TWI618957B - A dual-direction optical collimator and a method, backlight and three-dimensional(3d) electronic display using same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a bidirectional collimation method and a bidirectional optical collimator for providing bidirectional collimated light of a non-zero value conduction angle. The two-way collimator includes a vertical collimator for collimating light in a vertical direction, and a horizontal collimator for collimating vertically collimated light in a horizontal direction. The horizontal collimator is tied to an input of the vertical collimator. The present invention also provides a three-dimensional display comprising the bidirectional collimator, a flat light guide body and a multi-beam diffraction grating array on a surface of the flat light guide body, the multi-beam diffraction grating The array couples the bidirectional collimated light guided in the planar light guide into a plurality of beams corresponding to different three dimensional views of the three dimensional electronic display.

Description

Bidirectional optical collimator and method using the bidirectional optical collimator, back Light board and three-dimensional electronic display

The invention belongs to a collimator; in particular to a bidirectional collimator and a backlight and a three-dimensional electronic display using the bidirectional collimator.

For users of a wide range of devices and products, electronic displays are an almost ubiquitous medium for disseminating information to users. The most common electronic displays are cathode ray tube (CRT), plasma display panels (PDP), liquid crystal displays (LCD), and electroluminescent displays (EL). , organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and active organic OLEDs (AMOLED) displays, electrophoretic displays (EP), and various electromechanical or electrohydrodynamic modulations A display (eg, a digital micromirror device, an electrowetting display, etc.). In general, an electronic display can be divided into one of an active display (ie, a display that emits light) or a passive display (ie, a display that modulates light provided by another light source). Among the categories of active displays, the most obvious examples are CRTs, PDPs, and OLEDs/AMOLEDs. LCDs and EP display in the case of classification by emission light Devices are generally classified in the classification of passive displays. Passive displays, while often exhibiting attractive performance characteristics including, but not limited to, inherent low power consumption, may have limitations in use in many practical applications due to their lack of illuminating capabilities.

To overcome the use limitations associated with passive displays and emitted light, many passive displays are coupled to an external source. The coupled light source allows these passive displays to illuminate and these passive displays essentially function as active displays. The backlight panel is one of the examples of such a coupled light source. A backlight is a light source (usually a panel light source) placed behind a passive display to illuminate a passive display. For example, the backlight can be coupled to an LCD or EP display. The backlight will emit light that can pass through the LCD or EP display. The emitted light emitted will be modulated by the LCD or EP display, and the modulated light will then be sequentially emitted by the LCD or EP display. Usually the backlight panel emits white light. The color filter then converts the white light into light of various colors used in the display. For example, the color filter can be placed at the output of the LCD or EP display (less common configuration) or can be placed between the backlight and the LCD or EP display.

The following examples and examples provide a two-way collimation method and a backlight of a display in accordance with the principles of the present invention using bidirectional collimation. In particular, embodiments in accordance with principles consistent with the present invention provide a method of bi-directionally collimating light that collimates light in vertical and horizontal directions, respectively. Moreover, in some embodiments, the light can be collimated in the vertical direction, and then the vertically collimated light can be separately collimated in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the method of bidirectional collimation described in this specification provides bidirectional collimated light having a predetermined non-zero value conduction angle in a vertical plane corresponding to the vertical direction.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the two-way collimating method is provided by a two-way collimator. The two-way collimator includes a vertical collimator (eg, a vertical collimating reflector) coupled to an input of a horizontal collimator (eg, a horizontal collimating reflector). Light emitted from a light source (eg, a plurality of LEDs) can be coupled into the two-way collimator to bi-directionally collimate the light. In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, light bi-directionally collimated by the two-way collimator can be coupled into a light guide (eg, a flat light guide) of a backlight used in an electronic display. For example, the backlight board may be a grid type backlight board, and the grid type backlight board may include, but is not limited to, a grid type backlight board having a multi-beam diffraction grating. In some embodiments, the electronic display can be a three-dimensional electronic display for displaying three-dimensional information, such as a stereoscopic display or a "naked eye" three-dimensional display.

More specifically, the three-dimensional display can use a grid type backlight having a multi-beam diffraction grating array. A multi-beam diffraction grating can be used to couple light from the light guide and can be used to provide a coupled out beam corresponding to a pixel of the three-dimensional display. For example, the coupled out beams may have major angular directions (also referred to as "light beams with different orientations") that are different from each other. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the beams having different orientations generated by the multi-beam diffraction grating may be modulated to serve as voxels corresponding to the three-dimensional view of the "naked eye" three-dimensional electronic display. This shows three-dimensional information. In these embodiments, bi-directional collimation by the bi-directional collimator can be used to generate output bi-directional collimated light, and the resulting output bi-directional collimated light has a rough in the light guide. Uniform distribution (ie, no banding). As such, in accordance with the principles described in this specification, the present invention can provide a multi-beam diffraction grating that is uniformly illuminated.

As used herein, "light guide" is defined as a structure that uses total internal reflection to direct light in its structure. In particular, the light guide can include a core that is substantially transparent at the operating wavelength of the light guide. In various embodiments, the term "light guide" generally refers to a dielectric optical waveguide that utilizes a substance that totally reflects the dielectric of the light guide and a substance or medium that surrounds the light guide. The interface between the guides the light. By definition, the condition of total internal reflection is that the refractive index of the light guide is greater than the refractive index of the surrounding medium adjacent to the surface of the light guide body. In some embodiments, the light guide may additionally include a coating in addition to the refractive index difference described above, or may replace the aforementioned refractive index difference with a coating, thereby further contributing to total internal reflection. For example, the coating can be a reflective coating. According to various embodiments, the light guide may be any one of several light guides, which may include, but is not limited to, one or both of a flat or thick light guide and a strip of light guides. .

In addition, in this paper, when the term "slab" is applied to a light guide, such as "slab light guide", it is defined as a sheet, a difference plane layer or a sheet, and at a certain In some cases, it is called a "slice" light guide. In particular, a flat light guiding system is defined as a light directing body that directs light in two substantially orthogonal directions defined by the upper and lower surfaces of the light guide (in other words, the two opposing surfaces). Moreover, in the definition of the present specification, the upper surface and the lower surface are separated from each other, and according to some embodiments of the present invention, both are surfaces that are substantially parallel to each other, at least in the sense of division. That is, in any of the different small areas of the planar light guide, the upper and lower surfaces are substantially parallel or coplanar surfaces.

In some instances, a flat light guide can have a generally flat configuration (ie, confined on one plane), thereby making the planar light guide a planar light guide. In other embodiments, the planar light guide may have a structure that is curved in one or two orthogonal dimensions. For example, the flat light guide may have a curved structure in a single dimension to form a cylindrical flat light guide. However, any curvature needs to have a sufficiently large radius of curvature to ensure that full internal reflection is maintained in the planar light guide to direct light.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a diffraction grating (eg, a multi-beam diffraction grating) can be used to break up light or couple light out of a light guide (eg, a flat light guide) And become a beam. Here, a "diffraction grid" is generally defined as a plurality of structural features (i.e., diffractive structural features) for providing diffraction of light incident on the diffraction grating. In some embodiments, the plurality of structural features can be arranged in a periodic or quasi-periodic manner. For example, the diffraction grating can include a plurality of structural features (eg, a plurality of grooves on a surface of a material) disposed in a one-dimensional array. In other examples, the diffraction grating can be a two-dimensional array of construction features. For example, the diffraction grating can be a protrusion on the surface of the material or a two-dimensional array of holes in the surface of the material.

Thus, as defined in this specification, a "diffraction grid" is a structure that provides diffraction of light incident on a diffraction grating. If light is incident on a diffraction grating by a light guide, the diffraction or diffraction scattering provided by it may result in and thus may be referred to as "diffraction coupling", which may be diffracted by diffraction. The way couples the light away from the light guide. The diffraction grating also redirects or changes the angle of the light by means of diffraction (ie, at a diffraction angle). In particular, due to diffraction, light exiting the diffraction grating (ie, diffracted light) typically has a different conduction direction than the direction of conduction of light incident on the diffraction grating (ie, incident light). The change in the direction of conduction of light produced by diffraction is referred to herein as "diffuse reorientation." Thus, a diffraction grating can be understood as having a reorientation of light incident on the diffraction grating via diffraction. The structure of the diffractive features, and if the light is emitted by the light guide, the diffractive grating can also be optically coupled out of the light from the light guide.

