Programmable plenoptic function for high-quality directional backlight autostereoscopy

Abstract

A directional backlight autostereoscopy is characterized with well-collimated illumination directionality but generating a homogeneous distribution over the entire display screen over large viewing volume presents significant technical challenge. By taking advantage of the freedom to optimize the backlight, imaging optics and display panel, the adoption of plenoptic function is proposed and applied to the directionally illuminated autostereoscopy to provide viewers to perceive high-quality glass-free three-dimensional display at various viewing locations. With the programmable light-emitting diode arrays and liquid crystal display panel in conjunction with composite Fresnel lens array, an ideal autostereoscopic display is demonstrated. Assisted by retina-tracking and plenoptic function harnessing, high-quality autostereoscopy can be perceived within a large viewing volume with a conventional directional backlight autostereoscopic system but without using extra hardware component.