Patents by Inventor Diana U. Kean

Diana U. Kean has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8154686
    Abstract: A directional backlight, a multiple view display and a multi-direction display A multiple view display (18) comprises a directional display device (19) for displaying a first image or sequence of images so as to be mainly visible from a first range of directions relative to the device and for simultaneously displaying a second image or sequence of images so as to be mainly visible from a second range of directions relative to the device different from the first range. The display (18) further comprises a directional backlight (20) for directing light through the display device (19) at least mainly in the first and second ranges. Since the directional backlight (20) directs light through the display device (19) at least mainly in the first and second ranges, the display provides users located in the first and second ranges with images of greater intensity than a conventional display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jonathan Mather, Neil Barratt, Diana U. Kean, Emma J. Walton, Grant Bourhill, Thomas Wynne Powell
  • Patent number: 8144079
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing the visibility of crosstalk between images in a multiple view display for simultaneously displaying two or more images independently of each other for viewing in different directions by different viewers. A multiple view display typically comprises a liquid crystal panel (20) and a parallax barrier (21) forming a dual view display for two viewers. The panel (20) comprises an array of pixels of elongate shape and arranged so as to be elongate in the horizontal direction of the normal image orientation on the panel (20). Crosstalk compensation may be provided in a display controller for the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jonathan Mather, David J. Montgomery, Graham R. Jones, Diana U. Kean
  • Patent number: 7813042
    Abstract: A parallax optic comprises plural, spaced apart lenses which are separated by regions which are non-transmissive of/to visible light. In some embodiments, the spaced apart lenses of the parallax optic are discrete elements of a lens array. In other embodiments, the lens elements are formed as convex elements integral with and extending from a lenticular layer. Parallax optic devices are combined with one or more image display elements to form an image display device. For embodiments of image display devices featuring or providing two-dimensional (2D) viewability, the parallax optic is preferably near or included in the image display element. On the other hand, for embodiments of image display devices featuring or providing three-dimensional (3D) viewability, the parallax optic is situated outside the image display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jonathan Mather, Robert Winlow, Akira Nakagawa, Diana U. Kean, Grant Bourhill
  • Patent number: 7782409
    Abstract: A multiple view display comprises a display device such as a liquid crystal device, a parallax optic such as a parallax barrier, and a controller. The device comprises rows and columns of pixels and the controller supplies image data for a first view to first ones of the pixels and second ones of the pixels such that the first and second pixels alternate in the rows and in the columns. The parallax optic comprises rows and columns of parallax elements with the arrangement of pixels and parallax elements being such that each element co-operates with a respective pair of first and second pixels adjacent each other in the same row to form first and second viewing regions. Each row of parallax elements is off-set in the row direction by half the horizontal barrier pitch. Such an arrangement allows wider angles between the viewing regions to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Diana U. Kean, David James Montgomery, Grant Bourhill, Jonathan Mather
  • Patent number: 7697080
    Abstract: A multiple-view directional display is provided having an image display element and a parallax optic (13). The display element (8) comprises substrates (6, 19) between which the display layer (8) is sandwiched and the parallax optic (13) is disposed within the image display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jonathan Mather, Robert Winlow, Akira Nakagawa, Diana U. Kean, Grant Bourhill
  • Patent number: 7633586
    Abstract: A display is provided for switching between a narrow or private viewing mode and a wide or public viewing mode. The display comprises a display device which is controlled to provide display of a desired image or sequence of images. This is associated with a liquid crystal device having at least one liquid crystal layer whose molecules are switchable between a first state providing a first angular viewing range and a second state providing a second angular viewing range which is within and smaller than the first angular viewing range. With the molecules in the second state, the device at least partially blocks light propagating towards part of the first angular viewing range outside the second angular viewing range. The or each liquid crystal layer is in contact with at least one alignment surface, the or each of which comprises a uniform non-patterned alignment surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Robert Winlow, Zabbie J. Acosta, Martin D. Tillin, Paul Bonnett, Diana U. Kean, Grant Bourhill, Michel Sagardoyburu, Emma Jayne Walton, Koji Yabuta, Hiroshi Fukushima, Tomoo Takatani
  • Patent number: 7518664
    Abstract: A multiple-view directional display is provided having an image display element and a parallax optic (13). The display element (8) comprises substrates (6, 19) between which the display layer (8) is sandwiched and the parallax optic (13) is disposed within the image display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jonathan Mather, Robert Winlow, Akira Nakagawa, Diana U. Kean, Grant Bourhill
  • Publication number: 20090040426
    Abstract: A directional backlight, a multiple view display and a multi-direction display A multiple view display (18) comprises a directional display device (19) for displaying a first image or sequence of images so as to be mainly visible from a first range of directions relative to the device and for simultaneously displaying a second image or sequence of images so as to be mainly visible from a second range of directions relative to the device different from the first range. The display (18) further comprises a directional backlight (20) for directing light through the display device (19) at least mainly in the first and second ranges. Since the directional backlight (20) directs light through the display device (19) at least mainly in the first and second ranges, the display provides users located in the first and second ranges with images of greater intensity than a conventional display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Jonathan Mather, Neil Barratt, Diana U. Kean, Emma J. Walton, Grant Bourhill
  • Publication number: 20080204871
    Abstract: A multiple-view directional display is provided having an image display element and a parallax optic (13). The display element (8) comprises substrates (6, 19) between which the display layer (8) is sandwiched and the parallax optic (13) is disposed within the image display element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jonathan Mather, Robert Winlow, Akira Nakagawa, Diana U. Kean, Grant Bourhill
  • Publication number: 20080117233
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing the visibility of crosstalk between images in a multiple view display for simultaneously displaying two or more images independently of each other for viewing in different directions by different viewers. A multiple view display typically comprises a liquid crystal panel (20) and a parallax barrier (21) forming a dual view display for two viewers. The panel (20) comprises an array of pixels of elongate shape and arranged so as to be elongate in the horizontal direction of the normal image orientation on the panel (20). Crosstalk compensation may be provided in a display controller for the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Jonathan Mather, David J. Montgomery, Graham R. Jones, Diana U. Kean
  • Publication number: 20040119896
    Abstract: A multiple view display comprises a display device such as a liquid crystal device, a parallax optic such as a parallax barrier, and a controller. The device comprises rows and columns of pixels and the controller supplies image data for a first view to first ones of the pixels and second ones of the pixels such that the first and second pixels alternate in the rows and in the columns. The parallax optic comprises rows and columns of parallax elements with the arrangement of pixels and parallax elements being such that each element co-operates with a respective pair of first and second pixels adjacent each other in the same row to form first and second viewing regions. Each row of parallax elements is off-set in the row direction by half the horizontal barrier pitch. Such an arrangement allows wider angles between the viewing regions to be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Diana U. Kean, David James Montgomery, Grant Bourhill, Jonathan Mather