Stereoscopic displays, arrangments and methods

In one preferred form illustrated in FIG. 1 there is provided an autostereoscopic display 10. The display 10 includes a layer 20 of pixel sources 22. The display includes a source screen 12 and a lens structure 14. The source screen 12 is able to separate light from each pixel source 22, in the layer 20 of pixel sources 22, into view position input sources 32 each corresponding with a different view position 40. The lens structure 14 has a view position configuration 36 and a views configuration 38. The view position configuration 36 and the views configuration 38 of the lens structure 14 are able to transmit light, that is received from the view position input sources 32 as corresponding lens structure inputs 34, as views 39 grouped in viewing positions 40.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to stereoscopic displays, arrangements and methods.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Current auto stereoscopic displays suffer from a number of advantages and disadvantages. These advantages and disadvantages include those relating to flexibility, resolution, manufacturing and use.

It would be advantageous to provide an improved stereoscopic display or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a lens arrangement for a layer of pixel sources in an autostereoscopic display, the lens arrangement comprising: a source screen and a lens structure; the source screen able to separate light from each pixel source, in the layer of pixel sources, into view position input sources each corresponding to a different view position; the lens structure having a view position configuration and a views configuration; the view position configuration and the views configuration of the lens structure being able to transmit light, that is received from the view position input sources as corresponding lens structure inputs, as views grouped in viewing positions.

Preferably the source screen separates the light from each pixel source into separate lens structure inputs for providing the views grouped in viewing positions.

Preferably the source screen comprises an aperture barrier having a number of slits.

Preferably the source screen comprises a series of convex portions facing away from the pixel layer.

Preferably a number N, more than 2, convex portions span each pixel to provide the lens arrangement with N viewing positions.

Preferably the lens structure includes a view position screen and a views screen; the view position screen for providing diverging light corresponding with the view positions to the views screen, the views screen for using the received light to generate views at each view position.

Preferably the distance between the view position screen and the views screen is able to be varied to match parameters for required viewing angles, the width of the viewing zone or the viewing distance.

Preferably the distance between the view position screen and the views screen is less than 1 times the focal length of the views screen

Preferably the distance between the view position screen and the views screen is approximately ⅕ the focal length of the views screen.

Preferably the view position screen comprises a series of convex portions facing away from the pixel layer, the convex portions for providing the view position configuration.

Preferably each convex portion of the view position screen spans a single pixel source to receive light from the view position input sources as the corresponding lens structure inputs.

Preferably the views screen comprises a series of convex portions facing away from the pixel layer, the series of convex portions for providing the views configuration.

Preferably the view position screen and the views screen each include a planar surface facing the pixel layer.

According to a second aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a method of providing autostereoscopic images, the method comprising: using a source screen to separate light from a number of pixel sources into view position input sources each corresponding with a different view position; transmitting the separated light to a lens structure having a view position configuration and a views configuration; the view position configuration and the views configuration of the lens structure transmitting the light, that is received from the view position input sources as corresponding lens structure inputs, as views grouped in viewing positions.

Preferably using a source screen to separate the light from the pixel sources includes using an aperture barrier having a number of slits.

Preferably using a source screen to separate the light from the pixel sources includes using a series of convex portions facing away from the pixel layer.

Preferably a number N, more than 2, convex portions span each pixel source to provide the lens arrangement with N viewing positions.

Preferably the method includes using a view position screen comprising a series of convex portions facing away from the pixel layer to provide the view position configuration

Preferably the method includes using a views screen comprising a series of convex portions facing away from the pixel layer to provide the view configuration.

Preferably the method includes using a view position screen to provide the view position configuration; using a views screen to provide the views configuration; and controlling the distance between the view position screen and the views screen to match parameters for desired viewing angles, the width of the viewing zone or the viewing distance.

Preferably the distance between the view position screen and the views screen is less than 1 times the focal length of the views screen.

Preferably the distance between the view position screen and the views screen is approximately 0.15 to 0.25 times the focal length of the views screen.

Preferably the distance between the view position screen and the views screen is approximately 0.2 the focal length of the views screen.

As will be discussed embodiments of the present invention are considered to provide number of preferred arrangements including:(i) The provision of aperture slit and lenticular technology systems that provide a wide viewing angle for the display, a large number of viewing positions and which have a resolution largely independent of the number of viewing positions.(ii) The provisions of lenticular technology systems having plano-convex lenticel sections that are readily fabricated using current technologies.(iii) The provision of lenticular technology systems having plano-convex lenticel sections allowing for the formation of individual view position input sources from a light source (such as an led) where each view position input source corresponds with a different view position without substantial losses from the light source.

