Abstract: A liquid crystal device (LCD) includes from the viewing side: a first electrode layer; a viewing side first liquid crystal (LC) alignment layer; an LC layer; a non-viewing side second LC alignment layer; and a second electrode layer; wherein one of the electrode layers is a common electrode layer and the other of the electrode layers is a segmented electrode layer, and at least one of the first and second LC alignment layers is a bistable alignment layer that is switchable between a first alignment state and a second alignment state. The LCD is operated by applying a first voltage pulse to the segmented electrode layer and applying a second voltage pulse to the common electrode layer (Vcom pulse), the first and second voltage pulses combining to form a resultant voltage pulse. The bistable alignment layer switches from the first alignment state to the second alignment state when a magnitude of the resultant voltage pulse exceeds a switching voltage threshold.

Abstract: A display device in which ambient light reflections, for example, from IPS or FFS type displays are reduced by a circular polariser (e.g., linear polariser combined with external quarter waveplate) to make the light circular polarized, as it traverses the multiple reflective layers between the polariser and LC layer, and then an internal quarter waveplate converts the light back to linear polarisation before it enters the LC, so the display can operate as normal, while the circular polariser absorbs unwanted reflections of ambient light from within the display.

Abstract: A reconfigurable parallax barrier panel comprising an electro-optic material has first and second regions. The parallax barrier panel is configured in a first mode to address the first and second electrodes on the basis of at least one received drive signal such that: the first electrodes define, in the first region of the panel, a first parallax barrier array selected from a plurality of predetermined parallax barrier arrays; and the second electrodes define, in the second region of the panel, independently of the first parallax barrier array, a second parallax barrier array selected from the plurality of predetermined parallax barrier arrays, the second parallax barrier array being different to the first parallax barrier array. To obtain a good autostereoscopic 3-D viewing zone the pitch of a parallax barrier would ideally vary over the width of the parallax barrier panel as a function of viewing distance.

Abstract: A reconfigurable parallax barrier panel comprising an electro-optic material has a first region, a second region and a first compensation region. First electrodes are addressable to define, in the first region of the panel, a parallax barrier array selected from a plurality of predetermined parallax barrier arrays, and second electrodes are addressable define, in the second region of the panel, independently of the first parallax barrier array, a parallax barrier array selected from the plurality of predetermined parallax barrier arrays. Electrodes of the first compensation region are addressable to define, dependent on the first parallax barrier array and on the second parallax barrier array, at least one slit and/or at least one barrier between the first region and the second region.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device (LCD) has improved brightness by the use of a patterned alignment structure. The LCD includes a liquid crystal (LC) layer; an electrode arrangement configured to apply an electric field to the LC layer, the electrode arrangement including a patterned electrode layer having a plurality of individual electrode elements and adjacent individual electrode elements are spaced apart from each other by an inter-electrode gap; and a patterned alignment structure that is deposited on the patterned electrode layer and is positioned to align LC molecules of the LC layer. The patterned alignment structure is configured such that a stronger anchoring energy is present at electrode edges of the individual electrode elements of the patterned electrode layer, as compared to a weaker anchoring energy present at electrode centers of the individual electrode elements and/or present at least at a portion of the inter-electrode gaps between adjacent individual electrode elements.

Abstract: A switchable view angle control device includes an electrically switchable zenithal bistable liquid crystal display view angle control liquid crystal device (ZBD view angle control LCD) that is operable in a first state and a second state; a front polarizer located on a viewing side of the switchable ZBD view angle control LCD; and a polarized light source located on a non-viewing side of the switchable ZBD view angle control LCD that emits light that is polarized in a first direction. When the switchable ZBD view angle control LCD in the first state, the view angle control device operates in a narrow angle view mode in which the polarization of the light from the polarized light source is changed by the switchable ZBD view angle control LCD to be polarized in a second direction that is at least partially absorbed by the front polarizer, and on-axis light passes through the switchable ZBD view angle control LCD and the front polarizer.

