Multi-view display panel

A multi-view (MV) display panel includes a flat panel display (FPD) having FPD pixels, and lenses configured to image the FPD. Each of the FPD pixels, when imaged through one of the lenses, forms a beamlet that is emitted in a direction unique from other beamlets formed by other FPD pixels through the lens. The lens and the FPD pixels which, when imaged through the lens, form beamlets emitted in different directions collectively configure an MV pixel. Each of the FPD pixels includes multiple sub-pixels. The MV display panel also includes a diffuser arranged between the FPD and the lenses, and a light block configured to isolate a diffusion of the multiple sub-pixels of each FPD pixel from its neighboring FPD pixels. The FPD may be backlit using custom lighting and optics. Lens elements may be staggered in a manner that facilitates assembly of the lenses.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to multi-view (MV) display panels that send different content to each of multiple viewers at the same time.

Description of the Related Art

MV display panels are known in the art. For example, a precision multi-view display that allows multiple viewers to simultaneously perceive different messages, content, or visual effects on the display is described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,778,962 by Ng et al., which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Conventional display panels may have degraded display characteristics when different content is displayed in respective viewing zones at the same time. In addition, conventional display panels may be difficult to assemble.

BRIEF SUMMARY

MV display panels according to the present disclosure have improved display characteristics compared to conventional MV display panels. For example, MV display panels according to the present disclosure prevent more light from bleeding from a first viewing zone into a second viewing zone than conventional MV display panels. In addition, MV display panels according to the present disclosure can be assembled more easily than conventional MV display panels. For example, optical lens panels of MV display panels according to the present disclosure can be assembled more easily than optical lens panels of conventional MV display panels.

A multi-view (MV) display panel according to an aspect of the present disclosure may be characterized as comprising a flat panel display (FPD) including a plurality of FPD pixels, and a plurality of lenses configured to image the FPD. Each of the plurality of FPD pixels, when imaged through one of the plurality of lenses, forms a beamlet that is emitted in a direction unique from other beamlets formed by other FPD pixels through the lens. The lens and the FPD pixels which, when imaged through the lens, form beamlets emitted in different directions collectively configure an MV pixel. Each of the plurality of FPD pixels includes multiple sub-pixels. The MV display panel also includes a diffuser arranged between the FPD and the plurality of lenses, and a light block configured to isolate a diffusion of the multiple sub-pixels of each FPD pixel from its neighboring FPD pixels.

The light block may comprise grooves that are etched into a cover layer of the FPD, aligned with perimeters of each FPD pixel, and configured to prevent light of each FPD pixel from passing into an area above its neighboring FPD pixels. The grooves may be filled with an opaque material to absorb stray light. A coefficient of thermal expansion of the cover layer of the FPD may be configured to correspond to a coefficient of thermal expansion of an internal layer of the FPD to mitigate misalignment of the grooves relative to the FPD pixels due to thermal expansion or contraction.

The light block may comprise a baffle layer placed between the FPD and the diffuser.

The light block may comprise micro-optics or metasurfaces.

The FPD may be selected from a group consisting of an LCD (liquid crystal display), an OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display, and a micro LED display.

Each of the plurality of lenses may be formed of multiple lens elements that are layered.

The diffuser may be selected from a group consisting of a diffusion film placed on the FPD, a diffusion cover layer of the FPD, and a diffusion pattern included in a cover layer of the FPD.

A multi-view (MV) display panel according to another aspect of the present disclosure may be characterized as comprising a flat panel display (FPD) including a plurality of FPD pixels, and a plurality of lenses configured to image the FPD. Each of the plurality of FPD pixels, when imaged through one of the plurality of lenses, forms a beamlet that is emitted in a direction unique from other beamlets formed by other FPD pixels through the lens. The lens and the FPD pixels which, when imaged through the lens, form beamlets emitted in different directions collectively configure an MV pixel. The MV display panel also includes a bezel framing the FPD and the plurality of lenses. An outer perimeter of the plurality of lenses are aligned with an outer perimeter of the bezel such that peripheral areas of outer ones of the plurality of lenses overlap the bezel.

The FPD pixels may be arranged only in imaging areas that are common for all of the plurality of lenses, and the imaging areas may not overlap the bezel. The imaging areas may overlap central areas of the plurality of lenses that are less than the entire areas of the plurality of lenses.

