2-D and 3-D display

A method and apparatus of light strength controlling, more specifically a method and apparatus of light controlling on its different appearance channels in different strength and further in different colors. A method and apparatus of controlling a pixel appears in different color through different appearance visual channels, and further forms different images through different appearance channels. A new type of display device displays different images through different appearance channels at same time and a method and apparatus of constructing device of this type. A method and apparatus of generating image data signals to construct and render different images on such type display device observed through different appearance channels, more specifically, display 2-D and stereo 3-D images on screen at same time.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The presented invention relates to generic display device and display method and apparatus, more specifically, related to multi-vision image display device and method. It particularly relates to a three-dimensional (3-D) image display with polarized light, and more specifically, relates to a two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) uniformed displaying method and apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general, electrical image displaying is a process of decomposing an image to small units and displaying them on display device screen separately. When the decomposed unit is small enough, these separate components on display screen may no longer be separated by human eyes and thus constructs the complete, smooth image on the device screen. These decomposed small units of an image are called pixels, an independent structure on device screen that displays an image pixel is called a pixel cell, or a cell in short.

A pixel may be monochromatic or a number of different colors. To construct a colored pixel, a pixel is further decomposed into primary color components. Primary colors are a set of colors that any color in the color space may be generated from them by mixing different volumes of primary colors together in theory. There are different primary color sets. One of the popular primary color set is red, green, and blue for example.

After chosen primary color set, a pixel cell is further divided into multiple sub cells, call color cells, each color cell represents one primary color in the chosen primary color set. By controlling light volumes from each color cell in a pixel, a pixel may have many different colors and brightness levels.

Humans perceive the real world through two views obtained by both eyes. The human brain interprets them, generates the space distance from them and forms a 3-D vision. A 3-D display simulates this observing process. The different eyes of an observer view slightly different images like human observes the real world. The images observed by left and right eyes are called the left image and right image, they are also referenced as a stereo image pair.

Liquid Crystal (LC) is a type of material has one common property: its molecules in their natural status are arranged in a loosely ordered fashion with their long axis parallel; When they come into contact with a finely grooved surface, molecules line up parallel along grooves; When an electric field is applied on it, the molecules rearrange themselves with the long axis direction along with the electric field direction.

When light pass through LC, the light oscillation direction follows the long axis direction of the LC molecules. When LC is sandwiched between two plates with the opposite surfaces finely grooved and the groove directions of two plates is in a certain degree, Light oscillation direction changes the same degree when light passes through the LC molecules. When an electric field is applied on the LC in the direction of light, the light oscillation direction maintains unchanged.

This LC property is used to form a regular liquid crystal display (LCD).FIG. 1is a section view of Prior Art functional LCD panel structure. The first polarizer film110converts light from backlight unit101to polarized light with its single oscillation direction parallel to polarized direction of the first polarizer film110. The alignment layer surface is finely grooved and the groove directions of the two plates are in a certain degree. The polarization direction of second polarizer film111and first polarizer film110is arranged in certain degree so that the polarized light passing through LC119changes its oscillation direction to a degree that is perpendicular to the polarization direction of the second polarizer film111and be completely blocked. This value of degrees between two polarizer films depends on the LC material used.

For twisted nematic (TN) LC, it is 90 degrees when groove direction of alignment layer117and118is perpendicular, as an example. Electrode layers115and116provide electrical field controls that drive LC molecules twisting level so that the strength of light passing through varies from complete through to complete block. With color filter114, it provides different color and brightness volume on each color cell, thus different colors on each pixel cell, and thus forms a complete image on the screen. A LCD panel102is a structure that provides light-switching functionalities controlled by electrical signals on every color cells or pixel cells to form images when light passes through it.

FIG. 2is a section view of functional Dual Polarizing Filter (DPF) structure, which was disclosed in Provisional U.S. Patent Application 60/558,898, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/092,889, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. It comprises first substrate123and second substrate122set apart, optional color filter124, signal control electrode layer125, first alignment layer128, LC layer129, second alignment layer127and optional common electrode layer126are layered between the two substrates. The detail structure of matrix circuit, transparent pixel electrodes and switchers such as TFT or the like that constructs signal control electrode layer125is not shown. The spacer used to maintain the consistent thickness of LC layer129and other functional critical layers are not shown either. A Dual Polarizing Filter103is a structure that provides light-twisting functionalities controlled by electrical signals on every color cell, which was referenced as a unit in the previous patent applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invented display device may display 2-D and 3-D images at the same time. 3-D vision is formed when observers wear polarized glasses. 2-D images are not affected whether wearing polarized glasses or not. The display device may display two different 2-D images at the same time as well, one is observed with the naked eye only and the other is observed with polarized glasses only.

To only display one 2-D image, the display takes one regular data stream feeds like a regular display device. The data stream feeds represents the images to be displayed on the screen in the same format that is used for regular 2-D displays.

