The present application provides a viewpoint controllable three-dimensional image display apparatus. The viewpoint controllable three-dimensional image display apparatus includes a display panel having a light emitting side; a back light for providing a light source for image display in the display panel; a first grating on a side of the light emitting side distal to the back light; a second grating between the display panel and the back light; and a controller configured to alternately turn on and off the first grating and the second grating in a time-division driving mode including a first mode and a second mode, thereby presenting a three-dimensional image to a user. In the first mode, the controller is configured to turn off the second grating, and turn on the first grating. In the second mode, the controller is configured to turn off the first grating, and turn on the second grating.

A method of displaying a three-dimensional (“3D”) image, the method includes determining a shutter electrode of an unit part included in a shutter panel as a left-eye electrode and a right-eye electrode, the unit part including ‘n’ shutter electrodes (herein, n is a natural number), selectively driving the left-eye electrode and the right-eye electrode as an opening part based on an image displayed on a display panel to transmit light through the opening part, and providing light transmitted through the opening part with an observer's two eyes through a lens plate, the lens plate including a plurality of lenses.

A method of displaying a three-dimensional (“3D”) image, the method includes determining a shutter electrode of an unit part included in a shutter panel as a left-eye electrode and a right-eye electrode, the unit part including ‘n’ shutter electrodes (herein, n is a natural number), selectively driving the left-eye electrode and the right-eye electrode as an opening part based on an image displayed on a display panel to transmit light through the opening part, and providing light transmitted through the opening part with an observer's two eyes through a lens plate, the lens plate including a plurality of lenses.

An image display device includes a display panel, a barrier panel, a light projecting unit, and a controller. The display panel is configured so as to include a first display region. The barrier panel is configured so as to include a first barrier region. The light projecting unit is configured so as to include a first light emitting region. The controller is configured so that a portion located in the first display region is displayed as one parallax image frame including two subframes, and configured so that a light quantity of light emitted from the first light emitting region is reduced during a frame change period including a timing of changing display from the parallax image frame to a new parallax image frame.

In some embodiments, optical systems with a reflector and a lens proximate a light output opening of the reflector provide light output with high spatial uniformity and high efficiency. The reflectors are shaped to provide substantially angularly uniform light output and the lens is configured to transform this angularly uniform light output into spatially uniform light output. The light output may be directed into a spatial light modulator, which modulates the light to project an image.

A switchable privacy display comprises an emissive SLM, a parallax barrier, a switchable LC retarder, and passive retarders arranged between parallel output polarisers. In privacy mode, on-axis light from the SLM is directed without loss, whereas the parallax barrier and retarder layers cooperate to increase the VSL to off-axis snoopers. The display may be rotated to achieve privacy operation in landscape and portrait orientations. In public mode, the LC retardance is adjusted so that off-axis luminance is increased so that the image visibility is increased for multiple users. The display may also switch between day-time and night-time operation, for example for use in an automotive environment. A low reflectivity emissive display for use in ambient illumination comprises a SLM with emissive pixels, an absorptive parallax barrier and a high spectral leakage optical isolator. Head-on light from the pixels is directed with increased transmission efficiency while ambient light is strongly absorbed.

A head-up display includes a first panel, a second panel, and an optical system. The first panel includes first subpixels arranged at a first pitch in a parallax direction, in which direction binocular parallax is provided to user's eyes. The second panel includes second subpixels arranged at a second pitch in the parallax direction. The second panel is placed along the first panel. The second panel is configured to produce, based on an image displayed on the first panel, a parallax image for providing binocular parallax to the user's eyes. The optical system enables the parallax image to be provided in enlarged dimension to the user's eyes. The first pitch and the second pitch are equal to each other.

In some embodiments, optical systems with a reflector and a lens proximate a light output opening of the reflector provide light output with high spatial uniformity and high efficiency. The reflectors are shaped to provide substantially angularly uniform light output and the lens is configured to transform this angularly uniform light output into spatially uniform light output. The light output may be directed into a spatial light modulator, which modulates the light to project an image.

Some embodiments of an example apparatus may include a display, a first controllable diffuser overlaying the display, the first controllable diffuser being selectively operable to diffuse light in a first diffusion direction, and a second controllable diffuser overlaying the display, the second controllable diffuser being selectively operable to diffuse light in a second diffusion direction substantially perpendicular to the first diffusion direction. In some embodiments, an example method may include emitting a light beam from a light emitting device; linearly polarizing the light beam; passing the light beam through LC and birefringent materials; and applying a voltage to alter polarization of the LC material, from a first state causing the light to diffuse in a first direction upon passing through the birefringent material, to a second state causing the light beam to diffuse in a second direction upon passing through the birefringent material.

Some embodiments of an example apparatus may include a display, a first controllable diffuser overlaying the display, the first controllable diffuser being selectively operable to diffuse light in a first diffusion direction, and a second controllable diffuser overlaying the display, the second controllable diffuser being selectively operable to diffuse light in a second diffusion direction substantially perpendicular to the first diffusion direction. In some embodiments, an example method may include emitting a light beam from a light emitting device; linearly polarizing the light beam; passing the light beam through LC and birefringent materials; and applying a voltage to alter polarization of the LC material, from a first state causing the light to diffuse in a first direction upon passing through the birefringent material, to a second state causing the light beam to diffuse in a second direction upon passing through the birefringent material.