A multi-view (MV) display panel according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure may be characterized as comprising a flat panel display (FPD) including a plurality of FPD pixels, and a plurality of front lenses configured to image the FPD. Each of the plurality of FPD pixels, when imaged through one of the plurality of front lenses, forms a beamlet that is emitted in a direction unique from other beamlets formed by other FPD pixels through the lens. The lens and the FPD pixels which, when imaged through the lens, form beamlets emitted in different directions collectively configure an MV pixel. The MV display panel also includes a plurality of backlights arranged to illuminate the plurality of front lenses, respectively.

The plurality of backlights may be an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs).

A plurality of back lenses may be arranged between the FPD and the plurality of backlights and configured to couple light emitted from the plurality of backlights to the plurality of front lenses, respectively. The plurality of back lenses may comprise condenser optics and the plurality of front lenses comprise projection optics. A convergence angle of one of the plurality of back lenses may correspond to a collection angle of an associated one of the plurality of front lenses.

A multi-view (MV) display panel according to a further aspect of the present disclosure may be characterized as comprising a flat panel display (FPD) including a plurality of FPD pixels, and a lens panel including a plurality of lenses configured to image the FPD. Each of the plurality of FPD pixels, when imaged through one of the plurality of lenses, forms a beamlet that is emitted in a direction unique from other beamlets formed by other FPD pixels through the lens. The lens and the FPD pixels which, when imaged through the lens, form beamlets emitted in different directions collectively configure an MV pixel. Each of the plurality of lenses is formed of multiple lens elements that are layered including a top lens element and a bottom element. The lens panel includes a top layer including a plurality of the top lens elements and a lower layer including a plurality of the bottom lens elements. The top layer includes a first top layer piece and a second top layer piece, and the bottom layer includes a first bottom layer piece and a second bottom layer piece. A boundary between the first top layer piece and the second top layer piece is not aligned with a boundary between the first bottom layer piece and the second bottom layer piece.

A number of top layer pieces included in the top layer may be different from a number of bottom layer pieces included in the bottom layer.

The lens panel may be assembled by fastening the top layer pieces to the bottom layer pieces.

A shape of the top layer pieces may be different from a shape of the bottom layer pieces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1is a front, perspective view of a precision MV display panel1according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As described below, the precision MV display panel1comprises MV pixels, each of which can emit different colored light in different directions. These individually controllable units of light, or beamlets, allow multiple viewers to simultaneously perceive different messages, content, or visual effects on the same shared display. The beamlets of a MV pixel can be defined using a beamlet coordinate system, and multiple beamlet coordinate systems may be configured for multiple MV pixels, respectively, for example, as described at column 19, line 40, to column 20, line 52 of U.S. Pat. No. 10,778,962.

FIG.2is an exploded front view of internal components of the precision MV display panel1shown inFIG.1according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.2, the precision MV display panel1includes a flat panel display (FPD)10having a display screen102that is surrounded by a bezel104. The display screen102of the FPD10includes a plurality of FPD picture elements or pixels, some of which are shown inFIG.3A. The FPD10may be a LCD (liquid crystal display), an OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display, or a micro LED display, for example. In one or more embodiments, the FPD10includes a cover layer, such as cover glass, to protect internal layers, such as polarizers, liquid crystal layers, and thin film transistor backplanes.

The MV display panel1also includes a light block20. In one or more embodiments, the light block20is included in a diffusion film (e.g., diffusion layer30) that is placed on the FPD10. In one or more embodiments, the light block20is included in a diffusion cover layer of the FPD10. In one or more embodiments, the light block20is included in a diffusion pattern imparted into the cover layer of the FPD10.

In addition, the MV display panel1includes a diffuser30that is configured to evenly distribute the light emitted from each of the FPD pixels of the FPD10. As described in connection withFIG.3A, for example, a FPD pixel in the display screen102of the FPD10may comprise multiple FPD sub-pixels, such as one or more red, green, blue, or white sub-pixels. When the display screen102of the FPD10is viewed directly from a far enough distance such that the angular separation of the FPD sub-pixels is smaller than the resolution of an eye, the FPD sub-pixels appear to blend together to create a combined color. In the MV display panel1, however, the FPD pixels are viewed through a lens, which may exhibit color separation between the distinct FPD sub-pixels. Therefore, it may be advantageous to employ the diffuser30between the FPD10and a lens (e.g., lens400) to mix the FPD sub-pixels prior to emitting from the lens as a beamlet.