Moreover, as defined in this specification, the features of the diffraction grating are referred to as "diffractive structural features" and may be located on a surface, within a surface, or on a surface (in other words, "surface "refers to more than one diffractive structural feature of a boundary between two materials." The surface may be a surface of a flat light guide. The diffractive structural features can include any kind of light diffractive structure, which can include, but is not limited to, more than one groove, ridge, hole, and protrusion on the surface, in the surface, or on the surface. For example, the diffraction grating can include a plurality of parallel grooves in the surface of the material. In another example, the diffraction grating can include a plurality of parallel ridges that protrude from the surface of the material. The diffractive structural features (whether grooves, ridges, holes, protrusions, etc.) may have any of a variety of cross-sectional shapes or contours that provide a diffractive function, including or not Limited to: one or more of a sinusoidal profile, a rectangular profile (eg, a binary diffraction grating), a triangular profile, and a sawtooth profile (eg, a blazed grating).

According to the definition in this specification, a "multi-beam diffraction grating" is a diffraction grating that produces a beam that is reoriented by diffraction (eg, diffracted light). Further, as defined in the present specification, the beam beams produced by the multi-beam diffraction grating have major angular directions different from each other. More specifically, as defined by the present invention, one of the beams is associated with the beam due to the diffraction coupling of the incident beam and the reorientation of the diffracted beam by the multi-beam diffraction grating. Another predetermined different angular direction of the other beam. The beams can represent a light field. For example, the beams may include eight beams having eight different major angular directions. For example, the combination of the eight beams (ie, the beams) can represent a Light field. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the different main angular directions of the respective beams are determined by a combination of two factors, namely grid pitch or spacing, and multi-beam diffraction gratings. The diffractive structure features directionality or rotation at the starting point of each beam relative to the direction of conduction of light incident on the multi-beam diffraction grating.

Specifically, according to the definition herein, one of the beams produced by the multi-beam diffraction grating has an angular component { θ , } gives the main angle direction. The angular component θ is referred to herein as the "elevation component" or "elevation angle" of the beam. In this paper, the angular component It is called the "azimuth component" or "azimuth angle" of the beam. By definition, the elevation angle θ is an angle in a vertical plane (eg, perpendicular to one plane of the multi-beam diffraction grating), and the azimuth angle It is an angle in a horizontal plane (for example, parallel to the plane of the multi-beam diffraction grating). Figure 1 shows an angular component { θ of a beam 10 having a particular principal angular direction, according to one example of the principles described herein. }. Additionally, the beam is emitted or emitted from a particular point in accordance with the definition herein. That is, by definition, the beam has a central ray associated with a particular starting point within the multi-beam diffraction grating. Figure 1 also shows the starting point O of the beam. In Fig. 1, an example of the direction of conduction of incident light is shown by bold arrow 12.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, one or both of the following characteristics can be controlled by the characteristics of the multi-beam diffraction grating and its structural features (ie, "diffractive features": the angular directivity of the beam, and more The beam diffraction grating is wavelength or color selective with respect to more than one beam. Characteristics that can be used to control angular directivity and wavelength selectivity include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: grid length, grid spacing (structural feature spacing), shape of structural features The size of the feature, such as the width of the groove or ridge, and the orientation of the grid. In some instances, various characteristics for control may be localized properties near the beginning of a beam.

In accordance with various embodiments described in this specification, a light system that is coupled out of a light guide by a diffraction grating (eg, a multi-beam diffraction grating) represents a pixel of an electronic display. In particular, a light guide having a multi-beam diffraction grating and used to generate beams having different major angular directions may be part of a backlight of an electronic display or may be part of a backlight used in conjunction with an electronic display. The electronic display may include, but is not limited to, a “naked eye” three-dimensional electronic display (also referred to as a multi-view or holographic electronic display, or a stereoscopic display). It can be seen that the light beams with different orientations generated by coupling the light guides out of the light guide through the multi-beam diffraction grating may be or may represent "three-dimensional pixels" of the three-dimensional electronic display. In addition, the three-dimensional pixels correspond to different three-dimensional viewing angles or three-dimensional viewing angles of the three-dimensional electronic display.

As used herein, a "collimated" reflector is defined as a reflector that has a curved shape and collimates light reflected by a collimating reflector (eg, a collimating mirror). For example, the reflective surface of the collimating reflector can have the characteristics of a parabolic curve or a parabolic shape. In another example, the collimating reflector can be a parabolic reflector. By "parabolic-like" it is meant herein that the curved reflective surface of the parabolic reflector deviates from the "true" parabolic curve to achieve a predetermined reflective characteristic (eg, collimation). In some embodiments, the collimating reflector can be a continuous reflector (ie, having a substantially smooth and continuous reflective surface), while in other embodiments, the reflector can include a phenanthrene for providing light collimation. Fresnel reflector or Fresnel mirror. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the amount of collimation provided by the collimating reflector may be between a predetermined degree of collimation or a quantity of collimation according to Different embodiments vary. Additionally, the collimating reflector can be configured to provide alignment in one or two orthogonal directions (eg, a vertical direction and a horizontal direction). In other words, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the collimating reflector can have a parabolic or parabolic shape in one or two orthogonal directions.

As used herein, the term "light source" is defined as the source of light (eg, a device or component that provides and emits light). For example, the light source can be a light emitting diode (LED) that emits light when activated. Here, the light source may be any source of light or light emitter, including but not limited to, more than one LED, a laser, an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a polymer light emitting Diodes, plasma light emitters, fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps, and any other visually visible source of light. The light produced by the light source may have a color or may have a range of wavelengths. Thus, "a plurality of light sources having different colors" are explicitly defined in the present specification as a group or a group of light sources, wherein the color or equivalent wavelength of light generated by at least one of the light sources is At least one of the light sources produces a different color or wavelength. In addition, as long as there are two different color light sources in the light sources (ie, different colors of light are generated between the at least two light sources), "a plurality of light sources having different colors" may include the same or substantially similar colors. More than one light source. Thus, according to the definition herein, a plurality of light sources having different colors may include a first light source that produces a first color and a second light source that produces a second color, wherein the first color is different from the second color.

In addition, the article "a" used in the specification has the ordinary meaning in the patent field, that is, means "one or more." For example, "a grid" means one or more grids, and more specifically, "the grid" herein means "the grid". In addition, any of this The terms "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left" or "right" are not intended to be any limit. As used herein, when applied to a value, unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "about" generally refers to the tolerance of the device used to produce the value, or in some embodiments, plus or minus 10%, or Positive or negative 5%, or plus or minus 1%. Moreover, by way of example, the term "substantially" is used herein to mean a majority, almost all or all, or a value falling within the range of between about 51% and about 100%. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention are intended to be illustrative, and are not intended to limit the invention.

