Liquid crystal lens and display including the same

A liquid crystal lens includes a first substrate, a second substrate which faces the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer which is interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and a lens polarizer which is disposed on the outside of the second substrate. The lens polarizer includes a first polarization region having a first polarization direction and a second polarization region having a second polarization direction which is different from the first polarization direction.

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0012674 filed on Feb. 4, 2014 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal lens, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal lens and a display device including the same.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Many display devices display an image by emitting light in various ways. The way a display device emits light is often used as a criterion for determining the type of the display device. For example, some display devices use a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel that is lighted by a backlight unit. In such display devices, light from the backlight unit passes through the LCD to display an image.

Some display devices are able to display a three-dimensional (3D) image by providing different images to a viewer's left and right eyes, with the viewer's mind using this information to produce a 3D image. Some 3D displays use 3D glasses (e.g., using a polarization method or a time division method) to provide the distinct images to the viewer's eyes. Other 3D displays do not use 3D glasses (such as a parallax-barrier method, a lenticular method, a microlens method and a blinking light method).

However, sometimes when a viewer watches a 3D video on a 3D display for a long time, the viewer may feel dizzy. In addition, the viewer may want to watch not only 3D video content but also two-dimensional (2D) video content on the same display device.

Liquid crystal lenses may be used to adjust the path of light emanating from the display device so that either a 2D or 3D mode may be provided from the same display device. However, when liquid crystal lenses are so used, crosstalk between left and right-eye images may occur when a 3D image is displayed. In this event, the left eye of the viewer may perceive some of the right eye image and/or the right eye of the viewer may perceive some of the left eye image. This may cause a degraded visual experience in viewing the 3D video content.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention provide a liquid crystal lens that can display a 3D image with little to no crosstalk.

Aspects of the present invention also provide a 3D display having reduced crosstalk.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a liquid crystal lens includes a first substrate, a second substrate which faces the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer which is interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and a lens polarizer which is disposed on the outside of the second substrate.

The lens polarizer may include a first polarization region having a first polarization direction and a second polarization region having a second polarization direction which is different from the first polarization direction.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a display device includes a display panel and a liquid crystal lens which is disposed on the display panel.

The liquid crystal lens includes a first substrate, a second substrate which faces the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer which is interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and a lens polarizer which is disposed on the outside of the second substrate. The lens polarizer includes a first polarization region having a first polarization direction and a second polarization region having a second polarization direction which is different from the first polarization direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The term “on” may be used herein to designate that an element is directly on another element or to designate that an element is on another element with other elements disposed therebetween. In the entire description of the present invention, the same drawing reference numerals may be used for the same elements across various figures.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” and so forth are used to describe diverse constituent elements, such constituent elements are not limited by the terms. The terms may be used only to distinguish one element from another elements.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a display device300according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, the display device300may include a display panel100and a liquid crystal lens200.

The display panel100includes a plurality of pixels PX1and PX2and displays an image using light output from each of the pixels PX1and PX2. The display panel100may be a display panel including a luminous device, such as an organic light-emitting display panel, a plasma display panel, a field emission display panel, etc. The display panel100may be a display panel including a non-luminous device, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. In this case, the display device300may further include a backlight unit which provides light to the LCD panel.

The pixels PX1and PX2of the display panel100may be arranged in a matrix. The pixels PX1and PX2arranged in a matrix may form a plurality of pixel rows and a plurality of pixel columns. In an exemplary embodiment in which the matrix is rectangular, the number of pixels included in each pixel row may be the same, and the number of pixels included in each pixel column may be the same. In some exemplary embodiments, as in a case where the matrix is circular, the number of pixels included in each pixel row may be different, and the number of pixels included in each pixel column may be different.

The display panel100may include a first display substrate and a second display substrate which faces the first display substrate. If the display panel100is an LCD panel, a liquid crystal material layer may be interposed between the first display substrate and the second display substrate. A panel polarizer110may be attached to an outer surface (a light output side) of the second display substrate.