Abstract: A switchable view angle control device for a privacy view display system includes an electrically switchable view angle control LCD that is operable in a first state and a second state; a front polarizer located on a viewing side of the switchable view angle control LCD; and a polarized light source located on a non-viewing side of the switchable view angle control LCD that emits polarized light. When the switchable view angle control LCD in the first state, the view angle control device operates in a narrow angle view mode in which off-axis polarized light from the polarized light source is changed by the switchable view angle control LCD so that the off-axis light is absorbed by the front polarizer, and on-axis light passes through the switchable view angle control LCD and the front polarizer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device (LCD) is configured for minimizing unwanted internal ambient light reflections. The LCD includes a plurality of layers, the layers comprising from a viewing side: a first linear polariser; an external retarder that is made of a cyclic olefin polymer (COP) material or a cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) material; a colour filter substrate; a colour filter layer; an internal reactive mesogen (RM) retarder alignment layer; an internal reactive mesogen (RM) retarder; a liquid crystal (LC) layer; and a second linear polarizer. The external retarder and the internal RM retarder are configured such that the optical properties (for example light polarization control function) of the external retarder and the internal retarder are matched to negate each other for light passing through the external retarder and the internal RM retarder. The LCD simultaneously maintains high image quality in both high and low ambient lighting conditions.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a liquid crystal device (LCD) minimizes changes to optical properties of an internal RM retarder. In exemplary embodiments, the fabricating method comprises depositing a plurality of layers in an optical stack, the plurality of layers including from a viewing side: a first linear polariser; an external retarder; a colour filter substrate; a colour filter layer; an internal reactive mesogen (RM) retarder alignment layer; an internal reactive mesogen (RM) retarder; a liquid crystal (LC) layer; a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate; and a second linear polarizer. Any layer that is deposited after the internal RM retarder on a non-viewing side relative to the color filter substrate, and in direct contact with the internal RM retarder, has a solvent concentration at deposition of less than 15% of a solvent that can alter optical properties of the internal RM retarder (e.g., less than 15% NMP).

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) array system is configured to apply suction forces for the manipulation of objects. The MEMS system includes includes a two-dimensional MEMS array of a plurality of individual MEMS elements. Each MEMS element comprises: a casing structure; a flexible membrane attached to the casing structure; and an electrode structure, wherein a voltage applied to the electrode structure actuates the MEMS element to cause the flexible membrane to flex relative to the casing structure. The flexible membrane and the casing structure define a gap into which the flexible membrane may flex, and a foot extends from the flexible membrane in a direction away from the casing structure, wherein the foot and the flexible membrane define a clearance region on an opposite side of the flexible membrane from the gap. When the MEMS element interacts with an object to be manipulated the foot spaces the membrane apart from the object.

Abstract: A reconfigurable parallax barrier panel, for use in a display system with a 3D mode, includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and an electro-optic material positioned between the first and second substrates. The first and second substrates each respectively has a plurality of first and second electrodes, the electrodes being independently addressable from one another and comprising a plurality of electrode portions extending along a first direction and laterally spaced from one another along a second direction different from the first direction. The electrode portions of the first electrodes are arranged in a cyclic arrangement having a first pitch, and the electrode portions of the second electrodes are arranged in a cyclic arrangement having a second pitch that is different to the first pitch. The first and second electrodes are driven to generate different reconfigurable parallax barrier arrays corresponding to different viewing distances in a 3D mode of operation.

Abstract: Provided is a display device capable of high-quality three-dimensional displaying. During three-dimensional displaying for a viewing position ?, in a first term, an entirety of a first predetermined region of a second liquid crystal panel takes on a light-blocking state and a first adjacent region, which is adjacent to the first predetermined region in the first direction, takes on a light-transmitting state. In a second term, at least one of two side regions in the first predetermined region takes on the light-transmitting state, a remaining region of the first predetermined region takes on the light-blocking state, and at least part of the first adjacent region takes on the light-transmitting state.

Abstract: A display device includes control electronics and a pixellated liquid crystal (LC) panel. The control electronics receives inputs of main image data for a main image and side image data for a side image. The control electronics outputs combined image data combining the main and side images such that an on-axis viewer perceives from the combined image the main image, and an off-axis viewer perceives from the combined image the side image. The output image data comprises data values chosen from a set of available output data values for the pixels selected from multiple sets of available data values depending on at least on the side image data. For a pixel currently being processed, the output data value is chosen from the selected set of available output data values for which a resulting luminance value is closest to a target luminance value for the current pixel.

