BACKLIGHTING ARRAY SUPPORTING ADAPTABLE PARALLAX BARRIER
Display systems are described that include an adaptable parallax barrier that filters light passed by a display panel in a manner that allows for the simultaneous viewing of two-dimensional images, three-dimensional images and multi-view three-dimensional content in different display regions. The display system also includes a backlight panel comprising an array of light sources that may be individually controlled to vary the backlighting luminosity provided to the display panel on a region-by-region basis. Since each of the display regions may be perceived as having a different number of pixels per unit area depending upon the type of content being presented, the backlight array enables the brightness of each region to be controlled such that a viewer perceives roughly uniform brightness across all regions. Alternative regional brightness control schemes are also described.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/291,818, filed on Dec. 31, 2009, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/303,119, filed on Feb. 10, 2010, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
This application is also related to the following U.S. patent applications, each of which also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/291,818 and 61/303,119 and each of which is incorporated by reference herein:
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/845,409, filed on Jul. 28, 2010, and entitled “Display with Adaptable Parallax Barrier”; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/845,440, filed on Jul. 28, 2010, and entitled “Adaptable Parallax Barrier Supporting Mixed 2D and Stereoscopic 3D Display Regions.”
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to display systems that utilize backlighting and, in particular, to display systems that utilize backlighting and support the viewing of two-dimensional and three-dimensional images.
2. Background Art
Images may be generated for display in various forms. For instance, television (TV) is a widely used telecommunication medium for transmitting and displaying images in monochromatic (“black and white”) or color form. Conventionally, images are provided in analog form and are displayed by display devices in two-dimensions. More recently, images are being provided in digital form for display in two-dimensions on display devices having improved resolution (e.g., “high definition” or “HD”). Even more recently, images capable of being displayed in three-dimensions are being generated.
A parallax barrier is one example of a device that enables images to be displayed in three-dimensions. A parallax barrier includes of a layer of material with a series of precision slits. The parallax barrier is placed proximal to a display so that a viewer's eyes each see a different set of pixels to create a sense of depth through parallax. A disadvantage of parallax barriers is that the viewer must be positioned in a well-defined location in order to experience the three-dimensional effect. If the viewer moves his/her eyes away from this “sweet spot,” image flipping and/or exacerbation of the eyestrain, headaches and nausea that may be associated with prolonged three-dimensional image viewing may result. Conventional three-dimensional LCD displays that utilize parallax barriers are also constrained in that the displays must be entirely in a two-dimensional image mode or a three-dimensional image mode at any time.
To address these issues associated with conventional three-dimensional LCD displays that utilize parallax barriers, commonly-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/845,409 presents an innovative two-dimensional/three-dimensional viewing display that includes a parallax barrier that may be dynamically modified in order to adaptively accommodate, for example, a changing viewer sweet spot, switching between two-dimensional images, three-dimensional images, and multi-view three-dimensional content, and the simultaneous display of two-dimensional images, three-dimensional images and multi-view three-dimensional content. Furthermore, commonly-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/845,440 describes the use of such an innovative two-dimensional/three-dimensional viewing display to simultaneously present two-dimensional images, three-dimensional images and multi-view three-dimensional content via different regions of the same display.
Conventional LCD displays typically include a backlight and a display panel that includes an array of LCD pixels. The backlight is designed to produce a sheet of light of uniform luminosity for illuminating the LCD pixels. When simultaneously displaying two-dimensional, three-dimensional and multi-view three-dimensional regions using a system such as that described in above-reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/845,440, the use of a conventional backlight will result in a disparity in perceived brightness between the different simultaneously-displayed regions. This is because the number of visible pixels per unit area associated with a two-dimensional region will generally exceed the number of visible pixels per unit area associated with a particular three-dimensional or multi-view three-dimensional region (in which the pixels must be partitioned among different eyes/views). This disparity in perceived brightness between display regions may lead to an unsatisfactory viewing experience for a viewer. For example, when the viewer adjusts the brightness level of the backlight to improve the appearance of an image in a particular region, the viewer may also cause the brightness of an image in another display region to be reduced or increased to an undesired level. Consequently, the viewer will be unable to set all of the display regions to a single desired brightness level. In addition, the viewer may be unable to adequately perceive images displayed in regions of reduced brightness. Furthermore, the disparity in perceived brightness between the display regions may be distracting or annoying to the viewer.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONDisplay systems and methods are described herein. In accordance with certain embodiments, the display systems and methods provide a backlight panel comprising an array of light sources (e.g., LEDs) that may be individually controlled to vary the backlighting luminosity provided to a proximately-positioned display panel on a region-by-region basis. Such control may be automatic and/or manual. This enables, for example, the brightness of each region to be controlled such that a viewer perceives roughly uniform brightness across all regions. This is particularly useful in a display system having an adaptable parallax barrier that allows for the simultaneous viewing of two-dimensional images, three-dimensional images and multi-view three-dimensional content in different display regions, since those display regions may be perceived as having a different number of pixels per unit area.
Alternatively or in addition to controlling the backlighting array, the intensity of pixels associated with a particular display region can also be increased or reduced in order to control brightness on a region-by-region or pixel-by-pixel basis. In one embodiment, a combined backlight array and pixel intensity control scheme is used to provide desired brightness on a region-by-region basis. For example, the intensity of pixels near the boundary of a region may be increased or reduced to correct disparities caused by the luminosity contribution (or lack thereof) from backlight sources associated with adjacent regions. Alternatively or additionally, a grating system may be used to prevent the spilling over of light from adjacent regions.
For certain display systems that do not utilize backlights, such as OLED/PLED display systems, an embodiment of the invention may be implemented by providing control of the brightness of the regions of the OLED/PLED array that correspond to different display regions.
Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.
The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION I. IntroductionThe present specification discloses one or more embodiments that incorporate the features of the invention. The disclosed embodiment(s) merely exemplify the invention. The scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s). The invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.
References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
Furthermore, it should be understood that spatial descriptions (e.g., “above,” “below,” “up,” “left,” “right,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” etc.) used herein are for purposes of illustration only, and that practical implementations of the structures described herein can be spatially arranged in any orientation or manner.
Display systems will be described herein that include a backlight panel comprising an array of light sources that can be individually controlled to vary backlighting luminosity on a region-by-region basis. Such a backlight panel is particularly useful, for example, in display systems such as those described in commonly-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/845,440 (entitled “Adaptable Parallax Barrier Supporting Mixed 2D and Stereoscopic 3D Display Regions” and filed on Jul. 28, 2010) in which a dynamically-modifiable parallax barrier is used to support the simultaneous display of two-dimensional images, three-dimensional images and multi-view three-dimensional content in different display regions. However, the backlight panels described herein may advantageously be used in any display system in which it is desirable to simultaneously provide different levels of brightness to different display regions associated with the display system.