10‧‧‧ Beam

12‧‧‧bold arrow

100‧‧‧Two-way optical collimator

102‧‧‧Light/receiving light

104‧‧‧ Collimated light / bidirectional collimated light

104’‧‧‧Vertically collimated light

110‧‧‧Vertical collimator

110a‧‧‧First vertical collimator

110b‧‧‧Second vertical collimator

112‧‧‧Optical Reflector/Parabolic Reflector

112’‧‧‧Optical reflector

120‧‧‧Horizontal collimator

120a‧‧‧ first edge

120b‧‧‧ second edge

122‧‧‧Optical Reflector/Parabolic Reflector

122'‧‧‧Sub reflector

122'a‧‧‧Sub-reflector / first sub-reflector

122'b‧‧‧Sub-reflector / second sub-reflector

200‧‧‧Backlight board

202‧‧‧Light/receiving light

204‧‧‧Two-way collimated light/guide beam

204'‧‧‧Light/vertically collimated light

206‧‧‧ emitted light/beam

210‧‧‧Two-way optical collimator/two-way collimator

212‧‧‧Vertical collimator

214‧‧‧Horizontal collimator

220‧‧‧Slab light guide

222‧‧‧Adhesive layer

230‧‧‧Light source

232‧‧‧Light source / first light source

234‧‧‧Light source/second light source

236‧‧‧Light source/third light source

240‧‧‧Multi-beam diffraction grating

240a‧‧‧Diffraction structural features

240’‧‧‧ first end

240”‧‧‧second end

300‧‧‧3D electronic display

306‧‧‧ Beam

306'‧‧‧ modulated beam

310‧‧‧Two-way collimator/two-way optical collimator

320‧‧‧Slab light guide

330‧‧‧Multi-beam diffraction grating

340‧‧‧Light source

350‧‧‧Light Valve Array

400‧‧‧Method of bidirectional collimation of light

410‧‧‧Steps

420‧‧ steps

430‧‧ steps

500‧‧‧Three-dimensional electronic display operation method

510‧‧ steps

d ‧‧‧Diagram interval

F ‧‧‧ focus

H ‧‧‧ horizontal plane

{ θ , }‧‧‧Angle component/main angle direction

θ ‧‧‧ elevation angle

θ '‧‧‧Non-zero conduction angle/tilt angle

‧‧‧Azimuth/Azimuth component

‧‧Azimuth

The various features of the principles described in the specification, which are in the 1 is an illustration of an angular component { θ of a light beam having a main angular direction, in accordance with an example consistent with the principles described herein. 2A is a perspective view showing an example of a bidirectional optical collimator according to an embodiment consistent with the principles described in the present invention; FIG. 2B is an embodiment consistent with the principles described in the present invention. A top view showing an example of a bidirectional optical collimator; FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view showing the bidirectional optical collimator in Fig. 2B according to an embodiment consistent with the principles described in the present invention; A schematic representation of an example of an optical reflector having an oblique angle is shown in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein; FIG. 4A is a diagram consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, showing a two-way a top view of an optical collimator; FIG. 4B is a top plan view showing an example of a bidirectional optical collimator in accordance with another embodiment consistent with the principles described herein; FIG. 4C is a view in accordance with the present invention A further embodiment consistent with the principle, showing a top view of an example of a bidirectional optical collimator; FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a backlight in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein A top view of an example of a board; FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a backlight panel in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein; FIG. 5C is an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein, A cross-sectional view showing an example of a portion of a backlight panel; FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a portion of a backlight panel having a multi-beam diffraction grating, in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a portion of a backlight having a multi-beam diffraction grating, in accordance with another embodiment consistent with the principles described herein; FIG. 6C is a diagram consistent with the principles described herein. Embodiments showing a cross-sectional view of an example of a backlight portion having a multi-beam diffraction grating in FIG. 6A or FIG. 6B; FIG. 7 is a view showing a three-dimensional embodiment in accordance with the principles described in the present invention A block diagram of an example of an electronic display; FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of a method of bidirectionally collimating light in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein; Figure 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a method of operation of a three-dimensional electronic display in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein.

Certain specific examples may have other features that are the same, additional, or can be substituted for features in the above figures. These and other features will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the present specification, the present invention provides a bidirectional optical collimator. 2A is a perspective view showing an example of a bidirectional optical collimator in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. 2B is a top plan view showing an example of a bidirectional optical collimator in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. 2C is a cross-sectional view showing the bidirectional optical collimator of FIG. 2B in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the bi-directional optical collimator 100 is for collimating received light in at least two different directions or collimating the received light relative to at least two different directions.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C, the bidirectional optical collimator 100 is for receiving light 102. In some examples, light 102 received by bi-directional optical collimator 100 can be substantially non-collimated light. For example, light 102 can be provided by a substantially non-collimated light source (not shown), and the light received by bidirectional optical collimator 100 is from the substantially non-collimated light source. In another example, the received light 102 can be partially collimated light (eg, provided by a light source that includes a lens or using some other local collimating device).

The bidirectional optical collimator 100 shown in Figures 2A-B is used to collimate the received light 102 and is at an output of the bidirectional optical collimator 100 (e.g., input 埠, output plane, output) The surface, etc.) provides collimated light 104. According to various embodiments of the present invention, The collimated light 104 for the output of the bi-directional optical collimator is collimated or at least substantially collimated in at least two directions. Thus, collimated light 104 can be referred to as "two-way" collimated light.

In particular, bidirectional collimated light 104 is collimated in two directions that are substantially orthogonal to the direction of conduction of bidirectional collimated light 104, as defined in this specification. Moreover, according to the definition herein, the two collimating directions are orthogonal to each other. For example, the bi-directional collimated light 104 can be collimated in a horizontal direction (eg, on the xy plane) or relative to the horizontal direction, and can be in a vertical direction (eg, z-direction) or relative It is collimated in the vertical direction. Here, the bidirectional collimated light 104 provided by the bidirectional optical collimator 100 is simultaneously collimated and vertically collimated horizontally by way of example and not limitation, or is equivalent in horizontal and vertical directions. Ground alignment (ie, for example, the horizontal and vertical directions may be determined relative to any reference frame).

Moreover, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the bi-directional optical collimator 100 is operative to provide bi-directional collimated light 104 at a non-zero value conduction angle at the output of the bi-directional optical collimator. For example, the non-zero value conduction angle may be a relative angle with respect to a horizontal plane of the bidirectional optical collimator 100, or may be an angle defined relative to the horizontal plane. As defined in this specification, the "non-zero value conduction angle" is an angle relative to a plane (eg, a horizontal plane or an xy plane) or, as described in this specification, relative to an equivalent light guide. The angle of a surface. In some examples, the non-zero value conduction angle of the bi-directional collimated light 104 can be between about 10 degrees and about 50 degrees; or, in some instances, between about 20 degrees and about 40 degrees. Or, it can be between about 25 degrees and about 35 degrees. For example, the non-zero value conduction angle can be approximately 30 degrees. In other examples, the non-zero value conduction angle may be approximately 20 degrees, or approximately 25 degrees, or approximately 35 degrees. degree. Moreover, as described below, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, the non-zero value conduction angle is simultaneously greater than zero and less than a critical angle of total internal reflection in the light guide.

As shown in Figures 2A and 2C, the bidirectional optical collimator 100 includes a vertical collimator 110. The vertical collimator 110 is used to collimate light in a vertical direction (ie, the z direction). 2C is a cross-sectional view showing the vertical collimator 110 in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. Moreover, in FIG. 2C, the received light 102 is shown as an arrow entering the vertical collimator 110, which is exemplified by an input portion of the vertical collimator 110. The light exiting the vertical collimator 110 that becomes "vertical" collimated light 104 after being collimated in the vertical direction is shown by another arrow in FIG. 2C (ie, in FIGS. 2B and 2C) The dotted arrow shown). Vertical collimator 110 may include any of a variety of collimator categories, including, but not limited to, collimating optical reflectors, collimating lenses, and configured to provide a collimating effect, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. Diffraction grille.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 2C, the vertical collimator 110 can include an optical reflector 112 having a parabolic shape. The parabolic shape of the optical reflector 112 is configured to provide collimation in the vertical direction. In some embodiments, the parabolic shape of the optical reflector 112 can have a so-called "pure" parabola shape. In other embodiments, the parabolic shape of the optical reflector 112 can be adjusted, optimized, or "shaped", thereby enhancing or changing the collimating characteristics of the optical reflector 112. For example, the parabolic shape of the optical collimator 112 can be adjusted to a parabolic-like reflector whereby certain directional distortions or partial (albeit non-ideal or unwanted) collimation received from the source are received. The vertical collimation of light 102 is optimized. Thus, optical reflector 112 can be referred to as a "like" parabolic reflector 112. In addition, the parabolic reflector 112 can be shaped in the vertical and horizontal directions (eg, to control vertical alignment) Straight or optimize vertical alignment) or have an optimized shape. For example, in addition to shaping in the vertical direction, the parabolic reflector 112 can also have an optimized shape in the horizontal direction, thereby determining the horizontal distribution of the vertically collimated light 104', Or provide control over it. Nonetheless, for ease of explanation herein, optical reflections of the vertical collimator 110, whether the optical reflector 112 has a pure parabolic shape or is a parabolic reflector 112, unless otherwise specifically distinguished. The device 112 is generally referred to as having a "parabolic shape."

Moreover, in some embodiments (e.g., as shown in Figure 2C), the optical reflector of the vertical collimator 110 can have an oblique angle (i.e., the optical reflector 112 is tilted at the angle of inclination described). The angle of inclination can be used to provide a non-zero value conduction angle of the vertically collimated light 104' and, as an extension, can be used to provide a non-zero value conduction angle of the bidirectional collimated light 104 (or at least provide the angle) portion). In other words, the optical reflector 112 itself is disposed in an inclined manner. In some instances, in addition to arranging the optical reflector 112 in an oblique manner, the angle of inclination can be additionally provided by shaping the parabolic reflector 112 to provide the angle of inclination, or the manner of tilting can be replaced by the above. In another example, the angle of inclination can be provided by moving the position of the source providing the received light 102 relative to the parabolic focus of the optical reflector 112. Moreover, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, when another type of collimator (eg, a collimating lens or a diffraction grating) is used, other types of collimators may be "tilted" to provide the slope.

Figure 3 is a schematic representation of an example of an optical reflector having an angle of inclination, in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the optical reflector 112 is tilted downwardly at an oblique angle corresponding to or for providing vertically collimated light 104' having a non-zero value conduction angle θ '. FIG 3 also shows a dashed line represents the horizontal plane H, the above-described non-zero value of conduction angle θ 'with respect to the horizontal plane H based defined. Further, as an example and not limitation of the present invention, in FIG. 3, an optical reflector 112' having no oblique arrangement is shown by another (bold) broken line, thereby showing the inclination angle θ of the inclined optical reflector 112. 'The same angle as the non-zero value conduction angle θ '. It is to be noted that, as shown in the drawings, as an example and not limitation of the present invention, the inclination angle θ ' of the inclined optical reflector 112 and the non-zero value conduction angle θ ' are the same angles with each other. The light 102 received from the light source near the focus F of the optical reflector 112 is shown in Fig. 3 as a pair of rays that are scattered and incident on the optical reflector 112 (i.e., solid arrows). Similarly, the vertically collimated light 104' exiting the optical reflector 112 is shown as a pair of rays that are substantially parallel to one another (i.e., dashed arrows). Furthermore, the vertically collimated light 104' is shown in the figure as having a non-zero value conduction angle θ ' provided by the tilt angle of the optical reflector.

