Abstract:
An liquid crystal method, system and method is provided to optimize the view-angle distribution characteristics of 2D/3D LCDs, wherein the photoactive layers, e.g., parallax, lenticular, etc, have their individual respective distances adjusted. The method also permits the adjustment of the relative prism vertex angles among the photoactive layers to further control the view-angle distribution of the light transmitted to the LDC display means. Moreover, the method, system and method provides for the enhanced, as modified by or in accordance with and as a function of both, scope and distance of human vision and vantage point in 2D/3D LCDs.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to liquid crystal display (hereinafter LCD) display technology and associated 2D and 3D viewing of displayed images from the perspective and standpoint of a viewer disposed at various distances and angle of incidences from the LCD itself. 
     2. Related Art 
     In recent years, LCDs have been receiving attention as slim, large sized color screen displays, and are becoming increasingly common in business and consumer applications. LCDs are generally provided in electronic products, such as notebook computers, desktop monitors, televisions, digital cameras, DVD players, PDAs, mobile phones, portable gains, and car navigation systems, among other applications. Therefore, the ubiquitous application of liquid crystal technology has led to ever-increasing needs for consistent image display irrespective of viewer positioning away from the display, particularly in three-dimensional applications. 
     Conventional two-dimensional (“2D”)/three-dimensional (“3D”) displays utilize passive polarization, e.g., plane extension, separate light transmission, parallax units, and light concentration with lenticular sheets. However, fixed lenticular sheets and parallax units, can limit the scope and distance of human vision. Moreover, the fixed configuration prevents any adjustments to the displayed image. Accordingly, 3D displays are inherently limited in their applications in electronic devices. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-B , the Prior Art LCDs contains various upper, intermediary and lower basic photoactive units.  FIG. 1A  illustrates a conventional structure comprising a light guide unit  101  and light source  101 ( a ), light diffuser  102 , liquid crystal display unit  103 , lenticular lens prism array  104 , e.g., light concentrator. Toward the back of the entire LCD apparatus, the lower basic photoactive units, such as the diffuser, function to diffuse transmitted light by various means, such as plane extension, polarization, separate light transmission, and light barriers. Toward the front of the entire LCD apparatus, the upper basic photoactive unit has optical structures that function to concentrate transmitted light, e.g., lenticular sheets, wave transmitters, etc. The conventional structure contains an adjustable structure  105  disposed between the display unit and the light concentrator, as illustrated in  FIG. 1A . Alternatively, the adjustable structure can be disposed between the display unit and the light concentrator, as well as the display unit and the light diffuser, as illustrated in  FIG. 1B . 
     Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2B , light-guide-diffusing units are also used to diffuse transmitted light in the Prior Art. This is in contrast to distinct light guide  101  and diffuser  102  units of  FIGS. 1A-1B . Thus, the conventional structure comprises a combined light guide-light-diffusing unit  201 , display unit  203 , light concentrator  204 , in addition to the adjustable structure unit  205  disposed between the display unit  203  and the light concentrator  204 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2A . Alternately, as illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the adjustable structure  205  can be located between the light-guide-light-diffusing unit  201 , as well as the display unit  203  and the light concentrator  204 . 
     The prior art as recognized in U.S. Pat. No. 6,377,295B1 Zhiren Hu discloses a 2D/3D distance-adjustable display.  FIGS. 3A-3B  and  4 A- 4 B illustrate a Prior Art construction for 3D display having adjustable light concentrator height.  FIG. 3A  shows an exemplary fixed 3D focal plane. As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the device contains light guide unit  301 , light diffuser  302 , display unit  303  and light concentrator  304 . Adjustable structures  305  is included disposed between the display unit  303  and the light concentrator  304 . The configuration permits the 3D focal plane  306  to be positioned at a predetermined distance away from the entire LCD apparatus.  FIG. 3B  illustrates the adjustable structure positioning the light concentrator  304  in such a manner to offset the 3D focal plane  306  for viewing. 
       FIG. 4  A-B shows an exemplary 3D focal plane that has been set based upon differentially adjusted electromechanical system components.  FIG. 4A  illustrates the device of  FIGS. 3A-3B , which the device contains light guide unit  401 , light diffuser  402 , display unit  403  and light concentrator  404 . Adjustable structure  405  is configured to permits the 3D focal plane  406  to be positioned at further extended distance away from the entire LCD apparatus, as compared to  FIG. 3A . Projected upon the focal plane  406  is the resultant 3D image.  FIG. 4B  illustrates the adjustable structure  405  positioning the light concentrator  404  in such a manner with an alternate offset of the 3D focal plane  406  for viewing, as compared to  FIG. 3B .  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 4A  show the situation of various distance, while  FIG. 3B  and  FIG. 4B  show the situation of different angle. 
