CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a US 371 application from PCT/EP2017/084723 filed on Dec. 28, 2017, which claims priority to EP Application 17179371.4 filed on Jul. 3, 2017, the technical disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a display device and method for rendering a three-dimensional image.

BACKGROUND

Various devices exist for the generation of three dimensional (“3D”) images, commonly relying on the provision of different images to each eye of a user to create the illusion of depth through the stereoscopic effect. For example, different images can be directly provided to each eye, as in virtual reality headset devices.

Alternatively, different components of a single input image can be separated before they reach the user's eyes. This can be achieved in a multitude of different ways, such as polarized glasses, anaglyph glasses, etc. as known in the art.

Other devices exist which are capable of generating 3D images without requiring a viewer of the images to wear a headset. These such devices usually include one or more special panels and have a limited viewing area from which the 3D effect is viewable. It may therefore be difficult or even impossible to generate, with such devices, an image having a satisfactory 3D effect for multiple users simultaneously.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect disclosed herein, there is provided a display device for rendering a three-dimensional image in accordance with image data, the display device comprising: a plurality of display elements arranged in a display plane, each display element comprising a pixel and an actuator for moving the pixel normal to the display plane; wherein the actuator of each display element is operable in response to receiving a height value for the pixel to move the pixel normal to the display plane in accordance with the height value.

In an example, each display element comprises a pixel guide constraining the movement of the pixel to within a fixed distance normal to the display plane.

In an example, the pixel guides are transparent.

In an example, the pixel of each display element is operable in response to receiving a luminance value to output light in accordance with the luminance value.

In an example, the plurality of pixels are a plurality of colour pixels and the colour pixel of each display element is further operable in response to receiving a colour value to output light in accordance with the colour value.

In an example the pixel of each display element is magnetic or carries a magnet and the actuator of each display element comprises an electromagnetic coil which can be energised to cause the pixel to move.

In an example the display device further comprises a pixel position-extracting portion configured to receive an image file that contains image data and position values for the pixels and to extract therefrom the position values for the pixels.

In an example the display device further comprises a pixel position-extracting portion configured to receive image data and configured to extract the position values by applying a position value generating algorithm to the image data.

In an example the position value generating algorithm comprises an edge detection algorithm for determining a set of pixels that are on detected edges of the image and the pixel position extracting portion is configured to generate larger position values for those pixels in the set.

In an example, the display device further comprises a luminance value extracting portion configured to receive an image file and to extract therefrom the luminance values for the pixels.

According to a second aspect disclosed herein, there is provided a method of rendering a three-dimensional image on a display device comprising a plurality of display elements arranged in a display plane, each display element comprising a pixel and an actuator for moving the pixel normal to the display plane, the method comprising: receiving a position value for the pixel of at least one display element of the display device; controlling the actuator of the at least one display element to move the pixel normal to the display plane in accordance with the position value.

In an example, each display element comprises a pixel guide constraining the movement of the pixel to within a fixed distance normal to the display plane.

In an example, the pixel guides are transparent.

In an example, the pixel of each display element is magnetic or carries a magnet; the actuator of each display element comprises an electromagnetic coil which can be energised to cause the pixel to move; and wherein said controlling the actuator to move the pixel comprises controllably passing an electric current through the electromagnetic coil.

In an example, the method comprises receiving an image file that contains image data and position values for the pixels and wherein said receiving the position value for the pixel comprises extracting the position values for the pixels from the image file.

In an example, the method comprises receiving image data and wherein said receiving the position value for the pixel comprises applying a position value generating algorithm to the image data to generate the position value.

In an example, the position value generating algorithm comprises an edge detection algorithm for determining a set of pixels that are on detected edges of the image and the pixel position extracting portion is configured to generate larger position values for those pixels in the set.

In an example, the method comprises steps of: receiving a luminance value for the pixel of the at least one display element of the display device; controlling the pixel of the at least one display element to output light in accordance with the luminance value.