To display 3-D images or mixed 2-D and 3-D images or multiple 2-D images on the screen, the display takes two data stream feeds. This two data stream feed may be in regular 2-D data format representing stereo image pairs that form stereo 3-D vision or multiple 2-D images, when the display provides internal data signal conversion, by hardware, software, or both. This two data stream feed may also be in a special data format; neither of them may completely represent either 2-D or 3-D images on the screen by itself but two feeds combined together represent both 2-D and 3-D images on the screen when the display does not provide internal data signal conversion. This two special data stream may be generated by separate hardware module or software module or mixed externally from two 2-D image data streams in regular format. The data stream feeds to the display may be in parallel or in serial. In serial data stream mode, the two streams are mixed for delivering and storing. The display separates them internally or separate process device separates them externally. In parallel data stream mode, the two streams are feeds to the display at same time. When data streams are feeds to the display unsynchronized, they are buffered and synchronized by a display internal process or a display external process.

The display comprises two major components. One component, called the main screen, may display regular 2-D images as usual, independently. The other component, which is a DPF, also referenced as the adjusting screen, may display stereo image adjusting data and secondary 2-D image data. Each independently controlled unit on DPF is one-to-one mapped and aligned with a color cell on the main screen. The image data rendered on the DPF is invisible to the naked eye and only visible with special polarized glasses. The image data rendered on the main screen is visible to the naked eye and with polarized glasses.

To display only 2-D images, the single regular 2-D data stream is rendered on the main screen and the display is used as any regular display device. To display 3-D or multiple 2-D images, two regular 2-D data streams are converted into two special data streams, one called the main data stream and the other called the adjusting data stream, and are rendered on main screen and DPF respectively. The two regular 2-D data streams may represent stereo 3-D image pair or represent two different 2-D images. There may not be a display mode switch for displaying 2-D image, 3-D image, 2-D and 3-D mixed image, or multiple 2-D images because primarily the 2-D image is rendered on main screen at all the time, the 3-D image and secondary 2-D image generated by DPF are only visible with polarized glasses.

To observe 3-D vision or secondary 2-D images, observers may need to wear polarized glasses. The polarized glasses for 3-D vision have a perpendicular polarized axis's between the left and right lens. The polarized glasses for secondary 2-D images have the same polarized axis direction on both lenses.

The main screen provides all light energy that reaches the observer's eyes. It may be in polarized form or in regular form. Light passing into the DPF may be polarized. The DPF twists the polarization direction of the light passing through it a certain degree so only part of the light is filtered through each lens. When using 3-D polarized glasses, the polarization direction twisting in the DPF provides the light energy dividing for left and right eyes. When using 2-D polarized glasses, the polarization direction twisting in the DPF provides the light energy filtering for both eyes. The polarization direction twisting in the DPF does not affect the light energy reaching the naked eye.

To display 3-D images or 2-D and 3-D mixed images, the main screen is controlled to provide total light energy for both left and right images on each pixel and further on each color cell. The main screen and its corresponding control mechanism may also be referred to as the light volume controller. The DPF may be controlled to divide the total light energy between two polarized glasses lens for the left and right images on each pixel and further for each color cell. By controlling polarization direction twisting degree when polarized light passes through each independently controlled unit of the DPF, the 3-D polarized glasses, with its two lens axis in perpendicular, filters the light in a mutually exclusive manner. Thus if the light completely passes through one polarized lens, it may be completely blocked by the other polarized lens at the same time, and vice-versa.

When the DPF is controlled to evenly divide light energy towards both lenses on any color cells and further on any pixels, both eyes behind the lens observe the same color and brightness on the same pixel cells, in further, both eyes observe the same image formed by these pixels, which provides 2-D vision. When the DPF is controlled not to evenly divide light energy towards both lenses on every color cell and further on every pixel, both eyes behind the lens observes different color and brightness on the same pixel cells, in further, both eyes observes different images formed by these pixels, which provides 3-D vision when the left and right eye observed image is a stereo image pair. Without 3-D polarized glasses, the 2-D image is observed clearly since both the naked eye observes same light energy on the pixels regardless of polarization direction, and the 3-D image is blurred.

To display pure 2-D images and use the display as a regular 2-D display without wearing polarized glasses, the DPF may not be activated. Thus, any or no control signals are applied on the DPF. It also means only one data stream feed is required.

To display two 2-D images on the screen at the same time, the main image to be observed with the naked eye and secondary image to be observed with 2-D polarized glasses, which have same polarization axis for both lens, the main screen is controlled to display the main image and the DPF is controlled to make up secondary image from the light energy on each color cell that forms the main image on the main screen. By controlling the polarization direction twisting degree of polarized light passing through each unit on the DPF, we may adjust the light energy observed through the secondary image polarized glasses, which has both lens polarization axis in parallel. These adjusted light energy observed on each color cell forms different color and brightness for the same pixel on the screen with polarized lens and without polarized lens. In further, these different color and brightness observed through polarized glasses forms a secondary image different than the main image. Although the secondary image quality is affected by the main image rendered on the main screen, for example a pixel cell is very dark for the main image may cause not enough light energy available on this pixel cell to be adjusted on the DPF for the secondary image color at this pixel cell, it may be improved in certain degree by utilizing light energy from the surrounding pixel cells and color mixing theory to make up the color required for the secondary image as close as possible. For good secondary image quality, it requires the main image brightness be higher than the secondary image and the color pureness of the secondary image is higher than the main image in general.

