WO2026013045A1

WO2026013045A1 - A multiview display

Info

Publication number: WO2026013045A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/069416
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steen Iversen
Original assignee: Realfiction Lab Aps
Current assignee: Realfiction Lab Aps
Priority date: 2024-07-08
Filing date: 2025-07-08
Publication date: 2026-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2027-01-08

Abstract

A multiview display The display comprises a plurality of light emitters for emitting light, and a plurality of light modulators, such as liquid crystal cells, and a plurality of apertures. Each light modulator switches between two states including a light transmitting state for transmitting light or a light shielding state for shielding light. A controller is arranged for controlling the plurality of light modulators such that each aperture defined by a number of minimum three neighboring light modulators being in the light transmitting state at the same time during a step in a multiplexing cycle, and such that during the multiplexing cycle each aperture having a number of positions equal to twice the number of light modulators defining an aperture.

Description

A multiview display

DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to a multiview display.

Multiview display

A display is an output device for presentation of information in visual form, and a multiview display is different from a traditional display in that at least two different images can be observed on the display, e.g. it has at least two viewing zones/regions, where a first image can be seen in the first viewing zone and a second image can be seen in the second viewing zone. Said in other words, a number of observers in the first viewing zone will see a first (2D) image (on the whole screen), and a number of observers in the second viewing zone will see a second (2D) image (also on the whole screen). The first image is not visible in the second viewing zone, and the second image is not visible in the first viewing zone. This is contrary to some displays that may display two images side by side and both images are visible from all angles in front of the display.

An example of the present disclosure could be the center screen/infotainment screen in a car where both a driver and a passenger may observe the screen. The driver may wish to see navigation information while the passenger may wish to watch a movie. In such a case a multiview display may allow the driver to see navigation (on the whole screen) and the passenger to watch a movie (watching a movie is prohibited in many countries for the driver). Furthermore, the illumination towards the driver at night may also be reduced with the present disclosure, because the driver is in another viewing zone than the passenger, and the brightness may also be reduced for the image directed to the driver viewing zone.

An example of a multiview display is disclosed in US11/796,863, which is incorporated in the present disclosure by reference.

IVlicroLED LCD display

LED LCD displays are know in the art. In those types of displays the image source is read and the pixel values for reproducing the image is updated into the drivers for the LCDs which then modulate a backlight generated by the LEDs. The backlight can be adjusted in zones.

Contrary to the LED LCD display, the present disclosure is directed to a microLED LCD display or a OLED LCD display where the image source is read and the pixel values for reproducing the image are updated into the drivers for the microLEDs or OLEDs. The LCDs do not modulate the light from the light emitters for producing the image. Instead, the LCDs may be binary operated, e.g. switching (exclusively) between two states (on state = light transmissive and off state = light shielding/blocking).

3D perception

For the present disclosure, the border between the two viewing zones may be defined so sharply by the display that each eye of an observer may be in different viewing zones, e.g. the first eye in the first viewing zone, and the second eye in the second viewing zone - at least when the observer is close enough to the display. In such an example, the observer may experience a 3D perception - because different images can be provided to the two eyes.

Viewing zone

A viewing zone may also be termed viewing region or eye box, and it is a space in front of the display, e.g. a space defined by a radiation pattern with a (light) beam (generated by the display) - the (main) beam (of the radiation pattern) defining a viewing zone.

In the following, the term “viewing zone width” may refer to how large the space is.

FWHM

An absolute measure for how large the space is may be the full width half maximum (FWHM) light intensity in a horizontal direction.

Full width at half maximum is the difference between the two values of the independent variable (angle in this case) at which the dependent variable (light intensity) is equal to half of its maximum value. In other words, it is the width of an intensity vs. angle curve measured between those points/angles which are half the maximum intensity. Often the dependent variable is normalized with respect to its maximum, e.g. the maximum value is normalized to 1. Full width at half maximum is then full width of the curve at 0.5.

If the maximum (of a beam) is at an angle of 0 degrees and the beam has a value/inten- sity of 0.5 (compared to maximum intensity) at the angles -15 degrees and 15 degrees, the FWHM is 30 degrees.

Observation angle

Normally, an observation angle of an observer with respect to a display is defined as the angle between the normal to the display and a straight line between the display and the observer. The normal may for example be positioned at the center of the display, e.g. where the two diagonals of the display cross each other.

Autostereoscopic 3D displays and multiview displays are configured to emit light in specific horizontal angles or directions so that the light and thereby the image generated by such a display is only visible when the observer is positioned at such a specific angle or angle range. Outside that angle, such a display may appear dark.

Multiplexing

The display uses a multiplexing scheme for generating the images to the viewing zones.

In this scheme, each image is divided into parts, e.g. a sequence of image parts/ele- ments is made, and the display then generates the parts one after the other one step at a time in the sequence. The whole sequence is referred to as a multiplexing cycle (MC).

If a framerate of 60 frames per seconds is desired, there is 60 multiplexing cycles per second.

The image parts are then de-multiplexed into a whole image by integration on the retina and the brain of the observer.

Specifically, in each step of the multiplexing cycle pixel, values are provided in data lines connected to the light emitters in each column, and a specific column is selected by a “select signal” on a select line such that the specific column emits light. Thus, in a specific step in the multiplexing cycle a light emitter column is selected such that it emits a light pattern as a function of the pixel values read in the image source and provided by the data lines.

The sequence of the multiplexing cycle can be said to be the order of the columns that are to be scanned. A controller is arranged for scanning/controlling. An example of a sequence is described later in the present disclosure.

Blanking period

There may be a blanking period between each multiplexing cycle for maintaining a DC balance over the light modulators, e.g. if the voltage applied to a light modulator during a multiplexing cycle when generating the images results in a voltage different from zero (when integrating the voltage that has been applied to a light modulator during the multiplexing cycle). In the blanking period, light emitters may be switched off (dark) while light modulators may be open for a first interval and closed for a second interval in order to maintain an essential zero time integrated DC voltage over light modulators.

A first aspect of the present disclosure is:

A multiview display comprising:

- a plurality of light emitters for emitting light,

- a plurality of light modulators, such as liquid crystal cells, each light modulator switching between two states including a light transmitting state for transmitting light or a light shielding state for shielding light,

- a plurality of apertures.

A second aspect of the present disclosure is:

A method for controlling a multiview display, said method comprising:

- providing said multiview display including: a plurality of light emitters for emitting light, a plurality of light modulators, such as liquid crystal cells, each light modulator switching between two states including a light transmitting state for transmitting light or a light shielding state for shielding light, a plurality of apertures, and a controller for controlling said plurality of light emitters and light modulators.

A second aspect of the present disclosure is:

A display, such as a multiview display, comprising:

- a plurality of light emitters for producing a first image and a second image,

- a plurality of light modulators, such as liquid crystal cells, a controller arranged for scanning said plurality of light emitters and said plurality of light modulators in a first direction during a first part of a multiplexing cycle for producing said first image, and scanning said plurality of light emitters and said plurality of light modulators in a direction opposite said first direction during a second part of said multiplexing cycle for producing said second image.

In the following, examples according to aspects of the present disclosure will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, may be embodied in different forms than depicted below and in the drawings, and should not be construed as limited to any examples set forth herein. Rather, any examples are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure.