In some embodiments, the diffuser30may exhibit an asymmetric diffusion, such as an elliptical diffusion profile. An asymmetric diffusion may be advantageous with FPDs where the desired diffusion angle in one dimension differs from another dimension. For example, in LCDs with RGB subpixels oriented as vertical stripes, the optical performance of the MV display panel1may be better if the vertical diffusion angle is narrower than the horizontal diffusion angle. The narrower vertical diffusion would allow less light from a pixel to spill into a vertically neighboring pixel.

In addition, the MV display panel1includes a lens panel40that has a plurality of lenses400arranged in a two-dimensional array. The plurality of lenses400image the FPD10. The diffuser30is arranged between the FPD10and the plurality of lenses400. Each of the FPD pixels of the FPD10, when imaged through one of the plurality of lenses400, forms a beamlet that is emitted in a direction unique from other beamlets formed by other FPD pixels through the one of the plurality of lenses400. The one of the plurality of lenses400and the FPD pixels which, when imaged through the one of the plurality of lenses400, form beamlets emitted in different directions collectively configure a MV pixel. As described in detail below, the light block20is configured to isolate a diffusion of multiple FPD sub-pixels of the FPD10comprising each FPD pixel from its neighboring FPD pixels. Each lens400may comprise multiple lens elements to achieve the desired optical performance, as described below in connection withFIGS.10,11,12A,12B, and12C.

FIG.3Ais a block diagram of a portion102aof the display screen102of the FPD10of the MV display panel1according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The portion102aof the display screen102of the FPD10includes FPD sub-picture elements or sub-pixels120-136. The FPD sub-pixels120-124are sub-pixels of a FPD pixel140, wherein the FPD sub-pixel120is configured to emit red light, the FPD sub-pixel122is configured to emit green light, and the FPD sub-pixel124is configured to emit blue light. The FPD sub-pixels126-130are sub-pixels of a FPD pixel142, wherein the FPD sub-pixel126is configured to emit red light, the FPD sub-pixel128is configured to emit green light, and the FPD sub-pixel130is configured to emit blue light. The FPD sub-pixels132-136are sub-pixels of a FPD pixel144, wherein the FPD sub-pixel132is configured to emit red light, the FPD sub-pixel134is configured to emit green light, and the FPD sub-pixel136is configured to emit blue light. Accordingly, in the example ofFIG.3A, each of the FPD140-144pixels includes three FPD sub-pixels.

The MV display panel1also includes a display controller, for example, that is similar in many relevant respects to the display controller shown in FIG. 19 of U.S. Pat. No. 10,778,962. The display controller controls the intensity of light emitted by each of the red, blue, and green FPD sub-pixels of an FPD pixel, in order to cause the FPD pixel to appear a desired color.

In order to explain benefits of the light block20,FIGS.3B and3Care examples of light emitted by the portion120aof the display screen120of the FPD10of the MV display panel1shown inFIG.3Awhen the light block20is not used. In the examples ofFIGS.3B and3C, each of the FPD sub-pixels120-124of the FPD pixel140is controlled to emit light in order to cause white light150to be emitted from the FPD pixel140. Also, each of the FPD sub-pixels126-130of the FPD pixel142is controlled to not emit light in order to cause no light to be emitted from the FPD pixel142; thus, the FPD pixel142appears black. In addition, each of the FPD sub-pixels132-136of the FPD pixel144is controlled to emit light in order to cause white light152to be emitted from the FPD pixel144.

FIG.3Brepresents an ideal case in which light emitted from each of the FPD sub-pixels120-124of the FPD pixel140is completely diffused and, thus, the light150emitted from the FPD pixel140appears to be uniformly white. Similarly, light emitted from each of the FPD sub-pixels132-136of the FPD pixel144is completely diffused and, thus, the light152emitted from the FPD pixel144appears to be uniformly white. Also, the light150emitted from the FPD pixel140and the light152emitted from the FPD pixel144does not bleed into areas over neighboring FPD pixels, such as the FPD pixel142.