Referring again to FIGS. 2A-2B, the bidirectional optical collimator 100 further includes a horizontal collimator 120. The horizontal collimator 120 is for collimating light in a horizontal direction (ie, as shown in the figure, on the xy plane), wherein the horizontal direction is substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction (ie, as shown in the figure) Shown in the z direction). In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the horizontal collimator 120 is disposed at a position that can receive vertically collimated light 104' from the vertical collimator 110. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the horizontal collimator 120 is located near the output of the vertical collimator 110. Horizontal collimator 120 is used to horizontally collimate vertically collimated light 104' from vertical collimator 110, thereby providing bidirectional collimated light 104 at the output of bidirectional optical collimator 100.

A top view of the horizontal collimator 120 is shown in FIG. 2B, which shows vertically collimated light 104' as light (ie, as indicated by the dashed arrow) exiting the vertical collimator 110 and striking the horizontal collimator 120. . Light exiting the horizontal collimator 120 to become bi-directional collimated light 104 (i.e., horizontally collimated and vertically collimated) is shown in the figure as being substantially parallel and conducting away from the horizontal collimator 120. The light. According to various embodiments of the invention, the horizontal collimator 120 may include any of various types of collimators, which may include, but are not limited to, collimating optical reflectors, collimating lenses, and configured to provide collimation effects The diffraction grating.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the horizontal collimator 120 may include an optical reflector 122 having a parabolic shape. The parabolic shape of the optical reflector 122 is configured to provide collimation in the horizontal direction. As with the optical reflector 112 of the vertical collimator 110, in some embodiments, the parabolic shape of the optical reflector 122 of the horizontal collimator 120 can have a so-called "pure" parabola shape. In other embodiments, the parabolic shape of the optical reflector 122 can be adjusted, optimized, or "shaped", thereby enhancing or changing the collimating characteristics of the optical reflector 122. In particular, the parabolic shape of the optical collimator 122 can be adjusted to a parabolic-like reflector whereby some of the vertically aligned light 104' received from the source has some directional distortion or other non-ideal or unwanted The light level collimation is optimized. Thus, the optical reflector 122 of the horizontal collimator 120 can be referred to as a "like" parabolic reflector 122. For convenience of explanation herein, the optical reflector 122 of the horizontal collimator 120 is generally referred to as an optical reflector 122, whether it has a pure parabolic shape or a parabolic reflector 122, unless it is necessary to specifically distinguish it. It has a "parabolic shape".

Moreover, in some embodiments (not shown), the optical reflector 122 of the horizontal collimator 120 can have an angle of inclination. In some embodiments, the tilt angle The degree can be used to provide a non-zero value conduction angle for the bidirectional collimated light 104. In other embodiments, the tilt angle can be configured to provide a portion of a non-zero value conduction angle, thereby increasing the non-zero value conduction angle provided by the vertical collimator 110. In other words, the optical reflector 122 itself is disposed in an inclined manner, or the parabolic shape of the equivalent optical reflector 122 is disposed in an inclined manner. In some instances, in addition to arranging the optical reflector 122 in an oblique manner, the angle of inclination can be additionally provided by shaping the parabolic reflector 122 to provide the angle of inclination, or the manner of tilting can be replaced by the above. In another example, the angle of inclination can be provided by moving the position of the vertical collimator 110 relative to the parabolic focus of the optical reflector 122 of the horizontal collimator 120. Moreover, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, when another type of collimator (eg, a collimating lens or a diffraction grating) is used, other types of collimators may be "tilted" to provide the slope.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the optical reflector 122 of the horizontal collimator 120 can be configured to span substantially the output aperture of the bi-directional optical collimator 100. In some embodiments, the horizontal collimator 120 is configured to provide bi-directional collimated light 104 having a uniform distribution across the output aperture. In particular, optical reflector 122 can span the output apertures thereby providing substantially evenly distributed bidirectional collimated light 104.

In some embodiments, the optical reflector 122 of the horizontal collimator 120 can have a plurality of sub-reflectors 122'. More specifically, the sub-reflectors 122' may span the output apertures of the bi-directional optical collimator 100 in combination with one another. According to various embodiments of the invention, each sub-reflector 122' may have a parabolic reflective surface. For example, optical reflector 122 can be a Fresnel reflector.

4A is a top plan view showing an example of a bidirectional optical collimator 100 in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. More specifically, the optical reflector 122 of the horizontal collimator 120 shown in Figure 4A is a Fresnel reflector having a plurality of sub-reflectors 122'. Vertical collimator 110 and bidirectional collimated light 104 are also shown in Figure 4A.

FIG. 4B is a top plan view showing an example of a bidirectional optical collimator 100 in accordance with another embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. More specifically, the bidirectional optical collimator 100 shown in Fig. 4B includes a horizontal collimator 120 having a plurality of sub-reflectors 122', and a plurality of vertical collimators 110. As shown in FIG. 4B, the first sub-reflector 122'a of the sub-reflectors of the horizontal collimator is for receiving the first edge from the vertical collimators at the horizontal collimator 120. The vertically collimated light 104' of the first vertical collimator 110a of 120a. In addition, the second sub-reflector 122'b of the plurality of sub-reflectors of the horizontal reflector is configured to receive a second vertical alignment from the second edge 120b of the horizontal collimator 120 of the vertical collimators. The vertically collimated light 104' of the straightener 110b. As shown in the figure, the second edge 120b is opposed to the first edge 120a in a horizontal plane corresponding to the horizontal direction. In addition, the light of the bidirectional collimated light 104 exiting the output aperture of the bidirectional optical collimator 100 is also shown by way of example in FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4C is a top plan view showing an example of a bidirectional optical collimator 100 in accordance with yet another embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. More specifically, the bidirectional optical collimator 100 is shown in Fig. 4C to include a horizontal collimator having a plurality of sub-reflectors 122', and a plurality of vertical collimators 110. As shown in FIG. 4C, the first sub-reflector 122'a of the sub-reflectors of the horizontal collimator is configured to receive a position from the vertical collimators and the first sub-reflector 122'. a second vertical collimator of the second edge 120b of the horizontal collimator 120 at a relative position Vertically collimated light 104' of 110b. In addition, the second sub-reflector 122'b of the sub-reflectors of the horizontal reflector is configured to receive a level from the vertical collimator at a position opposite to the second sub-reflector 122'b. The vertically collimated light 104' of the first vertical collimator 110a of the first edge 120a of the collimator 120. In other words, the sub-reflectors 122'a, 122'b in FIG. 4C are used to receive the respective opposite edges of the horizontal collimator 120, as compared to the bi-directional optical collimator 100 shown in FIG. 4B. Vertically collimated light 104'. Furthermore, as further shown in FIG. 4C, the bidirectional optical collimator 100 of FIG. 4C provides bidirectional collimated light 104 to the output aperture of the bidirectional optical collimator 100.

Although not explicitly shown in the figures, the bidirectional optical collimator 100 can include a sub-reflector having more than two sub-reflectors 122'. Similarly, vertical collimator 110 can include a plurality of vertical collimators 110 having more than two separate vertical collimators 110. For example, each of the two sub-reflectors 122', 122'a, 122'b shown in Figures 4A-4C can be further divided into more than two sub-reflectors (eg multiple Sub-reflector). Furthermore, a plurality of vertical collimators 110 comprising more than two separate vertical collimators 110 can be used to provide vertically collimated light 104' to more than two sub-reflectors (eg, each The sub-reflector is for a vertical collimator). Moreover, different vertical collimators 110 can be used for different colors of received light 102, thereby providing vertically aligned light 104' of different colors to optical reflector 122 of horizontal collimator 120 (ie, including Sub-reflector 122').

More specifically, any of a variety of different configurations of sub-reflectors/vertical collimators may be employed without departing from the scope of the principles described herein. Moreover, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of different sub-reflector/vertical collimator configurations are employed To facilitate scanning of the bi-directional collimated light 104 across the output aperture, and to provide bi-directional collimated light 104 that enhances brightness (eg, using multiple sources).

