Polarization Compensated Stereoscopic Systems

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments include stereoscopic systems having at least one compensator operable to reduce the sensitivity of polarization control over incidence angle of image source optics and analyzer optics. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed compensator is operable to compensate polarization changes induced by optics at either or both the image source subsystem and the analyzer subsystem, in which the polarization changes would be operable to cause leakage at the analyzer subsystem if uncompensated. As such, the disclosed compensators and compensation techniques are operable to reduce leakage at the analyzer subsystem even if the disclosed compensator may be located at the analyzer subsystem.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A stereoscopic display system comprising:
 an image source subsystem operable to output light of first and second states of polarization;   an LCD panel in the image source subsystem;   an exit polarizer in the image source subsystem, the exit polarizer optically following the LCD panel;   a film patterned retarder in the image source subsystem, the film patterned retarder optically following the exit polarizer; and   a compensator in the image source subsystem, the compensator optically following the exit polarizer and optically preceding the film patterned retarder.   
     
     
         22 . The stereoscopic display system of  claim 21 , wherein the stereoscopic display system has a field of view, and wherein eliminating the compensator narrows the field of view. 
     
     
         23 . The stereoscopic display system of  claim 21 , wherein the film patterned retarder comprises a uniaxial +A-plate. 
     
     
         24 . The stereoscopic display system of  claim 21 , wherein the compensator comprises an O-plate. 
     
     
         25 . The stereoscopic display system of  claim 24 , wherein the compensator comprises a half-wave O-plate.