Display systems will also be described herein that selectively increase or reduce the intensity of pixels associated with a particular display region in order to control brightness on a region-by-region or pixel-by-pixel basis. In one embodiment described herein, a combined backlight array and pixel intensity control scheme is used to provide desired brightness on a region-by-region basis. For example, in accordance with such an embodiment, the intensity of pixels near the boundary of a region may be increased or reduced to correct disparities caused by the luminosity contribution (or lack thereof) from backlight sources associated with adjacent regions. In a further embodiment described herein, a grating system is used to prevent the spilling over of light from adjacent regions.
Display systems will also be described herein that do not use backlights but instead use organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) or polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs) that combine the illumination and image-generation function. In embodiments, described herein, these display systems implement regional brightness control by providing control over the brightness of the regions of an OLED/PLED pixel array that correspond to different display regions.
II. Example Operating EnvironmentAs shown in
Although subsequent description will expand upon an implementation of display system 100 of
Backlight array 210 comprises a two-dimensional array of light sources. Such light sources may be arranged, for example, in a rectangular grid. Each light source in backlight array 210 is individually addressable and controllable to select an amount of light emitted thereby. A single light source may comprise one or more light-emitting elements depending upon the implementation. In one embodiment, each light source in backlight array 210 comprises a single light-emitting diode (LED) although this example is not intended to be limiting. Backlight array controller 204 within display controller 202 controls the amount of light emitted by each light source in backlight array 210 by sending a control signal 216 to backlight array 210. Control signal 216 may include one or more control signals used to control the amount of light emitted by each light source in backlight array 210. The operation of backlight array controller 204 and backlight array 210 will be described in further detail herein.
Pixel array 212 includes a two-dimensional array of pixels. Such pixels may be arranged, for example, in a rectangular grid. In an embodiment in which display panel 104 comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, each pixel in pixel array 212 comprises an LCD pixel, although this example is not intended to be limiting. Each pixel in pixel array 212 is individually addressable and controllable to select an amount of light originating from backlight array 210 that will be passed thereby, thus allowing the intensity of each pixel to be varied. In an embodiment, each pixel of pixel array 212 includes a plurality of sub-pixels, wherein each sub-pixel operates as a filter to pass a certain type of colored light and is individually addressable and controllable to select an amount of light that will be passed thereby. For example, each pixel in pixel array 212 may include a red sub-pixel that filters light produced by backlight panel 102 to produce red light, a green sub-pixel that filters light produced by backlight panel 102 to produce green light and a blue sub-pixel that filters light produced by backlight panel 102 to produce blue light. By controlling the intensity of each red, green and blue sub-pixel associated with a pixel, various colors may be produced at various degrees of intensity.
Parallax barrier 106 is positioned proximate to a surface of pixel array 212. Blocking region array 214 is a layer of parallax barrier 106 that includes a plurality of blocking regions arranged in an array. Each blocking region of the array is configured to be selectively opaque or transparent. For instance,
Blocking region array 302 may include any number of blocking regions 304. For example, in
Each blocking region 304 of blocking region array 302 is selectable to be opaque or transparent. For instance,
Display controller 202 is configured to generate control signals to enable display device 116 to display two-dimensional and three-dimensional images to users 222 in viewing space 108. For example, pixel array controller 206 is configured to generate a control signal 218 that is received by pixel array 212. Control signal 218 may include one or more control signals used to cause pixels of pixel array 212 to emit display-generated light 112 of particular desired colors and/or intensity. Blocking array controller 208 is configured to generate a control signal 220 that is received by blocking region array 214. Control signal 220 may include one or more control signals used to cause each of blocking regions 304 of blocking region array 302 to be transparent or opaque. In this manner, blocking region array 214 filters display-generated light 112 to generate filtered display-generated light 114 that includes one or more two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional images that may be viewed by users 222 in viewing space 108.
For example, control signal 218 may control sets of pixels of pixel array 212 to each emit light representative of a respective image, to provide a plurality of images. Control signal 220 may control blocking regions 304 of blocking region array 214 to filter the light received from pixel array 212 according to the provided images such that one or more of the images are received by users 222 in two-dimensional form. For instance, control signal 220 may select one or more sets of blocking regions 304 of blocking region array 302 to be transparent, to transmit one or more corresponding two-dimensional images to users 222. Furthermore, control signal 220 may control sections of blocking region array 214 to include opaque and transparent blocking regions 304 to filter the light received from pixel array 212 so that one or more pairs of images provided by pixel array 212 are each received by users 222 as a corresponding as three-dimensional image. For example, control signal 220 may select parallel strips of blocking regions 304 of blocking region array 302 to be transparent to form slits that enable three-dimensional images to be received by users 222.
In embodiments, control signal 220 may be generated by blocking array controller 208 to configure one or more characteristics of blocking region array 214. For example, control signal 220 may be generated to form any number of parallel strips of blocking regions 304 of blocking region array 302 to be transparent, to modify the number and/or spacing of parallel strips of blocking regions 304 of blocking region array 302 that are transparent, to select and/or modify a width and/or a length (in blocking regions 304) of one or more strips of blocking regions 304 of blocking region array 302 that are transparent or opaque, to select and/or modify an orientation of one or more strips of blocking regions 304 of blocking region array 302 that are transparent, to select one or more areas of blocking region array 302 to include all transparent or all opaque blocking regions 304, etc.
Two-dimensional and three-dimensional images may be generated by system 200 in various ways. For instance,
The method of flowchart 600 begins with step 602. In step 602, light is received at a parallax barrier. For example, as shown in
In step 604, each blocking region in a plurality of parallel strips of blocking regions of the blocking region array is selected to be transparent to form a plurality of parallel transparent slits, the spacing of transparent slits in the plurality of parallel transparent slits being selectable. For example, as shown in
For instance,
Referring back to
For example, as shown in
Light emanating from pixel array 702 is filtered by blocking region array 704 to form a plurality of images in a viewing space 726, including a first image 706a at a first location 708a and a second image 706b at a second location 708b. A portion of the light emanating from pixel array 702 is blocked by opaque blocking regions 710, while another portion of the light emanating from pixel array 702 passes through transparent blocking regions 712, according to the filtering by blocking region array 704. For instance, light 724a from pixel 714a is blocked by opaque blocking region 710a, and light 724b and light 724c from pixel 714b are blocked by opaque blocking regions 710b and 710c, respectively. In contrast, light 718a from pixel 714a is passed by transparent blocking region 712a and light 718b from pixel 714b is passed by transparent blocking region 712b.
