Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which eyewear with time shared viewing is capable of supporting delivery of differing content to multiple viewers/users. The content that is delivered to each viewer includes a respective frame sequence that is displayed on a screen. The frame sequences are mixed when they are displayed on the screen. A lens assembly may be used by each viewer to view the frame sequence that is delivered to that viewer. For instance, a first lens assembly may pass a first frame sequence but not frame sequences other than the first frame sequence. A second lens assembly may pass a second frame sequence but not frame sequences other than the second frame sequence, and so on. The content that is delivered to a viewer may depend on a maturity of the viewer (e.g., whether the viewer's maturity is less than a maturity threshold).

Abstract: A display device comprising: a display cell including at least two color regions, each of the at least color regions including a right-eye pixel and a left-eye pixel corresponding to a right eye and a left eye of a viewer, respectively; and a lenticular cell including at least two lenses corresponding to the at least two color regions, wherein the at least two lenses having different focal lengths.

Abstract: A reciprocating lenticular lens screen assembly includes a lenticular lens screen and a driving assembly. The lenticular lens screen includes a substrate and an optical portion formed on a first major face of the substrate for viewing by a viewer at a viewer's position. The optical portion is configured for transmitting light rays representing images to the viewer's position at angles corresponding to a right eye viewing position of the viewer's position and at angles corresponding to a left eye viewing position of the viewer's position. A part of the driving assembly is connected to the substrate, and the driving assembly moves the lenticular lens screen back and forth at a predetermined frequency to show the images to the right eye viewing position and to the left eye viewing position alternately at the predetermined frequency. A stereoscopic display device incorporating the lenticular lens screen is also provided.

Abstract: A display system is provided that enables three-dimensional images to be displayed. The display system includes an elastic light manipulator positioned proximate an image generator. The image generator includes a pixel array. The elastic light manipulator includes an elastic material and is mounted in a manner that allows for automated stretching thereof. For instance, the elastic light manipulator may be an elastic lenticular lens, an elastic parallax barrier, etc. Because the elastic light manipulator can be stretched, optical properties of the elastic light manipulator can be dynamically modified, thereby changing the manner in which light emanating from the pixel array is delivered to the eyes of viewer(s). This allows for adaptive accommodation of, for example, a changing viewer sweet spot. The elastic light manipulator may be automatically rolled up or otherwise automatically removed from in front of the image generator in order to facilitate switching between 2D and 3D views.

Abstract: A display system and method are provided that enable two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional images to be displayed. One or more light manipulating layers, a pixel array, and an optional backlighting panel are provided. Each light manipulating layer may be a parallax barrier or a lenticular lens. A parallax barrier includes a plurality of barrier elements arranged in a barrier element array. The barrier element array includes a plurality of strips of barrier elements selected to be transparent to form a plurality of non-blocking strips. A lenticular lens includes an array of sub-lenses, and may be elastic. The display system is configured to deliver light from the pixel array or backlighting panel as views to corresponding viewers in a viewing space. The delivered views may include one or more two-dimensional views and/or one or more three-dimensional views.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a main body, a 2-dimensional display panel and a display-mode switching device. The main body includes a first surface. The 2-dimensional display panel is mounted in the first surface for selectively displaying 2-dimensional images, and left and right parallax images. The display-mode switching device includes a lenticular lens sheet capable of directing the left parallax image light beams to a left eye of the viewer and directing the right parallax image light beams to a right eye of the viewer. The display-mode switching device is movably mounted on the main body between a first position where the lenticular lens sheet is overlaid on the 2-dimensional display panel to convert the left and right parallax images into stereoscopic images and a second position where the lenticular lens sheet is moved away from the 2-dimensional display panel such that the 2-dimensional display panel displays the 2-dimensional images.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to eliminate color non-uniformity and intensity non-uniformity on a three-dimensional image.

