Reald Inc.

Reald Spark, LLC

Light Field Lab, Inc.

Inphase Technologies, Inc.

Miller H Schuck

Michael Geraint Robinson

Gary Dean Sharp

Graham John Woodgate

Jonathan Harrold

Douglas J McKnight

David A Coleman

Mrityunjay Kumar

Wilhelm Taylor

Kevin R Curtis

Jonathan Sean Karafin

Adrian J Hill

Terry Norton

Aaron Wegner

Jon Karafin

Scott Gilman

Curt Shuman

Michael Tackitt

Peter Lude

Graham J Woodgate

Douglas J Mcknight

Systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein may generate captured views and a plurality of intermediate views within a pixel disparity range, T, the plurality of intermediate views being extrapolated from the captured views.

Multiscopic image capture system

A polarization conversion system (PCS) is located in the output light path of a projector. The PCS may include a polarizing beam splitter, a polarization rotating element, a reflecting element, and a polarization switch. Typically, a projector outputs randomly-polarized light. This light is input to the PCS, in which the PCS separates p-polarized light and s-polarized light at the polarizing beam splitter. P-polarized light is directed toward the polarization switch on a first path. The s-polarized light is passed on a second path through the polarization rotating element (e.g., a half-wave plate), thereby transforming it to p-polarized light. A reflecting element directs the transformed polarized light (now p-polarized) along the second path toward the polarization switch. The first and second light paths are ultimately directed toward a projection screen to collectively form a brighter screen image in cinematic applications utilizing polarized light for three-dimensional viewing.

Polarization conversion systems for stereoscopic projection

A polarization conversion system separates light from an unpolarized image source into a first state of polarization (SOP) and an orthogonal second SOP, and directs the polarized light on first and second light paths. The SOP of light on only one of the light paths is transformed to an orthogonal state such that both light paths have the same SOP. A polarization modulator temporally modulates the light on the first and second light paths to first and second output states of polarization. First and second projection lenses direct light on the first and second light paths toward a projection screen to form substantially overlapping polarization encoded images. The polarization modulator may be located before or after the projection lenses. The polarization-encoded images may be viewed using eyewear with appropriate polarization filters.

3D projection system

Disclosed is a light guiding valve apparatus including an imaging directional backlight, an illuminator array and an observer tracking system arranged to achieve control of an array of illuminators which may provide a directional display to an observer over a wide lateral and longitudinal viewing range, wherein the number of optical windows presented to the observer as viewing windows is controlled dependent on the lateral and longitudinal position or speed of an observer.

Directional display apparatus

A direct view display provides a light modulating panel and a backlight including first and second sets of spectral emitters. Several modes of operation may be provided including an advanced 2D mode, and an enhanced color gamut mode employing simultaneous illumination of the first and second set of spectral emitters. Another embodiment may be an optical structure for a multi-functional LCD display with wide color gamut and high stereo contrast. The optical structure may also be used to produce more saturated colors for a wider display color gamut and also may be used to produce a brighter backlight structure through light recycling of the wider bandwidth light back into the optical structure.

Multi-primary backlight for multi-functional active-matrix liquid crystal displays

Optical systems having at least one polarization beam splitter (PBS) are operable to receive randomly-polarized light bundles from a projector lens. The PBS is further operable to direct light bundles having a state of polarization (SOP) along a light path and operable to direct other light bundles having a different SOP along different light paths. The light paths have optical path lengths which may differ. Each light path produces an image having a distortion which may differ from the distortion of an image produced by a different light path. A compensation in a light path is operable to convert a non-compensated distortion of an image into a compensated distortion that more closely matches the distortion of images in other light paths.

Distortion matching polarization conversion systems and methods thereof

Disclosed is a manufacturing method for a stepped imaging directional backlight apparatus which may include a structured optical film and a tapered body. The structured optical film may include multiple optical functions and may be assembled by folding onto the tapered body, reducing cost and complexity of manufacture.

Method of manufacturing directional backlight apparatus and directional structured optical film

Disclosed is a light guiding valve apparatus including at least one transparent stepped waveguide optical valve for providing large area collimated illumination from localized light sources, and at least one further illumination source. A stepped waveguide may be a stepped structure, where the steps include extraction features hidden to guided light, propagating in a first forward direction. Returning light propagating in a second backward direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide discrete illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the waveguide. Such controlled illumination may provide for efficient, multi-user autostereoscopic displays as well as improved 2D display functionality. Light from a separate illumination source may pass through the transparent stepped waveguide optical valve to provide at least one further additional illumination function.

Directional backlight

A polarization conversion system separates light from an unpolarized image source into a first state of polarization (SOP) and an orthogonal second SOP, and directs the polarized light on first and second light paths. The SOP of light on only one of the light paths is transformed to an orthogonal state such that both light paths have the same SOP. A polarization modulator temporally modulates the light on the first and second light paths to first and second output states of polarization. First and second projection lenses direct light on the first and second light paths toward a projection screen to from substantially overlapping polarization encoded images. The polarization modulator may be located before or after the projection lenses. The polarization-encoded images may be viewed using eyewear with appropriate polarization filters.

Polarization conversion system and method for projecting polarization encoded imagery

An imaging directional backlight apparatus including a waveguide, a light source array, for providing large area directed illumination from localized light sources. The waveguide may include a stepped structure, in which the steps may further include extraction features optically hidden to guided light, propagating in a first forward direction. Returning light propagating in a second backward direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide discrete illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the waveguide. Viewing windows are formed through imaging individual light sources and hence defines the relative positions of system elements and ray paths. The uncorrected system creates non-illuminated void portions when viewed off-axis preventing uniform wide angle 2D illumination modes. The system may be corrected to remove this non-uniformity at wide angles through the introduction of additional sources away from the system's object plane, additional imaging surfaces, and/or by altering ray paths.

Wide angle imaging directional backlights

A dynamic iris is located on the imaging path of an optical lens system that includes a relay lens system and at least one projection lens system. A dynamic iris modulates image frames in an image data stream, resulting in a reduction in light transmission associated with the modulated image frames. A dynamic iris may be configured to change the size of its aperture as fast as or faster than the image frame period of the image data stream, and may be located at or near the pupil of a relay lens system, a projection lens system, or both. A second dynamic iris in the imaging path further modulates the image frames, resulting in a further reduction in light transmission. A dynamic iris may modulate an image frame based on an electronic preview of the image frame or based on metadata associated with the image frame.

Optical lens systems with dynamic iris for modulating image frames

Disclosed is a light guiding valve apparatus comprising an optical valve, a two dimensional light source array and a focusing optic for providing large area collimated illumination from localized light sources. A stepped waveguide may be a stepped structure, in which the steps may be extraction features optically hidden to guided light, propagating in a first forward direction. Returning light propagating in a second backward direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide discrete illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the waveguide. A two dimensional array of viewing windows may be produced. Such controlled illumination may provide for efficient, multi-user autostereoscopic displays with wide viewing freedom and low cross talk and near-eye displays that are substantially transparent.

Growing community of inventors

Erie, CO, United States of America

Miller H Schuck