High Contrast Grayscale and Color Displays

Abstract

A high contrast high resolution display is produced using an image chain comprising a plurality of downstream high resolution modulators. The modulators may be illuminated by a locally dimmed backlight. Polarization control is maintained throughout the image chain via reference and analyzing polarizers combined with non-depolarizing layers. The modulators are grayscale and modulate at the sub-pixel level. A color panel may be maintained for embodiments that require color. Diffusion in the chain is matched to a resolution of the image content carried in the light such that the effects of local dimming and sub-pixel resolution are preserved. Brightness enhancement films may be utilized to enhance brightness and maintain polarization control.

1 . A display, comprising a dual modulation architecture with local dimming wherein modulated locally dimmed light is passed through multiple downstream polarization controlled modulators. 
     
     
         2 . The display according to  claim 1 , wherein the downstream polarization controlled modulators comprise an LCD panel with color filters removed such that each pixel of the LCD panel comprises 3 sub-pixels each covering approximately ⅓ of the pixel and a analyzing polarizer intended to reflect upstream light rays modulated by the LCD panel. 
     
     
         3 . The display according to  claim 2 , further comprising a de-polarizing reflector positioned around a source of the locally dimmed light. 
     
     
         4 . The display according to  claim 1 , further comprising an optical stack comprising a reference polarizer and a series of films configured to enhance brightness and reduce loss of light transmitted through the stack. 
     
     
         5 . The display according to  claim 4 , wherein the films comprise at least one brightness enhancing layer. 
     
     
         6 . The display according to  claim 5 , wherein the optical stack is positioned after a source of the locally dimmed light and before a first of the downstream modulators. 
     
     
         7 . The display according to  claim 6 , wherein the stack comprises a backlight resolution scale diffuser where the backlight resolution comprises a resolution of a local dimming capability of sources of the locally dimmed light. 
     
     
         8 . The display according to  claim 5 , wherein the optical stack is positioned between downstream modulators. 
     
     
         9 . The display according to  claim 8 , wherein the stack comprises a sub-pixel scale diffuser where the sub-pixel scale corresponds to sub-pixels of an upstream one of the modulators surrounding the stack. 
     
     
         10 . The display according to  claim 9 , wherein the sub-pixel scale diffuser comprises a diffuser that diffuses sub-pixels proportional to sub-pixels generated by an LCD panel with color filters removed. 
     
     
         11 . The display according to  claim 9 , wherein subpixels of the modulator comprise approximately ⅓ of a standard LCD pixel. 
     
     
         12 . The display according to  claim 5 , wherein the stack is positioned between a source of the locally dimmed light and a first of the downstream modulators, and a similar stack is positioned between the first and second of the downstream modulators. 
     
     
         13 . The display according to  claim 1 , wherein the downstream modulators comprise LCD panels with color filters removed. 
     
     
         14 . A controller for a display, comprising a light field simulation module configured to determine a light field incident on a downstream modulator wherein the simulation takes into account a sub-pixel level modulation of the light. 
     
     
         15 . The controller according to  claim 14 , wherein the simulation further takes into account a sub-pixel scale diffusion of the sub-pixel modulated light. 
     
     
         16 . The controller according to  claim 14 , wherein the simulation further takes into account a source of the light that is locally dimmed prior to the sub-pixel modulation. 
     
     
         17 . The controller according to  claim 14 , wherein the simulation further takes into account at least one optical stack comprising at least one brightness enhancing film. 
     
     
         18 . The controller according to  claim 14 , wherein the controller is configured to provide energization signals to at least one downstream modulator based on the simulation. 
     
     
         19 . The controller according to  claim 18 , wherein the controller is installed in a medical device and is configured to control a display of the medical device with regard to high resolution and contrast such that viewing angle traded for resolution and/or contrast. 
     
     
         20 . The controller according to  claim 19 , wherein the display is grayscale. 
     
     
         21 . The controller according to  claim 18 , wherein the controller is installed in a consumer display and is configured to control the display in a manner that provides high contrast and resolution with an industry standard viewing angle.