Abstract: A multiple path stereoscopic projection system is disclosed. The system comprises a polarizing splitting element configured to receive image light energy and split the image light energy received into a primary path and a secondary path, a reflector in the secondary path, and a polarization modulator or polarization modulator arrangement positioned in the primary path and configured to modulate the primary path of light energy. A polarization modulator may be included within the secondary path, a retarder may be used, and optional devices that may be successfully employed in the system include elements to substantially optically superimpose light energy transmission between paths and cleanup polarizers. The projection system can enhance the brightness of stereoscopic images perceived by a viewer. Static polarizer dual projection implementations free of polarization modulators are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and an associated method for displaying 3D images includes a screen and a screen illuminating system. The screen has diffusion characteristics for direction selectively forwarding light. The screen illuminating system includes modules for generating light beams incident on points of the screen. The apparatus is configured to impart an exit divergence to the exiting light beams being transmitted through or reflected from the screen. Each module provides one beam in one direction with a convergent section. The beams are focused on the screen where the convergence (?c) of an incident light beam is not greater than the exit divergence (?x) of an exiting light beam.

Abstract: This invention is a device for displaying three-dimensional images using an array of tilting microcolumns. It can create high-resolution, large-scale, moving, three-dimensional images that can be viewed by people in different locations, with full parallax, without special eyewear. Unlike currently available methods, this invention: does not require special eyewear, works for multiple viewers, provides parallax in all directions, does not have a very restrictive viewing zone, does not produce only transparent images, does not require coherent light, is scalable to large displays, does not require liquid movement to adjust lens shape, and does not require complex systems to individually control large numbers of lenses.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional image recording medium in which three-dimensional information of a recorded material is recorded precisely and observed more naturally. The linear images of plural parallel-projection images from different directions A to E divided into rectangles are recorded sequentially to divisional recording units of the linear image recording units M1 to M8 and in addition, the linear images of divided parallel-projection images from the same direction are recorded sequentially to each divisional recording unit arranged in the same position relative to a lens width direction of each lenticular lens unit L1 to L8 corresponding to each linear image recording unit M1 to M8 to thereby reproduce a three-dimensional image by combining the linear images of plural parallel-projection images.

Abstract: A display device capable of displaying a stereoscopic image has improved display quality when displaying a 2-D image by filtering to include image data from surrounding pixels in output data corresponding to a specific pixel based on weight values. The data of the specific pixel is influenced by the surrounding pixels, to display the data of the specific pixel in a wider range. As a result, non-recognition of a thin line or character at an arbitrary angle may be prevented.

Abstract: A display device which is capable of generating more parallaxes without reducing resolution and an image quality, a display controlling method, and a program are provided. An aperture ratio of a light source is set as 1/N, and liquid lenses are disposed at distances of focal lengths of the first liquid lens and the second liquid lens from the light source, respectively. A position controlling portion changes a position of a nonpolar liquid by a size of each of luminescent pixels as represented by the first liquid lens and the second liquid lens, which results in that emitted lights from respective luminescent pixels pass through either the first liquid lens or the second liquid lens to be emitted in directions different from one another as shown in the form of lights. The present embodiments can be applied to a parallax image displaying device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device which is used to film, record and reproduce video images in real time with a three dimensional appearance, using a video camera and a sonar system in order to obtain the depth information. According to the invention, an electronic system divides up the original image filmed in BGR format and each image is modified in accordance with the depth register (or programming) in order to form new images. Each image corresponds to a determined distance level. The result is displayed on a monitor comprising various independent transparent LCD (liquid crystal display) screens which are aligned one after the other. By displaying the images simultaneously, a single image is formed for the spectator, said image creating an appearance of volume and three-dimensional perception similar to low relief. The depth, video and sound signals are transmitted directly for reproduction purposes and to the magnetic tape recording system for storage purposes, using three magnetic tape heads.

Abstract: In a stereoscopic display apparatus having optical directory elements such as lenticular elements (4) extending parallel to each other and being slanted at an angle to one of the rows and columns of picture element the picture elements (2) are positioned out of focus at the optical directory elements, in such a manner that the modulation depth of “dark bands” is minimized.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image display device includes a display panel, a temporal division plate and a lenticular lens. The display panel includes a gate line, a data line, and a unit pixel of a horizontal pixel structure in which a long side is parallel with the first direction and a short side is parallel with the second direction. The display panel displays a 2D image based on an image control signal. The temporal division plate includes a plurality of shutters disposed on the display panel extending in the second direction. The temporal division plate opens and closes m shutters corresponding to each unit pixel, in a sequence, ‘m’ being a natural number no less than 2). The lenticular lens is disposed on the temporal division plate to convert the 2D image passing the temporal division plate into a 3D image.