FIG.3Crepresents a non-ideal case in which the light emitted from each of the FPD sub-pixels120-124of the FPD pixel140is not completely diffused and, thus, the light150emitted from the FPD pixel140does not appear to be uniformly white. Similarly, the light emitted from each of the FPD sub-pixels132-136of the FPD pixel144is not completely diffused and, thus, the light152emitted from the FPD pixel144does not appear to be uniformly white. In other words, the light150emitted from the FPD pixel140and the light152emitted from the FPD pixel144have minor variations in color from pure white, and thus do not appear to be completely white. Notably, the light150emitted from the FPD pixel140and the light150emitted from the FPD pixel144bleeds into an area above neighboring FPD pixels, such as the FPD pixel142.

FIG.3Dshows the ideal case shown in the first example ofFIG.3Bsuperimposed on the non-ideal case shown in the second example ofFIG.3C. As illustrated inFIG.3D, a portion150aof the light150emitted from the FPD pixel140is stray light that bleeds into an area above the FPD pixel142. Similarly, a portion152aof the light152emitted from the FPD pixel144is stray light that bleeds into an area above the FPD pixel142. Such stray light causes a ghosting effect that degrades display quality.

As described below, when the light block20is used, the light block20prevents a diffusion of each FPD pixel from bleeding into areas above its neighboring FPD pixels, for example, as shown inFIG.3C. Thus, the light block20prevents degradation of display quality caused by stray light emitted from FPD pixels that bleeds into the area above neighboring FPD pixels.

FIG.4is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the MV display panel1including a light block according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. More particularly,FIG.4shows the portion102aof the display screen102of the FPD10, portions20aof the light block20, and a portion30aof the diffuser30. The portion30aof the diffuser30includes a substrate30band a surface30c. The portions20aof the light block20are formed within the substrate30bof the diffuser30. In one or more embodiments, the portions20aof the light block20are formed as grooves that are etched into the substrate30bof the diffuser30, and the diffuser30is provided as cover layer of the display screen102of the FPD10. In one or more embodiments, the diffuser30is provided as a diffusion film that is placed on the display screen102of the FPD10. In one or more embodiments, the diffuser30is provided as a diffusion pattern included in the cover layer of the display screen102of the FPD10.

In the example ofFIG.4, the portions20aof the light block20may comprise grooves that are etched into a cover layer of the FPD10, aligned with perimeters of each of the FPD pixel140,142, and144, and configured to prevent light emitted from each of the FPD pixels140,142, and144from passing into an area above its neighboring FPD pixels. For example, the portions20aof the light block20prevent light emitted from the FPD pixel140from passing into an area above the FPD pixel142. In one or more embodiments, the portions20aof the light block20may be filled with an opaque material to absorb stray light that is emitted from the FPD pixel140,142, and144.

In one or more embodiments, the diffuser30includes a diffusion pattern on a film or cover layer that is tailored for the pixel and sub-pixel pattern in the underlying FPD. For example, to isolate the diffusion of the RGB sub-pixels of an LCD pixel from its neighboring pixels, grooves may be etched into the cover layer aligned with the perimeters of each LCD pixel, such that the grooves interrupt the light that would otherwise pass from one LCD pixel into the area above another LCD pixel. Furthermore, the grooves may be filled with an opaque material to absorb the stray light. The material properties of the cover layer may be tuned such that the coefficient of thermal expansion substantially matches or corresponds to that of the underlying LCD layers, to mitigate misalignment due to thermal expansion or contraction.

In one or more embodiments, the light block20is a baffle layer placed between the LCD10and the diffuser30to provide stray light mitigation, by blocking stray light. For example,FIG.5is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the MV display panel1including a light block according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. More particularly,FIG.5shows the portion102aof the display screen102of the FPD10, portions20bof the light block20, and the portion30aof the diffuser30. The portion30aof the diffuser30includes a substrate30band a surface30c. The portions20bof the light block20are formed as projections that extend from the surface30cof the diffuser30. In one or more embodiments, the portions20bof the light block20comprises micro-optics or electromagnetic metasurfaces that prevent light from passing through the portions20bof the light block20formed. In one or more embodiments, the diffuser30is a film in which the portions20bof the light block20are micro-optic surfaces and arranged to interact with incident light such that the incident light from each FPD pixel does not bleed into its neighboring FPD pixels. For example in such a film, the portions20bof the light block20are disposed around boundaries of each of the FPD pixels140,142, and144in order to cause those FPD pixels to appear similar to the ideal case shownFIG.3B, when the FPD pixels140and144are driven to emit white light and the FPD pixel142is not driven to emit light.