Three principal ways of operating the multiview display is disclosed. An example of the first principle is illustrated in the example shown in figs. 1 to 3. Common to all three principals is that the operation allows the display to display a first image in a first viewing region and a second image in a second viewing region, and specifically that the distance between the light emitters and the light modulators may be small allowing for a thin display. Furthermore, it may allow for a control of the border between the two viewing zones, e.g. the border may be defined sharply, and the position of the border may be defined as well. It may also allow for control of the width and position of the two viewing zones.

Small border

The border zone, or transition zone, between the two viewing zones may be a space where there may be crosstalk, e.g. as long as an observer is within the border zone, the observer may not observe an image that makes sense or the image may be unclear or have artefacts. It may be desirable that the border zone is as small as possible.

With a sharply defined border zone is meant that the border zone may have a small width such as smaller than 20 cm at a distance of less than 2 m to the display.

In angular terms, the full width half maximum (FWHM) light intensity of the border zone may be 10 degrees (in a horizontal plane), such as in the range 1 to 10 degrees or 1 to 5 degrees or 1 to 3 degrees.

Said in other words, if the border is at the center of the display (equal distance to the right and left side of the display) there may be an angular space of up to +/- 5 degrees with respect to the normal through the center of the display where there may be an unclear image.

Adaptive viewing zones

The two viewing zones may be symmetric with respect to a normal through the center of the display. They may also be asymmetric. Or they may change between being symmetric and asymmetric, e.g. the viewing zones may be adaptive.

For example, the display may be controlled such that the first and/or second viewing zone may have a full width half maximum (FWHM) light intensity in a horizontal plane in a range 10 - 60 degrees, e.g. the light emission from the display has a radiation pattern with a beam having a full width half maximum (FWHM) in a range 10 - 60 degrees, such as 30 +/- 20, or 30 +/-10 or 30 +/- 5 degrees.

Said in other words, the display may be controlled such that a viewing zone may change from being down to 10 degrees wide to being up to 60 degrees wide (and anywhere in between).

The first and second viewing zone widths may be different from each other, e.g. the second viewing zone may have a full width half maximum (FWHM) light intensity in a horizontal plane up to 30 %, such as 10 %, or 10 % smaller than the full width half maximum (FWHM) light intensity of the first viewing zone or vice versa.

The positions of the two viewing zones may also be adaptive, e.g. they may have peak/max intensity at angles that are not symmetric to each other around a vertical plane/normal through the center of the display.

For example, a first viewing zone could have its FWHM at the angles 5 degrees and 45 degrees (thereby being 40 degrees wide) with respect to the normal through the center of the display. A second viewing zone could have its FWHM at the angles -3 degrees and - 40 degrees (thereby being 37 degrees wide) with respect to the normal through the center of the display. And these positions/angles could change/adapt depending on the use case of the display. In this example, the border is from 5 degrees to -3 degrees.

Fig. 1a illustrates a top view of cut out of an example of a display.

With a “cut out” is meant that the display continues to the right and left of what is shown in fig. 1a. This is illustrated with the saw-toothed lines to the right and left, e.g. the edges of the display is not included in the figure - only a part of the middle of the display is illustrated.

In general, figs. 1a to 1f illustrates the operation of the display. In short, a number of apertures move across the display while light emitters emit light. In the example, an aperture has six different positions. Thus, for each image for a viewing zone six different light emitters emit light through a respective aperture. The movement of the apertures is illustrated by the figures, e.g. for each figure an aperture has moved a step.

The apertures are implemented electronically by means of light modulators switching between open/on and closed/off states.

The display comprises a controller arranged for controlling the light emitters and light modulators in accordance with the description disclosed below.

LEDs

Light emitters are arranged in a so called “backplane”. 13 light emitters (including a first light emitter 10a, a second light emitter 10b, a third light emitter 10c, and a fourth light emitter 10d are illustrated).

It is the light emitters that generate the images to the two viewing zones.

The light emitters may be arranged in columns next to each other and one column at a time (or two at a time) in a logical module (explained later) emits light to a viewing zone. Thus, for generating a whole image for a viewing zone, all light emitter columns of the display/logical module are to be addressed/scanned. The same is the case for the image for the other viewing zone, e.g. for the present display one or two columns of light emitters emit light at a time - preferably one after the other.

The number of light emitter columns define the horizontal pixel resolution of the display, e.g. the number of light emitters in a (horizontal) row define the horizontal pixel resolution. The number of light emitters in a column defines the vertical pixel resolution.

The light emitters may be light emitting diodes, such as a microLED panel, or an OLED panel.

Light modulators

In front of the light emitters are a plurality of light modulators, such as liquid crystal cells, such as ferro electric liquid crystal cells (FLCD layer). 12 light modulators are illustrated. The distance between the light emitters and the light modulators in the example may be 800 micrometer.

A light shielding/off state is illustrated by a solid line across a light emitter. The right and left edges/borders of a light emitter is shown with a solid dot. A light emitter is shown as a solid square.

Apertures

The display comprises a plurality of apertures. In the example in fig. 1a there are shown two apertures including a first aperture 14 and a second aperture 16.

Each aperture is defined by a number of neighboring light modulators, e.g. a number of neighboring light modulators are controlled such that they all are in a light transmitting state at a moment in time, e.g. they are open for light transmission at the same time.

It is contemplated that the minimum number of (neighboring) light modulators defining an aperture may be three. A different number of neighboring light modulators that are either open and define an aperture may be contemplated, such as minimum 2, 4 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12.

The scanning of the light emitters and the light modulators are synchronized, e.g. the scanning of the light emitters is a function of the movement of the apertures.

At a moment in time/step in a multiplexing cycle, the light modulators may be controlled such that there are equally many light modulators that are open as there are closed light modulators.

In the example of fig. 1a there are six open light modulators and six closed light modulators.

An aperture is delimited on each side by a light modulator in a light shielding state (also referred to as a closed light modulator) - or by a mask when it comes to the light modulators at the edge of the display, e.g. light emitted from a light emitter adjacent an aperture is delimited/blocked at the edge of the aperture such that only a part of the light from the light emitter is emitted through the aperture. Thus, by delimiting the light from the light emitter, the adjacent aperture defines the limits/edges of the viewing zone, e.g. outside the right and left limit/edge of viewing zone (defined by the right and left edge of the aperture) the light from the light emitter is not visible.

The width of an aperture is defined by how many neighboring light modulators that are open at the same time times the width of an aperture. For example, if three neighboring light modulators are open, the width of the aperture is three times the width of one light modulator.

On either side of an aperture are equally many neighboring light modulators in a closed state (except for an aperture at the edge of the display).

Thus, across the display there is a number of open and closed light modulators. In the example, there are three open, three closed, three open, three closed etc., e.g. equally many open light modulators as there are closed - or at least the difference between the number of open and closed modulators should not be greater than 10 %.

As the light modulators are scanned, an aperture moves during the multiplexing cycling, e.g. an aperture may move the width of one light modulator at a time.

LED pitch and number

The pitch of the light emitters is contemplated to substantially equal the width of a light modulator, e.g. the distance between two neighboring light emitters is substantially equal to the width of a light modulator.