This new method and apparatus for image constructing utilize multi-level light controlling technology may be applied to different existing display technologies such as LCD, PDP, LED, CRT and OLED, or the like. These types display devices may all be used as main screen in the display device of the present invention. If the main screen emits polarized light, the DPF may be attached to the main screen, aligned pixel to pixel. When the proper main data stream and adjusting data stream is applied on the main screen and the DPF respectively, observers see both 2-D and 3-D or multiple 2-D images on the screen at the same time. If the main screen does not emit polarized light, a polarized film may be attached to the main screen and then the DPF attached thereto. The main data stream and the adjusting data stream remains unchanged in this case.

To form stereo 3-D vision, an observer's left and right eye need see slightly different image on the screen. That means each pixel cell on the screen must display the image pixel of the left image and of the right image at same time so the displayed 3-D image has the maximum resolution or image quality that display screen physical cell resolution may support.

Human eyes recognize an image pixel by its color and brightness. Color is represented and constructed by a set of light volumes of a given primary color set. Different combination of the light volume of each primary color defines different color and the summery of light volume of every primary color defines the brightness. To construct any color in certain brightness is actually to control the light volume of each components of a selected primary color set. To construct a stereo 3-D image is actually to independently control the light volume, or strength, that reach left and right eye.

Using two level light controllers may accomplish this task. The first level controller controls the total light volume that reaches both eyes. The second level controller controls the percentage of this amount light between left and right eye.

The first level controller's control ratio Rm is from zero (0) to one (1). When Rm equals 0, the first level controller is completely closed, no light comes out of the first level controller; When Rm equals 1, the first level controller is maximum opened, so maximum amount of light M comes out of the first level controller.

The second level controller's control ratio Ra is also from zero (0) to one (1). When Ra equals 0, the second level controller passes 100% light out of the first level controller towards the first eye and 0% light towards the second eye; When Ra equals 1, the second level controller passes 0% light out of the first level controller towards the first eye and 100% light towards the second eye.

Assume E1is the normalized light volume of one primary color component of a pixel belong to an image meant to be observed by the first eye, and E2is the normalized light volume of the same primary color component of a pixel belong to another image, at the same position, meant to be observed by the other eye, then we have the equations:
Rm=(E1+E2)/2 and
Ra=E2/(E1+E2).

Where E1and E2both has its volume range between zero (0) to one (1).

Accordingly, the equations:
Rm=(E1+E2)/2 and
Ra=E1/(E1+E2)
represent the controlling scenario of when Ra equals 0, the second level controller passes 100% light out of the first level controller towards the second eye and 0% light towards the first eye; and when Ra equals 1, the second level controller passes 0% light out of the first level controller towards the second eye and 100% light towards the first eye.

For digitalized images, images are represented by pixels and each pixel is represented by a set of color-component-values of a selected primary color set. A color-component-value has value range from zero (0) to one (1). For instance, chosen primary color set as red (r), green (g), and blue (b). A pixel p1at position P(x, y) of first image A1is represented as [r1, g1, b1] and a pixel p2at the same position P(x, y) of second image A2is represented as [r2, g2, b2]. Here x and y the coordinator value in a given coordinator system, and r1, g1, b1, r2, g2, b2are the color-component-value of red, green, and blue accordingly that constructs the pixel color of p1and p2at position P of image A1and A2respectively. To have different eye observes p1and p2independently and separately, the light control ratio Rm on the pixel cell of the first level controller that represents image position P(x, y) and the light control ratio Ra on the pixel cell of the second level controller that represents the same image position P can be calculated using color-component-values of p1and p2, and further more, this same calculation can be applied on each color-component-value of the selected primary color set independently, which is [(r1+r2)/2, (g1+g2)/2, (b1+b2)/2] and [r2/(r1+r2), g2/(g1+g2), b2/(b1+b2)] respectively. Under this control, these separately observed pixels forms separate and independent images for different eyes. When the two images is a stereo image pair, they form stereo 3-D vision for observers.

Since the second level light control divides the total light volume between two eyes, when form the same image to both eyes, the light amount reaches each eye is actually less than the light amount that reaches each eye without this special light control. To have both eye accepts the same light volume of regular displayed image A1or A2under this special light control method and apparatus, the maximum light volume emits out of the first level controller is adjusted to be 2M. However, because of this new light control method and apparatus is meant to form image A1and A2separately to different eyes, the maximum light volume emits out of the first level controller may be remained to the same M.

