Liquid crystal display apparatus and method for improved precision 2d/3d viewing with an adjustable backlight unit

Abstract

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

1 . A liquid crystal display apparatus for improved 2D/3D viewing, comprising:
 a liquid crystal display screen unit;   an adjustable backlight unit, wherein said backlight unit is disposed behind said display screen unit, such that the adjustable backlight unit varies the focal plane of the resultant image, said adjustable backlight unit comprising:
 a guide unit; 
 a photoactive unit; 
 an adjustable structure unit connected between the guide unit and the photoactive unit, wherein the adjustable structure unit varies the spatial distance between said guide unit and said photoactive unit by changing its linear dimensions in response to a directly applied change such that said guide unit and said photoactive unit are linearly displaced relative to each other in a controlled manner; and 
   at least one prism array disposed on the surface of the guide unit facing the photoactive unit.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid crystal display apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said photo active unit includes a diffuser, a parallax unit, a polarizer, a light concentrator or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid crystal display apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said guide unit includes a light guiding unit or a wave guide unit. 
     
     
         4 . A liquid crystal display apparatus for improved 2D/3D viewing according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lenticular lens on the surface of the photoactive unit opposite the guide unit.   
     
     
         5 . A liquid crystal display apparatus for improved 2D/3D viewing according to  claim 1 , wherein the prism array has an irregular shape. 
     
     
         6 . A liquid crystal display apparatus for improved 2D/3D viewing according to  claim 1 , wherein the prism array has a regular shape. 
     
     
         7 . A liquid crystal display apparatus for improved 2D/3D viewing according to  claim 1 , wherein an angle between vertices of the prism array on the surface of the guide unit facing the photoactive unit is between 140° and 179°. 
     
     
         8 . A liquid crystal display method for improved 2D/3D viewing, comprising:
 providing a liquid crystal display screen unit;   providing an adjustable backlight unit, wherein said backlight unit is disposed behind said display screen unit, such that the adjustable backlight unit varies the focal plane of the resultant image, and wherein said adjustable backlight unit comprises:
 a guide unit; 
 a photoactive unit; 
 an adjustable structure unit connected between the guide unit and the photoactive unit; and 
 at least one prism array disposed on the surface of the guide unit facing the photoactive unit; 
   varying with the adjustable structure unit the spatial distance between said guide unit and photoactive unit by varying the linear dimension of the adjustable structure unit; and   changing said adjustable structure's linear dimensions by directly applying a change, such that said guide unit and said photoactive unit are linearly displaced relative to each other in a controlled manner.   
     
     
         9 . The liquid crystal display method according to  claim 8 , wherein directly applying a change comprises directly applying one selected from the group consisting of a change in temperature, a change in pressure, and a change in electrical input. 
     
     
         10 . The liquid crystal display method according to  claim 8 , wherein said adjustable structure's linear dimensions are changed by directly applying a mechanical strain, such that said guide unit and said photoactive unit are linearly displaced relative to each other in a controlled manner. 
     
     
         11 . A liquid crystal display apparatus comprising:
 a guide unit;   a liquid crystal display unit;   a photoactive unit located between the guide unit and the liquid crystal display unit;   an adjustable spacer adjustably coupling a surface of the guide unit to a surface of the photoactive unit,   wherein the surface of the photoactive unit opposite the guide unit comprises a lens array.   
     
     
         12 . The liquid crystal display apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the surface of the photoactive unit facing the guide unit is substantially flat. 
     
     
         13 . The liquid crystal display apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the surface of the guide unit facing the photoactive unit comprises a prism array. 
     
     
         14 . The liquid crystal display apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the guide unit is parallel to the photoactive unit, the apparatus further comprising:
 a light source provided at a side of the guide unit, the side being perpendicular to the surface of the photoactive unit facing the guide unit.   
     
     
         15 . The liquid crystal display apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the adjustable structure is configured to vary the distance between the guide unit so as to vary the focal plane of a resultant image on the liquid crystal display apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The liquid crystal display apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the photoactive unit includes at least one selected from a group consisting of a diffuser, a parallax unit, a polarizer, and a light concentrator. 
     
     
         17 . The liquid crystal display apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the guide unit includes at least one of a light guiding unit and a wave guide unit. 
     
     
         18 . The liquid crystal display apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the prism array has an irregular shape. 
     
     
         19 . The liquid crystal display apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the prism array has a regular shape. 
     
     
         20 . The liquid crystal display apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein an angle between vertices of the prism array on the surface of the guide unit facing the photoactive unit is between 140° and 179°.