With substantially is meant that the pitch/distance between (neighboring) light emitters does not differ with more than 25 % of the width of a light modulator.

Thus, the number of light emitters also substantially equals the number of light modulators, e.g. the difference between the number of light emitters and the number of light modulators is not more than 10 % but may be greater than 0.1 %.

Specifically, the pitch between the light emitters may be 0.3 mm, e.g. the distance between two (neighboring) light emitters may be 0.3 mm. However, this is merely an example of a resolution. There may be substantially one light emitter per light modulator, e.g. the pitch of the light emitters may be substantially equal to the pitch of the light modulators.

Towards the edges of the display, the pitch of the light emitters may increase - be greater than the pitch of the light modulators than at the center of the display, e.g. there are more than one light emitter per light modulator in an area at the edge of the display than at an area at the center of the display.

Alignment of position of light emitters

The light emitters may be aligned with the edges of the light modulators, e.g. the center of a light emitter may be projected onto the light modulators (layer with the light modulators - the light modulator layer has some thickness - and the projection being onto the surface of the light modulator layer facing the light emitters for example). This projection should not have a distance to an edge of a light modulator (border between two light modulators) that is more than 49 %, such as more than 35 or 25 or 20 or 15 or 10 or 5, of the width of a light modulator (or the width of an aperture). Said in other words, the projection of the center of a light emitter onto the plane of a light modulator is closer to the edge of the light modulator than the center of the light modulator.

The range of distances falling within such criteria for the projection of light emitter 18 is illustrated in fig.1a with the line length symbol.

Interleaved multiplexing

The two images may be generated/reproduced in a multiplexing cycle, e.g. the entire display is not driven at one time (and reproduce the pixels of each image at the same time), instead one column of light emitters (preferably per aperture) is driven at a time such that one column of light emitters emit light at a time - one part (specifically a (single) column of pixels) of an image/video source is reproduced at a time.

Thus, if there is a number of X apertures, there may be a number of X column of light emitters that are controlled to emit light (to a viewing zone) at the same time at a step in a multiplexing cycle. The next thing to happen in the multiplexing cycle is that X column of light emitters are controlled to emit light to the other viewing zone. The number of steps in an interleaved multiplexing cycle for such an example is:

2 * number of light modulators defining an aperture * number of viewing zones

For the exemplary cut-off section in the figures, it will result in 2 * 3 * 2 = 12 multiplexing cycle steps.

It could also be that each of these X columns of light emitters are scanned one at a time.

If this is the case the number of steps in an interleaved multiplexing cycle is:

2 * number of light modulators defining an aperture * number of viewing zones * number of apertures

For the exemplary display with the cut-out section shown in the figures it will result in 2 * 3 * 2 * 2 = 24 multiplexing cycle steps.

The multiplexing cycle may define an alternating/interleaved scanning sequence of the light emitter columns such that a first light emitter column is scanned/driven for displaying a first column of pixels of the first image for the first viewing zone and then a second light emitter column (different from the first) is scanned/driven for displaying a column of pixels of the second image for the second viewing zone and then a third light emitter column (different from the first and second) is scanned/driven for displaying a second column of pixels (different from the first column of pixels) of the first image for the first viewing zone etc. As the third light emitter column is scanned, the aperture has a different position than when the first light emitter column and the second light emitter column were scanned.

Thus, each item in the interleaved sequence of the multiplexing cycle comprises values representing or corresponding to the pixel values of a column in an image such that the column of the image can be reproduced/displayed.

Said in other words, for the multiplexing cycle with an interleaved sequence of image parts/columns, one image column is generated/reproduced by the display at a time - at each step in the multiplexing cycle. All of the image columns defining the first image and all of the image columns defining the second image are reproduced by the display in an alternating sequences of image columns from the first image and the second image, e.g. so that two image columns from the same image are not reproduced after one another - instead an image column of the second image are between them in the sequence.

This scheme of reproducing image parts from different images in an interleaved/alter- nating sequence of image columns is how a hybrid scan display disclosed in PCT/EP2024/052083 also reproduces images - while an aperture shifts/changes between different positions.

Scanning

With the term “scan” within the field of displays and image reconstruction/generation by a display is meant addressing/updating the pixels of the display in some order/sequence with pixel values read from the image source so that the pixels of the image can be generated/reproduced by the pixels of the display.

Each pixel may comprise a driver and a light emitter - the driver drives the light emitter such that the light emitter emits light.

For the present disclosure, the light emitters are scanned/updated with pixel value in order to reconstruct the image/display the image. The apertures are controlled such that the apertures move as a function of the scanning of the light emitters - it could also be the other way around. The important thing is that the light emitters and the light modulators are controlled such that the scanning of the light emitters and the movement of the apertures are synchronized to each other.

One or more light emitters may be scanned at a time. The scan direction is preferably from left to right or from right to left.

Simultaneous scanning of light emitters

It is contemplated that two columns of light emitters are driven at the same time (per logical module/aperture) such that two columns of light emitters emit light at the same time, e.g. a column of pixels of the first image for the first viewing zone is generated/dis- played at the same time as a column of pixels of the second image for the second viewing zone is generated/displayed.

In the example, the light from the first light emitter 10a is only visible to one side of the display (the right side when looking at the figure), and the light from the third light emitter 10c is only visible to another side of the display (the left side when looking at the figure).

As mentioned, if there is a number of X apertures, there may be a number of X column of light emitters that are controlled to emit light (to a viewing zone) at the same time at a step in a multiplexing cycle. The number of steps in such non-interleaved multiplexing cycle where the columns for the two zones also are scanned at the same time is:

2 * number of light modulators defining an aperture.

For the exemplary cut-off section in the figures, it will result in 2 * 3 = 6 multiplexing cycle steps.

Compared to a non-multiview LCD display, a typical framerate is 60 fps. Thus, a light modulator of the LCD display is scanned 60 times per second. For the above example, the light modulator of the multiview display is scanned at a rate 6 times higher.

There is a sharp transition between the two viewing zones - relatively to other examples mentioned below.

Fig. 1b

Moving aperture

After the step in the multiplexing cycle illustrated in fig. 1a, the apertures are moved, e.g. after the first and third light emitters has emitted light then in the following/next step in the multiplexing cycle the aperture has a new position - different from the previous position. Thus, a different set of neighboring light modulators are now controlled to be in an open state than the set of neighboring light modulators that were in an open state in fig. 1a. In the specific example, the new position of the aperture (shown in fig. 1 b) is one step to the right of the previous position (shown in fig. 1a). The difference in positions corresponds to a distance substantially equal to the width of a light modulator, e.g. the aperture has moved a distance equal to the width of one light modulator.

Thus, for each position of an aperture during a multiplexing cycle, the light emitters are controlled such that there are two light emitters emitting light (not necessarily simultaneously - the first light emitter closer to a right edge of the aperture and the third light emitter closer to the left edge of the aperture. There is a number of light emitters between the first and third light emitter - the number being two or greater than two such as between two and ten, and these light emitters does not emit light at the one step (or two steps) in the multiplexing cycle when the first and third light emitters emit light.