A plurality of the MV display panels1can be tiled adjacently to form larger display installations. As a result, it may be desirable to minimize the thickness (or width, as seen in a plan view) of the borders or bezels (e.g., bezel104) of the MV display panels1. If the lens panel40is positioned over only an active area corresponding to the display screen102of each FPD10, the perceived bezel thickness can be exacerbated (i.e., further increased) by FPD electronics in an inactive area, because of the separation distance between the boundary of lenses400of the lens panels40of two adjacently tiled MV display panels1.

FIG.6shows a first example in which four of the MV display panels1are tiled together in a two-by-two array to form a larger display installation according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example ofFIG.6, the lenses400of the lens panel40are disposed within active areas corresponding to the display screens102of the FPDs10. In other words, the lenses400of the lens panel40are not disposed within inactive areas corresponding to the bezels104of the FPDs10. Because the lenses400are not disposed within the bezels104of the FPDs10, a perceived bezel500between the upper MV display panels1and the lower MV display panels1is relatively large.

In one or more embodiments, the lenses400of the lens panel40on the perimeters of the MV display panels1overlap the bezels104of the FPDs10, such that when two MV display panels1are tiled adjacently, the boundary of the lenses400of the lens panel40of the two MV display panels1are closer together and separated by a distance that is less than the width of the bezels104of the FPDs10. This may create the appearance of a narrower bezel between two adjacent MV display panels1. The imaging area beneath each lens400on the border may then comprise only a portion of the total area beneath the lenses400of the lens panel40(other than the portions of the lenses400of the lens panel40overlapping the bezels104of the FPD10).

FIG.7shows a second example in which four of the MV display panels1are tiled together in a two-by-two array to form a larger display installation according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example ofFIG.7, the lenses400of the lens panel40are disposed within both the active areas corresponding to the display screens102of the FPDs10and the inactive areas corresponding to the bezels104of the FPDs10. Accordingly, the perceived bezel500between the upper MV display panels1and the lower MV display panels1is relatively small compared to the example ofFIG.6.

It may be advantageous for each lens400in an MV display panel1to have substantially the same design, to ease design and manufacturing. However, if some lenses400in the MV display panel1overlap bezels104of the FPD10, and therefore have a reduced imaging area, while other lenses do not, it may be desirable to design the FPD10to have FPD pixels only in imaging areas that are common for all lenses in the MV display panel1. In such a FPD10, the FPD pixels may be organized in patches, with the patches distributed under central areas of each lens400. The size of each patch may be smaller than the entire area underneath the corresponding lens400, in which case the imaging area of the lens400may be reduced from the size of the entire area. Reducing the size of the imaging area may afford beneficial tradeoffs in the optical design of the lens400. In addition, the gap between patches may allow the boundary lenses400of two adjacent MV display panels1to be closer together, thereby reducing or eliminating the perceived bezel.

FIG.8shows a third example in which four of the MV display panels1are tiled together in a two-by-two array to form a larger display installation according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example ofFIG.8, patches of FPD pixels102bare arranged only in imaging areas of the display screen102that are common for all of the plurality of lenses400, wherein the imaging areas do not overlap the bezels104of the FPDs10. The imaging areas in which the patches of FPD pixels102bare arranged overlap central areas of the lenses400that are less than entire areas of the lenses400. The lenses400are disposed within active areas corresponding to the display screens102of the FPDs10and the inactive areas corresponding to the bezels104of the FPDs10. As shown inFIG.8, the patches of FPD pixels102bare arranged only in imaging areas that are common for all of the lenses400, wherein the imaging areas do not overlap the bezels104of the FPDs10of the MV display panels1. As with the example ofFIG.7, the perceived bezel500between the upper MV display panels1and the lower MV display panels1is relatively small compared to the example ofFIG.6. As shown inFIG.8, for example, an outer perimeter of the lenses400are aligned with an outer perimeter of the bezels104such that peripheral areas of outer lenses400overlap the bezels104. Also, imaging areas corresponding to the patches of FPD pixels102boverlap central areas of the lenses400, wherein the central areas of the lenses400are less than entire areas of the lenses400.

