Disclosed are methods and systems for displaying content. In an aspect, a plurality of content items can be displayed on one user device according to user preference. An example method can comprise positioning a first set of pixels associated with a user device so that first content displayed via the first set of pixels can be viewable in a first viewing location. A second set of pixels associated with the user device can be positioned so that second content displayed via the second set of pixels can be viewable in a second viewing location. The second content can be different from the first content.

Disclosed are a method and a device by which individual images can be displayed simultaneously to a plurality of observers. In this process, projectors can be used that project the colors from which the images are assembled following one another periodically in time.

Disclosed are methods and systems for displaying content. In an aspect, a plurality of content items can be displayed on one user device according to user preference. An example method can comprise positioning a first set of pixels associated with a user device so that first content displayed via the first set of pixels can be viewable in a first viewing location. A second set of pixels associated with the user device can be positioned so that second content displayed via the second set of pixels can be viewable in a second viewing location. The second content can be different from the first content.

An imaging directional backlight apparatus includes a waveguide and light source array for providing large area directed illumination from localized light sources. The waveguide may include a stepped structure in which steps may include extraction features optically hidden to guided light, propagating in a forward direction. Returning light propagating in a backward direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide discrete illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the waveguide. Viewing windows are formed through imaging individual light sources and defines the relative positions of system elements and ray paths. Alignment of the waveguide to mechanical and optical components may be provided by surface relief features of the waveguide arranged in regions adjacent the input surface and intermediate the light emitting regions of the light sources. Efficient, uniform operation may be achieved with low cross talk for application to autostereoscopic and privacy modes of operation.

The disclosed system may include a communication device configured to receive wireless synchronization information for display content, a lens, an optical device, and a controller configured to determine that the display content is in a field of view of the lens, and in response to determining that the display content is within the field of view of the lens, cause the lens to selectively allow the display content to pass through the lens based on the wireless synchronization information. Various other related methods and systems are also disclosed.

The disclosed system may include a communication device configured to receive wireless synchronization information for display content, a lens, an optical device, and a controller configured to determine that the display content is in a field of view of the lens, and in response to determining that the display content is within the field of view of the lens, cause the lens to selectively allow the display content to pass through the lens based on the wireless synchronization information. Various other related methods and systems are also disclosed.

A directional display apparatus including a directional display device that is capable of directing a displayed image into a viewing window of variable width is provided with a privacy control function. A control system detects the presence of one or more secondary viewers in addition to a primary viewer, and decides whether the one or more secondary viewers is permitted to view the displayed image. The control system directs a displayed image into a viewing window which is adjusted, for example by decreasing the width, in dependence on that detection. In addition, the control system detects relative movement between the primary viewer and the display device, and the width of the viewing window is increased in response to detection of said relative movement.

An imaging directional backlight apparatus includes a waveguide and light source array for providing large area directed illumination from localized light sources. The waveguide may include a stepped structure in which steps may include extraction features optically hidden to guided light, propagating in a forward direction. Returning light propagating in a backward direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide discrete illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the waveguide. Viewing windows are formed through imaging individual light sources and defines the relative positions of system elements and ray paths. Alignment of the waveguide to mechanical and optical components may be provided by surface relief features of the waveguide arranged in regions adjacent the input surface and intermediate the light emitting regions of the light sources. Efficient, uniform operation may be achieved with low cross talk for application to autostereoscopic and privacy modes of operation.

A light control sheet having opposing first and second major faces and an internal array of disruptive optical interfaces, wherein the light control sheet is light transmissive such that an image incident to one of the major faces is visible from the other major faces within a field of view which is perpendicular to the major faces but wherein the image is obscured outside the field of view.

A method includes determining one or more controlled viewpoints of a multi-user display which includes a pixelated array and a directional multiplexer, and for each viewpoint of the one or more controlled viewpoints, determining first content to be displayed to the controlled viewpoint according to a visibility criterion. The method further includes, for each viewpoint of the one or more controlled viewpoints, determining a first subset of pixels of the pixelated array whose visibility from the controlled viewpoint satisfies the visibility criterion, and rendering the first content to be displayed on the first subset of pixels of the pixelated array.