Abstract: A display which includes a plurality of sub-pixels each split into a plurality of sub-regions. Each sub-pixel includes a single gate line and a single signal line, and each sub-region within a given sub-pixel includes a corresponding storage capacitor line. An optical element cooperatively combines with the plurality of sub-pixels to create distinct angularly dependent brightness functions in association with corresponding sub-regions within the sub-pixels. Control electronics are configured to provide image data levels in the form of signal data voltages to each sub-region included within each sub-pixel via the gate line and signal line included within the sub-pixel; and to independently modify the signal data voltages provided to each sub-region within the sub-pixels via the corresponding storage capacitor lines whereby the display operates in accordance with at least two different image functions.

Abstract: A display device having a display panel for displaying an image by spatial light modulation includes a plurality of pixel groups, each pixel group including a first pixel having a first type of luminance against viewing angle response, and a second pixel having a second type of luminance against viewing angle response, wherein the first and second luminance against viewing angle responses are different from one another. The display device further includes a controller operatively coupled to each of the plurality of pixel groups, wherein the controller is configured to drive each of the plurality of pixel groups such that on average the plurality of pixel groups simultaneously provide a predetermined on-axis luminance and an predetermined off-axis luminance for a region of the image corresponding to each pixel group.

Abstract: A display for providing several viewing modes of different angular viewing characteristics comprises a display device and a passive optical device (9) of a parallax optic of fixed optical characteristics. The display device comprises a light emitting or modulating layer (7) between first and second electrode arrangements (5, 10, 11). The first electrode arrangement (5) comprises a plurality of pixel electrodes defining pixels of the display device. The second electrode arrangement comprises a plurality of counter electrodes (10, 11) arranged so that each of the pixel electrodes (5) faces a portion of each of the counter electrodes. The counter electrodes are controllable so as to select which portion of each pixel is active. This provides, in cooperation with the optical device (9) the plurality of display viewing modes.

Abstract: A display is provided having private and public viewing modes. The display comprises a display device and a parallax optic (3) comprising an array of parallax elements (4). Each of the elements (4) co-operates with a set of pixels (1,2) having at least one first pixel (1) and at least one second pixel (2). A line (23) passing through the centre (21) of each first pixel (1) and the centre (22) of the cooperating parallax element (4) extends into a first viewing region (20a). The parallax elements (4) re-strict viewing of the first pixels (1) to the first viewing region and permit viewing of the second pixels (2) in a second viewing region. The display device displays a private image in the private viewing mode by means of only the first pixels (1) and displays a non-private image in the public viewing mode by means of at least the second pixels (2).

Abstract: A display comprises a parallax optic (2), such as a combined parallax barrier and lens array, and a pixellated display device (1). The pixels of the display device (1) are arranged as groups cooperating with a parallax element (4) of the parallax optic (2). Each group comprises a first pixel (A) aligned with the centre of the parallax element (4), second and third pixels (B, C) on either side of the first pixel (A), and fourth pixels (D) shared with adjacent groups and disposed outside the second pixels (B, C). The parallax elements (4) make the different pixels of each group visible in different viewing regions. A control arrangement selects regions of the display and selects different combinations of the pixels of each group for image display within respective regions so as to provide simultaneously-present different viewing modes having different viewing range characteristics.

Abstract: A polarizer consisting of a wire grid that includes a plurality of wires aligned in parallel. From at least one side of the wire grid, the wire grid intrinsically mainly absorbs electromagnetic energy having a polarization direction parallel to the wires and mainly transmits electromagnetic energy having a polarization direction perpendicular to the wires.

Abstract: A display is provided having a public viewing mode and a private viewing mode. The display comprises a display device (11), such as an LCD, which directs image-modulated light towards the whole of a public viewing region. The display device (11) displays a first image in the public mode and second and third spatially interlaced images in the private mode. A controllable liquid crystal device (10) is switchable between the public and private modes. In the public mode, light modulated by the first image has a first polarisation. In the private mode, light modulated by the second and third images is provided with second and third polarisations, respectively. An optical arrangement, comprising an angularly dependent polarisation changer (9) and a polariser (8) permits the passage of light of the first polarisation into substantially the whole of the public region. Light of the second polarisation is substantially restricted to a private viewing region within the public region.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises an active matrix substrate (6) and a counter-substrate (7) provided with homeotropic alignment surfaces (11). A layer of nematic liquid crystal material is provided between the alignment surfaces (11) so as to form a vertically aligned nematic device. The substrates (6, 7) carry a pixel electrode arrangement and a counter-electrode arrangement which define a plurality of pixel regions. Each of least some of these regions has a pixel electrode (13), which may be split into two halves, and a counter-electrode (8) which are arranged to apply an electric field for controlling the liquid crystal director (12) out-of-plane tilt angle. A further electrode (14), for example in the form of a plurality of parallel fingers, cooperates with at least one of the other electrodes (8, 13) to apply a second electric field for controlling the director in-plane azimuth angle. Such a device may be used, for example, as a switchable public/private display.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises a first alignment surface which induces a high pretilt greater than 45° but less than 90°; a typical value is 85°. The pretilt has a component parallel to the surface pointing in a predetermined direction. A second alignment surface induces a low pretilt which is less than 45° but greater than 0°; a typical pretilt is 5°. The low pretilt has a component parallel to the second surface which also points in the predetermined direction. A layer of crystal material is disposed in between the first and second surfaces. A novel liquid crystal mode is thus provided and is referred to as the “splay-twist mode”. Such a device may be used in a switchable public/private display.

Abstract: A single view display of reduced power consumption is provided. The display comprises a display device for displaying the single view and an optical system for concentrating light modulated by the single view into a reduced angular range. A viewer direction determining system determines the direction of a viewer relative to the display and controls the display device and the optical system so that the angular range includes the direction of the viewer.

Abstract: A system predicts bandwidth capacity for a plurality of nodes of a wireless network. The system includes a primary node of the plurality of nodes. The primary node collects signal measurements. The primary node selects a history of measurement values from the signal measurements. The primary node calculates a slope of the measurement values within a window of the history. The primary node calculates a future value of signal measurements from the slope. The primary node thereby determines future bandwidth requirements for the plurality of nodes of the wireless network.