By forming parallel transparent slits in a blocking region array, light from a pixel array can be filtered to form multiple images in a viewing space. For instance, system 700 shown in
In an embodiment, display system 700 may be configured to generate three-dimensional images for viewing by users in a viewing space. For instance, first and second images 706a and 706b may be configured to be perceived by a user as a three-dimensional image. In an embodiment, step 606 of flowchart 6 (
In such an embodiment, first and second images 706a and 706b may be formed by display system 700 such that their centers are spaced apart a width of a user's pupils (e.g., an “interocular distance” 1106). For example, the spacing of first and second images 706a and 706b may be approximately 65 mm (or other suitable spacing) to generally be equivalent to interocular distance 1106. As described above, multiple instances of first and second images 706a and 706b may be formed by display system 700 that repeat in a viewing space. Thus, first and second images 706a and 706b shown in
Details regarding a manner by which various characteristics of a parallax barrier, such as parallax barrier 300 of
As described in above-referenced U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/845,440, a blocking region array may be configured to enable multiple two-dimensional images and/or three-dimensional images to be displayed simultaneously. For example, the blocking region array may include one or more transparent sections to generate one or more two-dimensional images and one or more sections that include parallel transparent slits to generate one or more three-dimensional images. For instance,
In step 1202 of flowchart 1200, a first set of blocking regions of the blocking region array is configured to filter light from a first set of pixels to form a first image at a right eye location and to filter light from a second set of pixels to form a second image at a left eye location. For example, as shown in
In step 1204, a second set of blocking regions of the blocking region array is selected to be transparent to pass light from a third set of pixels to form a third image. For example, as shown in
As such, in
In
It is noted that although second portions 1404 and 1504 are shown for illustrative purposes in
Furthermore, although flowchart 1200 (and
As discussed in the preceding section, display system 116 is capable of simultaneously displaying two-dimensional and three-dimensional images in different display regions by selectively modifying portions of blocking region array 214 that correspond to different areas of pixel array 212. A viewer that is capable of viewing the simultaneously-displayed two-dimensional and three-dimensional images will perceive a different number of pixels per unit area in each display region depending upon the type of image that is being presented in each display region.
For example, in further accordance with the example provided above with respect to
Assume now instead that multi-view three-dimensional content is passed by second portion 1504 of blocking region array 302. As used herein, the term “multi-view three dimensional content” refers to content in which multiple three-dimensional images are embedded, wherein the position of a viewer dictates which of the multiple three-dimensional images is currently perceived. Multi-view three-dimensional content will thus be formed from some multiple of the two two-dimensional images normally required to generate a single three-dimensional image (e.g., four two-dimensional images to provide two three-dimensional images, six two-dimensional images to provided three three-dimensional images, etc.). As also used herein, the term N-view three-dimensional content indicates that N three-dimensional images are embedded in the content, wherein each three-dimensional image is formed from two distinct two-dimensional images. Thus, 8-view three-dimensional content will comprise 8 different three-dimensional images formed from 16 different underlying two-dimensional images.
Thus, if it is assumed that second portion 1504 of blocking region array 302 passes 2-view three-dimensional content, then each of a the viewer's eyes will perceive only one-fourth of the pixels in the portion of pixel array 212 that is aligned with second portion 1504 of blocking region array 302. This is because one fourth of the pixels in the relevant portion of pixel array 212 will be perceived as a first two-dimensional image by one eye of the viewer and another fourth of the pixels will be perceived as a second two-dimensional image that is perceived by the other eye of the viewer. The remaining pixels will be dedicated to forming two additional two-dimensional images that are not perceived by the user.
Because the number of perceptible pixels per unit area will vary from display region to display region based on the type of image that is being presented in the region, the brightness of each display region as perceived by a viewer will vary when backlighting of uniform luminosity is provided. Thus, for example, if backlighting of uniform luminosity is provided by backlight panel 102, a viewer perceiving a two-dimensional image in a first display region of display 116 and a three-dimensional image in a second display region of display 116 will perceive that the two-dimensional image is brighter than the three-dimensional image. This disparity in perceived brightness between display regions may lead to an unsatisfactory viewing experience for a viewer.
To address this issue, the amount of light emitted by the individual light sources that make up backlight array 210 can be selectively controlled so that the brightness associated with each of a plurality of display regions of display system 116 can also be controlled. This enables display system 116 to provide a desired brightness level for each display region automatically and/or in response to user input. For example, backlight array 210 can be controlled such that a uniform level of brightness is achieved across different simultaneously-displayed display regions, even though the number of perceptible pixels per unit area varies from display region to display region. As another example, backlight array 210 can be controlled such that the level of brightness associated with a particular display region is increased or reduced without impacting (or without substantially impacting) the brightness of other simultaneously-displayed display regions.
To help illustrate this,
As further shown in
Parallax barrier 300 includes blocking region array 302 that includes a first portion 1502 and a second portion 1504 as discussed above in reference to
Assume that a viewer is positioned such that he/she can perceive both the two-dimensional image passed by first portion 1502 of blocking region array 302 and the three-dimensional image formed through parallax by second portion 1504 of blocking region array 302. As discussed above, the pixels per unit area perceived by this viewer with respect to the two-dimensional image will be greater than the pixels per unit area perceived by this viewer with respect to the three-dimensional image. Thus, the two-dimensional image will appear brighter to the viewer than the three dimensional image when backlighting of constant luminosity is provided behind pixel array 1622.
To address this issue, backlight panel 1610 includes a backlight array 1612 comprising an arrangement of individually addressable and controllable light sources. As shown in
Of course, the arrangement shown in
To help illustrate this,
In the arrangements shown in
Also, in the examples described above, light sources in backlight array 1612 are described as being individually controllable. However, in alternate embodiments, light sources in backlight array 1612 may only be controllable in groups. This may facilitate a reduction in the complexity of the control infrastructure associated with backlight array 210. In still further embodiments, light sources in backlight array 1612 may be controllable both individually and in groups.