In some embodiments, one of the vertical collimator 110 and the horizontal collimator 120, or both the vertical collimator 110 and the horizontal collimator 120, can comprise a substantially optically transparent material. Moreover, in some embodiments, the bi-directional optical collimator 100 is located between the vertical collimator 110 and the horizontal collimator 120, and is located at the output aperture of the horizontal collimator 120 and the bi-directional optical collimator 100. The intervening portion may comprise a substantially optically transparent material. The optically transparent material may have any of a variety of dielectric materials, or may be made of any of a variety of dielectric materials, including but not limited to more than one of a variety of glasses (eg, , silica glass, alkali-aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, etc., and substantially optically transparent plastic or polymer (eg, polymethyl Methyl methacrylate ("acryl methacrylate", "polycarbonate", etc.). For example, one or both of the vertical collimator 110 and the horizontal collimator 120 are simultaneously An optically transparent material formed to have a parabolic surface may be included. Next, as an example, the parabolic surface may be metallized or coated with a reflective material, thereby providing the optical reflectors 112, 122. As an example, The reflective material applied to the parabolic surface may include, but is not limited to, aluminum, chromium, nickel, silver, and gold. Further, according to some embodiments, the vertical collimator 110 may be The horizontal collimator 120 is integral and may include the material of a horizontal collimator. The bidirectional optical collimator 100 shown in FIG. 2A by way of example and not limitation, having a body formed from a common optically transparent material Vertical collimator 110 and horizontal collimator 120.

In some embodiments, the material of the bi-directional optical collimator 100 can act as a light guide to direct light through complete internal reflection. According to some embodiments of the invention, the light guide may direct light between the vertical collimator 110 and the horizontal collimator 120. The vertically collimated light 104' shown in FIG. 2C is a material that is completely internally reflected in the bidirectional optical collimator 100 adjacent to the vertical collimator 110 and another material that is external to the material (eg, air) The interface between them is reflected. The reflections shown in the figures represent the guidance of the vertically collimated light 104' in a portion of the bidirectional optical collimator 100 shown in FIG. 2C, wherein the guidance is from the optical reflector 112 of the vertical collimator 110. The direction is toward the horizontal collimator 120 (not shown in FIG. 2C). In some embodiments (eg, as shown in FIG. 2A), the material can extend from the horizontal collimator 120 (eg, optical reflector 122) to the output aperture. The material is used as a light guide to direct vertically collimated light 104' and bidirectional collimated light 104 to the output aperture.

In accordance with certain embodiments consistent with the principles described herein, the present invention provides a backlight panel that employs a two-way collimation method. FIG. 5A is a top plan view showing an example of a backlight 200 in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a backlight 200 in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the backlight 200 includes a bidirectional optical collimator 210.

In some embodiments, the bi-directional optical collimator 210 can be substantially similar to the bi-directional optical collimator 100 described above. In particular, the bi-directional optical collimator 210 includes a vertical collimator 212 and a horizontal collimator 214, wherein each collimator is associated with a respective vertical collimator 110 of the bi-directional optical collimator 100 The straighteners 120 are generally similar. For example, the dashed outline associated with the bi-directional optical collimator 210 in FIG. 5A may represent the bi-directional optical collimator 100 shown in FIG. 4B. According to various embodiments of the present invention, as shown in Figure 5B Bi-directional optical collimator 210 is shown for receiving light 202 (eg, from a light source 230, as described below) and provides bi-directional collimated light 204 at the output of bi-directional optical collimator 210. In addition, the bidirectional collimated light 204 is provided with a non-zero value conduction angle relative to the horizontal x-y plane.

As shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the backlight 200 further includes a flat light guide 220 coupled (eg, optically coupled) to the output of the bidirectional optical collimator 210. As shown in FIG. 5B, the planar light guide 220 is configured to receive the bidirectional collimated light 204 and direct the bidirectional collimated light 204 at a non-zero value conduction angle. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the planar light guide 220 further ejects a portion of the guided bidirectional collimated light 204 from a surface of the planar light guide 220. In Fig. 5B, the emitted light 206 is displayed in the form of a plurality of rays (arrows) extending from the surface of the flat light guide.

In some embodiments, the planar light guide 220 can be a sheet or plate shaped optical waveguide, and the optical waveguide can include an elongated and substantially planar thin plate of optically transparent dielectric material. The substantially planar thin plate-like dielectric material directs the bidirectional collimated light 204 from the bidirectional optical collimator 210 to the guided beam 204 by total internal reflection. The dielectric material has a first index of refraction, and a medium surrounding the dielectric optical waveguide has a second index of refraction, wherein the first index of refraction is greater than the second index of refraction. As an example, the difference in refractive index of the two materials allows the guided beam 204 to achieve complete internal reflection according to more than one guiding mode of the planar light guide 220.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the optically transparent material of the planar light guide 220 may comprise a variety of different dielectric materials or may be formed from a variety of different dielectric materials, wherein the dielectric materials may include, but are not limited to, More than one type of glass (for example, Glass, alkaline aluminum silicate glass, borosilicate glass, etc., and substantially optically transparent plastic or polymer materials (for example, polymethyl methacrylate or "acrylic glass", polycarbonate, etc.). In some examples, the planar light guide 220 can further include at least a portion disposed on a surface of the planar light guide 220 (eg, one of the top surface and the bottom surface or both) A coating on the top (not shown in the figure). According to some examples of the invention, the cladding layer can be used to further contribute to the complete internal reflection described above.

In some embodiments (eg, as shown in FIG. 5A), the planar light guide 220 can be an integral body of the bidirectional optical collimator 210. In particular, the planar light guide 220 and the bidirectional optical collimator 210 can be formed from the same material and therefore also comprise the same material. For example, the planar light guide 220 can be an extension of the light guide extending between or connecting the horizontal collimator and the output aperture of the bi-directional optical collimator 210. In other embodiments (eg, as shown in FIG. 5B), the bidirectional optical collimator 210 and the planar light guide 220 are separate components with coupling therebetween (eg, optical coupling or mechanical One or both of the couplings are coupled by a glue or adhesive layer, another dielectric material, or even air between the input and output apertures of the planar light guide 220. For example, the bi-directional optical collimator 210 can comprise a polymeric or plastic material, and the planar light guide 220 can comprise glass. As shown by way of example in FIG. 5B, the bi-directional optical collimator 210 and the planar light guide 220 can be secured to each other by a suitable adhesive layer 222 (eg, an optically compatible glue).

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the backlight 200 may further include a light source 230. Light source 230 is used to provide light to bidirectional collimator 210. More specifically, light source 230 is positioned adjacent to vertical collimator 212 of bi-directional optical collimator 210 (eg, below, as shown in FIG. 5B), and light source 230 provides light 202 to Input portion of vertical collimator 212 It becomes the received light 202. In various embodiments of the invention, light source 230 may comprise substantially any source of light including, but not limited to, more than one LED. In some examples, light source 230 can produce substantially monochromatic light having a narrower spectrum and represented by a particular color. In particular, the color of the unidirectional light may be a dominant color in a particular color space or color model (eg, a Red-Green-Blue (RGB) color model).

In some embodiments, light source 230 can include a plurality of different light sources to provide different colors of light (ie, "different colors" of light sources). For example, the different light sources are arranged offset from each other. According to some embodiments of the invention, the different light sources of the offset may be used to provide a non-zero valued conduction angle of the different, color-specific bidirectional collimated light 204 corresponding to the respective different colors of light. More specifically, the offset of the light source may be an increase in the non-zero value conduction angle provided by the bidirectional collimator 210 to add an additional non-zero value conduction angle.

Figure 5C is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a portion of a backlight 200 in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. As an example, the portion of the backlight 200 shown in FIG. 5C is substantially similar to the portion of the bidirectional optical collimator shown in FIG. 2C. More specifically, the portion of the backlight 200 shown in FIG. 5C includes a vertical collimator 212 and a light source 230 having a plurality of different light sources. As shown in FIG. 5C, the different light sources in the light source 230 include a first light source 232 for providing a first color (eg, red) to provide a second color (eg, green). A light source 234, and a third light source 236 to provide a third color (eg, blue). As an example, the first light source 232, the second light source 234, and the third light source 236 in the light source 230 may include a red LED, a green LED, and a blue LED, respectively. The respective different light sources 232, 234, 236 in the light source 230 are arranged offset from one another as shown in the figures.

More specifically, the different light sources 232, 234, 236 shown in Figure 5C are offset from each other in the direction of conduction of the vertically collimated light 204'. Thus, the offset causes the light 202 produced by the different light sources 232, 234, 236 to have different non-zero value conduction angles when leaving the vertical collimator 212 to become vertically collimated light 204'. Since the light produced by each of the different light sources 232, 234, 236 has a different color, the vertically collimated light 204' includes three different beams, and each beam has a different, color-specific non-zero value conduction angle, such as Figure 5C shows. It is worth mentioning that in Figure 5C, different line types (e.g., dashed lines, solid lines, etc.) represent different colors of light 202, 204'.