Once the aperture is at the new position, the light emitter to the right of the first light emitter (the second light emitter 10b) now emits light for generating a second pixel in the image for the first viewing zone, and the light emitter to the right of the third light emitter now emits light for generating a second pixel in the image for the second viewing zone.

Said in other words, when a pixel (specifically a (single) column of pixels when there is more than one row of pixels) has been generated for the image for each viewing zone, the light modulators are controlled such that another set of neighboring light modulators are open - such that the aperture is positioned the width of one light modulator away from the previous position of the aperture.

In the example, the aperture is defined by three neighboring light modulators as mentioned. And the aperture for each logical module has six different positions. The aperture need not move the width of one light modulator at a time but may jump between positions - as long as the aperture has been at all positions.

An aperture assumes/has a position for the time window it takes to generate a column of pixels for the image for the first viewing zone and the image for the second viewing zone.

General alignment for radiation pattern As mentioned for each aperture, there are two light emitters emitting light, e.g. at each position of each aperture, there are two light emitters emitting light before each aperture moves to a new position - where two new (different from the previous) light emitters then emit light. Thus, if there is a number of X apertures, there is a number of X times 2 light emitters that has emitted light before each aperture switches/moves to a new position - if the display is so large that there is a need for a plurality of apertures. It may also be referred to as logical modules when there is more than one aperture.

There is a relative position/positional relationship between a light emitter (controlled for emitting light) and an adjacent aperture, and this relationship defines the position of the viewing zone/the radiation pattern of the display that the light emitter is responsible for when emitting light. Said in other words, the position of a light emitter emitting light with respect to the position (and width) of the aperture closest/adjacent to that light emitter defines a viewing zone position (where the angles defining the FWHM are). This defines the (radiation) pattern of the display, e.g. the viewing zones.

An adjacent aperture with respect to a light emitter emitting light is the aperture closest to that light emitter - this may also be referred to as a pair of light emitter and aperture.

The two viewing zones are not to be overlapping, because in the overlap an unclear image will exists.

In the figures, the position of the viewing zones are illustrated with the two light rays through the center of the light emitter emitting light for a viewing zone and the right and left sides of an aperture.

Specific alignment (to an edge)

Specifically, or more preferably, the light emitters are controlled such that a light emitter aligned with an edge of an aperture emits light, e.g. behind an edge of an aperture are a number of light emitters - one light emitter being closest to the edge (this may be referred to as a center light emitter). It may be this center light emitter that emits light, or the light emitters may be controlled such that one of the light emitters to the left or to the right of the center light emitter emits light. Said in other words, the radiation pattern may be controlled as a function of which light emitter behind an aperture edge is scanned for emitting light. The range of light emitters that can be selected may be up to four light emitters away from the center light emitter, e.g. the light emitter that is closest to the aperture edge - the range may also be measured by means of the aperture width (or light modulator width), e.g. a light emitter having a distance less than 50 %, such as less than 45, 40, 35 or 25 or 20 or 15 or 10 or 5 %, of an aperture width (or light modulator width) to the center light emitter (or edge of the aperture projected onto the plane of the light emitter) may be selected/scanned for emitting light. This defines an aligned light emitter (may also be termed an adjacent light emitter).

In a subsequent section, it will be described which edge there has to be an alignment to depending on the type of light modulator and the scan direction.

Or using column numbers: the light modulator defining the edge of an aperture has a column number X and the column number of the aligned light emitter should have a column number within 4 columns of X, such as within 3 or 2 columns of X. one light emitter emits light

It could be that more than one light emitter emits light. When this is the case, more than one image column of an image is reproduced at a time.

Same relative positions

For a viewing zone/when reproducing an image for one of the viewing zones, the position of a light emitter emitting light with respect to the adjacent aperture is the same for all pairs of light emitters and apertures at a step in the multiplexing cycle. Thus, the first light emitter (emitting light) has the same position with respect to the first aperture as the fourth light emitter 10d (emitting light) has with respect to the second aperture.

This is the same from one step to another in the multiplexing cycle, e.g. for reproducing an image to a viewing zone, the position of a light emitter emitting light with respect to the adjacent aperture is to be the same in a subsequent step in the multiplexing cycle where the aperture has a new position - and a new light emitter therefore has to emit light in order to maintain the same relative position between the aperture and the light emitter emitting light adjacent the aperture. Unless the position of a viewing zone is to be changed. This change can happen after a multiplexing cycle has ended.

This can also be seen in the figures. In fig. 1a, the first light emitter emits light to a viewing zone to the right of the display. A line that is orthogonal to the display goes through the left edge of the aperture (adjacent the light emitter) and the center of the light emitter. In fig. 1 b the second light emitter 10b (which is the one next to the first light emitter 10a) emits light, and a line that is orthogonal/normal to the display goes through the left edge of the adjacent aperture and the center of the second light emitter.

Thus, the first aperture and the first light emitter has substantially the same relative position with respect to each other as the first aperture and the second light emitter when comparing these relatively positions when the first aperture is at the first position (adjacent the first light emitter) and when the first aperture is at the second position (adjacent the second light emitter, cf. also figs. 1a and 1 b.

The first light emitter has a first projection onto the layer of light modulators, and this first projection has a first distance to the center of the first aperture.

Similarly, the second light emitter has a second projection onto the layer of light modulators, and this second projection has a second distance to the center of the second aperture.

With substantially is meant that the first distance and the second distance do not deviate with more than 25 % such as more than 10 %.

Thus, there may be a variation in the alignment between

When reproducing an image for a respective viewing zone it is each one of the light emitters that emit light at a step in the multiplexing cycle which has the same relative position with respect to an adjacent aperture - in the illustrated cut out of a display in the figures there are two light emitters that emit light to a viewing zone - under the assumption that both are addressed in the same step (it could be they are addressed in different steps). A viewing zone has a right and left position/angle of the full width half maximum light intensity - or when using ray tracing a viewing zone has a right and left border/edge. The right border is defined by the right outermost light ray, and the left border is defined by the left outermost light ray coming from each active light emitter (light emitter emitting light). As mentioned, it is the position of the light emitter with respect to the aperture that defines this right and left border.

The position of the first light emitter with respect to the first aperture and the width of the aperture defines the angle a of the first viewing zone, which is a = 64 degrees in the example. The left border is at 0 degrees (with respect to a normal vector to the display), and the right border is 64 degrees away from the normal). The other viewing zone in the example has its right border at 0 degrees and the left border at - 64 degrees.

Fig 1c

In fig. 1c, the aperture has moved one more step to the right for generating a third column of pixels of the image for the first viewing zone and for the image for the second viewing zone.

In fig. 1d, the aperture has moved one more step to the right for generating a fourth column of pixels of the image for the first viewing zone and for the image for the second viewing zone.

Fig. 1e

In fig. 1e, the aperture has moved one more step to the right for generating a fifth column of pixels of the image for the first viewing zone and for the image for the second viewing zone.

In fig. 1 f , the aperture has moved one more step to the right for generating a sixth column of pixels of the image for the first viewing zone and for the image for the second viewing zone. In fig. 1 f, the aperture has moved as many times as necessary, e.g. each aperture is at its sixth position (the final position during a multiplexing cycle).

DC balance

The operation of the 12 light modulators during a multiplexing cycle is illustrated in the below table.