     According to Hu, the distance between 3D image displayed can be adjusted, using the adjustment structure according to viewer&#39;s location/position. The prior art adjustable structure  405  can be maneuvered using electromechanical means. The adjustable structure  405  are composed of lens arrays, which can be lenticular sheets. Lens array can be hologram array or parallax units. Importantly, it should be noted that the adjustable structure is always disposed on top of or above the display unit  403 . Electromechanical transducers connected to mechanical transmitters are used to displace the lens array, lenticular sheets or parallax units. Thus, only an electromechanical structure is disclosed. Electromechanical transducers are comprised of stepper motors, servo motors, or voice coil stages. These means may include mechanical wheel devices or ball-shaped screw devices. The disclosed electromechanical means can be used only with the precise input of information about the precise static location/position of the viewer. 
     Currently, various electromechanical methods have been investigated in order to modify and adjust the distances between the lenticular sheets and the parallax units. These efforts at modifying the functionality of displays enable the adjustment of the scope and distance for proper human vision. However, the practical application of electromechanical methods have been complex, unreliable, convoluted, and characterized by low levels of accuracy and stability. Moreover, prior art 3D displays tend to have only found application in small palm or desktop electronic devices. Therefore, the application of 3D displays under the present state of the art is not cost effective and somewhat limited in practical embodiments. 
     Thus, a major disadvantage of the prior art LCDs lies in their requirement for the viewer make major neuro-physiological adjustments in order to view a displayed image depending on the distance from the display. This results in physiological strain and image quality degradation depending on the distance from the focal plan in both 2D, but also more pronounced in 3D displays. 
     Therefore, there is a present need for an improved apparatus and method for adjusting the viewing characteristic of the LCD itself, irrespective of the distance of the viewer from the focal plan. Further, given the increased application of 2D/3D LCD technology, it recognized that LCDs will be required that provide an increased efficacy in viewing from various distances and different angles from the display with a deleterious viewed image quality. Accordingly, the present invention provides such a precise and cost-effective solution. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been made to solve the problems associated with the prior art LCD&#39;s inability to provide a high level of consistency in image quality irrespective of the viewer&#39;s distance from the display as described above. 
     The present invention is directed toward enhancing the viewing characteristics of 2D and 3D LCDs utilizing adaptive structure comprising adjustable photoactive units within the LCDs by use of an adjusting apparatus and method. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide visually consistent viewing of displayed images, which is provided by optimizing the focal plane characteristics and profile in LCDs. This primary object of the present invention is achieved principally through the use of unique adaptive structure. The distance between the photoactive units, such as lenticular sheets and parallax units, e.g., light guide units, wave guide, light guide-diffuser units, and diffuser units, is adjusted through the constituent material properties, which can be used to optimize such viewing characteristics. Accordingly, the scope and distance of high quality and precision LCD image viewing is dramatically improved. 
     It is the principle object of the present invention to provide for the precise and reliable adjustment of the distance between a 2D/3D LCD display and various light concentrator units and light guide/light diffuser units. In addition, it is an object to provide an apparatus and method to simplify the manufacture and operation of such functionality for LCD displays. This is accomplished by reducing the manufacturing costs, while improving apparatus operational stability, visual precision and accuracy. To this end, the distance between the light concentrator unit and the light guide/light guide-diffuser units are adjusted using their constituent material properties and characteristics. 
     More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display apparatus for precise 2D/3D viewing, which provides increased consistency and clarity of viewed image from varying viewer standpoints compared to the prior art. The apparatus is configured such that an adjustable backlight unit is disposed in back of or beneath a liquid display unit. The apparatus&#39;s adjustable backlight unit comprises a guide unit, photoactive unit and an adjustable structure unit. The adjustable backlight unit permits the spatial distances between the guide unit and photoactive unit to be precisely controlled to provide optimized 2D/3D viewing. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display system for precise 2D/3D viewing, which provides increased consistency and clarity of viewed image from varying viewer standpoints. The system is configured such that an adjustable backlight means is disposed in back of or beneath a liquid display means. The system&#39;s adjustable backlight means comprises a guide means, photoactive means and an adjustable structure means. The adjustable backlight means permits the spatial distances between the guide means and photoactive means to be precisely controlled to provide optimized 2D/3D viewing. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display method for the precise 2D/3D viewing, which provides increased consistency and clarity of viewed image from varying viewer standpoints. The method involves providing an adjustable backlight unit, which is disposed in back of or beneath a liquid display unit. The method further involves providing an adjustable backlight unit having a guide unit, photoactive unit and an adjustable structure unit. The adjustable backlight unit permits the spatial distances between the guide unit and photoactive unit to be precisely controlled to provide optimized 2D/3D viewing. 