Abstract: This invention is a device for displaying three-dimensional images using an array of spinning microlenses. It can create high-resolution, large-scale, moving, three-dimensional images that can be viewed by people in different locations, with full parallax, without special eyewear. Unlike currently available methods, this invention: does not require special eyewear, works for multiple viewers, provides parallax in all directions, does not have a very restrictive viewing zone, does not produce only transparent images, does not require coherent light, is scalable to large displays, does not require liquid movement to adjust lens shape, and does not require complex systems to individually control large numbers of lenses.

Abstract: Autostereoscopic systems permitting various degrees of free movement of a viewer are provided. Some embodiments incorporate both a light-controlling module which provides for autostereoscopic viewing, and a lenticular array distinct from that module, which enhances movement permissiveness of the system. Some embodiments provide an eye-position detector and means to aim light of left and right stereoscopic images appropriately towards a viewer's left and right eyes respectively.

Abstract: A three-dimensional viewing device for providing images to a user includes a receiver receiving source 3D synchronization signals from a transmitting device, wherein the source 3D synchronization signals comprise a source frequency and a source phase, a plurality of LCD shutters including a right LCD shutter and a left LCD shutter, wherein the right LCD shutter and the left LCD shutter are for alternatively entering a translucent state in response to local 3D synchronization signals, a localized timing source for generating the local 3D synchronization signals in response to the source 3D synchronization signals, and an adjustment portion for adjusting parameters of the local 3D synchronization signals in response to parameters of the source 3D synchronization signals.

Abstract: A display device comprising: a display cell including at least two color regions, each of the at least color regions including a right-eye pixel and a left-eye pixel corresponding to a right eye and a left eye of a viewer, respectively; and a lenticular cell including at least two lenses corresponding to the at least two color regions, wherein the at least two lenses having different focal lengths.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic display device having a plurality of operating modes for providing different brightness non-uniformity and cross talk display characteristics. The device comprises: an image forming means having an array of display pixels for producing a display, the display pixels being spatially defined by an opaque matrix; and a view forming means arranged in registration with the image forming means and having an array of view forming elements configurable to focus outputs of groups of the display pixels into a plurality of views projected towards a user in different directions, thereby enabling autostereoscopic imaging, wherein a focusing strength of the view forming means is electrically switchable.

Abstract: A multiple path stereoscopic projection system is disclosed. The system comprises a polarizing splitting element configured to receive image light energy and split the image light energy received into a primary path and a secondary path, a reflector in the secondary path, and a polarization modulator or polarization modulator arrangement positioned in the primary path and configured to modulate the primary path of light energy. A polarization modulator may be included within the secondary path, a retarder may be used, and optional devices that may be successfully employed in the system include elements to substantially optically superimpose light energy transmission between paths and cleanup polarizers. The projection system can enhance the brightness of stereoscopic images perceived by a viewer. Static polarizer dual projection implementations free of polarization modulators are also provided.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus may include a display unit capable of displaying three-dimensional images, a value input device, and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the value input device. The display unit may include a display screen which may have a plurality of display pixels and a lenticular screen coupled with the display screen. The three-dimensional display may include a first perspective view of the image when the image is viewed from a first angle and a second perspective view of the image when the image is viewed from a second angle, the first and second perspective views being displayed simultaneously.

Abstract: In a three-dimensional image display device for displaying color three-dimensional images, a fly eye lens, a display panel, and a light source are provided in this order from the observer side. A display panel has four pixels arrayed in a (2×2) matrix correlated with one lens element of the fly eye lens. In the event that j is a natural number, a pixel magnifying projection width e in a second direction is set in a range of the following expression according to mean interpupillary distance Y of the observers.

