Predicting the viewing direction performance of e‐paper displays with front light under ambient lighting conditions

The inherent advantages of reflective e‐paper displays (EPD) – wide viewing direction range and excellent readability even under bright sunlight – can be extended into low‐light conditions by the addition of an integrated lighting unit (ILU) such as a front light. A methodology for predicting the viewing direction dependence of ambient contrast and color from display measurements and illumination models is here applied to reflective EPD where the ILU is switched on. The predictions can be used to optimize task lighting. The ILU improves the indoor performance of EPD without compromising their superior daylight performance.     

Methods for measuring performance of LCoS microdisplays

Abstract— Liquid‐crystal‐on‐silicon (LCoS) microdisplays have unique measurement requirements not shared by direct‐view flat‐panel displays. We developed a series of measurement techniques for measuring reflectance, contrast ratio, and uniformity of LCoS microdisplays. Reflectance is determined by comparing light reflected off of the microdisplay in its “white” state with that reflected off of a calibrated mirror. Several corrections are applied to take into account polarization differences between the reference measurement and display measurement. Contrast ratio is determined by measuring display reflectance in the “white” and “black” states. Reflectance and contrast data can be reduced to scalar values once the spectral content of the intended illumination source is defined. There are several methods for measuring uniformity of contrast and reflectance. An approach that we have developed closely follows the sampled uniformity measurements outlined by VESA for direct‐view displays (Ref. 1).     

Novel front‐light system using fine‐pitch patterned OLED

Abstract— A novel front‐light system that uses an organic light‐emitting‐diode (OLED) light source patterned with a fine pitch has been developed. The front‐light system has the following characteristics: (1) excellent uniformity within the light‐emitting area; (2) emittance that is consistent at all viewing angles; (3) no light leakage at any viewing angle from the side of the observer. This system can be adopted for reflective LCDs, electrophoretic displays (EPDs), microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and other applications.     

A new spectrogoniophotometer to measure leaf spectral and directional optical properties

In this paper we present a new spectrogoniophotometer (SGP) dedicated to the assessment of plant leaf bidirectional optical properties. It consists of a mechanical apparatus coupled with an imaging spectrometer using a bidimensional CCD photodetector. Unpolarized light fluxes are sampled at high spectral and directional resolution to provide biconical reflectance and transmittance factors, every nanometer from 500 nm to 880 nm and at 800 source-sensor configurations (four illumination directions by 200 viewing directions covering the whole sphere). From these calibrated measurements we derive the leaf Bidirectional Reflectance and Transmittance Distribution Functions (BRDF and BTDF). The angular-integrated quantities defined as the Directional Hemispherical Reflectance and Transmittance Function (DHRF and DHTF) are also calculated. The first three sections emphasize the instrumental and calibration issues, as well as the radiometric definitions. In the last section we present some experimental results acquired on various monocot and dicot leaves with special attention to surface reflection. The shape, position and magnitude of the specular lobe, which is a characteristic of many leaves in the forward direction, is investigated for beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L.) using a leaf BRDF model. The width of the specular peak is very variable according to the species and the illumination angle, as well as its contribution to the directional-hemispherical reflectance. Finally, implications in plant physiology or remote sensing are broached.     

BRDF Representation and Acquisition

Photorealistic rendering of real world environments is important in a range of different areas; including Visual Special effects, Interior/Exterior Modelling, Architectural Modelling, Cultural Heritage, Computer Games and Automotive Design. Currently, rendering systems are able to produce photorealistic simulations of the appearance of many real‐world materials. In the real world, viewer perception of objects depends on the lighting and object/material/surface characteristics, the way a surface interacts with the light and on how the light is reflected, scattered, absorbed by the surface and the impact these characteristics have on material appearance. In order to re‐produce this, it is necessary to understand how materials interact with light. Thus the representation and acquisition of material models has become such an active research area. This survey of the state‐of‐the‐art of BRDF Representation and Acquisition presents an overview of BRDF (Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function) models used to represent surface/material reflection characteristics, and describes current acquisition methods for the capture and rendering of photorealistic materials.     