It is assumed that two light emitter columns emit light at the same time for each step in the multiplexing cycle. The term “LC” refers to light modulator (of which there are 12 in the figures. A “1” means that a light modulator is open, and a “0” means that a light modulator is closed.

The table shows how the apertures move, e.g. a row shows which light modulators de- fine an aperture.

The six steps are identical to what is shown in figs. 1a to 1f. For example, for light modulator 1 (LC1) in the table it is open 3 times and closed 3 times, e.g. open as many times as it is closed during a multiplexing cycle. The average voltage applied to the light modulator during a multiplexing cycle is thereby zero, and an offset voltage across a light modulator is thereby avoided. RGB subpixels

If the display is a color display, the first light emitter may constitute a so called subpixel, e.g. red, green or blue color of the pixel. The same would be the case for all the light emitters of the display, e.g. a color image is composed of three images: a red image, a green image, and a blue image. Each subpixel generates the light of one of the images.

Alternatively, a light emitter may constitute a full color pixel, for example an RGB led comprising a red, a green and a blue LED or for example an LED with tunable wavelength. In general the term “light emitter” in the present disclosure may also mean a set of light emitters constituting a set of subpixels or a set of pixels of the image, where the set of subpixels or the set of pixels is confined to be within a narrow vertical column of the display, said column having a width substantially not greater than a width of a light modulator, for example not greater than 110% of the width of a light modulator. Said column width may be minimized for optimizing a sharp transition (small border zone) between viewing regions by selecting light emitters having a small horizontal width arranged substantially in a single vertical line. For example, RGB leds may be used without lenses or diffusers and with red, green and blue LED dies (LED chips) having a width smaller than 200 micrometers and arranged on an SMD substrate essentially on a vertical line.

An example of a light emitter column configuration is a set of LRTB R48G RGB LEDs from OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, arranged vertically with a horizontal mounting tolerance not greater than 50 micrometers and oriented so the red, green and blue light emitting LED dies in the LEDs are on a vertical line. The columns may be spaced 1.2 mm apart and the light modulators may liquid crystal cells having a width and spacing of substantially 1.2 mm. The distance between LED dies and the liquid crystal layer in the liquid crystal cells may be for example 0.8 mm. The LEDs may for protection have clear resin, for example epoxy, over the LED dies facing towards the light modulators and the light modulators may have a glass substrate and a polarizer facing towards the LEDs. The added thicknesses of LED resin, glass substrate and polarizer may be 0.8 mm, for example the resin may be 0.2 mm, the polarizer may be 0.1 mm and the glass substrate may be 0.5 mm. Hence the polarizer may be laminated onto the glass substrate and the glass/polarizer may be laminated or glued onto the LED columns or mechanically mounted to rest on top of the LED columns.

Fig. 2

Different relative positions Fig 2 illustrates a top view of cut out of an example of a display.

In this example, the display is controlled such that there is a single viewing zone. This zone crosses the center of the display. Thus, when observing from directly in front of the display the image in the first viewing zone will be displayed.

The viewing zone spans an angular space of a = 108 degrees.

This illustrates that the display is controlled to switch between a multiview mode and a single view mode.

This switch may happen when a multiplexing cycle has ended, e.g. when a new image is to be reproduced in a subsequent multiplexing cycle.

Thus, in a first step in a first multiplexing cycle for reproducing a first image for a first viewing zone, a first light emitter 10a adjacent a first aperture has a first relative position with respect to each other - for example the relative position illustrated in fig. 1a.

In a second step in a second (subsequent) multiplexing cycle for reproducing a second image for a second viewing zone (such as a single viewing zone), a light emitter 10b adjacent the first aperture has a second relative position with respect to each other - for example the relative position illustrated in fig. 2.

Calculation of difference

The first relative position is different from the second relative position, preferably more than 5 % different:

The first light emitter has a first projection onto the layer of light modulators at a step in the first multiplexing cycle, and this first projection has a first distance d1 to the center of the first aperture.

The light emitter 10b has a second projection onto the layer of light modulators at a step in the second multiplexing cycle, and this second projection has a second distance d2 to the center of the first aperture. The first distance and the second distance deviating with more than 5 %, such as more than 10 %, e.g. (d2-d1)/d2 > 5 %.

When switching position of the viewing zones, such as to a single view for example, each one of the light emitters that had a first relative position with respect to an adjacent aperture in a previous multiplexing cycle now has a second relative position with respect to an adjacent aperture in the new multiplexing cycle (after the previous) - the second relative position being different from the first relative position.

Directional backlight

Fig. 3 illustrates that the display described so far may be used as a backlight in a LCD display (backlight + LCD panel), e.g. instead of having the light emitters reproducing the images to the viewing zones, the light emitters and light modulators function as a (directional) backlight and the LCD panel reproduces the image.

The display described so far can be summarized as a display comprising a backplane with a plurality of light emitters and a layer with a plurality of light modulators controlled to define a plurality of apertures, each aperture moving between a number of positions during the multiplexing cycle. It is this display that is used as a directional backlight in the following description, e.g. a directional backlight according to the present disclosure.

A LCD panel 30 is arranged in front of the directional backlight (according to the present disclosure).

The light from the backlight is then modulated by light modulators of the LCD panel.

The light emitters of the backlight emit monochrome light.

The LCD panel is synchronized with the backlight, e.g. the assembly of light emitters and light modulators is controlled such that when the backlight generates light for a first viewing zone (light visible in the first viewing zone), the LCD panel generates/repro- duces the image for the first viewing zone. Similarly, when the backlight generates light for a second viewing zone the LCD panel generates the image for the second viewing zone. The light modulators of the backlight may have a higher response time than the light modulators in the LCD panel.

Modular backlight

It is contemplated that a plurality of directional backlights (according to the present disclosure, cf. the summary above) may be arranged behind a single LCD panel. Specifically in the case where the LCD panel may be larger than a single directional backlight.

The LCD panel may be rectangular and arranged in a portrait mode, e.g. with the long edges extending vertically.

Each backlight may also be rectangular.

The long edge of each backlight may extend horizontally, e.g. arranged in landscape mode.

There will be a seam/border between two neighbouring directional backlights. This will result in an uneven illumination of the LCD panel.

To compensate for this the pitch of the rows of light emitters of each directional backlight may be equal to or greater than the height of the seam between two directional backlights.

A diffuser for diffusing light vertically may be arranged in front of the light emitters. In this way, the illumination of the LCD panel may become more even.

In general, when a directional backlight (according to the present disclosure) is arranged behind an LCD panel, a diffuser for diffusing light vertically may be arranged in front of the light emitters. Such a display thus comprises: a backplane with a plurality of light emitters, a diffuser for diffusing light vertically, a layer with a plurality of light modulators controlled to define a plurality of apertures, each aperture moving between a number of positions during the multiplexing cycle, and a LCD panel for generating/reproducing an image. Two layers

In the previous example the light modulators were fast and symmetric, e.g. having a fast on (1) to off (0) time (t_10) as well as a fast off to on time (t_01 ). Or at least an on to off time no more than +/- 25 % different from the off to on time (|t_10-t_01 |/t_01 <0.25).

Such light modulators may have a greater need to be DC balanced than other light modulators.