Abstract: A display control system (11) comprises an input (12) for receiving an image to be displayed by means of a backlight (2) and a transmissive panel (3). A backlight controller (5) provides different colors or luminances for causing the backlight (2) to sequentially apply the different colors or luminances to the transmissive panel (3) in time-sequential sub-fields of the image. A transmissive panel controller (6) provides transmittivities for causing the transmissive panel (3) to sequentially apply the transmittivities to the transmissive panel in the time-sequential sub-fields of the image for displaying the image. The transmissive panel controller (6) selects a transmittivity based on a predetermined amount of off-axis gamma distortion of the transmissive panel.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic display is described. The autostereoscopic display apparatus includes a backlight having opposing first and second light input surfaces and a light transmission surface extending between the opposing first and second light input surfaces and a right eye light source located to provide light into the first light input side and a left eye light source located to provide light into the second light input side, wherein the left eye light source and the right eye light source are configured to be modulated between the left eye light source and the right eye light source at a rate of at least 90 hertz. A double sided prism film is adjacent to the light transmission surface. The double sided prism film has a plurality of linear prism features on a first major surface and a plurality of lenticular features on a second major surface. The first major surface opposes the second major surface. The double sided prism film is disposed between the light transmission surface and a Fresnel lens element.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image display apparatus includes an image receiving device for retrieving right and left eye images of plural stereo pairs obtained stereoscopically from a storage medium by one pair. A parallax checking device determines parallax information of parallax of a common principal object present in each of the right and left eye images being retrieved. A stereo matching unit corrects a right eye image in projective transformation to minimize the parallax information being determined. A display panel displays a three dimensional image according to the right and left eye images after correcting the right eye image. A controller, while the display panel displays the three dimensional image, causes retrieval of the right and left eye images and determination of the parallax information thereof with the image receiving device and the parallax checking device with respect to a succeeding stereo pair among the plural stereo pairs.

Abstract: A unit for an method of analyzing received image data to determine whether the received image data corresponds to a single-view or to multiple views is disclosed. The method comprises: dividing the received image data (200) into a number of structures (1-9) of data elements (224-234); computing a correlation between a first one (1) of the structures of data elements and a second one (2) of the structures of data elements; and establishing that the received image-data corresponds to multiple views on basis of the correlation between the first one of the structures of data elements and the second one of the structures of data elements.

Abstract: What is described is a position-adaptive autostereoscopic 3-D reproduction system for generating 3-D images or scenes, having a flat image screen (1) with colour subpixels (R, G, B) lying side by side, a raster screen (2), a coding unit (6, 9) and a processor unit (3) for generating perspective images. According to the invention, the coding unit (6, 9) is controllable and the raster screen (2) is dimensioned and arranged such that first and second mutually interlaced subpixel strips appear on the image screen (1) and from these, first and second image strips are generated, which appear to the two eyes of an observer to be disjoint for a defined viewing region in front of the image screen (1), whereby a constant sequence of colours of the subpixels is maintained in the first (second) subpixel strips.

Abstract: A system for recording an image as digital data comprises a photosensor array and a plenoptic set, including a main lens and a lenticular grating, to enable the photosensor array to obtain plenoptic image data from the sheet. A subset of the plenoptic image data is selected, such as according to a predetermined object distance, to obtain image data for a focused image. The subset of the plenoptic image can be selected after the scanning, so that prescanning of an unusual-shaped image-bearing object, such as an open book, is avoided.

Abstract: An optical plate having an exit pupil array or a lens array aligned at a predetermined pitch is disposed at the front of a display. A test pattern is supplied to the display to light a pixel corresponding to the predetermined pitch. A first optical element transmits a light from an inspection position of the optical plate. A second optical element coaxially disposed on the first optical element, focuses the light from the first optical element. An image from the light focused at the second optical element is obtained. A three-dimensional position at the inspection position of the optical plate relative to the display or a predetermined period of the optical plate is calculated from a position and a period of luminance distribution of the image, and a distance between the optical plate and the first optical element. Whether the three-dimensional position or the predetermined period is within a threshold is inspected.

Abstract: An in-vehicle stereoimage display apparatus includes a display device, an erecting unit magnification lens module spaced from and facing toward a display screen of the display device for forming an erecting unit magnification stereoimage of an image displayed on the display screen, a lens movement mechanism for movably supporting the erecting unit magnification lens module, and a controller for changing the position of the erecting unit magnification lens module in accordance with the travel velocity of a vehicle. In one example, the controller increases the distance between the vehicle driver's eyes and the erecting unit magnification stereoimage as the travel velocity of the vehicle increases.

Abstract: The embodiment is to make it possible to increase a resolution obtained when a character or a two-dimensional image is displayed. A stereoscopic image display device is provided with a two-dimensional image display device having a plurality of pixels arranged within a display plane; and a ray control section which is provided in front of or behind the display plane and has a plurality of opening portions or a plurality of lenses arranged side by side, for controlling rays from the pixels, a distance z from the ray control section to a two-dimensional character or a two-dimensional image display position satisfying relationships of 0<z<L×D/(1+D)/2 in a projection region and 0<z<L×D/(1?D)/2 in a depth region, wherein L represents a viewing distance, Ip represents a pitch of the opening portions or the lenses, 2? represents a viewing area angle, pp represents the pitch of the pixels, and D is expressed as D = ( l p ) 2 2 ? Lp p ? tan ? ( ? ) .