It is also noted that although
A method for operating a display system that utilizes a backlight panel such as that described above will now be described with reference to flowchart 1800 of
As shown in
At step 1804, an amount of light originating from the backlight panel that is passed by each pixel in an array of pixels included in a display panel that is disposed proximate to the backlight panel is controlled. For example, with reference to system 200 of
At step 1806, an adaptable parallax barrier is operated in conjunction with the backlight panel and the display panel to selectively generate one or more two-dimensional or three-dimensional user-viewable images. In accordance with one embodiment in which the display panel is disposed between the backlight panel and the adaptable parallax barrier, this step may involve controlling the adaptable parallax barrier to filter the light passed by the pixels in the array of pixels to selectively generate one or more two-dimensional or three-dimensional images. For example, with reference to system 200 of
The method described above in reference to flowchart 1800 of
As shown in
At step 1904, a first subset of an array of light sources is controlled to define a first backlight region having first brightness characteristics, the first backlight region being aligned with the first display region. Step 1904 may represent, for example, a step performed as part of performing step 1802 of flowchart 1800. With respect to example display system 200 of
At step 1906, a second subset of the array of light sources is controlled to define a second backlight region having second brightness characteristics, the second backlight region being aligned with the second display region. Step 1906 may represent, for example, another step performed as part of performing step 1802 of flowchart 1800. With respect to example display system 200 of
Although the foregoing method describes the definition of first and second backlight regions having different brightness characteristics, persons skilled in the relevant art(s) will readily appreciate that embodiments described herein are capable of defining any number of backlight regions having different brightness characteristics as needed to support any number of display regions.
In one embodiment, the first user-viewable content referenced in the foregoing method comprises a two-dimensional image and the second user-viewable content comprises a three-dimensional image. Since the number of viewable pixels per unit area will be less for a three-dimensional image than for a two-dimensional image, the foregoing method can advantageously be used to increase the backlighting in a region behind the pixels that are used to form the three-dimensional image relative to the backlighting in a region behind the pixels that are used to form the two-dimensional image, thereby reducing a perceived disparity in brightness between the two images.
In another embodiment, the first user-viewable content referenced in the foregoing method comprises a three-dimensional image and the second user-viewable content comprises multi-view three-dimensional content. Since the number of viewable pixels per unit area will be less for multi-view three-dimensional content than for a single three-dimensional image, the foregoing method can advantageously be used to increase the backlighting in a region behind the pixels that are used to form the multi-view three-dimensional content relative to the backlighting in a region behind the pixels that are used to form the three-dimensional image, thereby reducing a perceived disparity in brightness between the multi-view three-dimensional content and the three-dimensional image.
The regional backlighting capability described above can also advantageously be used to independently control the perceived brightness of the first user-viewable content and the second user-viewable content. Such independent control may be performed automatically in accordance with a predefined brightness control scheme and/or in response to user input received by the display system. It is further noted that the regional backlighting capability described above can advantageously be used in display system configurations in accordance with that shown in
The foregoing section described a system and method for controlling the brightness of different simultaneously-displayed display regions of a display system based on the use of a backlight array comprising a plurality of individually-controllable light sources. An alternative embodiment for achieving independent region-by-region brightness control will now be described that may be used in display systems that do not include such a backlight array. A block diagram of such a display system, denoted display system 2000, is shown in
Display system 2000 of
Unlike the backlight panel shown in system 200 of
Pixel array 2010 is analogous to pixel array 212 described above in detail in reference to system 200 of
Parallax barrier 106 is positioned proximate to a surface of pixel array 2010. Blocking region array 2012 is a layer of parallax barrier 106 that includes a plurality of blocking regions arranged in an array and is analogous to blocking region array 214 as described above in reference to system 200 of
Display controller 2002 is configured to generate control signals to enable display device 116 to display two-dimensional and three-dimensional images to users 2020 in viewing space 108. For example, pixel array controller 2006 (which is analogous to pixel array controller 206 described above in reference to system 200 of
As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings provided herein, system 2000 may be utilized to simultaneously display two-dimensional and three-dimensional images in different display regions by selectively modifying portions of blocking region array 2012 that correspond to different areas of pixel array 2010. As discussed above, a viewer that is capable of simultaneously viewing a two-dimensional image in a first display region and a three-dimensional image in a second display region will perceive a different number of pixels per unit area in each display region. This will result in each display region having a different perceived brightness when backlighting of uniform luminosity is provided by backlight panel 102, which may lead to an unsatisfactory viewing experience for a viewer.
To address this issue, the amount of light passed by the individual pixels that make up pixel array 2010 can be selectively controlled so that the brightness associated with each of a plurality of display regions of display system 116 can also be controlled. This enables display system 116 to provide a desired brightness level for each display region automatically and/or in response to user input. For example, the intensity of the pixels in pixel array 2010 can be controlled such that a uniform level of brightness is achieved across different simultaneously-displayed display regions, even though the number of perceptible pixels per unit area varies from display region to display region. As another example, the intensity of the pixels in pixel array 2010 can be controlled such that the level of brightness associated with a particular display region is increased or reduced without impacting (or without substantially impacting) the brightness of other simultaneously-displayed display regions.
To help illustrate this,
As further shown in
Parallax barrier 2112 includes blocking region array 2114 that includes a first portion 2116 and a second portion 2118. Blocking region array 2114 is aligned with pixel array 2104 such that first portion 2116 of blocking region array 2114 overlays first portion 2106 of pixel array 2104 and second portion 2118 of blocking region array 2112 overlays second portion 2108 of pixel array 2104. A blocking array controller (such as blocking array controller 2008 of
Assume that a viewer is positioned such that he/she can perceive both the two-dimensional image passed by first portion 2116 of blocking region array 2114 and the three-dimensional image formed through parallax by second portion 2118 of blocking region array 2114. As discussed above, the pixels per unit area perceived by this viewer with respect to the two-dimensional image will be greater than the pixels per unit area perceived by this viewer with respect to the three-dimensional image. Thus, the two-dimensional image will appear brighter to the viewer than the three dimensional image when backlighting of constant luminosity is provided behind pixel array 2104.