It is to be recognised that other aspects, preferred forms and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the present specification including the detailed description, drawings and claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

It is to be appreciated that each of the embodiments is specifically described and that the present invention is not to be construed as being limited to any specific feature or element of any one of the embodiments. Neither is the present invention to be construed as being limited to any feature of a number of the embodiments or variations described in relation to the embodiments.]

Referring toFIG. 1there is shown an auto stereoscopic display10according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The auto stereoscopic display10includes a source screen12and a lens structure14. The lens structure14includes a view position screen16and views screen18.

Commercial auto-stereoscopy displays generally comprise either parallax barrier or lenticular screen technology. The display10is considered to provide an advantageous lenticular screen technology.

It is to be appreciated that the term lenticular is used in the conventional sense. As would be apparent, the reader is to use appropriate judgement when terms are used in particular contexts in the overall context of the specification as a whole.

In this embodiment, the display10is considered to provide a display apparatus with a significant number of views for a significant number of viewers with, possibly, only a slight loss of resolution. Only a slight loss of resolution occurs because the resolution of the display10is dependent only on the number of viewing windows within each viewing position but not on the number of viewers or the number of viewing positions.

Before describing the structure and operation of the display10in detail, it is useful to consider the resolution of parallax and lenticular technologies. Referring toFIGS. 2aand 2bthere is respectively shown a parallax barrier auto-stereoscopic display (‘the parallax system’) and a lenticular auto-stereoscopic display (‘the lenticular system’). The parallax barrier system shown inFIG. 2aprovides a viewing shield for the eyes of a person, so as to shield the left and right eyes of a person. The lenticular system shown inFIG. 2bcomprises a directional element in the form of a lenticular lens having a number convex lenticular segments that project from a base.

Conventional parallax systems and lenticular systems generally suffer from low resolution for multiple viewers. Resolution is related to both the number of viewing windows seen by each viewer and the number of viewers. A general relationship can be stated as:

Resolution⁢∝1nN
wheren=the number of views seen by each viewer (or the number of viewing windows) per viewing position.N=the number of viewing positions (or the number of viewers).

Such a relationship assumes and results from each screen pixel in both the lenticular system and the parallax system being used in one view.FIG. 3provides an example of a lenticular system where each pixel is used in a single view (multi views—1 viewing position). Such a system provides a single viewing position with n views corresponding with the number of pixels sources per lenticular convex section. A time-multiplexed parallax barrier system allows a pixel source to produce 2 or more views at a lower refreshing rate per view. This however requires time multiplexing.

Usually an nN value is roughly between 9 to 15. A value greater than 15 provides a higher auto-stereoscopic freedom but is generally associated with an unacceptably low resolution. An nN value below 9 will provide a higher resolution but is generally associated with low number of views that can cause poor auto-stereoscopy or un-natural restriction on the viewer's movement. Consequently, displays with an nN value below 9 are often designed to be viewed by a single viewer (at a single viewing position).

A single viewer display may be suitable for solitary gaming activities but is often not suited to other situations such as a home theatre environment. Home theatre environments generally involve more than one viewer and require multiple viewing positions. The applicant considers that this is likely to be the reason why conventional auto-stereoscopic displays have not been popular with general consumers.

As noted above, the display10is considered to provide an improved apparatus with a significant number of views for a significant number of viewers with only a relatively slight loss of resolution.

It is considered that the resolution of the display10is independent of N term (the number of viewers).

Notably, the terms ‘viewing zone’, ‘viewing position’ and ‘viewing window’ generally have the following auto stereoscopic meanings. The reader is however to use appropriate judgement when the terms are used in particular contexts.FIG. 4provides an illustration of these termsViewing zone (A): the plane at which the observer can best see the stereoscopic images.Viewing position (B): the position within the viewing zone at which the observer is intended to view the stereoscopic image.Viewing window (C): the small proportion of space within the viewing position at which each eye can see a complete monocular image. The image in each viewing window being slightly different from the images in the neighbouring windows within the viewing position.

FIG. 5further illustrates the display10according to the first preferred embodiment. The display10includes a layer20of pixels sources22. The source screen12is positioned in front of the layer20. The view position screen16is positioned in front of the source screen12. The views screen18is located in front of the view position screen16.