As previously mentioned, the FPD10may be a LCD. LCDs typically comprise a backlighting unit and filter layers to create pixels. Often, LCDs with high pixel density are designed for energy efficiency or thin form factor, such as for laptop or tablet displays. Backlight designs for these use cases often comprise edge-lit LED bars and optical waveguides to uniformly distribute the LED light across the area of the LCD. However, this may limit the total optical power through the LCD, because a limited number of LEDs may be placed along the edge. Other LCD use cases with higher brightness, such as TVs or digital signage, may use full array or direct-lit LED backlights, where LEDs are arranged across the entire area behind the LCD. These LED backlights are typically designed for uniform distribution of light with high viewing angles, ideally close to 180 degrees.

In an MV display panel1that utilizes an LCD as the FPD10, however, the lenses400are placed above the FPD10, such that only a portion of the light emitting from the FPD10may be collected by the lenses400. Therefore, a more efficient LCD backlight design may be desirable for utilization in an MV display panel1.

FIG.9shows an example of backlighting in an MV display panel1according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The MV display panel1comprises an array of front lenses400and a FPD10that is an LCD with a backlight comprising an array of light sources106, such as LEDs, and an array of rear lenses108. Each rear lens108, which may comprise condenser optics, collects the light emitted from the associated light source106and couples it with the associated front lens400, which may comprise projection optics. Each rear lens108may be designed such that the convergence angle substantially matches or corresponds to the collection angle of the front lens400to improve efficiency. Homogenizer tunnels, Fresnel lenses, or other optical elements may be used. Each light source106may comprise one or more LEDs, including but not limited to red, green, blue, or white LEDs.

An MV display panel may comprise a plurality of lenses400on top of or in front of the FPD10, with each lens400forming one multi-view pixel. In one or more embodiments, the entire lens panel40may be manufactured as a single piece. In other embodiments, the lens panel40may be manufactured in multiple pieces. This may be done to improve manufacturing yield by reducing the size of each piece.

In one or more embodiments, each of the lens400comprises multiple lens elements to achieve a desired optical quality of the lens panel40.FIG.10shows a first example of an exploded cross-sectional view of a portion40aof the lens panel40according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The portion40aof the lens panel40includes a bottom lens element layer402and a top lens element layer404, wherein twelve lens elements are formed in each of the layers402and404. More particularly, lens elements406-428are formed in the bottom lens element layer402and lens elements442-464are formed in the top layer404.

In one or more embodiments, a lens element piece for multiple lenses may be manufactured as a single piece to reduce the number of overall parts in the lens array. For example, inFIG.10, three bottom lens element pieces430,432, and434are provided, each as a single piece including four bottom lens elements, to collectively form the bottom lens element layer402. More particularly, the bottom lens element piece430includes the lens elements406-412, the bottom lens element piece432includes the lens elements414-420, and the bottom lens element piece434includes the lens elements422-428. Similarly, three top lens element pieces466,468, and470are provided, each as a single piece including four top lens elements, to collectively form the top layer404. More particularly, the top lens element piece466includes the lens elements442-448, the top lens element piece468includes the lens elements450-456, and the top lens element piece470includes the lens elements458-464.

The top and bottom lens element pieces may be fastened together to create an assembled piece including multiple multi-element lenses. For example, the top lens element piece466is fastened to the bottom lens element piece430, at fastening locations pointed to by the arrows of the dashed lines inFIG.10, to form an assembled piece472. The top lens element piece468is fastened to the bottom lens element piece432, at fastening locations pointed to by the arrows of the dashed lines inFIG.10, to form an assembled piece474. The top lens element piece470is fastened to the bottom lens element piece434, at fastening locations pointed to by the arrows of the dashed lines inFIG.10, to form an assembled piece476. Thus, in the example ofFIG.10, the assembled pieces472,474, and476are created, each including four multi-element lenses comprised of eight lens elements.