Transmission and reflection dual operational mode MEMS display device

A novel MEMS display device comprising a light separator and MEMS light shutters is introduced. This device is operable both in transmissive mode using internal light source and in reflective mode using external sun light. In transmissive mode, the light separator directs internal backlight illuminated on its incident surface into a plural of small openings (grooves) on the viewing surface. The MEMS light shutters are used to control the color and intensity of light at individual pixels. Internal light utilization efficiency of this display is the greatest compared to any other transmissive displays. The device is capable of having true black background, hence a very high contrast ratio. In reflective mode, MEMS shutters direct part of the sun light for image display. MEMS shutters have fast response time, making the new device suitable for vivid motion picture display, and operable at very low voltages, suitable for mobile device applications.     

Predicting Visual Perception of Material Structure in Virtual Environments

One of the most accurate yet still practical representation of material appearance is the Bidirectional Texture Function (BTF). The BTF can be viewed as an extension of Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) for additional spatial information that includes local visual effects such as shadowing, interreflection, subsurface‐scattering, etc. However, the shift from BRDF to BTF represents not only a huge leap in respect to the realism of material reproduction, but also related high memory and computational costs stemming from the storage and processing of massive BTF data. In this work, we argue that each opaque material, regardless of its surface structure, can be safely substituted by a BRDF without the introduction of a significant perceptual error when viewed from an appropriate distance. Therefore, we ran a set of psychophysical studies over 25 materials to determine so‐called critical viewing distances, i.e. the minimal distances at which the material spatial structure (texture) cannot be visually discerned. Our analysis determined such typical distances typical for several material categories often used in interior design applications. Furthermore, we propose a combination of computational features that can predict such distances without the need for a psychophysical study. We show that our work can significantly reduce rendering costs in applications that process complex virtual scenes.     

Optical characterization of OLED displays

Multispectral viewing angle and imaging characterization have been applied to different organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) displays. Angular dependence of the OLED emission is always complex because of its multilayer structure. Spectral information is also related to the geometry of Fabry–Perot‐like structure of each OLED. High‐resolution viewing angle measurements of different OLED displays are reported and compared. Multispectral viewing angle polarization properties are also reported. Imaging measurements allow to detect wavelength shift on the surface of the displays probably related to thickness non‐uniformities. Local radiance fluctuations from one pixel to the other more related to driving problems due to the dispersion of the electric properties of the driving thin‐film transistors are also detected.     

A high optical efficiency 3D/2D convertible integral imaging display

We propose a high optical efficiency three‐dimensional (3D)/two‐dimensional (2D) convertible integral imaging display by using a pinhole array on a reflective polarizer. The 3D mode is realized by adopting a pinhole array on a reflective polarizer to generate a point light source array. Three‐dimensional/2D convertible feature is realized by electrically controlling a polarization switcher. The reflective polarizer can reflect the light that has the orthogonal polarization direction with the reflective polarizer and transmit the light that has the same polarization direction with the reflective polarizer. The reflected light is recycled, so the optical efficiencies for both 3D and 2D modes are enhanced. In the practical experiments, the optical efficiencies of the proposed integral imaging display increase by 8.04 times and 1.65 times in 3D and 2D modes comparing with the conventional integral imaging display that has no light recycle, respectively.     

A common approach to characterizing autostereoscopic and polarization‐based 3‐D displays

Abstract— Autostereoscopic and polarization‐based stereoscopic 3‐D displays recreate 3‐D images by providing different images in the two eyes of an observer. This aim is achieved differently for these two families of 3‐D displays. It is shown that viewing‐angle measurements can be applied to characterize both types of displays. Viewing‐angle luminance measurements are made at different locations on the display surface for each view emitted by the display. For autostereoscopic displays, a Fourier‐optics instrument with an ultra‐high‐angular‐resolution VCMaster3D is used. For polarization‐based displays, a standard Fourier‐optics instrument with additional glass filters is used. Then, what will be seen by an observer in front of the display is computed. Monocular and binocular quality criteria (left‐ and right‐eye contrast, 3‐D contrast) was used to quantify the ability to perceive depth for any observer position. Qualified monocular and binocular viewing spaces (QMVS and QBVS) are deduced. Precise 3‐D characteristics are derived such as maximum 3‐D contrast, optical viewing freedom in each direction, color shifts, and standard contrast. A quantitative comparison between displays of all types becomes possible.     