The layer20of pixel sources22is provided by a back light unit15. SeeFIG. 1. The display10can be considered as providing a spatial light modulator24comprising: a pixel layer20, the source screen12, the viewing position screen16and the views screen18.

In the embodiment the source screen12is provided as an aperture barrier26having a series of small narrow slits28. The view position screen16and the views screen18, in the lens structure14, each comprise a lenticular screen. The arrangement is considered to provide an advantageous spatial light modulator providing an embodiment of the present invention in its own right. The spatial light modulator24comprises: the pixel layer20, the aperture barrier26, the first lenticular screen16and finally the second lenticular screen18.

The display10, is illuminated by a back light source to transmit light through the aperture barrier26and the two lenticular screen16,18. Light passing through the pixel layer20is be met by the aperture barrier26. The aperture barrier26is placed at the focal length of the first lenticular screen16to provide well directed light.

As shown inFIG. 6, the slits28of the aperture barrier26form parallel passages extending vertically across the aperture barrier26. Returning toFIG. 5, the slits28are arranged above corresponding pixel sources22. Each slit28is illuminated by a single pixel source22and forms part of an aperture grouping30(SeeFIG. 6) below a corresponding convex segment31of the view position screen16. The aperture groupings and convex segments are arranged in series to provide the aperture barrier26and the view position screen16.

Light from each pixel source22which has passed through the slits of the corresponding aperture group of the aperture barrier26is be collected, collimated and redirected by the first lenticular16screen towards the corresponding viewing positions.

Notably, in the present embodiment, the aperture barrier26is used to generate multiple point like light sources from each single pixel source provided by the layer20. The provision of point like sources is considered to be advantageous as, in combination with the lens structure14, it provides the ability to provide multiple viewing positions.

The aperture barrier26can be considered to provide view position input sources32that are received by the lens structure14as corresponding lens structure inputs34. The view position screen16provides the lens structure14with a view position configuration36. The views screen18provides the lens structure14with a views configuration38. The view position configuration36and the views configuration38are able to transmit light, that is received from the view position input sources32as corresponding lens structure inputs34, as views39grouped in view positions40.

Having now described the general operation of the display10, the embodiment is now described in further detail. The view position screen16is able to provide diverging light to the views screen18where the diverging light corresponds with the view positions40. The views screen18uses the received light to generate the views39at each view position40.

More-particularly, the view position screen16comprises a series of convex portions44facing away from the pixel layer20.

Notably in another embodiment the convex portion44faces towards the pixel layer. In such an embodiment the device still works. The portion forms a convex lens and the distance relationship is modified to take into account the changes in the position of the centre of the lens. Having the convex portion facing away from the pixel layer, is considered to possibly simplify the manufacturing process because it is easier to lay the flat back surface of the lenticular screen against the flat front surface of the aperture barrier. Furthermore such an arrangement will also facilitate the placing of the spacers between the lenticular screen and the aperture barrier. The convex portions44provide the lens structure14with the view position configuration36. Each convex portion44of the view position screen16, in the series, spans a single pixel source22to receive light from the view position input sources32as the corresponding lens structure inputs34.

The views screen18comprises a series of convex portions46facing away from the pixel layer20. The series of convex portions46provide the views configuration38.

In this embodiment both the view position screen16and the views screen18include a corresponding planar surface47facing towards the pixel layer20.

Each convex portion44of the view position screen16can be considered as providing a ‘lenticle’ (in the form of a convex segment). Similarly; each convex portion46of views screen18can be considered as providing a ‘lenticle’. The sets of lenticles48from the first lenticular screen16(view position screen16) sitting behind each of the lenticles50of the second lenticular screen (views screen18) provide lenticular grouping of the first screen16. Number n pixel sources behind a set of lenticles48provides n views.

Lights from the neighbouring pixels that have passed through the corresponding lenticular group of the first screen16will pass through the corresponding lenticle of the second lenticular screen18which further redirects the light beams towards the correct neighbouring viewing windows within each viewing position.

The spatial light modulator of a standard lenticular display works by the specific redirection of the light beams from the pixels sources on the focal plane of the lenticular sheet (as shown inFIG. 3). The spatial light modulator of a standard parallax display works by specific angular placement of the rays relative to the apertures or the slits.

The spatial light modulator24of the display10, on the other hand, makes use of specific relationships between the aperture barrier26and the first lenticular sheet16as well as the relationship between the two lenticular sheets16and18themselves.

The three elements of the spatial light modulator namely: the aperture barrier26, the first lenticular screen16and the second lenticular screen18are arranged in various positions and relationships as is described in further detail below.