Abstract: A reconfigurable parallax barrier panel comprising an electro-optic material has first and second regions. The parallax barrier panel is configured in a first mode to address the first and second electrodes on the basis of at least one received drive signal such that: the first electrodes define, in the first region of the panel, a first parallax barrier array selected from a plurality of predetermined parallax barrier arrays; and the second electrodes define, in the second region of the panel, independently of the first parallax barrier array, a second parallax barrier array selected from the plurality of predetermined parallax barrier arrays, the second parallax barrier array being different to the first parallax barrier array. To obtain a good autostereoscopic 3-D viewing zone the pitch of a parallax barrier would ideally vary over the width of the parallax barrier panel as a function of viewing distance.

Abstract: A reconfigurable parallax barrier panel, for use in a display system with a 3D mode, includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and an electro-optic material positioned between the first and second substrates. The first and second substrates each respectively has a plurality of first and second electrodes, the electrodes being independently addressable from one another and comprising a plurality of electrode portions extending along a first direction and laterally spaced from one another along a second direction different from the first direction. The electrode portions of the first electrodes are arranged in a cyclic arrangement having a first pitch, and the electrode portions of the second electrodes are arranged in a cyclic arrangement having a second pitch that is different to the first pitch. The first and second electrodes are driven to generate different reconfigurable parallax barrier arrays corresponding to different viewing distances in a 3D mode of operation.

Abstract: A reconfigurable parallax barrier panel comprising an electro-optic material has a first region, a second region and a first compensation region. First electrodes are addressable to define, in the first region of the panel, a parallax barrier array selected from a plurality of predetermined parallax barrier arrays, and second electrodes are addressable define, in the second region of the panel, independently of the first parallax barrier array, a parallax barrier array selected from the plurality of predetermined parallax barrier arrays. Electrodes of the first compensation region are addressable to define, dependent on the first parallax barrier array and on the second parallax barrier array, at least one slit and/or at least one barrier between the first region and the second region.

Abstract: A method of processing image data for display by a display panel of a display device comprises receiving image pixel data representing an image. In a first mode, the method performs a first mapping of the image pixel data to drive signals, each drive signal for driving a respective pixel or group of pixels of the display panel. The first mapping is arranged to produce an on-axis luminance pattern which is dependent mainly on the image pixel data and an off-axis luminance pattern which is wholly or substantially independent of the image pixel data.

Abstract: A color display includes multiple composite pixels, each composite pixel including sub-pixels of more than one color type. Sub-pixels of at least one of the color types are provided with differing luminance capability in different composite pixels. Each composite pixel may include red, green and blue sub-pixels having different luminance capability in different composite pixels. The differing luminance capability may be achieved by providing sub-pixels of at least one of the color types of differing relative area. An image data processing unit (IDPU) receives input image data of a standard format, and modifies the input image data into output image data for display to account for a discrepancy between the luminance capability based on the differing luminance capability or differing size of each sub-pixel, and a luminance capability as expected based on the input image data. The IDPU then outputs the output image data to control the composite pixels.

Abstract: A display system which includes a first image display; a second image display; a reflective polarizer disposed between the first image display and the second image display, with the second image display disposed on a viewing side of the display system; and a controller for addressing image data to the first image display and the second image display, wherein the controller, the first image display and second image display are configured to selectively operate in accordance with: a first display function in which the first image display is visible to a viewer through the second image display and the second image display appears substantially transparent to the first image display; a second display function in which the display system appears as a plane mirror to the viewer; and a third display function in which the display system appears as a patterned mirror to the viewer.

Abstract: A multiple view directional display has an image display panel, a parallax optic and a control unit. The control unit is configured to address the image display panel to display first and second images on respective sets of X adjacent columns of pixels or sub-pixels. The parallax optic comprises parallax elements configured to allow a first region of the image display panel having a width of Y adjacent columns of pixels or sub-pixels to be visible to a left eye of a viewer, where Y?3 and X?Y?3, and to allow a second, different region of the image display panel having a width of Y adjacent columns of pixels or sub-pixels to be visible to a right eye of the viewer. Parallax elements of the parallax optic are inclined with respect to columns of pixels or sub-pixels of the image display panel.