Abstract: A light-field display is provided that renders a light-field at one or more viewing apertures through a microlens array. The light-field display includes a display such as a monitor that is positioned behind the microlens array. The monitor and the microlens array are positioned so that light emitted from a pixel of the monitor reaches the one or more apertures through at most one microlens from the microlens array. For each microlens in the microlens array, the pixels of the monitor visible through that microlens of the microlens array at the one or more apertures is determined, and a light-field is then rendered at each of the one or more viewing apertures by rendering the determined pixels corresponding to each microlens.

Abstract: Provided is a 2D-3D switching display system that includes a backlight, a liquid crystal panel which forms a 3D image using light generated by the backlight, a viewing zone separation unit which separates an image formed by the liquid crystal panel into a left eye image and a right eye image, and a display panel which transmits light passing through the viewing zone separation unit.

Abstract: A display panel for a 3-dimensional display device is provided. The display panel includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix form having a row and column with each unit pixel including a plurality of sub-pixels. Further, the plurality of unit pixels form each of a plurality of pixels alternately arranged with each other for a viewer's left eye and pixels for the viewer's right eye. In addition, at least one unit pixel has a different arrangement of sub-pixels than another unit pixel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lenticular sheet having as its primary steps the provision of a substantially transparent substrate material; forming a plurality of lenses on a first side of the substrate; and shaping the substrate to correspond to a display area of a display device, wherein the plurality of lenses are angled to correspond to the pixel size and pitch of the display area. A display system is also disclosed, wherein the display systems generally includes a computer for processing, saving and playing at least one image; software for interlacing the image; software for processing slides and movies comprised of multiple images; a lenticular screen overlaid upon a video display device for viewing the interlaced images in three dimensions.

Abstract: A stereoscopic display device includes: a display panel having a display screen on which two-dimensional image is displayed, and configured to polarize image light of the image-displaying into a particular polarization direction; and a lens array element disposed to oppose the display screen of the display panel, and having a liquid crystal layer which includes liquid crystal molecules having a refractive index anisotropy and aligned in a predetermined orientation direction under no application of voltage. The lens array element is configured to electrically change the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules to generate a lens effect, and configured to selectively change a state of passing therethrough of the image light exiting from the display panel. The predetermined orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules of the lens array element and the polarization direction of the image light are parallel to each other.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic display device comprises a display panel having an array of display pixels for producing a display. The display pixels are arranged in orthogonal rows and columns. The device also comprises an array of parallel lenticular elements positioned over the display panel. The lenticular elements have optical focal axes that are slanted at an angle to the display pixel columns. Display areas of the display pixels have edges that are substantially parallel to the lenticular element axes so that pixels of different views are prevented to be projected to the same viewing zone, thereby preventing crosstalk between views and reducing light intensity variations (due to varying amount of the opaque black mask which is imaged. The light intensity output also varies across each pixel display area in a direction perpendicular to the lenticular element axes.

Abstract: It is made possible to provide a stereoscopic image display apparatus capable of preventing the stereoscopic display characteristics from being degraded even if the locus of light rays between the lens and the two-dimensional display device becomes long. A stereoscopic image display apparatus includes: a plane display device having a display face formed of a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form; an optical plate comprising a plurality of lenses which are arranged in front of the display face of the plane display device and which have a uniaxial double refractive material inserted therein, and controlling light rays from the pixels; and a sheet polarizer provided between the plane display device and the optical plate to align a polarization direction of light ray. In the double refractive material, a maximum primary axis of refractive index is parallel to ridgelines of the lenses and is inclined in a direction opposed to a viewer.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying images includes an enclosure (11), a frame (20) installed in the enclosure (11) and adapted to hold an interlaced image (21), and an optical barrier (12) spaced from the frame (20) and adapted to obscure portions of an installed interlaced image (21).