     Further, the material properties and characteristics, such as electrical, extension, temperature, and pressure) are modified in accordance with and as a function of both the scope and distance of human vision and vantage point. In addition, the present invention can be applied to conventional LCD mechanical structures in order to reduce manufacturing and operational cost and complexity. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to enable the adjustment of the distance between the lenticular sheets, parallax units and the 2D/3D LCD display. This is accomplished by adjusting those distances as a function of the constituent material properties and characteristics, such as electrical, extension, temperature, and pressure. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide alternate means to modify the constituent material properties and characteristics to adjust the distance between the lenticular sheets and parallax units. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to utilize conventional 2D/3D LCD display mechanical structures to adjust the distance between the light concentrator unit and parallax units. 
     These and other objects in advantages of this invention will become apparent when considered in light of the following description and claims when taken together with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further the understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrating samples of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
       The invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  A-B illustrates a PRIOR ART LCD structure having an adjustable structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2  A-B illustrates a PRIOR ART LCD structure having a plurality of adjustable structures according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3  A-B illustrates a PRIOR ART for 3D LCD structure. 
         FIGS. 4  A-B illustrates a PRIOR ART for 3D LCD structure. 
         FIGS. 5A-B  illustrate cross-sectional views of the LCD adjustment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6A-E  illustrate cross-sectional views of the LCD adjustment structure unit according to various embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7  A-F illustrates cross-sectional views of the LCD adjustment apparatus according to various embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the angular ranges of the LCD adjustable backlight unit&#39;s guide unit prism array vertices relative the photoactive unit&#39;s prism array vertices according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following section describes an embodiment of the present invention based on drawings, while exemplifying the adjustable 2D/3D LCD viewing apparatus, system and method of the present invention. 
     According to the present invention, the unique characteristics of the invention&#39;s constituent materials, such as electrical, dimensional extension, temperature, and pressure is utilized to vary the distance between photoactive units. In addition, traditional LCD mechanical design is utilized to adjust the distance between the light concentrator unit and the parallax units, which include light guide units, light guide-diffuser, diffuser units and polarizing units. 
     In 2D/3D crystal displays, the image formation characteristics of the 3D display is significantly effected by the distance between the light diffuser unit and display unit, as well as the distance between display unit and lenticular lens, e.g., light concentrator, respectively. Varying the distance will result in differing light paths, which can alter the image formation side of the 3D display. Accordingly, the principle object of the present invention is to create adjustable 2D/3D display apparatus. 
     Manufacturing adjustable 3D display using electromechanical structures is highly complex and lacks image stability and precision. In order to address the disadvantages of the prior art, the present invention utilizes characteristics of the adjustable structure constituent materials themselves, along with conventional mechanical structure to make 2D/3D adjustable focal plane displays. 
     Accordingly, the viewable depth and distance of the 3D display can be precisely controlled as shown illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In  FIG. 5 , the adjustable backlight unit  501  and LCD display unit  502  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention&#39;s LCD apparatus are shown. The adjustable backlight unit  501  is comprised of light sources  503 , light guiding unit  504 , adjustable photoactive unit  505 , and adjustable structure  506 . According to the present invention, the adjustable photoactive unit  505  can be parallax, diffuser, polarizer or light concentrator units and combinations thereof. 
     According to the present invention, the sharpness of the 3D display can be adjusted using the light guiding unit, diffuser, parallax, or the display board, which can be maneuvered using traditional mechanical design. 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates an enhanced view of a section of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein adjustable backlight unit  501  of the present invention consists of photoactive units  505 , which may include prism arrays  507 , which can be wave guide or light guide, according to this invention. Prism array can be transparent convex or concave sheets, which can have very different rate of reflection. The adjustable backlight unit  501  of the present invention can consist of lens arrays, such as lenticular sheets. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates various embodiments of the adjustable structure of the present invention. The constituent material properties, such as electrical, dimensional extension, temperature, and pressure, in addition to and/or in conjunction with traditional mechanical design, are utilized to adjust the spatial distance, e.g., (up, down, left, and right), between the adjustable backlight unit  501  components, e.g., light guide unit/wave guide/prism array structures and the adjustable photoactive units  505 , such as parallax units, wherein the adjustable backlight structure  506  is disposed below the LCD display unit  502 . 
