subset of pixels in OLED/PLED pixel array 2714, thereby
generating second user-viewable content.
[0161] The method described above in reference to flowchart 2800 of
FIG. 28 may advantageously be used to independently control the
brightness of different display regions generated by a display
system to simultaneously display corresponding two-dimensional
images, three-dimensional images, and multi-view three-dimensional
content. Although the foregoing method describes controlling the
brightness of images produced from the pixels in first and second
pixel regions, persons skilled in the relevant art(s) will readily
appreciate that embodiments described herein are capable of
controlling the brightness of images produced from any number of
different pixel regions.
[0162] In one embodiment, the first user-viewable content
referenced in the foregoing method comprises a two-dimensional
image and the second user-viewable content comprises a
three-dimensional image. Since the number of viewable pixels per
unit area will be less for a three-dimensional image than for a
two-dimensional image, the foregoing method can advantageously be
used to increase the intensity of the OLED/PLED pixels that are
used to form the three-dimensional image and/or reduce the
intensity of the OLED/PLED pixels that are used to form the
two-dimensional image, thereby reducing a perceived disparity in
brightness between the two images.
[0163] In another embodiment, the first user-viewable content
referenced in the foregoing method comprises a three-dimensional
image and the second user-viewable content comprises multi-view
three-dimensional content. Since the number of viewable pixels per
unit area will be less for multi-view three-dimensional content
than for a single three-dimensional image, the foregoing method can
advantageously be used to increase the intensity of the OLED/PLED
pixels that are used to form the multi-view three-dimensional
content and/or reduce the intensity of the OLED/PLED pixels that
are used to form the three-dimensional image, thereby reducing a
perceived disparity in brightness between the multi-view
three-dimensional content and the three-dimensional image.
[0164] The regional brightness control capability described above
can also advantageously be used to independently control the
perceived brightness of the first user-viewable content and the
second user-viewable content. Such independent control may be
performed automatically in accordance with a predefined brightness
control scheme and/or in response to user input received by the
display system.
[0165] Where OLED/PLED pixel regions such as those described above
are adjacent to each other, it is possible that the brightness
characteristics of one pixel region can impact the perceived
brightness of an adjacent pixel region having different brightness
characteristics, creating an undesired visual effect. For example,
a first OLED/PLED pixel region having a relatively high level of
brightness to support the viewing of multi-view three-dimensional
content may be adjacent to a second OLED/PLED pixel region having a
relatively low level of brightness to support the viewing of
two-dimensional content. In this scenario, light from pixels in a
perimeter area of the first OLED/PLED pixel region that are close
to the boundary between the two pixel regions may "spill over" into
a perimeter area of the second OLED/PLED pixel region. This may
cause pixels in the perimeter area of the second OLED/PLED pixel
region to appear brighter than desired in relation to other pixels
in the second OLED/PLED pixel region. Conversely, pixels in the
perimeter area of the first OLED/PLED pixel array may appear dimmer
than desired in relation to other pixels in the first OLED/PLED
pixel region because of the adjacency to the second OLED/PLED pixel
region. To address this issue, it is possible to selectively
increase or reduce the brightness of one or more OLED/PLED pixels
in either perimeter area to reduce the "spill over" effect arising
from the different brightness characteristics between the
regions.
[0166] In still further embodiments, a regional brightness control
scheme is implemented in a display system that includes an
adaptable parallax barrier that also supports brightness regulation
via an "overlay" approach that will be described herein.
[0167] Conceptually, embodiments described herein attempt to match
and support independent regional adjustment of backlighting output
to produce a non-uniform output that compensates for regional
differences in an adaptable screen assembly, wherein such screen
assembly has inherent regional light blocking characteristics (i.e.
various parallax barrier configurations). That is, embodiments
described herein attempt to maintain standard brightness across
various regional screen configurations, wherein each region has
differing light blocking characteristics. Also, because of
backlighting dispersion in zones running along the perimeter of
regional boundaries, techniques to compensate or to minimize
backlighting dispersion are applied in accordance with various
embodiments described herein. For example, structures such as
grating structure 2520 shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 may be applied to
address this issue or pixel "lightening/darkening" techniques such
as those described above may be used.
