US 12,395,617 B2 · Optical method and system for light field (LF) displays based on tunable liquid crystal (LC) diffusers

Abstract

Some embodiments of an example apparatus may include a display, a first controllable diffuser overlaying the display, the first controllable diffuser being selectively operable to diffuse light in a first diffusion direction, and a second controllable diffuser overlaying the display, the second controllable diffuser being selectively operable to diffuse light in a second diffusion direction substantially perpendicular to the first diffusion direction. In some embodiments, an example method may include emitting a light beam from a light emitting device; linearly polarizing the light beam; passing the light beam through LC and birefringent materials; and applying a voltage to alter polarization of the LC material, from a first state causing the light to diffuse in a first direction upon passing through the birefringent material, to a second state causing the light beam to diffuse in a second direction upon passing through the birefringent material.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An apparatus, comprising:

a display, configured to project light beams;
and
a plurality of controllable diffusers, including at least one surface effect liquid crystal (SELC) diffuser containing an LC layer having an optical interface to a substrate, each configured to selectively diffuse at least one of the projected light beams according to a respective diffusion pattern, wherein a refractive index of the LC layer of the SELC diffuser depends on a polarization state of a passing light, the polarization state is induced by applying an electric field to the LC layer, and wherein:
in a first mode of operation, the SELC diffuser is configured to scatter a passing light when the light is in a polarization state corresponding to a refractive index of the LC layer that is different from the refractive index of the substrate, and
in a second mode of operation, the SELC diffuser is configured to not scatter a passing light when the light is in a polarization state corresponding to a refractive index of the LC layer that is substantially the same as the refractive index of the substrate.

2 more elements

A method, comprising:

projecting light beams from a display;
and
selectively operating a plurality of controllable diffusers, including at least one surface effect liquid crystal (SELC) diffuser containing an LC layer having an optical interface to a substrate, to diffuse at least one of the projected light beams according to a respective diffusion pattern, comprising:
applying an electric field to the LC layer of the SELC diffuser to induce a polarization state of a passing light, wherein a refractive index of the LC layer depends on the induced polarization state,
operating the SELC diffuser in a first mode of operation, wherein the SELC diffuser is configured to scatter a passing light when the light is in a polarization state corresponding to a refractive index of the LC layer that is different from the refractive index of the substrate, and
operating the SELC diffuser in a second mode of operation, wherein the SELC diffuser is configured to not scatter a passing light when the light is in a polarization state corresponding to a refractive index of the LC layer that is substantially the same as the refractive index of the substrate.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Optical method and system for light field (LF) displays based on tunable liquid crystal (LC) diffusers

Life of this patent

Optical method and system for light field (LF) displays based on tunable liquid crystal (LC) diffusers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16