If the display device300is a three-dimensional (3D) image display, the pixels may include a left-eye pixel PX1and a right-eye pixel PX2. The left-eye pixel PX1may display a left-eye image, and the right-eye pixel PX2may display a right-eye image. The left-eye image and the right-eye image may be perceived as a 3D image by a viewer due to binocular disparity. The left-eye image may be an image expected to be observed by a left eye LE of the viewer, and the right-eye image may be an image expected to be observed by a right eye RE of the viewer. The left-eye pixel PX1and the right-eye pixel PX2may be alternately arranged along a row direction.

The liquid crystal lens200is disposed on the outer surface of the display panel100. The liquid crystal lens200may control the path of light output from the display panel100. For example, the liquid crystal lens200may change the output direction of incident light by refracting or diffracting the incident light.

The liquid crystal lens200may include a first region R1and a second region R2. Each of the first region R1and the second region R2of the liquid crystal lens200may change the direction of light in each pixel by a different angle according to mode. For example, the first region R1may be a left-eye region and may be located above the left-eye pixel PX1that displays a left-eye image. In a 3D mode, the first region R1may change the direction of light output from the left-eye pixel PX1such that the light can travel toward the left eye LE of the viewer. The second region R2may be a right-eye region and may be located above the right-eye pixel PX2that displays a right-eye image. In the 3D mode, the second region R2may change the direction of light output from the right-eye pixel PX2such that the light can travel toward the right eye RE of the viewer. In a 2D mode, the first region R1and the second region R2of the liquid crystal lens200may each direct light in the same direction or may refrain from changing the direction of light all together.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the liquid crystal lens200applied to the display device300will be described.FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal lens200of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3is a schematic diagram illustrating a planar layout and corresponding cross-sectional shape of the liquid crystal lens200of the display device shown inFIG. 2.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, the liquid crystal lens200includes a first substrate210and a second substrate220. A liquid crystal layer230is interposed between the first substrate210and the second substrate220.

A first electrode240may be formed on the first substrate210, and a second electrode250may be formed on the second substrate220. The first electrode240and the second electrode250may face each other with the liquid crystal layer230interposed therebetween.

The first electrode240may be formed as a single body over an entire surface of the first substrate210. The second electrode250may be divided into a plurality of distinct sub electrodes250a. The sub electrodes250amay be separated from each other. Each of the sub electrodes250aof the second electrode250may extend along a single direction. The direction in which the sub electrodes250aextend may be tilted at an angle α with respect to short sides of the liquid crystal lens200or a pixel column direction of a display panel100.

The liquid crystal lens200includes a first region R1and a second region R2. The first region R1and the second region R2may extend in the same direction as the direction in which the sub electrodes250aof the second electrode250extend. The first region R1and the second region R2may be alternately arranged in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first region R1and the second region R2extend. For example, the first region R1and the second region R2may be repeatedly and alternately arranged along a long-side direction of the liquid crystal lens200or a pixel row direction of the display panel100. A width of the first region R1may be equal to a width of the second region R2. The first and second regions R1and R2neighboring each other may form a pair and play a similar role to a lenticular lens (LR).

For example, in an off mode (e.g., a two-dimensional (2D) mode), no voltage or the same voltage is applied to the first electrode240and the second electrode250of the liquid crystal lens200. Therefore, an electric field is not formed in the liquid crystal layer230. Accordingly, the liquid crystal lens200may pass light output from the display panel100without modulating the light.

In an on mode (e.g., a 3D mode), a common voltage is applied to the first electrode240of the liquid crystal lens200, and different voltages are applied to the sub electrodes250athat are separated from each other. Therefore, an electric field is formed between the first electrode240and the second electrode250. Here, the electric field formed between the first electrode240and the second electrode250is different in each region where a corresponding sub electrode250ais disposed. Accordingly, liquid crystal molecules may be rotated and refracted to a different degree in each region where the corresponding sub electrode250ais disposed. Using this phenomenon, the liquid crystal lens200may function as an optical lens such as a GRIN lens that changes the direction of light by refracting the light or a Fresnel zone plate that changes the direction of light by diffracting the light.