To address this issue, the pixel array controller may selectively cause the pixels included in first portion 2106 of pixel array 2104 to pass less light from the backlight panel (i.e., become less intense), thereby reducing the brightness of the two-dimensional image produced from the pixels in first portion 2106 of pixel array 2104. Alternatively or additionally, the pixel array controller may selectively cause the pixels included in second portion 2108 of pixel array 2104 to pass more light from the backlight panel (i.e., become more intense), thereby increasing the brightness of the three-dimensional image produced from the pixels in second portion 2108 of pixel array 2104. By controlling the intensity of the pixels in portions 2106 and 2108 of pixel array 2104 in this manner, the brightness of the two-dimensional image produced from the pixels in first portion 2106 of pixel array 2104 and the brightness of the three-dimensional image produced from the pixels in second portion 2108 of pixel array 2104 can be kept consistent. Additionally, by providing independent control over the intensity of the pixels in portions 2106 and 2108 of pixel array 2104, independent control over the brightness of the two-dimensional and three-dimensional images generated therefrom can also be achieved.
Of course, the arrangement shown in
A method for operating a display system that utilizes a regional brightness control scheme based on pixel intensity such as that described above will now be described with reference to flowchart 2200 of
As shown in
At step 2204, the amount of light passed by one or more pixels in the first subset of pixels is selectively increased or reduced to increase or reduce the brightness of the first display region. This step may be performed based on the type of content (e.g., two-dimensional content, three-dimensional content, multi-view three-dimensional content) being displayed by the first display region. With respect to example display system 2000 of
At step 2206, the amount of light passed by one or more pixels in the second subset of pixels is selectively increased or reduced to increase or reduce the brightness of the second display region. This step may be performed based on the type of content (e.g., two-dimensional content, three-dimensional content, multi-view three-dimensional content) being displayed by the second display region. With respect to example display system 2000 of
The method described above in reference to flowchart 2200 of
In one embodiment, the first user-viewable content referenced in the foregoing method comprises a two-dimensional image and the second user-viewable content comprises a three-dimensional image. Since the number of viewable pixels per unit area will be less for a three-dimensional image than for a two-dimensional image, the foregoing method can advantageously be used to increase the intensity of the pixels that are used to form the three-dimensional image and/or reduce the intensity of the pixels that are used to form the two-dimensional image, thereby reducing a perceived disparity in brightness between the two images.
In another embodiment, the first user-viewable content referenced in the foregoing method comprises a three-dimensional image and the second user-viewable content comprises multi-view three-dimensional content. Since the number of viewable pixels per unit area will be less for multi-view three-dimensional content than for a single three-dimensional image, the foregoing method can advantageously be used to increase the intensity of the pixels that are used to form the multi-view three-dimensional content and/or reduce the intensity of the pixels that are used to form the three-dimensional image, thereby reducing a perceived disparity in brightness between the multi-view three-dimensional content and the three-dimensional image.
The regional brightness control capability described above can also advantageously be used to independently control the perceived brightness of the first user-viewable content and the second user-viewable content. Such independent control may be performed automatically in accordance with a predefined brightness control scheme and/or in response to user input received by the display system.
In one embodiment, a regional brightness control scheme combines the use of a backlight array of independently-controllable light sources as described in the preceding section with regional pixel intensity control. The advantages of such a control scheme will now be described with reference to
However, the difference in the amount of light emitted by each light source in first and second portions 1614 and 1616 of backlight array 1612 to illuminate corresponding first and second portions 1624 and 1626 of pixel array 1624 may also give rise to undesired visual artifacts. In particular, the difference may cause pixels in boundary areas immediately outside of second portion 1626 of pixel array 1622 to appear brighter than desired in relation to other pixels in first portion 1624 of pixel array 1622. For example, as shown in
To address this issue, an embodiment may selectively control the amount of light passed by the pixels located in boundary region 2302 or boundary region 2304 to compensate for the undesired visual effects. For example, with respect to example display system 200 described above in reference to
The illustration provided in
A method for implementing regional brightness control in a display system that combines the use of a backlight array of independently-controllable light sources with regional pixel intensity control such as that discussed above will now be described with reference to flowchart 2400 of
As shown in
At step 2404, a first subset of an array of light sources is controlled to define a first backlight region having first brightness characteristics, the first backlight region being aligned with the first display region. With respect to example display system 200 of
At step 2406, a second subset of the array of light sources is controlled to define a second backlight region having second brightness characteristics, the second backlight region being aligned with the second display region. With respect to example display system 200 of
At step 2408, an amount of light passed by at least one pixel in a perimeter area of the first pixel region is selectively increased or reduced based on the brightness characteristics of one or both of the first backlight region and the second backlight region. With respect to example display system 200 of
In an alternative implementation, backlight panel 102 further comprises a grating structure that limits an amount of light dispersed by each of the light sources in backlight array 210, thereby mitigating or avoiding the “spill over” problem described above.
Although grating structure 2520 shown in
In one embodiment, grating structure 2520 is disposed directly on top of backlight array 2512. In alternate embodiments, grating structure 2520 is disposed in front of backlight array but not directly on top of backlight array 2512.
In alternate embodiments, a regional brightness control scheme is implemented in a display system that does not include a backlight panel at all, but instead utilizes a display panel comprising an array of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) or polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs) which function as display pixels and also provide their own illumination.
As shown in
As shown in
Parallax barrier 2704 is positioned proximate to a surface of OLED/PLED pixel array 2714 and includes a blocking region array 2716. Blocking region array 2716 is a layer of parallax barrier 2704 that includes a plurality of blocking regions arranged in an array and is analogous to blocking region array 214 as described above in reference to system 200 of
Display system 2700 also includes a display controller 2720 that includes a pixel array controller 2722 and a blocking array controller 2724. Display controller 2720 is configured to generate control signals to enable display device 2712 to display two-dimensional and three-dimensional images to users 2726 in viewing space 2706. For example, pixel array controller 2722 is configured to generate a control signal 2730 that is received by OLED/PLED pixel array 2714. Control signal 2730 may include one or more control signals used to cause pixels of OLED/PLED pixel array 2714 to emit display-generated light 2708 of particular desired colors and/or intensity. Blocking array controller 2724 (which is analogous to blocking array controller 208 described above in reference to system 200 of
As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings provided herein, system 2700 may be utilized to simultaneously display two-dimensional and three-dimensional images in different display regions by selectively modifying portions of blocking region array 2716 that correspond to different areas of OLED/PLED pixel array 2714. As discussed above, a viewer that is capable of simultaneously viewing a two-dimensional image in a first display region and a three-dimensional image in a second display region will perceive a different number of pixels per unit area in each display region. This will result in each display region having a different perceived brightness when a uniform display-wide luminosity scheme is implemented by the pixels in OLED/PLED pixel array 2714, which may lead to an unsatisfactory viewing experience for a viewer.
