Multi-layer plenoptic displays that combine multiple emissive and light modulating planes

An automultiscopic display apparatus, comprising:

• a first parallax barrier or lens system selectively operable to display parallax barrier patterns;
• a first planar emitting device selectively operable to emit light to the first parallax barrier or lens system;
• a second parallax barrier or lens system selectively operable to display parallax barrier patterns;
• a second planar emitting device selectively operable to emit light to the second parallax barrier or lens system;
• a beam splitter positioned between the first and second parallax barrier or lens systems to receive output light from the first and second parallax barrier or lens systems on first and second surfaces of the beam splitter, respectively;
• and
• a controller operating the first planar emitting device to display a first component of a light field and the second planar emitting device to display a second component of the light field,
• wherein the first and second components of the light field correspond to images at first and second depths within the light field, and
• wherein the first and second components comprise view independent components extracted from the light field.

An automultiscopic display apparatus, comprising:

• a first parallax barrier or lens system selectively operable to display parallax barrier patterns;
• a first planar emitting device selectively operable to emit light to the first parallax barrier or lens system;
• a second parallax barrier or lens system selectively operable to display parallax barrier patterns;
• a second planar emitting device selectively operable to emit light to the second parallax barrier or lens system;
• a beam splitter positioned between the first and second parallax barrier or lens systems to receive output light from the first and second parallax barrier or lens systems on first and second surfaces of the beam splitter, respectively;
• and
• a controller operating the first planar emitting device to display a first component of a light field and the second planar emitting device to display a second component of the light field,
• wherein the first component includes view-dependent components extracted from the light field and the parallax barrier pattern is generated to mask view-dependent occlusions in the light field, whereby portions of the first component are blocked by the first parallax barrier or lens system.