The first region R1and the second region R2may be tilted at the angle α with resect to the pixel column direction of the display panel100or to the short sides of the liquid crystal lens200.

If the first region R1and the second region R2intersect the pixel column direction of the display panel100at the angle α, the deterioration of image quality resulting from horizontal color breakup and moire phenomenon can be reduced. The intersection angle α may be set in view of a ratio of the width and length of a pixel, the number of points of view, the arrangement of pixels, etc. For example, assuming that the width of a pixel is a and the length of the pixel is b, the intersection angle α may be defined as tan−1(b/a). The liquid crystal lens200may further include a first alignment layer270formed on the first substrate210and a second alignment layer280formed on the second substrate220. The first alignment layer270may be formed to cover the first electrode240, and the second alignment layer280may be formed to cover the second electrode250. The liquid crystal layer230may be interposed between the first alignment layer270and the second alignment layer280, and the liquid crystal molecules may contact the first alignment layer270and the second alignment layer280.

The first alignment layer270has a first alignment direction, and the second alignment layer280has a second alignment direction. The liquid crystal molecules may be aligned in the first alignment direction in the vicinity of the first alignment layer270and may be aligned in the second alignment direction in the vicinity of the second alignment layer280. The first alignment direction and the second alignment direction may be different. For example, the first alignment layer270and the second alignment layer280may be aligned in a substantially anti-parallel direction.

The first alignment direction may be the same as or similar to a polarization direction of light output from the display panel100. For example, the first alignment direction may be, but is not limited to, the same as or similar to the polarization direction of light output from the display panel100(e.g., a polarization direction of a panel polarizer110disposed on the outside of the display panel100). For example, the first alignment direction and the polarization direction may intersect each other at an angle in a range of approximately −5 to 5 degrees.

If the panel polarizer110is attached to the outside of the display panel100, light output from the display panel100is polarized in a polarization axis direction of the panel polarizer110. The liquid crystal molecules arranged on the first alignment layer270are polarized in the first alignment direction. Therefore, if the first alignment direction is the same as or similar to the polarization direction of light output from the display panel100, light loss can be reduced even without a phase-difference film or a polarizer.

The second alignment direction may be, but is not limited to, the same as or similar to the direction in which each of the sub electrodes250aof the second electrode250extends. For example, the second alignment direction and the direction in which each of the sub electrodes250aof the second electrode250extends may intersect each other at an angle in a range of approximately −5 to 5 degrees.

The liquid crystal lens200may include a lens polarizer260disposed on the outside of the second substrate220. The polarizer may include either a “polarizing sheet” or a “polarizing film.”

The lens polarizer260may include a substrate, a polarizing layer formed on the substrate, and an adhesive layer formed under the substrate. The lens polarizer260may be attached to an upper surface of the second substrate220by the adhesive layer. However, the structure and position of the lens polarizer260are not limited to the above example.

The lens polarizer260(or the polarizing layer) includes a first polarization region260alocated in the first region R1and a second polarization region260blocated in the second region R2. A width of the first polarization region260amay be equal to the width of the first region R1of the liquid crystal lens200. A width of the second polarization region260bmay be equal to the width of the second region R2of the liquid crystal lens200. In addition, the first polarization region260aand the first region R1may completely overlap each other, and the second polarization region260band the second region R2may completely overlap each other. Further, the width of the first polarization region260aand the width of the second polarizing region260bmay be equal to each other.

The first polarization region260amay have a first polarization direction X1, and the second polarization region260bmay have a second polarization direction X2that is different from the first polarization direction X1. In an exemplary embodiment, the entire first polarization region260amay have the first polarization direction X1, and the entire second polarization region260bmay have the second polarization direction X2.

The first polarization direction X1and the second polarization direction X2may be different from the direction in which the first region R1and the second region R2extend, respectively. The first polarization direction X1and the second polarization direction X2are described in detail below with reference toFIG. 4.

FIG. 4is a graph illustrating a simulation of diffraction efficiency according to the polarization direction of the liquid crystal lens200.