Returning toFIG. 6, there is shown an exemplary illustration of the single aperture group30and a single lenticle44of the first screen16, in which:n=the number of views seen by each viewer or number of viewing windows per viewing positionN=numbers of viewers or number of viewing positionsws=slit width or aperture widthwa=aperture pitchWag=pitch of aperture groupwp=pixel pitchw1=lenticular pitch of first screenw2=lenticular pitch of second screen

The aperture barrier26has the following characteristics:

The aperture barrier26is placed approximately at the focal plane of the first lenticular screen so that lights from the view position input sources32can be captured, collimated and redirected by the first lenticular screen16.

The first lenticular screen16has the following characteristics:
w1=wpWhere:w1=lenticular pitch of first screenwp=pixel pitch

Referring toFIG. 7, the first lenticular screen16defines:
d1=f1(i)Where:d1=barrier-lenticular distancef1=focal length of first lenticular screen

The lenticular screen16normally collimates and redirects any diffracted light from a single point light source located on its focal plane. While the aperture barrier26is placed at the focal plane of the screen16, the slit however is not a point source and it has a width ws. Light from the slit will spread out from the first lenticular screen16due to diffraction and non-collimated nature of the backlight. The bundle of light exist from the convex surface44of each lenticle of the lenticular screen16is bounded by the two collimated beams originated from the left and right edges of the view position input sources32. The angle between these two collimated beams, designated as α, is determined mainly by the barrier lenticular distance, the width of the slit and the relative position between the slit and the centre of the lenticle as illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8. Of note, the value of this angle is independent of the degree of the spread of the non-collimated light at the exit of the view position input sources32.

As shown inFIG. 5, on one level, the first lenticular screen16is responsible for redirecting light to all viewing positions40and the second lenticular screen18is responsible for redirecting lights to different views (viewing windows) within each viewing position.

The following relationship is defined between the two lenticular screens16,18:

f2w2≥N⁢f1w1Where:N=numbers of viewing positions or number of viewersf1=focal length of the first screenf2=focal length of the second screenw1=lenticular pitch of first screenw2=lenticular pitch of second screen

The term

fw
is known as the f-number or the angular aperture of the lenticle. The above expression basically compares the powers of the two lenses. To demonstrate the concept, if we let the two lenticles having the same width w, then we have:

This means that the power of the first lenticular screen is N times greater or equal to the power of the second screen. This relationship endeavours to ensure that beams designated for different viewing windows within each viewing position do not cross onto neighbouring viewing positions.

In the embodiment, the second lenticular screen18as illustrated inFIG. 7andFIG. 8has three main properties:(i) As mentioned previously, the focal length of the second lenticular screen is determined by its relationship with the focal length of the first lenticular screen as well as the pitches of the two screens:

f2w2≥N⁢f1w1(iv) The first lenticular screen18is placed inside the focal length of the second lenticular screen with the following relationship:
d2=⅕f2Where:d2=distance between the two lenticular screensf2=focal length of the second screen

The second lenticular screen18collects, partially collimates and redirects the light beams from the first lenticular screen16towards the correct viewing windows39within each viewing position40. While redirecting the light beams by the second lenticular screen18is a desirable property, the collimating effect is not. By placing the first lenticular screen18at a distance equal to ⅕ the focal length of the second screen16, the result is a relatively good redirecting effect and with relatively low collimating effect.

The distance equal to ⅕ the focal length is considered to provide an advantageous result. The fraction ⅕ is chosen for the following reasons:It is smaller than the focal length f2It simplifies the calculations of the width of viewing windows and viewing zone as well as the viewing angles of the viewing windows and the display.Light sources from this distance suffer only a small amount of collimation and their lights are still directed by the lens in the correct directions.

In practice, the applicant considers that the value can be substituted with a number less than 1 as long as it satisfies the desired requirement of the viewing widths and the viewing distance of the display.

Advantageously, in this regard, the inter-lenticular distance55between the views screen18and the viewing position screen16(d2) can be increased or reduced to match the required viewing angle or viewing distance.

The pitch of second lenticular screen18(views screen) is slightly less than the pitch of the first lenticular screen16(view position screen16) times the number of viewing windows per viewing position. This relationship can be expressed as:
w2≦n×w1or
w2≦n×wpWhere:n=numbers of viewing windows per viewing positionw1=lenticular pitch of first screenw2=lenticular pitch of second screenwp=pixel pitch

This particular arrangement is used in larger displays to allow for view point correction. The lenticular elements of the second lens18can be slightly slanted with respect to the pixel columns to reduce the moire-like artifact. View point corrections are described briefly in U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,641 and in more details in Holliman, Nick. 3D Display Systems. (1st ed. Durham: University of Durham, 2002. Web. 17 Jun. 2015).