To address this issue, the amount of light emitted by the individual OLED/PLED pixels that make up OLED/PLED pixel array 2714 can be selectively controlled so that the brightness associated with each of a plurality of display regions of display system 2712 can also be controlled. This enables display system 2712 to provide a desired brightness level for each display region automatically and/or in response to user input. For example, OLED/PLED pixel array 2714 can be controlled such that a uniform level of brightness is achieved across different simultaneously-displayed display regions, even though the number of perceptible pixels per unit area varies from display region to display region. As another example, OLED/PLED pixel array 2714 can be controlled such that the level of brightness associated with a particular display region is increased or reduced without impacting (or without substantially impacting) the brightness of other simultaneously-displayed display regions.
A method for operating a display system that implements a regional brightness control scheme by controlling the amount of light emitted by OLED/PLED pixels such as that described above will now be described with reference to flowchart 2800 of
As shown in
At step 2804, a second subset of LEDs in the array of LEDs is controlled to define a second pixel region having second brightness characteristics. With respect to example display system 2700 of
At step 2806, an adaptable parallax barrier that is positioned proximate to the display panel is configured to filter light emitted by the first pixel region to form first user-viewable content and to simultaneously filter light emitted by the second pixel region to form second user-viewable content. With respect to example display system 2700 of
The method described above in reference to flowchart 2800 of
In one embodiment, the first user-viewable content referenced in the foregoing method comprises a two-dimensional image and the second user-viewable content comprises a three-dimensional image. Since the number of viewable pixels per unit area will be less for a three-dimensional image than for a two-dimensional image, the foregoing method can advantageously be used to increase the intensity of the OLED/PLED pixels that are used to form the three-dimensional image and/or reduce the intensity of the OLED/PLED pixels that are used to form the two-dimensional image, thereby reducing a perceived disparity in brightness between the two images.
In another embodiment, the first user-viewable content referenced in the foregoing method comprises a three-dimensional image and the second user-viewable content comprises multi-view three-dimensional content. Since the number of viewable pixels per unit area will be less for multi-view three-dimensional content than for a single three-dimensional image, the foregoing method can advantageously be used to increase the intensity of the OLED/PLED pixels that are used to form the multi-view three-dimensional content and/or reduce the intensity of the OLED/PLED pixels that are used to form the three-dimensional image, thereby reducing a perceived disparity in brightness between the multi-view three-dimensional content and the three-dimensional image.
The regional brightness control capability described above can also advantageously be used to independently control the perceived brightness of the first user-viewable content and the second user-viewable content. Such independent control may be performed automatically in accordance with a predefined brightness control scheme and/or in response to user input received by the display system.
Where OLED/PLED pixel regions such as those described above are adjacent to each other, it is possible that the brightness characteristics of one pixel region can impact the perceived brightness of an adjacent pixel region having different brightness characteristics, creating an undesired visual effect. For example, a first OLED/PLED pixel region having a relatively high level of brightness to support the viewing of multi-view three-dimensional content may be adjacent to a second OLED/PLED pixel region having a relatively low level of brightness to support the viewing of two-dimensional content. In this scenario, light from pixels in a perimeter area of the first OLED/PLED pixel region that are close to the boundary between the two pixel regions may “spill over” into a perimeter area of the second OLED/PLED pixel region. This may cause pixels in the perimeter area of the second OLED/PLED pixel region to appear brighter than desired in relation to other pixels in the second OLED/PLED pixel region. Conversely, pixels in the perimeter area of the first OLED/PLED pixel array may appear dimmer than desired in relation to other pixels in the first OLED/PLED pixel region because of the adjacency to the second OLED/PLED pixel region. To address this issue, it is possible to selectively increase or reduce the brightness of one or more OLED/PLED pixels in either perimeter area to reduce the “spill over” effect arising from the different brightness characteristics between the regions.
In still further embodiments, a regional brightness control scheme is implemented in a display system that includes an adaptable parallax barrier that also supports brightness regulation via an “overlay” approach that will be described herein.
Conceptually, embodiments described herein attempt to match and support independent regional adjustment of backlighting output to produce a non-uniform output that compensates for regional differences in an adaptable screen assembly, wherein such screen assembly has inherent regional light blocking characteristics (i.e. various parallax barrier configurations). That is, embodiments described herein attempt to maintain standard brightness across various regional screen configurations, wherein each region has differing light blocking characteristics. Also, because of backlighting dispersion in zones running along the perimeter of regional boundaries, techniques to compensate or to minimize backlighting dispersion are applied in accordance with various embodiments described herein. For example, structures such as grating structure 2520 shown in
An embodiment will now be described in which a brightness regulation overlay that is either independent of or integrated with an adaptable parallax barrier is used to help achieve the aforementioned goals of maintaining standard brightness across various regional screen configurations and compensating for or minimizing backlighting dispersion. In particular,
As shown in
Adaptable light manipulator 2922 comprises a parallax barrier and a brightness regulation overlay. The parallax barrier may comprise a parallax barrier such as parallax barrier 106 described above in reference to
Note that display system 2900 can be implemented in configurations in which display panel 2924 is disposed between a backlight panel and adaptable light manipulator 2922 as well as in configurations in which adaptable light manipulator 2922 is disposed between a backlight panel and display panel 2924. In either case, the desired display of 2D/3D regions and simultaneous backlight regulation can be achieved. In an embodiment in which pixel array 2932 of display panel 2924 comprises OLED or PLED pixels that are self-illuminating, no backlight panel is needed and adaptable light manipulator 2922 is disposed “in front of” display panel 2924 (i.e., between display panel 2924 and the users in a viewing space in front of display system 2900).
A first exemplary configuration of adaptable light manipulator 2922 is shown above the section line denoted with reference numeral 3002. In accordance with the first exemplary configuration, a 3D region 3004 is created with fully transparent or fully opaque manipulator pixels that provide parallax barrier functionality and a 2D region 3006 is created having continuous medium gray manipulator pixels. The medium gray manipulator pixels operate to reduce the perceived brightness of 2D region 3006 to better match that of 3D region 3004. It is noted that in other example configurations, 2D region 3006 could instead comprise a 3D region having a number of views that is different than 3D region 3004, thus also requiring brightness regulation.