[0168] An embodiment will now be described in which a brightness
regulation overlay that is either independent of or integrated with
an adaptable parallax barrier is used to help achieve the
aforementioned goals of maintaining standard brightness across
various regional screen configurations and compensating for or
minimizing backlighting dispersion. In particular, FIG. 29
illustrates a display system 2900 in accordance with such an
embodiment. Display system 2900 includes a display device 2904 and
a display controller 2902 that can control the operation of display
device 2904 so that it will simultaneously display two-dimensional
images, three-dimensional images and multi-view three-dimensional
content via different display regions.
[0169] As shown in FIG. 29, display device 2904 includes a display
panel 2924 and an adaptable light manipulator 2922. Display panel
2924 includes a pixel array 2932 that comprises a two-dimensional
array of pixels, each of which is individually addressable and
controllable to selectively produce light of a desired color and
intensity. Such pixels may be, for example, LCD pixels that require
backlighting or OLED/PLED pixels that provide their own
illumination. Control over the state of the pixels in pixel array
2932 is provided by a pixel array controller 2914 within display
controller 2902.
[0170] Adaptable light manipulator 2922 comprises a parallax
barrier and a brightness regulation overlay. The parallax barrier
may comprise a parallax barrier such as parallax barrier 106
described above in reference to FIG. 1 in which individual blocking
regions in a blocking region array can be selectively rendered
transparent or opaque in order to support a desired 2D, 3D, or
regional 2D and/or 3D viewing experience. The brightness regulation
overlay comprises an element that allows regional dimming through
various tones of "grey" pixels. In one example embodiment, the
parallax barrier and the brightness regulation overlay are
implemented as a non-color (i.e., black, white and grayscale) LCD
sandwich, although other implementations may be used. The combined
adaptable parallax barrier and brightness regulation overlay
provide full transparent or opaque states for each pixel, as well
as a grayscale alternative that can be used to "balance out"
brightness variations caused by the parallax barrier itself Control
over the individual blocking regions of the parallax barrier and
the individual grayscale pixels of the brightness regulation
overlay is provided by parallax barrier control logic 2942 and
overlay control logic 2944 included within display controller 2902.
These elements provide coordinated signaling to the pixels of the
parallax barrier and the brightness regulation overlay
(collectively referred to below as the manipulator pixels) to
create opaque and transparent barrier elements associated with a
particular parallax barrier configuration and a grayscale support
there between to allow creation of overlays.
[0171] Note that display system 2900 can be implemented in
configurations in which display panel 2924 is disposed between a
backlight panel and adaptable light manipulator 2922 as well as in
configurations in which adaptable light manipulator 2922 is
disposed between a backlight panel and display panel 2924. In
either case, the desired display of 2D/3D regions and simultaneous
backlight regulation can be achieved. In an embodiment in which
pixel array 2932 of display panel 2924 comprises OLED or PLED
pixels that are self-illuminating, no backlight panel is needed and
adaptable light manipulator 2922 is disposed "in front of" display
panel 2924 (i.e., between display panel 2924 and the users in a
viewing space in front of display system 2900).
[0172] FIG. 30 illustrates two exemplary configurations of
adaptable light manipulator 2922 in accordance with an embodiment
in which adaptable light manipulator 2922 is implemented as a light
manipulating LCD sandwich with manipulator grayscale pixels. In
FIG. 30, the grayscale pixels map to the display pixels on a
one-to-one basis, but that need not be the case.
[0173] A first exemplary configuration of adaptable light
manipulator 2922 is shown above the section line denoted with
reference numeral 3002. In accordance with the first exemplary
configuration, a 3D region 3004 is created with fully transparent
or fully opaque manipulator pixels that provide parallax barrier
functionality and a 2D region 3006 is created having continuous
medium gray manipulator pixels. The medium gray manipulator pixels
operate to reduce the perceived brightness of 2D region 3006 to
better match that of 3D region 3004. It is noted that in other
example configurations, 2D region 3006 could instead comprise a 3D
region having a number of views that is different than 3D region
3004, thus also requiring brightness regulation.