As mentioned previously, the slit has a finite width ws. Light from the slit spreads out as it heads towards the correct viewing windows as illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8

FIG. 9is used to illustrate the viewing angle of the display. The picture inFIG. 9is illustrative and not drawn to scale with the width slightly exaggerated to demonstrate the components.

The degree of spread or the width of the viewing window can be calculated using thin lens equation:

If the object distance d2is f⅖, then the image distance will be f 2/4.

The width of the beam ws′ on second lenticular screen will be:

Because D>>f2, the width of viewing windows will be roughly equal to:

We can also estimate the value of the viewing angle of the viewing windows:

Where:βvw=viewing angle of the viewing window

Similarly, the viewing angle of the display as shown inFIG. 9is:

Where:βD=viewing angle of the display.

Thus by varying d2or the distance55between the two lenticular screens, it is possible to match the parameters of the display against the required viewing angles, the width of the viewing zone or the viewing distance.

In the embodiment, the use of double lenticular screens is considered to allow for a much wider viewing angle βDfor the display which in turn permits a larger number of viewers.

The present embodiment is considered to provide a relatively wide viewing angle.

Notably the resolution is still dependent on the number stereoscopic viewing windows within each viewing position and, in this embodiment, view point correction techniques are not used.

Referring toFIGS. 10 and 11, there is provided an autostereoscopic display100according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The autostereoscopic display100comprises: a backlight source102, a source screen104; a view position screen106; and a views screen108. The view position screen106is provided in the form of a first lenticular screen. The views screen108is provided in the form of a second lenticular screen. Notably inFIG. 10the width is exaggerated to demonstrate the components.

Advantageously the display100does not have an aperture barrier26, that blocks out a significant portion of the light from the backlight source102. Rather, the display100utilizes a barrier lenticular screen105that allows a significant proportion of light to pass therethrough providing a relatively high brightness display.

The source screen104provides the barrier lenticular screen105in the form of a series110of convex portions112facing away from the pixel layer (backlight source102). The barrier lenticular screen105is used to divide light from the back light source102into individual beams after passing through the barrier lenticular screen DI. The beams are redirected by the first lenticular screen106towards the predetermined viewing positions111. The beams are then further redirected by the second lenticular screen108towards the correct viewing windows within each viewing position111.

The properties and functions of the first and second lenticular screens106,108are the same as those in the first embodiment (display10). The relationship:

f2w2≥N⁢f1w1
between the two lenses also remain.

The distance between the barrier lenticular screen and the first lenticular screen is given as:
d1=f0+f1

Where:d1=distance between the first lenticular screen and the barrier lenticular screenf0=focal length of the barrier lenticular screenf1=focal length of the first lenticular screen

In the embodiment, referring toFIG. 11, the barrier lenticular screen105will have the following properties:
wblg=wp=w1(i)where:Wblg=pitch of barrier lenticular group

From the above equation we have:
pitch of barrier lenticular group=pixel pitch=first lenticular pitch.

Each barrier lenticular grouping114is defined as the group of barrier lenticles116whose light is captured by a single lenticle of the first lenticular screen106. Each group of barrier lenticles is shone by a single pixel and the group114generates separate light source inputs therefrom.(ii) The barrier lenticular pitch or wb1is given as

As would be apparent, N (more than 2) convex portions116span each pixel to provide the lens arrangement with N viewing positions.

Each pixel will send light through one single barrier lenticular group where there are N number of lenticles per barrier lenticular group. Each lenticle of the group will send a single beam of light from the same pixel to a single viewing position. Each pixel sends its light to all the viewing positions through a single barrier lenticular group.

Light from the back light source is normally not collimated and therefore not supposed to be focused onto a single point on the focal plane by a converging lens. As shown inFIG. 12, if we look more closely at a diffused non collimated light118it is composed of many smaller groups of lights120. Lights from different groups do not collimate but within each group however lights are approximately collimated. Lights from each of these approximately collimated groups will be focussed by the converging lens onto a single point on the focal plane. Different groups of light have different focal points on the focal plane. As a consequence light from a diffused non collimated light source will not obey the thin lens equation as well as lights coming from a discreet light source. Rather the diffused lights tend to be focussed by a converging lens onto an area lying on the focal plane of the lens as shown inFIG. 13. If the beam subgroups of a combined beam travel in closely parallel directions, then the combined beam is said to be highly collimated. If the beam subgroups have widely divergent directions, then the combined beam is considered to be poorly collimated. Diffused non-collimated light is provided at122.

