Patent ID: 9596458
Date: 2017-03-14
CPC Classifications: G02B,H04N

Claim:
1. A switchable imaging optical device, the device having a first mode of operation in which the device performs an imaging function for redirecting incident polarised light and a second mode of operation in which the device performs a non-imaging function that does not redirect said incident polarised light, wherein the device comprises; a polarised light source having a transmission axis arranged in a first direction; a first substrate upon which is a first electrode layer and a first liquid crystal alignment layer with the first liquid crystal alignment layer arranged to align a liquid crystal material in said first direction; a liquid crystal layer; a second substrate upon which is a second electrode layer and a second liquid crystal alignment layer with the second liquid crystal alignment layer arranged to align a liquid crystal material in a second direction; and a polariser with the transmission axis arranged in said second direction, wherein said first direction is different from said second direction; wherein in the first mode of operation the liquid crystal layer comprises at least one first region that performs a lensing action and at least one second region; and wherein the polarised light source and polariser act in co-operation with the second region(s) to at least partially absorb light passing through the or each second region thereby defining a parallax barrier.