In the following are contemplated solutions with asymmetric light modulators (having a different on to off time than off to on time such as more than 25 % different: |t_10- t_01 |/t_01>0.25), e.g. either the on to off time is slower than the off to on time or the off to on time is slower than the on to off time. This is a disadvantage compared to the previous example, however an advantage is that the requirement for DC balancing may be less than for the symmetric light modulators. Another advantage is that assymetric light modulators may have a lower cost and/or manufacturing set-up investment, since they can be manufactured using extremely mature processes developed for the LCD display industry. Examples of asymmetric light modulators being fast in one switching direction are twisted nematic liquid crystal cells and optically compensated bend liquid crystal cells (“pi cells”).

As before the controller scans the light modulators such that the aperture changes position during the multiplexing cycle, e.g. it moves (from left to right or vice versa). At the same time the light emitters are scanned for emitting light (scanned in the same direction as the light modulators are scanned).

The two images can be generated/produced in one scan by having two layers of light modulators. This is illustrated in figs. 4a and fig. 4b, which each show a cut-out section of a display as in the previous figures, with the cut-out section comprising two apertures, e.g. two logical modules are in the cut-out section. Thus, the cut-out section generating two image columns of an image at a time. In fig. 4b, the aperture has moved one step compared to fig. 4a, e.g. the light modulators in fig. 4b are scanned such that they define an aperture (per module) which is at a position having a distance substantially equal to a light emitter pitch compared to the position of the aperture in fig. 4a. The arrow above the aperture shows in which direction the aperture moves from one step in the multiplexing cycle to a subsequent step. The resolution of the display in figs. 4a and 4b is twice as large as for the previous figures, e.g. it has 12 light emitters per logical module, and with figs. 4a and 4b the generation of two pixel columns per logical module is illustrated. In total, the multiplexing cycle will need 12 steps/aperture positions for the generation of a whole image (not withstanding steps for ensuring DC balance).

Also, as in the previous example, the light emitter emitting light at a step in the multiplexing cycle for producing a first image for the first viewing zone is aligned with a first edge of the aperture. Specifically, it is a column of light emitters that emit light (when the display is to have a vertical resolution of more than one pixel). And in a subsequent step, a light emitter aligned with the other edge of the aperture is scanned for producing a second image for the second viewing zone. Thus, during a position of the aperture (where the aperture does not move) two light emitter (columns) are scanned for emitting light.

The aperture is defined by a light modulator in the first layer of light modulators and a light modulator in the second layer of light modulators. The first layer is closer to the light emitters than the second layer, e.g. the first layer is between the light emitters and the second layer of light modulators.

In fig. 4a, it is illustrated that the right edge of the aperture is defined by a light modulator in the first layer and the left edge of the aperture is defined by a light modulator in the second layer.

The first layer has light modulators having a fast off to on time and the second layer has light modulators having a fast on to off time, e.g. the light modulators in the first layer are faster to transition from off to on than the light modulators in the second layer, and the light modulators in the second layer are faster to transition from on to off than the light modulators in the first layer. It has to be the other way around if the scan is to be from right to left.

Thus, the leading edge of the aperture is defined by a light modulator in the first layer, and the trailing edge of the aperture is defined by a light modulator in the second layer. A light modulator 40 in the second layer that is in a transition state from off to on is shown as a striped line.

A light modulator 42 in the first layer that is in a transition state from on to off is shown as a striped line.

Interleaved scan seqeuence

An interleaved scan sequence may be used for producing/genberating the two images in the two-layer example. To summarize, such a sequence may start with the following steps:

1) a first image column of the first image is produced by a first column of light emitters,

2) then a first image column of the second image is produced by a second column of light emitters,

3) then a second image column of the first image is produced by a third column of light emitters that are next to the first column of light emitters,

4) then a second image column of the second image is produced by a fourth column of light emitters that are next to the second column of light emitters, and so forth.

Edges and layers

A first edge of the aperture may define a leading edge, e.g. the edge that faces the direction of movement of the aperture, and a second edge of the aperture may define a trailing edge (if the aperture moves along an axis the leading edge is further along the axis than the trailing edge).

The light modulator defining the second/trailing edge has a faster transition time from on to off than the light modulator defining the second/trailing edge.

The light modulator defining the first/leading edge has a faster transition time from off to on than the light modulator defining the second/trailing edge. The leading edge is in one layer and the trailing edge is in the other layer.

One layer

Instead of having two layers, only one layer may be used.

In this case there is no interleaved scanning. Instead, one image is produced at a time, e.g. one image after the other. Thus, during a first scan from one side to the other, a first image is produced and then scanning one more time in the opposite direction than the first scan a second image is produced.

And only one type of light modulator may be used. It may be a light modulator having a fast on to off time (or at least faster than the off to on time) may be used, or it may be a light modulator having a fast off to on time (or at least faster than the on to off time).

In the example shown in figs. 5a and 5b, a light modulator having a fast on to off time is used and the scan is from left to right. In fig. 5b, the aperture is one position to the right of the position in fig. 5a.

Using only one layer of light modulators will create a blurred zone, because the aperture has an edge defined by a light modulator in a transition state. It may either be the leading edge or the trailing edge depending on the type of light modulator used.

Thus, light will be transmitted through a light modulator in a transition state will cause an unclear image in a zone).

In fig. 5a, this blurred zone is between the striped blue line and the striped-dotted purple line. It is to the (far) right. In the example the blurred zone will be small because it is only one light modulator 50. However, it may be several/plurality of neighboring light modulators that all are in a transition state (at the same time), e.g. not yet having reached an on state (or off state). How many will depend on the type of light modulator. And a light modulator 40 in that is in a transition state is shown as a striped line.

In the following is disclosed how a right image and a left image (for a right zone and a left zone respectively) may be produced using either a fast on to off light modulator or a fast off to on light modulator. With “right image” is meant the image that can be observed by an observer to the right of the display (as seen from the perspective of the display), e.g. the angular space from 0 to 90 degrees (with zero being defined by the normal vector to the display). How to measure an angle “a” is shown in fig. 1a.

With “left image” is meant the image that can be observed by an observer to the left of the display, e.g. the angular space from 0 to -90 degrees.

A blurred zone is between the striped red line and the striped dotted purple line (it is to the (far) left).

Below is a summary of how to scan with the two different types of light modulators.

Type of light modulator: fast on to off.

This is the type of light modulator used in the example in figs. 5a - 6a. And as mentioned with such a light modulator, and the scan direction in the first part of the multiplexing cycle is from left to right, the light emitters should be scanned/updated with pixel values for a right zone image. And each time a light emitter emits light it is aligned with a trailing edge (the left edge). In this way, the emitted light is shielded by the left aperture edge preventing it from reaching the left zone.

Thus, the light emitters are scanned with image data for the first/right image and at each step in the (first half) of the multiplexing cycle a light emitter aligned with the trailing edge is to emit light.

As the aperture moves one light modulator to the side, the light emitter that is to emit light is the one that is next to the one that just emitted light. In this way, the scan of the light emitters follows the movement of the aperture/scan of the light modulators. And it is the leading edge that is defined by a light modulator in a transition state. As mentioned, this is illustrated in figs. 5a and 5b.