     The following mechanisms are illustrated in FIGS. A-E for the adjustable structure of the present invention.  FIG. 6A  illustrates the variation from low temperature (h) to high temperature (H).  FIG. 6B  illustrates the variation from low voltage (h) to high voltage (H).  FIG. 6C  illustrates the variation from low pressure (h) to high pressure (H).  FIG. 6D  illustrates the variation from a low mechanical height (h) to a high mechanical height (H). Finally,  FIG. 6E  illustrates the variation from a low liquid pressure (h) to a higher liquid pressure (H). Therefore, the present invention provides for a multitude of means for the adjustable structure to provide the spatial movement between photoactive units of the adjustable backlight unit. 
       FIGS. 7  A-F illustrates various embodiments of the LCD adjustment apparatus of the present invention. In  FIG. 7A , this embodiment of the present invention comprises the LCD apparatus having the adjustable backlight unit  701 , liquid crystal display unit. The adjustable backlight unit  701  further comprises light sources  703 , guide unit  704 , guide unit prism array  704 ( a ), photoactive unit  705  having a prism array  705 ( a ) and the adjustable structure unit  706 . An expanded view is also included. In this embodiment, the photoactive unit  705 , such as a diffuser, polarizer, etc., has a flat top surface  705 ( b ). The guide unit  704  according to this invention, may be a light or wave guide. The distance between the guide unit  704  and photoactive unit  705  is adjusted according this the present invention by the adjustable structure units  706 . It should be noted that this embodiment contains two prism arrays  704 ( a ) and  705 ( a ). 
       FIGS. 7B-E  illustrate various alternate embodiments of the present invention. In  FIG. 7B , the guide unit  704  does not contain a prism array  704 ( a ), but maintains a flat top surface  707 . In  FIG. 7C , the photoactive unit  705  is a lenticular sheet prism array having convex top surface  705 ( c ).  FIG. 7D , the guide unit has a flat top surface  707 .  FIG. 7E  illustrates the photoactive unit having a flat lower surface  705 ( d ) and concave top surfaces  705 ( c ). Finally,  FIG. 7F  illustrates a flat top surface for the guide unit  707 , along with a flat lower surface  705 ( d ) for the photoactive unit  705  in the form of a lenticular sheet. 
     It should be noted that the present invention&#39;s light/wave guide units and diffuser units can be comprised of one or more prism arrays. The prism array can be of regular or irregular shape. It can be a combination of straight or divided configuration, as well as that of equal or differing angles of incidence. 
     The resulting parallax effect of the present invention can be produced by various combinations and configurations of the adjustable backlight unit&#39;s lens array, light concentrators, or parallax units. 
     Accordingly to the present invention, the adjustable structure&#39;s electrical property, linear coefficient of expansion, temperature, and response to pressure characteristics are utilized. Structure of this kind can operate according to oil pressure, temperature or voltage adjustment, pressure (gas, or liquid) adjustment, or it can operate in ways of wheels, screws, and material elasticity. As stated previously, the present invention also utilizes conventional mechanical structures to displace the adjustable photoactive units, such as screws. 
     The adjustable structure of the present invention is operable manually, wirelessly, or by direct or tangential contact between the adjustable structure and the photoactive units. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the angular relationship between the adjustable backlight unit&#39;s guide unit  801  (e.g., light or wave) prism array  802  and the photoactive layer&#39;s  803 , e.g., light concentrator, prism array  804  vertices  804 ( a ). Accordingly, the photoactive layer&#39;s prisms  804  have a top vertex  804 ( a ) directed toward the light emitting surface  805  of the guide unit  801 . The angle between vertices  804 ( a ) for the photoactive layers are represented by 2β, e.g., 10°-70°, while the angle between the vertices  802 ( a ) of the prism array of the guide unit is represented by 2α, e.g., 140°-179°. 
     Accordingly, the functional objective of the present invention is to enhance the sharpness of the display by adjusting the distance between the adjustable backlight unit, along with its constituent photoactive units, and ultimately the display unit horizontally, vertically, or in any direction desirable. 
     In summary, the photoactive layers of the present invention&#39;s adjustable backlight unit have their individual respective distances adjusted, such that the view-angle distribution characteristics are optimized for 2D/3D LCDs. Accordingly, the present invention permits the adjustment of prism vertex angles within the adjustable backlight unit to control the view-angle distribution of the light transmitted to the LDC display unit. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that the device and methods of the present invention has many applications, and that the present invention is not limited to the representative examples disclosed herein. Although illustrative, the embodiments disclosed herein have a wide range of modification, change and substitution that is intended and in some instances some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. 
     Moreover, the scope of the present invention covers conventionally known variations and modifications to the system components described herein, as would be known by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.