Abstract: An apparatus including a selection device and a multiple mode display device is disclosed. The multiple mode display device has a lens sheet including a plurality of individual lenticules forming a lenticular surface, an electro-optical modulator positioned adjacent the lens sheet, and a display device comprising a display surface. Alternatively, a multiple mode display arrangement is disclosed, having a lens sheet including a plurality of individual lenticules forming a lenticular surface and a display device comprising a display surface. The display device is positioned behind the lens sheet, thereby enabling viewing images transmitted in at least a planar mode and a stereoscopic mode.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic display is described. The autostereoscopic display apparatus includes a backlight having opposing first and second light input surfaces and a light transmission surface extending between the opposing first and second light input surfaces and a right eye light source located to provide light into the first light input side and a left eye light source located to provide light into the second light input side, wherein the left eye light source and the right eye light source are configured to be modulated between the left eye light source and the right eye light source at a rate of at least 90 hertz. A double sided prism film is adjacent to the light transmission surface. The double sided prism film has a plurality of linear prism features on a first major surface and a plurality of lenticular features on a second major surface. The first major surface opposes the second major surface. The double sided prism film is disposed between the light transmission surface and a Fresnel lens element.

Abstract: In a one-dimensional IP (vertical disparity discarding system), it is made possible to obtain a perspective projection image with no distortion or reduced distortion. A stereoscopic display device is provided with a display device including a display plane in which pixels are arranged flatly in a matrix shape; and a parallax barrier including a plurality of apertures or a plurality of lenses and being configured to control directions of rays from the pixels such that a horizontal disparity is included but a vertical disparity is not included.

Abstract: In a one-dimensional IP (vertical disparity discarding system), it is made possible to obtain a perspective projection image with no distortion or reduced distortion. A stereoscopic display device is provided with a display device including a display plane in which pixels are arranged flatly in a matrix shape; and a parallax barrier including a plurality of apertures or a plurality of lenses and being configured to control directions of rays from the pixels such that a horizontal disparity is included but a vertical disparity is not included.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method. The method comprises projecting multiple scenes simultaneously on a display screen in interlaced-fashion; and directing light for each scene to a distinct viewing zone defined spatially in relation to the display screen. A system comprising a display; and a lenticular mechanism coupled to the display and having a plurality of lens elements to direct light from the display into distinct viewing zones defined spatially in relation to the display is also provided.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image/two-dimensional image display device includes a plurality of display pixels, and a lenticular lens for three-dimensional display. Each display pixel is consisted of M×N number of sub-pixels to be viewed from N view points. A pitch a of sub-pixels arranged in the longitudinal direction of ridge projection of the lenticular lens and a pitch b of the sub-pixels arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the lenticular lens satisfy the following expression. The M×N number of sub-pixels included in each of said display pixels are formed within a square area.

Abstract: An image display device and a method of driving the same are provided. The image display device includes a lenticular lens array, a first backlit display element that is positioned on the lenticular lens array and is driven at a frame frequency of N×60 Hz, where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1, and a light source module under the lenticular lens array. The first backlit display element displays a video signal of a 2D format in a 2D mode and displays a video signal of an N-view 3D format in a 3D mode. The light source module irradiates light in the form of a surface light source onto the lenticular lens array in the 2D mode and irradiates light in the form of a plurality of line light sources onto the lenticular lens array in the 3D mode.

Abstract: In a stereoscopic image conversion panel for enhancing display quality and a stereoscopic image display apparatus having the panel, the stereoscopic display panel includes lower and upper transparent substrates, lower and upper transparent electrodes, and a liquid crystal lens layer. The lower and upper transparent substrates face each other. The lower transparent electrodes are disposed on the lower transparent substrate, formed along a first direction, and formed substantially in parallel with each other along a second direction. The upper transparent electrodes are disposed on the upper transparent substrate, formed along the second direction, and formed substantially in parallel with each other along the first direction. The liquid crystal lens layer is disposed between the upper and lower transparent substrates, and a longitudinal arrangement direction of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal lens layer is changed by an electric field to have a predetermined refractive index.

Abstract: An image display apparatus and method to simultaneously display two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) images with minimized visual 3D discomfort. The image display apparatus may include a lens unit to spatially separate images displayed in a display panel unit to thereby simultaneously form a 2D image viewing area and a 3D image viewing area, respectively, enabling the simultaneous displaying of the 2D images and the 3D images.