[0174] In the first exemplary configuration, no boundary region
compensation is performed. In the second exemplary configuration,
which is shown below section line 3002, boundary region
compensation is performed. For example, a boundary region 3010
within 2D region 3006 may be "lightened" to a light gray to
compensate for any diminution of light that might occur near the
boundary with 3D region 3004. In contrast, the grayscale level of
an inner portion 3008 of 2D region 3006 is maintained at the same
medium gray level as in the portion of 2D region 3006 above section
line 3002. As a further example, a first boundary region 3012 and a
second boundary region 3014 within 3D region 3004 comprise darker
and lighter gray transitional areas, respectively, to account for
light dispersion from 2D region 3006. In contrast, an inner portion
3016 of 3D region 3004 includes only fully transparent or fully
opaque manipulator pixels consistent with a parallax barrier
configuration and no brightness regulation.
[0175] In one embodiment, the configuration of adaptable light
manipulator 2922 is achieved by first creating a white through
various grayscale areas that correspond to the regions and boundary
areas to be formed. Once established, the manipulator pixels in
these areas that comprise the opaque portions of the parallax
barrier are overwritten to turn them black. Of course this
two-stage approach is conceptual only and no "overwriting" need be
performed.
[0176] In certain embodiments, adaptable light manipulator 2922
comprises the only component used in display system 2900 for
performing brightness regulation and/or boundary region
compensation. In alternate embodiments, display system 2900 further
utilizes any one or more of the following aforementioned techniques
for performing brightness regulation and/or boundary region
compensation: a backlighting array with independently-controllable
light sources, a grating structure for use therewith, and/or a
pixel array and associated control logic for selectively increasing
or decreasing the intensity of display pixels (e.g., either LCD
pixels or OLED/PLED pixels). Note that in certain embodiments (such
as the one described above in reference to FIG. 30), adaptable
light manipulator 2922 is implemented as an integrated parallax
barrier and brightness regulation overlay. However, in alternate
embodiments, adaptable light manipulator 2922 is implemented using
a parallax barrier panel and an independent brightness regulation
overlay panel. In certain embodiments, whichever elements of
display system 2900 are not used to help perform brightness
regulation may be replaced with more conventional counterparts.
[0177] A method for operating a display system that implements a
regional brightness control scheme by using a brightness regulation
overlay such as that described above will now be described with
reference to flowchart 3100 of FIG. 31. The method of flowchart
3100 may be performed, for example, by display system 2900 of FIG.
29. However, the method is not limited to that embodiment and may
be implemented by other display systems.
[0178] As shown in FIG. 31, the method of flowchart 3100 begins at
step 3102, in which a pixel array is controlled to simultaneously
represent first image content via a first portion of the pixel
array and second image content via a second portion of the pixel
array. With continued reference to the embodiments depicted in
FIGS. 29 and 30, this step may be performed by controlling pixel
array 2932 of display system 2900 to simultaneously represent first
image content via a first portion of pixel array 2932 that is
aligned with 2D region 3006 of adaptable light manipulator 2922 and
to represent second image content via a second portion of pixel
array 2932 that is aligned with 3D region 3004 of adaptable light
manipulator 2922.
[0179] At step 3104, at least a portion of a plurality of
manipulator pixels in an adaptable light manipulator are controlled
to form a first parallax barrier arrangement that causes the first
image content to be perceived in a first viewing mode in a first
display region and to form a second parallax barrier arrangement
that causes the second image content to be perceived in a second
viewing mode in a second display region. Again, with continued
reference to the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 29 and 30, this step
may be performed by controlling the manipulator pixels of adaptable
light manipulator 2922 to form the particular parallax barrier
arrangement shown in 2D region 3006 (in this example, the first
parallax barrier arrangement being the parallax barrier being
turned off entirely although this need not be the case) and to form
the parallax barrier arrangement shown in 3D region 3008. Note that
in other embodiments, rather than forming parallax barrier
arrangements for supporting 2D and 3D viewing as shown in FIG. 30,
parallax barrier arrangements for supporting different types of 3D
viewing (e.g., 3D and various levels of multi-view 3D viewing) may
be formed.