3‐D mobile display based on dual‐directional light guides with a fast‐switching liquid‐crystal panel

Abstract— An autostereoscopic display based on dual‐directional light guides with a fast‐switching liquid‐crystal panel was designed and fabricated to provide better 3‐D perception with image qualities comparable to that of 2‐D displays. With two identical micro‐grooved light guides, each with a light‐controlled ability in one direction, two restricted viewing cones are formed to project pairs of parallax images to the viewer's respective eyes sequentially. Crosstalk of less than 10% located within ±8°–±30° and an LC response time of 7.1 msec for a 1.8‐in. LCD panel can yield acceptable 3‐D perceptions at viewing distance of 5.6–23 cm. Moreover, 2‐D/3‐D compatibility is provided in this module.     

Analysis of the reflected image by the cylindrical concave surface of the mobile display

Reflection from the display surface affects the user's viewing experience. Cylindrical concave displays had been reported to be used for TV and mobile smart phone. The position and magnification of reflection at the curved mobile display were determined by the user's position and the focal distance of the cylindrical concave surface of the curved display. If the focal position of the curved surface was smaller or nearer to the user position, the enlarged reflection of the user would block the lights from the surrounding, and the curved display would be effective to reduce the inconvenience due to reflection. As the curvature of the cylindrical surface was different for the vertical and horizontal directions, the reflected image was not located at one distance. Hence, the refractive power of the eye of the user would be difficult to adjust to the position of the reflected image, and the reflected image would look defocused or hazed even for the display surface of the specular reflection.     

Optical characterization of autostereoscopic 3‐D displays

Abstract— Display‐measurement methods different from conventional 2‐D display measurements are needed for verifying the optical characteristics of autostereoscopic (3‐D) displays and for comparing different 3‐D display technologies. Industry is lacking standardized measurement methods, and the reported results can not always be compared. The selected set of characteristics discussed in this paper and partly defining the quality of the 3‐D experience are crosstalk, viewing freedom, and optimum viewing distance. Also, more conventional display characteristics such as luminance are discussed, since the definitions for these characteristics in 3‐D mode usually differ from those used for the 2D displays. We have investigated how these chosen 3‐D display characteristics can be objectively measured from transmissive two‐view and multiview 3‐D displays. The scope of this article is to generally define those basic characteristics as well as the different measurement methods. Most of the 3‐D characteristics can be derived from the luminance and colors versus the viewing angle. Either a conoscopic or a goniometric measurement system can be used, as long as the angular and stray‐light properties are suitable and known. The characteristics and methods are currently discussed in the display‐quality standardization forums.     

Characterizing image quality of autostereoscopic displays by using the maximum luminance at each viewing position

A metric of the 3D image quality of autostereoscopic displays based on optical measurements is proposed. This metric uses each view's luminance contrast, which is defined as the ratio of maximum luminance at each viewing position to total luminance at that position. Conventional metrics of the autostereoscopic display based on crosstalk, which uses “wanted” and “unwanted” lights. However, in case of the multiple‐views‐type autostereoscopic displays, it is difficult to distinguish exactly which lights are wanted lights and which are unwanted lights. This paper assumes that the wanted light has a maximum luminance at the good stereoscopic viewing position, and the unwanted light also has a maximum luminance at the worst pseudo‐stereoscopic viewing position. By using the maximum luminance that is indexed by view number of the autostereoscopic display, the proposed method enables characterizing stereoscopic viewing conditions without using wanted/unwanted light. A 3D image quality metric called “stereo luminance contrast,” the average of both eyes' contrast, is proposed. The effectiveness of the proposed metric is confirmed by the results of optical measurement analyses of different types of autostereoscopic displays, such as the two‐view, scan‐backlight, multi‐view, and integral.     

Optical performance characterization of flexible mobile displays

The high interest in the display industry to produce curved or flexible displays for mobile, wearable, and television markets has raised concerns on the performance of displays in their bent state. Flexible display technologies have been developed for this purpose, but their optical characteristics have not been previously reported at various degrees of curvature. The measurement of flexible displays is possible only with special measurement arrangements using common display characterization devices. A conoscope with a working distance of 15 mm was used to demonstrate the curvature dependence of luminance, viewing angle, and color coordinates of the white point of a flexible active‐matrix organic light‐emitting display. The results show that the effect of curvature on the optical characteristics of the display is most evident at the smallest measured bending radii of +/?50 mm and that the effects are most visible when viewing the bent ends of the display, from the central normal vantage point, with uniform curvature along the display.     