According to some embodiments of the present invention (for example, as shown in FIG. 5B), the backlight 200 may further include a multi-beam diffraction grating 240 on a surface of the flat light guide 220. The multi-beam diffraction grating 240 is used to couple a portion of the guided bidirectional collimated light 204 from the planar light guide 220 into a plurality of beams 206. The beams 206 (i.e., the rays (arrows) shown in Figure 5B) represent the emitted light 206. In various embodiments of the invention, one of the beams 206 has a major angular orientation that is different from the other beams 206 of the beams.

In some embodiments, the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 is a member of a multi-beam diffraction grating array or is disposed in an array of multi-beam diffraction gratings 240. In some embodiments, backlight 200 is a backlight of a three-dimensional electronic display, and the primary angular orientation of beam 206 corresponds to the viewing direction of the three-dimensional electronic display.

6A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a portion of a backlight 200 having a multi-beam diffraction grating 240, in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. Figure 6B is a diagram showing a multi-beam winding in accordance with another embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. A cross-sectional view of an example of a portion of the backlight 200 of the grille 240. Figure 6C is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a portion of a backlight having a multi-beam diffraction grating 240 in Figure 6A or Figure 6B, in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. As an example and not limitation of the present invention, the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 shown in FIG. 6A includes a groove in the surface of the flat light guide 220. The multi-beam diffraction grating 240 shown in Fig. 6B includes ridges that protrude from the surface of the flat light guide.

As shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 is a one-way diffraction grating. In particular, the diffractive structural features 240a are closer to each other at the first end 240' of the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 than at the second end 240". Furthermore, the diffraction structure features 240a are shown. The shot interval d varies from the first end 240' to the second end 240" with distance. In some examples, the 绕-type diffraction grating of the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 may have or may exhibit a mean diffraction interval d that varies linearly with distance. As such, the 绕-type diffraction grating of the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 may be referred to as a "linear 啁啾" diffraction grating.

In another example (not shown), the 绕-type diffraction grating of the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 may exhibit a nonlinear 啁啾 of the diffraction interval d . The various nonlinearities used to implement the 绕-type diffraction grating may include, but are not limited to, an index 啁啾, a logarithm 啁啾, or a modified 啁啾, a substantially uneven, or a random but monotonous distribution. . Non-monotonic crucibles may also be used in the present invention, including but not limited to, sinusoidal, triangular or serrated. Combinations of any of the above types of crucibles can also be used in the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 in the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6C, the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 may be on the curved and curved surface of the flat light guide 220 (ie, the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 is a curved 绕-type diffraction grating) Diffractive structural features 240a (eg, grooves or ridges) are provided in the upper and middle portions. The guide beam 204 has an incident direction with respect to the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 and the plate light guide 220 as indicated by the thick arrows in FIGS. 6A to 6C. Also shown in the figure is a plurality of coupled or emitted light beams 206 directed away from the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 at the surface of the planar light guide 220. The beam 206 shown in the figure is directed toward a plurality of different predetermined major angular directions. More specifically, as shown, the elevation angles and azimuths of the different predetermined major angular directions of the emitted beam 206 are different (e.g., thereby forming a light field).

In accordance with various examples of the present invention, the predefined chirps of the diffractive structural features 240a and the curvature of the diffractive structural features 240a contribute to different predetermined principal angular directions of the emitted beams 206. For example, due to the curved relationship, the diffractive structural features 240a in the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 may have different orientations relative to the direction of incidence of the guided beam 204 in the planar light guide 220. In particular, the orientation of the diffractive structural feature 240a at a first point or orientation in the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 is not the same as the orientation of the diffractive structural feature 240a at other points or locations. The main angular direction of the beam 206 is { θ relative to the beam 206 that is coupled or emitted. Azimuth component of } Azimuth of the diffraction structure feature 240a at the beginning of the beam 206 (i.e., the point at which the incident beam 204 is coupled out) Determined. In this way, at least with their respective azimuthal components In this case, the changing orientation of the diffractive structural features 240a in the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 will have different main angular directions {θ, Different beam 206 of }.

In particular, at different points along the curve along the diffractive structure feature 240a, the "bottom diffraction grating" associated with the curved diffractive structure feature 240a in the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 has a different azimuth . In the present specification, "underlying diffraction grating" means a diffraction grating in a plurality of non-bent diffraction gratings arranged in a superimposed manner, and a diffraction structure feature 240a of the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 is produced. Thus, at a certain point along the curve along the diffractive structure feature 240a, the curve will have a particular azimuth that is substantially different from another point on the curve along the diffractive structure feature 240a. . In addition, the specific azimuth Will cause the main angular direction of the beam 206 emitted from this point { θ , Azimuth component of } . In some examples, the curve of the diffractive structural feature 240a (eg, grooves, ridges, etc.) represents a circular segment. The circle can be coplanar with the surface of the light guide. In other examples, for example, the curve may also represent a section of an elliptical or other curved shape that is coplanar with the surface of the light guide.

In other embodiments, the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 may have a "fragment" curved diffractive structural feature 240a. In particular, although the diffractive structural feature 240a itself is not necessarily a substantially smooth or continuous curve, the diffractive structural feature 240a may still have a different point along the diffractive structural feature 240a in the multi-beam diffraction grating 240. The orientation of the different angles relative to the direction of incidence of the guided beam 204. For example, the diffractive structural feature 240a can be a groove that includes a plurality of substantially straight segments, and wherein each segment has an orientation that is different from the adjacent segments. In summary, according to various examples of the invention, the different angles of the segments may approximate a curve (eg, a segment of a circle). However, in other examples of the invention, the diffractive structure features 240a may only have different orientations at different locations in the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 relative to the direction of incidence of the beam, but it is not Will approximate a specific curve (for example, a circle or an ellipse).

In some embodiments, the grooves or ridges forming the diffractive structural features 240a are formed by etching, milling, or molding or applied to the surface of the planar light guide. As such, the material of the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 may include the material of the flat light guide 220. Lift For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 includes a plurality of ridges protruding from the surface of the flat light guide body 220, wherein the ridge portions are substantially parallel to each other. In FIG. 6A (and in FIG. 5B), the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 includes grooves that penetrate the surface of the planar light guide 220, wherein the grooves may be substantially parallel to each other. In other examples, multi-beam diffraction grating 240 can include a film or layer applied to or secured to the surface of the light guide. The light beams having different main angular directions provided by the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 form a light field of the electronic display in the viewing direction. In particular, the backlight 200 using the two-way collimation method provides information corresponding to pixels of an electronic display, for example, three-dimensional information.

In accordance with certain embodiments consistent with the principles described in this specification, the present invention provides a three-dimensional electronic display. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a three-dimensional electronic display 300 in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional electronic display 300 is used to provide modulated directional light that includes different primary angular directions, and, in some embodiments, multiple different colors at the same time. For example, three-dimensional electronic display 300 can provide or generate a plurality of different light beams 306 that are oriented in a different predetermined primary angular direction (eg, into a light field) away from the three-dimensional electronic display 300. Moreover, different beams 306 can include light or beams 306 having different colors. The beams 306 can then be modulated into a modulated beam 306', thereby facilitating the display of information containing color information (e.g., when the beam 306 is a colored beam).

In some embodiments, modulated beam 306' having a different predetermined primary angular orientation forms a plurality of pixels of three-dimensional electronic display 300. In some examples, the three-dimensional color electronic display 300 can be a three-dimensional electronic display (eg, a multi-view, holographic, or auto-stereoscopic display), generally referred to as a naked eye, wherein the modulated beam 306' corresponds to a three-dimensional electronic display. The pixels associated with the different "views" of 300. By way of example, modulated beam 306' is shown in the form of a dashed arrow in Figure 7, and the different beams 306 prior to modulation are shown by solid arrows in Figure 7.

The three-dimensional electronic display 300 in FIG. 7 includes a bidirectional optical collimator 310. The bidirectional optical collimator 310 is configured to provide bidirectional collimated light having vertical collimation and horizontal collimation. More specifically, vertical collimation and horizontal collimation refer to a vertical direction (eg, z-direction) or a vertical plane (eg, yz plane) relative to the bi-directional optical collimator 310 and a horizontal direction (eg, Collimation in the x direction) or a horizontal plane (eg, the xy plane). In addition, the bi-directional optical collimator 310 provides bi-directional collimated light at a non-zero value conduction angle relative to the horizontal plane of the bi-directional optical collimator 310.