[0180] At step 3106, at least a portion of the plurality of
manipulator pixels in the adaptable light manipulator are
controlled to be placed in a grayscale mode to regulate a perceived
brightness of at least a portion of the first image content
perceived in the first viewing mode in the first display region or
at least a portion of the first image content perceived in the
second viewing mode in the second display region. Again, with
continued reference to the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 29 and 30,
this step may be performed by controlling manipulator pixels of
adaptable light manipulator 2922 in 2D region 3006 so that they
appear as a continuous medium gray array of manipulator pixels (as
shown by the example configuration above section line 3002) thereby
reducing the brightness of the image perceived in that region.
Furthermore, this step may also be performed by controlling
manipulator pixels of adaptable light manipulator 2922 in selected
portions of 2D region 3006 and 3D region 3004 to be selectively
lighter or darker gray (e.g., see boundary regions 3010, 3012 and
3014 in FIG. 30). In the latter implementation, the grayscale mode
of each of the manipulator pixels may be thought of as comprising a
selectable plurality of gray levels.
V. Example Display System Implementation
[0181] FIG. 32 is a block diagram of an example practical
implementation of a display system 3200 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 32, display
system 3200 generally comprises control circuitry 3202, driver
circuitry 3204 and screen elements 3206.
[0182] As shown in FIG. 32, control circuitry 3202 includes a
processing unit 3214, which may comprise one or more
general-purpose or special-purpose processors or one or more
processing cores. Processing unit 3214 is connected to a
communication infrastructure 3212, such as a communication bus.
Control circuitry 3202 may also include a primary or main memory
(not shown in FIG. 32), such as random access memory (RAM), that is
connected to communication infrastructure 3212. The main memory may
have control logic stored thereon for execution by processing unit
3214 as well as data stored thereon that may be input to or output
by processing unit 3214 during execution of such control logic.
[0183] Control circuitry 3202 may also include one or more
secondary storage devices (not shown in FIG. 32) that are connected
to communication infrastructure 3212, including but not limited to
a hard disk drive, a removable storage drive (such as an optical
disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, or the
like), or an interface for communicating with a removable storage
unit such as an interface for communicating with a memory card,
memory stick or the like. Each of these secondary storage devices
provide an additional means for storing control logic for execution
by processing unit 3214 as well as data that may be input to or
output by processing unit 3214 during execution of such control
logic.
[0184] Control circuitry 3202 further includes a user input
interface 3216 and a media interface 3218. User input interface
3216 is intended to generally represent any type of interface that
may be used to receive user input, including but not limited to a
remote control device, a traditional computer input device such as
a keyboard or mouse, a touch screen, a gamepad or other type of
gaming console input device, or one or more sensors including but
not limited to video cameras, microphones and motion sensors. Media
interface 3218 is intended to represent any type of interface that
is capable of receiving media content such as video content or
image content. In certain implementations, media interface 3218 may
comprise an interface for receiving media content from a remote
source such as a broadcast media server, an on-demand media server,
or the like. In such implementations, media interface 3218 may
comprise, for example and without limitation, a wired or wireless
internet or intranet connection, a satellite interface, a fiber
interface, a coaxial cable interface, or a fiber-coaxial cable
interface. Media interface 3218 may also comprise an interface for
receiving media content from a local source such as a DVD or
Blu-Ray disc player, a personal computer, a personal media player,
smart phone, or the like. Media content 3218 may be capable of
retrieving video content from multiple sources.
[0185] Control circuitry 3202 further includes a communication
interface 3220. Communication interface 3220 enables control
circuitry 3202 to send control signals via a communication medium
3262 to another communication interface 3240 within driver
circuitry 3204, thereby enabling control circuitry 3202 to control
the operation of driver circuitry 3204. Communication medium 3262
may comprise any kind of wired or wireless communication medium
suitable for transmitting such control signals.
[0186] As shown in FIG. 32, driver circuitry 3204 includes the
aforementioned communication interface 3240 as well as pixel array
driver circuitry 3242, adaptable light manipulator driver circuitry
3244 and backlight driver circuitry 3246 all of which are connected
thereto. Each of these driver circuitry elements is configured to
receive control signals from control circuitry 3202 (via the link
between communication interface 3220 and communication interface
3230) and, responsive thereto, to send selected drive signals to a
corresponding hardware element within screen elements 3206, the
drive signals causing the corresponding hardware element to operate
in a particular manner. In particular, pixel array driver circuitry
3242 is configured to send selected drive signals to a pixel array
3252 within screen elements 3206, adaptable light manipulator
driver circuitry 3244 is configured to send selected drive signals
to an adaptable light manipulator 3254 within screen elements 3206,
and backlight driver circuitry 3246 is configured to send selected
drive signals to a backlight 3256 within screen elements 3206.