When the first/right image has been generated, the scan direction is reversed, e.g. the scan direction is now right to left, and the light emitters should be scanned/updated with pixel values for a left zone image. This is illustrated in figs. 6a and 6b where fig. 6a illustrates the generation of a first and second pixel column of a left zone image, and fig. 6b illustrates the generation of a third and fourth pixel column of the left zone image - the third pixel column being one pixel to the left of the first pixel columns, and the fourth pixel column being one pixel to the left of the second pixel column.

And each time, a light emitter emits light it is aligned with a trailing edge as in the first part of the multiplexing cycle. But since the scan direction now is reversed, the trailing edge is the left edge. In this way, the emitted light is shielded by the right aperture edge preventing it from reaching the right zone.

Thus, the light emitters are scanned with image data for the second/left image and at each step in the (now second half) of the multiplexing cycle a light emitter aligned with the trailing edge is to emit light.

For the example with one light modulator layer having asymmetric light modulators the trailing edge of the aperture is sharply defined (a light modulator having transitioned), and the leading edge is defined by a light modulator being in a transition state for the generation of both the right zone image and the left zone image.

Type of light modulator: fast off to on.

With such a light modulator, and when the scan direction is from left to right, the light emitters should be scanned/updated with pixel values for a left zone image.

And for the right zone image, the scan direction is to be from right to left with the light emitters scanned with pixel values for a right zone image.

The following table summarizes how to generate an image for a zone depending on the type of light modulator, e.g. which direction to scan in order to produce an image for a respective zone, and how the alignment of the light emitter that is to emit light at a step (in a multiplexing cycle) should be with respect to the aperture (should it be aligned with a leading edge or a trailing edge). The arrow indicates the scan direction, and the letters L and T symbolize alignment with a leading edge or a trailing edge.

In general, with a fast on to off light modulator the alignment is to be with the trailing edge. And with a fast off to on light modulator the alignment is to be with the leading edge. Hence dimmed images may be avoided at the center of the display, so that a range of viewing angles near the center of the display where mixed and/or dimmed images can be observed is minimized. In other words, such a configuration moves dimmed images to viewing angles outside of a desired viewing angle range which includes angles around a center of the display.

Thus, in general it is advantageously with a display comprising a plurality of light emitters and a plurality of light modulators, and a controller for controlling the light emitters and light modulators such that a light emitter is scanned for emitting light while it is aligned with an edge of an aperture defined by a light modulator having a transition time that is either faster from on to off than from off to on or faster from off to on than from on to off.

Transition

With transition is meant a switch from one state to another. The switch will have a dura- tion/switching time (may also be referred to as transition time). For a transition from on to off it may be measured as the time it takes from index 70 (or 90) to index 30 (or 10) for example. For a transition from off to on it may be measured as the time it takes from index 30 (or 10) to index 70 (or 90) for example.

With on state is meant that the light modulator has transitioned to a state, whereas much light as possible can be transmitted through the light modulator. There will always be a reflection so all light that is incident on a light modulator is not transmitted.

However, maximum transmission may be defined as an index value of 100, and minimum transmission may be defined as an index value of 0. This is the off state.

With a transition to an on state (from an off state) is meant that the light modulator has reached at least index 70, e.g. at index 70 and above such as 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 98 and above the light modulator can for the present disclosure be considered to be on. And vice versa with a transition to an off state (from an on state) is meant that the light modulator has reached at least index 30, e.g. at index 30 and below such as 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2 and below the light modulator can for the present disclosure be considered to be off.

The on state may also be referred to as a light transmitting state or that the light modulator is open (for light transmission).

The off state may also be referred to as a light blocking/shielding state or that the light modulator is closed (for light transmission).

With a transition state is meant a state between on and off.

To summarize, three solutions/principals are disclosed in the present disclosure. In all three solutions, the light modulators and light emitters are scanned (in a consecutive sequence, e.g. from one element to the neighboring element) one column at a time (per module) from one side of the display to the other side of the display. Said in other words, the scan sequence is so that at a step in the multiplexing cycle a light modulator (column) that is scanned is neighbor to the light modulator (column) that was just scanned, e.g. the scanning moves one light modulator at a time from one side of the display to the other. The same is the case for the scanning of the light emitters.

The scanning of the light modulators and the light emitters is synchronized so that the alignment between a scanned light modulator and a scanned light emitter is maintained (so that substantially the same radiation pattern is maintained through the multiplexing cycle).

The difference between the solutions is that the first solution use light modulators having fast transition times (on to off and off to on) while the two other solutions do not use such symmetric (and fast) light modulators. Instead, two layers of light modulators may be used comprising one of each type of light modulators (one type being faster from on to off than off to on, and the other type being faster from off to on than on to off), or one layer may be used (and only one type of light modulator). For the latter solution, the light modulators (and light emitters) need to be scanned twice per multiplexing cycle. The following description is a summary of the features of the present disclosure arranged according to subject.

1. A display, such as a multiview display, comprising:

- a plurality of light emitters,

- a plurality of light modulators, such as liquid crystal cells,

2. The display according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: a controller arranged for scanning said plurality of light modulators for producing a first image and a second image.

3. The display according to any of the preceding items, comprising: a controller arranged for switching each light modulator of said plurality of light modulators between a light transmitting state for transmitting light and a light shielding state for shielding light.

4. The display according to any of the preceding items, comprising: a plurality of apertures.

5. The display according to any of the preceding items, said plurality of light modulators arranged in front of said plurality of light emitters.

6. The display according to any of the preceding items, said plurality of light modulators arranged in a layer.

7. The display according to any of the preceding items, said plurality of light emitters arranged in a backplane.

DC balance

8. The display according to any of the preceding items, at each step in said multiplexing cycle equally many light modulators being in said light transmitting state and said light shielding state. Backlight embodiment

9. The display according to any of the preceding items, comprising: a LCD panel in front of said plurality of light modulators for producing a first image and a second image.

10. The display according to any of the preceding items, said plurality of light modulators having a faster response time than the light modulators of said LCD panel, such as at least six times faster response time.

Scanning back and forth in backlight solution

11. The display according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: a controller arranged for scanning said plurality of light emitters and said plurality of light modulators in a first direction during a first part of a multiplexing cycle when said LCD panel producing said first image, and scanning said plurality of light emitters and said plurality of light modulators in a direction opposite said first direction during a second part of said multiplexing cycle when said LCD panel producing said second image.

Aperture

12. The display according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: a controller arranged for scanning said plurality of light modulators such that a number of at least two or three neighboring light modulators being in a light transmitting state at each step in a multiplexing cycle for defining an aperture for transmitting light from said light emitters.

13. The display according to any of the preceding claims, said aperture having a left edge and a right edge.

14. The display according to any of the preceding claims, said controller arranged for scanning said plurality of light emitters such that said aperture having a number of positions during said multiplexing cycle. DC balance aspect

15. The display according to any of the preceding items, said controller arranged for controlling said plurality of light emitters and said plurality of light modulators such that during said multiplexing cycle each aperture having a number of positions equal to twice the number of light modulators defining an aperture.