InFIG. 4, the x axis represents an angle (a tilt angle) of a polarization axis (or transmission axis) of the lens polarizer260with respect to a horizontal side (the pixel row direction) of the lens polarizer260, and the y axis represents diffraction efficiency of an image passing through the lens polarizer260. In addition, a solid line represents diffraction efficiency of a left-eye image passing through the first region R1of the liquid crystal lens200, a dotted line represents diffraction efficiency of a right-eye image passing through the second region R2of the liquid crystal lens200, and an alternate long and short dash line represents the average of the diffraction efficiency of the left-eye image and the diffraction efficiency of the right-eye image.

Referring toFIG. 4, diffraction efficiency varies not only according to the tilt angle of the lens polarization axis but also according to whether an image is a left-eye image or a right-eye image. This may be because the liquid crystal molecules are rotated to minutely different degrees in the first region R1and the second region R2. Here, the rotation of the liquid crystal molecules to minutely different degrees in the first region R1and the second region R2may result from the fact that the first alignment layer270and the second alignment layer280are aligned in the substantially anti-parallel direction and that the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal lens200are pre-tilted in the vicinity of the first alignment layer270and the second alignment layer280.

InFIG. 4, a left-eye image shows a maximum diffraction efficiency of approximately 97.9% when the tilt angle of the polarization axis is approximately 73 degrees, whereas a right-eye image shows a maximum diffraction efficiency of approximately 97.9% when the tilt angle of the polarization axis is approximately 85 degrees. If the polarization axis of the lens polarizer260has a single direction, a maximum diffraction efficiency of approximately 97.7% can be obtained when the tilt angle of the polarization axis is set to approximately 81 degrees, as represented by the alternate long and short dash line. If a tilt angle of the first polarization direction X1of the first polarization region260athrough which a left-eye image transmits is set to approximately 73 degrees and if a tilt angle of the second polarization direction X2of the second polarization region260bthrough which a right-eye image transmits is set to approximately 85 degrees, a maximum diffraction efficiency of 97.9% on average can be obtained. For example, maximum diffraction efficiency can be increased by setting the polarization directions of the first polarization region260aand the second polarization region260bto different directions. This can increase the overall luminance of the display300, enhance the image quality of a 3D image, and reduce crosstalk between left and right-eye images.

FIG. 5is a schematic diagram illustrating the transmission path of light in the display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 5, light output from the display panel100is polarized along a polarization direction X6of the panel polarizer110. The polarized light entering the liquid crystal lens200passes through the first electrode240and the first alignment layer270. Here, if a first alignment direction X5of the first alignment layer270is the same as the polarization direction X6of the panel polarizer110, a polarization direction of the incident light matches an alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules adjacent to the first alignment layer270. Therefore, the light can enter the liquid crystal layer230without excessive light loss.

The light entering the liquid crystal layer230of the liquid crystal lens200is refracted at a predetermined angle along an alignment direction of liquid crystal directors within the liquid crystal layer230. Then, the light passes through the second alignment layer280having a second alignment direction X4and the second electrode250including the sub electrodes250awhich extend in the same direction X3as the second alignment direction X4. Finally, the light passes through the lens polarizer260. Here, light passing through the first polarization region260aof the lens polarizer260is polarized in a first polarization direction X1, and light passing through the second polarization region260bis polarized in a second polarization direction X2. If the first polarization direction X1and the second polarization direction X2are set to different directions in which a left-eye image and a right-eye image show maximum diffraction efficiency as described above, the overall luminance and image quality can be increased.

FIG. 6is a schematic diagram illustrating a plurality of directions in the display300according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 6, a first direction D1, a second direction D2, a third direction D3, a fourth direction D4, and a fifth direction D5are illustrated as an example.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, the display300, if rectangular, may have long sides and short sides. If a direction in which the long sides of the display300extend is defined as the first direction D1, the short sides of the display300extend along the second direction D2perpendicular to the first direction D1.

Pixel rows in the display panel100may be arranged in the first direction D1, and pixel columns may be arranged in the second direction D2.