360°‐viewable cylindrical integral imaging system using a 3‐D/2‐D switchable and flexible backlight

Abstract— A 360°‐viewable cylindrical three‐dimensional (3‐D) display system based on integral imaging has been implemented. The proposed system is composed of a cylindrically arranged electroluminescent (EL) pinhole film, an EL film backlight, a barrier structure, and a transmission‐type flexible display panel. The cylindrically arranged point‐light‐source array, which is generated by the EL pinhole film reconstructs 360°‐viewable virtual 3‐D images at the center of the cylinder. In addition, the proposed system provides 3‐D/2‐D convertibility using the switching of EL pinhole film from a point light source to a surface light source. In this paper, the principle of operation, analysis of the viewing parameters, and the experimental results are presented.     

Viewing‐angle enhancement in holographic reflective displays by nanoscale holographic patterning

Abstract— This work presents a method to increase the viewing angle of holographic polymer‐dispersed liquid‐crystal (H‐PDLC) reflective displays. One of the drawbacks to H‐PDLC technology is the existence of a narrow viewing angle. We present a way to alleviate this problem by structuring the phase front of the recording beams to increase the viewing cone of the display. Analysis of the diffractive properties of these holograms shows that the macroscopic and the nanoscale morphologies both play a role in the optical properties of the films.     

基于逐次散射法的海洋-大气矢量辐射传输模式

首先推导了粗糙洋面双向偏振反射模型pBRDF(Bidirectional Polarized Reflectance Distribution Function),并将其与SOSVRT(Successive Order of Scattering Radiative Transfer)矢量辐射传输模式耦合,建立了海洋-大气耦合的矢量辐射传输模式,并对该耦合模式的模拟结果与前人模拟结果进行对比,验证了该耦合模式的可靠性与有效性。不同大气和洋面状态、不同高度的主平面内辐射强度和偏振度的模拟结果表明:pBRDF模型可以很好地模拟不同风速下洋面的偏振反射分布特征;洋面在特定角度具有很高的偏振度,并对大气顶的偏振辐射有很大影响。因此,该耦合模式可以更准确地处理辐射光谱在海洋-大气两种介质间的传输问题,对矢量辐射传输、大气遥感问题的研究有重要意义。     

Development of a liquid crystal with fine‐pitch light‐source display (LFD) using an organic light‐emitting diode (OLED)

Abstract— A novel display system, refered to as an LFD (liquid crystal with fine‐pitch light‐source display) is proposed. In an LFD, an auxiliary light source patterned with a fine pitch is attached to a reflective liquid‐crystal display (LCD), and a light shield is formed on the observer's side of the light source. A vertical‐alignment LCD (VA‐LCD) is attached as the reflective LCD, and an organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) is attached as the fine‐pitch light source. An LFD can produce bright, high‐contrast images under any ambient light. A test sample was built and its display characteristics confirmed.     

Multi‐view 3‐D display employing a flat‐panel display with slanted pixel arrangement

Abstract— A flat‐panel display with a slanted subpixel arrangement has been developed for a multi‐view three‐dimensional (3‐D) display. A set of 3M × N subpixels (M × N subpixels for each R, G, and B color) corresponds to one of the cylindrical lenses, which constitutes a lenticular lens, to construct each 3‐D pixel of a multi‐view display that offers M × N views. Subpixels of the same color in each 3‐D pixel have different horizontal positions, and the R, G, and B subpixels are repeated in the horizontal direction. In addition, the ray‐emitting areas of the subpixels within a 3‐D pixel are continuous in the horizontal direction for each color. One of the vertical edges of each subpixel has the same horizontal position as the opposite vertical edge of another subpixel of the same color. Cross‐talk among viewing zones is theoretically zero. This structure is suitable for providing a large number of views. A liquid‐crystal panel having this slanted subpixel arrangement was fabricated to construct a mobile 3‐D display with 16 views and a 3‐D resolution of 256 × 192. A 3‐D pixel is comprised of 12 × 4 subpixels (M = 4 and N = 4). The screen size was 2.57 in.