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.

Three-dimensional (3D) electronic displays provide different 3D views and employ one or both of an array of multibeam diffraction gratings arranged in offset rows and light valves having color filters. The displays include a plate light guide configured to guide light beams at a non-zero propagation angle, a multibeam diffraction grating configured to couple out a portion of the guided light beams as a plurality of light beams having different principal angular directions representing the different 3D views, and light valves configured to modulate the differently directed, coupled-out light beams. The multibeam diffraction grating may be a member of the array arranged in offset rows and the display may further include light valves having color filters. Alternately, the light valves include color filters and the display may further include the array of multibeam diffraction gratings arranged in offset rows.

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 three-dimensional display device includes a display panel, a barrier panel, and a controller that controls the display panel and the barrier panel. The controller defines multiple first image areas and multiple second image areas in the display panel, causes the first image areas to be at first intervals in a first direction, causes displaying of a first image viewable by a first eye of a user in the first image areas and a second image viewable by a second eye of the user in the second image areas, defines, in the barrier panel, multiple first transmissive areas transmissive to the image light at a first transmissivity and multiple second transmissive areas transmissive to the image light at a second transmissivity, causes the first transmissive areas to be at second intervals in the first direction, and performs an irregular process at third intervals in the first direction.

A display device includes: a first panel including a first image-forming surface for forming a first image visually recognized by a user and a plurality of first pixels; a second panel including a second image-forming surface for forming a second image visually recognized by the user and a plurality of second pixels; and a half-wavelength plate located between the first image-forming surface and the second image-forming surface. The half-wavelength plate includes an optical axis, is configured to be capable of transmitting incident light from either one panel of the first panel and the second panel, and of emitting light as emission light to the other panel. A polarization direction of the emission light from the half-wavelength plate is determined based on a polarization direction of the incident light on the half-wavelength plate and a direction of the optical axis.

A stereoscopic image display device includes a display panel including a first display area and a second display area. A variable light-transmitting structure is disposed on the display panel and forms a blocking area blocking light from the display panel and a transmitting area transmitting the light from the display panel within the first display area by time division. A lens array is disposed on the variable light-transmitting structure and forms a light field by refracting the light from the display panel.

A stereoscopic image display device includes a display panel including a first display area and a second display area. A variable light-transmitting structure is disposed on the display panel and forms a blocking area blocking light from the display panel and a transmitting area transmitting the light from the display panel within the first display area by time division. A lens array is disposed on the variable light-transmitting structure and forms a light field by refracting the light from the display panel.

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.

A three-dimensional display system includes a display panel, an optical element and a controller. The display panel includes an active area configured to display a parallax image. The optical element defines a light beam direction of the parallax image. The controller is configured to vary the parallax image based on positions of first and second eyes of the user. The optical element includes a plurality of optical means which are arranged in a parallax direction. The plurality of optical means extend along an inclination direction inclined to a reference direction with respect to a direction perpendicular to the parallax direction. The reference direction is defined, at least in a standard state, based on at least one of a position of the user in the parallax direction in an interior of the moving body and a position relative to the user of a predetermined facility mounted within the moving body.

A three-dimensional display system includes a display panel, an optical element and a controller. The display panel includes an active area configured to display a parallax image. The optical element defines a light beam direction of the parallax image. The controller is configured to vary the parallax image based on positions of first and second eyes of the user. The optical element includes a plurality of optical means which are arranged in a parallax direction. The plurality of optical means extend along an inclination direction inclined to a reference direction with respect to a direction perpendicular to the parallax direction. The reference direction is defined, at least in a standard state, based on at least one of a position of the user in the parallax direction in an interior of the moving body and a position relative to the user of a predetermined facility mounted within the moving body.