The polarization direction X6of the panel polarizer110and the first alignment direction X5of the first alignment layer270of the liquid crystal lens200may be the same as the second direction D2. The second alignment direction X4of the second alignment layer280of the liquid crystal lens200may be the same as the third direction D3having a first intersection angle θ1with respect to the second direction D2. The first angle θ1may be in a range of greater than 0 to 45 degrees. The direction X3in which the sub electrodes250aof the second electrode250of the liquid crystal lens200extend may be the same as the direction in which the first region R1and the second region R2of the liquid crystal lens20extend or the third direction D3.

The first polarization direction X1(or the second polarization direction X2) of the lens polarizer260may be the same as the fourth direction D4, and the second polarization direction X2(or the first polarization direction X1) may be the same as the fifth direction D5. The fourth direction D4may have a second intersection angle θ2with respect to the third direction D3, and the fifth direction D5may have a third intersection angle θ3to the third direction D3. The second angle θ2and the third angle θ3may be different from each other and may be set in a range of −15 to 15 degrees or −10 to 10 degrees. Within this range, a left-eye image and a right-eye image can have increased diffraction efficiency, as described above. InFIG. 6, the fourth direction D4and the fifth direction D5are located to the left of the third direction D3. Therefore, the second angle θ2and the third angle θ3have positive values. However, any one of the two angles can have a negative value, or both of the two angles can have negative values.

FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal lens201according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. According to an exemplary embodiment, a second electrode251of the liquid crystal lens201includes a plurality of layers. Referring toFIG. 7, the second electrode251of the liquid crystal lens201includes a first sub electrode layer and a second sub electrode layer.

The first sub electrode layer includes a plurality of first sub electrodes251a, and the second sub electrode layer includes a plurality of second sub electrodes251b. Each of the first sub electrodes251aand each of the second sub electrodes251bmay extend in the same direction.

An insulating layer290may be interposed between the first sub electrode layer and the second sub electrode layer. The first sub electrodes251aof the first sub electrode layer and the second sub electrodes251bof the second sub electrode layer may be arranged alternately. The first sub electrodes251aand the second sub electrodes251bmight not overlap or might mostly not overlap in a vertical direction, and only a lateral end of each of the first sub electrodes251aand, according to one exemplary embodiment, only a lateral end of each of the second sub electrodes251boverlap each other.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first and second sub electrodes251aand251bare formed in two layers and are alternately arranged. Therefore, even if the first and second sub electrodes251aand251bare arranged in a horizontal direction at shorter intervals, a short circuit between the first and second sub electrodes251aand251bwhich neighbor each other in the horizontal direction can be prevented. Since the first sub electrodes251acan be arranged at shorter intervals, the profile of an electric field applied to a liquid crystal layer230can be controlled precisely.

FIG. 8is a plan view of a lens polarizer261of a liquid crystal lens200according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 8, the lens polarizer261of the liquid crystal lens200may include a plurality of polarization groups (G11, G12, G13), each including at least one first polarization region261aand at least one second polarization region261bwhich are adjacent to each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the polarization groups (G11, G12, G13) may include a first polarization group G11, a second polarization group G12, and a third polarization group G13arranged along a horizontal direction of the lens polarizer261.

The first polarization group G11includes a plurality of first polarization regions261aand a plurality of second polarization regions261blocated in the middle of the lens polarizer261. The second polarization group G12includes a plurality of first polarization regions261aand a plurality of second polarization regions261blocated on a side (a right side in the drawing) of the first polarization group G11. The third polarization group G13includes a plurality of first polarization regions261aand a plurality of second polarization regions261blocated on the other side (a left side in the drawing) of the first polarization group G11.