In certain embodiments, the bi-directional optical collimator 310 is substantially similar to the bi-directional optical collimator 100 described above. More specifically, the two-way collimator 310 includes a vertical collimator and a horizontal collimator. The horizontal collimator is positioned adjacent to the output of the vertical collimator. Moreover, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, the vertical collimator can be substantially similar to the vertical collimator 110 described above for the bidirectional optical collimator 100, while the horizontal collimator can be substantially similar to the above for bidirectional The horizontal collimator 120 described by the optical collimator 100.

For example, the vertical collimator of the two-way collimator 310 can include an optical reflector having a parabolic shape and an angle of inclination. The angle of inclination is configured to determine a non-zero value conduction angle of the bidirectional collimated light of the output of the bidirectional optical collimator. Further, for example, the horizontal collimator of the two-way collimator 310 can include a parabolic optical reflector. As an example, an optical reflector of a horizontal collimator can span substantially the output of a bidirectional optical collimator A hole, and can provide bidirectional collimated light having a uniform distribution across the output aperture. Furthermore, the bi-directional collimator 310 can include a vertical collimator and a horizontal collimator in various other configurations including sub-reflectors and a plurality of vertical collimators, for example, with the bi-directional optical collimator 100 described above. The vertical collimator 110 is configured the same as that described for the horizontal collimator 120.

As shown in FIG. 7, the three-dimensional electronic display 300 further includes a flat light guide 320. The planar light guide 320 directs the bidirectional collimated light into a guided beam at a non-zero value conduction angle. More specifically, the light guide can be directed at a non-zero conduction angle relative to a surface of the planar light guide 320 (eg, relative to one of the top and bottom surfaces, or both) . In some embodiments, the surface can be parallel to the horizontal plane. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the flat light guide 320 may be substantially similar to the flat light guide 220 described above for the backlight 200.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention and what is shown in FIG. 7, three-dimensional electronic display 300 further includes an array of multi-beam diffraction gratings 330 on the surface of planar light guide 320. According to some embodiments of the invention, the array of multi-beam diffraction gratings 330 may be substantially similar to the multi-beam diffraction grating 240 described above for backlight 200. More specifically, the array of multi-beam diffraction gratings 330 couples a portion of the beam of light into a plurality of coupled beams of representative beams 306 having different major angular directions. Moreover, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the different principal angular directions of the beams 306 coupled by the multi-beam diffraction grating 330 correspond to different three-dimensional viewing angles of the three-dimensional electronic display 300. In some embodiments, the multi-beam diffraction grating 330 includes a 绕-type diffraction grating having curved diffractive structural features. In some embodiments, the turns of the 绕-type diffraction grating are linear turns.

In some embodiments, three-dimensional electronic display 300 (eg, shown in FIG. 7) further includes a light source 340 for providing light to an input of bi-directional optical collimator 310. In some embodiments, light source 340 can be substantially similar to light source 230 described above for backlight 200. More specifically, light source 340 can include a plurality of different LEDs to provide different colors of light (referred to as "different color LEDs" for ease of illustration). In some embodiments, LEDs of different colors are arranged offset from each other (eg, laterally offset). The offset of the different colored LEDs is configured to provide a non-zero value conduction angle of the different, color-specific bidirectional collimated light from the bi-directional optical collimator 310. Moreover, different, color-specific non-zero value conduction angles may correspond to respective different colors of light provided by source 340.

In some embodiments (not shown), light of different colors may include red, green, and blue in an RGB color model. In addition, the flat light guide body 320 directs light of different colors in the flat light guide body 320 at different conduction angles of different colors. For example, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, a first color light guide (eg, a red light beam) can be directed at a first color specific conduction angle, and a second color light guide (eg, a green light beam) can be The two color specific conduction angles are directed while the third color guide beam (eg, the blue light beam) can be directed at a particular conduction angle of the third color.

As shown in FIG. 7, the three-dimensional electronic display 300 can further include a light valve array 350. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, light valve array 350 modulates the coupled out beams 306 of the beams into modulated beams 306', thereby forming or constituting voxels corresponding to different three-dimensional views of three-dimensional electronic display 300. In some embodiments, the light valve array 350 can include a plurality of liquid crystal light valves. In other embodiments, for example, the light valve array 350 can include Other light valves may include, but are not limited to, electrowetting light valves, electrophoretic light valves, combinations of the above-described light valves, or combinations of other types of light valves for liquid crystal light valves.

In accordance with other embodiments of the principles described in this specification, the present invention provides a method of bi-directionally collimating light. Figure 8 is a flow chart showing an example of a method 400 of bi-directionally collimating light in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. As shown in FIG. 8, the method 400 of bi-directionally collimating light includes the step 410 of collimating light in a vertical direction using a vertical collimator, thereby providing vertically collimated light. In certain embodiments, the vertical collimator is substantially similar to the vertical collimator 110 described above for the bi-directional optical collimator 100. For example, the vertical collimator used in collimating the light in step 410 may comprise an optical reflector having a parabolic shape.

The method 400 of bidirectionally collimating light further includes the step 420 of collimating the vertically collimated light in a horizontal direction with a horizontal collimator positioned adjacent the input of the vertical collimator, Thereby, bidirectional collimated light that is simultaneously vertically collimated and horizontally collimated is generated. In certain embodiments, the horizontal collimator is substantially similar to the horizontal collimator 120 described above for the bi-directional optical collimator 100. For example, the horizontal collimator used to further collimate the vertically collimated light in step 420 may include another optical reflector having another parabolic shape. In some embodiments, the optical reflector of the horizontal collimator can span substantially the output aperture of the horizontal collimator, thereby producing bi-directional collimated light having a substantially uniform distribution across the output aperture.

The method 400 of bidirectionally collimating light shown in FIG. 8 further includes the step 430 of establishing a non-zero value conduction angle in the bidirectional collimated light, wherein the non-zero value transmission angle is in a vertical plane The corresponding to the vertical direction (or, equivalently, the angle with respect to the horizontal plane). As an example, a non-zero value conduction angle can be used with bidirectional optics above The non-zero value conduction angles described by collimator 100 are substantially similar. More specifically, in some embodiments, the non-zero value conduction angle may be provided by the tilt angle of the optical reflector of one of the vertical collimator or the horizontal collimator, or may be vertically collimated simultaneously The angle of inclination of the optical reflector with the horizontal collimator is provided.

In accordance with another embodiment consistent with the principles of the present invention, the present invention provides a method of operating a three-dimensional electronic display. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a method 500 of operating a three-dimensional electronic display in accordance with an embodiment consistent with the principles described herein. As shown in FIG. 9, the method of operation 500 of a three-dimensional electronic display includes step 510 of providing bidirectional collimated light having a non-zero value conduction angle. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the bidirectional collimated light may be provided through a two-way collimator. The two-way collimator can be substantially similar to the bi-directional optical collimator 100 described above. In some embodiments, step 510 of providing bidirectional collimated light can be performed in accordance with the method of bidirectionally collimating light as described above. For example, the step 510 of providing bidirectional collimated light can be performed after the vertical collimator is used, followed by a horizontal collimator disposed at the output of the vertical collimator.

The method of operating a three-dimensional electronic display 500 further includes the step 520 of directing bidirectional collimated light in the planar light guide. More specifically, the bidirectional collimated light is guided in step 520 by a non-zero value conduction angle in the planar light guide. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the planar light guide may be substantially similar to the planar light guide 220 described above for the backlight 200.

The method of operation 500 of the three-dimensional electronic display described in FIG. 9 further includes a step 530 of diffracting a portion of the guided bidirectional collimated light with a multi-beam diffraction grating to produce a plurality of beams. According to some embodiments of the invention, the multi-beam diffraction grating is tied to a surface of the planar light guide. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the guided part is bidirectionally The direct light diffraction coupling step 530 is for providing a plurality of light beams oriented in different major angular directions away from the planar light guide. More specifically, the different primary angular directions correspond to the directions of different three-dimensional views of the three-dimensional display. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the multi-beam diffraction grating system is substantially similar to the multi-beam diffraction grating 240, and the diffracted light beams of the light beams in step 530 correspond to the above The light beam 206 described by the backlight panel 200 or the light beam 306 described for the three-dimensional display 300.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the method of operation 500 of the three-dimensional electronic display shown in FIG. 9 further includes the step 540 of modulating the light beams of the plurality of beams with a light valve array. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the modulated beam of light in step 540 forms a voxel of the three-dimensional electronic display in a three-dimensional viewing direction. In some embodiments, the light valve array can be substantially similar to the light valve array 350 described above for the three-dimensional electronic display 300.