In the first exemplary configuration, no boundary region compensation is performed. In the second exemplary configuration, which is shown below section line 3002, boundary region compensation is performed. For example, a boundary region 3010 within 2D region 3006 may be “lightened” to a light gray to compensate for any diminution of light that might occur near the boundary with 3D region 3004. In contrast, the grayscale level of an inner portion 3008 of 2D region 3006 is maintained at the same medium gray level as in the portion of 2D region 3006 above section line 3002. As a further example, a first boundary region 3012 and a second boundary region 3014 within 3D region 3004 comprise darker and lighter gray transitional areas, respectively, to account for light dispersion from 2D region 3006. In contrast, an inner portion 3016 of 3D region 3004 includes only fully transparent or fully opaque manipulator pixels consistent with a parallax barrier configuration and no brightness regulation.
In one embodiment, the configuration of adaptable light manipulator 2922 is achieved by first creating a white through various grayscale areas that correspond to the regions and boundary areas to be formed. Once established, the manipulator pixels in these areas that comprise the opaque portions of the parallax barrier are overwritten to turn them black. Of course this two-stage approach is conceptual only and no “overwriting” need be performed.
In certain embodiments, adaptable light manipulator 2922 comprises the only component used in display system 2900 for performing brightness regulation and/or boundary region compensation. In alternate embodiments, display system 2900 further utilizes any one or more of the following aforementioned techniques for performing brightness regulation and/or boundary region compensation: a backlighting array with independently-controllable light sources, a grating structure for use therewith, and/or a pixel array and associated control logic for selectively increasing or decreasing the intensity of display pixels (e.g., either LCD pixels or OLED/PLED pixels). Note that in certain embodiments (such as the one described above in reference to
A method for operating a display system that implements a regional brightness control scheme by using a brightness regulation overlay such as that described above will now be described with reference to flowchart 3100 of
As shown in
At step 3104, at least a portion of a plurality of manipulator pixels in an adaptable light manipulator are controlled to form a first parallax barrier arrangement that causes the first image content to be perceived in a first viewing mode in a first display region and to form a second parallax barrier arrangement that causes the second image content to be perceived in a second viewing mode in a second display region. Again, with continued reference to the embodiments depicted in
At step 3106, at least a portion of the plurality of manipulator pixels in the adaptable light manipulator are controlled to be placed in a grayscale mode to regulate a perceived brightness of at least a portion of the first image content perceived in the first viewing mode in the first display region or at least a portion of the first image content perceived in the second viewing mode in the second display region. Again, with continued reference to the embodiments depicted in
As shown in
Control circuitry 3202 may also include one or more secondary storage devices (not shown in
Control circuitry 3202 further includes a user input interface 3216 and a media interface 3218. User input interface 3216 is intended to generally represent any type of interface that may be used to receive user input, including but not limited to a remote control device, a traditional computer input device such as a keyboard or mouse, a touch screen, a gamepad or other type of gaming console input device, or one or more sensors including but not limited to video cameras, microphones and motion sensors. Media interface 3218 is intended to represent any type of interface that is capable of receiving media content such as video content or image content. In certain implementations, media interface 3218 may comprise an interface for receiving media content from a remote source such as a broadcast media server, an on-demand media server, or the like. In such implementations, media interface 3218 may comprise, for example and without limitation, a wired or wireless internet or intranet connection, a satellite interface, a fiber interface, a coaxial cable interface, or a fiber-coaxial cable interface. Media interface 3218 may also comprise an interface for receiving media content from a local source such as a DVD or Blu-Ray disc player, a personal computer, a personal media player, smart phone, or the like. Media content 3218 may be capable of retrieving video content from multiple sources.
Control circuitry 3202 further includes a communication interface 3220. Communication interface 3220 enables control circuitry 3202 to send control signals via a communication medium 3262 to another communication interface 3240 within driver circuitry 3204, thereby enabling control circuitry 3202 to control the operation of driver circuitry 3204. Communication medium 3262 may comprise any kind of wired or wireless communication medium suitable for transmitting such control signals.
As shown in
In one example mode of operation, processing unit 3214 operates pursuant to control logic to receive video content via media interface 3218 and to generate control signals necessary to cause driver circuitry to render such video content to a screen comprised of screen elements 3206. The control logic that is executed by processing unit 3214 may be retrieved, for example, from a primary memory or a secondary storage device connected to processing unit 3214 via communication infrastructure 3212 as discussed above. The control logic may also be retrieved from some other local or remote source. Where the control logic is stored on a computer readable medium, that computer readable medium may be referred to herein as a computer program product.
Among other features, driver circuitry 3204 may be controlled to send drive signals necessary for simultaneously displaying two-dimensional images, three-dimensional images and multi-view three-dimensional content via different display regions of the screen. The manner in which pixel array 3252, adaptable light manipulator 3254 (e.g., an adaptable parallax barrier), and backlight 3256 may be manipulated in a coordinated fashion to perform this function was described previously herein. Note that in accordance with certain implementations (e.g., implementations in which pixel array comprises a OLED/PLED pixel array), screen elements 3206 need not include a backlight 3256.
Driver circuitry 3205 may also be controlled to cause screen elements 3206 to perform certain functions described elsewhere herein for regulating a perceived brightness across various regional screen configurations, wherein each region has differing light blocking characteristics, and to minimize backlighting dispersion effects that may occur between adjacent regions. For example, in accordance with an embodiment described above, backlight 3256 may comprise an array of light sources (e.g., LEDs) that may be individually driven to vary the backlighting luminosity provided to pixel array 3252 on a region-by-region basis, wherein each region has differing light blocking characteristics as determined by the configuration of adaptable light manipulator 3254. As another example, in accordance with a further embodiment described above, the intensity of pixels in pixel array 3252 associated with a particular display region can also be increased or reduced in response to drive signals from pixel array driver circuitry 3242 in order to control brightness on a region-by-region or pixel-by-pixel basis. In certain embodiments, driver circuitry 3204 is controlled by control circuitry 3202 to implement a combined backlight array and pixel intensity control scheme to provide desired brightness on a region-by-region basis. For example, in accordance with such embodiments, pixel array driver circuitry 3242 may be controlled to cause the intensity of pixels near a boundary of a region to be increased or reduced to correct disparities caused by the luminosity contribution (or lack thereof) from backlight sources associated with adjacent regions. In still further embodiments, a grating system is also included within screen elements 3206 to prevent the spilling over of light from adjacent regions.
In a still further embodiment described above, adaptable light manipulator 3254 includes both a parallax barrier and a brightness regulation overlay. In accordance with such an embodiment, adaptable light manipulator driver circuitry 3244 may be controlled by control circuitry 3202 to implement different parallax barrier configurations for different display regions and to also configure the brightness regulation overlay to achieve a standard perceived brightness across such display regions and/or to minimize dispersion effects between adjacent regions. Various ways in which adaptable light manipulator 3254 could be driven to perform these functions were described elsewhere herein.