In each of the first through third polarization groups G11through G13, first polarization directions X11, X12or X13of the first polarization regions261aare the same, and second polarization directions X21, X22or X23of the second polarization regions261bare the same. However, the first polarization direction X11of the first polarization group G11, the first polarization direction X12of the second polarization group G12, and the first polarization direction X13of the third polarization group G13may be different. Likewise, the second polarization direction X21of the first polarization group G11, the second polarization direction X22of the second polarization group G21, and the second polarization direction X23of the third polarization group G13may be different. In the drawing, the first and second polarization directions X12and X22of the second polarization group G12and the first and second polarization directions X13and X23of the third polarization group G13are tilted in opposite directions from the first and second polarization directions X11and X21of the first polarization group G11. However, they may also be tiled in the same direction.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first and second polarization directions might not be change according to the polarization group. Instead, the first and second polarization directions may gradually change according to the position in the horizontal direction (a long-side direction). For example, as a distance from the middle of the liquid crystal lens200increases, the first polarization directions of the first polarization regions261amay be gradually tilted with respect to the first polarization directions of the first polarization regions261alocated in the middle of the liquid crystal lens200. Likewise, as the distance from the middle of the liquid crystal lens200increases, the second polarization directions of the second polarization regions261bmay be gradually tilted with respect to the second polarization directions of the second polarization regions261blocated in the middle of the liquid crystal lens200.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first and second polarization directions change according to the position in the horizontal direction. Therefore, diffraction efficiency at each point of view in the horizontal direction of a display300can be controlled more precisely.

FIG. 9is a plan view of a lens polarizer262of al liquid crystal lens according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 9, the lens polarizer262of the liquid crystal lens includes a plurality of polarization groups (G21, G22, G23) arranged along a direction intersecting boundaries between a plurality of first polarization regions262aand a plurality of second polarization regions262b. In an exemplary embodiment, the polarization groups (G21, G22, G23) may include a first polarization group G21, a second polarization group G22, and a third polarization group G23arranged along a vertical direction of the lens polarizer262.

The first polarization group G21may traverse the middle of the lens polarizer262, the second polarization group G22may be disposed on the first polarization group G21to traverse the lens polarizer262, and the third polarization group G23may be disposed under the first polarization group G21to traverse the lens polarizer262. Neighboring polarization groups may be either physically discontinuous or continuous.

First polarization directions X41of the first polarization regions262a, which extend in a direction, in the first polarization group G21may be different from first polarization directions X42of the first polarization regions262ain the second polarization group G22and first polarization directions X43of the first polarization regions262ain the third polarization group G23. Likewise, second polarization directions X51of the second polarization regions262b, which extend in a direction, in the first polarization group G21may be different from second polarization directions X52of the second polarization regions262bin the second polarization group G22and second polarization directions X53of the second polarization regions262bin the third polarization group G23.

In the drawing, the first and second polarization directions X42and X52of the second polarization group G22and the first and second polarization directions X43and X53of the third polarization group G23are tilted in opposite directions from the first and second polarization directions X41and X51of the first polarization group G21. However, they may also be tiled in the same direction.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first and second polarization directions might not change according to the polarization group. Instead, the first and second polarization directions may gradually change according to the position in the vertical direction (a short-side direction). For example, as a distance to upper and lower sides of the liquid crystal lens decreases, the first polarization directions of the first polarization regions262amay be gradually tilted with respect to the first polarization directions of the first polarization regions262alocated in the middle of the liquid crystal lens. Likewise, as the distance to the upper and lower sides of the liquid crystal lens decreases, the second polarization directions of the second polarization regions262bmay be gradually tilted with respect to the second polarization directions of the second polarization regions262blocated in the middle of the liquid crystal lens.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the first and second polarization directions change according to the position in the vertical direction. Therefore, diffraction efficiency at each point of view in the vertical direction of a display300can be controlled more precisely.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, maximum diffraction efficiency may be increased by setting polarization directions of first and second polarization regions of a lens polarizer attached to a liquid crystal lens to different directions. This may increase the overall luminance of a display employing the liquid crystal lens, enhance the image quality of a 3D image, and reduce crosstalk between left-eye and right-eye images.

Exemplary embodiments described herein are illustrative, and many variations can be introduced without departing from the spirit of the disclosure or from the scope of the appended claims. For example, elements and/or features of different exemplary embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.