The control data for the first level and the second level controlling can be constructed through the original first and second image data stream. If pixel data in the original first data stream is arranged as a sequence of R, G, B values D1, and pixel data in the original second data stream is arranged as a sequence of R, G, B values D2, the new control data stream is constructed in the same form of the original data stream. The control data in the new constructed data streams are a sequence of value C1and C2that map to each R, G, B values in the original data streams. Where C1=(D1+D2)/2 and C2=T*D2/(D1+D2), in which T is the maximum value of original image data. For digitalized data, it is defined by the bit-length of D1and D2. Value C2can also be constructed as T*D1/(D1+D2) that controls the second control level to divide light alternatively. The control data C1and C2forms control data streams when they are constructed from data D1and D2of the first and the second image data streams. The stream control data C1and C2are applied to the main screen as the first level light control and the DPF as the second level light control respectively, like image data stream rendering on the main screen or DPF accordingly. For example, if one RGB value D1in the first data stream is 10, which is 00001010 in binary, and one corresponding RGB value D2in the second data stream is 34, which is 00100010 in binary, then the new constructed data value C1in the first level light control data stream applied on the main screen is (10+34)/2=22 and the new constructed data value C2in the second level light control data stream applied on the DPF is 255*10/(10+34)=57.955, or approximately 58, where 255 is the maximum value represented in 8 bits.

The control data values, C1or C2can be pre-constructed digitally and saved in a block of memory. Each element of this block of memory can be uniquely addressed by image data D1and D2combination. To construct the address of this block of memory, D1and D2can be catenated into one, where D1is higher bits and D2is lower bits, or vice-versa. The memory element addressed or indexed by “D1D2” or “D2D1” stores the value C1or C2. Value C1and C2can also contains other adjusting value parts besides of the constructed from D1and D2so that they can control and drive the first and the second light control level more accurately. Since twisting reaction of liquid crystal and applied voltage is not in perfect linear, the linear correction value B can be accompanied into the row control value C, which value B is a function of raw control value C. The combined final control value C can be stored in the proper memory element that can be addressed through D1and D2.

For example, a pre-calculated C1value22from D1of value10and D2of value34can be saved on a memory element of first memory block, the element address or offset related to the memory block beginning address can be constructed as “0000101000100010”, where the higher 8 bits is the D1value in binary and lower 8 bits is the D2value in binary, which is element2594in order. The pre-calculated C2value58from the same value D1and D2can be saved on a memory element of second memory block, and the element address or offset related to the second memory block beginning address is the same2594. If the linear correction value B is −1 for C1=22, then the element2594of the first memory block holds the combined value21, which is 22+(−1).

Here the memory element can holds a data value of any given bit length for accuracy. Value B can also be stored in separate memory block that is addressed in the same method, so the value B can be located in the same way that locates raw control value. The value B fetched out then can be add to the raw control value, which can be fetch out from the memory block or calculated dynamically, at run time as final control value. For example the B value (−1) can be saved in a third memory block at the element22. Thus for the given image data10and34, the stored value22is allocated at element2594of the first memory block and the stored value (−1) is allocated at element22of the third memory block, and the final control data value is the summary of 22 and (−1).

The control data stream construction can be performed by software or hardware or their combination. When performed by software, the original image data may be buffered in memory, data is processed, and the result is written back to memory before they are swapped to a display device. The control data is feed to a display device like regular image data stream and control data C1is rendered on the main screen and control data C2is rendered on the DPF. When performed by hardware, which can be an external device or an internal chip and circuit combination as part of display device, the original two image data streams can be directly feed into the hardware and the hardware constructs control data streams that renders to main screen and DPF.

The data stream, either control data stream or image data stream, feed into display device can be in parallel through different port. They should be in sync; otherwise, synchronization should be handled in software or in hardware by proper buffering. The data streams can also be parallel through the same port by mixing them on different frequencies or share the same frequency at different time. When they are mixed on different frequency, the distance of two frequencies can be predefined. A display device capable to display dual polarized 3-D images can accept both feeds simultaneously. When it locks on one frequency, it can lock its corresponding frequency based on predefined distance. A display device only capable to display regular 2-D images will lock these two frequencies separately and displays these two data streams separately without interfere each other. When they are mixed on same frequency at different time, the mixed data streams are separated and buffered into different memory buffer before they are processed or rendered to different screens. When the data streams are mixed on different time-sharing, they are buffered to sync for dual polarizing display.

Any regular display device may be used as the first level controller. A dual polarizing filter described in Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/558,898 may be used as the second level controller. However, the implementation of the first level controller and the second level controller are not limited to a regular display and a Dual Polarizing Filter.

The presented invention provides a new method and apparatus for construct images on display screen for both 2-D and stereo 3-D. The image quality is very high and color rich. Displayed image may have the highest resolution that display screen physical resolution may support. The manufacture process is simple and cost effective. It natively supports all existing data format used for images and videos.

The invented display method and apparatus may provide full resolution 3-D image while observer wears 3-D polarized glasses and full resolution 2-D image at same time. The 2-D image displayed on screen may be the same no matter observer wears polarized glasses or not.