In certain implementations, control circuitry 3202, driver circuitry 3204 and screen elements 3206 are all included within a single housing. For example and without limitation, all these elements may exist within a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a telephone. In accordance with such an implementation, the link 3260 formed between communication interfaces 3220 and 3240 may be replaced by a direction connection between driver circuitry 3204 and communication infrastructure 3212. In an alternate implementation, control circuitry 3202 is disposed within a first housing, such as set top box or personal computer, and driver circuitry 3204 and screen elements 3206 are disposed within a second housing, such as a television or computer monitor. The set top box may be any type of set top box including but not limited to fiber, Internet, cable, satellite, or terrestrial digital.
VI. ConclusionWhile various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A display system having a screen surface, the display system comprising:
- a backlight panel comprising an array of light sources, each of the light sources being individually controllable to select an amount of light emitted thereby;
- a display panel comprising an array of pixels, each pixel being controllable to select an amount of light originating from the backlight panel that will be passed thereby; and
- an adaptable parallax barrier that operates in conjunction with the backlight panel and the display panel to deliver at least a first three-dimensional visual presentation via the screen surface.
2. The display system of claim 1, wherein the adaptable parallax barrier establishes both a first barrier element configuration corresponding to a first region of the screen surface and a second barrier element configuration corresponding to a second region of the screen surface, the first region of the screen surface supporting the delivery of the three-dimensional visual presentation.
3. The display of claim 2, wherein the amount of light emitted by a first portion of light sources of the array of light sources is selected, the selection being based at least in part on the first barrier element configuration.
4. The display system of claim 2, wherein the second region of the screen surface supports delivery of a two-dimensional visual presentation via the second barrier element configuration.
5. The display system of claim 2, wherein the amount of light emitted by a second portion of light sources of the array of light sources is selected based on a characteristic of a boundary between the first region and the second region.
6. The display system of claim 1, wherein the backlight panel further comprising a grating structure that limits light dispersion.
7. A method used to support delivery of both a first visual presentation via a first portion of a screen surface and a second visual presentation via a second portion of the screen surface, the method comprising:
- delivering barrier control signals to cause placement of both first barrier elements into a first configuration and second barrier elements into a second configuration, the first barrier elements corresponding to the first portion of the screen surface, the first configuration being tailored to support the first visual presentation, the second barrier elements corresponding to the second portion of the screen surface, the second configuration being tailored to support the second visual presentation;
- delivering illumination control signals to cause simultaneous production of both a first illumination output and a second illumination output, the first illumination output being tailored to support the first visual presentation, the second illumination output being tailored to support the second visual presentation; and
- delivering signal representations corresponding to both the first visual presentation and the second visual presentation, the signal representations to be used via a plurality of display pixel elements to assist in generating both the first visual presentation and the second visual presentation.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first illumination output is generated by a first portion of a plurality of backlight emitters, and the second illumination output is generated by a second portion of the plurality of backlight emitters.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first illumination output and the second illumination output are both generated at least in part via a plurality of adjustable grayscale elements.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein each element of both the first barrier elements and the second barrier elements have blocking and non-blocking states, and the first configuration of the first barrier elements includes a higher percentage of the first barrier elements in the blocking state than that of the second barrier elements in the second configuration.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein at least one of the second illumination output and the first illumination output addressing a boundary region illumination characteristic.
12. A display controller supporting simultaneous presentation of first video content and second video content on a display, the display having a screen that can be configured to have a first region and a second region, the first region corresponding to a first visual representation of the first video content, the second region corresponding to a second visual representation of the second video content, the first video content being stereoscopic three-dimensional content, the display control system comprising:
- processing circuitry;
- a media interface through which both the first video content and the second video content are received by the processing circuitry;
- an interface element coupled to the processing circuitry;
- the processing circuitry sending via the interface element control signals to cause the configuration of the display in support of the presentation of both the first visual representation of the first video content in the first region and the second visual representation of the second video content in the second region, and the control signals being sent to establish a first backlight illumination associated with the first region and a second backlight illumination associated with the second region, the first backlight illumination having a brightness characteristic that differs from that of the second backlight illumination.
13. The display controller of claim 12, wherein the interface element couples with display driver circuitry, and the interface element comprising at least one of an interface circuit and a signal bus.
14. The display controller of claim 12, further comprising display driver circuitry, the display driver circuitry having a display pixel driver circuit and a light manipulator driver circuit.
15. The display controller of claim 14, wherein the light manipulator driver circuit responds to at least one of the control signals by assisting in establishing the first backlight illumination associated with the first region.
16. The display controller of claim 15, wherein the light manipulator driver circuit also responds to the at least one of the control signals by generating a parallax barrier configuration associated with the first region.
17. The display controller of claim 16, wherein the first backlight illumination being selected based at least in part on a brightness limiting characteristic associated with the parallax barrier configuration.
18. A method used to support a visual presentation of three-dimensional content to a viewer via a screen, the viewer having a left eye and a right eye, the method comprising:
- selecting a first manipulation configuration;
- selecting, based on the first manipulation configuration, a first brightness characteristic for both first light and second light, the first light intended for the left eye of the viewer while the second light intended for the right eye of the viewer;
- producing both the first light and the second light based on the first brightness characteristic;
- manipulating, based on the first manipulation configuration, the left eye light to try to prevent receipt of the left eye light by the right eye of the viewer; and
- manipulating, based on the first manipulation configuration, the right eye light to try to prevent receipt of the right eye light by the left eye of the viewer.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the screen having a first region and a second region, the first manipulation configuration being associated with the first region, and further comprising:
- selecting a second manipulation configuration associated with the second region;
- selecting, based on the second manipulation configuration, a second brightness characteristic for third light; and
- producing the third light based on the second brightness characteristic.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first manipulation configuration comprising an adaptable parallax barrier configuration.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein the production of both the first light and the second light based on the first brightness characteristic involving in part control of at least a portion of backlight array elements.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein the production of both the first light and the second light based on the first brightness characteristic involving in part a grayscale configuration of at least some light control elements.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein selected elements of the at least some light control elements are used to perform the manipulation of the left eye light and the right eye light.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 30, 2010
Publication Date: Jun 30, 2011
Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION (Irvine, CA)
Inventors: James D. Bennett (Hroznetin), Jeyhan Karaoguz (Irvine, CA)
Application Number: 12/982,020
International Classification: G09G 5/10 (20060101);
