Image displaying unit of a 3D image system having multi-viewpoints capable of displaying 2D and 3D images selectively

Patent 7336326 Issued on February 26, 2008. Estimated Expiration Date:

July 28, 2024. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Two-dimensional/three-dimensional compatible type image display
Patent #: 5831765
Issued on: 11/03/1998
Inventor: Nakayama, et al.

Reduced-thickness backlighter for autostereoscopic display and display using the backlighter
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Inventor: Bhagavatula, et al.

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Patent #: 6307585
Issued on: 10/23/2001
Inventor: Hentschke

Parallax barrier, display, passive polarization modulating optical element and method of making such an element Patent #: 6437915
Issued on: 08/20/2002
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Inventors

Assignee

Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd.

Application

No. 10900186 filed on 07/28/2004

US Classes:

349/95, Microlenses349/122, Particular nonoptical film or layer (e.g., adhesive layer, barrier layer)359/464, With right and left channel discriminator (e.g., polarized or colored light)349/64, Diffuser between light source and liquid crystal359/465, Using polarized light353/31Multicolor picture

Examiners

Primary: Ton, Toan

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Stanzione & Kim, LLP

Foreign Patent References

10-221644 JP 08/01/1998
10-268805 JP 10/01/1998
2000-102038 JP 04/01/2000
2002-318369 JP 10/01/2002
2001-0098308 KR 11/01/2001
1020030022581 KR 03/01/2003
WO 01/20386 WO 03/01/2001

International Classes

G02F 1/1335
G02F 1/1333
G02B 21/22

Abstract

A 3D image displaying unit in which 2D and 3D images are interchangeable. The 3D image displaying unit includes an image display panel which displays 2D or 3D images, and an optical plate which is provided behind the image display panel and refracts an incident light to the image display panel. Also, the 3D image displaying unit includes a first flat display device which displays a multi-viewpoint image in a case where the 3D image is displayed, and is transparent in a case where the 2D image is displayed, an optical plate which refracts lights that are incident from the first flat display device and provides parallax in a predetermined direction, and a display unit which provides the lights that pass through the optical plate with a parallax in the vertical direction to a parallax provided by the optical plate in the case where the 3D image is displayed, and displays the corresponding 2D image in the case where the 2D image is displayed.

Other References

Office Action dated Mar. 10, 2006 of Chinese Patent Application No. 200410083272.9.
An Office Action dated May 12, 2005 of the Korean Patent Application No. 2003-52083 (listing 2 references).