This new method and apparatus for constructing 2-D and 3-D image may be applied on any display device that illuminates light itself, either regular natural light or polarizing light.

The invented display method and apparatus may also provide two different 2-D images at same time in full physical resolution, one may be only observed with the naked eye and the other may be only observed with 2-D polarized glasses, which is different with 3-D polarized glasses.

The invented display method also provides a new way to construct 3-D projector. To LCD based projector, inserting a DPF between the LCD panel and zooming optical system, and apply the control data signal stream disclosed in the invention, constructs a projector that shuts out both 2-D image and 3-D image on projector screen. The 3-D image reflected back from the screen can be observed through polarized glasses and form 3-D vision. When each color subcomponents on the LCD panel are mapped and aligned with each control unit on dual-polarize filter accordingly, apply control signal C1and C2generates emitted lights that is mixed with two polarized light with their polarize direction perpendicular. Different images may be represented by light having different polarization directions. For a DLP based projector, inserting a DPF with a polarize film attached at one side that facing the DLP chip between the DLP chip and zooming optical system, and apply the control data signal stream disclosed in the invention, constructs a projector that shuts out both 2-D image and 3-D image as well. The light reflected by micro-mirrors becomes polarized light and the light further becomes a mixing of two polarized light with their polarize direction perpendicular when pass through the dual-polarize filter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 3is a functional structure section view of an LCD based display embodiment100. The apparatus comprises backlight101, LCD panel102, Dual Polarizing Filter103, and 3-D polarized glasses104. LCD panel102and Dual Polarizing Filter103may be arranged pixel-to-pixel, and further its color cells as well, are aligned in row and column. Pixel cell202comprises at least one color cell203. Color filter124may be omitted. However, if both color filter114and124are used, the same primary color set and color cell size and arrangement pattern may also be the same between114and124. The corresponding signal control electrode layer115and125may also have the same color cell size and arrangement accordingly. In other words, no matter how many color cells are grouped as a pixel, and how these color cells are arranged to make up a pixel, each corresponding color cell on102and103may be aligned in row and column on the same colors.

Image control electrode layers115and125provide each color cell control using transparent electrodes, matrix circuits and TFT switches or other control circuits (not shown). Common electrode layer116and126may be omitted when a certain type of electrical circuit is formed on image control electrode layers115or125. Color filter layer114or124may be located differently, for example it may be next to either substrate. If both color filter114and124are omitted, the display becomes monochrome.

First polarized film polarization axis151and second polarized film polarization axis152is arranged in a way that when voltage applied on LC material layer119of any color cell on LCD panel102changes from amount V0to amount V1, the volume of the light pass through, which is from backlight unit101, on this color cell is changed from maximum, which is completely passed through, to minimum, which is completely blocked, or vice-versa.

The first lens polarized axis153and the second lens polarized axis154of 3-D polarized glasses104are arranged in the way that for any color cell of Dual Polarizing Filter103, when voltage applied on LC material layer129changes from volume U0to volume U1, the volume of light emitted out and passed through the first lens changes from the maximum to the minimum. Meanwhile the volume of light that emitted out and passed through the second lens changes from the minimum to the maximum accordingly, or vice-versa. For any color cell at any given time point, the maximum light volume passes through lens is the total light volume emitted out from LCD panel102; the minimum light volume is zero, which means the polarized lens completely blocks the light out of LCD panel102. From any color cell on the display, the volume of light passed through the first lens and the second lens are always in complement and the sum of them is equal to the light volume emitted from the LCD panel102at any time point.

Thus, by controlling voltage applied on LC layer119, we may control the light amount out of each color cell of any pixel on LCD panel102at any time. By controlling voltage applied on LC layer129, we may divide light volume emitted out of any color cell on LCD panel102at any given time point between the two polarized glasses lens, so part of the light pass through one lens and the rest pass through the other lens. This makes observer's left eye and right eye observes different light strength on the same color cell of the display screen at the same time. So left and right eyes may observe different color and brightness on the same pixel cell of the display screen at the same time. As result left and right eyes observe different images independently on the same display screen at the same time.

To display 2-D image on the screen, each color cell on LCD panel102is controlled to pass proper volume of light from backlight unit to form the color and brightness of the pixel that the color cell belongs to, which forms the 2-D image on LCD panel102. Correspondingly, each color cell on Dual Polarizing Filter103is controlled to divide light emitted from each corresponding color cell evenly pass through the two lens of polarized glasses104. Thus, when observer wears 3-D polarized glasses104, both eyes observers same amount of light on the same color cell and further the same color on same pixel cell on the screen. So both eyes observe same image constructed by those pixels on the screen, which forms 2-D vision. When observer does not wear 3-D polarized glasses104, since the light polarization direction altered by Dual Polarizing Filter103does not affect the naked eye so both eyes always observe all light volume emitted from LCD panel102on same color cell, and further the same color and brightness on the same screen pixel cell, which forms 2-D image in the same way of regular display screen.

