Multilayer multiview display and method

A static multiview display comprising:

• a plurality of multiview display layers configured to provide a plurality of static multiview images, each multiview display layer comprising a light guide having an array of multiview pixels and each multiview display layer being configured to provide a different static multiview image of the plurality of static multiview images;
• and
• a plurality of light sources, each light source of the plurality of light sources being configured to provide a radial pattern of guided light beams within the light guide of a different one of the multiview display layers,
• wherein a multiview pixel of the multiview pixel array comprises a plurality of diffraction gratings configured to diffractively scatter guided light from the radial pattern of guided light beams as a plurality of directional light beams having different directions corresponding to view directions of at least three different views of a static multiview image of the plurality of static multiview images, each individual diffraction grating of the plurality of diffraction gratings being configured to diffractively scatter out a single directional light beam of the plurality of directional light beams having an intensity and a principal angular direction corresponding to an intensity and a view direction of a single view pixel of the static multiview image.

A method of multilayer static multiview display operation, the method comprising:

• propagating guided light within a first multiview display layer as a radial pattern of guided light beams;
• diffractively scattering at least some of the guided light out of the first multiview display layer to form a plurality of directional light beams, the plurality of directional light beams having directions corresponding to different view directions of at least three different views of a first static multiview image, each directional light beam having an intensity and a principal angular direction that correspond to an intensity and a view direction of a single view pixel of the first static multiview image;
• passing the plurality of directional light beams through a second multiview display layer that is adjacent to an emission surface of the first multiview display layer;
• propagating second guided light within the second multiview display layer as a radial pattern of guided light beams;
• and
• diffractively scattering at least some of the second guided light out of the second multiview display layer to form a plurality of second directional light beams, the plurality of second directional light beams having different directions corresponding to different view directions of at least three different views of a second static multiview image, each second directional light beam having an intensity and a principal angular direction that correspond to an intensity and a view direction of a single view pixel of the second static multiview image.