The image lies on both focal planes of the barrier lenticular screen and the first lenticular screen. The width of the image, wi, is the equivalent of the width of the slit, ws. As a result, the width of the image, wi, can be used to calculate the width of the viewing windows wvw:

Or the viewing angle of the viewing windows βvw:

The viewing angle of the display βDremains unchanged as:

In order for the width of the viewing windows wvwnot to overlap each other within the viewing position, we need the width of the image wito be:

To facilitate the matching of the width of the image wiagainst the above requirements, it is desirable to have a mean to control the width of the image wi. This can be achieved by manipulating the degree of collimation of the lights from the backlight source: a high degree of collimation will result in a narrow width of the image while a low degree of collimation will give a large width of the image. Most of the back light sources have a lightguide system and by varying the design of the light guide or even adding in a collimator component, it is possible to control the width of the image and the width of the viewing windows with a high degree of accuracy. Various backlighting and light collimation systems are possible.

Thus in the embodiment described each pixel will provide a single view to all the N viewing positions. In order to provide multiple numbers of views for each viewing position or n number of viewing windows we will provide n number of pixels. As a result the resolution of the display is inversely proportional to the number of views per viewing position or the n term but is independent of the number of viewing position or the N term. Notably, whilst not presently preferred, it is envisaged that the view position screen106and the views screen108could be combined into a single unitary lens.

Referring toFIG. 14there is shown a method150according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The method150provides autostereoscopic images151. At block152the method150provides a source screen154to separate light from a number of pixel sources156into view position input sources158each corresponding with a different view position. At block160the method150includes transmitting the separated light158to a lens structure162having view position configuration164and an views configuration166The view position configuration164and the views configuration166transmit the light, that is received from the view position input sources158as corresponding lens structure inputs168(at the input of the lens structure162), as views grouped in viewing positions for viewing at the viewing170.

In the method150, using the source screen154to separate the light from the pixel sources156includes using a series lenticels arranged one after the other as convex portions172facing away from the pixel layer to separate the light. A number N, more than 2, convex portions span each pixel to provide the lens arrangement with N viewing positions.

In the method150, the lens structure162uses a view position screen174comprising a series of convex portions176facing away from the pixel layer to provide the view position configuration164. Each convex portions176is grouped with N>1 convex portions172to provide N viewing positions.

At block178, after using the view position screen174, the method uses a views screen179comprising a series of convex portions180(only one being shown for simplicity) facing away from the pixel layer to provide the views configuration166.

At block178the method150includes controlling the distance182between the view position screen174and the views screen179to match parameters for desired viewing angles, the width of the viewing zone or the viewing distance. The distance is used to assist with limiting the likelihood of overlap.

In the method150the distance between the view position screen174and the views screen179is initially set to a default equal to ⅕ the focal length of the views screen. The reason for this default position was described in relation to the display10. Similar considerations apply with respect to the method150.

The preferred embodiments of various systems and methods according to the present invention are considered to provide a number of advantages including:(i) The provision of aperture slit and lenticular technology systems that provide a wide viewing angle for the display, a large number of viewing positions and which have a resolution largely independent of the number of viewing positions.(ii) The provisions of lenticular technology systems having plano-convex lenticel sections that are readily fabricated using current technologies.(iii) The provision of lenticular technology systems having plano-convex lenticel sections allowing for the formation of individual view position input sources from a light source (such as an led) where each view position input source corresponds with a different view position without substantial losses from the light source.

As would be apparent, various alterations and equivalent forms may be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. This includes modifications within the scope of the appended claims along with all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents.

There is no intention to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings. The present invention is to be construed beneficially to the applicant and the invention given its full scope.

In the present specification, the presence of particular features does not preclude the existence of further features. The words ‘comprising’, ‘including’ and ‘having’ are to be construed in an inclusive rather than an exclusive sense.

It is to be recognised that any discussion in the present specification is intended to explain the context of the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that the material discussed formed part of the prior art base or relevant general knowledge in any particular country or region.

Whilst a background to the invention has been provided, it is to be recognised that any discussion in the present specification is intended to explain the context of the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that the material discussed formed part of the prior art base or relevant general knowledge in any particular country or region.