To display 3-D image or 3-D and 2-D mixed image on the screen, the 2-D image portion display may be the same as described above. For the 3-D image portion, each color cell on LCD panel102is controlled to pass the total light volume that is required to construct proper color for the corresponding pixels of left and right images. Each aligned color cell on Dual Polarizing Filter103is controlled to properly divide this total amount of light emitted out of each corresponding color cell of LCD panel102to pass through the left polarized lens and the right polarized lens so that different color is observed through different lens for the same pixel cell on the screen. These different colors observed through different lens forms different images to left and right eyes. When the images observed independently by two eyes are stereo image pairs, it forms stereo 3-D vision. When observer does not wear glasses, the 3-D image portion is blurred because light emitted out of color cells on LCD panel102does not form image properly at 3-D image portions. But 2-D image portions do not affected.

FIG. 4is a functional structure cross-section view of an embodiment200of the present invention based on any display device that emits regular light. The system comprises the regular 2-D display201, the polarized film211, the Dual Polarizing Filter103, and the polarized glasses104. The regular 2-D display201has a display screen210that is comprised with pixels202in certain pattern and each pixel is arranged with sub cells call color cell203in certain sub cell pattern. Each color cell203represents one primary color of selected primary color set for the pixel cell color construction. These color cells on screen210may be independently controlled to construct proper color and brightness for the pixel they belong to and further construct image on the screen210. Polarized film211converts light emitted out of display screen210to be polarized light of direction252. Dual Polarizing Filter103has the same layer structure as the one in embodiment100. Pixels on Dual Polarizing Filter103and further the color cells have the same size and the same shape and arranged in the same pattern as the pixels and color cells on display screen210. They are aligned in row and column and mapped one to one, so the color cells in each pixel as well.

The first lens polarized axis153and the second lens polarized axis154of 3-D polarized glasses104are arranged in the way that for any color cell of Dual Polarizing Filter103, when voltage applied on LC material layer129changes from volume U0to volume U1, the volume of light emitted out and passed through the first lens changes from the maximum to the minimum. Meanwhile the volume of light that emitted out and passed through the second lens changes from the minimum to the maximum accordingly, or vice-versa. For any color cell at any given time point, the maximum light volume passes through lens is the total light volume emitted out from display screen210and polarized film252; the minimum light volume is zero, which means the polarized lens completely blocks the light out of screen210and polarized film252. From any color cell on the display, the volume of light passed through the first lens and the second lens are always in complement and the sum of them is equal to the light volume emitted from the screen210and polarized film252at any time point.

To display 2-D images, regular display201renders the image under regular control mode while Dual Polarizing Filter103is controlled to divide light emitted from each color cell evenly to both lens of polarized glasses104. So both eyes observe same light volume on the same color cell on the screen and further same color and brightness on the same pixel on the screen no matter observers wearing polarized glasses or not.

To display 3-D images, display component201is controlled to emit light volume in the amount of the sum of the light volume that is required for left and right images on each color cells. Dual Polarizing Filter103is controlled to divide light emitted out of each color cells on display component screen210to left and right lens so that proper amount of light emitted on each color cells is observed through left and right polarized lens. Observers left and right eyes see different color and brightness on the pixels of display component screen210through 3-D polarized glasses104. These different color and brightness pixels observed through polarized glasses lens153and154forms different images to left eye and right eye, which is the left and right image of a stereo image pair, and forms stereo 3-D vision for the observers.

If display device that emits polarized light itself, the polarized film between display screen201and Dual Polarizing Filter103may be omitted.FIG. 5is a functional structure cross-section view of an embodiment300based on any display device that emits polarized light.302and303are pixel and color cell of the display respectively, which is equivalent to202and203inFIG. 4respectively. The pixel cells and its color cells of screen210and Dual Polarizing Filter103are in same size and shape and aligned in row and column. The direction of polarized light emitted out of screen310is352. The polarized film211inFIG. 4converts the regular light passes through it to be polarized light of direction252, which is equivalent in functionality to the polarized light of direction352inFIG. 5. Polarized light is emitted directly from screen310. Thus the controlling applied on Dual Polarizing Filter103inFIG. 5is the same to the controlling applied on Dual Polarizing Filter103inFIG. 4. The data signals feed to display component301and to display component201are also the same for both 2-D and 3-D displaying.

FIG. 6is another embodiment of presented light control method and apparatus. The display device400displays one image for observers wearing 2-D polarized glasses and displays different image for observers don't wear polarized glasses. The system comprises a 3-D display embodiment disclosed inFIG. 3,FIG. 4, or inFIG. 5, and 2-D polarizing glasses204.

There is one difference between 3-D polarizing glasses and 2-D polarizing glasses. The polarization axis of the two lens of 3-D polarizing glasses104are in perpendicular to each other. 2-D polarized glasses204have two polarized lens with the same polarization axis direction253. For given polarized film polarization axis252or given polarized light of direction252that emitted out of screen210, polarized glasses lens polarization axis253is arranged in the way that for any color cell on Dual Polarizing Filter103, when control voltage applied on LC material layer129changes from volume U0to volume U1, the volume of light emitted out and passed through both lens changes from the maximum to the minimum, or vice verse. For any color cell at any given time point, the maximum light volume passes through both lens is the total light volume emitted out from display screen210and optional polarized film252, which is omitted if screen210emits polarized light; the minimum light volume is zero, which means both polarized lens completely blocks the light emitted out from screen210and optional polarized film252.

