Challenge of 3D LCD Displays

ABSTRACT A multiview autostereoscopic LCD display with a localized 2D/3D switching function is developed based on the actively switchable parallax barrier technology. This switcha ble barrier comprises of an electro-optically switchable liquid crystal (LC) and a microretarder. Polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) with switchable clear and diffusing states and twisted nematic liquid crystal (TNLC) with polarization switching function are used as switching devices. The microretarder is prepared by self-dev eloped multibeam laser scanning pro cess, which is clean, friendly to the environment, and easy for scale up and mass production. Th e influence factors on the image qualities of 3D displays based on LCD panel technology are analyzed and discussed. Some solutions have proposed to solve the commercial application issues. Keywor ds: multiview autostereoscopic LCD display, localized switchable 2D/3D display, actively switchable parallax barrier INTRODUCTION Flat panel display (FPD) is the most important industry in the world due to its versatile applications- from the small ( 40) ones like TV. The revenue of the global FPD industry is more than 100 billions US dollars in year 2008. Among that most of the revenue is contributed from LCD displays, which has the share ratio over 85%. Companies in Japan, Korea and Taiwan are the major manufacturers of the production of LCD displays in the world. However, due to the strong business competition, the price erosion rate and the earning profit decrease rapidly with time. The growth rates of revenue for those companies in Taiwan were even negative in year 2008. The average sale prices of panels at the end of year 2008 decreased 30~40% compared to that in 2007. The economic crisis made the worldwide LCD business become more difficult and more challenge. Facing with the price competition, many LCD makers are making serious adjustments to accommodate to changing of the global market. They are also trying to find the new applications to explore the new market to increase their revenue and profit. In the consumer electronic show and consumer electronic advisory panel discussion of 2009, display for the next wave innovation became one of the five technology trends to watch. Among that 3D-TV is one of the consumers most interest in emerging display technologies. The attention on the conn ection of 3D video in the home with the 3D-TV system is a hot topic. It has been reported that the future applications of major driving momentum for LCD panel industry will be LCD-TV and notebook, which covers the whole spectrum of panel size from small to large. However, the stereoscopic and/or autostereoscopic LCD-TV and notebook are interesting to the manufacturers and sellers but not to the customers. The key problem is that stereoscopic and autostereoscopic LCD displays is still in a stage of research and development, which offers a great potential for the commercial applications, but is not mature for mass production. Not even is a commodity accepted by the users. There are many issues needed to be solved before the 3D-TV become commercialization: (1) it must be an autostereoscopic display without wearing any special gla sses; (2) the 3D content is already available; (3) the depth sense for 3D effect (human fact or) is easily adjustable; (4) the quality of 3D image is as good as a 2D display (wide view angle & high resolution); (4) it is viewable from different locations and distances; (5) its 2D/3D compatible; (6) it has the flexibility for different sizes of 3D-TVs; (7) it should be cost effective and acceptable for the customers; and (8) the standard for 3D-TV broadcasting is al ready ready. With so many issues, it is still a long distance to make 3D-TV at home.