In some embodiments (not shown), the method of operation 500 of a three-dimensional electronic display further includes providing light to be bi-directionally collimated. For example, uncollimated light can be provided to the bi-directional optical collimator, for example, to the bi-directional collimator used to provide bi-directional collimated light in step 510. As an example, the light can be provided using a light source disposed at the input of the vertical collimator. Moreover, in some embodiments, the light source can be substantially similar to the light source 230 described above for backlight 200.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an example of a bidirectional optical collimator, a backlight panel using a bidirectional optical collimator, a method of bidirectionally collimating light, and a method of operating a three-dimensional electronic display employing a bidirectional collimation method. Those skilled in the art should understand that the examples described above are merely illustrative examples of numerous examples and embodiments that are representative of the principles of the invention. Apparently, A variety of other configurations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the scope of the invention.

Claims (24)

A bidirectional optical collimator comprising: a vertical collimator comprising an optical reflector for collimating light in a vertical direction; a horizontal collimator comprising an optical reflector for directing light substantially perpendicular thereto Compensating in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the direction, the horizontal collimator being positioned between the vertical collimator and an output aperture of the bidirectional optical collimator and positioned at an output with the vertical collimator An adjacent position horizontally collimating light vertically collimating the vertical collimator, thereby providing a bidirectional collimated light in the output aperture of the bidirectional optical collimator; wherein the bidirectional optical quasi The straightener provides the bidirectional collimated light at a non-zero value conduction angle opposite a horizontal plane corresponding to the horizontal direction. The bidirectional optical collimator of claim 1, wherein the optical reflector of the vertical collimator comprises a parabolic shape and an oblique angle configured to provide the bidirectional collimation This non-zero value of light conducts the angle. The bidirectional optical collimator of claim 1, wherein the optical reflector of the horizontal collimator comprises a parabolic shape, the optical reflector of the horizontal collimator substantially spanning the bidirectional The output aperture of the optical collimator, and the bi-directional collimated light has a substantially uniform distribution across the output aperture. The bidirectional optical collimator of claim 1, wherein the optical reflector of the horizontal collimator comprises a plurality of sub-reflectors that are coupled to each other and substantially span the bidirectional optical alignment The output aperture of the straightener, and each of the sub-reflectors includes a parabolic surface. The bidirectional optical collimator of claim 4, wherein the optical reflector of the horizontal collimator is a Fresnel reflector. The bidirectional optical collimator of claim 4, wherein a first sub-reflector of the sub-reflectors is for receiving a first edge from a horizontal edge of the horizontal collimator Vertically collimated light of a vertical collimator, a second sub-reflector of the sub-reflectors for receiving a second vertical collimator from a second edge of the horizontal collimator Vertically collimated light, the second edge being relative to the first edge in the horizontal plane corresponding to the horizontal direction. The bidirectional optical collimator of claim 1, wherein the vertical collimator is an integral material of the horizontal collimator, and the vertical collimator comprises a material of the level. A backlight board comprising the bidirectional optical collimator of claim 1, wherein the backlight further comprises: a flat light guide body coupled to the output hole of the bidirectional optical collimator, the flat plate a light guiding system is configured to receive the bidirectional collimated light and direct the bidirectional collimated light at the non-zero value conduction angle; wherein the flat light guiding system further emits the guided bidirectional quasi from a surface of the flat light guiding body Straight light. The backlight of claim 8, further comprising a light source for providing light to the bidirectional optical collimator, the light source being positioned adjacent to the vertical collimator and used for Light is provided to an input of the vertical collimator. The backlight panel of claim 9, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of different light sources for providing different colors of light, the different light sources being offset from each other, wherein a deviation between the different light sources The shifting system is configured to provide a different, color-specific, non-zero valued conduction angle of the bi-directional collimated light corresponding to the respective different colors of light. The backlight of claim 8, further comprising a multi-beam diffraction grating for guiding a portion of the bidirectional collimated light guided from the flat light guide The diffraction is coupled out into a plurality of beams emerging from the surface of the planar light guide, one of the beams having a major angular direction that is different from the other of the beams. A three-dimensional electronic display comprising a backlight of claim 11 , the three-dimensional electronic display further comprising: a light valve for modulating a light beam of the light beams, the light valve being adjacent to the multiple light beam a radiation grid; wherein the main angular direction of the light beam corresponds to a viewing direction of the three-dimensional display, and the modulated light beam represents a pixel of the three-dimensional electronic display in the viewing direction. A three-dimensional electronic display comprising: a bidirectional optical collimator comprising a vertical collimator and a horizontal collimator, the horizontal collimator being positioned adjacent to an output of the vertical collimator and Positioned in front of an output aperture of the bidirectional optical collimator for providing bidirectional collimated light, wherein the bidirectional collimated light has an angle of conduction with a non-zero value relative to a horizontal plane Vertical alignment and horizontal alignment; a flat light guide body for guiding the bidirectional collimated light to a guiding light beam at the non-zero value conduction angle; a multi-beam diffraction grating array located on a surface of the flat light guiding body, the multi-beam winding A multi-beam diffraction grating in the array of grating grids is used to couple a portion of the beam into a plurality of coupled beams, the coupled beams having different three-dimensional views corresponding to the three-dimensional electronic display. Different main angular directions in all directions. The three-dimensional electronic display of claim 13, wherein the vertical collimator comprises an optical reflector having a parabolic shape and an oblique angle, wherein the oblique angle is used to determine the bidirectional collimated light The non-zero value of the output aperture of the bi-directional optical collimator conducts an angle. The three-dimensional electronic display of claim 13, wherein the horizontal collimator comprises an optical reflector having a parabolic shape, the optical reflector substantially spanning the output of the bidirectional optical collimator The apertures thereby provide the bidirectional collimated light having a substantially uniform distribution across the output aperture. The three-dimensional electronic display of claim 13, wherein the horizontal collimator has a first edge and a second edge relative to the first edge, the horizontal collimator comprising a plurality of sub-reflectors An optical reflector, the sub-reflectors are coupled to each other and substantially across the output aperture of the bi-directional optical collimator, wherein a first sub-reflector of the sub-reflectors is for receiving from Vertically collimated light of a first vertical collimator of the first edge of the horizontal collimator, a second sub-reflector of the sub-reflectors for receiving light from the horizontal collimator The second edge Vertically collimated light of a second vertical collimator that is relative to the first edge in the horizontal plane corresponding to the horizontal direction. A three-dimensional electronic display according to claim 13 wherein the multi-beam diffraction grating comprises a meander diffraction grating having curved diffractive structural features. The three-dimensional electronic display of claim 17, wherein the 绕-type diffraction grating is a linear 绕-type diffraction grating. The three-dimensional electronic display of claim 13, further comprising: a light source for supplying light to an input of the bidirectional optical collimator; and a light valve array for selectively The coupled beam is modulated into a voxel corresponding to a different three-dimensional view of the three-dimensional electronic display. The three-dimensional electronic display of claim 19, wherein the light valve array comprises a plurality of liquid crystal light valves. The three-dimensional electronic display of claim 19, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of different light emitting diodes (LEDs) for providing different colors of light, the LEDs being mutually connected to each other An offset, wherein the offset between the different LEDs is configured to provide the bidirectional collimated light that is different, color specific, and has a non-zero value conduction angle, the different, color-specific non-zero value conduction angles corresponding to Light of different colors. A method of bidirectionally collimating light, the method comprising: Using a vertical collimator comprising an optical reflector to collimate light in a vertical direction, thereby providing vertically collimated light; utilizing a position adjacent to an input of the vertical collimator, The vertical collimator and a horizontal collimator including the optical reflector between the vertical collimator and the optical collimator further collimate the vertically collimated light in a horizontal direction, thereby providing a vertical alignment Straight and horizontally collimated bidirectional collimated light; and establishing a non-zero value conduction angle in the bidirectional collimated light, the non-zero value conduction angle corresponding to the vertical direction in a vertical plane. The method of bidirectionally collimating light according to claim 22, wherein the optical reflector of the vertical collimator comprises a parabolic shape and an oblique angle configured to provide the bidirectional The non-zero value conduction angle of the collimated light; wherein the optical reflector of the horizontal collimator has another parabolic shape and spans the output aperture, thereby creating a uniform distribution across the output aperture Two-way collimated light. An operation method of a three-dimensional electronic display comprising the method of bidirectionally collimating light according to claim 22, wherein the method of operating the three-dimensional electronic display further comprises the step of: collimating the bidirectional light Guided by the non-zero value conduction angle in a planar light guide, the bidirectional collimated light system is received from the output aperture; guided by a multi-beam diffraction grating located on a surface of the planar light guide a portion of the bidirectional collimated light is coupled out by diffraction, thereby generating a plurality of beams directed in a plurality of major angular directions away from the planar light guide, wherein different The main angular directions correspond to directions of different three-dimensional viewing angles of a three-dimensional electronic display; and the light beams in the light beams are modulated by a light valve array, and the modulated light beam system forms the three-dimensional electronic display in a three-dimensional viewing direction. The voxel.