The 2-D images observed without polarized glasses are rendered on display screen210. The color cells on screen210are controlled to deliver proper amount of light and thus every pixels displays proper color and brightness that forms the image meant to be displayed and viewed with the naked eye. The secondary images that are invisible to the naked eye are meant to be observed by wearing 2-D polarized glasses204. The color values of every pixel of the secondary image is compared to the color value of the pixels on screen210at the corresponding position to decide the control voltage applied on each color cell on Dual Polarizing Filter103so that the pixel color and brightness observed through the polarized glasses204is visually as accurate as possible compare to the pixel color and brightness of the secondary image.

The control signals, such as electrical voltages, applied to color cells are not necessary to be linear to the light amount or strength delivered through the color cells. For example, the relation of voltage applied on LC material and the twisting status, which is used to control light through put, is an “S” curve that may be very close to a straight line.FIG. 7is a typical reaction curve between applied voltage and light strength passed through an LCD panel102inFIG. 3. When this reaction curve is approximate to a straight line or is treated as a straight line, the control equation Rm=(E1+E2)/2 and Ra=E2/(E1+E2) is approximate to Vm=(v1+v2)/2 and Va=v2/(v1+v2). Accordingly, Rm=(E1+E2)/2 and Ra=E1/(E1+E2) is approximate to Vm=(v1+v2)/2 and Va=v1/(v1+v2). Where Vm and Va is the voltage value applied on the main screen and adjust screen respectively on corresponding aligned color cells. v1and v2is the voltage value should be applied on the color cell of a main screen to construct the 2-D left and right images respectively if we want observe them with the naked eye. In general, Rm=Fm (Vm) and Ra=Fa(Va), where Fm is the reaction function for the main screen between control signal Vm and light strength Rm, such as component102inFIG. 3, component201inFIG. 4and component301inFIG. 5. Fa is the reaction function for Dual Polarizing Film103between control signal Va and light strength Ra that passed through one lens of 3-D polarized glasses104.

Furthermore, when assume the reaction function between image signal values and voltage volumes applied on screen color cells are linear, the data signal stream feeds to the main screen Sm=(s1+s2)/2 and the data signal stream feeds to the DPF Sa=T*s2/(s1+s2) or Sa=T*s1/(s1+s2). Here s1and s2is the data signal stream for 2-D left and right images. T is the maximum signal value of s1and s2. This formula provides a signal processing method and apparatus to prepare stereo 3-D data stream.FIG. 8is a data process diagram of generating data streams for main screen and adjusting screen to construct both 2-D and 3-D images at the same time.

A 2-D image of Q row by P column pixels801is represented as a data matrix of Q row by P column A[p, q], where each element in data matrix and pixel in image is one-to-one mapped. A stereo pair of 3-D image802and803of J row by I column, where802is its left image and803is its right image, is represented as data matrix of J row by I column L[i, j] and R[i, j] respectively. Each element in data matrix L and R is one-to-one mapped with pixel in left image802and right image803correspondingly. To form 3-D vision,802and803must be overlapped and aligned on each coordinate point [i, j].

The observer's viewing space804is the physical display screen space observer looks at, which is comprised with Y row by X column pixel cells. Observer's left and right eye observes logic display screen space810and811respectively. To form both 2-D and 3-D vision on the same display screen, 2-D image801is displayed on logic left screen810and right screen811at the same location, and left stereo image802is displayed on logic left screen810and right stereo image803is displayed on logic right screen811. Logic left screen810and logic right screen811is left and right eye observed physical display screen804accordingly.

820and821are the data buffers, which is represented and organized as data matrix Sm[x, y] and Sa[x, y], that maps to the main screen pixel cells and the DPF pixel cells respectively, which both have Y row by X column pixel cells aligned to each other by row and by column. Data buffer820and821or data matrix Sm and Sa may be in various forms, such as computer virtual memory and physical memory chips or the like. Sm[x, y] is the actual image data signal that is rendered on the main screen in one to one base. Sa[x, y] is the actual image data signal that is rendered on the DPF in one to one base.825and824are the sub data blocks for the area on the main screen and the adjusting screen respectively where observer sees 2-D image801. Sm[p, q] and Sa[p, q] are the corresponding sub data matrix represents data in area825and824.822and823are the sub data blocks for the area on the main screen and the DPF respectively where observer sees 3-D image formed by802and803together. Sm[i, j] and Sa[i, j] are the corresponding sub data matrix represents data in area822and823.

The data Sm[p, q] has the value of A[p, q]. Sa[p, q] has the normalized value of 0.5. If the maximum possible value of matrix A, L and R is M, Sa[p, q] then has the constant value of M/2. Sm[i, j] has the normalized sum of value L[i, j] and value R[i, j], which is the value of (L[i, j]+R[i, j])/2. Sa[i, j] has the value of M*L[i, j]/(L[i, j]+R[i, j]) if the polarization axis direction153of 3-D glasses104is arranged to completely block the light to left eye when data value zero is rendered on adjusting screen, Sa[i, j] has the value of M*R[i, j]/(L[i, j]+R[i, j]) if the polarization axis direction153of 3-D glasses104is arranged to completely pass the light to left eye when data value zero is rendered on adjusting screen.

Sm[x, y] and Sa[x, y] is the data of the area that is not covered by825,822,823and824. The value of Sm[x, y] is 0 and the value of Sa[x, y] is undefined or may be any value, if main screen emits no light when data value zero is rendered on main screen. The value of Sm[x, y] is maximum possible value M and the value of Sa[x, y] is undefined or may be any value, if main screen emits maximum light when data value zero is rendered on main screen.

In data processing disclosed above, a pixel image data that represented as an element in matrix is actually comprised with a grouped value of each color components in a selected primary color set. For example if color red, green and blue is chosen as primary color set, a matrix element data is comprised by three sub data element r, g, and b, which represents value of color component red, green, and blue respectively that defines the corresponding pixel color. Further more, the matrix data element value setting and calculation are also color component based. For example if L[i, j] is expanded as (r1, g1, b1) and R[i, j] is expanded as (r2, g2, b2), the value (L[i, j]+R[i, j])/2 is accordingly expanded as ((r1+r2)/2, (g1+g2)/2, (b1+b2)/2).

The control signals used in this invented display may be generated remotely or locally. In remote mode, the display takes two image data streams for the main screen and DPF simultaneously. The signal data in the streams has already been preprocessed by software or a separate hardware from regular 2-D image data streams, so the display simply renders them to main display screen and DPF accordingly. For pure 2-D image display, only main screen data stream is provided and rendered. In local mode, the display takes two regular 2-D image data streams. The signal data in the streams represents regular left and right image respectively. The display converts the two input stream data in real time mode to two control stream signals based on the control signal equations disclosed here and renders them to main screen and adjusting screen accordingly. For pure 2-D image display, only one 2-D image data stream is feed to the display.

FIG. 9is a functional diagram of dual control signal converter900, which may be a part of display, or an independent hardware adaptor, or a component unit builds into other devices, such as computer video card or TV signal station or the like.910and911are the two regular 2-D image data stream input with maximum signal value M.915and914are the control signal data stream output with maximum signal value M as well. Main data stream915feeds to main display screen and adjusting data stream914feeds to DPF. The display takes them as a regular 2-D data streams and renders them to both display screens as if they are regular 2-D images. Unit900takes901and902as its input A and B, its output signal915has value (A+B)/2 and its output signal914has value M*B/(A+B) or M*A/(A+B) when both A and B is presented; and its output signal915has value (A+B) and its output signal914has any value from 0 to M when only A or B is presented. A constant value M/2 for output914is the best so that 2-D image on the screen can be observed to both eyes with or without wearing 3-D polarize glasses.

FIG. 10is a functional diagram of a LCD based display embodiment. It comprises backlight unit101, main display panel102, which is a regular LCD panel with its more detail layer structure inFIG. 3, adjusting display panel103, which is a Dual Polarizing Filter with its more detail layer structure inFIG. 2. Both main display panel102and adjusting display panel103has their independent column driver1001,1002and independent row driver1003,1004respectively. Column driver1001applies main data stream915inFIG. 9on main display panel102under control of timing controller1008and column driver1002applies adjusting data stream914inFIG. 9on adjusting display panel103under control of timing controller1011. Row driver1003and1004provides scan signal to main panel102and adjusting panel103under control of clock driver1006. Clock driver1006also synchronizes the scan signal and data signals through timing controller1008and1011to perform the image rendering on both main panel102and adjusting panel103. Besides, display1000comprises supporting units. Power unit1005provides multiple power sources, common voltage unit1007provides common electrical voltage to both common electrode layer116and126of main panel102and103inFIG. 3. Gamma generator1009translates digital data signal to linear light pass through reaction on display panel, which may be replaced by a simple string of resistors in some cases. Backlight driver1010and light sensor1012provides backlight controlling. Dual control signal converter900may be a part of display1000when display1000takes regular 2-D data stream910and/or911inFIG. 9as input, its more detail functional structure is disclosed inFIG. 9. It may also exist apart from the display1000when display1000takes pre-converted main data stream915and adjusting data stream914inFIG. 9as direct input stream.

An embodiment may also be constructed with completely separate controlling units. Reference toFIG. 10, besides of independent column and row drivers, an embodiment may also comprise separate clock driver1006, separate common voltage unit1007, even separate power unit1005. This altered arrangement may not affect display's functionality.

While the preferred embodiment and various alternative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it may be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.