Same relative positions

16. The display according to any of the preceding items, said controller arranged for controlling said plurality of light emitters and said plurality of light modulators such that at a first step in said multiplexing cycle a first light emitter adjacent a first aperture emitting light for reproducing a first pixel to a first viewing zone, and said first aperture having a first position at which said first aperture and said first light emitter arranged relative to each other such that said light being delimiting at a right and left edge of said aperture for defining a right and left edge of said first viewing zone.

17. The display according to any of the preceding items, said controller arranged for controlling said plurality of light emitters and said plurality of light modulators such that at a second step in said multiplexing cycle said first aperture having a second position different from said first position, and a second light emitter adjacent said first aperture emitting light for reproducing a second pixel to said first viewing zone, at said second position said first aperture and said second light emitter arranged relative to each other such that said right and left edge of said first viewing zone being substantially the same as in said first step.

18. The display according to any of the preceding items, said controller arranged for controlling said plurality of light emitters and said plurality of light modulators such that at a first step in said multiplexing cycle a first light emitter adjacent a first aperture emitting light for reproducing a first pixel to a first viewing zone, and said first aperture and said first light emitter having a first relative position with respect to each other. 19. The display according to any of the preceding items, said controller arranged for controlling said plurality of light emitters and said plurality of light modulators such that at a second step in said multiplexing cycle a second light emitter adjacent said first aperture emitting light for reproducing a second pixel to said first viewing zone, and said first aperture and said second light emitter having a second relative position with respect to each other.

20. The display according to any of the preceding items, said first relative position and said second relative position deviating from each other with less than 25 %, such as less than 10 %.

21 . The display according to any of the preceding items, said first aperture and said first light emitter having substantially the same relative position with respect to each other as said first aperture and said second light emitter.

22. The display according to any of the preceding items, said second step being subsequent to said first step.

23. The display according to any of the preceding items, said second light emitter different from said first light emitter.

Different relative positions

24. The display according to any of the preceding items, said controller arranged for controlling said plurality of light emitters and said plurality of light modulators such that at a step in a first multiplexing cycle a first light emitter adjacent a first aperture emitting light for reproducing a pixel of a first image to a first viewing zone, and said first aperture and said first light emitter having a first relative position with respect to each other.

25. The display according to any of the preceding items, said controller arranged for controlling said plurality of light emitters and said plurality of light modulators such that at a step in a second multiplexing cycle a second light emitter adjacent said first aperture emitting light for reproducing a pixel of a second image to a second viewing zone, and said first aperture and said second light emitter having a second relative position with respect to each other.

26. The display according to any of the preceding items, said first relative position and said second relative position deviating from each other with more than 5 %, such as more than 10 %.

The relative position may be understood as the projection.

The first projection may be very close to the first edge such as less than 5 urn to the first edge. The second projection may be further away than this, for example more than 8 urn to the first edge. Thus, this is a difference/deviation that is at least 3 urn, which is 3/5 = 60 % of the first projection.

One layer - asymmetric modulators

Scanning back and forth

27. The display according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: a controller arranged for scanning said plurality of light emitters and said plurality of light modulators in a first direction during a first part of a multiplexing cycle for producing said first image, and scanning said plurality of light emitters and said plurality of light modulators in a direction opposite said first direction during a second part of said multiplexing cycle for producing said second image.

Alignment

28. The display according to any of the preceding claims, said controller arranged for scanning said plurality of light emitters such that at each position of said aperture during said multiplexing cycle an aligned light emitter emits light, said aligned light emitter constituted by a light emitter aligned with said left edge of said aperture during said first part of said multiplexing cycle, and aligned with said right edge during said second part of said multiplexing cycle. 29. The display according to any of the preceding claims, said aligned light emitter having a distance less than 50 % or 30 % or 10 % or 3 % of an aperture width to the projection of said left edge onto the plane of said aligned light emitter during said first part of said multiplexing cycle.

30. The display according to any of the preceding claims, said aligned light emitter having a distance less than 50 % or 30 % or 10 % or 3 % of an aperture width to the projection of said right edge onto the plane of said aligned light emitter during said second part of said multiplexing cycle.

31. The display according to any of the preceding claims, said aligned light emitter having a distance less than 50 % or 30 % or 10 % or 3 % of a light modulator width to the projection of said left edge onto the plane of said aligned light emitter during said first part of said multiplexing cycle.

32. The display according to any of the preceding claims, said aligned light emitter having a distance less than 50 % or 30 % or 10 % or 3 % of a light modulator width to the projection of said right edge onto the plane of said aligned light emitter during said second part of said multiplexing cycle.

Fast off

33. The display according to any of the preceding claims: each light modulator of said plurality of light modulators having a faster transition time from a light transmitting state to a light shielding state than from said light shielding state to said light transmitting state.

34. The display according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: a controller arranged for switching each light modulator of said plurality of light modulators between a light transmitting state and a light shielding state.

Two layers

35. The display according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: a second plurality of light modulators preferably arranged in a layer. 36. The display according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: a controller arranged for switching each light modulator of said first plurality of light modulators and said second plurality of light modulators between an on state and an off state.

37. The display according to any of the preceding claims, said first plurality of light modulators arranged in a first layer.

38. The display according to any of the preceding claims, said second plurality of light modulators arranged in a second layer.

39. The display according to any of the preceding claims, said first plurality of light modulators having a faster transition time from said on state to said off state than said second plurality of light modulators.

40. The display according to any of the preceding claims, said second plurality of light modulators having a faster transition time from said off state to said on state than said first plurality of light modulators.

Aperture

41. The display according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: a controller arranged for controlling said first plurality of light modulators and said second plurality of light modulators such that a first plurality of neighboring light modulators in said first layer and a second plurality of neighboring light modulators in said second layer define an aperture for transmitting light from said light emitters.

42. The display according to any of the preceding claims, a left edge of said aperture being defined by a light modulator in said first layer and a right edge of said aperture being defined by a light modulator in said second layer.

Claims

1. A multiview display comprising:

- a plurality of light emitters for emitting light,

- a plurality of apertures,

- a controller arranged for controlling said plurality of light modulators such that each aperture defined by a number of minimum three neighboring light modulators being in said light transmitting state at the same time during a step in a multiplexing cycle, and such that during said multiplexing cycle each aperture having a number of positions equal to twice the number of light modulators defining an aperture.

2. The multiview display according to any of the preceding claims, said controller arranged for controlling said plurality of light emitters and said plurality of light modulators such that at a step in a first multiplexing cycle a first light emitter adjacent a first aperture emitting light for reproducing a pixel of a first image to a first viewing zone, and said first aperture and said first light emitter having a first relative position with respect to each other.

3. The multiview display according to any of the preceding claims, said controller arranged for controlling said plurality of light emitters and said plurality of light modulators such that at a step in a second multiplexing cycle a second light emitter adjacent said first aperture emitting light for reproducing a pixel of a second image to a second viewing zone, and said first aperture and said second light emitter having a second relative position with respect to each other.

4. The multiview display according to any of the preceding claims, said first relative position and said second relative position deviating from each other with more than 5 %, such as more than 10 %.

5. The multiview display according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: an LCD panel in front of said plurality of light modulators.

6. The multiview display according to any of the preceding claims, said plurality of light modulators having a faster response time than the light modula- tors of said LCD panel.