In the example ofFIG.10, the number and arrangement of lens elements in each lens element piece are the same across the bottom lens element layer402and the top lens element layer404, resulting in the same number and configuration (e.g., shape) of assembled pieces (assembled pieces472,474, and476) as the number and configuration of the lens element pieces in each of the bottom lens element layer402and the top lens element layer404. Specifically, in the example ofFIG.10, three top lens element pieces and three bottom lens element pieces, each including the same number (i.e., four) and arrangement of lens elements, are fastened together to form three assembled pieces respectively, each including four multi-element lenses.

The multiple assembled pieces, such as assembled pieces472,474, and476, may then be assembled together on top of the FPD10using a variety of methods, including but not limited to securing to a rail or snapping together using kinematic mounting features. For example, the assembled pieces472,474, and476may be mounted to rails in a manner that is similar to the lens array panel shown in FIG. 6 of U.S. Pat. No. 10,778,962. These techniques may cause mechanical design and assembly complexity compared to a single piece solution. Therefore, a technique to assemble or combine more lens element pieces (e.g., more than two lens element pieces) into one assembled piece may be desirable, so as to reduce the need to further assemble multiple assembled pieces together.

FIG.11shows a second example of an exploded cross-sectional view of a portion40bof a lens panel40according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example ofFIG.11, the number and arrangement of lens elements in the lens element pieces are different between the bottom lens element layer402and the top lens element layer404. In the example ofFIG.11, two bottom lens element pieces436and438, each including six bottom lens elements, are provided in the bottom lens element layer402. More particularly, the bottom lens element pieces436includes the lens elements406-416, and the bottom lens element pieces438includes the lens elements418-428. As with the example ofFIG.10, the three top lens element pieces466,468, and470, each including four top lens elements, are provided in the top lens element layer404. In such a configuration, the boundaries between the bottom lens element pieces in the bottom lens element layer402are not necessarily aligned with the boundaries between the top lens element pieces in the top lens element layer404, such that one of the top lens element pieces in the top lens element layer404(e.g., top lens element piece468) may overlap the boundary between the bottom lens element pieces436and438in the bottom lens element layer402. Fastening locations pointed to by the arrows of the dashed lines inFIG.11are chosen such that multiple lens element pieces in one layer (bottom lens element layer402) can be secured together via fastening to multiple lens element pieces in another layer (top lens element layer404). In the example ofFIG.11, the two bottom lens element pieces436and438in the bottom lens element layer402and the three top lens element pieces466,468, and470in the top lens element layer404are assembled to form a single assembled piece478, which includes twelve multi-element lenses comprised of twenty-four lens elements. For example, the bottom lens element406and the top lens element442for one of the multi-element lenses.

The configuration of the lens panel40can be chosen in one dimension, as in the examples ofFIGS.10and11, or in two dimensions, as in the example ofFIGS.12A-12C.FIGS.12A-12Cshow front, plan views of portions of a lens panel according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. More particularly,FIG.12Ashows a front, plan view of a top lens element layer404that includes two square-shaped top lens element pieces480and482, each of which include sixteen lens elements484and two fastening locations (not shown) on a bottom surface thereof.FIG.12Bshows a front, plan view of a bottom lens element layer402that includes two L-shaped bottom lens element pieces488and490, each of which include sixteen lens elements492and two fastening locations494.FIG.12Cshows a front, plan view of a portion40cof a lens panel40that results from fastening the fastening locations494on the bottom lens element pieces488and490in the bottom lens element layer402to the corresponding fastening locations on the bottoms of the top lens element pieces480and482in the top lens element layer404. The portion40cof the lens panel40is a single assembled piece, which includes thirty-two multi-element lenses400comprised of sixty-four lens elements. InFIG.12C, the dashed lines show outlines of the bottom lens element pieces488and490included in the bottom lens element layer402. Each of the multi-element lenses400includes one of the lenses484of the top lens element layer404stacked on top of one of the lenses492of the bottom lens element layer402.

The number of lenses and lens configurations depicted in the figures are only examples. Other numbers of lens elements, lens element pieces, and lens element layers may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. In addition, other shapes and configurations of lens elements, lens element pieces, and lens element layers may be used in accordance with the present disclosure.