[0187] In one example mode of operation, processing unit 3214
operates pursuant to control logic to receive video content via
media interface 3218 and to generate control signals necessary to
cause driver circuitry to render such video content to a screen
comprised of screen elements 3206. The control logic that is
executed by processing unit 3214 may be retrieved, for example,
from a primary memory or a secondary storage device connected to
processing unit 3214 via communication infrastructure 3212 as
discussed above. The control logic may also be retrieved from some
other local or remote source. Where the control logic is stored on
a computer readable medium, that computer readable medium may be
referred to herein as a computer program product.
[0188] Among other features, driver circuitry 3204 may be
controlled to send drive signals necessary for simultaneously
displaying two-dimensional images, three-dimensional images and
multi-view three-dimensional content via different display regions
of the screen. The manner in which pixel array 3252, adaptable
light manipulator 3254 (e.g., an adaptable parallax barrier), and
backlight 3256 may be manipulated in a coordinated fashion to
perform this function was described previously herein. Note that in
accordance with certain implementations (e.g., implementations in
which pixel array comprises a OLED/PLED pixel array), screen
elements 3206 need not include a backlight 3256.
[0189] Driver circuitry 3205 may also be controlled to cause screen
elements 3206 to perform certain functions described elsewhere
herein for regulating a perceived brightness across various
regional screen configurations, wherein each region has differing
light blocking characteristics, and to minimize backlighting
dispersion effects that may occur between adjacent regions. For
example, in accordance with an embodiment described above,
backlight 3256 may comprise an array of light sources (e.g., LEDs)
that may be individually driven to vary the backlighting luminosity
provided to pixel array 3252 on a region-by-region basis, wherein
each region has differing light blocking characteristics as
determined by the configuration of adaptable light manipulator
3254. As another example, in accordance with a further embodiment
described above, the intensity of pixels in pixel array 3252
associated with a particular display region can also be increased
or reduced in response to drive signals from pixel array driver
circuitry 3242 in order to control brightness on a region-by-region
or pixel-by-pixel basis. In certain embodiments, driver circuitry
3204 is controlled by control circuitry 3202 to implement a
combined backlight array and pixel intensity control scheme to
provide desired brightness on a region-by-region basis. For
example, in accordance with such embodiments, pixel array driver
circuitry 3242 may be controlled to cause the intensity of pixels
near a boundary of a region to be increased or reduced to correct
disparities caused by the luminosity contribution (or lack thereof)
from backlight sources associated with adjacent regions. In still
further embodiments, a grating system is also included within
screen elements 3206 to prevent the spilling over of light from
adjacent regions.
[0190] In a still further embodiment described above, adaptable
light manipulator 3254 includes both a parallax barrier and a
brightness regulation overlay. In accordance with such an
embodiment, adaptable light manipulator driver circuitry 3244 may
be controlled by control circuitry 3202 to implement different
parallax barrier configurations for different display regions and
to also configure the brightness regulation overlay to achieve a
standard perceived brightness across such display regions and/or to
minimize dispersion effects between adjacent regions. Various ways
in which adaptable light manipulator 3254 could be driven to
perform these functions were described elsewhere herein.
[0191] In certain implementations, control circuitry 3202, driver
circuitry 3204 and screen elements 3206 are all included within a
single housing. For example and without limitation, all these
elements may exist within a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or
a telephone. In accordance with such an implementation, the link
3260 formed between communication interfaces 3220 and 3240 may be
replaced by a direction connection between driver circuitry 3204
and communication infrastructure 3212. In an alternate
implementation, control circuitry 3202 is disposed within a first
housing, such as set top box or personal computer, and driver
circuitry 3204 and screen elements 3206 are disposed within a
second housing, such as a television or computer monitor. The set
top box may be any type of set top box including but not limited to
fiber, Internet, cable, satellite, or terrestrial digital.
VI. Conclusion
[0192] While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described above, it should be understood that they have been
presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be
apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various
changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and
scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the
above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only
in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *